Garden Playtime at the Atlanta Botanical Garden introduces young children to the joys of nature. This program features engaging activities designed to stimulate interest in the natural world, with a new theme each month. Families can look forward to experiences that engage the senses and encourage creativity throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Dates: Tuesdays, March – October.
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Free with Garden admission
Suggested ages: 6 months – 5 years. Weather permitting. Cancellations will occur in the event of rain or inclement weather making outdoor programming impractical. For status updates, please email classes@atlantabg.org.
March: Joyful Movement
Kick off Garden Playtime with music, movement, and hands-on activities. Participants can enjoy a music party station, create a colorful wind sock to take home, and explore various sounds in sensory bins. Families may also explore instruments made from plants and experiment with sounds inspired by nature.
April: Patterns Everywhere!
Celebrate National Haiku Poetry Day by combining art with nature. Attendees will learn about natural patterns and create textures in art. Activities include exploring forest scenes in sensory bins, painting with natural items at a mural station, and making a recycled art mosaic to take home.
May: Mythical Creatures
Discover magical creatures inspired by Niki de Saint Phalle’s bold sculptures. The program includes visiting mermaids in sensory bins, uncovering hidden dragon treasure in kinetic sand, and creating a slithering snake at the art station.
June: Pollinator Friends
In June, participants will celebrate National Pollinator Week by learning about the role of diverse pollinator species in ecosystems. Activities include playing bug tic-tac-toe, exploring “bees in a hive” sensory bins and homemade scented playdough, and decorating a “bug rock” to take home.
July: Animal Adventures
July’s Garden Playtime draws inspiration from the lively animal sculptures found in Niki de Saint Phalle’s artwork. Activities encourage families to dress up as animals, create a shared animal print mural, and design unique animals to take home.
August: Wonderful Water
In August, the program will celebrate the joyful movement of water seen in Niki de Saint Phalle’s art. Families can engage with water sensory bins, participate in water lily art projects, explore frog pond shaving cream, and play frog games on the Children’s Garden lawn. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy the Splash Pad before leaving.
September: Golden Grows
September’s Garden Playtime honors the Garden’s 50th Anniversary and highlights the golden colors present throughout the landscape. Participants will create sunflower art, engage with sensory bins filled with sunflower rice, and paint with corn cobs at the mural station.
October: Harvest Time
October activities are inspired by the harvest season, featuring pleasant food aromas and the sounds of crunching leaves. Families can unwind and enjoy a search for their favorite Scarecrows in the Garden as the program concludes for the year.
