The Atlanta Botanical Garden presents an engaging program designed to introduce children to the wonders of nature. Garden Playtime features a variety of activities aimed at stimulating interest in the natural world. Each month showcases a different theme, with activities designed to engage the senses and inspire creativity. This program is ideal for families during the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
Dates: Tuesdays, March – October
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Free with Garden admission
Suggested ages: 6 months – 5 years. Weather permitting. Outdoor programming may be canceled in the event of rain or inclement weather. For status updates, please contact classes@atlantabg.org.
March: Joyful Movement
Kick off Garden Playtime with music, movement, and hands-on activities. Activities include dancing at a music party station, creating a colorful wind sock, and exploring sounds at sensory bins. Families will also have the opportunity to engage with instruments made from plants and experiment with nature-inspired sounds.
April: Patterns Everywhere!
Celebrate National Haiku Poetry Day this April by combining art and nature. Activities focus on discovering natural patterns, mimicking textures in art, exploring forest scenes in sensory bins, painting with natural items, and creating recycled art mosaics.
May: Mythical Creatures
Explore the magical creatures represented in Niki de Saint Phalle’s sculptures. This month’s activities include visiting mermaids in sensory bins, uncovering hidden dragon treasures in kinetic sand, and creating slithering snakes at the art station.
June: Pollinator Friends
June celebrates National Pollinator Week, offering activities designed to teach about the role of diverse pollinator species. Participants can enjoy a bug tic-tac-toe game, interact with sensory bins and homemade scented playdough, and decorate a “bug rock” to take home.
July: Animal Adventures
This month’s activities draw inspiration from animal sculptures in Niki de Saint Phalle’s artwork. Families are invited to dress as animals, collaborate on an animal print mural, and design unique animals to take home.
August: Wonderful Water
August features activities inspired by the joyful movement of water in Niki de Saint Phalle’s art. Activities include water sensory bins, water lily art, froggy shaving cream exploration, and games in the Children’s Garden lawn, along with a chance to cool off in the Splash Pad.
September: Golden Grows
In honor of the Garden’s 50th Anniversary, September’s program focuses on the golden colors found in the landscape. Families can participate in sunflower art, scoop and pour in sunflower rice sensory bins, and paint with corn cobs at the mural station.
October: Harvest Time
October activities celebrate the harvest season, focusing on autumnal scents and sounds. Families can enjoy seasonal activities, including a scavenger hunt for scarecrows within the Garden.
