Garden Playtime offers children an opportunity to engage with the natural world through various activities. Each month features a different theme designed to stimulate interest and creativity. These activities are suitable for families and are held throughout the spring, summer, and fall at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Dates: Tuesdays, March – October
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Free with Garden admission
Suggested ages: 6 months – 5 years. Weather permitting. In the event of rain or inclement weather that makes outdoor programming impractical, the program will be canceled. To verify status, email classes@atlantabg.org.
March: Joyful Movement
The season begins with music, movement, and hands-on fun. Activities include a music party station, crafting wind socks, and exploring sounds at sensory bins. Families will also have the chance to discover instruments made from plants and experiment with nature-inspired sounds.
April: Patterns Everywhere!
In celebration of National Haiku Poetry Day, this month focuses on combining art with nature. Participants will learn how natural patterns create intriguing textures, mimic those in art, and explore forest scenes in sensory bins. Activities include painting with natural items and creating recycled art mosaics.
May: Mythical Creatures
Inspired by Niki de Saint Phalle’s sculptures, this month invites families to explore a fantastical world of mythical animals. Activities include visiting mermaids in sensory bins, uncovering hidden treasures, and crafting personal artistic creations like slithering snakes.
June: Pollinator Friends
In honor of National Pollinator Week, families will learn about the vital roles of various pollinator species. Activities include a bug tic-tac-toe game, sensory exploration with “bees in a hive” bins, and decorating “bug rocks” to take home.
July: Animal Adventures
This month draws inspiration from animal sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle. Activities encourage families to dress as animals, create a shared animal print mural, and design unique animal creations to take home.
August: Wonderful Water
Reflecting the joyful movement of water in Niki de Saint Phalle’s art, activities for this month will include water sensory bins, creating water lily art, and engaging in frog pond games on the Children’s Garden lawn.
September: Golden Grows
In celebration of the Garden’s 50th Anniversary, September’s theme focuses on the golden colors of the landscape. Families will participate in sunflower art projects and sensory activities using sunflower rice.
October: Harvest Time
Activities for October will focus on the harvest season, inviting families to engage with the scents and sounds of autumn. Families can search for scarecrows in the Garden as part of the festivities.
