The Atlanta Botanical Garden invites families to participate in Garden Playtime, a series of engaging activities designed to introduce young children to the wonders of nature. Each monthly theme will stimulate children’s curiosity and creativity through sensory experiences and interactive play. This program is available 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 if rain or inclement weather makes outdoor programming impractical. To check the status of an event, please email classes@atlantabg.org.
March: What’s the Weather?
Kick off the season by exploring the wonders of weather. Participants can create their own rain sticks at the art station and engage in a weather matching game using kinetic sand. Sensory bins featuring rainbows will also be available.
April: Art in Nature
In honor of National Haiku Poetry Day, this month combines art and nature. Attendees will learn to mimic natural patterns and textures through various artistic activities, including exploring forest scenes in sensory bins, combining natural items with playdough, and creating personalized nature bookmarks.
May: Enchant Your Senses
This month features Patrick Shearn’s Enchanted Trees, inviting attendees to explore the sounds and colors of nature. Activities will include examining light in the Amphitheatre, searching for hidden friends in the fairy garden sensory bins, and designing personalized wind chimes.
June: Pollinator Friends
Celebrating National Pollinator Week, participants will learn about the important roles of various pollinator species. Activities include a bug tic-tac-toe game, sensory bins themed around bees in a hive, honey slime, and creating beehives using bubble wrap.
July: Kids in Wonderland
The fun continues with Alice’s Wonderland, featuring mosaiculture sculptures within the Garden. Attendees can explore the giant rabbit sculpture, engage in a tea party sensory station, and participate in flamingo croquet. An art station will also be available for painting red roses using celery pieces.
August: Froggy Fun
In August, children will immerse themselves in the world of frogs with various activities, including frog lawn games, sensory bins filled with pond-related materials, playdough stations, and frog feet sponge painting. The Splash Pad will be available for cooling down afterward.
September: Enchanted Trees
The enchantment of Patrick Shearn’s trees continues as children explore the significance of trees. Activities will include leaf rubbings, a pinecone painting mural, apple pie-themed sensory bins, and an art station for creating four-season trees to take home.
October: Harvest Time
October’s activities celebrate the harvest season, focusing on seasonal aromas and sounds. Participants can enjoy nostalgic autumn experiences while searching for favorite scarecrows scattered throughout the Garden.
