The Atlanta Botanical Garden invites families to explore the joys of nature through engaging activities designed for young children. Each month features a new theme that stimulates interest in the natural world, with activities that engage the senses and encourage creativity. Garden Playtime is scheduled from March through October on Tuesdays, providing an enjoyable and enriching experience for families.
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, please contact classes@atlantabg.org.
March: Joyful Movement
Kick off Garden Playtime with a blend of music, movement, and hands-on activities. Participants can dance at the music party station, create colorful wind socks to take home, and explore various sounds at sensory bins. The event also features instruments made from plants, allowing for sound experimentation inspired by nature.
April: Patterns Everywhere!
In celebration of National Haiku Poetry Day, April’s theme integrates art with nature. Participants can learn about natural patterns and textures, mimicking them in their art projects. Activities will include exploring forest scenes in sensory bins, painting with natural items at a mural station, and creating recycled art mosaics to take home.
May: Mythical Creatures
Inspired by Niki de Saint Phalle’s vibrant sculptures, this month invites families to explore a fantastical world of mythical animals. Activities include visiting sensory bins with mermaids, searching for hidden dragon treasures in kinetic sand, and creating slithering snakes at the art station.
June: Pollinator Friends
June features National Pollinator Week, focusing on the essential role of diverse pollinator species. Participants will engage in activities such as bug tic-tac-toe, hands-on exploration in “bees in a hive” sensory bins, making homemade scented playdough, and decorating “bug rocks” to take home.
July: Animal Adventures
In July, participants will draw inspiration from the animal sculptures in Niki de Saint Phalle’s artwork. Activities will include dressing up as animals, collaborating on a shared animal print mural, and designing unique animals to take home.
August: Wonderful Water
August highlights the theme of water, celebrating its joyful movement as depicted in Niki de Saint Phalle’s art. Families can enjoy water sensory bins, create water lily art, explore shaving cream frog ponds, and participate in frog games on the Children’s Garden lawn. A Splash Pad will be available for cooling down before heading home.
September: Golden Grows
In honor of the Garden’s 50th Anniversary, September’s activities focus on the golden colors found throughout the landscape. Families are invited to create sunflower art, scoop and pour in sunflower rice sensory bins, and paint with corn cobs at the mural station.
October: Harvest Time
October’s activities celebrate the harvest season through sensory experiences. Participants will engage with seasonal aromas, the crunching sounds of leaves, and a hunt for their favorite scarecrows throughout the Garden.
