Garden Playtime at the Atlanta Botanical Garden offers an engaging opportunity for young children to explore and appreciate the wonders of nature. Running from March through October, this event features a different theme each month, alongside activities that stimulate the senses and encourage creativity. Families are invited to enjoy this educational experience in a natural setting 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. In case of rain or inclement weather, outdoor programming will be canceled. To check the status, please email classes@atlantabg.org.
March: What’s the Weather?
The season kicks off with explorations of weather phenomena. Activities include creating a rain stick at the art station and playing a weather matching game at the kinetic sand tables, with joyful interactions using the rainbow sensory bins.
April: Art in Nature
In April, participants can celebrate National Haiku Poetry Day by merging art with nature. Activities will focus on natural patterns and textures, inviting children to explore forest scenes in sensory bins, combine natural items with playdough, and create personalized nature bookmarks to take home.
May: Enchant Your Senses
This May, the enchantment of Patrick Shearn’s Enchanted Trees invites children to discover the sounds and colors surrounding them. Activities will include interactions with light in the Amphitheatre, exploring the fairy garden sensory bins, and crafting personal wind chimes.
June: Pollinator Friends
In June, participants will learn about the essential role of pollinators during National Pollinator Week. Activities will provide opportunities to engage with diverse pollinator species, play bug tic-tac-toe, and experiment with “bees in a hive” sensory bins, alongside creating beehives using bubble wrap.
July: Kids in Wonderland
The whimsical world of Alice’s Wonderland returns, featuring beautiful mosaiculture sculptures throughout the Garden. Children are invited to find the giant rabbit, participate in sensory tea party activities in the Children’s Garden, and create artworks by painting red roses using celery pieces.
August: Froggy Fun
August brings a focus on frogs, with activities designed to immerse children in their world. Options include frog lawn games, sensory experiences at the frog pond, playdough activities, and frog feet sponge paintings. A Splash Pad is available for cooling down after activities.
September: Enchanted Trees
Continuing the theme of Enchanted Trees, September features explorations of trees through leaf rubbings, a pinecone painting mural, and apple pie themed sensory bins. Children can also create a four-season tree at the art station to take home.
October: Harvest Time
In October, activities celebrate the harvest season, evoking the sights and sounds of autumn. Participants can enjoy a nostalgic atmosphere while engaging in activities like searching for favorite Scarecrows throughout the Garden.
