Garden Playtime at the Atlanta Botanical Garden offers a rich opportunity for young children to engage with nature through a variety of activities designed to stimulate their interest in the natural world. Each month features a new theme alongside activities that promote sensory exploration and creativity, making it an enriching experience for families during 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, email classes@atlantabg.org.
March: Joyful Movement
In March, Garden Playtime will kick off with music, movement, and hands-on activities. Participants will have the opportunity to dance at the music party station, create colorful wind socks to take home, and explore various sounds at sensory bins. Families can also investigate instruments made from plants and experiment with sounds inspired by nature.
April: Patterns Everywhere!
In April, the celebration of National Haiku Poetry Day will inspire activities that blend art with nature. Participants will learn how natural patterns create interesting textures and mimic these textures in their artwork. Families can explore forest scenes in sensory bins, paint with natural items at the mural station, and create recycled art mosaics to take home.
May: Mythical Creatures
May will invite families on a journey into a fantastical world of mythical animals and imaginative forms inspired by the bold sculptures of Niki de Saint Phalle. Activities will include visiting mermaids in sensory bins, uncovering hidden dragon treasure in kinetic sand, and creating slithering snakes at the art station.
June: Pollinator Friends
June will celebrate National Pollinator Week. Participants will learn about the valuable roles pollinator species play in ecosystems and investigate these fascinating creatures up close. Activities will include a bug tic-tac-toe game, sensory bins themed around “bees in a hive,” and decorating bug rocks to take home.
July: Animal Adventures
July’s focus will be inspired by lively animal sculptures in Niki de Saint Phalle’s artwork. Families are encouraged to dress as animals, create a shared animal print mural, and design unique animals to take home.
August: Wonderful Water
In August, families will experience the joy of water movement as celebrated in Niki de Saint Phalle’s art. Activities will include water sensory bins, making water lily art, exploring frog pond shaving cream, and engaging in frog games on the Children’s Garden lawn. Participants are invited to cool down at the Splash Pad before concluding their visit.
September: Golden Grows
September marks the Garden’s 50th Anniversary and will celebrate the golden colors found throughout its landscape. Activities will feature sunflower art, sensory bins with sunflower rice, and painting with corn cobs at the mural station.
October: Harvest Time
In October, the activities will highlight the harvest season, inviting families to relish the aromas of autumn and the sounds of crunching leaves. Participants will have the opportunity to search for their favorite scarecrows within the Garden.
