Introduce children to the joys of nature at the Atlanta Botanical Garden! Families can participate in fun activities that stimulate children’s interest in the natural world. With a new theme each month, the activities engage the senses and spark creativity, making Garden Playtime an enjoyable and enriching experience throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Dates: Tuesdays, March – Oct.
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Free with Garden admission
Suggested ages: 6 months – 5 years. Weather permitting. Activities will be canceled if rain or inclement weather makes outdoor programming impractical. To check the status, email classes@atlantabg.org.
March: What’s the Weather?
Kick off a new season of Garden Playtime as participants explore the wonder of weather. They can visit the art station to make their own rain stick and play a weather matching game at the kinetic sand tables! Don’t forget to check out the rainbow sensory bins to bring in the sunshine.
April: Art in Nature
Celebrate National Haiku Poetry Day this April by combining art with nature. Participants will learn how natural patterns create interesting textures and mimic those textures in art. They can explore forest scenes in sensory bins, combine natural items with playdough at playdough tables, and create their own nature bookmark to take home.
May: Enchant Your Senses
This May, participants can discover the magic that Patrick Shearn’s Enchanted Trees bring to the Garden. They will adventure into the sounds and colors of the world, explore the wonder of light in the Amphitheatre, search for hidden friends in fairy garden sensory bins, and design their own wind chime to take home.
June: Pollinator Friends
In June, participants can celebrate National Pollinator Week by learning about the valuable role that diverse pollinator species play in ecosystems and investigating these fascinating critters up close. Activities include bug tic-tac-toe, hands-on exploration in “bees in a hive” sensory bins and honey slime, and designing a beehive using bubble wrap!
July: Kids in Wonderland
July brings back Alice’s Wonderland for another season of fun, featuring beautiful mosaiculture sculptures placed throughout the Garden. Participants can find the giant rabbit and other intriguing sculptures, then let their imaginations run wild at the Children’s Garden during the tea party sensory station and flamingo croquet. They should also visit the art station to paint red roses using celery pieces!
August: Froggy Fun
August invites everyone to dive into the wonderful world of frogs! From frog lawn games to frog pond sensory bins, playdough stations, and frog feet sponge paintings, there will be plenty of hopping fun. Participants should be sure to cool down in the Splash Pad before heading home.
September: Enchanted Trees
In September, the joy of Patrick Shearn’s Enchanted Trees continues in the Children’s Garden as families explore the wonder of trees. Activities include leaf rubbings, a pinecone painting mural, hands-on exploration in apple pie themed sensory bins, and creating a four-season tree to take home at the art station.
October: Harvest Time
October’s activities are inspired by the harvest season. With delicious food aromas and the crunching sounds of leaves, participants can relax into the nostalgia of autumn as they wind down Garden Playtime for the year. They should save time to hunt around for their favorite Scarecrows in the Garden.
