Suggested ages: 6 months – 5 years. Weather permitting. The event at the Atlanta Botanical Garden will be canceled if rain or inclement weather makes outdoor programming impractical. To check the status, participants may email classes@atlantabg.org.
March: Colors of Spring
Nature produces a vibrant palette of color every spring in Georgia—from snowy white dogwoods to brilliant pink and red azaleas, and everything in between. Participants will create vibrant artwork, explore rainbow sensory bins, and let their imaginations run wild at colorful playdough stations.
April: Spring Birds
Attendees will explore the different shapes of bird beaks and how those shapes determine what food they can eat at the bird exploration station. They will also create their own feathery friend with colorful chalk and design the perfect bird nest out of clay.
May: Mythical Creatures
This month invites participants to discover the fascinating array of mythical creatures found in beloved children’s stories. They can visit the mermaids in sensory bins, uncover hidden dragon treasure in kinetic sand, and construct their own dragon egg at the art station.
June: Pollinator Friends
In June, the event will celebrate National Pollinator Week. Participants will learn about the valuable role of diverse pollinator species in ecosystems and investigate these fascinating critters up close. Activities include a bee pollen counting game, hands-on sensory exploration with “bees in a hive,” and designing a “hungry caterpillar.”
July: Kids in Wonderland
Alice’s Wonderland returns this year, featuring beautiful mosaiculture sculptures throughout the Garden. Participants can find the giant rabbit and other sculptures and let their imaginations run wild in the Children’s Garden with activities at the tea party sensory station and flamingo croquet. They will also have a chance to design their own crown like the Queen of Hearts!
August: Wonderful Water
This month will allow attendees to dive into the wonderful world of water! From streams and rivers to marshes and oceans, water’s uniqueness will be highlighted. Activities include visiting sea turtle sensory bins, designing jellyfish, playing frog games on the Children’s Garden lawn, and cooling down in the Splash Pad.
September: Life in the Desert
Participants will explore one of the world’s most unique habitats, learning about the plants and animals that call the desert home. They will explore desert scenes in sensory bins, construct a cactus at playdough tables, and create sand succulent art to take home.
October: Harvest Time
This month’s activities are inspired by the harvest season. From delicious food aromas to the crunching sounds of leaves, attendees will relax into the nostalgia of autumn as the year’s Garden Playtime winds down. They will also have the opportunity to hunt around for their favorite Scarecrows in the Garden.
