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Please note: Activities may be canceled in the event of rain or inclement weather. Cancellations will be announced on the website and social media by 2 p.m. on the day of the event. The Garden and its parking facility are card-only. No cash is accepted.

Original event listing

During Storybook Time with Ms. Ally, children will experience nature-inspired storytelling, engaging with tales about bees, flowers, butterflies, and other garden friends. This program is designed for little ones to hear and interact with stories in a captivating environment.

Suggested ages: 1 – 4 years
Dates: Wednesdays, March – October
Time: 10 & 10:45 a.m.

Participation is free with Garden Membership or Admission; no reservations are required.

• This program takes place in the Children’s Garden Amphitheatre at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Weather permitting. The program will be canceled if rain or inclement weather makes outdoor activities impractical. For updates on the program status, inquiries may be directed to classes@atlantabg.org.

This event is intended for children accompanied by an adult.

Original event listing

This event invites families to explore the wonders of nature through a series of engaging activities designed to spark children’s interest in the natural world. Garden Playtime, held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, features a new theme each month, providing sensory and creative experiences for children. This program runs throughout the spring, summer, and fall with a variety of enriching activities.

Dates: Tuesdays, March – October.
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Free with Garden admission

Suggested ages: 6 months – 5 years. Weather permitting. Events will be canceled if rain or inclement weather makes outdoor programming impractical. For weather status updates, please contact classes@atlantabg.org.

March: Joyful Movement

The program begins with music, movement, and hands-on activities, featuring a dance party, wind sock creations, and sensory exploration of sounds inspired by nature.

April: Patterns Everywhere!

This month celebrates National Haiku Poetry Day by combining art with nature. Participants will learn about natural patterns, explore forest scenes in sensory bins, and create art inspired by textures found in nature.

May: Mythical Creatures

In May, the focus shifts to discovering the magical creatures found in Niki de Saint Phalle’s sculptures. Activities include exploring sensory bins, uncovering hidden treasures, and sculpting art inspired by mythical animals.

June: Pollinator Friends

In recognition of National Pollinator Week, June’s activities will educate participants on the vital role of pollinators. Interactive games and sensory exploration involving bees and bugs will be included.

July: Animal Adventures

July’s theme encourages families to explore animal-inspired sculptures, with opportunities to dress up, create animal murals, and design unique animals to take home.

August: Wonderful Water

August focuses on the joyful movement of water, with sensory activities featuring water bins, lily art, and games on the Children’s Garden lawn, including access to the Splash Pad.

September: Golden Grows

In celebration of the Garden’s 50th Anniversary, September will feature activities centered around the golden colors of nature, including sunflower art and sensory exploration with sunflower rice.

October: Harvest Time

October marks the wind down of Garden Playtime with activities inspired by the harvest season, focusing on autumn aromas and sounds, alongside a search for scarecrows in the Garden.

Original event listing

Saturdays at 10 a.m.: The Fuqua Conservatory lobby at the Atlanta Botanical Garden hosts public frog feedings, where visitors can observe the feeding behaviors of various frog species. An amphibian specialist will provide interesting insights and respond to inquiries regarding these fascinating creatures.

This event showcases the unique feeding habits of frogs, particularly their long, sticky tongues used to capture prey. Certain species, such as Poison frogs, exhibit remarkable speed and precision, making it appear as though flies vanish in an instant. In contrast, dramatic feeders like the fringed leaf frog utilize their hands to stuff crickets into their mouths, providing an engaging display for all attendees.

Original event listing

The Atlanta Botanical Garden will host a series of live performances featuring some of Atlanta’s notable children’s musicians and storytellers. Shows are scheduled for Fridays from May through September at 10:00 and 10:45 a.m.

Travis Murphy will lead a musical adventure that incorporates various sounds, movements, and playful lyrics, with interactive elements for participants. Mr. Travis has dedicated the past 13 years to teaching music to preschool-aged children in and around Atlanta and tours professionally with his band.

Admission is free with a Garden Membership or ticket purchase; no reservations for shows are required.

See the Entire Line-up

• This program is held on the Great Lawn beneath the shade of the elm trees.

• Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or ground cover, as morning grass may be damp.

• A program greeter will be present on the Great Lawn starting 10 minutes before each session.

In the event of rain, cold temperatures, or severe weather, the show may be canceled or relocated indoors. To verify the status, inquiries may be directed to classes@atlantabg.org.

Shows for Seedlings are designed for children accompanied by an adult.

Original event listing

Storybook Time with Ms. Ally offers nature-inspired storytelling for young children, featuring engaging tales about bees, flowers, butterflies, and other garden friends. During these sessions, children will have the opportunity to hear, engage, and interact with the stories presented by Ms. Ally.

Suggested ages: 1 – 4 years
Dates: Wednesdays, March – October
Time: 10:00 & 10:45 a.m.

Admission is free with a Garden Membership or regular admission; no reservations are required.

• This program is held at the Children’s Garden Amphitheatre within the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Weather permitting. The program will be canceled if rain or inclement weather renders outdoor programming impractical. For status updates, inquiries can be directed to classes@atlantabg.org.

This program is intended for children accompanied by an adult.

Original event listing

Garden Playtime at the Atlanta Botanical Garden introduces young children to the joys of nature. This program features engaging activities designed to stimulate interest in the natural world, with a new theme each month. Families can look forward to experiences that engage the senses and encourage creativity 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. Cancellations will occur in the event of rain or inclement weather making outdoor programming impractical. For status updates, please email classes@atlantabg.org.

March: Joyful Movement

Kick off Garden Playtime with music, movement, and hands-on activities. Participants can enjoy a music party station, create a colorful wind sock to take home, and explore various sounds in sensory bins. Families may also explore instruments made from plants and experiment with sounds inspired by nature.

April: Patterns Everywhere!

Celebrate National Haiku Poetry Day by combining art with nature. Attendees will learn about natural patterns and create textures in art. Activities include exploring forest scenes in sensory bins, painting with natural items at a mural station, and making a recycled art mosaic to take home.

May: Mythical Creatures

Discover magical creatures inspired by Niki de Saint Phalle’s bold sculptures. The program includes visiting mermaids in sensory bins, uncovering hidden dragon treasure in kinetic sand, and creating a slithering snake at the art station.

June: Pollinator Friends

In June, participants will celebrate National Pollinator Week by learning about the role of diverse pollinator species in ecosystems. Activities include playing bug tic-tac-toe, exploring “bees in a hive” sensory bins and homemade scented playdough, and decorating a “bug rock” to take home.

July: Animal Adventures

July’s Garden Playtime draws inspiration from the lively animal sculptures found in Niki de Saint Phalle’s artwork. Activities encourage families to dress up as animals, create a shared animal print mural, and design unique animals to take home.

August: Wonderful Water

In August, the program will celebrate the joyful movement of water seen in Niki de Saint Phalle’s art. Families can engage with water sensory bins, participate in water lily art projects, explore frog pond shaving cream, and play frog games on the Children’s Garden lawn. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy the Splash Pad before leaving.

September: Golden Grows

September’s Garden Playtime honors the Garden’s 50th Anniversary and highlights the golden colors present throughout the landscape. Participants will create sunflower art, engage with sensory bins filled with sunflower rice, and paint with corn cobs at the mural station.

October: Harvest Time

October activities are inspired by the harvest season, featuring pleasant food aromas and the sounds of crunching leaves. Families can unwind and enjoy a search for their favorite Scarecrows in the Garden as the program concludes for the year.

Original event listing

Saturdays at 10 a.m.: The Fuqua Conservatory lobby at the Atlanta Botanical Garden hosts public frog feedings, where visitors can observe the feeding behaviors of various frogs as they interact with their meals. An amphibian specialist will be present to share informative insights and address any questions regarding these fascinating creatures.

This event highlights some of the most intriguing aspects of amphibian life, particularly their feeding techniques. Many frogs utilize long, sticky tongues to capture prey, exhibiting remarkable speed and precision. For example, Poison frogs demonstrate such swift accuracy that observers often see only flies vanishing. In contrast, the fringed leaf frog engages in more dramatic feeding behaviors, using its hands to assist in consuming crickets.

Original event listing

The Atlanta Botanical Garden will host a series of live performances featuring well-known children’s musicians and storytellers. These engaging shows will occur on Fridays from May through September at 10:00 and 10:45 a.m.

Attendees can explore Chinese dance with Hwee-Eng Lee and Kerry Lee, the directors of the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company (ACDC). Founded in 1991, ACDC educates and entertains the metro Atlanta area, showcasing Chinese history and culture through dance. Notably, the company performed in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games, highlighting Atlanta on a global stage.

Admission to these performances is free with a Garden Membership or regular admission; no reservations for shows are required.

See the Entire Line-up

• This program will take place on the Great Lawn, providing shade under the elm trees.

• Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or ground cover, as the grass may be damp in the morning.

• A program greeter will be available on the Great Lawn starting 10 minutes before each session.

In the event of rain, cold temperatures, or inclement weather, the performances may be canceled or moved indoors. For updates, inquiries can be directed to classes@atlantabg.org.

Shows for Seedlings are designed for children and must be accompanied by an adult.

Original event listing

Saturdays at 10 a.m.: The Atlanta Botanical Garden invites visitors to the Fuqua Conservatory lobby for an opportunity to observe the feeding behaviors of frogs. An amphibian specialist will provide insights and respond to inquiries about these intriguing creatures.

Public frog feedings offer a unique chance to witness one of the most fascinating aspects of amphibian life. Frogs typically employ long, sticky tongues that extend rapidly towards their prey. Species such as the Poison frogs exhibit remarkable speed and precision, making it seem as though flies vanish before one’s eyes. Conversely, the fringed leaf frog engages in more theatrical feeding by using its hands to stuff crickets into its mouth.

Original event listing