children & family programs

Opportunities abound for kids and families to explore the world of plants year round at Denver Botanic Gardens. From birth through the teenage years, a variety of opportunities are available. For a view of our current offerings of kids' classes, please visit our registration page.  

Children’s Programs

• Seedlings (Ages 3-5)
  Seedlings classes offer a fun, hands-on way for young children to explore many different aspects of the plant world while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants and their importance. Classes include hands-on explorations, nature walks, stories and projects for 3-5 year olds and their caregivers.

• Plant Explorers (Ages 6-10)
  Plant Explorers take a close look at a variety of familiar and new plants, as well as other plant-related topics. Classes will include guided explorations, activities and projects to take home. Adults and siblings are welcome to explore the Gardens during class time, but may not attend the class.

• Day Camps (Ages 6-14)
  Discover the wonders of the plant world as you explore plants from around the world, investigate how people use plants and learn how important plants are to all living things. Look forward to growing your very own plants, designing gardens, cooking with plants and much more. Each day will bring new activities and you are guaranteed to take home plants and other unique projects. Registration for summer camps begins March 2 for general/family members and up. All others may register starting on March 9.

  Camps include:	Junior Master Gardeners (ages 6-12): Learn what it takes to grow and maintain a garden. March 23-27
  	Plant-o-Saurus Discovery (ages 6-12): Get upclose and personal with the Jurassic Gardens exhibit as you explore connections between dinosaurs and plants. June 22-26
  	KidCamp (ages 6-12): Discover the wonders of the plant world with a different theme each day. Session I - July 6-10; Session II – July 13-17; Session III – July 20-24
  	P.S.I.: Plant Science Investigators (ages 12-14): Use your knowledge of plants and gardening to solve the mystery of the disappearing banana. July 27-July 31

  Activities change each year, so you can return year after year and discover something new. 

Family Programs

• Family Guides
  Enhance your families' visit to Denver Botanic Gardens with the use of a Family Guide. Family Guides provide fun activities and kid-friendly information about our gardens and plants. Choose from Tree Hunt; Tasty, Tropical Treats; Passport to the World; Say What?; The Japanese Garden; and Plant Explorer. Guides are free with admission and available to checkout at the Information Desk whenever the Gardens is open.

• Family Days
  Looking for a fun way to fill a Saturday or Sunday in the summer? Bring the family to Denver Botanic Gardens to explore the world of plants. On selected weekends, we’ll roll out the red carpet for families with a variety of fun garden activities and projects to take home. Each month brings a new theme, so families can come back again and again. Free with admission to the Gardens.

  • Prehistoric Plant Party – June 6, 7, 14; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
    The dinosaurs ate plants and lived among plants. Discover a few of the plants that lived in the time of the dinosaurs.

  • Fun with Fibers – June 20, 21, 27, 28; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Discover some of the plants used to make your clothes and weave a few fibers for yourself.

  • The July Family Days have been cancelled.

  • Fall Harvest – Sept. 19 & 20; 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. (at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield)
    Fall brings a bounty to the kitchen. Discover all of the wonderful things the garden provides and create a few harvest treats to take home.
     

• Discovery Room for Families
  This new room offers families and children a new way to explore the world of plants. Families can choose from a variety of hands-on activities, games, models and books to expand their visit to the Gardens. Activities include  "Take a closer look at plants using microscopes and magnifying glasses," "Create a picture using different kinds of seeds," "Learn how carnivorous plants catch their prey" and much more. The Discovery Room is located on the second floor bridge of the Education Building overlooking the main lobby. To access the Discovery Room, use the stairs marked fire exit adjacent to the Library entrance. The Discovery Room is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free with admission to the Gardens.

• Story Time in the Gardens
  Extend your visit to the Gardens with a trip down storybook lane. Each Saturday and Sunday in June and July, we will be reading garden and plant-related stories. Drop in to listen to a story or two – and plant a seed to take home. Story Time is included in the Gardens’ general admission fee. Meet in the Victorian Secret Garden. In the case of inclement weather, Story Time will be held in the Helen Fowler Library. Sat. and Sun., June 6-July 26, 10-11 a.m.  Free with admission to the Gardens.

Find out about "Jurassic Gardens" exhibit-related activities for kids, families and teachers.