Program Offerings for Homeschool Groups

Homeschool enrichment programs at the Gardens encourage children and grownups to explore the natural world together. Programs provide opportunities to extend families’ appreciation and knowledge of the natural world, to build upon skills and spark curiosity to continue learning at home. With a variety of program formats and topics connecting science, art and nature there is something for everyone!

The Gardens offers the following program options for organized groups of homeschool families looking to visit the Gardens and schedule a private program for their group.

Scheduling and Payment

Minimum group size is 10 participating children. Groups with less than 10 children are welcome but will be required to pay the minimum program fee. Program registration includes admission to the Gardens.
Assigning one main contact to coordinate the details, logistics and payment for the group is highly encouraged. One group payment is preferred, however registration and payment by family group can be accommodated.
Don’t see a program topic that fits your groups’ needs? Contact familyprograms@botanicgardens.org for options regarding custom content.
Ready to schedule a program? Fill out our Homeschool Group Program Request Form to begin the reservation process.

Program Options

Homeschool Make and Take Programs at York Street

Price: $14 per participating child; each participating child creates one make and take project. Minimum program fee is $120.

Program Format: Homeschool Make and Take programs offer a space for children and their grownups to connect with the natural world and create together. These self-guided and self-paced programs are designed to provide a creative environment that sparks imagination. The Gardens provides the space and supplies. You and your group members provide the ideas and creativity! Each Make and Take program includes a self-guided exploration guide and the space and supplies to complete a project to take home. Groups typically spend 1-2 hours exploring and creating.

Option 1 - Journey through the Rainforest: Take a trip to the tropics without booking a flight. Explore the complex relationships and layered ecosystems of the flora and fauna who make the rainforest their home. Complete a self-guided journey through the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory, then plant and decorate a miniature jungle-inspired terrarium to take home.
Option 2 - Miniature Japanese Gardens: Explore Denver Botanic Gardens' beautiful Shofu-en, the Garden of Pine and Wind. A traditional Japanese stroll garden, Shofu-en is inspired by Colorado's Rocky Mountains and features regional plants curated in a classic Japanese style. Complete a self-guided journey through Shofu-en and then design, decorate and plant a miniature container garden to take home.

Science Studio for Homeschoolers at York Street

Price: $13 per child; one adult per child is free of charge. Additional adults and non-participating siblings ages 3 and up are $7 each. Non-participating siblings do not participate in take-home activities. Minimum program fee is $120.

Program Format: Science Studio offers families a guided classroom experience to investigate the connections between scientific concepts, the arts and the natural world. Each studio session utilizes a variety of natural materials and art mediums to explore scientific concepts related to the natural world. After exploring the session's scientific content, students will have the opportunity to get creative with the art materials provided. Programs are 60-90 minutes.

Option 1 - Cyanotypes: Deep, rich blues and crisp, bright whites, learn to make cyanotypes. Cyanotypes are photographic prints made without the use of a camera. Discover how the earliest photographs of plants were produced using an innovative chemical process and the power of the sun. Connect with this antique technique and create your own stunning cyanotype prints.
Option 2 - From Plants to Paper: Plant fibers are used to make a number of everyday items such as paper, rope or t-shirts. Join us to take a closer look at how plants are used to make paper. Try your hand at making your own unique paper using dried botanicals.
Option 3 - Soil to Sculpture: Grow your connection with the land around you through the exploration of soil and clay. Join us as we take a closer look at soil. Explore soil particles then try your hand at sculpting with clay.
Option 4 - Nature’s Shimmer: From soap bubbles to decorative fabrics, we've all seen the shimmering color changing beauty of iridescent surfaces, but have you ever taken a closer look at iridescence in nature? Join us as we investigate the iridescent qualities of plants, insects and birds. Try your hand at recreating this beautiful phenomenon using metallic watercolors.
Option 5 - Plant Fossils: Join us as we travel back in time as paleobotanists to study fossils from ancient plants. Explore how plants become fossils and what fossils can tell us about the past. Use mineral paints to replicate the patterns and colors found in plant fossils. You'll be surprised to find that some fossils are still living today!

Nature Journaling at Chatfield Farms (Guided – Instructor-Led Option)

Price: $13 per participating child; one adult per child is admitted free of charge. Additional adults and non-participating children ages 3 and up are $7. Minimum program fee is $120.

Program Format: Best for smaller groups with older children (maximum of 12 children ages 8-12). This program is led by a Gardens instructor who guides participants through activities and explorations that encourage children to make close observations of the natural world. Children explore the basic process and components of Nature Journaling. Program is approximately 90 minutes.

The Gardens supplies each registered participant with loose leaf watercolor or mixed media paper to complete their observations and journaling exercises. The instructor provides participants with observation tools, drawing and art supplies to use during the program.

Nature Journaling at Chatfield Farms (Self-Guided Option)

Price: $13 per participating child; minimum program fee is $120.

Program Format: Best for larger groups with children of varying ages (ages 6 and up). This program format is self-guided. Participants arrive and check in with program staff during a predesignated time frame. Upon arrival, program staff provide families with a brief overview of nature journaling before participants head out and explore the grounds on their own. Grownups are provided with a Nature Journaling Guide to help them guide and prompt their children through activities and explorations that encourage children to make close observations of the natural world. This program allows for 2 hours of nature journaling around the grounds of Chatfield Farms.

The Gardens supplies each registered participant with loose leaf watercolor or mixed media paper to complete their journaling exercises. Participants are provided with material kits that include art materials and observation tools to use for the duration of the program.