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enjoy your visit — for families

Free Drop-in Programs for Families

Early positive experiences in nature can foster a lifelong appreciation of and respect for the outdoors. These experiences provide the groundwork for future botanists, naturalists, horticulturists, and environmentalists. Chicago Botanic Garden family programs integrate science, art and language in programs that encourage families to learn together in an open-ended, enjoyable and discovery-based environment.

Dancin' Sprouts

Wednesdays, June 18, July 16, & August 20,
5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

New at the Garden this summer is Dancin’ Sprouts, providing free musical entertainment for the Garden’s youngest visitors.

Malott Japanese Garden Family Sundays

June 1 & 15, July 6 & 20, August 3, September 7 & 21, and October 5
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Drop by the Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden for folktales and hands-on activities related to Japanese arts and culture. Practice using chopsticks, rake miniature dry gardens, make Japanese kites, and more. The free activities vary each time, and are subject to change.

June 1: Koinobori (miniature carp kites)
June 15: Kendama (origami cup and ball)
July 6: Tanabata Wishes and Streamers
July 20: Kabuto (origami samurai helmets)
August 3: Uchiwa (paper fans)
September 7: Japanese Kites
September 21: Kimono Paper Dolls
October 5: Gyotaku (fish prints)

Malott Japanese Garden Summer Festival

Saturday, August 16 & Sunday, August 17
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Learn about the summer festivals (matsura) celebrated in Japan during this special weekend of activities on McGinley Pavilion. Listen to musical performances, including koto music by the Chicago Koto Group and taiko drumming by Kokyo Taiko; enjoy traditional folktales told by storyteller Anne Shimojima, and watch a tea ceremony demonstration. Hands-on activities such as writing haiku, raking miniature dry gardens, trying chopsticks, and practicing calligraphy will be available. On Sunday, attendees can learn to play the ancient game of Go from the Chicago Go Club. Kids of all ages can make projects to celebrate summer—create a paper fan, make a kite, and more—at family-friendly craft stations. Don’t forget to visit the Bonsai Show and stop by the Japanese Garden for a self-guided tour with the Activity Card (available in the Shoin House on the Japanese Garden or at McGinley Pavilion)!  

Saturday and Sunday
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Crafts & Activities
10:30 a.m. Tea Ceremony Demonstration
12:30 p.m. Taiko Drumming
1:30 p.m. Storytelling
2:30 p.m. Koto Harp Performance
3:30 p.m. Tour of the Japanese Garden

Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden Family
Drop-in activities

Saturdays & Sundays, May 24 – October 5
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Get close to nature and discover where food comes from with fun, free activities each weekend! Pollinate flowers, dissect seeds, see roots growing, compost with worms, create a rainbow for healthy eating, and more. Activities vary from week to week and are subject to change.

May 24 & 25: Super Seeds
May 31 & June 1: Plant Parts
June 7 & 8: Wiggling Worms
June 14 & 15: Super Seeds
June 21 & 22: Busy Bees
June 28 & 29: Plant Parts
July 5 & 6: Wiggling Worms
July 12 & 13: Super Seeds
July 19 & 20: Busy Bees
July 26 & 27: Barilla Italian Cooking Weekend Activities
August 2 & 3: Plant Parts
August 9 & 10: Wiggling Worms
August 16 & 17: Super Seeds
August 23 & 24: All About Peppers Weekend Activities
August 30 & 31: Busy Bees
September 6 & 7: Rainbow Garden
September 13 & 14: Wiggling Worms
September 20 & 21: Plant Parts
September 27 & 28: Rainbow Garden
October 4 & 5: Harvest Festival Activities