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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.

Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden plant giveaways
May through September
Wednesdays – Fridays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturdays & Sundays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Volunteers in the Fruit and Vegetable Garden share information about each month's featured plant and encourage visitors to plant seeds or seedlings (while supplies last) to take home to their own gardens. A flyer with care information and a recipe is available. In May, the featured plant is Cocozelle zucchini; in June, Brandywine tomato; in July, giant Italian parsley; in August, garden chives and in September, Lacinato Italian kale.

Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden
Family Drop-in Activities
Saturdays & Sundays, May 23 – October 4
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 23/24: Super Seeds
May 30/31: Plant Parts
June 6/7: Wiggling Worms
June 13/14: Busy Bees
June 20/21: Farmers’ Market
June 27/28: Super Seeds
July 4/5: Plant Parts
July 11/12: Wiggling Worms
July 18/19: Barilla Weekend
July 25/26: Busy Bees
August 1/2: Super Seeds
August 8/9: Plant Parts
August 15/16: Farmers’ Market
August 22/23: Peppers Weekend
August 29/30: Busy Bees
Sept 5/6: Rainbow Garden
Sept 12/13: Wiggling Worms
Sept 19/20: Farmers’ Market
Sept 26/27: Rainbow Garden
Oct 3/4: Harvest Festival

Dancin' Sprouts
Wednesdays, June 3 & 17, July 1 & 15, & August 5 & 19
5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy free, fun musical entertainment specially geared toward the Garden’s youngest visitors.

Malott Japanese Garden Family Sundays
June 7 & 21, July 5 & 19, August 2, September 6 & 20, and October 4
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Drop by the Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden for 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 7: Koinobori (mini carp kites)
June 21: Kendama (origami cup & ball)
July 5: Tanabata Wishes & Streamers
July 19: Kabuto (samurai helmets)
August 2: Uchiwa (paper fans)
September 6: Japanese Kites
September 20: Kimono Paper Dolls
October 4: Gyotaku (fish prints)

Malott Japanese Garden Summer Festival
Saturday, August 15 & Sunday, August 16
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Learn about the summer festivals (matsura) celebrated in Japan during this special weekend of activities at the McGinley Pavilion. Listen to musical performances, enjoy traditional folktales, 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. Kids of all ages can make projects to celebrate summer — create a paper fan, make a kite, and more — at family-friendly craft stations.

Schedule:

10:30 a.m. Students of Dr. Nakashima: Tea Ceremony Demonstration
12:30 p.m. Kokyo Taiko: Taiko Drumming
1:30 p.m. Anne Shimojima: Traditonal Storytelling
2:30 p.m. Chicago Koto Group: Koto Harp