Children's Garden & Education

Young Buds for Pre-school Groups

 

Explore the wonders of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden throughout every season! Young Buds programs incorporate Virginia's Foundation Blocks for Early Learning into story time, hands-on activities, exploration, and creative play.

Class size is limited to 20. To reserve programs, please contact the registrar at 804-262-9887 x 322.

Program Times

January 1 - June 14, 2013: Monday-Friday 10 or 11am

June 17 - September 2, 2013: Monday-Friday 9:00, 10:15, or 11:30a.m.

September 3 - December 31, 2013: Monday-Friday 10 or 11am


2013 Young Buds Preschool Programs

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Pond Dwellers | May - June

As summer heats up, life around the pond is hopping!  As they make their way along the water’s edge, students examine plants that eat insects, discover trees with wet “feet”, and search for critters in a sample of pond water.  While creating their own fish print, children will learn the parts of a fish, practice fine motor skills and document their pond adventure!

 

Caterpillar to Butterfly | June – mid-October (in conjunction with Butterflies LIVE!)

Children flutter and fly through the Garden searching for examples of the butterfly life cycle! Students peer under leaves looking for eggs, examine foliage for caterpillars and observe colorful butterflies pollinating the flowers. After exploring, students squish, squeeze and roll recycled paper pulp and seeds into a seed ball to start their own butterfly garden at home.

 

Growing Vegetables | July - August

Where do the delicious nutritious plants on our plates come from?  Children explore the Farm Garden to discover that plant roots, stems and leaves are just as tasty as fruit!  After harvesting salad ingredients and herbs from the Garden, participants will assemble their own bean sprout necklace for observation back in the classroom.

 

Garden Birds and Traveling Seeds | September - October

Seeds float, flutter, and soar through the garden, just like the birds! Fall is the perfect time of year to discover the many ways seeds “hitch a ride” someplace new to ensure survival. Students will collect seeds, search for bird habitats, and use fine motor skills to create a pinecone bird feeder to hang at school or at home for observation. 

 

Trees in Winter | November - December

Why do some trees shed their leaves while others keep them year round? While walking through the Garden, students compare the shapes, smells, and colors of trees while exploring how trees adapt to cold weather. Children will collect a variety of leaves and natural materials on our exploration and make a fragrant evergreen sachet to take home.

Children's Garden Group Information Guide

Our Children's Garden Group Information Guide is REQUIRED reading for any group that wants to book a trip to the garden. It can be accessed here. Below are links to individual sections, but make sure to familiarize yourself with the entire document before booking your class.