Visit the Columbus Botanical Garden and let your students “learn naturally” in a fun, interactive outdoor setting! The Garden offers both guided and self-guided programs giving your students the opportunity to discover all that nature has to offer!
Continuing through May 2019 – Little Sprouts!
Join us the first Tuesday of each month from 10:30-11:30 for a program that gives our littlest visitors (0-5) and their parents/caregivers a chance to learn, explore, and experience the garden with developmentally appropriate activities. Programs will vary each month and will include books, songs, and an age-appropriate craft.
Cost: $5 per family
Registration not required, but appreciated so that we can have enough materials.
Maximum attendance: 15 children
New Program for 2019!
Garden Life Program
For the 2018-2019 school year, we created a special field trip just for second graders that meets multiple Georgia Standards of Excellence in science. Our new “Garden Life” program explores many important concepts about plant science, and the importance of pollination and pollinators such as butterflies. During this hands-on program, students will investigate the parts of plants and their function, and will decide if they have eaten a leaf, root or a flower as they explore some common foods. Students will also have a chance to get their hands dirty as they plant their very own plant to take home while learning the important things that all plants need to thrive and survive. Finally, butterflies will be the topic of discussion as students learn about metamorphosis, the importance of pollinators and why certain plants captivate butterflies!
These programs will last 90-120 minutes and can be customized to your group’s needs. We have limited availability for this program so book early to ensure a spot for your second graders.
All groups must complete registration form one month prior to visit.
For additional information on signing-up and program costs — please carefully review our Discover Nature & Enrichment Program Guidelines.
Garden Life Program Availability and Pricing:
- Reservations must be made one month in advance
- This program can accommodate one class to an entire grade level
- Home school groups are welcome, too!
- Cost is $5 per student
- One adult per five students is required
*Note these programs are seasonal and weather dependent and classes are always dependent upon the Garden’s availability.
Enrichment Programs
Spend an hour discovering the beauty of the Columbus Botanical Garden with your preschool, day care, or elementary age youth group! During your visit, have fun exploring the Joann Holt Walking Trail and learning about herbs in our “Plant Connections” program or meeting some of the Garden’s most interesting residents – butterflies and their pollinator pals – in our “Butterflies & Beyond” program. All enrichment programs are led by garden educators and include sensory-based activities, active garden and/or trail exploration, and an art project.
Plant Connections (K-5)
Immerse your students in the science of botany as they use their senses to identify plants! From leaves to bark to fruit, kids explore how to use observable characteristics to identify different plants. During this program, kids have a fun herbal experience learning about the unique scents of herbs and how these scents can be used in both identification and in making some of their favorite foods! A scavenger hunt on the Joann Holt Walking Trail engages all senses to deepen plant awareness while searching for observable features and patterns. Finally, an art project to commemorate their plant connections experience!
Butterflies & Beyond (K-5)
Explore the world of butterflies and their pollinator pals at the Columbus Botanical Garden! Students will be introduced to the interdependent relationship between butterflies and plants – understanding the importance of host and nectar plants and the important role they play in the butterfly life cycle. A tour through the garden will give kids the unique opportunity to observe butterflies and other pollinators up close and personal. Finally, a special butterfly art project is a part of this fun, interactive learning experience!
Programs must be booked at least one month in advance.
For additional information on signing-up and program costs — please carefully review our Discover Nature & Enrichment Program Guidelines.
Enrichment Program Availability and Pricing:
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- • Reservations must be made one month in advance
• Minimum: 10 students; Maximum: 30 students
• Cost is $3 per student
• One adult per five students is required*Note these programs are seasonal and weather dependent and classes are always dependent upon the Garden’s availability.
Into the Woods Weblos Adventure
Bring your Cub Scout pack to the Columbus Botanical Garden for a fun-filled hour long program that supports requirements for the Weblos “Into the Woods” elective adventure. We start off learning about different kinds of trees and ways we can identify them. We will discuss the ways humans and animals rely on trees and investigate tree parts to uncover the stories they tell. We will go on a nature walk to identify different trees around the garden. Finally, we will talk about how to care for plants and pot up a plant for you to take home!
• Cost is $5 per participant.
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• A minimum of 10 scouts is required.
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• All groups must complete and submit the one month prior to visit.
Self-Guided Adventure Activities
Have a green time exploring the Joann Holt Walking Trail and gardens! Our self-guided adventure activities are designed to connect children with nature while having a fun outdoor learning experience. Whether you have a curriculum to follow or just want your students to have a fun garden experience, a self-guided activity is a great, interactive way to explore the gardens and trail!
Print out the worksheets for each activity (below) and copy as many as you need for your group. Please print all materials before you visit. Clipboards are recommended!
For school groups or groups of ten participants or more, please make reservations for self-guided visits at least two weeks in advance through the main office, 706-327-8400.
Joann Holt Walking Trail Adventure: Nature Bingo
Nature Bingo is a fun way to get your students or family outdoors and running through the woods! This activity works for teams and individuals of all ages. See who will be the first to find all the items in a row, column or corner to corner – be sure to yell BINGO! Great for teachers or just family fun! Below are four different Nature Bingo sheets. Simply print enough sheets for everyone and mark off the items as you go (use small marks so you can play again). For longer hikes, swap sheets among group members and start again, or try for the full card. Clipboards are recommended. Have fun!
Click on each image below to print Nature Bingo Sheet.
Joann Holt Walking Trail Adventure: Trail Trek Tree Hunt
Hit the trail for some tree-inspired fun with your students or family! Search for acorns and then look for leaves as you learn about two common native tree species growing along the Joann Holt Walking Trail. These activities can be done individually or as teams and are fun for kids of all ages! These activities are best enjoyed April through October while these deciduous trees have their leaves. Print one booklet per participant. Clipboards are recommended. Happy Hunting!
Click here for activity sheets – Self-Guided – Trail Trek Tree Hunt
Garden Adventure: Pollinators Plus
Discover the beautiful colors and observe pollinators in action at the Columbus Botanical Garden! Follow a pollinator pal as it flies through the Farmhouse Garden and then go on a color hunt in Our Mother’s Rose Garden. Perfect for school groups or families, these exercises are a great way to actively explore the gardens. Have fun following pollinators May through October when they are most active in the Gardens! Print one booklet per participant. Clip boards are recommended.
Click here for activity sheets – Self-Guided – Garden Adventures – Pollinators Plus
