Chicago Botanic Garden Fall 2019

Youth & Family To register, visit chicagobotanic.org/education or call (847) 835-6801. 63 Early Childhood & Family Programs Nature Preschool The Garden’s Nature Preschool will delight and engage your child in an adventure of discovery about the natural world and prepare them for a future of lifelong learning. Registration for the 2019–20 school year will be available in early January. Visit chicagobotanic.org/naturepreschool or call (847) 835-8238 for more information. Nature Preschool Open House Free, preregistration suggested | Classroom 11, Learning Center Saturday November 2, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday, November 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Little Diggers Learn about weather and what happens to the leaves and trees as we explore the changing seasons together. This four-class series for children ages 2 to 4 and their caregivers meets mornings, once a month. Program includes hands-on seasonal activities, planting, outdoor time, and free-play. Select Thursday, Friday, or Saturday mornings, September through December. $68.80/$86 per child | Learning Center Thursdays: 9/12, 10/10, 11/7, 12/12 Fridays: 9/13, 10/11, 11/8, 12/13 Saturdays: 9/14, 10/12, 11/9, 12/14 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. - noon Visit chicagobotanic.org/littlediggers to register or call (847) 835-6801 for more information. Nature Nights Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy some quality family time at the Garden. Children ages 4 – 10 and their families will explore different areas of the Garden and enjoy a variety of outdoor, discovery-based activities. Each Nature Nights program includes a tram ride, a planting proj- ect, and s’mores around the campfire. $20.80/$26 per child | Learning Center Saturday, September 7: Prairie Prowl Saturday, September 14: Prairie Prowl 5 – 7:30 p.m. Visit chicagobotanic.org/naturenights or call (847) 835-6801 for more information. Books & Cooks Does your child love to help out in the kitchen? Bring your little chef to the Garden for stories, songs, and games followed by a cooking activity. This one-hour caregiver-and-child program is designed for children ages 3 – 5. It is the perfect way to encourage children to eat their fruits and veggies and have fun, too! Simple, delicious recipes are easy to replicate at home. Families with dietary restrictions are encouraged to contact the program coordina- tor before registering. $19/$24 per child | ITW Kitchen, Learning Center Tuesday, September 24: Awesome Apples 1 – 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 29: Pumpkin Party 1 – 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 17: Cocoa 1 – 2 p.m. Weekend Family Classes Families with children ages 4 to 10 can explore cool things about how plants connect to science, food, history, and culture. Each Sat- urday or Sunday 90-minute program includes hands-on activities and cooking (tasting, too!), along with interesting facts about the ingredi- ents that go into the recipes. This program engages the adult and child together. Due to space limitations and safety concerns, unregistered children and children 3 years old or younger may not attend this program. Each registered child may bring up to two adults. $19/$24 per child | ITW Kitchen, Learning Center 9:30 – 11 a.m. or 1 – 2:30 p.m. Creepy Cooking Join us in the ITW Kitchen to celebrate Halloween with a little less sugar. We will make banana ghosts (yogurt-covered bananas), green monster smoothies, and pretzel spider webs. Sunday, October 20 or Saturday, October 26 Sensational Squash Squash comes in so many different sizes, col- ors, and flavors—why not give them all a try? We will explore the story of squash and dissect and explore different types. Try something new in the classroom (butternut squash soup that is vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free) and make a mini-pumpkin pie to taste the sweeter side of squash. Saturday, November 2 or Sunday, November 17 Joyful Gingerbread Join us for this holiday favorite class in the ITW Kitchen. Participants will make and decorate their own cookie to enjoy, as well as explore all the different plants and plant parts needed to make this traditional sweet treat. Sunday, December 1 Sunday, December 8 or Saturday, December 14 Birthday Parties Celebrate your child’s birthday with a gar- den-themed party. All parties include free parking for you and your guests and allow use of a reserved indoor space on the Regenstein Learning Campus for 90 minutes. Project Parties and Pizza Parties, for children turning 4 and up, also include educational, hands-on activities led by Garden staff. Parties can be scheduled year-round on Saturday or Sunday mornings or afternoons. Garden Plus member- ship required. Visit chicagobotanic.org/birthdays or call (847) 835-8275 for more information. Free Family Programs Malott Japanese Garden Family Sundays Sundays, September 1 & 15 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sukkot Family Drop-in Activities Sunday, October 13 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. $ Garden Plus members receive a 20 percent discount, listed in each class description before the full nonmember price.