Children's Programs
Summer Camps
Saturday Morning Story Time
Children's Discovery Benches
Children's Garden
Children's Day
Programs for Schools or Youth Groups
"Wings of Fancy" Butterfly Exhibit Tours
NEW! Children's Program Calendar
Birthday Parties
Birthday parties at Brookside Gardens are full of FUN and learning. Your child and their guests will enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities during one of our unique programs listed below. Birthday parties at Brookside Gardens are conducted on the week-ends during 3-hour time slots. Your $225 fee covers a 30 minute set-up time, 1-hour program led by trained staff, 1 hour party time, and 30 minutes for clean-up.
- Garden Fairies
Tour the garden looking for fairy folk plants and clues! Decorate your own fairy/butter-fly wings to take home. Ages 5-8 - Wooden Wonders
Learn the value of wood, forests, and trees! In a guided tour guests use a tree-key to identify 5 – 8 native trees. Construct and paint a wood bird house to take home. Ages 5-12 - Garden Tea
A lesson on the history of tea and practicing tea party manners is provided. Play a few party games and make a “Grow Buddy” to take home. Dress-up is encouraged. Ages 5-12 - Pollinators and Garden Critters
What’s all the buzz about? Go on a pollinator scavenger hunt and take a guided tour of the Brookside Gardens’ “Wings Of Fancy” exhibit. (Available May through mid September only) Ages 5-12
Birthday Party Guidelines
- The maximum number of children is 16 children.
- Payment is due at the time of scheduling. We will refund in full if the facility must cancel. If you must cancel due to an emergency, we will allow the party to be rescheduled (up to 1 year).
- Food must be purchased from a licensed food purveyor, not homemade. There is not access to a refrigerator, freezer or cooking appliances. Client provides all refreshments, tableware and décor Table decorations are allowed; balloons and piñatas are not.
- Garden parties often have an outdoor component, so please dress for the weather.
- Brookside Gardens is an eco-friendly faciliity and we encourage visitors to plan a waste-free event. We are happy to provide guidance in this matter, and can answer any other questions you may have regarding your event.
NOTE: Party space may reserved, without a program, for children younger than 5. Some parties available seasonally, call for fall & winter party theme options. Please call our Event Office at 301-962-1404 more details and to reserve your child’s party.
For additional party options, visit Montgomery Park's nature centers' websites; BrooksideNature.org, LocustGroveNature.org or MeadowsideNature.org
Summer Camps
NEW! Montgomery Parks 2012 Summer Camp Guide Guide now available for viewing on www.MontgomeryParks.org/Guide. Camp registration is now open!
NEW! Garden Enrichment Camp Group Programs
Hey camp groups! Are you looking for an off-site activity? Come visit Brookside Gardens and choose one of our garden enrichment programs. Each enrichment activity will provide participant groups a unique experience helping to connect children to plants, gardening and nature.
- Garden Impressionists
Learn how famous artists Claude Monet and/or Van Gogh used the garden for inspiration. Professional art instructors, Debbie Vanegas or Ivette Burgess will help participants follow in their footsteps seeing the garden in a whole new perspective. A new visual literacy will be gained as well as children learning to train their eyes seeing a greater value in our surrounding environment. Participants can choose a media to create their own masterpiece as a keepsake to take home. Ages 8-14. - Garden Photography
When children have control of a camera the garden is viewed just a little differently. Professional photographer, Francine Bethea will guide participants through the gardens teaching children how to focus and notice different patterns, colors and shapes. Children will look at objects with a different perspective and develop confidence in their own creativity. After participants view their photos at home, we encourage children to submit their favorite photo for an art exhibition that will be open for public viewing this fall. Ages 9-14.
Each 90-minute program includes instruction and a guided walk through the garden supporting their enrichment choice.
Fee: $12 per camp participant, maximum 20 campers per program
Call 301-962-1408 for dates and more information.
Saturday Morning Story Time
Saturdays, March 3- June 9, 10:00 a.m.
Participate and listen to nature and seasonal stories that will encourage a child’s imagination and creativity. Each week a different story will be read followed by a hands-on craft.
Free; Ages 3- 6; no registration required.
Story time is held in the Visitors Center Children’s Classroom.
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Children's Discovery Benches
Self-guided exploration, hands-on activities, educational games, books, and puzzles are available in the Visitors Center Children's Classroom Tuesday - Friday*.
Hours: September through June- 2:00-5:00p.m.
July and August-9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Appropriate for children ages 2-7
*Children's Discovery Benches are open based on staff availability.
Children's Garden: Nature’s Fun in your Backyard
The Nature’s Fun in Your Backyard theme continues throughout the summer and fall seasons. Don’t forget to look for pollinators visiting many of the colorful annuals and perennials in the garden. Children will be inspired by colorful fun plants, insect and animal activity, plus enjoy exploring simple, natural materials provided in the “Nature’s Art” area. Gain a few ideas for creating fun in your backyard from our tree house made out of reclaimed construction materials. See what’s inside a gnome hut, follow stepping stones to a tea party, build and stack natural wooden blocks, pretend you are a farmer, climb into a tree house, observe life around a water garden. Children’s imaginations will soar and a greater appreciation for nature will be instilled.
Children's Day: “Adventures with Food – Let’s Move and Groove!”
Saturday, September 15, 2012, 11am- 4pm, FREE
Last year our Children’s Day special event was a proud participant in Let’s Move! Museums & Gardens, a national initiative launched by First Lady, Michelle Obama to provide opportunities for museum and garden visitors to learn about healthy food choices and promote physical activity.
Look for more details on Children's Day 2012, available August 1.
Children's Program Calendar
Check the calendar below for detailed program and event information by date. Register for Children's Programs online through ParkPASS or by calling 301-962-1451. If you don't already have a ParkPASS account, visit the sign in page to create one. Registration for Spring & Summer programs opens February 14 for Montgomery and Prince George's County residents and February 15 for all others; registration for Fall & Winter programs opens August 14 for Montgomery and Prince George's County residents and August 15 for all others.
To volunteer with the Children's Program, call the volunteer coordinator, 301-962-1429
Montgomery County Department of Parks