Children's Programs
Saturday Morning Story Time
Children's Discovery Benches
Children's Garden
Programs for Schools or Youth Groups
"Wings of Fancy" Butterfly Exhibit Tours
NEW! Children's Program Calendar
Birthday Parties
Summer Camps
Children's Programs & Workshops
Mosaic Garden Stepping Stones
Help pave the way in our new Children’s
Garden, opening in late spring. Make
two colorful garden stepping stones
by arranging colorful items in mosaic
patterns on cement shapes. Take one
home and contribute one to the colorful
path in the new Children’s Garden.
Come back after the Garden opens to
see if you can find the stepping stone
you made!
Course # 230950
Monday, March 25, 1:00-2:30pm
Course # 231303
Tuesday, March 26, 1:00-2:30pm
Course # 231304
Wednesday, March 27, 1:00-2:30pm
Course # 231305
Thursday, March 28, 1:00-2:30pm
Course # 231306
Friday, March 29, 1:00- 2:30pm
Fee: $15.00; Ages: 6-14
Earth Day Workshop: Mosaic Garden
Stepping Stones
Course # 231302
Sunday, April 21, 11:00-12:30pm
Fee: $15.00; Ages: 6-14
Flower Buds
This once-a-month series will meet the second Monday of every month. We will feature gardening activities, stories, crafts and garden walks for children ages 3-5 with a parent. Siblings are welcome but will not be able to partake in craft making. Register separately for each session.
Course number 230850
Monday, April 15, 10:30am-11:30am
Fee: $5/child (adult free); registration required
Visitors Center Children’s Classroom
Saturday Morning Story Time
Saturdays, March 2 - June 8, 2013 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., (not available when camp is in session)
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 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.
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 facility 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
Brookside Gardens Summer Camp Programs 2013 - Registration now open
Register today at ParkPASS.org
Led by Lynn Richard, Brookside Gardens Staff
Butterfly Flutterby Fun
What better place to discover butterflies than in Brookside Gardens' Wings of Fancy live butterfly and caterpillar exhibit? We'll make several visits to the exhibit and get a behind-the-scenes tour, create butterfly crafts, listen to stories, play games, plant a container butterfly garden, and learn about the best plants for attracting butterflies to your own backyard. Course # 226799; June 17-21, 9:00-3:30pm; Ages: 6-11; Fee: $275.00; Register at www.ParkPASS.org ; for more information call, 301-962-1451 or visit us online at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902. Butterfly Flutterby Fun, Extended Care - Course # 226801; June 17-21, 3:30-5:30pm; Fee: $70.00
Garden Fairies and Gnomes
Have fun in the garden exploring the imaginative world of fairies and gnomes. Make a fairy and gnome garden, learn about gardens, flowers and fun plantlore, make crafts and play games. Course # 226899; June 24-28, 9:00-3:30pm; Ages: 6-8; Fee: $275.00; Register at www.ParkPASS.org ; for more information call, 301-962-1451 or visit us online at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.Garden Fairies and Gnomes, Extended Care- Course # 227250; June 24-28, 3:30-5:30pm; Fee: $70.00
Peter Rabbit’s Garden Fun
Through literature, story webs, and garden related books, go on a new adventure each day to learn about plants, gardening, and nature. Learn how to grow your own vegetable and flower gardens. Participate in fun games and crafts. Course # 226949; July 1, 2, 3, & 5, 9:00-3:30pm; Ages 6-8; Fee: $220.00; Register at www.ParkPASS.org ; for more information call, 301-962-1451 or visit us online at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902. Peter Rabbit’s Garden Fun, Extended Care - Course # 227249; July 1, 2, 3, & 5, 3:30-5:30pm; Fee: $56.00
Around The World Gardening Fun
Explore world geography, plant habitats and adaptations. Learn how plants grow and adapt to different climates. Plant a fun container and terrarium garden of carnivorous, desert, and tropical plants.Course # 227000; July 8-12, 9:00am-3:30pm; Ages: 9-11; Fee: $275.00; Register at www.ParkPASS.org ; for more information call, 301-962-1451 or visit us online at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902. Around The World Gardening Fun, Extended Care - Course # 227149; July 8-12, 3:30-5:30pm; Fee: $70.00
Let's Move!
Brookside Gardens is 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. Visit our Heart Smart Trail and get moving! Look for more Let's Move! opportunities coming soon.
To volunteer with the Children's Program, call the volunteer coordinator, 301-962-1429
Montgomery County Department of Parks