Kids & Family Classes
Fun for the whole family
The Arboretum offers a wide range of programs for children ages 6 months and up, all designed to make the most of our unique natural setting. From exploring animal adaptations in the woodland forest to facilitating seed germination in the Louise B. Roehm Greenhouse, each program provides hands-on learning experiences. Kids can engage in physical activities on the Great Lawn or join in seasonal festivities like maple sugaring.
Our Discovery Weekends program is the perfect opportunity for busy families to escape the hectic weekday routine and reconnect with each other and nature through interactive, enriching activities. Join us for a memorable experience that fosters a love for the outdoors!
Children’s Program Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made more than 48 hours before a program or event are refundable, minus a 20% administrative fee. Cancellations made within 48 hours, as well as no-shows, are non-refundable. If RRA cancels a program due to low enrollment, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances, participants will receive a full refund or may transfer to another session, if available. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email.
Notice: Due to ongoing construction for the Path for All project, Arboretum parking will be unavailable Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please use street parking during these hours. Handicap parking will remain available.
Classes
Home School Adventures
Homeschoolers: Join our educators as we explore the amazing world of plants and animals at the Arboretum! Each week, different challenges and learning opportunities await you. We’ll engage in hands-on adventures designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and appreciation for all that nature has to offer.
Classes will be held primarily outdoors, even in light rain, so please dress appropriately. Parents are welcome to stay and experience the class, drop off, or enjoy the grounds.
Kids Can Cook
This exciting program lets kids dive into cooking and nutrition with hands-on fun! They’ll discover how to prepare healthy meals, work with fresh ingredients, and build culinary skills—all while cooking in the Wisner House kitchen, nestled within the beautiful arboretum. Perfect for budding chefs, it sparks creativity, teamwork, and a love for sustainable food practices! make more for kids
Amazing Animal Artists
New 2026 Program!
In this engaging art and nature program, participants explore a mystery wild animal through games and clues, then dive deeper with pictures, artifacts, and hands-on activities. They learn how to draw the animal using simple lines and shapes, creating a take-home masterpiece they’ll be proud to display. Parents are welcome to stay or drop off.
Amazing Animal Artists
Wednesday, February 11 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmAmazing Animal Artists
Wednesday, February 25 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmAmazing Animal Artists
Wednesday, March 11 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmAmazing Animal Artists
Wednesday, March 25 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Oaks & Acorns
Wonder, respect, and love for the natural world will get a great start in these engaging weekly classes. Take nature hikes, read stories, and create a one-of-a-kind project every week.
Oaks and Acorns: Layers of the Forest
Wednesday, February 4 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 amOaks and Acorns: Layers of the Forest
Wednesday, February 4 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmOaks and Acorns: Where are the Chipmunks?
Wednesday, February 11 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 amOaks and Acorns: Lincoln’s Hat
Wednesday, February 18 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 amOaks and Acorns: Winter Weather
Wednesday, February 25 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 amOaks and Acorns: Spring is on its Way
Wednesday, March 4 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 amOaks and Acorns: Spring is on its Way
Wednesday, March 4 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmOaks and Acorns: Mother’s Day Lovebug
Wednesday, March 11 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 amOaks and Acorns: Leprechaun Garden
Wednesday, March 18 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Little Wonders
Infants, toddlers, and caregivers discover the many gifts nature has to offer! Join us as we hike through our woodland trails and gardens. Along the way, we’ll engage in active nature play designed to stimulate your child’s curiosity and sense of wonder. Stories, crafts, music, and sensorimotor activities add to the experience by deepening our connections to each other and the natural world.
Little Wonders: Into the Woods We’ll Go!
Monday, February 2 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLittle Wonders: We Take Care of Nature
Monday, February 9 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLittle Wonders: Winter Fun
Monday, February 23 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLittle Wonders: It’s All Fun and Games
Monday, March 9 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLittle Wonders: Here Comes Spring!
Monday, March 16 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Campfire Friends
If you love to sing camp songs, eat s’mores, and make new friends, this 1-hour program is perfect for you and your family! Our Environmental Educators will guide you on a nighttime hike as we explore the arboretum and use all our senses. We will share fun facts about the moon, nocturnal creatures, and more through storytelling.
Please come prepared with warm clothes and sneakers to hike in. This program will be cancelled if rain is in the forecast.
Birding Programs
New 2026 Program!
Birdwatching is a fun way to connect with nature. Join us to learn how to attract birds, identify common species, and discover how to participate as bird “citizen scientists.”
Kids Can Feed the Birds!
Saturday, March 7 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Let's Get Growing
The Let’s Get Growing! gardening program at the Arboretum is gearing up for the 2026 gardening season. From February to October, the Arboretum offers workshops for children ages 5-10 on a variety of vegetable gardening topics, including helpful bugs and garden crafts. Join us on select Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:00 to discover how simple and fun gardening can be.
Let’s Get Growing – Plan, Plant, Watch it Sprout
Saturday, February 28 @ 9:30 am - 11:00 amLet’s Get Growing – Dig, Plant, Explore
Saturday, March 28 @ 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Seasonal Programs
Reeves-Reed Arboretum offers a variety of seasonal programs for children and families, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day volunteer activities, a Winter Solstice Celebration with crafts and nature walks, and a Lunar New Year event featuring cultural traditions, arts, and storytelling.
MLK Day of Service
Monday, January 19 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pmLunar New Year Celebration
Thursday, February 19 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pmMaple Sugaring Fest 2026
Sunday, March 1 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Mini-Camps
Seasonal mini-camps are offered for children ages 5 to 10 on days when schools are closed. We offer morning and afternoon sessions, as well as a lunch session for a full day experience. Nature-themed activities include outdoor hikes, crafts, stories, games, and more.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide refunds for cancellations made within two weeks of the first day of camp.
Mini-Camp Morning: A Day Away at RRA!
Monday, February 16 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pmLunch Buddies: A Day Away at RRA!
Monday, February 16 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pmMini-Camp Afternoon: A Day Away at RRA!
Monday, February 16 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pmDiscovery Weekends
Stay tuned for upcoming dates.