Kids & Family Programs
Explore engaging programs designed to inspire curiosity and creativity in children.
Fun for the whole family
The Arboretum offers a wide range of programs for children of all ages—from newborns through high school—designed to make the most of our unique natural setting. From exploring animal adaptations in the woodland forest to planting seeds, each program provides hands-on learning experiences. Kids can enjoy physical activities on the Great Lawn or participate in seasonal festivities like maple sugaring.
Our Discovery Weekends program is a perfect opportunity for busy families to step away from the 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!
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made more than 48 hours before the program are eligible for a refund, less a 20% administrative fee, unless the specific program has a different policy. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the program, 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 – info@reeves-reedarboretum.org.
Kids & Family Programs
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: Nature Inspired Dance Camp with BOLD Arts
Tuesday, November 3 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pmNJEA Mini Camp: Take a Walk on the Creative Side!
Thursday, November 5 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pmNJEA Mini Camp: Lunch Buddies
Thursday, November 5 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pmNJEA Mini Camp: Our Marvelous Moon
Thursday, November 5 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pmNJEA Mini Camp: Animal Hideaways!
Friday, November 6 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pmNJEA Mini Camp: Lunch Buddies
Friday, November 6 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 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: Snakes
Wednesday, October 14 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 amOaks and Acorns: Bats
Wednesday, October 21 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 amOaks and Acorns: Bats
Wednesday, October 21 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmOaks and Acorns: Pumpkins
Wednesday, October 28 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 amOaks and Acorns: Owls
Wednesday, November 4 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 amOaks and Acorns: Owls
Wednesday, November 4 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmOaks and Acorns: Geckos
Wednesday, November 11 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Amazing Animal Artists
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.
Amazing Animal Artists
Wednesday, October 14 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmAmazing Animal Artists
Wednesday, October 28 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmAmazing Animal Artists
Wednesday, November 11 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
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
Kids Can Cook! – Trick or Treat
Wednesday, October 28 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
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.
Campfire Friends
Thursday, October 22 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Homeschool 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.
Homeschool Adventures: Adaptations
Friday, November 20 @ 10:00 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: Halloween Fun!! – SOLD OUT
Monday, October 26 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLittle Wonders: We Love Nature – SOLD OUT
Monday, November 2 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLittle Wonders: Nature as Art – SOLD OUT
Monday, November 9 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLittle Wonders: Connections – SOLD OUT
Monday, November 16 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Seasonal Programs
Reeves-Reed Arboretum offers a variety of seasonal programs for children and families, including kayaking, 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.
Celebrate Fall Festival 2026
Sunday, October 18 @ 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Birding Programs
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.”
Let's Get Growing
The Let’s Get Growing! gardening program at the Arboretum is gearing up for the 2026 gardening season. From February through October, the Arboretum offers workshops for children ages 5–10 on a variety of vegetable gardening topics, including beneficial insects and garden-themed crafts.
Join us on select Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to discover how simple and fun gardening can be!
Discovery Weekends
Discovery Weekends return for the spring! Explore the Arboretum’s gardens and grounds as the season brings vibrant blooms and fresh new growth. Drop by the Stackhouse Education Center on Saturdays and Sundays anytime between 9 am and 3 pm for this self-guided program for families and children ages 3 and up. Borrow a magnifying glass (please remember to return it when you’re done), pick up an interactive activity guide, and head out to discover what wonders—big and small—await. There may be a surprise, a clue to follow, a mystery to solve, a chance to create, and always an engaging nature activity. Each weekend offers a new discovery!
Fall Dates: September 19–20, September 27, October 3–4, October 10–11, October 24–25, October 31–November 1, and November 7–8. No program on September 26, October 17 & 18.