Free Drop-In Activities

We invite you to come spend time with us indoors this winter to escape the cold.

Join us for drop-in activities during scheduled Nature Play Days or download some of our free resources and explore on your own. Purchase your admission tickets online today or in person at the Garden. View more of our family and youth resources and programs.

NATURE PLAY DAYS

Drop-in for FREE fun family activities this season. Join us each week as we explore different topics each week during guided story time.

Please note that Nature Play Days are drop-in style and are included with general admission unless otherwise noted. Activities this winter are held fully indoors in our Visitor Center every Tuesday from November 5th to April 15th. Nature Play Days will resume outdoors in the Ramble on April 28th with daily activities to enjoy.

We would love to hear about your Nature Play Day experience! Click here to fill out our 2-minute surveys and let us know your feedback.

Two children stand next to the turtle pond in the Winter Garden using Discovery Backpacks.

Discovery Backpacks | Ages 3-12 
Daily, 10AM–5PM
Borrow a backpack filled with exciting activities and tools for exploring. 
*Year-round, available at the front desk, first come, first served  

Nature Storytime | Ages 3-8
Tuesdays, 11am–12PM
Join us for an interactive hour of exciting stories about plants, animals, nature, and more.
*November 5 through April 15

The design elements and features in the Garden support interactive hands-on nature exploration and play, cultivating an early appreciation for the environment. Education programs leverage the garden’s unique features and diverse plantings to engage children in STEAM principles (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), and teach about the value of plants in our ecosystem.

Learn more here.

Enhance your visit to New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill with these free downloadable scavenger hunts and activity ideas. Visit our Teacher Resources page for other crafts, exploration topics, and more scavenger hunts!