Free Drop-In Activities  

We invite you to come and wander in our whimsical woodland garden, The Ramble. Our 1.5-acre children’s Garden is the perfect place for the entire family to play, learn, explore, and make discoveries in nature.  

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 nature topics and have fun each day at our activity stations. 

Please note that Nature Play Days are drop-in style and are included with general admission. Nature Play Days will resume outdoors in the Ramble on April 27th 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, 10 AM–5 PM
Borrow a backpack filled with exciting activities and tools for exploring. 
*Year-round, available at the front desk, first come, first served  

Kids playing with instruments outside on the lawn

Nature’s Studio
Ages 3-8 

Mondays, 12–2 PM 
Embrace your inner artist while you make music, draw, dance, and get creative in the Garden. 
*April 27th  to October 30th  

An instructor reading to a group of youth in parents in a nature setting, sitting on logs

Nature Storytime
Ages 2-8

Tuesdays, 11 AM–12 PM
Join us for exciting stories and activities about plants, animals, nature, and more. 
*April 27th  to October 30th 

Two kids dressed up colorfully wearing blankets as capes, and a toy sword and shield in their hands

Imagination Station
Ages 3-10 

Wednesdays, 12–2 PM 
Stop by for imaginative play as we dress up and create magical worlds together. 
*April 27th to October 30th

A kid planting in the vegetable bed

Farm To Market
Ages 4-8

Thursdays, 11 AM–12 PM 
Stop by our Climate Garden to see what’s growing, lend a hand, and play at our farm stand.  
*April 27th to October 30th 

Kids playing at the imagination station on the lawn

Exploration Station
Ages 3-10

Fridays, 12–2 PM
Visit our pop-up Discovery Cart to learn about plants, animals, seasons, and more.
*April 27th to October 30th

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!

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