Children's Activities
UPDATE COORDINATED BY SANDY TANCK

Get your kids growing in the dozens of summer programs and year-round preschool classes offered at the Marion Andrus Learning Center. The Children's Garden is a place where children will go "hands first" into growing and harvesting their own vegetables to create healthy snacks and imaginative crafts. Day Camps offer safaris, planting, crafts, and much more. Parents and preschoolers can participate in sensory activities during Pea Pods Storytime.

Call 952-443-1422 to make a reservation or to request a summer Children's Garden and Day Camp brochure by mail. You may also mail in the printable registration form.

Kids Group Adventures (not in existing main menu!!?)

Come explore the Arboretum's new maze, blooming gardens and miles of hiking trails. Breathe excitement into your visit with a guided adventure, or sign up for a self-guided exploration.

2007

GRAIN TALES
Ages: 3-5

A perfect adventure for young learners! Follow the path of The Little Red Hen as she plants wheat, mills the grain and bakes delicious bread. Learn how plants grow as you plant your own wheat garden. Then, grind seeds into flour and shape some dough. Wrap up with your freshly baked snack and a puppet show.

EAT OR BE EATEN
Ages: 6-12

What do mint, chocolate, and rubber have in common? Take a close-up look at plant defenses to find out how plants protect themselves from hungry monkeys and goats. Follow your nose on a fragrant quest and create your own scent sac. Wrap up with a taste of the rich flavor of nature's arms race!

Self-Guided Explorations UPDATE SANDY TANCK
Available: May - October
Small groups or large, pre-K or middle-school age, there is something for everyone with a self-guided exploration. Enjoy the Arboretum at your own pace!

GREEN DISCOVERY BACKPACK
Ages 4-8
Fee: $25 per backpack

Loaded with hand lenses, stories, puppets, and other teaching aids the Green Discovery Backpack will allow you and your group to explore the Arboretum at your own pace. It's easy to use; when you reserve a backpack, you will receive a Teacher's Guide to help you plan your visit. One backpack serves up to 30 children.

TREK WITH TREES
Ages 6-12
Fee: Free (reservation required)

Pick up FREE Trek with the Trees puzzle sheets and maps for children/child teams at the Visitor Center. Each of the nine Minnesota trees included in the game has a Trek with the Trees sign that identifies its leaf shape and seed. As children follow a short walk through the gardens to search for the signs, they fill in each tree's name and learn the leaves of the nine common trees. When finished they can cut their cards apart and solve the puzzle on the reverse side. When you reserve this self-guided exploration, ask to receive a sample Trek with the Trees flyer by mail to plan you visit.

HIKE FOR THE BIRDS
Ages 7-12
Fee: Free (reservation required)

FREE Hike for the Birds flyers are available for children or child teams at the Visitor Center. This one-mile hike takes up to one hour, and is mostly paved. (NOTE: There is a fairly steep grassy hill at the end). Children search for six birdhouses and six plants that attract birds as they hike, and use information on the signs to match each bird on the flyer with the right plant or house. When you reserve this self-guided exploration, ask to receive a sample Hike for the Birds flyer by mail to plan you visit.

BUG O' ORIENTEERING COURSE
Ages 10-14
Fee: Free (reservation required)

Pick up FREE Bug O' Maps for child teams at the Visitor Center. Challenge your group to develop their map-reading, navigation and teamwork skills on our orienteering course. There are two levels, a short course (7 controls) and a long course (12 controls). Control checkpoints are marked by bronze cast insects. Approximate walking time varies from one to two hours. Teams observe and compare three native plant communities along the rout. When you reserve this self-guided exploration, ask to receive a Bug O' Teacher's Guide by mail to plan you visit.
All visits, both guided and self-guided, must be registered in advance. Call the Education Office at 952 443-1422 to register.

Pea Pods Preschool 
The Arboretum offers preschool programs throughout the year for your littlest learners with growing minds. Children ages 3-5 years and a caregiver play, discover and learn. Visit sensory, planting, and nature stations at your child's pace to rediscover the fun of getting your hands dirty and watching your garden grow. Go to the registration page to for more information on the upcoming session, or to reserve your spot.          

Wednesdays, October 3 – December 12, 9:30-11 a.m.

Per session fee: $81/child of member, $99/child of nonmember. Includes admission for one adult partner. Choose the 9 sessions most convenient for you.

October 3                   Ahhh… Autumn!
October 10                 Apple Pickin Time
October 17                 Calling All Crows…& Scarecrows!
October 24                 Pumpkin Patch Party
October 31                 Spooky Spiders 
November 7               Forest Floor Friends
November 14             A-maize of Corn!
November 28             Acorns & Animals 
December 5              The Ever Green Tree
December 12            Gingerbread Babies

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Learning Center 2007 Children's Garden

The Children's Garden is the Arboretum's place for kids to experience the joys and benefits of gardening. From unearthing a potato, to measuring the rapid growth of a sunflower, to savoring the first ripe cherry tomato of the season, the Children's Garden offers a cornucopia of experiences that connect kids to the Earth that sustains us.
For Entering Kindergarten - K Grads + Adult