Summer Programs

The Garden offers a variety of summer programs for kids of all ages! To learn more about our offerings for 2- to 5-year-olds, visit Children's Garden Classes.

Looking for a longer day at the Garden this summer?

Create a unique Garden experience from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. by combining gardening in the morning in City Farmers with a summer afternoon program, Nature Studio or Field Investigators. Full-day students bring a snack and a packed lunch. BBG staff supervise lunchtime before escorting students to their afternoon sessions.

Sample Daily Schedule

City Farmers and Nature Studio

9–9:30 a.m. Check-in at the Children's Garden; welcome games, science journaling 9:30–10:30 a.m. Gardening time—weeding, planting, watering 10:30–10:45 a.m. Snacks and stories 10:45–11:15 a.m. Sail tulip-leaf boats in the Water Garden 11:15–12:15 p.m. Harvest and cooking—beet red velvet cupcakes with edible flowers 12:15–12:30 p.m. Water play and sprinkler time 12:30 p.m. Pickup for morning students; picnic lunch for full-day students 1–2 p.m. Nature Studio begins: bonsai tree sculptures 2–2:30 p.m. Nature walk to the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden 2:30–3:30 p.m. Koi watercolors 3:30 p.m. Pickup and goodbyes

 

Summer Classes at the Garden

  • A young child planting a seedling in soil.

    Trees & Saplings

    For 2- and 3-year-olds with a caregiver

    Learn about the wonders of gardening with your two- or three-year-old during this active hands-on program. Our youngest gardeners work with their adult partner to tend to their garden plots, sing songs, taste new foods, and create nature crafts.

    Consistent attendance of one adult per child is required. Fee includes one adult and one child. No infants or older siblings, please.

    We recommend that first-time gardeners and early twos choose the 9 a.m. one-hour class section.

    Trees & Saplings FAQ ›

    Upcoming Classes ›

  • Two kids planting in soil under the supervision of a teenager.

    Seeds

    For 4, 5, and 6-year-olds

    Seeds work together in small groups to care for their garden plots and participate in cooking, exploring the wonderful outdoors, crafting, and other fun activities. This is a drop-off program.

    Upcoming Classes ›

  • Close-up of a child's hands planting a seedling in soil.

    City Farmers

    For students in (or entering) grades 1–8

    City Farmers dig gardening! Students develop basic horticulture skills to bring garden plots to life with fresh, seasonal vegetables and enjoy crafting, cooking, nature exploration, and other hands-on activities.

    See Upcoming Classes ›

  • A group of kids explore along a path in the woods.

    Nature Studio

    For Students Entering Grades 1–5

    Masterpieces come to life as our young artists explore BBG's plant collection through arts and crafts. Painting, drawing, weaving, dyeing, printmaking, p hotography, and garden design projects will inspire children's creativity as they discovery the beauty of botany and the natural world. Meets Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons.

    See Upcoming Classes ›

  • Teens examine plants in the Native Flora Garden extension.

    Field Investigators

    For Students Entering Grades 6–8

    Become a steward of the earth! Field Investigators conduct experiments, collect data, research current ecological topics, and work on team projects. In this field studies program, kids expand knowledge of plant and earth science by exploring exciting habitats at BBG. Meets Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons.

    See Upcoming Classes ›

Brooklyn Cultural Adventures Program

  • Kids smile while participating in BCAP, Brooklyn Cultural Adventures Program.

    BCAP Summer Camp

    For students ages 7–12

    Go behind the scenes of Brooklyn’s most treasured cultural institutions—Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Public Library, Prospect Park Alliance, and Prospect Park Zoo—in this two-week summer day camp. Every day, BCAP Adventurers travel to two cultural sites on the BCAP campus for hands-on workshops that weave connections between art, science, culture, and the environment. Register early—camp starts filling up in February. Financial aid available.

  • Two teenagers look closely at a camera.

    BCAPteen: Photojournalism Internship

    For teens ages 14–17

    Investigate the arts, nature, culture, and community through photojournalism. BCAPteen is a two-week mini-internship blending digital media and communications, personal and professional skills, and the creative arts. BCAPteen interns earn a stipend and volunteer hours while building skills, expressing their creative interests, and having fun. Applications are due March 15.

    For more information about BCAP or BCAPteen, visit the BCAP website.

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