Summer Activities for Kids and Families
Educational Programs for Kids
June 2011
Tyler Arboretum
Media, PA
Tyler Arboretum makes use of its grounds’ diverse resources in offering educational programs geared toward specific age groups: Teeny Tiny Trackers programs for three-year-olds, Tiny Trackers programs for kids ages 4 – 5, Garden Sprouts programs to introduce kids ages 4 – 5 to the world of plants and gardens, and Nature Kids offering opportunities for outdoor exploration for kids ages 6 – 9. details
Guided Wildflower Walks
Tuesday – Sunday, June 1 – 30, 2 – 3 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
New Hope, PA
Take a wildflower walk any day of the month, see flowers and fruits in season and discover fun facts about their use. details
Family Backyard Birding in the Pennypack
Pennypack Environmental Center
Saturday, June 11, 9:30 – 11:30 am
Philadelphia, PA
Join us for a hike through the native sanctuary to learn about birding in your backyard. Build a recycled plastic birdfeeder to take home. details
Open House
Saturday, June 11, 10 am – 4 pm
Wissahickon Environmental Center
Philadelphia, PA
Come explore the Tree House visitor center and discover why it’s called a tree house. Discover the children’s activity center. Enjoy the bird feeders where you’ll see many visitors such as woodpeckers, goldfinches and hummingbirds. details
Storytime at the Morris Arboretum
Tuesday, June 14, 10:30 – 11 am
Morris Arboretum
Philadelphia, PA
Bring your child to the outdoor children’s classroom to hear fabulous stories as told by a William Jeanes librarian. Take a walk after story time and then have lunch in the arboretum’s café. details
Children’s Summer Reading
Thursdays, June 16 – August 25, 10 – 11:15 am
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
New Hope, PA
Parents and kids are invited to join in exploring nature’s alphabet. We will read exciting books about the outdoors and take hikes through the preserve in search of the plants and critters in the stories. After our walk we will make a nature craft to take home. For ages 3 – 7. details
StrawBEARy Surprise and Nature in Art Day Family Festival
Saturday – Sunday, June 11 – 12, Noon – 4 pm
Camden Children’s Garden
Camden, NJ
This is a celebration of one of summer’s sweetest fruits with a special twist to honor Mum Bear, the Garden’s mascot, on her 6th birthday. This event will include nature crafts and a planting activity. Contact 856-365-8733. details
Lavender and Butterfly Flower Fairy Tea
Saturday, June 18
Triple Oaks Nursery & Herb Garden of South Jersey
Franklinville, NJ
Children will make butterfly gardens and lavender sachet. Class will also learn about and pick their own lavender. details
Evening Exploration
Saturday, June 18, 6 – 7:30 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
New Hope, PA
Enjoy a leisurely guided walk along the preserve’s diverse trails in search of blooming native plants like rosebay rhododendron, mountain laurel and purple-flowering raspberry. We’ll also explore the world of insect in the wildflower meadow. details
Tot Exploration Camp
Monday, June 20 – Friday, June 24, 9 am – Noon
Pennypack Environmental Center
Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA
Introduce your child to nature in a safe, fun environment. Crafts, games, stories, snacks, short walks and more! For ages 5 – 7 years. details
Nature Ramblers Summer Camp
One-week sessions: Monday, June 20 – Friday, August 19
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
Philadelphia, PA
Nature Ramblers is an environmentally based summer camp for children ages 4 – 9. Environmental educators lead children in an exploration of the natural world. Children learn about the environment through hands-on activities, hiking excursions, environmental art, wildlife programs and field trips details
Festival de Aibonito – Puerto Rican Family Festival
Saturday – Sunday, June 25 – 26, Noon – 4 pm
Camden Children’s Garden
Camden, NJ
Enjoy the beauty of tropical plants inside the Plaza de Aibonito, Puerto Rico. This colorful cultural celebration includes Hispanic arts and crafts, games, Puerto Rican activities and delicious tropical fruit. This festival is a part of Camden’s Parada San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist parade). Contact 856-365-8733. details
Summer Adventure Camp
Monday, June 27 – Friday, July 1, 9 am – 3 pm
Pennypack Environmental Center
Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA
Nature Camp is the perfect setting to discover nature’s wonders in a safe, educational and social environment. Campers will learn about the natural world around them. Bird watching, fishing, hiking and much more will be part of the week’s events. For ages 8 – 12 years. details
Shofuso Summer Camp
Monday, July 18 – Friday, August 12, 9 am – 3 pm
Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, PA
It’s not too early to sign your child up for a week (or four) experiencing Japanese culture – including the lively arts, tea ceremony, martial arts, taiko drumming, and more – at the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. For children ages 7 – 12. details
To submit an event listing to The Wired Gardener, send email to wiredgardener@pennhort.org. Keep entry brief and include contact information.