2505
Conservatory Drive - Indianapolis - Indiana - 46203
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GET INVOLVED! Offering a wide range of programs geared towards both youth and adult education, Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Garden provides a unique setting for engaged learning. Read below to learn up to date information on programs, seasonal displays, lecture series, club events and much more!
To find out specific info on any of these events call 317.327.7580.
Click here to find out information regarding events, programs and fees at all Indy Parks.
Scroll down through list of ongoing events, or upcoming events by month.
GIRL SCOUTS NATURE PROGRAMS
Our environmental education team has partnered with the Girl Scouts of America to provide rainforest, ecology and conservation programs for your Girl Scouts.
Click here to see a full list of Girl Scout Programs.For more information or registration please call the Girl Scouts office at 317.924.6864.
JUNGLE TALES
Ages: 2-5 (with adult), Cost: $4 per session
This popular preschool program returns with a focus on the rainforest and the world around us. Join us for nature-related stories, activities and crafts. Activities may be messy or involve going outdoors, so dress appropriately. This program fills up fast and pre-registration is required, SO REGISTER TODAY! Bring your preschooler to this program with a focus on the natural world around us. Join us for a different nature-related story, activity and craft each month.
May 14
June 11
July 9
August 13
LITTLE GREEN THUMBS
Ages: 3-6 (with adult), Cost: $4 per session
Bring your little gardener to enjoy the Children's Garden. Participants will have the opportunity to plant, care for, and harvest crops in the Garden. Registration required.
Little Green Thumbs is on the last Thursday of the month from 10:00-10:45am:
May 30
June 27
July 25
August 22
JUNIOR MASTER GARDENERS
Ages: 6-12, Cost: $40 for 8 weeks
During this 8-week program, kids can grow their own food while learning about plant basics, composting, insects, and more! Each child will plant their own garden space and enjoy the bounty of their labor. Registration required by June 3rd. Wednesdays, June 5-July 24 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
ALL ABOUT HERBS
Expand your knowledge about herbs and their uses with the Central Indiana Herb Society. Join fellow herb enthusiasts and explore a different related topic each session. A $5 donation is suggested to support the CIHS. Check back for more herb programs coming this Fall
GUIDED CONSERVATORY TOURS
Join Master Gardeners as they conduct tours highlighting information about the interesting and unusual plants in the Conservatory. Tours begin at 2:30pm every Saturday in June, July, and August, and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from September through May.
Free with paid admission
MAY
Garfield Park Chalk Art Festival and Competition: Saturday, May 11, FREE - Help us decorate Garfield Park by creating works of art on our sidewalks with colorful chalk! Finished chalk drawings will be judged and fun prizes will be awarded. Enjoy food vendors and live family music. The festival is for all ages and all experience levels. Bring your own chalk or purchase a chalk kit for only $3.FREE
Register between 10AM-2PM at the Garfield Park Arts Center (GPAC)
Work to be judged must be completed by 3PM
Keep drawing for fun and enjoy live music from 3-4PM
Awards given at 4PM (must be present to win)
Call 327-7135 for more information
Plants that Bite Back: Sunday, May 19, 2-3pm, $5 - Can plants really bite? Come learn about carnivorous plants and other unique plants found in the Conservatory. See live plants in action and make a craft to take home. Registration required. Ages: 6-14
Stepping Stone Workshop: Tuesday May 28, 5:15-5:45pm OR 6-6:30pm - Enjoy creating a decorative stepping stone, just in time for summer! Stones must be left to dry and can be picked up later. Registration required by May 24th. Ages: 3+ $7 per stone
June
Family Garden Day: Herbal Planters - Saturday June 1, 10:30-11:30 a.m.- Bring the family to make a container garden filled with culinary herbs! Learn how to place plants and seeds in your planter to and explore the herb gardens in the Children’s Garden. Price is for each planter made. Registration required as supplies are limited. All ages $8 per planter
Music in the Garden: Thursdays June 6, 7 p.m. - Bring your lawn chairs and picnic to enjoy an evening of music in the Sunken Garden
Bonsai Show Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9 Sat: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun: 1-5 p.m.- Admission: $3 per person or $8 per family (2 adults max.) Join the Indianapolis Bonsai Club as they showcase their unique bonsai specimens. Club members will be available to answer your questions, and vendors will have plants and supplies available for sale.
Nature Nuts: Thursdays June 13, 20, 27, 2-3 p.m. - We love nature! Come to this fun class to learn more about a different nature topic each time. Contact Conservatory for class topics. Ages: 4-10 $4 per child
Rose Show Saturday June 16, 12-5 p.m - . Admission: $1 per person The Indianapolis Rose Society will present a display show of many different rose varieties. Society members will also be on hand, so bring your questions!
July
Garden Stories: Thursdays July 11, 18, 25, 2:00-2:30 p.m. FREE - Bring the family to the Garden to enjoy a story show-and-tell. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs and kick back in the shade.
Family Outdoor Scavenger Hunt: Thursdays July 11, 18, 25, 2:30-4 p.m.FREE - Stop by the Conservatory and pick up a copy of this year’s hunt that will send you around the Gardens and surrounding areas with your eyes peeled. Bring your finished hunt back and receive a prize.
Early Morning Photography Saturday July 13, 8-10 a.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to practice your photography skills in the morning before the Conservatory opens. The Conservatory is full of tropical orchids, palms, ferns and so much more! Each photographer will be allowed a tripod during this event. Make sure to register, as space is limited. Ages: 16+ $5 per person
Garden Folklore Saturday July 13, 1:30-2:30 p.m. . Throughout history garden plants have had many different uses. Learn some fun folklore surrounding popular plants, and try your skills at making herbal tea. Registration required. Ages: 16+ $5 per person
Rainforest Appreciation Day: Sunday July 14, 1-5 p.m. FREE From chocolate to chewing gum to beautiful flowers, it’s time to recognize everything we get from the rainforest. Stop by the Conservatory for a fun tour through the rainforest. All ages welcome!
Nature Bandanas: Wednesday July 17 - Brighten up your summer break with a hand-decorated bandana. Use stamps, paint and makers to decorate yours with animal tracks and more! Bring your creativity and wear clothes that are ok to get messy. Registration required. Ages: 6-14 $5 per child
Little Critters: Sunday July 21, 2-3 p.m. Bring your little critter to learn more about critters in the garden. Explore the garden and make your own roly-poly habitat to take home. Registration required. Ages: 2-6 $4 per child
Family Garden Day: Bug Catchers Saturday July 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Come on by and make your very own bug catcher. Explore the Children’s Garden for bugs and learn about what bugs may be in your backyard! Price is for each bug catcher made. Registration is required as supplies are limited. All ages $4 per craft
August
Kitchen Superfoods Saturday August 3, 2:30-4 p.m. Too hot to garden outside? Come learn techniques for growing sprouts and microgreens the comfort of your kitchen. No kneeling, squatting or weeding required! Participants will get to start their own sprouts to take home. Registration required. Ages: 16+ $5
All About Bees Sunday August 4, 1:30-3:30 p.m. FREE - Meet our beekeeper and learn about bee biology and why they are important to our gardens and our world. Experience first-hand how honey is harvested and taste a sample. Registration required. Ages: 16+
Nature T-Shirts Thursday August 8, 4-5 p.m. Drop by the Conservatory with a t-shirt and create a one-of-a-kind design using objects from nature. A dark or bright colored t-shirt will work best. Registration required. Ages: 6+ $4 (inc. processing) per participant
Flower Pressing Saturday, August 24, 10-11 a.m. Make a pressed flower craft and your own simple flower press to use to press some flowers from the Children’s Garden. Registration required. Ages: 16+ $5 per person
Flower Fun Saturday, August 24, 2-3 p.m. Come learn all about flowers and see what beauties we have blooming in our garden. Use flowers from the garden to make a fun craft to take home. Registration required. Ages: 6-14 $4 per child
Music in the Garden FREE Thursday August 29 7 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic to enjoy an evening of music in the Sunken Garden.
