Join Us in Nature’s Classroom — Where Curiosity Leads, Connections Deepen, and Learning Comes Alive at the Australian Botanic Gardens!

This immersive, syllabus-aligned program invites children ages 5 and up to connect with nature through outdoor learning, storytelling, and hands-on science.

With activities tailored to different learning ages, children will connect with both Western and First Nations science, geography and history, deepening their appreciation of the natural world and the stories it tells. From creating mini gardens to exploring native plant propagation and discovering forest and woodland habitats, every activity is designed to spark curiosity and inspire people to think and act in ways that balance with nature.

Students will engage in mindfulness, explore native plants and ecosystems, and become part of the global scientific community through real-world conservation research. With a strong focus on celebrating Dharawal country and all that it can teach us, this program fosters understanding of Country, connection, and nature through exploration, play, critical thinking and scientific inquiry.

This program is designed for children learning at a primary level with two concurrent streams.

Stream 1 for learning ages 5-8

Stream 2 for learning ages 9 and above

Please note: Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times throughout the day.

While there is flexibility to book students into any of the programs, parents/carers are required to provide supervision for all students at all times. The two groups will be working in different parts of the garden across the day. We strongly recommend arranging supervision for your child/children before the day of the program.

Activities on the day include:

Stream 1 for younger learners (learning age 8 and under)

Morning: First Nations Flower Power

Discover the power of native plants in the Connections Garden and collect your power-ups

Create your very own power pendant

Propagate your very own native food plant to take home

Afternoon: Woodlands and forests

Explore the Gondwana forest and the Cumberland Plain woodland and collect treasures to remember your journey!
Investigate the scats left behind by our friends in the woodlands and forests and how they are important.
Create a seed ball scat to take home and plant.

Stream 2 for older learners (learning age 9 and above)

Morning: Garden Waste Warriors

Try out some creative construction with natural and reuse materials from excess garden resources.
Learn how reuse materials, gardening and propagation go hand in hand.
Create inspired art or jewellery using natural materials.

Afternoon: Stories of Dharawal country

Journey through the beautiful Cumberland Plain Woodland and listen for the stories that nature tells

Visit the Stolen Generations memorial and reflect on Aboriginal people's connection with the land and stories of healing

Create your story of belonging using natural materials

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