All Things Apples

September 24–25

We celebrate All Things Apples this weekend in honor of Johnny Appleseed Day and his commitment to spreading and preserving the apple tree! Join us for apple tastings, a special Johnny Appleseed Puppet Show and apple inspired STEM stops.

Monarch Tagging with Melissa Martin

October 8–9

Explore the fantastic fluttering butterfly as it migrates south for the winter. Take part in Monarch tagging on the incredible Moody Oasis, which is filled with an array of gorgeous flowers and butterflies. Learn why Monarch butterflies migrate and what other animals pollinate the many flowers you see.

Silkworms with Michael Cook

October 15–16

Meet Michael Cook and his silkworms. Learn about these incredible creatures and how they are raised. See some beautiful products made out of silk, such as embroidery, tablet weaving and saganishiki.

Sticker Treating

October 24–31

Join us all week for Sticker Treating in the Children’s Adventure Garden! Dress up in your favorite costume and collect fun stickers from various spots throughout the garden.

Trick or Treating @ Night

October 28–29

Don’t miss out on a special spooky night at the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden with tricks and treats at every turn. Come dressed to impress for the costume contest. Check the website for costume guidelines.

Registration available soon.

Kelley Family Days

November 11–13

Thanks to a gift from the Kelley Family, guests with general garden admission also receive free entrance to the Children’s Adventure Garden on these special days throughout the year! Share with your friends and family, and see why your adventure starts here—where nature and fun become one.

The Walne Family Discovery Lab is a unique, in-depth opportunity to experience hands-on STEM learning in the Exploration Center. Stop by the counter and try your hand at daily experiments and explorations led by an experienced Arboretum educator. With multiple chances to learn each day and rotating experiments every week, there’s always something new to learn. Please note that the Walne Family Discovery Lab is for ages 6 & up.

Worm Investigations

August 8–14

As you investigate worms, you will learn how they help create nutrient, rich soils that plants thrive in. 

Bird Magnetism

August 15–21

North, South, East, West? How do birds figure out which direction is best? 

Build a Bird

August 22–28

Join us to create your very own bird! In this lab, we will dive into the colorful genetics of birds. 

Good Vibrations

August 29–September 4

Learn the science behind music when you create your own sounds and explore how sound travels in vibrations. 

Marvelous Maize

September 5–11

Did you know that maize, or corn, was grown in ancient Mexico? In this lab, you will investigate viscosity using a corn product commonly found in the food you eat. 

Seed Dispersal

September 17–18

Join us in learning about native Texas plants and their importance in our environment. Create your own seed bomb to take home and plant.

Dry Ice Dragons

September 19–23

Create a smoking dragon while learning about the phases and sublimation of matter.

Johnny Appleseed Lab

September 24–25

Let’s experiment with the oxidation process of apples.

Going Green

September 26–October 2

Reduce plastic waste by creating drinkable paper straws to take home.

Magnetic Monarchs

October 3–10

Discover how Monarchs use the power of magnetism during migration to and from Mexico.

Layers of the Earth Lab

October 11–16

Learn about the different layers that compose our planet while creating your own 3-D model of the Earth.

Fizzy Dino Lab

October 17–23

Bubbles and dust make for a fun excavating lab experience.

Monster Molecule Mist

October 24–31

Make a putrid potion of magical matter that shifts form a solid to a gas. Be amazed by the monster molecule mist.

Jack and the Beanstalk: Plant Life Cycle

November 1–6

Journey up the beanstalk with Jack as you learn about the different stages of a plant’s life cycle.

STEM Stops are your chance to stop and experience in-depth science and STEM learning in the Children’s Adventure Garden! Join facilitators throughout various galleries as they share fun experiments and real scientific specimens for you to explore that relate to topic of each gallery. STEM Stops are “come-n-go,” so each experience is guided by YOU and your discovery journey.

Summer STEM STOPS

12 p.m. Texas Native Wetlands 
1:30 p.m. Exploration Center Plaza
3:30 p.m. Exploration Center Plaza

Bird Buffet

August 8–14

12 p.m. | It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30 p.m. | What’s in the Worm Bin? Look inside a worm bin and explore decomposition. What will you find?
3:30 p.m. | Bird Beaks – Explore why varied species of birds have diverse types of beaks in this STEM Stop.

Take Off!

August 15–19

12 p.m. | It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30 p.m. | Paper Airplane Investigations – Discover aerodynamics and see whose plane can soar the longest.
3:30 p.m. | Bird Silhouettes – Learn all about wing shapes, beak shapes, and more as we understand how birds are adapted for their habitat.   

Birds of a Feather, Flock Together

August 22–28

12 p.m. | It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30 p.m. | Texas Birds- Study local feathers up close and learn about the birds native to Texas’ ecosystems.
3:30 p.m. | Feathered Friends- Take a close look at some amazing feather features at this STEM Stop. 

Music to My Ears

August 29–September4

12 p.m. | It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30 p.m. | Fruit Tunes – Many birds love to eat fruit. Can you make music with a piece of fruit?
3:30 p.m. | DIY Kazoo – Create your own kazoo out of household objects. Exploration Center

Hispanic Heritage Programs

September 5–9

12 p.m. | It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30 p.m. | Fruits and Veggies -Explore the fruits and vegetables from Central and South America.
3:30 p.m. | Papel picado – Create your own punched paper decoration.  

Fall STEM STOPS

12:00 p.m. Exploration Center Plaza

1:30 p.m. Texas Native Wetlands

3:30 p.m. Exploration Center Plaza

Busy Bugs 

September 17–18 

12 p.m. | The Honeybee & the Hexagon: Have you ever wondered why honeybees build their hives using hexagons? Learn the importance of the hexagonal shape to the architecture of the honeybee hive. 

1:30 p.m. | It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation 

3:30 p.m. | Bold Bugs: Discover how the ant is a super strong insect, and test the limits of how much weight your own ant creation can handle. 

A Secret Growing Garden 

September 19–23

12 p.m. | Life Cycle of an Apple Tree: Learn how the apple tree’s life cycle is dependent upon the four seasons and their varying climates to grow different delicious and nutritious apples. 

1:30 p.m. | It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation   

3:30 p.m.  | Design a Garden: Discover how to make your own backyard garden a bird’s paradise. 

Fairy Wonderland  

September 26–10/2 

12 p.m. | Fairy Dust: Fairy dust can get everywhere. Join us in a glittery experiment that explores how proper hand hygiene can keep those pesky fairies from following you around the garden.

1:30 p.m. | It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation

3:30 p.m.  | Watercolor Fairy Wings: The science of soap soap makes it do amazing things, join us to make foamy watercolor fairy wings and talk about surface tension and bubbles.

Pollinator Magic 

October 3–10

12 p.m. | Monarch Migration: In anticipation for the great migration of Monarch Butterflies, learn how to identify and tag Monarchs. 

1:30 p.m. | It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation

3:30 p.m.  | Pollinator BINGO: Learn about common pollinators and their roles in a garden. Explore and identify these pollinators in their natural habitat. 

Bug Besties 

October 11–16

12 p.m. | Lifecycle of a Ladybug: Find out about ladybugs and their life cycles. Discover how their life processes help them survive within their environments.

1:30 p.m. | It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation

3:30 p.m.  | Pest Patrol: Learn about the benefits of natural pesticides versus chemical ones and how these natural alternatives can help reduce the amount of pollution in our environments.

Crazy Chemistry 

October 17–23

12 p.m. | Nails for Breakfast: Learn about the importance of iron in a healthy diet and why it is sometimes added to foods such as breakfast cereals. 

1:30 p.m. | It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation

3:30 p.m.  | Alka Seltzer Rockets: A little air pressure goes a long way. Using Alka-Seltzer to create air pressure, we can launch a rocket up into the air.

Spooky Science 

October 24–31

12 p.m. | Pumpkin Party: Investigate the structure and parts of a pumpkin, and get a chance to plant your own pumpkin seed to take home. 

1:30 p.m. | It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation

3:30 p.m.  | Insane Acid Rain: Acid rain can be detrimental to many different types of environments. Where does acid rain come from? Find out using an experiment involving chalk and vinegar.

Plant Party 

November 1–6

12 p.m. | Tree Talk: Join us for a walk along the Texas Skywalk to learn the basic parts of a tree. 

1:30 p.m. | It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation

3:30 p.m.  | Sister Planting: Learn about the Three Sisters Planting, a traditional agricultural practice used by Indigenous Peoples where corn, beans and squash are planted in a symbiotic triad to enhance soil fertility and plant growth. 

The OmniGlobe is an “out of this world” experience in the Exploration Center you’ll have to see to believe! This six-foot sphere is illuminated by two projectors inside which can create expansive images of planets, the Sun, and even the Earth’s weather patterns, ocean currents and so much more. Take a midday cool-off break and join us at 11:30am daily for OmniOutlook, featuring current weather or space events.

Daily | 2:30 p.m.

August 8–4: Shakin’ & Quakin’ in My Boots 

August 15–19: Starry Night 

August 22–28: Mother Earth 

August 29–September 2: Hurricanes, Cyclones, & Typhoons 

September 6–9: Wonderous Weather 

September 17–25: Tour of the Solar System

September 26–October 2: Out at Sea

October 3–10: Monarch Migration

October 11–16: Starry Night

October 17–23: Shakin’ & Quakin’ in My Boots

October 24–31: World Beyond My Sun

November 1–6: Which Biome is my Home?

At The Glade Puppet Story Time, we explore seasonal storybooks with the help of puppets. During this 10-15 minute program, for tiniest guest (0-5 years) will explore concepts related to nature, science, or holidays.

August 8–12: Whoever Heard of a Flying Bird by David Cunliffe  

August 15–19: Flight School by Lita Judge 

August 22–26: Feathers, Not Just for Flying by Melissa Stewart 

August 29–September 2: Violet’s Music by Angela Johnson 

September 17–25: Tour of the Solar System

September 26–October 2: Out at Sea

October 3–9: Monarch Migration

October 10–16: Starry Night

October 17–23: Shakin’ & Quakin’ in My Boots

October 24–31: World Beyond My Sun

November 1–6: Which Biome is my Home?

The Glade Puppet Show is a fun, interactive performance designed for learners ages 7 and under. Explore grade level appropriate topics such as seasons, metamorphosis, habitats and more as you meet Arboretum Andy and their crew of furry friends from around the Children’s Adventure Garden.

August 6–7: Marvelous Metamorphosis

August 13–14: Finding My Way Home

August 27–28: Marvelous Metamorphosis

September 3–4: Finding My Way Home

September 17–18: Purpose of Pollinating

September 24–25: The Story of Johnny Appleseed

October 1–2: Marvelous Metamorphosis

October 8–10: Finding My Way Home

October 15–16: Purpose of Pollinating

October 22–23: Finding My Way Home

October 29–31: Marvelous Metamorphosis

November 5–6: Purpose of Pollinating