Free drop-in programs for families

Making music with "sound sandwiches"
at Family Fun Day

By Kate Blakely

Looking for a chance to enjoy the Gardens with your family? We love to see families visiting, learning and wondering together. Below are three activities for families coming up soon. From reading a story to performing a science experiment, kids and caregivers alike can learn together and create lots of good memories and maybe even a craft to take home and enjoy.

None of these activities requires registration. All are free.

Nature Storytime
1st Saturdays: April 7, May 5, June 2
3rd Thursdays: April 19, May 17, June 21
10:30-11:30 a.m.

Do you love curling up with a good book? Nature Storytime is a chance for children and their caregivers to come and hear a story read aloud outside in the Gardens. We’ll follow up the story with an activity that matches the theme of the book. Take advantage of the gorgeous weather and special seasonal splendors to enjoy some good learning and good literature. Visit the front desk of the Doris Duke Center to find out where to meet. You can find out the book and activity in advance on our website.

Nature Ranger Cart
Friday mornings in April, May and June
11a.m.-1p.m.

Young visitors to the Gardens can enjoy free activities at the Nature Ranger Cart. The cart is usually parked out by the dawn redwood tree near the foot of the Terrace Gardens, but visitors can always check in at the front desk of the Doris Duke Center to find out the exact location each Friday. Cart activities include books to read, nature-related crafts, even some do-it-yourself science experiments.

Family Fun Day
Sundays: April 15, April 29, May 6, May 20
noon-3p.m.

Want to make some slime? On Family Fun Days, activity tables with science experiments and nature-related crafts are set up in the Gardens. Create seed bombs, grape catapults or even “flying hoopsters.” You can probably guess what the first two are, but “flying hoopsters”? Come to these free events to find out how to make your own slime and just what “flying hoopsters” are!

Please dress appropriately for the weather. Don’t forget a hat or some sunblock, and maybe a water bottle. Also, please chaperone your youngest Gardens visitors. We love seeing families visiting together. Your visit will be so much more fun and rewarding that way.

Please read more here about new and returning programs for children and families.