Family Programs
With a variety of programs throughout the year aimed at families looking for hands-on activities and educational experiences at VanDusen Botanical Garden, we’re looking forward to helping you and your children get into nature, together!
Stay tuned for new programs each month!
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+-April 11: Preschool Wonder Walk - April Showers
April 11, 10:00am – 11:30am
March Theme: April Showers
Do you know the saying “April showers bring May flowers?” Get your feet wet as you take a journey through the water cycle. Learn more about why April’s weather is so important to the biodiversity of the Garden, and complete a rainy craft!
This is a guided preschool program for children ages 3-5 and their parents/caregivers. Registration must be purchased for each child for admission to the program. Parent/caregiver attendance is free.
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+-April 24: (FREE) Preschool Storytime - Bees and Other Pollinators
April 24, 10:00am – 10:45am
Free
April Theme: Bees and Other Pollinators
Children will learn the important role of pollinators in the garden through stories, songs and making their own ‘lady bug’ hand puppet to take home.
This is an easy-going, early learning program for children ages 3-5 and their parents/caregivers. This program provides participants and their caregivers the opportunity to gather together in the Library (or in the courtyard outside when the weather permits), to engage with nature-themed children’s books, and to explore seasonal topics with age-appropriate activities.
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+-May 16: Preschool Wonder Walk - Every Bird Needs A Nest
May 16, 10:00am – 11:30am
May Theme: Every Bird Needs A Nest
May is Vancouver Bird Celebration month! Take a close look at bird nests & discover how they’re made. On our Garden walk, we’ll look and listen for nesting birds, and explore the life cycle of a bird from cozy egg, to chirping hatchling, to the day they finally stretch their wings and fly!
This is a guided preschool program for children ages 3-5 and their parents/caregivers. Registration must be purchased for each child for admission to the program. Parent/caregiver attendance is free.
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+-May 22: (FREE) Preschool Storytime - Our Feathered Friends
May 22, 10:00am – 10:45am
Free
May Theme: Our Feathered Friends
Together we will learn about the important role of birds in nature through stories, songs, and creating a craft of a momma bird and her eggs in a nest.
This is an easy-going, early learning program for children ages 3-5 and their parents/caregivers. This program provides participants and their caregivers the opportunity to gather together in the Library (or in the courtyard outside when the weather permits), to engage with nature-themed children’s books, and to explore seasonal topics with age-appropriate activities.
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+-A Visit with O.W.L. (Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society)
Thursday, May 23, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
This is your chance for a meet and greet with some of nature’s most beautiful birds, offered through the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (O.W.L).
O.W.L specializes in the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors from all over B.C. Learn about how the birds find their way to O.W.L., how they are cared for, and eventually released back into nature. Participants will also meet the teaching birds up close. Photo ops are available (no flash please).
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+-Discover Birds at Bloedel
Saturday, May 25, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Join a member of our Education team for this all-ages program to celebrate our feathered friends. Meet the birds of Blodel and discover the biodiversity hidden under the Conservatory dome through a mini-tour and activity!
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+-June 26: (FREE) Preschool Storytime - Blooming June
June 26, 10:00am – 10:45am
Free
June Theme: Blooming June
Let’s explore the beauty and colour of flowers through stories, songs, and creating floral etchings to take home.
This is an easy-going, early learning program for children ages 3-5 and their parents/caregivers. This program provides participants and their caregivers the opportunity to gather together in the Library (or in the courtyard outside when the weather permits), to engage with nature-themed children’s books, and to explore seasonal topics with age-appropriate activities.