Gardening with Kids: Senses in the Winter Garden

Winter gardens hold their own special magic, and this hands-on program at Huntsville Botanical Garden invites families to discover it together. Instead of focusing on colorful blooms, children ages 3-12 will explore what makes a dormant garden fascinating — the crunch of fallen leaves, the texture of tree bark, the lingering scent of dried herbs, and the subtle sounds of nature settling in for the season. It's a wonderful opportunity to help young learners understand that gardens remain vibrant ecosystems year-round, not just during spring and summer. The program takes place on November 14 at 10:00 a.m. at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. Families will venture outdoors to collect natural materials, then use their finds to create a sensory sachet to bring home as a keepsake. Members pay $35 per child while non-members pay $60, with additional adults able to join for $15 each and extra craft kits available for $15. The garden recommends no more than one child per parent for those under age 5, which helps ensure everyone gets the attention they need during hands-on activities. Space is limited, so advance registration is required, and the garden will email specific meeting location details to registered families before the event. Since you'll be exploring outdoors in mid-November, dress everyone in layers and closed-toe shoes. The experience is led by the garden's experienced education staff, who excel at making nature science accessible and engaging for mixed-age groups. This is ideal for curious preschoolers and elementary-aged children who love exploring the natural world through touch, smell, and observation.