Experience the amazing raptors! This is a live and interactive experience you will not want to miss! You can get close to some extremely beautiful birds. Learn through storytelling and up close encounters about our feathered friends and how to share our world with them.
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There's something magical about holding a delicate butterfly in your palm and watching it take flight into a canopy of greenery and blooms. The Purdy Butterfly House at Huntsville Botanical Garden offers families that exact experience through their Butterfly Release program, where children and adults alike can help restore the indoor butterfly population while learning about these remarkable pollinators. Each 30-minute program begins with a brief educational presentation about butterflies and their habitat before participants gently release live butterflies into the glass-enclosed conservatory. It's an experience that combines hands-on learning with wonder, particularly engaging for children ages 3-15 who are naturally curious about the natural world. This particular release takes place Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 a.m. at the Purdy Butterfly House on the Botanical Garden grounds. Pricing varies: Garden members pay $8 per person (regardless of age), while non-members pay $27 for adults and $20 for children ages 3-15. Children two and under receive free Garden admission, though you'll need to purchase a release ticket if your toddler wants to participate. Registration is required since space is limited, so don't wait until the last minute to secure your spot. Bring your camera—these moments make for stunning photographs as butterflies land on shoulders and outstretched hands. The combination of natural lighting, tropical plants, and colorful wings creates photo opportunities you'll treasure. As a bonus, your participation supports the Garden's conservation work and educational mission, making this both a memorable family outing and a meaningful contribution to environmental stewardship in North Alabama.
There's something magical about holding a delicate butterfly in your hands and watching it flutter into a sunlit garden for the first time. At the Purdy Butterfly House, families can participate in gentle butterfly releases while learning about these remarkable insects and their habitats. The 30-minute program begins with an age-appropriate presentation about butterfly life cycles and conservation, then gives each participant the chance to safely release a live butterfly into the indoor habitat. It's a hands-on nature experience that transforms science lessons into wonder, especially for curious kids who love all things with wings. The butterfly releases happen on select Saturday mornings throughout the season at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., with the June 13th date being one of several opportunities this summer. Pricing is $8 per person for Garden members and ranges from $8-$27 for non-members depending on age (children 2 and under are free for general admission but need a ticket if participating in the release). Space is limited, so advance registration is required through the Garden's website. The program takes place inside the climate-controlled Purdy Butterfly House at Huntsville Botanical Garden on Bob Wallace Avenue. This is an ideal outing for families with children ages 3 and up who can gently handle butterflies and sit through the brief educational portion. Bring your camera or phone—these are photo moments you'll want to capture. The butterflies are surprisingly tolerant of little photographers, and the indoor setting provides beautiful natural lighting. As a bonus, your registration fee supports the Garden's conservation work, making this both an educational adventure and a contribution to local environmental efforts.
There's something magical about watching fireflies light up a summer evening, and the Huntsville Botanical Garden is inviting families to experience these enchanting insects up close. During these guided firefly hikes, kids and parents will explore the Garden at dusk—the perfect time to spot these fascinating creatures as they begin their nightly light show. An educational presentation kicks off the evening, teaching families about the firefly life cycle and how to make their own backyards more welcoming to these beneficial insects. The hike takes place on Tuesday, June 16, with two time slots available: 6:45-8:00 PM or 7:30-9:00 PM. Pricing for Garden members starts at $15 per individual or $50 for a group of four, while non-members pay $20 individual or $65 for four people. The experience includes the presentation, the guided evening walk, and a chance to gently catch and release fireflies. Advance registration is strongly recommended since capacity is limited, though walk-ins may be accepted if space allows. This program works best for children ages 5-14 who can handle an evening walk and stay engaged during the educational portion. Come prepared with a clean, dry plastic jar with a lid (like a mayonnaise jar) for catching fireflies, and don't forget flashlights for navigating after dark. Questions about the program can be directed to education@hsvbg.org. It's a wonderful way to connect kids with nature while learning about the science behind those twinkling lights.