PLAY, EXPLORE & MORE

Children & Family Programs

Discovery & Exploration at Play!

Memphis Botanic Garden offers a variety of experiences for families to learn and grow with nature! Throughout the year, we offer activities for preschoolers and older children, as well as events and programs for the whole family!

Whether you’re looking for a children’s summer camp, an after-hours campfire party, or self-guided fun in the great outdoors, you’ll find plenty of ways for your family to learn and play at the Garden!

Plus don’t miss My Big Backyard, our 2.5-acre family garden designed as a place for jumping, splashing, digging, creating, daydreaming, discovering, and simply enjoying time spent outdoors. Sixteen different themed areas provide opportunities for playing in nature.

Summer Camps

Summer fun is blooming at the Garden! Our nature camps are dedicated to connecting kids with nature. These day camps for kids aged 4-12 offer a week full of nature crafts, games, and explorations led by one of our expert Garden Guides.

2024 Summer Camp registration is now open! Click to see the 2024 schedule & register.

Full day (9 am-3 pm): $270 MBG Members/$300 Non-Members per week

Half day (9 am-12 pm): $225 MBG Members/$250 Non-Members per week

Memphis Botanic Garden is located at 750 Cherry Road; Memphis, Tennessee 38117.

The enrollment deadline for each camp is two weeks before camp begins. Class size is limited, so register as soon as possible. Camps subject to being canceled due to low enrollment.

50% refund if canceled two weeks in advance. No refund if canceled less than two weeks before the first day of camp.  

Half day (9 am-12 pm) campers will have snacks provided. They may wish to bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and insect repellant.

Full day (9 am-3 pm) campers will need to bring a sack lunch and a water bottle. They will be outside for most of the day so they may also wish to bring sunscreen and insect repellent. A snack will be provided.

  • Drop-off begins at 8:50 am, and pick-up ends at 3:10 pm.
  • Please be sure to sign your child in & out on the roster each day.
  • Due to our staff’s busy schedule at this time of year, please understand that there will be no childcare provided before or after camp.
  • Early drop-offs and late pick-ups will be subject to a fee of $5 per minute for the first five minutes and $1 per additional minute.
  • Your child will not be able to attend camp until this fee is paid in full.
  • Please inform any other authorized persons of this policy, as you will be responsible for their compliance.
  • Before and aftercare is not provided.
  • Children may not be dropped off earlier than 10 minutes before the camp start time and must be picked up no later than 10 minutes after the camp ends.

Have questions about Summer Camp at the Garden? Contact us at 901-636-4126 or email kristen.zemaitis@membg.org for more information.

Caterpillar Club

Caterpillar Club offers twice-monthly fall and spring semester-long programming for toddlers and preschoolers. Parents (or grandparents, aunts, uncles, or nannies) accompany their toddler or preschooler (up to age 5) as they share stories, play games, create crafts, and explore the natural world. Caterpillar Club is one of the few preschool adventures in Memphis that gets your little one discovering nature, hands-on, in the great outdoors! Caterpillar Club offerings will be listed on our events calendar prior to each semester.

Homeschool Days

Join us for hands-on nature activities and learning that supplement your homeschool curriculum for children ages 6 and up. Homeschool Days is offered each spring & fall and includes four sessions between February & May and September & December. Homeschool Days offerings will be listed on our events calendar prior to each semester.

Homeschool groups are also welcome to book any of our youth education offerings including field trips, festivals, and outreach programs. Click to learn more.

Seasonal Programming

The Garden hosts a diverse range of programming for children and families all year. From classes to campfire parties to holiday happenings and storytime, we strive to offer hands-on fun for the entire family.  Seasonal programming for children & families are listed on our events calendar.

Children’s Birthday Parties

Looking for a natural outdoor setting to celebrate your child’s special day? Our birthday parties in My Big Backyard provide you with a private party space for birthday festivities. Book your child’s next birthday bash today!