4 minute read
Child & Family Events
Mead Making 101 (Adults 21+) Tuesday, December 6, 5:30–7 pm $60 members | $70 nonmembers Don Snoeyink, Thornapple Woodlands LLC
Explore the oldest fermented beverage known to humankind in this unique class offering. Local beekeeper Don Snoeyink will share his recipe for delicious mead, using his own honey! Learn the history of mead, how to recognize various types of mead, and the names and uses for each item needed. Then, watch a demonstration to learn how to make mead yourself and sample different flavors of mead to see how additions can change the flavor. Go home with all the tools needed to get started!
Birding for Beginners (Adults) Saturday, December 10, 9-11 am $35 members | $45 nonmembers Jamie Krupka, Outdoor Discovery Center
Join Jamie Krupka of the Outdoor Discovery Center for this introductory class—perfect for those curious about getting started in birding. You’ll learn identification techniques, how to use a guidebook, basic terminology and more. Then put your knowledge to practice in a guided birding walk through Meijer Gardens. Gain scientific skills as you learn how to contribute your findings to the 123rd Christmas Bird Count, to further research and promote conservation of these charismatic creatures.
Photographing Holiday Lights (Adults) Monday, December 12, 6–8 pm $35 members | $45 nonmembers Cory Olsen
Improve your skills for taking photos of holiday lights: Learn correct camera settings, creative techniques, tips and tricks to make your photography shine. Don’t have a professional camera? No problem! Improve your skills with any camera type—even phone cameras. Then try out what you’ve learned amidst the 300,000 holiday lights in Meijer Gardens’ annual University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition!
*Applies toward Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener education credit.
Cancellation Policy: Full refunds for cancellations are given if we are notified by phone or email 30 days in advance of the class. A 50% refund is given if we are notified 7–29 days in advance of the class. No refunds will be given for notice less than 7 days before the class. Call 616-975-3184 or 616-9753147, or email classes@meijergardens.org for cancellations.
Events are included in the cost of admission. Registration is not required unless otherwise noted.
Michigan’s Farm Garden
Fall Farm Walks
Wednesdays, September 14, 21 and 28, 10:30 am
Michigan’s Farm Garden is the focus of these fabulous, themed fall walks for preschoolers and their families: • Harvest Time! • Leaves, Leaves Everywhere! • Getting Ready for Winter! Each week, kids will explore the Farm, participate in hands-on activities and listen to fun farm stories. Hope to see you down on the Farm!
Amazing Honeybees
Saturday, September 3, 11 am–2 pm Sunday, September 4, 1–4 pm
“Bee” amazed this weekend as you take a closer look at the fascinating world of honeybees. Discover different aspects of bees and beekeeping by viewing an observation hive and listening to local beekeepers. Learn amazing facts while you sample several different kinds of honey. Become a bee as you create your own unique set of antennae and find out how to communicate like a bee by participating in a “bee dance.”
Fall Storytime
Join us for fun, fall-inspired interactive stories like Going on a Leaf Hunt, Fall Is Not Easy, Jaime Planted an Acorn, and The Busy Little Squirrel. Experience how awesome autumn is in the Children’s Garden!
Backpack Adventures
Pack your backpack, come on down and experience how cool fall can be in the Children’s Garden. Join us for awesome backpack adventures with themes such as Amazing Animals, Read It, Map It, Super Seeds or Animal Tracking. Don’t forget to check our website to learn what to bring in your backpack!
Fall Family Day
Saturday, October 1, 1–4 pm
Visit the Children’s Garden for fabulous fall family fun. Activities include something for all your senses: Listen to fall-inspired tunes and autumn-themed stories, see a fiber arts demonstration, and take a naturalist walk highlighting this awesome season.
Hallowee-Ones
Friday, October 21, 10 am–12 pm Parade begins at 10:15 am
Get creative at this special event designed for our youngest visitors. Dress your child as a sculpture, mammal, fish, insect, bird, tree, flower, geologist or in any other way that highlights something about the Children’s Garden. Celebrate Halloween with your weeones as you listen to Halloween-themed stories and go on a Halloween-themed hunt. No tricks. No treats. Just fun!
“Wee” Are Thankful!
Friday, November 25, 10 am–12 pm
Join us for special Thanksgiving activities designed for your wee-ones. Participate in a Thanksgiving-themed hunt and listen to stories all about thankfulness and sharing. Let’s gather in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden to celebrate the meaning of thankfulness together!
Wintertime Walks
November 29–December 31 Preschoolers: Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 10:30 am Family and Friends: Saturdays; 11:15 am
Winter in the Children’s Garden can be chilly— but fun! Bundle up and join us on an outdoor discovery walk as we investigate the Children’s Garden in new ways.
