Garvan Woodland Gardens is on a mission to get kids outside! Studies show spending time in nature is beneficial to every aspect of our health. We aim to provide programming that instills a love and respect for nature while helping children learn, build resilience, and gain confidence.
More information on programs we currently offer are listed below. Register today!
Elementary Homeschool Meet-Up
Dates: 9/4, 9/18
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Recommended Age: 5-12 years old
Meet at Children’s Garden. Connect with other elementary homeschool families in nature!
Event is free with admission or a membership.
Please note that admission is required and must be purchased separately!
Dates: 8/12, 8/19, 8/26, 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30
Time: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Parent-involvement is required in this program designed for younger children. We will spend time singing, story-telling and exploring in the gardens!
Requirements to participate:
-Parent must stay with child the entire session
-Weather appropriate clothing
-Parents provide small snack and refillable water bottle
Free with admission to the Gardens or a membership!
Enter through service road, meet at ticket booth.
Questions? Call 501.262.9300
Please note that admission is required and must be purchased separately!
Dates: 8/12, 8/19, 8/26, 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30
Time: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Parent-involvement is required in this program designed for younger children. We will spend time singing, story-telling and exploring in the gardens!
Requirements to participate:
-Parent must stay with child the entire session
-Weather appropriate clothing
-Parents provide small snack and refillable water bottle
Free with admission to the Gardens or a membership!
Enter through service road, meet at ticket booth.
Questions? Call 501.262.9300
Please note that admission is required and must be purchased separately!
Dates: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Parent-involvement is required in this program designed for younger children. We will spend time exploring different areas in the gardens!
Requirements to participate: -Parent must stay with child the entire session -Weather appropriate clothing -Parents provide small snack and refillable water bottle
Free with admission to the Gardens or a membership!
Recommended Age: Infants-6 years old *recommend carriers over strollers if possible*
Meet at ticket booth.
Please note that admission is required and must be purchased separately!
Into the Woods: Shelter Building
Date: 10/04
Time: 1-2 p.m.
Get “Into the Woods” with us and learn about different essential survival skills. This
session will focus on knot tying and building shelters.
Registration required, $10 per participant. Call (501)262-9613 to register.
Meet at the entrance to the amphitheater (located in the parking lot, we will have a sign to
make us easy to find) no later than 1 p.m.
Dates: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Parent-involvement is required in this program designed for younger children. We will spend time exploring different areas in the gardens!
Requirements to participate: -Parent must stay with child the entire session -Weather appropriate clothing -Parents provide small snack and refillable water bottle
Free with admission to the Gardens or a membership!
Recommended Age: Infants-6 years old *recommend carriers over strollers if possible*
Meet at ticket booth.
Please note that admission is required and must be purchased separately!
Dates: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Parent-involvement is required in this program designed for younger children. We will spend time exploring different areas in the gardens!
Requirements to participate: -Parent must stay with child the entire session -Weather appropriate clothing -Parents provide small snack and refillable water bottle
Free with admission to the Gardens or a membership!
Recommended Age: Infants-6 years old *recommend carriers over strollers if possible*
Meet at ticket booth.
Please note that admission is required and must be purchased separately!
Garvan Rocks!
Date: 10/22
Time: 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Join us in learning about the formation of the Ouachita Mountains. Garvan’s own, Karen
Malone, will guide the group around the gardens to see different rocks and talk about the 3
types of rock, the rock formation cycle, and how it all creates soil. While this class will be
best suited for older children, all are welcome to join!
Free with admission/membership. Email pematthe@uark.edu to register. Registration
w/age required. Meet in the Magnolia Room no later than 9:30 a.m.
Dates: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Parent-involvement is required in this program designed for younger children. We will spend time exploring different areas in the gardens!
Requirements to participate: -Parent must stay with child the entire session -Weather appropriate clothing -Parents provide small snack and refillable water bottle
Free with admission to the Gardens or a membership!
Recommended Age: Infants-6 years old *recommend carriers over strollers if possible*
Meet at ticket booth.
Please note that admission is required and must be purchased separately!
Dates: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Parent-involvement is required in this program designed for younger children. We will spend time exploring different areas in the gardens!
Requirements to participate: -Parent must stay with child the entire session -Weather appropriate clothing -Parents provide small snack and refillable water bottle
Free with admission to the Gardens or a membership!
Recommended Age: Infants-6 years old *recommend carriers over strollers if possible*
Meet at ticket booth.
Please note that admission is required and must be purchased separately!
Dates: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Parent-involvement is required in this program designed for younger children. We will spend time exploring different areas in the gardens!
Requirements to participate: -Parent must stay with child the entire session -Weather appropriate clothing -Parents provide small snack and refillable water bottle
Free with admission to the Gardens or a membership!
Recommended Age: Infants-6 years old *recommend carriers over strollers if possible*
Meet at ticket booth.
Please note that admission is required and must be purchased separately!
Into the Woods: Fire Starting
Date: 11/01
Time: 1-2 p.m.
Get “Into the Woods” with us and learn about different essential survival skills. This
session will focus on fire building and fire starting.
Registration required, $10 per participant. Call (501)262-9613 to register.
Meet at the entrance to the amphitheater (located in the parking lot, we will have a sign to
make us easy to find) no later than 1 p.m.
Dates: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Parent-involvement is required in this program designed for younger children. We will spend time exploring different areas in the gardens!
Requirements to participate: -Parent must stay with child the entire session -Weather appropriate clothing -Parents provide small snack and refillable water bottle
Free with admission to the Gardens or a membership!
Recommended Age: Infants-6 years old *recommend carriers over strollers if possible*
Meet at ticket booth.
Please note that admission is required and must be purchased separately!
Off the Hook!
Date: 11/15
Time: 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Join us along the lake as we host Arkansas Game and Fish educator, Kristen Robinson, for
a fishing class! This class is for beginners to learn to tie knots, bait hooks, and cast lines.
Children are welcome to bring their own pole to use in the class.
PLEASE NOTE: Children 16+ as well as anyone 16+ helping a child in the class are required
to have an active fishing license to participate. Fishing licenses can be purchased here:
https://ar-licensing.s3licensing.com/product/FSH?yr=2026&catalogItem=Fishing
Free with admission/membership. Email pematthe@uark.edu to register. Registration
required. Meet at the ticket booth no later than 12:30 p.m.
Dates: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Parent-involvement is required in this program designed for younger children. We will spend time exploring different areas in the gardens!
Requirements to participate: -Parent must stay with child the entire session -Weather appropriate clothing -Parents provide small snack and refillable water bottle
Free with admission to the Gardens or a membership!
Recommended Age: Infants-6 years old *recommend carriers over strollers if possible*
Meet at ticket booth.
Please note that admission is required and must be purchased separately!