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This page lists workshops for youth groups, scout groups, and families. Please see our Living Lab page for school field trip information and our Kids in the Garden page for our weekly preschool program.

Upcoming Workshops

EMAIL US if you have questions about these workshops

Youth Workshop: Garden Design

Sunday, October 1, 2023  |  1-4pm
$21 BBGS Member or Scout/$30 all others

Participants will be learning about plants and their needs and how to choose the right plant for the right place! We will cover different types of gardens, how to use a plant guide for identification, basic garden design, how to set-up a seed experiment and how to share plants with others. Garden patch included. Recommended for ages 8-11.

This workshop fulfills requirements for the Girl Scout Junior gardening badge and parts of the BSA Webelo Into the Wood, Into the Wild, and Science Adventures achievements. You do not need to be a scout to participate.

Youth Workshop: All About Trees

Sunday, October 1, 2023  |  1-4pm
$21 BBGS Member or Scout/$30 all others

Together, we will explore the world of trees through art, media, scientific inquiry, and exploration of the garden. We will learn about the urban forest ecosystem, tree identification, new technologies in the forestry industry, as well as related career and local service opportunities. Recommended for ages 12-15.

This workshop fulfills requirements for the Girl Scout Cadette Tree badge. BSA scouts could attend as an introduction to the Forestry merit badge. You do not need to be a scout to participate.

CANCELED: Children’s Workshop: Poetry in the Garden

Do you know children who are excited about nature? Bring them to our Poetry in the Garden Workshop! We’ll examine some poems inspired by the natural world, walk in the garden to gather words and ideas, and then write our own individual poems. Pencils and paper provided. Bring your imagination and wear sturdy shoes for the walk. Recommended for ages 6-9 years. This is not a drop off event. Only children need to register; adults do not. One adult may chaperone a group of up to 4.

The workshop could fulfill some requirements for Cub Scout achievements and Girl Scout badges.

Sorry, this workshop has been canceled.

Youth Workshop: Landscape Architecture

Sunday, October 15, 2023
11:30am-5pm
$35 BBGS Member or Scout/$24.50 all others

We will tour part of the botanical garden, do some plant identification, make a scale drawing, and design a landscape for a local building. We will also talk about careers in the field and meet with a landscape professional! For youth 12-18 years old.

This workshop fulfills requirements for the BSA Landscape Architecture badge and is led by a merit badge counselor. It would also fulfill requirements for the Girl Scout Cadette STEM Career Exploration badge. You do not need to be a scout to participate. Scouts may need to put in some additional time.

Private Youth Group/Scout Workshops

Private youth group or Scout badge workshops are offered on a limited basis. Please email us to organize a private workshop at the Garden for your youth group. We can also do a virtual program, if that works best for your group.

Past Workshops

Email Us for information about when these workshops will be offered again.

Youth Workshop: Outdoor Art

Explore nature and create several different kinds of outdoor-themed art! We will meet with a local artist and participants will create their own individual art, as well as work together to create a collaborative art piece. We will also do wearable art and an audio and visual snapshot activity throughout the Garden. Participants should bring a phone/camera and a lunch. All materials provided.

This workshop fulfills requirements for the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Outdoor Art badges. We do not supply the official badge, but we do offer a fun patch.

Children’s Workshop: Creative Explorations with Drawing

Taught by Rohini Mathur. Drawing skills lay the foundation for all artistic endeavors, while unleashing a child’s creativity like nothing else. We will work on multiple drawing projects ranging from still life drawings to a lovely garden landscape scene to even making our own cartoon comic strip. We will mix and match different art media including pencils, colored pencils, oil pastels and markers. We will be creating inside in the classroom, as well as exploring the beautiful Garden with outdoor activities. Bring your enthusiasm and imaginative spirit and let your creativity soar in this highly fun, engaging and creative workshop. Workshop designed for 4th-6th graders. All materials provided. Includes a half-hour lunch break.

Children’s Workshop: Outdoor Art

Sunday, July 23, 2023
1-3pm
$17.50 BBGS Member or Scout/$25 all others

First we will take a tour of art in the garden, and then we will do some painting, play a game, and create a mini-garden to take home. A garden fun patch is included. Recommended age: 6-9 years old.  This workshop fulfills requirements for the GS Brownie Outdoor Art Creator badge, but you do not need to be a scout to participate. This is not a drop-off event. Chaperones are free.

Children’s Workshop: Beneficial Bugs

Taught by Pauline O’Rourke. What are Beneficial Bugs? Why do we need them and how do we attract them to our garden? Join us at the Bellevue Botanical Garden as we examine live insects, read a story, create a bug craft, and go in search of pollinators. Best for ages 3-8 with accompanying adult(s). Fulfills requirements for the Girl Scout Brownie badge.

Children’s Craft Workshop: Winter Stars

Participants will create stars out of natural materials that often are emphasized in the winter months. From berries to vines, you will be creating several different kinds of stars to create a garland or to hang as an ornament! All materials will be provided to complete this craft. This is an adult/child class, so an adult needs to also attend the workshop. Adults are free. Registration is by individual child.

Children’s Workshop: All About Tardigrades

Tardigrades are amazing microscopic aquatic creatures that live just about everywhere! Come learn about tardigrades and build a tardigrade habitat to take home. We will have tardigrade related activities and a moss tour of the garden. Recommended for ages 6-10. Registration is by individual child. Adults attend for free with their children.

Youth Workshop: Garden Design

Participants will learn about plants and their needs and how to choose the right plant for the right place! We will cover different types of gardens, how to use a plant guide for identification, basic garden design, how to set-up a seed experiment, and how to share plants with others. Geared to 8-11-year-olds.  This is not a drop off workshop. A single adult can chaperone several participants. Garden patch included. Recommended for ages 8-11.

This workshop fulfills requirements for the Girl Scout Junior gardening badge and parts of the BSA Webelo Into the Wood, Into the Wild, and Science Adventures achievements. You do not need to be a scout to participate.

Youth Workshop: All About Trees

Together, we will explore the world of trees through art, media, scientific inquiry, and exploration of the garden. We will learn about the urban forest ecosystem, tree identification, new technologies in the forestry industry, as well as related career and local service opportunities. Recommended for ages 12-15.

This workshop fulfills requirements for the Girl Scout Cadette tree badge and parts of the BSA Forestry merit badge. BSA Scouts would need to contact us beforehand. You do not need to be a scout to participate.