Children's Garden Discovery
Melbourne Gardens
Come on a guided exploration of The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden and discover how outdoor play can be incorporated into early learning centres.
Learn more
Early Childhood Excursions
Early Childhood Excursions
All Early Childhood Programs support outcomes from the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework: Identity; Community; Wellbeing; Learning; Communication.
All excursions at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria for 2024 onwards will be booked through our new booking portal. For an easy way to see all available Early Childhood programs on the booking portal and apply your own filters, click here.
Play-based Programs in Nature
Seasonal Garden Discovery
Melbourne Gardens
Engage your senses and explore the wonderful sights, sounds and stories of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s Melbourne Gardens.
As children explore the treasures of the Gardens, they will be introduced to an array of plants that make up the Gardens and discover some of the wildlife that lives here.
Learn more
Homes and Hideaways
Melbourne Gardens
Explore how plant material can be used as homes for animals and people and learn what plants need to help them grow.
Children will engage their senses as they explore the Gardens, looking out for animals in their natural habitat and discovering different plant materials.
Learn more
Bush Kinder Induction
Cranbourne Gardens
The Bush Kinder Induction program introduces educators and children to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne Bush Kinder site. The group will journey on a guided exploration through the bushland to the Woodland Picnic Area observing the diverse plant and animal habitats on the way.
Learn moreScience Programs
Scientist for a Day
Melbourne Gardens
Hear stories from the Herbarium and learn about what the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Science Team do in their work.
Learn more
Minibeasts
Melbourne & Cranbourne Gardens
Children will explore how insects and other invertebrates live in the Gardens and help plants to grow. They will engage their senses as they go on a discovery walk, and learn about worm farming.
Learn more
Food Forest
Melbourne Gardens
Children will learn what is involved in growing and looking after plants as they partake in hands-on activities in the Kitchen Garden such as planting and harvesting.
Learn moreWellbeing and Sustainability Programs
The Sensory Garden
Melbourne Gardens
The Sensory Garden is a program designed for children who would benefit from a quiet, small group experience where children are immersed in a sensory environment. The program will be inclusive of the developmental and communication needs of the students.
Learn more
Health and Wellbeing in Nature
Melbourne Gardens
Explore the physical, mental and emotional benefits of nature and spending time outdoors.
Learn more
Wonderful Water
Melbourne Gardens
Learn the importance of water conservation and how plants adapt to changing environments.
Learn more
Scents and Senses
Cranbourne Gardens
Explore the natural beauty of the Cranbourne Gardens using all five senses. Immerse yourself in the environment and connect with country, students will have the opportunity to ochre paint the rocks and complete the sensory journey with a taste of lemon myrtle tea.
Learn moreFirst Peoples Programs
You and Me, Murrawee
Melbourne Gardens
Children will learn how to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of First Peoples to Country by participating in an Acknowledgement of Country and share in the reading of You and Me, Murrawee; a beautifully observed story of what life would have been like 200 years ago, told through the eyes of a young girl camping by the river with her family.
Learn more
You and Me, Murrawee
Cranbourne Gardens
Children will learn how to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of First Peoples to Country by participating in an Acknowledgement of Country and share in the reading of You and Me, Murrawee; a beautifully observed story of what life would have been like 200 years ago, told through the eyes of a young girl camping by the river with her family.
Learn more
Balee Koolin Bubup Playgroup
Cranbourne Gardens
Join us for an early years learning program specially developed for First Peoples children and their parents/carers set in the beautiful bushland at Cranbourne Botanic Gardens.
Each week, bush playgroup participants engage in a series of play and nature-based activities involving First Peoples storytelling, bush exploration, song, traditional dance and music, and the learning of the local First Peoples language and culture – Boonwurrung.
Interest can be registered by contacting this email address.
On the Edge of Creation
Cranbourne Gardens
Discover the connection of art, music and creative play.
Inspired by the story, On the Edge of Creation by Baluk Arts, students will immerse themselves in a place-based learning of the Boonwurrung country. They will engage in cultural activities, share in the reading of On the Edge of Creation and learn about the dreamtime story of Port Phillip Bay.
Learn more