Photo by Vienna Volante, Arboretum Photographers' Society
School groups, childcare centers, & summer youth day programs
- Free when booked with an accompanying same-day school Field Trip.
- $25 per group for a registration with no accompanying same-day Field Trip.
Payment due when booking online reservation. No refunds are available for Self-Guided Visits, however we may be able to help you reschedule to a different date.
Click the button below, select "Self Guided Visits" from the drop-down above the calendar, then use the calendar to browse and book available dates/times.
Booking rules
- Reservations are required at least 1 week in advance of visit
- Available for booking Monday through Friday only. Not available on weekends.
- Available for* school groups, childcare centers, and summer youth day programs visiting the Arboretum for educational purposes.
- Also available as a free add-on for Arboretum Field Trips, advance reservations required.
- Outdoor picnic areas are available (first come first serve); indoor lunch space is unavailable at this time.
Chaperones: Minimum requirement of adult:student ratio is 1:10. Maximum allowed adult:student ratio is 1:5. These ratio numbers do count the teachers/chaperones, but not a student's one-on-one para. Paras may attend with their assigned student and are not counted in the 1:5 ratio.
Scouting & other non-school groups
- Free/Adult member, advance ticket registration required.
- Free/Kids age 15 and under, advance ticket registration required.
- $15/Adult non-member, advance ticket registration required.
Click the button below, then simply order standard gate admission tickets through the main ticketing page
For groups of students age 15 and under
As you drive in to the Arboretum, check in at the Arboretum Gatehouse and identify the name of your group and the location you are meeting your group.
Self-Guided Visit Tips & Resources
Photo by Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock
Code of Conduct
To keep the Arboretum beautiful and safe for all visitors, please follow the Arboretum Code of Conduct
Be respectful and safe.
Teachers and chaperones are responsible for their children's actions throughout their visit. Children must be accompanied by adults at all times. Group size needs to be 5-10 students per adult.
Stay on garden walkways and trails.
Footsteps elsewhere crush plants and damage soil.
Walk (not run) and talk (not yell) in gardens & natural areas.
Noise disturbs the natural peace & quiet for other visitors and for wildlife.
Stay safe.
No climbing on trees, walls, rocks, sculptures, statues or exhibits. No wading in ponds, fountains or streams.
Leave everything as you found it for others to enjoy.
Do not pick or collect materials from flowers, plants or trees.
Visitor Information
Ask the Oswald Visitor Center's front desk attendant or any Arboretum staff member.
- Arboretum Info Line: 612-624-2200
- Education Department: 612-301-1210
Thank you for helping our young visitors have a positive, safe, and successful field trip!
Chaperone Guide
Download and print the Chaperone Guide, a guide to the top Arboretum spots for teachers, educators, and parents to bring kids for sensory, STEM-inspired learning!
Select Group Meeting Location
The Arboretum is a BIG place to explore! Decide on your group's meeting location and share that information with members of your group who may be arriving separately, such as parents. Suggested meeting locations include the
Photo by Sky Candy
Top Places to Visit with Kids
- Maze Garden Will you lose yourself? Or find your way through Try both mazes!
- Green Play Yard It's natural fun especially designed for ages 5 and under.
- Bog Walk on Green Heron Trail Take the boardwalk across Green Heron Pond; look for herons, dragonflies, orchids and tamaracks.
- Japanese Garden Sit in the Garden House, listen to the rushing waterfall, count the koi.
- Shade Tree Exhibit Meet some trees that could live in your yard, and check out the little playhouses.
- Fruit and Vegetable Garden Do a walkabout and see what homegrown crops are ripening today.
- Under The Oak Play Yard Build your own stick fort and crawl through the Twigloo.
- Weeping Trees How do some of them grow to look like green elephants?
- Herb Gardens The "scratch-and-sniff" idea started with herbs; rub their leaves gently and try a few!
Bog Adventure
Use the Bog Adventure guide to find your way to more nature and more discoveries as you take the half-mile Green Heron Trail loop around Green Heron Pond. "Your Bog Adventure" includes 5 activities to do with children ages 5-11. You can print your own copy at home to bring, or pick up a free copy at the Oswald Visitor Center when you arrive. Allow 30-45 minutes. Are you ready to explore? View and print Your Bog Adventure
Photo by Samuel Borges Photography/Shutterstock
Garden Fun Finder
Sprout some green curiosity as you explore the glorious display gardens near the Oswald Visitor Center. "Your Garden Fun Finder" offers 8 activities to do with children ages 5-11. You can print your own copy at home to bring, download it to your mobile device (e.g. iPad, Kindle, phone), or purchase a copy at the Arboretum Gift Store when you arrive. Allow 30-45 minutes.
View/print Garden Fun Finder ¦ Download to your mobile device
Plan for your school program
Chaperones Accompanying adults are free up to 1 adult:5 students Minimum requirement is 1 adult:10 students Adults beyond 1:5 pay $15 admission. Note: these numbers do include the teachers attending, though do not include paras nor nurses accompanying special needs students.
Helpful information - Education
Cancellations & Exchanges for educational programs
Review the cancellation policies prior to purchasing a class.
Waitlist
The best chance of being enrolled in a sold out class is to add your name to the waitlist. Click the "waitlist" button or link next to the class and complete the form. There is no obligation to register if a spot opens. If the waitlist shows enough demand, additional sessions may be added.
Email Subscriptions
Join Arboretum mailing lists that interest you, and be among the first to know about what's happening at the Arb!
Share your feedback
Use this form to share anonymous feedback about educational programming with the Arboretum Education Team.
Covid-19 safety
Effective Thursday, May 12, 2022, masks are no longer required for classes at the Arboretum. As a community, it is important that we continue to respect and honor the decision of those who choose to wear a mask, recognizing the concerns of those who are immunocompromised or are taking steps to protect their families or others.
Adult Classes Covid-19 policies
Summer Camps Covid-19 policies
About Arboretum Education
Meet the team behind the programs that inspire scientific curiosity and a love of nature.
Education department statistics
View the annual Fiscal Year statistics of the Education Department.