Drop-in Activities

These fun, family-friendly programs will happen periodically throughout the year. Meet in our Children’s Garden for some hands-on fun. These programs are free with admission to the Gardens; some require registration so we can plan for supplies.

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Stories in the Gardens

Wellfield Botanic Gardens provides the idyllic backdrop for ‘Stories in the Gardens‘, presented by the Elkhart Public Library. Meet in our Children’s Garden to listen to a children’s story read by the staff of the Elkhart Public Library. It’s interactive family time in a gorgeous setting.

Stories in the Gardens is included with Membership or Standard Admission (Free for Elkhart County residents on Tuesdays, proof of residency required for adults) and happens on Tuesdays from 5:30-6 p.m., May through September.

As the Gardens close at 6 p.m., all guests must exit as soon as Stories is over. If you’d like more time in the Gardens, please plan on visiting before Stories begins.

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Little Sprouts – Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., through August 26, 2023!

Learn about the natural world around us through stories, music, activities and garden walks. This family activity targets preschool through early elementary age children. Please include children AND accompanying adults in your registration. This program is free with admission to the Gardens or with membership – click the link below to register!

We’ll meet in our Children’s Garden on Saturday mornings through August 26, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. for some hands-on fun.

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StoryWalk® – Summer 2023!
As we celebrate 2023: The Year of New Horizons at Wellfield, enjoy this book while you walk around our main promenade.

“Shh! We Have a Plan” by Chris Haughton 

Four friends creep through the woods, and what do they spot? An exquisite bird high in a tree! “Hello birdie,” waves one. “Shh! We have a plan,” hush the others. They stealthily make their advance, nets in the air. Ready one, ready two, ready three, and go! But as one comically foiled plan follows another, it soon becomes clear that their quiet, observant companion, hand outstretched, has a far better idea. Award-winning author-illustrator Chris Haughton is back with another simple, satisfying story whose visual humor plays out in boldly graphic, vibrantly colorful illustrations.

Kids of all ages will enjoy our 1/2-mile StoryWalk® around the Main Promenade Trail at Wellfield. The story is divided into numbered stations (numbered 1-17), mounted on purple posts, and follows a counterclockwise direction around the main Promenade Trail. Enjoy “reading” the book while you walk the Gardens, then take home your own copy after you visit our Gift Shop!

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration the Kellogg Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. Wellfield Botanic Gardens wishes to thank the Elkhart Public Library for their collaboration of bringing StoryWalk® to Wellfield for our guests to enjoy! Stories are changed out seasonally, and all StoryWalk® titles (current and prior, while they last) are available for purchase in our gift shop.