Kids & Family Classes
Fun for the whole family
The Arboretum offers a wide range of programs for children ages 3 and up, all designed to make the most of our unique natural setting. From exploring animal adaptations in the woodland forest to facilitating seed germination in the Louise B. Roehm Greenhouse, each program provides hands-on learning experiences. Kids can engage in physical activities on the Great Lawn or join in seasonal festivities like maple sugaring.
Our Discovery Weekends program is the perfect opportunity for busy families to escape the hectic weekday routine and reconnect with each other and nature through interactive, enriching activities. Join us for a memorable experience that fosters a love for the outdoors!
Notice: Due to ongoing construction for the Path for All project, starting Monday, August 25, Arboretum parking will be unavailable Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please use street parking during these hours. Handicap parking will remain available.
Classes
Campfire Friends
Campfire Friends returns this fall!
If you love to sing camp songs, eat s’mores, and make new friends, this 1-hour program is perfect for you and your family! Our Environmental Educators will guide you on a nighttime hike as we explore the arboretum and use all our senses. We will share fun facts about the moon, nocturnal creatures, and more through storytelling.
Please come prepared with warm clothes and sneakers to hike in. This program will be cancelled if rain is in the forecast.
Great American Backyard Campout
MEMBERS ONLY!
The Great American Backyard Campout at Reeves‑Reed Arboretum is a members-only camping experience designed for families. Participants pitch their tents and spend the night on the Arboretum grounds, enjoying a relaxed evening in nature. The event features live entertainment, guided night hikes, and traditional campfire treats like s’mores. Held rain or shine, the campout offers families a unique opportunity to experience the outdoors in a safe, local setting.
Great American Backyard Campout
Friday, September 26 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Home School Adventures
Homeschoolers: Join our educators as we explore the amazing world of plants and animals at the Arboretum! Each week, different challenges and learning opportunities await you. We’ll engage in hands-on adventures designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and appreciation for all that nature has to offer.
Classes will be held primarily outdoors, even in light rain, so please dress appropriately. Parents are welcome to stay and experience the class, drop off, or enjoy the grounds.
Kids Can Cook
This exciting program lets kids dive into cooking and nutrition with hands-on fun! They’ll discover how to prepare healthy meals, work with fresh ingredients, and build culinary skills—all while cooking in the Wisner House kitchen, nestled within the beautiful arboretum. Perfect for budding chefs, it sparks creativity, teamwork, and a love for sustainable food practices! make more for kids
Let's Get Growing
The Let’s Get Growing! gardening program at the Arboretum is gearing up for the 2025 gardening season. From February to October, the Arboretum offers workshops for children ages 5-10 on a variety of vegetable gardening topics, including helpful bugs and garden crafts. Join us on select Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:00 to discover how simple and fun gardening can be.
Little Wonders
Infants, toddlers, and caregivers discover the many gifts nature has to offer! Join us as we hike through our woodland trails and gardens. Along the way, we’ll engage in active nature play designed to stimulate your child’s curiosity and sense of wonder. Stories, crafts, music, and sensorimotor activities add to the experience by deepening our connections to each other and the natural world.
Little Wonders: Welcome Fall!! – SOLD OUT
Monday, September 22 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLittle Wonders: The Sights, Sounds, and Feel of Nature – SOLD OUT
Monday, September 29 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLittle Wonders: A-Hiking We Will Go! – SOLD OUT
Monday, October 6 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLittle Wonders: So Much to Do! – SOLD OUT
Monday, October 20 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLittle Wonders: Happy Halloween! – SOLD OUT
Monday, October 27 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLittle Wonders: Connecting to Nature and Each Other – SOLD OUT
Monday, November 3 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Mini-Camps
Seasonal mini-camps are offered for children ages 5 to 10 on days when schools are closed. We offer morning and afternoon sessions, as well as a lunch session for a full day experience. Nature-themed activities include outdoor hikes, crafts, stories, games, and more.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide refunds for cancellations made within two weeks of the first day of camp.
Nature Creations
The natural world serves as both our inspiration and the foundation for this exciting new afterschool program! As we explore the wonders of nature, we will delve into the beauty, variety, and incredible resourcefulness that the environment offers. Through hands-on activities, we will use natural materials to create art, crafts, and projects, allowing us to tap into our own creativity.
Nature Creations: Golden Gardens
Thursday, September 25 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmNature Creations: Fantastic Fabrics
Thursday, October 9 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmNature Creations: Pumpkin Palooza!
Thursday, October 23 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmNature Creations: Woodland Wreaths
Thursday, November 6 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Oaks & Acorns
Wonder, respect, and love for the natural world will get a great start in these engaging weekly classes. Take nature hikes, read stories, and create a one-of-a-kind project every week.
Oaks and Acorns: Mystery of Trees
Wednesday, September 24 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 amOaks and Acorns: Because of An Acorn
Wednesday, October 8 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 amOaks and Acorns: Scarecrows
Wednesday, October 22 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 amOaks and Acorns: Animal Architects
Wednesday, November 5 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Seasonal Programs
Reeves-Reed Arboretum offers a variety of seasonal programs for children and families, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day volunteer activities, a Winter Solstice Celebration with crafts and nature walks, and a Lunar New Year event featuring cultural traditions, arts, and storytelling.
The cost is per child/person. Registration is required, so be sure to register early as space is limited.
Arboretum Explorers – Passaic River Essex County Kayak Morning Tour – SOLD OUT
Saturday, August 23 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pmArboretum Explorers – Passaic River Essex County Kayak Afternoon Tour – SOLD OUT
Saturday, August 23 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pmThe Queen and Her City
Thursday, September 18 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pmDiscovery Weekends
Check back soon for upcoming fall dates!
