Still looking for info on the tulip bulb giveaway, supposedly this Saturday...found it...in a separate post...



Conservatory


Garfield Park Conservatory is a fantastic place to bring family members of all ages. Something’s always growing, and there’s always something new to discover! To make your “growing” experience here even more enjoyable, we offer a number of special educational opportunities FREE for kids and families! Come visit the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden, which is open during normal Conservatory hours, or visit us during one of our scheduled activity times.

Did you know that Chicago’s botanical gem under glass, the Garfield Park Conservatory, has been home to rare tropical plants for almost 100 years? (The Garfield Park Conservatory opened to the public in April of 1908.) Grab your party hats, and get ready to help us celebrate the Conservatory’s birthday on April 13th, 2008, 9 am to 5 pm during our Grand Centennial Opening.

Meanwhile, prepare to be a gracious guest at this birthday bash by brushing up on your Conservatory history. The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance is offering a number of exciting programming events that will enhance the family-oriented visitor’s experience of both history and horticulture. Please join us as we highlight the past, present and future of the Garfield Park Conservatory’s plants, people and place. For information please call 773-638-1766 ext 23.

Family Make-&-Take Sessions

Saturdays & Sundays
Date: Year Round

Time: Drop in anytime between 1 pm and 3 pm
(Drop-in activities usually take 15-20 minutes and no registration is required.
Location: Elizabeth Morse Genius’ Children’s Garden (Activity will be stationed near the giant seed in the Children’s Garden)
Cost: Free

Come share in some hands-on family fun with activities that explore the power of plants and highlight the Conservatory’s plant collection. Terrariums, corn husk dolls, spiced apple cider, and many more projects are on the schedule for this season. Projects take 15-20 minutes to complete. Drop in anytime between 1:00 and 3:00 pm. (Themes and programs are subject to change.)

Family Exploration Stations: Discover the Power of Plants!

Saturdays & Sundays
Date: Year Round
Time: Drop in anytime between 11 am - 4 pm
Location: Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden and other locations throughout the Conservatory
Cost: Free

Drop in for some multi-sensory activities that are sure to keep your curiosity about plants growing. Read a book under one of the giant leaves, learn about prehistoric plants and dig for dinosaur bones, plant a pretend garden in the dig pit, or take part in some “sweet” explorations of the Sugar from the Sun exhibit. Activities and locations will vary from week to week. Look for stations in the Children’s Garden and around the Conservatory. (Themes and programs are subject to change

Morning Glories for Families

Every Monday Morning
Date: Year Round
Time: Drop in anytime between 10 am – Noon
No registration required.
Location: Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden
Cost: $1 suggested donation per family

Enjoy learning together with your preschooler in this weekly drop-in activity and story time. This season’s projects include planting sunflower seeds, mini-bug worlds, animal shakers, and much more! Each plant-related project takes 20-25 minutes, the last group is taken at 11:45 pm (see project listing below).

Important Morning Glories Information
• If you are a Pre-K daycare group of more than 6 children,
please attend the Morning Glories session on Thursdays.
Please refer to the “Morning Glories for Schools” section
below for registration information.
• Adult supervision is required for participation in the Morning
Glory Mondays Program.
• For more information contact Kelly Katzmann at 773 638-1766
ext. 23 or email kkatzmann@garfieldpark.org.

Mobile Exploration Station: Sugar-Making 101
Saturdays & Sundays

Date: Beginning March 1, 2008. Meet the Bees special family event will take the place of regular programming on July 26th.
Time: Drop in anytime between 11 am and 4 pm
Location: Sugar from the Sun
Cost: Free

Stop by the center of the exhibit for on-going demonstrations about how plants are using sunlight, air, and water to make sugar - the fuel and building block for life on Earth

Discovery Dig Thursdays
Thursdays
Date: October 1 through December 31, 2008.
Time: Drop in anytime between 3 pm - 5 pm
Location: Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden
Cost: Free

Join us every Thursday afternoon in the Children’s Garden for an open exploration in our popular “Dig Pit.” Each week, families will have the chance to get their hands dirty by digging for dinosaur bones, planting pretend gardens, constructing a mini banana habitat, or any other number of rotating activities. Touchable plants and kid-friendly interactives will also be available during this time. Great for all ages!

Sugar from the Sun Find & Fold Scavenger Hunt
Daily Program

Date: Beginning November 1st

Time: Scavenger sheet available during all exhibit hours.
Activity will be available at front desk
Location: Conservatory
Cost: Free

Find a clue, make a fold. This special interactive scavenger hunt will lead you to discoveries in the Sugar from the Sun exhibit and around the Conservatory. When you’re done, you’ll have an origami toy to take home!

Funding provided by Science Chicago.

About Science Chicago: The world’s largest science celebration will awaken the inner scientist in each of us through thousands of dynamic and interactive activities. For more information, visit www.sciencechicago.com.

Winter 2008 Holiday Traditions
November 28, 2008 - January 11, 2009
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily; Thursdays till 8 pm
Where: Show House, Horticulture Hall
Cost: Free

The culminating centennial show will use traditional poinsettias (mainly reds) that were popular at the turn of the Century, flowering plant material in reds, oranges, and whites.

Voices of the Season
Sunday December 7th
Hours: 2pm - 4pm
Where: Throughout the Conservatory
Cost: Free! Just drop by!

Join Conservatory staff amid the poinsettias in the newly opened Holiday Flower Show as we welcome the holiday season with music and light refreshments

Family Make-&-Take Sessions

December 6
Make a Winter Orange-a-ment
See orange trees growing in the Conservatory, learn about the purpose of a fruit, then use an orange to make a special winter ornament.

Morning Glories for Families

December 8
Make a Winter Orange-a-ment
See orange trees growing in the Conservatory, learn about the purpose of a fruit, then use an orange to make a special winter ornament.

Family Make-&-Take Sessions
December 13-14
Holiday Scent Necklaces
Get into the holiday spirit by creating a fragrant necklace full of holiday scents by rubbing cinnamon sticks, allspice, and other seasonal spices onto sandpaper shapes.


Morning Glories for Families
December 15
Holiday Scent Necklaces
Get into the holiday spirit by creating a fragrant necklace full of holiday scents by rubbing cinnamon sticks, allspice, and other seasonal spices onto sandpaper shapes.