*This program is supported by the Tompkins County Tourism Program and the Legacy Foundation.
Join us for Drop-In Discovery Days, a free Saturday Summer series designed for nature explorers of all ages. Each week, materials and staff will be available to support your exploration as you enjoy hands-on, themed activities at your own pace. No registration is needed. Look for the new Discovery Cart* — we’ll have a sign at the main entrance to guide you. We can’t wait to explore with you!
2026 Schedule & Themes
2026 Schedule
May 16 — Feathered Friends
May 30 — Bug Bonanza
June 6 — Scraps to Soil
June 13 — Wetland Wonders
June 27 — Powerful Pollinators
July 11 — Feathered Friends
July 18 — Bug Bonanza
July 25 — Scraps to Soil
August 1 — Wetland Wonders
August 8 — Powerful Pollinators
August 15 — Feathered Friends
August 22 — Bug Bonanza
Bug Bonanza
Catch, observe, and learn about insects of all kinds.
Learn about the different kinds of insects you might find at ICG and beyond. From helpful pollinators to pesky pests, try your hand at catching, identifying, and understanding the roles of our six-legged neighbors. Look for us near the Wildflower Meadow.
Scraps to Soil
See how gardens grow from the ground up.
Dig into the world of gardening and composting to learn how food scraps and garden waste turn into rich, healthy soil. Meet the worms that help make it all happen and explore the vast ecosystem living beneath your feet. Then, get your hands dirty by planting something to take home.
Feathered Friends
Eyes to the skies — see who’s flying by.
Listen, look, and discover the world of birds, from treetop songbirds to the Garden’s resident hens. Learn how to identify different species, explore their diets and behaviors, and get a closer look at their life cycles. You may be surprised by just how many birds are nearby.
Wetland Wonders
Dive into the hidden life of wetlands.
Discover the rich, watery world of wetlands and the creatures that call them home. From tiny aquatic insects to frogs and toads, ICG’s wetlands are full of life — and they play an important role in keeping our environment healthy. Join us to explore what’s beneath the surface and why wetlands matter.
Powerful Pollinators
Discover the busy world of garden helpers.
Explore the world of pollinators! From honeybees to hummingbirds, beetles to butterflies, so many different animals help flowers spread, and fruits grow. Come to the Kitchen Garden to learn more — and plant your own flower seeds to take home.
Sessions will run in light rain but will be canceled in the event of storms or heavy rain.
Themes are subject to change based on weather, materials, and staff availability.
Ithaca Children’s Garden welcomes ALL
At Ithaca Children’s Garden, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) are core to how we design our spaces, programs, and experiences. We strive to create a welcoming environment where children and families of diverse identities, backgrounds, and needs can fully participate, feel safe, and belong in nature. Learn more about IDEA at ICG, or submit and accomodations request here.
Contact Us
Questions about our programs? Please reach out at register@ithacachildrensgarden.org or call us at 607-319-4203.