A field trip to Ithaca Children’s Garden is an immersive, hands-on experience rooted in curiosity, movement, and discovery. Here, learning happens through muddy hands, close-up encounters with plants and animals, and time to explore a living landscape alongside skilled educators. Each visit blends guided activities with open-ended play, making space for wonder, questions, and meaningful connections to the natural world.
Pricing
Field Trip Programs
$8/child
- No charge for adult chaperones.
Kids’ Discover the Trail Buddy Up Trips
$175
Invoiced at the current Buddy Up rate.
Self-Guided Field Trips
Free*
Self-guided field trips require an advanced reservation.
*Self-guided field trips are free, though we suggest a donation of $1–2 per child to help keep ICG accessible to all.
Field Trip Programs for Schools and Youth Groups
Bring your class, scout troop, homeschoolers, youth group, after-school program, or daycare for a field trip to ICG! Our educator-led field trips offer a range of thematic programs designed for children in Pre-K through 5th grade (ages 4–11). Choose from our core programs below, visit us in different seasons to experience how the Garden changes, or work with us to design a custom field trip that supports your curriculum or sparks a specific interest. Programs can be adapted to your group and the time of year, making every visit a little different — and deeply connected to the season.
Looking to bring the Garden to you? Ask us about classroom visits, where ICG Educators visit your school or program during the winter months for a Garden-inspired learning experience, including seed starting, soil exploration, flower dissection, and sensory herb exploration. Reach out to register@ithacachildrensgarden.org for more information.
Pollen and Parts
Dive inside flowers to discover more than their beautiful facades. Dissect their unique structure and inner workings. Become a grain of pollen and figure out how to make your way by wind, animal, or insect to fulfill your mission of ensuring the futures of fruits, seeds, and all life on earth.
Spring
See the beginnings of the garden’s growth and explore the early sights, tastes, smells, sounds, and textures that the warm months bring.
Fall
Discover the fruits of our labor and find the hidden, and not so hidden, food our garden grows!
Spring
Explore how pollen moves from one flower to another to continue this important life cycle.
Fall
Explore how seeds move from one place to another and explore seeds from the fruits of a plant.
Spring
The garden relies on the hard work of the animals to prepare for planting and growing season. How do chickens and rabbits help keep our soil healthy? Why are bees so important to our garden? Find out during a spring field trip!
Fall
See how animals in the garden prepare for winter as you explore the Garden. You’ll help bring warm hay for the rabbits and see how staff prepares our garden helpers for the cold.
Self-Guided Field Trips
Explore Ithaca Children’s Garden at your own pace!
Explore Ithaca Children’s Garden at your own pace. Self‑guided field trips are free and open to all. If you’re able, we suggest a donation of $1–2 per child to help keep ICG blooming and accessible.
You can give online (write “field trip” in the memo line) or drop cash directly into our on-site donation pole during your visit. Every dollar supports the Garden and helps us welcome more curious explorers like yours. Thank you!
Because the Garden can get busy, please schedule your visit in advance to avoid conflicts with other programs and events.
KDT Buddy Up Trips
Connect with your buddy classroom for Kids’ Discover the Trail, choose from one of ICG’s Field Trip Programs, and we’ll leave lots of time to play, explore, and connect with your buddies.
Field Trips for Adults and Professionals
ICG also welcomes adult learners, educators, professionals, and community groups for facilitated Garden experiences. These visits can focus on topics such as nature-based learning, inclusive play spaces, environmental education, garden design, or simply slowing down and reconnecting with the natural world. Whether you’re seeking professional development, inspiration, or a meaningful shared experience, we’ll work with you to shape a visit that meets your goals.