Budding Gardener Events

Check out the Budding Gardeners page for a fun drawing to print out and color.

Visit the Illinois and Indiana events pages for other family/adult things to do and places to visit.  Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Florida have places of interest to visit.

Here's some interesting Indiana gardening/nature related ideas and events primarily for children, our Budding Gardeners.

Indiana Budding Gardener Events:

July 26 - September 6:  Chesterton.  Nature related interpretive programs are planned for children and families at the Indiana Dunes State Park, 1600 N 25 E, 219-926-1390.  All programs are free, unless otherwise noted, after paying the park entrance fee.  Children under 12, please bring a parent with you, www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/sp-Dunes_August.pdf

July 26, 27:  Merrillville.  Children will enjoy hearing stories about crocodiles and alligators, participating in finger plays and musical activities and making a craft to take home.  1:30-2:30 pm on 7/26 or 10-11 am on 7/27, pre-register either on-line or at 219-769-3541 X360, Central Library Meeting Room A+B, 1919 W 81st Ave, www.lcplin.org/calendar.htm

July 26 - September 6:  Porter.  Connect with a ranger at either West Beach or Mount Baldy, or stop by the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center to get your free copy of the Junior Ranger Beach Activity Guide to help your children explore the beach and dunes.  After your child completes the activity guide, have it checked by the ranger at either the beach or the visitor center and receive a badge.  Held every day this summer at West Beach and Mount Baldy during peak beach hours.  $6/vehicle fee to enter West Beach, 219-395-1882, the Visitor Center is at Indiana Hwy 49 & Munson Rd, www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/events.htm

July 26 - September 6:  Porter.  Each day you can join a ranger for a leisurely 1.5 mile walk that includes tours of two historic sites:  the Chellberg Farm & Bailly Homestead.  Children can complete an activity page and earn a Junior Ranger Patch during the program.  Park in the Bailly/Chellberg lot and wait there for the ranger, 2:30-4 pm.  The parking lot is located between Hwy 12 and US 20 on Mineral Springs Rd, free, 219-395-1882, www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/events.htm

July 26 - September 6:  Porter.  Each day kids, accompanied by an adult, can join a ranger to get a taste of both the work and fun had by kids about 100 years ago on an Indiana Dunes farm.  Park in the Bailly/Chellberg lot and walk the short path to the Chellberg Farm House.  The parking lot is located between Hwy 12 and US 20 on Mineral Springs Rd, 4:30-5:15 pm, free, 219-395-1882, www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/events.htm

July 27:  Cedar Lake.  Children ages 4 and 5 will enjoy a special program "Farming in the Library."  10:30-11:30 am or 1-2 pm, pre-register either on-line or at 219-374-7121, Cedar Lake Branch Library Juvenile Meeting Room, 13330 Parrish Ave, www.lcplin.org/calendar.htm

July 27:  Crown Point.  Nature walks, building birdhouses and many other activities are all included in this program.  Each Tuesday, this class combines learning about the environment with hands-on crafts relating to nature.  Ages 6-12, 1-3 pm, $30/residents, $40/non-residents, pre-register by 6/18, Sauerman Woods, 219-661-2271, www.crownpoint.in.gov

July 27:  Highland.  Outside the temperature is rising, but inside the Highland Library 2 & 3 year olds with their caregivers will enjoy stories, active songs and activities related to cold weather.  We may even "ice skate" in the children's story room.  10:30-11:15 am, pre-register either on-line or at 219-838-2394, Highland Branch Library Juvenile Meeting Room, 2841 Jewett St, www.lcplin.org/calendar.htm

July 27:  Highland.  Children ages 3 to 6, with their whole family, will hear stories, sing songs, do finger plays and participate in other related activities.  Due to the theme some activities may involve water.  Our theme is Arctic Chill.  6:30-7:30 pm, pre-register either on-line or at 219-838-2394, Highland Branch Library Juvenile Meeting Room, 2841 Jewett St, www.lcplin.org/calendar.htm

July 27:  Hobart.  Children ages 4-7 will hear stories, songs, finger plays, and make a Wet Pet craft.  1-2 pm or 6-7 pm, pre-register either on-line or at 219-942-2243, Hobart Branch Library Juvenile Meeting Room, 100 N Main St, www.lcplin.org/calendar.htm

July 27:  Munster.  Children, ages 4, 5, and 6, who have not completed Kindergarten, are invited, without a caregiver, to our 45-60 minute story times, also including music, crafts, and other activities.  Our theme is "Splish, Splash."  10:30-11:30 am or 1:30-2:30 pm, 219-836-8450, Munster Branch Library Juvenile Meeting Room, 8701 Calumet Ave, www.lcplin.org/calendar.htm

July 28:  Gary.  We are ending summer reading with a big splash.  Outdoor fun!  Wear your bathing suit and bring a towel.  You're going to get wet.  2-3 pm, pre-register either on-line or at 219-980-5180, 41st Ave Branch Library Meeting Room, 3491 W 41st Ave, www.lcplin.org/calendar.htm

July 28:  Highland.  Children between the ages of 4 and 6 will hear stories, sing songs, do finger plays and participate in other related activities.  Due to the theme some activities may involve water.  Our theme is Arctic Chill, 10:30-11:30 am or 1-2 pm, pre-register either on-line or at 219-838-2394, Highland Branch Library Juvenile Meeting Room, 2841 Jewett St, www.lcplin.org/calendar.htm

July 28:  Munster.  Children, who are between Kindergarten and grade 5, are invited to our 45-60 minute story times, also including crafts, and other activities.  The theme is "Make A Splash."  10:30-11:30 am or 1:30-2:30 pm, 219-836-8450, Munster Branch Library Juvenile Meeting Room, 8701 Calumet Ave, www.lcplin.org/calendar.htm

July 29:  Highland.  Water isn't always wet, sometimes it's down right "flakey."  We will hear a story and "ice skate" in the library.  Children who have completed kindergarten and older are invited to participate in this program.  1-2:30 pm or 3-4:30 pm, pre-register either on-line or at 219-838-2394, Highland Branch Library Juvenile Meeting Room, 2841 Jewett St, www.lcplin.org/calendar.htm

July 29:  Hobart.  School age children (Grades K-3) will participate in a variety of fun water games.  2-3 pm, pre-register either on-line or at 219-942-2243, Hobart Branch Library Meeting Room, 100 N Main St, www.lcplin.org/calendar.htm

July 29:  Lowell.  Come to the reptile show at the Lowell Public Library for an extremely interactive or "hands-on" experience about reptiles and amphibians from around the world.  Open to both children and adults, 1:30 pm, 1505 E Commercial Ave, 219-696-7704, www.lowellpl.lib.in.us

July 31:  Anderson.  The Mounds State Park has a variety of nature related interpretive programs planned for children; programs are free of charge (except as noted) and open to the public after paying the park admission fee.  4306 Mounds Rd, 765-649-8128, find out more about these programs at www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/sp-Mounds_July.pdf

July 31 - September 4:  Porter.  Join a ranger in the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center for an afternoon of fun kids activities and stories.  1-3 pm, every Saturday and Sunday, free, 219-395-1882, Indiana Hwy 49 & Munson Rd, www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/events.htm

August 6:  Fort Wayne.  Come "hang out" with us and learn more about the amazing monkeys and apes. 10 am-3 pm, free with zoo admission, 260-427-6808, Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, 3411 Sherman Blvd, www.kidszoo.org

August 7:  Beverly Shores.  Meet the Indiana State Park's fire crew and learn about their jobs and equipment.  After this hands-on program, children will receive their very own Junior Wildland Firefighter activity book and a Junior Wildland firefighter patch.  10-11 am, free, Dunewood Campground Amphitheater, Broadway & US 12, 219-395-1882, www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/events.htm

August 13:  Fishers.  Create a cow craft and make and taste some butter.  Then visit one of our cows out on the grounds.  Ages 2-5, 9:30-11 am or 12:30-2 pm, a parent or designated adult must accompany each participant (at no charge), $10/non-member youth, $9/member youth, pre-register at 317-776-6006, Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Rd, www.connerprairie.org

August 21:  Portage.  Meet the Indiana State Park's fire crew and learn about their jobs and equipment.  After this hands-on program, children will receive their very own Junior Wildland Firefighter activity book and a Junior Wildland firefighter patch.  10-11 am, free, West Beach, 1/4 mile north of US 12 on County Line Rd, 219-395-1882, www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/events.htm

Please contact us three weeks in advance to have your Indiana garden/nature related events for children, our budding gardeners, posted here.

This page is updated weekly.

Revised:  July 26, 2010