Nature Academy · Winter Garden

Winter may seem like a quiet time for gardens, but there's actually plenty happening beneath the surface and among the hardy plants that thrive in cooler weather. At the Huntsville Botanical Garden's Nature Academy winter session, young naturalists will discover how plants and animals adapt when temperatures drop. Through hands-on observation and investigation, kids will learn about dormancy strategies, cold-weather crops that keep growing through frost, and the surprising ways gardens stay active all winter long. It's a wonderful opportunity for curious children to see the natural world through a different seasonal lens. The program takes place on December 15 and 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Huntsville Botanical Garden on Bob Wallace Avenue. Children are divided into age-appropriate groups—6 to 8 year olds in one session and 9 to 12 year olds in another—so the content and activities suit their developmental stages. Parents will need to register in advance online for their child's specific age group and preferred date. For questions about the program, families can email education@hsvbg.org. Dress your child in layers and closed-toe shoes suitable for outdoor exploration, as they'll likely spend time walking the garden grounds observing winter plant life and searching for signs of animal activity. This is an ideal outing for kids who love science, enjoy being outdoors regardless of season, or simply want to understand what happens to their backyard ecosystem when winter arrives.