One Spot in Queens That’ll Make This Summer Unforgettable for Your Kids

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If you’ve ever watched your child spot a butterfly and suddenly everything else fades into the background, you know this feeling: pure wonder. And there’s a spot right here in Queens that bottles that magic up and pours it into your child’s summer.

It’s the Queens Botanical Garden, and its summer programs aren’t just “day camp”; they’re mini adventures wrapped in dirt-streaked smiles, science discovery, and hands-on fun.

As a parent and someone who’s helped families plant their roots across Jackson Heights, Astoria, Woodside, and beyond, I can tell you this: when you find a program that lets your kids unplug and reconnect with nature, you hold onto it.

Where Little Hands Grow Big Confidence

This isn’t just a garden; it’s a classroom, playground, and memory-maker in one.

Kids won’t just be taught; they’ll be invited to:

  • Plant veggies and learn how food actually grows

  • Create botanical crafts and delicious recipes from the garden

  • Get messy with hands-on science (because learning should be squishy sometimes)

  • Explore nature trails, observe bugs, and build their own field guides

  • Discover early lessons in environmental justice and community care

The result? Kids leave not just a little sun-kissed, but a little more curious, confident, and connected to the world around them.

Programs for Every Stage (Yes, Even the Toddlers)

Garden Buds (Ages 2–3): July 11 to August 3

A sweet bonding hour for toddlers and their parents. This weekly class runs on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday mornings from 10 AM to 11 AM, and it’s perfect for your little explorer’s first nature experience.

  • Price: $150 for non-members, $135 for members.

Children’s Garden (Ages 4–10): July 7 to August 21

Think of this as a full summer day camp in a peaceful garden setting. From Monday to Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM, kids spend the day outdoors growing plants, making art and simple recipes, and building friendships.
 Price:

  • Two-week session: $900 for non-members, $810 for members

  • One-week session: $450 for non-members, $405 for members

  •  Extended hours until 5:30 PM are available for an additional $40 per day.

Junior Naturalists (Ages 10–14): July 7–17, July 21–31, August 4–14

For older kids ready to dive deeper, this program covers environmental science, nature walks, and even topics like environmental justice. It’s both educational and empowering—and still loads of fun! Runs Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM.

  • Two-week session: $900 for non-members, $810 for members

  • Extended hours until 5:30 PM are available for $40 extra per day.

A Real Break From Screens and a Boost for Mental Health

Let’s be honest: screens are a part of modern parenting. But time spent outside—real time, digging, exploring, laughing—has a magic that a tablet can’t match.

This garden gives kids: 

  • Fresh air + movement

  • Real friendships and teamwork

  • A quiet confidence that only nature can teach

It’s a mental reset for them and, let’s face it, for us too.

The Kind of Summer They’ll Remember Forever

Here’s what I love most: it’s core memories in the making.

They’ll talk about:

  • The tomato they picked and tasted right off the vine

  • The butterfly that landed on their hand

  • The worm they named “Mr. Wiggles”

  • The first flower they painted, then proudly brought home

These are the little stories that stick. The kind they’ll tell their own kids one day.

Nature, Community, and Why It Matters

One of the things I always say as a real estate professional: your neighborhood should enrich your everyday life.

Having a resource like Queens Botanical Garden nearby? It’s transformative.

It gives families like ours a chance to connect, grow, and make memories together. It adds heart to the place we call home.

Let’s Talk Queens Living

If you’re raising a family in Queens or thinking about it, I’d love to help you find not just a home, but a lifestyle that feels aligned with what matters most.

More green space. More community. More moments that matter.

Reach out if you want the inside scoop on family-friendly neighborhoods, school zones, or local gems like this one. I’m always here to help—neighbor to neighbor.

 

Wishing you a summer full of joy, curiosity, and time well spent.

Photo Credit: @queensbotanicalgarden