Family and Early Years learning
Inspiring opportunities for children and families to learn together about plants and the natural world.
Our family and early years learning programmes excite and inspire children about plants and the natural world.
Whether you're in the Gardens, at home, or in your local park, we have a variety of learning sessions and resources to engage children of all ages with nature.
The community strand of our programme is open to groups who are members of the Community Access Scheme (CAS) at Kew Gardens, and families who might otherwise face barriers to visiting Kew.
For information about our wider family learning offer, visit our Families page.
If you’re a children's centre, charity, or community interest organisation and would be interested in partnering with us to deliver our programme, please get in touch at familylearning@kew.org.
Activities in the Gardens
Whether visiting independently or with a community group, our sessions will connect you and your children to nature. Restarting spring 2023. To find out more about joining a community session, email familylearning@kew.org
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Music and Movement (3 months – 2 years)
Enjoy hands on music-making, nature-inspired songs and traditional rhymes accompanied by live instruments.
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Little Explorers (2 – 5 years)
Join us for an adventure in the Gardens, as we investigate nature through interactive storytelling, outdoor exploration, and seasonal activities
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Saturday Science Club (5 – 11 years)
A set of 5 sessions delivered in partnership with a local primary school. Sessions are designed to increase science capital and engage families with fun, enquiry-based plant science activities.
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Nature School (2 – 5 years)
A set of 5 sessions delivered in partnership with a local nursery school. Through meaningful, hands-on investigations, children express themselves through art, craft, play and photography.
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Volunteer Explainers (all ages)
Our friendly and informed Volunteer Explainers are waiting to meet you around the Gardens (including the Temperate House, the Hive and the Minka House) to share fascinating stories about Kew’s science, history and collections.
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Family days (0 – 5 years)
Join us for seasonal, plant-themed activities, such as spring planting and Christmas garland-making. These sessions are designed for children's centres and community groups.
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Family Learning Workshops (all ages)
Taking place in half term and during the summer holidays, our workshops are designed to complement wider Kew festivals and inform families about Kew’s horticulture, science and collections. Open to all family visitors.
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CPD sessions for group leaders
Our CPD sessions aim to introduce group leaders to the Gardens and provide guidance on best practice when bringing families to Kew, e.g., transport, facilities, areas to visit and suitable activities.
Resources to use at Kew
From seasonal trails to explorer back packs, download or book our resources to use on your visit to Kew Gardens.
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Family Learning Cards
Think like a scientist by exploring new ideas together. Collect a learning card from one of our friendly Explainers or download one to use on your visit.
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Seasonal spotter sheets and nature trails
Use our family trails and handy spotter sheets to discover seasonal highlights at Kew. Collect one from the Information Desk or download one to use on your visit.
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Explorer Packs for groups (0 – 5 years)
Perfect for group visits, our bookable packs contain resources for early years group leaders to engage families with our amazing collections.
SEND offer for families
We are dedicated to creating inclusive learning opportunities for all family visitors. As a botanic garden, we are in a special position to support families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), as nature can have a powerful impact on wellbeing. Our accessible learning activities and resources will help you to get the most out of your visit, whilst guiding you to quieter, more sensory areas of the Gardens.
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Children’s Garden Quiet sessions (2 – 12 years)
Join us for a quiet session in the Children’s Garden, aimed at children aged 2 to 12 years with special educational needs and disabilities. Sessions run March to October.
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SEND Family Sensory Tours (0 – 7 years)
Join our interactive storytelling tour exploring plants and nature at Kew. Aimed at children with SEND and young people with severe, profound and complex learning difficulties.
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SEND Sensory Story Sacks
Designed to help distract and relax children with SEND on their visit to Kew, ensuring a calmer and more enjoyable visit. Resources include a stress ball, timer and ear defenders.
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Sensory Activity Packs
Our activity packs contain sensory props to support children with additional needs to engage with our plant collections, including water spray bottles, mirrors, and chopsticks (for sound).
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Picture Exchange Communication Packs (all ages)
Designed in partnership with Pictologue Charity, these packs enable children with communication difficulties to access Kew. Each pack contains a social story, a visual schedule, rule cards and seasonal ‘what I can see at Kew’ sheets.
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Visual guide
Our visual guide can help you plan and enjoy your visit to Kew Gardens. This resource includes information about what to expect during your visit and top tips to help you have a fantastic time in the Gardens.
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Accessibility map
This map prioritises accessibility information and highlights areas of sensory interest. It also includes a zoomed-in map of part of the Gardens, to help you navigate the busiest area.
Family learning at home
Family-friendly activity sheets and fun videos you can use at home with your children.
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Family nature activities
Explore the natural world as a family and get creative with your finds, with these fun activities to do at home.
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Music and Movement (3 months – 2 years)
Sing along with our fun-filled series of nature-inspired songs and nursery rhymes from around the world.
If you’re a children's centre, charity, or community interest organisation and would be interested in partnering with us to deliver our programme, please get in touch at familylearning@kew.org.