Early Childhood Excursions

Early Childhood Excursions

All Early Childhood Programs support outcomes from the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework: Identity; Community; Wellbeing; Learning; Communication.

All excursions at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria for 2024 onwards will be booked through our new booking portal. For an easy way to see all available Early Childhood programs on the booking portal and apply your own filters, click here.

Play-based Programs in Nature

Botanica 4

Children's Garden Discovery

Melbourne Gardens

Come on a guided exploration of The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden and discover how outdoor play can be incorporated into early learning centres.

Learn more
Nature Play In The Gardens

Seasonal Garden Discovery

Melbourne Gardens

Engage your senses and explore the wonderful sights, sounds and stories of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s Melbourne Gardens.

As children explore the treasures of the Gardens, they will be introduced to an array of plants that make up the Gardens and discover some of the wildlife that lives here.

Learn more
090A4321 (1)

Homes and Hideaways

Melbourne Gardens

Explore how plant material can be used as homes for animals and people and learn what plants need to help them grow.

Children will engage their senses as they explore the Gardens, looking out for animals in their natural habitat and discovering different plant materials.

Learn more
Cranbourne Indigenous Guides Kids 25

Bush Kinder Induction

Cranbourne Gardens

The Bush Kinder Induction program introduces educators and children to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne Bush Kinder site. The group will journey on a guided exploration through the bushland to the Woodland Picnic Area observing the diverse plant and animal habitats on the way. 

Learn more

Science Programs

Cranbourne West Partnership 2018

Scientist for a Day

Melbourne Gardens

Hear stories from the Herbarium and learn about what the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Science Team do in their work. 

Learn more
Australian Garden Dec 2018 386

Minibeasts

Melbourne & Cranbourne Gardens

Children will explore how insects and other invertebrates live in the Gardens and help plants to grow. They will engage their senses as they go on a discovery walk, and learn about worm farming.

Learn more
Seeds 2017 Min

Food Forest

Melbourne Gardens

Children will learn what is involved in growing and looking after plants as they partake in hands-on activities in the Kitchen Garden such as planting and harvesting.

Learn more

Wellbeing and Sustainability Programs

National Science Week

The Sensory Garden

Melbourne Gardens

The Sensory Garden is a program designed for children who would benefit from a quiet, small group experience where children are immersed in a sensory environment. The program will be inclusive of the developmental and communication needs of the students.

Learn more
RBG Melbourne Kids Leaf Play 19

Health and Wellbeing in Nature

Melbourne Gardens

Explore the physical, mental and emotional benefits of nature and spending time outdoors. 

Learn more
090A3204 Crop

Wonderful Water

Melbourne Gardens

Learn the importance of water conservation and how plants adapt to changing environments.

Learn more
090A2952

Scents and Senses

Cranbourne Gardens

Explore the natural beauty of the Cranbourne Gardens using all five senses. Immerse yourself in the environment and connect with country, students will have the opportunity to ochre paint the rocks and complete the sensory journey with a taste of lemon myrtle tea.

Learn more

First Peoples Programs

Cranbourne Indigenous Guides Kids 79

You and Me, Murrawee

Cranbourne Gardens

Children will learn how to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of First Peoples to Country by participating in an Acknowledgement of Country and share in the reading of You and Me, Murrawee; a beautifully observed story of what life would have been like 200 years ago, told through the eyes of a young girl camping by the river with her family.

Learn more
2023 Aug1 Playgroup 3 Min

Balee Koolin Bubup Playgroup

Cranbourne Gardens

Join us for an early years learning program specially developed for First Peoples children and their parents/carers set in the beautiful bushland at Cranbourne Botanic Gardens.  

Each week, bush playgroup participants engage in a series of play and nature-based activities involving First Peoples storytelling, bush exploration, song, traditional dance and music, and the learning of the local First Peoples language and culture – Boonwurrung. 

Interest can be registered by contacting this email address.

Red Sand Garden 1

On the Edge of Creation

Cranbourne Gardens

Discover the connection of art, music and creative play.

Inspired by the story, On the Edge of Creation by Baluk Arts, students will immerse themselves in a place-based learning of the Boonwurrung country. They will engage in cultural activities, share in the reading of On the Edge of Creation and learn about the dreamtime story of Port Phillip Bay. 

Learn more