Children

Backyard Birding Kits

Purchase your Backyard Birding Kits Today!

Kits include supplies to make simple bird feeders for your backyard, educational materials, activity sheets and a journal to record your observations. Designed for children ages 5 and up.

 You will be contacted when your kit is ready for pick up.

To purchase kits: Click Here

Children’s Gardening Classes

Garden Tales – FULL

Five Mondays: April 26th, May 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th

4:00 – 5:00 pm

Age: Grades K-2nd

 In this class, children will learn about gardening and nature as they plant, water and weed, taste some of the veggies grown in the Edible Garden, and explore the grounds on nature hikes. Each week’s class centers around a garden-themed book and participants receive a take home gardening project related to the story. Registration required. Space is limited.

 $75 per child for Members, $100 per child for Non-Members; (includes all 5 classes)

Please email denise@montclairfoundation.org or call 973-744-4752 ext. 1 to be placed on the waiting list.

Junior Gardeners  – Full

 Five Thursdays:  April 29th, May 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th 

4:00-5:00 pm

Age: Grades 1st – 2nd

This hands-on class introduces children to the joy of gardening. Students will grow vegetables, plant flowers, learn about composting and observe the natural world around them at Van Vleck. New this year – Square Foot Gardening! The class will include nature hikes and journaling—the perfect way for kids to get outside and get dirty!  Registration required. Space is limited.

 $75 per child for Members, $100 per child for Non-Members (includes all 5 classes)

To Register: email denise@montclairfoundation.org or call 973-744-4752 ext. 1.

Garden to Table

Four Thursdays: June 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th

 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Age: 8-11 year olds

Spend time in the garden with us as we plant and harvest, water and weed and cook and taste. Also included will be time to journal in the beautiful Van Vleck gardens. Registration required. Space is limited.

$60 per child for Members/$75 per child for Non-Members (includes all four classes) 

To register: Email denise@montclairfoundation.org or call 973-744-4752 ext. 1.

Outdoor Adventures

Select Tuesdays

April 13th – Making Every Day Earth Day 

April 27th – Arbor Day 

May 11th – Insect Life Cycles

May 25th – Spring Flowers

June 8th – Insect Safari

June 22nd – Pollinators

NEW TIME! 1 – 4:00 pm

Recommended age: 4 – 11 but all are welcome
 Join us in the gardens as you explore and learn with our fun self-guided activity kits. Registration is required and includes everything you need to participate in the program. Outdoor Adventures Activity Kits will be available outside the Raymond Family Education Center between 1 and 4:00 pm on the day of the program.
Masks are required at all times while on the property. Social distancing protocols will be in place.
FREE for Members
$15 per family per class for Non-Members.
Advanced Registration is required. Deadline to register: the Sunday before the program. 
Online registration for Non-Members Click Here
Online registration for Members Click Here

          Outdoor Adventures is sponsored by

The Albert Payson Terhune Foundation and

Montclair State University

Van Vleck House & Gardens

All classes and events are held at 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair unless otherwise noted. For further information, log on to www.vanvleck.org. To register or for additional information, call 973-744-4752 or e-mail us at education@vanvleck.org. Become a Member of Van Vleck to take advantage of special pricing for classes and events.

Please note: We are reserving a few spots for those experiencing financial hardship right now due to the COVID-19 crisis.  These spots are first come first serve. Please email education@vanvleck.org  to reserve a spot.