Night Hikes, Storytime and Peacocks: Kids and Family Programs at the LA Arboretum!
The kids and family programs at the LA Arboretum in Arcadia turn 127 acres of gardens, roaming peacocks and shady oak groves into one giant outdoor classroom. Little ones can catch storytime every Thursday or join a Sunday parent-and-child nature series, while older kids head out on after-dark family night hikes, seasonal nature camps and hands-on holiday workshops.
Below, we break down every program for 2026–2027: who it's for, when it runs, what it costs and how to sign up. We also cover the free-roam favorites kids love most, plus what's changing while the Arboretum restores Baldwin Lake, so you can plan a day that's all fun and no surprises.
Key Takeaways
Where: The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 301 North Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, just south of the 210 Freeway.
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.); members get early entry at 8 a.m. Closed December 25.
Admission: $18 adults, $14 seniors and students, $8 kids 3–12, and free for kids 2 and under and for members.
Littlest explorers (0–5): Children's Storytime on Thursdays and the Acorns and Oaks parent-and-child series on Sundays.
Ages 4–10: Family Night Hikes, the Family Holiday Wreath Workshop (Dec. 5) and Arboretum Nature Camps.
Heads up: The Baldwin Lake restoration means no autumn or winter camps this season; Spring Nature Camp is planned for 2027.
Year-Round Kids Programs at the LA Arboretum
These are the Arboretum's signature programs for kids. Most need advance online registration, so check the Arboretum calendar a few weeks before you go.
Ages: Babies to 5 years old, with an adult
When: Thursdays, 10:30–11 a.m. (upcoming: Nov. 5, 12 and 19; Dec. 3 and 10, 2026)
Cost: Included with garden admission; free for members
Sign-up: No registration needed
This short, sweet storytime is the easiest way to introduce toddlers and preschoolers to the Arboretum. It lasts just 30 minutes, which is perfect for little attention spans, and you can explore the gardens before or after.
It's not a drop-off program, so plan to sit with your child. There's no storytime during Thanksgiving week, so double-check the calendar around the holidays.
Parent Tip: Make it a morning: arrive when the gates open at 9 a.m., spot a few peacocks, then settle in for stories at 10:30 before naptime.
Ages: 0–5, with older siblings welcome
When: Sundays, 9:15–10:15 a.m., in six-week seasonal series
Current series: "A Heartwarming Autumn," Nov. 1–Dec. 6, 2026
Cost: $230 members / $240 non-members per parent-and-child pair for the series; $65 per extra sibling; $45 per extra guardian
Acorns and Oaks is a parent-and-child class where caregivers and little ones sing, play and explore nature together. Each six-week series follows the seasons in the garden, and the autumn session adds heartwarming stories and family crafts your kids can take home as keepsakes.
Classes are led by Betsy Edelberg, founder of Playgroup LA. You register through the Arboretum's ticketing site, and full refunds are available only if you cancel at least two weeks before the series begins.
Parent Tip: Can't make the fall series? Watch the program page for the next seasonal session, since each one comes with a brand-new theme.
Ages: 5–10 and their families
When: Select evenings, each with a new monthly theme; next dates TBA
Cost: $15 members / $20 non-members; babies under 12 months free
Sign-up: Advance online registration required; no walk-ups
Ever wonder what the garden does after closing time? On these guided night hikes, families stroll the paths as the sun goes down, with plenty of stops for stories, hands-on activities and sensory exploration. October's Ghoulish Garden hike went looking for carnivorous, thorny and poisonous plants, and every month brings a new theme.
Meet your guide at the Main Entrance and check in 15 minutes early, because the gates lock right at start time. Strollers and wagons are welcome, and tickets include garden admission, so you can explore beforehand.
Parent Tip: Pack a light jacket, water and bug spray. It cools off quickly after sundown, even on warm days.
Ages: 5–10
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (drop-off)
Spring Nature Camp 2027: $425 members / $450 non-members per week; dates and registration TBA
Summer Nature Camp: $425 members / $450 non-members per week (2026 ran June 15–Aug. 14 and sold out)
Arboretum Nature Camps mix garden exploration with nature-themed science, art and cooking projects, and each week has its own seasonal theme. Summer camp runs in two cohorts of 24 kids, so it feels small and personal.
Important for this year: the Arboretum has started a construction phase to restore Baldwin Lake, and on-site camps and field trips aren't allowed during this first phase. The Arboretum doesn't expect to hold Autumn or Winter Nature Camp this season and plans to welcome campers back for Spring Camp in 2027.
There's no waitlist for sold-out weeks. Any spots that open up are released on the website first come, first served.
Parent Tip: Set a reminder to check the camp page in early 2027. Summer weeks sold out in 2026, and cancellations carry a $100 fee per child, per week, so only book dates you're sure about.
When: Saturdays (start times 10 a.m.–3 p.m.) and Sundays (start times 11 a.m.–3 p.m.)
Length: 2 hours, plus 30 minutes each to set up and clean up
Cost: $900 for up to 40 guests (kids and adults); $25 per extra guest, up to 60; babies under 12 months free
Deposit: $250, non-refundable
A garden birthday party here comes with two Arboretum educators, an animal and discovery table, one signature hands-on experience of your choice and a themed scavenger hunt. Everyone also gets all-day garden admission, so guests can wander before or after the party.
You'll have a private space with a sheltered patio, a garden area and an indoor classroom. Food and drinks must come from the Peacock Café (menus are due two weeks ahead), but you can bring your own cake. Balloons and confetti aren't allowed, and full refunds are given only for rain cancellations.
Parent Tip: Book a morning slot for cooler weather, then let the kids spend the afternoon exploring with their all-day garden admission.
Ages: All ages (activities adapt to different skill levels)
Cost: Free downloadable guides
When: New activities added monthly
Not every Arboretum adventure has to happen in Arcadia. The free At-Home Nature Adventures, sponsored by Edison International, are printable activity guides that need only household supplies and a little nature. Recent favorites include Pumpkin Seed Brittle, Fossil Dig Brownies, a bird-watching journal called A Bird's Eye Mission, Nature Mandalas and Sock Bunnies.
Parent Tip: Save these for rainy days or the week before a visit, then share your kids' creations with #LAArboretumKids for a chance to be featured by the Arboretum.
Seasonal Family Events: November–December 2026
Beyond the regular programs, the Arboretum's fall and holiday calendar is full of special events that work beautifully for families.
When: Friday, Nov. 6, 2026; doors open 5:30 p.m., movie at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Event Lawn (entrance at Ayres Hall)
Cost: Members only: $10 member adult, $8 member child (2–17), free under 2; members can buy up to eight tickets for friends and family
This members' movie night screens the PG-rated animated adventure The Book of Life under the stars, with after-hours garden access, a hands-on craft and seasonal movie-themed treats. Bring a picnic dinner or buy food from the Border Grill food truck.
Chairs must sit no more than 6 inches off the ground and can't have tall backs, so blankets are the easy choice. Tickets are non-refundable, and rain cancels the screening.
Parent Tip: Bring a flashlight for the walk back to the car and an extra layer for the kids, since November evenings get chilly.
When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 2–3:30 p.m.
Ages: 4–10, with one adult
Cost: $20 members / $25 non-members per wreath maker (includes one accompanying adult)
Where: The Learning Patio, next to Ayres Hall at the north end of the main parking lot
Kids build their own holiday wreaths using natural materials gathered from the Arboretum grounds, plus extras from the LA Flower Mart. It's a festive, hands-on tradition, and the finished wreath makes a sweet gift for grandparents.
Each child making a wreath needs a ticket, and a grown-up who wants to make one too needs their own. Check-in starts 15 minutes early, materials are first come, first served, and there are no refunds within seven days of the workshop.
Parent Tip: Arrive right at check-in for the best pick of greenery, and dress for the outdoors with hats and sunscreen.
When: Saturdays, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5, 2026, 10–11 a.m.
Who: Participants must weigh at least 75 pounds, so it's best for older kids, teens and parents
Cost: $35 members / $45 non-members (includes garden admission)
Where: The lawn in front of the Queen Anne Cottage, about a 10-minute walk from the entrance
Friendly Nigerian Dwarf goats wander through class, hopping on, off and under participants during 45 minutes of beginner-friendly yoga, followed by 15 minutes for photos. It's silly, sweet and a great outing with tweens and teens.
Wear workout clothes that cover your back and bring a mat you don't mind getting dirty (or rent one for $5). Advance registration is required, and refunds aren't available within seven days of class.
Parent Tip: Arrive at least 15 minutes early. It's a 10-minute walk to the lawn, and weekend parking fills up.
When: Second Sundays, 8–10 a.m. (Nov. 8 and Dec. 13, 2026)
Who: Arboretum members and Pasadena Audubon Society members
Cost: Free, with required preregistration (tickets open the Tuesday before at 9 a.m.)
Budding birders can join an experienced naturalist for a morning of spotting the garden's feathered residents. It's a calm, quiet walk, so it's best for kids who can handle two hours on their feet.
Bring binoculars and comfortable walking shoes. Capacity is limited, and rain cancels the walk.
Parent Tip: Set a phone reminder for 9 a.m. on the Tuesday before, since spots are limited.
When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Check the website for event and workshop pricing
Celebrate California Kimchi Day with a hands-on kimjang (kimchi-making) workshop, a look at the culture and traditions behind Korea's most iconic dish, and a Korean marketplace full of local brands and community partners.
Parent Tip: Kimchi-making gets messy, so bring wipes and let the kids roll up their sleeves.
Free-Roam Favorites Kids Love (Included With Admission)
Some of the best kid moments at the Arboretum don't need a reservation at all. These are all included with your daytime ticket.
When: Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. during the lake restoration
Cost: $8 per seat, sold at the entrance on the day of your visit
Tired little legs? The 45-minute narrated tram tour is a relaxing way to see the garden's 127 acres and historic buildings. Seats are first come, first served with no reservations, and the schedule can change, so call 626-821-3222 the day of your visit to confirm.
Parent Tip: The tram may not have room for strollers when it's full, so bring a baby carrier or a compact fold-up stroller.
The Arboretum's famous peafowl roam freely through the garden, and spotting a peacock with its tail fanned out is pure magic for kids. Keep an eye out for squirrels, rabbits, geese and turtles, too.
These are wild animals, so keep at least 10 feet away and never feed, touch or chase them.
Parent Tip: Turn it into a game: who can spot the first peacock, the first peahen and the first fluffy chick?
When: Daily, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Included with admission; free for members
Train-loving kids can step inside this historic railroad depot, which is filled with treasures from the past. It's an easy add-on to a morning visit.
Parent Tip: Pair the depot with lunch at the Peacock Café for a relaxed midday break.
With its red-and-white trim and little tower, this Victorian cottage looks like it came straight out of a storybook. Kids love spotting it from the paths, and the lawn out front is one of the garden's prettiest photo spots.
A wheelchair lift is available at the cottage, which makes it an easy stop for visitors using wheelchairs.
Parent Tip: Grab a garden map at the entrance and let the kids "navigate" the family there.
Tucked into the greenery is a waterfall that splashes over the rocks into a lush pond. It's a cool, shady place to rest on warm days and a favorite backdrop for family photos.
Parent Tip: Hold little hands near the water's edge, and bring a nature journal so kids can sketch the falls.
When: Nov. 12, 13 and 14, 2026, at 9:30 and 10 a.m.
Cost: Included with admission; free for members (reservations recommended)
Step into warm, humid air on a docent-led tour of the Tropical Greenhouse and meet plants like the vanilla orchid, the cacao plant (where chocolate comes from) and the red mangrove. It's a quick, fascinating peek at rare and endangered species.
Parent Tip: Challenge the kids to find the plant that makes chocolate. It's the fastest way to get everyone excited about botany.
Planning Your Visit to the LA Arboretum With Kids
Buy daytime tickets online before you go, and keep these details handy.
Address: 301 North Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007, across from Santa Anita Park
Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, last entry 4:30 p.m.; member early entry at 8 a.m.; closed December 25
Tickets: $18 adults; $14 seniors (62+) and students with ID; $8 kids 3–12; free for kids 2 and under. Visitors under 18 must come with an adult.
Free with EBT: Golden State Advantage (EBT/SNAP) cardholders get free daytime admission for up to two adults and four children under 18 with a matching California ID; no reservations needed
Parking: Use the main lot by the entrance; weekends get busy, so leave extra time to find a spot
Food: Outside food isn't allowed. The Peacock Café serves breakfast and lunch Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Accessibility: About 2.5 miles of paved paths; wheelchairs and e-scooters can be rented on-site
Pets: Not allowed; ADA service animals are welcome
Construction: During the Baldwin Lake restoration, some areas near the lake are closed and you may hear construction noise
Is a membership worth it? A Family membership costs $99 a year and covers two adults plus up to four kids or grandkids under 18 per visit. A family of two adults and two kids ages 3–12 pays $52 for a single visit, so the membership pays for itself on your second trip. You'll also get discounts on family programs, 8 a.m. early entry and reciprocal admission to hundreds of gardens across the U.S. and Canada.
📬 The Best of LA in Your Inbox
Get our free weekly guide to the best LA family events, free activities,
and hidden gems delivered straight to your inbox.
Takeaway
The LA Arboretum is one of the easiest places in Los Angeles County to turn an ordinary day into a nature adventure. Toddlers get storytime and Acorns and Oaks, big kids get night hikes and nature camp, and the whole family gets peacocks, a waterfall and a storybook cottage on every visit.
Check the calendar a few weeks ahead, register early for anything with limited spots, and keep an eye out for Spring Nature Camp 2027 news while Baldwin Lake gets its makeover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the LA Arboretum have storytime for kids?
Yes. Children's Storytime on Thursdays runs from 10:30 to 11 a.m. for babies through age 5 with an adult. It's included with paid garden admission and free for members, and no registration is needed. Upcoming dates include Nov. 5, 12 and 19 and Dec. 3 and 10, 2026.
How much does it cost to visit the LA Arboretum with kids?
Daytime admission is $18 for adults, $14 for seniors and students with ID, $8 for kids ages 3 to 12, and free for children 2 and under. Members get in free, and EBT cardholders get free daytime admission for up to two adults and four kids.
What ages are the LA Arboretum nature camps for?
Arboretum Nature Camps are for kids ages 5 to 10 and run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spring and summer camp cost $425 per week for members and $450 for non-members. Autumn and winter camps aren't expected this season because of the Baldwin Lake restoration.
Can you have a birthday party at the LA Arboretum?
Yes. Two-hour garden parties run on Saturdays and Sundays and cost $900 for up to 40 guests, plus $25 per extra guest up to 60. Parties include two Arboretum educators, hands-on nature activities, a scavenger hunt and all-day garden admission for everyone.
Can you bring food to the LA Arboretum?
Outside food isn't allowed during regular garden visits, so plan to eat at the Peacock Café, which serves breakfast and lunch daily. Members' Movies in the Garden nights are the exception, when you can bring a picnic dinner. Birthday party food must also come from the café.
❤️ You May Also Like
Comments