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Just for Kids

For the Kid in All of Us

Playing, laughing, and learning, the gardens at Tohono Chul provide a wonderful place to enjoy the day with your little one. Chasing lizards and butterflies or floating your boat down our children’s stream, your children will delight at the beauty of Tohono Chul. It’s a wonderful place to learn about the Sonoran Desert’s unique habitat and special critters and create lasting memories.

I’ve been bringing my granddaughters to play since they were toddlers and even now that they’re teenagers they always want to come back with me.

Julia Wait Bonse

Reptile Ramble

March 4 – May 27 | Fridays | 10am

Free with Admission

Learn to identify resident reptiles and find the answer to the age-old question, “Why do lizards do push-ups?” Be prepared to meet a few non-venomous snakes, perhaps a lizard or even a tortoise.

Birds of Prey – Night & Day

February – April | 2nd and 4th Wednesdays | 11 am – 1 pm

Free with Admission

Naturalist and wildlife rehabilitator Kathie Schroeder joins us with her Harris’ Hawk buddy Sueño and two new friends Poppy, the Western Screech Owl, and Banshee, the Barn Owl. Discover the different habits of birds of prey who hunt by night or by day, and get to know a collection of the most unflappable birds in town.

Kids’ Meditation

Wednesdays | June 1 – June 29 | 8:30 – 9 am | Children’s Ramada

More and more adults are discovering the benefits of practicing meditation, but imagine if you had learned to calm the mind at a young age? As we focus on wellness this summer, we are partnering with the Kadampa Meditation Center to offer a weekly thirty-minute meditation class geared toward children. All ages are welcome to learn the basics of meditation and techniques to deal with stress. It’s never too early to lay the foundation for a healthy meditation practice and find your inner calm. Enjoy the beauty of Tohono Chul or some playtime in the Children’s Garden after class.

$5 per family for members | $5 per family plus cost of admission for the general public

Students pay instructor directly   

Self-Guided Tours for Schools

Schools are welcome to visit on a self-guided tour. Please contact Stephen Spikes at docent@tohonochul.org to make a reservation.

  • Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance to take advantage of the reduced school group admission fee
  • Minimum of 1 adult chaperone for every 10 children is required
  • Cost is $2 per student | free admission for one chaperone for every 10 students | $2 for each additional chaperone
  • Stay on the trails and refrain from touching, picking, or collecting anything; Tohono Chul is a living museum we wish all our guests to enjoy
  • Be sure to dress for the weather and for walking in the desert
  • Recommend wearing closed-toe shoes
  • Wear sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from the sun
  • Don’t forget to bring a water bottle.
    • There are water fountains designed to refill water bottles at Admissions and at the Education Center.
  • Please download, read and share the Guided Tour Information for Teachers and Chaperones

Pre-visit materials and Guidelines for Teachers and Chaperones

Arizona State Standards

Desert Pathfinders Activity Booklet — for 1st-3rd grades a multi-page booklet (printed on legal paper) with 20 different desert activities to engage students

To schedule a self-guided visit for your school group please contact Stephen Spikes at docent@tohonochul.org

Fun and Smart Projects for Kids

Before your next visit, why not explore one of these activity sheets, great for a rainy (or too hot) day at home! Note: activity sheets are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format (portable document format) and some are for legal-sized paper (8-1/2 × 14″). (To access these forms you need the free downloadable software, Adobe Acrobat Reader.)