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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

Desert Discovery Saturdays

Saturdays | October – December | 9 – 11 am | Children’s Ramada

Free with Admission

Join us every Saturday as we get in touch with nature and make some desert discoveries! Bring the whole family for fun and interactive activities, stories, nature walks, and a unique desert themed craft each week. Enjoy the gardens and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the desert we call home! All ages are welcome.   

On-Site Activity Guide & Mobile Scavenger Hunts

We have scavenger hunts to help you explore the gardens; once you complete one, you will be entered into a quarterly drawing to win a family guest pass. Scan this sign, located throughout the gardens, to start all the fun!

To continue the experience from home, we have special coloring pages linked to our current exhibitions and Permanent Collection. If you are looking for even more activities to do from home, visit our Tohono Chul @ Home page

– EVENTS –

Reptile Ramble

August 19 – November 11 | 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.

– COLORING PAGES –

We have a wide range of coloring pages that has pieces from the current exhibition and our Permanent Collection. Discover the artist in you as you color textiles, ceramic, photographs, and more.

Coloring pages from the The Elements – Fire exhibit :

MORE COLORING PAGES

The Elements – Air exhibit :

wind driven
heaven
skull
breathe
monarch
launch

Roy J. Kurtz Collection

Guided Tours for Schools:

Schools are welcome to visit on a guided tour. Please contact Stephen Spikes at docent@tohonochul.org or 742-6455 x 235 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

Please contact Stephen Spikes at docent@tohonochul.org or 742-6455 x 235

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.)