HCP Kids – Child, Youth & Family Workshops

Our aim is to create and provide land-based learning opportunities for children and youth in our community. Through these outdoor educational programs, we believe that we can promote individual, community and environmental health. During all of our programs, we will use the gardens and surrounding forests as our classroom and as an educational tool to cultivate joy, wonder and meaningful connections to plants and the natural world.

GARDENING

Do you know a child or youth who loves the outdoors and thrives in the garden? Our HCP Kids Garden provides many opportunities for land-based engagement activities, including seed starting and propagation, planting, garden maintenance, pollinator habitats, and so much more. Each weekly class will have us in this amazing teaching garden where we grow our own food crops. Hope you can join us with your pre-k learner or drop-off (or join) your school age child. There are lots of takeaways, including seeds, transplants and more! Please pack your child’s own garden gloves if you have some and bring along a water bottle and snack, if needed. Ages 3 to 14 (Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult)

Please note the pricing difference between PreSchool and School Age; the School Age program is 30 minutes longer

  • Dates: Sept 14 to October 19 (6 weeks)
  • Times:
    • Preschool (3 to 5) 9:30 am – 11:00 am
    • School Age (6 to 14) 9:30 am – 11:30 am
  • Fees:
  • Registration: Online or call 250-479-6162

Garden Friends is a half day program for parent and child several consecutive weeks. Children love to explore our gardens while observing and experiencing nature. Together, we will engage in a series of nature activities. Each session includes a garden wander, sharing circle and story time. Bring a snack and picnic blanket for story time and dress for the weather.

Ages: 3 to 6

Dates: TBD

Garden & Nature Adventures

The Gardens at HCP is our classroom and we explore all of it; from the native plant and ethnobotany trails to the HCP Kids Garden  and to the surrounding trails and forests. Some of the nature-based activities at our program include nature art, gardening for food and pollinators, nibbling on edible plants, flowers and vegetables, songs and games! This program is based outside, rain or shine, with access to the lower classroom portable for the bathroom, snack, storytime and warming up or for those extra stormy days. Outdoor school is about children having time to explore their own interests through child-led and play-based learning in nature. Being outdoors develops an appreciation for the natural world and our responsibilities related to its preservation. Ages 3 – 6

  • Dates: Sept 12 through Nov 28, 2024
  • Times: 9:30 – 12:00 noon
  • Fees: $300.00 /child or $240.00 per child with a Family Membership
  • Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

Coming in 2025 

  • Dates: Thursday’s January 23 – March 13, 2025
  • Time: 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
  • Fees: 
  • Registration: Online or call 250-479-6162

Science Friends is a half day program for a parent and child that runs on Tuesday’s for 10 consecutive weeks. Bring along your budding naturalist for a trek around the pathways, bridges and fields as we explore the creatures who call our gardens, woodlands and ponds their home. Each session will focus on a different nature friend and include a wander, story time and craft. Pack a snack and picnic blanket for story time and dress for the weather. For ages 3 to 6 

  • Date: Cancelled
  • Please use the registration link to add your name to the interest (wait) list
  • Registration: Online or call 250-479-6162

We all know what happens when a worm is uncovered in the garden … lots of excitement!

Well, imagine a weekly garden wander to look for all those special discoveries that just happen when you least expect it.  Along the way we will be learning lots of fun facts about these amazing garden friends, forging friendships and interactions with each other.  Each meetup will include a theme related craft to take home. Join your child or enjoy the gardens, we ask parents to remain on site. Ages 3 to 5

  • Dates: TBD

Garden Crafts

Crafting with Plants

Do you know a youth who enjoys crafting and flowers? This new program offers weekly opportunities to explore plants and flowers in their garden settings, then provides an introduction to ways of using them. Together, along with visiting facilitators, we will learn to identify plants and  many useful and creative ways to use them for design and art. This 4-week series will include drying of flowers, flower pressing, bouquet making, seasonal displays, weaving and wreath making. Age: 8-14 years

  • Date: TBD
  • For information about this workshop please call 250-479-6162 or email [email protected]

MINIATURE GARDENS

Terrariums and succulent gardens are perfect for this time of year! Let’s get inspired by the many succulent plants featured in our HCP outdoor gardens. Then, using a variety of plants, choose to make a terrarium or a succulents garden to take away for indoor (terrarium or a succulents garden) or outdoor (hardy succulents garden) use. A variety of recycled and new containers will be available for your use. Choose the garden you prefer to make and let your child create a fun growing miniature to take away. A perfect centrepiece for the Thanksgiving table!  Age: 6+ years

  • Date: TBD

Magic is in the air this FALL as we gather inspiration and natural treasures from the gardens and many pathways at HCP. Then the creativity continues with lessons of making and designing our sweet miniature gardens to demonstrate our unique preferences. Plant care, placement, and garden design are all part of the fun and inspiring creative time.

These miniature gardens are perfect for budding gardeners and creative playtime too! Bring along a child to experience this precious session together and plan to make one yourself. Age: 3+ years

  • Date: Sunday,13 October 2004
  • Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
  • Fee: $35 per garden or $30 per garden with a Family Membership
  • Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

NOTE: These workshops can be booked as a private workshop for child’s birthday or by contacting [email protected]

How many times have you found a special door leading into a magical tree or nature space? Curious how to make one of your own? Let’s explore the use of pre-made doors and collect and use natural materials to create a one-of-a-kind entry for magical creatures in our gardens. These little doors are suited to outdoor uses and make perfect gifts. Join a child in your life for this hands-on crafting experience together. Everyone will have a chance to make 2 miniature doors. Age: 6+ years

  • Date: TBD

NOTE: These workshops can be booked as a private workshop for child’s birthday or by contacting [email protected]

Holiday Wreaths & Crafts

Join us for this annual gathering to prepare a wreath for your home this holiday season. Using a selection of greenery along with friendly guidance, create a unique wreath to enjoy or gift! These small sized workshops offer a slower and easier pace for small hands to lend assistance with. All materials provided. One registration is good for up to 4 participants, with up to 5 families at each session.

Registration opens after Thanksgiving October 14

  • Registration: click on the date or call 250-479-6162

Holiday Gift Making

Please someone this holiday season with handmade gifts inspired by the garden! We will explore a variety of easy and unique gifts made with local materials that will be a delight to give and receive. All materials provided. For children between 6 and 14 years (Parents are welcome to attend)

  • Date: Sunday December 08
  • Time:  10:00 -12:00 noon
  • Fee: $40 or $35 with Family Membership
  • Registration: Online or call 250-479-6162

FAMILY GARDENING

Have you thought about growing your own food crops, but are overwhelmed? Let’s work together in the HCP Kids Teaching Garden and transform an area into a garden plot. Learn about soils, productive garden planning, maximizing yields, managing pests, seeds and starts as well as seed saving. Join us along with your family for this 3 part workshop to build skills and understanding to make your own food production possible. This workshop series is also a great way to improve your garden experience. Bring along your own garden gloves.

All ages welcome!

  • Dates: TBD

If you are interested in this program please contact us at [email protected]

Creating A Forest Habitat at Home using the Miyawaki Method

We are creating a pocket forest at HCP this spring as a project with help from a generous grant from Pollinator Partnership. The space adjoins our Meadow Makers Project Garden that was installed in 2023 and will offer more pollinator rich native plantings for habitat and foraging. This method of afforestation was developed by the Japanese botanist and plant ecology expert Professor Akira Miyawaki, and draws inspiration from nature’s ecosystems to create 100% organic, dense and diverse pioneer forests in as little as 20-30 years. Please join our project lead Paula McCormick on a journey of positive change with this onsite presentation.

  • Date: TBD

Interested in this program?  please contact [email protected]

Creating A Butterfly Garden

The role of pollinators has continued to evolve and we have been amazed at the essential role these garden helpers play in food production. Let us explore the key role that butterflies play in this, the plants that support their full life cycles and how to create a butterfly garden at home. we will be sharing seeds to set you up for success!

  • Date: TBD

Interested in this program?  please contact [email protected]

Seed Starting for Families


Seeds are an easy, inexpensive and fun way to grow plants for food and flower production. This hands-on workshop provides a step-by-step approach to sowing into trays. These seed starting basics are skills that create confidence to grow healthy plants that can be used in containers or garden beds. Each child will plant up a tray to take home to grow their own flowers and edible plants.

AT HOME WORKSHOPS

Fairy Garden in a Container – Video

Gardens come in all shapes and sizes. Get creative as you learn about the needs of little plants, and what better place to grow them than in an up-cycled glass contain

er? Choose a glass bowl, vase, jar or other container (up to 20cm) to up-cycle and see what you can create! You provide the glass container and we provide the rest.

  • Age: 6+ years, recommended
  • Fee: $25
  • Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

Outdoor Fairy Gardens

These outdoor fairy gardens are suited for your deck, balcony or garden. The video will take participants through the steps to use an ornamental flowering plant as the base for this project. Then you will learn how to care for it in a small container. Next we get started designing and decorating the garden with provided natural and created elements as well as additional raw materials to create other fun decor. These miniature gardens provide a fun reason to move your child’s play outdoors this season and makes a great destination to check on during the summer and fall too!

  • Age: 5+ years, recommended
  • Fee: $25
  • Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

Making your own fairy garden furnishings can be fun and easy with a little expertise and guidance. In this kit and video package, we will take a walk together to forage natural materials that can be made into fun and functional furnishings for existing and future fairy gardens. We will explore doors, gates, transitions and theme related furnishings. Participants will receive a kit with instructions and supplies to make featured items and will be encouraged to source out their own special materials going forward. Imagination is a wonderful tool as we learn to create items for these playful and whimsical gardens!

  • Age: 5+ years, recommended
  • Fee: $25
  • Register: Online or call 250479-6162

A single seed is all it takes to grow a plant. Introduce or support a child/youth to grow their own vegetables and pollinator plants with help from this grow kit featuring all they need to get started. This is a fun way to follow the life cycle of a plant from a seed through to seed production and have fresh produce to use with the family!

  • Age: 5+ years, recommended
  • Fee: $25
  • Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

Gardens come in all shapes and sizes. Get creative as you learn about the needs of little plants, and what better place to grow them than in an up-cycled glass container? Choose a glass bowl, vase, jar or other container (up to 20cm) to up-cycle and see what you can create! You provide the glass container and we provide the rest, including a tropical plant, gravel, soil, and decor.

  • Age: 6+ years, recommended
  • Fee: $25
  • Register: Online or Call 250-479-6162

Storytelling

It’s all about our special friends, POLLINATORS this week as we celebrate these amazing creatures with curious observations and chats. Imagine an exploringing nature walk with your child to inspire you both! This rain or shine outdoor program on our endless pathways provides us with many social and nature connections. This is followed by a storytime that encourages the development of listening skills and small group interactions and lots of fun facts about local pollinators! Plan to bring along your favourite story blanket and snack to enjoy during the story with your child and invite a friend.  Minimum registration is required. Please share word of this engaging program with your friends and make it a play date!

  • Dates: Friday June 21
  • Time: 9:30 am – 10:30 am
  • Age: 3 + years recommended
  • Fee: $10.00 per Family
  • Register: Online or Call 250-479-6162

Imagine a gentle nature walk with your child to calm and inspire you both! This rain or shine outdoor program on our endless pathways provides us with many social and nature connections. This is followed by a storytime that encourages the development of listening skills and small group interactions. Plan to bring along your favourite story blanket and snack to enjoy during the story with your child and invite a friend.  Minimum registration is required. Please share word of this engaging program with your friends and make it a play date! Consider making a morning with us and add Exploring Nature Through Crafts too!

  • Dates: Thursdays May 2, 9, 16  2024
  • Time:  10:45 am – 11:45 am
  • Fee:     $35 or $30 with a Family Membership
  • Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

We all love a good story and even at a young age children can tell us amazing stories!  Some of us are anturals and someof us need guidance and nurturing.  In this garden meetup we will share stories from books and experiences to practice our own creative storytelling. If you have a confident child ready to join a small group on their own, parents are free to do a drop off, we ask you remain on site and take the time to enjoy The Gardens.  Some children need to have a familiar adult with them to become their confident self, and we are happy to have an adult stay and participate asa  child requires. Ages 3 to 5

  • Dates: TBD

View Our HCP Kids – Child, Youth & Family
Programs Calendar

VIEW CALENDAR

Questions? We would love to hear from you!

GET IN TOUCH

Territory Acknowledgement

We at HCP gratefully acknowledge that the Gardens are located on the ancestral territories of the lək’ʷəŋən peoples, represented by the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, represented by the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nations. With gratitude, we work and learn where people come together in appreciation of plants and stewardship of the Gardens.

505 Quayle Rd. Victoria, BC V9E 2J7

Phone: 250-479-6162

Email: [email protected]