Summer Garden Lab: Youth Guided Tours at Reiman Gardens

AMES GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE

Summer Garden Lab: Youth Guided Tours at Reiman Gardens

A hands-on, outdoor program offered June–August at Reiman Gardens in Ames that teaches plant growth, sends kids on a pollinator scavenger hunt, and ends with a take-home mini terrarium.

Check availabilitySee guide details

Summer Garden Lab: Youth Guided Tours at Reiman Gardens.

Duration
1 hour
Location
Ames
Operator
Reiman Gardens
Category
Guided Tour
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

Unleash young explorers in a garden adventure at Reiman Gardens in Ames: over the course of an hour, groups move through outdoor beds to learn how plants grow, identify pollinators on a guided scavenger hunt, and build a mini terrarium to take home — an interactive program offered weekdays in summer.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE HANDS-ON

Mini Terrarium Workshop

Participants finish the guided tour by constructing their own mini terrarium to take home, a concrete craft that reinforces lessons about plant growth and microhabitats.

THE FIELDWORK

Pollinator Scavenger Hunt

Young explorers put observation skills to the test on an interactive pollinator scavenger hunt through the Gardens’ outdoor spaces, learning how pollinators and plants interact.

THE LESSON

Plant Growth Fundamentals

Guided conversations and close-up observation during the walk introduce basic concepts of plant growth and the roles that pollinators play in garden ecosystems.

What the day feels like

What the hour feels like

The hour unfolds as a compact, guided circuit through outdoor garden rooms: short, focused teaching moments about plant growth segue into a scavenger-hunt rhythm as youth search for pollinators, and the session concludes with hands-on terrarium building that lets them pack the lesson home.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this program suits — and when to reconsider.

1
School groups and campsDesigned for organized youth groups, the program delivers curriculum-friendly, age-appropriate activities on weekdays during the summer season.
2
Families with curious childrenOpen to all ages, families can bring children for a short, guided outdoor learning experience during June–August on weekdays.
3
Teachers and youth leadersAn efficient one-hour visit that pairs guided content with a hands-on craft, suitable for educators seeking a focused field trip option Monday–Friday.
4
Large or drop-in groupsBest for pre-arranged groups rather than casual drop-ins: sessions are offered weekdays in summer and are structured around guided activities.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

What to Expect

A guided, outdoor program that includes plant-focused teaching, a pollinator scavenger hunt, and creation of a mini terrarium to take home.

Session Length

The guided experience is scheduled as a one‑hour program.

Season & Schedule

Offered June–August on weekdays (Monday–Friday).

Materials

The program culminates in a mini terrarium activity for participants to take home.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

When is the Youth Guided Tours program available?

Offered June–August on weekdays (Monday–Friday).

How long is a session?

Each guided session is one hour in duration.

What activities are included?

Participants learn about plant growth, take part in an interactive pollinator scavenger hunt, and build a mini terrarium to take home.

Who runs the program?

The tours are operated by Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa.

What does it cost?

Admission is $9 per youth and $15 per adult.

What ages is this for?

The program is described as suitable for all ages, with content geared toward youth groups.