What ages are these tours for?

The program is designed for youth of varied ages; activities are adapted so younger children get tactile tasks while older kids practice measurements.

When are tours offered?

Tours run Monday through Friday from June to August, each session lasting about 1–2 hours.

Can we take the terrarium home?

Yes, materials for a mini terrarium are provided and participants take their finished terrarium home.

Are tours wheelchair accessible?

Paths are generally suitable for strollers and most mobility devices, but reach out to organizers for specifics about accessibility accommodations.

What happens in light rain?

Activities typically continue in light rain with shelter for the terrarium build; bring rain gear just in case.

How do I book or reserve a group?

Reservations are recommended for groups and can be booked through the provider's booking link in the listing metadata.

Summer Youth Guided Tours at reimangardens in Ames — Hands-On Pollinator and Terrarium Programs | Guided Tour | Workshop

At reimangardens in Ames, Iowa, summer opens a small door to curiosity for young explorers. The Youth Guided Tours (June–August) are a weekday, 1–2 hour program that turns plant beds into classrooms and pollinator gardens into detective scenes. Led by trained educators, the experience balances hands-on projects and outdoor discovery so children learn by doing instead of just watching.

On a typical tour, groups track plant growth through simple measurements, hunt for bees and butterflies among flowering beds, and gather materials to craft a mini terrarium to take home. Key features include open planting beds, concentrated pollinator habitat, demonstration plantings, and a sheltered work area for the terrarium build. Those elements make the program special: it shifts learning outdoors, uses living examples to explain life cycles, and connects students to the insects and plants that sustain local landscapes.

What makes this offering stand out in the Ames area is its mix of science, stewardship, and make-and-take creativity. Instead of a passive walk, kids handle seedling stems, examine pollinators with gentle protocols, and assemble tiny ecosystems in glass. In a region with agricultural research and campus resources, these tours give younger visitors an accessible, tactile introduction to plant biology and pollinator conservation.

Practical details keep the day manageable: the program runs Monday through Friday from June to August for 1–2 hours, making it easy to schedule into summer calendars. Expect light walking on garden paths, a mix of sitting and moving activities, and materials provided for the terrarium project. The tone is welcoming for families and youth groups; teachers and camp leaders will find the format adaptable to different age ranges and group sizes.

Beyond the activity itself, these tours highlight local conservation values by emphasizing pollinator-friendly planting and responsible outdoor behavior. Participants learn simple actions they can take at home—planting native blooms, reducing pesticides, and creating small habitat features—that amplify the tour’s impact across lawns and schoolyards.

For families visiting Ames, the Youth Guided Tours are an efficient, memorable way to introduce kids to ecology and practical stewardship. Book a session between June and August, bring sun protection and curiosity, and leave with a planted terrarium and a fresh appreciation for the small, busy creatures that keep gardens alive.

Many sessions incorporate simple data collection so children practice observation and basic recording skills; teachers will appreciate the program's alignment with standard science skills like hypothesis, observation, and measurement. Parents should pack water, closed-toe shoes, and a hat; light rain gear is useful because activities continue in most weather. Small-group rotations keep each child engaged at a work table during the terrarium build, and staff calibrate activities by age so younger children get tactile tasks while older kids handle detailed measurements.

About Reiman Gardens

Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa offers year-round horticultural displays, seasonal events, educational programs, and volunteer opportunities that engage families, students, and garden enthusiasts. The facility hosts a variety of public experiences including speaker series, guided and self-guided tours, hands-on youth day camps, and specialized workshops such as dried floral wreath making and floral design. Signature experiences include the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing — open daily and featuring up to 800 live butterflies from around 80 species — plus seasonal highlights like Butterfly Blizzard and Nature at NIGHT.

Reiman Gardens programs combine accessible outdoor activities with instructional series and community-focused nights. Regular offerings include Nature with Nathan, a six-part entomology speaker series; Rovers at Reiman dog-friendly evenings; Garden Flow six-week gentle stretching sessions; Nature Journaling workshops; and members-only Wednesday walking club access. Community events range from Autumn Equinox Gothic Soiree (ages 18+) to Trivia Nights, Maker Nights, and seasonal forest bathing walks. Volunteer roles support Spirits in the Gardens (October 10–12), Pumpkin Prep, Butterfly Wing docent training, seasonal gardening and displays, and group volunteer opportunities. Reiman Gardens also offers admissions options, guided tours for youth and adults, and special previews like RG Express and Bonsai Show Member Preview. All program descriptions, schedules, and registration details are published by Reiman Gardens; visitors should consult official listings for dates, age requirements, and availability.

Members' Wednesday Walking Club meets Wednesday mornings and provides access to the Butterfly Wing and Conservatory beginning at 9:00 AM, offering a quieter visit and the chance to see horticulturalists at work.