Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2025 Issue
Embark on an enchanting adventure this spring by taking your students to a local floral haven. These floriculture-based field trips present a perfect opportunity for children to delve into the marvels of nature, exploring plant biology, pollination, and ecosystems through the vibrant language of flowers. Each experience also uncovers the vital role that flowers play in preserving biodiversity and ecosystem health. As a bonus, kids get to learn these lessons while creating unique bouquets or participating in other fun floral activities.
Check out the following list of farms, gardens, and conservatories across Canada and the United States that are sure to have your students blooming with excitement!
Birchwood Meadows
Sturgeon County, AB
Workshops at Birchwood Meadows will be starting up again soon. From mid-June through to December, students can participate in a number of unforgettable experiences at this bustling flower farm. Whether they’re immersing themselves in the magic of stunning scenery with a guided tour, or diving into an educational and interactive workshop, there’s plenty of wonderment to be had. Depending on the season, you and your class could be creating lush flower arrangements, terrariums, wreaths, or planter inserts. Get ready for a day filled with flower picking, creative arranging, hands-on planting, and delightful crafting while learning all about plant care.
The Dirty Bee Flower Farm
West Kelowna, BC
The Dirty Bee is a beautiful place filled with vibrant blooms and blossoms. They offer field trips and class visits for educators and students of all ages, designed to nurture children’s love for the environment. Students get to learn about plant life cycles and pollination, while exploring the colours, textures, and fragrances of flowers. The farm can also bring their expertise to your classes, leading interactive lessons and activities tailored to your curriculum and learning objectives.
The Flower Fields
Carlsbad, CA
If you’re seeking a bundle of enriching adventures amidst breathtaking floral landscapes, you’re in the right place. Flower Fields offers an array of fun and educational programs from mid-March to early May. Activities range from planting vibrant sunflowers to exploring the fascinating world of bugs and their vital role in the plant lifecycle. Students can also learn about composting, flower dissection, the magic of pollination, and more. Plus, each visit includes a thrilling tractor wagon ride that is sure to captivate every young explorer!
Horton’s Flower Farm
Riverhead, NY
Horton’s offers a unique flower farming experience for young learners by combining creative arts with scientific observation. Through guided field trips led by knowledgeable staff, children can gain insights into the daily operations of a working flower farm and the types of flowers that are grown. Kids will also get to explore the diverse ecosystems within the farm, learn about pollinator interactions, and discover plant life cycles. Additionally, they can take part in hands-on activities such as flower arranging, seed planting, and soil health workshops. Each trip takes between two to three hours and can be customized based on curriculum needs and the ages of the students.
Regina Floral Conservatory
Regina, SK
Regina’s only indoor tropical garden and floral conservatory offers a learning program for preschool to Grade 8 that closely follows the science curriculum and is tailored to the age and ability of student visitors. Each session is led by a friendly Regina Garden Associate member. During the one-and-a-half-hour program, students get to explore the wonders of plants, take a tour of the beautiful conservatory, and, best of all, even choose their own plant cutting to bring home! Teachers are encouraged to book early to ensure their classes can take advantage of this special hands-on gardening experience.
United States Botanic Garden
Washington, DC
The U.S. Botanic Garden offers a wide variety of free field trips. You can choose between self-guided exploration, instructor-led lessons, and virtual tours for students of all grade levels. One such lesson focuses on understanding the purpose of flowers and their relationship with pollinators, while another involves using microscopes to see how plants make their own food. Don’t forget to explore the garden’s extensive list of teacher resources as well.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Vancouver, BC
VanDusen Botanical Garden offers plenty of fun and interactive learning experiences—like the “Fantastic Flowers” program. It teaches kids how to examine the different parts of a flower and understand each part’s role in pollination, all while exploring the relationship between pollinators, plants, and food production. Best of all, students get to appreciate the beauty and fragrance of flowers all around VanDusen while learning. They can also observe pollinators in action and gain insight into their essential role in the life cycle of flowering plants by visiting several active beehives.
Nupur Bagoria is a writer/editor who brings both precision and creativity to every project she takes on. When she's not wrangling words or getting lost in books, you'll find her deep in her latest DIY project or tending to her growing plant collection.
