2025 Natural Science Days
May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
School groups and homeschool families are invited to Natural Science Days at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. This interactive educational experience is designed for students in grades K-5.
Natural Science Days are offered on Fridays in May (May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30) from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Advance registration is required, and space is limited. Sign up now to reserve your spot!
Cost:
- $30 per student
- $20 per adult chaperone
- One teacher FREE with every 25 registered students
Where Fun and Learning Grow on Trees
Natural Science Days provide a unique chance for kids (and grownups) to learn more about trees, plants and the environment while having fun in our beautiful "living laboratory"!
Our docent-led program includes:
- 3 hours of directed education
- 6 grade-appropriate learning stations
- Workbooks for each student provided upon arrival
- Nature Detective Certificates for each student with a discount coupon to return on another public operating day
- Pre and post-visit classroom activities
Learning Stations
In this hands on learning experience, students K-5 will learn about the anatomy of a flower, how to identify different rocks and minerals, meet the animals in the food chain, and find the food you eat. At Natural Science Days, learning is fun!
Plants With Funny Shapes
Grades K-5
Students learn the difference between natural tree adaptations and man's ability to shape nature, using our ornamental conifer garden as a living example at this investigation station.
The Food We Grow and Eat
Grades K-5
Students learn about the many different foods we eat that grow in a tropical environment and search for living examples of the food they eat at this investigation station in a tropical greenhouse.
You Rock!
Grade K-5
Students sort and compare various types of rocks and record their observations at this experimentation station.
Plant Parts
Grades K-2
Students learn the parts of a plant by actively identifying from live examples at this interactive station.
Who Looks Like Who?
Grade K-2
Students learn about characteristics of native California birds and animals and which characteristics are inherited or environmental at this presentation station.
Create A Food Chain
Grades 3-5
Students learn about the Food chain at this presentation station as they are introduced to native California animals and how they interact within our local ecosystem.
Plant Parts
Grades 3-5
Students learn the parts of a plant by actively identifying from live examples at this interactive station.
What to Expect at NSD
Please note that Natural Science Days (NSD) are educational in nature and are not regular park operating days.
- Students will visit six different learning stations throughout the park and follow a guided curriculum using Next Generation Science Standards for grades K-2 and 3-5.
- Each learning station lasts 25 minutes and focuses on a different topic, with hands-on learning components led by docent guides.
- Every student participant will receive a Natural Science Days learning booklet with age-appropriate activities and worksheets.
- At least one teacher or adult chaperone is expected to attend with each group of children. Note that learning stations are divided into groups by grade (either K-2 or 3-5).
- The entire program lasts from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Natural Science Day program lasts from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. A hot lunch will be provided for each participant. Select rides and attractions will be open from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm only.
Support Our Educational Mission
Gilroy Gardens, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institution whose mission is to educate and inspire families, especially children, to appreciate horticulture and the importance of trees in our lives by providing fun and memories in a beautiful garden setting.
We hope you'll join us for Natural Science Days in 2025 as Gilroy Gardens celebrates 25 years of love, laughter and learning!
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please reach out to our Education Team at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park.
Phone: 408-840-7100
Email: learning@gilroygardens.org