Fall is winding down, but programs are heating up at Monk Botanical Gardens! Winter is a beautiful time at the Gardens in its own way- fresh snow lining the trails, ice glazing branches, and the option to cozy up around a warm stove in a yurt, which is now a possibility at the Gardens (for specific programming)! The new lineup of winter programming features both indoor and outdoor activities. Find a complete list of activities at monkgardens.org/visit/plan-your-visit/event-calendar/. 

Programs like Hands-on Plants, Weekend Wonders, and Tots in the Gardens return, while other new programs like Babes in the Gardens, Lunch & Learn, and Crafts & Cocoa start soon. 

Hands-on Plants Workshops are suited for those who love plants, crafts, or both! They take place on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7:30 pm. Remaining class creations include winter wreaths (Nov 28 & 29), gnomes (Dec 5 & 6), and kissing balls (Dec 12 & 13). New this year, workshops are held at Hsu Growing Supply in a warm, heated space. Advance registration is required.

The Gardens has an entire schedule of Lunch & Learn Sessions planned for Tuesdays from 11:30 am-1 pm, December-April. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your bag lunch while learning something new about various garden and nature topics from our experienced staff and area experts! The list of topics is available on our website. $15 per person, advance registration required. 20% Member Discount. 

Collaborate, socialize, and connect with people with similar interests during Crafts & Cocoa! Bring a project you’re working on and cozy up in our yurt with a mug of cocoa for an evening of crafting. These sessions are from 5-7 pm on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, December-April. $5 per person (cash at the door), free for Gardens members. 

Babes in the Gardens is a new program for our littlest nature lovers. Babies and their caregivers are invited to the Gardens for a short story time or activity. Participants are welcome to stay and play or socialize afterward. This program is best for children ages one and under; siblings are welcome. Join us Tuesdays from 8:30-9:30 am, January-April, at the red yurt, but also come prepared to spend time outdoors. $3 per baby (cash at the door), free for Gardens members.  

Bring your 3-5-year-old to Tots in the Gardens! Each month has a new theme, and each session includes an activity or craft and a story. Tots is held on select Tuesdays from 10-11 am through the end of the year (Nov 28 & Dec 12), and every Tuesday starting in January. RSVPs are strongly encouraged to ensure enough supplies. $5 per child (cash at the door), free for members and accompanying adults.

Weekend Wonders is hosted on the third Saturday of the month from 10-11 am during the months of November-April. Activities are designed for all ages of explorers to do as a family. Everyone learns a little more about the plants and animals in our big backyard!  $15 per family, advance registration required. 20% Member Discount. 

Find all program details and registration information at www.monkgardens.org. Learn more about Gardens membership at www.monkgardens.org/support/membership. 

Contact Monk Botanical Gardens with any questions at info@monkgardens.org or 715-261-6309.

About the Monk Botanical Gardens

Monk Botanical Gardens' mission is to cultivate well-being in people, communities, and the environment with experiences that engage, educate, and inspire.  Wausau’s Happy Place serves over 11,000 community members through its educational programs and over 64,000 visitors yearly. The Gardens is a place for education, reflection, and rejuvenation. The Gardens is the only organization providing public environmental education services within Wausau. Creating a personal connection to the natural world sets the stage for lifelong learning, healthy living, and a genuine commitment to conservation. Monk Botanical Gardens is located at 1800 N 1st Ave, Wausau, WI, and is a 501c3 non-profit organization supported by donations, memberships, and private foundations. For more information, go to www.monkgardens.org.