Connecting Children to Nature All Year!

School Field Trips

We believe that field trips are an important way for students to make connections between the classroom and the real world, and to deepen their learning across subject areas. We are here to provide an exciting and educational experience for your group, and look forward to helping you plan an engaging and meaningful self-guided field trip to our facility.

Please note: If your desired trip time and date are not visible, that means those dates and times are already booked by other groups. Please choose a different date and time. School group visits currently must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Please only make bookings that you intend to keep.

General Orientation Handout

Visiting children’s garden with your students?

• school groups will receive a timed entry to the play space during orientation.
• each group will have 20 minutes to play. Chaperones are asked to please gather your students and continue on your visit after your time expires.
• NO FOOD IS ALLOWED IN CHILDREN’S GARDEN.
• school groups taking bathroom breaks must do so in the general bathroom near our main entrance.
• be aware of your surroundings! we want kids of all ages to feel safe in the space so please be mindful of how you interact with others when you play. WATCH OUT FOR BABIES!

For School, Camp and Youth Groups: Expectations & Reminders 

•  The Conservatory opens at 9:30am on weekdays for field trips, even though the building does not open to the general public until 10am.
• Students will remain with their chaperones and stay together as a group or small groups at all times, whether inside the main Conservatory building or outside on the grounds.
• Students will be mindful of other guests by using quiet voices inside the Conservatory.
• Students will move at a moderate (slow to moderate) speed at all times while inside the building. 
• Students will gently touch plants and will not under any circumstances pick any leaves, flowers, fruits, or vegetables. 
• Students will not feed or attempt to touch the fish or turtles in our ponds. Students must also refrain from throwing rocks or coins into our collections or our ponds.
• Students, teachers, and chaperones will not gather in walkways, doorways, or in the lobby of the Conservatory. Groups must only gather in the pre-designated gathering spaces as outlined in your orientation.
• Groups will not bring any balls, Frisbees, or other recreational equipment into the Conservatory
• Students who destroy, damage, or vandalize any plants, fixtures, or the facility or otherwise disrespect any of Conservatory rules and expectations will be asked to leave immediately. Groups will be held financially and legally responsible for the cost of any damage.
• if visiting the gift shop please only allow 5 kids per adult to allow ample space for other visitors to enter the gift shop.

College groups:

• To receive the waived admission rate, students must provide proof of Chicago residency (e.g., state ID, driver’s license, dorm agreement/lease, etc.).

• Students who attend a Chicago college but live outside the City of Chicago must purchase the Non-Chicago Student ticket.

• At check-in, students must show proof of Chicago residency if they reserved a Chicago resident ticket, and a student ID if they reserved a Non-Chicago student ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions