Family Activities

Fun for the Whole Family

Discover & Play

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens offers a variety of family-friendly activities. Families can sign up for guided hands-on activities that explore the beautiful environment surrounding Vail. Families looking for a self-guided experience can come to our Children’s Garden which is a great place for children to discover and play!

Please join us in the Education Center to discover the mountain ecosystem in winter.

Family Winter Scavenger Hunt

Freezing temperatures and deep snow make winters in Vail challenging. Discover how animals have adapted to survive by following the clues! Children who complete the scavenger hunt get a special prize. The Scavenger Hunt starts at the Education Center, available every day from 10am to 3pm.

Indoor Bird Watching Activities

Family Tabletop Activities

Visit our calendar of events for ways to explore and experience our gardens and participate in learning programs.

VIEW CALENDAR

Children's Garden

Located across from the Main Entrance

Wander through the family-friendly Children’s Garden. See vegetables grow and let children play in Betty’s Market, a realistic farmer’s market for kids. Families can enjoy the shade in rocking chairs perched over Gore Creek or head into the Schoolhouse Gift Shop to find garden-inspired keepsakes.

Discover our botanical gardens in the family-friendly Children’s Garden. Activities engage children’s creativity while also being a great place to stop for the whole family. Look below to see the activities we offer.

The Discovery Cart

Let the kids embrace their own adventure by doing our daily Discovery Cart activity. Everyday, we put out a different activity for the kids to do around the Children’s Garden. They are self-guided and encourage children to open their minds and discover something new about nature.

Betty’s Market

Betty’s Market playhouse is a great way for the kids to have fun and embrace their creativity while surrounded by our beatiful vegetable garden. Play along with the kids or relax in our rocking chairs, perched over Gore Creek.

And More!

Relax in the shade, admire the plants, or shop in our gift shop. The Children’s Garden has plenty to do for everyone!

View Map

Scavenger Hunt

Daily 10am – 3pm

A great way for the family to see the whole area of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is with our Scavenger Hunt! Search for clues to discover more about alpine plants. Take your time enjoying the hidden and wonderful areas of the gardens or let the kids race through and enjoy their sense of adventure. Children who complete the scavenger hunt get a special prize. The Scavenger Hunt starts at the Education Center, available every day from 10am to 3pm.

Family Winter Scavenger Hunt

Freezing temperatures and deep snow make winters in Vail challenging. Discover how animals have adapted to survive by following the clues! Pick up a clue sheet at the Education Center.

Self-guided Activities

Daily 10am – 3pm

Take a walk down the creek or a stroll through the gardens and be sure to grab our brochure! Our Self-guided pamphlets give you special insights about the plants that we have here at the gardens. Discover the unique adaptations of the plants and the role they’ve played in history. From being transported around the world, to their importance to Native Americans, every plant here has a story.

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We are Open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. Please note that Our garden pathways are NOT maintained in winter.

No admission fee
$20 suggested donation

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Family Activities

Fun for the Whole Family

Discover & Play

Family Winter Scavenger Hunt

Indoor Bird Watching Activities

Family Tabletop Activities

Children's Garden

Located across from the Main Entrance

The Discovery Cart

Betty’s Market

And More!

Scavenger Hunt

Daily 10am – 3pm

Family Winter Scavenger Hunt

Self-guided Activities

Daily 10am – 3pm

Make a donation

Become a member

Visit a garden

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Make a
donation

Become a
member

Visit
a garden