Chicago Botanic Garden
Classes in Chicago
The Chicago Botanic Garden is a world-renowned living museum and conservation science center that offers multiple unique nature courses spread throughout 26 gardens and four natural areas on 385 acres.
56 classes with availability
Intermediate Digital Photography
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Take your digital photography skills to the next level as you explore advanced techniques and creative approaches at Chicago Botanic Garden. Enhance your photos with lead lines, manual focus, and precise aperture settings to achieve impressive and artistic images. Prerequisite: Beginning Digital Photography or consent of the instructor.
Nov 14th
9am–12pm CT
Meets 5 Times
$437
10 Seats Left
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Sat. Nov 14th, 9am–12pm CT
(15 hours over 5 sessions)
Hands-on Baking: Pumpkin Spice Breadfruit Muffins
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Bake delicious pumpkin spice muffins while discovering the versatility of breadfruit flour, a gluten-free, nutrient-dense ingredient from a climate-resilient tropical tree. Learn simple techniques for creating moist, flavorful muffins while exploring connections between nutrition, cooking, and environmental sustainability. Take home breadfruit flour and a repeatable recipe to continue baking at home.
Tue. Nov 17th, 11am–1pm CT
(2 hours)
Demonstration Cooking: Healthy Sheet Pan Dinners
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Reclaim your evening with quick, healthy recipes packed with bold flavors and minimal cleanup. Learn to prepare juicy steak fajitas, hearty cauliflower and chickpeas with tofu, and tender chicken shawarma paired with flavorful curried vegetables. Perfect for busy weeknights, this class will give you practical techniques and delicious recipes to make satisfying meals with ease.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
$94
Bird Walk: Fall Migration
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Discover the beauty of fall migration as you join expert guides on bird walks in the breathtaking Chicago Botanic Garden. Uncover the secrets of identifying birds in their unique fall plumage, and witness the stunning diversity of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, ducks, sparrows, and hawks. Don't forget your binoculars and field guide for an immersive experience with nature.
Nov 7th
8–9:30am CT
$32
10 Seats Left
Nov 21st
8–9:30am CT
$32
10 Seats Left
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Sat. Nov 7th, 8–9:30am CT
(90 minutes)
Wintering Bees in Cold Climates
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL & Virtually Online
Discover essential techniques for successfully overwintering bees in cold climates. Join our expert-led course and learn how to care for your bee colony throughout the year. Choose from on-site or online attendance options.
Sun. Nov 8th, 10am–12pm CT
(2 hours)
Blending Mexican Spices
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Spice up your culinary skills by creating your own bold Mexican-style spice blend. Under the guidance of a spice expert, learn how to combine complementary flavors, grind and bottle your custom blend, then enjoy it in a comforting chicken tortilla soup. Tea and appetizers will round out this flavorful, hands-on experience.
Tue. Nov 10th, 5–7pm CT
(2 hours)
Woody Plants for Four Seasons
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Create a landscape that remains beautiful and engaging throughout the year. Explore trees and shrubs chosen for standout features such as distinctive form, colorful fruit, textured bark, and showy flowers, while learning how to combine seasonal interest for lasting visual appeal. A guided Garden walk will provide an opportunity to see these exceptional specimens in person.
Sat. Nov 14th, 9am–12pm CT
(3 hours)
Free Hand Fabric Painting
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Unleash your creativity in this hands-on fabric painting workshop. Learn essential techniques, explore different brushstrokes and styles, and experiment on fabric samples before creating your own personalized tote bag. Your practice pieces can even be repurposed for future sewing projects, making this a fun and practical way to develop your artistic skills. All supplies are included.
Sun. Nov 15th, 10am–1pm CT
(3 hours)
Demonstration Cooking: Kombucha
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Discover the art of brewing kombucha at home in this hands-on and flavorful class. Learn about essential ingredients, fermentation, home-brewing basics, and ways to customize flavors to suit your taste. Sample different teas and commercial kombuchas before walking through the brewing process and leaving with the knowledge and supplies to start your own batch at home.
Sun. Nov 15th, 1–3pm CT
(2 hours)
Singing Bowl Meditation
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Settle into deep relaxation with the soothing vibrations of crystal singing bowls, easing you into a meditative state of acceptance. As you lie comfortably, the frequencies help you tune into your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations, supporting profound calm. No prior experience is needed to enjoy this peaceful, restorative practice.
Nov 17th
6:30–7:45pm CT
$44
10 Seats Left
Dec 14th
6:30–7:45pm CT
$44
10 Seats Left
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Tue. Nov 17th, 6:30–7:45pm CT
(75 minutes)
Build A Terrarium Workshop
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Create your own miniature indoor ecosystem in this hands-on terrarium workshop. Learn how to layer, arrange, and plant a beautiful combination of small houseplants, rocks, and decorative elements while discovering essential care techniques. Perfect for beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts alike, you’ll leave with a unique terrarium designed to enjoy at home for years to come.
Wed. Nov 18th, 10–11am CT
(1 hour)
Growing Microgreens Workshop
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Discover the easy, rewarding world of growing microgreens at home. Learn about their nutritional benefits, the best varieties to grow, and simple ways to add their fresh flavor to everyday meals. Plant two containers to take home and gain step-by-step guidance for continuing to grow vibrant, nutrient-rich greens long after the class ends. All supplies are included.
Sat. Nov 7th, 10–11:15am CT
(75 minutes)
Dried Flower Arrangement
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Preserve the beauty of the season with a custom dried floral bouquet designed to last through fall and beyond. Learn best practices for drying flowers at home, then explore how to combine color, texture, and height to create a balanced, eye-catching arrangement. Leave with a one-of-a-kind bouquet and practical skills for preserving your favorite blooms.
Wed. Nov 18th, 1–2:30pm CT
(90 minutes)
Seasonal Tree Walk
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Surround yourself with the beauty of nature on a captivating journey through the shifting landscapes of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Uncover the hidden stories and secrets of the distinctive trees that anchor each section of the garden during this enlightening morning walk.
Wed. Nov 18th, 9–10:30am CT
(90 minutes)
Winter Container Workshop
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Bring winter charm to your home with a festive seasonal container filled with fresh evergreen boughs, berries, and colorful branches. Learn how to arrange natural materials into a beautiful, long-lasting display while creating your own design in a sturdy, biodegradable container. Take home a versatile piece that can be displayed on its own or placed inside a decorative pot or urn.
Dec 3rd
1–2pm CT
$112
10 Seats Left
Dec 3rd
6–7pm CT
$112
10 Seats Left
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Thu. Dec 3rd, 1–2pm CT
(1 hour)
Forest Bathing Walk
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Step into a renewing journey through nature's embrace with our immersive forest experience. Settle into the therapeutic benefits of Shinrin-yoku as you engage all your senses in the healing influence of the forest. Join us for a mindful walk amid nature's quiet, finishing with a peaceful forest tea ceremony.
Sun. Nov 8th, 1–2:30pm CT
(90 minutes)
Beetle Pinning Workshop
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Step into the fascinating world of beetle pinning and discover the art of preserving these remarkable creatures. Learn specimen positioning, pinning, and preservation techniques while gaining insight into the practices of entomology. Create your own museum-quality display specimen to take home, using ethically sourced beetles and all included supplies.
Wed. Dec 2nd, 10am–12pm CT
(2 hours)
Restorative Yoga Nidra
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Discover the craft of deep relaxation and inner balance as you immerse yourself in the practice of Restorative Yoga Nidra, a restful meditation that brings body, energy, and mind into harmony. Unwind and experience profound calmness at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Sat. Nov 7th, 10–11am CT
(1 hour)
Winter Container Design Tips
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Learn how to design stunning winter containers with a focus on hardy perennials, evergreens, and seasonal accents. Explore key principles of container design, including balance, contrast, and effective use of height, filler, and trailing elements. Gain practical advice on troubleshooting and caring for your winter arrangements to keep them visually appealing throughout the colder months.
Thu. Nov 19th, 5:30–6:30pm CT
(1 hour)
Teas, Sweets, and Tropical Treats
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Explore the festive scents and flavors of edible plants from cultures around the world. Discover the plants behind beloved herbs, spices, teas, chocolate, and other seasonal favorites while learning about their cultural traditions. Create custom tea bags, mulling spice blends, hot chocolate, and other easy-to-replicate treats that can bring hands-on learning into the classroom.
Sat. Nov 21st, 9am–3:30pm CT
(6 hours & 30 minutes)
Reviews of Chicago Botanic Garden
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Demonstration Baking: Challah Making and Shaping
Excellent class from a knowledgeable baker. Exceeded my expectation as I'm hard of hearing and she wore a device so I was able to hear the demonstration. Pick up some good information for different challah shapes. -
Demonstration Baking: Challah Making and Shaping
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Spring Containers at the Garden
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Embroidery Basics: Onsite
The instructor was great. Good pace. -
Painting the Natural World
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Needle-Felted Halloween Friend
This is the second time I’ve taken a class with this instructor. She provides plenty of materials to fit everyone’s tastes and preferences and is positive, supportive and respectful in how she leads the group in learning new skills. The only reason that I have not given 5 stars is because she can be a little too soft spoken making it hard to hear everything she is saying. Otherwise, very fun, and her classes attract fun folks to spend a few hours with creating felted treasures. -
Beginning Digital Photography
Exceptional! The instructor was inspiring and being in the Chicago Botanic Gardens was inspiring and a perfect setting to hone my photo skills. I highly recommend this course and I will be taking the intermediate. -
iPhone Photography
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Spring Containers at the Garden
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Painting the Natural World
Judith was great! Can’t do next session, but will be back! M -
Wet-Felted Rose Workshop
Enjoyed learning the art of wet felting. Will definitely sign up for another class. -
Introduction to Houseplant Care
I loved the class, I learned a lot of things because I am a new learner in this subject, but I needed more time to take more notes -
Fiber Arts: Winter Bird Ornament
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iPhone Photography
I definitely learned from this class, although it was a bit disorganized. The instructor covered how to use the editing tools within the Camera app on the iPhone as well as an app called Snapseed. He also recommended a variety of other editing apps. He showed us examples of photos he had edited. The class was listed as 6 PM - 8:30 PM and actually was 6:30-8:30 PM. For the first class, I waited on Zoom from 6 PM wondering what was going on. The instructor would benefit from a planned curriculum. He seemed to meandered through tools and his own photos with a lot of repetition. -
Hands-on Baking: Cake Decorating
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Hydrangeas for the Home Garden: Online
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Creating a Garden Sanctuary: Online
Helpful. Good intro but not what I expected. -
Needle-Felted Pumpkin
The course was fun! Well organized, clear instructions and positive feedback. I love the pumpkin I made. My only criticism is that there is insufficient handicap parking at the learning center. In my opinion, all of the spaces right at the learning center should be reserved for handicapped people. -
Forest Bathing Experience
Loved this class! -
Elements of the Garden: Patios
It was a good class. I learned a lot. The instructor was quite informative and obviously an expert in this field of study.
