Arboretum School Tours

The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens has been a wonderful resource for nature walks for nearly 20 years. There are so many interesting birds, plants and animals, kids can be entertained for hours.

If you are interested in visiting with your school or class, please call 913-685-3604 to let us know when you are coming and how many people are in your group.

  • If you have selected a date and there already are two or three schools planning on attending that day, we will suggest you choose a different date. This will insure there are enough picnic tables, trash cans and restrooms for everyone.
  • There is no fee for your visit.
  • Please bring at least one chaperone for every five children. Please select chaperones who are truly interested in monitoring your group's activities.
  • Bus/van drivers should drop off at the entrance sidewalk then park at the back of the lot. Please do not allow them to take up/block optimal or handicap parking spaces.

Because we are an Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and not a park, garden etiquette is very important. Help us accommodate your needs by following these rules:

  • We do not have a children's program, nor do we have enough staff to lead tours; however, we can have a representative greet your group and explain the rules. We do offer a Scavenger Hunt, Junior Scavenger Hunt and Botanical Bingo. Students should point out the items when they find them rather than remove them; collecting is not allowed.
  • Please plan your activities to take place along the trails and in the Children's Discovery Garden area. There are plenty of wildflowers, insects and other creatures for the children to study. Wolf Creek offers quite a bit to see, if your group is prepared to get a little wet or muddy.
  • Our floral plantings are not designed for large numbers of children, and they are not allowed to handle the flowers and insects. Nature in the wooded areas can be handled and replaced. Please encourage the children to return at a later date with their family to enjoy the gardens.
  • Please monitor children's restroom visits; many children are tempted to play in the water in the sinks, and the splashed water can make the floor slick and increase the potential for falls.