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.
65 classes with availability
Pressed Flower Glass Jewelry
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Capture the beauty of nature by creating one-of-a-kind glass jewelry with pressed flowers. Select delicate petals, arrange your own design, and choose glass pieces to create earrings, a necklace, or a unique key ring. With guided instruction and an emphasis on safe soldering techniques, you'll leave with a beautiful botanical-inspired accessory crafted entirely by you. All supplies are included.
Mon. Nov 9th, 1–4pm CT
(3 hours)
Demonstration Baking: Pumpkin Desserts
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Celebrate the flavors of fall with a delicious trio of pumpkin desserts that go beyond the traditional pie. Learn to create a creamy pumpkin crème brûlée, airy pumpkin cheesecake, and decadent pumpkin cake roll while exploring techniques for balancing rich, seasonal flavors. Primarily demonstration-based, the class also offers opportunities for hands-on participation.
Mon. Nov 9th, 6–8pm 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)
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)
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)
Junk Journaling
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Turn everyday scraps and keepsakes into meaningful works of art through the creative practice of junk journaling. Use stickers, receipts, tickets, vintage ephemera, and other treasured bits to create pages that capture memories and personal stories. Enjoy a relaxed communal crafting experience with all supplies provided, including unique deadstock and vintage materials.
Thu. Nov 5th, 5–7pm 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)
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)
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)
Botanical Covers Bookbinding Workshop
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Step into the centuries-old craft of bookbinding and learn essential techniques that have been passed down through generations. Explore paper grain, stitching, and construction while customizing your own cover, spine color, and paper style. Create three unique booklets to take home, featuring handmade covers incorporating botanicals from the Garden. All skill levels are welcome and supplies are included.
Sat. Nov 14th, 1–3:30pm CT
(2 hours & 30 minutes)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Beginner Bird Walk Dixon Prairie
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Explore the diverse birdlife of Dixon Prairie on a guided evening walk, spotting songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors in their natural habitat. No prior bird-watching experience is needed, making this a perfect introduction to the world of birds. Observe seasonal avian activity while gaining tips on identification and behavior. Binoculars are recommended but not required for this immersive experience.
Tue. Nov 10th, 3–4:30pm CT
(90 minutes)
Birding the Barbara Brown Nature Preserve
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Discover the ducks, shorebirds, and other waterfowl that inhabit diverse habitats from mudflats to prairies. Learn identification tips and observe bird behavior up close along scenic trails. Bring your binoculars and field guide to lift the experience as you explore these vibrant, dynamic ecosystems.
Thu. Nov 12th, 8–9:30am CT
(90 minutes)
Dried Floral Wreath
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Create a timeless dried floral wreath designed to bring natural beauty to your home year-round. Work with a selection of preserved flowers while learning techniques for arranging dried materials and best practices for drying blooms from your own garden. Leave with a unique, lasting wreath and the skills to continue preserving your favorite flowers at home. All supplies are included.
Sun. Nov 22nd, 10–11:30am CT
(90 minutes)
Hands-on Cooking: French Onion Soup
Chicago Botanic Garden See all classes by this school @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
Learn the secrets behind creating a rich and comforting French onion soup, along with a classic Caesar salad, in this hands-on culinary experience. Discover the techniques for caramelizing onions and adding depth of flavor to your soups. Join us for a delightful journey into the world of French cuisine.
Wed. Dec 2nd, 11am–1:30pm CT
(2 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.
