Nature Studio for Children
2026-08-11 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Grace Farms, CT
Discover the tiny wonders of nature!
Using a digital scope and projector, look at monarch and white cabbage moth caterpillars, ladybugs, wildflowers, and other small creatures in incredible, larger-than-life detail. Children will love spotting colors, patterns, and movements not visible to the naked eye.
With friendly guidance from our Education Team, families will discover how these little creatures help keep the Grace Farms ecosystem healthy. This fun, hands-on exploration of the natural world is the perfect activity before or after walking the surrounding gardens and trails. Recommended for ages 4 – 11 with adult caregivers.

Imagination Playground
2026-08-11 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-12 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-13 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-14 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-15 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-16 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-18 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-19 10:00 - 17:00 and 2 more dates
Children can build skills, solve problems, and make friends in the Court using an innovative system of large-scale, lightweight blocks designed to encourage fun and learning through curiosity-driven play. For ages 8 and under with adult caregivers.

Materials Studio for Children
2026-08-12 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for a playful, hands-on exploration of the building materials featured in our With Every Fiber: Pigment, Stone, Glass exhibit. Families are invited to dive into the surprising properties of pigment, stone, glass, and more — experimenting with how these everyday elements can be shaped, transformed, and reimagined.
Play, build, deconstruct, and discover alongside the Grace Education Team as you explore the life cycle of the materials that make up our built environment and see how imagination can turn even everyday objects into something extraordinary.

Studio Beginnings
2026-08-13 10:00 - 12:00
Our youngest artists, designers, and builders are invited step into the arts studio to have fun making art inspired by the River building and surrounding landscape! Think, play, create, and experiment with texture, form, line, color and space.
This session is recommended for ages 1-5 and their caretakers.

Grace Farms Tour
2026-08-13 10:30 - 12:00
This comprehensive Grace Farms Tour invites a closer look at the architecture of the River building and Barns. Take in 360–degree views of the surrounding landscapes while exploring the building’s sustainable design, curated interiors, and materials choices. During the tour, sample a cup of tea from Grace Farms Tea & Coffee, a Certified B Corp that demonstrates and educates about ethical and sustainable supply chains.
The River building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning firm, SANAA, holds LEED Gold certification for Building Design and Construction. A demonstration of our continuing efforts to be as sustainable as possible, in 2024, we were awarded Gold certification for Building Operations and Maintenance, building on our LEED Silver certification in 2019.
The River building was awarded the prestigious 2014/2015 Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP), in addition to the AIA National 2017 Architecture Honor Award and AIA Connecticut 2016 Design Honor Award.
Approved for AIA CES 1.5 LU

Open Arts Studio | Landscape Collages
2026-08-13 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-15 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-08-22 10:00 - 14:00
Step into a world of color and imagination! Inspired by the plans for a flowering lawn in the Plaza, children will use a mix of art materials to create their own vibrant landscape collage. After learning about the different flowers that will bloom at Grace Farms in the years ahead, participants are invited to dream up their own flower-filled design and turn it into a beautiful, one-of-a-kind artwork.
Open Arts Studio is a site-specific creative exploration for younger audiences to engage in open-ended inquiry and reflect on the building, its shapes and designs, and its ideas. This ongoing series, offered weekly, is led by Grace Farms Arts Educator Nancy Jameson. Recommended for ages 4-11 with adult caregivers.

Court Opens at 12pm
2026-08-14, 2026-08-21

Bunny Book Group
2026-08-14 10:15 - 10:45, 2026-08-14 11:00 - 11:30
Listen to stories from our curated collection of books and take part in an arts and crafts activity. For up to age 5 with adult caregivers.
Capacity is limited. Early arrival is encouraged.

Builder Beginnings
2026-08-14 14:00 - 16:00
Children and families, ignite your imagination this summer!
Step outside into the Plaza to roll up your sleeves and explore the question, “What do you want to see in the world?” Work together to build a structure by shaping, cutting, and connecting recycled cardboard and natural materials gathered from Grace Farms.
Led by Arts Educator Nancy Jameson and the Grace Farms Education Team, this hands-on activity encourages creativity, problem-solving, and joyful artmaking in the open air. Recommended for ages 4-11 with adult caregivers.

Grace Farms Tour
2026-08-15 10:30 - 12:00
This comprehensive tour invites a closer look at the architecture of the River building and Barns. Take in 360–degree views of the surrounding landscapes while exploring the building’s sustainable design, curated interiors, and materials choices. During the tour, sample a cup of tea from Grace Farms Tea & Coffee, a Certified B Corp that demonstrates and educates about ethical and sustainable supply chains.
The River building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning firm, SANAA, holds LEED Gold certification for Building Design and Construction. A demonstration of our continuing efforts to be as sustainable as possible, in 2024, we were awarded Gold certification for Building Operations and Maintenance, building on our LEED Silver certification in 2019.
The River building was awarded the prestigious 2014/2015 Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP), in addition to the AIA National 2017 Architecture Honor Award and AIA Connecticut 2016 Design Honor Award.
Approved for AIA CES 1.5 LU

Move with Grace Farms x lululemon | Yoga with Jane Krantz
2026-08-15 10:30 - 12:00
This yoga class centers on moving through transitions with grace and finding stability in order to move with freedom, awareness, and expression. Starting with grounding breathwork, instructor Jane Krantz will guide you through movement that will ignite a little bit of heat and a lot of joy, ending in a restful savasana.

Move with Grace Farms x lululemon is a monthly summer movement series in the Court developed in collaboration with local lululemon ambassadors and designed to restore and ignite the energy to live a more balanced life.

Summer Discovery Week
2026-08-18 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-08-19 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-08-20 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-08-21 10:00 - 14:00
Families are invited to explore the River Building and its surrounding habitats during this summer break program. Engage in a variety of activities inspired by the history of the landscape and our thriving, biodiverse habitats. Recommend for ages 5+ with adult caregivers.
Summer Discovery Week activities take place between 10 am and 2 pm from Tuesday, August 18 through Friday, August 21. Registration is free and included with daily admission.

Magnifying Small Wonders
2026-08-20 10:00 - 14:00
Sometimes, the tiniest insects play the biggest role in our ecosystem!
Discover the hidden world of caterpillars, butterflies, and other extraordinary insects that call Grace Farms home. Families are invited to use powerful magnifying tools, field equipment, and high-resolution micrography to get a closer look at the extraordinary natural world around us.
Recommended for ages 5+ with adult caregivers.

Afternoon Tea
2026-08-21 15:00 - 16:30
Gather with friends in the glass-enclosed Pavilion for an inviting afternoon tea experience featuring a refreshing pot of Grace Farms Tea and an eye-catching assortment of seasonal bites. Inspired by the elegance of English tea service, this joyful afternoon offers the perfect blend of conversation, connection, and exceptional flavor. Hosted by Pastry Chef and Educator Leah Jones and Tea Expert Frank Kwei.
August Menu
Tea Sandwiches
– Herb chicken salad on wheat bread
– Cucumber & chive cream cheese on white bread
– Heirloom tomato crostini
Biscuits
– Buttermilk biscuits
– Whipped herb butter with Maldon salt
– Berry jam
Sweet Bites
– Plum almond cake
– Blueberry lemon tart
– Coconut macaroons
Menu selections are subject to change based on what is fresh in the garden.
About Your Reservation
This unique, customized tea experience is planned in advance according to your reservation. To make changes, please email info@gracefarms.org 48 hours in advance of the program. We will do our best to accommodate your request. We are unable to offer refunds, credits, or ticket transfers. All ticket purchases are final.
