Family Friendly Activities Coming To Portsmouth's Green Animals

PORTSMOUTH, RI — A specially selected slate of activities just for kids is coming to Portsmouth's Green Animals Topiary Garden. Inspired by the "David Rogers' Big Bugs" exhibition ow on display, the "Pollinator Pop-Ups" will be held every Tuesday through Aug. 31.

The weekly programs will each center around a bug-themed craft for kids to create, along with story time and family yoga. After the activities are completed, kids and their families can explore the grounds of the garden and see the sculpture exhibition, which highlights the importance of bugs and pollinators in nature.

The activities are designed for kids aged 4 and up, and all participants must be accompanied by an adult. A fee of $5 per child will be charged to cover materials, and all adults and children older than 6 must also pay Green Animals admission. Because spaces are limited, preregistration is required.

Here's a look at the schedule:

• Pollinator Mobile: Tuesday, July 13, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Color and arrange cutouts of different pollinators into a hanging mobile that flies around in the breeze.
• Family Yoga in the Garden: Tuesday, July 20, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Yoga and meditation in a peaceful setting with Elyse Rotondo from OmKids Yoga. Bring your own mat. Activity fee is $10.
• Sculpt a Pollinator: Tuesday, July 27, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Mold a sculpture inspired by “David Rogers’ Big Bugs” or from the topiaries at Green Animals.
• Pollinator Storytime: Tuesday, August 3, 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Enjoy a pollinator-themed book designed to foster an appreciation for the importance of pollinators in our environment.
• Join the Pollinator “Fan” Club: Tuesday, August 10, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Create your own hand fan decorated with creatures or flowers from the garden.
• Bumblebee Puppet: Tuesday, August 17, 10:30 a.m.-noon. A simple and fun way to create puppet friend to take around the garden in search of flowers.
• Build Butterfly Wings: Tuesday, August 24, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Let your imagination fly as you design your own colorful, wearable Butterfly Wings.
• Colorful Butterflies: Tuesday, August 31, 10:30 a.m.-noon. What happens when you put together color, water and coffee filters? A colorful butterfly appears!