Marvelous Mondays Return to Hershey Gardens in 2026
Kids’ crafts, nature discovery, special guests, and summer fun in The Children’s Garden
There are regular Mondays, and then there are Marvelous Mondays, which is what happens when Hershey Gardens takes a summer morning, sprinkles in kids’ crafts, nature exploration, special guests, and just enough garden magic to make everyone forget it is, technically, still Monday.
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect the correct 2026 Marvelous Mondays dates and weekly themes. An earlier version mistakenly included information from the 2025 season.
Marvelous Mondays return to Hershey Gardens on July 6, 13, 20 and 27 and August 3, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in The Children’s Garden.
Families can enjoy kids’ crafts led by Volunteens, explore a different weekly theme, and greet special guests throughout the summer. Additional guests may also be added, so each Monday may bring a few new surprises along with the crafts and garden exploration.
Since the activities and themes change each week, this is one of those rare summer outings where “we already went” is not a valid argument from the tiny backseat committee.
At a Glance
What: Marvelous Mondays at Hershey Gardens
When: Mondays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27 and August 3, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: The Children’s Garden at Hershey Gardens
Activities: Kids’ crafts led by Volunteens, weekly themed activities, garden exploration, and special guests
Best for: Families with kids who love crafts, animals, plants, gardens, and hands-on discovery
2026 Marvelous Mondays Themes
July 6: America 250
Kick off the Marvelous Mondays season with activities celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
July 13: Paws, Claws, Scales and Tails
Explore the animal kingdom with special guest ZooAmerica. Families can discover creatures with paws, claws, scales, tails, and probably far more impressive survival skills than the average parent before their first cup of coffee.
July 20: Agriculture
Dig into agriculture with the PA Friends of Ag Immersion Lab and the Lancaster County Beekeepers Society.
Kids can explore where food comes from, learn more about farming, and discover the very important work of bees, who remain considerably more organized than most family calendars.
July 27: Pollinators
Learn about the bees, butterflies, birds, and other hardworking pollinators that help gardens and ecosystems grow.
August 3: Exotic Plants and Animals
Wrap up the Marvelous Mondays season by discovering fascinating plants and animals from beyond our own backyard.
Why Families Love It
Marvelous Mondays are the kind of summer outing that quietly checks every box. Kids get to create something, learn something, move around outside, and possibly meet an animal, insect, plant expert, or garden-loving grown-up who can answer the questions parents absolutely cannot.
It is also a great excuse to explore The Children’s Garden, visit the butterflies, wander the paths, and make a full morning of it before the afternoon heat turns everyone into sidewalk soup.
A Few Parent Tips
- Arrive early so you have time to park, check in, and settle into The Children’s Garden.
- Dress for outdoor exploring, including comfortable shoes and sun protection.
- Bring water, because summer does not care how charming the flowers are.
- Plan extra time for the Butterfly Atrium, The Children’s Garden, and inevitable photo stops.
- Come back for another theme. Each Monday offers different activities and special guests.
- Check with Hershey Gardens before you go in case details or guest appearances change.
Make It a Full Morning
After Marvelous Mondays, families can continue exploring Hershey Gardens, visit the Butterfly Atrium, wander through The Children’s Garden, and enjoy one of the prettiest kid-friendly spots in Hershey.
For full details, admission information, and the latest updates, visit Hershey Gardens’ Marvelous Mondays event page.
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