Cottonwood Tales at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

Cottonwood Tales brings storytelling to life at the Arboretum with interactive sessions featuring O.P. the Bookworm and Miss Laurel. During each 45-minute gathering, children enjoy nature-inspired stories, fingerplays, and songs designed to spark curiosity and early learning in literacy and math. Sessions take place at the Education Center or outdoors depending on weather, creating a dynamic experience that connects kids with nature and books. Your attendance matters—caregivers must participate and register in advance. The program costs $5 per child, while caregivers and siblings pay only the Arboretum's general admission fee (free for ages 5 and under, $3 for ages 6–17, $7 for adults). Cottonwood Tales runs on the first Saturday of each month from August through December, making it an easy recurring outing for families seeking a meaningful morning activity.