Cottonwood Tales

Bring your young children to Cottonwood Tales, a monthly story time experience at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Led by beloved characters like O.P. the Bookworm and Miss Laurel, children enjoy interactive storytelling built around nature themes, complete with fingerplays and songs. Depending on the weather, gatherings happen either indoors at the Education Center or outside in the gardens. This isn't just entertainment—the program weaves in early literacy and math skill-building in a playful, engaging way. A caregiver must attend and register for this program. The $5 fee covers one child participant; additional caregivers and siblings only pay regular Arboretum admission (free for ages 5 and under, $3 for ages 6–17, $7 for adults 18 and up). Sessions run monthly on the first Saturday at 10 a.m., except in July. This is a great fit for families with children under five who love stories and nature.