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Children's Garden

Children’s Garden Rentals

Celebrate a special child in your life
in the Arboretum’s award-winning Children’s Garden. 

Content Detail

Make a lasting impression with an event held in the Children’s Garden at The Morton Arboretum! The upper deck of the Children’s Garden picnic area can be reserved for gatherings of up to 50 people from April through October.

The entire Children’s Garden can be reserved for private evening events of up to 75 people on select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Please note that some dates and times may not be available due to holidays or other public programming in the Garden.

All rental packages include admission to the Arboretum for your guests. Optional self-guided activities are available for a small fee. Hosts may bring and serve their own food at the gathering, but please note that there is no refrigeration, dishwashing, or storage available on-site.

Rental Package options are:

Mornings (April through October)

  • Children’s Garden Picnic Area
  • 50 guests
  • 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Afternoons (April through October)

  • Children’s Garden Picnic Area
  • 50 guests
  • 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

Evenings (Memorial Day through Labor Day)

  • Exclusive use of entire Children’s Garden
  • 75 guests
  • Select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only
  • 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

You may arrive 45 minutes early to set up your space.

Bookings for the 2024 rental season are not currently available. Please reach out to cgrentals@mortonarb.org or call 630-968-2648 for more information or to be added to our interest list.

Rental Fees

Mornings (10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) and afternoons (2:00–4:00 p.m.), April through October. Includes admission to the Arboretum for up to 50 guests and exclusive use of the upper deck of the picnic shelter.

  • $375 member, $450 guest

Friday and Sunday evenings (5:30–7:30 p.m.), Memorial Day through Labor Day. Includes admission to the Arboretum for up to 75 guests and exclusive use of the Children’s Garden.

  • $550 member, $650 guest

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Rentals are offered on a “first-come, first-served” basis. Bookings for the 2024 rental season are not currently available. Please reach out to cgrentals@mortonarb.org or call 630-968-2648 for more information or to be added to our interest list. Your rental is not confirmed until you provide us with a signed contract and a $100 deposit. Deposits are non-refundable.

  • Certain decorations are allowed. For the safety of our trees and wildlife, balloons and confetti are not allowed. Streamers, banners, and colorful tablecloths are great options.

  • Hosts will have 45 minutes to set up and 30 minutes to take down the decorations.

  • Hosts may bring and serve their own food at the gathering, but please note that there is no refrigeration, dishwashing, or storage available on-site. Outside alcohol is not allowed.

  • The Children’s Garden is a “rain or shine” facility. In case of rain, your guests can take shelter in the covered picnic area. If there is thunder or lightning in the forecast for the day of the rental, a member of the staff will contact you in the days leading up to your event to discuss options, including going forward with the event, rescheduling, or canceling with a full refund. Deposits are only refunded if the rental is canceled due to threats of lightning or thunder.

  • Yes, this counts the host and everyone over 2 years of age.

  • Yes. Guest admission is valid for the entire day of your event. Your guests are welcome to explore The Morton Arboretum grounds, though they close at sunset.

  • Outside entertainment is not permitted in the Children’s Garden, this includes any contracted entertainer.

  • Please call 630-968-2648 or email cgrentals@mortonarb.org.

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