Aprendizaje en el patio trasero

Mayo de 2025

We Love Bugs at Old Westbury Garden!

Every month in Backyard Learning, we showcase a unique aspect of Old Westbury Gardens’ educational programming. Through articles and activities, we aim to foster a deeper connection with nature—even when you’re not physically at the Gardens.

This month, we’re highlighting our upcoming Bug Safari Saturday on May 10 at 11am, featuring a special guest: Entomologist Jeffry Petracca. To get ready, we’ve prepared a fun quiz to help you discover what type of bug you are!

But first, let’s delve into the fascinating world of bugs.

The term “bug” is commonly used to describe a variety of small creatures, including insects, arachnids, and even some tiny vertebrates. While some might find them unsettling, these organisms play crucial roles in our ecosystems. They pollinate plants, decompose organic matter, and serve as food for other animals, maintaining the balance of nature.

On Long Island, we’re fortunate to have a diverse array of beneficial and intriguing bugs right in our own backyards. Some of our favorites include bees, butterflies, beetles, and ants. Here’s a closer look at each:

Meet Entomologist Jeffry Petracca

We’re thrilled to have Jeffry Petracca leading our Bug Safari. Jeffry is an experienced entomologist and educator, known for his engaging presentations and deep knowledge of insects and arachnids. He has served as the curator of entomology at the Long Island Aquarium’s Butterfly and Insect Zoo in Riverhead, NY, and is an educator at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center .

During the Bug Safari, Jeffry will introduce participants to a variety of fascinating creatures, including giant stick bugs, beetles, tarantulas, and scorpions. Attendees will learn about each animal’s unique adaptations and ecological roles, with opportunities for hands-on interactions .

After exploring the world of our local bugs, don’t forget to take our “Which Bug Are You?” quiz below to see which backyard creature matches your personality. Are you a busy bee, a graceful butterfly, a resilient beetle, or a strategic ant? Then, join us in person for Bug Safari Saturday to meet some real-life insects and experience the wonders of Old Westbury Gardens like never before.

Which Bug Are You?

Take this quiz and find out which buggy buddy matches your personality before Bug Safari Saturday!

1. What’s your perfect weekend plan?
A. Buzzing around and helping out friends
B. Fluttering through the garden and soaking in the sun
C. Exploring cool places and collecting tiny treasures
D. Building a fort and organizing a team mission

2. What’s your favorite snack?
A. A spoonful of something sweet
B. Fresh fruit
C. Chips, or anything crunchy
D. Sandwiches packed for the whole crew

3. How do your friends describe you?
A. Cheerful and helpful
B. Calm and creative
C. Adventurous and strong
D. Smart and dependable

4. What’s your favorite color?
A. Sunny yellow
B. Sky blue
C. Earthy green
D. Bold red

5. Choose a hobby:
A. Gardening or buzzing from task to task
B. Drawing, dancing, or daydreaming
C. Digging, climbing, or treasure hunting
D. Building things or solving puzzles with friends

6. What’s your dream home like?
A. A busy, buzzing hive full of friends
B. A peaceful garden with lots of flowers
C. A secret nook under a log
D. An underground city with tunnels and teamwork

7. Pick a superpower:
A. Spreading sweetness and positivity
B. Gliding through the air in style
C. Lifting 50x your weight (no problem!)
D. Working with perfect precision

8. What’s your favorite time of day?
A. Early morning when the flowers bloom
B. A sunny afternoon breeze
C. Anytime—it’s always a good time for an adventure
D. Midday when everyone’s working together

Tally your answers!

• Mostly A’s: You’re a Bee!
  Busy, brave, and always buzzing with purpose! You’re loyal, kind, and love making things better for others.
• Mostly B’s: You’re a Butterfly!
  Graceful and full of imagination, you bring beauty and calm wherever you go. You love to flutter free!
• Mostly C’s: You’re a Beetle!
  Strong, curious, and cool—you’re a bold explorer with a love for nature and tiny treasures.
• Mostly D’s: You’re an Ant!
  Hardworking and super smart, you thrive in teams, love solving problems, and always have a plan.Now that you’ve found your buggy match… join us at Bug Safari Saturday!
  Explore real bugs, make crafts, and go on a wild insect adventure!

April 2025

We Love Spring Break!

Every month in Aprendizaje en el patio trasero, we showcase a unique aspect of Old Westbury Gardens’ educational programming. Through articles and activities, we aim to foster a deeper connection with nature—even when you’re not physically at the Gardens!

This April, we’re featuring our Seasonal Sprouts (ages 4–6) and Spring Breakout (ages 6–9), a spring break tour taking place on April 16th and 17th at 11 AM and 1 PM. Join us for two days of programs centered around Flowers and Trees on April 16th and Birds and Bugs on April 17th.

Birds and Bugs focuses on exploring the garden ecosystem and the creatures that help our flowers grow—like butterflies, bees, and birds. Little explorers will look high and low as we search for fluttering wings, buzzing bees, and birds on the breeze. We’ll discover how bees communicate through the waggle dance, match pollinators with their favorite flowers, and learn what blooms attract different pollinators. Inspired by Darwin, we’ll examine how birds’ beaks have adapted to suit different food sources. We’ll also craft bee buzzers to explore how bees make their signature buzzing sound.

Flowers & Trees is all about discovering the magic of nature coming back to life. From budding blossoms to towering trees, kids will get hands-on with springtime fun through nature walks, crafts, and take-home projects. We’ll learn how to tell a tree’s age using “tree cookies,” walk along the path to explore flower adaptations, build a giant flower together, and create nature-inspired art with leaf rubbings and custom tree cookie decorations. To celebrate spring, each child will plant a flower to take home.

During Spring Break, you can try your own flower experiment at home. Many florists use a method called absorption, where flowers are placed in colored water and “drink” it through their stems. This allows the color to travel up the stem and into the petals. You can try it yourself with the easy experiment below.

Color-Changing Flower Experiment

Tips:
Carnations work especially well for this, but chrysanthemums can also be used. Make sure your flower is thirsty—using one that hasn’t been watered will give better results.

Supplies You’ll Need:

•  White flowers
•  Food coloring
• Scissors
• Cup of lukewarm water

Instructions:

1. Step 1: Add 10–15 drops of food coloring into your cup of water.
   Step 2: Use scissors to split the stems of your flowers.
   Step 3: Place the freshly snipped flowers into the colored water.
   Step 4: Check back in a few hours and watch as your flowers begin to change color before your eyes!

23 de mayo de 2025

Secretos del tour del ala de servicio

Las entradas para este tour incluyen acceso a Westbury House y sus jardines. Las entradas no son reembolsables. Durante muchos años, los visitantes de Westbury House preguntaban qué […]

Detalles del evento

24 de mayo de 2025

Yoga en los jardines

La instructora profesional de yoga Amanda Ferrando guía a los estudiantes a través de un flujo dinámico y suave de posturas y respiración consciente. Los participantes deben traer una esterilla de yoga, […]

Detalles del evento

28 de mayo de 2025

Tai Chi en los jardines

El tai chi, una forma única de «meditación en movimiento», calma la mente, relaja el cuerpo y fortalece el espíritu. Las sesiones son impartidas por la instructora profesional de tai chi Linda […]

Detalles del evento

31 de mayo de 2025

Yoga en los jardines

La instructora profesional de yoga Amanda Ferrando guía a los estudiantes a través de un flujo dinámico y suave de posturas y respiración consciente. Los participantes deben traer una esterilla de yoga, […]

Detalles del evento

31 de mayo de 2025

Poetica Musica: Contraste de colores

Acompáñenos en una velada de ricas armonías y tonos expresivos con la presentación de Poética Música, un cautivador programa de música de cámara y obras vocales. […]

Detalles del evento

1 de junio de 2025

Exposición de coches antiguos

Retroceda en el tiempo y experimente el encanto de los automóviles clásicos en la exhibición de autos antiguos más elegante de Long Island, orgullosamente presentada por […]

Detalles del evento

March 2025

We Love Celebrating Women’s Stories!

Every month in Aprendizaje en el patio trasero, we showcase a unique aspect of Old Westbury Gardens’ educational programming. Through articles and activities, we aim to foster a deeper connection with nature—even when you’re not physically at the Gardens!

Storybook Stroll Returns April 5th!

We’re thrilled to bring back our Storybook Strolls, starting on April 5th! Each month, we’ll feature a beloved children’s book, inviting families to explore the Gardens through reading and hands-on crafts.

While we eagerly await our first stroll, we couldn’t let March pass without a story! In honor of International Women’s Day, we’ve chosen a classic tale by a remarkable woman author and illustrator—The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. We encourage you to visit your local library to pick up a copy and try our special Little House-inspired origami craft at home!

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

This timeless story follows a small house in the countryside as the world around it changes. Through beautifully detailed illustrations, Burton reminds us of the importance of home, history, and caring for the places we love—just like Old Westbury Gardens!

Who Was Virginia Lee Burton?

Virginia Lee Burton (1909–1968) was an award-winning author and illustrator, best known for classics like Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Katy and the Big Snow, y The Little House, which won the prestigious Caldecott Medal.

Beyond books, Burton was also a talented designer. She founded the Folly Cove Designers, a group of artists celebrated for their intricate, hand-printed fabric patterns. She believed that both art and storytelling should be accessible, meaningful, and full of life—a spirit that shines through in all her work.

Our Education Manager, Laura first discovered the works of this amazing woman when she went to the Cape Ann Museum, besides her stories she saw her beautiful work with the Folly Cove Designers.

Celebrating International Women’s Day – March 8th

International Women’s Day is a time to honor the achievements of women throughout history—artists, scientists, leaders, and innovators who have shaped our world. Virginia Lee Burton’s stories continue to inspire young readers and creators, showing how imagination and determination can help build the future.

Origami Little House Craft

The Little House reminded us of our own charming Cabaña con techo de paja at Old Westbury Gardens! This special little house was a gift to Peggy Phipps when she was just 10 years old.

Get creative with our Little House-inspired origami tutorial and bring this beloved story to life!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Paper
• Markers

Instructions:

1. Fold your paper in half horizontally.
2. Open up your square and repeat Step 1 vertically.
3. Open your square, and fold from the bottom to the halfway line you created in Step 1 & 2.
4. Flip so the fold is vertical and facing down. Then fold the bottom edge to the halfway point.
5. Fold the top edge in Step 4 down to the halfway point.
6. Lightly tug the top flap you’ve crated, and fold on the diagonal to create a triangle shape.
7. Repeat Step 6 on the other side.
8. Fold the bottom edge up to the halfway point.
9. Decorate your origami house! Use your creativity and decorate your little house!

23 de mayo de 2025

Secretos del tour del ala de servicio

Las entradas para este tour incluyen acceso a Westbury House y sus jardines. Las entradas no son reembolsables. Durante muchos años, los visitantes de Westbury House preguntaban qué […]

Detalles del evento

24 de mayo de 2025

Yoga en los jardines

La instructora profesional de yoga Amanda Ferrando guía a los estudiantes a través de un flujo dinámico y suave de posturas y respiración consciente. Los participantes deben traer una esterilla de yoga, […]

Detalles del evento

28 de mayo de 2025

Tai Chi en los jardines

El tai chi, una forma única de «meditación en movimiento», calma la mente, relaja el cuerpo y fortalece el espíritu. Las sesiones son impartidas por la instructora profesional de tai chi Linda […]

Detalles del evento

31 de mayo de 2025

Yoga en los jardines

La instructora profesional de yoga Amanda Ferrando guía a los estudiantes a través de un flujo dinámico y suave de posturas y respiración consciente. Los participantes deben traer una esterilla de yoga, […]

Detalles del evento

31 de mayo de 2025

Poetica Musica: Contraste de colores

Acompáñenos en una velada de ricas armonías y tonos expresivos con la presentación de Poética Música, un cautivador programa de música de cámara y obras vocales. […]

Detalles del evento

1 de junio de 2025

Exposición de coches antiguos

Retroceda en el tiempo y experimente el encanto de los automóviles clásicos en la exhibición de autos antiguos más elegante de Long Island, orgullosamente presentada por […]

Detalles del evento

February 2025

We Love Celebrating Birdwatching!

Every month in Aprendizaje en el patio trasero, we showcase a unique aspect of Old Westbury Gardens’ educational programming. Through articles and activities, we aim to foster a deeper connection with nature—even when you’re not physically at the Gardens!

February is National Bird Feeding Month!

In 1994, Congress established February as National Bird Feeding Month to raise awareness about feeding and watching birds. Winter can be a tough time for birds as food becomes scarce, but you can help by making a simple bird feeder! Not only will you support local birds, but you’ll also get a chance to observe them up close.

Birds at Old Westbury Gardens

Old Westbury Gardens is home to a variety of birds, each adding beauty and character to the landscape. Chimney Swifts are small, sooty-grey birds that spend most of their time in flight, catching insects midair. American Goldfinches, with their bright yellow feathers, are active seed-eaters often seen flitting among flowers. Blue Jays, known for their striking blue plumage and loud calls, are intelligent and bold. Cardinals stand out with their brilliant red color, especially against the winter snow. Grackles are sleek black birds with iridescent feathers and can look similar to Starlings and Blackbirds.

One of our Education Manager’s favorite birds to spot is the Great Blue Heron, a tall, graceful visitor that she was lucky enough to photograph this year!

Want to Try Birdwatching?

Did you know that 3 out of 10 Americans take part in birdwatching? If you want to give it a try, here are some helpful tips:

• Be Patient and Quiet – Birds are easily startled! Find a spot, stay still, and wait quietly.
• Go Early in the Morning – Birds are most active in the morning when they’re looking for food.

Use a Bird Guide – Try the Merlin Bird ID app from Cornell to identify birds by photo or song. A Long Island bird guidebook can help, too!

Make Your Own Bird Feeder

Want to help our feathered friends this winter? Try making this easy bird feeder and see what birds visit!

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Pine cone
• Sweetgum Ball
• String
• Peanut butter
• Bird seed
• Plastic knife

Instructions:

1. Use a plastic knife to spread peanut butter all over the pine cone and sweetgum ball.
2. Roll the pine cone or sweetgum ball in birdseed, making sure it sticks.
3. Tie a string around the top of the pine cone and sweetgum ball.
4. Hang your bird feeder on a tree branch and watch the birds enjoy their treat!

We’d love to see your bird feeder creations! 

Share your pictures and let us know what birds you spot. Tag us  on Instagram @oldwestburygardenskids 

 Happy birdwatching!

23 de mayo de 2025

Secretos del tour del ala de servicio

Las entradas para este tour incluyen acceso a Westbury House y sus jardines. Las entradas no son reembolsables. Durante muchos años, los visitantes de Westbury House preguntaban qué […]

Detalles del evento

24 de mayo de 2025

Yoga en los jardines

La instructora profesional de yoga Amanda Ferrando guía a los estudiantes a través de un flujo dinámico y suave de posturas y respiración consciente. Los participantes deben traer una esterilla de yoga, […]

Detalles del evento

28 de mayo de 2025

Tai Chi en los jardines

El tai chi, una forma única de «meditación en movimiento», calma la mente, relaja el cuerpo y fortalece el espíritu. Las sesiones son impartidas por la instructora profesional de tai chi Linda […]

Detalles del evento

31 de mayo de 2025

Yoga en los jardines

La instructora profesional de yoga Amanda Ferrando guía a los estudiantes a través de un flujo dinámico y suave de posturas y respiración consciente. Los participantes deben traer una esterilla de yoga, […]

Detalles del evento

31 de mayo de 2025

Poetica Musica: Contraste de colores

Acompáñenos en una velada de ricas armonías y tonos expresivos con la presentación de Poética Música, un cautivador programa de música de cámara y obras vocales. […]

Detalles del evento

1 de junio de 2025

Exposición de coches antiguos

Retroceda en el tiempo y experimente el encanto de los automóviles clásicos en la exhibición de autos antiguos más elegante de Long Island, orgullosamente presentada por […]

Detalles del evento