Alice in Bloomland: Where Curiosity Blooms and Imagination Comes to Life at the Royal Botanical Gardens’ Indoor Winter Wonderland

Curiosity blooms when we explore the world with an open mind, turning every question into a vibrant opportunity for learning. While many of our winter wonderland features have celebrated the beauty of the great outdoors, this one offers something special—an enchanting escape into a world of floral magic, all from the warmth of an indoor setting. If you love the wonder of winter but prefer to enjoy it without braving the cold, Alice in Bloomland at the Royal Botanical Gardens is the perfect destination, running from February 1 to March 30, 2025. Inspired by the whimsical adventures from the classic children’s book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, this enchanting exhibit invites visitors to explore the fascinating intersection of curiosity, learning, and nature. Get ready for an inside look with our exciting interview featuring Royal Botanical Gardens’ COO, Kim Viney, and Schools and Group Tours Programs Sales Lead, Sarah Gunnell, in Burlington, Ontario.

As you wander through vibrant floral designs and whimsical installations, you'll be transported into a dreamlike landscape that sparks creativity and reflection. Perfect for families and nature enthusiasts, Alice in Bloomland offers a unique opportunity to discover the wonders of the natural world through the lens of a beloved literary classic. Fans of our Hooked on Books series know that reading is more than just words on a page—it’s an adventure that sparks imagination and curiosity. Much like this exhibit, which brings literature to life through an immersive experience, Teachers on Call’s in-person and online English tutors appreciate the power of learning beyond the classroom. Keep reading to discover more about this extraordinary educational field trip opportunity in Burlington, Ontario for students and the adults who love them!

About the Royal Botanical Gardens

Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is the largest botanical garden in Canada, a National Historic Site, and registered charitable organization. RBG consists of four formal gardens contained within 1,100 hectares of nature reserve spanning Burlington and Hamilton:

RBG Centre and Hendrie Park: 680 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON L7T 4H4
David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden: 1185 York Boulevard, Hamilton, ON L0R 2H9
Laking Garden: 1221 Spring Garden Road, Burlington, ON L7T 1J8
Arboretum: 16 Old Guelph Road, Hamilton, ON  L9H 5Y5

The Alice in Bloomland exhibit is blossoming at the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) in Burlington, Ontario -  located at 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington, ON L7T 4H4 - a stunning nature reserve known for its beautiful gardens, scenic walking trails, and diverse plant collections. It's a perfect destination for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful retreat.RBG is just a 40-minute drive from Toronto, 20 minutes from Oakville, and 30 minutes from Guelph, making it easily accessible from these larger cities. Whether you’re exploring the lush gardens or enjoying educational programs, RBG offers a peaceful escape close to urban centers.

Don’t miss our interview with Royal Botanical Gardens’ COO, Kim Viney, and Schools and Group Tours Programs Sales Lead, Sarah Gunnell

Could you provide an overview of the Alice in Bloomland exhibit? What inspired RBG to base these events on Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland?

As part of its annual planning process, RBG develops an overall theme for the year to help spark the imagination and creativity of their staff, regardless of their department. This theme is then used as the foundation for the horticultural team to use to plan their garden displays, for the events team to plan the experiences we will create for our guests, for our food and beverage team to consider when developing their menus, for our retail team when planning their merchandise buying and for our marketing and communications team to influence our promotional plans and content.

For 2025 we identified ‘Nostalgia’ as our theme. We also determined that we wanted to pilot a new event for RBG, that being our first floral showcase. Many botanical gardens around the world host orchid shows in the month of February, so while we knew that orchids would be the primary flower we wanted to feature, we wanted to create a colourful, creative and whimsical show that would delight our guests during the dull days of winter.

With the theme in hand and a plan for a floral showcase, a small team brainstormed ideas and landed on using Lewis Carroll’s original story as our jumping off point. Many of our guests have read this story as children or have read the story to their own children, so it fit perfectly under the theme of Nostalgia. The story is full of lively and colourful environments and characters so it provided all the creative inspiration needed to build a magical experience for our guests.

What are the key educational elements featured in Alice in Bloomland? How do you integrate botany, environmental awareness, or science learning into a literary-themed event?

The key educational elements featured in Alice in Bloomland are centred around encouraging both scientific inquiry and creative exploration. The Showcase provides a unique opportunity to integrate botany and environmental awareness with the imaginative world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Through hands-on activities, students are encouraged to observe, question, and interact with the natural world, building their understanding of plant biology, pollination, and ecological systems.

In our guided programs, we thoughtfully blend the literary themes of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with botany concepts.

• In our Pollination Partners school program, students investigate how different pollinators interact with plants, linking this to the fantastical flowers that Alice encounters in her adventures. Through activities such as flower dissection and pollination games, students engage in scientific exploration while drawing connections to the whimsical nature of the story.
• In the Leafy Adaptations school program, students delve into the diversity of plant adaptations, observing how leaves change to suit their environments. This integrates science learning by examining the structure and function of plant parts, while the storytelling aspect of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland adds a sense of wonder to the natural world.

By combining the creativity of literature with the critical thinking skills of science, we aim to inspire students to not only understand the environment around them but to also view it through the lens of imagination and storytelling. This integrated approach ensures that the learning experience is both educational and engaging, making scientific concepts accessible and exciting in the context of a literary-themed event.

Many educators, including those from Teachers on Call, are inspired by literary-themed events. Have you received feedback from teachers or students about how these events have influenced their learning or sparked interest in reading and nature?

We have received positive comments from educators and students alike about how the Alice in Bloomland event has sparked both curiosity and creativity. Teachers often share that these literary-themed experiences help students make meaningful connections between literature and the natural world, inspiring them to explore new ideas in both reading and nature. The hands-on activities, paired with the immersive elements of the event, seem to ignite a deeper interest in learning, prompting students to engage more actively with the story’s themes and the environment around them.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is rich in themes of curiosity and exploration. How does RBG use these themes to create cross-disciplinary learning opportunities, combining literature, art, and environmental education?

At Royal Botanical Gardens, we use the themes of curiosity and exploration from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to craft cross-disciplinary learning experiences that blend literature, art, and environmental education in meaningful ways. These themes are central to fostering a sense of discovery and engagement in students, encouraging them to explore the world around them through multiple lenses.

In our programs, literature comes to life through hands-on, nature-based activities that connect the wonders of Alice’s adventures with real-world ecological concepts:

In the Pollination Partners school program, students delve into the world of pollinators, drawing inspiration from Alice’s encounters with talking flowers. This program not only introduces students to the science of pollination but also taps into their curiosity about how the natural world functions, much like Alice’s own exploration of Wonderland.

A central focus of our Artists in Bloomland school program is the exploration of perspective, encouraging students to view the world through different lenses. As part of their journey through the Alice in Bloomland floral showcase, students are provided with tools such as frames, magnifiers, and mirrors to help them look at the flowers from varying viewpoints. This technique encourages them to slow down and examine the intricate details of nature, promoting a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the plants on display. For the art component, students are inspired by both the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland narrative and the Floral Showcase to create two versions of the same art piece. This process encourages students to explore how different techniques and perspectives can alter the way we perceive the same subject, enriching both their artistic and observational skills.

By blending Alice’s imaginative world with the tangible experiences of science and art, we create an integrated approach to learning. This not only enhances students’ curiosity but also nurtures their ability to make connections across disciplines, fostering a deeper, more holistic understanding of both the natural world and the arts.

What other literary-themed events or exhibits does RBG have planned for the future? How can educators and community members stay informed or get involved in these Initiatives?

Alice in Bloomland marks RBG’s first internal literary-themed event, and we’re excited to see how it resonates with our visitors. Educators and community members can stay informed about upcoming events by visiting the RBG website, subscribing to our newsletter, or following us on social media. We also welcome inquiries from teachers and organizations interested in collaborating or participating in future initiatives. We look forward to continuing to inspire learning and creativity.

~

The Alice in Bloomland exhibit is the perfect opportunity to let your imagination run wild, dream big, and explore a world where curiosity is the key to unlocking new adventures. Whether you're wandering through vibrant displays or reflecting on the whimsy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, this immersive experience invites you to discover the wonders of nature through a fantastical lens. It’s a place where learning and creativity bloom, inspiring visitors of all ages to embrace the magic around them. Looking for more ways to enjoy the magic of the season in your own backyard? Check out Winter Fun Awaits: Family-Friendly Adventures Across Canada This Season where we uncover festivals happening from coast to coast, including: Winter FunDays in Thunder Bay: Explore, Learn, and Make Memories All Season Long!