Wednesday Night Crafts at Reiman Gardens: Nature-Inspired Workshops in Ames, Iowa

Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa, turns midweek into a small, intentional pause from travel and trail. 'This and Yap' is a recurring Wednesday-night crafting series held in the gardens' event spaces and adjacent conservatory, where nature-inspired projects—tiny terrariums, pressed-flower scenes, friendship bracelets and oversized beaded lizards—become a social, hands-on way to connect with local flora. The series runs most first Wednesdays of the season, generally 6–8 p.m., and rotates project themes through the year: vision boards in January, beaded friendship bracelets in February, giant beaded lizards in March, Heated Rivalry photo frames in April, and spring and fall offerings that draw directly from the gardens’ living collections. Each class supplies materials and instruction, so visitors can arrive with curiosity rather than a toolkit. That low barrier makes This and Yap an excellent evening for visitors staying in Ames who want a slow, local cultural experience after a day of hiking or exploring Iowa State University. What makes these sessions special is where they happen. Reiman Gardens is affiliated with Iowa State University and is known for its Butterfly Wing conservatory, prairie plantings, and an emphasis on pollinator-friendly horticulture. The workshops borrow that botanical vocabulary—pressed flowers harvested from display beds, terrariums that echo the gardens’ microclimates—so participants leave with something handmade and a stronger sense of place. For travelers who expect outdoor adventure to be only physical, This and Yap reframes the wild as material and creative: the same plants you might photograph on a morning walk become the pigments and textures of a keepsake by nightfall. Practical notes: sessions typically last two hours, materials are provided, and projects suit beginners; they're social and intentionally low-tech. Bring a friend, or come solo to meet locals—education staff lead each table and keep the pace relaxed. Parking at Reiman Gardens and nearby hotels in Ames make this an easy evening stop. For visitors, the series is both a break and a bridge: it connects outdoor curiosity to craft, offers a warm indoor option during shoulder seasons, and showcases the gardens as an active part of Ames’ outdoor and cultural landscape. Whether you make a tiny terrarium to carry on the road or a friendship bracelet to trade with a new companion, This and Yap makes a Wednesday night feel like a meaningful part of the trip. Seasonally, the series shines in shoulder seasons when the conservatory is a warm, aromatic refuge from chilly Iowa evenings; summer workshops spill onto shaded patios and let you follow up with a sunset walk through prairie planting beds. Expect a mixed crowd of locals, students from Iowa State, and curious travelers; class sizes are intimate, so bookings can fill—reserve a spot through FareHarbor link before you arrive.