Celebrating the history, culture, and people of Japan, the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the United States. Your family can enjoy guided walking tours, bonsai, cooking, martial arts and origami demonstrations, sumo wrestling, and special activities for kids.
The festival will be held Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Monday, Sept. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Last entry at 4:30 p.m.) Admission is $18 for adults and kids ages 13 and older; $9 for Garden members ages 3-adult, and free for children age 2 and under. Festival-level members and their children get in free.
For more than 40 years, the Missouri Botanical Garden has produced the annual Japanese Festival in conjunction with the Japanese Activities Committee, a coalition of several Japanese-American organizations that provide art, dance, food and entertainment for thousands of visitors each year.
For more information visit: missouribotanicalgarden.org
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.
The Saint Louis Science Center has expanded its Preschool Science Series to include new offerings for different age groups of young scientists. Storybook STEM is for ages 3 to 5.
Free outdoor concerts are back at the Missouri History Museum. The Spring series of concerts features favorite bands, food trucks, and exhibits inside the museum that are open to the public until 8 p.m. on concert nights. Concerts are held from 6-8 p.m.
Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1-4 can take part in exhibits and exclusive interactive activities designed just for little ones. There are new themes every week!
Join Ms. Amanda in the Makerspace at the Edwardsville Children's Museum for a fun, lively Toddler Dance Party. The toddler-friendly tunes will accompany free play time and musical instrument exploration.
