The Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden reopens for the season at the Missouri Botanical Garden on March 30, 2024. The garden introduces youngsters at their most impressionable age to the significance of plants and nature in fun and innovative ways. Occupying nearly two acres west of the Climatron conservatory, the Children's Garden brings botany and 19th-century history to life through a variety of interactive themes that will appeal to both kids and adults.
Venture into a limestone cave, glide down Spelunker's Slide, explore the wetlands, board a steamboat, climb to new heights in the tree house, or visit a Midwestern prairie village.
The Children's Garden is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from April through October. It's open late on Wednesdays from to 5 to 7 p.m. during the Whitaker Music Festival.
Admission is free for ages 2 and under and free for ages 13 and up. Garden members age 3-12 are $3; Non-members ages 3-12 are $5.
Tickets are required to enter and are available at the entrance to the Children's Garden.
Garden members are free all day on Tuesdays and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
St. Louis City & County residents are free on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Children's Garden splash pad is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
More information: mobot.org
Come over to the dark side and meet the amazing birds that exist by moonlight. Owl Prowls are an opportunity for families to learn about owls from the naturalists at the World Bird Sanctuary.
Visit the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park and see a star show to experience the largest artificial sky in the Western Hemisphere. Star shows are lead LIVE by one of the Planetarium's educators, creating a new and tailored experience for every audience.
Families are invited to the Saint Louis Art Museum on Sunday afternoon to participate in free hands-on art activities with fun themes and to explore the galleries. Each Family Sunday focuses on a different family-friendly theme.
Young visitors and their families are invited to the Life Science Lab Classroom at the Saint Louis Science Center to enjoy interactive read-alouds of science-themed picture books. Story times are followed by a short demonstration or discussion connected to the book's main concepts.
Sensory Friendly Science Time features reduced noise, modified lighting and sensory-friendly demonstrations at the Saint Louis Science Center.