8 Essential Events for St. Louis Families This April

April may be known for its showers – which bring May flowers – but it also deserves recognition as the first full month of spring. Now that we’re (finally) seeing warmer weather, local families can get out of the house and enjoy all the spring season in St. Louis has to offer.

1. Opening of the Children’s Garden at MOBOT (4/2-4/3)

All kinds of activities are planned to celebrate the Children’s Garden Opening Weekend at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday April, 3. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, kids can rediscover their favorite Children’s Garden haunts, dig into the Missouri dirt, get their faces painted, build playgrounds for plants and more. Live music, live birds from the World Bird Sanctuary and a visit from Finn, the Children’s Garden mascot, are part of the festivities too. Go to our Facebook page to enter to win passes to the Children's Garden!

MOBOT is also hosting Meet Me Outdoors in St. Louis that weekend to celebrate the seasonal reopening of its most popular attractions. In addition to exploring the Children’s Garden, you can visit Tower Grove House, take a tram ride, dine at Café Flora and take home a native tree. Learn more at www.mobot.org.

2. Spring Fling at The Butterfly House (4/2-4/3, 4/9-4/10, 4/16-4/17, 4/23-4/24)

Weekends in April are all about Spring Fling at the Butterfly House. Each week will highlight a different insect that helps make our gardens grow! Take advantage of all that The Butterfly House has to offer and learn about bees, ants, ladybugs and butterflies through fun crafts, games and family-friendly activities.

Activities are included with regular Butterfly House admission. Learn more at www.butterflyhouse.org.

3. Earth Day Celebrations (4/22, 4/24)

There are several ways for your family to celebrate the importance of protecting our planet this month. At Earth Day: Party for the Planet at the St. Louis Zoo on Sunday, April 24, you’ll find keeper chats, animal enrichment activities and a chance to visit Earth Day stations around the Zoo. This event is part of the annual Earth Day Festival in Forest Park, which takes place on the nearby Muny Grounds and features lots for kids to see and do, including a rock climbing wall, pet adoptions, STEM activities, yoga classes and musical acts and performances.

For Earth Day fun at night, check out Super Kids Earth Day Evening. On Friday, April 22 from 4 to 7 p.m., kids are invited to the Magic House to learn about where food comes from, how to grow their own and how composting can reduce trash and save the planet. Learn more at www.magichouse.org.

4. Community Day at the Kemper Art Museum (4/16)

This open house celebration at the Kemper Art Museum offers interactive art experiences for children of all ages. Community Day takes inspiration from the exhibition Julian Rosefeldt: American Night and will explore myths and icons of the American West through activities kids can appreciate, like storytelling, card games, log cabin building sets, docent led tours, landscape collages, snacks and more.

This free event takes place on Saturday, April 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more at www.kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu.

5. Build It! Preschool (4/11, 4/12, 4/18, 4/19, 4/25, 4/26)

Preschoolers who love to build will love the Saint Louis Science Center’s Build It! Preschool. Along with an adult partner, kids ages 3+ are invited to engineer a sleek aircraft, a sturdy house or a steady bridge from recycled materials. Each week features a different building challenge to take home.

Build It! Preschool takes place on select Monday and Tuesday mornings from 10 to 10:45 a.m. The cost is $30 for 3 sessions; $25 for members. Reserve your spot at www.slsc.org.

6. Super Kids Breakfast (4/10)

Throw on your capes and enjoy a breakfast fit for a superhero. At Super Kids Breakfast at the Magic House on Sunday, April 10 from 9 to 11 a.m., kids can dress like their favorite superhero, enjoy action-packed activities and a delicious breakfast, meet Batman and Spiderman and have some private playtime in the Super Kids Save the World exhibit.

Cost is $15 per person for members and $20 per person for non-members. Make reservations at www.magichouse.org.

7. Where the Wild Things Are at COCA (4/7-4/10)

Seats are still available for an award-winning production of Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s classic on Thursday, April 7 through Sunday, April 10. Where the Wild Things Are at COCA is described as an “intimate and interactive guided play experience,” where audience members are invited on stage to help transform Max’s bedroom. They will even get to be Wild Things themselves.    

Tickets for this 60-minute, kid-friendly show are $20 per person. Click here to see available show times and purchase tickets.

8. GO! St. Louis Marathon and Family Fitness Weekend (4/9-4/10)

Make health and fitness a family priority by registering for the 2016 GO! St. Louis Marathon and Family Fitness Weekend on Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10. There are races for every age and ability, including a marathon, half marathon, children’s fun runs and more. Participants will also enjoy race shirts, finisher medals, St. Louis-themed finish line food and a post-race party with a local band.

Over 25,000 people participate in the ten different races over Marathon Weekend. To be included among them, register at www.gostlouis.org.

Want even more April fun? Be sure to browse our Things to Do Calendar! You can even search for events by age range, date or location.