A Missouri Adventure: The Doris L. Schnuck Children’s Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden kicks off its fifth season with a number of opening-week festivities April 1 through 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The spring festivities, presented by Macy’s, include live music, storytelling, face painting, crafts and educational activities in the Nature Explore Classroom. Kids will have the opportunity to learn about plants we eat and the power of pollination, and they can make a seed packet to take home.
If you have yet to take your kids to the Children’s Garden, you must put it at the top of your list for "nice weather" things to do. Occupying nearly 2 acres west of the Climatron® conservatory, A Missouri Adventure brings botany and 19th-century history to life through a variety of interactive themes with appeal for 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 April 1 through Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $5 per child ages 3 to 12; adults' entry is included with general Garden admission. New this year, St. Louis City and County residents get in free on Wednesday and Saturday mornings to the Garden AND the Children's Garden. Click here for a full schedule of opening-week festivities.
By Amy Burger, events blogger for SmartParenting
Amy Burger is a mom, freelance writer and communications professional with nearly 20 years experience working in St. Louis. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and media outlets including STL Parent, Missouri Life magazine, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Town & Style and kdhx.org, among others. When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two beautiful girls at home in Kirkwood.
More than a million lights will illuminate some of the Missouri Botanical Garden's most iconic locations, walkways will be transformed into sensory light tunnels providing an explosion of visual magic, and traditional candlelight village displays, festive drinks, s'mores and great photo opportunities will delight crowds of all ages.
Enjoy the iconic lights that adorn the Anheuser-Busch Brewery close up during walking tours. Brewery Lights features more than one million twinkling lights and lots of family friendly activities. New this year is an enhanced parade with Clydesdales and street performers, giant branded nutcrackers and interactive stage performances.
Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur.
Preschoolers can learn, play, explore and grow at the Saint Louis Art Museum's Wee Weekend program for its youngest visitors. Join in on the adventure as your little one discovers new ways of interacting with art and each other.
Explore songs, finger plays, music and more during this Music & Movement class for ages 0-6. Some sessions are held in person at various branches of the St. Louis County Library. Some sessions are virtual.