The Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden reopens for the season at the Missouri Botanical Garden on March 28, 2026. 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. through October.
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. Garden members are free all day on Tuesdays.
Tickets are required to enter and are available at the entrance to the Children's Garden.
St. Louis City & County residents are free on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. All children under 14 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
The Saint Louis Art Fair is a free, three-day celebration of the visual and performing arts that includes a Creative Castle for kids on Saturday and Sunday.
The annual Kirkwood Greentree Festival will be held September 18 - 20 in Kirkwood Park. This free, family festival features a parade that steps off on Saturday at 10 a.m. beginning at Kirkwood High School, entertainment and food vendor booths, and kids activities.
Wagon rides, live entertainment, great festival foods, a petting zoo and much more make this an apple pickin' good time for the whole family. There will be pony rides, a children's carnival, opportunities to feed goats and other farm animals, caramel apples, funnel cakes and more.
Enjoy a family-friendly celebration of autumn at the Saint Louis Zoo's Zootoberfest! Kids can participate in all the regular Zoo fun and explore new adventures at Zootoberfest activity stations. Families will enjoy an Oktoberfest-style event with beer and root beer, German-themed cuisine, and live music.
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.