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 St. Louis African Arts Festival, held in Forest Park, celebrates the rich and diverse cultures of Africa and African people. Children's activities include storytelling, arts and crafts, mask-making and educational workshops. In conjunction with the festival, the Saint Louis Zoo will have special activities focused on a different African animal each day.
There are more than strawberries (but plenty of those too) at this festival! Kids can enjoy carnival rides, a petting farm, pony rides, the children's play area and lots more.
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.
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.
See the Purina Incredible Dog Team perform extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill right here in St. Louis at Union Station this summer! Free performances are happening Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Union Station's Performance Plaza in front of the St. Louis Wheel.