Time to Spring Into Another Season of Fun at the Children's Garden at MOBOT

It's a sure sign of spring when the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden reopens for the season, and this weekend marks the eighth season for this beloved children's adventureland.

The two-day celebration is jam-packed with kid-centered fun. From the waterfall, to the steamboat, cave, rope bridges and tree house, your kids will have a blast exploring all this gem at the Missouri Botanical Garden has to offer.

Kids will be able to get their hands dirty as they become nature detectives and explore the plants we eat as they help plant the new edible garden. They'll also get to pot an edible plant to take home. Then they'll make a seed pack to start their own garden of lettuce, cabbage or spinach in their own backyard. They can also spin a wheel when they enter the garden for a chance to win a prize.

The fun doesn't stop there. Kids can meet Finn, the Children's Garden frog mascot (at 11 a.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday), see live birds up close from the World Bird Sanctuary, have their face painted and enjoy live music by Wildheart, an award-winning music group performing songs that inspire kids to explore nature.

The reopening celebration will be held on Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Live music is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd. in south St. Louis.

Can't make it this weekend? No worries. The Children's Garden will be open through October 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $5 for children ages 3-12, $3 for Garden members' children ages 3-12 and free for adults (with regular admission to the Missouri Botanical Garden).

Children ages 2 and under are free, and St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents receive free admission on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. It's free everyday for Garden members at the family level and up.

Summer activities at the Children's Garden include Germination Stations, storytelling, nature journaling and crafts, Great Green Adventures workshops and Family Food Saturdays. The Children's Garden is open late on Wednesdays from June 5 to August 7 for the Whitaker Music Festival.

And when the weather really warms up (to 70 degrees or higher), the Splash Area turns on.

Find more information at: www.mobot.org

Photo of Finn – the Children's Garden frog mascot – and the treehouse, courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Welcome to twitter @mobotfinn Early #FF to Finn the Frog! @mobotnews #stl

— St. Louis Kids Mag (@stlkids) March 28, 2013