15 Ways for St. Louis Families to Welcome Spring

Thanks to a few late winter snowstorms, spring has taken its sweet time arriving in St. Louis. In fact, during the first week of March, my kids had not one, but three, snow days off school. Under most circumstances, I enjoy a good snow day spent sledding down a nearby hill or curled up at home with a mug of hot chocolate. But when the calendar says March, enough is enough.

Fortunately, signs of spring are finally starting to appear here in the ‘Lou. The weather is warming up, spring breaks are starting and favorite local attractions are getting ready to open for the season. St. Louis families can welcome spring – and even look ahead to summer – with this list of ideas for getting out of the house and enjoying what may be the most eagerly anticipated season of the year.  

1. Enjoy the light. The clocks have officially sprung forward, so get outside in the evenings and take advantage of that extra hour of daylight. Play a game of kickball with the kids in the backyard, or take a family walk around the block after dinner.

2. Visit the butterflies. Each March, thousands of Blue Morpho Butterflies welcome spring by taking up residence in the tropical conservatory at The Butterfly House. When you witness this majestic sight during March Morpho Mania, it’s easy to feel like spring has truly arrived.

3. Start a garden. Kids love to dig in the dirt, and a garden is a great way to encourage healthy eating and a better understanding of where our food comes from. (If you’re like me and know basically nothing about gardening, check out the Parents Primer at kidsgardening.org for help getting started.)   

4. Get ready for the Children’s Garden. The always amazing Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden at the Missouri Botanical Gardens is almost ready to reopen for the season. Make plans for all kinds of special adventures at the Children’s Garden Opening Weekend on March 28 and 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

5. Sign up for summer camp. It’s not summer yet, but it is the season for summer camp sign-ups. Right now our Summer Camp Guide is filled with camps for every age and interest, so sit down with your kids and use it to plan your summer.

6. Celebrate the Re-opening of Penguin and Puffin Coast. The St. Louis Zoo is always a favorite springtime destination for St. Louis families, but now we have one more good reason to visit – the penguins are back! After being closed over a year for renovations, Penguin and Puffin Coast once again opened to the public on March 5. Go see the new exhibit in person, or even watch the penguins and puffins from home via webcam.

7. Go on a spring scavenger hunt. Create a list of items you can find outdoors during the spring – robins, insects, birds’ nests, blooming flowers, worms, mud puddles, etc. – then challenge your kids to find them all. First one to check every item off the list wins a prize.

8. Indulge in a concrete. Nothing signals the end of winter like your first Ted Drewes concrete of the season. (Although full disclosure, I’m a Fritz’s girl myself.) Teach your kids early that, if you’re a true St. Louisan, frozen custard is the ultimate sign that summer is on its way.       

9. Start spring cleaning. This one is not particularly fun, and it will keep you indoors, but it’s still a good way to get ready for spring. After giving your home a good deep clean and clearing out the clutter your family has accumulated, you will feel re-energized and ready to leave winter behind. Don’t forget to involve your kids in the process; this post has five easy steps for spring cleaning their rooms too.

10. Go to Grant’s Farm. Grant’s Farm opens for the 2015 season on Saturday, April 11. Spring is without a doubt one of my favorite times to visit this historic, family-friendly attraction, since the goats are all still cute little babies just waiting to be fed.

11. Enjoy Springtime Village at Purina Farms. Speaking of baby animals, no spring in St. Louis is complete without a trip to Springtime Village at Purina Farms. From March 18 – April 4, kids can enjoy face painting, photos with Peter Cottontail and a petting arena with piglets, chicks and rabbits.

12. Take a hike. Get out and admire nature at one of St. Louis and St. Charles County’s many parks. For younger kids with shorter legs and less stamina, try the paved trails at Powder Valley Nature Center.

13. Sign up for the Healthy Kids Running Series. Kids love to run, why not encourage them to race? Spring dates for the Healthy Kids Running Series kick off on Sunday, March 29; click here for more details and to register.

14. Celebrate the Spring Equinox. Spring officially begins this year on Friday, March 20. Celebrate with your kids by throwing a Whimsical Spring Garden Party, or enjoy an adults-only date night under the stars at Nova Nights: The Spring Equinox in the James S. McDonnell Planetarium at the St. Louis Science Center.   

15. Get ready for Easter. The Easter Bunny hops into town on April 5^th this year, so now is the perfect time to start making some fun Easter crafts, choosing Easter outfits and, of course, figuring out where your family will hunt for eggs this season.

We’re adding new Easter and spring activities to our Things to Do calendar every day, so check it often (or sign up for our E-Newsletter or Daily Events Email) to stay up-to-date on all the great ways your family can enjoy spring in St. Louis!