
Give your kids a truly international experience at Chinese Culture Days at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Become immersed in traditional Chinese arts, music, culture and cuisine at the Garden on Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16.
You may want to arrive by 11 a.m. on Saturday for a grand parade led by a dazzling 70-foot, 24-legged dragon winding through the crowd (this is meant to dispel bad luck and evil spirits). Traditional martial artists, lion dancers, gongs and drums follow to welcome good luck for the Year of the Tiger. The parade will be repeated again at 2 p.m. both days.
Other activities include guided tours of the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden, also known as the Chinese Garden, lessons in the ancient martial art of T’ai Ji, tea tastings and traditional Chinese music.
Chinese Culture Days runs from until 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for children (ages 3 to 12) and Garden members.
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.
March brings a very special kind of tropical madness to the Butterfly House in Faust Park! Thousands of breathtaking Blue Morpho butterflies take up residence to welcome spring.
Come over to the dark side and meet the amazing birds that exist by moonlight. Owl Prowls are an opportunity for families to learn about owls from the naturalists at the World Bird Sanctuary.
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.
See the amazing sea lions at the Saint Louis Zoo perform for the crowd and cheer them on from the bleachers as the popular Sea Lion Spring Training Shows return. You'll see these beautiful animals perform flipper walks, ball balancing, Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, lots of splashing and even more surprises!
Play Dates follow a monthly theme that invites close looking, hands-on art making, and safe, creative play. Plus, you'll enjoy performances from guest artists that get everybody moving!