Got Spring Fever? Take Your Kids to St. Louis' Own Tropical Paradise
Like a lot of parents, I struggle through the final weeks of 
winter. I’m done with the freezing temperatures, the inevitable flus and fevers, and the seemingly never-ending days spent entirely indoors with children in such desperate need of physical activity that they’ve taken to skydiving off my couch.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the first snowfall of winter, and I’m a total sucker for the fun and festivities surrounding the December holidays. Once the month of February rolls around, though, I’m totally over it. Right now, I can’t wait for that first sign that warmer weather is finally on its way.
In a perfect world, I would jet off to some exotic, tropical destination (preferably sans children) to soak up the sunshine and indulge in one too many pina coladas. But since I’m here in St. Louis instead (and my kids aren't going anywhere), I’m stuck looking for some simpler methods to help fight what appears to be a serious case of spring fever.
And at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield, I think I may have found one.
Throughout the entire month of March, the Butterfly House will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the return of March Morpho Mania. During this annual event, St. Louis families can experience the beauty of the rainforest – and enjoy its tropical temperatures – without ever leaving Missouri.
Nearly 3,000 Blue Morpho butterflies from Costa Rica will take free-flight inside the 8,000 square-foot tropical conservatory, joining the almost 60 other butterfly species who already live there. And while March weather in St. Louis (or, who are we kidding, St. Louis weather at any time of the year) is not known for its consistency, you can always count on the temperature inside the conservatory to be a balmy 85 degrees.
My kids always enjoy a trip to the Butterfly House, but I particularly like to visit now, when winter is coming to an end. I can close my eyes, soak up the heat and humidity, and finally believe that warmer weather really is right around the corner.
While I'm there, I tend to imagine that I’m lounging on a beach in the tropics, preferably somewhere along the Mayan Riviera. Hey, a girl can dream, right?
Unfortunately, there won't be any pina coladas at March Morpho Mania, but there are still plenty of great reasons to head to the Butterfly House this spring. If you're planning a visit with your family, here a few tips to consider before you go:
• March Morpho Mania isn’t just about the butterflies. You’ll also get to see all the other creepy, crawly creatures – like tarantulas, beetles, and cockroaches – who call the Butterfly House home.
• If it's been a while since your last visit, expect to see some changes. In the recently renovated Lopata Learning Lab, for example, children can enjoy a variety of fun, new activities, including rainforest-themed crafts and a chance to view butterfly scales through a microscope.
• Looking to add an educational twist to your visit? Take your children to see the film Flight of the Butterflies at the Saint Louis Science Center before you head to the Butterfly House to see the mesmerizing creatures in real-life. (Click here for a coupon worth $2 off each movie ticket.)
• Celebrating a birthday? The Butterfly House is now offering birthday parties year round. Children up the age of 8 can choose from a Bug Safari or Fairy Flutterbye theme.
• The Butterfly House is conveniently located in Faust Park, where there is plenty to keep your family entertained. You’ll be within walking distance of both the St. Louis Carousel and Faust Park playground, which my kids consider to be one of the coolest playgrounds in St. Louis.
By Alyssa
Chirco, SmartMama blogger for SmartParenting
Alyssa Chirco is a St. Louis freelance writer, mother and margarita lover, not necessarily in that order. In addition to writing for St. Louis Kids, she is Contributing Editor for Parenting Squad, writes regularly about parenting and family for Lifetime Television's The Balancing Act, and firmly believes there are few problems in life that cannot be solved with a good margarita.
One reason to love March: Even if it's snowing in #STL, it just takes a visit to @butterflyhse to remember summer is coming soon
— St. Louis Kids Mag (@stlkids) March 1, 2013
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Alyssa Chirco is a freelance writer, mother and margarita lover, not necessarily in that order. In addition to writing for STL Parent, she is Contributing Editor at Parenting Squad, and covers parenting, health and lifestyle topics for publications across the country. She recently moved from the suburbs of St. Louis to a small town in rural Jefferson County, where she is learning to survive with no Target or Starbucks in sight. Follow her on Twitter @AlyssaChirco
