Top 10 Reasons to Visit the Children’s Garden

Now that warmer weather is (hopefully) here to stay, St. Louis parents are once again on the lookout for exciting local destinations that offer outdoor adventures the entire family can enjoy. We’re lucky to live in a city that offers so many – Grant’s Farm, the CityGarden, the Saint Louis Zoo, the list goes on and on – but it’s the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden that currently tops the list as my own family’s personal favorite.

Nestled on almost two acres of land within the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Children’s Garden offers a variety of opportunities for hands-on learning and imaginative play, all within a beautiful, peaceful, and natural setting. Since opening in 2006, this hidden gem has become a favorite outdoor destination for local families, and with good reason. Wondering if it's worth your time to plan a visit this season?

Consider these 10 reasons why the Children's Garden is one seasonal adventure you don't want to miss.

1. A playground like no other.

From slides that look like trees to stumps and logs for climbing to swaying rope bridges that require some serious balancing skills, kids can run and jump and play to their heart's content. Trying to picture it? Just imagine the biggest backyard treehouse ever.

2. Battery-free fun.

In a world where so many toys are characterized by loud noises, flashing lights, and commercialized characters, children need simple, creative play more than ever. And in the Children's Garden, they can dig in the sand, navigate boats through a series of locks and dams, and use wooden blocks to build towers and castles high into the sky - no batteries required.

3. Pretend play.

In the Midwestern prairie village, young visitors are invited into a world of make believe where they can shop for groceries in the General Store or put on a puppet show in the Town Hall. The possibilities are limited only by their imaginations.

4. A chance to connect with nature.

An hour spent in nature can refresh and rejuvenate children and adults alike, and fortunately, trees and plants – many of which are native to Missouri – abound in the Children's Garden. According to Richard Louv, best-selling author of Last Child in the Woods, we're all in serious danger of "nature-deficit disorder," so any opportunity to connect with our natural surroundings is one we should definitely seize.

5. An abundance of learning opportunities.

Stop by a Germination Station daily from 10 a.m. to noon to enjoy guided, hands-on learning activities, or drop in for a Nature Journal Trek across the grounds on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Older children ages 6-12 are also invited to go on a Great Green Adventure (where they'll learn about plants, nature, and green living) on the third Saturday of every month at either 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

6. A place to cool off.

Need to beat the St. Louis heat? The Splash Area in the Children's Garden turns on once temperatures hit 70 degrees, so remember to pack towels and swimsuits (or just a change of clothes) and expect to get wet.

7. Benches and shade.

Shade is important on a hot summer day, and with its various towers, forts, and play structures, the Children's Garden has plenty of shady nooks and crannies. Benches where parents can sit and relax (even if just for a moment) are also strategically located throughout the grounds.

8. The Edible Garden.

Do your children know where their food really comes from? They will after visiting the Edible Garden! Kids are asked to help prepare soil, plant seeds, and water plants, and are even invited to taste-test the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor.

9. The Whitaker Music Festival.

During the summer months, the Children's Garden stays open late on Wednesday evenings, thanks to the annual Whitaker Music Festival. Bring the kids to play in the Garden from 5 to 7 p.m., and then spend the rest of your evening relaxing to a little music under the stars.

10. Free Saturdays.

Admission to the Children's Garden is free to St. Louis City and County residents every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, making it an inexpensive outdoor destination on a sunny Saturday morning. But honestly, even if you choose to visit on a day when you have to pay, a trip to the Children's Garden is more than worth the cost of admission. The Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from April through October. To learn more, visit www.missouribotanicalgarden.org.