Closed for Season

We will reopen for the 2024 season March 30, 2024. 

About the Children's Garden

Child climbing

Opened in April 2006, the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden: A Missouri Adventure introduces youngsters at their most impressionable age to the significance of plants and nature in fun and innovative ways. The children of the Donald Schnuck family provided the lead gift to name the new Children’s Garden in honor of their mother.

Occupying nearly two acres west of the Climatron® conservatory, A Missouri Adventure brings botany and 19th-century history to life through a variety of interactive themes with appeal for both kids and adults. Venture into a limestone cave, glide down Spelunker’s Slide, explore the wetlands, board a steamboat, climb to new heights in the tree house or visit a Midwestern prairie village.

 

Hours & Admission

Children slide down spelunkers slide

Regular Hours:

  • Open daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., April through October
  • Open late on Wednesdays 5 to 7 p.m., during Whitaker Music Festival

Children’s Garden Admission:

  • Free: ages 2 & under
  • Free: ages 13 & up
    $3: Garden Members (ages 3–12)
  • $5: Non-members (ages 3–12)

Garden members: Free Tuesdays all day, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Free everyday for members at the Friends and Family-level and above.
Join today and save!

St. Louis City/County Residents: Free on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

NOTE: All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Worried about the heat? Children's Garden Splash Pad open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Learn more about the Garden’s Hours and General Admission.
 


 

Your Guide to the Children's Garden

NEW! Children's Garden Pre-Visit Tools

These pre-visit tools were created to make your child’s experience in the Children’s Garden a more meaningful and comfortable one. The tools are most helpful for families with children with ASD and other sensory concerns, but can be helpful for all young children. The following pdfs are available for download:

Parent/Caregiver Narrative
Children's Pre-Visit Guide
Visual Schedule

School Groups at the Children's Garden

Teachers, bring your students to the Children's Garden! Learn more