Education
Family Activities
There’s lots for families to do at the Garden!
Take a guided tram or walking tour of the grounds, visit Garden founder Henry Shaw’s Victorian home, or experience one of the many special events held at the Garden each year. Offerings vary, so be sure to check out the Garden’s calendar of events to see what will be happening when you visit.
 Open April through October, the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden features hands-on fun and learning. Each year, we feature a fresh new look in the Children’s Garden through the eyes of lively men and women from Missouri’s history. Great Green Adventures drop-in programs provide families with changing activities that don't require pre-registration.
Ask at the ticket counter about doing a self-guided Fitness Foray, Stroller Strut, Kids’ Quest, or a Guided Exploration. Wheelchair-friendly and stroller-friendly route available. Or turn your visit into a real learning opportunity for the kids with free downloadable lesson plans.
 Great Green Adventures
All new in 2009! Explore a special part of the Garden with us each month. Learn about plants, nature, and sustainability through hands-on activities, journaling, stories, and games. Meet Education staff at the Children’s Garden Ticket Fort for a special hour-long adventure on the Garden grounds.
Ages: Recommended for 6–12 years old, with an adult. Activities will be designed for this age group, however younger siblings may also attend GGA.
Cost: Free for Garden members, $3 non-members (per child under 12). Adults may accompany up to three children.
Dates: Third Saturday of each month
Times: 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Morning and afternoon programs are repeats.
Location: Meet and pay at the Children’s Garden Ticket Fort. (Pre-registration is not required. However, classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and participant is limited to 20 children per program.)
January 17
Winter Bird Walk
Use binoculars to search for birds, observe and record bird behavior and appearance, identify plant-based winter food sources.
February 21
Sweet Smells of Indoor Gardens
Enjoy the peak of the camellias and fragrant olive trees in the Linnean House, as well as the sweet smells of early spring in the Temperate House. Savor the sweet smells with your own take home project.
March 21
Signs of Spring
We’ll search for the first signs of spring as much of the Garden starts to wake up. Participants will plant seeds to take home.
April 18
Blooming Bulbs
As winter fades, the tulips, hyacinth and daffodils will brighten the Garden. Participants will learn watercolor tricks to capture the beauty of these blooms.
May 16
Ponds Come to Life
With the return warm days the Garden’s aquatic residents will seek sunny rocks. We’ll be on the lookout for frogs, birds and insects.
June 20
Getting to Know Trees
Learn how to identify some of the Garden’s trees with a few easy tricks. Take home a tree identification key to learn more about your neighborhood trees.
July 18
Discovering Missouri Natives
We’ll learn about the plants of Missouri’s prairies and woods and learn how to protect remaining native ecosystems.
August 15
Exploring the Chinese Garden
Tucked away from view, the Chinese Garden may be easy to pass by, but this special garden is well worth the stop. Learn about the architecture and pathway mosaics.
September 19
Perfect Pollinators
We would be in trouble without bees and other fruit and flower pollinators. You will learn about the important role of pollinators in the Garden and on farms around the world. Find out what you can do to protect these helpful creatures.
October 17
’Tis the Season for Seeds
Whether by wind, water or animal fur, seeds are on the move this time of year. You’ll learn about seeds, big and small, and take home some for your yard.
November 21
It’s Raining Leaves!
Learn about why leaves change color while we look for the full spectrum of colors.
December 19
Baby, It’s Cold Outside!
Let’s head to the spot in the Garden where it is always warm. Learn about tropical plants, ecosystems and their conservation.
Germination Stations (formerly Volunteer Interpreter Carts)
The Volunteer Interpreter Program began in 1999 as a drop-in educational experience for visitors. Volunteers used carts with simple props and activities to inform visitors about various plant and garden subjects. In the past ten years, this program has expanded.
Renamed in 2008, volunteer-led Germination Stations are enriching visitors’ experience with discovery and learning. These Stations have been developed with a goal of “planting seeds and growing minds” in understanding of the Garden’s mission. With ten stations and more than 21 activities to choose from, visitors of all ages can have a new experience with each visit.
From April through October, visitors can find Germination Stations with fun family activities in the Children’s Garden and on the Garden grounds.
Venture into a Missouri cave experience
To a child, a cave is a scary place. With an interpreter, though, children can don a headlamp and make discoveries about these unique formations. Activities touch on fossils, formations, and the animals that depend on caves. Such positive interactions are the key to the future preservation of these natural resources.
Climb through the canopy to find out why trees are important
Trees are an important but sadly overlooked part of our landscape. A station was developed to offer hands-on experience with real trees. From bark and branch to leaf and root, interpreters use fun activities to teach children about how trees grow.
Nature is fun in the Nature Explore Classroom
First opened in 2007, our certified Nature Explore Classroom was meant for staff and visitor interactions. Interpreters are able to spark curiosity about the natural world. Fun activities like digging in the mud, hunting for an insect, or artistically smearing petals on paper lead to a greater appreciation of nature.
Learn about past and present in the general store
From garden to grocery, plants require a lot of work as our number one food source. The General Store is a prime opportunity for visitors to have ‘bushels of fun’ learning about food plants, both past and present. Interpreters guide families in the process of making dough, preserves, or even guessing the scent of herbs and spices.
Make discoveries in the wetland
Wetlands are one of Missouri’s most valuable natural resources, yet they are quickly disappearing. In the Children’s Garden wetland, interpreters lead children in discoveries: about a wetland’s ability to clean water, absorb flood water, and its rich biodiversity. These discoveries can pave the way for improved future stewardship of our land.
Flowers are more than beautiful: the power of pollination
Most of us can appreciate the beauty of a flower and the taste of fruit. The pollination station bridges the gap between these two. Whether learning about pollinators, their choice of flowers, or honeybees, families can have fun and grow a new appreciation of flowers and their pollinators.
Uncover the secrets of Osage life
Using native plants to fashion out the necessities of life wasn’t just a challenge to the Indians and early settlers, it was all they had. In the Osage camp, activities help families to identify with Native American culture as well as promoting a realization that local plants are useful, fun and worth spending time with.
Have you been to Seiwa-en?
Take a trip to Japan! Learn more about the design and symbolism behind our world-famous Japanese Garden. Interpreters share stories, games, and Japanese culture to enhance visitors’ understanding of our largest garden area.
Let’s explore the rainforest!
Rainforests are warm, wet, and full of life. There is always something new to discover about these amazing ecosystems. Test your nose on spices, see rainforest plants and animals, perform some tropical music, and learn how we can help rainforests to continue on.
Amazing orchids
Orchids are the largest family in the plant kingdom, and are present on six continents! Learn more about these amazing plants during our Orchid Show. Interpreters will present information on growing orchids at home, orchids and their pollinators, and the orchid our ice cream can’t do without!
|
