A Missouri Adventure: The Doris L. Schnuck Children’s Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden kicks off its fifth season with a number of opening-week festivities April 1 through 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The spring festivities, presented by Macy’s, include live music, storytelling, face painting, crafts and educational activities in the Nature Explore Classroom. Kids will have the opportunity to learn about plants we eat and the power of pollination, and they can make a seed packet to take home.

If you have yet to take your kids to the Children’s Garden, you must put it at the top of your list for "nice weather" things to do. Occupying nearly 2 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.

The Children’s Garden is open April 1 through Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $5 per child ages 3 to 12; adults' entry is included with general Garden admission. New this year, St. Louis City and County residents get in free on Wednesday and Saturday mornings to the Garden AND the Children's Garden. Click here for a full schedule of opening-week festivities.

By Amy Burger, events blogger for SmartParenting