Ghouls in the Garden

The Missouri Botanical Garden is hosting two family events during one fun-filled fall weekend!

The last weekend of October marks the seasonal closing of the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden: A Missouri Adventure, with autumn activities planned both Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 29 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

That same weekend, get into the Halloween spirit with daytime trick-or-treating during Ghouls in the Garden, Sunday, Oct. 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. Cost for each event is $5 for children ages 3 to 12; advance reservations are required for Ghouls in the Garden.

Enjoy a final fall romp in the Children’s Garden before it is put to bed for winter. Reconnect with nature through a variety of family activities offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.:

• Bouquet Bounty: Gather a fall bouquet of seasonal plants and learn why cutting plants can actually help them grow!
• Seed Saver: Select seeds from Children’s Garden plants and make a seed packet to take home. Choose from vegetables, flowers and even tree seeds to start your own home garden.
• Tulip Trooper: Help plant the Children’s Garden Nature Explore ClassroomTM with bulbs and receive one to take home. When your tulip blooms next spring, you’ll know it’s time to visit the Children’s Garden again!
• Official Taste-Tester: Fall is harvest time in the Children’s Garden edible container garden. Explore food favorites and try something new from the seasonal foods grown there.
• Plant Poser: Take a seasonal stretch and learn some “Plant Poses” to help keep you in shape over the winter months – stand tall like a tree, salute the sun and more.

Stop by the face painter’s table for creative, colored cheek art in Halloween and autumn-themed designs. Enjoy live musical entertainment by WildHeart from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and visit with live birds from the World Bird Sanctuary from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Children’s Garden admission is $5 for kids ages 3 to 12; Garden members’ children are $3. Adults are included with general Missouri Botanical Garden admission. St. Louis City and County residents enjoy free Garden and Children’s Garden admission on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The Children’s Garden is open from April 1 through October 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Can’t wait for Halloween night to arrive? Bring the little ones in costume for a fun-filled daytime adventure at Ghouls in the Garden, Sunday, Oct. 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. Enjoy trick-or-treating with other costumed characters at several themed stations throughout the Garden. As an added bonus, bring your little ghost, goblin, pirate or princess to play in the Children’s Garden, offering free afternoon admission for Ghouls in the Garden registered participants.

Ghouls in the Garden is $5 for children ages 3 to 12 and free for Garden members’ children. Adults are included with general Missouri Botanical Garden admission.

Advance reservations are required for Ghouls in the Garden; call (314) 577-9570 or visit www.mobot.org/membership. For event information, call (314) 577-5154.

General admission to the Missouri Botanical Garden is $8 for adults; St. Louis City and County residents are $4 and free on Saturday before noon; children ages 12 and under and Garden members are free. Children’s Garden admission is $5 for ages 3 to 12 and $3 for Garden members’ children.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. in south St. Louis, accessible from Interstate 44 at the Vandeventer exit and from Interstate 64 at the Kingshighway North and South exit. Free parking is available on site and two blocks west at the corner of Shaw and Vandeventer.