Missouri Botanical Gardens

When my sister Julia suggested the gardens as a place to take my grandchildren I at first thought that was a crazy idea.  But she reminded me that there was a splash park for the children as well as a great playground for them.

Nathan and Clarissa are certainly Florida raised children.  They are usually fairly cooperative with hats and sunglasses, at least for awhile.  It was a pretty warm day the time we were there.  It seemed as though the weather is not much different than the weather we had experienced in Florida.

Every season in the garden seems to have its own beauty, and this Saturday in July proved that to be true again.  The water lilies were all in bloom.  Nathan excitedly pointed out every blooming pant to his Nana and then demanded that the sign next to the plant be read so he could learn the name of said plant.  That got a bit tiresome after awhile.  We did not make it through the whole park by any means.  We thought the Climatron would spark their interest, but Claire got especially fussy there.   So what a pleasant surprise that, upon exiting the tropical rain forest, we found ourselves in a room designed with children in mind.

It was while they were playing that I roamed the room and found an interesting botanical display.

Pictured above is the whistling thorn acacia tree, the thorns of which contain stinging ants.  The ants swarm over the tree when they feel the tree is being attacked. The tree can be found on the Serengeti plains.  Even at my advancing years I continue to be fascinated and in awe of nature!

We were able to move the children from that playroom with the promise of a playground and splash park.  And that was about our day in the gardens.  We may come back another day with the little ones and still have a lot to show them, including the children's garden.  So if your are looking for something to do on a hot summer day with your children, consider the botanical gardens here in St.Louis- it is sure to be a winner for all!