Host a Hoppy Birthday in the Children’s Garden!

Hoppy BirthdaysYour party guests can jump, climb, slide, explore and discover in a unique, safe setting designed to connect kids with the wonders of plants and the great outdoors. Designed for ages 3–12.

See a complete list of available 2024 party dates and reserve your party.

Cost:
A $225 non-refundable rental fee ($200 for Garden members) gives you:

  • Admission for up to 30 guests (children and adults) to both the Garden and Children’s Garden. Parties are required to have at least 1 adult per 5 children. Regular admission rates for the Garden and Children's Garden apply to additional guests.
  • Two hours in the Town Hall decorated with a personalized birthday banner
  • A t-shirt for the birthday child (please specify size)
  • An additional $50 cleaning deposit is refundable when the Town Hall is left clean and in good repair when your party is over. When making your reservation, this deposit will be charged as the "online processing fee" in the reservation system. This is refundable and the Garden reserves the right to retain the deposit if the Town Hall is left untidy or in disrepair.

Party goers having cake 

Availability:
Birthday parties are available only when the Children’s Garden is open (April through October). Parties are held Saturday and Sunday only, for a two-hour period from 10 a.m. to noon or from 1 to 3 p.m. Advance reservations are required.

Is the date and time I want available?
See a complete list of available 2024 party dates and reserve your party. Party hosts are encouraged to process their reservation online in order to secure the date and time.

Certain black-out dates apply for Birthday Parties including:

  • Chinese Culture Days (May 18–19, 2024)
  • Green Living Festival (June 1, 2024)
  • Japanese Festival (August 31–September 1, 2024)
  • Best of Missouri Market (October 5–6, 2024)
  • Ghouls in the Garden (October 27, 2024)

Extras:

  • $8 each: additional child-sized (XS–L) birthday t-shirts
  • $15 each: Show-Me Explorer Backpack (learn more and explore available options)
  • $2 per bag: fish food for feeding koi in the Japanese Garden lake

Chaperones:
Make sure to include adults in your party! The Missouri Botanical Garden requires one adult chaperone for every five children, and the children must be attended by an adult at all times.

Kids playing with puppets

Reservations:

Cancellations:
Birthday Parties in the Children’s Garden Town Hall are held rain or shine, unless the Children’s Garden is closed due to severe weather. Should you choose to cancel your party five business days prior to your party, you will receive a full refund, minus the $50 deposit. Refunds cannot be issued for missed parties or cancellations less than five business days prior to the party. A business day is defined as Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., no Saturdays, Sundays, or federal holidays. If the Missouri Botanical Garden must cancel your party due to inclement weather, we will work to notify you as soon as possible and try to reschedule your party or we will issue you a full refund.

Parking:
Free parking is available on site, subject to availability. Additional free off-street parking is available two blocks west at the corner of Shaw and Vandeventer.

For Your Enjoyment:

  • Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled party time to allow for parking, checking in with Visitor Services, meeting your party guests and walking to the Children’s Garden.
  • You are welcome to bring a birthday cake, cupcakes, or cookies and child-friendly beverages (e.g., juice boxes) for the celebration. Make sure to remember your serving utensils, dishes, plates, and cups. If you do not want to serve your guests cake, consider a fruit platter or individual yogurts as an alternative. Birthday party guests are welcome to enjoy lunch after or before your party from the menus in the Garden’s Visitor Center or Café Flora.
  • The Children’s Garden is a unique space requiring special maintenance. Please do not bring additional decorations (no balloons, tape, tacks, stickies or staples of any kind).
  • You may wish to bring a stroller or wagon for transporting gifts and supplies to and from the Children’s Garden.
  • Guests are responsible for leaving the Town Hall clean and in good repair.

Can you have candles and matches?
The Garden is a National Historic Landmark. In order to preserve this historic gem, there is no smoking on the grounds and matches, candles, and fire are prohibited. Many of our birthday parties have found creative alternatives to candles like pinwheels or battery operated musical candles. We appreciate your cooperation.

Download additional details about birthday parties in the Children’s Garden.

Birthday banner signed by guests

 



“Thank you so much! We had the best time. Everyone was raving on what a great location it was for a party. Many had never been to the Children's Garden. I have a feeling many of our partygoer's are going to book a party there!”
—Past guest

 

The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House is another great place to host a children’s birthday party! Learn more