Germination Stations

The Children’s Garden is a great place for families to play. Interpreter-led “Germination Stations” enrich 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 seven stations and 21 activities to choose from, visitors of all ages can have a new experience with each visit.

2009 Stations

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 and formations, historic use of caves, 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 vast amount 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!