event calendar for St. Louis kids

Ride the wagons out to the pumpkin patch to search for your great pumpkin, even one up to 150 pounds! You can also enjoy wagon rides, country music, live entertainment, pony rides, petting farm, children’s activities, make-your-own scarecrow, funnel cakes and festival foods. At Eckerts Farms in Belleville, Millstadt and Grafton, Ill.

More information: eckerts.com 

Located on the beautiful tree-lined parkway of Flora Place at Tower Grove Avenue, the Historic Shaw Art Fair is now in its 25th year. The urban location, food court, great music and fabulous art are all part of the visitor experience. A children's art area will feature hands-on art projects for kids. The Shaw Art Fair is held concurrently with the Missouri Botanical Garden's Best of Missouri Market, located directly across Tower Grove Avenue.
 

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8. Admission is $7 for adults and valid for both days. Children ages 14 and under are free with an adult admission. Get $1 off admission with a non-perishable food item donation.

More information: shawstlouis.org

Bring your preschool-age children to the Contemporary Art Museum for a play date full of fun activities. You'll enjoy artist-led activities, storytelling, music performances and more.

Parents will enjoy complimentary refreshments. Play Dates offer exciting ways for young artists to develop their artistic talents and provide unique opportunities for families to connect around their love of art.

10 to 11 a.m. Recommended for ages 2 to 5. At the Contemporary Art Museum. $5 per child. Children age 2 and under are free. 

More information: camstl.org

Also, check out Stroller Tours at the Contemporary Art Museum for infants up to 24 months.

Enjoy authentic food, live Salsa bands, dancing, the Los Niños Children's Pavilion with piñatas, a petting zoo, and more at the area’s largest Hispanic festival. 

There will also be folkloric dancers, Hispanic crafts, inflatable rides, exotic pets, traditional Hispanic games, information booths, and a carnival party at this celebration of the common heritage of Hispanic nations.

At Soulard Park (next to Soulard Market) Sept. 22-24. Free admission.

More information: hispanicfestivalstl.com

Leverage Dance Theater presents Moving Through Math, an interactive performance that utilizes music, dance and movement to bring elementary math to life. Bodies become the tools to illustrate basic mathematical concepts including addition, subtraction, multiplication, lines, angles, polygons and patterns.

Part of the Visiting Artist Series at The Magic House.

Included with Magic House admission. 

Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10 with performances at noon and 2 p.m. at The Magic House.

More information: magichouse.org

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets to the front lawn of the Missouri History Museum for the popular Twilight Tuesdays outdoor concert series. There will also be pre-concert activities for kids in the History Clubhouse, including make-and-take craft activities and more, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Food and drinks are also available for purchase from Bixby's, the museum's restaurant, and various food trucks. In the event of inclement weather, call the Twilight Tuesdays Information Hotline after 3 p.m. at 314-454-3199 to check if the concert will still take place.

At the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. Free.

More information: mohistory.org 

Watch street artists from Chalk Riot as they create an amazing masterpiece on concrete on the Waterfall Patio. Chalk it up to experience as the artists share their tips and techniques and inspire visitors to sketch their own creations in chalk.

Part of the Visiting Artist Series at The Magic House. 

Saturday, August 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, August 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Visiting Artist Series is a year-long celebration of the arts. One weekend every month, visitors to The Magic House have the opportunity to learn from a variety of professional artists as they demonstrate their techniques. 

Free with admission to The Magic House. 

More information and registration: magichouse.com

Shop, eat and enjoy live music, hands-on art projects and entertainment for kids at this casual and fun Maplewood festival.

Enjoy food from some of the area's top restaurants, live music, art activities and more during Maplewood's whimsical tribute to Bastille Day. Kids' activities take place in Sutton Loop Park.

6 to 11 p.m. in downtown Maplewood. The parade kicks off at 6:30.

More information: cityofmaplewood.com

The city of O’Fallon, Mo., throws a fantastic, family-friendly birthday celebration at the Ozzie Smith Sports Complex over the 4th of July holiday.

Carnival rides, live entertainment by popular country artists and rock bands, a parade, and dazzling displays of fireworks are all part of the 4^th of July fun at the Heritage and Freedom Fest July 3-4. Take advantage of free Kids’ Zone activities on July 3 and 4, or enjoy unlimited carnival rides with the purchase of a $20 wristband on Family Night on July 2.   

More information: heritageandfreedomfest.com

The party begins at 6:30 p.m. in Chesterfield on the 4^th of July, with a free concert, a Kids’ Zone, circus show, fireworks and lots more in the west parking lot at Chesterfield Mall. 

Children's activities in the Kids Zone start at 6:30 p.m. The Kids Zone features a two-hour circus show by Circus Kaput with unicycling, juggling, magic, aerial acts, a stiltwalker, teeterboard, fire breathing acrobats and more. You'll also find kids' games, two bubble machines, inflatable bounce houses and slides, and an obstacle course. Live music begins at 7:30.

The fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m. Bring your own lawn chairs and refreshments (no glass). Food and beverages will be available for purchase from local vendors.

 More information: chesterfield.mo.us