8 Essential Events for St. Louis Families in July

Summer is heating up and there's plenty of fun to be had before it's time to head back to school. Here are our top picks for family-friendly events in July around the St. Louis area:

1. St. Louis Cardinals Kids Day Out at Busch Stadium (7/6):

Join the boys of summer as the Cardinals take on the Marlins for Kids Day Out at the ballpark, presented by Kids Rock Cancer. Starting at 11:15 until game time (12:45), all kids with this special Theme Ticket will have access to a special Kids Zone with fun activities in Riverview Corner. Tickets include a free hot dog, soda and chips as well.

Kids Day Out at Busch Stadium is Thursday, July 6, starting at 11:15 a.m. For tickets and information, visit mlb.com/cardinals.

2. Bookworm Breakfast with Curious George at the Butterly House (7/7 & 7/8)

Presented by the Missouri Botanical Garden at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Faust Park, families with kids of all ages will enjoy this fun-filled morning including activities, a story reading, breakfast and photos with the guest of honor – Curious George. Stick around after the event to visit the butterflies in the Tropical Conservatory or play in the park. Tickets are $15 for Garden members and $20 for the general public.  Ages 12 months and under are free.

Bookworm Breakfast takes place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 7 and Saturday, July 8 at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House at Faust Park, located at 15193 Olive Boulevard in Chesterfield. For more information, visit butterflyhouse.org. 

3. Messy Play Day at Endangered Wolf Center (7/9)

Looking for some messy fun with your toddler? Messy Play Day at the Endangered Wolf Center offers a chance for children from walking age up to 5 years to get messy while they explore nature through tactile activities and sensory crafts. Just make sure to dress them in clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Activities include sand exploration, mud and dirt fun, water play, watercolors, face painting and more.

The cost is only $8 per child and parents are free. Special mini-tours of animal enclosures will also be available for an additional $10 per person, with no charge for children enrolled in Messy Play. These events book up quickly, so call 636-938-5900 to reserve a spot.

Messy Play Day takes place on Sunday, July 9 (and Sunday, Aug.  13 if you can't make it in July) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Endangered Wolf Center, located at 6750 Tyson Valley Road in Eureka. For more information, visit endangeredwolfcenter.org.

4. Family Concert: Mr. Stinky Feet at the St. Louis County Library (7/14)

Cool off in the air conditioning at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters for a special early evening family concert. Bring your dancing shoes and join Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove for a high-energy, interactive concert guaranteed to get the whole family rockin’. Space is limited, so early arrival is recommended.

The Family Concert Series featuring Mr. Stinky Feet takes place on Friday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6) at the St. Louis County Library headquarters located at 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. in Frontenac. For more info, visit slcl.org.

5. Trucks & Tails at Purina Farms (7/16)

Bring the whole family out to celebrate the storied relationship between dogs and trucks. Kids can meet amazing, hardworking dogs and check out more than 20 different vehicles while learning how they work together. There will also be a trackless train, balloon animals, games and more. Admission and parking are free and no reservations are necessary.

Trucks & Tails takes place on Sunday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Purina Farms, located at 200 Checkerboard Loop in Gray Summit. For fore info, visit purinafarms.com.

6. Disney’s Beauty & The Beast at COCA (7/21-7/23)

Enjoy the "tale as old as time" of a young woman and a prince trapped under an enchantress’ spell as performed by COCA Theatre Company, an auditioned ensemble of students enrolled in COCA’s Pre-Professional Division. This production features the film’s Academy Award-winning score with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, with additional song with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. The performance is two hours including intermission. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). Tickets are $14-$18.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast takes place Friday, July 21 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 22 at 1 and 5 p.m.; and Sunday, July 23 at 1 and 5 p.m. at COCA Founders' Theatre, located at 524 Trinity Avenue in University City. For more information, visit cocastl.org.

7. Family Workshop: Painting in the Park at Laumeier Sculpture Park (7/22)

This special art workshop at Laumeier Sculpture Park for parents and their children ages four to 12 teaches painting through the exploration of color. Learn to mix acrylic paints and put color to canvas as you create a family masterpiece together. The cost is $45 per family.

Painting in the Park takes place on Saturday, July 22 from 2-4 p.m. in the Education Shelters at Laumeier Sculpture Park, located at 12580 Rott Road in Sunset Hills. For more information, visit laumeiersculpturepark.org.

8. Magic House Dolls & Desserts (7/29)

The Magic House turns into a dollhouse as children are invited to bring their favorite doll friends to the Museum for this special event. Attendees will have the opportunity to get their favorite doll styled at the exclusive doll salon, enjoy scrumptious desserts, and enjoy private time exploring the Museum with their dolls. Reservations are required and the cost is $15 per person for members and $20 for non-members.

Dolls and Desserts takes place on Saturday, July 29 from 6-8 p.m. at The Magic House, located at 516 S. Kirkwood Road in Kirkwood. For more information and to register go to magichouse.org

Ready for even more summer fun? Check out our Things To Do Calendar and subscribe to our Things To Do email.

Photo via Laumeier Sculpture Park's Instagram: Mark Mennin's Cores for Laumeier, part of the Emerson Children's Sculpture Garden at Laumeier Sculpture Park.