Family Events

When a new movie premieres at the Saint Louis Science Center's OMINIMAX Theater, it's a big deal - literally.

Camping is usually considered a summertime activity, but really there’s no better time to spend a few days living outdoors than now – when the summer heat transitions into autumn relief. No longer will you have to swelter on hikes, become a drinking fountain for mosquitos, or roast around the campfire – but instead soak up nature in cool comfort. To get your kids pumped up about the great outdoors, join them for a camping trial run at Camp In’ Under the Arch this weekend, a special event hosted by the National Park Service (NPS) in honor of Founders Day, its 97th birthday celebration.

Is your child's piggy bank a bit empty lately? Maybe those summer lemonade stands didn't quite turn the profit he or she had expected.

As kids head back to class and summer becomes a distant memory, time for fun and family is often harder and harder to come by. Between work, school, and extracurricular activities, fall is a busy season for St. Louis families – making it an excellent time to escape for a relaxing weekend getaway.

YMCA Trout Lodge and Camp Lakewood, collectively known as YMCA of the Ozarks, is the perfect place to do just that. Nestled on 5,000 acres of rolling, tree-covered hills in Potosi, and situated on a private 360-acre lake, the year-round, not-for-profit family resort, conference center, outdoor education center, and summer residential camp is a peaceful destination for families in need of some quality time together.     

When it comes to entertaining your kids on a rainy day in St. Louis, a trip to the Saint Louis Science Center can’t be beat. Even if you’ve explored this beloved local destination many times before, there’s always a new exhibit to see, or a favorite attraction (in our family, the giant hamster wheel) to enjoy once again. It was with this in mind that my children and I headed there a few weeks ago to check out the Lost Egypt exhibition currently on display.

The Saint Louis Science Center has debuted a new star show designed specifically for children who are blind or have low vision. “Feeling the Stars,” adapted from the existing show “The Little Star That Could,” gives individuals with visual impairment an accessible and immersive experience in the James S. McDonnell Planetarium.

St. Louis offers countless ways for kids to connect with nature. Check out some of our favorite area nature centers, parks and family attractions, and solve the summertime 'Mom I'm bored' blues!