Illinois Metro East

Just Between Friends Kids' & Maternity Consignment Sale

Are you a savings expert? As prices on gas, groceries, back-to-school supplies, and everything else continue to go up, let the Just Between Friends O'Fallon/Belleville Kids' & Maternity Consignment Sale help you save money!

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Breakfast with Santa at Eckerts

Saturday, December 9, 2023

At Breakfast with Santa at Eckerts, your child can tell Santa their Christmas wishes, have their photo taken with him and decorate some holiday cookies while your whole family enjoys a farm-fresh breakfast.

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'Stories of the Nickel Plate' Opens at the Edwardsville Children's Museum with 'All Aboard' Train Event

The Edwardsville Children's Museum (ECM) invites the community to get their first look – and first listen – of “Stories of the Nickel Plate” during a special opening event from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The day includes free admission to ECM and Nickel Plate Station and children’s train rides around the ECM campus.

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Kids Day at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

This special day includes hands-on activities, crafts, storytelling, games, face painting and more for kids of all ages.

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Camp Splish Splash

Get ready to get wet at Camp Splish Splash! There will be sensory bins with water beads, bubbles, and lots of different types of water play.

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Strawberry Festival at Eckerts

There are more than strawberries (but plenty of those too) at this festival! Kids can enjoy pony rides, carnival rides, a petting farm, wagon rides, inflatables and lots more.

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Ages

Elementary Age, High Schoolers, Middle Schoolers, Preschool, Teens and Tweens

Locations

St. Louis County, Illinois Metro East, North County, Outside the Metro Area, South City, South County, St. Charles County, St. Louis, West County

Extended Care

Yes

YMCA Summer Camp

Jump Into Summer Day Camp!

Make this your summer for YMCA Day Camps, where kids make new friends and as they explore new adventures each day! You can find Gateway Region YMCA Summer Day Camps at 23 locations throughout St. Louis and the Metro East. The Y’s camps are designed for all ages - preschool, school-age and teen, which may vary by branch. Camps are offered on a weekly basis throughout the summer. Most are held or based at local YMCAs. Hours are typically 9 am - 4 pm, or half day for Preschool Camp. In addition, there is Fun Club, the Y's Before & After Camp Care, which is available as an add-on to all camps at an additional fee. Dozens and dozens of camps are offered by the YMCA, from Cheer, Dance and Drill and Sports of All Sorts to Baking and Water Park Hop. Camps are represented in these areas: Traditional, Special Interest, Arts & Humanities, Aquatics and Sports.

Here’s what some camp parents have to say:

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Things to Do

Walk & Talk School Tour at the Waldorf School of St. Louis

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Learn about Waldorf education by observing classes in session at the Waldorf School of St. Louis.

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Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden

More than a million lights will illuminate some of the Missouri Botanical Garden's most iconic locations, walkways will be transformed into sensory light tunnels providing an explosion of visual magic, and traditional candlelight village displays, festive drinks, s'mores and great photo opportunities will delight crowds of all ages.

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Garden Glow Family Nights at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Visit one of the most dazzling holiday light displays in the Midwest on these special Family Nights when children's tickets are just $5.

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Family Night With Fredbird

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Bring your family to Cardinals Nation Restaurant on select Wednesday nights for Family Night with Fredbird! Meet Fredbird from 6:30-7:30 p.m., play games and win prizes! Kids 12 and under eat free per adult meal purchased.

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Holiday Lights at Grant's Farm: Drive-Through and Walk-Through Experience

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Friday, December 8, 2023

Grant's Farm welcomes visitors this holiday season to the 2023 Holiday Lights Drive-Through and Walk-Through Experiences featuring dazzling light displays, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a 50-foot LED Christmas tree, Clydesdale photos, and more.

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See All Things to Do

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Family Night with Fredbird is back at Cardinals Nation! Join us at Cardinals Nation Restaurant & Bar on select Wednesday evenings this off-season! Bring your family for games, prizes, and meet Fredbird and take photos with him from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Kids eat free every Wednesday from 5 - 9 p.m.* To view the dates and make your reservation, visit cardinals.com/familynight

*One free kids meal per adult meal purchased. Dine-in only. For kids 12 and under.

The Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar is a family-friendly holiday festival especially for kids and dogs! This St. Louis favorite returns to the state-of-the-art Purina Event Center on Dec. 2-3. Visit the Kids Activity Area, take photos with Santa, have fun in Jingle Bell Junction, watch live musical entertainment and canine demonstrations, meet adoptable pets, visit the Slobber Town Activity Area for dogs, and shop for unique gifts from more than 25 local retailers! Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar admission is free; parking is $25 per car. There will be a dedicated sensory-friendly space for the duration of the event that will offer photos with Santa for families with children of all abilities from 12-12:30 each day. The Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar will be held December 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Reservations are required. LEARN MORE AT PURINAFARMS.COM

As you roam throughout the Zoo during U.S. Bank Wild Lights you’ll see dazzling displays, including new light tunnels and a 40-foot tree, as well as an inflatable maze, blizzard boulevard, camp fire corner, candy cane lane, polar point and lots more. Need a warm-up? Step inside the Insectarium to see invertebrates, sip on a novelty hot chocolate, toast some s’mores at one of the fire pits, or enjoy “The Polar Express” at the 4D Theater. If you’re cool with being cool, you’ll enjoy seeing the animals at Penguin & Puffin Coast, where it’s a brisk 45 degrees, or embrace the winter chill as you ride the Conservation Carousel. Adding to the merriment are holiday carolers, performing nightly. And for the kiddos: be sure to stop by the Woodland Workshop, where they can work on a free craft and write a letter to Santa. Select nights, Nov. 24 through Dec. 30, 5 to 8:30 p.m. Learn more at stlzoo.org/wildlights; tickets are on sale now!

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