Illinois Metro East

American Indian Education Days at Cahokia Mounds

Learn about American Indian customs, beliefs, dress, crafts and arts at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site.

Share the day with Native American artists, craftspeople, demonstrators and performers.

10 am. to 5 p.m. Free.

Stop in to Vetta Sports for a free open house, featuring soccer demo classes for kids, fun on inflatables, raffles and prizes and other fun activities for kids.

Soccer demos will be led by Coach Dave Fernandez.

Open Houses will be held:

Saturday, Aug. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Vetta Sports Sportsplex in Belleville, Ill.

Sunday, Aug. 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Vetta Sports O'Fallon, Ill.

Free and open to all.

More information: vettasports.com

View this event »

Family Tree Community Fair

Touchette Regional Hospital will once again hold its annual health event and back-to-school kickoff for families in the Metro East. This fifth annual event includes free school supplies, free boys' haircuts and health screenings for the entire family.

In addition, there will be games, kids' activities, food and prizes. The Family Tree Community fair is free and runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Touchette Regional Hospital.

More information: touchette.org

View this event »

Frozen at the Tower

Anna and Elsa from Frozen will meet and greet little fans and pose for photos on the top two levels of the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower.

There will also be Frozen balloon art provided by Jay "The Balloon Dude."

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $1 for children and $2 for adults.

More information: confluencetower.com

View this event »

Fireworks at the Confluence

See a stunning fireworks display from the top two levels of the Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower.

Tickets are $20 for the top level and $15 for the middle level. Seating is limited.

More information and tickets: confluencetower.com

View this event »

Fireworks at the St. Louis Regional Airport

Celebrate the July 4th holiday a bit early at this fireworks display at the St. Louis Regional Airport.

The display begins at 9:15 p.m. Free.

More information: visitalton.com

View this event »

Hummingbird Festival at Pere Marquette Lodge

Your family can learn all about hummingbirds, plus enjoy crafts & activities for kids, food and art vendors, live music, wine tastings and more at this annual festival.

Visitors can watch as local hummingbird experts measure, weigh and band the birds, and can also take a tour of the historic Lodge. Admission is free.

At Pere Marquette Lodge in Grafton, Ill. More information: visitalton.com

View this event »

Pages

Things to Do

Planetarium Shows at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park

Visit the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park and see a star show to experience the largest artificial sky in the Western Hemisphere. Star shows are lead LIVE by one of the Planetarium's educators, creating a new and tailored experience for every audience.

View this event »

Water Waddlers Outdoor Drop-In Swim

Splash and play with your little one in this fun morning activity. No registration is necessary.

View this event »

Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo

See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.

View this event »

Sunsets and Snowcones on the Greenways

Monday, June 16, 2025

Thursday, June 26, 2025

Monday, July 14, 2025

Enjoy free snow cones and watch as the sun sets on greenways across the St. Louis metro area at Sunsets and Snowcones sponsored by Great Rivers Greenway. This free summer series is designed to connect people to nature and community while highlighting the 135 miles of greenways maintained by the agency.

View this event »

In the Library with Louie

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Meet Louie, the St. Louis Blues mascot, who will pose for photos and sign autographs at this free library event. Your kids will learn what it's like to be a mascot and what it takes to get ready for the season too!

View this event »

See All Things to Do

Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.

Popular Stories

Summer Fun in St. Louis Starts Now! Your Guide to Family Fun this June

For many St. Louis families, the start of June represents the real start of summer. That's when the summer fun really starts to kick in, and the fact that so many activities and attractions are free is just a bonus!

Why Summer Camp is Great for . . . Parents

Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life who mean a lot to you is no small matter. As parents, we’re used to being responsible providers and caregivers. However, there’s so much more to a person: we’re also partners and friends. These are important parts of our identities that we need to cultivate. Sending your kids to summer camp may bring out your more playful side that you haven’t shown for a while.

7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

Greenway Quest 2025: A TOAD-ally Fun Adventure for Your Family

It's the time of year to get outside (finally!!) and have some fun, and Great Rivers Greenway's Greenway Quest is just the adventure your family needs. This year, they partnered with the Saint Louis Zoo for Greenway Quest, a TOAD-ally awesome greenway hunt throughout the month of April. Plus, enter now to win prizes!

Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

You Might Also Like...

Visit the Missouri History Museum on Wednesdays and Fridays in June and July for their Summer Family Fun Series! On Wednesdays, enjoy a variety of free family activities, including crafts, performances, and scavenger hunts, all are tied into Museum exhibits and centered on a different theme each week. Learn about Caribbean, Latin American, and German cultures in STL, discover Missouri’s trains, planes and other forms of transportation innovation, celebrate the 10th anniversary of the History Clubhouse, and more! Fridays feature Storytelling in the Museum and Cuentos en el Museo programs followed by a drop-in craft workshop. Hear classic American folktales, stories about Juneteenth, sweet treats and the 1904 World’s Fair, as well as other topics that families will love. The series is appropriate for children ages 2–12. For more detailed information on each day’s activities, visit the Museum’s website. Please note there is no program on Wednesday, July 2.

Vetta Sports Spring Break and Summer Camps are where every kid wants to be! Give your kids a full week of sports, activities and friends during their school's Spring Break or all summer long at Vetta Sports. Enrollment is open for kids ages 5-12 for camps in a fun, active, creative environment full of sports, games, friends and special activities. LEARN MORE AND ENROLL TODAY!

From arts, to STEM, to nature, sports and beyond, you'll find the best summer adventures for your kids in our Summer Camp Guide. Enroll now and plan your family's best summer yet. Our Summer Camp Guide is searchable for your child's interests, age, your location, whether you need before and after-care, and even for specific weeks. You'll find exciting opportunities for kids ages 3 to teenagers. Check our Summer Camp Guide now to get started!

From Our Sponsors