
For those who have always longed to build a gingerbread house but were intimidated by the thought, here is your chance to create a beautiful display for the holidays.
Supplies and guidance will be provided. You provide the creativity! For all ages. Cost is $14 per gingerbread house.
Workshops are held between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Country Store at Eckert's in Bellville.
See artisans create one-of-a-kind ice sculptures including the American Bald Eagle. Watch Chip Off the Old Block demonstrate how to create an eagle ice sculpture that will be on display until it's melted.
12 to 2 p.m. at the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower in Hartford, Illinois. Free.
More information: confluencetower.com
Kids of all ages will learn about common trees at this free Discovery Day at the Watershed Nature Center. Then they'll make leaf sun catchers with colorful leaves, tree bark rubbings, examine leaf anatomy and tree rings, sort leaves and seeds and more.
Kids of all ages will learn about owls, bats and spiders at this free Discovery Day at Watershed Nature Center. Visitors will disect owl pellets, learn about owl body part, build a spider and play a spider web game.
10 a.m. to noon. Free, but tickets are required.
For more information and tickets: watershednaturecenter.org
Bring your whole family to learn, explore and play on the farm at Family Hike and Play Day at Willoughby Farm. Explore the nature trails and then enjoy games around the farm yard.
Cost is $2 per person with a maximum of $10 per family.
Ike Day, a former librarian for the City of Edwardsville, will lead preschoolers through a wonderful story telling time in the treehouse at the Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville. The stories are focused on teaching children about nature through storytelling and exploration.
Cardinals mascot Fredbird will visit Eckert Farms in Belleville so he can meet and greet guests.
Bring your kids to meet Fredbird between 11 and 11:30 a.m. on July 18. or from 12:30 to 1 p.m. on August 8.
The visit with Fredbird is free. No reservations are required.
More information: eckerts.com
Celebrating the history, culture, and people of Japan, the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the United States. Your family can enjoy guided walking tours, bonsai, cooking, martial arts and origami demonstrations, sumo wrestling, and special activities for kids.
Bring your babies and toddlers to this free story time at the Missouri History Museum.
Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Juneteenth, Sweet Treats, Summer and more. Storytelling in the Museum is free.
Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1-4 can take part in exhibits and exclusive interactive activities designed just for little ones. There are new themes every week!
Your child is old enough to start kindergarten, are they ready? Are you? At this special presentation, both you and your child will get a brief overview of what is expected before your child even enters the classroom. You'll also receive a free backpack and school supplies. Registration is required.