Illinois Metro East

Healthy Kids Day at your local Family YMCA

Get kids moving and learning and find out about ways your whole family can have fun and be healthier at this free family event at your local branch of the Gateway Region YMCA.

At Healthy Kids Day, happening at YMCA branches across the St. Louis metro area, you can learn about the Y's programs for kids and adults, find out about summer camp opportunities, take part in games like kickball, take sampler classes, arts and crafts, kid-friendly yoga, free health screenings and lots more. Activities vary depending on the branch. Activities are free and open to the public.

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Storytelling at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

Take your kids to hear storytelling at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. Sponsored by the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the 35th Annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival.

2 p.m. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville.

More information: cahokiamounds.org

There is no admission fee, but a donation is suggested.

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Masters of the Sky

Learn about the majestic wonders of the sky - eagles, owls, falcons, vultures and hawks, at the Masters of the Sky show taking place at the National Great Rivers Museum.

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Dine with Anna and Elsa

Your little ones are invited to attend a festive dining event with Frozen's Anna and Elsa. Join in the merriment with lunch, singing, dancing and a keepsake photo with the queen and princess!

This event takes place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Jan. 23, 24, 30 and 31, and on Feb. 6, 7, 13 and 14.

Cost is $22.50 per person. At Eckert Farms in Belleville.

Learn more and register at eckerts.com

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Dine with Anna and Elsa, Meet Olaf and Sven

Bring your best wintery cheer to this festive dining experience with Anna and Elsa from Frozen! You'll have lunch, enjoy singing and dancing and get to take a keepsake photo with the Anna and Elsa. Then meet and take photos with Olaf and Sven.

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Gingerbread House Workshop

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.

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Chip off the Old Block Ice Carving

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

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Things to Do

Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park

Experience the holiday lights at Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park, where you'll find two million beautiful holiday lights and animated displays.

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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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Brewery Lights at Anheuser-Busch Brewery

Enjoy the iconic lights that adorn the Anheuser-Busch Brewery close up during walking tours. Brewery Lights features more than one million twinkling lights, a Kids Winter Wonderland, a nightly parade featuring the World-Famous Clydesdales, and lots of family-friendly activities.

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Holiday Magic at The Magic House

Celebrate the magic of the holidays the entire month of December at the Holiday Magic experience at The Magic House! Holiday Magic features festive decorations throughout the museum, Winter Wonderscape, a Snowball Showdown, Story Time with Mrs. Claus & Santa, a special Toddler Time experience and more.

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Winterfest

The magical sights of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation's Winterfest return to downtown St. Louis this holiday season. Winterfest includes family fun, beautiful holiday lights, s'mores stations, ice skating and festive activities and fireworks, plus special character visits and a New Year's Eve celebration.

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Families seeking festive fun over winter break are invited to join the Missouri History Museum for its annual Winter Getaway. Celebrate with make-and-take crafts, musical performances and wintery storytelling themes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Ring in the New Year with little ones at the Noon Year’s Eve Celebration. For a complete daily schedule, visit the Museum’s website.

December 27 | Wild Winter. Explore the history and importance of animals in our region with touchable artifacts, storytelling, interactive workshops and crafts.

December 28 | All Dressed Up. Learn about all things clothing, fashion, and design, from kids to adults. Drape mannequins, design sneakers, watch a fashion show, and make your own paper dolls.

December 30 | Christmas across Europe. Discover how European Christmas traditions became part of American celebrations. Enjoy Christmas carols in a variety of languages, make ornaments and play pretend winter market.

December 31 | Noon Year’s Eve. A family celebration of the new year that ends at noon, with TWO giant balloon drops, live music, crafts and storytelling.

Step into 36,000 sq ft of tropical, action-packed fun - built for kids and grown-ups! Climb through a massive 3-story jungle gym, race down the towering volcano slide, bounce on trampolines, dive into foam pits, and explore a toddler area made just for little adventurers. Hungry? Their in-house cafe has everything you need to fuel the fun: pizza, wings, mac & cheese, funnel fries, a coffee bar, and more!

Planning a birthday? Celebrate big in epic themed party rooms like the Princess, Space, Jungle & more! Ditch the screens - plan your ultimate indoor adventure! LEARN MORE

Plan your child's summer at the biggest Summer Camp Expo in the St. Louis area, featuring 60+ local and regional summer camps offering day- and sleep-away camp experiences all across the St. Louis region and beyond. Bring your kids to Summer Expo 2026 and learn about a wide variety of summer learning and summer camp opportunities for kids of all ages. The Summer Expo is presented by Parkway-Rockwood Community Ed, sponsored by STL Parent and STL Camps, and is open to all families from any school district across the St. Louis metro area. Admission is free! 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Parkway West High School. Stop by the STL Camps booth at the entrance and enter to win a free week of camp!

Learn more at summerexpostl,com

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