South County

Enjoy live music, food trucks, goat feeding, carousel rides and more at Grant's Farm with extended Friday night hours. Hours are 5:30 to 9 p.m., and the parking lot will stay open until 8 p.m., with Deer Park rides until 7:15 p.m. Goat feeding and the carousel will remain open until 8:30 p.m.

Parking is $13 per car. Admission is free, but there is a fee for some individual activities. 

Food Trucks at the Farm is held each Friday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. through August 24, weather permitting. 

More information: grantsfarm.com

Explore the fun and messy world of clay through hand building at this Laumeier Sculpture Park workshop. Learn basic sculpting techniques and create objects using slabs, coils and pinch pots. This workshop is designed to encourage problem-solving, enhance motor skills and teach the value of patience. Participants can pick up their finished piece the following week.   

For children ages 4-12 with a favorite grown up. Cost is $45. 

June 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Laumeier Sculpture Park. 

More information and to register: laumeier.org

Laumeier Sculpture Park's 105 acres are home not only to a collection of sculptures, but also to many birds, insects, frogs, mammals and plants. Parents and littles ones (ages 1-3) are invited to gather for an "all senses engaged" exploration of the natural environment of the Park. Nature + Me starts with a story time, followed by activities and outdoor play based on the day's theme. 

Nature + Me is one of Laumeier Sculpture Park's new Pre-K programs, along with Stroll + Stretch + Play, designed to provide parents and caregivers the opportunity to explore art and engage with nature through creative and healthy, stress-relieving activities. 

Nature + Me sessions are set for June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9 and August 23 (second and fourth Thursdays of the month) from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $10 for one adult and one child ages 1-3. Or, purchase a Drop-In Card and get six sessions for $50 or 12 sessions for $100. Registration is not necessary.

At Laumeier Sculpture Park. More information: laumeier.org

Suson Farm Fridays are the perfect way to experience all the fun at Suson Park! Take a barn tour, a hayride through the park, get your face painted, ride a pony, do some fishing and play on an awesome playground.

For kids ages 2 - 12. Admission is $10 per child. Adults are free. Park programs are designed for kids of all abilities. Suson Farm Fridays are held in all weather.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  At Suson Park in South County.

More information and to register online: stlouisco.com

Experience painting through the exploration of color at this family workshop. Learn to mix acrylic paints and put color to canvas as you create a family masterpiece together! 

For ages 4 to 12 with a favorite grownup. Cost is $55 and includes one adult and one child. 

Saturday, June 16, 10 a.m. to noon at Laumeier Sculpture Park in the Kranzberg Education Lab. 

More information and to register: laumeier.org

Laumeier Sculpture Park's Free Family Days provide families with a chance to bond while encouraging observation, imagination, curiosity and creativity. Visitors of all ages participate in structured activities for creating art using a variety of materials to create artwork based on personal experience.

Activities are designed to be simple enough for ages 4 and up to enjoy, yet complex enough that more experienced young artists can take their projects to another level. Families explore new media and concepts together and find inspiration in Laumeier's artworks and the natural environment. 

2 to 4 p.m. Free for all ages and open to all. More information: laumeier.org

Kids with special sensory needs can visit the Easter Bunny in a comfortable, calm environment at local malls this weekend. Four St. Louis area malls are hosting sensory-friendly visits with the Easter Bunny on Sunday, March 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. before the malls are open to the public. 

To make the visits especially calming, the mall lights will be dimmed and background music will be turned off. Locations include Mid Rivers Mall in St. Peters, St. Clair Square in Fairview Heights, South County Center and West County Center. 

Kids within every spectrum of special needs and their families are welcome to attend. Visits with the Easter Bunny during this event are free. Keepsake Easter Bunny photo packages are available for purchase. The malls are partnering with the Bunny Cares program through Autism Speaks.

Complimentary tickets can be reserved online at the following links:

Mid Rivers Mall

St. Clair Square

South County Center

West County Center

Art Fair at Laumeier is a nationally acclaimed fine art and craft fair at Laumeier Sculpture Park featuring food and beverage vendors, hands-on activities for kids, live music and more. The Art Fair is now in its 31st year.

At the Art Fair, visitors can choose from a variety of creative and original works of art from 150 artists from across the country and enjoy hands-on art activities for kids. Available for sale are works in ceramics, fiber/textiles, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography/digital, printmaking/drawing, sculpture and wood. A highly competitive juried show, the art fair receives over 400 applications, of which 150 are selected to participate. Judges award a total of $11,000 in prizes.

In addition to the artwork, food and drink from a variety of local vendors is available and you'll find exciting music and entertainment throughout the weekend.

Enjoy the beautiful grounds of the Park, including the Creation Location children's area featuring hands-on art projects for kids and free with Art Fair admission! Creation Location is open on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, enjoy the City of Sunset Hills' Music Festival, free with Art Fair admission.

Art Fair hours are:
Friday, May 11: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
Saturday, May 12: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 13: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $10 per person for ages 11 and up
Free for ages 10 and under and for members.

At Laumeier Sculpture Park in South St. Louis County. Presented by Emerson and produced in partnership with St. Louis County Parks.

More information: laumeier.org

Enjoy some adult conversation while you learn and play with your baby or toddler. At Stroll + Stretch + Play, you'll stretch, walk with the stroller and get fit while having fun and meeting other parents. Everyone will get fit through the development of fine and gross motor skills with outdoor movement and activities designed for both parent and child. 

For ages 1 to 3 with a favorite grown-up. Stroll + Stretch + Play is held on the first and third Thursday of the month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. 

Cost is $10 and includes one adult and one child. 

More information and to register online: laumeier.org