St. Louis

Back to School and Community Empowerment Festival

St. Louis Public School and the Urban League of Metro St. Louis present the annual Back to School and Community Enpowerment Festival, free for all city residents.

This year's festival features a main stage on the arena floor where student performances and academic showcases will take place. Free school supplies will be given away while supplies last and a free lunch will also be served.

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Pluto Party at the Planetarium

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pluto's status as a dwarf planet with star shows and fun family activities throughout the day.

The Planetarium's star shows will focus on Pluto and NASA's New Horizon's mission.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the James S. McDonnel Planetarium in Forest Park.

More information: slsc.org

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Library Olympics

Play "Minute to Win It" style games as you celebrate the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Free. 2-4 p.m. at the St. Louis Public Library, Carpenter Branch.

More information: slpl.org

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Comics Central at Central Library

The 5th annual Comics Central is an all-ages event that features game demos, a Comic Craft Corner from Star Clipper, vendors selling comics, artwork, a cosplay contest, mobile video gaming, virtual reality demos, food trucks and a DJ.

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150th Birthday Party at the Missouri History Museum

You're invited to the 150th Birthday Party at the Missouri History Museum, where there will be family friendly fun all afternoon.

Activities include games, hands-on crafts for kids, face painting, a strolling magician, gallery scavenger hunts, gallery tours, free cake and frozen custard, pop-up musical performances, carriage rides around the museum (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and more. All activities are free.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More information: mohistory.org

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First Friday: Journey to Middle Earth

First Fridays at the Saint Louis Science Center include free parking and fun activities centered around a theme. This month: Journey to Middle Earth. You'll see amazing science demonstrations, Planetarium shows, Center Stage activities, special movie showings and more.

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DigiGirlz High Tech Camp

DigiGirlz High Tech Camp is a free once-day class for girls entering grades 8-12 to explore careers in technology. Pre-registration is required.

Participants will meet successful women from the technology industry to learn about their career experiences and inspirations. Presented by Microsoft and the Saint Louis Science Center, DigiGirlz High Tech Camp includes tech demonstrations, networking and hands-on workshops. Girls will also have the chance to win amazing prizes.

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Things to Do

Water Waddlers Outdoor Drop-In Swim

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

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Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

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.

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Preschool Science Series at the Saint Louis Science Center

The Preschool Science Series is an open exploration learning lab for young scientists, ages 18 months to 5 years and their families. Activities are designed around research that shows children learn best through play, inquiry and shared experiences with their parents and caregivers.

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Toddler Time at The Magic House

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!

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Movie Nights at 9 Mile Garden

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

9 Mile Garden presents family-friendly movie nights all summer long on Wednesday evenings. Enjoy a free movie on the 325-inch big screen along with food trucks, kiddie cocktails, slushies and more.

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Dinoroarus Comes Roaring Back at the Saint Louis Zoo

The Dinoroarus exhibit brings prehistoric fun back to the Saint Louis Zoo this summer with 20 lifelike dinosaur animatronics and sculptures on the Zoo's Historic Hill.

Get Ready to Climb and Explore at These Free Big Truck Days

If your kids love to explore big trucks and vehicles, these upcoming Big Truck Days are a perfect weekend or weeknight outing. They'll get to climb on and explore fire trucks, police vehicles, bulldozers, bucket trucks, ambulances and lots more.

Travel Back in Time Every Friday at the Missouri History Museum’s Free Summer Family Fun Series

There comes a point every summer when all that “free time” isn’t so fun anymore. Your kids are bouncing off the walls, it’s too hot to hit the playground, and every activity seems to come with a big price tag. That’s when the screens come out, and parents find themselves counting down the minutes to bedtime. Thankfully, when Friday rolls around each week, your family can experience a mini summer getaway through history – no travel required.

City Museum's Stuff the Bus Campaign Provides School Supplies for 160 St. Louis Schools

Visit City Museum August 3-31, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

Your Guide to Free Outdoor Family Movies this Summer

Seeing a movie at the theater is a magical experience, but when summer rolls around, it’s time to get outside and enjoy free movies under the stars! Free family movie nights abound across the St. Louis area, so grab your kids, a blanket or lawn chairs, and get ready for some cinematic fun. Here's where to find them:

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Make the most of the rest of summer at Upper Limits Rock Climbing Summer Camp! Our 5-day camps run Monday through Friday and are packed with climbing, games, water days, challenges, and new friendships. Choose the schedule that works best for your family with half-day and full-day camp options available. We're conveniently located in Maryland Heights and Chesterfield, making it easy to find an adventure near you! Save $10 on camp registration with promo code CLIMBINGCAMP2026. Come spend the rest of your summer reaching new heights at Upper Limits! LEARN MORE

Great Rivers Greenway has teamed up with the Saint Louis Zoo for the fifth annual free greenway scavenger hunt. Community members are invited to look for the many varieties of native bees that you can see buzzing around greenways and search for special hidden souvenirs you can take home! Starting August 1, BEE on the lookout for hand-painted bee rocks along all 140+ miles of greenways. Saint Louis Zoo ALIVE (Active Leaders in Volunteer Education) teen volunteers hand-painted hundreds of rocks like three different species of bees found along the greenways: American bumblebee, brown-belted bumblebee and two-spotted bumblebee, plus a few of the endangered rusty patched bumblebee. If you find a painted rock, you can take it with you. Be sure to log your rock at www.GreenwayQuest.com for a chance to win prizes from both organizations, including Saint Louis Zoo Adventure Passes! Rocks are along edges of greenways or at trailheads, never far away from the path and never on private property. LEARN MORE AND GET STARTED!

See the Purina Incredible Dog Team perform extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill right here in St. Louis at Union Station this summer! Featuring some of the most talented canines in the country, the Purina Incredible Dog Team consists of more than 20 remarkably gifted dogs and two trainers who entertain audiences with extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill. Spectators can watch the team demonstrate a variety of canine sports while dogs of different breeds fly through the air to catch a flying disc, leap over a high jump, and maneuver through a series of obstacles in an agility course. Free performances are happening Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Union Station's Performance Plaza in front of the St. Louis Wheel. Learn more at purina.com/purinafarms.

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