St. Louis

Play Date Theater: Monkey Tales Presents King Botany's Garden

See a live performance by Monkey Tales Theatre Company at this free performance that teaches kids that everyone is unique and has their own special gifts.

In King Botany's Garden, the three princesses, Lily, Rose and Ivy, must show their father, King Botany, that they have what it take to rule the kingdom while he is away.

2 to 3 p.m. at the St. Louis Public Library Central Library Auditorium. Free.

More information: slpl.org

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Open Late 'Til 8 Night

Thursday evenings this summer the Saint Louis Science Center is staying open until 8 p.m! Families can visit the new GROW exhibit and explore the journey of food, see a movie in the OMNIMAX Theater, and enjoy all the hands-on fun of the Science Center usually only accessible during the day.

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Grand Opening of GROW at the Saint Louis Science Center

Explore the new GROW Exhibit at the Saint Louis Science Center during its Grand Opening, where your kids can make treats for the chickens, ride on mini tractors, meet Dorothy and the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz, enjoy live music, giveaways and lots more.

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Free Performance by Circus Flora at Citygarden

Performers from the world-renowned Circus Flora Company will provide a free showcase at Citygarden, perfect for all ages. Then cool off in the spray plaza and fountains!

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Music & Movie Night in Ritz Park

Enjoy a free movie and live music in Ritz Park.

Once each month, South Grand hosts this free event. The schedule includes:

June 17: Movie: Labrinth (9 p.m.), Music by the Saturday Brothers (7:30 p.m.).

July 15: Movie: Top Gun (9 p.m.). Music by The Bottlesnakes (7:30 p.m.).

Aug. 19: Movie: Finding Nemo (9 p.m.). Music by Southwest Watson.

More information: southgrand.org

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Open-Ended Nature Play in Forest Park

Little ones with big imaginations will have a blast on this nature adventure on Picnic Island in Forest Park.

Bordered by shallow, cascading waterways, a suspension bridge, shade trees and a rock garden, Picnic Island is the perfect place for creative nature adventure. At this program, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, kids ages 0-6 will explore this beautiful paradise as they create their own story. Bring a hat, water bottle and wear shoes that can get wet.

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Shrek the Musical Jr.

In Shrek the Musical Jr., follow the adventures of an ogre who sets off on a quest to save a princess from a dragon. However, it turns out that to succeed, Shrek must battle an even bigger obstacle: learning how to believe in himself and open his heart to others.

This very family-friendly performance is presented by COCA.

Two performances: Friday, June 24 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 25 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $6 to $10.

More information and tickets: cocastl.org

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Things to Do

Budding Artists Preschool Art Program

At this free art program for ages 3-6 the focus is on the process of making art rather than the finished product. Dress to get messy!

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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.

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Storytime in Forest Park: Storytime in the Meadow

Monday, June 29, 2026

Monday, July 6, 2026

Monday, July 13, 2026

Meet up in Forest Park for a fun storytime followed by nature adventures! These free story times are open to children of all ages and their caregivers.

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Baby Bookworms Storytime with the St. Louis Public Library

Bring your little ones, 0-18 months, to Baby Bookworms Storytime to enjoy songs, stories and more.

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Dinosaur Sensory Play

Dress your littles to get messy for Dinosaur Sensory Play. This dinosaur-themed play session is for ages 6-24 months.

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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.

Festivals & Fireworks to Celebrate July 4th in St. Louis

It's time to celebrate Independence Day in St. Louis and our nation's 250th birthday! Check out these family-friendly celebrations that include carnivals, fantastic fireworks, drone shows, parades 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.

Summer STEM Camps Create Hands-On Fun + Immersive Learning for Kids & Teens

Want your child to learn about subjects in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), and have fun doing it? Help them further understand the inner workings of what's all around them by enrolling them in a STEM-fueled summer camp. You may be surprised at the wide variety of highly-acclaimed summer camps in the St. Louis area that put new and exciting twists on STEM concepts, creating hands-on fun for kids with the benefit of introducing them to some of the latest technologies in AI, engineering, coding and more.

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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One hour a week. It doesn't sound like much. But ask any Olympia parent, and they'll tell you - one hour a week has a way of changing everything. Maybe it's the moment your toddler sticks their first landing and looks up with that enormous grin. Maybe it's watching your school-age kid tackle something hard and realize they can do it. Maybe it's your teen finding a place where they truly belong.

Those moments add up, week after week. At Olympia Gymnastics, we've been creating those moments for St. Louis families for 47 years. Our coaches don't just teach skills, they show up for your kids. They get to know them, celebrate their wins, and cheer loudest on the hard days. One hour. Big Impact. Olympia Gymnastics + Ninja | 9 locations across the St. Louis area. LEARN MORE

Our Summer Camp Guide at stlcamps.com is the fastest and easiest way to find the perfect summer camps for your kids! We feature camps for ages 18 months to 18 years of age, and for every interest you can imagine. Our guide is searchable for your child's age, camp location, type of camp, camp dates, and even extended care availability. Whether your child is into sports, arts, robotics, coding, outdoor adventures, musical performance, climbing or just about anything else, you'll find it at stlcamps.com! Book your child's camp sessions now! GET STARTED

Visit the Missouri History Museum on Fridays in June and July for their Summer Family Fun Series! Enjoy a variety of free family activities, including crafts, performances, food, movement, and more! All activities are tied into Museum exhibits and St. Louis history, and focus on a different theme each week. This summer kids and families can learn about Juneteenth, celebrate America’s 250th birthday, explore Vietnamese culture in STL, and discover the wonders of the Mighty Mississippi!

Storytelling in the Museum programs are part of the fun this year, with themes that match the rest of the day’s activities. Don’t forget, the History Clubhouse is open for play and exploration! In this hands-on family gallery, kids can travel back in time to the World’s Fair, Cahokia and more as they learn about the history of the city they call home. Appropriate for ages 2–12. Fridays, June 5-July 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more detailed information on each day’s activities, visit the Museum’s website.

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