St. Louis

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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National Donut Day at Jazz St. Louis

Celebrate National Donut Day at this free donut tasting, complete with kids' activities and live jazz music.

Stop in to Ferring Jazz Bistro (Jazz at the Bistro) from 8 to 11 a.m. for donut tastings from 15 local shops, beverages from Starbucks and Oberweis, photo booth fun, a variety of kids' activities and great jazz.

Free. See the event on Facebook

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Musical Merry-Go-Round Welcomes Farmer Jason in Concert

Kid-favorite and award-winning entertainer Farmer Jason, whose songs focus on teaching kids about the wonders of nature, will perform a lively, interactive concert geared to kids ages 2 to 8 at the Tick Tock Tavern.

The matinee is at 2 p.m. and advance tickets are encouraged. Tickets are $10 per person; children under 24 months are free if seated on a ticketed adult's lap.

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Walk to the Wharf

Join the Great Rivers Greenway's Walk to the Wharf event on Thursdays this summer along the newly reopened Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd.

You'll hear live music and can grab lunch from some of St. Louis' most popular food trucks as you see the recent improvements made along the riverfront and as work continues on the Arch grounds.

Free. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

For more information and a schedule of food trucks and live entertainment visit: greatriversgreenway.org

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Picnic on the Riverfront

Celebrate the reopening of the new riverfront beneath the Gateway Arch at Picnic on the Riverfront, St. Louis' largest-ever community picnic.

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Preschool Science Series: Exciting Excavations

During Exciting Excavations, your preschooler will learn about the role of Paleontologists and Archaeologists through hands-on excavation activities.

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Things to Do

Whitaker Music Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

The Whitaker Music Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden is a beloved summer tradition that presents free Wednesday evening concerts under the stars.

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Tons of Trucks at Schroeder Park in Manchester

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Does your child love big trucks? Bring them to Schroeder Park in Manchester for Tons of Trucks, where there will be trucks, tractors, construction vehicles, city vehicles and more to explore. Kids can crawl, climb and sit in the driver's seats with the operators of these vehicles.

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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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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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Wacky Wednesday at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

See spectacular performances and fun & educational demonstrations by kid-favorite entertainers like Babaloo and Oh My Gosh Josh and Mad Science.

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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 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 through 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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