West County

Toddlers and preschoolers will explore nature through tactile activities and crafts at this special "messy" event. Children, from walking to age 5, will have a blast getting messy while learning to discover the world around them. 

Activities include sand exploration, mud and dirt fun, water play, watercolors, face painting, learning how to make nature crafts and more. Children should wear clothes that can get really dirty!

The cost is $8 per child. Parents are free. Special mini-tours of the animal enclosures will be available for $10 per person on Messy Play Day only. There is no charge for the mini-tour for children who are enrolled in the Messy Play Day.

This event is expected to be very popular, so reservations are recommended by calling 636-938-5900. Walk-in enrollment will be based on availability. 

Messy Play Day will be held July 29 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka.

More information and to reserve your child's spot: endangeredwolfcenter.org

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Experience St. Louis County as it was a century ago. Tour the 1850s Conway House, home of Dr. Frederick and Lavinia Bates and its period herb garden and outdoor kitchen. Also tour the circa 1848 log cabin of Ludwig and Salome Mertz, a dye and insect repellent garden, German vegetable garden, smokehouse, outhouse and woodshed and the Davis House, which originally was a two story log cabin with it's detached washhouse and smokehouse. On occasion, visitors may see a blacksmith at work in the Yokel barn. Guides in period dress will be available to answer questions.

Spanning a period from 1840 to 1910, the Historic Village represents a cross-section of architectural styles and building materials. All of the houses were moved into Faust Park from the surrounding area and saved from probable demolition.

At Faust Park in Chesterfield on July 28 and 29. Noon to 4 p.m. Free.

More information: stlouisco.com

Bring your kids to Faust Park for an old-fashioned celebration of summer. Enjoy hay rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, carousel rides, candle dipping, blacksmith and rope-making demonstrations, and visit the Faust Historic Village.

Admission is $10 per child in advance or $15 per child the day of the event. Call the park office for advance tickets: 314-615-8328 or register online.

Parents are free with a paid child ages 2-12.

9 a.m. to noon. At Faust Park in Chesterfield.

More information: stlouisco.com 

Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym.

Open Gym is held several times each week. Wednesdays at Noon, Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. a.m. and Fridays at 11:30 a.m. 

Each open gym session lasts one hour and is open to members and non-members ages 12 and under.

Free for members; $8 for non-members. Children under age 1 are free. Call for more information: 314-439-1100 or email tumble@misskellysgym.com

More information: www.misskellysgym.com

Help prepare your child to stay home alone before and after school or for other short periods of time in the interactive program. Topics covered include: entering and leaving the house, getting safely to and from school, what to do while home alone, safe snacks, storm and emergency preparedness, internet safety, and simple first aid. A Home Alone booklet and light snack will be provided.

For ages 9 to 11. 6 to 8 p.m. at The Pointe in Ballwin. Program taught by educators from Safety Basics. Cost is $28. Registration is required.  

More information: ballwin.mo.us

On the first Friday of the month kids are invited to spend some FREE time getting fit at Fit Kid: Free Kid at The Magic House. Kids 12 and under who complete a fitness challenge upon arrival can earn free admission to the event. Sponsored by St. Louis Children's Hospital. 

4-7 p.m. Registration is required for free admission.

More information and to register: magichouse.org

In celebration of Father's Day, dads will be admitted free at The Magic House on Sunday, June 17. Children can wish their father a very happy Father’s Day by creating a one-of-a-kind keepsake in the museum's Art Studio, dig in the sand at Sandcastle Beach, go fishing in the Children's Village Pond,  and lots more.

11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

More information: magichouse.org

Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur will hold a Parents Night Out on Friday, June 15. Let Miss Kelly's give you the night off while your child takes part in many different fun activities, including games, obstacles and challenges!

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

For children who are age 3 and up and potty trained. Space is limited and reservations are requested. Call 314-439-1100 or email tumble@misskellysgym.com. $20 for members; $25 for non-members. All siblings are half price.

More information: misskellysgym.com

Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy a free, family film in the Schroeder Park in Manchester. 

On June 8, see Despicable Me 3 at the amphitheater at 8:30 p.m. Free.

More information: manchestermo.gov

This annual community festival includes lots of live entertainment, a parade on Saturday morning, a carnival with rides, a "Kids Korner" on Sunday (1-4 p.m.) with games, crafts, face painting, the World Bird Sanctuary, Juggling Jeff, and more.

The festival is held Thursday, June 7 (carnival rides only) from 6:30-9:30; Friday, June 8 from 5 to 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 9 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. No pets or coolers are allowed

Festivities are held in Vlasis Park in Ballwin. Admission is free.

More information: ballwindays.com