West County

See a collection of one-act plays written by fifth graders at the WiseWrite Festival of One-Act Plays, now in its 20th year. The WiseWrite Festival is free and open to all.

The festival, presented by Springboard, is the culmination of many weeks of learning, brainstorming, writing, editing, practicing, reading, coaching and tweaking by students and their Springboard instructors and teachers. Using character development, plot analysis, theatricality and more, students increase literacy skills while bringing their stories to life as original plays. 

The city of Wildwood will host its annual Spring Balloon Glow featuring family activities, including photos with the Easter Bunny, crafts for children, giveaways, spring flowers and more.

The event also features a four-story hot air balloon, live music, mystery cash giveaways for kids ages 10 and under and family photo opportunities. Sponsored by the Wildwood Business Association. Proceeds benefit the Wildwood Family YMCA.

At Wildwood Town Center. 7 to 9 p.m.

More information: wildwoodba.org

Delve into the life of young Mary Lennox in this classic tale performed by children ages 8-16 at the West County Family YMCA.

In the story, Mary Lennox, a difficult child who loses her parents, finds a new family. With the help of this family, friends and a secret garden, she learns the value of hard work, friendship and love.

Presented by Chesterfield Community Theater. Performances are Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 13 at 3 p.m.

The Greater St. Louis Area Home Educators Expo includes speakers, seminars, workshops, panel discussions, clinics and three floors of exhibitors geared to parents who home school.

There are special presentations and resources for all age students, even high schoolers, as well as for struggling learners, special needs students and more. 

April 7-9 at the First Evangelical Free Church of St. Louis County in Manchester. 

More information, hours and speakers: service-life.com

Your kids can throw on their best cape and go to The Magic House for a breakfast fit for a superhero! Kids are welcome to dress like their favorite superhero and enjoy a superhero-themed morning filled with action-packed activities.

They'll also have the opportunity to meet their favorite superheroes, like Batman and Spiderman. After a delicious breakfast, there will be private playtime in the Super Kids Save the World exhibit.

Kids can get let their imaginations run wild as they create a painting that could become a greeting card for The Magic House.

During this workshop, led by Creative Kids Care (a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children through the creative works of children) your child can create a painting or colored drawing and add their first name and age to the finished masterpiece (with parental permission). The artwork will be photographed, and up to five of these greetings will be chosen to be greeting cards for The Magic House!

For kids with sensory processing disorders, a darkened theater, loud noises and having to "sit still" make for a very unpleasant experience. The Imaginary Theatre Company will present its production of the classic, Goldilocks, in a sensory friendly format just for kids with sensory disorders and their families.

The performance will be 55 minutes of fun and music, and pacing lines and fidgit rooms will be available. After the show, kids can meet their favorite costumed characters in the lobby!