St. Louis Family Events

Watch the best robotics teams from around with world face off in a rock 'em, sock 'em competition with homemade robots. Teams compete for top honors in design excellence, competitive play and sportsmanship.

Events include the FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge World Championships and te FIRST LEGO League World Festival. Also featured is the Junior FIRST LEGO League World Festival Expo. 

All events are free and open to the public.

Competition times vary.  Events are held at the Edward Jones Dome, Union Station and America’s Center.

Tour the Challenger Learning Center to celebrate Earth Day. Preview the newest simulated space mission at the center: Earth Odyssey, and take part in hands-on activities, like the new Wind Turbine Design Challenge workshop, then enjoy snacks, environmental activites and giveaways.

2 to 6 p.m. Free, but registration is requested.

With the help of the St. Louis Modern Chinese School and Chinese Culture and Education Services, the Magic House will host games and sports popular with children in China today. 

Kids can learn to spin a Diabolo, inspired by a Chinese yoyo, kick around a shuttlecock in a round of Chinese hacky sack, pick up a games of pink pong or skip a rubber band as they jump up, down and all around for a game of Chinese jump rope.

Author Deborah Zemke will read from her new book, The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake during this free story time at Left Bank Books. In the story, when food goes missing on Ed's farm, Detectives Wilcox and Griswold do what it take to track down the thieves. In this case, Miss Rabbit's carrot cake has disappeared. Has it been stolen? Eaten? Or both? And who did it?

10:30 a.m. at Left Bank Books in the Central West End. Free.

This special story time features David Backes, St. Louis Blues captain and co-founder, along with his wife Kelly, of Athletes for Animals. Backes will read Oh, The Pets You Can Get by Dr. Seuss and talk to children about his compassion for animals, the importance of pet adoption and responsible pet ownership.

Enjoy an evening of art, music and culture in Grand Center the first Friday of event month. Take a guided tour of the museum, enjoy live music and refreshments. A special Spanish language tour is being offered tonight in collaboration with the International Institute. Families are welcome.

Free. 5 to 9 p.m. at the Contemporary Art Museum.

More information: camstl.org

The Saint Louis Science Center has partnered with Tau Beta Pi - a national Engineering Honors Society - to provide STEM engineering-based programs for children in grades 3 through 6. MindSET is a national initiative let by Tau Beta to help students become interested in STEM careers by organizing programs that are both fun and educational.