St. Louis Family Events

R2 Builders Group at Alien Worlds and Androids

Joins the St. Louis R2 Builders Group at the Saint Louis Science Center and check out the droids they have built! This display is part of the Science Center's new exhibit Alien Worlds and Androids.

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Back to School Bash

Kids ages 3 to 12 can celebrate the beginning of another school year at the Back to School Bash at the Center of Clayton. Mad Science, Abra-Kid-Abra and Bricks 4 Kidz will provide games, hands-on workshops and entertainment.

All proceeds from the event benefit KidSmart, which provides school supplies to kids in need across the metro St. Louis area. Cost is $8 per child in advance or $10 at the door.

More information: backtoschoolbashstl.com

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Babaloo Performs at the Library

Don't miss a free performance from award-winning local children's musical act Babaloo. This high-energy, interactive show allows kids to get wild and wacky as they become part of the fun.

Babaloo performs free at the St. Louis County Library on the following dates and times:

Thursday, July 2, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Tesson Ferry Branch on Lin-Ferry Drive in South County.

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Evening Insect Adventure: Blacklighting

Explore the wonderful insects that fly at night at The Butterfly House during this special event to celebrate National Moth Week. Entomologists will set up black lights, which will attract night-flying insects from miles away. This one-of-a-kind experience will give you a chance to closely observe rarely seen nocturnal insects that come to the light. Sightings may include large moths, beetles, crickets and other fascinating insects.

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Live on Olive Free Concert at Central Library

The St. Louis Public Library hosts this free concert series right on the steps of the Central Library location once a month through September. Families are welcome to enjoy live music outdoors. Concerts begin at 7 p.m.

Learn more about these concerts and a list of band performances in our feature story.

More information: slpl.org

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The Top 8 Essential Events for St. Louis Families This July

1. Fourth of July Festivals (7/1-7/4)

Music of China

Visitors to The Magic House can enjoy performances from the St. Louis Modern Chinese School showcasing a variety of Chinese instruments.

There will be Waist Drum performances at 10 a.m. and noonm and singing performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Free with admission. More information: magichouse.org

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Things to Do

Whitaker Music Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Wednesday, July 29, 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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Shark Week at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station

Aquarium visitors will be immersed in a world of shark-centered adventures and have opportunities to get up close to the sharks during Shark Week at the St. Louis Aquarium.

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Preschool Science Series at the Saint Louis Science Center

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Thursday, July 30, 2026

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 29, 2026

Wednesday, August 5, 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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Toddler Time at The Magic House

Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1-4 can take part in exhibits and exclusive interactive activities designed just for little ones. There are new themes every week!

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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.

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.

City Museum's Stuff the Bus Campaign Provides School Supplies for 160 St. Louis Schools

Visit City Museum August 3-31, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

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:

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.

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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.

Make the most of the rest of summer at Upper Limits Rock Climbing Summer Camp! Our 5-day camps run Monday through Friday and are packed with climbing, games, water days, challenges, and new friendships. Choose the schedule that works best for your family with half-day and full-day camp options available. We're conveniently located in Maryland Heights and Chesterfield, making it easy to find an adventure near you! Save $10 on camp registration with promo code CLIMBINGCAMP2026. Come spend the rest of your summer reaching new heights at Upper Limits! LEARN MORE

See the Purina Incredible Dog Team perform extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill right here in St. Louis at Union Station this summer! Featuring some of the most talented canines in the country, the Purina Incredible Dog Team consists of more than 20 remarkably gifted dogs and two trainers who entertain audiences with extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill. Spectators can watch the team demonstrate a variety of canine sports while dogs of different breeds fly through the air to catch a flying disc, leap over a high jump, and maneuver through a series of obstacles in an agility course. Free performances are happening Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Union Station's Performance Plaza in front of the St. Louis Wheel. Learn more at purina.com/purinafarms.

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