St. Louis Family Events

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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$8 Admission Day at The Magic House

The number 8 is lucky in Chinese culture, so The Magic House is bringing great luck to all its visitors on 8/8 as they drop admission to $8 per person.

This discounted admisson cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.

More information: magichouse.org

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Things to Do

Planetarium Shows at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park

Visit the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park and see a star show to experience the largest artificial sky in the Western Hemisphere. Star shows are lead LIVE by one of the Planetarium's educators, creating a new and tailored experience for every audience.

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Water Waddlers Outdoor Drop-In Swim

Splash and play with your little one in this fun morning activity. No registration is necessary.

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Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo

Monday, June 30, 2025

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

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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Storytime in Forest Park

Monday, June 30, 2025

Monday, July 7, 2025

Monday, July 14, 2025

Meet up in Forest Park for a fun storytime followed by nature adventures! These free story times are open to children of all ages and their caregivers.

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Preschool & Kindergarten Gymnastics Open House

Monday, June 30, 2025

Join Team Central Gymnastics for a free Open House and see what the preschool and kindergarten gymnastics classes are all about.

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Popular Stories

Festivals & Fireworks to Celebrate July 4th in St. Louis

It's time to celebrate Independence Day in St. Louis, and because this year July 4th falls on a Friday, your family can look forward to a full weekend of festivals and fireworks. Check out these family-friendly celebrations that include carnivals, fantastic fireworks and lots more.

Summer Fun in St. Louis Starts Now! Your Guide to Family Fun this June

For many St. Louis families, the start of June represents the real start of summer. That's when the summer fun really starts to kick in, and the fact that so many activities and attractions are free is just a bonus!

Why Summer Camp is Great for . . . Parents

Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life who mean a lot to you is no small matter. As parents, we’re used to being responsible providers and caregivers. However, there’s so much more to a person: we’re also partners and friends. These are important parts of our identities that we need to cultivate. Sending your kids to summer camp may bring out your more playful side that you haven’t shown for a while.

7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

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Visit the Missouri History Museum on Wednesdays and Fridays in June and July for their Summer Family Fun Series! On Wednesdays, enjoy a variety of free family activities, including crafts, performances, and scavenger hunts, all are tied into Museum exhibits and centered on a different theme each week. Learn about Caribbean, Latin American, and German cultures in STL, discover Missouri’s trains, planes and other forms of transportation innovation, celebrate the 10th anniversary of the History Clubhouse, and more! Fridays feature Storytelling in the Museum and Cuentos en el Museo programs followed by a drop-in craft workshop. Hear classic American folktales, stories about Juneteenth, sweet treats and the 1904 World’s Fair, as well as other topics that families will love. The series is appropriate for children ages 2–12. For more detailed information on each day’s activities, visit the Museum’s website. Please note there is no program on Wednesday, July 2.

Vetta Sports Spring Break and Summer Camps are where every kid wants to be! Give your kids a full week of sports, activities and friends during their school's Spring Break or all summer long at Vetta Sports. Enrollment is open for kids ages 5-12 for camps in a fun, active, creative environment full of sports, games, friends and special activities. LEARN MORE AND ENROLL TODAY!

From arts, to STEM, to nature, sports and beyond, you'll find the best summer adventures for your kids in our Summer Camp Guide. Enroll now and plan your family's best summer yet. Our Summer Camp Guide is searchable for your child's interests, age, your location, whether you need before and after-care, and even for specific weeks. You'll find exciting opportunities for kids ages 3 to teenagers. Check our Summer Camp Guide now to get started!

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