activities for kids in St. Louis

Families are invited to join book artist Melanie Daniels in the Art Studio at The Magic House to learn the ABCs of making pocket-sized books from recycled materials based on the alphabet. 

Join world-champion sand sculptor Dan Belcher as he builds a 75-ton sandcastle outdoors on the shores of The Magic House! Visitors can dig and create their own "sandsational" sculpture using only sand and water. 

It's Monster Machines Day at Des Peres Park! See a police car, bulldozer, fire truck and much more up close during this hands-on, free event. Kids can climb in and look around and let their imagination take them on a ride. Kids can also visit the bicycle obstacle course and go for a ride to test their skills. Kids are encouraged to bring their own bikes.

Celebrate Earth Day with Earth-related activities and games, live entertainment, keeper chats and animal enrichment activities at the Saint Louis Zoo. 

Shop for close-out, clearance and almost one-of-a-kind items from St. Louis area museum gift shops at this annual event.

It's never to early to learn about the world around us. Infants and toddlers learn about nature at this indoor-outdoor program sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly Mardi Gras fun. Activities include a bounce house, arts and crafts, fire trucks and police vehicles, story times, interactive displays by local artists, a dress-up Mardi Gras-style area, and face painting, mask and crown making and more. This is an alcohol-free event.