events for kids and families in St. Louis

Did your child’s school miss out on a Maple Sugar School Field Trip? No problem. Learn the history of maple sugaring, visit the sugar bush to collect sap, and learn to boil it down into syrup. Dress for the weather as the entire program is outdoors and part of the trail is not stroller accessible.

Free. 4-5:30 p.m. at Rockwoods Reservation in Wildwood. 

More information and reservations: www.mdc.mo.gov

Looking at a skeleton can give you a key to what the animal is and how it lived. Did it swim, fly, walk or slither? What did it eat? At this nature workshop, kids will take a mystery mammal skull through a special question and answer maze and "key it out" to find out what animal it is.

For ages 7 and up. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

At Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood. Call 314-301-1500 for reservations.

More information: mdc.mo.gov

Step into the nocturnal world of owls at the Owl Prowl at Powder Valley. Discover what owls eat and the unique adaptations that owls possess for life at night.

You'll also learn about the different species of owls that frequent Missouri and what makes them special. Explore the night forest as you search for these amazing creatures during an evening of owling. Please dress for the weather.

Free. For families with kids ages 7 and up. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. At Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center.

Why are some squirrels gray? What do they eat? How do they climb trees? Preschoolers (ages 3 to 6), will learn about squirrels, through listening to stories, playing games and making a craft. Then, they'll go on an outdoor acorn hunt.

9:30 to 11 a.m. At Rockwoods Reservation. For reservations, call 636-458-2236.

More information: mdc.mo.gov

Learn about the poisonous and venomous plants and animals found in Missouri. We will be looking at and learning about snakes, spiders, bees, wasps, hornets, scorpions, mushrooms and, everybody's favorite, poison ivy. There will be live examples of venomous animals found in the area. You can come anytime during the 4 hour period. No reservations required. For all ages.

10 a..m. to 2 p.m. Free. At the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area.

More information: mdc.mo.gov

Kids ages 6 and up can learn more about the interesting lives of these eight-legged hunters. If possible, this program will include a spider hike, so please dress for the weather.

If you walk near woods or trees, the mammals you are most likely to see are squirrels. They are fun to watch as they run and jump and play, flick their bushy tails, chase each other up trees, bury acorns in the fall and dig them up again to eat in winter. But in spite of the playfulness that makes squirrels fun to watch, they face the same challenges in their lives as any other kind of wildlife. Learn more about these lively little mammals as we celebrate their lives with activities and crafts.