free events

Grab lunch at a local restaurant or bring your own and take in a free concert in front of City Hall.

The City of Clayton hosts free concerts on Mondays in May (May 2, 9, 16, 23).

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

You won't want to miss this unique opportunity for your kids to take part in free classes at the Saint Louis Science Center's Makerspace.

In April's program, students will work in design teams to develop a new handheld musical instrument. Students will be challenged to design every aspect of their musical instrument, from its shape to the sounds it will make. The design teams will use MIT's Scratch programming language to program their musical instrument, from its shape to the sounds it will make.

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Messy Painting Workshop

There are few things little ones love more than getting creative and messy! At this free painting workshop, kids can take part in an entertaining and messy painting session.

Part of the StArt@Your Library series at the St. Louis County Library. For ages 3-6.

Messy Painting will be held:

June 17 at 10 a.m. at the Jamestown Bluffs Branch

June 20 at 10 a.m. at the Eureka Hills Branch

June 20 at 10 a.m. at the Lewis & Clark Branch

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Building the Arch

Kids will use their hands and brain to engineer their very own arch made out of everyday materials at this free workshop.

Part of the StArt@Your Library series at the St. Louis County Library. For ages 7-11.

Building the Arch will be held:

June 29 at 7 p.m. at the Florissant Valley Branch

Free, but registration is required. Learn more and register at slcl.org

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Space Travel

Kids can race a balloon rocket and design their own car engine as they learn about space travel.

They'll see the principle of propulsion at work in a real rocket launch, and build their very own Shuttle Copter to fly to the skies!

Part of the Art at Your Library series at the St. Louis County Library. Presented by Mad Science of St. Louis. For ages 6-11.

Space Travel will be held:

June 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jamestown Bluffs Branch

June 21 at 3 p.m. at the Grand Glaize Branch

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Water Works

Preschoolers (ages 3-5) can experiment with floating, sinking, absorption and lots more in this free workshop that's all about water.

Part of the Art at Your Library series at the St. Louis County Library. Presented by Mad Science of St. Louis

Water Works will be held on June 22 at 2:30 p.m. at the Rock Road Branch

Free, but registration is required. Learn more and register at slcl.org

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National Junior Ranger Day at the Old Courthouse

Come to the Old Courthouse for Junior Ranger Day and Night Explorer Workshop conducted by a sky ranger with the National Park Service. Kids can earn a special, limited-edition Junior Ranger badge commemorating the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service by completing a craft project relating to American pioneers, Plains Indians, Colonial St. Louis or Lewis & Clark. This special badge workshop will be held between at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

A special Junior Ranger Night Explorer Workshop, where kids can earn a Night Explorer Badge, will be held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

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Things to Do

Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym

Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym. Reservations are not necessary.

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Kids Art Night Out

Friday, May 3, 2024

Friday, June 7, 2024

Friday, July 5, 2024

Kids Art Night Out at Yucandu Art Studio features a new creative project each month, ranging from mosaics, to collage, printmaking, glitter, clay and more.

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Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo

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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Science Storytime at the Saint Louis Science Center

Young visitors and their families are invited to the Energy Stage to enjoy interactive read-alouds of science-themed picture books. Story times are followed by a short demonstration or discussion connected to the book's main concepts.

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All Around the Barn Tour at Suson Park

Friday, May 3, 2024

Friday, June 28, 2024

Friday, July 26, 2024

Meet the animals at Suson Park and learn about their care at the Suson Farm Park Barn Tours.

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Child development researchers at Washington University School of Medicine are inviting 4-7-year-old children and a caregiver to participate in a study investigating what children know about suicide along with risk factors for experiencing suicidality early in life. We are seeking children who have and who have not experienced suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Children who participate will 1) answer brief questions about their understanding of suicide (we want to learn what children at different ages know, we do not teach them anything new), 2) play games, and 3) complete a safe and non-invasive EEG. Caregivers will complete interviews and surveys. Families can earn up to $110 for participating. LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP HERE

We also have current studies for 12-14-year-old girls and their mothers. Check out our website or email us at childlab@wustl.edu.

In this thrilling blend of classical music and classic animation Bugs Bunny and his Looney Tunes pals join audiences of all ages at Stifel Theatre with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for Bugs Bunny at the Symphony. A dozen of the world’s most iconic Looney Tunes—What’s Opera, Doc?, The Rabbit of Seville, Corny Concerto, Baton Bunny, Long-Haired Hare, and many others—plus five brand-new animated shorts—will be projected on the big screen, while their exhilarating original scores are played live by the SLSO, conducted by George Daugherty. Bugs Bunny at the Symphony will be presented on Saturday, May 11 at 7 p.m. at Stifel Theatre. LEARN MORE AND GET TICKETS.

Witness high-flying canine athletes, experience up-close encounters with farm animals, or visit adoptable cats and dogs all at the Purina Farms Visitor Center, located just 30 minutes west of St. Louis! Officially opening for the 2024 season on April 20 & 21, guests who visit opening weekend will get the first look at the newly renovated Visitor Center lobby. Visit on Saturdays this season to attend our NEW magic show focused on responsible pet ownership. Open mid-April to October, Wednesday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Daily admission is free unless otherwise stated during a special event. We look forward to seeing you! LEARN MORE

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