To help limit the spread of Coronavirus and to support public health efforts, many family attractions have closed temporarily. In the meantime, we invite our readers to enjoy virtual events highlighted in our Things To Do calendar. When you do go out, follow public health guidelines: wear masks, practice social distancing and wash your hands frequently. To learn why social distancing is important and effective in lessening the spread of COVID-19, hear from Dr. Alexis Elward, Chief Medical Officer at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

free events St. Louis

Pet-A-Palooza at Purina Farms

Familes will have a blast at Purina Farms Pet-A-Palooza, a celebration of pets and their families. In addition to being one of the biggest pet adoption days in the area (including dogs, cats, rabbits and more), Pet-A-Palooza will feature grooming areas for pets, a kids area with inflatables and games, a pet photo booth, food, live music and a showcase of some of the latest pet gear and accessories. You'll also enjoy the Incredible Dog Challenge, the Barn and Play Area, and Pro Plan Performance Team Dog Shows, which take place at the Incredible Dog Arena. Admission is free. Parking is $5.

View this event »

Purina FARMer's Market

Bring your kids to a Farmer's Market that's down on the farm! While you shop, there will be games and activities to entertain your kids. A portion of all sales benefits the Missouri Baptist Children's Home.

View this event »

Tower Grove Farmers Market with Artscope's Art at the Market

Tower Grove Farmers Market features local produce as well as grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, eggs and other foods, plus free yoga. Stop by the Artscope Creative Castle for art and crafts for kids.

View this event »

Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.

Things to Do

Science @ Home with the Saint Louis Science Center

The Science Louis Science Center is continuing to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning through its online Science @ Home series! Visit the Science Center's web site or social media channels for DIY science experiments that can be done at home, Amazing Science Demonstrations from the Science Center's Energy Stage team, connections to local scientists, astronomy updates from the McDonnell Planetarium, live chats and more. Content is designed for all ages.

View this event »

Storytelling in the Museum from the Missouri History Museum

Friday, May 29, 2020

Friday, June 5, 2020

Friday, June 12, 2020

Storytelling in the Museum is now offered on Zoom from the Missouri History Museum! Tune in every Friday at 10:30 a.m. for engaging stories with themes like Our City, Superheroes, Steaming Through History, Healthy Habits and lots more.

View this event »

Magic At Home with The Magic House

The Magic House is bringing innovative, hands-on learning to you at home with its #MagicAtHome series of interactive, instructional online presentations. The Magic At Home series of activities includes lots of fun projects that you can make at home with common materials. The easy-to-follow directions mean your kids can make paper sculpture, do shaving cream marble painting, create make-your-own flowers, go "fishin," make TP roll animals, make salad spin art and more.

View this event »

Zoom with Saint Louis Zoo Educators

Enjoy the Saint Louis Zoo online! Zoom with Saint Louis Zoo educators is a live, free presentation that allows families to learn more about animals and how amazing they are. Themes vary, and registration in advance is required. After registering, you'll receive a confirmation email letting you know how to join.

If you can't join the live presentation, the recordings are available on the zoo's web site at stlzoo.org/STLZOOms

View this event »

Storytelling at the Museum in Spanish

Friday, May 29, 2020

This free Spanish-language program from the Missouri History Museum is now online.

View this event »

See All Things to Do

Popular Stories

Parenting During the Pandemic: Overwhelmed and Exhausted

No, last Saturday I didn’t plant a victory garden or make a sourdough starter. I wasn’t the mom who created movie tickets and set up a concession stand in my house for movie night (seriously, WHICH ONE OF YOU DID THIS and how did word get back to my kids?). I stayed on the couch all day and hissed at anyone who invaded my territory. Like millions of other parents juggling homeschooling and working from home, I’m beat.

St. Louis Area Summer Camps, Some Family Attractions to Open In June with New Safety Guidelines

Summer camps in the St. Louis area that have announced they will hold in-person summer sessions are enacting strict safety protocols to help ensure the health of their campers. In addition to limiting enrollment, camps are cancelling field trips, enacting strict cleaning protocols, taking daily temperature and symptom checks, and puting measures in place that will allow for social distancing.

Saint Louis Zoo Announces Opening Date for Summer 2020; New Safety Protocols

The Saint Louis Zoo has announced it will reopen Saturday, June 13 with new protocols for visitors, including requiring timed reservations and face masks, and limiting attendance to better allow for social distancing. All Zoo staff will wear face masks and all guests over the age of 9 will be required to wear face masks/face coverings while visiting.

Coming Soon: Why the Forest Park Playscape, Opening This Year, Will Be Much More Than a Playground

Since breaking ground on the child-inspired Nature Playscape in Forest Park last summer, Forest Park Forever, the City of St. Louis and their team of partners have been pushing forward on this much-anticipated project at full speed, constructing eight activity areas where your kids will soon splash, climb, build, and learn. Already halfway completed, this one-of-a-kind play area in the heart of the park is destined to grow children’s interest in the natural world around them.

Blood, Flood or Vomit: How I Taught My Kids to Be More Independent

Once upon a time, well before we had children, I sat down to have a conversation with my husband. Looking back now, it was a magical twenty minutes. Perhaps we talked about something somewhat important, like our monthly financial spreadsheet, or something extremely important, like what restaurant we were going to for dinner. The point isn’t what the conversation was about. The point is that once upon a time we were able to have an entire uninterrupted conversation.