free things to do with kids in St. Louis County

Ice Cream Social

Beat the heat and cool down with sweet treats at the library.

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Reptile Scales & Tails

Kids ages 5 and up can learn about reptiles and meet a large tortoise, lizards and snakes.

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Cuddle Buddy Clinic

Little ones, ages 2-5, can bring a stuffed animal to the library for a pretend clinic check-up. Registration is required for the free Cuddle Buddy Clinic.

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Dinosaur Sensory Play

Dress your littles to get messy for Dinosaur Sensory Play. This dinosaur-themed play session is for ages 6-24 months.

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Autumn Adventures

At this free nature workshop, kids will see how plants and animals are gearing up for the arrival of winter. Presented by naturalist April Anderson.

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Candy Creations

At this free workshop, kids will make some incredible, edible masterpieces with food items.

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Wildkin Pop-Up Forest Adventure

Forest School practitioners Jennifer Thrasher and Sarah Wilson will lead parents and children as they discovers the endless capacity children have to learn deeply and purposefully in the forest.

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Things to Do

Party in the Patch at Shaw Park

Friday, October 16, 2026

Celebrate the spookiest day of the year with a candy hunt, hay rides, inflatables, carnival games and more at Party in the Patch.

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Free Family Night at The Magic House

Friday, October 16, 2026

Friday, November 20, 2026

Friday, December 18, 2026

Come play at The Magic House for free during Free Family Night. Capacity is limited.

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Not-So-Haunted House at The Magic House

Friday, October 16, 2026

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Sunday, October 18, 2026

It's the Not-So-Haunted House that is oh-so-fun, where storybook characters come alive! Kids are invited to dress in their most "boo-tiful" Halloween costumes and have a ghoulishly good time going on a spook-tacular scavenger hunt throughout The Magic House to find trick-or-treat locations and seeing their favorite storybook characters.

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Halloween Nights at Grant's Farm

Friday, October 16, 2026

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Get into the Halloween spirit with some spooky fun and celebrate with the animals at Grant's Farm. Enjoy Halloween tram rides featuring Halloween lights, spooky scenes, live actors, scare zones, a Halloween-themed show, monster mash party and more. Costumes are encouraged.

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Parents Night Out at Miss Kelly's Gym

Friday, October 16, 2026

Friday, November 6, 2026

Friday, November 20, 2026

Let Miss Kelly's give you the night off while your child takes part in many different fun activities, including games, obstacles and challenges!

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Popular Stories

Dinoroarus Comes Roaring Back at the Saint Louis Zoo

The Dinoroarus exhibit brings prehistoric fun back to the Saint Louis Zoo this summer with 20 lifelike dinosaur animatronics and sculptures on the Zoo's Historic Hill.

Get Ready to Climb and Explore at These Free Big Truck Days

If your kids love to explore big trucks and vehicles, these upcoming Big Truck Days are a perfect weekend or weeknight outing. They'll get to climb on and explore fire trucks, police vehicles, bulldozers, bucket trucks, ambulances and lots more.

Travel Back in Time Every Friday at the Missouri History Museum’s Free Summer Family Fun Series

There comes a point every summer when all that “free time” isn’t so fun anymore. Your kids are bouncing off the walls, it’s too hot to hit the playground, and every activity seems to come with a big price tag. That’s when the screens come out, and parents find themselves counting down the minutes to bedtime. Thankfully, when Friday rolls around each week, your family can experience a mini summer getaway through history – no travel required.

City Museum's Stuff the Bus Campaign Provides School Supplies for 160 St. Louis Schools

Visit City Museum August 3-31, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

Your Guide to Free Outdoor Family Movies this Summer

Seeing a movie at the theater is a magical experience, but when summer rolls around, it’s time to get outside and enjoy free movies under the stars! Free family movie nights abound across the St. Louis area, so grab your kids, a blanket or lawn chairs, and get ready for some cinematic fun. Here's where to find them:

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Find yourself at Forsyth on Sunday, October 25, 3:00–5:00 pm for All-School Open House! Perfect for families with candidates for any and every grade, All-School Open House is a wonderful opportunity to meet our classroom and specialist teachers, chat with current students and families, and hear from Head of School Rob Butler. Advance registration is required.

Forsyth School fosters a spirit of curiosity and joy, empowering children age 2 through Grade 6 to pursue challenges with confidence. At Forsyth, our talented and caring teachers encourage students to explore and question, enabling them to learn deeply. Each child's unique identity is known, celebrated, and nurtured by our supportive community. The results are profound: children take risks, pursue challenges, and find joy in learning. The "Forsyth experience" is enriched by the school's unique campus, location, and commitment to the natural world. LEARN MORE AND RSVP

The Missouri History Museum celebrates education and family learning with History Exploration Days! One Friday per month from September to May, homeschool families with kids of all ages can explore a different historical topic—together! All activities are FREE. Explore St. Louis history in new and exciting ways through interactive guided gallery tours, hands-on workshops, and community performances that align with each month’s theme, encouraging investigation, exploration, and creative fun. Activities are offered at various times throughout the day and are customized for specific grade-level groups.

Storytelling takes place in the morning, and all ages are welcome. Visit the craft room for fun learning experiences, with museum educators available to help learners participate in meaningful ways. Topics this school year include colonial St. Louis, baseball, Black history, and wildlife. Detailed schedules for each day will be posted to the Museum’s website. The program is offered on October 9, November 13, December 11, January 15, February 19, March 19, April 9, and May 14. LEARN MORE

What if school were a place where curiosity leads the way, learning comes to life, and children discover just how much they're capable of? At The College School, students from Preschool through Eighth Grade learn by doing. They explore creeks and forests, tackle meaningful challenges, ask big questions, and build the confidence to think independently. With strong academics, hands-on experiences, and a close-knit community, learning extends far beyond the classroom.

We invite you to experience it for yourself at our All-School Open House on Saturday, November 14, from 9:00–10:30 a.m. Meet our teachers, explore our classrooms and learning spaces, and discover what makes The College School such a special place to grow.

Come see how an extraordinary education begins with the freedom to explore.

Register for Open House

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