free things to do in St. Louis with kids

Trick or Track at the Museum of Transporation

Trick or Track is a family Halloween celebration featuring a costume parade and trick or treating around the museum.

The Reptile Experience at Play Street Museum

Hop, crawl or slither over to Play Street Museum for a visit with Serengeti Steve and The Reptile Experience. Kids will have play time in the museum as well as a fun, interactive show featuring live reptiles.

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St. Louis County Library's Little Readers Festival

Celebrate reading at the Little Readers Festival. This free event features a variety of activities and performances, and kids ages 5 and under will receive free books and shaved ice. Activities will be provided by Ready Readers, the Animal Protective Association, St. Louis Cardinals, Nine Network, Florissant Fire Departments, We Stories, and others. Guests will also enjoy performances by Ms. Libby and storytime with Elephant and Piggie.

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Budding Artists Preschool Art Program

At this free art program for ages 3-6 the focus is on the process of making art rather than the finished product. Both in-person and virtual sessions are offered.

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Family Fun Night: Babaloo at the Library

Enjoy a fun, energetic and interactive musical show from one of St. Louis' favorite children's entertainers: Babaloo!

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Unicorn Slime Time at Play Street Museum

Kids will measure, mix and stir a magical batch of unicorn slime! This event is perfect for children of all ages, and playtime is included. Little ones will take away a souvenir too!

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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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Things to Do

U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Friday, December 1, 2023

U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo is back for another beautifully lit season. Your family can stroll through the Zoo grounds surrounded by a million lights! Visitors will see twinkling light displays, enjoy fun photo opportunities, holiday carolers, Santa's woodland workshop, roaming entertainers, and lots more in this enchanting holiday wonderland.

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Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Friday, December 1, 2023

More than a million lights will illuminate some of the Missouri Botanical Garden's most iconic locations, walkways will be transformed into sensory light tunnels providing an explosion of visual magic, and traditional candlelight village displays, festive drinks, s'mores and great photo opportunities will delight crowds of all ages.

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Brewery Lights at Anheuser-Busch Brewery

Enjoy the iconic lights that adorn the Anheuser-Busch Brewery close up during walking tours. Brewery Lights features more than one million twinkling lights and lots of family friendly activities. New this year is an enhanced parade with Clydesdales and street performers, giant branded nutcrackers and interactive stage performances.

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Water Waddlers Indoor Drop-In Swim

Stop in and have some fun in the indoor pool at the Lodge of Des Peres with your little one at this drop-in swim time for kids up to age 6. No pre-registration is needed; Water Waddlers is open to residents and non-residents of Des Peres.

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Preschool Science Series: Storybook STEAM at the Saint Louis Science Center

The Saint Louis Science Center has expanded its Preschool Science Series to include new offerings for different age groups of young scientists. Storybook STEAM is for ages 3 to 5.

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Family Night with Fredbird is back at Cardinals Nation! Join us at Cardinals Nation Restaurant & Bar on select Wednesday evenings this off-season! Bring your family for games, prizes, and meet Fredbird and take photos with him from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Kids eat free every Wednesday from 5 - 9 p.m.* To view the dates and make your reservation, visit cardinals.com/familynight

*One free kids meal per adult meal purchased. Dine-in only. For kids 12 and under.

The Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar is a family-friendly holiday festival especially for kids and dogs! This St. Louis favorite returns to the state-of-the-art Purina Event Center on Dec. 2-3. Visit the Kids Activity Area, take photos with Santa, have fun in Jingle Bell Junction, watch live musical entertainment and canine demonstrations, meet adoptable pets, visit the Slobber Town Activity Area for dogs, and shop for unique gifts from more than 25 local retailers! Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar admission is free; parking is $25 per car. There will be a dedicated sensory-friendly space for the duration of the event that will offer photos with Santa for families with children of all abilities from 12-12:30 each day. The Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar will be held December 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Reservations are required. LEARN MORE AT PURINAFARMS.COM

As you roam throughout the Zoo during U.S. Bank Wild Lights you’ll see dazzling displays, including new light tunnels and a 40-foot tree, as well as an inflatable maze, blizzard boulevard, camp fire corner, candy cane lane, polar point and lots more. Need a warm-up? Step inside the Insectarium to see invertebrates, sip on a novelty hot chocolate, toast some s’mores at one of the fire pits, or enjoy “The Polar Express” at the 4D Theater. If you’re cool with being cool, you’ll enjoy seeing the animals at Penguin & Puffin Coast, where it’s a brisk 45 degrees, or embrace the winter chill as you ride the Conservation Carousel. Adding to the merriment are holiday carolers, performing nightly. And for the kiddos: be sure to stop by the Woodland Workshop, where they can work on a free craft and write a letter to Santa. Select nights, Nov. 24 through Dec. 30, 5 to 8:30 p.m. Learn more at stlzoo.org/wildlights; tickets are on sale now!

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