free things to do in St. Louis with kids

Halloween Family Day at the Contemporary Art Museum

'Tis the season to be spooky! Dress up your kids in their best costumes and head to the Contemporary Art Museum for a haunted dance party, ghoulish art projects, face painting, a kids' costume contest, and special guests, including Louie from the St. Louis Blues. Registration is requested for this free event.

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Halloween Wild Walk

Dress up your kids in their favorite costumes and go trick-or-treating at businesses in the Wildwood Town Center! In addition to lots of treats, trick-or-treaters will enjoy free hot dogs, a costume contest, and giveaways. Free.

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Ferguson Fall Spooktacular

The Ferguson Fall Spooktacular includes trick or treating and a lot more! Families are invited to the Ferguson Community Center for hayrides, s'mores, lots of trick or treating fun, Halloween themed rooms, and more than 5,000 pieces of candy.

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City Wide Trunk or Treat

The Second Annual City Wide Trunk or Treat is fun for the whole family! This free event includes lots of candy and prizes for kids, three bounce houses and an inflatable slide, costume contest, face painting, games, a coloring table, fire truck and a DJ. Everyone is welcome.

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Artscope Family Picnic and Fun Fair

Grab your family and friends, fill up your picnic basket and join Artscope for its Family Picnic and Fun Fair. There will be fun for all ages, including carnival-style games, art activities for kids to make and take with them, face painting, raffle, live music from Firedog and DJ 18 and Counting, popsicles from Poptimism, food for purchase from Harvest Food Truck, cotton candy and more.

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Ghosts of the Arch Grounds

Meet at the West Entrance Plaza at the Gateway Arch for Ghosts of the Arch Grounds. Visitors will learn about the various incarnations of the Arch Grounds as they evolved from French fur trading post to warehouse district to the present Gateway Arch National Park. Experience the ups and downs of historical figures like Pierre Laclede, Thomas Targee, James Eads and Percy Green.

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Trick or Track

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

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

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 animated 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

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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Parents Night Out at Miss Kelly's Gym

Friday, December 9, 2022

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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Brewery Lights at Anheuser-Busch Brewery

Enjoy the iconic lights that adorn the Anheuser-Busch Brewery close up during walking tours (that are stroller-friendly), and a drive-through experience.

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Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym

Friday, December 9, 2022

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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Family Night with Fredbird is back at Cardinals Nation starting on November 9th! Join us at Cardinals Nation Restaurant & Bar on select Wednesday evenings this off-season! Bring your family down for games, prizes, and meet Fredbird 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.

Giveback Program: Your organization can partner with Cardinals Nation Restaurant for a Family Night with Fredbird! Anyone that comes into the restaurant and mentions the name of the organization on the appropriate Wednesday night, will have 15% of their pre-tax bill donated back to the organization.

The Rep rings in the spirit of the season with the second annual production of A Christmas Carol. At long last, the ghosts of Ebenezer Scrooge's past, present and future have caught up with him. Now London's most infamous miser face down his demons, reconcile the consequences of his choices and experience the power and joy of a miraculous redemption. Don't miss Santa Saturdays, when your child can have their photo taken with Santa for free! Plus, use our promo code FAMILY and buy two—get two tickets free! FOLLOW THIS LINK TO LEARN MORE AND GET TICKETS

'Tis the season for holiday lights and sweaters! Escape to a wonderland unlike any other at U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo. This holiday event features incredible light displays and themed areas, from “Meet Me in St. Louie” to “Holly Jolly Hangout.” Warm up with winter-themed treats like hot cocoa and s’mores. Check out the 4D Theater, included in admission, as well as the Insectarium and Penguin & Puffin Coast. And don’t forget to wear your favorite holiday sweater! Select nights, Nov. 25 through Dec. 30, 5 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets available at stlzoo.org.

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Elevate Your Family Movie Night

Whether family movie night is a weekly ritual in your family or an occasional treat, you can take it to the next level by adding activities that are both fun and educational. Here are some family-friendly movies with ideas for activities, snacks, crafts, outings, and books to continue the fun.

Water Safety Tips for Kids and Parents: Expert Advice From Jon Foss of FOSS Swim School

As parents, we have to ensure someone is watching our kids every time they’re around water. But due to this summer’s nationwide lifeguard shortage, we’ve had to up our game. There are many steps parents can take to better protect their kiddos in the water and empower them with respect for water safety. Here's how to start.

Winter Break Camps Offer School Break Fun for Your Kids

Winter Break Camps offer your kids a fun way to spend their break from school! They'll participate in engaging activities that will make their school break memorable. We rounded up some fantastic options for Winter Break Camps for kids of all ages. Sign up soon! Many camps fill fast.

Is Your Family Ready for the Life Outside Challenge?

September and October are prime months for outdoor family fun, so kick off your fall with the Life Outside Challenge! Discover the more than 128 miles of paved greenways across the St. Louis metro area during September and October, try free challenge activities, win prizes and discover new places! And, since life outside is all about fun, it couldn't be easier or more fun to participate.

The Magic House Hosts Halloween Magic, Lots More in October

The Not-So-Haunted House at The Magic House has become a tradition for St. Louis families, with its storybook characters, trick-or-treat scavenger hunts and all the fun the Magic House offers year-round. This year, The Magic House is hosting Halloween Magic, meaning kids can enjoy the Not-So-Haunted House, Trick-or-Treat Town, plus lots more indoor and outdoor fun.