free things to do in St. Louis with kids

Kids and families are invited to visit Clayton businesses from 4 to 6 p.m. for some tricks, treats and Halloween specials.

'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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

Kids will learn the science behind air pressure as they create a whirlwind with an Airzooka vortex generator and make pucks and balls levitate. They'll also launch foam rockets with the Air Blaster Kit.