fun activities for kids St. Louis

The tallest monument in the United States will become the spookiest on October 19 during Frights and Heights at the Gateway Arch. The Arch will transform into a family-friendly Halloween party full of tricks and treats.

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Creative Play + Story Time at Craft Alliance

Visit Craft Alliance for a drop-in story time and fun, hands-on crafts at Story Time + Creative Play. These drop-in session are free and designed for kids ages 5-9.

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Fall Frolic in Tower Grove Park

Join the Missouri Department of Conservation for its second annual Fall Frolic in Tower Grove Park. At this free event, you'll learn about all the flora and fauna that call Tower Grove Park home through autumn-centric activity stations and wildlife encounters!

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HullabaZoo at the Saint Louis Zoo

Have some wild fun with your kids at HullabaZoo at the Saint Louis Zoo! These themed afternoons are full of family activities unique to the Zoo. Enjoy live entertainment you can dance to, and kid favorites like the Bubble Bus.

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Mondays at Mastodon

Mondays at Mastodon is a free summer program for elementary-age children to learn about nature, history, and have fun at Mastodon State Park. Themes include Ancient Art, Glorious Games, Finding Fossils, Writing in the Woods and more.

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Family Day in the Grand Center Arts District

Celebrate the arts at Family Day in the Grand Center Arts District. Join the Contemporary Art Museum, Pulitzer Arts Foundation, and the Sheldon Concert Hall & Art Galleries for this free family day.

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Movies in the Park

Catch an outdoor family movie at Brentwood Park. Fun activities begin at 7 p.m. and the movie starts at dusk.

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Things to Do

Halloween Nights at Grant's Farm

Thursday, October 1, 2026

Friday, October 2, 2026

Saturday, October 3, 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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Water Waddlers Indoor Drop-In Swim

Thursday, October 1, 2026

Friday, October 2, 2026

Monday, October 5, 2026

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 at the Saint Louis Science Center

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Thursday, October 1, 2026

Friday, October 2, 2026

The Preschool Science Series is an open exploration learning lab for young scientists - ages 18 months to 5 years - and their families. Activities are designed around research that shows children learn best through play, inquiry and shared experiences with their parents and caregivers.

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Twilight Thursdays Concert Series at the Missouri History Museum

Thursday, October 1, 2026

Free outdoor concerts are back at the Missouri History Museum. The May series of concerts features favorite bands, food trucks, and exhibits inside the museum that are open to the public on concert nights. Concerts are held from 6-8 p.m.

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Toddler Time at The Magic House

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Thursday, October 1, 2026

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1and up can take part in exhibits and exclusive interactive activities designed just for little ones. There are new themes every week!

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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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Lace up and leash up for a great cause! You and your dog are invited to run, jog, or walk in the Purple Leash 5K & Fun Run at Purina Farms. Compete for top dog in the 5K race or take it easy in the 1-mile fun run. Put your paws to the pavement and then head over to the TAILgate after party for food, drinks, music and more all while raising awareness for the Purple Leash Project. All purple outfits and purple dog gear are highly encouraged! The Purple Leash Project was born out of the Purina mission to bring and keep pets and people together and the RedRover® mission to bring people and their pets from crisis to care. Your support of the Purple Leash Project assists domestic violence shelters on their journey to welcome family pets by funding pet-friendly renovations. Sunday, October 11. FIND OUT HOW TO REGISTER

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

See the Purina Incredible Dog Team perform extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill right here in St. Louis at Union Station this summer! Featuring some of the most talented canines in the country, the Purina Incredible Dog Team consists of more than 20 remarkably gifted dogs and two trainers who entertain audiences with extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill. Spectators can watch the team demonstrate a variety of canine sports while dogs of different breeds fly through the air to catch a flying disc, leap over a high jump, and maneuver through a series of obstacles in an agility course. Free performances are happening Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Union Station's Performance Plaza in front of the St. Louis Wheel. Learn more at purina.com/purinafarms.

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