fun for kids in STL

Read, Play, Grow in the Nature Playscape

Come see the Nature Playscape in Forest Park filled with books, puppets, flannel boards & flannels, and young families at Read, Play, Grow! This unique "come and go as you please" outdoor event for kids ages 0-5 and their families is designed for parents and caregivers to enjoy the simple pleasure of reading with their children while connecting with nature.

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Movies on the Plaza

Enjoy a free outdoor movie at Movies on the Plaza in the Central West End. Each month, trivia and prizes kick off the fun, so arrive early. Movies begin at 8 p.m.

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Popsicle Party at The Magic House

Kick off June with a popsicle party at The Magic House! Gather in the front play garden for free popsicles, hands-on fun, outdoor games and nostalgic crafts for a 90s-themed classic summer day.

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Family Night at Brentwood Park

Visit Brentwood Park on select Friday nights for Family Night. Enjoy lots of fun in the park, like food trucks, live music and free entertainment for all ages.

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Ka-Chow Cars Event at Edwardsville Children's Museum with Lightning McQueen

What better way to celebrate the 100th birthday of Route 66 than a road trip to Radiator Springs? Your family is invited to join Lightning McQueen at the Edwardsville Children’s Museum’s third annual Ka-Chow! Cars Event. With free action-packed activities and high-octane fun, this is one event no young racing fan should miss!

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar Party

Celebrate Eric Carle's book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, at the library! Kids ages 3-

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Elephant & Piggie

Meet the lovable best friends from Mo Willems' Elephant & Piggie series of books!

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Things to Do

Saint Louis Art Fair with the Creative Castle for Kids

Friday, September 18, 2026

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Sunday, September 20, 2026

The Saint Louis Art Fair is a free, three-day celebration of the visual and performing arts that includes a Creative Castle for kids on Saturday and Sunday.

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Kirkwood Greentree Festival

Friday, September 18, 2026

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Sunday, September 20, 2026

The annual Kirkwood Greentree Festival will be held September 18 - 20 in Kirkwood Park. This free, family festival features a parade that steps off on Saturday at 10 a.m. beginning at Kirkwood High School, entertainment and food vendor booths, and kids activities.

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Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race

Friday, September 18, 2026

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Head to Forest Park for the annual Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race.

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Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur

Friday, September 18, 2026

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Friday, September 25, 2026

Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur.

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Applefest at Eckert Farms

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Sunday, September 20, 2026

Saturday, September 26, 2026

Wagon rides, live entertainment, great festival foods, a petting zoo and much more make this an apple pickin' good time for the whole family. There will be pony rides, a children's carnival, opportunities to feed goats and other farm animals, caramel apples, funnel cakes and more.

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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 September 11, 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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