fun things to do in STL with kids

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Explore Ballwin's parks with your toddler or preschooler with the Little Explorers program, held twice a month. Each Little Explorers outdoor class includes a craft, snack, and lots of activities to get you and your toddler moving and exploring!

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Tons of Transportation

Kids of all ages are invited to climb on and explore dump trucks, backhoes, fire trucks, police cruisers, an excavator and more at Tons of Transportation.

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Family Candy Cane Hunt at Babler State Park

Bring the whole family to beautiful Babler State Park for a winter adventure you won't forget. Enjoy several different candy cane hunts, then step inside to make festive crafts, sip on hot cocoa and win prizes.

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Splash and Bubbles Breakfast

Fishing around for something fun to do? Swim on over to The Magic House for the Splash and Bubbles Breakfast! Guests will have a whale of a time as they nibble on a delicious breakfast, participate in some very fishy art activities, explore the Mu"sea" um and enjoy private playtime in the exhibit Splash and Bubbles: Dive In, Lend a Fin!

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Wunderland at COCA

Fall down the rabbit hole again with wUNDERland! Back by popular demand, this re-imagining of Lewis Caroll's Alice in Wonderland puts a hip-hop spin on this fantasy classic. Designed for all ages, wUNDERland features creative direction and choreography by COCA Hip-Hop Crew Artistic Director Anthony "Redd" Williams.

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Trick or Treat Trail in The Grove

Grab your treat bags and don your costumes for Trick or Treat Trail in The Grove! Visit participating businesses in the neighborhood for goodies for both kids and grown-ups.

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Summer Children's Concert Series in Tower Grove Park

The Tower Grove Park Children's Summer Concert Series has returned for 2021 with three months of concerts geared to children, with each month introducing a different genre of music education. Concerts are free but require reservations. Bring your little Mozart or Verdi for a music-filled summer!

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Things to Do

Whitaker Music Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

The Whitaker Music Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden is a beloved summer tradition that presents free Wednesday evening concerts under the stars.

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Shark Week at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station

Aquarium visitors will be immersed in a world of shark-centered adventures and have opportunities to get up close to the sharks during Shark Week at the St. Louis Aquarium.

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Preschool Science Series at the Saint Louis Science Center

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Thursday, July 30, 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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Wacky Wednesday at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

See spectacular performances and fun & educational demonstrations by kid-favorite entertainers like Babaloo and Oh My Gosh Josh and Mad Science.

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Toddler Time at The Magic House

Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1-4 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.

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:

Summer STEM Camps Create Hands-On Fun + Immersive Learning for Kids & Teens

Want your child to learn about subjects in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), and have fun doing it? Help them further understand the inner workings of what's all around them by enrolling them in a STEM-fueled summer camp. You may be surprised at the wide variety of highly-acclaimed summer camps in the St. Louis area that put new and exciting twists on STEM concepts, creating hands-on fun for kids with the benefit of introducing them to some of the latest technologies in AI, engineering, coding and more.

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Visit the Missouri History Museum on Fridays in July for their Summer Family Fun Series! Enjoy a variety of free family activities, including crafts, performances, food, movement, and more! All activities are tied into Museum exhibits and St. Louis history, and focus on a different theme each week. This summer kids and families can learn about Juneteenth, celebrate America’s 250th birthday, explore Vietnamese culture in STL, and discover the wonders of the Mighty Mississippi!

Storytelling in the Museum programs are part of the fun this year, with themes that match the rest of the day’s activities. Don’t forget, the History Clubhouse is open for play and exploration! In this hands-on family gallery, kids can travel back in time to the World’s Fair, Cahokia and more as they learn about the history of the city they call home. Appropriate for ages 2–12. Fridays through July 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more detailed information on each day’s activities, visit the Museum’s website.

Make the most of the rest of summer at Upper Limits Rock Climbing Summer Camp! Our 5-day camps run Monday through Friday and are packed with climbing, games, water days, challenges, and new friendships. Choose the schedule that works best for your family with half-day and full-day camp options available. We're conveniently located in Maryland Heights and Chesterfield, making it easy to find an adventure near you! Save $10 on camp registration with promo code CLIMBINGCAMP2026. Come spend the rest of your summer reaching new heights at Upper Limits! 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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