fun things for kids to do in STL

Laser Light Shows at the McDonnell Planetarium

Visit the McDonnell Planetarium at the Saint Louis Science Center for the return of Laser Light Shows! Laser Light Shows fuse music, laser artwork, immersive lighting, and 3D-atmospheric for an exciting live experience.

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Children's Garden Meet Me Outdoors Weekend at MOBOT

Visit the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden for two festive fun-filled days of hands-on activities celebrating the changing of the seasons. There will also be activities throughout the Garden to celebrate this special weekend.

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Kids Open Play at Ultimate Ninjas

Kids and teens ages 6-15 can practice and explore a variety of obstacles, fine tune their skills on a single obstacle, or practice running the customizable courses at Ultimate Ninjas Open Play. Registration is recommended.

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Mary Poppins Jr.

Everyone's favorite practically perfect nanny takes the stage in this supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical adventure.

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Grand Opening of the New Museum at the Gateway Arch

Join in the celebration featuring master of ceremonies St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, food trucks, games, face painters, appearances by Fredbird and Louie, and live music from Boogie Chyld.

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Scholastic Summer Reading Road Trip

The Summer Reading Road Trip is a reading festival for kids ages 0 to 12 and their families that includes author signings, crafts, and photo opps with your kids' favorite costume characters.

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Things to Do

Halloween Nights at Grant's Farm

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Friday, October 23, 2026

Saturday, October 24, 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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Budding Artists Preschool Art Program

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Monday, October 26, 2026

Thursday, November 5, 2026

At this free art program for ages 3-6 the focus is on the process of making art rather than the finished product. Dress to get messy!

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Boo at the Zoo

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Families and kids of all ages can enjoy festive decorations, entertainers, many of your favorite Zoo exhibits and lots more at the Saint Louis Zoo's nighttime, non-scary Halloween experience Boo at the Zoo!

Boo at the Zoo is a long-time St. Louis family favorite, with fun, spellbinding decorations and great photo opportunities, spooktacular entertainment as actors bring the decorated areas to life, interaction with the animals, fun at the 4-D Theater, Conservation Carousel, and more.

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The Great Pumpkin Glow in Downtown Maplewood

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Kids can trick or treat, and families can enjoy festive Halloween music, a pumpkin carving contest and more at the Great Pumpkin Glow in downtown Maplewood. The streets in downtown Maplewood will be glowing with luminaries and pumpkins, and businesses will be decked out for the season.

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Toddler Time at The Magic House

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Wednesday, October 28, 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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Find yourself at Forsyth on Sunday, October 25, 3:00–5:00 pm for All-School Open House! Perfect for families with candidates for any and every grade, All-School Open House is a wonderful opportunity to meet our classroom and specialist teachers, chat with current students and families, and hear from Head of School Rob Butler. Advance registration is required.

Forsyth School fosters a spirit of curiosity and joy, empowering children age 2 through Grade 6 to pursue challenges with confidence. At Forsyth, our talented and caring teachers encourage students to explore and question, enabling them to learn deeply. Each child's unique identity is known, celebrated, and nurtured by our supportive community. The results are profound: children take risks, pursue challenges, and find joy in learning. The "Forsyth experience" is enriched by the school's unique campus, location, and commitment to the natural world. LEARN MORE AND RSVP

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

What if school were a place where curiosity leads the way, learning comes to life, and children discover just how much they're capable of? At The College School, students from Preschool through Eighth Grade learn by doing. They explore creeks and forests, tackle meaningful challenges, ask big questions, and build the confidence to think independently. With strong academics, hands-on experiences, and a close-knit community, learning extends far beyond the classroom.

We invite you to experience it for yourself at our All-School Open House on Saturday, November 14, from 9:00–10:30 a.m. Meet our teachers, explore our classrooms and learning spaces, and discover what makes The College School such a special place to grow.

Come see how an extraordinary education begins with the freedom to explore.

Register for Open House

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