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America's Biggest Birthday Party returns to the Gateway Arch grounds featuring free admission, live entertainment, a festival zone for family fun, a fairway with vendors, Purina's Incredible Dog Team and stunning fireworks displays.
Take your kids to a new reading program offered at the Gateway Arch Museum. Reading with a Ranger is a free program for families. You'll receive a copy of a themed children's book and read it together with a park ranger, have a group discussion, then explore the museum and Gateway Arch grounds.
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.
Meet up with a park ranger and take a free walking tour that explores downtown St. Louis and its most popular landmarks.
Free Family Fridays at the Old Courthouse are a great opportunity for kids to learn about St. Louis history, the westward expansion and take part in hands-on craft projects.
Join members of the St. Louis Astronomical Society and the National Park Service for a night of stargazing on the grounds of the Gateway Arch.
This ranger-led event for all ages includes a special talk followed by telescope viewing.
On the grounds of the Gateway Arch. Free. 8 to 10 p.m. More information: gatewayarch.com
Celebrating the history, culture, and people of Japan, the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the United States. Your family can enjoy guided walking tours, bonsai, cooking, martial arts and origami demonstrations, sumo wrestling, and special activities for kids.
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.
Young visitors and their families are invited to the Energy Stage to enjoy interactive read-alouds of science-themed picture books. Story times are followed by a short demonstration or discussion connected to the book's main concepts.
The Wabash, Frisco & Pacific Railroad invites you and your kiddos to come ride the train! The Wabash, Frisco & Pacific is a historic, 12-inch gauge live steam train in Glencoe, Missouri, that is open most Sundays for public train rides. Reservations are required.
Adventures abound at Trike Town, the outdoor, child-size city at The Magic House. Kids can pick out their favorite little red tricycle and explore the entire town while learning about bicycle safety and the importance of wearing a helmet.