holiday fun St. Louis families

Kids can meet and have photos taken with Santa, make holiday crafts, take spins on the carousel, enjoy special entertainers, decorate cookies, and more at Christmas at the Carousel.

View this event »

Winter Wonderland on Ice

Can Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman skate? Come see beloved holiday characters and talented local skaters perform during the St. Peters Rec-Plex’s annual Winter Wonderland on Ice.

View this event »

Candy Cane Hunt at the Pavilion at Lemay

Santa's reindeer have been busy getting ready for one of their favorite activities: A Candy Cane Hunt! They've hidden candy canes all around the Pavilion at Lemay for children to find.

View this event »

Magical Nights at The Magic House

Extended your holiday fun into the evening at Magical Nights at The Magic House! Enjoy the twinkling light display after dark, story time with Mrs. Claus, cookies and milk, plus photos with Santa in his sleigh! The entire museum is open for private playtime.

View this event »

A Christmas Carol from The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

The Rep rings in the spirit of the season with the second annual production of A Christmas Carol! At long last, the ghosts of Ebenezer Scrooge's past, present and future have caught up with him. Now London's most infamous miser face down his demons, reconcile the consequences of his choices and experience the power and joy of a miraculous redemption. Don't miss Santa Saturdays and Scouts Night and Military & First Responders Appreciation Weekend! Plus, get our promo code for buy two/get two tickets!

View this event »

Free Family Night with Black Santa STL at The Magic House

The Magic House MADE for Kids will host a special Free Family Night featuring Black Santa STL! Visitors are invited to celebrate the holiday season and have their photos taken with Santa (using their own devices), then have lots of hands-on fun in the MADE for Kids makerspace.

View this event »

Santa at the Caboose

Santa is on his way to visit the Frisco Park Caboose in Valley Park and sit for pictures with kids!

View this event »

Pages

Things to Do

Planetarium Shows at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park

Visit the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park and see a star show to experience the largest artificial sky in the Western Hemisphere. Star shows are lead LIVE by one of the Planetarium's educators, creating a new and tailored experience for every audience.

View this event »

Water Waddlers Outdoor Drop-In Swim

Splash and play with your little one in this fun morning activity. No registration is necessary.

View this event »

Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo

See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.

View this event »

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!

View this event »

Free Family Night at The Magic House

Friday, June 20, 2025

Friday, July 18, 2025

Come play at The Magic House for free during Emerson Free Family Night. Capacity is limited.

View this event »

See All Things to Do

Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.

Popular Stories

Summer Fun in St. Louis Starts Now! Your Guide to Family Fun this June

For many St. Louis families, the start of June represents the real start of summer. That's when the summer fun really starts to kick in, and the fact that so many activities and attractions are free is just a bonus!

Why Summer Camp is Great for . . . Parents

Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life who mean a lot to you is no small matter. As parents, we’re used to being responsible providers and caregivers. However, there’s so much more to a person: we’re also partners and friends. These are important parts of our identities that we need to cultivate. Sending your kids to summer camp may bring out your more playful side that you haven’t shown for a while.

7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

Greenway Quest 2025: A TOAD-ally Fun Adventure for Your Family

It's the time of year to get outside (finally!!) and have some fun, and Great Rivers Greenway's Greenway Quest is just the adventure your family needs. This year, they partnered with the Saint Louis Zoo for Greenway Quest, a TOAD-ally awesome greenway hunt throughout the month of April. Plus, enter now to win prizes!

Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

You Might Also Like...

Visit the Missouri History Museum on Wednesdays and Fridays in June and July for their Summer Family Fun Series! On Wednesdays, enjoy a variety of free family activities, including crafts, performances, and scavenger hunts, all are tied into Museum exhibits and centered on a different theme each week. Learn about Caribbean, Latin American, and German cultures in STL, discover Missouri’s trains, planes and other forms of transportation innovation, celebrate the 10th anniversary of the History Clubhouse, and more! Fridays feature Storytelling in the Museum and Cuentos en el Museo programs followed by a drop-in craft workshop. Hear classic American folktales, stories about Juneteenth, sweet treats and the 1904 World’s Fair, as well as other topics that families will love. The series is appropriate for children ages 2–12. For more detailed information on each day’s activities, visit the Museum’s website. Please note there is no program on Wednesday, July 2.

Vetta Sports Spring Break and Summer Camps are where every kid wants to be! Give your kids a full week of sports, activities and friends during their school's Spring Break or all summer long at Vetta Sports. Enrollment is open for kids ages 5-12 for camps in a fun, active, creative environment full of sports, games, friends and special activities. LEARN MORE AND ENROLL TODAY!

From arts, to STEM, to nature, sports and beyond, you'll find the best summer adventures for your kids in our Summer Camp Guide. Enroll now and plan your family's best summer yet. Our Summer Camp Guide is searchable for your child's interests, age, your location, whether you need before and after-care, and even for specific weeks. You'll find exciting opportunities for kids ages 3 to teenagers. Check our Summer Camp Guide now to get started!

From Our Sponsors