Humane Society of Missouri

10 Sweet Ways for Kids to Celebrate Valentine's Day

Feel the love and have lots of fun at these Valentine's Day-themed events just for kids and families.

Kid are invited to wear their pajamas and come to the Humane Society to read their favorite holiday stories to shelter dogs by candlelight and help tuck them in for the night. Kids can also make a cozy blanket for a homeless pet, decorate treats for shelter dogs, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, and help socialize the shelter kittens.

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15 Summer Volunteer Opportunities for St. Louis Teens

For many kids, the lazy days of summer represent freedom from school, learning and responsibility. But for teens, summer vacation also represents an opportunity to explore new interests, gain real world skills and forge important connections.

Valentine's Day Bake-a-Thon for Kids

Join the chefs from Treats Unleashed and the cooks from the Humane Society of Missouri to mix, roll and bake cookies for the special canine guests at the Humane Society's shelter.

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Book Buddies Training for Kids: Shelter Pet Reading Program

The Book Buddies Shelter Pet Program lets kids to adore animals make a real difference in the lives of shelter pets.

As part of the Book Buddies Shelter Pet Program with the Humane Society of Missouri, kids ages 6-12 are trained to read to shelter pets. Reading to the shelter dogs helps to bring comfort them and reduces anxiety. It also makes the pet more adoptable. Reading helps shy dogs learn to relax around people and teaches high energy dogs and calm behavior is desirable.

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4 Tips for Choosing The Right Summer Camp

When the summer camp guide from a local arts center arrived in our mailbox, my third grader paged through it eagerly … and then proudly pointed to about thirteen different camps she planned to sign up for this summer. From circus camp to acting camp to a camp where you make your own ice cream, she had visions of attending them all.

For kids, the world of summer camp is filled with excitement and possibility. For parents, on the other hand, it can be a bit trickier to navigate. The options seem endless, the costs add up, and those darned kids insist on having their own opinions and making choices that differ from your own.

The good news? With so many quality summer camp options throughout the St. Louis area, it’s easier than ever to find a camp that will meet the needs of your entire family. You just need to follow a few simple guidelines.

Things to Do

Saint Louis Art Fair with the Creative Castle for Kids

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

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

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

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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Popular Stories

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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