To help limit the spread of Coronavirus and to support public health efforts, many family attractions have closed temporarily. In the meantime, we invite our readers to enjoy virtual events highlighted in our Things To Do calendar. When you do go out, follow public health guidelines: wear masks, practice social distancing and wash your hands frequently. To learn why social distancing is important and effective in lessening the spread of COVID-19, hear from Dr. Alexis Elward, Chief Medical Officer at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

parenting in St. Louis

Parenting During the Pandemic: Overwhelmed and Exhausted

No, last Saturday I didn’t plant a victory garden or make a sourdough starter. I wasn’t the mom who created movie tickets and set up a concession stand in my house for movie night (seriously, WHICH ONE OF YOU DID THIS and how did word get back to my kids?). I stayed on the couch all day and hissed at anyone who invaded my territory. Like millions of other parents juggling homeschooling and working from home, I’m beat.

Find Indoor Fun for Preschoolers at These St. Louis Gems

Knowing where to go for some indoor kid fun is imperative this time of year. Fortunately, St. Louis has tons fun indoor play spaces for a variety of ages and interests. Here are a few of our favorites, specifically for preschool-age kiddos.

Parents Guide to YouTube and Snapchat

YouTube and Snapchat, two of the most popular apps among middle and high school students, pose understandable concerns for parents. From graphic content to stranger danger, from the Momo hoax to the Tide Pod challenge, and countless stories linking social media use to depression, both apps can seem like minefields of potential danger. This free presentation will answer those questions, and help parents better communicate with their teens about social media.

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The Monster Under the Bed Isn't Real, But Kids' Fears Can Be

As much as you tell your kids that the monsters under the bed aren't real, kids' fears can be very real to them, and have a major impact on their lives. Here's how to give your kids the tools they need to understand fear and put things that scare them into perspective.

Fall Open House at Forsyth School: A Taste of Forsyth

Find out what makes Forsyth School unique at its Fall Open House: A Taste of Forsyth. Register your child for a sample class! Try art, music, science or stories. Then tour the campus with a grade 6 student, or explore on your own! Either way, enjoy plenty of time to talk with the teachers, administrators, and current parents. Childcare will be provided for children ages 2 and up.

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Mommy & Me Yoga

Enjoy a morning of Mommy & Me yoga at Play Street Museum for kids ages 4-8. Kids will be able to play in the museum then do some yoga with certified yoga instructor Kaycee Veilleux.

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Locally Owned St. Louis Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free

While national chains, like McAlister’s Deli, Fazoli’s and O’Charley’s, are famous for their kids’ promo nights, there are plenty of locally owned restaurants across the metro area that can curve your little ones’ cravings at no extra cost to you. Plus, it gives you a much-needed break from oven duty.

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Things to Do

Explore Purina Farms: Amazing Canines

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Purina Farms is bringing the best of the farm to your home every week! You can virtually explore Purina Farms through videos featuring the animals, dog trainers and others who work there, as well as the pets who work and play at Purina Farms every day. Each day of the week features videos on a variety of topics including animal connections, training tips and responsible pet care advice for kids.

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Science @ Home with the Saint Louis Science Center

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Thursday, May 28, 2020

The Science Louis Science Center is continuing to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning through its online Science @ Home series! Visit the Science Center's web site or social media channels for DIY science experiments that can be done at home, Amazing Science Demonstrations from the Science Center's Energy Stage team, connections to local scientists, astronomy updates from the McDonnell Planetarium, live chats and more. Content is designed for all ages.

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Virtual Story Time Hosted by Babler Memorial State Park

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

This virtual storytime is hosted by Babler Memorial State Park and Missouri State Parks. It will be posted on the Babler State Parks Facebook page.

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Magic At Home with The Magic House

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Thursday, May 28, 2020

The Magic House is bringing innovative, hands-on learning to you at home with its #MagicAtHome series of interactive, instructional online presentations. The Magic At Home series of activities includes lots of fun projects that you can make at home with common materials. The easy-to-follow directions mean your kids can make paper sculpture, do shaving cream marble painting, create make-your-own flowers, go "fishin," make TP roll animals, make salad spin art and more.

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Virtual Homeschool Day: Happy 200th Birthday James Eads!

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

James Buchanan Eads was an engineer, inventor, and treasure hunter who had a profound influence on St. Louis and our riverfront. The Eads Bridge is still a fixture of downtown St. Louis. Celebrate the 200th birthday of James Eads with a day of learning from the Missouri History Museum.

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Parenting During the Pandemic: Overwhelmed and Exhausted

Saint Louis Zoo Announces Opening Date for Summer 2020; New Safety Protocols

The Saint Louis Zoo has announced it will reopen Saturday, June 13 with new protocols for visitors, including requiring timed reservations and face masks, and limiting attendance to better allow for social distancing. All Zoo staff will wear face masks and all guests over the age of 9 will be required to wear face masks/face coverings while visiting.

Sleep-Away Camp: Then and Now

Last summer, I was introduced to the wonders of modern-day sleep-away camp when my daughter spent a week at one for the first time. And let me tell you – these kids have it good. Real good. I went to sleep-away camp too, when I was a kid, and let's just say things have changed. Here are just a few of the differences between then and now.

Coming Soon: Why the Forest Park Playscape, Opening This Year, Will Be Much More Than a Playground

Since breaking ground on the child-inspired Nature Playscape in Forest Park last summer, Forest Park Forever, the City of St. Louis and their team of partners have been pushing forward on this much-anticipated project at full speed, constructing eight activity areas where your kids will soon splash, climb, build, and learn. Already halfway completed, this one-of-a-kind play area in the heart of the park is destined to grow children’s interest in the natural world around them.

Blood, Flood or Vomit: How I Taught My Kids to Be More Independent

Once upon a time, well before we had children, I sat down to have a conversation with my husband. Looking back now, it was a magical twenty minutes. Perhaps we talked about something somewhat important, like our monthly financial spreadsheet, or something extremely important, like what restaurant we were going to for dinner. The point isn’t what the conversation was about. The point is that once upon a time we were able to have an entire uninterrupted conversation.