parenting in St. Louis

Holiday Photo Ops with Santa Claus at The Garden Glow

Monday, November 23, 2026

Tuesday, November 24, 2026

Monday, November 30, 2026

Take memorable photos with Santa at The Missouri Botanical Garden's Garden Glow light display. During these special evenings, you and your family can take photos with Santa at Christmas-card worthy photo spots amid the sparkling wonderland of Garden Glow.

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Holiday Lights at Grant's Farm: Drive-Through and Walk-Through Experience

Saturday, November 21, 2026

Sunday, November 22, 2026

Wednesday, November 25, 2026

Grant's Farm welcomes visitors this holiday season to the 2026 Holiday Lights Drive-Through and Walk-Through Experiences featuring dazzling light displays, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a 50-foot LED Christmas tree, Clydesdale photos, and more.

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Breakfast with Santa at Eckerts

Saturday, November 21, 2026

Sunday, November 22, 2026

Saturday, November 28, 2026

At Breakfast with Santa at Eckerts, your child can tell Santa their Christmas wishes, have their photo taken with him and decorate some holiday cookies while your whole family enjoys a farm-fresh breakfast.

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Oh Deer! The Reindeer Are Here!

Sunday, December 6, 2026

See live reindeer, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and take pictures with them at the special event at Planthaven Farms.

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Grinchmas on South Grand

Sunday, December 13, 2026

The Grinch will arrive on South Grand to spread some holiday cheer and raise funds for Tower Grove Park.

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Thanks for Giving Parade in Downtown St. Louis

Saturday, November 21, 2026

You can always watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on television, but if you want the real-life parade experience, bundle up the kids and head downtown on Thanksgiving Day to see the Thanksgiving Day Parade in person.

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Skate with Santa at the Kennedy Recreation Complex

Saturday, December 19, 2026

Skate with Santa himself at this holiday-themed ice skating session complete with games and crafts.

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Things to Do

Family Night With Fredbird

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Wednesday, December 9, 2026

Wednesday, January 13, 2027

Bring your family to Cardinals Nation Restaurant on select Wednesday nights for Family Night with Fredbird! Meet Fredbird from 6:30-7:30 p.m., play games and win prizes! Kids 12 and under eat free per adult meal purchased.

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Toddler Time at The Magic House

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Wednesday, November 18, 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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Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Cottleville

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym is an opportunity for any child to have supervised free play in the gym. They can work on existing skills, try something new, or simply play around. It is completely up to them! Open Gym is open to both members and non-members ages 12 and under.

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LEGO Club at the St. Louis County Library

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Friday, November 13, 2026

LEGO Club at the St. Louis County Library is a free opportunity for kids to gather and have fun building with LEGO bricks. LEGOs are provided.

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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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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

Gather your pack – your kids and your cold-nosed companions – for a photo shoot with Santa this December 12 & 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Purina Farms. Cold-Nosed Candids are for families and their cats and dogs to have their photos taken while they frolic through the snow for an indoor snow fight! You'll enjoy photos with Santa, frolicking in the flurries, and burning off that puppy energy at lure coursing! There are special times for famlies with dogs, families with cats, and families with both. Registration is required. Admission is free; parking is $5 per vehicle. Your parking fee includes one printed and one digital copy of your photo. Spots are limited! REGISTER AT THIS LINK

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