parenting in St. Louis

Weirdly Wonderful Holidays at City Museum

Thursday, November 19, 2026

Friday, November 20, 2026

Saturday, November 21, 2026

Step into a winter wonderland of joy and delight as City Museum transforms into a festive paradise from November 19 through January 3. From twinkling lights that illuminate the night to heartwarming encounters with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their merry helpers, there’s something for everyone!

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Meet the Winter Sisters at the Garden Glow

Wednesday, December 2, 2026

Wednesday, December 9, 2026

Wednesday, December 16, 2026

Meet the Winter Sisters - the Snow Queen and Snow Princess - who will greet visitors and pose for pictures at the Garden Glow Arctic Circle!

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Winterfest

Saturday, November 21, 2026

Sunday, November 22, 2026

Friday, November 27, 2026

The magical sights of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation's Winterfest return to downtown St. Louis this holiday season. Winterfest includes family fun, beautiful holiday lights, s'mores stations, ice skating and festive activities, fireworks, and a New Year's Eve celebration.

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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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Things to Do

Wagon Days at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch

Saturday, November 14, 2026

The Humane Society of Missouri's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch is hosting Wagon Days filled with fun, free activities for all ages.

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Owl Prowl at the World Bird Sanctuary

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Friday, November 20, 2026

Come over to the dark side and meet the amazing birds that exist by moonlight. Owl Prowls are an opportunity for families to learn about owls from the naturalists at the World Bird Sanctuary.

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Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Sunday, November 15, 2026

Friday, November 20, 2026

More than a million lights will illuminate some of the Missouri Botanical Garden's most iconic locations, walkways will be transformed into sensory light tunnels providing an explosion of visual magic, and traditional candlelight village displays, festive drinks, s'mores and great photo opportunities will delight crowds of all ages.

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Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Friday, November 20, 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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Kindergarten Prep

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Tuesday, December 1, 2026

Saturday, December 5, 2026

Your child is old enough to start kindergarten, are they ready? Are you? At this special presentation, both you and your child will get a brief overview of what is expected before your child even enters the classroom. You'll also receive a free backpack and school supplies. Registration is required.

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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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