parenting in St. Louis

Saturday, August 22, 2026

The iconic Trike Town exhibit returns to The Magic House with an all-new twist.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Route 66, this one-of-a-kind experience invites children to ride trikes through a kid-sized town inspired by America's most iconic highway. Along the way, little drivers will pass familiar St. Louis favorites like Donut Drive-In, Ted Drewes, Crestwood Bowl and Spencer's Grill, bringing the spirit of the open road to life!

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Paws for Reading from the St. Louis County Library

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Read to a friendly therapy dog from DUO Dogs, Inc. After the story, the dog's handler will answer any questions kids have about therapy dogs, pet care and more. For ages 3-11. Registration is required for this free program.

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Third of July Fireworks at Twin Oaks

Enjoy a 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on July 3 in Twin Oaks Park. This annual, very popular fireworks show includes live musical entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m. with fireworks at approximately 9 p.m.

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Passport to the World Cultural Program Series at The Magic House

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Visit The Magic House to celebrate cultures from around the world.

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Family Day at the Contemporary Art Museum

The Contemporary Art Museum invited families to celebrate creativity, play and community at Family Day. Drop in anytime to participate in free hands-on art activities, live jazz performances by HEAL Center for the Arts, a puppet meet-and-greet with the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, complimentary sodas and seltzers from 2nd Shift Brewing, plus free snacks, outdoor games, and more.

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Spider-Man Day at MADE for Kids

Friday, August 7, 2026

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Sunday, August 9, 2026

Spider-Man is having a birthday party at MADE for Kids and all young superheroes are invited! Visit MADE for Kids and meet Spider-Man and his superhero friends!

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Read, Play, Grow in the Nature Playscape

Come see the Nature Playscape in Forest Park filled with books, puppets, flannel boards & flannels, and young families at Read, Play, Grow! This unique "come and go as you please" outdoor event for kids ages 0-5 and their families is designed for parents and caregivers to enjoy the simple pleasure of reading with their children while connecting with nature.

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Things to Do

Flying Bird Show at the World Bird Sanctuary

Take your family to watch birds of prey fly right over your head, meet the wonderful bird ambassadors of the World Bird Sanctuary up close and much more.

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Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur

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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Shark Week at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station

Aquarium visitors will be immersed in a world of shark-centered adventures and have opportunities to get up close to the sharks during Shark Week at the St. Louis Aquarium.

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Preschool Science Series at the Saint Louis Science Center

Saturday, August 1, 2026

The Preschool Science Series is an open exploration learning lab for young scientists, ages 18 months to 5 years and their families. Activities are designed around research that shows children learn best through play, inquiry and shared experiences with their parents and caregivers.

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Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Cottleville

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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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.

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:

Summer STEM Camps Create Hands-On Fun + Immersive Learning for Kids & Teens

Want your child to learn about subjects in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), and have fun doing it? Help them further understand the inner workings of what's all around them by enrolling them in a STEM-fueled summer camp. You may be surprised at the wide variety of highly-acclaimed summer camps in the St. Louis area that put new and exciting twists on STEM concepts, creating hands-on fun for kids with the benefit of introducing them to some of the latest technologies in AI, engineering, coding and more.

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Visit the Missouri History Museum on Fridays in July for their Summer Family Fun Series! Enjoy a variety of free family activities, including crafts, performances, food, movement, and more! All activities are tied into Museum exhibits and St. Louis history, and focus on a different theme each week. This summer kids and families can learn about Juneteenth, celebrate America’s 250th birthday, explore Vietnamese culture in STL, and discover the wonders of the Mighty Mississippi!

Storytelling in the Museum programs are part of the fun this year, with themes that match the rest of the day’s activities. Don’t forget, the History Clubhouse is open for play and exploration! In this hands-on family gallery, kids can travel back in time to the World’s Fair, Cahokia and more as they learn about the history of the city they call home. Appropriate for ages 2–12. Fridays through July 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more detailed information on each day’s activities, visit the Museum’s website.

Make the most of the rest of summer at Upper Limits Rock Climbing Summer Camp! Our 5-day camps run Monday through Friday and are packed with climbing, games, water days, challenges, and new friendships. Choose the schedule that works best for your family with half-day and full-day camp options available. We're conveniently located in Maryland Heights and Chesterfield, making it easy to find an adventure near you! Save $10 on camp registration with promo code CLIMBINGCAMP2026. Come spend the rest of your summer reaching new heights at Upper Limits! 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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