parenting in St. Louis

Hear ye, Hear ye! Aspiring princes and princesses are invited to a Royal Ball and Enchanted Evening at The Magic House! Meet and pose for pictures with your favorite storybook princesses and take part in fun royal activities.

Kids can trick or treat, and families can enjoy festive Halloween music, a pumpkin carving contest and more at the Great Pumpkin Glow in downtown Maplewood. The streets in downtown Maplewood will be glowing with luminaries and pumpkins, and businesses will be decked out for the season. 

Pirates, pumpkins, and yo-ho-ho a bunch of candy is what you'll find at Pirates and Pumpkins this October at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station. Guest can test if they've got what it takes to join the pirate crew by walking the plank, digging for buried treasure and making their own pirate hats.

Families and kids of all ages can enjoy festive decorations, entertainers, many of your favorite Zoo exhibits and lots more at the Saint Louis Zoo's nighttime, non-scary Halloween experience Boo at the Zoo!

Boo at the Zoo is a long-time St. Louis family favorite, with fun, spellbinding decorations and great photo opportunities, spooktacular entertainment as actors bring the decorated areas to life, interaction with the animals, fun at the 4-D Theater, Conservation Carousel, and more.

The Grinch is trying to steal Christmas! Help grow the Grinch's heart by joining in on this workshop full of Grinch activities. Kids will make Grinch dust to help stop the Grinch from coming to their homes and other crafts, as well as Grinch cookies. 

Kids ages 5-12 can choose their own Elf name and join in on the Elf Workshop. They'll create handmade gifts for someone special (different variations of crafts are offered for different age groups). 

Celebrate fall with a Fall Festival and Pumpkin Glow at Des Peres Park. Entertainment and activities include food trucks, Party Animals Mobile, hayrides, live music, face painting and balloon artists, inflatables, the Little Dreamer's Barnyard, and a glow-in-the-dark foam party.

The Fall Fest is free, open to all, and starts at 2 p.m.

The Pumpkin Glow starts at 6:30 p.m. Launch Jack-O-Lanterns into the Des Peres Pond to become part of a magical float. Participants must bring a pre-carved pumpkin weighing no more than 8 pounds once hollowed out.