parenting in St. Louis

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.

The tallest monument in the United States will become the spookiest on October 19 during Frights and Heights at the Gateway Arch. The Arch will transform into a family-friendly Halloween party full of tricks and treats. 

With so many twinkling, sparking things in the sky, how do you know what you are looking at? Bring your family and learn how to read the night sky at Starry Nights: Family Astronomy at Babler State Park in Wildwood. Participants will explore constellations, stars and more. This program is for all ages. 

Have some science fun with Santa! At Science with Santa, kids will travel around to different stations of experiments, build something amazing with LEGOs, have a snack, and take a picture with Santa!

Visit Craft Alliance for a drop-in story time and fun, hands-on crafts at Story Time + Creative Play. These drop-in session are free and designed for kids ages 5-9. 

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. 

In this energizing presentation, Erin Walsh will use brain science, stories, and humor to cut through conflicting messages about screen time and kids. She will walk you through the latest evidence and deliver the key protective factors for digital well-being from early childhood through adolescence. You will leave feeling capable and motivated to be the media mentor your child needs as their digital world expands.