parenting in St. Louis

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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Holiday Zootique at the Saint Louis Zoo

Friday, November 6, 2026

At the Saint Louis Zoo's annual holiday shopping event, the Holiday Zootique, you can browse unique, conservation-oriented gifts and get your holiday shopping done while visiting the Zoo!

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Cold-Nosed Candids with Santa at Purina Farms

Saturday, December 12, 2026

Sunday, December 13, 2026

Gather your pack – your kids and your cold-nosed companions – for a pet-friendly visit with Santa this year at Purina Farms. Cold-Nosed Candids are for families and their cats and dogs to have their photos taken with Santa, have indoor snowball fights, visit the gift shop and more.

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Cocoa & Cookies with Santa at MADE for Kids

Thursday, December 10, 2026

Friday, December 11, 2026

Celebrate the holidays at MADE for Kids and enjoy Cocoa and Cookies with Santa! You can take photos with Cocoa Santa and Mrs. Clause, create personalized gifts for family and friends and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies.

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Parent's Night Out at the Brentwood Community Center

Friday, November 6, 2026

Friday, December 4, 2026

Drop off the kids for a night of fun then enjoy a kid-free evening out! During Parent's Night Out, kids will eat dinner, watch movies, play games and go ice skating.

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All-School Open House at Forsyth School

Find out what makes Forsyth School unique at its All-School Open House. Perfect for families with candidates for any and every grade.

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Things to Do

Kindergarten Prep

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Tuesday, December 1, 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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First Art: Free In-Person Art Program for Ages 18-36 Months

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Friday, November 6, 2026

Friday, November 20, 2026

Join in on First Art, a free art program for toddlers where the focus is on the process of making art rather than the finished product. Dress to get messy!

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Toddler Time at The Magic House

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Thursday, November 5, 2026

Wednesday, November 11, 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 4, 2026

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Wednesday, November 11, 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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Baby & Me

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Monday, November 16, 2026

Learn ways to nurture your baby's development and make new friends in a relaxed, supportive environment at Baby & Me, a free class offered at the St. Louis County Library. Baby & Me classes are for parents and caregivers with pre-walking infants ages 0-12 months.

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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.

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.

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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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