Get ready to think outside the box, literally! Cardboard Construction: Beyond the Box is a new 1,500 square-foot pop-up experience that invites kids to explore the creative potential of a simple everyday material.
From crafting robots and vehicles to constructing towering structures and 3D self-portraits, young creators will use real tools like the Chompsaw, a kid-safe power tool for cutting cardboard, along with a variety of materials like pipe cleaners, rubber bands, masking and packing tape, and hot glue guns to bring their ideas to life.
A highlight of the exhibit is the work of professional media artist and St. Louis-native Justin King, whose imaginative sculptures will be on display. On Saturday, August 23, King will create a 20-foot Wish Dragon adorned with visitor-made scales, a permanent addition to The Magic House’s Story Time Magic space.
Families can also explore a large-scale cardboard castle, pose in front of an all-cardboard photo backdrop, and enjoy a special building area designed just for younger children.
Cardboard Construction: Beyond the Box opens at The Magic House on August 22, 2025.
After being at The Magic House, Cardboard Construction: Beyond the Box will be at MADE for Kids, The Magic House’s satellite location on Delmar Boulevard from October 1 to December 31.
More information: magichouse.org
Delight in brilliant, colorful light displays with spectacular photo opportunities throughout the Zoo during Wild Lights. Walk through two tunnels with dazzling lights, and enjoy themed displays featuring snowflakes, candy canes, gumdrops, penguins, polar bears, tigers, giraffes and much more at this St. Louis family-favorite holiday tradition. New this year: Visits with Santa!
Experience the holiday lights at Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park, where you'll find two million beautiful holiday lights and animated displays.
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.
Enjoy the iconic lights that adorn the Anheuser-Busch Brewery close up during walking tours. Brewery Lights features more than one million twinkling lights, a Kids Winter Wonderland, a nightly parade featuring the World-Famous Clydesdales, and lots of family-friendly activities.
The Saint Louis Science Center has expanded its Preschool Science Series to include new offerings for different age groups of young scientists. Storybook STEM is for ages 3 to 5.