The countdown begins for the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse! On August 21, 2017, the St. Louis region will experience a total solar eclipse when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun for more than two minutes.
You and your kids can learn about the upcoming eclipse now and get ready for one of nature's most amazing events.
On August 21, 2015, the St. Louis Astronomical Society is hosting a solar viewing day at the Saint Louis Science Center's James S. McDonnel Planetarium. Members of the society will set up solar scopes and answer questions about the total solar eclipse of 2017.
At the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park. Free. For all ages.
1 to 4 p.m. More information: slsc.org
Celebrating the history, culture, and people of Japan, the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the United States. Your family can enjoy guided walking tours, bonsai, cooking, martial arts and origami demonstrations, sumo wrestling, and special activities for kids.
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.
Wagon rides, live entertainment, great festival foods, a petting zoo and much more make this an apple pickin' good time for the whole family. There will be pony rides, a children's carnival, opportunities to feed goats and other farm animals, caramel apples, funnel cakes and more.
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.
LEGO Club at the St. Louis County Library is a free opportunity for kids to gather and have fun building with LEGO bricks. LEGOs are provided.