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Why are some squirrels gray? What do they eat? How do they climb trees? Preschoolers (ages 3 to 6), will learn about squirrels, through listening to stories, playing games and making a craft. Then, they'll go on an outdoor acorn hunt.

9:30 to 11 a.m. At Rockwoods Reservation. For reservations, call 636-458-2236.

More information: mdc.mo.gov

Learn about the poisonous and venomous plants and animals found in Missouri. We will be looking at and learning about snakes, spiders, bees, wasps, hornets, scorpions, mushrooms and, everybody's favorite, poison ivy. There will be live examples of venomous animals found in the area. You can come anytime during the 4 hour period. No reservations required. For all ages.

10 a..m. to 2 p.m. Free. At the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area.

More information: mdc.mo.gov

Enjoy an eveing of fishing at Lake 15 in this program designed for children ages 7 to 17 with special needs. Volunteers and staff will be available to lend a helping hand to beginner anglers. Fishing equipment will be provided for participating children. 

The lake has a concrete walkway and dock accessible by people with mobility issues. Participants must be accompanied by an adult. 

4:30 to 7:30 at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area.

Crafternoons at Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design are an opportunity for families to spend the afternoon getting creative together.  

This is your family's chance to experience a great family adventure while you learn about everything from birds to butterflies, crickets to katydids! Participants in BioBlitz will join teams of scientists and skilled naturalists to study biodiversity in a fun, hands-on way.

Commemorate the 49th anniversary of the completion of the Gateway Arch at the Meet the Builders event. The National Park Service, along with the Jefferson National Parks Association invites the public to meet the builders of the Gateway Arch in the 1960s.

Celebrate the spooky season with a free concert by the St. Charles Symphony. The annual event is held at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre. Symphony members dress up in their own costumes, play Halloween-themed music and welcome children and families to enjoy the performance.

Children who dress in costume can parade around the room and receive a special treat. The event is free and open to the public. 7 to 9 p.m.

More information: stpetersmo.net

Kids can explore the art of mask making and masquerade with craftsman Scott Schoonover as they unmask their creativity and use a variety of materials to create their own original disguise.

At the Children's Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden, children learn about plants, nature and sustainability through hands-on activities offered daily and experience a one-of-a-kind nature playground at the same time. Now through Nov. 1, entrance fees are waived.

Kids of all ages will learn about common trees at this free Discovery Day at the Watershed Nature Center. Then they'll make leaf sun catchers with colorful leaves, tree bark rubbings, examine leaf anatomy and tree rings, sort leaves and seeds and more.

Kids of all ages will learn about owls, bats and spiders at this free Discovery Day at Watershed Nature Center. Visitors will disect owl pellets, learn about owl body part, build a spider and play a spider web game.

10 a.m. to noon. Free, but tickets are required.

For more information and tickets: watershednaturecenter.org

Your kids will have a blast while you have the day or evening to yourself. Parents' Day Out at Learn Through Play means you can drop off your child, age 2 through 12, anytime between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. at a reduced hourly rate. 

Weather permitting, St. Louisans will get a relatively rare glimpse of a total lunar eclipse. Join the Saint Louis Science Center staff and members of the St. Louis Astronomical Society as they guide you through this exciting viewing event.

6 to 11 p.m. at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium - Archery Field

More information: slsc.org

Middle schoolers (ages 12 to 15) can enjoy a mind-bending night of trivia fun! Trivia Funhouse will host seven rounds of trivia for middle schoolers and their friends to compete for prizes. Teams can enter the patriotic-themed "best dressed" competition by decorating themselves and their table in the most red, white and blue gear. The team with the best dressed table will win extra mulligans to increase their chance of victory. 

At the Lodge of Des Peres. Doors open at 6:15 and trivia starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $120 for a table of 8. Advanced registration is required.

Bring your whole family to learn, explore and play on the farm at Family Hike and Play Day at Willoughby Farm. Explore the nature trails and then enjoy games around the farm yard. 

Cost is $2 per person with a maximum of $10 per family.

Helping children stress less is difficult in today's high pressure world. Dr. Dan Weinstein will review the prevalence, triggers, and causal factors of the ever-increasing issue of clinical anxiety in children and adolescents. Co-occurence of anxiety with other disorders, including ADHD and depression, will also be discussed.

Participants will leave with practical recommendations about effective treatments for anxious students both at home and in the classroom.

6:30 p.m. at Miriam School in Webster Groves. Free, but registration is required.

Parents serve as developmental guides for their children. Each child is unique and brings along a profile of strengths, weaknesses and biologically driven inclinations to this relationship. Parents scramble, often unsuccessfully, to find the best way to help or guide their children. They can end up blamed - but not trained - for their child's behavior. 

This free presentation will aid parents in decoding the messages behind a child's behavior, understanding how children really think and feel, and reducing the number of needless parent/child conflicts.

For many families of children diagnosed with attentional issues or learning concerns, the decision to include medication as part of a student’s interventions can be a confusing one. With medications can come significant side effects, frequent dosage adjustments and changes in the type of medication altogether.