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ROOKie Readers is a literacy program designed for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers. Each week. little ones can enjoy a different story and a variety of games and activities. Each session lasts approximately one hour.

Cost is $5 per adult/child pair. Free for members of the World Chess Hall of Fame. One adult per child required. There is a limit of 12 adult/child pairs per session.

10 a.m. At the World Chess Hall of Fame in the Central West End.

At the Gateway Arch, the $3 entrance fee included in each adult Tram Ride to the Top and adult Documentary Movie ticket is waived, reducing the cost of each ticket.

Safety Town is a nationally recognized preschool safety program that teaches 4, 5, and 6-year-olds about a wide variety of safety issues, including bicycle safey, water safety, school bus safety and stranger danger. The program includes classroom activities as well as outside, hands-on activities in the miniature Safety Town city.

The program is hosted and staffed by the Chesterfield Police Department in cooperation with the Chesterfield Rotary, Chesterfield Kiwanis and the Parkway School District. The program is conducted for six, two-week sessions during the summer months.

The Rockwood Parent Series continues on April 14 with a free presentation on Internet Safety and Cyberbullying. Parents will learn what they can do to prevent cyberbullying and what to do when it happens, as well as precautions to take to keep their kids safe on the internet. The speaker is Tom Durkin, public education director for the Missouri Attorney General's office.

Free. 7 to 8 p.m. at Rockwood South Middle School.

This free performance by Bob Kramer’s Marionnettes celebrates 50 years of magic and puppetry with scenes from classic shows like Phantom of the Opera, Hawaiian War Chant and Meet Me in St. Louis.

The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation presents the finals of the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition, a competition that showcases the talent of local high school students and fosters emerging talent.

Students in the finals vie for college scholarships, special awards, gift certificates and public appearance opportunities. First prize is a $7,000 college scholarship underwritten by Ameren, Missouri.

In celebration of "Drop Eveything and Read" month the Saint Louis Zoo invites children to an interactive Storybook Safari at the Children's Zoo. Kids can listen as a zookeeper reads an animal-themed book and then presents a live animal from the story. 

Children are also encouraged to bring their favorite book and read aloud to the animals, including pygmy goats, alpacas, meerkats, fennec foxes, rabbits, guinea pigs and more.

9 to 10 a.m. at the Saint Louis Zoo.

Parents and soon-to-be parents are invited to attend this free informational event about education options in the city of St. Louis. You'll hear from representatives of public, magnet, charter, private and parochial schools concerning enrollment and more.

Schools represented include:

Enjoy a fun morning of kite flying and watch the Gateway Kite Club perform with stunt kites at this free event. The first 50 participants will receive a free goodie bag, and eveyone will get to decorate their own kite.

9 a.m. to noon at Joe Glik Park in Edwardsville.

More information: cityofedwardsville.com

Lewis and Clark Heritage Days commemorates the 206th Anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Rendezvous in Historic St. Charles.

The festival includes an authentic reenactment of Lewis & Clark's encampment in 1804 prior to embarking on the exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, a grand parade, period music and Colonial Ball, children's games, weapons demonstrations, boat replicas, museum tours, a candlelight camp tour and more. 

Now that April's rain has gone away, it's time to tell stories about flowers and plants!

Kids ages 4-14 will learn the proper way to greet dogs and cats to avoid bites and scratches. There will even be a dog at the class to allow the kids to practice. Presented by the APA of Missouri.

Classes are free and will be held at the following times and locations of the St. Louis County Library:

Monday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Oak Bend Branch.

Watch the best robotics teams from around with world face off in a rock 'em, sock 'em competition with homemade robots. Teams compete for top honors in design excellence, competitive play and sportsmanship.

Events include the FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge World Championships and te FIRST LEGO League World Festival. Also featured is the Junior FIRST LEGO League World Festival Expo. 

All events are free and open to the public.

Competition times vary.  Events are held at the Edward Jones Dome, Union Station and America’s Center.

Tour the Challenger Learning Center to celebrate Earth Day. Preview the newest simulated space mission at the center: Earth Odyssey, and take part in hands-on activities, like the new Wind Turbine Design Challenge workshop, then enjoy snacks, environmental activites and giveaways.

2 to 6 p.m. Free, but registration is requested.

With the help of the St. Louis Modern Chinese School and Chinese Culture and Education Services, the Magic House will host games and sports popular with children in China today. 

Kids can learn to spin a Diabolo, inspired by a Chinese yoyo, kick around a shuttlecock in a round of Chinese hacky sack, pick up a games of pink pong or skip a rubber band as they jump up, down and all around for a game of Chinese jump rope.

Author Deborah Zemke will read from her new book, The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake during this free story time at Left Bank Books. In the story, when food goes missing on Ed's farm, Detectives Wilcox and Griswold do what it take to track down the thieves. In this case, Miss Rabbit's carrot cake has disappeared. Has it been stolen? Eaten? Or both? And who did it?

10:30 a.m. at Left Bank Books in the Central West End. Free.

This special story time features David Backes, St. Louis Blues captain and co-founder, along with his wife Kelly, of Athletes for Animals. Backes will read Oh, The Pets You Can Get by Dr. Seuss and talk to children about his compassion for animals, the importance of pet adoption and responsible pet ownership.

The  Waldorf School of St. Louis has partnered with Childgrove Dancers to host Family Contra Dances, a communal style of folk dancing that is fun and easy to learn. No experience is necessary.

Children and adults engage in simple movements which encourage concentration, coordination and sequencing, all while having fun. This is a time-honored American pastime combining movement and social connection with beautiful live music. Best for families with children ages 6 and up. All are welcome.