Latest News

5 Tricks for Better Eating (that really work)

Behavioral scientists have figured out some easy ways to get your kids (and you) to make better food choices.

Continue reading »
The Princess Problem

The Disney princesses may be beloved by little girls around the world, but for parents who aspire to more for their daughters than looking pretty and being rescued by a prince, these lovely ladies pose a bit of a problem.

Continue reading »
A First Grader’s Freedom and the Free Range Parent

It’s hard for any first grader to fathom – the freedom we had just 30 years ago. It’s been hotly debated between the helicopter mom and the free range parent – how much freedom do we give a child who has demonstrated she can handle herself?

Continue reading »
Mother's Year

Some women might get upset if their husbands blew off Mother's Day. I just look at it as an opportunity.

Continue reading »
For Kids, Books Are Still Magical

At a time when a child’s day is filled with iPods, the Wii and Netflix, there’s still a moment in the evening, when a parent and child snuggle in bed and crack open a book, that technology goes out the window and one’s imagination runs wild.

Continue reading »
The Appeal of One Mr. Justin Timberlake

For years there have been battles between the helicopter mom and the free range parent. The co-sleeper and the cry-it-out devotee. But through it all, there’s one thing almost every mom can agree on.

Continue reading »
The Mother's Day Gift

I'm far from a perfect mom, and my daughter decided to remind me of that last Mother's Day. It turned out to be the gift I've cherished most.

Continue reading »
Are We There Yet?

Kids these days don't realize how good they've got it. Thank goodness for The Magic House. In my day we learned about electricity the painful way.

Continue reading »
Talking Like a Sexpert

Teen pregnancy rates are down, but there's more to be done - starting with simple conversations.

Continue reading »
Top 10 Reasons to Visit the Children’s Garden

We're lucky to live in a city that offers so many great outdoor adventures for kids, and nestled within the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the most awesome. From the slides that look like trees to the edible garden, here's why the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden is the backyard playhouse of kids' dreams.

Continue reading »
Out of the House with Stories @ STAGES

When my daughter was little, she and I participated in just about every class or activity available to the toddler-preschool set on a weekday morning. Little Gym? Check. StrollerFit? Check. Art classes? Check. Story time at the library? Check. Mommy and Me playgroups? Check. I could go on and on.

Continue reading »
4 Tips for Choosing The Right Summer Camp

When the summer camp guide from a local arts center arrived in our mailbox, my third grader paged through it eagerly … and then proudly pointed to about thirteen different camps she planned to sign up for this summer. From circus camp to acting camp to a camp where you make your own ice cream, she had visions of attending them all.

For kids, the world of summer camp is filled with excitement and possibility. For parents, on the other hand, it can be a bit trickier to navigate. The options seem endless, the costs add up, and those darned kids insist on having their own opinions and making choices that differ from your own.

The good news? With so many quality summer camp options throughout the St. Louis area, it’s easier than ever to find a camp that will meet the needs of your entire family. You just need to follow a few simple guidelines.

Continue reading »
Taking the Drama Out of Daycare Drop-Off

Every morning, my 3-year-old and I live our own personal Lifetime mini-series. It’s called The One She Left Behind, and it’s particularly heart wrenching.
 

Continue reading »
Join the Party! The Planetarium is Turning 50

The Saint Louis Science Center invites you to join the party celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the James S. McDonnell Planetarium with a new exhibition, special programs, laser shows and retro prices for star shows in the Planetarium.
 

Continue reading »
Public Trepidation

One of the big ticket items on the Mayer Family 2013 Spring Break Bucket List was to take my three daughters (ages 1, 2 and 3) for a ride around the city on the metro link.

Yes, I know what you're thinking, and I doubled up on my Zoloft right before the train pulled into the station.

We pass the metro almost every morning on the way to pre-school and my girls are completely fascinated. My husband happened to be off work this week also so I had some back-up if things went all pear-shaped. Which is usually a pretty solid bet any time we leave the house.

I've always had fond memories of the metro - the cars buzzing with my fellow Cardinals fans on the way to a playoff game; crammed shoulder to shoulder with a group of spirited women on our way downtown to walk for a cure.

“LET'S GO CARDS!” I belted to two business men listening to their ipods as we all stepped onto the train.

The dynamic at 9 a.m. on a random Tuesday morning was a little different than my metro trips from days of yore.

Continue reading »
Bottle Envy

The so-tired-my-eyelid-is-twitching part of me loves

Continue reading »
Infant Massage Benefits Mom and Baby

When my daughter was a newborn, she cried – a lot. She never wanted to sleep in more than 30 minute increments, and she wanted to be held constantly. Breastfeeding seemed to be the only thing that soothed her, so like a lot of new moms, I spent those first few months of motherhood with an infant literally attached to me almost 24 hours a day.

Continue reading »
10 "Egg-citing" Easter Events for St. Louis Families That Will Get You Hopping

With Easter less than two weeks away, many St. Louis families are looking for fun, kid-friendly ways to celebrate the upcoming holiday.

Whether you’re hoping to meet the Easter Bunny himself or simply want to partake in a good, old-fashioned egg hunt, we’ve rounded up 10 of the most “egg-citing” Easter events that St. Louis has to offer.
 
1. Hunt for a Cure in Forest Park
 
On Saturday, March 23, more than 50,000 eggs will be hidden on the central fields of Forest Park, and kids up to the age of 12 are invited to hunt for them! Hunt for a Cure is one of the largest egg hunts in St. Louis, and will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Gateway Chapter. Registration, which costs just $5 per family, begins at 11:00 a.m. on the day of the event, or you can register online in advance. The Easter Bunny will also arrive at 11:00 a.m. – in a carriage pulled by Clydesdales, no less – so be sure to bring your camera and dress in your Easter best.  
 
2. Bunny Hop in Shaw Park
 
Hop on over to Shaw Park in Clayton for an egg hunt, a visit with Mr. Bunny, and even a petting zoo! The hunt begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, and advanced tickets are available at a discounted price ($6 for Clayton residents or Centre of Clayton members, $7 for non-members and non-residents) by calling 314-727-8100. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the event for $10.
 

Continue reading »
St. Louis Families Rally to Save Local Businesses

A few years ago, my husband and I migrated from St. Louis City to the Edwardsville area. With a young daughter, another on the way, and two busy careers for which we traveled frequently, we needed to be closer to his family.

But while the move was right for our family, I won’t deny I threw myself on my bed, wailed like a hormonal teenager (“It’s not fair. I don’t wanna gooooo!”), and cranked The Cure to musically proclaim my displeasure with my husband’s plan.

No more spur-of-the-moment trips to the Zoo, no more 10-minute walks to a quaint dinner on The Hill. Home was to be a suburban promised land of chain restaurants as far as the eye could see and happy hours centered on the Applebee’s margarita.  

Yet, as much as big box stores dominate the suburban landscape and as much as consumers and the community depend on their services, to my delight and surprise, Edwardsville has held on tight to its locally-owned businesses –  the organizations that built and fuel small towns like ours. And at no time has that devotion been more evident than the past two weeks.

Continue reading »
Our Daily Things to Do email is the easiest way to plan your day.
Follow Us
 
Things to Do

Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo
Monday, June 30, 2025
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Wednesday, July 2, 2025

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.

View this event »
Storytelling in the Museum from the Missouri History Museum
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Juneteenth, Sweet Treats, Summer and more. Storytelling in the Museum is free.

View this event »
Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.
Popular Stories

Festivals & Fireworks to Celebrate July 4th in St. Louis

It's time to celebrate Independence Day in St. Louis, and because this year July 4th falls on a Friday, your family can look forward to a full weekend of festivals and fireworks. Check out these family-friendly celebrations that include carnivals, fantastic fireworks and lots more.

Continue reading »
Summer Fun in St. Louis Starts Now! Your Guide to Family Fun this June

For many St. Louis families, the start of June represents the real start of summer. That's when the summer fun really starts to kick in, and the fact that so many activities and attractions are free is just a bonus!

Continue reading »
Why Summer Camp is Great for . . . Parents

Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life who mean a lot to you is no small matter. As parents, we’re used to being responsible providers and caregivers. However, there’s so much more to a person: we’re also partners and friends. These are important parts of our identities that we need to cultivate. Sending your kids to summer camp may bring out your more playful side that you haven’t shown for a while.

Continue reading »
7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

Continue reading »
Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

Continue reading »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Follow Us