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COCA Summer Arts Camps Set the Stage for Fun and Learning

For those of us who grew up in the 1980s, summer camp arts and crafts projects were limited to beaded keychains, and for the lucky few, maybe a macrame plant holder. Never could we have imagined designing a couture fashion line, producing stop-motion films, or building our own robots. But for kids attending COCA Summer Arts Camps, these incredible hands-on activities are just a few of the hundreds of full- and half-day camp options waiting to be discovered. Starting in May, COCA opens its doors to a diverse range of programming that gives campers the freedom to let their inner artists, writers, and performers run wild.

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Kaleidoscope Crown at COCA

Kaleidoscope Crown, written by playwright Ashleigh Akilah Rucker, tells the inspiring story of a young girl who awakens to a shocking new ability: with every new emotion, her hair transforms into vibrant, multicolor tresses. This extraordinary change disrupts the uniformity and peace of her small traditional village, prompting both her and those around her to confront their perceptions of beauty and individuality. This live performance at COCA is for ages 6 and up.

 

 

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Breakfast with the Bunny at the Saint Louis Zoo

Hop into spring by bringing your family for a fun breakfast with the Bunny and other costumed characters at the Saint Louis Zoo. Guests can pose for photos with the bunny, and children 12 and under receive a gift from the bunny's gift basket. Reservations are required. 

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President's Day Open House at Vetta Sports

Find out if Vetta Sports' Kickaroos program is right for your child at Vetta's free Presidents' Day Open House.  This Kickaroos Open House is a great way to introduce your child to the world of sports! The Kickaroos program fosters confidence, social skills, and the ability to follow directions - all within a fun and engaging class experience. 

 

 

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10 Ways to Improve Your Child's Listening Skills

Focused listening is one of the most important skills your child will ever learn. Children with strong listening skills do better in school, sports, relationships and, eventually, in their careers. But many children lack this important skill and parents are rightly concerned. First, listening is much more than just hearing.

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Life Lessons Learned at Overnight Camp

With the perfect blend of adventure and responsibility, camp life teaches kids valuable lessons they can use for the rest of their lives. If you send your child to overnight camp, here are some life lessons they are likely to learn.

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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.

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But What Can You Do? From Metro Theater

Local mother-daughter author duo Arika Parr and Ava Johnson’s picture book comes to the stage in But What Can You Do? from Metro Theater Company. This story includes themes of positive thinking, growth mindset, co-parenting, music, and more, and is best enjoyed by ages 4 and up. 

 

 

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Animal Crafts with Perennial at the World Chess Hall of Fame

We’re WILD about you! Visit the World Chess Hall of Fame for a hands-on workshop with Perennial, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Inspired by our Paws and Pawns: Exploring Animal Chess Sets exhibit, the creative instructors at Perennial will take you through DIYing a loving creature to gift to someone special. 

 

 

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Curator Tour at the WCHOF featuring the St. Louis Aquarium Foundation

Attend a complimentary tour of the newest World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) exhibitions, “Crown Jewels: Donation Highlights” and “Paws and Pawns: Exploring Animal Chess Sets.” WCHOF Curator Emily Allred will show exhibition highlights, and the St. Louis Aquarium’s Senior Educator Maxene Van Damme will offer insight into the animals represented in “Paws and Pawns.”

 

 

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Valentine's Day Chess Crafts

Visit the World Chess Hall of Fame this Valentine's Day for fun, complimentary arts and crafts in the Play and Create space! Bring family, friends, or loved ones to make chess-themed valentines, scratchboard hearts, ornaments, and more.

 

 

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Things to Do

Kirkwood Greentree Festival
Sunday, September 20, 2026

The annual Kirkwood Greentree Festival will be held September 18 - 20 in Kirkwood Park. This free, family festival features a parade that steps off on Saturday at 10 a.m. beginning at Kirkwood High School, entertainment and food vendor booths, and kids activities.

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Applefest at Eckert Farms
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026

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. 

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Zootoberfest at the Saint Louis Zoo
Sunday, September 20, 2026

Enjoy a family-friendly celebration of autumn at the Saint Louis Zoo's Zootoberfest! Kids can participate in all the regular Zoo fun and explore new adventures at Zootoberfest activity stations. Families will enjoy an Oktoberfest-style event with beer and root beer, German-themed cuisine, and live music.

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Family Sunday at the Saint Louis Art Museum
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Sunday, October 18, 2026

Families are invited to the Saint Louis Art Museum on Sunday afternoon to participate in free hands-on art activities with fun themes and to explore the galleries. Each Family Sunday focuses on a different family-friendly theme. 

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Popular Stories

Dinoroarus Comes Roaring Back at the Saint Louis Zoo

The Dinoroarus exhibit brings prehistoric fun back to the Saint Louis Zoo this summer with 20 lifelike dinosaur animatronics and sculptures on the Zoo's Historic Hill.

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Get Ready to Climb and Explore at These Free Big Truck Days

If your kids love to explore big trucks and vehicles, these upcoming Big Truck Days are a perfect weekend or weeknight outing. They'll get to climb on and explore fire trucks, police vehicles, bulldozers, bucket trucks, ambulances and lots more.

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Travel Back in Time Every Friday at the Missouri History Museum’s Free Summer Family Fun Series

There comes a point every summer when all that “free time” isn’t so fun anymore. Your kids are bouncing off the walls, it’s too hot to hit the playground, and every activity seems to come with a big price tag. That’s when the screens come out, and parents find themselves counting down the minutes to bedtime. Thankfully, when Friday rolls around each week, your family can experience a mini summer getaway through history – no travel required. 

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City Museum's Stuff the Bus Campaign Provides School Supplies for 160 St. Louis Schools

Visit City Museum August 3-31, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

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Your Guide to Free Outdoor Family Movies this Summer

Seeing a movie at the theater is a magical experience, but when summer rolls around, it’s time to get outside and enjoy free movies under the stars! Free family movie nights abound across the St. Louis area, so grab your kids, a blanket or lawn chairs, and get ready for some cinematic fun. Here's where to find them:

 

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