The Foundry Art Centre kicks off its new Children's Book Club in October, offering kids a chance to mix reading and art. Kids ages 3-8 can join the club, which meets once each month, and explore the world of books through fairy tales, sharing opinons and themed art projects.
Jessica May, Education Manager at the Foundry Art Centre, said the inspiration for the book club came from the transformation of a former gallery space into the Children's Gallery, and interactive space that includes a puppet theater, children's library, cozy reading areas, a "reading tree," touch-screen computers and art project stations. The space is also used for the center's popular Art Carousel program.
"With that background in mind, I wanted to utilize the childrens books we have been collecting. We have books on artists, art processes and movement, books about music and instruments, and books that celebrate the many cultures here in the U.S.," May explained.
Kids in the book club will read the same book each month, discuss the story, share their ideas and opinions about it and complete art projects based on the book. The first book club meeting is October 5.
"For book club," said May, "the idea is to connect literacy and art."
"Hopefully children joining the club will gain enthusiasm for both reading and art making," May continued. "The emphasis will be on fun, while also learning new ideas and skills. Each month the art materials will change, so children will be exposed to many art techniques and creative thinking challenges!"
At the final book club meeting in April, kids will celebrate with an art party and ice cream. Book club meetings are held usually on the first Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles. Kids can attend one or all sessions, and parents/caregivers are welcome to stay with younger children during the book club meeting. Cost is $9 for members of the Foundry Art Centre and $10 for non-members. For more information, go to www.foundryartcentre.org or call 636-255-0270.
Families of all ages can enjoy festive decorations, entertainers, special food and drink menus and more at the Saint Louis Zoo's nighttime, non-scary Halloween experience Boo at the Zoo! Boo at the Zoo is a long-time St. Louis family favorite, with fun. spellbinding decorations for great photo opportunities, spooktacular entertainment as actors bring the decorated areas to life, interaction with the animals, fun at the 4-D Theater, & the Conservation Carousel and much more.
Dress up in costume and enjoy a candy stroll at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center at the Kirkwood Spooktacular. Bring your own candy bag to collect lots of sweet treats at this free event!
Visit MADE for Kids for Halloween Spirit Week! Families are invited to celebrate Halloween by decorating mini pumpkins, creating spider web suncatchers, designing ghost parachutes that gracefully float in the wind tube, making Halloween-themed bookmarks and more.
Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym is an opportunity for any child to have supervised free play in the gym. They can work on existing skills, try something new, or simply play around. It is completely up to them! Open Gym is open to both members and non-members ages 12 and under.
Is your child new to trick or treating? Bring them to Treat or Treating 101 at the St. Louis County Library. They can wear their costumes, try out their Halloween jokes (and learn some new ones) and get some practice trick or treating.