
With its shops and restaurants, The Streets of St. Charles has become the go-to for grown-ups in the region. But now kids have a place here to call their own at Play Street Museum.
Since 2014, this interactive children’s museum has wowed families in Dallas with inventive, hands-on activities that spark kids’ imaginations and pique their curiosity. Its growing popularity led the museum to expand its mission to other cities in Texas, and thanks to two dedicated moms, the fun has migrated north to Missouri, giving families a new way to play.
While living in Dallas, Nicole Simon often spent time at the original Play Street Museum with her daughter. The family eventually moved to St. Louis, and it was here that she met Kellie Geraghty, another Texas transplant, when their children were in class together. The two became friends, and over time, co-entrepreneurs, launching a Play Street Museum franchise of their very own.
This unique museum, geared toward kids ages one through eight, features exhibits and activities that build educational curriculum into everyday play and cultivate a child’s growing confidence and autonomy.
“Because Play Street is a small-scale museum, it makes it easier for young children to explore on their own, giving them a greater sense of independence,” explained Simon. “Kids are able to figure out things on their own instead of having their parents hover around them all the time.”
When stepping into Play Street Museum, kids step into a child-sized neighborhood where they can explore a firehouse, grocery store, and pet shop and animal rescue. They’re also free to try their hand at arts and crafts activities, construction blocks and a giant Lite-Brite attraction. Plus, the museum’s ever-changing Discovery Room highlights a rotating range of educational topics, taking kids to outer space one month and back in time to the Mesozoic Era the next.
Play Street Museum is also currently booking spots for its acclaimed kids’ parties. With more than 20 different themes to choose from, including the Hole Lot of Fun donut-themed bash, Happy Camper and All Aboard, the party-planning team can take care of the decorating, food and fun for you, so you can sit back and relax on the big day.
For Geraghty and Simon, the chance to bring Play Street Museum to a new audience of excited kiddos and open their eyes to new experiences was one they couldn’t pass up.
Remarked Geraghty, “I felt it was such a great opportunity to get kids back to pretend play and unstructured play. The idea of letting them use their imaginations and be fully unplugged is something kids don’t get too much of these days. At Play Street, you don’t have to worry about following your child around or them getting lost. Here, they’re free to play how they want.”
Play Street Museum opens March 25 at 1650 Beale St. #138 at The Streets of St. Charles. The museum will be available for open play, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $11.50 plus tax for children ages one to eight, and free for older siblings and parents. For more information, visit www.psmstlouis.com.
Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL
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