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. Designed for kids ages two to 12, the Missouri History Museum’s free Summer Family Fun Series from June 5 through July 31 features crafts, performances, and storytelling that immerse young guests in different themes, all inspired by St. Louis’ rich history and diverse cultures.

“The Summer Family Fun Series is about giving families the opportunity to engage in activities that are interesting, that are fun, and that help them learn together,” said Emily Koeltzow, Early Childhood and Family Programs Manager for the Museum. “We really want to serve as a gathering place where guests of all ages not only connect with history, but with each other, building those summer memories that last for years to come.”

Two months of free hands-in learning

The Summer Family Fun Series offers more than a handful of activities to keep your kids busy from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Friday. For the past 15 years, the program has been thoughtfully curated by the Museum’s professional educators to offer meaningful, play-centered experiences, from arts and crafts to games, that invite children and parents to explore the region’s history together, side-by-side.

Just as important, the Museum strives to share diverse perspectives on history through its educational programming.

“One of our taglines at the Museum is ‘Find yourself here,’” Koeltzow explained. “When you see yourself, your community, and your lived experience reflected in a space, that’s so powerful for a child. Every kid wants to know – ‘Why does this matter to me?’ – because that’s just how their brains are developing. So, it’s our responsibility as educators to find that hook, connecting each child to these powerful stories throughout history.”

One way the Museum accomplishes this is by tying the Series to its current exhibits. For instance, the Museum’s renowned Mill Creek: Black Metropolis exhibit, which honors the city’s center of Black life, business, and culture in the early 20th century, sets the stage for two of the Series’ biggest events.

On June 5, during the Black Music Month celebration, kids can experience a dynamic storytelling performance from Bobby Norfolk, who will step into the shoes of the “King of Ragtime,” composer and pianist Scott Joplin who played and worked in Mill Creek, as well as enjoy a variety of other music-themed performances and hands-on activities. Two weeks later, the Series will commemorate Juneteenth through an engaging blend of stories, songs, and movement.

In addition, the Series continues its tradition of partnering with organizations from across St. Louis to spotlight the cultural influences that shape St. Louis’s vibrant identity. This year, the Series features West African STL on July 10 and Vietnamese STL on July 24.

“These events not only touch on these different cultures, but also St. Louis’s historical connection to each one,” said Koeltzow. “For example, the Museum has an extensive collection of artifacts from Katherine Dunham who was a world-famous choreographer from East St. Louis. She was actually the United States’s cultural ambassador to Senegal and incorporated the dance traditions of many West African nations into her own Dunham Technique. So, with West African STL, kids won’t just learn about each country, they’ll learn about their impact on St. Louis.”

Other Series events throughout the summer include STEAM in the Museum on June 12, featuring a dance performance and instrument-making workshop from Ballet 314 as well as a special Ferris wheel activity inspired by the Museum’s A Marvel in Motion 1904 World’s Fair exhibit. Other events include Happy 250th Birthday, USA on June 26, The Mighty Mississippi on July 17, and the Celebrate Summer finale on July 31.

In addition to the Summer Family Fun Series, the Museum continues to offer family programs all year long, including its Museum Babies Storytelling series for children ages two and younger held every Tuesday at 10:10 a.m. in the History Clubhouse. Besides storytelling, Museum Babies includes songs, movements, and other activities all around a central kid-friendly theme.

“Kids have this expectation that history always has to be heavy,” said Koeltzow. “But it can also be joyful and a celebration. Even difficult stories can be told or shared in a way that’s still inspiring when kids find something they really connect with.”

For more information on the Summer Family Fun Series and to see a full schedule of upcoming events, visit the Missouri History Museum website.