It’s spring break for us this week. It’s Wednesday. And I’m out of things to do. We’ve been shopping, to the movies, to Blueberry Hill and to a "fancy girls' lunch." The thing is, everything she wants to do costs money. OK, maybe I’m part of that. I’ve been a parent for 21 years. I’ve been to the Saint Louis Zoo so many times I was giving directions to out-of-town guests last summer.
So, what is there to do? Here are our criteria: free or low-cost, no crowds, fun for a 6-year-old girl and her burnt-out mom. Hurry. I have three more days, and summer is peeking its evil head around the corner.
By Sharon Linde, bored parent and Education Blogger for SmartParenting
There are more than strawberries (but plenty of those too) at this festival! Kids can enjoy carnival rides, a petting farm, wagon rides, the children's playground and lots more.
Don't be late for this very important date! the Fancy Tea Party at the Butterfly House will have you feeling fancy and acting silly while celebrating mommies, grammies and aunties. Bring your kiddos to enjoy tasty treats, delightful drinks, fun crafts and more.
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.
Young visitors and their families are invited to the Energy Stage to enjoy interactive read-alouds of science-themed picture books. Story times are followed by a short demonstration or discussion connected to the book's main concepts.
Explore the Saint Louis Zoo in the evenings at the new Animals Aglow exhibit. Bring your family to experience the luminous glow of 50 towering lanterns depicting animals, plants and traditional Chinese elements. Don't miss this celebration of culture and art!