St. Louis Parent | stlparent.com

Top 10 Fourth of July Festivals for St. Louis Families

With the 4^th of

Central Library Turns Up the Volume for LIVE on Olive Concert Series

They say music soothes the savage beast. And for us parents with the most feral of first graders, no truer idiom has ever been spoken.

Plaquey Wacky 5K and Obstacle Relay Race

Join the Delta Dental Health Theatre for its 2nd annual Plaquey Wacky 5K and Obstacle Relay Race on June 20. The event is for all ages, and includes a lot of fun exercises, "gross" activities for kids, an inflatable obstacle course, music, healthy snacks and giveaways.

Registration ranges from $15 to $40 per person, or $50 to $100 for groups of 4-5. The 5K begins at 9 a.m. and the Wacky Obstacle Course begins at 10.

View this event »

Let's Learn About St. Louis

Bring your preschooler to a morning of storytelling and St. Louis-themed activities, including a visit with FredBird!

This free event, for ages 2 to 6 celebrates a newly published curriculum "Let's Learn About St. Louis" by The Wilson School's pre-kindergarten teacher Linda Noel. It also features local author June Herman and her book Goodnight St. Louis. Both books will be available for purchase.

View this event »

Mud Day

NOTE: The Missouri Department of Conservation announced on 6/19 that Mud Day has been cancelled due to projected flooding of the Meramec River. More information can be found at mdc.mo.gov

It's all about fun in the mud at Mud Day! At this free event, kids will

View this event »

Mammal Mania

Kids ages 6 and up will learn about mammals living in Missouri, touch animal pelts and skulls. Part of the Super Summer Series at Powder Valley Nature Center in Kirkwood.

10 to 11 a.m.

Free. For reservations, call 314-301-1500.

More information: mdc.mo.gov

View this event »

Nature: Friend or Foe?

Kids ages 6 and up will learn how to identify some common outdoor hazards and safely enjoy the great outdoors. Part of the Super Summer Series at Powder Valley Nature Center in Kirkwood.

10 to 11 a.m. Free, but reservations are required.

For reservations, call 314-301-1500.

More information: mdc.mo.gov

View this event »

Pages

Things to Do

Planetarium Shows at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Friday, June 6, 2025

Visit the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park and see a star show to experience the largest artificial sky in the Western Hemisphere. Star shows are lead LIVE by one of the Planetarium's educators, creating a new and tailored experience for every audience.

View this event »

In the Library with Louie

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Meet Louie, the St. Louis Blues mascot, who will pose for photos and sign autographs at this free library event. Your kids will learn what it's like to be a mascot and what it takes to get ready for the season too!

View this event »

Water Waddlers Outdoor Drop-In Swim

Splash and play with your little one in this fun morning activity. No registration is necessary.

View this event »

Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo

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.

View this event »

Music & Movement

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Explore songs, finger plays, music and more during this Music & Movement class for ages 0-6. Some sessions are held in person at various branches of the St. Louis County Library. Some sessions are virtual.

View this event »

See All Things to Do

Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.

Popular Stories

Summer Fun in St. Louis Starts Now! Your Guide to Family Fun this June

For many St. Louis families, the start of June represents the real start of summer. That's when the summer fun really starts to kick in, and the fact that so many activities and attractions are free is just a bonus!

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.

7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

Greenway Quest 2025: A TOAD-ally Fun Adventure for Your Family

It's the time of year to get outside (finally!!) and have some fun, and Great Rivers Greenway's Greenway Quest is just the adventure your family needs. This year, they partnered with the Saint Louis Zoo for Greenway Quest, a TOAD-ally awesome greenway hunt throughout the month of April. Plus, enter now to win prizes!

Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

You Might Also Like...

Visit the Missouri History Museum on Wednesdays and Fridays in June and July for their Summer Family Fun Series! On Wednesdays, enjoy a variety of free family activities, including crafts, performances, and scavenger hunts, all are tied into Museum exhibits and centered on a different theme each week. Learn about Caribbean, Latin American, and German cultures in STL, discover Missouri’s trains, planes and other forms of transportation innovation, celebrate the 10th anniversary of the History Clubhouse, and more! Fridays feature Storytelling in the Museum and Cuentos en el Museo programs followed by a drop-in craft workshop. Hear classic American folktales, stories about Juneteenth, sweet treats and the 1904 World’s Fair, as well as other topics that families will love. The series is appropriate for children ages 2–12. For more detailed information on each day’s activities, visit the Museum’s website. Please note there is no program on Wednesday, July 2.

Vetta Sports Spring Break and Summer Camps are where every kid wants to be! Give your kids a full week of sports, activities and friends during their school's Spring Break or all summer long at Vetta Sports. Enrollment is open for kids ages 5-12 for camps in a fun, active, creative environment full of sports, games, friends and special activities. LEARN MORE AND ENROLL TODAY!

From arts, to STEM, to nature, sports and beyond, you'll find the best summer adventures for your kids in our Summer Camp Guide. Enroll now and plan your family's best summer yet. Our Summer Camp Guide is searchable for your child's interests, age, your location, whether you need before and after-care, and even for specific weeks. You'll find exciting opportunities for kids ages 3 to teenagers. Check our Summer Camp Guide now to get started!

From Our Sponsors