St. Louis Parent | stlparent.com

You can always watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on television, but if you want the real-life parade experience, bundle up the kids and head downtown bright and early on Thanksgiving morning to see the 40th annual Ameren Thanks for Giving Parade.

View this event »

Festival of Lights at Kiener Plaza

Welcome the holiday season at Kiener Plaza with the lighting of the Salvation Army Tree of Lights, live entertainment, and ice skating at the Winterfest Ice Rink.

View this event »

Winterfest Ice Rink Opens at Kiener Plaza

Grab your skates and head to opening day at the Winterfest Ice Rink in the heart of Kiener Plaza where there will be free admission and free skate rental. You can also catch the Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights from 4 to 8 p.m.

View this event »

Ferguson Winter Wonderland

Don't miss Ferguson's Winter Wonderland featuring Santa & Mrs. Claus, The Grinch, carolers, balloon twisters, a vendor village, hot chocolate, lots of lights, and more holiday fun!

View this event »

An Unlikely Hero: Free Performance with Metro Theater Company

In An Unlikely Hero, Jordan doesn’t fit in at school and spends every free moment immersed in comic books. A sudden invitation to attend Haven High, a school for superheroes, sends Jordan on a journey of self-discovery to find their place in the world. Is Jordan doomed to be a villain or will they prove to be a superhero after all?

View this event »

Winter Celebrations at the Saint Louis Art Museum

Celebrate the season at the Saint Louis Art Museum with free performances and art activities inspired by traditions from around the world. Winter Celebrations includes music and dance performances from community organizations representing diverse global cultures, art activities for your little ones and much more during this free, two-day festival.

View this event »

Dinner with Santa at the Saint Louis Zoo

Bring your whole family for a festive holiday experience at the Saint Louis Zoo. Santa will be the guest of honor with treats for the kids and a delicious meal for everyone. Plus, there will be photos with Santa and other costumed characters, a free gift for children ages 12 and under, and admission to Wild Lights!

View this event »

Pages

Things to Do

Free STL Symphony Concert and Fireworks in Forest Park

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Beautiful Forest Park is the setting for the annual free concert performed by the St. Louis Symphony, complete with fireworks to end the show.

View this event »

Toddler Time at The Magic House

Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1-4 can take part in exhibits and exclusive interactive activities designed just for little ones. There are new themes every week!

View this event »

Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Cottleville

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.

View this event »

Baby & Me

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Learn ways to nurture your baby's development and make new friends in a relaxed, supportive environment at Baby & Me, a free class offered at the St. Louis County Library. Baby & Me classes are for parents and caregivers with pre-walking infants ages 0-12 months.

View this event »

Preschool Science Series: Storybook STEM at the Saint Louis Science Center

The Saint Louis Science Center has expanded its Preschool Science Series to include new offerings for different age groups of young scientists. Storybook STEM is for ages 3 to 5.

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

City Museum's Stuff the Bus Campaign Provides School Supplies for 160 St. Louis Schools

Visit City Museum August 4-17, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

Take Your Kids on a Trip Through Time: History Exploration Days at the Missouri History Museum

Each day, the Missouri History Museum immerses kids in the stories of St. Louis, written over hundreds of years and told through hands-on exhibits, fun-filled activities, and special family-focused events. During the school year, young history buffs of all ages can take an unforgettable journey to our city’s past with a special monthly adventure designed just for them! The Museum’s highly-anticipated History Exploration Days, starting back up this September, lets kids engage with history in creative and unexpected ways and discover how those who came before us continue to impact their lives today.

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.

10 Ways to Improve Your Child's Listening Skills

Focused listening is one of the most important skills your child will ever learn. Children with strong listening skills do better in school, sports, relationships and, eventually, in their careers. But many children lack this important skill and parents are rightly concerned. First, listening is much more than just hearing.

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.

You Might Also Like...

At The College School in Webster Groves, our Reggio Emilia-inspired Early Childhood program nurtures each child’s natural curiosity through a thoughtful balance of play, exploration, and meaningful project work. Rooted in the belief that children are capable, creative thinkers, our program invites students to investigate real-world ideas and express their understanding through the “hundred languages” of art, nature, and play. Days are filled with joyful learning experiences—indoors and out—as children build foundational skills in language, math, social-emotional growth, and problem-solving. Our approach blends child-led inquiry with intentional guidance, allowing each student to grow at their own pace while developing confidence and a love of learning. With ample time spent in our outdoor classrooms, gardens, and nearby parks, students connect deeply with the natural world and learn the value of stewardship from an early age. We offer both part-time and full-time options to meet your family’s needs, and tuition assistance is available to help make our program accessible. Come see our warm, vibrant community in action—contact our Admissions Office today to schedule a personal tour! LEARN MORE

The Missouri History Museum celebrates education and family learning with History Exploration Days! One Friday per month from September to May (excluding November), homeschool families with kids of all ages can explore a different historical topic—together! All activities are FREE. Explore St. Louis history in new and exciting ways through interactive guided gallery tours, hands-on workshops, and community performances that align with each month’s theme, encouraging investigation, exploration, and creative fun. Activities are offered at various times throughout the day and are customized for specific grade level groups. Storytelling takes place in the morning, and all ages are welcome. Visit the craft room for fun learning experiences, with museum educators available to help learners participate in meaningful ways. Topics this school year include Growing Up in St. Louis, Holiday Toys, Black History, and Route 66. Detailed schedules of each day will be posted to the Museum’s website. The program is offered on September 12, October 10, December 12, January 16, February 20, March 13, April 10, and May 1. Learn more at mohistory.org

Since 1969, New City School has recognized that a foundation for lifelong learning begins in early childhood. Located in the historic Central West End neighborhood in a turn-of-the-century school building, a diverse community of students (age 3 through 6th Grade) participate in an engaging academic program that incorporates social-emotional learning and outdoor play. Class sizes are kept intentionally small to make sure that every child is known, loved, and challenged to become their best self. New City’s early childhood classrooms were reimagined and renovated in 2023, with naturalist-inspired spaces that foster collaboration and creativity. Preschool students also have opportunities to take advantage of all that the school has to offer—from cooking together in the kitchen, performing on stage in Founders’ Hall Theater, regular Music & Movement classes, and tinkering in the Tom Hoerr Innovation Lab. Join us for an admissions event or book a tour this fall to learn more.

From Our Sponsors