Eagle Fever Will Keep You Warm This Weekend

Your kids likely see images of bald eagles lots of places, but you can take them to see the real thing at several events this month in and around St. Louis.

Eagle Days is one of the most anticipated outdoor events of the year. Don't let the chilly weather stop you from venturing outdoors. The sights are well worth it (and there are warming tents too).

Eagle Days is held at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (south of I-270, off of Riverview Drive in St. Louis), which has one of North American's largest concentrations of bald eagles (how lucky are we!). This event is geared for kids, so they'll be a lot of fun for the little ones, like craft projects in the warming tent, a full-size eagle's nest replica, viewing scopes and live eagle education programs.

From the viewing platform on the bridge, you can watch eagles fishing, riding ice floes, soaring overhead and even roosting in nearby trees. This free program takes place this Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. For more information, visit www.confluencegreenway.org

You can make it an eagle weekend by visiting the Great River Road in Alton, Ill., for an Eagle Meet and Greet on Saturday. All ages are welcome to this free event, which allows you to get up close and personal with this large bird of prey. Find out more information at www.greatriverroad.com. The Eagle Meet and Greet is also happening on January 22.

If you want your kids to learn about all species of birds, take them to this fun, free class sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Jr. Audubon: Birds, Beaks and Feats teaches kids ages 7-12 the special tools birds have that help them survive the winter. Kids also get to play bird-themed games and observe birds in the wild. This January 22 event is free at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in southwest St. Louis County.

Finally, a great resource for kids (and adults) interested in birds is the nearby World Bird Sanctuary, which features seasonal shows, nature trails, education programs and lots of live birds. During January and February you can take in moonlight Owl Prowls, which include a night hike and an opportunity to see owls up close. Admission and parking are free; there are fees for some special events. Find out more at www.worldbirdsanctuary.org

By Julia Bollman, publisher of St. Louis Kids Magazine and contributing writer for SmartParenting