
When the heat is on and the pools are crowded, a parent's go-to strategy for finding the perfect summer activity that keeps kids happy and cool is to find the nearest splash pad. St. Louis is full of them, ranging from small neighborhood parks with pop jets, to sprawling water features with fountains and wading pools.
Here are some to explore across the St. Louis area, and most are free:
Tower Grove Park. The Muckerman Children's Fountain & Pop Jets at Tower Grove Park are open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting June 14. The park also has two playgrounds. Visit on Friday mornings when you can also see free performances by some of St. Louis' best-known children's entertainers. All activities are free.
Forest Park. Visiting the 17-acre Anne O'C. Albrecht Nature Playscape is a cool adventure just by itself, with its sand play areas, willow tunnels, stump steppers, boulders, rocks and lots more. In the warm months, play is taken to the next level with the water features
The Children's Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Splash Area in the Children's Garden turns on when temps reach 70 degrees and are included in Children's Garden admission. Hours are Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am. to 4 p.m. It's free on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon for St. Louis City & County residents.
Kiener Plaza. Cool off in the city's Kiener Plaza, where you'll find a fountain garden with a splash pad, and a fantastic playground as well.
Citygarden.
Photo credits: Forest Park Forever,
Take your family to watch birds of prey fly right over your head, macaws speak the English language and much more at the WOW! Amazing Animal Show at the World Bird Sanctuary. Every program showcases different animals so each day is a new experience.
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.
Science Tots is designed for children ages 18 to 36 months. The class provides opportunities to support brain development and learning. Toddlers and their grown-ups will explore STEM topics through songs, stories, hands-on exploration and play.
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.
Dads get in free with the purchase of a paid child's admission on Father's Day at City Museum. To further celebrate Father's Day there will be craft making in Art City so little ones can make a gift for their dad.