Get Muddy, Sandy and Covered in Paint at the Endangered Wolf Center's Messy Play Day

Kids love to get messy when they play, and the Endangered Wolf Center is holding an event on Sunday, June 29 that will let kids do just that. Messy Play Day promises to be messy fun.

"Our goal for the kids is that they leave here with not only a dirty outfit but also a newly inspired curiosity for nature," said Ashley Rearden, education coordinator at the Endangered Wolf Center. "Our goal for parents is that they leave here with a list of new ways to inspire their children at home and a head full of new memories."

Toddlers and preschoolers will explore nature through tactile activities and crafts at this special messy event. Children, from walking to age 5, will have a blast getting messy while learning to discover the world around them. 

Activities include sand exploration, mud and dirt fun, water play, watercolors, face painting, learning how to make all-natural play dough and lots of nature crafts. Children should wear clothes that can get really dirty!

Getting hands-on messy is not only fun, but is a great way for kids to learn. "The benefits to the tactile experience of playing in mud, dirt, paint, etc., are a huge motivation behind Messy Play Day," Readen continued. "Children in this age group learn through exploration and, to be honest, many people continue to learn best this way into adulthood. We wanted to be able to offer a program to kids where they would be learning while they have fun and get messy."

The cost is $8 per child. Parents are free. Special min-tours of the animal enclosures will be available for $10 per person that day only. There is no charge for the mini-tour for children who are enrolled in the Messy Play Day. There will also be a docent on hand in the classroom for attendees to learn more about the Endangered Wolf Center, where the mission is to preserve and protect Mexican gray wolves, red wolves and other endangered canids through carefully managed breeding, reintroduction. and inspiring education programs. Families and individuals can "adopt" or sponsor a wolf to help support the center.

This event is expected to be very popular, so reservations are recommended by calling 636-938-5900. Walk-in enrollment will be based on availability. 

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka.

More information: endangeredwolfcenter.org

Photo: iStock

 

 
Share This Story
Our Daily Things to Do email is the easiest way to plan your day.
Follow Us
 
Things to Do

Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo
Wednesday, May 27, 2026

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
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Explore songs, finger plays, music and more during this free Music & Movement class for ages 0-6. 

 

 

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

Kids Unleash Their Creativity at Hands-On Summer Art Camps

Your creative child may have numerous opportunities throughout the school year to express themselves through art projects and other hands-on art experiences, but what about summer? When the classroom is closed, what do you do? Send your child to an artistically engaging summer camp, of course! 

Continue reading »
Travel Back in Time Every Friday at the Missouri History Museum’s Free Summer Family Fun Series

There comes a point every summer when all that “free time” isn’t so fun anymore. Your kids are bouncing off the walls, it’s too hot to hit the playground, and every activity seems to come with a big price tag. That’s when the screens come out, and parents find themselves counting down the minutes to bedtime. Thankfully, when Friday rolls around each week, your family can experience a mini summer getaway through history – no travel required. 

Continue reading »
Summer STEM Camps Create Hands-On Fun + Immersive Learning for Kids & Teens

Want your child to learn about subjects in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), and have fun doing it? Help them further understand the inner workings of what's all around them by enrolling them in a STEM-fueled summer camp. You may be surprised at the wide variety of highly-acclaimed summer camps in the St. Louis area that put new and exciting twists on STEM concepts, creating hands-on fun for kids with the benefit of introducing them to some of the latest technologies in AI, engineering, coding and more.

Continue reading »
Get Ready to Climb and Explore at These Free Big Truck Days

If your kids love to explore big trucks and vehicles, these upcoming Big Truck Days are a perfect weekend outing. They'll get to climb on and explore fire trucks, police vehicles, bulldozers, bucket trucks, ambulances and lots more.

Continue reading »
Miriam Celebrates Neurodiversity, Supports Unique Learners

At Miriam School, students with complex learning differences are supported and celebrated as they grow academically, socially and emotionally. Miriam provides a tailored educational experience for learners in grades K-12 who have not found success in traditional classroom settings. Students’ challenges may stem from specific learning disabilities (i.e. dyslexia or dysgraphia), ADHD, level 1 autism, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, or speech and language disorders.

Continue reading »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Follow Us