To help limit the spread of Coronavirus and to support public health efforts, many family attractions have closed temporarily. In the meantime, we invite our readers to enjoy virtual events highlighted in our Things To Do calendar. When you do go out, follow public health guidelines: wear masks, practice social distancing and wash your hands frequently. To learn why social distancing is important and effective in lessening the spread of COVID-19, hear from Dr. Alexis Elward, Chief Medical Officer at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Promoting Harmony Through Handsprings

By Julia Bollman on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 9:38am

Since the beginning of time, children have threatened to run away and join the circus. In 2007, 11 St. Louis teenagers did just that. And filmmaker Alexandra Lipsitzwas there to catch all their triumphs and tribulations in her film Circus Kids.

Accompanied by an entourage of a dad, clown, mentor, social circus director and Lipsitz, the kids of Circus Harmony’s St. Louis Arches traveled to Israel to work with the Jewish and Arab children of the Galilee Circus. For many of the performers, this is their first time abroad. Despite the Arches’ struggles with cultural differences and language barriers, enduring friendships with their Middle Eastern counterparts and an entertaining show develops.

You can catch the St. Louis premier of Circus Kids during the St.Louis International Film Festival. The screening is happening on Sunday, November 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the Hi-Pointe Theatre. Directly following the screening, a benefit gala will be held at the Regional Arts Commission. The cost for a combined film and gala ticket is $15 for children and students, $35 for adults, and $95 for patrons. Order your tickets today!

If you like Circus Kids, check out the Circus Harmony performers in person. They make regular appearances at the Youth City Showcase at the City Museum and are a highlight of Circus Flora. For more information on the Arches or for a schedule of where they will be performing, visit Circus Harmony’s website.

By Andrea Wilson, Events Blogger for SmartParenting

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by Julia Bollman, publisher of STL Parent

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Things to Do

Explore Purina Farms: Amazing Canines

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Purina Farms is bringing the best of the farm to your home every week! You can virtually explore Purina Farms through videos featuring the animals, dog trainers and others who work there, as well as the pets who work and play at Purina Farms every day. Each day of the week features videos on a variety of topics including animal connections, training tips and responsible pet care advice for kids.

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Science @ Home with the Saint Louis Science Center

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Thursday, May 28, 2020

The Science Louis Science Center is continuing to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning through its online Science @ Home series! Visit the Science Center's web site or social media channels for DIY science experiments that can be done at home, Amazing Science Demonstrations from the Science Center's Energy Stage team, connections to local scientists, astronomy updates from the McDonnell Planetarium, live chats and more. Content is designed for all ages.

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Virtual Story Time Hosted by Babler Memorial State Park

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

This virtual storytime is hosted by Babler Memorial State Park and Missouri State Parks. It will be posted on the Babler State Parks Facebook page.

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Magic At Home with The Magic House

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Thursday, May 28, 2020

The Magic House is bringing innovative, hands-on learning to you at home with its #MagicAtHome series of interactive, instructional online presentations. The Magic At Home series of activities includes lots of fun projects that you can make at home with common materials. The easy-to-follow directions mean your kids can make paper sculpture, do shaving cream marble painting, create make-your-own flowers, go "fishin," make TP roll animals, make salad spin art and more.

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Virtual Homeschool Day: Happy 200th Birthday James Eads!

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

James Buchanan Eads was an engineer, inventor, and treasure hunter who had a profound influence on St. Louis and our riverfront. The Eads Bridge is still a fixture of downtown St. Louis. Celebrate the 200th birthday of James Eads with a day of learning from the Missouri History Museum.

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