See Dinosaurs Roar and Lemurs Dance at the Saint Louis Science Center This Summer

It’s no secret that kids learn best by doing – by using all of their senses to explore and discover through exciting, hands-on activities that truly engage them with the material at hand. It’s also no secret that one of the best places for local families to find this type of interactive exploration is at the Saint Louis Science Center. 

The Saint Louis Science Center has been entertaining – and educating – guests of all ages for decades, but with new exhibits and attractions opening regularly, there’s always a good reason to plan yet another visit.

Current and upcoming special attractions that St. Louis families will enjoy include:    

Dinosaurs in Motion

Do your kids love dinosaurs? Then they will love Dinosaurs in Motion, the latest exhibit where science, art and innovation combine to bring these prehistoric creatures to life. Now through September 1, visitors to the exhibit will stand in awe of its life-sized metal dinosaur sculptures, all imagined, designed and created by artist John Payne. 

Kids – and kids at heart – can bring the dinosaurs to life using a variety of pulleys, levers and remote controls to make the sculptures move and roar. Without even realizing it, they’ll be learning about the science of kinetics, biomechanics and robotics in the process. Other hands-on, kid-friendly activities – like creating sketches of favorite dinosaurs and building kinetic structures – are also part of the fun.

Exhibit visitors even have the opportunity to purchase a photo of their group being attacked by a ferocious dinosaur beneath the Gateway Arch. (Don’t worry; the picture is snapped in front of a green screen and the background is computer-generated, so kids won’t get scared. And the result is pretty fantastic – the photo actually looks like a scene straight out of Jurassic Park.)

A few other things worth noting about the Dinosaurs in Motion exhibit:

  • The Science Center will offer special Low Sensory Days from 10-11 a.m. on July 16, August 6 and August 20. During these times, the exhibit will have regular room lighting (instead of the usual theatrical strobe lighting), and all video and dinosaur sounds will be either turned off or down very low. If you think your child may be scared by either loud noises or theatrical lighting, these days represent the perfect time to visit.

  • Dinosaurs in Motion: Creative Saturdays will take place every Saturday throughout the summer, with artists on site throughout the day to help visitors discover where art and science meet. Each week has a different theme, and will include activities and demonstrations in watercolors, printmaking, comic book art and more. 

  • For Science Center Members, admission to Dinosaurs in Motion is $5 for children and $6 for adults. For non-Members, admission is $10 for children and $12 for adults.   

 

 

Island of Lemurs: Madagascar at the Omnimax Theater

If your kids love the lemurs in the popular Madagascar films (remember King Julien?)they’ll be intrigued by this opportunity to learn more about the lives of these laid back, free-spirited creatures.

Narrated by Morgan Freeman, the IMAX documentary Island of Lemurs tells the true story of how lemurs first arrived in the remote world of Madagascar, and how they evolved to become the highly endangered species they are today. Thanks to the five-story, wrap-around screen in the Science Center’s Omnimax Theater, audiences are immersed in the sights and sounds of the African wild, and get to enjoy a front row seat to the amusing exploits of these always entertaining primates. You will even see them dance!

Although the film documents the many fires destroying the lemurs’ natural habitat, it is overall an upbeat documentary which is suitable for children of all ages. And with a fairly short running time of 39 minutes, it is well-suited to younger viewers with short attention spans.

Tickets for Island of Lemurs: Madagascar cost $9 for adults and $8 for children and seniors. Titans of the Ice Age and D-Day: Normandy 1944are also playing in the Omnimax Theater this summer.

 

 

Open Late ‘til 8 Nights

Can’t make it to the Saint Louis Science Center during the day this summer? No problem! Just take advantage of their Open Late ‘Til 8 Nights.

Thursday evenings through August 28, the Science Center will stay open until 8 p.m., giving local families a few extra hours to see all of its coolest, current attractions. From the Dinosaurs in Motion exhibit to special rates on evening show times at the Omnimax Theater to showings of Live Sky Tonight in the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy.

And if you can’t make it on a Thursday evening, don’t forget about First Fridays, when the Science Center stays open until 10 p.m. on the first Friday of every month throughout the year.

Trying to save money on your visit? While parking in the main lot behind the Saint Louis Science Center costs $10, it is FREE to park in the small lot at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park. And with visitors constantly coming and going, it is almost always possible to score a spot there.

 

 

Photos courtesy of the Saint Louis Science Center and Imagine Exhibitions

 

 

Share This Story

Alyssa Chirco is a freelance writer, mother and margarita lover, not necessarily in that order. In addition to writing for STL Parent, she is Contributing Editor at Parenting Squad, and covers parenting, health and lifestyle topics for publications across the country. She recently moved from the suburbs of St. Louis to a small town in rural Jefferson County, where she is learning to survive with no Target or Starbucks in sight. Follow her on Twitter @AlyssaChirco

 

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

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 »
Animals Aglow at the Saint Louis Zoo
Thursday, May 8, 2025

Explore the Saint Louis Zoo in the evenings at the Chinese lantern festival Animals Aglow! Animals Aglow returns to illuminate the Saint Louis Zoo for the second year with dozens of new, towering lanterns and light displays. Now open nightly through May 11!

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

Why Summer Camp is Great for . . . Parents

Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life who mean a lot to you is no small matter. As parents, we’re used to being responsible providers and caregivers. However, there’s so much more to a person: we’re also partners and friends. These are important parts of our identities that we need to cultivate. Sending your kids to summer camp may bring out your more playful side that you haven’t shown for a while.

Continue reading »
Don't Miss These May Events Your Family Will Love

May is the perfect time for your family to get out and enjoy the (sometimes) perfect St. Louis weather. Have some fun as a family at these delightful outdoor events before the summer heat takes hold. 

Continue reading »
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.

Continue reading »
Greenway Quest 2025: A TOAD-ally Fun Adventure for Your Family

It's the time of year to get outside (finally!!) and have some fun, and Great Rivers Greenway's Greenway Quest is just the adventure your family needs. This year, they partnered with the Saint Louis Zoo for Greenway Quest, a TOAD-ally awesome greenway hunt throughout the month of April. Plus, enter now to win prizes!

Continue reading »
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.

Continue reading »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Follow Us