September is Playtime for St. Louis Families
With school back in session, all those lazy days and outdoor adventures have come to a full stop—at least until the weekend hits! Once that three o’clock bell rings, get ready to burn off some steam with your family at one (or all!) of these action-packed events in September.
First Bank Sea Lion Show at the Saint Louis Zoo, Continuing through December
The Saint Louis Zoo is ensuring you can still get in some summer fun in the sun with their world-famous California sea lions! Catch the Fall Weekend Sea Lion Shows every Saturday and Sunday as these aquatic acrobats show offer their Olympic-style dives, flipper walks, frisbee tosses, and other jaw-dropping talents. Plus, their trainers will share details on sea lion behavior and the steps we can take to protect their ocean habitat.
The Saint Louis Zoo is ensuring you can still get in some summer fun in the sun with their world-famous California sea lions! Catch the Fall Weekend Sea Lion Shows every Saturday and Sunday as these aquatic acrobats show offer their Olympic-style dives, flipper walks, frisbee tosses, and other jaw-dropping talents. Plus, their trainers will share details on sea lion behavior and the steps we can take to protect their ocean habitat.
Admission to the Sea Lion Show is $3.95 per person; children under age two are free. Fall Weekend shows are held at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. through September 2 and 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 through October 27. For details, visit stlzoo.org.
First Friday at the Saint Louis Science Center: Pokémon, September 6
The Science Center’s themed Friday fun continues with a night dedicated to everything Pokémon. Your kids can step into a world of adventure, battling for victory with the Pokémon Go Center of St. Louis, designing their own characters in the Makerspace Classroom, and collecting badges throughout the museum. The evening also includes a Q&A with Eric Stuart, one of the original voices behind the Pokémon animated series, and a special showing of “Pokémon: The First Movie” in the McDonnell Planetarium.
The Science Center’s themed Friday fun continues with a night dedicated to everything Pokémon. Your kids can step into a world of adventure, battling for victory with the Pokémon Go Center of St. Louis, designing their own characters in the Makerspace Classroom, and collecting badges throughout the museum. The evening also includes a Q&A with Eric Stuart, one of the original voices behind the Pokémon animated series, and a special showing of “Pokémon: The First Movie” in the McDonnell Planetarium.
First Friday: Pokémon runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. General admission is free, but some activities are ticketed. Visit slsc.org to learn more.
Saint Louis Art Fair and Creative Castle for Kids, September 6-8
Most art fair exhibits are hands-off for little ones, but once they hit the Creative Castle at the Saint Louis Art Fair, it’s all hands-on fun for artists young and old. Kids can learn about the arts and explore their creative side with activities sponsored by local organizations, including paper quilling, botanical art, mobius strip sculptures, and Scrabble tile door hanger projects. Plus, your family can enjoy live stage performances and food from your favorite St. Louis restaurants throughout the weekend.
Most art fair exhibits are hands-off for little ones, but once they hit the Creative Castle at the Saint Louis Art Fair, it’s all hands-on fun for artists young and old. Kids can learn about the arts and explore their creative side with activities sponsored by local organizations, including paper quilling, botanical art, mobius strip sculptures, and Scrabble tile door hanger projects. Plus, your family can enjoy live stage performances and food from your favorite St. Louis restaurants throughout the weekend.
Admission to the Saint Louis Art Fair is free. The Fair runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Creative Castle hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For details, visit saintlouisartfair.com.
Trucks & Tails at Purina Farms, September 8
There are few things kids love more than sweet dogs and tough trucks. At Purina Farms, they can see first-hand how the two can come together to create one powerful partnership! From Dalmatians and fire trucks to herding dogs and farm equipment, Trucks & Tails spotlights the hard work dogs and trucks put in to make life safer and easier for us humans. During the day, your kids can climb inside their favorite vehicles, meet some incredible pups, take a ride on a trackless train, and much more!
There are few things kids love more than sweet dogs and tough trucks. At Purina Farms, they can see first-hand how the two can come together to create one powerful partnership! From Dalmatians and fire trucks to herding dogs and farm equipment, Trucks & Tails spotlights the hard work dogs and trucks put in to make life safer and easier for us humans. During the day, your kids can climb inside their favorite vehicles, meet some incredible pups, take a ride on a trackless train, and much more!
Trucks & Tails will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and admission is free. Parking is $5.00, or you can park for free by bringing five or more canned goods to donate to the Circle of Concern food pantry. For more information, visit purinafarms.com.
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Forest Park Concert, September 12
Enjoy a great night of family entertainment in the heart of Forest Park for free! On September 12, the SLSO will host its 51st annual Forest Park Concert at the base of Art Hill. Grab your picnic basket and blanket, and settle back for a night of heart-pounding pieces from classical composers and modern hits straight from your favorite movies and musicals. Stick around after the last note plays for a spectacular fireworks display that will wow your kids—and the kid in you!
Enjoy a great night of family entertainment in the heart of Forest Park for free! On September 12, the SLSO will host its 51st annual Forest Park Concert at the base of Art Hill. Grab your picnic basket and blanket, and settle back for a night of heart-pounding pieces from classical composers and modern hits straight from your favorite movies and musicals. Stick around after the last note plays for a spectacular fireworks display that will wow your kids—and the kid in you!
Performance starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are not required. To learn more, visit slso.org.
Kiener Kids, September 14 and October 5
Start your Saturday with a morning in the great outdoors at Kiener Plaza. Kiener Kids kicks off with a session of all-ages yoga beginning at 9:30 a.m. before jumping into live entertainment featuring a magic act from Circus Kaput and tales of adventure told by a celebrated storyteller. Throughout the event, you can also try your skills at the Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s oversized games, including Bananagrams and Jenga, or team up with your family to build a replica of the Arch using padded blocks.
Start your Saturday with a morning in the great outdoors at Kiener Plaza. Kiener Kids kicks off with a session of all-ages yoga beginning at 9:30 a.m. before jumping into live entertainment featuring a magic act from Circus Kaput and tales of adventure told by a celebrated storyteller. Throughout the event, you can also try your skills at the Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s oversized games, including Bananagrams and Jenga, or team up with your family to build a replica of the Arch using padded blocks.
Kiener Kids is free to attend. Registration at the event starts at 9 a.m., but online registration will open soon at archpark.org.
Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race, September 20-21
The sky’s the limit to how much fun your kids will have at the 47th annual Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race. On Friday night, check out the children’s activities, food trucks and music from Boogie Chyld before 70 hot air balloons and a fireworks show light up the night. Then return on Saturday for a whole new experience—the Purina Children’s Entertainment area opens at noon and features inflatables, games, mural painting, and presentations by the Purina Pro Plan Performance Team. Other activities that day include a skydiver show, live entertainment and balloon launch.
The sky’s the limit to how much fun your kids will have at the 47th annual Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race. On Friday night, check out the children’s activities, food trucks and music from Boogie Chyld before 70 hot air balloons and a fireworks show light up the night. Then return on Saturday for a whole new experience—the Purina Children’s Entertainment area opens at noon and features inflatables, games, mural painting, and presentations by the Purina Pro Plan Performance Team. Other activities that day include a skydiver show, live entertainment and balloon launch.
The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race opens at 5 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free. For more information, visit greatforestparkballoonrace.com.
Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails, Opens September 21
The beloved blue choo-choo and all his friends will pull into The Magic House station beginning this September for a four-month playdate! Your little ones can join Thomas, Percy and the rest of the gang to explore the Island of Sodor and solve some fun challenges along the way. On September 22, take the journey further by grabbing your ticket for the All Aboard a Breakfast Adventure. Eat up a yummy breakfast at The Magic House before enjoying some private playtime in the Explore the Rails exhibit.
The beloved blue choo-choo and all his friends will pull into The Magic House station beginning this September for a four-month playdate! Your little ones can join Thomas, Percy and the rest of the gang to explore the Island of Sodor and solve some fun challenges along the way. On September 22, take the journey further by grabbing your ticket for the All Aboard a Breakfast Adventure. Eat up a yummy breakfast at The Magic House before enjoying some private playtime in the Explore the Rails exhibit.
Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails is free with The Magic House admission. The All Aboard a Breakfast Adventure will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on September 22. Cost is $18 per person for members, $25 for non-members. To make a reservation, go to magichouse.org.
Photo courtest of The Magic House
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Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL
