The J St. Louis

Parents can take the evening to grab dinner or do some holiday shopping and drop the kids at the J for an evening of fun! Kids can run around in the gym playing a variety of sports or games led by the staff at the J. Or they can dive into pool time with games and free swim for all swimmers.

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Saturday Night Party Zone

Kids ages 4-11 can have fun with their friends at the J's Saturday Night Party Zone.

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Community Open Play Day at the J's New Accessible Playground

You're welcome to explore the new, 8,000 square-foot early childhood playground designed for children of all abilities at this free open play day and open house.

The playground includes play structures for preschoolers and toddlers, an infant-toddler area, a garden space with a watering area, a water feature for infants and toddlers and a drinking fountain. Little ones can also explore nature, music, art, sensory and dramatic play components. All area are designed so that children with disabilities can participate right along with typically developing children.

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Things to Do

Ballwin Days Festival

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Friday, August 14, 2026

Saturday, August 15, 2026

This annual community festival includes lots of live entertainment, a parade on Saturday morning, a carnival with rides, a Kids Korner on Saturday, games, crafts, live music, fireworks and more.

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Water Waddlers Outdoor Drop-In Swim

Splash and play with your little one in this fun morning activity. No registration is necessary.

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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.

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Preschool Science Series at the Saint Louis Science Center

The Preschool Science Series is an open exploration learning lab for young scientists, ages 18 months to 5 years and their families. Activities are designed around research that shows children learn best through play, inquiry and shared experiences with their parents and caregivers.

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Sunsets and Snowcones on the Greenways

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Enjoy free snow cones and watch as the sun sets on greenways across the St. Louis metro area at Sunsets and Snowcones sponsored by Great Rivers Greenway. This free summer series is designed to connect people to nature and community while highlighting the 135 miles of greenways maintained by the agency.

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Make the most of the rest of summer at Upper Limits Rock Climbing Summer Camp! Our 5-day camps run Monday through Friday and are packed with climbing, games, water days, challenges, and new friendships. Choose the schedule that works best for your family with half-day and full-day camp options available. We're conveniently located in Maryland Heights and Chesterfield, making it easy to find an adventure near you! Save $10 on camp registration with promo code CLIMBINGCAMP2026. Come spend the rest of your summer reaching new heights at Upper Limits! LEARN MORE

Great Rivers Greenway has teamed up with the Saint Louis Zoo for the fifth annual free greenway scavenger hunt. Community members are invited to look for the many varieties of native bees that you can see buzzing around greenways and search for special hidden souvenirs you can take home! Starting August 1, BEE on the lookout for hand-painted bee rocks along all 140+ miles of greenways. Saint Louis Zoo ALIVE (Active Leaders in Volunteer Education) teen volunteers hand-painted hundreds of rocks like three different species of bees found along the greenways: American bumblebee, brown-belted bumblebee and two-spotted bumblebee, plus a few of the endangered rusty patched bumblebee. If you find a painted rock, you can take it with you. Be sure to log your rock at www.GreenwayQuest.com for a chance to win prizes from both organizations, including Saint Louis Zoo Adventure Passes! Rocks are along edges of greenways or at trailheads, never far away from the path and never on private property. LEARN MORE AND GET STARTED!

See the Purina Incredible Dog Team perform extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill right here in St. Louis at Union Station this summer! Featuring some of the most talented canines in the country, the Purina Incredible Dog Team consists of more than 20 remarkably gifted dogs and two trainers who entertain audiences with extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill. Spectators can watch the team demonstrate a variety of canine sports while dogs of different breeds fly through the air to catch a flying disc, leap over a high jump, and maneuver through a series of obstacles in an agility course. Free performances are happening Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Union Station's Performance Plaza in front of the St. Louis Wheel. Learn more at purina.com/purinafarms.

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