Things to do with kids in St. Louis

ROOKie Readers is a literacy program designed for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers. Each week. little ones can enjoy a different story and a variety of games and activities. Each session lasts approximately one hour.

Cost is $5 per adult/child pair. Free for members of the World Chess Hall of Fame. One adult per child required. There is a limit of 12 adult/child pairs per session.

10 a.m. At the World Chess Hall of Fame in the Central West End.

Bring your child, ages birth through 2, to Breakfast with Baby, designed to foster your child's early understanding and appreciation of the visual arts. Each session includes light refreshments, socializing, and an activity led by an early childhood educator. Each session focuses on a different area of creative and cognitive development.

The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation presents the finals of the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition, a competition that showcases the talent of local high school students and fosters emerging talent.

Students in the finals vie for college scholarships, special awards, gift certificates and public appearance opportunities. First prize is a $7,000 college scholarship underwritten by Ameren, Missouri.

Watch the best robotics teams from around with world face off in a rock 'em, sock 'em competition with homemade robots. Teams compete for top honors in design excellence, competitive play and sportsmanship.

Events include the FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge World Championships and te FIRST LEGO League World Festival. Also featured is the Junior FIRST LEGO League World Festival Expo. 

All events are free and open to the public.

Competition times vary.  Events are held at the Edward Jones Dome, Union Station and America’s Center.

The  Waldorf School of St. Louis has partnered with Childgrove Dancers to host Family Contra Dances, a communal style of folk dancing that is fun and easy to learn. No experience is necessary.

Children and adults engage in simple movements which encourage concentration, coordination and sequencing, all while having fun. This is a time-honored American pastime combining movement and social connection with beautiful live music. Best for families with children ages 6 and up. All are welcome.

This is a good time of year to celebrate furry little animal babies. Aren’t they cute? They wake up, dash around, leap and jump, play hard with each other, and then cuddle up and fall asleep again. While their parents feed, protect and teach them, the babies are learning about the world around them.

Bring your kids, age 3 and up, to celebrate animal babies, and make a furry little animal to take home.

9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Free. At Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center.

So you’ve got maple trees and you love maple syrup… join this program to learn how to develop your very own backyard maple syrup and maple sugar operation. You’ll learn to identify sugar maple trees, details of tree tapping, cooking methods and finishing your sap to syrup. Join the growing community of maple sugaring enthusiasts and gain experience in every step of the process by working with naturalists. Call 636-458-2236 for reservations. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. At Rockwoods Reservation.