Things to do with kids in St. Louis
A local, always-current guide to family things to do around St. Louis — museums and play spaces, festivals, park programs, classes, camps and plenty of free options. Sort by age, date or neighborhood.
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Japanese Festival
Japanese Festival
Water Lantern Festival at Creve Coeur Park
Experience an unforgettable evening at the Water Lantern Festival at Creve Coeur Park in Maryland Heights on September 5, 2026. Perfect for all age...
Eckert's Fall Festival and Apple Picking
Wagon rides out to the apple and pumpkin fields, a petting zoo, playground and country store bakery. Weekends add live music and a kids' entertainm...
Japanese Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden
Taiko drumming, sumo demonstrations, candy artists and a lantern-lit evening walk through the Japanese Garden. Kids' craft tents run all day. Eveni...
Family Sunday at the Saint Louis Art Museum
Families are invited to the Saint Louis Art Museum on Sunday afternoon to participate in free hands-on art activities with fun themes and to explore the galleries. Each Family Sunday focuses on a different family-friendly theme.
Jazz Sunday
Beatnik Bob's has always your destination for cool vibes, delicious cocktails, and one-of-a-kind photo ops. You can also enjoy live music on select Sundays, as The Watershed Trio…
Family Sunday at the Saint Louis Art Museum
Families are invited to the Saint Louis Art Museum on Sunday afternoon to participate in free hands-on art activities with fun themes and to explore the galleries. Each Family Sunday focuses on a different family-friendly theme.
Shark Week at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station
Aquarium visitors will be immersed in a world of shark-centered adventures and have opportunities to get up close to the sharks during Shark Week at the St. Louis Aquarium.
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.
NASCAR Cup Series
NASCAR Cup Series
Fright Fest at Six Flags St. Louis
Daytime is family-friendly with trick-or-treat trails and kid shows; after dark the scare zones open and it is not for young children. Check the pa...
Forest Park Concert
Forest Park Concert
2026 Saint Louis Art Fair
2026 Saint Louis Art Fair
The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race
The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race
Saint Louis Art Fair
Saint Louis Art Fair
Wolpertinger: Nature and the Uncanny
A new exhibit by Saint Louis’ unusual curator, Cranky Yellow, features 40 local artists creating artworks which delve into nature’s ability to delight, deceive and captivate us.…
Great Forest Park Balloon Race
The Friday night Balloon Glow and Saturday afternoon race are both free, and both are unforgettable for small kids. Bring a blanket, arrive early a...
Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race
Annually, Forest Park also hosts epic events, from the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, which begins in late May, to the Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race, which takes place…
Thies Farm Pumpkinland
A long-running family farm with a pumpkin patch, slides, jumping pillow, barn animals and a produce market. One admission covers the play areas. We...
Stuckmeyer's Farm Fall Festival
South County farm with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn maze and farm market. Smaller and less overwhelming than the big operations. Free parking on...
Rombachs Farm Pumpkin Patch
West County pumpkin patch with a corn maze, hayrides, farm animals and a fall play area. Haunted trail runs later in the evening for older kids. Ca...
Fright at the Museum
Welcome to Fright at the Museum! Step into a world of spine-tingling wonder at our one-of-a-kind, all-ages Halloween celebration! Prepare to be amazed, mystified, and thoroughly…
Best of Missouri Market
More than a hundred Missouri growers and makers fill the Garden grounds for one October weekend, with a kids' area and live music. Admission includ...
Halloween Nights at Grant's Farm
The tram runs through a decorated deer park, and the Tier Garten fills with trick-or-treat stops, hay bale mazes and costumed staff. Not-scary by d...
Soulard Oktoberfest
Free-entry street festival with a family zone, dachshund derby and live music in Soulard. Daytime Saturday is the family-friendly window. Bring cas...
Boo at the Zoo
After-hours trick-or-treating along a lantern-lit zoo path with costumed characters and low-scare decorations. Aimed squarely at families with youn...
St. Louis Symphony Family Concert
A one-hour orchestral program designed for young listeners, with an instrument petting zoo in the lobby beforehand. Come 45 minutes early for the p...
Legends and Lanterns
Costumed storytellers, folklore characters and lantern-lit streets along historic Main Street. Free to walk, with candy stations and a not-too-spoo...
Halloween Happenings at the Butterfly House
Costume-friendly weekend with bug-themed crafts, creepy-crawly encounters and the conservatory full of butterflies. Small, warm and easy with toddl...
Trunk-or-Treat at Faust Park
County Parks' free afternoon trunk-or-treat with decorated cars, games and the historic village as a backdrop. Costumes encouraged. Arrive early —...
Pumpkin Throw Down
Get out your gourds — Halloween is over, and it's time to throw out those old pumpkins! Pumpkin spice? Too basic. Pumpkin pie? Delicious, but no. Pumpkin chuckin? That's right…
Steinberg Skating Rink Public Sessions
The Midwest's largest outdoor rink, sitting in Forest Park with a warming house and concession stand. Rental skates and walkers for first-timers. F...
The Polar Express Train Ride at St. Louis Union Station
A staged retelling of the story with hot chocolate, dancing chefs and a visit from Santa. Pajamas encouraged and the whole thing runs about an hour...
Weirdly Wonderful Holidays
Experience the magic of the holiday season at City Museum during Weirdly Wonderful Holidays! Step into a winter wonderland of joy and delight as City Museum transforms into a…
US Bank Wild Lights
The zoo after dark, strung with light sculptures along a walkable loop with fire pits and hot chocolate. Most animal buildings stay open along the...
Way of Lights
A free drive-through display of more than a million lights, with an indoor children's area, camel rides and a Christmas village at the halfway poin...
Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park
The county's drive-through light display through Tilles Park, with horse-drawn carriage nights early in the run. One low price per car. Sunday thro...
Winterfest at the Arch
Downtown's outdoor ice rink in the shadow of the Arch, with skate rental, beginner aids and a light display around the plaza. Weekday afternoons ar...
Garden Glow
A million lights across the Garden with a light tunnel, s'mores stations and the Climatron glowing from inside. The loop is paved and stroller-frie...
Thanksgiving Break Camp at the Saint Louis Science Center
Three days of hands-on science camp covering the front half of Thanksgiving break. Grouped by grade with before and after care available. Members g...
Thanksgiving Day Parade Downtown
Giant balloons, marching bands and floats down Market Street on Thanksgiving morning. Free curbside viewing; grandstand seats are ticketed. Dress i...
Gingerbread Village at the Missouri History Museum
A display of elaborate gingerbread St. Louis landmarks built by local bakers and students. Free with free museum admission and free parking. Twenty...
Christmas Traditions in St. Charles
Dozens of costumed Victorian characters roam ten blocks of historic Main Street, with free daily parades and shop windows made for wandering. Free...
Holiday Magic at the Saint Louis Science Center
Seasonal science demonstrations, a holiday planetarium show and winter-themed activity stations. General admission stays free; the planetarium show...
Nutcracker by Saint Louis Ballet
The region's professional Nutcracker with a full orchestra and local student dancers in the party scene. Two hours with intermission — matinees sui...
Winter Break Camp at the Magic House
Half and full-day camps built around building, art and science themes while school is out. Small groups by age band. Members register first and day...
New Year’s Eve Party
Say goodbye to 2026, and send the year off right! Step into a world of wonder and excitement as we ring in 2027 at our family-friendly New Year's Eve Party! Enjoy the lights and…
New Year's Eve Family Countdown at the Magic House
A noon balloon drop and countdown for families who are not making it to midnight. Party hats, dancing and full run of the museum. Tickets are limit...
First Day Hike at Castlewood State Park
Missouri State Parks' free New Year's Day guided hike, here along the Meramec River bluffs. Roughly two miles with a stair climb to the overlook. F...
1020 Artworks Studio Take Home Art Kits
Located in Belleville, IL, just five minutes from downtown, 1020 Artworks Studio offers creative take-home art kits that make hands-on crafting eas...
2026 Mastodon Fair Summer Art Camp for Grades 6-12
This summer art camp in Hillsboro, Missouri, offers creative classes for students in grades 6 through 12 at 1000 Viking Drive. Daily sessions run f...
ABC Parent Coaching
Located on Delmar Boulevard in St. Louis, ABC Parent Coaching offers the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up intervention to help caregivers buil...
Abiding Savior Lutheran School
Abiding Savior Lutheran School, located on Butler Hill Road in South St. Louis County, offers a warm, faith-based educational environment for young...
Adaptations Tour
When making observations at the Zoo, have you noticed that the orangutan habitat is tall, but the gorilla habitat is wide? Or have you noticed that the birds get different types…
Advantage Firearms Education & Training
Located on Manchester Road in Manchester, Advantage Firearms Education & Training offers youth skill development programs that help young men and w...
Adventures of Intrigue
Located on South Jefferson in St. Louis, Adventures of Intrigue offers immersive, family-friendly mystery adventures and escape-style challenges. S...
Affton White-Rodgers Community Center Room Rental
Located in Affton, the Affton White-Rodgers Community Center offers a spacious 7,200-square-foot multi-purpose gymnasium with maple wood flooring a...
Agape Academy and Child Development Center
Located on Olive Boulevard in University City, Agape Academy and Child Development Center provides high-quality Christian education and early child...
Agape Adventure Academy
Located in Sappington, Agape Adventure Academy serves children ages 3 to 6 with a uniquely blended curriculum incorporating Montessori, Nature-Base...
All Saints Academy at St. Ferdinand Parish
Located in Florissant, All Saints Academy at St. Ferdinand Parish provides a supportive Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic education. Dedicated to ac...
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Keep exploring St. Louis
Frequently asked
What are the best things to do with kids in St. Louis?
Museums, zoos and play spaces, weekend festivals, park and nature programs, storytimes, sports and seasonal events — everything on this page is a real, dated listing in the St. Louis area.
Something to do with kids today or this weekend?
Use the This weekend page for Friday-to-Sunday plans, or filter the map by program type to find something close by right now.
Are there rainy-day options in St. Louis?
Yes — museums, indoor play, classes and library programs are all listed alongside outdoor events, so there's always an indoor fallback.
Run a program for kids in St. Louis?
Listing is free, and parents in this metro are searching every week.
List your program free