St. Louis County

Why are some squirrels gray? What do they eat? How do they climb trees? Preschoolers (ages 3 to 6), will learn about squirrels, through listening to stories, playing games and making a craft. Then, they'll go on an outdoor acorn hunt.

9:30 to 11 a.m. At Rockwoods Reservation. For reservations, call 636-458-2236.

More information: mdc.mo.gov

This is your family's chance to experience a great family adventure while you learn about everything from birds to butterflies, crickets to katydids! Participants in BioBlitz will join teams of scientists and skilled naturalists to study biodiversity in a fun, hands-on way.

Kids can explore the art of mask making and masquerade with craftsman Scott Schoonover as they unmask their creativity and use a variety of materials to create their own original disguise.

Your kids will have a blast while you have the day or evening to yourself. Parents' Day Out at Learn Through Play means you can drop off your child, age 2 through 12, anytime between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. at a reduced hourly rate. 

Middle schoolers (ages 12 to 15) can enjoy a mind-bending night of trivia fun! Trivia Funhouse will host seven rounds of trivia for middle schoolers and their friends to compete for prizes. Teams can enter the patriotic-themed "best dressed" competition by decorating themselves and their table in the most red, white and blue gear. The team with the best dressed table will win extra mulligans to increase their chance of victory. 

At the Lodge of Des Peres. Doors open at 6:15 and trivia starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $120 for a table of 8. Advanced registration is required.

Helping children stress less is difficult in today's high pressure world. Dr. Dan Weinstein will review the prevalence, triggers, and causal factors of the ever-increasing issue of clinical anxiety in children and adolescents. Co-occurence of anxiety with other disorders, including ADHD and depression, will also be discussed.

Participants will leave with practical recommendations about effective treatments for anxious students both at home and in the classroom.

6:30 p.m. at Miriam School in Webster Groves. Free, but registration is required.

Parents serve as developmental guides for their children. Each child is unique and brings along a profile of strengths, weaknesses and biologically driven inclinations to this relationship. Parents scramble, often unsuccessfully, to find the best way to help or guide their children. They can end up blamed - but not trained - for their child's behavior. 

This free presentation will aid parents in decoding the messages behind a child's behavior, understanding how children really think and feel, and reducing the number of needless parent/child conflicts.