free things to do with kids in St. Louis

Visit City Museum August 4-17, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

Each day, the Missouri History Museum immerses kids in the stories of St. Louis, written over hundreds of years and told through hands-on exhibits, fun-filled activities, and special family-focused events. During the school year, young history buffs of all ages can take an unforgettable journey to our city’s past with a special monthly adventure designed just for them! The Museum’s highly-anticipated History Exploration Days, starting back up this September, lets kids engage with history in creative and unexpected ways and discover how those who came before us continue to impact their lives today.

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

Focused listening is one of the most important skills your child will ever learn. Children with strong listening skills do better in school, sports, relationships and, eventually, in their careers. But many children lack this important skill and parents are rightly concerned. First, listening is much more than just hearing.

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.