Get ready to think outside the box, literally! Cardboard Construction: Beyond the Box is a new 1,500 square-foot pop-up experience that invites kids to explore the creative potential of a simple everyday material.
From crafting robots and vehicles to constructing towering structures and 3D self-portraits, young creators will use real tools like the Chompsaw, a kid-safe power tool for cutting cardboard, along with a variety of materials like pipe cleaners, rubber bands, masking and packing tape, and hot glue guns to bring their ideas to life.
A highlight of the exhibit is the work of professional media artist and St. Louis-native Justin King, whose imaginative sculptures will be on display. On Saturday, August 23, King will create a 20-foot Wish Dragon adorned with visitor-made scales, a permanent addition to The Magic House’s Story Time Magic space.
Families can also explore a large-scale cardboard castle, pose in front of an all-cardboard photo backdrop, and enjoy a special building area designed just for younger children.
Cardboard Construction: Beyond the Box opens at The Magic House on August 22, 2025.
After being at The Magic House, Cardboard Construction: Beyond the Box will be at MADE for Kids, The Magic House’s satellite location on Delmar Boulevard from October 1 to December 31.
More information: magichouse.org
Take your family to watch birds of prey fly right over your head, meet the wonderful bird ambassadors of the World Bird Sanctuary up close and much more.
Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur.
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.
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.
Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym is an opportunity for any child to have supervised free play in the gym. They can work on existing skills, try something new, or simply play around. It is completely up to them! Open Gym is open to both members and non-members ages 12 and under.