See a collection of one-act plays written by fifth graders at the WiseWrite Festival of One-Act Plays, now in its 20th year. The WiseWrite Festival is free and open to all.
The festival, presented by Springboard, is the culmination of many weeks of learning, brainstorming, writing, editing, practicing, reading, coaching and tweaking by students and their Springboard instructors and teachers. Using character development, plot analysis, theatricality and more, students increase literacy skills while bringing their stories to life as original plays.
The city of Wildwood will host its annual Spring Balloon Glow featuring family activities, including photos with the Easter Bunny, crafts for children, giveaways, spring flowers and more.
The event also features a four-story hot air balloon, live music, mystery cash giveaways for kids ages 10 and under and family photo opportunities. Sponsored by the Wildwood Business Association. Proceeds benefit the Wildwood Family YMCA.
At Wildwood Town Center. 7 to 9 p.m.
More information: wildwoodba.org
Celebrate Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day Live at the Pi Mathstravaganza! There will be hands-on activities, puzzles and demonstrations showcasing math and Pi and how much fun math can really be.
At the Saint Louis Science Center. Saturday, March 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, March 13 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Monday, March 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
More information: slsc.org
Delve into the life of young Mary Lennox in this classic tale performed by children ages 8-16 at the West County Family YMCA.
In the story, Mary Lennox, a difficult child who loses her parents, finds a new family. With the help of this family, friends and a secret garden, she learns the value of hard work, friendship and love.
Presented by Chesterfield Community Theater. Performances are Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 13 at 3 p.m.
The Greater St. Louis Area Home Educators Expo includes speakers, seminars, workshops, panel discussions, clinics and three floors of exhibitors geared to parents who home school.
There are special presentations and resources for all age students, even high schoolers, as well as for struggling learners, special needs students and more.
April 7-9 at the First Evangelical Free Church of St. Louis County in Manchester.
More information, hours and speakers: service-life.com
Your kids can throw on their best cape and go to The Magic House for a breakfast fit for a superhero! Kids are welcome to dress like their favorite superhero and enjoy a superhero-themed morning filled with action-packed activities.
They'll also have the opportunity to meet their favorite superheroes, like Batman and Spiderman. After a delicious breakfast, there will be private playtime in the Super Kids Save the World exhibit.
Kids can get let their imaginations run wild as they create a painting that could become a greeting card for The Magic House.
During this workshop, led by Creative Kids Care (a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children through the creative works of children) your child can create a painting or colored drawing and add their first name and age to the finished masterpiece (with parental permission). The artwork will be photographed, and up to five of these greetings will be chosen to be greeting cards for The Magic House!
For kids with sensory processing disorders, a darkened theater, loud noises and having to "sit still" make for a very unpleasant experience. The Imaginary Theatre Company will present its production of the classic, Goldilocks, in a sensory friendly format just for kids with sensory disorders and their families.
The performance will be 55 minutes of fun and music, and pacing lines and fidgit rooms will be available. After the show, kids can meet their favorite costumed characters in the lobby!
The Junior League of St. Louis presents Peter Rabbit Tales live on stage as part of the St. Louis Family Theater Series.
Enchantment Theatre Company's production of Peter Rabbit Tales is based on the original Peter Rabbit books by Beatrix Potter, which have enchanged young audiences for more than 100 years. See the charming story live on stage as Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and their hero Peter enjoy their misadventures in Mr. McGregor's garden.
Tickets are $7 per person.
Explore the new Fisher Price Toy Box Indoor Play Area at South County Center during this free grand opening event.
Kids can enjoy the new play area and have a meet-and-greet with Fisher Price Little People Eddie and Sophie! There will also be crafts, lunch specials and more. Free.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, April 8 and 9.
More information: shopsouthcountycenter.com
Kids will learn how to use natural ingredients to dye Easter eggs at this workshop.
Kids can come in between 10 a.m. and noon and use natural egg dying kits to dye their own eggs, and while the dye is settling, they'll decorate some eggs that have already been dyed and share a tasty snack. Each child will learn with four colored eggs.
Registration is recommended because there is a limit of 25 kids for this workshop. At Whole Foods Market Town and Country. To register call 636-527-1160.
Powder Valley is a wonderful place to watch the deer, squirrels and birds. But what about the creatures that live underground?
This nature program, for ages 6-10, begins in the classroom with instruction and observations. Then, the group will go out to the forest to "dig in" and see what they can find.
10 a.m. to noon at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center. Free.
More information and reservations: mdc.mo.gov
In this outdoor archery workshop, kids and teens will learn why archery teaches discipline, concentration and resilience and take part in an archery skills challenge in Forest Park.
We see rabbits on a regular basis in Missouri, but how much do we really know about them? Kids ages 10 and up can learn about the lifecycle and habits of rabbits at this free nature workshop.
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
At the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area.
More information and reservation: mdc.mo.gov
The cold winds of winter have almost blown over, but how do we know when Spring has arrived? Kids ages 3-7 can learn about the signs of spring in song, art and stories.
After learning the signs, they'll take a short hike to see if they can spot them.
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. At Columbia Botton Conservation Area. Free.
More information and reservations: mdc.mo.gov
Birds are starting to make their way back from their winter homes, so it's time to celebrate birds by learning about their special traits. Kids can learn what makes a bird a bird, make some binoculars and go outside to spot birds in the wild.
For ages 3 to 6.
10 to 11 a.m. at Rockwoods Reservation in Wildwood. More information: mdc.mo.gov
If you're planning on a Spring Break stay-cation, check out free activities at the Missouri History Museum.
Tuesdays through Fridays, the museum will have free storytelling, make-and-take workshops, family movies and special performances, including puppet shows and puppet workshops. Activities begin most days at 10:30 a.m. You can also explore the History Clubhouse during these days.
For a list of daily activities, visit mohistory.org/springbreak
Dying and decorating eggs is lot so of fun but can get really messy! Keep the mess out of your kitchen and let your kids decorate eggs with their friends at this Egg Decorating Workshop.
During this 45-minute session, each participant will decorate one dozen eggs to take home, then enjoy punch and cookies. The cost is $12 for residents and $15 for non-residents. For ages 5 to 11.
More than a million lights will illuminate some of the Missouri Botanical Garden's most iconic locations, walkways will be transformed into sensory light tunnels providing an explosion of visual magic, and traditional candlelight village displays, festive drinks, s'mores and great photo opportunities will delight crowds of all ages.
Enjoy the iconic lights that adorn the Anheuser-Busch Brewery close up during walking tours. Brewery Lights features more than one million twinkling lights and lots of family friendly activities. New this year is an enhanced parade with Clydesdales and street performers, giant branded nutcrackers and interactive stage performances.
At Breakfast with Santa at Eckerts, your child can tell Santa their Christmas wishes, have their photo taken with him and decorate some holiday cookies while your whole family enjoys a farm-fresh breakfast.
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.
Young visitors and their families are invited to the Energy Stage to enjoy interactive read-alouds of science-themed picture books. Story times are followed by a short demonstration or discussion connected to the book's main concepts.