Spring is just around the corner! If you're sticking around town for Spring Break, or just looking for some weekend activities, here are a few fun family events to explore this month:
Join your Nine PBS KIDS friends as we welcome Buddy and Dinosaur Train: The Traveling Exhibit back to The Magic House. Buddy will be joined by Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Super Why for a day of fun. Dance and sing along with Celia, make a King Friday crown (the ruler of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood of Make-Believe) and much more. The event is free with regular museum admission.
Nine PBS KIDS Party takes place on Saturday, March 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Magic House, located at 516 S. Kirkwood Road in Kirkwood. For information, visit magichouse.org.
Clementine is having a terrible week, but this spunky eight-year-old doesn't let her daily visits to the principal's office get her down. Join America's favorite curly-haired carrot-top as she navigates the hilarious waters of friendship, family, school and mischief on an epic third grade adventure you'll never forget. Presented by Barter Theatre Company at the Florissant Civic Center Theater, this delightful show is perfect for audiences of all ages. Tickets for all ages are just $8.
Clementine takes place on Sunday, March 4 at 2 p.m., Friday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 10 at 2 p.m. the Florissant Civic Center Theater, located at 1 James Eagan Drive in Florissant. For more information, visit florissantmo.com.
Celebrate Spring by visiting Morpho Mardi Gras: Bugs, Butterflies, and Beads at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Bring your krewe to the carnival during the entire month of March and join the party at our Bug Parade, make a masquerade mask, and immerse yourself in a sea of blue as the Butterfly House floods the tropical Conservatory with thousands of blue morpho butterflies. Throughout the event, visitors will be able to see over 1,500 morphos in free flight while learning about the critical role butterflies play in nature and how the Butterfly House is involved with butterfly conservation efforts in Costa Rica.
Morpho Mardi Gras takes place through March 31 at The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Faust Park, located at 15193 Olive Blvd. in Chesterfield. For more information, visit butterflyhouse.org
Edie's Fairytale Theater presents a free performance of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a musical geared to children ages 2-10 and their families. Pre-show STEM activities and crafts begin at 10:30 a.m. and the show begins at 11 a.m. STEM activities include building a LEGO chair for the three bears, gummy bear science, hard vs. soft investigation, design a bed for goldilocks, bear dough and more. The event is open to all but advanced registration is requested.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears takes place on Saturday, March 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Andrews Academy, located at 888 N. Mason Road in Creve Coeur. For more information and registration, visit facebook.com/andrewsacademyCC.
See the amazing sea lions at the Saint Louis Zoo perform for the crowd and cheer them on from the bleachers as the popular Sea Lion Shows return for the Spring season. You'll see these beautiful animals perform flipper walks, ball balancing, high dives and lots of splashing. Admission is $2 per person for the daily Spring Training shows. Children under 2 are free.
Spring Sea Lion Shows take place daily from March 16 to 29 at 1 and 2:30 p.m. at Sea Lion Sound at The Saint Louis Zoo in Forest Park. For more information, visit stlzoo.org
Grab your green beads and head downtown for the 49th annual St. Patrick's Parade! The Parade will be held rain or shine, beginning at 20th and Market streets, and proceeding east to its conclusion at Broadway and Clark streets. Regularly noted as one of the top in the country, the parade is comprised of over 120 units, including marching bands, floats, huge cartoon-character balloons, 5000+ marchers, and lots of clowns. Over 250,000 spectators regularly attend, the largest of any event in downtown St. Louis, packing the streets with smiling Irish eyes and festive green attire.
The 49th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Saturday, March 17 at 1:00 pm in downtown St. Louis. For complete information, visit irishparade.org.
Travel to Funland with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and actors from The Black Rep as they bring to life the enchanting tale of Carlo Collodi's most beloved marionette, all while entertaining, educating and introducing your family to the riches of live music. This concert will also feature excerpts from other childhood favorites, including The Barber of Seville Overture and Flight of the Bumblebee.
St. Louis Symphony Family Concerts offer a mix of fun, thematic orchestra music to entertain children ages 5-12. Be sure to stop by the instrument playground in the Wightman Grand Foyer prior to the concert where kids can try out instruments from each of the music families. Ticket prices range from $8 to $19.
St. Louis Symphony Family Concert: Pinocchio's Adventures in Funland takes place on Sunday, March 18 at 3 p.m. at Powell Hall, located at 718 Grand Blvd. in St. Louis. For more information and tickets, visit slso.org.
Celebrate eagles from around the world at World Eagle Day. Learn more about these majestic creatures as well as fun raptor facts with presentations from World Bird Sanctuary naturalists throughout the day. Live eagle shows will be presented in the amphitheater at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., and there will be photo opportunities with a Bald Eagle. Kids can enjoy a craft center, and the entire family can tour the wildlife hospital. Parking and admission are free.
World Eagle Day takes place on Sunday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The World Bird Sanctuary, located at 125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road in Valley Park. For more info, visit worldbirdsanctuary.org.
Amy Burger is a mom, freelance writer and communications professional with nearly 20 years experience working in St. Louis. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and media outlets including STL Parent, Missouri Life magazine, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Town & Style and kdhx.org, among others. When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two beautiful girls at home in Kirkwood.
The Saint Louis Science Center has expanded its Preschool Science Series to include new offerings for different age groups of young scientists. Storybook STEM is for ages 3 to 5.
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.
Your child is old enough to start kindergarten, are they ready? Are you? At this special presentation, both you and your child will get a brief overview of what is expected before your child even enters the classroom. You'll also receive a free backpack and school supplies. Registration is required.
Little Red Hen Play Dates are a wonderful way for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers to experience the magic of Waldorf Early Childhood Education. You and your child will bake bread — a weekly occurrence in the Waldorf School's Early Childhood Program — listen to stories; join in a circle time filled with songs, rhymes, and movement; and explore the outdoors in our mini meadow.
Read to a friendly therapy dog from DUO Dogs, Inc. After the story, the dog's handler will answer any questions kids have about therapy dogs, pet care and more. For ages 3-11. Registration is required for this free program.