Take Your Kids on a Trip Through Time: History Exploration Days at the Missouri History Museum

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.

However, 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.

“With History Exploration Days, we want to inspire lifelong museum learners,” said Emily Koeltzow, K-12 programs coordinator for the Museum. “Our programming is designed to help kids learn how to make the connection between their own experience and the experiences of historical figures from the past. So, the next time they come to the Missouri History Museum, or any museum for that matter, they have the literacy skills to compare, contrast, and evaluate multiple perspectives.”

Building on what kids are learning in the classroom

Originally designed as a one-day enrichment program, History Exploration Days has evolved into a two-day experience on select weekends. While Friday’s fun-filled activities are geared to homeschoolers, Saturday’s sessions are open to all learners.

Regardless of how and where kids learn, the Museum team ties each monthly theme to K-12 state standards and current classroom curriculum.

“During History Exploration Days, we want to help kids apply what they’re learning at home or school to what they’re seeing in the Museum and find new ways to express and support their points of view,” Koeltzow explained. “So, I may ask a student, ‘What do you think is going on in this painting?’ Once they tell me, I’ll then ask, ‘What clues do you see that make you say that?’ It’s such an effective strategy for getting students to engage with what they’re learning and a model that parents can replicate at home.”

History Exploration Days captures the imagination of all members of the family, with a variety of programming geared toward different age groups. For instance, during its first event of the year, “Growing Up in St. Louis,” which runs September 12 and 13, younger kids can enjoy storytelling, arts and crafts, and a sensory activity. They’re also welcome to explore the open play room to play with mid-century toys, try their hand at farm chores of the past, or pretend to go to school with the founder of public kindergarten, St. Louisan Susan Blow.

At the same time, their older siblings can take part in workshops that highlight primary sources from the Missouri Historical Society Collections, gallery tours, and scavenger hunts. And all family members can enjoy special presentations, including a kids’ clothes fashion show on Friday and a performance of “Carmela Full of Wishes,” presented by Metro Theater Company on Saturday.

Other History Exploration Day topics for the 2025-2026 school year include:

• Spooky Stories and Creepy Collections, October 10 and 11 – Get ready for spooky season with stories and activities from the city’s haunted history.
• Holiday Toys and Games, December 12 and 13 – Celebrate the season like St. Louisans of the past with games, toys, and gifts from bygone eras.
• With Liberty and Justice for All: MLK in STL, January 16 and 17 – As part of the MLK Community Celebration, the event explores the civil rights movement in St. Louis.
• Black Labor History, February 20 and 21 – Learn more about the events that impacted Black workers and how their contributions fueled the growth of our region.
• Made in St. Louis, March 13 and 14 – In recognition of 314 Day, the Museum showcases the culture, music, and art of our favorite city as well as the products made right here at home.
• Green Missouri, April 10 and 11 – To tie in with Earth Day, the Museum spotlights the ways different generations of Missourians have cared for the environment.
• Route 66 Festival, May 1 and 2 – It’s the Mother Road’s 100th birthday, and what better way to celebrate than with songs, stories, and activities that honor a century of cross-country travel!

While the topics featured during History Exploration Days are as diverse as St. Louis itself, one common goal weaves its way through every exhibit and event – to help the Museum’s youngest visitors foster a deep sense of empathy for others.

According to Koeltzow, the education team is constantly thinking about new ways they can bring different viewpoints into all aspects of their K-12 programming.

“For example, with ‘Growing Up in St. Louis,’ we’re going to explore what childhood looked like for different kids at different points in time. We’ll introduce visitors to chunkey, a game that originated from the Native Mississippian culture. We’ll talk about swimming pools, which are a hallmark of childhood, but were inaccessible to many communities. And we’ll showcase different rites of passages, such as Bat Mitzvahs and quinceañeras. That’s how you really get kids to connect with history and with each other.”

History Exploration Days run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on select Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is free to all families and educators who are teaching and learning at home or at school.

For a full calendar of events, visit mohistory.org.

_{Photos courtesy of the Missouri History Museum}