8 Essential Events for St. Louis Families in February

Spring may be just around the corner, but winter isn’t over yet. Get out of the house and cure your cabin fever this February with these top eight essential events for St. Louis families.  

1. Hot! Hot! Hot! at The Butterfly House (2/6-2/7)

Shake off the cold weather with a tropical-themed celebration! Hot! Hot! Hot! at The Butterfly House kicks off Jan. 30-31, with the fun continuing on Saturday, Feb. 6 and Sunday, Feb. 7. This annual event – which is geared toward kids ages 3 to 8 – features games, crafts and activities with a tropical theme, as well as live steel drum music (get ready to dance!), face painting and a toddler sandbox.

Hot! Hot! Hot! takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is included with regular Butterfly House admission. It is free for Missouri Botanical Garden members.  

2. Winter Story Fest (2/21)

Join Ready Readers and the Rep’s Imaginary Theatre Company at Clayton High School on Sunday, Feb. 21 for Winter Story Fest, featuring a live performance of Goldilocks. Recommended for children ages 3 to 10, this event combines the magic of live theatre with one of everyone’s favorite stories.

Winter Story Fest begins at 2 p.m. with fun-filled activities like magicians, clowns, face painters, a silent auction and more. The live performance starts at 3:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15, either online or by calling (314) 564-8070. Tickets are also available for $18 at the door.   

3. National Parks Adventure Film at the Saint Louis Science Center (Opens 2/12)

Did you know that 2016 marks the 100-year anniversary of our national parks system? In celebration, National Parks Adventure, a giant-screen production documenting our national parks’ creation, history and beauty, will debut on IMAX screens across the country this February.  The film, which is narrated by passionate environmentalist Robert Redford, opens locally at the Saint Louis Science Center on Friday, Feb. 12.

4. Morning Playdates and Stroller Tours at CAM (2/3)

Morning Play Dates and Stroller Tours at the Contemporary Art Museum repeat on the first Wednesday of each month, but since both programs were on hiatus in January, Wednesday, Feb. 3 is the perfect time for a visit. Get up, get dressed and get out of the house with your little ones … and enjoy the company of other adults too.

Morning Play Dates (from 10 to 11 a.m.) are designed for preschool children ages 2-5 and include artist-led activities, storytelling and music for the kids, as well as refreshments for parents. Stroller Tours (from 9 to 10 a.m.) feature private guided tours for parents and caregivers of infants up to 24 months, as well as complimentary coffee and pastries. Both events are free and open to the public; no RSVP is required.  

5. And in This Corner … Cassius Clay (Weekend Performances, 2/12-2/28)

The Metro Theatre Company’s 2016 mainstage production, And in This Corner … Cassius Clay, opens at the Missouri History Museum this month, and it’s a must-see for families hoping to spark a dialogue with their kids about racial intolerance – both in our nation’s past and in our own community.

The play, which explores the early life of boxing great Muhammad Ali, is designed to impart lessons of empowerment and understanding to today’s youth. Public performances begin Feb. 12 and run Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. every weekend during the month. Tickets are $18 for adults; $14 for students, seniors and military and $12 for Missouri History Museum Members.    

6. Masters of the Sky (2/13-2/14)

There are six opportunities to see some of our most majestic birds of prey up close this month. Masters of the Sky, a one-hour program featuring eagles, owls, falcons, vultures and hawks, will take place at the National Great Rivers Museum on Saturday, Feb. 13 and Sunday, Feb. 14, with shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. both days.  

During the show, visitors will have the opportunity to see some of these birds soaring overheard, while also learning about the challenges they face and meeting rehabilitated birds who can no longer soar in the wild. Inside the Museum, there will be crafts and activities for kids, as well as photos with “Eric the Eagle.” Museum admission is free; tickets to the Masters of the Sky program are $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 4-12 and free for ages 3 and under.

7. Super Kids Save the World at the Magic House (Opens 2/13)

Want to teach your kids that they have the power to save the planet? Then you’ll want to take them to the new Super Kids Save the World Exhibit when it opens at the Magic House on Feb. 13. At this green exhibit, visitors get to don capes and boots and becoming an energy-saving superhero. They’ll peddle a bike to light up city streets, visit a farmers’ market, make scientific discoveries and more – all while learning how to better protect our planet.   

Super Kids Save the World opens at the Magic House on Feb. 13 and runs through May 15. The exhibit is free with regular Museum admission.

8. Summer Expo 2016 (2/21)

Mark your calendars for Sunday, Feb. 21 because the best time to choose summer camps for your kids is now.  Sponsored by Parkway-Rockwood Community Education, Summer Expo 2016 features local and regional summer camp programs for kids of all ages. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Parkway West High School in Ballwin, parents and caregivers (from any school or district) are invited to visit with exhibitors and gain firsthand knowledge about the amazing variety of summer options available to St. Louis kids.

Learn more about Summer Expo 2016 at www.prcommunityed.org.