8 Essential Events for St. Louis Families This May

Summer doesn’t officially start until June, but the month of May is filled with outdoor (and a few indoor) events and adventures that are perfect for St. Louis families with kids of all ages. Here are our top picks:

1. Art Fair at Laumeier Sculpture Park (5/6-5/8)

This nationally acclaimed fine arts and craft fair draws over 15,000 visitors – mostly families – every year on Mother’s Day weekend. The annual outdoor event features a wide variety of original art for purchase, as well as music, entertainment and concessions from popular local restaurants. Kids can enjoy hands-on art activities at Creation Location on Saturday and Sunday, and adults can look forward to visiting the Art of the Vine wine tasting tent on Friday evening or Art of the Ale on Saturday. There’s also a special Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday.

The Art Fair at Laumeier Sculpture Park takes place Friday, May 6 from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More details: www.laumeier.org

2.  A Beautiful Planet Opens at SLSC (5/13)

There’s always a good reason to visit the Saint Louis Science Center. And during the month of May, it’s the opening of the documentary film A Beautiful Planet in the OMNIMAX Theater that local families won’t want to miss. Experience Earth like never before by catching a glimpse of our amazing planet through stunning footage captured by astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

A Beautiful Mind opens to the public on Friday, May 13, with director Toni Myers making an appearance at a special members-only preview night May 12. More details: www.slsc.org

3. Food Truck Fridays Kick Off in Tower Grove Park (5/13)

If your family likes to eat (and what family doesn’t?), pack up your chairs and picnic blankets and make plans to head to Tower Grove Park on Friday, May 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. for the very first Food Truck Friday of the season. Sample new cuisine from our area’s most popular mobile restaurants, let the kids play in the park and kick back and celebrate the fact that summer really has (almost) arrived.

Food Truck Friday dates for 2016 are 5/13, 6/10, 7/8, 8/12, 9/9 and 10/7. More details: www.saucefoodtruckfriday.com

4. Chinese Culture Days at MOBOT (5/21-5/22)

From a Grand Parade led by a 70-foot dancing dragon to acrobatics, martial arts, tea ceremonies and authentic Chinese cuisine, the annual Chinese Culture Days at the Missouri Botanical Garden is an amazing feast for the senses. This two-day event, which is produced in collaboration with the Chinese Culture Education and Services Foundation, is packed with family-friendly shows and exhibits. Kids especially are sure to be delighted by the pageantry, music and dance – and they’ll learn plenty of history and culture too!

Chinese Culture Days takes place on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More details: www.mobot.org

5. Spirit of St. Louis Air Show and STEM EXPO (5/14-5/15)

Look for aircraft rides, STEM activities and high-flying performances by the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron The Blue Angels, the Royal Canadian Air Force CF-13 demonstration team and B-17G Texas Rangers when the annual Spirit of St. Louis Air Show and STEM EXPO returns to Chesterfield Valley this month. While the flight performances are often the big draw for kids, families can also enjoy an Aviation Theater, static aircraft displays and military and civilian demonstrations throughout both days of the show.

Tickets can be purchased in advanced or at the gate. Gates open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15. The event closes at 5 p.m. both days. More details: www.spirit-airshow.com

6. Monster Machines Day & Bicycle Rodeo at Des Peres Park (5/7)

Have a little one who loves monster machines? At Monster Machines Day & Bicycle Rodeo at Des Peres Park on Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., children of all ages can see – and even climb inside – a police car, a bulldozer, a fire truck and more. Kids are encouraged to bring their own bikes too so they can test their skills on a bicycle obstacle course and get assistance with helmet and bike fittings from certified bicycling instructors.

This is a free event, no registration required. More information: www.desperesmo.org

7. The Historical Children’s Festival (5/21)

Step back in time at the Historical Children’s Festival in Historic St. Charles on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids (and adults too) can journey back to the 1820’s for a fun-filled day of cow milking, butter churning, quill pen writing, candle dipping, hearth cooking and more. See craft demonstrations and period costumes, listen to live music (from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and even play with baby farm animals.

This free event takes place at the Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site in St. Charles. More details: www.historicstcharles.com

8. Sandcastle Beach Opens at the Magic House (5/18)  

We don’t have many beaches here in St. Louis, but thanks to Sandcastle Beach at the Magic House, there’s a beautiful beachfront park practically in our own backyard. This popular warm weather attraction opens for the season on Wednesday, May 18, so make plans to stroll along the boardwalk, dig for shells and, of course, build the ultimate sandcastle.

Sandcastle Beach opens at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday through Friday, and is free with museum admission. More details: www.magichouse.org

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_{Photo courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden}