The Top 7 Essential Events for St. Louis Families this June

June often brings beautiful weather to St. Louis, making it the perfect month for St. Louis area families to get out of the house and explore all that our city has to offer (before the infamous summer heat and humidity set in.) If you’re looking for the best family-friendly events throughout the area during the month of June, here are our top picks.  

1. Contemporary Art Museum’s Free Family Day Block Party (June 20)

Join the Contemporary Art Museum, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation and the Sheldon for a Free Family Day Block Party on Saturday, June 20 from 10am-12pm. Kids ages 3-12 can enjoy art activities, face painting, storytelling, performances and more, and parents can enjoy a relaxing Saturday morning knowing that their children are having a blast (and will probably nap well in the afternoon.)

2. Alien Worlds and Androids Exhibit at the Saint Louis Science Center (Starting June 6)

Alien Worlds and Androids invade the Saint Louis Science Center starting on June 6. In this latest exhibit, visitors can investigate just how close scientists are to discovering alien life and worlds, and get an up-close look at famous sci-fi robots like Iron Man and C3PO. A Mars Rover simulator is also part of the exhibit.

General admission to the Saint Louis Science Center is always free, making it a fantastic place to visit on a hot or rainy summer day. Tickets (which range from $3-8 per person and can be purchased at the front desk upon arrival) are required for entrance to the Alien Worlds and Androids exhibit.

3. Disney’s The Aristocats produced by STAGES St. Louis at Westport Plaza (June 3-28)

See a family-friendly show designed specifically for young audiences at the STAGES St. Louis production of Disney’s The Aristocats. Morning, afternoon and evening shows will run at the Playhouse at Westport Plaza from June 3-28, and toe-tapping tunes and pre-show entertainment by Dave & Busters are all part of the fun. Make plans now to take your kids to see this modern version of a Disney classic; just click here to see show times and purchase tickets.

4. Firefly Festival at the Butterfly House (June 10, 17 and 24)

Select Wednesday evenings in June at the Butterfly House are all about fireflies. This popular celebration of earth’s living lanterns features firefly crafts, a firefly-themed snack and even firefly games. Visitors will enjoy magical glow walks through the Conservatory (which will be lit up with twinkling lights) and then get to journey outside to see real fireflies in their natural habitat.

Admission to the Firefly Festival at the Butterfly House costs $12 for Garden members and $14 for non-members, and advance registration is required online. The Firefly Festival runs from 8-9:30pm on June 10, 17 and 24.

5. MOBOT’s Lantern Festival (May 23-August 23)

You can visit the Lantern Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden through the month of August, but what better way to spend a beautiful June evening as a family? See thousands of colorful and ornate lanterns light up the night sky when this ancient Chinese tradition returns to MOBOT for the summer season.  

The Lantern Festival will be open Thursday-Sunday evenings from 6-10pm through July 31, and then nightly through August 23. If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend taking advantage of Lanterns at Your Leisure on June 8 from 7-10 pm, when the number of guests will be limited to below normal capacity.     

6. Family Fun Day at Ballpark Village (June 21)

The first Family Fun Day at Ballpark Village of the summer kicks off on Sunday, June 21 from 12-4pm and you won’t want to miss it. “Sports” is the theme of the day, so bring the kids out for lots of games, as well as rides, mascot appearances and face painting. Admission is free, although fees apply for some premium activities. (You can purchase an all-access pass on the day of the event for $5, and all proceeds go to Stray Rescue St. Louis.)

Upcoming Family Fun Days at Ballpark Village – each with their own unique theme – will take place on August 9, September 20 and October 4.

7. Circus Flora (May 28-June 28)

Circus Flora may be last on our list, but this highly anticipated annual event is definitely not least. Kids and adults alike will marvel at the amazing acts and breathtaking stories that come alive beneath Circus Flora’s big top tent in downtown St. Louis’ Grand Center. General admission tickets range from $10-48, and you even have the option of attending a Peanut-Free Preview or Sensory-Friendly Performance. For complete details, visit www.circusflora.org.    

_{Photo and image credits: Circus Flora (Main), Ballpark Village, Saint Louis Science Center, Contemporary Art Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden.}