Santa in St. Louis

Stop in to see Santa and enjoy some fun holiday activities at Westport Plaza. Each child will receive a complimentary photo with Santa, and there will be balloon twisting, face painting and other fun activities.

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Jingle in July with Santa at the Missouri Botanical Garden

The Missouri Botanical Garden welcomes Santa during extended evening hours during Jingle in July. Santa will be in the Garden in his summer attire and will take photos with visitors from 5 to 7 p.m. Plus, outside the Children's Garden, visitors can meet and take photos with the Ice Queen.

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Brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Boathouse in Forest Park

Join Santa and Mrs. Claus at this family and dog friendly brunch at The Boathouse in Forest Park. You'll enjoy all the traditional brunch and lunch favorites while grabbing photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoying kids activities.

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Meet Santa's Live Reindeer in Wildwood

See Santa's live reindeer, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, and bring your camera to take some photos of your kids on an authentic 1800s sleigh with the reindeer! Free.

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Dine with the Clauses

Join Mr. and Mrs. Claus for a pancake breakfast with all the trimmings. Kids can have their photo taken with Santa, make a craft and enjoy a magic show from Abra-Kid-Abra.

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Meet Santa's Reindeer

Meet and take photos with these beautiful animals at this free event.

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Supper with Santa at Riverchase

Join Santa for a pajama party and festive dinner where kids can enjoy pizza, refreshments and have their photo taken with the man of the hour. Registration is required.

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Things to Do

Water Waddlers Indoor Drop-In Swim

Monday, October 12, 2026

Stop in and have some fun in the indoor pool at the Lodge of Des Peres with your little one at this drop-in swim time for kids up to age 6. No pre-registration is needed; Water Waddlers is open to residents and non-residents of Des Peres.

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Preschool Science Series at the Saint Louis Science Center

The Preschool Science Series is an open exploration learning lab for young scientists - ages 18 months to 5 years - and their families. Activities are designed around research that shows children learn best through play, inquiry and shared experiences with their parents and caregivers.

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Sensory Friendly Night at Boo at the Zoo

Monday, October 12, 2026

At Sensory Friendly Night at Boo at the Zoo, families can enjoy festive decorations, Zoo attractions, entertainers, special food and drink menus and more in an environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities. This special night will mirror the traditional Boo at the Zoo experience, but also includes sensory maps, quiet areas and trained Zoo staff to assists guests.

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Budding Artists Preschool Art Program

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Thursday, October 22, 2026

At this free art program for ages 3-6 the focus is on the process of making art rather than the finished product. Dress to get messy!

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Find yourself at Forsyth on Sunday, October 25, 3:00–5:00 pm for All-School Open House! Perfect for families with candidates for any and every grade, All-School Open House is a wonderful opportunity to meet our classroom and specialist teachers, chat with current students and families, and hear from Head of School Rob Butler. Advance registration is required.

Forsyth School fosters a spirit of curiosity and joy, empowering children age 2 through Grade 6 to pursue challenges with confidence. At Forsyth, our talented and caring teachers encourage students to explore and question, enabling them to learn deeply. Each child's unique identity is known, celebrated, and nurtured by our supportive community. The results are profound: children take risks, pursue challenges, and find joy in learning. The "Forsyth experience" is enriched by the school's unique campus, location, and commitment to the natural world. LEARN MORE AND RSVP

Lace up and leash up for a great cause! You and your dog are invited to run, jog, or walk in the Purple Leash 5K & Fun Run at Purina Farms. Compete for top dog in the 5K race or take it easy in the 1-mile fun run. Put your paws to the pavement and then head over to the TAILgate after party for food, drinks, music and more all while raising awareness for the Purple Leash Project. All purple outfits and purple dog gear are highly encouraged! The Purple Leash Project was born out of the Purina mission to bring and keep pets and people together and the RedRover® mission to bring people and their pets from crisis to care. Your support of the Purple Leash Project assists domestic violence shelters on their journey to welcome family pets by funding pet-friendly renovations. Sunday, October 11. FIND OUT HOW TO REGISTER

The Missouri History Museum celebrates education and family learning with History Exploration Days! One Friday per month from September to May, homeschool families with kids of all ages can explore a different historical topic—together! All activities are FREE. Explore St. Louis history in new and exciting ways through interactive guided gallery tours, hands-on workshops, and community performances that align with each month’s theme, encouraging investigation, exploration, and creative fun. Activities are offered at various times throughout the day and are customized for specific grade-level groups.

Storytelling takes place in the morning, and all ages are welcome. Visit the craft room for fun learning experiences, with museum educators available to help learners participate in meaningful ways. Topics this school year include colonial St. Louis, baseball, Black history, and wildlife. Detailed schedules for each day will be posted to the Museum’s website. The program is offered on October 9, November 13, December 11, January 15, February 19, March 19, April 9, and May 14. LEARN MORE

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