fun things to do in STL with kids

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Explore Ballwin's parks with your toddler or preschooler with the Little Explorers program, held twice a month. Each Little Explorers outdoor class includes a craft, snack, and lots of activities to get you and your toddler moving and exploring!

View this event »

Tons of Transportation

Kids of all ages are invited to climb on and explore dump trucks, backhoes, fire trucks, police cruisers, an excavator and more at Tons of Transportation.

View this event »

Family Candy Cane Hunt at Babler State Park

Bring the whole family to beautiful Babler State Park for a winter adventure you won't forget. Enjoy several different candy cane hunts, then step inside to make festive crafts, sip on hot cocoa and win prizes.

View this event »

Splash and Bubbles Breakfast

Fishing around for something fun to do? Swim on over to The Magic House for the Splash and Bubbles Breakfast! Guests will have a whale of a time as they nibble on a delicious breakfast, participate in some very fishy art activities, explore the Mu"sea" um and enjoy private playtime in the exhibit Splash and Bubbles: Dive In, Lend a Fin!

View this event »

Wunderland at COCA

Fall down the rabbit hole again with wUNDERland! Back by popular demand, this re-imagining of Lewis Caroll's Alice in Wonderland puts a hip-hop spin on this fantasy classic. Designed for all ages, wUNDERland features creative direction and choreography by COCA Hip-Hop Crew Artistic Director Anthony "Redd" Williams.

View this event »

Trick or Treat Trail in The Grove

Grab your treat bags and don your costumes for Trick or Treat Trail in The Grove! Visit participating businesses in the neighborhood for goodies for both kids and grown-ups.

View this event »

Summer Children's Concert Series in Tower Grove Park

The Tower Grove Park Children's Summer Concert Series has returned for 2021 with three months of concerts geared to children, with each month introducing a different genre of music education. Concerts are free but require reservations. Bring your little Mozart or Verdi for a music-filled summer!

View this event »

Pages

Things to Do

Not-So-Haunted House at The Magic House

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Sunday, October 11, 2026

It's the Not-So-Haunted House that is oh-so-fun, where storybook characters come alive! Kids are invited to dress in their most "boo-tiful" Halloween costumes and have a ghoulishly good time going on a spook-tacular scavenger hunt throughout The Magic House to find trick-or-treat locations and seeing their favorite storybook characters.

View this event »

Halloween Nights at Grant's Farm

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Get into the Halloween spirit with some spooky fun and celebrate with the animals at Grant's Farm. Enjoy Halloween tram rides featuring Halloween lights, spooky scenes, live actors, scare zones, a Halloween-themed show, monster mash party and more. Costumes are encouraged.

View this event »

Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Friday, October 16, 2026

Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur.

View this event »

Best of Missouri Market

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Sunday, October 11, 2026

The Best of Missouri Market at the Missouri Botanical Garden features more than 150 vendors offering handcrafted items, locally produced food, native plants, herbs, live music and local brews, plus a two-acre Kid's Corner with farm animals (like llamas, alpacas and sheep!), circus performers, face painting, crafts, and a pumpkin patch with decorating let by Perennial.

View this event »

Halloween Workshops at Yucandu Art Studio

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Friday, October 16, 2026

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Kids in kindergarten through 5th grade can fun evenings making spooky crafts. Parents can drop off their kids and enjoy an evening out. Enrollment is limited.

View this event »

See All Things to Do

Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.

Popular Stories

Dinoroarus Comes Roaring Back at the Saint Louis Zoo

The Dinoroarus exhibit brings prehistoric fun back to the Saint Louis Zoo this summer with 20 lifelike dinosaur animatronics and sculptures on the Zoo's Historic Hill.

Get Ready to Climb and Explore at These Free Big Truck Days

If your kids love to explore big trucks and vehicles, these upcoming Big Truck Days are a perfect weekend or weeknight outing. They'll get to climb on and explore fire trucks, police vehicles, bulldozers, bucket trucks, ambulances and lots more.

Travel Back in Time Every Friday at the Missouri History Museum’s Free Summer Family Fun Series

There comes a point every summer when all that “free time” isn’t so fun anymore. Your kids are bouncing off the walls, it’s too hot to hit the playground, and every activity seems to come with a big price tag. That’s when the screens come out, and parents find themselves counting down the minutes to bedtime. Thankfully, when Friday rolls around each week, your family can experience a mini summer getaway through history – no travel required.

City Museum's Stuff the Bus Campaign Provides School Supplies for 160 St. Louis Schools

Visit City Museum August 3-31, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

Your Guide to Free Outdoor Family Movies this Summer

Seeing a movie at the theater is a magical experience, but when summer rolls around, it’s time to get outside and enjoy free movies under the stars! Free family movie nights abound across the St. Louis area, so grab your kids, a blanket or lawn chairs, and get ready for some cinematic fun. Here's where to find them:

You Might Also Like...

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

From Our Sponsors