Sunday, April 26, 2015

St. Louis Family Fun 2023 (mobile devices click here)

       This is a blog, or an information hub about things to do in St. Louis. St. Louis has an incredible amount of sites and attractions.   I have been maintaining St. Louis Family Fun using Squidoo, Blogger, and/or Facebook since 2008.  Start searching and clicking and making your weekend and summer plans!

       St. Louis Family Fun is also on Facebook. 


Updated for 2023!

Animal Themed Attractions


Art Museums


Arts and Crafts


Caves to Tour in Missouri


Children's Resale Shops


Day Trips


Farmer's Markets


Festivals in and Around St. Louis


Foreign Language and Cultural Heritages, Societies, and Associations


Free Movies in St. Louis - Summer Events


Historic Homes and Places


Historic Small Towns

  
History Museums


It's A St. Louis Thing


Just Plain Kid Fun


Marathons and Runs


Missouri Conservation Centers and Areas

Movie Theaters


Museums

Nature Attractions



Only in Missouri


 Not Just for Birthday Parties (but great for birthday parties!)


Parks - City, County and State 



    Pumpkin Patches(seasonal)
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    Saturday, April 25, 2015

    Foreign Language Classes and Cultural/Heritage Events and Organizations - Updated: 7/5/2023


    Chinese School - for kids; language classes and cultural activities. Classes are on Saturday.

    German School Association classes are Thursday evenings or Saturday mornings

    German Cultural Society  - a society full of resources
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    Monday, April 6, 2015

    Not Just For Birthday Parties - Party Places - Updated: 7/5/2023

    These locations are great for birthday parties and for places to play, especially during extremely hot or rainy days.
    Pump It Up
    We have attended a ton of parties here. The kids love it.
    Team Central Gymnastics
    Great place!
    Museum of Transportation
    Fun place for kids.
    Magic House
    One of the best in the country!
    Kidz Art
    Great for Artists in your family.
    St. Louis Carousel
    Are you having a circus themed party?
    Build A Bear
    In case you are in short supply of stuffed animals.
    Monkey Joe's
    Unique place to play and party
    St. Peter's Rec Plex
    a great deal for a swimming party
    St. Louis Zoo
    We have been to a few of these parties. It was a pleasant experience. However, if the weather is bad, there really isn't a bonus to having your party there, especially for the price (starting at $800).
    City Museum
    Another great place for an artistic party, and a great place to just roam around!
    Grant's Farm
    One of St. Louis' unique places
    Sky Zone
    If your child loves to jump, this is the place to be!
    Bounce U
    Another great place for kids who love to bounce!

    Aqua Port - 
    Nice water park for a birthday party
    Chuck E Cheese
    We have been to a few Chuck E Cheese's parties. It is amazing, kids just love this place.

    Challenger Center
    If you have an astronaut in the making, this is the place to be. While it is expensive, it is a wonderful place providing a wonderful experience. We haven't been here for a party, but we have been there for a tour and Brownie troop function.
    Mad Science
    Our daughter had a Mad Science Birthday party. It was wonderful!

    Little Gym
    We have attended Little Gym parties and my kids have had a blast!


    Higher Hope Entertainment
    Great party resource! Unique! Have this designer decorate for your party! Plus he has shows for children. Just so unique!

    Bricks 4 Kids
    A place where kids build models out of LEGOS. They run classes and camps. It appears they offer LEGO Robotics, as well. Appears to be new. Let me know what you think!

     Tea with Me


    Playstreet Museum - Streets of St Charles
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    Museums - Updated: 7/5/2023



    Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum (checking to see if it is still operating)
    This is a great museum in the making. Just on the other side of the river in Cahokia, 5 minutes from Downtown. This museum is a collection of personal items from many MacDonnell Douglas Retirees. Hopefully you will like to visit to support what will be a great museum.
    National Great Rivers Museum
    A great resource!
    Missouri Mines State Historical Site Park Hills, Missouri
    I love this place, but I love rocks, and I will drive 1.5 hours to see an old dilapidated mine, to look at old mining equipment, to view rocks, and to look at rocks that glow in the dark under fluorescent lighting. So, if you like those kind of things, this place is a must!!
    St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum
    Haven't been here yet, have you? Great place for Cardinals and baseball fans, I am sure!
    Soldier's Memorial Military Museum
    Haven't been here yet, have you?

    Wax Museum of St. Louis
    Haven't been here yet, have you? Combine this with a visit to the Arch, the courthouse, and eat at the Spaghetti Factory on the Landing!

    Health Works Museum
    I wonder how many cities have their own dental health museum?
    Civil War Museum
    What an amazing museum in St. Louis! If you haven't seen this, you must go. Great for history buffs, students and for those who would like to know more about the Civil War.
    Telephone Museum
    I haven't been to this museum yet. If you have, let me know!
    St. Louis Mercantile Museum
     FREE
    The oldest museum west of the Mississippi. Located on the UMSL campus. Open 9am-5pm.  I would recommend for upper elementary age and older.
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    Just Plain Kid Fun - Updated 7/5/2023

    Some places in St. Louis are in a kid category all of their own, so here is their "kid" category!

    Nature playgrounds for children to explore, located in Forest Park

    Only in St. Louis! An eclectic collection of things that children and adults both love to explore. You just have to see it to believe it, and then visit again and again, only to discover it has been added to, changed, morphed; it's an artist's dream.
    Bob Kramer's Marionnettes - tragic loss, GoFundMe is set up....

    Children's Museum in Edwardsville 
    Located in Edwardsville, Illinois 

    Six Flags

    Swing-around-fun-town
    Miniature golf, go karts, batting cages, and much more!

    Build A Bear
    Fun, expensive place for kids. The build-a-bear at the Science Center has astronaut outfits that can only be purchased at that location!


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    Sunday, April 5, 2015

    It's a St. Louis Thing - Updated 7/5/2023

    It’s a St. Louis thing….
    Fox Theatre
    The Fabulous Fox! A wonderful, beautiful theater even children love to tour and to see a show.



    Grant's Farm

    FREE (parking charge)

    Children love seeing the animals and the shows. It is a perfect leisurely activity.



    Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour

    FREE

    Now, I don't know how many adults want to take their children to a brewery, but the adults will enjoy this part of their St. Louis vacation/staycation. We all may want to tour it soon. Will we be able to in the near future?



    Jefferson Barracks Historic Site

    Jefferson Barracks is one of the National Cemetery. It is beautiful. There is no charge to visit.


    Union Station - Ferris Wheel, St. Louis Aquarium, Mirror walk-through Maze, Ropes Course, Light Shows


    Old Courthouse - closed in 2021 for renovations. FREE. The Old Courthouse is a definite must to see in St. Louis. The famous Dred Scott case was held here. It is a beautiful building.


    St. Louis Symphony Orchestra



    Forest Park

    This park has a lot for you to do. The St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Science Center, Jewel Box, Muny, Visitor's Center, Boat House and just so much more!


    Ted Drewes

    Now, THIS is a St. Louis thing! Yummy frozen custard. Great treats, many sizes, flavors, toppings. You must go!


    Imo's

    I was scolded for not having Imos on here! I should be! It is one of my favorite pizzas! Thin crust, yum yum yum!!! Gotta go there!


    Gooey Butter Cake - Best places for it according to an article in The Riverfront Times.



    Crown Candy Kitchen - An old soda fountain and candy store which now serves lunch in dinner located in Old North St. Louis. A must experience!


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    Science Attractions - Updated 7/5/2023

    These places are science-oriented. They may be museums, gardens or unique centers.
    Challenger Center
    Not many cities have a Challenger Center, an idea conceived as a result of the Challenger explosion in January 1986. Expensive, but a unique experience for aspiring astronauts or NASA engineers!!
    Missouri Botanical Gardens
    Obviously, has a wonderful selection of plants and flowers
    Has a great playground for kids
    Butterfly House
    Kids love identifying the butterflies
    Has a great classroom with a variety of activities
    Good movie about butterflies, too
    Magic House
    FREE on Every Third Friday after 5 pm
    What can I say? It's the Magic House, one of the best kid's places in the U.S.
    Mastodon State Park
    FREE
    Did you know dinosaurs roamed this area? The proof is at Mastadon park. See what was discovered when Highway 55 was developed.
    Melvin Price Locks and Dam
    FREE
    This was an unbelievable find. We took our class here this past school year. Oh, my gosh! Were we all impressed. You need to go. Again, I think we were just amazed at to find something else that no one in our group had seen before.
    St. Louis Science Center
    FREE
    Some areas have fees
    A great place to visit
    St. Joe Mine
    Besides learning about the the history of mining, and Missouri's role, the St. Joe Mine has a world class rocks, mineral and fossil collections. Students and researcher from around the United States come here to see this collection.
    Space Museum - Bonne Terre
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    Art Museums - Updated: 7/5/2023



    Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
    Haven't been here, but planning to go soon!
    Kemper Art Museum
    FREE! (but you need to pay the parking meter! 25 cents per 15 minutes, maximum of 2 hours - which is what you will probably need)

     Washington University Complex

     Nice museum (and the Newman Money Museum is downstairs!) Pictures allowed in main atrium and upstairs, but not in specific galleries. I found most artwork "kid appropriate". Nice variety in art. Definitely worth the time. You could see this then go across the street to Forest Park.
    Wildwood Press - appears to be located in City Museum at the present time
    I haven't been here, yet
    Looks nice!
    St. Louis Art Museum
    FREE To All Who Enter!
    Wonderful!
    Laumeier Sculpture Park
    FREE - The park is
    Now, I cannot remember if the gallery is. The sculptures in the park are great to see.
    Pulitzer Foundation of the Arts
    FREE
    Haven't been here yet, have you?
    St. Louis University Museum of Art  
    FREE
    Not open to public, just SLU students at the present time

    Art Foundary
    FREE
    This is a unique art facility. Private artists rent space here. Visitors can roam the most of the building for free, looking into the artists studios while they work. Some have store displays where they sell their art work. Classes are offered here. A few galleries are available to view for free. One has a fee. A great visit.
    Craft Alliance
    Here, children can take classes (and adults, too, I believe). Work by students are displayed in the art gallery.
    The Sheldon
    Haven't been here, have you?
    Atrium Art Gallery
    Haven't been here, have you?
    Public Art
    FREE in a sense - This is a great resource! This site helps you locate regional pieces of artwork throughout the city and county! Fill up your tank, get your camera, and take off on a unique scavenger hunt. Just remember to print out the maps to all of the sculptures that you want to see!

     Art St. Louis
    FREE
    This art gallery is located within walking distance from City Garden downtown.  











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    Water Parks/Aquatic Centers/Swimming Areas - Updated 7/5/2023



    Agnes Nolting Aquatic Complex

    ALLIGATOR'S CREEK AQUATIC CENTER


    Blanchette Aquatic Facility
    Looks great! Have you been here yet?


    Chesterfield Family Aquatic Center
    Looks like fun! Anyone been here? Any advice?












    Hurricane Harbor
    Great waterpark, I am sure. We haven't been there. This will be a hit when they are older.






    McNair Aquatic Facility



    Looks great! Have you been here yet?




    North Point in Ballwin
    Looks like fun! Who has been here? Any advice?






    Raging Rivers
    We enjoyed going here. The slides are fast! The wave pool was my kids' favorite. 

    RECREATION STATION AQUATIC CENTER
    River Chase in Fenton
    This place is unbelievable. I am so jealous. I wish it was in my community.

    River Rapids Water Park - Ste. Genevieve

    Splash City
    Looks nice! Haven't been here, have you?

    Splash at Wabash
    We went to Wabash for a kid's party and I found this to be a wonderful water park. I found it totally kid friendly. The lazy river is perfect for kids; parents could walk on the concrete deck all the way around the river, without getting in but giving young children the opportunity to do something neat "by themselves" -- perfect for those kids who want to be independent. This park allows families to bring their own flotation items (when we visited - always call to make sure rules haven't changed.)






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    Guides to Pools
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