Things to do with kids in St. Louis, MO
Checked · All times are local Central Time (St. Louis time)
Coming up in St. Louis: Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden (from Nov 14), Winterfest at Kiener Plaza (from Nov 21), Thanks-For-Giving Parade (Nov 21) and 2 more events. 7 always-open places, led by Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station and Saint Louis Science Center. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden
- When
- Sat, Nov 14 – Thu, Dec 31 (Select nights Nov 14 – Jan 2 (closed Nov 16–20, Nov 26 and Dec 24–25; Nov 20 is adults-only)) · 5–9:30pm most nights; 4:30–10pm Dec 12–30 (last entry 8:15pm or 8:45pm)
- Cost
- Nonmember adults $22–$25 and kids 3–12 $6–$12 depending on the night; same-night tickets bought at or after 4:30pm cost $2 more
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
More than two million lights along the Garden’s paths, with holiday music and photo spots. Family Nights (Nov 23, 24 and 30, Dec 1–3) drop kids’ tickets to $6, and Monday, Nov 30 is a calmer Sensory Night with a Santa visit. Rain or snow event; tickets often sell out from mid-December.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Winterfest at Kiener Plaza
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 – Sun, Jan 3 (Thursdays through Sundays, Nov 21 – Jan 3) · Thu–Fri 4–8pm; Sat–Sun noon–8pm (holiday hours may differ)
- Cost
- Free to attend; ice skate rental costs extra
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s downtown winter festival: outdoor ice skating, s’mores, cozy igloos and a rotating lineup of free activities for all ages, a short walk from the Gateway Arch.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Thanks-For-Giving Parade
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 · 2pm
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The 42nd annual downtown parade with marching bands, drumlines, dance groups and musical floats, and Santa Claus’s traditional appearance to open the holiday season.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 · Ceremony 5:30pm, tree lighting 5:45pm, drone show 6:30pm, fireworks 7pm
- Cost
- Free to attend
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Winterfest’s opening-night finale: the lighting of The Salvation Army tree of lights, then a drone show and fireworks.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Wed, Dec 30 (Select nights Nov 27 – Dec 30) · 5–8:30pm (last entry 8pm)
- Cost
- $19 general admission; Zoo members $16; children under 2 free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Over a million lights across the Zoo, s’mores over firepits, a kids’ craft, the carousel and a few animal houses, plus visits and photos with Santa every night through Dec 23. Monday, Dec 7 is a sensory-friendly night. Popular dates can sell out.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Saint Louis Zoo
- Price
- Free (some attractions cost extra)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
In Forest Park; open 9am–4pm daily Oct 8–Dec 31 (closed Christmas and New Year’s Day); some attractions cost extra
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station
- Price
- $$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Aquarium inside historic Union Station; Sun–Thu 9am–5pm, Fri–Sat 9am–6pm; prices vary by date, under 3 free
Saint Louis Science Center
- Price
- Free general entry (some attractions are ticketed)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Hands-on science center with a planetarium; entry is always free, with some ticketed attractions
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
City Museum
- Price
- Daily tickets from $20 online
- Best for
- Ages 2–17+ (our guidance)
Four floors of climbable tunnels, slides and found-object sculptures, plus an antique carousel; open daily (hours vary)
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Saint Louis Art Museum
- Price
- Free every day
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Art museum on Art Hill in Forest Park; free strollers to borrow, and children under 12 must be with an adult
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Missouri History Museum
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
History museum at the north edge of Forest Park
Forest Park
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
1,300-acre city park with more than 30 miles of paths and trails, home to the Zoo, Science Center and museums
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in St. Louis this weekend?
Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station and Saint Louis Science Center are open most days, but we don't have a St. Louis event listed for this weekend (Oct 31–Nov 1). Next up: Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden (Nov 14) and Winterfest at Kiener Plaza (Nov 21).
What are free things to do with kids in St. Louis?
These are free according to their official sites: 4 places and 2 upcoming events in St. Louis, including Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Science Center, Saint Louis Art Museum, Winterfest at Kiener Plaza (Nov 21 – Jan 3) and Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights (Sat, Nov 21). See all 6 above.
Where can kids play indoors in St. Louis when it's cold or rainy?
We list 5 indoor places in St. Louis: St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, Saint Louis Science Center (Free general entry, some attractions are ticketed), City Museum (Daily tickets from $20 online), Saint Louis Art Museum (Free every day) and Missouri History Museum.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in St. Louis?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in St. Louis: Thanks-For-Giving Parade (Sat, Nov 21). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the St. Louis area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in St. Louis?
We list 2 events with Santa in St. Louis: Thanks-For-Giving Parade (Nov 21) and Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo (Nov 27 – Dec 30). Our Santa guide for the St. Louis area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in St. Louis?
We list 3 holiday light events in St. Louis, 1 free: Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden (Nov 14 – Dec 31), Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights (Nov 21, free) and Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo (Nov 27 – Dec 30). Our holiday lights guide for the St. Louis area has more nearby.
What is there to do with toddlers in St. Louis?
We list 3 places in St. Louis that welcome kids under 2, including Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station and Forest Park. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in St. Louis?
The best-known family attractions we list in St. Louis are Saint Louis Zoo (Free, some attractions cost extra), St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station and Saint Louis Science Center (Free general entry, some attractions are ticketed). See all 4 above. They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do St. Louis family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 1 place in St. Louis: City Museum (Daily tickets from $20 online). Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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