Forget the usual spots! This weekend, St. Louis families can dive into story time at Powder Valley, catch a live symphony scoring The Wizard of Oz, or explore local history with an author talk. We've found the unique, hands-on stuff you won't see everywhere else.
Quick Picks
Storybook Saturday: A Mouthful of Minnows
Powder Valley (Kirkwood)
Gentle storytime perfect for warming up preschoolers on a Saturday morning.
Family Sunday at the Saint Louis Art Museum
Saint Louis Art Museum (Forest Park)
A completely free, engaging way to explore art as a family.
Storybook Saturday: A Mouthful of Minnows
Powder Valley (Kirkwood)
A cute, age-appropriate storytime event specifically for preschoolers.
· January 31
4STORYBOOK SATURDAY: A MOUTHFUL OF MINNOWSFREE : Head out to Powder Valley for a cute Saturday morning storytime featuring a children's picture book. This is super gentle and perfect for warming up the little ones before an outdoor day.Kick off your Saturday gently! This is a perfect, low-key storytime just for preschoolers before the day gets hectic.
COZY COCOA FRIEND ART WORKSHOP : Get creative and learn how to mix colors while making layers of art, all while sipping on a cozy cocoa drink. It’s a great way for the family to hang out and make something cool to take home.It's hands-on art instruction where you actually get to drink cocoa while you paint—a fun, unique take on a weekend craft session.
AUTHOR TALK: BLACK ST. LOUIS HISTORYFREE : Learn about the rich history of African Americans in St. Louis, from its founding right up to more recent times. It's a cool, seated history lesson that feels more personal than a museum tour.A free, focused cultural deep-dive into St. Louis history that goes beyond the typical tourist talking points.
CITY ACADEMY OPEN HOUSEFREE : Pop in to see the classrooms and chat with the staff at City Academy to see if it's the right fit for your kids next year. This is a super casual peek inside the school, so no pressure!A super casual, pressure-free peek inside a local school—great for parents planning for next year who want an authentic vibe check.
· February 1
4THE WIZARD OF OZ IN CONCERT (LIVE SYMPHONY) : Catch the classic 1939 *Wizard of Oz* movie on the big screen while the St. Louis Symphony plays the iconic score live—how cool is that?! There's also a show on Saturday, but we're listing this one for Sunday to balance things out.This is a rare chance to see a classic movie elevated by a live performance from the St. Louis Symphony—way more special than just watching at home.
FAMILY SUNDAY AT THE SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUMFREE : Swing by the Saint Louis Art Museum for their Family Sunday event! It's a fantastic, free way to explore art together, which is way better than just wandering around aimlessly.It's a dedicated family program, which means the museum has activities geared toward kids, making art exploration fun and structured.
EVENING OWL PROWLS : These are so cool—you get to walk around in the dark and meet the sanctuary's owls! It’s an awesome way to see the birds when they are most active. Better check the site for which specific Owl Prowl is running on Sunday, as they run multiple times.Walking around after dark to meet nocturnal birds is super unusual and perfect for nature-loving kids 8 and up.
KENYA'S KIDS EXHIBIT RETURN : The Kenya's Kids exhibit is back at The Magic House, which is always a winner for this age range! It's a great indoor option for when the weather is iffy or you just need a full day of play.It's the return of a favorite exhibit at a beloved local spot, guaranteeing a full day of indoor, age-appropriate fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free hands-on activities are scheduled for this weekend?
You can join the free Storybook Saturday session for preschoolers on Saturday morning in Kirkwood, or attend the free Family Sunday event focusing on art exploration at the Saint Louis Art Museum on Sunday afternoon.
Are there any unique nighttime events for older kids?
Yes! On Sunday evening, check out the Owl Prowls where you can walk around in the dark to meet the sanctuary's owls—this is geared toward ages 8+.
Where can I find an indoor, creative activity for my younger kids?
The Cozy Cocoa Friend event at Painting With A Twist in Brentwood on Saturday offers a supervised, creative experience where they can paint and sip cocoa.