Photograph by Steve Woods | sxc.hu
Adults try so hard to figure out how to please kids, but sometimes all they have to do is ask. That’s why SLM polled students from Ms. Van Gels’ fourth-grade class at Crossroads Elementary School in O’Fallon about their favorite family activities and what changes they’d make if they were put in charge.
Busch Stadium
“My family’s favorite place in St. Louis is probably Busch Stadium. I think it could be improved by letting people go down onto the field to get autographs and to go into the dugout.” —Ethan
“I like to go to Cardinals Stadium because every time I go, my next-door neighbor is there for me to talk to... I think they can improve it by cleaning the stadium after each game so on the next game, people don’t have to sit in other people’s trash.” —Sean
“My favorite place to go with my family is to the Cardinals game, because you can catch baseballs and bring them home and get autographs. This place could be improved by having all the players come back.” —Blake
Saint Louis Zoo
“The place my family and I like the most in St. Louis is probably the Zoo. I love it because we always have a family picnic together… I look at all of the animals. Our favorite was the gorillas, because that gorilla was loco. He kept jumping up and beating on the window. I think they should let us know if we should wear a jacket when we go to see the penguins... One more thing: Ducks are brave, because one duck hit me.” —Kaitlyn
Six Flags
“My family and I have been to Six Flags plenty of times. The rides there are awesome! When I first walked in, I got excited. But you can improve it by not having to buy tickets. If you didn't have to buy tickets, you could get more customers. I love Six Flags, and you should, too!” —Mindy
“My favorite place to go is Six Flags. I think riding the rides there is so fun. I personally prefer the Batman ride... My favorite time to go is around Halloween. One thing they can improve is keeping it clean. Sometimes it can be a little messy.” —Caylin
“My favorite place to go with my family is Six Flags. One way to improve it is to add another cool ride, a ride that’s big, fun, scary but not too scary, and fast. It could go backwards slowly and then go forward really fast. It should also have loops. It should be called the EG-3000.” —Emily
Saint Louis Science Center
“My favorite place to go with my family is to the Science Center. I like it because science is very interesting. I especially like the dinosaur auditorium. Ways to improve can be to make the dinosaur auditorium bigger and to make more dinosaur replicas.” —Jake
The Gateway Arch
“My favorite place to go with my family is the Arch. I like the Arch because while you wait for a beautiful day on top of the Arch, you get to learn about history in the museum. I think this place can improve by putting more history into the museum, not to sound pushy. That is my favorite place to go to with my family.” —Brianna
“In St. Louis, my favorite place to go with my family is the Gateway Arch... I think people should build a restaurant in the Arch called The American Grill. You would be served cheeseburgers, chicken, potatoes, fries, and bread. The drinks would be all sodas, tea, water, juice, and milk. Now if we had that, the Arch would be popular!” —Sydney
