via Flickr/renantcheng
1. Plan a mission to Mars at the Saint Louis Science Center. The Science Center covers all the bases for space-crazy kids. Pretend to be a NASA engineer at Mission: Mars and design your own Mars rover. At Mission: Mars Base, you can take on the role of an astronaut living on Mars and pilot the Intrepid or Adventure rovers. Then check out a Planetarium Show in the Orthwein StarBay, and watch the stars and planets soar across the Planetarium ceiling.
Don't forget the simulator rides: For a fee you can ride with the Robots of Mars, take a thrilling Solar Coaster, or go old school with the Wright Brothers. Adventurous older kids and teens will want to check out the 360 flight simulator for a simulated jet flight that includes barrel rolls and upside down flying. Most exhibits are free, but you'll need tickets for Planetarium Shows and the flight simulators, from $5–$7 per person.
2. Be a NASA scientist or astronaut at the Challenger Learning Center. Kids can do hands-on activities that simulate a real mission to space, like operating Mission Control and piloting a space craft. The experience is most fun when you bring a group in for a field trip or birthday party, but if you can't wait, the center has public days twice a month for individuals to play. They also have special programs to help Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts earn badges and belt loops. There are two public programs, one for kids ages 6–10 and more intense session for older astronauts over 11 and up. Programs are two hours long and cost $15 per person. Call 314-521-6205 to reserve your launch date.
3. Learn about St. Louis' history in the space program. St. Louis has quite a history in the space program, and you can learn all about it at the James S. McDonnel Prologue Room at Boeing's St. Louis campus. The museum covers 100 years of flight, from biplanes to space craft. Kids can take a peek at a scale model of the Mercury Capsule, which was built in St. Louis. You'll need to hurry, though: the Prologue Room is only open to the general public June through August on weekdays. After that, you'll need to book a field trip—which are free for groups of at least 10 people. Guided tours are designed for three age groups: adults, pre-school to 3rd grade, and fourth to twelfth grade. Student tours include an educational program on the Mystery of Flight or Adventures in Space. Call 314-232-6896 to make your reservation.
3. Walk across the planets in the Delmar Loop. How far is it to Neptune? About six blocks. Show kids a real scale model of the solar system while strolling the Delmar Loop's Planet Walk. The sun and eight planets (sorry Pluto) each have a station along Delmar, starting at the Moonrise Hotel. Mercury through Mars are located on the first block, but you have to walk all the way to the corner of Delmar and Kingsland to find Neptune. You can plan your whole stroll around awesome local food: Soul Taco is close to Neptune, Fitz's root beer floats at Uranus, Insomnia Cookies by Saturn, Mission Taco by Jupiter, and Piccione Pastry by Mars.
4. Design a rocket ship at The Magic House. Mix some art with your STEM play at the Magic House. Junior NASA engineers will have fun designing rocket ships (and cars or buildings) on paper with crayons in the Future Play room. Then scan your creation to make a real 3D paper model of your rocket while it flies around a computer simulation of a space city on a huge projection screen.
5. Monkey around at a space-themed playground. Let your imagination soar at Deer Creek Park, aka Rocket Park. This Maplewood playground is entirely space themed, with a three-story rocket slide, space shuttle ride, and play moon buggy. Deer Creek Park is located at 3200 Laclede Station Road.
6. Attend a monthly model rocket launch. It's gotten harder to find a place to shoot off model rockets—they aren't allowed in most parks—but if you don't have access to a large private field, you can hang out with the St. Louis Rocketry Association. They host a monthly rocket launch at Buder Park's model airfield. The next launch day is September 17, and the public is welcome to watch or join in. You can purchase a model rocket kit at any hobby store.
