
Courtesy of Six Flags St. Louis
Six Flags St. Louis
April 5 through November 2
Be prepared for a Tsunami Soaker this summer at Six Flags St. Louis. New this year, the spinning, interactive water ride seats up to six per boat, with each rider in charge of his or her own water gun. The ride can be found in the Gateway to the West section of the park. Call for prices and times. Six Flags St. Louis, 4900 Six Flags, Eureka, 636-938-5300, sixflags.com/stlouis.
“History Clubhouse: Let’s Build It!”
Through October
Join the Missouri History Museum as it prepares to build a new permanent family gallery. “History Clubhouse: Let’s Build It!” features interactive stations, including Soulard Farmers Market and Cahokia Mounds. Families are asked to provide feedback to help plan the permanent gallery, set to open in June 2015. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell, Forest Park, 314-746-4599, mohistory.org.
St. Louis Storytelling Festival
May 1, 2 & 3
Gather the whole family and head to the 35th annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival. This event brings in a wide variety of stories and featured storytellers over the course of its three days. The Evening of Family Storytelling takes place May 1 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the University City Public Library (6701 Delmar). Call for prices and times. 314-516-6590, stlstorytellingfestival.com.
Love
May 3 & 4
Family members of all ages will delight in this production of Love by Australia’s Terrapin Puppet Theatre, presented by the Center of Creative Arts. As a young boy’s town prepares for a big storm, he helps his neighbors remember what matters most. $16–$20. 2 & 5 p.m. Sat, 1 & 4 p.m. Sun. COCA, 524 Trinity, 314-725-6555, cocastl.org.
Art Fair at Laumeier
May 9, 10 & 11
The whole family will love this fair on Mother’s Day weekend. See original works of art from more than 150 artists nationwide. On Saturday and Sunday, the Creation Location gives kids and adults the chance to make arts and crafts, be entertained by jugglers, and more. $10 adults, $5 kids ages 6–11, free members and kids under age 6. 6–10 p.m. Fri, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Sat, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun. Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott, 314-615-5278, laumeiersculpturepark.org.
Cinderella
May 9, 10 & 11
Get swept away as the Saint Louis Ballet presents this classic story. With artistic director Gen Horiuchi’s choreography to music by Sergei Prokofiev, along with fantastical costumes, children and adults will be on the edge of their seats as Cinderella strives to find Prince Charming. $27-plus. 7 p.m. Fri, 2:30 & 7 p.m. Sat, 3 p.m. Sun. Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, University of Missouri–St. Louis, 1 University, 314-516-4949, touhill.org.
The Pawn!
May 29 through
June 22
Kids will flip over this year’s Circus Flora show, presented in the big-top tent behind Powell Hall. The Pawn! features a trick horse act, a dog act, and even a camel act. May 29 is a peanut-free preview night for those who have peanut allergies, and the show officially kicks off on May 30. $10–$48. 7 p.m. Tue–Thu, 10 a.m. kids’ show Wed, 1 & 7 p.m. Fri & Sat, 1 & 5:30 p.m. Sun. 3509 Samuel Shepard, 314-289-4040, circusflora.org.
Summer Family Fun Series
June 4 through July 30
Kids ages 10 and younger and parents will flock to the free Summer Family Fun Series at the Missouri History Museum. Storytelling, arts-and-crafts projects, and special guests provide a fun learning environment. Groups of eight or more are encouraged to make reservations. Mon, Tue & Fri mornings; call for prices and times. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell, Forest Park, 314-746-4599, mohistory.org.
Whitaker Music Festival
June 4 through August 6
Relax on summer evenings at the Missouri Botanical Garden at this year’s Whitaker Music Festival, held each Wednesday starting in June. Anyone is welcome to picnic on the picturesque grounds while basking in the sounds of jazz, folk, and blues. Free entry after 5 p.m., music 7:30–9 p.m. Wed. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw, 314-577-5100, mobot.org.
Tarzan
June 25 through July 2
Bring friends and family to take in a show under the stars at The Muny. The first kid-friendly show of the season is Tarzan, based on the eponymous Disney film, which tells the story of a boy raised by apes. To score free seats, arrive early and picnic in the park. $14–$85. Call for times. The Muny, 1 Theatre, Forest Park, 314-361-1900, muny.org.
Fair Saint Louis
July 3, 4 & 5
The 34th annual Fair Saint Louis will be celebrated in Forest Park while the Arch grounds are being renovated. Live concerts (yet to be announced at press time), food, and the Kids Zone are just a few of the attractions, and the spectacular nighttime fireworks shouldn’t be missed. Paired with St. Louis’ 250th birthday celebration and the 137th annual Veiled Prophet Parade on the Fourth of July, this year’s fair promises to be entertaining. Call for prices and times. 314-434-3434, fairsaintlouis.org.
Raging Rivers’ 25th Birthday Party
July 4
Join the fun at Raging Rivers WaterPark as it celebrates its 25th birthday. The park has updated its lounge and food zones with more cabanas and shaded areas, and this bash will celebrate a quarter century of fun in the sun. The park opens for the season on May 24. Call for prices and times. Raging Rivers WaterPark, 100 Palisades Parkway, Grafton, Ill., 618-786-2345, ragingrivers.com.
By Kim Aubuchon, Carrie Edelstein, George Mahe, Christy Marshall, and Joelle Schoenherr