This month, we're welcoming autumn with two elaborate cornfields, celebrate National Play-doh Day, and watch knights in armor joust on horseback. Here are this month's top 10 family-friendly events and things to do.
Great Forest Park Balloon Race and Glow | September 20-21
The greatest free festival of fall back at Central Fields in Forest Park this year. Amaze your kids by getting up close to giant hot air balloons on Friday night's glow, and again on Saturday afternoon when they take to the sky. Bring a picnic and enjoy the inflatables, games, and giveaways. Festival food is available for purchase. Free. Balloon Glow starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, Race activities start at noon on Saturday. Forest Park, Central Fields.
Nappy Hour | Weekdays
Take a sweet break with your preschooler during a special cookie decorating play date at Sweetology. Kids can decorate two cookies, play with a sensory table full of sprinkles, plus a free coffee for their grow-up. $9.99 per child, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Sweetology. 1232 Town and Country Crossing.
Brookdale Farm Corn Maze | Every Wednesday–Sunday
Celebrate fall with Brookdale's giant 17 acre, family-friendly corn maze, opening Sept. 14. Entry fee includes the unhaunted maze, petting zoo, hayrides, playground, and inflatables. 10 a.m–6 p.m. Admission is $6 for kids 4 to 11, $9 for 12 and up. Brookdale Farm, 8004 Twin River.
Disney's Enchanted Tales | Every Friday–Sunday
Relive Disney big-screen magic as Marcus Theaters brings back your family favorites: such as Moana, Cinderella, Peter Pan, and The Little Mermaid. Tickets are $6, various showtimes. At the Chesterfield, Des Peres, Ronnies, St. Charles locations.
Fall Farm Festival | September 14
The Magic House is celebrating the turn of the season by bringing it back to the farm. Kids can meet local farmers, pet farm cuddly farm animals, check out tractors, and play an assortment of games. 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Included with regular admission. The Magic House, 516 S. Kirkwood.
St. Louis Renaissance Festival | Weekends starting September 14
Travel to a medieval fantasy land with dashing knights, princesses, jugglers, singers, mermaids, and even a unicorn (sort of). There are three daily armored jousts to watch, live entertainment, and plenty of fantasy-inspired shopping and fare. Guests are welcome to come in costume, but, no worries, it's not required. Tickets start at $10.95, with many discounts and free entry promotions available here. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. St. Louis Renaissance Festival, Rotary Park, Wentzville.
Play-Doh Day | September 16
It's National Play-doh Day and the Brentwood Community Center has big plans on how to celebrate with your kids. The center will be teaching kids how to make Play–Doh from scratch, then cut, and sculpt it into their heart's desire. The best part? It's not your carpet that kids are making their creations on. Free. 6 to 7 pm. Brentwood Community Center, 2505 South Brentwood.
Life Outside Festival | September 21
Learn to love the outdoors with a little help from the Great Rivers Greenway. This all-ages festival includes hands-on instruction on trail biking, running, hiking, and snowboarding, plus various games and activities just for kids. There will be live music, food trucks, and marshmallow roasting. (Consider us there.) The event is free, but you have to RSVP online for an activities waiver. Only handicap parking is available in the park, free shuttle service is provided from several locations, plus parking at nearby Incarnate Word Academy. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. St. Vincent County Park, 7335 St. Charles Rock.
Haunted Hayrides and Stanley Cup Corn Maze | Every Weekend
Treat your kids to a champion-size maze at Eckert's Millstadt Farm. Their 10-acre cornfield has been cut into a Stanley Cup and Blue's logo pattern to celebrate the 2019 hockey season. The Millstadt farm also includes not-so-spooky haunted hayrides, petting farm, carnival rides, and more autumn activities. Eckert's Millstadt farm, 2719 Eckert Orchard.
JoJo Siwa | September 22
You probably already know the words to this kid sensation's songs (and maybe even a few dance moves) or have at least watched her Youtube channel. The Nickelodeon's "it" girl was first rose to fame through TLC's Dance Moms. Now, the Youtube personality, dancer, and actress is bringing her D.R.E.A.M. tour to St. Louis. $39.50–$69.50. 7 p.m. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton.
