Check out these exciting St. Louis summer activities, and download the Community Passport to Summer Fun to document your summer!

 

Wehrenberg Theaters  Wehrenberg Theaters usually offer the Family Summer Series where they offer FREE family films each Wednesday.  (The 2013 schedule has not yet been posted.)  Write about the movie you saw OR read the book the movie was based on.

 

TheMills Mall Regal Theatre  The Mills Mall Regal Theatre offers $1 movies on Tuesday and Wednesdays beginning June 11.  After the movie, enjoy a play time in the free playground area located by Justice.  There is always the train ride inside the mall, the carousel ride, as well as an indoor video game area, go-karts, ice skating rink and food court for an additional cost. 

• Write about the movie you saw OR read the book the movie was based on.

 

St. Andrews Cinema in St. Charles  St. Andrews Cinema also offers $1 movies. These are usually movies that have just come out on DVD.  If you are looking for a movie theatre experience or trying to decide if you want to buy the DVD, this is the place to go. 

Make it a learning experience: 

• Check the local library to see if they have the book that goes to the movie.  Read the book together, and compare/contrast the two.  
• Create a craft or recipe that corresponds to the movie.

 

Michael's Arts & Crafts  Once you are on the website, select your store, then download calendar.  You can also click on: kids classes (not available until June).  There will be classes for as little as $2 per child. 

• Don’t forget to take a picture of your craft or draw a picture of it and put it in your community passport.  You might want to do an expository writing activity (step-by-step instructions) on how you made the craft.

 

St. Louis Gateway Arch  The nation’s tallest  monument at 630 feet, the Gateway Arch has beckoned visitors for more than 40 years with its iconic, awe-inspiring shape. The vision of renowned architect Eero Saarinen, the Gateway Arch commemorates Thomas Jefferson and St. Louis’ role in the westward expansion of the United States. A visit to St. Louis isn’t complete without standing at its base and playing professional photographer, and the view from the outside is only half of the experience. 

• The Westward Expansion Museum in the base of the Arch is free to the public.  If you want to go up in the Arch, the cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 3-15.  
• Don’t forget to write/draw about your day in your community passport.

 

Saint Louis Science Center  Visit the Saint Louis Science Center.  Explore   700+ exhibits, the OMNIMAX® Theater, planetarium, special traveling exhibitions and more. Group rates available. Open daily. No general admission charge.  OMINIMAX, planetarium, special traveling exhibitions and classes have a cost associated with them. 

• Don’t forget to write/draw your day in your community passport.

 

St. Louis Cardinals  Check the date you are interested in and look for the deals for that day.  You can get tickets for as little as $5 each.  You can take in coolers as long as they will fit under your seat and don’t contain glass.  You can get a FREE picture taken in the family area as a memento. 

 

Magic Houe  General Admission is $9.50 per person.  Last year The Magic House had free event dates.  The site has not listed the dates yet, but plan on having them listed in early May. 

• Don’t forget to record your experience in your community passport.

 

St. Louis County Parks and Recreation  Lots of area parks offer special events and programs.  The website will list parks that have picnic areas, playgrounds, and water play features.

Make it a learning experience: 

• Plan and pack a picnic.  
• Write a grocery list, add prices at the grocery store, and follow a recipe.  
• Go on a nature scavenger hunt!

 

Home Depot Workshops  All Home Depot stores offer free hands-on workshops for children ages 5-12 on the first Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. All kids receive a free kids’ workshop apron, commemorative pin, certificate of achievement and craft supplies.  This summer’s offerings include: “EPIC” movie herb planter on May 4, Lawnmower Pencil Holder on June 1, and “Despicable Me 2” Surprise craft on July 6.  **MUST REGISTER ONLINE** 

• Don’t forget to draw/write or place a photo in your community passport.

 

St. Louis Art Museum  The St. Louis Art Museum in Forest Park is always free to attend.  They also offer Family Sundays from 1-4 p.m., where they offer 30 min. family tours through a gallery and a related art project.  The May and June schedules are posted on the website.  May’s theme is Helmets, Hats, and Headdresses, and June is Rock, Paper, Scissors.  Make sure to record your day in your community passport.

 

Missouri Botanical Garden  The Garden offers free admission on Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. till 12 noon.  The Children’s Garden offers free admission on Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. till noon.  If you take advantage of the free admission to the Children’s Garden on Tuesday, you will have to pay admission to the Botanical Garden.

• After visiting, write or draw a picture in your community passport.

 

Laumeir Sculpture Park  Laumeier Sculpture Park is a 105 acre open-air museum that integrates art, nature and human experience in a unique setting where you can hike, learn and experience a stunning collection of outdoor sculpture.  FREE  Open 8 a.m. till sunset.  There is an indoor gallery and shop where you may purchase items. 

• Ask mom or dad to take a photo of you here.

 

St. Louis Museum of Transportation  Museum of Transportation is one of the largest and best collections of transportation vehicles in the World.  It has the most complete collection of American rail power anywhere, with automobiles, busses, streetcars, horse-drawn carriages, aircraft, and riverboats.  Open Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  The cost is $8 for adults (13+), $5 for children (3-12) and free for children under 2.  The Creation Station is available for an additional $2 per person.    

• Ask mom or dad to take a photo of you on one of the vehicles and place it in your  community passport.  Write about your day.

 

Forest Park Boathouse  This is affiliated with the restaurant but you don’t have to eat to rent a paddleboat for an hour.  The cost is $15 per hour.  The paddleboats will hold 560 pounds (approximately 2 adults and 2-3 children).  Plan on getting a good leg work out! 

• Write about your experience in your community passport.

 

Lone Elk State Park  Drive thru Lone Elk   Park and see lots of animals in the wild.  FREE!

• Write about your visit in your community passport.

 

The Muny   Go to the Muny for FREE SEATS for each show.  Get there early, gates open at 7 p.m.  You can sit in the last 9 rows. Visit the website for the show listings.  There are wonderful spots to have a picnic before the show.  Take a blanket and stretch out and enjoy the beautiful Forest Park.   

 

Grant's Farm  There are many exciting animal encounters possible at Grant's Farm, the 281-acre ancestral home of the Busch family, located just south of the city of St. Louis. The Farm is home to more than 900 animals representing more than 100 different species. Grant's Farm, operated by Anheuser-Busch, Inc., has been a St. Louis tradition for over five decades. More than 24 million guests have visited this popular family attraction during its history.   

• Parking is $12 per vehicle 

 

St. Louis Zoo  St. Louis Zoo is open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. M – Th. and 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. F – S.  

• FREE admission to the Zoo.  
• FREE admission to the Children’s Zoo during the first hour the park is open.  Look at the website for special offers, discounts, and things available to do in the Zoo.    

 

St. Louis Citygarden  Water is one of the most expressive elements at Citygarden. Three fountains are interspersed throughout the park, combining with sculpture and lush plant life to create a unique visitor experience.  The first fountain is 34 feet in diameter. The second fountain is the split basin, which is 190 feet long, 20 feet wide and 16 inches deep. A waterfall, approximately 40 feet wide, "breaks" the basin where the arc wall crosses the pool and the upper basin seeps and cascades from the upland café terrace down to the floodplain six feet below. The last fountain is the playful spray plaza, which punctuates Citygarden's middle tier. The spray plaza includes a paved field of 102 vertical jets that project water up to eight feet in height. The plaza invites children and adults alike to meander through its programmed patterns, and delight in the evening shows of light and water. FREE

 

Purina Farms  The farm is open 9:30  a.m. – 3 p.m. Wed.-Fri. and 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.  Admission and parking are FREE.  Text PFARMA to 313131 to sign up for text alerts about special events and offers.   

 

St. Louis History Museum  Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tue. until 8 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day, daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Tue., 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.   Phone: (314) 746-4599.  FREE   

• Any special exhibits do have a fee involved, but the museum itself is free.

 

City of Maryland Heights  Grab the family and  make your way to Aquaport this summer! Enjoy the numerous pools and slides, snacks and cool treats at the concession stand, and plenty of parking and deck room to make your visit comfortable. With its convenient location and affordable pass prices, Aquaport is a great place for the entire family to cool off and enjoy the summer!   Prices are $15 (16+), $10 (4-15) and 3 and under are free. 

• Site has a coupon for $40 for 4 admissions.  Groupon offered deals last year for $5 per admission.  If you know a Maryland Heights resident, you can go with them for $5 adults and $3 children.

 

Faust Park  Home of Frederick Bates, Missouri’s second governor and Faust Historic Village, The St. Louis Carousel  (314-615-8383) and the Butterfly House (636 -530-0076).  The Butterfly House is free the first Tuesday of every month from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.  The Carousel is $2 per ride (free on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day).  There is also a huge playground and picnic area that is always free. 

• Don’t forget to record your experience in your community passport.

 

Forest Park and Creve Coeur Park have paved walking and biking trails.  Don’t forget your helmet if you are riding your bike.  Creve Coeur also has FREE water play areas.