Your Trip to St. Louis: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Top Museums to Visit A Guide to Forest Park Skiing Near St. Louis State Parks Near St. Louis Live Music Venues Iconic St. Louis Food to Try Best St. Louis Restaurants Top Bars in St. Louis Best Places for Craft Beer The Best Time to Visit Weather & Climate St. Louis Lambert International Airport Guide Best Hotels in St. Louis Neighborhoods to Know Public Transportation 48 Hours in St. Louis Top Day Trips Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour Top Things to Do Free Things to Do Things to Do With Kids Your Trip to St. Louis: The Complete Guide close Overview United States Missouri 25 Best Free Things to Do With Kids in St. Louis By David O'Brien David O'Brien David O'Brien is a St. Louis native journalist and travel writer. His work has appeared in many local and national publications, including St. Louis Small Business Monthly and the St. Louis Post Dispatch. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 06/26/19 St. Louis is a city known for its abundance of free events and attractions and that's certainly the case when it comes to entertaining the kids. Children and parents in the Gateway City have all kinds of options for free fun. Families can visit the elephants, learn about Native American history, fly a kite and visit the Clydesdales. St. Louis has history to be discovered and water features to play in. 01 of 25 See the Zoo Animals JMichael-Photography/Getty Images View Map Address 1 Government Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA Get directions Phone +1 314-781-0900 Web Visit website The St. Louis Zoo is always a top destination for families and it's easy to see why. The Zoo is home to thousands of animals on 90 acres in the heart of Forest Park. From polar bears and penguins to elephants and hippos, there are more than 500 species to see and learn about. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours in the summer. 02 of 25 Climb Monks Mound Skubasteve834/Wikimedia Commons View Map Address Monks Mound, Collinsville, IL 62234, USA Get directions Monks Mound is part of Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville, Illinois. The 100-foot high earthen mound was the center of an ancient civilization that lived along the Mississippi River. On a nice day, visitors can climb the stairs to the top of Monks Mound for a great view of the river valley below and the St. Louis skyline in the distance. Then stop by the Interpretive Center to learn more about the history of the site. Monks Mound and the outdoor areas of Cahokia Mounds are open daily until dusk. The Interpretive Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This historic park lies in southern Illinois between East St. Louis and Collinsville. 03 of 25 Learn About Missouri History Deborah O'Brien View Map Address 5700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112-0040, USA Get directions Phone +1 314-746-4599 Web Visit website The Missouri History Museum in Forest Park has a special exhibit area just for kids called the History Clubhouse. It's a hands-on learning experience that allows visitors to step back in time and see what life was like many years ago. Children can steer a steamboat, walk through historic buildings and sell ice cream at the 1904 World's Fair. The History Clubhouse is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 04 of 25 Tour a Chocolate Factory Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company View Map Address 5025 Pattison Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110-2037, USA Get directions Phone +1 888-222-7710 Web Visit website It's St. Louis' version of Willy Wonka. Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company offers free tours of its candy factory located in south St. Louis. Visitors can go down to the factory floor, watch machines like the chocolate enrobers and learn all about the candy-making process. Tours are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Note the factory is not in operation on Saturday.) Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are suggested for Saturday tours and larger groups. Continue to 5 of 25 below. 05 of 25 Attend a Star Party AfricanGeo/Wikimedia Commons View Map Address 5050 Oakland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA Get directions Phone +1 314-289-4400 Web Visit website The St. Louis Astronomical Society hosts star parties at locations throughout the area. There are usually several star parties each month at local libraries, schools, and YMCAs. The Society also hosts a free star party on the first Friday of the month at the St. Louis Science Center. During these events, volunteers set up several different kinds of telescopes for viewing the night sky. 06 of 25 Visit an Animal Farm David O'Brien View Map Address 6073 Wells Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128, USA Get directions Phone +1 314-615-8822 Web Visit website For a neighborhood park with something extra, there's Suson Park in St. Louis County. Suson Park is a big hit with kids because of its working animal farm. The farm has horses, pigs, cows, chickens, goats and more. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the farm and see all of the animals. The Suson Animal Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. until dusk. 07 of 25 Ride a River Ferry Nyttend/Wikimedia Commons View Map Address 16211 IL-100, Grafton, IL 62037-2316, USA Get directions Phone +1 618-786-3636 Experience public transportation in a new way with a ride on the Brussels Ferry. The ferry shuttles vehicles and people across the Illinois River just north of its confluence with the Mississippi River near Grafton. Riders can stay in their cars or get out for a closer look at the water. The Brussels Ferry runs all day, every day (weather permitting) and is a popular place to see bald eagles in the winter. 08 of 25 Play at a Park Nicola Patterson/Getty Images When the weather's nice there's nothing better than getting the kids outside to burn some energy. St. Louis has a lot of great neighborhood parks where children of all ages can run and play. These parks offer updated playgrounds with swings, slides, climbing walls and more. Many also have walking trails, picnic areas, fishing ponds and, perhaps most important, clean restrooms and water fountains. Continue to 9 of 25 below. 09 of 25 Explore an Historic Neighborhood Deborah O'Brien View Map Address 1825 Macklind Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110-2723, USA Get directions Phone +1 314-289-5300 Web Visit website There's plenty for kids to do on The Hill in St. Louis. The city's historic Italian neighborhood is a great option for where to spend an afternoon. Children can play at the playground and soccer fields Berra Park, enjoy a cold treat at Gelato Di Riso, and see the homes of baseball legends Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola at Hall of Fame Place. 10 of 25 Learn About Raptors David O'Brien View Map Address 125 Bald Eagle Ridge Rd, Valley Park, MO 63088-2036, USA Get directions Phone +1 636-225-4390 Web Visit website See falcons, owls and bald eagles up-close at the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis County. The sanctuary is home to hundreds of raptors. Many are injured and unable to return to the wild. Grab a map and take a self-guided tour of the 300-acre facility. The World Bird Sanctuary is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 11 of 25 See and Make Great Works of Art Deborah O'Brien View Map Address 1 Fine Arts Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA Get directions Phone +1 314-721-0072 Web Visit website Sunday afternoons are the best time to bring kids to the St. Louis Art Museum in Forest Park. Family Sundays are a weekly event designed with children in mind. Kids have the chance to make their own great works of art during the crafting workshop. Daily public tours of the galleries are offered at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday-Friday and at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Family Sundays are also held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 12 of 25 Splash Around Citygarden Raymond Boyd /Getty Images View Map Address 801 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63101, USA Get directions Phone +1 314-241-3337 Web Visit website Citygarden is an urban park in downtown St. Louis with wading pools, bubblers and lots of green space. There are benches for parents to relax a bit, while their kids splash around in the water. Citygarden also has large sculptures that kids like to climb, and it's a nice spot for outdoor picnicking and people watching. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Continue to 13 of 25 below. 13 of 25 Visit the Budweiser Clydesdales Deborah O'Brien View Map Address 7385 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123, USA Get directions Phone +1 314-843-1700 Web Visit website About two dozen of the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales make their home at Grant's Farm in St. Louis County. Visitors can tour the Clydesdale Barn and see these impressive horses up close. Grant's Farm is also home to more than 900 other animals from around the world including elephants, kangaroos, lemurs, and giant tortoises. Operating hours change seasonally. Admission is free, but please be aware that parking costs $15. Tram rides and animal shows are free of charge. There are other rides and attractions that cost a few dollars each. 14 of 25 Fly a Kite JByard/Getty Images View Map Address 35-43 Fine Arts Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA Get directions Phone +1 314-367-7275 Web Visit website On a warm spring day, kites are often flying at Art Hill in Forest Park. The large hill located between the Grand Basin and the St. Louis Art Museum is one of the top spots for outdoor fun in St. Louis. Kids can fly kites, throw frisbees, blow bubbles or just run around having a good time. Bring a blanket and a picnic basket and make a day of it. 15 of 25 Attend a Concert Touhill Performing Arts Center View Map Address 1 Touhill Cir, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA Get directions Phone +1 866-516-4949 Web Visit website The Touhill Performing Arts Center in St. Louis County hosts a variety of free concerts and performances throughout the year. Options include jazz concerts, dance performances, and the St. Louis Storytelling Festival. The schedule of free events is posted at the Touhill website. 16 of 25 Tour a Lock and Dam J Clear / Getty Images View Map Address 1 Locks and Dam Way, Alton, IL 62002, USA Get directions Phone +1 618-462-6979 Web Visit website See the inner workings of a real lock and dam system on the Mississippi River. Visitors can tour the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, Illinois. The 45-minute tour offers an up-close look at how barges navigate the river. Tours are offered three times a day at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Just sign up for a spot at the visitor desk at the National Great Rivers Museum located next door. Admission to the museum is also free. Continue to 17 of 25 below. 17 of 25 Experiment With Science Deborah O'Brien View Map Address 5050 Oakland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA Get directions Phone +1 314-289-4400 Web Visit website Want to explore outer space, build a replica of the Gateway Arch or experiment with electricity? Kids can do all of that and much more at the St. Louis Science Center in Forest Park. The Science Center offers three levels of hands-on exhibits in all areas of scientific discovery. From dinosaurs and fossils to wind and weather, there's always something new to learn. The Science Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 18 of 25 Follow Lewis and Clark's Footsteps Kbh3rd/WikiCommons View Map Address 1 Lewis and Clark Trail, Hartford, IL 62048, USA Get directions Phone +1 618-251-5811 Web Visit website Lewis and Clark made one of the most important journeys in American history. Visitors to the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Hardin, Illinois, can follow in the footsteps of the great explorers. Children are invited to learn about the difficulties of the journey, see a replica of a keelboat used during the trip and hear stories from those who traveled with Lewis and Clark. The historic site is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 19 of 25 See a Movie Raymond Boyd / Getty Images View Map Address 601 Clark Ave, St. Louis, MO 63102, USA Get directions Phone +1 314-797-7530 Web Visit website It's easy to see a free movie in the summer in St. Louis. Dozens of area parks host free outdoor movie series and most are family-friendly. During other times of the year, families can catch free movies at top attractions like Ballpark Village and the Missouri History Museum. 20 of 25 Take a Planet Walk View Map Address 6504 Delmar Blvd, University City, MO 63130-4501, USA Get directions Web Visit website The Planet Walk on the Delmar Loop is a unique way to learn about the solar system. The Planet Walk has nine outdoor stations (one for each planet and the sun) stretched out over a five-block area. The sizes and distances are proportional to the actual solar system. The Planet Walk is open daily. Continue to 21 of 25 below. 21 of 25 Go to Storytime Deborah O'Brien View Map Address 1301 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63103-2325, USA Get directions Phone +1 314-241-2288 Web Visit website There are dozens of libraries across the St. Louis area that offer storytime and other free events for children. From crafts and cooking to video games and movies, there's something fun to do nearly every day of the week. For more information, see the St. Louis Public Library calendar of events or the St. Louis County Library's schedule of children's programs. 22 of 25 See the St. Louis Walk of Fame Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images View Map Address 6504 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130-4501, USA Get directions Phone +1 314-727-7827 Web Visit website Another thing to do on the Delmar Loop is to visit the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Like with its bigger counterpart in Hollywood, golden stars in the sidewalk honor famous St. Louisans like Chuck Berry, Tina Turner, Kevin Kline, and Miles Davis. New honorees are inducted into the Walk of Fame each year. 23 of 25 Take a Tour of Purina Farms Bill Greenblatt/Getty Images View Map Baby animals and dog agility shows are the big draws at Purina Farms in Gray Summit. Young visitors can watch talented canines performing high-flying tricks. There are also cow-milking demonstrations, a petting zoo, and a hayloft play area. Purina Farms is open from mid-March to mid-November. 24 of 25 Visit a Wildlife Refuge Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge View Map Address 364 Wildlife Conservation Rd, Brussels, IL 62013, USA Get directions Phone +1 618-883-2524 Web Visit website The Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge in Brussels, Illinois, offers the chance to explore nature in its purest form. The refuge hiking trails take visitors through tall prairie grasses and on top of river levees. The trails provide viewing for heron, beavers, turtles and other animals. The refuge is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the first two weekends of the month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Continue to 25 of 25 below. 25 of 25 Take a Nature Hike David O'Brien View Map Address 1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021, USA Get directions Phone +1 636-227-4433 Web Visit website For a nature hike with a great view, head to Castlewood State Park in Ballwin. The 2,000-acre park has several hiking trails that lead to the bluffs overlooking the Meramec River. From the top, there are expansive views of the river valley below. Parents with smaller children also have the option of sticking to easier trails without the steep climb. Castlewood State Park is open daily from 7 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset. 9 Great Museums to Visit in St. Louis Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email