Things to Do with Grandkids in St. Louis

The school year is coming to an end soon and you might be looking for things to do with grandkids that won’t break the bank and will be fun for the whole crew! One of the best parts of living in St. Louis is that there are plenty of activities for people of all ages. Therefore, opportunities abound for seniors to enjoy time with their grandchildren at one of the many local attractions and events throughout the season.

Spring and summer are prime time for seasonal attractions in St. Louis that are not only perfect for a fun-filled afternoon, but a great way to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Here’s a quick look at some of what the city has to offer in the coming months. Most are free, but some may require a fee for special events.

St. Louis Science Center

A visit here is a trip through time from the age of the dinosaurs, with a giant animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex looming large, to an actual Mercury space capsule on display, to a glimpse at the future of technology. Check out a star show in the planetarium or see a gripping documentary in the Omnimax theater.

St. Louis Zoo

Always a favorite with more than 14,000 animals to see, the 90-acre zoo also offers an exciting slate of seasonal activities. From now through May 5, Animals Aglow is a festival for the eyes with 60 towering lanterns depicting animals, plants and traditional Chinese themes from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. And beginning in May, HullabaZoo will feature unique themed days each focused on a different animal with opportunities to learn more about and take part in conservation activities.

Purina Farms

See farm animals up close, take a tour of the sprawling property on a wagon, and see canine athletes perform at the Incredible Dog Show. The Visitor Center and animal exhibits are open from mid-April through October 31 with special events scattered throughout the season including dog and cat shows.

The Gateway Arch

If you haven’t been to the Arch lately, it’s worth a trip to see the reimagined grounds and museum. In addition to taking a trip to the top of the structure that towers more than 600 feet into the St. Louis skyline, you can take a trip back in time in the 3D virtual reality theatre to explore St. Louis back to the 1850s. You can also sign up for a special event including a Thursday night dinner cruise of the Mississippi River on a replica paddle wheeler riverboat or you can bring your dog to the BARK Ranger Landscape Walk throughout the spring and summer.

Forest Park

One of the country’s most beautiful and largest urban recreation areas, Forest Park not only offers a wide spectrum of outdoor activities throughout the summer, it is also home to several wonderful attractions including the St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, the Muny outdoor theater and the previously mentioned St. Louis Zoo. Highlights include the outdoor concert series, Twilight Thursdays, at the History Museum and the annual African Arts Festival at the World’s Pavilion in the heart of Forest Park. Click here for a complete calendar of activities within the park and even more things to do with grandkids!

City Museum

This eclectic treasure is fun for all ages with a wide variety of quirky permanent displays and a full schedule of seasonal events. Currently the Upcycled Garden art display is atop the calendar of events, open through June 1.

Grant’s Farm

Once the home of the 18^th president of the United States, Ulysses Grant, this 281-acre property is packed with history and activities. It’s home to Anheuser Busch’s famous Clydesdale horses and you can see up close how they’re raised and trained. An open-air tram will take you on a winding tour of the spacious grounds where you can see more than 900 wild animals that call the farm home. There’s also a petting zoo, a replica of a German plaza where you can get a bite to eat and a schedule of seasonal events that make every visit to the site a little bit different.

The Magic House

The popular St. Louis children’s museum offers interactive and enlightening exhibits throughout the year and can’t be left out of your list of things to do with grandkids. But highlights of its special events schedule include a Kick-Off to Summer on May 24th and the Magic House Family Gala held June 9th. The latter includes dinner, cocktails (and kiddie cocktails), plus face painting, and a performance by The Muny Kids in the Story Time Theater. Dress up attire is encouraged!

The Missouri Botanical Garden

Spring and summer are when the botanical garden is in its full glory! To ensure everyone has a chance to see it, the site offers extended evening hours, allowing entry until 7 p.m. from now until Sept. 26 and there are a variety of other activities to keep things fresh. On May 11, the St. Louis Hosta Society will have a show and sale, Chinese Culture Days take place on May 18 and 19, and the Whitaker Music Festival outdoor concert series begins May 29. Check the jam-packed calendar for more events throughout the season.

Find more things to do with grandkids and ways to explore the city on Bethesda’s blog!