Shakespeare Festival St Louis--May 28-June 20

I look forward to the Shakespeare Festival every year. Even though my kids are really too little to get Shakespeare, they have a great time at the plays (especially watching the jugglers before the play!) just being outside. It's even better that it's free! In addition to the play, the Green Show which starts at 6:30pm has lots of activities and games for kids and adults to participate in.
In celebration of its 10th Anniversary, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis brings Hamlet, the pinnacle of Shakespeare’s canon, to Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. St. Louisan and Kevin Kline Award winner Jim Butz plays the title role of the doomed young prince with a stellar cast of 18 actors, two thirds of whom are from St. Louis.

Each year the Festival produces professional Shakespeare theatre in Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park free to the public, and year-round Education Programs. The Festival’s 10th Anniversary 2010 production, Hamlet, runs May 28 through June 20, nightly except Tuesdays and June 5 (preview shows will be May 26 and 27).

For more information about the Festival and its Education Programs, visit the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis website or call 314.531.9800.

St Louis Storytelling Festival--Apr 28-May 1

There's more than I could ever begin to list happening at the annual St Louis Storytelling Festival! The Storytelling Festival has been around for 30 years(!) and this year starts Wednesday, April 28, and continues through Saturday, May 1.

There are so many events that I can't even list the schedule, but know that there will be stories for adults, ghost stories, stories for the deaf, storytelling concerts and spiritual storytelling.

For the complete schedule, see the St Louis Storytelling Festival website. For more information, call 314-516-6590.

Earth Day Festival in Forest Park--April 25

Don't miss this year's Earth Day festival in Forest Park! There is something for everyone--lots to do and and even more to see! Activities will take place from 11am to 6pm on Saturday, April 25, on the Muny grounds in Forest Park.

Check out the educational exhibits and hands-on activities, three stages of music and entertainment, an Earth Day Cafe with local and earth-friendly foods (available for purchase) and an All-Species Parade (dress as your favorite species and join in the fun!).

For more information, see the St Louis Earth Day website or call 314-961-5838.

Healthy Kids Day--April 17

Local YMCAs will be hosting Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 17, from 10am to 2pm. All events will take place at local YMCAs with the exception of the O'Fallon, St. Charles, and Tri-County branches which will host activities in the center court of Mid-Rivers Mall.

Healthy Kids Day will feature games for the whole family and some healthy snacks too! Take on your kids with a Wii Fit competition, watch STEPS dance performances, and bounce out the winter blahs with a bounce house. In addition, there will be aquatic relay races and games and a hit, pitch, and run activity. This is a great way to get moving this spring! Each branch is hosting its own set of activities so to find out exactly what will be available be sure to call your local branch or visit your branch website.

Also, join the YMCA that day and receive 100% off of the joining fee! (Monthly membership fees will still apply.)

For more information, see the YMCA website or call your local YMCA.

Missouri Botanical Garden Children's Garden Opening--April 3

Celebrate spring with the re-opening of the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden! This Saturday, April 3, kids can participate in a variety of activities at the Children's Garden. Activities start at 9am and go all day, but be sure to get in before noon if you want free admission (St Louis City and County residents).

Here's a brief schedule of events:

9am-noon: Make a corn husk doll at the Osage Camp.

9am-3pm: Get some cheek art from our popular volunteer face painters.

9am-4pm: Make your own Children’s Garden to remind you of your special day. Create seed packets to start your own garden from the ground up.

10am-noon & 1pm-3pm: Look for Finn strolling the Garden.

10am-2pm: Back by popular demand, watch as chainsaw artist, Joe Bathon, creates wood works right before your eyes. Discover the Power of Pollination in the Children’s Garden’s very own pollination garden. Become a tree detective and uncover what’s so neat about trees.

10am-3pm: Visit the Nature Explore Classroom and pot a plant to take home.

11am-noon: Hear about the life of Sacagawea, a courageous Shoshone woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark on the Corps of Discovery. Listen as storyteller Dianne Moran recounts the fascinating story of her amazing life and adventures.

Noon-3pm: Listen and dance to live folk music performed by the Ryan Spearman Trio.

For more information visit the Children's Garden website or call 314-577-5100.

Horticultural Therapy Awareness Day--March 20

The Missouri Botanical Garden will be sponsoring Horticultural Therapy Awareness Day to introduce visitors to the numerous physical and mental benefits that plants and gardening provide. From 10am to 3pm on Saturday, March 20, visitors can explore a demonstration healing garden, stop by stations to experience different plants and how they can impact various senses, pot a sensory plant to take home, make an arrangement of cut flowers, and watch demonstrations of ergonomic gardening tools.

All activities will be held inside the upper level of the Ridgway Visitor Center and are included with visitor admission, which is free for St Louis City and County residents until noon on Saturday (so go early!).

For more information, visit the Missouri Botanical Garden website or call 314-577-9400.

Lowe's Build and Grow--March 13

This Saturday kids can make a free tabletop basketball game at Lowe's from 10-11am. Each participant will receive a free apron, safety goggles, a project patch, and a certificate of completion for the project. To sign up, visit Lowe's Build and Grow website.

Kids Workshops at Home Depot--March 6

Head to Home Depot on Saturday, March 6, anytime from 9am to noon for their fun Kids Workshops! This Saturday kids can make a rain gauge--sure to be useful in the upcoming spring months! The workshops are designed for kids ages 5-12 and do not require any registration. Participants will also receive a kid-sized orange apron and a project pin. For more information, see the Home Depot Kids Workshops website.

Lowe's Build and Grow--Feb 27

This Saturday kids can make a free "Lowebot" at Lowe's from 10-11am. The Lowebot is a car and a robot combined. Each participant will receive a free apron, safety goggles, a project patch, and a certificate of completion for the project. To sign up, visit Lowe's Build and Grow website.

Michael's Science Make-It Take-It--Feb 27

On Saturday, February 27, participating Michael's stores will be hosting a free Make-it Take-it molecule project from 10am to 1pm. Kids will use the periodic table to create 3D molecule models using Crayola Model Magic. Find your nearest store location at the Michael's store locator.

PetSmart Wiener Dog Derby--Feb 7

If you're a fan of wiener dogs, don't miss the PetSmart Wiener Dog Derby on Sunday, February 7!

From the website:

"Dachshund lovers and their lovable companions descend upon Soulard Market Park for the 17th annual PETsMART Wiener Dog Derby. Inclusive of a tournament bracket, winners medals, racer pictures, and local radio talent to call the race. A combination of large and small bleachers, event stage, race track, VIP area, and exhibitors make this the destination as the parade comes to an end. This event has developed into one of the most unique sporting events in the area. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. at the park and the first heat takes place at 2:00 p.m. The dachshunds race in three divisions based on age: Cocktail Wienies, Ballpark Franks, and Hot Dogs. The finals are followed by the trophy presentation ceremony in the Wiener's Circle."

Family Sundays at the St Louis Art Museum--Jan 31

Come check out free Family Sundays every Sunday in January at the St Louis Art Museum!

This month it’s all about beautiful things to wear. From elaborate gold jewelry to stiff neck ruffs, or boldly patterned cloth to finely etched armor, each fashionable item tells a story. See some of the "must-haves" from throughout the ages and create an artful fashion statement of your own. Family Sundays run from 1-4pm in the Sculpture Hall.

For more information see the St Louis Art Museum website or call 314-721-0072.

Family Sundays at the St Louis Art Museum--Jan 24

Come check out free Family Sundays every Sunday in January at the St Louis Art Museum!

This Sunday is a special Family Sunday. The St Louis Art Museum will be celebrating the groundbreaking of the Museum's new expansion and you are invited to participate!

From 1-4pm you can design and build a model of your own museum, inspired by David Chipperfield's model of the Saint Louis Art Museum's expansion. From 2-3pm, you can take a family tour that will explore the architectural features of both the "old" museum and the "new" expansion.

For more information see the St Louis Art Museum website or call 314-721-0072.

US Cellular Family Winter Carnival--Jan 23

This Saturday features a family-friendly Mardi Gras carnival in Soulard! If you're looking for a great excuse to get outside a bit, head on over to 8th and Lafayette (in front of the Soulard Farmer's Market) for the US Cellular Family Winter Carnival!

There will be lots of activities all day including arts and crafts (in a heated tent), family-friendly performances, karaoke for the kids, St Louis Science Center activities, football skills challenges, and a huge graffiti wall that kids can decorate. The carnival starts at 11am and ends at 4pm with an interactive parade where the kids can show off their new creations!

All events are free but food will be available for purchase. For more information, check out the US Cellular Family Winter Carnival website.

Family Sundays at the St Louis Art Museum--Jan 17

Come check out free Family Sundays every Sunday in January at the St Louis Art Museum!

This month it’s all about beautiful things to wear. From elaborate gold jewelry to stiff neck ruffs, or boldly patterned cloth to finely etched armor, each fashionable item tells a story. See some of the "must-haves" from throughout the ages and create an artful fashion statement of your own. Family Sundays run from 1-4pm in the Sculpture Hall.

For more information see the St Louis Art Museum website or call 314-721-0072.

Delmar Loop Ice Carnival--Jan 16

Celebrate winter in the Loop with the Loop Ice Carnival! Check out the live ice carving demonstrations, 5K and 10K Frozen Buns runs, putt putt pub crawl, temporary tattoo scavenger hunt, a giant slide and ice slides, s’mores roast (my personal favorite--I'm a sucker for s'mores!), fire performers, live artists, performance groups and more.

Plus, don't miss out on the FREE money--collect ice cubes from stores throughout the Loop. One thousand ice cubes will have a $1 coin inside! And of course, unless you go shopping, everything is free!

COCA Pre-Ballet--Dec 6

Kids ages 3-6 will explore classical ballet through this fun and free introduction at COCA. Tutus are welcome!

The workshop will be held from 3-4pm.

For more information or to register, email freeat3@cocastl.org. For registration, include the names, addresses and birth dates of those attending.

Way of Lights--Nov 20

The Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine is one tradition that my family does every year. The kids love to see all of the lights and it presents a beautiful telling of the Christmas story. There are also lots of fun activities to do inside and out!

Drive through 1 1/2 miles of breathtaking displays of over one million lights which focuses on the birth of Christ, the one true light of the world. Through sparkling lights, electro-art sculptures and creative displays, the Shrine celebrates the birth of our Savior. There's a free petting zoo and choir performances many nights. In addition you can tour the Christmas tree room where there are many beautifully decorated Christmas trees with a theme of "Christmas through the years." There's also an interactive children's village where kids can make ornaments and watch puppet shows!

The Way of Lights is open from 5-10pm starting November 20 and ending January 3, 2010.

COCA Beginner Rhythm Tap Jam--Nov 15

Kids ages 6-12 will explore basic tap steps, vocabulary, tempo, and musicality. Students will learn the fundamentals of rhythm through imaginative rhythm games and patterns. Tap shoes provided (pending shoe size) by COCA.

The workshop will be held from 3-4pm.

For more information or to register, email freeat3@cocastl.org. For registration, include the names, addresses and birth dates of those attending.

Boo at the Zoo Spooky Saturday--Oct 24

St. John's Mercy Children's Hospital invites you to Boo at the Zoo Spooky Saturday!

Mummies and daddies are invited to bring their little ghouls and goblins to the St Louis Zoo for safe and free trick-or-treating (9am-1pm), entertainment (9am-3pm), and games and crafts (noon-4pm). You'll be able to sing and dance and enjoy special Halloween-themed goodies while you make crafts, play games, and meet costumed characters. Children are encouraged to wear costumes and participate in the costume parade at 4pm!

Note: Boo at the Zoo nights have a charge associated with them; Boo at the Zoo Spooky Saturday is FREE!