St. Louis could be called kid capital of the United States. Kids can learn and play at a cornucopia of standard and more unusual attractions. St. Louis boasts a museum dedicated to children, the Magic House, that's rated as the top attraction for kids in the United States by Zagat’s U.S. Family Travel Guide. Six Flag’s SkyScreamer will satisfy your biggest thrill-seeker. Parenting Magazine names the St. Louis Zoo as the best in the nation. As an added bonus, many of St. Louis' kid-friendly activities are free for children including the St. Louis Science Center, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Purina Farms, City Museum, Butterfly House and Grants Farm.
More than 10 million kids and adults have visited The Magic House since its creation in 1979 in a historic Victorian mansion in the center of St. Louis. Kid favorites include touching an electrically-charged ball to make your hair stand on end, creating a three-dimensional impression of yourself on a giant wall or experimenting with water in a special play area. Open year-round, the interactive museum offers summer camps, special events, Fitness Fridays, slumber parties and hosts themed birthday parties.
Celebrating its centennial in 2010, the St. Louis Zoo is the place to be entertained and to learn. In addition to seeing all the expected zoo animals, you can go for a special behind-the-scenes tour to see what it’s like to be a zookeeper, watch the sea lion show and witness animal feedings. The playground has a clear slide that crosses through the river otter exhibit giving you a close-up view. The zoo's 90-plus penguins are a hit with kids as well. The zoo's hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is free, except for fees for some attractions such as the children’s zoo, railroad, sea lion show and 3-D movie.
Six Flags St. Louis is a kid's paradise with rides and attractions for all ages. The amusement park boasts the SkyScreamer which takes you up high over the park with your feet dangling and hair blowing as you spin in a 98-foot-circle at speeds over 43 miles per hour. The ride is 236 feet above the ground and is the tallest ride in the park. Young kids enjoy tame thrills like riding the Bugs Bunny train or Daffy Duck swing while more adventurous, older kids tackle Mr. Freeze, Superman Tower of Power or the Screamin' Eagle roller coaster. The amusement park is open from April until October.
Take your kids to hear a story at the Missouri History Museum. Kids 2 to 7 can learn about historic objects and museum exhibits through traditional and contemporary stories. Stories are told in the galleries and kids can also make some crafts relating to what they hear.
Try your hand at fishing at a kids-only fishing lake at the August A. Busch Conservation Area. Kids under 15 can try their luck in a stocked lake and make a start on a lifelong hobby.
The St. Louis Art Museum invites those ages 5 to 10 to kid-centered workshops. Kids tour a gallery and create their own masterpieces in a classroom. You can also tour the art museum on Sunday afternoons as part of a special family tour and participate in art activities.
