2019 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the St. Louis Area

Enjoying an adventure every time you visit. Knowing a discovery will be made around each corner. One of the few free zoos in the nation, the Saint Louis Zoo brings together more than 17,000 wild animals and 3 million visitors each year. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Saint Louis Zoo is part of an elite group of institutions that meet the highest standards in animal care as well as provide fun, safe and educational family experiences.

Explore a unique setting of nature, animals & history in an up-close environment! See the home of Ulysses S Grant and tour the 281 acre wildlife preserve including 900+ animals, representing 100+ species, featuring the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales.  

At Big Joel's Safari Petting Zoo and Educational Park you can see over 60 different animal species, both big and small. We are a family-owned farm and attraction, open to the public from April though October.  

Housed in the 600,000 square-foot former International Shoe Company, the museum is an eclectic mixture of children’s playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel made out of unique, found objects.

Critter Lane is a 10-acre, self-guided, walk-through petting zoo with hundreds of exotic animals from all over the world. It is the perfect opportunity to get close to our critter friends and interact with them. We try to make it the most hands on experience we can while making it safe for our critters as well as our guests.

The Magic House will engage all children in hands-on learning experiences that encourage experimentation, creativity and the development of problem solving skills within a place of beauty, wonder, joy and magic.    

Of course, the libraries in the St. Louis area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them to the list of best places to take kids this year!

Six Flags St. Louis and Hurricane Harbor water park combine two great parks in one great place for the perfect family getaway. Six Flags St. Louis is the Coaster Capital of Missouri with nine heart-pounding roller coasters. Live shows daily and concerts over the summer.

EPIC 6 is your go-to sports & recreation arena, offering laser tag, rock climbing, dodgeball, obstacle course, basketball/multi-purpose court, arcade room & more! Avail for birthday parties, church/school groups, lock-ins, corporate events and more.

We are the only indoor sensory gym and we are a gym for ALL kids!

The Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the US, serving 1.2 million visitors annually. The complex includes a 4-story OMNIMAX Theater, the air-supported EXPLORADOME and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium.

Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary is a 501c3 nonprofit big cat rescue. We provide homes for abused and neglected big cats rescued around Missouri. Crown Ridge offers many types of tours for all ages to see the cats and learn about tiger conservation.

Build self-confidence and prepare to reach higher than you ever imagined. Classes are designed and led by American Ninja Warriors who train to conquer the same obstacles seen on the NBC hit, American Ninja Warrior.

We offer seven feature attractions (including the best laser tag in St. Louis), the full service “Fusion Cafe,” and a top-of-the-line arcade. Each of our signature attractions (laser tag, mini-golf, dodgeball, rock wall, play structure, sport court, and obstacle course) encourage participants to be physically active.

Eckert’s Country Store & Farms is the largest family-owned and operated pick-your-own orchard in the United States. Eckert’s offers an experience that extends beyond pick-your-own produce to include the Eckert’s Country Store & Garden Center, and the newly expanded Restaurant. Eckert’s offers specialty foods, meats, wine and cheese selections, as well as a range of classes, including cooking and wine classes for adults, and special children’s activities for families to enjoy throughout the year.

Enjoying an adventure every time you visit. Knowing a discovery will be made around each corner. One of the few free zoos in the nation, the Saint Louis Zoo brings together more than 17,000 wild animals and 3 million visitors each year. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Saint Louis Zoo is part of an elite group of institutions that meet the highest standards in animal care as well as provide fun, safe and educational family experiences.

Housed in the 600,000 square-foot former International Shoe Company, the museum is an eclectic mixture of children’s playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel made out of unique, found objects.

Eckert’s Country Store & Farms is the largest family-owned and operated pick-your-own orchard in the United States. Eckert’s offers an experience that extends beyond pick-your-own produce to include the Eckert’s Country Store & Garden Center, and the newly expanded Restaurant. Eckert’s offers specialty foods, meats, wine and cheese selections, as well as a range of classes, including cooking and wine classes for adults, and special children’s activities for families to enjoy throughout the year.

COCA is the fourth largest multidisciplinary community arts center in the country and a national leader in innovative arts education. With a mission to enrich lives and build community through the arts, COCA serves 50,000 people of all ages and skill levels, from enthusiastic amateurs to emerging professionals—all taught by a faculty of distinguished arts educators. We provide meaningful arts experiences in our own studios, gallery and theatres as well as in schools, community centers and corporate settings in order to build a vibrant St. Louis that is creative, connected and inclusive.