Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the St. Louis Area
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This page is where we showcase the 2024 list of winners for the St. Louis area. (Click here for the full list of nominees.)
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Browse through KidsOutAndAbout.com and discover lots more to do, and don't forget to check out our Everything That's Free page! If you are not already on our weekly mailing list for our free e-newsletter, please sign up by clicking here.
2024's Top 20 ranking + category winners! Scroll down for more about each venue, with links!
| 1. Saint Louis Zoo 2. The Magic House 3. City Museum 4. Purina Farms Expand 5. Saint Louis Science Center 6. Missouri Botanical Garden 7. Grant's Farm 8. Forest Park 9. Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary 10. Endangered Wolf Center 11. St. Louis Cardinals 12. World Bird Sanctuary 13. My local library 14. Kokomo Joe's Family Fun Center - St. Peter's 15. The National Museum of Transportation 16. RYZE Adventure Park 17. Six Flags St. Louis 18. Laumeier Sculpture Park 19. Eckert's Country Store and Farms 20. Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House |
Arts Education: Crescendo Youth Choirs Sports Education: Vetta Sports STEM Education: Saint Louis Science Center |
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1. Saint Louis Zoo
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 is the most-visited attraction in the region. The Saint Louis Zoo brings together more than 16,000, representing nearly 500 species. 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.
2. The Magic House
Where learning and fun come to play! The Magic House is one of the top Children’s Museum’s in the country, inspiring children to discover the world through play as they explore hundreds of exciting interactive exhibits.
3. City Museum
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.
4. Purina Farms
Purina Farms is a family-friendly attraction where pet-lovers go to play, learn, and compete. Experience up close encounters with farm animals, meet adoptable cats and dogs, catch a wagon ride property tour, and witness canine athletes perform at the Incredible Dog Show, just 30-minutes west of St. Louis. The Visitor Center and animal exhibits are open from Mid-April to October 31 (admission is FREE!) with a variety of dog-friendly special events throughout the year (additional fees may apply). Schedule a field trip, celebrate a Birthday Paw-ty, and more! Just up the hill from the Visitor Center is the indoor Purina Event Center that hosts some of the most prestigious dog and cat shows in the country. See what’s happening today!
5. Saint Louis Science Center
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.
Cardinals Nation
6. Missouri Botanical Garden
Families with kids of all ages will enjoy visiting the Missouri Botanical Garden, a 79-acre oasis in the city of St. Louis. Vibrant display gardens, sculptures, fountains, educational opportunities, and much more await you! Plan your visit at mobot.org.
7. Grant's Farm
The Busch Family Home since 1903, Grant’s Farm is an iconic St. Louis destination where guests of all ages are invited to have hands-on interactions with nature, animals, and history. Open daily with FREE admission, the 281-acre property is home to over 100 species of animals, including the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales! Experience beloved traditions including goat feeding and free Anheuser-Busch beverage samples for guests ages 21+, and enjoy new seasonal events like Summer Nights. Come make new memories with family and friends at Grant’s Farm!
8. Forest Park
Forest Park, which is owned and operated by the City of St. Louis, is considered one of the nation’s greatest urban public parks. The Park’s 1,300 acres feature beautiful landscapes sprinkled with forests, ecosystems, nature reserves, lakes and streams, as well as five of the region’s major cultural institutions and endless opportunities for recreation.
9. Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary
Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary is a Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) Verified 501(c)3 non profit big cat rescue and educational facility that provides permanent lifelong care for abused, neglected or unwanted big cats. As a true sanctuary, we do not buy, sell, breed or trade any of our animals; we believe they deserve to live the rest of their lives in a healthy and caring environment. With your support our goal is to provide our animals with exceptional physical and mental care as well as educating the public about the growing captive wildlife crisis. We offer many types of tours for all ages and on-site lodging, so please come and learn all about our rescued big cats.
10. Endangered Wolf Center
The Endangered Wolf Center (EWC) preserves and protects some of the most threatened species of wolves in the world and a big part of our mission is education. From Scout Programs to Summer Camps, birthday parties to graduation celebrations, we're inspiring the next generation of conservationists. On tours, visitors can see up to eight species of canids that live at the EWC: Mexican wolves, red wolves, maned wolves, African painted dogs, swift foxes, fennec foxes, an Arctic fox, and a red fox.
11. St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. One of the most successful franchises in MLB history, St. Louis owns 11 World Series championships, 19 National League pennants, and 12 division titles.
Check out the Cardinals Kids Club - the official club for the next generation of Cardinals fans!
12. World Bird Sanctuary
World Bird Sanctuary is located on 305 acres in Valley Park Missouri. Started in 1977, World Bird Sanctuary continues its mission to protect and preserve birds and their habitats through conservation, rehabilitation, and education. We provide education programs, guest experiences, over 40 birds on public display, a playground, gift shop and picnic areas. Our rehabilitation hospital treats over 600 birds of prey a year, and our conservation efforts continue in breeding programs for critically endangered species from around the world.
13. My local library
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.
14. Kokomo Joe's Family Fun Center - St. Peter's
Kokomo Joe's is the ultimate Family Fun Center for both kids and adults. Enjoy time with your family and friends in our clean, welcoming and fun atmosphere. Offering Go Karts, Laser Tag, Escape Rooms, Trampoline Park, Bumper Cars, Bounce Beach, 100+ Arcades, Restaurant & Bar. Private Rooms and Meeting Space available. Open daily. All indoors.
15. The National Museum of Transportation
Trains, planes, and automobiles, indeed. More than seventy real locomotives are housed on the 150 acres of the Museum of Transportation; they're joined by planes, vintage cars, trolleys, and a river boat perched on dry land.
16. RYZE Adventure Park
RYZE Adventure Park is the ultimate urban adventure for all ages! Climb, leap, hang, soar, and traverse bridges, ziplines, ropes, a free fall, and more! We also have an 18-hole, naturally landscaped mini-golf course and yard games like cornhole and more!
17. Six Flags St. Louis
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.
18. Laumeier Sculpture Park
Laumeier Sculpture Park is one of the first and largest sculpture parks in the country. The 105-acre park, located in the heart of St. Louis County, is home to more than 70 large-scale outdoor sculptures interwoven among woodland trails and grassy fields, enticing visitors with an immersive blend of art and nature. The park is free to visit and open daily from 7 am until 30 minutes past sunset. Laumeier serves 350,000 visitors annually through temporary exhibitions, classes and workshops, summer art camps and teen art programs, public events, and sculpture conservation.
19. Eckert's Country Store and Farms
Eckert’s Country Store & Farms is the largest family-owned and operated pick-your-own orchard in the United States. Established as a farm and simple roadside stand, the Eckert family now owns and operates farming, entertainment and retail entities in Belleville, Grafton and Millstadt in southwestern Illinois. For a century, Eckert’s has served the bi-state region as a local source for agricultural products including pick-your-own strawberries, blackberries, peaches, apples, pumpkins and Christmas trees during the growing season. Today, 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.
20. Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House
The 8,000 square foot Conservatory is home to more than a 1500 tropical butterflies. These mesmerizing creatures fly freely along a breathtaking tropical canopy, in the glass Conservatory. Fully enclosed and climate controlled, guests can escape to the tropics year round! As the first stand-alone insectarium to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Butterfly House is also home to a vast animal collection of invertebrates, including insects and spiders.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in seven categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: Crescendo Youth Choirs
Crescendo Youth Choirs is an internationally-recognized, award-winning children’s performance choir. The purpose of Crescendo is to meet a need in the Greater St. Louis community for select ensembles in which talented youth can train and perform in a multi-age setting.
Top Sports Educator: Vetta Sports
Kids can get their kicks at Vetta Sports, featuring indoor soccer, the Kickaroos starts at age 18 months - 6 years, we also offer Instructional Soccer Leagues for PreK - High School, Summer Camps, Spring Camps, Birthday Parties, Youth Soccer Leagues, High School Soccer Leagues, Adult Soccer Leagues, and more. Eight convenient locations throughout the area.
Top STEM Educator: Saint Louis Science Center
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.
