Things for Kids to Do in St. Louis, Missouri

Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum

• The Magic House is an interactive children̵7;s museum located in a restored Victorian mansion. It has attracted more than 10 million visitors in its 30-year history. It includes the Children̵7;s Village, Star-Spangled Center, Jack and the Beanstalk climbing area, baby exploration area, Lewis and Clark adventure room, Bubble Room, Mystery Zone, outdoor play area, and the Kids Construction Zone. Admission is $8.75 for ages one and above, as of 2011.

Saint Louis Zoo

• The Saint Louis Zoo is a vast park that includes a Children̵7;s Zoo where children can observe and touch a variety of small animals and slide down an enclosed acrylic shoot in a sea otter pool. Children can also walk through the 10-acre River̵7;s Edge where they observe elephants, hippos, rhinos and many other animals in naturalistic habitats. In 2011, admission is free except for some attractions.

The Griot Museum of Black History and Culture

• The mission and purpose of this museum is to be the ̶0;keeper of the stories, culture, and history of Black people̶1; in the Midwest. In its wax museum, children are introduced to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Josephine Baker, Dred and Harriet Scott, Miles Davis and many others. Children can also visit an authentic slave cabin, board a reconstructed slave ship, solve puzzles and watch documentary videos. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $3.75 for children, as of February 2011.

Saint Louis Science Center

• Children visiting the Saint Louis Science Center can view IMAX movies like ̶0;Legends of Flight̶1; at the Omnimax Theater; visit interactive exhibits for 3- to 7-year-olds in the Discovery Room; see animated, life-sized Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex in one of the Science Center galleries; explore exhibits about space travel and watch the Space Show in the planetarium; or visit temporary special exhibits such as ̶0;Grossology.̶1; Admission in 2011 is free except for fees to some shows and exhibits.

A Missouri Adventure Children̵7;s Garden

• The Missouri Botanical Garden̵7;s 2-acre ̶0;A Missouri Adventure̶1; Children̵7;s Garden includes seven theme stations and 21 activities, such as exploring a limestone cave, climbing through the canopy to a tree house, exploring garden-to-grocery processes such as making preserves or bread dough, learning about honeybees and pollination, or learning about native plants in the Osage camp. It is open daily, April through October, from 9 to 5. Admission is free for adults and $5 for non-member children, as of 2011.

Gateway Arch Riverboats and Bike Rentals

• Take your child on a Mississippi Riverboat ride on a 19th-century replica steamboat. Sunday brunch cruises are available March through November, and one-hour sightseeing cruises depart June through August. All cruises depart from the Gateway Arch Riverfront and costs vary. You can also rent a four-wheeled quadcycle in two sizes that seats up to six people. As of 2011, prices range from $20 to $25 per hour.