The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum

The Magic House is one of the Midwest's premier children's museums, offering three floors of interactive exhibits designed to spark curiosity and creativity. With everything from a miniature village where kids can role-play adult jobs to science experiments and art studios, this award-winning museum provides hours of hands-on learning disguised as pure fun.

• ✓The three-story oval slide that kids beg to ride repeatedly
• ✓Children's Village with kid-sized bank, grocery store, and veterinary clinic for imaginative play
• ✓The Van de Graaff generator that makes hair stand on end with static electricity
• ✓Water Works area where kids engineer solutions with pumps, channels, and waterwheels
• ✓Art Studio offering rotating hands-on craft projects kids can take home

1. 1.Arrive right when doors open on Saturday (9:30 AM) to beat the crowds and enjoy popular exhibits like the three-story slide with shorter wait times
2. 2.Purchase tickets online in advance as the museum limits capacity and often sells out on weekends and school holidays
3. 3.Pack a lunch to enjoy in their designated eating areas, as outside food is allowed and helps break up the visit for younger children
4. 4.Don't miss the outdoor Village area (weather permitting) which includes a working garden and treehouse that many visitors overlook
5. 5.Plan for at least one outfit change for toddlers,the water play areas are irresistible and kids will get wet

Weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM) offer the least crowded experience. Avoid weekends, school breaks, and rainy days when the museum is packed. Summer weekday mornings are ideal for exploring both indoor exhibits and the outdoor Village without the chaos.

Admission is approximately $13-15 per person (children under 1 are free), and memberships pay for themselves after 2-3 visits. Free parking is available on-site. The museum is fully accessible, has nursing rooms, and allows outside food in designated areas.

The museum is closed Mondays year-round and major holidays. Special events include Halloween celebrations in October, Toddler Thursdays with age-specific programming, and holiday-themed activities in December. The outdoor Village area is seasonal and best enjoyed April through October.

Head to Kirkwood Station (5 minutes away) for family-friendly options like Pi Pizzeria with excellent thin-crust pizza and a casual atmosphere, or Trainwreck Saloon which has a surprisingly good kids menu despite the bar name. For a quick bite, Panera Bread is right across the street on Kirkwood Road.