What are the best things to do with kids in St. Louis, MO?

Some of the top-rated family activities in St. Louis, MO include LD’s Coffee Shop, Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church (USA), Racquet Club Ladue, Upper Limits Rock Climbing Gym - Maryland Heights, Saint Louis Zoo. We have 185 curated activities with ratings, age recommendations, and parent tips.

What are free things to do with kids in St. Louis, MO?

There are 81 free things to do with kids in St. Louis, MO, including Saint Louis Zoo, Forest Park, Saint Louis Art Museum, Grant's Farm, Missouri History Museum, and more.

What are indoor activities for kids in St. Louis, MO?

St. Louis, MO offers a variety of indoor activities for kids including museums, indoor play areas, and entertainment centers. Browse our full guide for details.

Family Activities Guide

Things To Do With Kids in St. Louis, MO

Discover 185 family-friendly activities, venues, and restaurants in St. Louis.

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Upper Limits Rock Climbing Gym - Maryland Heights gym in Creve Coeur, MO

⚽ Sports

Photo: Upper Limits Rock Climbing Gym - Maryland Heights

Upper Limits Rock Climbing Gym - Maryland Heights

★4.9(692)$$13 mi · Creve Coeur

Upper Limits Rock Climbing Gym in Maryland Heights offers an exciting introduction to rock climbing for families, with walls designed for everyone from first-time climbers to experienced kids. With an impressive 4.9-star rating from nearly 700 reviews, this facility stands out for its welcoming atmosphere, professional instruction, and variety of climbing challenges that build confidence and physical skills in a safe, supervised environment.

🕑 2-3 hours for a typical family visit, though beginners may want to start with 90 minutes to avoid fatigue

🦁 Zoo

Photo: Frecky Lewis

Saint Louis Zoo

★4.8(39,181)Free

The Saint Louis Zoo is an absolute gem for families,a world-class, FREE zoo spanning 90 acres in beautiful Forest Park with over 14,000 animals representing 600+ species. With its exceptional Children's Zoo, engaging animal encounters, interactive exhibits, and family-friendly amenities, this consistently top-rated attraction offers incredible value and unforgettable experiences for kids of all ages.

🕑 4-6 hours for a full visit, or 2-3 hours if focusing on highlights with young children

🌳 Park

Photo: Damian Murray

Forest Park

★4.8(34,096)Free

Forest Park is an absolute treasure for St. Louis families, spanning 1,300 acres of green space that's been voted the best city park in America. With five world-class museums, multiple playgrounds, trails for biking and walking, seasonal ice skating, and wide-open spaces for picnics and play, you could spend weeks here and still discover something new each visit.

🕑 3-8 hours depending on activities,plan 2-3 hours for a playground visit and outdoor exploring, or a full day if visiting museums and attractions

Missouri Botanical Garden botanical garden in St. Louis, MO

🌿 Nature

Photo: Miriam Simonsen

Missouri Botanical Garden

★4.8(17,537)$$

The Missouri Botanical Garden offers 79 acres of stunning natural beauty with a dedicated Children's Garden that's an adventure playground meets nature wonderland. Kids can explore mysterious caves, cool off in the splash pad, climb into a treehouse village, and pretend to captain a steamboat,all while parents enjoy one of the nation's oldest and most beautiful botanical gardens.

🕑 3-4 hours for a full experience, or 2 hours if focusing mainly on the Children's Garden

🎨 Museum

Photo: Cathy Griggs

Saint Louis Art Museum

★4.8(8,892)Free

The Saint Louis Art Museum offers a perfect introduction to world-class art for children of all ages,and it's completely free! Located in beautiful Forest Park, this impressive museum features special family programs, interactive galleries, and a diverse collection that spans ancient Egyptian artifacts to modern masterpieces, keeping kids engaged and curious.

🕑 1.5-2.5 hours

🌳 Park

Photo: Scott Perdue

Castlewood State Park

★4.8(3,686)Free20 mi · Ballwin

Castlewood State Park offers families over 1,800 acres of natural beauty along the Meramec River, featuring scenic hiking trails that wind through wooded bluffs with breathtaking overlooks. With well-maintained paths ranging from easy to moderate difficulty, picnic areas with river views, and opportunities to spot wildlife, this park provides the perfect setting for an outdoor family adventure just minutes from St. Louis.

🕑 3-4 hours for a moderate hike and picnic; plan for 2 hours if doing shorter trails only

Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House zoo in St. Louis, MO

🌿 Nature

Photo: Jin Zou (阿瑾)

Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House

★4.8(3,019)$

The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House offers a magical experience where over 1,500 colorful butterflies fly freely in a lush tropical conservatory. Beyond the mesmerizing butterfly encounters, kids can explore interactive climbable art sculptures and learn about metamorphosis through hands-on exhibits, making it an educational yet enchanting adventure.

🕑 1.5-2.5 hours

🎭 Theater

Photo: Municipal Theatre Association

The Muny

★4.8(2,779)$$

The Muny brings Broadway magic under the stars at America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theater, nestled in the heart of Forest Park. With an incredible tradition of offering 1,500 free seats for every single performance, families can experience world-class productions featuring beloved shows like The Lion King, Mary Poppins, and other kid-friendly musicals in a spectacular outdoor setting that makes theater accessible and unforgettable.

🕑 2.5-3 hours including intermission

🌳 Park

Photo: Jim Shelvy

Kirkwood Park

★4.8(1,428)Free13 mi · Kirkwood

Kirkwood Park is a sprawling community gem that delivers everything families need for a perfect outdoor day. With multiple well-maintained playgrounds, extensive walking trails, wide-open grassy areas for running and playing, and plenty of shaded picnic spots, this highly-rated park offers hours of entertainment for kids of all ages without costing a penny.

🕑 2-4 hours

🌳 Park

Photo: Ersa Arifi

Faust Park

★4.8(1,423)Free19 mi · Chesterfield

Faust Park is a beloved 200-acre destination in Chesterfield that combines outdoor fun with a touch of history. Families can ride an authentic 1920s carousel, explore the elegant Thornhill mansion, roam scenic walking trails, and enjoy sprawling picnic areas,making it perfect for both active adventures and leisurely afternoons.

🕑 3-4 hours

🌳 Park

Photo: Frecky Lewis

Central Park Chesterfield

★4.8(1,160)Free21 mi · Chesterfield

Central Park Chesterfield is a sprawling 100-acre playground paradise that keeps families entertained for hours. With multiple age-appropriate playgrounds, a refreshing splash pad for hot summer days, and miles of paved trails perfect for strollers and bikes, this award-winning park offers something for every family member throughout the year.

🕑 3-4 hours

🧗 Adventure

Photo: Ryze Adventure Park - St Louis Ropes Course, Zipline, & Mini Golf

Ryze Adventure Park - St Louis Ropes Course, Zipline, & Mini Golf

★4.8(987)$$

Ryze Adventure Park is an indoor adventure playground that keeps kids active rain or shine with multi-level ropes courses, exhilarating zip lines, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, and challenging climbing walls. With its impressive 4.8-star rating from nearly 1,000 families, this Maryland Heights facility offers tiered difficulty levels so everyone from cautious first-timers to fearless climbers can find their perfect challenge.

🕑 2.5-3 hours for most families doing multiple activities, though you could easily spend 4+ hours if kids want to repeat courses or do everything