We share five lesser-known St. Louis attractions, perfect for families with babies and toddlers. From art appreciation to bird rehab, you and your little ones will make memories with these uniquely St. Louis experiences.
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, St. Louis was founded by French fur-traders in 1764 (before the Declaration of Independence was signed). Today, St. Louis is known for toasted ravioli, Anheuser-Busch, the Gateway Arch and butter cake. For families visiting St. Louis with babies and toddlers, there’s no shortage of kid-friendly attractions. The Magic House, Missouri Botanical Garden, and Saint Louis Zoo being three of the most popular.
If you’re looking for something off-the-beaten-path, check out these five experiences for families with babies and toddlers:
For the artsy kids, visit the Center of Creative Arts (COCA).
The Center of Creative Arts, or COCA offers a variety of events and classes that enrich lives and build artistic community in St. Louis. For the littlest visitors, the COCAplay event series offers kids an immersive art-themed play opportunity. COCAplay themes change monthly. The current theme is Magic Trunk—an immersive dramatic play opportunity where your little thespian can use their imagination, explore props and costumes, and read stories that inspire an interest in drama. COCAplay is instructor lead and geared towards kiddos two to six years old.
Cost: Free!
For hot St. Louis days, Tilles Park is the place to go.
Locals agree, the Tilles Park splash pad is the best in the city. With plenty of water spouts to keep the little ones squealing and shaded seating nearby for adults, the spray fountain at Tilles is the perfect place to spend an hour (or two) burning off some energy. We find splash pads to be especially fun after a long day of travel. Tilles Park also offers two playgrounds, walking trails and a fishing pond. Pack a lunch and have a picnic in the grass.
Cost: Free!
For cold and rainy St. Louis days, head to We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym.
This unique indoor gym provides a welcoming space for kiddos to explore sensory experiences. Designed with kids on the autism spectrum in mind, We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym is an inclusive place where kids can just be themselves. The St. Louis favorite features a zip line, trampolines, monkey bars, rope walls and swings. Admission gets you access to the gym for the entire day, so you can leave for lunch or a nap and come back later. If your little one gets overstimulated, you can head to the quiet room for a break.
Cost: First kid $14, Additional sibling(s) $12
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For the animal lover, the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis is a unique experience.
Situated on 300+ acres and home to more than 200 animals, your little ones will get up close to eagles, owls, parrots and bats at the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis. During your visit, you can walk the trails, watch a bird banding demo, catch a show and tour the Nature Center. Pick up a kid’s activity book for $6. Activities include a self guided tour, scavenger hunt, coloring pages and puzzles.
Cost: Free!
For the discerning shopper, you’ll find great things at Honeycomb.
Honeycomb offers a unique shop and play experience. Born from a desire to make quality clothes and toys available to St. Louis families, Honeycomb is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir that will serve as a lasting reminder of your trip to St. Louis. While you shop, kiddos can play in the playspace that includes Wobbel boards. Stop by on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 10 a.m. for story time.
Cost: Free!
After an exciting day exploring these wonderful spots in St. Louis, you might want to take a break from cooking and focus on the joy of your vacation. Luckily, there’s a convenient solution for families who value nutritious and delicious meals but prefer not to dine out with their little ones. Pure Plates STL offers meal prep services in St. Louis that can significantly simplify your culinary needs during your stay. Their chefs prepare a wide array of flavorful, health-focused meals that cater to various dietary preferences. By availing of their services, you can easily pick up your family’s meals for the day and enjoy them in any of these kid-friendly locations mentioned. So whether you’re picnicking in Tilles Park or taking a breather at the We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym, you can savor the taste of locally-sourced, skillfully-prepared meals, turning your family trip into a truly enjoyable and stress-free experience.
Remember that kiddos can easily get tired after days full of attractions and experiences. Rent a stroller or carrier from a St. Louis based BabyQuip Quality Provider to give little feet a break!
Kathy is a freelance writer, an Independent Quality Provider with BabyQuip and the mother of a very active one-year-old boy. When she’s not changing diapers, developing engaging content for clients, or helping families travel with little ones, she enjoys reading, gardening, yoga, and naps.
St. Louis Zoo is a must stop for anyone traveling through. We did have to pay for parking BUT we had a great time. We went for a weekend getaway. Was able to see a Cardinals game one day and the Zoo the next. Wish we would have known about the splash pad when we went in the June heat. :)
St Louis has tons of great activities for families! We used to live there, and really enjoyed all there was to do with our children. Many are FREE and within walking distance from each other!