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Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers

Places to go: May 7 and 8

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It’s Mother’s Day weekend! Okay, so I had to make my own Mother’s Day lunch reservation and send my husband a link to a gift I had my eye on… but I will take whatever bit of relaxation I can get over the weekend, even if it was self-initiated. Here are some family friendly places and events to experience May 7 and 8:

1. Art Fair at Laumeier is a fun family event where you can view a wide variety of art for sale and talk with the artists. While you are at  the fair, enjoy the live music, children’s activities, concessions (lines can be long), and of course the sculptures throughout Laumeier Sculpture Park. Head into the Eastern Woodland area for a quiet break from the Art Fair mania. Parking can be tough and far away from the entrance, so consider being dropped off with the kids (and have your loving husband go park) or bring your stroller/baby sling. $8 for adults, $5 children ages 6-11, and children under age of 6 are free. May 6, 7, and 8. Read more about enjoying the Laumeier Sculpture Park with kids in my St. Louis Sprout & About article.

2. St. Louis Storytelling Festival. On Saturday, May 7, the annual festival presents many free, family storytelling events throughout the day. No reservations required. By the St. Louis Arch.

3. Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Cherokee Street. Saturday, May 7, 11 am to 9:30 pm. Floats, minstrels, puppets, Elvis impersonators, drag queens, Mexican wrestlers, robot makers, live music, art demonstrations, mask making, and more, are sure to generate some wide eyed kids. Go celebrate the vibrancy of Cherokee Street and the neighborhood’s Mexican heritage.

4. Citygarden. Free and open daily from sunrise to 10 pm, Citygarden is a beautiful spot to interact with outdoor art (touching is okay), play with water on a warm day, climb stairs, skip, hop, and run. Bring snacks or lunch (the cafe food is just okay and kind of overpriced for what you get).

5. Grant’s Farm is open for the season! The park is open this Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 9:30 am to 4 pm. Enjoy a fun tram ride while viewing the animals, see giant turtles, watch the elephants, ride the carousel, feed the crazy baby goats, and sample a beer. Also don’t miss the famous Clydesdales on your way out near the parking lot. $11 for parking and free admission. Fees for feeding the ravenous goats, riding the carousel, and concessions.

Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers

Grant’s Farm

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We made our first trip to Grant’s Farm with our three year old and had a great time. Although the park is “free,” note parking is $11 per car, goat bottle feeding is $1 per bottle, and the carousel is $2 per ride. Oh and food is kind of priced like airport concessions so be prepared to spend about $9 for a sandwich, fries, and drink. You’re not supposed to bring outside drink or food into the park either.

The required tram ride through the farm and to the main zoo/play area takes about 15-20 minutes. If you have squirmy kids who don’t like being on trains at other zoos or malls, I’m not sure that Grant’s Farm is a good option. Once you get on the tram, you can’t get off, and I’ve heard from other parents that their train phobic kids really hated the tram ride.

Feeding the baby goats is fun and different if you haven’t grown up on a farm! If you have little ones under the age of 5, I would recommend feeding the goats through the fence since the animals can get quite aggressive about feeding. I noticed that only bigger kids were in the pen with milk bottles and they were surrounded by 8 or 9 hungry goats.

The carousel ride is cute although short. Just be sure to remind your child of how many times you can ride it before it starts.

Grant’s Farm has some incredible turtles, camels, and birds. The elephants were pretty interesting as well.

The main cafeteria area had a huge line when we got there–around noon. Plan ahead if you know you’ll have hungry kids. I would recommend sending someone ahead to get in line and place your order. There is only one cash register but lots of food prep guys. We waited in line (with a hungry and whiny child) for about 20 minutes.

Surprisingly, the restrooms were pretty clean and no waiting.

On your way out, be sure to visit the Clydesdale horses. They are enormous.