Tag Archives: Halloween

Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers, Holidays

Five must see October events

There is an abundance of family friendly arts, culture, and Fall fun going on in St. Louis this month. Here are five events you won’t want to miss.

1. 20th Anniversary Celebration of Powder Valley Nature Center, Saturday, October 22, 10 am to 3 pm. FREE. Visitors can enjoy a photo scavenger hunt, a discovery table with live reptiles and amphibians, crafts for kids, live music, and more.

2. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and pianist Olga Kern perform Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, Friday, October 21 at 10:30 am and Sunday, October 23 at 3 pm. This concert is a better fit for a musically engaged child 10 years old and up, but if you have a particularly focused kid or a prodigy of sorts, a 7 to 9 year old would most likely be fine. $25 to $110. This concert also features Elgar’s sublime Enigma Variations. Note: there is an additional concert on Saturday, October 22 at 8 pm but it is more expensive and later at night of course.

3. St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performs Nathaniel Stookey and Lemony Snicket’s The Composer is Dead, Sunday, October 30 at 3 pm. Kids tickets start at $7! A great Halloween event and wonderful opportunity for children who are beginning to learn about the sounds and textures of the orchestra. Watch a YouTube video about the production.

4. The Missouri Botanical Garden, Children’s Garden, is open through October 31 and then closed for the season. Climbing, pretend play galore, tree houses, a slide, ropes, caves, musical instruments, sand, no automatic flush bathrooms, and more! FREE to $5.

5. Halloween Free Family Day at CAM (Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis), Saturday October 29, 1 to 4 pm. FREE. Enjoy the museum’s exhibitions, art projects, face painting, storytelling, and more. Children are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costume.

Photo: Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers, Holidays

Halloween events at the St. Louis Carousel

Looking for some Halloween fun for your preschooler? The St. Louis Carousel at Faust Park presents two great family friendly activities this month. Also, be sure to enjoy the nearby playground at Faust Park or the Butterfly House during your visit. Pack a picnic lunch!

Tuesday, October 25 and Wednesday, October 26  |  10:30 am
Preschool Pumpkins for Ages 3 to 5
$10 per child (Parents stay to assist child with project)
Dress in your Halloween costume (optional), play a pumpkin game, decorate a small pumpkin to take home, and ride the carousel. Registration required, 314.615.8383.

Thursday, October 27, 9:30 to 10 am (doors open at 9:15 am)
Halloween Potpourri featuring Tom Bonham of Puppet Productions
Tickets $5 per person in advance or $6 per person day of show.
Ticket includes a carousel ride after the performance.
Call 314.615.8383 for reservations.

Tom Bonham’s popular “Puppet Potpourri” has been modified into “Halloween Potpourri” with puppets suggesting (non-scary!) Halloween themes. The song and dance show features a scarecrow, the bouncing teddy bear, clowns stacking Halloween treat bags, dancing skeleton feet, slinky bouncing bugs, wispy dancing ghosts, the come-apart skeleton, and Zsa Zsu the witch.

Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers

Halloween family fun in St. Louis

Leave a comment

Being somewhat new to St. Louis, I am amazed at how many Halloween events there are in the region. If you have a child under the age of five, there are many not so scary fun opportunities to choose from. Here are a few highlights:

The Magic House’s 10th Annual Not-So-Haunted House. October 22-24 and October 29-31. Kids are invited to dress up and enjoy trick or treating throughout the museum. Special visits from 15 storybook characters from Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and The Wizard of Oz will make the event a festive one. Cost: Free with regular admission ($8.75 ages 1 and above. A membership is well worth it if you come often.)

Boo at the Zoo Spooky Saturday. October 30, 9 am to 4 pm. FREE, no reservations needed. Costumes are welcomed. Trick or treating along the Pumpkin Trail, costumed characters, clowns, and entertainment.

Botanical Garden: Ghouls in the Garden. Sunday, October 24 , 1 to 4 pm. Advance reservations required by October 21. Trick or treaters enjoy treats throughout the Garden and visit the Children’s Garden. $5 non-member children (ages 3 to 12); adults included with Garden admission. Garden members are free.

Missouri History Museum Storytelling (ages 2 to 7). Friday, October 29 at 10:30 am and October 30 at 1 pm. FREE. Kids can wear their costumes and listen to not-so-scary Halloween stories.

The Butterfly House “Bootterflies” Halloween Party (ages 3 to 10). Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24, 11 am to 2 pm. Non-spooky Halloween family fun, featuring bug inspired games and crafts. Kids receive game prizes and a goody bag. Admission FREE to $6.

Eckert’s Costume Carnival (Millstadt Farm location). Sunday, October 31. Any child, 12 years old or younger who comes in costume, receives FREE admission to the entertainment farm. More about all the Fall fun events available at the Millstadt Farm throughout October.