Ultimate St. Louis Summer Fun List for Families
If you are looking for the best things to do in St. Louis this summer with your kids, you have come to the right place! We have been exploring the St. Louis area with our family for years and every summer I update this list to make sure it reflects the best options out there for families.
From free outdoor adventures and splash pads to unique museums and incredible playgrounds, the St. Louis area has so much to offer all summer long to beat the heat and keep the kids entertained. Scroll through by category to find your next adventure or grab the FREE printable PDF at the bottom to track everything you want to check off this summer.
*Last Updated May 2026
Find a list of clickable links below or scroll to the bottom to download a FREE PDF printable list to track all of your adventures!
Quick Links — Jump to a Section:
- All About Animals
- Perfect Playgrounds
- Magnificent Museums
- Indoor Entertainment & Gyms
- Historical Sites
- Water Parks, Creek & Beaches
- Splash Pad Fun
- Outdoor Fun
- Transportation Fun
- Kid-Friendly Hikes
- Kid Friendly Restaurants
- Take a Tour
- Day Trips
- Free Printable
All About Animals
Aikman Wildlife Adventure – Arcola, IL
Drive through and walk through safaris, wagon rides, special animal encounters
Audubon Center at Riverlands – West Alton, MO (FREE)
Nature center, hiking trails, special animal programs
Big Joel’s Safari – Wright City, MO
Feed and visit a variety of animals, play area
Critter Lane Petting Zoo – Bonne Terre, MO
Pet and feed many types of animals
Endangered Wolf Center – Eureka, MO
Tour and learn about these endangered wolf species (better for older kids)
Grant’s Farm – St. Louis FREE admission, parking fee
Petting zoo, tram ride, carousel
Lone Elk Park – Valley Park, MO (FREE)
Drive through to see elk and bison
Marcoot Jersey Creamery –Greenville, IL (FREE)
Learn about farming and meet the calves
Powder Valley Nature Center – Kirkwood, MO (FREE)
Great nature center with fish and reptiles to see
Purina Farms – Gray Summit, MO (FREE)
CLOSED DUE TO TORNADO DAMAGE
Meet the farm animals, dogs, cats, and watch a dog agility show
Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo –Nashville, IL
Another great petting zoo and chance to feed and visit animals
Sophia Sachs Butterfly House – Chesterfield, MO
View thousands of butterflies in a giant dome
St. Louis Aquarium – St. Louis Union Station
View 13,000 animals across 44 exhibits including sharks, stingrays, otters, jellyfish and more
St. Louis Zoo – St. Louis (FREE), parking fee in lots or park FREE on streets
One of the best zoos in the country with thousands of animals in impressive exhibits
Suson Farm – St. Louis (FREE)
Cute county park with a farm area to view and feed goats, horses, and more
Tied Dyed Iguana Shop – O’Fallon, IL (FREE)
Reptile shop offering classes and camps for kids
Treehouse Wildlife Center – Dow, IL (FREE)
Special wild animal rescue organization with events and tours
Warm Springs Ranch – Boonville, MO
See the home of the baby Busch Clydesdales
Wild Animal Adventures–Staunton, MO
Interactive animal park featuring wolves, white tigers, lions and more
Willoughby Farm – Collinsville, IL (FREE)
Fun on the farm with horses, goats, pigs, play area and trails
World Bird Sanctuary – Valley Park, MO
View over 200 birds in large exhibits or watch a show
Perfect Playgrounds (All are FREE!)
Airplane/Township Park – Edwardsville, IL
Two large playgrounds, bike trail, restrooms, picnic areas
Angie’s Playground/Manion Park – Florissant, MO
Adorable and newer flower themed accessible playground,fenced, restrooms
Arnold City Park – Arnold, MO
New large and inclusive playground coming late May
Brentwood Park – Brentwood, MO
Huge destination playground with multiple giant climb areas, splash pad, shaded seating, amazing!
Boo Memorial Playground– Carbondale, IL
Must see HUGE castle and dungeons & dragons themed playground, picnic area, gardens, fenced, No restrooms
Brendan’s Playground – O’Fallon, MO
Cute inclusive bug themed playground. Fenced with splash pad, restrooms.
Broemmelsiek Park – Defiance, MO
Large nature themed playground with rope bridges, net spinners, rock climbers, restrooms
Bryan Memorial Park – Salem, IL
Newer inclusive playground, fenced, restrooms
Central Park – Chesterfield, MO (New playground opening summer 2025!)
Huge playground with some shade, walking trails, creek, sculptures, restrooms.
City Hall Park – Dardenne Prairie, MO
Large playground with multiple play areas and a splash pad, restrooms
Crestwood Park – Crestwood, MO
Two new and large playgrounds with inclusive and unique features
Creve Coeur Lake Park – Creve Coeur, MO
Several updated playgrounds at this large county park
Dennis and Judith Jones Variety Wonderland in Forest Park – St. Louis, MO
A hidden gem of fun next to the Forest Park Visitor Center and accessible for all abilities
Deer Creek Park– St. Louis
Unique Rocket and spaced themed playground, bike trail, sand pit, restrooms
Des Peres Park– Des Peres, MO
Recently updated with fun climbers and features
Faust Park – Chesterfield, MO
Fun play area near historical village, carousel, restrooms, and Butterfly House.
Forest Park Nature Playscape – St. Louis Forest Park
Newer nature play area near the zoo. Has water, logs, gardens, trails, and more.
Gordon Moore Park – Alton, IL
Newer fenced inclusive playground plus several other playgrounds, walking trails, restrooms, and gardens.
Hannah’s Playground– Breese, IL
Super cute farm themed inclusive playground. Fenced with restrooms adjacent.
Hawk Ridge (Zachary’s Playground)– St. Louis
Inclusive fenced playground with a castle theme, restrooms, and splash pad.
Indian Camp Creek – Foristell, MO
One of the biggest and coolest playground with giant climbing towers and slides, climbing nets, splash pad
Jake’s Field of Dreams – Wentzville, MO
One of the biggest and best playgrounds with a sports theme including a kid-sized Busch Stadium. Fenced with a spray pole and restrooms.
Jaycee Park – St. Charles, MO
Nature themed inclusive and fenced play area with splash play area and restrooms.
Kade’s Playground – Herculaneum, MO
Amazing Pompeii themed playground with volcano slide and large splash pad. Restrooms and fence.
Kennedy’s Playground –St. Peter’s, MO
Fun fireman themed accessible play area
Kinetic Park –Dardenne Prairie, MO
Massive new playground with zipline, and climbers plus a pump track and indoor climbing gym
Longview Farm Park – Town & Country, MO
New and large updated playground with a cute farm theme
McAuley Playground – Cottleville, MO
Cute Irish themed playground that is inclusive and fenced.
Millennium Park – Creve Couer, MO
Newer and huge playground for all ages of kids plus fenced splash pad
Moody (Longacre) Park – Fairview Heights, IL
Partially fenced nature themed play area with restrooms.
O’Day Park – O’Fallon, MO
Unique ninja style play area. Use caution on the splash pad due to sharp concrete blocks.
Oglesby Park – Foristell, MO
Destination playground with multiple play areas including giant net climber, slides and swings for all ages
O’Fallon Park – St. Louis, MO
Not to be confused with the Illinois Parks of similar names, this St. Louis city park has an inclusive playground with a rock ship, plane, and splash pad
O’Fallon Community Park – O’Fallon, IL
New train themed playground with zipline, climbers, swings, and slides
O’Fallon Family Sports Park– O’Fallon, IL
Great playground plus the best splash pad in the whole area.
Ollie’s Fun Forest – St. Peters, MO
New nature themed and accessible playground with fun elements, fenced, restrooms
Queeny Park– St. Louis, MO
New colorful and board game themed playground
Rinderer Park – Highland, IL
Fenced inclusive playground with zipline, restrooms.
Schranz Memorial Park – Swansea, IL
A great castle themed playground plus and a small splash pad and restrooms.
Shaw Park– Clayton, MO
A large nature themed inclusive playground with small splash pad plus a second new play area.
The Heights Playground – Richmond Heights, MO
Fenced and updated fun play area plus a nature play area.
Tilles Park – St. Louis
Large playground and splash fountain.
Towne Park – Foristell, MO
Normal playground plus a huge, shaded nature play area
Vago Park – Maryland Heights, MO
Three great play areas at this park, two for littles with a splash pad, and one bigger one with a zipline
Veterans Memorial Park – Union, MO
Large park with multiple fun playground and large splash pad
Veterans TributePark – Weldon Spring, MO
Unique and spacious playground with a great splash play area.
Village Playground – New Baden, IL
New and inclusive playground at the city park in New Baden
VlasisPark – Ballwin, MO
Cool new and huge playground with inclusive features and a great splash pad
Watson Trail Park – Sunset Hills, MO
Beautiful park with two great playgrounds including a large inclusive play area, restrooms, trails
Wildwood Community Park – Wildwood, MO
One of the best nature themed playgrounds with unique features, a creek, and clean restrooms.
Wonderland Playground–Forest Park, St. Louis
Inclusive playground tucked away next to the Forest Park Visitor Center
Magnificent Museums
City Museum– St. Louis
The craziest and most unique place in town, part museum, and part giant and wacky playground
Economy Museum – St. Louis FREE
Free museum about the economy and money at the Federal Reserve bank
Edwardsville Children’s Museum – Edwardsville, IL
Cute play area with kid-sized village, outdoor play area, train station, and more
Great Rivers Museum – Alton, IL FREE
Learn about the might Mississippi and Missouri River system with interactive exhibits
Illinois State Museum – Springfield, IL
Great free museum with a fun kids area
Kidzeum Museum of Health & Science – Springfield, IL
Great kids museum in Springfield with interactive exhibits
Lewis & Clark Boathouse and Museum – St. Charles, MO
Exhibits about the Lewis & Clark journey including kids area
Lincoln Presidential Museum – Springfield, IL
Amazing museum that tells the story of our 16th President
Magic House Children’s Museum – Kirkwood, MO
St. Louis’s best Children’s Museum with exhibits focused on play and imagination
Magic House Made (Art & STEM satellite location) St. Louis
The second Magic House location with STEAM related activities all about science and art
Missouri History Museum (Kid’s area) – St. Louis FREE
The History Clubhouse is a great kid’s area with a model World’s Fair, riverboat, Cahokia Village and more
Myseum – (Currently closed and possibly relocating, will update)
A great place for learning about science in a fun and interactive way
St. Louis Arch & Museum – St. Louis Museum and grounds are FREE
Large and impressive museum telling the history of St. Louis through the years (fee for taking tram to top)
St. Louis Art Museum – St. Louis FREE
Certain events are geared towards all ages while older kids can appreciate the many galleries
St. Louis Science Center – St. Louis FREE admission, parking charge for lot
Amazing free museum to learn all about Science through engaging exhibits, planetarium shows, and more
Ste. Genevieve Museum Center – Ste. Genevieve, MO
Nice museum with dinosaur displays and the history of the area
Indoor Entertainment & Gyms
Activate Games – St. Louis
Great for older kids and adults with multiple active game options and challenges
Adventures of Intrigue – St. Louis, MO
Open concept, kid-friendly escape room and puzzle game with no time limit
Altitude Trampoline Park – Glen Carbon, IL
Gravity-defying trampolines, air bags, and party packages
Amp Up Action Park – Town & Country, MO
Go-karts, ropes course, laser tag, and more
Back to Play – De Soto, MO
Indoor play area for littles
B&B Theaters – Creve Coeur, MO
Movie theaters with a playground
Blossom Play Cafe – O’Fallon, IL
Great place for littles under 7 to play plus special events and classes
Build a Bear Adventure Park – Chesterfield, MO
Indoor play area, arcade, selfie spots, and build a bear shop
Defy – St. Louis, MO
Extreme trampoline park, ninja course, and more
Edison’s Entertainment – Edwardsville, IL
Arcade, laser tag, bowling, and restaurant
Enchanted Playroom – O’Fallon, MO
Indoor soft play area and party space
Escape the Room – St. Louis, MO
Family-friendly escape rooms
Five Oaks on Warson – Olivette, MO
Indoor playground
Go Play – Chesterfield & Lake St. Louis, MO
Large indoor playground and party place
Grandma’s Playroom – St. Louis
Indoor play area for kids under 7 with pretend play activities
Great Big Game Show – St. Louis
Your chance to be in a game show with family & friends, fun for all ages
Kids Bowl Free! (Most area bowling alleys) FREE
Register for kids to bowl free this summer
Kids Empire – Ballwin, MO
Giant indoor play area with climbing structures, slides, toddler area
Kokomo Joe’s – St. Peters, MO
Family fun center with laser tag, bumper cars, arcade, laser maze, trampolines, and more
Lava Island – Rock Hill, MO
Huge indoor play area with climbers, slides, trampolines, foam pit
Little Diggers– Des Peres, MO
Huge indoor soft sand play area for kids 7 and under to dig, build, and imagine.
Little’s Loft – Kirkwood, MO
Indoor soft play area for littles plus a cafe
Mac’s Family Fun Time – Highland, IL
Indoor playground, arcade, mini-golf, custard
Marcus Theaters $6 Tuesday Movies
$6 movies on Tuesdays or special $3 Kids Dream Series movies all summer
Museum of Illusions St. Louis, MO
Explore fun illusions and photo spots at City Foundry
Play Time Party Center – Wentzville, MO
Arcade, playground, mini bowling, laser tag, virtual rock wall
Powder Valley Nature Center – Kirkwood, MO FREE
Free indoor space with nature exhibits, kids area, and reptiles
Silly Putter Backlight Mini Golf – St. Louis
Interactive, retro, and themed mini golf
Sky Zone–Fairview Heights, IL & Fenton, MO
Indoor trampoline park and action course
Slick City – Chesterfield, MO
Giant indoor slides and action park
St. Louis Carousel – Chesterfield, MO
Ride the historic carousel at Faust Park for only $2
St. Louis Area Libraries FREE
The libraries in Kirkwood, Meramec Valley Branch, Daniel Boone Branch, and Clark Valley Branch have great play areas for kids
The Edge – Belleville, IL
Bumper cars, arcade, movie theater and more
The Escape Game – St. Louis, MO
New escape rooms at the Foundry. Fun for older kids and adults
The Minifig Lego Shop – Kirkwood, MO (and Chesterfield in 2026)
The best Lego store around with new and used Legos to shop from
TotSpot Social – Clayton, MO
Open-concept space with plenty of room for little ones to explore
Upper Limits – Maryland Heights & Chesterfield, MO
Indoor climbing gym
Urban Air – Fairview Heights, IL & Cottleville, MO
Indoor trampoline park with zipline, ninja course, and more
Urban Fort Play – St. Louis
Indoor Indoor playspace, toy store, and coffee shop at the Foundry
We Rock the Spectrum Gym – Edwardsville, IL & Fenton, MO
Play gym designed to be friendly to kids of all needs and abilities
Wild Sprouts – St. Charles, MO
Indoor imaginative play space for kids
Historical Sites
Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site FREE
Walk the battlefield, visit the museum, playground & picnic area
Cahokia Mounds – Collinsville, IL FREE for grounds (Museum closed until later in 2025)
Site of the largest Pre-Columbian city in North American outside of Mexico, interpretive trails
Daniel Boone Home & Village – Defiance, MO FREE
Explore a reconstructed 19th century historic village
Fort de Chartres –Prairie du Rocher, IL FREE but donation suggested
Reconstructed 18th century stone fort and museum, special events first weekend in June
Jefferson Barracks & MO Civil War Museum – St. Louis
The state’s premier Civil War museum with artifacts and history of the war
Lewis & Clark State Historic Site – Hartford, IL FREE
Learn about the point of departure and journey, see reconstructed camp site, earn Junior Ranger badges
Lincoln Home National Historic Site – Springfield, IL FREE
Tour the 16th President’s home, explore preserved town area
Mastodon State Historic Site – Imperial, MO
Hike the trails and explore the museum to learn about the Mastodon discoveries on the site
Missouri’s 1st State Capital – St. Charles, MO FREE
Historic site preserving the state’s first capital
Old Courthouse – St. Louis, MO FREE
Learn about local history at this historic site and earn a Junior Ranger badge
Sandy Creek Covered Bridge – Hillsboro, MO FREE
Charming covered bridge over a scenic creek
Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park – Ste. Genevieve, MO FREE
Explore the museum and historic sites at this National Park site and earn a Junior Ranger badge
Ulysses S. Grant Nat. Historic Site – St. Louis FREE
Tour Grant’s home, learn about the Civil War, explore the interactive museum, earn Junior Ranger badges
Water Parks, Creek, and Beaches
Aquaport – Maryland Heights, MO
Aquatic Zoo – Mt. Vernon, IL
Bridgeton Outdoor Family Aquatic Park -Bridgeton, MO
Carlyle Lake – Carlyle, IL ($5 Day use at beaches or FREE with National Parks Pass)
Chesterfield Family Aquatic Park – Chesterfield, MO
Collinsville Aqua Park – Collinsville, IL
Crestwood Aquatic Center – Crestwood, MO
Fairview Heights Rec Center – Fairview Heights, IL
Hawn State Park – Ste. Genevieve, MO (FREE)
Heights Aquatic Center – St. Louis
Indian Camp Creek Park – Foristell, MO (FREE)
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park – Middlebrook, MO (FREE)
Korte Rec Center–Highland, IL
Mastodon State Historic Site – Kimmswick, MO (FREE)
Manchester Aquatic Center – Manchester, MO
Maplewood Aquatic Center – Maplewood, MO
Northpointe Aquatic Center – Ballwin, MO
O’Fallon Community Park Aquatic Center – O’Fallon, IL
Raging Rivers Waterpark – Grafton, IL
River Rapids Waterpark – Ste. Genevieve, MO
St. Ann Aquatic Center – St. Ann, MO
Timbers of Eureka Pool – Eureka, MO
Wapelhorst Aquatic Center – St. Charles, MO
Webster Groves Aquatic Center – Webster Groves, MO
White Birch Bay Aquatic Center – Hazelwood, MO
Splash Pad Fun (All FREE except where noted!)
Missouri Side
Ackert Park – University City, MO
Brendan’s Playground – O’Fallon, MO
Brentwood Park – Brentwood, MO
City Hall Park – Dardenne Prairie, MO
Citygarden – Downtown St. Louis
Creve Coeur Park – Creve Coeur, MO
De Soto Athletic Complex – De Soto, MO
Edmundson Park – Edmundson, MO
Eise Park – Maryland Heights, MO
Evergreen Park – St. Clair, MO (Opening in 2026)
Fogerty Park – University City, MO
Fox Park – St. Louis, MO
Indian Camp Creek – Foristell, MO
Jaycee Park – St. Charles, MO
Kade’s Playground – Herculaneum, MO
Kinetic Park – Dardenne Prairie, MO
Koch Park – Florissant, MO
Larry G. Crites Park – Festus, MO
McDonald Park – St. Louis, MO
Millennium Park – Creve Coeur, MO
Missouri Botanical Garden (Children’s Garden Area) – St. Louis (admission required)
Muckerman’s Children’s Fountain – Tower Grove Park, St. Louis
Musick Park – Hazelwood, MO
O’Day Park – O’Fallon, MO
O’Fallon Park Spray Pad – St. Louis, MO
Route 66 Splash Park – Sullivan, MO
Ruth Porter Mall Park – St. Louis
Shaw Park – Clayton, MO
Sylvan Springs Park – St. Louis, MO
Theresa’s Splash Pad/Gus’s Playground – St. Louis
Trojan Park – Wellston, MO
370 Lakeside Park – St. Peter’s, MO
Tilles Park (Litzsinger Rd.) – St. Louis
Vago Park – Maryland Heights, MO
Villa Park – Olivette, MO
Vlasis Park – Ballwin, MO
Veterans Memorial Park – Union, MO
Veterans Tribute Park – Weldon Spring, MO
Zachary’s Playground – Lake St. Louis, MO
Illinois Side
Alton Splash Pad – Alton, IL
Bethalto City Park – Bethalto, IL
Centennial Park – Belleville, IL
Dupo City Park – Dupo, IL
Glazebrook Park – Godfrey, IL
Hartford Splash Pad – Hartford, IL
Jones Park – East St. Louis, IL
Leon Corlew Park – Edwardsville, IL
O’Fallon Family Sports Park – O’Fallon, IL
Our Lady of the Snows – Belleville, IL
Scheve Park – Mascoutah, IL
Schranz Park – Swansea, IL
Serenade Park Splash Pad – Troy, IL
Zimmer Park – Waterloo, IL
Outdoor Fun
Aloha mini-golf and Shaved Ice – Valley Park, MO
Mini-golf plus shaved ice, unlimited play
Aerie’s Resort – Grafton, IL
(Skytour chairlift or gondolas, Alpine Coaster, UTV tour, ziplines)
Braeutigram Orchards – Belleville, IL(FREE admission)
Pick your own fruit, tractor rides, animals, kids play area
Desert Falls Mini Golf – St. Louis, MO
Eckert’s Orchards – Belleville, Grafton, Millstadt, IL
Pick your own fruit, tractor rides, seasonal activities
Falls Rec. Center Mini-golf – O’Fallon, MO
Go Ape Ropes & Zipline Course – Creve Coeur, MO (Closed for 2026 Season)
Kids treetop course for kids over 39″ tall
Laumeier Sculpture Park- St. Louis (FREE)
Giant and unique sculpture park with walking trails
Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower – Hartford, IL
Ride the tower elevator for a view of the rivers confluence
Missouri Botanical Gardens – St. Louis
Amazing gardens, Climatron rainforest, incredible kids garden play area
Boathouse in Forest Park – St. Louis
Rent paddle boats, canoes, or kayaks
Ryze Adventure Park – Maryland Heights, MO (Appears to have closed, will update if changes)
Lower ninja area for younger kids, older kids can tackle the multi-story climbing tower and zipline
Six Flags – Eureka, MO
Theme park with rides for all ages plus a waterpark
Skyview Drive-In – Belleville, IL
St. Louis Cardinals or Gateway Grizzles game
Swing Around Fun Town – St. Charles & Fenton, MO
Bumper boats and card, arcade,, mini-golf go-karts, and more
Wow Entertainment – Fenton, MO
New, National Park themed mini-golf plus bowling indoors
Transportation Fun
Frisco Train Store – Valley Park, MO (FREE but please shop or donate)
Adorable store with everything toy trains plus Melissa & Doug and other toys
Grafton Sky Tour Gondola – Grafton, IL
Ride the chairlift or gondola for amazing river views
St. Louis Wheel – St. Louis Union Station
Soar 200 feet over St. Louis, extra cool when lit up at night
Iron Spike Model Train Museum–Washington, MO
Large museum of model trains
Missouri Live Steamers – Union, MO FREE
Model train rides in Grant Station Park on select Saturdays
Museum of Transportation – St. Louis
A must for train fans plus a mini train ride, trolley ride, kids indoor play area
Wabash, Frisco, & Pacific Railroad–Wildwood, MO
Amazing mini steam train ride along the Meramec River
Little Toot Railroad – Flora, IL
Another cute mini train ride about 2 hours from St. Louis
Loop Trolley –St. Louis
Ride the trolley between the Delmar Loop and Forest Park
Monticello Railway Museum – Monticello, IL
2 hours from St. Louis with diesel or steam train rides plus special events
St. Louis, Ironton Railway – Jackson, MO
Another great real train ride with special events like Dinosaur Train, Little Engineers Day, and more
Ride the ferry at Grafton, Brussels, St. Genevieve, IL
Take a ferry ride to explore Calhoun County or connect across the river to other attractions
Take a (kid-friendly) Hike (All FREE except where noted!)
Al Foster Trail – Glencoe, MO
Follow a wide, flat path between bluffs and the Meramec River
Babler State Park – Wildwood, MO
Short trails, Visitor Center
Bluff View Trail – Wildwood, MO
Short paved trail to an overlook
Cahokia Mounds – Collinsville, IL
Learn about the pre-Columbian settlements (no restrooms)
Castlewood State Park – Ballwin, MO
One of the best overlooks around plus unique history (Caution: high bluffs)
Cliff Cave County Park – St. Louis
Paved and unpaved trails
Cuivre River State Park –Troy, MO
Trails of various lengths, lake and bluff views
Elephant Rocks State Park – Belleview, MO
The best state park for kids with giant granite boulders to explore
Emmenegger Nature Park – Kirkwood, MO
Nice for kids, short trails, creek
Ferne Clyffe State Park – Goreville, IL
Worth the drive for stunning wet weather waterfalls, caves, bluffs, short and kid-friendly trails
Fly Heli St. Louis – St. Louis Downtown Airport (Cahokia Heights, IL)
See St. Louis and popular attractions from the air, an amazing experience!
Garden of the Gods –Herod, IL
Amazing overlooks and rocks in southern Illinois (Caution: high bluffs)
Giant City State Park– Makanda, IL
Wonderful day trip to hike kid-friendly trails with towering rocks, great restaurant at the lodge
Glassberg Conservation Area – Eureka, MO
Nice loop with a seasonal waterfall and overlook
Klondike Park –Augusta, MO
Missouri’s white sand beach, lakes, river overlook
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park – Middle Brook, MO
Missouri’s best swimming hole plus scenic and more rugged trails
Kress Farm Garden Preserve – Hillsboro, MO
Short trails lead to caves and seasonal waterfalls
La Barque Creek Conservation Area – Pacific, MO
Loop past a creek and a seasonal waterfall, no restrooms
Mastodon State Park – Kimmswick, MO
Hiking trails and a great creek
Meramec Spring Park–St. James, MO
Beautiful and easy paved trails past a turquoise spring and historic ruins
Olin Nature Preserve – Godfrey, IL
Great place for kids with short trails, waterfall and creek, plus nature playground
Pere Marquette State Park – Grafton, IL
Amazing river views and historic lodge and restaurant
Pickle Springs Natural Area – Ste. Genevieve, MO
So much to see on this scenic loop including waterfalls and unique rock formations
Powder Valley Nature Center – St. Louis
Paved trails, creek, and fun nature center
Rock Hollow Trail – Wildwood, MO
Paved path with many bridges (no restrooms)
Rockwoods Reservation – Wildwood, MO
Beautiful trails through the woods and along a scenic spring
Salt Lick Point Trails–Valmeyer, IL
Flat lower trails and steeper trails up the bluff for great views (Caution: high bluffs)
Shaw Nature Reserve – Gray Summit, MO
$5 admission per adult, kids are free or free with Missouri Botanical Garden membership
Beautiful wildflowers and lakes plus a great kids play area
Silver Lake Trail – Highland, IL
Easy trails along a lake with fun bridges
St. Francois State Park – Bonne Terre, MO
Great creek and waterfall on the Swimming Deer Trail
Valley View Glades – Hillsboro, MO
Summer wildflowers, creek, seasonal waterfalls, no restrooms
Watershed Nature Center – Edwardsville, IL
Easy trail around a lake
Willoughby Farm – Collinsville, IL
Hilly trails, farm animals, and a playground
Dozens more great kid hikes can found HERE!
Kid Friendly Restaurants
Boathouse at Forest Park – St. Louis
Crown Candy Kitchen – St. Louis
Dairy King – Breese, IL
Fitz’s Bottling Co. – St. Louis
Fountain on Locust – St. Louis
Hi-Pointe Drive in – St. Louis
Gus’s Pretzels – St. Louis
St. Louis Union Station Soda Fountain – St. Louis
Ted Drewes – St. Louis
Wally’s – Breese, IL
Take a Tour
Busch Stadium Tours – St. Louis
Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Company Tours – St. Louis, MO (FREE)
Hakuna Matata River Cruises-Grafton, IL
Melvin Price Lock & Dam-Alton, IL (FREE)
Meramec Caverns–Sullivan, MO
Onondaga Cave State Park -Leasburg, MO
St. Louis Riverboat Tour
Day Trips
See the World’s Largest Items in Casey, IL (FREE)
Explore Abraham Lincoln’s life and legacy in Springfield, IL (Some attractions are FREE)
Visit the River City of Cape Girardeau, MO (Some attractions are FREE)
Head to the Arcadia Valley of Missouri to visit Elephant Rocks,Johnson’s Shut-Ins, and Battle of Pilot Knob Historic Site (FREE)
Visit Meramec Caverns and Meramec State Park, MO
Take the River Road up to Grafton, IL and Pere Marquette State Park (Some attractions are FREE)
Head to Illinois’s Shawnee National Forest (FREE)
Find even more Day Trips from St. Louis HERE
FREE Printable
**Click the Download button below for your own printable PDF copy!**
Don’t forget you can find over 70 playgrounds, 100 hikes, and more adventures by location using our Adventure Map. Each point on the map links to a post with more photos and all the information for visiting. You can also find dozens of kid friendly hikes around the area on our Midwest Hikes page.
Have any other fun ideas to add? Leave us a comment or send us an e-mail. Have a safe and fun summer!
