Summer is here – which means school is OUT and for those of us home with our kids, it also means an endless stream of “what are we doing” or “where are we going?”. Staying inside when it’s nice out is definitely not our cup of tea, so I tried to get the kids to a park or new activity at least 3x a week. We do some backyard play, but the kids really love playground equipment or fun play activities so out we go! Here are my favorite summer spots to take the kids in the summer around the St. Louis area!
Best Summer Spots in STL for kids!
Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape
The Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape is a 17-acre experiential play space with natural landscapes that include native and diverse species. Featuring nine distinct activity areas, the free destination includes sand play areas, willow tunnels, stump steppers, boulders and rocks, hand water pumps and much more. The goal: Encourage visitors — especially kids — to connect with nature as they engage their senses as they explore, discover and learn.
Zachary’s Playground Hawk Ridge Park
Hawk Ridge Park (Zachary’s Playground) in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri is located at 8392 Orf Road. The park is site of Zachary’s Playground, an all-inclusive playground, that is ranked as one of the best all-inclusive Parks in America. The Pavilion at Hawk Ridge Park is a popular place for children’s birthday parties or family gatherings! This park contains several different playsets, a splash pad open from Memorial weekend to Labor Day, and soft turf for kids to play! The pavilion has a charcoal barbecue pit, 8 picnic tables, and electrical outlets. It is near the playground, spray pad, and heated restrooms.
Veterans Tribute Park, located at 1031 Kisker Road, Weldon Springs, includes a Veterans Memorial Garden, trails for walking and biking, fishing lakes, shelters, a dog park, open play fields and a destination playground with a water play area, for children of all abilities.
In late 2010, the City of O’Fallon partnered with Unlimited Play, Inc., a local not-for-profit, to raise funds for O’Fallon’s first all-inclusive playground. The playground, named after O’Fallon resident Brendan Schmitt, is located in the northeast corner of the park, which is easily accessible from T.R. Hughes Blvd. It opened in October 2011.
The City of Ballwin has five parks available for residents and non-residents to enjoy! You can learn more about our wonderful, community parks above. We encourage you to stop by and check them out!
Vago Park offers a natural setting within the community. This 20-acre park is the place to go for exercise, play, or your next social event!
Amenities include Three playgrounds, including handicap accessible play structures, Sand volleyball court, Five horseshoe pits, Accessible bathrooms, Judy Barnett Memorial Scented Garden, A fitness course
Lighted softball field, Three pavilions, Multi-purpose court with basketball goals, Several picnic sites with barbecue grills.
A visit to Grant’s Farm begins with a tram ride through our Deer Park, where you can see a variety of
our bovine and other four-legged friends. Then, you’ll be dropped off at the Tier Garten where you
can enjoy the petting zoo area – featuring our famous baby goat bottle-feeding – carousel rides, food
and vending in the Bauernhof Courtyard, and of course, free beer tasting.
The Saint Louis Zoo is dedicated to saving species and bringing people and wildlife together. Home to over 16,000 animals, many of which are endangered, entry is free every day for everyone, an important part of our commitment to people and animals – always.
Welcome to the Saint Louis Science Center. To all the worlds inside it, big and small. To atoms and oceans, sand and stardust, dinosaurs and dark matter.
The Magic House offers hands-on learning experiences for children of all ages that spark imagination, pique curiosity, enhance creativity and develop problem-solving skills.
St. Louis Public Library is a true urban library, representing the historic center of the St. Louis region: the City of St. Louis. With its roots in the mid-1800s, St. Louis Public Library has a long history of innovation and service, a large and historic collection including rare books and extensive special collections, and a diverse and dedicated staff.
The Meramec Valley Branch opened in May 2019. The branch’s previous location was the smallest in the Library District. The new Meramec Valley Branch is a full service library branch encompassing 21,000 square feet. The branch features a Discovery Zone for kids, an outdoor reading deck, private study rooms, a community meeting room and other amenities.
Jamestown Bluffs Branch Library
The Jamestown Bluffs Branch opened in 1998 and is named for the historic “Old Jamestown” area and the nearby Missouri River bluffs. In 2015, the branch underwent extensive renovations as part of the Your Library Renewed campaign, which included the installation of additional windows, private study rooms, an interactive children’s area and a revamped community meeting room.
Alligator Creek Aquatic Center
Located in Civic Park, Alligator’s Creek is one of the finest outdoor aquatic centers in the area with exciting features for all ages. Highlights, include:
- Three water slides
- One-meter spring diving board
- Long lazy river with a zero-depth beach entrance
- Splash pad for kids of all abilities
- Floating bridge
- Interactive water playground
- Family-friendly whirlpool or vortex
- Comfortable, modern bathhouse.
- Large concession stand
- Swimming pool with multiple lap lanes
Bridgeton Family Aquatic Center
Bridgeton Family Aquatic Center is home to one of the best outdoor aquatic centers in St. Louis with tons of fun features for everyone – including:
- 21 feet high body flume
- 25 yard competitive swimming pool with two 1-meter diving boards and a drop slide
- Activity pool
- Powered activity channel
- Splash pad (infant area)
- Vortex
- A zero-depth entry leisure pool with an interactive aquatic play structure
Chesterfield Family Aquatic Center
Scream your way down thrilling water slides, enjoy a relaxing float around a lazy river, or dive into a competition pool at the Chesterfield Family Aquatic Center. Kids adore the AquaPlay unit, which rains down water and has a mini slide. And for your convenience, the Aquatic Center offers changing areas, showers, lockers, concessions area, and a sunny deck.
