Time with our kids is precious, but for many parents, it’s limited. Thankfully, the holidays afford most working parents a few days off of work, and kids are typically out of school or daycare, which allows families to be together during this special time. Though you and your kids may be spending some time together, that doesn’t mean you’re making the most of that time. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the stress of planning for meals, hosting family from out of town, or trying to catch holiday sales. Even at home, it’s easy to get distracted straightening up the house for guests, or with everyone isolating themselves by lounging in their own rooms or using their phones.
This year, you can create more meaningful moments with your kids by participating in some of the best, festive holiday events happening throughout the St. Louis area.
Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade
November 22, Thanksgiving Day | Free
Enjoy the city’s famous annual Thanksgiving parade in person this year. Hosted by a proud sponsor of Guardian Angel Settlement Association, Ameren’s Missouri Thanksgiving Parade will mark its 34th year this Thursday. Don’t miss the excitement of music, marching and about 130 different floats, displays, and antique vehicles. The parade begins at 8:45am, which means you’ll have time to stop by and take in the festivities before heading home to start cooking.
November 23, Friday | Free
If you overindulged in a delicious Thanksgiving feast the night before, consider skating it off the next day with your kids at One Nation Night. This event brings the best of St. Louis sports to Winterfest Ice Rink with St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Cardinals alumni coming together to sign autographs, with appearances from respective mascots Louie and Fredbird, as well as special prizes and giveaways.
The St. Louis Art Museum Family Sunday
Every Sunday | Free
Many kids have their most creative moments in school or daycare. Now, you can be there as they create their next masterpiece with The St. Louis Art Museum’s free weekly event, Family Sundays. Kids can participate in various hands-on art projects at this weekly event, which focuses on a different theme each month. If you make it to the last remaining Sunday (November 25th) the theme is “Graphic Revolution,” where the focus is on artists who have used “innovative techniques” in their work to “spread radical ideas.” The December theme explores how how opposites attract between varying elements in art.
The Magic House – The Christmas Skates
December 1 | Free (w/ $12 museum admission)
The Magic House is known for their variety of interactive and cognitively stimulating activities. Once a month, the children’s museum offers visitors a chance to get and up close look at professional creatives and their work, with the Visiting Artist Series. This December, the Imaginary Theatre Company is putting on a musical adaption of, “The Boy With The Box,” a short story about the true spirit of giving by Mary Griggs Van Voorhis. Not only can you and the entire family enjoy a professional performance, but you can head to the museum afterward to interact with the many different exhibits where they can play, build, draw, engineering, explore and more.
These aforementioned events can be a fun way to help destress from the hustle and bustle of the holidays, while still participating in the merriment of the season with the kids and other loved ones. Enjoy!
