Kid Friendly Outings while Visiting St. Louis, Missouri

There are so many things you can do in St. Louis Missouri, its hard to know where to begin. I was thinking of the best ideas I could come up with for kids and kids of all ages. The Butterfly House was one, City Museum and and St. Louis Zoo are the others. These are my top rated choices but these are really just the beginning. Hopefully this hub and help you decide if one of these is right for you while you are visiting or vacationing (or "staycationing") in Missouri.

Don't let this name cause you to think that this may be a boring museum, because it is one of the most exciting places you can take a kid. The City Museum is huge, and really an extraordinary feat, just in its creation. I could fill up pages, literally going on about all there is here and all the fun to be had. To keep it short, you can go into caves and explore, go into a huge vault, slide down a 3 story slide, see creatures and critters, watch artists blowing glass, play outside on huge playground equipment, play inside on big fun equipment and tunnels and slides, well.... you get the idea hopefully. There are 4 stories, and an aquarium inside, and a big bus on the roof. In the evenings, for "bigger kids" you can stay late and they turn out the lights, which I cannot imagine. The video you see here, shows just a very small part of the City Museum, the outside part.

Truly, I never seen a place like this one. There is an indoor ramp "park" where you can run up and down ramps and get so much exercise that you won't know what hit you. The whole huge building in St. Louis Missouri is like a child's wonderland. There so many things to choose from, that if you have a large group, with many varying tastes involved, then you can still find something for everyone. If you ever get the chance, I rate this up there with going to see the Arch in St. Louis, as its just that unique and one of a kind, kind of place. I guarantee, you will make memories at the City Museum that you will have forever. I did have to stay on my toes, when my kids were smaller, and we were visiting family in the area. They have great staff, and food, and bathrooms and gift shops and workshops. Its like it literally never ends. There is a big grand piano I think on the second level, that kids can just play on, there are little "tours" and all kinds of things to explore.

In the deepest part of winter time, you can't go wrong taking a crowd of kids here. They will definitely thank you. I am so glad that I ever went the first time I was invited to go, because at first I assumed it was this old building with mediocre museum displays. It wasn't...and it more like a big huge playground, literally.

This is one of my favorite places when I am in Missouri, and it never fails that I see children also enjoying the incredibly beautiful butterflies in their habitat. I have taken many of my own family there as well and their children and my own have loved to go. There is much more than meets the eye at the Butterfly house, if you should get a chance to go there.

First of all, there is a short movie in a little theater area where you see the life cycle of the butterfly. If you are debating about whether or not to see this part, do not skip it, for its short and incredibly educational and interesting.

There are many different kinds of critters at the Butterfly house, besides butterflies. These are in enclosed containers, and are very interesting, all kinds of bugs and little crittes. If this doesn't appeal to you though, its easy enough to skip.

They have a little educational center as well, and an outside butterfly garden that is just lovely and fun to stroll through any season. There is large pond, and its just a great setting to see butterflies of Missouri or the Midwest USA. At the entrance, is a huge butterfly as well as a huge caterpillar outside to climb on. There are ducks, another large pond, and a new fun playground and often a large carousel is open. There are even some historical/educational buildings that can be toured around the perimeter. This would be a great day event for the whole family, but can also be kept short as need be. I can't encourage a visit to the Butterfly House.

As for my top three kids picks, this rounds out my choices. Last but definitely not least, comes the St. Louis Zoo, famous near and far. I simply love this Zoo, and all the unique buildings and exhibits and landscaping that is woven throughout.

There are many places to eat, relax, play and learn at this zoo. You can go to the zoo for free, and bring food like a sack lunch to further keep costs down. I can't stress enough how much it is worth going to this zoo. My whole family loved it when we got to go. Keep in mind, that the little train in the top picture of this hub costs a little bit extra but is very worth it.

All kinds of animals are represented, and your child is sure to have an experience they will not soon forget. Create a great memory with your child today. No matter what it is, spending some time with them doing something they like is something you will never regret. They grow so quickly and its hard to get that precious time back. These are the formative years, so critical. Have some fun with kids doing these or one of the many other options that St. Louis offers.