Summer fun for kids
Families looking for local, kid-friendly entertainment have lots of options this summer. Here are a few of them:
To market, to market
“Raising Healthy Kids from Seed to Table” is the theme of the Children’s Market at the new Ellisville Farmers’ Market on the Straub’s parking lot at Clayton and Clarkson Roads. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Thursday through September, kids can meet the farmers who grow the food, learn about local crops, sample fresh foods, prepare recipes, enjoy craft projects, plant seeds and much more. Visit ellisvillefarmersmarket.com.
Summer reading
The Summer Vacation Scholastic Book Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sun., June 14 at the St. Louis Carousel at Faust Park. Children’s story times are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. through Friday. Admission is free. Call 537-0222.
The annual Parkway School District Book Fair is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fri., June 19 and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sat., June 20 at Parkway West Middle School (2312 Baxter Road). At least 80,000 library books and 5,000 textbooks for all grade levels are sold for 50 cents each. Visit pkwy.k12.mo.us.
All-Star festivities
Major League Baseball’s All-Star FanFest, an interactive baseball theme park and the largest baseball fan event in the world, visits St. Louis this summer for the first time ever. Events take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fri., July 10, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sat., July 11-Mon., July 13 and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tues., July 14 at America’s Center. For ticket information, visit stlcardinals.com and click on “FanFest.”
Cool fun
“Ends of the Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins” is now open at the Saint Louis Science Center. In the Arctic section of the exhibit, kids see a real polar bear specimen, compare their weight to a polar bear’s and use real specimens to learn about whales and other Arctic animals. In the Antarctic, kids can don a penguin suit and walk and slide like a penguin, study penguin feathers under a microscope and learn why penguins are black and white. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for kids. Call (314) 289-4424.
Live on stage
Live area performances for kids this summer include:
Circus Flora’s “Medrano” at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sundays through June 21 under the red and white big top at Grand Center. Shortened “Little Top Wednesday” shows are at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. Kids can mingle with the troupe during a barbecue at 3:30 p.m. on June 14 ($8). Tickets are priced from $8-$36; call (314) 534-1111 or visit metrotix.com.
“Dora the Explorer Live! Search for the City of Lost Toys” at 7 p.m. on Fri., June 12 and at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sat., June 13 at The Fox Theatre. Tickets run from $14.50-$43.50; call (314) 534-1111 or visit metrotix.com.
“Annie” at 8:15 nightly from Mon., June 22 through Tues., June 30 at the Muny in Forest Park. Tickets range from free (about 1,500 seats in the last nine rows) to $66; visit the Muny ticket office or metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.
“Disney’s High School Musical: Summer Celebration” at 7 p.m. on Fri., June 26 at The Family Arena in St. Charles. Tickets are priced from $36-$54; visit the box office or metrotix.com.
“The Jungle Book” at 7:30 p.m. on Fri., June 26 and Sat., June 27 and at 3 p.m. on Sun., June 28 at Chesterfield Community Theater. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and children. Call 532-6515, ext. 227.
“Alice in Wonderland” presented by STAGES St. Louis from Aug. 5-16 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre. For show times and ticket information, call (314) 821-2407 or visit stagesstl.org.
“The Wiggles Go Bananas Live!” at 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Tues., Aug. 11 at Chaifetz Arena. Tickets are priced from $20-$40. Call (314) 977-5000 or visit thechaifetzarena.com.
“Mary Poppins” at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays from Aug. 13-30 at The Fox Theatre. Tickets are priced from $28-$75. Call (314) 534-1111 or visit metrotix.com.
