Hello, Kathleen here! Let me quickly introduce myself. I am the outreach coordinator for Marble Wellness. I love being part of an organization that positively impacts the health of so many individuals and families. I am particularly passionate about maternal mental health and have tremendous respect for all the moms in our community. Today I’m excited to share some information on my family’s favorite local adventure spots in hopes that these tips bring a little fun and excitement to your week.
Moms, we’ve reached that point in the summer.
It’s hot, the well-intentioned learning workbooks have been abandoned, the novelty of the pool has worn off, and all the toys in your house have lost their appeal. Thank goodness for the new batch of “Bluey” episodes that were just released, but even that can only fill so much of a day.
Getting out of the house with kids presents its own challenges, but a new outing can go a long way in getting you all out of a summer slump. Kids may be ready to interact with others their age, and just being in a space with other parents can cut away some of the isolation that moms can feel. Also, exploring a new destination can break up the monotony of summer and create some fun memories.
Places like the St. Louis Zoo, Grant’s Farm, and Six Flags are perennial favorites for families in St. Louis, and you can’t go wrong with any of those spots. But here I’d like to share a few lesser-known attractions and hidden gems that may not be on your radar.
Favorite St. Louis Kid-Friendly Attractions: Tips from a St. Louis Mom
The History Clubhouse
The History Clubhouse at the Missouri History Museum is an engaging, hands-on learning space for younger kids. This permanent exhibit includes a model steamboat, a 1904 World’s Fair play cafe, and “fishing” in the Mississippi River. You can go anytime they’re open for unstructured play, and they also offer weekly story hours and family programs through the summer. Best of all, admission to the museum and the clubhouse is free!
The Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden
The children’s garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden is a true highlight of St. Louis. Kids love the slides, climbing nets, and creek where they can float boats through a series of dams. Explore a bat cave, play in a pretend farmer’s market, and climb up to a treehouse. You can spend hours in this spot and kids never get bored. On a hot day, bring swimsuits and water shoes to play in the splash pad. Another opportunity to cool off is the Brookings Exploration Center, which feels like an enlarged fairy garden and offers interactive activities to learn about plants.
We Rock the Spectrum
We Rock the Spectrum is an indoor play gym in Fenton that focuses on welcoming kids of all ages and abilities. Check their calendar as they offer a mix of open play and structured groups, parent & me programs, and special events. This is a great place for kids to burn off some energy when it’s too hot or rainy outside.
World Bird Sanctuary
The World Bird Sanctuary is a working rehabilitation center for birds, and you can see many of their long-time residents in enclosures along a beautiful walking path. Set in the woods, this shady spot feels pretty comfortable year-round. After you’ve seen the birds, you can check out their small playground, picnic tables, and even do some hiking on their trails. My family’s favorite is called Turtle Bob’s Trail, which starts just past the parking area. On your way out, take a drive through Lone Elk Park, which is just up the street, to search for elk, bison, and other wildlife.
Public Libraries
We are fortunate to have two of the country’s best public library systems, St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library, right here in our city. Of course, you can go to a library to check out books, but libraries also have daily programs and activities for families. Ranging from story hours to arts and crafts to music programs, all families can find something fun, all completely free! Check out the library websites for schedules, and some programs require registration. For unstructured play, the Daniel Boone branch in Ellisville and the Meramec Valley branch in Fenton have amazing kids’ areas.
While we are lucky to have so many wonderful family-friendly destinations in St. Louis, the days of summer can still feel long, isolating, and overwhelming. At Marble Wellness, we work with moms in all stages of motherhood, from the early postpartum months to moms of school-aged children, moms of teens, and beyond. No matter how mothering feels on any given day, we are here for you.
Our team of therapists has a passion for maternal mental health and is ready to support you, this summer and through all seasons. Reach out to us to explore how therapy at Marble Wellness can help you develop tools, coping strategies, and goals for yourself and your family.
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Additional Counseling Services at Marble Wellness in St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL
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St. Louis
Our St. Louis team of therapists have a variety of training backgrounds and areas of expertise. We specialize in anxiety, depression, grief, chronic illness, therapy for men, couples, and maternal overwhelm. We can also help new moms with various postpartum concerns, moms in the thick of parenting, and moms with teens. We can also chat from wherever you are in the state with online therapy in Missouri and online therapy in Illinois. No matter where you are in your journey, we would love to support you.
Chicago
Our Chicago team of therapists offer a wide range of mental health services to help our clients through the different challenges and hurdles in their life. In addition to anxiety, depression, grief, therapy for men, and maternal overwhelm, we are specialized in professional burnout, therapy for breakups, and love partnering with working moms.
