St. Louis is an underrated destination for school-age kids. Most families think Gateway Arch — which is impressive but done in an hour. The city's actual strength is variety: a free-entry world-class museum park, one of the strangest and most exhilarating buildings in the United States, treetop zip lines in Forest Park, and a collection of city parks that let kids run genuinely wild. Here's how to use it right.
Best Outdoor Adventures and Active Experiences
Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park (4.7 stars) is the best active experience in St. Louis for kids 10 and up. Tree-top obstacle courses and zip lines through Forest Park's canopy — kids clip in, step off the platform, and immediately feel like they've earned something. Two adults and two kids runs $120–$160 (~$35–$40 per person). Minimum age is 10, minimum weight 70 lbs. Book the first morning slot to beat the heat and get the course mostly to yourselves.
Bee Tree County Park (4.7 stars) is the wildest natural experience in the St. Louis metro and almost nobody outside of South County knows it exists. Trails wind through dense woods to the Mississippi River, creek crossings let kids splash through shallow water, and the whole park feels genuinely unmanicured. Free. Bring old shoes that can get wet and plan 1.5–3 hours. This is the park that kids who grow up in nature talk about decades later.
Tower Grove Park (4.7 stars) is 285 acres of Victorian parkland with massive open lawns, a seasonal splash pad, and a Saturday farmers market (May–October) where vendors hand out samples. Free access. Budget $20–$40 if you spend at the farmers market. The scale of this park genuinely surprises kids who are used to suburban neighborhood parks — there's always more to explore.
Turtle Playground (4.7 stars) sounds like a children's attraction. It is. Giant concrete turtles ranging from toddler-size to massive, all climbable, all ridiculous, and kids absolutely lose their minds for it. Free. Plan 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. The concrete shells get extremely hot in direct summer sun — visit morning or evening in July and August to avoid burned hands.
Francis Park (4.8 stars) in St. Louis Hills has a spray ground that becomes the neighborhood's social center in summer, plus a solid playground and huge open lawns. Free. Budget $20–$40 if you grab food at one of the Dogtown neighborhood restaurants nearby. The spray ground is seasonal — confirm it's operating before making it the centerpiece of your day.
Cool Museums and Hands-On Learning
City Museum (4.7 stars) is the non-negotiable St. Louis activity for big kids. It's an adult-sized industrial jungle gym built from salvaged materials — 10-story caves, 5-story slides, decommissioned airplanes bolted to the rooftop, and no scripted experience telling kids what to do. A family of four pays $80–$120 all-in (admission ~$18/adult, $14/child, food $20–$40, parking $10–$15). Wear closed-toe shoes, clothes you don't care about, and plan 3–5 hours. The rooftop is only open in warm weather — check before you go.
Forest Park Forever (4.4 stars) is St. Louis's greatest free resource: 1,300 acres containing world-class museums (Art Museum, History Museum, Science Center) that are free for Missouri residents. Free park access; $30–$60 if you rent paddle boats or eat at the Boathouse. Kids who bike the main park loop, feed ducks at Post-Dispatch Lake, and then wander into the Science Center for a few hours have had a genuinely full day at minimal cost.
Zachary's Playground (4.8 stars) is the best inclusive playground in the entire St. Louis metro area. Purpose-built so kids of all abilities play together — wide ramps, adaptive swings, sensory panels, and rubberized surfacing throughout. Free. Plan 1.5–2.5 hours. Bring water; no fountain on site.
Entertainment and Can't-Miss Fun
City Museum again — it belongs in both sections because nothing else in St. Louis competes for the "I can't believe this place exists" reaction from kids. This isn't hyperbole. The ball pit and Wee Museum in the basement work for younger siblings while big kids tackle the cave system.
Tilles Park (4.7 stars) pulls double duty: free splash pad and playground in summer, and the Winter Wonderland light show from November through December ($40–$60 for the drive-through). If you're visiting in winter, book Winter Wonderland tickets early — weekend nights sell out.
Best Value for Families With Older Kids
St. Louis's free park system is the best value story in the city. Starting with what costs nothing:
- Francis Park — $0 (spray ground + playground)
- Stieren Park (4.8 stars) — $0, inclusive playground in Sunset Hills, less crowded than larger county parks
- Lafayette Park (4.7 stars) — $0, one of St. Louis's oldest parks with a duck pond and Victorian neighborhood backdrop
- Tower Grove Park — $0
- Turtle Playground — $0
- Bee Tree County Park — $0
- Forest Park — $0 for the park itself
Paid activities worth the spend: - City Museum: $80–$120 for a family of four — worth every dollar - Go Ape Zipline: $120–$160 for a family of four — only for kids 10+
Insider Tips for Visiting St. Louis With Big Kids
- City Museum on a weekday. Weekends are packed and the experience suffers. If you can swing it, a Tuesday or Wednesday visit makes the cave tunnels and slide lines much more manageable.
- Bee Tree requires real footwear. Natural surface trails and creek crossings mean sneakers minimum, trail shoes better. Don't do it in flip-flops.
- Go Ape weight limits are firm. Participants must be 70–286 lbs. Check before booking to avoid disappointment at check-in.
- Forest Park is big. Drive between sections rather than walking the whole thing with kids.
- Combine Turtle Playground with Ted Drewes Frozen Custard on Chippewa St, about 10 minutes away. It's the quintessential South St. Louis kid experience.
- Willmore Park (4.5 stars, free) in South St. Louis is a good neighborhood addition if you're already in the area — community playground, relaxed atmosphere, works well for ages 2–10.
Plan Your Visit
Day 1: City Museum (half day) + Tower Grove Park or Turtle Playground (afternoon, free). Day 2: Forest Park (morning, free museums) + Go Ape or Bee Tree (afternoon). Day 3: Francis Park + Zachary's Playground + ice cream at Ted Drewes. Budget for the trip: $200–$320 for activities, mostly from City Museum and Go Ape. Everything else is free.