Raising a bookworm: Best kids books for your toddlers this Christmas

Christmas is an exciting time for kids because of all the new toys they receive, but if you want to give a gift that keeps on giving, consider wrapping up a few books. When you read to children from an early age, they begin to develop better vocabulary and reasoning skills and their attention spans and imaginations flourish. When you give a child a book, it's a gift that lasts a lifetime. Not only do they gain many wonderful skills from listening to and later, reading, books, but books can inspire children to accomplish great things, forge on through trials and believe that anything is possible.

Check out the suggestions that the St. Louis Children's Recreation Examiner has made for your Christmas gift giving this year.

Model train exhibit in St. Louis brings Christmas cheer

Model trains are fascinating any time of year, but there is something about a model train at Christmas time that conjures up warm childhood memories of decorated storefronts or the clickety clack of the engine coming round the Christmas tree.

If you'd like to share your warm memories, or your general fondness for trains with your children, there is a wonderful opportunity for you to do so through January 2nd. Jefferson Barracks Visitors Center is the site of... Read More

Best 2010 Christmas toys for St. Louis shoppers

When kids have favorite movie or tv characters, it seems the choices for toys are endless, but what about when you just want to find something that is fun, educational and won't be a quickly passing phase?

The St. Louis Children's Recreation Examiner has several gift ideas to make your holiday shopping easier this year.

Check out:

Best Christmas toys for kids: Toy reviews for your 2 to 3 year old child

Best Christmas toys for kids: Toy reviews for your 3 to 4 year old child

Best Christmas toys for kids: Top picks by LagoonaMagoo St. Louis and Illinois

and to find out what you might want to avoid:

Christmas in St. Louis: Should you buy these toys for your kids?

Happy shopping, everyone!

Where to get pictures with Santa in St. Louis, St. Charles and Illinois

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus right down Santa Claus lane.... if your kiddos are eager as can be to see jolly ole St. Nick and tell him about all the toys they want for Christmas, he's making appearances all over town.

Put on your best clothes for photos and then check out any of these great Santa sighting spots in

St. Louis

Illinois

St. Charles

Toy stores have shows and activities for kids in St. Louis, St. Clair County and Madison County

When your kids ask to go to the toy store, do you cringe? Do you instantly think of ten reasons why you can't go and hope that with some good old fashioned distraction, they'll forget the whole idea?

Well, maybe you just need to avoid your usual "stomping grounds", and by that, I do mean, the place where, by the end of the night, you are stressed out, cranky and stomping your foot.

Saturday, November 13th is the perfect day to try something new. LagoonaMagoo and Once Upon a Toy want to show you shopping - and having fun - in a whole new way.

See some amazing yo-yo tricks, get your face painted, pet a pony and find out what giant animal you can get your picture taken with! Plus, get your Christmas shopping done early this year, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the holiday season. Oh and did I mention, you'll be helping charity too?

You can't get all this at your usual place, but you can this Saturday in St. Louis, Edwardsville or Fairview Heights.

Have breakfast with Santa, play at the Magic House all day

Ready or not, here it comes... Christmas! Soon your children will be making wish lists and getting antsy for that special sleigh to arrive. On December 12th, you can give them a little "taste" of Christmas and help them ease the waiting.

Santa will make an appearance at the Magic House in Kirkwood. You can come and enjoy a delicious breakfast, and then play at the Magic House the remainder of the day.

There is limited space, so get the details and make your reservation soon!

Harry Potter fans of all ages can celebrate the release of Deathly Hallows next week

If your house is all abuzz with the excitement over the new Harry Potter movie, there are two fun events happening in St. Charles next week, for fans ages 7 to 18, that will help them satisfy their Potter fever until the movie releases.

Through the St. Charles County Library, there is a Harry Potter craft night for kids, and another Harry Potter Extravaganza Night for teens, which includes trivia, making butterbeer and more.

If you still aren't sure if your child should see the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie, watch the trailer and determine if your child would be upset by anything seen in the film. Even if they aren't quite ready to see the movie, the events at the St. Charles County Library may keep them from feeling left out of all the Harry Potter frenzy among their friends.

It's true, Santa Claus is coming to town!

It may be hard to believe, but very soon, it will be beginning to look a lot like Christmas. If you're already eager to get into the Christmas spirit, Santa will be arriving by fire engine in Hazelwood this week.

Come out to greet him and get your Christmas wishes in early this year! Get all the details on the St. Louis Children's Recreation Examiner's website.

Too much Halloween candy? Trade it for a chance to win Nintendo Wii!

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! That's all I have to say about the event planned by Delta Dental Health Theatre for next weekend.

Every year, we are overwhelmed with enough Halloween candy to feed a small army and every year, we end up purging pumpkin-faced packages when the Santa, or worse, Valentine's wrappers start rolling in.

But no more! With Delta Dental's First Ever Great Candy Exchange, you can unload your excess candy and possibly win a Nintendo Wii, which of course, is much healthier for your kids than all the sugar and calories anyway.

Get all the details today and start sorting those candy buckets for next Saturday!

Halloween parties and trick or treating in St. Louis

Are you looking for the best places to go trick or treating? Do you want to attend the coolest Halloween parties, go on a hayride, enter a costume contest, wander through a corn maze, make a Halloween craft or maybe do a little bit of everything?

If you're in St. Louis, St. Charles or the surrounding areas, I've got your one-stop resource for all things Halloween. There are tons of activities for kids going on around town, and you can check out the latest ones on the St. Louis Children's Recreation Examiner home page.

Happy ghouling and gobbling - candy, that is....

Exciting event for kids: Barney the dinosaur brings Birthday Bash to St. Louis

I love you, you love me, we're a happy family...

Your kids' favorite purple dinosaur is coming to St. Louis! Imagine their faces when they see Barney, live on stage. Nothing compares to a live performance, so if you can make room in your budget, act fast. Tickets go on sale Monday morning!

Get all the details in my column on Examiner.com

City of St. Peters in St. Charles County hosts Halloween Carnival for kids

If your kids just can't wait to don their costumes, you can dress them up a week early and have some fun, if you head out to St. Peters on October 23rd.

The St. Peters Rec Plex South will be the site of a Halloween carnival for kids. There will be many fun activities, and of course, lots of candy. Read more...

Hayrides and History abound at St. Louis County's Faust Park in October

If you've ever been to Faust Park, you know there is lots of fun to be had at the St. Louis Carousel or the Butterfly House, but coming up at the end of October, you can see the park in a whole different light...well, sort of.

Come out to Faust Park for a hayride - after dark! There will be fun activities after your ride, so be sure to get all the details and mark your calendar. Read more....

The Undead are waiting for you: Six Flags Halloween Fright Fest starts tomorrow

Now this is just downright creepy! Zombies and creepy creeps waiting around every turn. Talk about chills down your spine.

Read more in my latest article about Six Flags Fright Fest.

It all starts this weekend, but you've got a chance to get in on the fun throughout October.

Get ready for Halloween at O'Fallon, Missouri Fall Festival, west of St. Louis

Fall is in full swing for St. Louis and St. Charles residents who enjoy all the festivals that the season has to bring. This weekend, October 8th and 9th, the city of O'Fallon hosts a family-friendly event at Civic Park.

The fair begins with a street dance on Friday night, October 8th from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. The Nonstop Classic Rock Band will be playing and festival goers are invited to come out and sing, or dance along.

Saturday morning, the festival opens at 9:00 a.m. with activities for kids and parents too!

In the kids area, children can make all kinds of earth-friendly crafts, such as a nature bracelet and pinecone creatures. They will also be able to decorate a pumpkin or an animal mask for Halloween. Face painting will delight the kids as well.

Also, throughout the day, with shows at .... Read more

Teens could win big: Enter Michaels Crafts Duck Tape Halloween costume contest

Have you ever seen those prom dresses made from duct tape and wonder how they did that? Now your teen can try their hand at designing an outfit from duct tape and have the chance to win gift cards to further their creative energies.

Read more

Florissant Fall Festival in St. Louis county: Tons of activities for kids

The Fall Festival in Old Town Florissant always draws huge crowds because there are so many great activities for kids.

The fair takes place on Rue St. Francois Street. Each year, police barricade the main roads, St. Ferdinand and New Florissant, at each end of the eleven block stretch that encompasses the festival, so that fairgoers can roam freely without the interference of traffic.

As you walk through the festival grounds, you'll see all kinds of crafts, from jewelry to artwork to marshmallow shooters for the kids. On almost every block there are singers or musicians, performing everything from country to pop, with a little quartet or Elvis impersonation thrown in as well. And no festival would draw a crowd without tons of delicious foods to choose from.

However, if you're bringing kids along, there are a few exhibits to be on the lookout for..... Read more

So, it's been a while....

So sorry for the long hiatus! Life just got super busy on me with birthdays, anniversaries, school functions, festivals and more. But, I'm back and ready to share lots of cool activities for kids.

Greentree Festival in Kirkwood, Missouri mixes Folk Art and Music with modern family-friendly fun

This festival sounds like a lot of fun! Let your kids get to "experience" a bit of history as they watch artisans in 18th century costumes, craft everyday items from hand, while still enjoying the contemporary fun of activities like face painting, a magic show, sno cones and more.

Get all the details in my latest article, "Greentree Festival in Kirkwood, Missouri mixes Folk Art and Music with modern family-friendly fun"

Not just another pretty race: St. Louis Forest Park Hot Air Balloon Race has activities for kids too

Every September in St. Louis, the skies above Forest Park host a magnificent sight, more than fifty hot air balloons lifting off in a glorious array of colors.

While this is an amazing sight to see, and a wonderful opportunity to practice your photography skills, did you ever stop to think about what goes on, on the ground?

Of course, the race is the main attraction, so on Friday night, you can get an up-close look at all the hot air balloons, during the Balloon Glow. From 7:00 to 8:30, visitors can walk through the field of burner-lit balloons and take in all the fabulous colors and designs. Then, at 9:00 p.m., after the balloons and the sky have gone dark, the sky will light once again, this time with fireworks!

But aside from the balloons, families will find lots of other activities to...Read more

Mosaics Fine Arts Festival comes to St. Charles, Missouri: Performing and visual arts, kids projects

Children are very imaginative, and if you can fuel that creativity at a young age, you could potentially give them the ability to pursue many different types of goals in the future.

Exposing kids to art is a key ingredient to helping them expand their own creativity. When children can see, in tangible form, what an artist imagined, and then turned into a reality, they realize that they, too, can bring their creative thoughts to life.

This week, you have the opportunity to enjoy some brilliant artwork in a variety of forms. Both visual and performing arts will be exhibited at Mosaics, the Missouri Festival for the Arts in St. Charles, September 17th through 19th.

The event will take place in...Read more

Help great charity September 11th: Boat Race for Backstoppers has tons of games, activities for kids

September 11th is approaching once again, bringing with it memories of a very tragic time in our nation's history. Those of us who remember the deeply saddening images and personal stories of 2001, know that the events of that day forever changed police officers and firefighters everywhere.

Though as a nation, we have moved forward, let us not forget the brave men and women who continue to risk their lives every single day to keep us safe. Their families sacrifice so much and when an officer or firefighter perishes in the line of duty, those family members often need a great deal of support, both emotionally and financially.

In times of grief and beyond, The Backstoppers organization steps in and helps family members continue on. But they can't do it without financial support from the public.

Please come out and support Backstoppers in Portage Des Sioux, Missouri this weekend. Your minimal admission fee to the Boat Races for Backstoppers will go a long way, and you'll enjoy a fun-filled day with your family as well.

There are many activities planned, including games for the kids, live music, and a fireworks display to end the day.

This is a worthy cause for men and women who are willing to give everything they have 24/7, so that we can feel secure. They deserve our appreciation and gratitude!

Day trip from St. Louis: Champ Clark Heritage Festival for antique cars, crafts, activities for kids

Now that the heat wave has passed in St. Louis, it's a great time to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. You can do just that during your day trip to Bowling Green to see the Champ Clark Heritage Festival.

The Champ Clark Heritage Festival kicks off next Saturday, September 11th, with a parade in the theme of "supporting our youth." The parade begin at 10:00 a.m., from the Bowling Green High School parking lot.

After the parade, take the family to enjoy the many interesting exhibits. There will be... Read more

Fall Festival in Hazelwood, Missouri: Family-friendly fun with petting zoo, magician Eldon Roark

It's hard to believe that Fall will officially begin September 23rd, but it is, indeed, coming quickly. There are many fun activities for kids in St. Louis every Autumn, and next weekend, you have a chance to kick off the Fall season with a full day of fun in Hazelwood.

The Hazelwood Harvestfest will take place on Saturday, September 11th from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Howdershell Park. This event is a great place to bring the family as there are activities for all ages.

If you have energetic children, you can turn them loose on the... Read more

Fun Fall and Halloween activities: Great Godfrey Corn Maze, zip line and more just outside St. Louis

After months of sweltering heat in St. Louis, September comes and waves its magic wand, suddenly turning thoughts toward apple cider, building scarecrows, and Halloween.

And of course, one of the signature phrases of Fall is "corn maze." If winding your way through a corn maze is one of your Fall favorites, check out the Great Godfrey Corn Maze, just north of St. Louis. Seven acres of winding path waits to be explored now through October 31st.

Will you be brave enough to enter?

Precious Moments Girls Club provides a safe place for girls to play games and chat online

With St. Louis schools back in session and less time in your schedule for venturing out, you may be beginning to think about more home-based activities for your kids.

The Precious Girls Club is a great way to keep your daughter, not only entertained, but learning valuable lessons as well, and all you need is an internet connection.

You're probably familiar with Precious Moments figurines and dolls, but perhaps you didn't realize there is a line of products specifically tailored for your young girls. The Precious Girls Club is an extension of these products and a community all its own.

When you daughter joins the Precious Girls Club, she can.... Read more

Drum roll please....

After a very long 19 day wait, Examiner.com has finally fixed the bugs in my page which happened as a result of them launching a new website design back in the middle of August. I am soooo relieved!

I am thrilled to be able to finally get this blog going again and bring you some fantastic activities to do with your kids!

Educational games and activities to prepare your kids for back to school or homeschool

So, the time is finally here and the kids will be headed back to school. For some, it's a sigh of relief and for others, it's dread of the strict routine.

Either way, the beginning of the school year brings to mind that we may not really know what has been on our children's minds all summer. Perhaps it's time to see if they actually remember anything they learned last year.

One way to do that, and keep them having fun too, is to play some easy, educational games. Games such as Musical Math, Spelling Mall, Vacation Vocabulary and History in the Making are all great ways to give your kids' brains a back to school boost.

The rules of the games are simple... Read more

Teen heartthrob, singer Justin Bieber comes to St. Louis: Tickets on sale now

If you have a preteen or teenage daughter, granddaughter or niece, or you've been around young girls at all lately, you've certainly heard the name Justin Bieber.

This teen sensation burst onto the music scene with his debut album, My World, and has sold over 5 million albums worldwide. In addition to being a popular singer, Justin taught himself to play several instruments, including piano, drums, trumpet and guitar.

If he weren't already impressive enough, Justin, at just 16 years old, has set out to...Read more

Day trip from St. Louis, Missouri State Fair packed with family-friendly events, activities for kids

The Missouri State Fair runs from August 12th through 22nd and is packed with so much fun you won't know where to start!

Check out the kids entertainment schedule, which includes a dog show, magician, wild west show, strong man show and more.

And, for the teens and adults, concerts galore! The Pepsi Grandstand will present Eli Young Band, Three Dog Night, Darius Rucker, The Band Perry, Colbie Caillat, Sheryl Crow and several others.

This fair is well worth the road trip from St. Louis and will be a lasting end-of-summer memory for you and your kids.

Kid's Block Party at St. Charles Convention Center: Crafts, karaoke, inflatables and more August 14

Summer is almost gone, but there is still another chance to give your kids a day filled with fun activities.

On August 14th, the St. Charles Convention Center will be the site of a Kid's Block Party, sponsored by Community News.

From 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., kids ages 3-11 will get to participate in activities that... Read more

Town & Country Fair in Washington, Missouri: Uncle Kracker, Peter Frampton, plus activities for kids

It's hot out there, so why not fill up on slushies, root beer floats, ice cream and more, and then catch a breeze on one of the fun rides at the Town & Country Fair in Washington, Missouri?

There are so many fun activities for kids at this fair - really creative and engaging ideas such as a bubble gum blowing contest, human foosball, Wii bowling, bungee run, petting zoo, an obstacle course, and more.

Plus, watch pirates sword fight 25 feet in the air. What little guy wouldn't love to see THAT?

Make sure you check out Babaloo too. He's hilariously fun and gets the kids drumming, tapping, and wiggling to his silly songs.

Once the kids are good and worn out, set them down on a blanket for the evening while the adults enjoy the sounds of Uncle Kracker, Rodney Atkins, Ted Nugent or Peter Frampton.

It's going to be a fun week of entertainment in Washington, Missouri. Make sure you don't miss any of the activities available at the fair.

St. Louis fans: Sheryl Crow, Colbie Caillat, Darius Rucker, Montgomery Gentry at Missouri State Fair

The Eli Young Band performs one of my favorite songs, Guinevere. I would love to see them, but you may prefer one of the other amazing singers coming to the Missouri State Fair. See the complete list, which includes Sheryl Crow, Darius Rucker and more, plus lots of great activities for kids as well. It should be a fun week!

Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus Greatest Show on Earth comes to St. Louis in October

I'm so excited that THE circus is coming back to St. Louis. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be here in October, bringing with it lots of excitement. I haven't seen this show since I was a kid, and all the other circus shows that I've seen since just haven't compared, especially the one where I was forced to sit at the end of an arena, way up high, behind a pole, and joked later that once every half hour or so I could see a horse's tail twitch, but that's about it - LOL.

I had a lot of fun researching this one, and finding out some of the history behind the circus. I hope you enjoy my latest article, which details the kinds of amazing acts you'll see, including the very talented elephant in the pre-show!

Ian Cole the Yo Yo Kid entertains kids of all ages with amazing tricks at the St. Charles Library

Do you remember having a yo-yo when you were a kid? Did you stare in amazement when another kid could make his yo-yo "walk the dog" while you watched yours go hopelessly up and down, up and down?

If you've always been curious how to get more out of that yo-yo, or you just want a fun activity for your kids on a hot Summer day, visit the St. Charles City-County Library in August.

Ian Cole, the Yo Yo kid will entertain you with ...Read more

America's Got Talent Season Five winner will perform at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis this Fall

I have a weakness every Summer... America's Got Talent! Yep, I watch every week and root for my favorite acts, always hoping to see something truly unique and different and when I do, hoping they don't blow it in the second round. It's always hard to pick a favorite with my whole heart though, because many of these contestants have such heart-warming human interest stories and the underdog lover in me wants them all to win. And, besides that, many of them truly are talented, but maybe not quite as ready as the next guy, leaving my heart torn every time.

My personal favorite this year is Fighting Gravity, but regardless of who wins, I think it's very cool that the winner and many of the season's popular acts are coming to St. Louis! That's right, if you and your kids are fans of the show, you can surprise the kids with tickets to see America's Got Talent Live at the Fox Theatre this Fall.

Definitely something to look forward to after we're all settled back into the school routine.

An hour from St. Louis, Jour De Fete Festival in Ste. Genevieve offers history, crafts, music & more

Does your family love history or antiques? Do you enjoy crafts, music and great food? If so, then the Jour De Fete Festival in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri will provide tons of fun for you on August 14th and 15th.

View some amazing architecture, see an 18th century French militia reenactment, watch artisans do crafts such as woodworking, visit the World Bird Sanctuary's raptor exhibit and see some really cool birds up close, shop for crafts, enjoy some cold Ted Drews, and so much more.

Get more details on the St. Louis Children's Recreation Examiner website and plan a short day trip to Ste. Genevieve before the kids go back to school. This is a great way to get their brains geared up for learning again, while you enjoy some end-of-Summer family time.

Tomorrow is the last day to enter to win Tim McGraw concert tickets

If titles such as "Indian Outlaw," "My Next 30 Years," "I Like it, I Love It," "Last Dollar," and "Southern Voice" conjure up happy feelings and good memories, you're obviously a fan of the man in the black hat.

If you would like a chance to win tickets to see Tim McGraw live in New York, tomorrow is the last day you can enter online... Read more

Jefferson County Fair features Craig Morgan, Collective Soul and lots of fun for kids

It's a big weekend in Hillsboro, Missouri, just outside of St. Louis. The Jefferson County Fair has already gotten underway, but there are tons of great activities for kids, and the whole family all weekend long.

Some of the entertainment includes concerts by Craig Morgan and Collective Soul, as well as local bands, a petting zoo, pony rides, magic, a rodeo, and truck and tractor pull. There's much more going on though, so be sure to check out all the details on my St. Louis Children's Recreation Examiner page!

Ice cream, music, face painting and more at The Magic House on Saturday

Anybody else tired of this St. Louis heat and humidity? Well, I've got the perfect way for you and the kiddos to cool off! Visit The Magic House in Kirkwood on Saturday, July 24th and enjoy their Scoops of Fun ice cream event. Check out the details in my latest article on Examiner.com.

Find me on Facebook too!

If you've found this blog and are enjoying it, I'm so glad! However, if you're primarily on Facebook, you can find me there too. And, as a special treat, I'm giving away free Farmville codes to the first 5 people who refer someone to "Like" my Facebook page. The catch is that you have to tell me who you referred, after they sign up. That way, I'll be sure to credit you if you're one of the first five. And, if the friend you refer, hurries and refers someone before the first five are done, they're eligible for a free Farmville code too. You can find me on Facebook under the same name Jae's Jampacked Days (well almost the same name! Sorry dads, that you're not included in the title there, but you're still very welcome!)

Win vacation at Beaches Resorts with Martha Stewart's Kids' Summer Craft Contest

Does your kid love to draw and paint? Is she amazing with a lump of clay? Is he a whiz with a glue gun? Whether it's sequins and beads, rocks and pine cones or recycled materials such as paper plates and cardboard tubes, your child's creativity could win your family a luxury vacation to a Beaches Resort in the Caribbean.

Sometime before August 1st, plan a craft day with your kids. It's okay if you don't feel all that creative; just let your kids' imaginations take over. You'll be amazed what they come up with if you just supply the materials.

You might clear a large workspace, such as the dining room table or lay plastic tablecloths down to protect a spot on a hardwood or tile floor. Be sure to have the basics available, such as ... Read more

Watch Veggie Tales Sweetpea Beauty video, get freebies at Family Christian Store kids event

In an American culture that portrays women as sex symbols first, and intelligent, creative individuals second, it can be quite a challenge to help your young girls see that their true beauty is on the inside.

The folks at Big Idea Productions, the makers of Veggie Tales, have set out to give parents a tool to help little girls find their true worth.

Releasing on July 31st, the new video in the Veggie Tales series will show girls that it's okay to be exactly who God made them to be, without relying on physical attributes.
Sweetpea Beauty is a young maiden who knows that ... Read more

Swing Around Fun Town in St. Louis for Summer family entertainment: Go carts, mini golf and more

With a few weeks of Summer behind us, the kids may be starting to get a bit restless. The quickest cure for boredom is a visit to Swing Around Fun Town, where you’ll find activities for kids of all ages.

At Swing Around Fun Town in Fenton, your children will have so many activities to choose from that they won’t know where to start.

If they want to get outside and enjoy the summer sun, the Go Karts will give them a thrill. Twist and turn along 1100 feet of track in the fastest go karts in St. Louis. These go karts are equipped with plenty of safety features including a remote shut down system, so parents and kids can relax and just enjoy the thrill of “racing.” For children under 58 inches tall, or ages 3 to 8, there is a specially designed kiddie track, so the little ones can feel like big kids while they enjoy driving go karts too.

For those who would rather take things a bit more slowly, hop on the ...Read more

St. Louis teens learn computer animation, video game design, interactive games with Scratch program

Over the past few decades, computer technology has grown at such a rapid rate, that we are now in a generation where children view technology as an integral part of their lives.

Children as young as toddlers are exposed to computer games or online sites such as YouTube. Kids only slightly older, begin using computers in preschool, advancing their skills as they enter kindergarten and progress through each grade level. By the time a child reaches high school age, technology is the foundation for almost everything they do.

It's no wonder that in this day of mobile phone applications, Facebook, computer games and movies with phenomenal special effects, many kids have turned from traditional hobbies and career aspirations to those that involve computer animation, video game design and other types of computer programming.

Knowing the future is wide-open with potential, and with a desire to make interactive computer programming more accessible to young people, the folks at the MIT Media Lab created a programming language called Scratch.

Scratch allows anyone, even children, to create their own interactive stories, animations, games, music, art and more, without having to learn complicated and advanced skill-level programming.

Kids can download Scratch for free, then begin to use their own illustrations or existing photographs to create an interactive experience. For instance, kids could ...Read more

New at The Magic House in St. Louis: Children's Village Hospital delivers baby dolls, pretend play

If your little ones can't get enough of playing Mommy, dressing up, or pretending to be a doctor or nurse, the new play area at The Magic House is going to have them beaming with joy, bundles of joy, that is!

In collaboration with The St. Louis Children's Hospital, the Magic House has opened a new baby nursery where children can enjoy pretend play at its best. Finally, a wing of the Magic House, dedicated to little girls and the imaginative play they love best - taking care of their babies.

Just like a real hospital, visitors can peek through the nursery window and ...Read more

Sugar Free Allstars Disco Dance Party live at Off Broadway in St. Louis

If your kids like to sing, if they like to dance, if they like to get down and get "funky", Off Broadway on Lemp Avenue has just the show to keep your kids groovin'.

On Sunday, July 25th, in celebration of the release of their brand new CD,
Funky Fresh & Sugar Free the Sugar Free Allstars will take the stage at 3:00 p.m. and ...Read more

Mommy & Me Cooking Class great chance to bond with kids at Eckert's Farm in Belleville, Illinois

If you've got a little one who loves to follow you around in the kitchen, or an older child who likes to experiment with recipes, Eckert's in Belleville, Illinois is cooking up the perfect mix of bonding with your kids and making a delicious meal.

On Monday, July 19th and again on July 31st, you and your little chefs can take a tractor ride to the blackberry field and tomato plants on Eckert's Farm, then head back ...Read more