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