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.