Summer in St. Louis means grilling pork steaks in the backyard, going to festivals in the park, or hitting the pool. To make this your best summer ever, keep these safety tips in mind.

Safety Around the Pool

First of all, adult supervision is a must. We can’t emphasize this enough: watch your kids around water! Have life jackets or floaties nearby for the kids, check the water depth before they dive, and make sure they wear sunscreen!

Insect Bites and Bug Spray

Wet springs mean more mosquitoes, ticks, and other nasty bugs. If your kids are stung, they may experience redness, itching, swelling, and maybe a little pain around the bite. A store-bought anti-itch cream will do the trick, but there are home remedies you can use as well. Baking soda, oatmeal, or ice can help relieve the itch.

Before you go to a park or walk in a wooded area, spray your kids down with bug spray. Follow the instructions on the label and be careful not to get spray in kids’ eyes. After any outing in the great outdoors, check your kids for ticks!

Firework Safety This Independence Day

Every kid loves fireworks, and if parents are around and kids are careful, everyone can enjoy them! Always use fireworks outside, and have a bucket of water or hose nearby, just in case. If your kids play with sparklers, make sure they keep them away from their hair or clothing. Tell your children never to point fireworks at another person, even as a joke. This is another situation where parental supervision is key. Don’t hold fireworks in your hand to light them, and only light one at a time.

Stranger Danger and Amusement Park Safety

Hitting Six Flags or another public amusement park this summer? Keep an eye on your kiddos! They should know to avoid strangers and keep in sight of trusted adults. Establishing a meeting place, in case your family gets separated, is a good idea to help your child feel safe. Teach your child to follow the park rules, especially the weight and height limits on dangerous rides. Don’t forget the sunscreen, and make sure you’ve got water bottles or other drinks available so your kids don’t get dehydrated.

Need a Break, Mom and Dad? Mary Margaret’s can Help!

Mary Margaret’s Day Care has a number of summer programs available to keep your kids learning all summer long. If you have questions about any special activities coming up, be sure to let us know!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

If you’d like to get out and about with the kids this holiday, and don’t want to spend a lot of money, you have plenty of options in the Lou! There’s no end to the kid-friendly events around town. Below, we list some of the light shows and holiday celebrations we’re looking forward to this season.  

Inexpensive, Family-Friendly Holiday Events in Saint Louis

(1) Holiday Lights at Anheuser-Busch  

This family-friendly feature isn’t just for beer-drinkers. Every year, Anheuser-Busch string up more than a million twinkling lights and sets up an ice skating rink and their popular Kid Zone, where kids can ride the Bevo Express train or enjoy Frosty’s Winter Wonderland. If you haven’t been before, it’s a Saint Louis tradition you shouldn’t miss. Visit Thursday through Sunday, 5pm to 10pm,  all the way through December 30th.

(2) Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo

Our world-famous zoo never disappoints. During the holiday season, visitors are invited to view spectacular light displays as they say hello to the animals and drink hot chocolate. This event is taking place on selective nights through December 30th. Visit the Saint Louis Zoo website for details.

(3) Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops

There’s no purchase required when you take the kids to see Santa at Bass Pro Shop in St. Charles. From now through Christmas Eve, kids can take their pictures with Santa and participate in all sorts of fun, free, and family-friendly activities. Check the schedule for details.

(4) Polar Express Train Ride

This one’s a bit more expensive, but worth it if you want to give your kids a magical experience. The Polar Express Train Ride rolls out of St. Louis Union Station every day through December 30th. Kids will sing Christmas carols, hear stories, get hot chocolate and cookies, and see Santa himself! Deals and hotel packages are available now.

(5) Free Carriage Rides at Westport Plaza

If you’d like to give your kids the experience of their first carriage ride, Westport Plaza offers them for free every Saturday in December and on New Year’s Eve. Rides are first come, first serve and begin every evening at 6:30.

(6) Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park

You can also take a carriage ride at Tilles Park, or just drive through and look at the beautiful light display. Take note: some nights are only for carriage rides and walkers, so plan your trip accordingly.

(7) Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Stroll through the garden at night and marvel at the unique light installations. With s’mores, yummy holiday drinks, and plenty of photo opportunities, this is something the whole family will love. From now through January 1st, visitors should be prepared to be wowed. Check the schedule for your opportunity to visit.

(8) Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park

We couldn’t end this list without mentioning a fan favorite and a Saint Louis tradition. The largest outdoor skating rink in the Midwest is in Forest Park, and it’s open every day of the week. Never been ice skating before? Why not take your kids for an experience they’ll never forget?

What Will Your Family Be Doing This Holiday?

When we compile these lists, we know we’ll inevitably miss an event. What is your family looking forward to this season?

If you have ideas we haven’t mentioned, please let us know! Comment here or on our Facebook page.

Whatever you do this Christmas, everyone here at Mary Margaret Day Care wishes you and your family all the love and happiness of the holiday season.

Fall may be St. Louis’ best season. The leaves are changing, stores are filled with pumpkins and fresh apple cider, and there are festivals just about every weekend. There’s no better time to get out and about with the entire family.

If you’re in the mood for Halloween, then we’ve got the perfect list for you! Click on the links provided for more information on dates and times.

Halloween Events in St. Louis

(1) Halloween Hoopla in St. Charles

This free event in Frontier Park is perfect for all ages. With activities for kids and not-too-scary ghosts to interact with, your family can kick off Halloween trick-or-treating early. No reservations are necessary. This event takes place from 3:00 to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

(2) Halloween Fun at Purina Farms

You can bring your kids and your dog to this Halloween event on October 21st! Both will enjoy participating in Trunk and Treat. There will also be face painting, balloon animals, and more family-friendly entertainment. Tickets are required. Learn more at the Purina Farms Facebook page.

(3) Everyone loves Boo at the Zoo!

Bring your little ones for some trick-or-treating at the zoo! Admission is free at the St. Louis Zoo’s Spooky Saturday event on October 27. There will be activity stations as well as photo opportunities for your costumed kiddos. Learn more about all the activities the St. Louis Zoo has planned for Halloween at stlzoo.org.

(4) Halloween Fun at the Library

The Julia Davis branch of the St. Louis Public Library, near Natural Bridge and Newstead, is offering arts and crafts, mask making, ghost stories and of course candy! Registration is not necessary for this free Halloween Celebration. Get more information at slpl.org.

(5) Halloween Parade at Westport

Kids age 10 and under are welcome to show off their costumes at the annual All Hallows Eve costume parade at Westport Plaza. This event begins at 6:00, and reservations are not required. Simply bring your family and your sense of adventure to this free, not-too-scary event. Get more information at westportstl.com.

(6) Spooky Science at the St. Louis Science Center

Bring your kiddos to this event for hands-on science that will get you in the mood for Halloween. There’s a Haunted Lab where kids can make a slimy creation, Halloween-themed movies in the OMNIMAX Theater, and a pumpkin demonstration called “Spooky Science Goes Splat.” We’ll let you guess what that looks like! The entire family is encouraged to wear costumes and tour all of the events at the St. Louis Science Center. General admission is free. Get more information at slsc.org.

(7) Ghost Stories at Jefferson Barracks

Costumed storytellers tell spooky stories at Jefferson Barracks, right on the edge of the Mississippi River. This once-a-year exclusive experience comes complete with candlelight, creaking floors, and other spooky sounds that will thrill you and the kids. Advance registration is required. Get more information by calling (314) 615-8800 or by visiting stlouisco.com.

(8) Halloween Party and Parade in Lafayette Park

Dress up the kids in their scariest costumes and bring them to Lafayette park for a Halloween party and parade. This event includes trick or treating, carriage rides, carnival games, and more. Everyone is welcome, and it’s free! Get more information at lafayettesquare.org.

What Will Your Family Be Doing This Halloween?

With so many events in St. Louis, we’re sure we’ve missed some. Comment and tell us what your family is doing for the holiday! Or, post your cutest Halloween pictures on our Facebook page.

Happy Halloween!

Winter dragged on and on this year, but it’s finally spring!

It’s our humble opinion that spring is St. Louis’ best season. Flowers bloom in Tower Grove Park again, Cardinal’s gear pops up everywhere, and people begin to come out on their porches to chat and enjoy the fresh spring breeze.

As always, St. Louis has a lot to offer young families. We’ve covered popular spots like City Museum and Forest Park before. Here are a few more places to take your kids now that the weather is nearly perfect …

Family Friendly Places that Make St. Louis Great

(1) Grant’s Farm and Purina Farms

We’re rightfully proud of our award-winning zoo, but it’s not the only place to get close to some critters. Grant’s Farm, a Busch family estate once owned by Ulysses S. Grant, has a petting area, tours through a wildlife preserve, and even animal shows that are sure to wow the kids. There are carnival rides, too and – maybe best of all – beer for the parents.

If you’re a dog lover, you’ll love the dog shows at Purina Farms. There, you can watch some agile pups dive or catch flying discs. Purina Farms also features barnyard animals kids can get close to and other play areas with a family farm theme.

(2) Laumeier Sculpture Park

Are regular art museums a little too stuffy for your young ones? Take them to a place where they can run around outside and see beautiful art! The Laumeier Sculpture Park, one of the largest sculpture parks in the country, features 60 large-scale art projects spread out over 105 acres of gentle green hills. There are surprises around every corner here, and your kids will love running from sculpture to sculpture. The park is pet-friendly, too!

(3) Museum of Transportation

Do you have a little one who can’t get enough of trains and trucks? We bet you know one … If so, take your little racer to the Museum of Transportation. There, you’ll find just about every vehicle imaginable, from horse-drawn carriages to aircraft – with plenty of classic automobiles and train memorabilia in between. The interactive exhibits will keep your kids busy, and you might enjoy yourself, too.

(4) Citygarden

At 801 Market Street, in the heart of downtown, there’s a little oasis we bet you already know about. Even so, we couldn’t leave Citygarden off our list of fun locations. Why? Because kids simply love it! Let your kiddos run through the spray plaza or get close to the wacky art that dots this perfectly charming park.

(5) Adrenaline Zone and Demolition Ball

We couldn’t forget this fun zone, perfect for your older kids. This St. Charles attraction features laser tag on one side, and bumper cars on the other. Kids can play all day here, and probably will if you let them!

If those five spots aren’t enough, there are always St. Louis classics like Ballpark Village or the iconic Gateway Arch! Plus, nature reserves where your family can picnic, wander in the woods, or simply enjoy this beautiful spring weather. Did we leave your favorite location off our list? Let us know!

We’ve had quite a winter here in St. Louis. There hasn’t been much snow. There’s been plenty of warmer temperatures. And just when it seemed that spring would finally take the weather reins from winter for good, we got another round of snow last week.

Indeed, this season has been anything but predictable, but how often is St. Louis weather consistent? Nevertheless, there will come a time when the cold temperatures scoot out of the area for good, and when they do, you and your family will want to get outside. To help you get started, here are five family friendly activities in St. Louis to try out this spring!

Spring-Time Family Friendly Activities in St. Louis

1) Forest Park

Forest Park is home to many free and paid family friendly attractions, including the St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Muny, St. Louis Science Center, Missouri Botanical Gardens, Jewel Box and more. With each of these locations providing its own immersive experience, you could literally spend every weekend throughout spring in Forest Park and never get bored.

2) The Arch

Not only is the St. Louis Arch an iconic monument in our grand city; it’s also a great place to let your kids experience the rich history of the Gateway to the West. When you go, be sure to check out the Arch’s recently renovated underpinnings filled with knowledge about what the Arch represents and how it came to be. Then snag a tram ride to the Arch’s uppermost bend so that your little ones can see how vast their city actually is.

3) The City Museum

The City Museum is the perfect place to let your child’s mind wander. Complete with outdoor and indoor exploration areas – from winding caves to scaling slides and a bus that “teeters” on top of the roof – the City Museum is the perfect place to let your child (and maybe even remind you how to) just be a kid.

4) Busch Stadium / Ball Park Village

The greatest baseball team in the nation deserves the greatest baseball-watching experience. Head down to Ball Park Village where your family can enjoy a quick bite at any of its famous restaurants. Once the game starts, hang out under the big screen inside or out on the front lawn. If you want to get an even closer look at the game, head into the iconic Busch Stadium and celebrate another redbird victory alongside the citizens of Cardinal Nation.

5) Ted Drewes

No matter which adventure from above you choose, top off your day with a cup of the best frozen custard on the planet! Ted Drewes is a St. Louis staple that’s been serving cool treats to eager consumers for more than 80 years! With a track record like that, you know this dessert must be special.

And more…?

So there you have it — our top picks for family friendly activities in St. Louis to do this spring. Is there a place you and your family like to go that didn’t make our list? Let us know on our social media channels. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Thanksgiving break is around the corner. In addition to great food and time with family, this also means long weekends with excited kiddos! As we head into the holiday season we wanted to offer a list of free family activities in St. Louis that are perfect for young children. Our community has so much to offer when it comes to having fun with your family. Here are a few of our favorites.

Free Family Activities In St. Louis

Photo Courtesy of Downtown Kirkwood Winter Fireworks Festival

The Alton Community Tree Lighting For those who want to kick off their holiday season this weekend there are tons of free family activities in St. Louis. Just across the river on Friday, November 18, 2016 Alton Illinois will host their annual Community Tree Lighting in Lincoln-Douglas Square, at Broadway Street and Landmarks Blvd. The event starts at 6:00 pm and runs until 8:00 pm. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 6:00 pm and families can enjoy free photos with the pair as well as cookies, hot cocoa and prizes for the kids.

Ameren Thanksgiving Day Parade. Let’s not forget this free family favorite. For the past 32 years balloons, marching bands and floats have made this a tradition for many St. Louis families. The parade kicks of at 8:45 am on Thursday, November 24th from 7th Street and Market Street in Downtown St. Louis. There will be over 130 parade units in this years parade, including fire trucks and animal groups. For those who can’t make it downtown, the parade will be broadcast on KMOV.

The Francis Park Christmas Tree Lighting If you have ever made it to Candy Cane Lane, then you know that the St. Louis Hills area has a very special tradition of creating holiday magic for the entire community. On November 27 the magic will begin in Francis Park for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. The festivities begin at 7:00 pm in the park, at the intersection of Childress and Nottingham. You can visit the St. Louis Hills website for more information.

UMSL’s Jazz for the Holidays Anyone with music lovers in the family may enjoy this special concert hosted at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on Sunday, December 6th at 3:00 pm. The university jazz ensemble, the university orchestra and the vocal group, Vocal Point will perform jazzy renditions of holiday favorites, including music from a Charlie Brown Christmas.

Downtown Kirkwood Fireworks Festival If your holidays are jammed packed with activities it may be difficult to visit all of these fun activities. Why not end your holiday season with a bang at the Downtown Kirkwood Fireworks Festival on Sunday, January 1, 2017? The party starts at 6:30 pm with a short concert by the Key of Three. Then a free fireworks display will be launched from the parking lot of city hall.

We look forward to the upcoming holiday festivities with all of our Mary Margaret Daycare families. Be sure to like your center’s Facebook page for upcoming events at each location. We also encourage you to share your pictures of our Mary Margaret Daycare families to the Facebook page. We would love to see our friends as they enjoy many of the free family activities in St. Louis.