The area around Ellisville boasts a wide variety of kid-friendly attractions, so you’re sure to find the perfect way to spend a day as a family when you know where to look. That’s where Crème de la Crème of Ellisville comes in. We’ve put together this list of places to go, without traveling far at all, when you want to treat the kids to a day of fun.

Myseum

If you imagine a children’s museum combined with a science center, all wrapped up in an indoor playground, you’ll get Myseum. This amazing place close to home offers fun for the whole family. Though kids between the ages of 2 and 12 years old get the most out of exhibits here, the museum is really designed for your entire family to enjoy. There are places for all age ranges, not to mention a dedicated toddler area, so you’ll easily find ways to keep your whole group entertained.

Myseum is located at 283 Lamp and Lantern Village, Town
and Country, Missouri, 63017. Opening hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. The museum is also open on Saturdays from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission costs $10.95 for children between the ages of 2 and 17, $5.95 for adults between the ages of 18 and 59, and $4.95 for seniors (prices do not include tax). Kids aged 1 year and younger can enter for free.

Saint Louis Zoo

“penguins on rock near river during daytime” used with permission via Unsplash by onixion

The Saint Louis Zoo is one can’t-miss attraction in our area. If your kiddos love animals, they’ll find plenty to enjoy with a trip here. More than 12,000 animals live at this zoo, representing around 500 species, so your kids are sure to find more than a few cute (or ferocious!) critters to love. The zoo is known for its commitment to animal care and management, wildlife conversation, research, and education.

The Saint Louis Zoo is also one of the few free zoos in the country, making it a great place to visit whenever you’re able to make the short trip into St. Louis. There, you’ll find gorgeous naturalistic exhibits housing a diverse collection of animals for the world’s major biomes. Though general admission is always free, remember to reserve timed tickets before you visit as attendance is limited. The museum does charge fees for certain attractions. You’ll find the zoo at 1 Government Drive, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, right in historic Forest Park.

City Museum

If your kids are into interactive fun, you can’t go wrong with a visit to City Museum. Adventure awaits when you explore the unexpected here. Housed in a 100-year-old warehouse that artists repurposed, this amazing space boasts bridges, castles, slides, tunnels, and more. Kids (and kids at heart) will love exploring secret passages, ball pits, and rooftop attractions like a school bus and Ferris wheel.

Head over to 750 N.16th St., St. Louis, Missouri, 63103 when you’re ready for a fun day out. City Museum is open Sunday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $16 plus tax; you’ll have to pay a bit more to explore the rooftop. Children 2 years old and younger can enter for free. Reserve your tickets in advance to guarantee you’ll be able to enter on the day you plan to go.

The Magic House

The Magic House should sit near the top of your list if you’re looking for a fun way to spend the day with your kids. With 60,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, you’re sure to spark curiosity in any kid you take to this amazing place. From fishing to giant bubbles, beanstalks to climb to an electrostatic generator, this super cool and close spot offers an array of hands-on learning experiences to inspire your family.

You’ll find the Magic House at 516 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, Missouri, 63122. General admission costs $12 for anyone age 1 or above. Hours vary depending on the season.

Saint Louis Science Center

The Saint Louis Science Center is likely to inspire a lifelong love for science for just about anyone who visits. After all, this museum is dedicated to connecting the world through the power of curiosity. You’ll find exhibits about mummies and Mars, energy and ecology, and so much more. Enjoy a show at the planetarium or OMNIMAX theater, or just wander around finding new things to explore.

The Saint Louis Science Center is one of the only free nonprofit science museums in the nation, so it’s another place you can easily return whenever your family is in the mood. Just remember you’ll need a timed entry ticket reservation before you go.

This museum is typically open on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From dates in May through September, the museum operates on summer hours: Thursday to Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Science Center is located at 5050 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, 63110.

Missouri Botanical Garden

Escape into nature without traveling far when you explore the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Garden was founded back in 1859, making it the oldest botanical garden in continuous operation in the country. It’s also a National Historic Landmark. Today, your family is sure to delight in the plants and butterflies that make this local attraction so beautiful.

You’ll find the Missouri Botanical Garden at 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri, 63110. Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with the last entry at 4:30 p.m.), the Garden offers free admission to St. Louis City/County residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. The Garden is always free for children 12 years old and younger. Otherwise, Zoo-Museum District tickets for St. Louis City and County residents cost $6, and general admission costs $14.

That wraps up Crème de la Crème of Ellisville’s list of some of the best kid-friendly attractions you can find close to home. Our area has so many fun things to do, we couldn’t cover it all! Let us know if you have a favorite spot local families shouldn’t miss so we can add your recommendation.