Kids Bowl Free All Summer

This summer, we're enjoying our summer vacation staying home and exploring St. Louis and other areas of the show-me state. We're saving our travel fund for a weekend in Chicago this fall so we're pinching pennies where we can. Now that its July in Missouri and the heat and humidity is reaching dangerous levels, we've been spending a lot of time finding fun indoors.

 One of our favorite ways to beat the summer heat when its too hot even for a pool visit is the dim lit, well air conditioned bowling alley. There's something about all of that cripsy fried bowling alley food and gooey chili cheese fries that I can't resist.

If you're in the mood for a cocktail or beer, they usually have very reasonable drink prices at the bar too.  Best of all, did you know that kids all over the US can bowl for free all summer long? There are several participating military bowling centers for military families across the globe.

Sign your kids up at kidsbowlfree.com and they can bowl for 2 free games any day at any of the participating lanes listed on the program's website all summer long, just pay for shoe rentals. Kids Bowl Free also offers discount family passes so parents, siblings over the program age limit or other family members can get a great deal and join the fun. The pass allows up to 4 people . We love to go as a family or meet up with friends from school and let the kids bowl while the parents relax and watch.

Rhys and Olivia were a little nervous to bowl at first, since they didn't have any prior experience. If you think you're bad at bowling too, bumpers, ramps and light weight balls make bowling fun and easy for all age and skill levels. It's all for fun!

Tips for Camping at Meramec State Park

Meramec State Park is a popular camping and float trip destination for St. Louisans, just 1 hour from from downtown, you can play all weekend and be home in time for work on Monday. The park sits on over 6,800 acres near Sullivan, Missouri off Interstate 44.

The cool waters of the Meramec river are a favorite place to relax and beat the heat and humidity of St. Louis summers. We took our kids camping at Meramec State Park over Mother's Day weekend and here are our tips to make the most of this beautiful destination.


Reserve Your Site Online
Although this park has first come camp sites, they do fill up fast on popular weekends. If you require electricity, quick access to the restrooms or the promise of shade, you can reserve your site online and have it waiting when you arrive. Since Pj sleeps with a cpap machine, we make sure to reserve an electric site online so he can sleep peacefully and have energy to play all weekend.

Stop at the welcome center
I've been visiting Meramec for years but until this spring, we never stopped at the Visitor Center at the front of the park. I just assumed they had the usual brochures and rangers with weather advisories but I was happily mistaken! When entering, we were greeted with some snacks of fruit and cookies with coffee, which the kids eagerly accepted.

The welcome center is a fantastic museum of the area. They have plant, animal and rock specimens that can be found in the park and river including a touch table for kids to feel what snake skin, antler and different things are like. There are interactive exhibits on the natural wonders of the river, the history of the cave, the local towns and a bird viewing room where you can quietly sit and watch birds and other forest animals come to the windows for food.

 The rangers are very helpful and will guide you on anything you would like to do at the park. On our way out, we found a turtle in the parking lot and a ranger told us about how to tell the difference between male and female turtles. The one we found was a girl.

Bring a Jacket to Tour Fisher Cave
The flashy, privately owned Meramec Caverns is a few exits down the highway but we much prefer the knowledge of the naturalists who provide tours at state operated cave tours. Tour guides work and study in our state's cave systems and can provide a thorough knowledge of the cave formations, the history of the caves, the animals that live there and answer any questions that visitors may have about the extraordinary site.

Fisher Cave was a spectacular tour. Each person is given a flashlight and that is the only light source in the cave. There is a paved walkway through most of the tour but there is a low ceiling for about 100 feet so you have to be able to walk bent over for a while and be careful to not bump your head. Bring a jacket because its a cool 57 degrees inside the cave, even on the hottest days of the year. Fisher Cave was once a popular nightlife hang out decades ago and home to bears, as is evidence by claw marks on the walls deep inside the cave.

When everyone turns off their flashlights for total darkness, it is a truly amazing experience.  Cave tours are $10 for adults, $8 for teens, $6 for kids and kids under age 6 are free. 

Chat with the Rangers
Upon arrival make sure to find a ranger and ask if they have any educational presentations happening. When we checked into our camp site, the ranger mentioned a presentation for the kids about Missouri Black Bears at the outdoor theater by the cave. 

Bring Water Shoes and Life Jackets
The waters of the Meramec river are pretty clear in the shallows due to the rocky bed but be sure to bring water shoes for everyone so you can enjoy the river to its fullest. The river bed is full of beautiful rocks, many with geodes inside.

 Its also a popular fishing and float trip destination so those shoes will protect feet against any hooks or broken glass (which is prohibited at the river). The River can have some very fast currents so keep life jackets and a close hand on the little ones and dogs. 

Stop at Fireside Store and Grill
The Fireside Store and Grill is near the park's reservable cabins. Stop in for a map of the park, a souvenir, forgotten camp supplies or burgers. On your way home on Sunday morning, you can stop for a reasonably priced hot breakfast. If you're going on a float trip, check in is also at the store.

How to Save Money at The St. Louis Zoo

The St. Louis Zoo is one of our favorite destinations. It was voted as best zoo and USA Today's #1 free attraction in the US.  The giant flight cage, housing birds was built for the 1904 World's Fair and it became an official zoo in 1910.

There are several exquisite examples of architecture from the time including the Herpetarium, built in 1927 and the Primate House, built in 1925.  We're lucky to live in the area and be able to go to the zoo as often as we like.



Whether you're a St. Louisan or visitor, here are our tips to save money while visiting the zoo.

Get there early!  My number one tip is to arrive early. The zoo opens at 8am and is busy as soon as the doors open. During the first hour that the zoo is open (8am to 9am) visitors get free admission to the Children's Zoo, ride the Conservation Carousel and pet and feed the Stingrays at Caribbean Cove (seasonal).  The Children's Zoo, Carousel and Stingrays cost $11 per person so this is a great way to really save on your zoo visit.

The Children's zoo includes a goat pen where kids can brush and pet the goats, an area to view jellyfish, Tasmanian devils, pet the guinea pigs and see farm animals up close. There are several very fun hands-on activities for kids such as a tube slide through water where river otters swim and a little farm style play house area.

The Stingrays at Caribbean Cove is an exhibit to not be missed. Kids can put their hands in the water with stingrays and small, gentle bamboo sharks. Feel the soft, slippery animals as they swim by. During feeding times, the rays will happily grab a treat from the palm of your hand for $1 per cup!

Park for Free  Another benefit of arriving to the zoo early is free parking available along the streets of Forest Park. These parking spots fill up very quickly but the early bird gets the worm! We arrived at 8am the last time we visited the zoo and were able to get a free parking spot on the street at the North entrance that was closer than the paid spots. Paid Parking in the lots is $15 per car


Get the Adventure Pass  If you want to take in all of the zoo's activities, consider an Adventure Pass. If you buy your pass online you can save $1 per pass and get them for $11.95 per person. The pass includes admission to the Children's Zoo, the carousel, stingrays, 4D theater, sealion show and the zooline railroad, which has all day on and off privileges so you can ride around the zoo as much as you like. All of the attractions would be $28 per person without the pass so it's a great deal!


Pack a Picnic The zoo now has designated picnic spots inside the zoo grounds. Buying food at the zoo can be pretty expensive so this is a great way to cut back on spending for the day. The zoo allows coolers, picnic baskets, wagons and strollers. Please remember to clean up everything from your picnic (trash and recycling cans are all over the zoo) and do not feed the animals, even those brave geese and birds for the safety of all of the animals at the zoo.

grab affordable lunch outside of the zoo If a picnic isn't practical for your trip to the zoo (or if you get rained out) there are many affordable places to eat nearby that everyone will enjoy. Check out The Courtesy Diner on Hampton Ave for friendly service, quick burgers and a fun retro diner experience.

 Ikea is only 10 minutes from the zoo and serves $1 frozen yogurt, pizza by the slice and $2.50 hot dog combos  in the Bistro. Upstairs in the restaurant, try salads, wraps, chicken strips and swedish meatballs. Kids eat free at Ikea on Tuesdays and regular kids meals start at $2.49.

 If you want to try a St. Louis specialty, stop at the Imo's on Hampton Ave for authentic St. Louis style thin crust pizza and toasted ravioli.

The zoo is an extraordinary destination that your family will remember for years. You can visit year round. During the Halloween season, check out the Boo at the Zoo event. There is plenty to see in winter as well.

Christmas lights, penguins, polar bears and seasonal holiday movies at the 4D theater make a wonderful winter vacation experience. We took the kids to the zoo on Black Friday last year and it was warm, uncrowded and we had a fantastic afternoon!

10 FREE Family Acitivities in St. Louis

St Louis is the perfect destination for free family fun. Its home to one of the best zoos in the country, well curated museums, historical sites and plenty of free parking and affordable places to grab lunch. Although there are many places to spend an afternoon with a splurge, there are even more places to visit for free or cheap.

The best times to visit St Louis are in the spring and fall for comfortable weather but even if you stop here during the dog days of summer or dead of winter, you will find fantastic ways to keep the whole family entertained on a budget. Travel through the city for a single afternoon or spend a week here, you'll never run out of things to see and do!

Here are our top 10 favorite free family activities in St Louis


1. St. Louis Zoo- admission to the zoo is free every day. Arrive early (within the first hour of opening 8am-9am) and snag a great free parking spot outside of the paid parking lots, free admission to the children's zoo, conservation carousel and free (seasonal) admission to the stingrays at caribbean cove. That will save $11 per person and $15 per car!

2. St. Louis Science Center- Also near Forest Park with the Zoo, admission to the science center is free every day. Parking at the main entrance is $12 per car but you can get free parking at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium or along the street near the Planetarium and enjoy the skybridge over Interstate 64/Highway 40.

3. St. Louis Art Museum- Another forest park favorite with free admission every day. Admission to featured exhibits is free on Friday. Paid parking is available in the garage for $15 per car but if you arrive early in the day, you can get very close free parking in the lots across the street or all along the road. The art museum is a perfect afternoon on rainy days or days when it's too hot to enjoy the rest of Forest Park

4.  The Muny- The Muny the oldest and largest outdoor musical theater in the US. Check the website for a schedule of current and upcoming shows. Every show has over 1,4500 free seats in the last 9 rows on a first come, first served basis. The gates to the free seats open at 7pm. You can bring your own food and drinks (no alcohol or cans) as long as your soft-sided cooler can fit under your seat. Also enjoy pre-show designated picnic areas.

5. Cahokia Mounds- Although not technically in St. Louis, Cahokia Mounds is 8 miles from the downtown area. Cahokia is an ancient city with the largest earthwork structure in North America. Dress in comfortable clothes and shoes and enjoy a breathtaking view of downtown St Louis and the surrounding ancient city from the top of Monk's Mound. Parking is free and the free visitor's center is a must. Enjoy a short documentary film about Cahokia, view ancient artifacts from the site and see what the people who lived here and their homes looked like. Donations to maintain this site are welcome.

6. Purina Farms 
in Gray Summit, just 40 minutes from downtown St Louis is free to visit and park every day except during special events. Make sure to check the events calendar before your visit. Enjoy wagon rides, cow milking demonstrations, baby animal petting and dog shows. There is no outside food or drink allowed anywhere on the property so keep your cooler in the trunk and drive just 15 minutes to Robertsville State Park for a picnic by the Missouri River.

7. World Bird Sanctuary
Situated in Valley Park, the World Bird Sanctuary is an over 300 acre home to birds who cannot be released into the wild. Eagles, Falcons, Owls, Parrots, Vultures and even some bats and reptiles live at the sanctuary.  The sanctuary provides free educational shows to the public featuring birds, reptiles and mammals on weekends from memorial day to labor day from 11am to 3pm. Also enjoy hiking trails for all ages throughout the sanctuary and a beautiful drive to spot animals in nearby Lone Elk Park. Admission and parking is free.

8. Free outdoor movies
 Movies on Art Hill - In the summer, there's no shortage of free outdoor movies for families. Bring a picnic basket, blanket and relax with a movie under the stars.
Food Truck Frolic at St Charles Community College with food trucks and a free family movie
St. Charles County Park outdoor movies, check the events calendar or St. Charles County Parks Facebook page

9. Go Bowling- Kids bowl free all summer at kidsbowlfree.com. Register your children online and choose any of the 9 participating bowling alleys in the St Louis area. Just pay for shoe rental or bring your own. Each kid (ages 15 and younger gets to play 2 free games per day, any day.  If you have kids over age 15 or if parents want to bowl too, get a great deal on a family pass.

10. The Magic House The Magic House is our local children's museum and has been a local favorite since 1979. Although tickets to the magic house are $11 per person, take the whole family and don't spend a dime on the 3rd friday of the month from 5:30pm to 9:00pm. Parking is also free.


St. Louis and the surrounding area is a great place for a family vacation or staycation on a budget. There are many more amazing free and affordable destinations in St. Louis.

Be sure to follow along for updates and more tips for families who travel on a dime

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