Location: 1 Chesterfield Center, Chesterfield, MO 63017     Website: https://www.facebook.com/earthsurfstl/about This skate park is in the lower level of the old Sears at Chesterfield Mall. You can't get in from inside the mall, you have to go around to the outside. They have a small sign that says "skate park now open". They have some cool things for sale including t-shirts and skate accessories. It's nice to have an indoor park so you don't have to worry about the weather.  I would call before you go because their hours are different ..read more

Location:  5050 Oakland Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 Amenities: Hands-on science-themed exhibits for children, cafe*, planetarium*, OMNIMAX theater*, gift shop, private room for nursing mothers, ATM, lockers* *additional fee Website: http://www.slsc.org/ There is a $15 fee to park in the lot at the main Science Center building on Oakland. I prefer to park on the Planetarium side at Clayton Ave in Forest Park because it is free. My kids enjoy the walk over the bridge and the activities along the way. Also, the dinosaurs and F-18 Hornet are over here on the grounds outside.&nbs ..read more

When people ask me what my favorite playgrounds are and I always draw a blank. I finally decided to make a post on this subject, and make a list that I think people will enjoy. After all, this blog is a labor of love for me, and the only profit I get out of it is making people happy by finding a great place to play with their kids. The following are destination playgrounds- so playgrounds will not be included if they don't have the basics like a bathroom or decent parking. Not that those playgrounds can't be fun, but I'm only listing the best of the best and the coolest playgrounds here w ..read more

Location: 500 Playground Ct., East Alton, IL 62024 Website: https://villageofeastaltonil.gov/east-alton-park-and-rec-department/area-parks/ Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber and Grass  This park is fairly large, at over 13 acres, and has baseball diamonds, 2 playgrounds, and 3 pavilions.  This playground has one play structure with floating steps, several slides, a speaker, and some climbing bars and poles. There is no flooring except dirt and grass.  You don't see a tire swing very often anymore! Playground at the bottom of the stairs. T ..read more

Location: 194 S. Main St., Glen Carbon, IL 62034 Website: https://www.glencarbonil.gov/877/Parks Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber Amenities: Comfort stations Barbecue grills Passive areas to view wildlife Variety of playground equipment Sheltered pavilions Bandstand for special events Baseball fields and basketball hoops Parking Basketball Dog park Two (2) lighted tennis courts Bandstand There are 2 baby swings, 5 sling swings, and a modified expression swing.  Merry-go-round This large play structure has several different kinds of slides, a br ..read more

Location: 900 Hale Ave., Edwardsville, IL 62025 Website: https://www.cityofedwardsville.com/475/List-of-Parks-in-Edwardsville Playground Ground Cover: Poured rubber & wood chips This is such a cute area! It's next to a beautiful lake. The playground is spread out with several different areas with a smaller play structure, swings, and a larger play structure. The smaller play structure has a slide. Baby swing and merry-go-round.  Old school metal climber and swinging bench The larger play structure has a ladder, a bridge, a rock wall, and a slide. Small ..read more

Location: 156 N. Main St., Glen Carbon, IL 62034 Website: https://www.glencarbonil.gov/877/Parks Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber This playground is newer, and very clean. From their website, "Ray M. Schon Park was opened in 2013. Located on a beautiful rolling tract of greenspace across from Glen Carbon Village Hall on Main Street, the park is a work-in-progress, serving visitors and residents alike. With pavilions, benches, a walking trail and pond within its limits, Ray M. Schon Park is a perfect spot to rest, relax and rejuvenate." Walkers can enjoy a paved trail that ..read more

  Location: 300 Ohio St., East Alton, IL 62024 Website: https://villageofeastaltonil.gov/east-alton-park-and-rec-department/area-parks/ Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber This playground has it all, a large play structure, restrooms, lots of swings, a merry-go-round, rock wall, covered pavilions, and flat green space.  Restrooms The play structure has monkey bars, slides,  a zipline, and a bridge. It looks like there used to be a spring ride-on toy here.  Rock wall, merry-go-round, and spring ride-on bee. Zipline ..read more

Location: 3216 McAdams Parkway, Godfrey, IL 62035 Website: https://godfreyil.org/village-township-departments/parks-and-recreation/parks/ Playground Ground Cover: Wood chips Captain Jake Ringering Park at Clifton Terrace is a beautiful 3-acre park located on the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway along the Mississippi River. It is also a rest stop on the state-owned Vadalabene Bike Trail. This park offers a playground, prairie remnant, memorial trees, an informative kiosk, and restroom facilities. This is also a great place for eagle-watching during the winter months. Ri ..read more

Location:  283 Lamp and Lantern Village, Town and Country, MO 63017 Website: www.stlmyseum.com At the end of September 2012, this children's museum opened in West County.  Myseum is a fun place to take your children of all ages for a fun day out. It's part Science Center and part Magic House. It has some of the same exhibits they do. If your child can walk, then there are things for them to do. Myseum is filled with a large bounce house, a blown-up maze, a slide with a radar gun that will clock their speed, lots of science experiments, and much more. They have a room full of di ..read more