Places to Go, Things to Do

Sculpture at the Zoo;
Birthdays at Children's Garden

If you're going to give a birthday party this summer, we have a new venue for you to try out. And the St. Louis Zoo has a gigantic new steel sculpture entrance.

Also, if you like Ben Franklin, there's a new exhibit at the Missouri History Museum. And, the St. Louis Science Center has a big interactive Sportsworks exhibit.

In the case of the Sportsworks exhibit, YSL.com has given it full-story treatment in this June edition. You can read a full description of that exhibit by clicking here.

For other events, we give shorter notice in this Places to Go; Things to Do section.

Either way, YSL.com hopes you check them out and attend those that interest you.

Birthday parties at Children's Garden

YSL.com featured a full description of the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden in our April, 2006, edition. Now the garden is open, the Missouri Botanical Garden is adding extra garden attractions for kids.

If you are looking for a brand-new place for your birthday party, try the Children's Garden's party packages. The parties are especially geared for kids 4 through 10.

Party packages are available three days a week June through October. On Fridays and Sundays, the party times are 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. On Saturdays, the time is 3.30 p.m.

Each party gets a 90-minute reservation in the Town Hall's covered outdoor pavilion. A party assistant is also available.

The party fee includes admission, free parking, goodie bags, invitations, snacks, juice boxes and a souvenir button for each attendee. For information, call (314) 577-9588 or visit www.mobot.org.

Always Animals Sculpture at Zoo

The St. Louis Zoo has all sorts of live animals. But, starting late last month, the zoo now features the largest animal sculpture in the world, featuring 60 life-sized steel animals. Many of the animals depicted are endangered species.

The 100-ton sculpture provides a dramatic view at the south entry into the zoo.

The sculpture is by artist Albert Paley. It's 36-feet high and 130-feet long. The sculpture is made of "Corten" steel. That's a special type that rusts to a rich brown color on the surface but remains structurally strong underneath.

Admission to the zoo is free and so is the sculpture. This is a new reason for going to one of the nation's premier zoos, which already features lots of other attractions for kids.

For more, visit www.stlzoo.org.

Also you can see an artist's watercolor rendition of the sculpture by going to: http://www.stlzoo.org/downloads/animalsalwayswatercolor.jpg.

Ben Franklin Exhibit at History Museum

Benjamin Franklin was one of the most famous founding fathers that never became president. But, he had a hand in just about every facet of life in the early colonies.

The "Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World" traveling exhibit opens at the Missouri History Museum on Friday, June 9. There are more than 250 original items in the exhibit. Many items are on loan from the Franklin family.

He's the only founding father to have signed all five of America's founding documents. He also was a diplomat, inventor, world traveler and musician.

There is an exhibit fee but families are reminded that admission is free on Tuesdays.

For information, call (314) 361-9017 or visit www.mohistory.org.

Another fishing fair and fishing lessons

The KMOX Family Fishing Fair will be held at Suson Park in south St. Louis County on Saturday, June 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair host is KMOX's Dan Young.

Admission is free. For information, call (636) 391-3474.

There are plenty of fun activities for kids along with food and snacks.

Suson Park is the site of youth fishing lessons on Wednesdays, June 7, 14, 21 and 28. Hours are 6:30 to 8 p.m. There is a $5 fee. Register at (636) 391-0922, Ext. 10.

For other St. Louis County Park events, visit www.stlouisco.com

Outdoors sports skills lessons

The Rockwoods Reservation in western St. Louis County is featuring a number of outdoor skills lessons.

There will be lessons in archery, air rifles, fire-water-shelter and maps and compasses.

You'll need reservations. Call (636) 458-2236. The Missouri Department of Conservation also has a complete schedule of events at other MDC areas at www.mdc.mo.gov. Look for the St. Louis area listings.

Remember: Free Fishing Days weekend is June 10-11 at all Missouri public fishing areas. No one needs to buy a fishing permit on those days. For more information, visit www.missouriconservation.org/areas or call the St. Louis regional office at (636) 441-4554.

More fun bike rides for kids, families

Trailnet has three more Bicycle Fun Club rides scheduled for June. Also, St. Louis cultural institutions are sponsoring two more Pedal Series Rides during the month.

The BFC rides are the June Jaunt Ride on Sunday, June 4; the As the Crew Flies Ride on Sunday, June 11, and the Bridge Birthday Bash Ride on Sunday, June 25.

The two Pedal rides are Puffin Pedal Ride on Friday, June 2, and the Picasso Pedal Ride Sunday, June 18. The Puffin Ride is sponsored by the St. Louis Zoo and the Picasso Ride by the Missouri Art Museum.

The Pedal Series Rides all end up at the sponsoring cultural institution. Riders are then invited in for more fun activities.

The BFC rides also all end at a special event. All rides are suitable for kids and families.

For information on these and other Trailnet rides in June, visit www.trailnet.org.

A summer camp at Science Center

The St. Louis Art Museum is offering free arts education programs for community and school groups this summer. The Youth smART programs. The classes run from June 27 through Aug. 4.

Kids begin the program with tours of the center's art galleries. Then, they use their imaginations to create two- and three-dimensional maps of imaginary worlds.

To learn more, contact Heidi Lung, associate educator for community and school programs, at (314) 655-5275 and e-mail to heidi.lung@slam.org.