Grab & Go Kids Planner: Check Out the Circus or Explore the World of Robots

If you've got a spare night in your family calendar and you're looking for something to do, you're in the right spot!

There’s a lot going on in the St. Louis area this weekend. Check out a traditional circus, watch student-designed robots battle, or spend an evening at The Magic House for free. If you want to stay closer to home, Chesterfield Arts is kicking off a storytelling workshop.

Look for the Grab & Go Kids Planner each Wednesday, and help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips—just add them to the comment box. Even if you disagree with our picks, let us know. We want to hear from you! 

What:  
When: 7 p.m. Thursday; 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: , 2002 Arena Parkway, St. Charles
Cost: General Admission $12 / Reserved $17 / VIP $27 / Executive VIP $35; vouchers for free general admission for children 12 and under available online. Call the Moolah Shriners at 314-878-6301 ext. 100 to buy tickets.

Experience a classic circus with trapeze artists, clowns, tigers, and more. Enjoy cotton candy and peanuts, see beautiful Arabian stallions and ride ponies and elephants. There’s even a parade at 12 p.m. on Saturday of the famous Shriner cars.

What: Regional FIRST Robotics Competition 
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Chaiftz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., St. Louis
Cost: Free

Check out the robots that area high school students have designed and built. The students are competing for a spot in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Championship in April. Teams compete in design excellence, sportsmanship and more. The event winner will be named on Saturday.

What: Free Family Night at The Magic House 
When: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Magic House, 516 S. Kirkwood Rd., St. Louis
Cost: Free

It’s the third Friday of the month, which means it’s time for families to get in free at The Magic House. Two adults and four of their children can roam and explore the more than 100 hands-on exhibits at the museum. Kids will love exploring the world of sound and optical illusions, working to crack the case of a missing painting or climbing the three-story high beanstalk. The evening is sponsored by Target.

What: Sitter Skills class 
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday
Where: , 621 S New Ballas Rd., Creve Coeur
Cost: $25, registration required

Do you have an 11- to 15-year-old who is itching to make some money babysitting? This class will teach them everything they need to know, including basic first aid, baby-care skills, how to market themselves and emergency tips.

What:
When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays from March 19 to April 2
Where: , 444 Chesterfield Center, Chesterfield
Cost: $60, registration required 

This family story-writing workshop helps fourth- through eighth-grade students become family historians. They interview a family story keeper and then work with a writing instructor to write, revise and polish their story before presenting it at a celebration at the end of the class.