Grab & Go Kids Planner: Puppet Show, Parade and Learning About the Gross Human Body

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!

This weekend, teens and adults can learn about the art of journaling. The whole family will enjoy the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday. Or, if you can handle it, check out the St. Louis Science Center's Grossology exhibit, which closes at the end of the month.

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: Creative Journaling class
When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: St. Louis County Library, Sachs Branch, 16400 Burkhardt Place, Chesterfield
Cost: free; registration required, call 314-994-3300

Want to journal but aren’t sure were to start? Teens and adults can check out this class, which will offer prompts to get you thinking and more tips. No journaling experience required.

What: Friday Puppet Show 
When: Doors open at 9:30 a.m., show starts at 10 a.m. Friday
Where: Faust Park, , 15189 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield
Cost: $5 in advance, $6 at the door; call 314-615-8383

There are only three performances left in the Spring 2011 puppet show season. Come check out Peter Rabbit and then take a spin on the carousel, which is included in the price of admission. Can’t make it this week? The March 18 show is Ridiculous Rhymes and the March 25 show is Winken, Blinken and Nod.

What:  The 42nd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade 
When: 12 p.m. Saturday
Where: N 18th and Market streets, St. Louis, 63103
Cost: Free

Rain or shine, the parade is on! It starts at 18th and Market streets and will end at Broadway and Market streets. Marching bands, floats, huge cartoon-character balloon and clowns are all a part of this parade. They’re expecting 250,00 spectators, so get there early to stake out a spot. 

What: Saturday Night Party Zone  
When: 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: , Marilyn Fox Building, 16801 Baxter Rd., Chesterfield
Cost: Members $22 for the first child, $13 for each additional child / Non-members $26 for the first child, $17 for each additional child 

This one’s more for the parents than the kids. Need a date night or just a night off? Take your kids, ages 4 to 11, to the J, where they will be able to swim, play games, make crafts, watch movies and eat dinner—they’ll run all their energy out and you’ll get grown-ups only evening. 

What: Grossology, a special exhibit
When: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: St. Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, 63110
Cost:  Member Adult $4.50 / Member Child $3.50 / Non-Member Adult $9 / Non-Member Child $7 

Warning: this exhibit is not for the weak-stomached. Want to learn why humans vomit, what causes runny noses or crawl and slide through at model of the small intestine? Check out this special exhibit that uses animatronics and more to describe all things icky about the human body. The exhibit closes March 27, so be sure to check it out over the next few weeks!