The Magic House is a St. Louis institution, and most native St. Louisians know it well – but have you ever wondered if you are getting the most out of your visit? Particularly as the Children’s Museum has grown over the decades, you want to be sure that your kids see the exhibits that are the most age-appropriate and fit their interests and that you get the most for your money during your visit!
We polled our writing team for our favorite mom tips for tackling the Magic House:
Your Visit
Parking is FREE at the Magic House in their large lot in the back. In the summer and on weekends, additional parking is available at Nipher Middle School, right next door to the Magic House, and Concordia Lutheran Church across the street.
Try to visit with a 1:1 ratio of adults to younger kids. It’s very challenging to be in many places at once! If visiting with multiple children on your own, prep your kids with clear guidelines about how you will move from exhibit to exhibit and how you will find each other if separated.
For kids ages 0-24 months, there is a special baby and toddler play area near the Children’s Village that is totally safe for them to crawl and explore! Be aware that age restrictions are not strictly enforced, so older siblings may join as well (pros and cons there!).
Both the Magic House and MADE are very well-staffed, and you will always be able to find a staffer for questions or to help you find an exhibit!
Visit the art studio at the lower level early in your visit. You can leave your child’s paintings there to dry while you explore the rest of the museum! Just don’t forget to pick them up before you head out, or you WILL be making a return trip at the insistence of your children (speaking from experience).
The best photo op at the Magic House is the electrostatically charged ball – still tucked away on the top floor of the building. And here is a real hot tip for you: Freshly washed hair does not stand up as tall with the electrostatically charged ball as hair that has gone a few days without washing. Greasy mom hair for the win!
Food and Beverage
You can bring your own food to eat in the outdoor Garden Pavilion, which offers seating on a first come, first serve basis. Food is also available inside the museum at The Picnic Basket Cafe.
This is just one mom’s opinion, but the food at Picnic Basket Cafe is delicious! It is also allergy friendly for peanut and tree nut allergies, with no nuts on the menu and a sun butter and jelly sandwich available. The chicken salad sandwich is this mom’s favorite, and I always hope to sneak a bite of my kids’ macaroni and cheese!
You can pre-order a lunch at the Picnic Basket Cafe at a kiosk near the front desk so it’s ready for you at a designated time. However, service at the Picnic Basket Cafe is typically very quick, so impatient little ones will not have long to wait if you wait until everyone is hungry to order!
Bonus: members get a discount on food!
Membership
As you consider where you’d like to invest in a membership around St. Louis, we highly recommend a membership at the Magic House for children elementary school-aged and younger. As there is a cost per visit for adults and children, your membership quickly ends up paying for itself!
There are seven different levels of membership at various costs. Certain levels even include admission to the Magic House and MADE!
Aside from the biggest benefit (free admission!), benefits of membership include: previewing new exhibits, monthly after-hours playtimes, early access select mornings, discounts at the Cafe and Gift Shop, and member-only holiday parties and summer concerts.
The Family Plus Membership will also get you 50% off admission at 200+ museums in other states! Check out included museums here.
Saving Money!
The Magic House makes it easy and affordable for families to explore. Did you know that admission after 3:00 pm each day is just $3.00 per person? And it’s usually much less crowded.
The Magic House, as well as MADE for Kids, also has Free Family Nights the 3rd Friday of every month from 5-8 pm! This covers families with up to two adults and four children.
You can also find bi-annual sales on memberships when they are offered at 50% off Also, check out a free pass to MADE if you’re a St. Louis Public Library cardholder!
Special Events
We love Magic House-themed birthday parties. The staff runs the entire party – it is incredibly hands-off. The event includes access to a party room for the reserved party time, a cupcake, and one or more crafts. Be aware that you will need to pay for both children and adults, as all guests will have access to the Magic House after your party! You can also reserve the Magic House for a private party.
In addition, enjoy special events throughout the year for members and non-members alike. Keep an eye on their Events page and see what they have planned!
Scouting troops can camp in the great IN-doors and spend the night at The Magic House! With hours to roam at your own pace and scheduled educational sessions led by the staff, this is such a fun way to bond as a troop. You’ll have such sweet dreams as you spend the night somewhere so magical!
By the way, kids aren’t the only ones who enjoy events at the Magic House. Adult Playdates are offered with food and drink for the 21+ crowd. What a fun idea for a date night or a place to go with your friends!
Exhibits
As you can see, there is more to do at the Magic House than ever. And, with ever-changing exhibits, there’s always something new to see and do! During the summer months, your kids will love digging their toes in the sand as they play outside at Sandcastle Beach. Have them wear swimsuits as they will get wet, and pack dry clothes to change into before playing in the museum! Keep checking their website to see what other exhibits are on display, and what exhibits will be coming soon!
