As summer ends and kids head back to school, explore the history of childhood in St. Louis through crafts, games, a fashion show, and more!
This month, students will learn about:
-The changing expectations around children and work such as farm chores, schoolwork, and the Industrial Revolution
-The fashion, toys, and entertainment designed for children in the past
-Rites of passage and childhood milestones
-How primary sources such as historic images can be used to introduce diverse perspectives and stories
SCHEDULE
TIMED EVENTS
Storytelling int he Museum: Childhood | 10:30–11:15am | MacDermott Grand Hall (Friday 9/12 ONLY)
Let’s read books about life’s milestones and trying things for the first time—like getting a haircut, going to school, wearing special clothes, or sleeping in a big-kid bed! American Sign Language interpretation will be provided by DEAF Inc.
Workshop: Windows to the Past: Children of St. Louis | 10:30–11:30am | Karen Goering Classroom (Friday 9/12 ONLY)
What was it like to be a child in early St. Louis, and how do we know? Dig into the archives with us as we investigate the lives and experiences of our youngest citizens through portraits of primary sources.
Kids’ Clothing Fashion Show | 11:30am–12:15pm | MacDermott Grand Hall (Friday 9/12 ONLY)
Calling everyone to the runway! Watch kids of all ages strut their stuff in their best outfits at a fashion show all about kids’ clothing, including sports, uniforms, Halloween costumes, party clothes, and more. After the show, check out The Life of Kids’ Clothes exhibit in the back of Collected to see more historic children’s clothes!
Metro Theater Performance of Carmela, Full of Wishes | 10:30–11:30 | AT&T Room (Saturday 9/13 ONLY)
Instead of our normally scheduled Cuentos en el Museo, join us for Metro Theater Company’s family-friendly performance of Carmela, Full of Wishes—a play baed on Matt de la Peña’s picture book about family, dreamers, and hope.
DROP-IN EVENTS
Day Game Candy | 10am–1pm | MacDermott Grand Hall
Kids today love candy, and kids throughout history did too! Learn about historic candy-making techniques and enjoy a sweet treat made right in front of you, courtesy of Day Game Candy.
Making History: Craft Room | 10am–1pm | AT&T Room (Friday): Loggia (Saturday)
Unleash your creative inner child in our craft area! Make a clothespin doll, create a collage of your yearbook page, and invent your own character from the popular kids’s show The Letter People!
Touch Table + Inquiry Station | 10am–1pm | MacDermott Grand Hall
No need to keep your hands to yourself at our Touch Table and Inquiry Station! Explore childhood toys and objects from our Teaching Collection and work together to create a timelines for these objects.
Open Play: Chores and Work | 10am–1pm | Schnucks Classroom
From farms to factories, learn how chores and work have changed for children over the years in our interactive open-play room, and try your hand at historic children’s chores like churning butter, carding wool, and sorting type.
Community Collaborators | 10am–1pm | MacDermott Grand Hall
Explore all the ways children play and learn in St. Louis with activities from the St. Louis Public Library and the Magic House!
LEARN MORE:
https://mohistory.org/events/growing-up-in-stl-09-12-2025
ASL interpretation is available for programs with two weeks' advance notice. Please email
YWNjZXNzIHwgbW9oaXN0b3J5ICEgb3Jn to request ASL interpretation or with other accessibility questions.
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