Our family is on an epic adventure in the Midwest this summer, and one of our weekend stops was St. Louis. Aside from nostalgically remembering my childhood days at the old Busch Stadium and going up in the Arch, I was most excited to take my kids to the City Museum. You see, for years, my Midwestern family has been telling me that this is the “best kids’ museum in the world.” As a New Yorker (and now a Philadelphian) for my entire adult life, this statement is a tall order for an East Coast snob like me. But, I liked the idea of jungle gyms big enough for me to climb and prove my workouts were paying off in a practical way. Plus, SLIDES!
So, we went on a busy Saturday morning (the Cards were in town, so there were tons of families there killing time before the game), paid our $12 per person (ages 2 and under are free) and stood dumbfounded, trying to figure out where to begin. The first thing we noticed was that we were at the bottom of what looked like a giant indoor slide. My daughters practically sprinted up the stairs to find the top. And we went down that slide. Over and over. And over.
But that was only the beginning.
We wandered around inside for a while and the girls rode a sweet little train on the third floor. There was also a toddler area that looked pretty nifty, and a huge art room with several tables and art supplies if you’re looking for a more quiet, creative experience. My husband and I nearly broke our necks proving we could run around a giant hamster wheel. I’m still sporting a scraped knee from that particular endeavor.
Then, the fun really began. We found our way out to the outdoor section, which is difficult to describe, but which is essentially a system of outdoor wire tunnels that you can climb through. Big enough for kids and grown ups alike. It’s not easy, and it’s definitely not for anyone afraid of heights. But, let me tell you, it is AMAZING.
Our daughters are 4 and 6 and not necessarily the most adventurous children when it comes to jungle gyms, but I was optimistic that they would get into the spirit of the museum and climb around with us. My 6 year old “big girl,” C, dug right in and started climbing. And climbing. When my littler daughter balked a little and started making panting, panicky squawking noises and rethinking the whole exercise, her big sister started coaching, “you can do it, Z! Be Brave, Proud and Strong!” And with my husband and I boosting her when she needed it and her sister cheering her on, our little Z KILLED it. Within 10 minutes, she was scrambling and climbing with the best of them. And her parents weren’t doing a bad job, either (although my triceps were more than a little sore the next day…).
It was a sweltering day and we definitely broke a sweat, but we climbed every inch of that “jungle gym,” all four of us, and loved every minute. My girls dug deep and pushed through a few moments that were a little nerve-wracking, especially for my four year old. But I loved the strength the whole day inspired in both of them.
When you’re raising girls, it’s easy for them to get wrapped up in My Little Pony and tutu skirts and forget that there is more to building their brains and character than quiet, creative play and reading books in the corner. They also need to know their own strength and ability. They need to know they can be Brave, Proud and Strong. That day at the City Museum, they both found confidence I hadn’t seen before. And now, as I see them body surfing the Lake Michigan waves, I know the lessons learned are still in play.
My daughters are Brave, Proud and Strong. And knowing that, their Mama feels pretty Proud and Strong herself.
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City Museum – Know Before You Go
- Wear comfortable clothes for climbing and playing (no dresses)
- Wear appropriate footwear (I wish I hadn’t worn my sandals and opted for my sneakers instead; I made it through, but it would have been easier in better shoes).
- If it’s a weekend ballgame day, it will be packed. If you’re not going to the game, head to the City Museum when everyone else is going to the stadium to avoid the crowds.
- Your admission wristband is good all day, whether you leave for lunch around the corner or climb for 8 hours straight. And, it’s open until midnight, so you can always ditch the kids in the evening and go back for more climbing and even a ferris wheel ride on the roof!
- It’s nearly impossible to get through everything in one day, so make a game plan. Look at the map, think about what your must-sees are, and execute accordingly. Or, go two days in a row like we did!
Mollie Michel is a South Philly resident and a Philadelphia public school parent. A recovering non-profit professional, Mollie is also an experienced birth doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, and the mom of two awesome girls and a sweet pit bull named Princess Cleopatra. In her spare time, she is usually trying to figure out how Pinterest works, training for a(nother) half-marathon with her dog at her side, or simply trying to keep up with her increasingly wily daughters.