When summer days drag on and kids miss their school friends, parents know it’s time to schedule a little get together. Instead of letting them amuse themselves and risk boredom and too much TV, arrange dates at the best places in St. Louis to play. From workouts and water parks to picnics in the summer sun, nothing beats these playdate locations.

(photo credit: co.st-louis.mo.us)

Creve Coeur Park
2143 Creve Coeur Mill Road
Saint Louis, MO 63146
(314) 615-4386
www.co.st-louis.mo.us

Price: free

Creve Coeur Park, once a resort area for St. Louis elite, is now a playground for families. Creve Coeur Lake is available for non-gasoline powered boating, fishing, and sunbathing, however, swimming is prohibited. Not to worry, there are two water spray playgrounds that are toddler safe and refreshing for all. Take advantage of 12 picnic areas throughout the park, including barbecue pits and five picnic tables. Parents may relax with friends with the little ones preoccupied on playgrounds and older kids playing disc golf or playing on the sandy shore of Creve Coeur Lake.

Related: Play With The Kids By Building A Playground in St. Louis 

(photo credit: gotoplanetfun.com)

Planet Fun
5849 Suemandy Drive
St. Peters, MO 63376
(636) 397-7700
www.gotoplanetfun.com

Click here for prices

Planet Fun may not be a quiet place, but it offers ample seating where adults may visit, work and enjoy lunch while the kids explore the tunnels, slides and other amusements. Older kids may enjoy an awesome arcade featuring challenging traditional and driving games. Perfect for rainy day play, Planet Fun promises human-sized, hamster-like exploration options sure to exhaust any play group.

(photo credit: marylandheights.com)

Aquaport at Maryland Heights
2344 McKelvey Road
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
(314) 738-2599
www.marylandheights.com

Click here for prices

Of course cooling off on a hot, summer day in St. Louis has to include a trip to Aquaport. Enjoy a family pool complete with bubblers, sprinklers and fountains that are fun for younger kids. The Lazy River is an excellent place for parents to tan and relax, and six awesome slides, a snack bar, and private areas to shower and change make it ideal for family get togethers. Maryland Heights residents receive a discounted price, but the Aquaport is open to everyone.

Related Article: Best Places To Make Friends With New Parents in St. Louis 

(photo credit: stlouisco.com)

Faust Park
15185 Olive Boulevard
Chesterfield, MO 63017
(314) 615-8328
www.stlouisco.com

Price: free/$2 carousel

Faust Park is a treasure located on 197 acres of parkland. Featuring the original St. Louis Carousel from the 1929 Forest Park Highlands amusement park, kids enjoy old-fashioned fun on this completely restored play piece for just $2 a ride. There are two historic sites, the Thornhill Historic Home and Faust Historic Village that include four homes and 16 buildings representing differing architectural styles from 1840 to 1888. This unique recreation area promises ample shade for parents to relax as well. 

(photo credit: stpetersmo.net)

St. Peter’s Rec-Plex
5200 Mexico Road
St. Peters, MO 63376
(636)-939-2386
www.stpetersmo.net

Click here for prices

You don’t need to be a member or community resident to enjoy St. Peter’s Rec-plex; it’s now open to the general public. Non-members may purchase a day pass to enjoy all the Rex-Plex has to offer including basketball courts, ice skating and a 3,300-square-foot leisure pool with its 130-foot waterslide, water play features, current channel and vortex. Parents may enjoy the food court and arcades without a paid admission. Parents are encouraged to purchase a membership or day pass to enjoy a workout while the kids play — there is even babysitting available for the toddlers while parents exercise.

Pennee Struckman is an accounting professional in St Louis, MO. She currently writes for Examiner.com on topics related to parenting teenagers and living well on a budget in St. Louis. She is also a professional financial management writer with articles and white papers published by a well-known information firm. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.