Discover family fun and learning at Missouri state parks this winter

Does the cold weather, snow, and ice have you feeling down?

Beat the winter blues by visiting a Missouri state park or historic site in the St. Louis area for fun-filled activities:

Thursdays, Feb. 27, March 13, and March 27 at 10 a.m. – Toddler Thursday at Mastodon State Historic Site.

Join the team at Mastodon State Historic Site for Toddler Thursday. Learn, create and play during a free program that includes activities and a craft. The event takes place at the museum auditorium at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial. Topics include:

Feb. 27 – What’s in the water?

March 13 – Bison vs. buffalo

March 27 – The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Saturday, March 1, at 10 a.m. - Story Time at Mastodon State Historic Site.

Come learn and create at Mastodon State Historic Site! This story time program features stories and activities related to various park topics. Each program takes place in the museum auditorium located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial. These activities are designed for families with children age 10 and under, but all are welcome. Registration is not required.

Thursdays through Sundays, March 1-30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence at Felix Vallé House State Historic Site.

The story of women’s suffrage is a story of voting rights and of our civic development as a nation. The National Portrait Gallery exhibition “Votes for Women” seeks to expand visitors’ understanding of the suffrage movement in the United States. This poster exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution explores the complexity of the women’s suffrage movement and the relevance of this history to Americans’ lives today.

The exhibit will be on display in the Shaw House at Felix Vallé House State Historic Site on the corner of Second and Merchant streets in St. Genevieve throughout March. The site is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. The exhibit and activities are free and open to the public.

Saturday, March 8, at 10 a.m. – National Walk Your Dog Day at Mastodon State Historic Site.

Feb. 22 is National Walk Your Dog Day. While we had hoped this would be the perfect day to explore a Missouri state park or historic site with your furry friends, the weather had other ideas. Due to snowfall and extremely cold temperatures during the week leading up to National Walk Your Dog Day, we moved this event to Saturday, March 8, from 10 to 11 a.m.

Dogs and their humans can take a self-guided walk along Spring Branch Trail at Mastodon State Historic Site. There will be a staffed table at the trailhead with information about the site and maps of places you can explore with your pets. A team member will hand out dog treats and crafts, while supplies last, for humans and their pups. The event is free. Please remember dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 10 feet at all times, and visitors must clean up their pets’ waste. Mastodon State Historic Site is located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.

Monday, March 17, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Homeschool Hour: Going Green at Mastodon State Historic Site.

Homeschool hours serve local communities where each month homeschoolers can join the historic site team for fun educational activities focused on selected park topics. Each homeschool hour has two time slots: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The 10 a.m. slot is for all ages, while the 1 p.m. time slot is strictly for homeschoolers ages 10 and older, and includes more advanced activities. Each program begins inside the historic site’s museum, although some activities may take place outside.

While free, registration is required, and space is limited to 35 students per session. Adults must remain with their students during the program. The 10 a.m. session is currently full. To register for the 1 p.m. session, visit icampmo1.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Activities/Details.aspx?session_id=167219&back_url=fi9BY3Rpdml0aWVzL1NlYXJjaC5hc3B4 or call the office at 636-464-2976.

Friday, March 28, Saturday, March 29, or Sunday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Basket Weaving Class: Fancy Market Basket at First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site.

Make a beautiful, handcrafted basket in the interpretive center of First Missouri State Capitol Sate Historic Site. Materials are provided, but please bring your own drinks and snacks. Class size is limited, and registration is required. Cost for the class is $55 plus an additional $5 registration fee. To register, please visit Missouri State Parks - Programs And Special Events. You may register for any day the class is offered and for multiple classes. For more information, call 636-940-3322. First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site is located at 200 S. Main St. in St. Charles.

Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m. – Interp Chat: Prescribed Fire at Mastodon State Historic Site.

Park interpreters have a lot of knowledge to share. Join them in the auditorium at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial to learn about some of their favorite topics. Each chat includes a brief introductory-level presentation, including time for questions. Participants will hear experiences on the fireline and learn how and why the parks’ team conducts prescribed burns.

For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.