The amount of money I will spend for a peaceful morning of sipping coffee with my friends—while my toddler plays, giggles, and explores—knows no bounds. Almost as an answer to every St. Louis parents’ holiday wish list, two new play spaces are coming to the metro area in early 2026 with a promise to deliver just that. I don’t know about you, but I’m a much better parent when my stress level is low, my social battery is full, and my environment is designed with kids in mind rather than around them. As Little’s Loft co-owner Hannah Campbell said it in our conversation last week, “This is a short phase of life. These kids don’t stay little for long, and these times don’t last forever, and we do deserve to soak it up and soak it in.” Read more below about the two new play spaces opening in the metro area soon this month, and don’t forget to shop local this season at the toy shops and clothing boutiques in our below guides.
🎁 Oh, and you’re invited! Our December Playdate is going to be the ultimate kids’ holiday party, complete with Santa photos, holiday craft stations, a hot cocoa bar, a Blues slap shot game, and more. Tickets are just $5 per child, adults get in free, and all proceeds benefit local toy drives. Get your tickets here.
Wishing you a wonderful week with the ones you love.
🤔 Question? Have an idea you wish we’d cover? Email me and let me know!
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Things to Do
For even more great ideas for things to do this week, subscribe to our Weekend newsletter, delivered every Thursday. And if you’re looking for classic seasonal activities, check out our below guides.
December 6 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (photos with the Grinch) + 4–8 p.m. (Holiday Night Market) | Rooster South Grand, 3150 South Grand | $7 photo donation ($5 with toy donation)
At Villa, expert educators help students know the lasting influence of a Catholic, Sacred Heart education. Villa forms children to trust in God’s love and live that love each day.
Part chic café, part whimsical playscape, this new spot gives little ones a magical treehouse-themed space to explore while grown-ups enjoy real coffee, real food, and real visibility of their kids. With nature-inspired play structures, sensory-friendly nooks, thoughtfully designed interiors, and a menu that goes far beyond “Goldfish and drip coffee,” this is the rare place built to nourish both parents and tiny humans.
🌿 Playspace Highlights
Montessori-style treehouse gym
Nature-inspired, UK-crafted structure
Fully enclosed for safe wandering
Sensory-friendly quiet nook
Timed play reservations
☕ Café Perks for Parents
Companion pastries + Bagel Union bagels
House-made brunch wraps + paninis
Peanut-free kitchen (gluten-free coming 2026)
Big Heart Tea + La Cosecha coffee
QR-code ordering (no lines!)
👶 Kid-Approved Eats
Pizza bagels + mac & cheese
Cookie butter + banana sandwiches
Sack lunches with fresh-baked cookies
Soft pretzels + doughnut holes
Belgian waffles for big feelings
🛍️ Parent-Friendly Touches
Two stocked family bathrooms
Diapers + socks available for purchase
Play facilitators at the doors
Retail shelf of gifts, books, and essentials
🎉 Party & Event Magic
Private rentals daily at 2:30 or 7 p.m.
Party room + kitchenette + projection games
Catering menu with pizzas, pretzels & more
“Just show up” hosting ease
Adult birthdays welcome (yes, really)
🗓️ Starting in 2026, look for family yoga, story times, CPR trainings, and music pop-ups—all designed to build the village that parents crave.
Little Diggers, the Ohio-born playspace dedicated to open-ended, sensory-rich sand play, is opening in early 2026. Think specialty Bahamian sand, construction-themed toys, conveyor belts kids can crank themselves, and a health-forward café. With an emphasis on hands-on problem-solving and imaginative teamwork, it’s designed to be the rare space that keeps kids engaged and gives parents a breather. Here’s your first scoop (pun very intended).
🏖️ The Sandbox Experience
Giant indoor sandpit (non-silica Bahamian sand)
Daily aeration + strict cleaning protocols
Custom trucks, funnels, tower blocks
The Sand Stacker: a hand-cranked conveyor system kids love
Collaborative play that turns strangers into instant teammates
☕ Parent Perks
Local coffee on tap
Health-forward, dye-free snacks
Affordable pricing
Full visibility from every seating area
Stroller-friendly layout + wide aisles
💛 Kid-Approved Fun
Open-ended digging, dumping, building
Sensory-friendly Monday afternoons
Sandbox access for parents, too
Rewards program (free play hour after every three)
🎉 Parties & Private Events
Construction-themed birthday packages
Private sandbox party room
Included goodies: hats, sticker sheets, utensils, juice boxes
Join from 1–5 p.m. to enjoy free holiday festivities, including trolley rides, live music, ice carvings, street performers, pictures with Santa, s’mores, holiday vendors, a scavenger hunt, and more. Learn more.
Forsyth School provides an engaging, challenging, and joyful learning experience for children age 2 through sixth grade on a one-of-a-kind campus located in the Wydown-Forsyth Historic District.
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