What Are You Doing This Weekend?

This is the part of my site where I talk about all the great things happening in our city that you can take advantage of.
These fun things are either free, or very very cheap.
Whatever you do, have fun!

FRIDAY

Pottery Barn Kids Sing-Along. Pottery Barn Kids is hosting Sing-Along concerts. Come sing, dance and play along. Babaloo will be performing at the St. Louis Galleria. He's one of my kiddos' favs. Performances at 10 & 11 am. http://www.potterybarnkids.com/

Laptime. Ages 6 months to 24 months. Oak Bend Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 842 S. Holmes Ave. in Oakland the second Friday of every month at 10 a.m. 822-0051.

Steaming into History: Steam Trains from the Collection of Des Lee. Bring the whole family for this rare opportunity to view a stunning display of 1:32 scale model trains that run on live steam. The trains will run (weather permitting) from 1-4 p.m. Free. Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. More information: www.mohistory.org

Storytelling in the Galleries: Happy St. Patrick's Day. Wear green and hear stories about good luck and leprechauns. 10:30 a.m. Free. At the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. More information: www.mohistory.org

Family Fun Night at The Whittle Shortline Railroad. Family Fun Nights at The Whittle Shortline Railroad are the second Friday of every month. Activities include face painting, paint workshops, train cookie decorating and much more. Both floors will be open for plenty of train playing. 5:30-8:30. $4.50 - Children 18 months and up. Adults are Free. 636-861-3334 http://www.woodentrain.com NOT FREE.

Friday Night Live at the Lodge. Middle school students ages 10-14 are invited to hang out at the The Lodge with friends, enjoy pizza, cool music and great activities in the gym, party room and wave pool, play Guitar Hero or take a teen exercise class. Tickets are limited and are $3 per person, and available at The Lodge front desk. 6-9 p.m. at The Lodge of Des Peres, 1050 Des Peres Road. More information: 314-835-6150 NOT FREE

SATURDAY
Lowe's Build & Grow Clinic. Learn to build a tabletop basketball goal at this month's activity for kids. Visit the Lowe's website for area locations and to register. 10-11 am. Free.

Botanical Garden Free Morning. Admission to the Missouri Botanical Garden is FREE every Wednesday and Saturday morning. From 9am - Noon, St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents (bring proof of residency) can get into the garden for free all year. Free admission may not be available during special events. http://www.mobot.org. 314-577-9400

It's Purple Martin Time. Purple Martins are on their way back to St. Louis from South America, and kids ages 14 and up can discover how to spot these insect-eating swallows in their backyards. 9:30-11 a.m. August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, 1260 Highway D, St. Charles. More information and reservations: 636-441-4554 or www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/cnc/busch

A Visit from Winnie the Pooh. Barnes & Noble - Chesterfield Oaks. 11 am. http://storelocator.barnesandnoble.com/storedetail.do?store=2192

Barbies Birthday Bash. Decorate your very own Barbie Party Hat. Barbie Coloring Fun. At Toys R Us. Noon-2 pm.

St. Patrick's Day Parade. This year marks the 40th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown St. Louis. The parade begins at noon at 18th and Market Streets and proceeds east to its conclusion at Broadway and Market. It includes marching bands, floats, huge cartoon-character balloons, more than 5000 marchers and lots of clowns. Free. www.irishparade.org

Storytelling in the Galleries: Happy St. Patrick's Day. Wear green and hear stories about good luck and leprechauns. 1 p.m. Free. At the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. More information: www.mohistory.org

Steaming into History: Steam Trains from the Collection of Des Lee. Bring the whole family for this rare opportunity to view a stunning display of 1:32 scale model trains that run on live steam. The trains will run (weather permitting) from 1-4 p.m. Free. Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. More information: www.mohistory.org

Wonderful Worms. Kids ages 7-12 will learn how earthworks work wonders for the soil, then enjoy some earthworm crafts. 2-3:30 p.m. Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, 11715 Cragwold Road, Kirkwood. Reservations and more information: 314-301-1500 or www.mdc.mo.gov/area/cnc/powdervalley

SUNDAY

World Eagle Day. Celebrate eagles from around the world at The World Bird Sanctuary. Enjoy presentations and family activities throughout the day. 10 am-4pm. World Bird Sanctuary, 125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road, Valley Park. Free. http://www.worldbirdsanctuary.org/

Steaming into History: Steam Trains from the Collection of Des Lee. Bring the whole family for this rare opportunity to view a stunning display of 1:32 scale model trains that run on live steam. The trains will run (weather permitting) from 1-4 p.m. Free. Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. More information: www.mohistory.org

Art Museum Family Sunday. Hands-on art activities and a family tour through the galleries. 1-4 pm. St. Louis Art Museum - Forest Park. 314-721-0072 http://www.slam.org

Teen Turning Green Celebration. Teens can bring their friends to the Whole Body Department to receive free "green" facials, makeovers, manicures, massages and more. Those who pre-register will be entered into a drawing to win three Teens Turning Green products. 2-5 p.m. Free. To pre-register: 314-968-7744. At Whole Foods Market, 1601 S. Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood.

You're going to get hungry while you're out & about. Don't forget to click on KIDS EAT FREE (on the right sidebar) to line up a game plan ahead of time. Have fun!