What Are You Doing This Weekend?

My favorite part of the Tightwad Momma website... sharing ideas with you, for you & yours to have a fun/free weekend!

FRIDAY

Painting the Birds. Kids can connect to wildlife by sketching and then painting in watercolor their favorite birds. 1-2:30 p.m. For ages 10-18. August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, 2360 Highway D, St. Charles. More information: 636-441-4554. CALL FIRST, to make sure there are spots left.

Free Family Night at the Magic House. The Magic House holds Free Family Nights every third Friday of the month. These special nights enable a family (no more than two adults and four of their own children) to enjoy the more than 100 hands-on exhibits in the museum. 5:30-9 pm.

Art on the Square. Now in its 7th year, Art on the Square is ranked among the top art shows in the country. Enjoy meeting artists, family entertainment, children's workshops, food from area restaurants and more. 5-9 p.m. Downtown Belleville, Ill.

SATURDAY (holy moly there's a lot)

Car Seat Safety Check. Children's Hospital is sponsoring a car seat safety check. Trained experts will check your seat and show you how to install it and answer any questions. If needed, new seats will be available for purchase. An appointment is required. At Barnes-Jewish Med Ctr, West County. 9 am-noon.

Strawberry Festival. Eckert's in Belleville, IL is hosting a Strawberry Festival. Enjoy live music from 1-5pm. Activities include carnival rides, pony rides, a petting farm and a children's play area. There is a fee for some activities. 9 am-5 pm.

Monster Machines Day. Kids can see a police car, bull-dozer, fire truck and much more. 9 am-2 pm.

Armed Forces Day Festival. A Black Hawk helicopter landing, military equipment for the kids to climb aboard, a Hometown Heroes presentation and a climbing wall. 9 am-3 pm. St. Peter's City Centre.

Asian Heritage Festival. Dance, music, art, food, fashion, culture and crafts from eight Asian countries. St. Louis County Library - Daniel Boone Branch in the Asian Center, 10 am-4 pm.

Lewis & Clark Heritage Days. Demonstrations, music, children's games, crafts and foods of 1804 and much more. Parade begins at 11am. 9:30 am-5 pm.

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.

Kids Fishing Fair. Learn the ins and outs of fishing and get a chance to catch a fish. Bring your own fishing equipment. A limited number of poles will be available to borrow. Ages 15 and under. No reservations required. 9 am-2 pm.

Kite Festival. Kite building kits will be given to the first 100 kids. A local kit-flying club will be giving kite-flying demonstrations. 10 am-2 pm.

Macklind Days. This first-ever festival features bands and dancers, art activities for kids, plus old-fashioned contests like watermelon seed spitting and pie eating. On Macklind between Nottingham and Devonshire in South City. 11 am-8 pm.

Faust Village Open House. Tour Faust Historic Village. Visitors will be able to tour the 1850's Conway House, the 1848 log cabin, Hock German brick house and the exterior of the Alt Schoolhouse. 1-5 pm.

Art on the Square. Now in its 7th year, Art on the Square is ranked among the top art shows in the country. Enjoy meeting artists, family entertainment, children's workshops, food from area restaurants and more. 5-9 p.m. Downtown Belleville, Ill.

SUNDAY

Lewis & Clark Heritage Days. Demonstrations, music, children's games, crafts and foods of 1804 and much more. Parade begins at 11am. 9 am-4 pm.

Faust Village Open House. Tour Faust Historic Village for FREE. Visitors will be able to tour the 1850's Conway House, the 1848 log cabin, Hock German brick house and the exterior of the Alt Schoolhouse. 1-5 pm.

Strawberry Festival. Eckert's in Belleville, IL is hosting a Strawberry Festival. Enjoy live music from 1-5pm. Activities include carnival rides, pony rides, a petting farm and a children's play area. There is a fee for some activities. 9 am-5 pm.

Art on the Square. Now in its 7th year, Art on the Square is ranked among the top art shows in the country. Enjoy meeting artists, family entertainment, children's workshops, food from area restaurants and more. 5-9 p.m. Downtown Belleville, Ill.

Whatever you end up doing, be sure you stop for meals at kids eat free restaurants (don't waste your money going somewhere where your kiddos are going to cost you!)...
and HAVE FUN!!