Best Family Giveaways in St. Louis, MO: 2026 Local Guide
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Free zoo entry, museum days, Arch tours, fishing days and library books lower family outing costs in St. Louis.
The strongest family giveaways in St. Louis are free general admission to the Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Center and Gateway Arch museum, plus statewide Free Fishing Days, library Summer Reading rewards and a birthday treat for Krispy Kreme Rewards members. These are direct free-entry or free-item benefits, not chance-to-win sweepstakes, with each tied to a place, date or account rule.
Free admission covers entry only, while special exhibits, rides, parking, food and fishing gear can cost extra. Families can mix a free-attraction morning with a free-book or free-treat stop to keep the day low-cost.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on October 04, 2026.
Which St. Louis attractions offer free family entry?
The Saint Louis Zoo says general admission at its Forest Park campus is free for all visitors, as described in its visit information. Families can enter without buying a general ticket. Paid attractions or experiences inside the campus remain separate.
The Saint Louis Art Museum states admission is free every day. Main exhibitions are free on Fridays and ticketed on other days, which allows a free family art visit with Friday as the fullest free option. The Saint Louis Science Center lists free general entry Thursdays through Mondays and closure on Tuesdays, in its 2026 site listing.
The free entry covers hundreds of hands-on galleries. The National Park Service states the Museum at the Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse are always free with no tickets required, according to its fee information.
How do Free Fishing Days work for families?
The Missouri Department of Conservation set Free Fishing Days statewide for June 6-7, when fishing, trout and trout-park tags were not required, in its fishing notice. Anyone could fish without buying a fishing permit, trout permit or trout-park daily tag during those dates. The department also hosted multiple St.
Louis-region events with catch-and-release fishing and free attendance for families. For those dates, families could: The waiver applied only during June 6-7. Since today is October 4, 2026, families planning now should watch the department for next year's dates rather than expect free-permit fishing this weekend.
- Fish without buying the state permit or trout tags
- Join a scheduled St. Louis-region catch-and-release event at no attendance charge
- Bring their own gear and bait, since loaner supplies vary by site
What free books and treats can families collect?
St. Louis County Library reports that Summer Reading Club registrants receive a free book at registration. Kids, teens, early readers and adults can earn additional prizes by group.
The program is seasonal, so families should check current registration dates and branch pickup rules. Krispy Kreme's 2024 announcement says Rewards members earn 10 points per $1. Members also receive a free sweet treat on their birthday, plus anniversary and limited-time product perks after joining.
Joining the account is required, and the birthday treat is tied to the member's account rather than open to all visitors. These are account-based giveaways with fixed benefits, not prize drawings. The library benefit requires registration in the reading program, while the food benefit requires Rewards membership and in-date redemption.
What limits should families check before going?
Day and ticket limits matter. The Science Center is closed Tuesdays, so Thursday through Monday is the free-entry window. The Art Museum's free exhibition access is broadest on Fridays, with ticketed entry on other days.
Zoo and Arch museum entry is free, but parking, tram rides, films and riverboat options can add costs. Fishing limits still apply when permits are waived. The Missouri Department of Conservation notes size and creel limits remain in force during Free Fishing Days.
Some county, city or private waters may still require special permits, so families should confirm the water's local rule before casting.