Lone Elk Park, Valley Park

Location: 1 Lone Elk Park Rd, St. Louis, MO 63088
(I-44 North Outer Road west of Highway 141, adjacent to the World Bird Sanctuary)

Amenities: picnic shelters, trails, lake with fishing, animal viewing

Website: https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/parks/places/lone-elk-park/

Lone Elk Park is a wildlife management area, with bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, elk, and deer. The first half of the park contains a lake for fishing, some picnic shelters, and picnic areas. The second half of the park is drive-through only (Motorcycles are prohibited), as the larger animals freely roam this part of the park. The photos below are taken from the car with no zoom, to give you an idea of how close to the road they are, and what a good view you get! There is no playground, and you cannot pet or interact with the animals, but this park does give kids a close-up view of animals they would not ordinarily get to see. Note: Domestic animals are not allowed, even if confined in a vehicle.

It's a gorgeous place to drive around, and there are places to pull over and look at the scenery, or animals if they happen to be nearby. 

The visitor's center with restrooms

People have been seriously injured here by trying to interact with the animals, so I just wanted to mention again, DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR under any circumstances. Also, the ticks are really bad here, so picnic at your own risk. 

Entrance and exits added late 2020

Sky Zone (formerly Defy), Ballwin

Location: 14820 Manchester Rd, Ballwin, MO 63011  636-591-1850

Website: https://www.skyzone.com/ballwin

My kids love this place. Originally, it was the Flying Spider, then it got bought out by Defy, and in 202,2 it was bought out by Sky Zone. They have different packages, but a standard 90-minute open flight is $24 per person. In addition, you have to buy their grip socks, which are $3.99 each. Just like any other trampoline/bounce place, you have to fill out a waiver before they can do anything. They have some kiosks set up, and then you take the receipt and pay. Then you can store your shoes and get to bouncing.

 

Regular trampoline area

Ninja Obstacle Course

Little kid area

They have a ton of activities here, including zipline, dodgeball, basketball, foam pits, launching decks, and more. I have been asked if this place is suitable for a toddler or preschooler and I would say it depends on the child. My son is 7 but has a lot of fear and is not very adventurous. He loves the foam pit and regular bouncing but wouldn't try the swing or trapeze or zipline. Since they charge more than Monkey Joes and little guys aren't big enough to do most of the things here I don't think you would get the most out of your money at this place. My 5-year-old is very adventurous and tried everything they had to offer and loved every minute of it!

Dodgeball court

Upstairs area

Party room