Christmas Holiday Activities in St. Louis | St. Louis Polar Express | Christmas time at St Louis Station
We headed back to St. Louis this year to ring in the holiday season with a ride on the Polar Express again & to check out all the new offering St. Louis Station has to get us in the Christmas spirit!
I surprised the kids with a box full of Polar Express goodies & Polar Express cookies before we got on the road to kick off our Christmas filled weekend! AND It was the perfect excuse to buy the mug & saucer that looks identical to the movie! It was so cute & they loved it!
Polar Express Ride gift
As always the Polar Express cookies by the ever amazing Girly Girl Cookies
Polar Express Hot Chocolate Mug
This is our second time going during the holidays {see our other visit HERE} & we had a visit during the spring {see that HERE} but, even with those visit we still manage to not do every thing they have to offer! We were so excited to try the new things they are offering right at St. Louis Station. One of the reasons I love starting at Union Station is you virtually do not have to leave the property to have a great time! Of course there is SO much to do {see all those things HERE} However, if you are looking for a quick maybe weekend getaway like we did to start off the season and want to pack all the holiday magic in, in a short time & stay in one place, this is IT!
Book early! Things fill up QUICK for the days that the Polar Express runs. They have normal hotel rooms or they offer decorated suites for the extra Christmas magic! We did that this year & I can't recommend it enough! The kids loved the glow of the Christmas tree when we came back to our room!
They gave me a code for you use to save $5 on each ticket you purchase: "VIP5"
Polar Express Decorated Suite at St Louis Station
Look for the hotel ticket packages that include your train tickets & stay on the website!
Hotel Ticket Packages for St Louis Polar Express:
Coach Ticket Hotel Packages include a souvenir golden ticket, hot chocolate, cookies & the first gift of Christmas.
First Class Hotel Package include a souvenir golden ticket, hot chocolate in a commemorative mug, cookies, digital family photo download & the first gift of Christmas. First Class rail cars are pods of four seats that face each other with a small table in between.
Decorated Suite Hotel packages include a souvenir golden ticket, hot chocolate in a commemorative mug, cookies, digital family photo download, the first gift of Christmas & voucher for the gift shop.
Things to do at St Louis Station during the Holidays
1. Mrs. Claus' Kitchen
From their website "Join us at St. Louis Union Station for an enchanting holiday experience that will warm your heart and ignite your creativity! Gather your loved ones and immerse yourselves in the festive spirit as you decorate delicious cookies in Mrs. Claus’ whimsical kitchen. "
Mrs Claus' Kitchen St Louis Station
Mrs. Claus' Kitchen is located in the building that the aquarium & other activities are. When we headed up stairs we couldn't believe the theming! It was like stepping into the North Pole meets Disney World. Everything was so cute! You check in & have the opportunity to take a cute photo at the gingerbread photo spot. The kitchen gives you a box with all your supplies & then you are free to take any table & decorate your cookies with your family or children. While decorating them, Mrs Claus walks around & talks with the children. After about 30 mins you head to story time where she reads a book & sing carols. This part my teens didn't absolutely love but they say & enjoyed. My toddlers absolutely loved. If you have a mixed ages family or going with extended family with cousins different ages, this will be a hit! Something for everyone to enjoy. My teens loved decorating the cookies while the toddlers just wanted to mostly eat them. & story time wasn't their favorite but the boys had a blast.
Mrs Claus' Kitchen St Louis Station
Mrs Claus' Kitchen St Louis Station
Mrs Claus' Kitchen St Louis Station
2. Pancakes with Santa
We started off the day that we had tickets to Polar Express in the evening with Pancakes with Santa. This really made for the perfect Christmas spirit day! It's in the Grand Hall with has this amazing dome ceiling where they project on & play music to. You get Santa Pancakes are decorated with a whipped cream and strawberries Santa face and served with milk or coffee for mom and dad as well as a buffet full of different beverages. I will say the pancakes left a lot to be desired, so for maybe parents grab something from the Starbucks in the lobby before or after. However, all four kids didn't have one complaint & loved!
Santa comes around to each table & at the end you can get a photo by the gorgeous Christmas tree!
Pancakes with Santa at St Louis Station
Pancakes with Santa at St Louis Station
I swear he was having a great time haha Pancakes with Santa at St Louis Station
3. Polar Express
I have a full post on the Polar Express ride HERE so I will keep this one much more condensed. The Polar Express is one of our favorite traditions! The St. Louis Polar Express is Disney-level magic! It was so so well organized & the actors were amazing! We had the most magical time! The ride is great & you get to see the arch which is neat as non-resident! Make sure you get your tickets early! They luckily have a lot of dates available but they go quick!
Polar Express St Louis
Polar Express St Louis
Polar Express St Louis
Polar Express St Louis
Polar Express St Louis
Polar Express St Louis
Polar Express St Louis
4. Elfie Express
Normally named the "Selfie Express" turns into the "Elfie Express" for the holiday season, this fun activity has transformed into a whimsical wonderland taken over by mischievous elves! You go into room each with backdrops and interactive displays that capture the spirit of the holidays. You can do fun poses & take fun photos!
5. Stop in Build A Bear Headquarters
Right in the parking lot of Union Station is Build-a-Bear HQ! They have an exclusive Polar Express bear during the holidays & it's the perfect stop to get a cuddly friend to take on your train ride!
St. Louis Polar Express Polar Express Build-a-Bear
St. Louis Polar Express Polar Express Build-a-Bear
St. Louis Polar Express Polar Express Build-a-Bear
As you can see, the bear is a huge hit! St. Louis Polar Express Polar Express Build-a-Bear
Plus so much more
As you can tell there is SO much to do & I didn't even list everything. You can go on the wheel, visit the aquarium, watch the fire show, go to the soda fountain & for sure eat at the train shed. {see more about those things HERE} With so much to do St Louis Station is great stop for all the holiday fun for your family!
A final pro tip, mom to mom? After your did all the planning for a magical getaway headout to the Grand Hall one night for a night cap & watch the projection show. You deserve it ;)
Like most Americans, we start our Thanksgiving by watching Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade every year. Let's be honest though younger kiddos have a hard time staying engaged watching with all the commercials & cut-in commentary!
So I made these fun Bingo cards to play while watching the parade a little bit more fun & keep kids engaged in the parade! I did photos instead of words for younger kids who can not read yet! This card is specific to 2021! Don't worry about Bingo markers, you can just use a marker to "X" when you find the float or balloon!
In 2023, I changed it up a bit after a few years ago I had seen The House that Lars Built and saved it then completely forgot about it until it came up in my timehop last year. It was pretty simple to put together, the buildings were just Amazon boxes I had in recycling & used the back of old wrapping paper I had for an all white paper to wrap them!
The taxis I had gotten off Amazon HERE. The balloons I ran around town trying to find. I was able to find some at some grocery stores & at Party City.
As for BINGO, What happens when you win? Well, you could play just for fun & no real prize! Or, maybe you win getting the first piece of pie after dinner or helping Mom with a Thanksgiving dish!
My girls fight over who helps peel the potatoes {one year I am going to remember to buy more peelers} It is up to you how you want to play!
Back to School Breakfast | First Day of School Breakfast
There is something about the First Day of school morning! It's easier to wake up that early & there is so much excitement for the year ahead! Starting off the day with a yummy fun breakfast always makes my kiddos feel so special & creates a fun memory.
Here is the breakfast I did this year, I chose to do a fairly simple waffle bar! Kennedy is in 8th grade, Kensley in 6th & Bo starts preschool in a couple weeks. He will only go twice a week for a few hours in the morning!
Something that is so crazy to me is over 10 years ago I had this private Pinterest board that was titled "My imaginary son" I would just pin cute boy clothes and stuff like that longing to have a boy possibly one day. One of the things I pinned on that board was also birthday parties and one of the themes was Master's Golf Tournament party. I had thought about it for Bo's first birthday but he was just so into Mickey Mouse that was the only that suited him.
Well, not only do I have now TWO boys, but the moment right after I gave birthday to Hudson I realized it was Master's Weekend! So, of course, the theme of his birthday would be Masters Tournament Hole in ONE birthday! So so, crazy how life works out.
This party was extremely last minute. I had no time to order him a custom Masters jacket.
I put my DIY mind to work & was able to order this jacket.
Then dye it with this dye, which was THE perfect Masters Jacket green. It ended up costing me less than $20 to make.
Then ironed on the patch. I DID have the exact patch they use, but I didn't realize my iron was so hot & when I went to put it on it completely melted through and another wouldn't arrive in time so I had to to settle for another patch I had on hand.
For the leaderboard, I made the scoreboard part on Canva & printed it out at Walmart. Used styrofoam board & spray-painted it green. Used my Cricut to cut the Masters Logo.
I served all the food that is available on Masters weekend: Pimento Cheese Sandwiches and Egg Salad Sandwiches. All the Traditional drinks like the Azalea & Arnold Palmers. I even made Peach Ice Cream Sandwiches but forgot to get photos.
I used these baskets & liners to put out the sandwiches.
The chip bags I made myself. I made the label on Canva & printed it on heavy hard stock & used this crimper to make the seams while using some hot glue to seal.
Personalized Photo Golf Ball Party Favors
I did personalized golf balls with Hudson's face on them as party favors. These we such a hit & such a fun keepsake.
I was able to search Ebay to find a Master's Teddy Bear from the year her was born to use as decor but also a keepsake for him to keep forever.
I served all the traditional drinks you get in Augusta at the Masters.
For the cups, I bought frosted cups just like at Augusta & put the decal on myself.
The frosted cups are a little more expensive online but if you have Gordons Foods near you they were much more reasonable.
I used these cup golf tee picks for the cherries & lemon garnish, again I went as traditional as possible. I also used these to put through the club sandwiches I served.
If it isn't obvious, I made the smash cake myself.
I used a half-circle cake pan & white fondant.
I tried many different objects to get the indents & for the life of me can't remember what ended up being the perfect shape but I feel like it was a wooden Melissa & Doug carrot from the boys play kitchen HA!
