Springfield is a great destination for families with kids.
Being the second-largest urban area in the Ozarks, Springfield is a wonderful place for your next family holiday. You'll find a wide range of activities to suit all ages and interests.
Whether you're an animal lover, science nerd, or interested in an outdoor adventure, there's something for everyone!
From the unique experience of Fantastic Caverns to immersive exhibits at Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, you'll find something to suit your family.
In this article, we'll take you through 7 family-friendly activities you can do in Springfield. We'll let you know everything you need to know, from the location and price range to some insider tips on how you can enjoy them.
Let's get into it!
Image Source: Fantastic Caverns
Whether you’ve seen the billboards on the freeway, or heard about them through word of mouth, the Fantastic Caverns are an attraction you don’t want to miss!
These caverns are the only of their kind on the whole North American continent, and there are only four other sites like it in the rest of the world.
The best part about this activity is that you’ll be guided through in the back of a Jeep-drawn tram.
Your knowledgeable tour guide will tell you about the history of the caverns, how they were discovered, and even point out any interesting rock formations you pass.
This activity is perfect for all ages. The caverns are very beautiful, especially up close. Try looking for glittering crystals amongst the rock formations!
Tickets can be purchased in person, and you don’t need to make a reservation in advance as the rides are run based on demand. We recommend checking out the gift shop on your way out!
Image Source: Wonders of Wildlife
Any ocean and marine life fans will be eager to visit this attraction! Boasting over 1.5 miles of immersive trails and exhibits, there’s so much to see and do here that’ll be exciting for the whole family.
The 1.5 million gallon aquarium features over 35,000 different live fish, mammals, reptiles, and birds. You can also purchase encounters so you can see them up close and personal. We recommend checking out the penguin encounter!
While this attraction is on the pricey side, we’d say it’s worth it. You can spend a whole afternoon wandering around the exhibits and watching the fish swim around the aquarium.
You can purchase tickets online to secure your slot or buy them from Guest Services on the day.
Image Source: Dickerson Park Zoo
Learn about animals from every corner of the world at the Dickerson Park Zoo!
The Dickerson Park Zoo is surrounded by Missouri nature, which makes a wonderful backdrop for a day meeting the animals. One of the highlights is viewing and feeding the giraffes that hang around their enclosure.
We’d recommend this zoo, particularly to younger kids, as it’s on the smaller side. You can spend a few hours wandering around looking at the animals or even stop for a snack break on the grass.
There are also plenty of child-friendly activities, including an adjacent public playground, petting zoo, and even a train that you can ride around a small portion of the zoo.
You can either buy tickets online or in-person depending on your preference.
Image Source: Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden
Located within the Springfield Botanical Gardens, the Mizumoto Japanese stroll garden is an activity you don’t want to miss!
You’ll have to pay a small admission fee to get in, but you’ll get free reign of the gardens.
The gardens cover around 7.5 acres of land. There’s plenty to be seen, including a stunning koi pond, a moon bridge, a peaceful meditation garden, a tea house, and of course, the gorgeous traditional Japanese garden landscaping.
The garden is open seasonally from April to October, but they also host events in December, including light paths for a cozy winter evening stroll. You can also get a private tour of the gardens, which will take you around all the attractions.
We’d recommend this activity for anyone looking for a relaxing afternoon. It’s also great for photographers or those wanting an Instagrammable picture!
Image Source: Discovery Center of Springfield
If you’ve ever wanted to take a walk through a giant eyeball, the Discovery Center of Springfield is the place to go!
This science museum has the perfect blend of interactive and informative activities for the kids.
This museum does a great job of making the activities interesting for all ages. Biology, physics, and chemistry nerds alike will love the hands-on aspects of the museum.
There’s a lot to see and do, which can make for the perfect afternoon of learning.
There is an admission fee, but this covers the whole day. So you can leave and come back if you have other activities planned. We would recommend this for a rainy day indoors, or as a break between nature trips.
Image Source: Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly activity, definitely check out the botanical gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park!
These 112 acres of botanical gardens comprise a mix of stunning fountains, gardens, and blooming flowers.
You can take a relaxing stroll around, and even pack a picnic lunch to share with the whole family.
There are plenty of seating areas scattered around the park which provide the perfect backdrop for your lunch while the kids can have fun at the playground!
We recommend checking out the butterfly house, which usually opens around 10 am.
Take a turn around the gardens, stop at a picnic table for lunch, and then check out the other various wonders around Springfield.
Entry to the garden is free, and you can also find the Mizumoto Japanese Garden here as well, which requires a small admission fee.
Image Source: Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park
We've mentioned a lot of animal activities on this list, but Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park is one you don't want to miss!
This agriculture park is fun for all ages, but we'd especially recommend it for younger kids.
Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park has plenty of activities on offer. You can pet and feed animals, go fishing, watch crops being grown, and even learn some more about Missouri's agricultural history.
Entry to the park is free, but you might have to pay for some things like animal feed. The park has a good variety of animals that would suit all animal nerds, including goats, sheep, chickens, horses, donkeys, turkeys, and more!
They also have a seasonal corn maze if you're looking for an adventure! We would highly recommend the park for young families who want to learn more about agriculture and farm life.
