Things to do with kids in Columbia, MO
Checked · All times are local Central Time (Columbia time)
Coming up in Columbia: Merry Moments with Santa & Mrs. Claus (Nov 20). 6 always-open places. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Christmas & holiday events: Santa
Merry Moments with Santa & Mrs. Claus
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 · 5–8pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
A free family evening with photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, cookies and cocoa, holiday crafts and games, letters to Santa, and resources from local community groups. No registration needed.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Museum of Art and Archaeology (University of Missouri)
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
University of Missouri art and archaeology museum in Ellis Library (Room 1) on campus
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
State park south of town with a natural rock bridge, the Devil’s Icebox cave area and hiking trails
Columbia Activity & Recreation Center (ARC)
- Price
- Daily: youth 2–17 $4.50; adults 18–59 $7
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
City recreation center with indoor pools, a gym and kids’ programs; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Flat Branch Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown park with historical plaques and the MKT Trail trailhead; open 6am–11pm
Stephens Lake Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
116-acre city park with a lake trail, Children’s Grove and an arboretum; open 6am–11pm
Columbia Public Library (Daniel Boone Regional Library)
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown public library with a children’s area and family programs
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Columbia this weekend?
Museum of Art and Archaeology (University of Missouri), Rock Bridge Memorial State Park and Columbia Activity & Recreation Center (ARC) are open most days, but we don't have a Columbia event listed for this weekend (Oct 31–Nov 1). Next up: Merry Moments with Santa & Mrs. Claus (Nov 20).
What are free things to do with kids in Columbia?
These are free according to their official sites: 1 upcoming event in Columbia, including Merry Moments with Santa & Mrs. Claus (Fri, Nov 20).
Where can kids play indoors in Columbia when it's cold or rainy?
We list 3 indoor places in Columbia: Museum of Art and Archaeology (University of Missouri), Columbia Activity & Recreation Center (ARC, kids 2–17 $4.5) and Columbia Public Library (Daniel Boone Regional Library).
When and where can kids see Santa in Columbia?
We list 1 event with Santa in Columbia: Merry Moments with Santa & Mrs. Claus (Nov 20).
What is there to do with toddlers in Columbia?
We list 4 places in Columbia that welcome kids under 2, including Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Flat Branch Park and Stephens Lake Park. See all 4 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
How much do Columbia family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 1 place in Columbia: Columbia Activity & Recreation Center (ARC, adult $7, kids 2–17 $4.5). Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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