Things to do with kids in Springfield, MO
Checked · All times are local Central Time (Springfield time)
Coming up in Springfield: Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World (from Nov 7), Springfield Christmas Parade (Nov 21), Mayor's Tree Lighting Holiday Show (Nov 21) and 2 more events. 6 always-open places, led by Dickerson Park Zoo, Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium and Discovery Center of Springfield. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World
- When
- Sat, Nov 7 – Thu, Dec 24 (Daily Nov 7 – Dec 24) · Store hours (Santa arrives Nov 7 at 5pm)
- Cost
- No charge for Santa photos, kids’ crafts or holiday giveaways
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Santa arrives Saturday, Nov 7 at 5pm, then Santa’s Wonderland offers free studio-quality photos with Santa, kids’ crafts and holiday giveaways from Nov 8 through Christmas Eve.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Springfield Christmas Parade
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 · Steps off at 3pm
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Downtown Springfield’s holiday parade, themed “Home for the Holidays” this year, with bands, dance teams and floats. The Merry Market opens on Park Central Square at 1:30pm and the Mayor’s Tree Lighting follows at 6pm.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Mayor's Tree Lighting Holiday Show
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 · From 6pm
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The mayor lights the 48-foot tree on Park Central Square with a holiday show by local performing-arts groups. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at 6pm in their Christmas Tree House, with selfies with Santa and free cookies and hot chocolate from 6 to 8pm while supplies last.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Gardens Aglow at Springfield Botanical Gardens
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Dec 27 (Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23 and 26–27) · 5–8:30pm (last admittance 8:15pm)
- Cost
- Adults $6 presale / $8 at the gate; kids 3–12 $4 presale / $6 at the gate
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A holiday light walk through the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden on level, paved paths suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Silent Night at Dickerson Park Zoo
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 & Fri, Dec 4 (Nov 27 and Dec 4) · 5–7pm
- Cost
- $5 teens and adults; $2 kids 3–12; 2 and under and FOZ members free (pay at the gate)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A quiet, sensory-friendly evening at the zoo: phones silenced and voices low to enjoy the holiday lights and nighttime sounds.
✓ 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.
Dickerson Park Zoo
- Price
- Adults and teens $19; kids 3–12 $14; 60+ $16; 2 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Open 9am–4pm daily November–February (closed if walkways are icy); closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
- Price
- $$$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Wildlife galleries and a large aquarium next to Bass Pro Shops; Sea of Lights holiday displays from Nov 1 are included with admission
Discovery Center of Springfield
- Price
- Adults $17; kids 3–15 $12 ($2 off with cash); under 3 free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Hands-on science and STEM museum downtown; Tue–Sun 10am–5pm, closed Mondays; free parking lot
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
The original Bass Pro Shops flagship, with aquariums and wildlife displays; Santa’s Wonderland runs here in the holiday season
Springfield Botanical Gardens
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Gardens in Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park with the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden; most attractions are free; Botanical Center open Mon–Sat 8am–5pm, Sun 11am–5pm
Fantastic Caverns
- Price
- Adults $36; kids 6–12 $18; 5 and under free with a parent
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Ride-through cave tour by jeep-drawn tram, a steady 60° year-round; open daily 8am–7pm (last departure 6pm)
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Springfield this weekend?
Dickerson Park Zoo, Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium and Discovery Center of Springfield are open most days, but we don't have a Springfield event listed for this weekend (Oct 31–Nov 1). Next up: Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World (Nov 7) and Springfield Christmas Parade (Nov 21).
Where can kids play indoors in Springfield when it's cold or rainy?
We list 4 indoor places in Springfield: Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, Discovery Center of Springfield (kids 3–15 $12), Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and Fantastic Caverns (kids 6–12 $18).
When and where can kids see Santa in Springfield?
We list 2 events with Santa in Springfield: Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World (Nov 7 – Dec 24) and Mayor's Tree Lighting Holiday Show (Nov 21).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Springfield?
We list 3 holiday light events in Springfield: Mayor's Tree Lighting Holiday Show (Nov 21), Gardens Aglow at Springfield Botanical Gardens (Nov 27 – Dec 27) and Silent Night at Dickerson Park Zoo (Nov 27 – Dec 4). Our holiday lights guide for the Springfield area has more nearby.
What is there to do with toddlers in Springfield?
We list 4 places in Springfield that welcome kids under 2, including Dickerson Park Zoo, Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium and Springfield Botanical Gardens. See all 4 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Springfield?
The best-known family attractions we list in Springfield are Dickerson Park Zoo (kids 3–12 $14), Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, Discovery Center of Springfield (kids 3–15 $12) and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Springfield family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 3 places in Springfield: Dickerson Park Zoo (adult $19, kids 3–12 $14), Discovery Center of Springfield (adult $17, kids 3–15 $12) and Fantastic Caverns (adult $36, kids 6–12 $18). 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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