Things to Do With Kids in Springfield and Branson, MO

Springfield, MO

The Discovery Center Hands-on museum of interactive exhibits to encourage creativity and intellectual exploration in science, technology, culture, art and communications.One of the top Springfield, MO family activities. 438 E. St  Louis St. 417-862-9910.
1984 Arcade Relive pinball and video gaming '80s-style. Kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 400 South Jefferson Avenue. (417) 831-3665.
MediaCom Ice Park Open ice skating and ice hockey with drop-in privileges. Skate rentals. 635 E Trafficway. 417-866-7444.
Springfield Skatepark 13,500 square ft. indoor park with birch ramps; plus 25,000 square foot concrete outdoor park. Safe for young kids. Spectator seating.  945 W. Meadowmere St. Springfield. Call 417-868-8758 for info,hours.
Jumpmania Sometimes the kids just need to bounce around. Wear them out here. Special baby/ toddler area. Flat fee for whole day. Bring socks. Concession stand. 2745 S. Kansas Expwy. 417-881-JUMP (5867).
Paintball Games Plus Paintball plus batting cages and miniature golf for the paintball-averse. Located at 1411 W. Kearney St. 417-866-8862.
Fun Acre Miniature Golf 18 holes and batting cages, too. 2500 S. Campbell Ave. 417-889-1872
Rutledge-Wilson Farm Community Park Live farm animals, trails, gardens, native prairie, farm-themed playground and Wilson's Creek nearby. Visitors' center, gift shop and milking barn. 3825 W. Farm Road 146. 417-837-5949.
Jumpin' Joey's Kangaroo theme bounce place. Package deal  includes cheese pizza and drinks. Bring socks. 2550 S. Campbell Ave. 417-889-JOEY(5639)
Take 'em Out to the Ballgame Springfield Cardinals games. Hometown ticket prices. Fireworks after some games. The Springfield Cardinals are a Double-A affiliate team of the St. Louis Cardinals. Hammons Field at Jordan Valley Park. 417-863-0395
Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Home to 4,000 sports artifacts. Honors Missouri-born athletes and those who played for the state's teams. 3861 E. Stan Musial Dr. 417-889-3100.
Jordan Valley Park Downtown park with a water feature to splash in, and a life size replica Springfield wagon for kids to play on. Walking paths, picnic spots.635 E. Trafficway.
Springfield's Dickerson Park Zoo Petting zoo and more than 150 species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals from around the world. 1401 W. Norton Rd, Springfield. 417-864-1800.
Wild Animal Safari. Drive your own vehicle or  take the complimentary bus tour. 650 +animals on 250 acres, plus petting zoo. Gift shop and grill. 124 Jungle Road. 417- 859-5300.

Historic Sites

Give the kids a firsthand look at American history at these locations.

Horseback Riding

If you want to get really up close and personal with four-footed creatures, take the family on a horseback adventure. Not only do the kids get to experience the fun of riding, the trails take you through the Ozark woods, where wildlife may be seen.

Free Family Things to Do In Branson

Budget-conscious families will find a number of fun and free things to do. (See our Cycling andForest/State Parks pages for outdoor adventures that won't cost you anything at all.) Meanwhile, here are free things to do in Branson:
Fruitcakes Tour at the College of the Ozarks Students bake fruitcakes and make jelly. You can buy their products and the tour is free. Fruitcake and Jelly Kitchen, College of the Ozarks, 3407 Point Lookout. 417-690-3395
Ralph Foster Museum Also on campus. An eclectic collection of thousands of objects- of all kinds. Small admission fee for adults; 18 and under admitted free.
God and Country Inspirational Gardens Scenic, relaxing series of garden features with patriotic memorabilia and artifacts. Year-round self-guided tours. 1116 West 76 Country Music Blvd, Branson. 417-339-4222
Table Rock Dam Take a self-guided tour of the dam, hike parts of the Mark Twain National Forest, and enjoy the scenic settings around the lake. Open year-round. 4600 State Hwy 165, Branson. 417-334-4101
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery  The largest facility in the MO Dept. of Conservation trout production program. More than a million catchable rainbow and brown trout produced annually. Explore the educational Conservation Center, tour the grounds. 483 Hatchery Rd, Branson. 417-334-4865
The Dewey Short Visitor Center Displays and a short movie about the construction of Table Rock Dam. Fun interactive exhibits for kids. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 4500 MO 165, Branson. More info at 417-334-6394.

Family Attractions in Branson

White Water Park Outdoor park with water slides and raft rides over simulated rapids. Shallow-water equipment for the tots. Volleyball, and several food vendors. 3505 West Highway 76, Branson, MO 65616.
The Castle Rock Water Park Indoor area open year-round with shorter hours are shorter in winter. In warm weather you can enjoy outdoor areas. Special little kid area. Part of Castle Rock Resort, 3001 Green Mountain Dr, Branson. 417-336-6000.
Ride The Ducks Tours Branson on the road, then splashes into the lake. Tour guides entertain with stories of Branson’s past . Kids can help drive the vehicle on the water. 2320 Hwy 76 W, Branson. 417-266-7600
Branson Scenic Railway  Crosses old-fashioned trestles and mountain tunnels in a 40-mile round trip journey. Refurbished, full-sized passenger train with tour narrator. Saturday nights, eat in the diner car, The historic depot is right in the middle of town. 206 E. Main St., Branson. 417-334-6110
Ripley’s Believe it or Not Odditorium Exhibits are peculiar and sometimes bizarre, and kids usually love it. 3326 Hwy 76, Branson. 417-337-5300.
Butterfly Palace and Rain Forest Adventure Thousands of exotic butterflies from around the globe, Rainforest Critter Center and  Emerald Forest Mirror Maze. 3-D film showing the unfolding life of the butterfly. Open every day. 4106 W. Hwy 76, Branson. 417-332-2231
Branson's Wild World Saltwater bullsharks, fish, alligators, lizards, crocs, snakes and other reptiles.Jungle Arcade of games, 3D blacklight mini golf. Wolves too!  2020 W. Hwy 76, Branson. 417-239-0854
National Tiger Sanctuary View the animals from just three feet away, and you can help feed them. Guided tours Wed-Sun; call for more info. 518 State Hwy BB, Saddlebrook. 417-587-3633
The World’s Largest Toy Museum Walk down Memory Lane, viewing toys from the 1800s to the recent past, including kaleidoscopes, dolls, trucks, toy trains, cap pistols, board games and a Mickey Mouse collection. 3609 W 76 Country Blvd, Branson. 417-332-1499
Silver Dollar City Amusement park rides, working craftsmen, other entertainments and historical attractions. Free cave tour and evening entertainment . 399 Silver Dollar City Pkwy, Branson. 800-475-9370
Track Family Fun Parks Go-karts on wooden tracks,kiddie track for four years and up.. Bumper cars, mini golf, Ferris wheel, other attractions. Food available. 3388 Green Mountain Drive, Branson. 417-334-1612
Branson Ballknocker An extreme sphering ride: one or more people harnessed into the inner chamber of a 12 ft. tall clear ball launched to roll down a 550 ft. run. 3330 W. Harvey Dr, Branson. 417-335-3958
Castle of Chaos First-ever 5D interactive haunted ride, combining a state-of-the art 3D horror film with special effects and animatronics .Not for impressionable little kids. 3030 W. Hwy 76, Branson. 417-337-8700.
Titanic Branson A museum dedicated to the Titanic; authentically appointed, entertaining, educational, said to be haunted. 3235 76 Country Blvd & Hwy 165. 417-334-9500
Grand Country All-inclusive family packages—shows, mini-golf, family amusement center and more. n. Pools, water park free for guests.. 1945 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson. 417-334-3919
Promised Land Zoo Branson A "foot safari" of up-close encounters with friendly young exotic animals. 2751 Shepherd of the Hill Expy. Call 417-271-9453 for info.

Mini Golf and Laser Tag in Branson

Family Fun Factory, 2400 St. Hwy 165, 417-332-2100
Brookside Miniature Golf, 2925 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, 417-334-1262
Greatest Adventures Mini Golf, 4800 Gretna Rd, 417-332-0888
Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure Golf, 3346 W. Hwy 76, 417-332-0889
Professor Hacker’s Dinosaur Canyon mini golf, 2501 Green Mtn. Dr. 417-332-0887
Pirate’s Cove, 2901 Green Mtn Dr. 417-336-6606

Branson Theatres

With more than 40 stage shows—music, comedy, dance, magic, animal acts—there’s something to suit every family’s taste. Most shows offer discounted kids’ tickets, and some provide free seating to kids aged 12 and under.