Budget-Friendly Activities for Families in Springfield, Missouri

Looking for fun, affordable ways to keep the kids entertained in Springfield, Missouri? Whether you're a local or just visiting, this family-friendly city is packed with exciting activities that won’t break the bank. From interactive museums and scenic parks to free events and hidden gems, Springfield offers plenty of options to create lasting memories without stretching your budget.

Missouri Institute of Natural Science

This free science museum features a huge range of artifacts and specimens, including fossils, cave artifacts, and Henry the Triceratops, a real and nearly-complete dinosaur skeleton. Any prehistoric enthusiasts will love the many displays the museum has to show.

Address: 2327 W Farm Rd 190, Springfield

Springfield Conservation Nature Center

An 80-acre slice of the Ozarks, the Springfield Conservation Nature Center offers three miles of greenland hiking trails, including the Galloway Creek Greenway Trail. They also have a self-guided exhibit area within the Nature Center.

Address: 4601 S. Nature Center Way, Springfield

Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park

This 207-acre community farm park is the perfect place to get some fresh air and learn more about agriculture in a family-friendly environment. Amenities include a 20+ acre native prairie, farm animals, a milking barn, a community garden, and Wilson’s Creek.

Address: 3825 W. Farm Road 146, Springfield

Discovery Center

An interactive hands-on science center, the Discovery Center offers a playground of educational exhibits kids will love, including giant animatronic dinosaurs, a HighWire bike, a giant eyeball walkthrough display, and more. Admission is $10 for kids ages 3-15 and $15 for anyone 16 years old and up. Free passes are also available for check out at the Springfield Greene County Library system on a first come first serve basis!

Address: 438 E. St Louis St, Springfield

Fun Acre Mini Golf

This amusement center features 18 holes of miniature golf and batting cages with slow, medium, and fast-pitch speeds. Admission is $3 for adults, $2.50 for kids 5-11, and kinds 4 and under free. (Pro tip: bring cash as they don’t accept credit or debit cards.)

Address: 214 W. Glenwood St, Springfield

Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden

With seven serene winding acres, the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden features traditional Japanese landscaping, a charming koi pond, a moon bridge, a meditation garden, and a Japanese tea house. Adults get in for $6, kids ages 3-11 get in for $4, and groups of 10 or more pay $5 a person.

Address: 1923 N. Weller Ave, Springfield

Air & Military Museum of the Ozarks

This hands-on military museum features vintage military aircrafts and jeeps, uniforms and equipment, and over 5,000 pieces of military history. Adults pay $6 for admission, and children ages 6-11 get in for $4.

Address: 2305 E Kearney St, Springfield

Springfield Farmers’ Markets

Springfield offers a unique selection of farmers markets every Saturday morning, opening between 8-9 AM. C-Street City Market, located on Historic C-Street, specializes in fresh produce, plants, artwork, and decorative pieces. Greater Springfield Farmers Market, located on South Glenstone Avenue, promises farm-fresh organic produce by a large variety of farmers and vendors. Finally, the Farmers Market of the Ozarks, located on East Independence Avenue, serves up fresh baked goods, live local music, hand-crafted products and specialized gifts.

Sculpture Walk Springfield

Spidertag Neon Mural Want to check out Springfield’s free museum without walls? Sculpture Walk Springfield is a public sculpture series in downtown Springfield that changes out every year, so there’s always something new to see! Check out this printable map with all the locations!

Sunshine Lanes Bowling

Bowling at Enterprise Park Lanes in Springfield, Missouri Looking for a fun way to keep the kids active this summer? Sunshine Lanes has you covered! Kids bowl free all summer long—that’s two free games every day per child from May 31 through August 30. Just fill out this form! Don’t miss out on this awesome deal!

Address: 1500 W. Sunshine St., Springfield

Splash Pads

Jordan Valley Park Springfield has several free splash pads to keep the kids cool all summer long. Here’s where the kids can splash around just after Memorial Day.