Free and Low Cost Family Activities
Access Arts
1724 McAlester Columbia, MO 65201
573-875-0275
accessarts@schoolofservice.org
https://www.schoolofservice.org/
Hours: Studio Hours 10:00 am- 4:00 pm. Daily class schedules available.
Services: Quality art classes accessible to people of all ages, incomes, backgrounds and abilities, including people with disabilities, to elevate people to a higher level of creativity in which art becomes a threshold to life.
Eligibility: Anyone with interest in the classes from age 4 through senior citizens
Fees: Sliding scale (free to full cost based on ability to pay)
Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center
1900 Blue Ridge Rd, Columbia, MO 65202
573-474-5331 (in-season) 573-874-7460 (off-season)
https://www.como.gov/contacts/albert-oakland-family-aquatic-center/
Located in Albert-Oakland Park, Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center is Columbia’s largest outdoor municipal pool. It has a spacious 50-meter pool with two diving boards and a triple-loop enclosed flume slide. There is a separate water play area for kids; a bathhouse with mens, womens, and family changing rooms; concession area, and a large deck with lounge chairs and shade umbrellas.
Admission Fees: Children ages 1 & under are FREE, Youth ages 2 to 15 are $2.50 per person, Adults ages 16+ are $3.50 per person
Armory Sports and Recreation Center
701 E. Ash St., Columbia, MO 65201
573-817-5077 and 573-874-6378
Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM
https://www.como.gov/contacts/armory-sports-recreation-center/
Open recreation for kids Mon-Fri during the school year: 2:30 PM - 7:00 PM. Many activities available including: homework assistance, Armory Summer Camp, sports in the gym, air hockey, ping pong, foosball, a safe dartboard, games, movies, computer lab, and quiet classroom space. Staff is available to provide hands-on assistance to the youth. The program is available at no cost to youth 8 years and older.
This indoor facility is used for basketball, volleyball, meetings, aerobics, events, and after school programs. The Community Recreation and C.A.R.E. (Career Awareness Related Experience) programs along with the CoMo Bike Co-op are located in the Armory.
Battlefield Lavender
20601 N Rangeline Rd, Centralia, MO 65240
573-227-2242
https://www.battlefieldlavender.com/
Here at Missouri's largest lavender farm, you'll discover 16 varieties of lavender - more than 2,400 plants!
Tour our drying barn filled with thousands of bundles of lavender
Shop our hundreds of lavender and lavender-inspired gifts
Sign up for crafting classes and private tours
Feed the chickens while you're here; say hi to our super-loud rooster "Kyle"!
Open daily 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Annual bloom and you-pick Friday, June 2 - Sunday, June 18. See our Visit, Tours & You-Pick page for details
Boone County History and Culture Center
3801 Ponderosa St, Columbia, MO 65201
Hours: Wednesdays through Saturdays 10 AM - 5 PM
Boone Junction tours April - October during business hours and by appointment only. $6 per adult, $4 per child (12 and under)
Services: The Boone County History & Culture Center includes history exhibits, the Montminy Art Gallery, a genealogy library, the Village at Boone Junction, and the Maplewood House. Volunteer opportunities are available. Venue rentals are also available including a conference room, the art gallery and the veranda/gazebo. The Center presents concerts, book talks, children's programming and other artistic programs to the public.
Fees: Free admission to History & Culture Center. Fees are charged for venue rentals, certain special events and Boone Junction tours.
Centralia Municipal Swimming Pool
1189 E Booth St, Centralia, MO 65240
573-682-2201
https://www.centraliamo.org/parksrec/page/centralia-municipal-swimming-pool
Our 25 meter pool has a swimming area, a slide, two diving boards, a splash pad, and a zero entry area. A concession stand is available with a variety of snacks.
Our splash pad is free in the morning and evening after pool hours, and is included with pool entry when the pool is open.
The pool is also home to swimming lessons, Centralia Hurricanes Swim Team, aqua-size and aqua fitness classes, a triathlon, and various other community activities.
Daily Admission: $4.50 per person, children under 2 years old are FREE
Centralia Recreation Center
802 W Lakeview Ave, Centralia, MO 65240
573-682-2196
https://www.centraliamo.org/parksrec/page/welcome-centralia-recreation-center
Hours: 8 AM - 8 PM Monday through Thursday; 8 AM - 7 PM Friday & Saturday; Closed on Sundays
Inside the Centralia Recreation Center, located at 802 West Lakeview Street, you will find an all purpose court for basketball, volleyball and badminton, a 1/10 mile walking track, Fitness Area, Children's Zone, and Activity Room with kitchenette.
Admission Fees:
Children ages 5 and under are FREE with paid adult
Youth ages 6 to 17- $4.00
Adults ages 18 to 59- $5.00
Seniors ages 60 and older- $4.00
Columbia Farmers Market
1769 W Ash St., Columbia, MO 65203
573-823-6889
Summer Season: Saturdays: 8am-12pm (March 9-October)
Winter Season: Saturdays 9am-12pm (November-March)
Weekday Season: Wednesdays 3-7pm (May-October)
Services: Offers locally grown or produced goods to the public including fruits, vegetable, meats, breads, plants and flowers. The Access to Healthy Food (AHF) program helps low-income families with young children eat healthy food by matching SNAP and WIC benefits at the Columbia Farmers Market. Families that receive SNAP and/or WIC benefits with children under the age of 19 are eligible to double their benefits up to $35.
Eligibility: Anyone can attend the market, located at the corner of West Blvd. and Worley
Fees: Free to customers
Columbia Parks and Recreation
1 South 7th St., Columbia, MO 65205
573-874-7460
Office Hours: 8-5 pm (Monday through Friday)
https://www.como.gov/parks-and-recreation/
Park Directory: https://www.como.gov/parks/
Trail Directory: https://www.como.gov/trails/
Skate Park: https://www.como.gov/contacts/columbia-skate-park/
Armory Sports Center: https://www.como.gov/contacts/armory-sports-recreation-center/
Special Events Calendar: https://www.como.gov/CMS/webcal/?cat=2
ARC Activity and Recreation Center: https://www.como.gov/contacts/activity-recreation-center-arc/
Financial Assistance: https://www.como.gov/parks-and-recreation/programs-registration/financial-assistance-program/
Services: Coordinates programs and activities for all ages and abilities including swimming, golf, sport leagues, golf lessons, outdoor programs, senior programming, specialized recreation including Special Olympics, and classes for all ages from dance to tae kwon do; coordinates many city wide special events; recreational programs and classes are held at the Armory Sports Center, the Arc (Activities and Recreation Center), Hillcrest Community Center and Paquin Towers; manages 5 aquatic facilities and two golf courses; responsible for designing, building, and maintaining all park facilities and managing over 3000 acres of parkland and 50 miles of trails in 70 parks; publicizes program activity information in the Leisure Times guide (published three times a year), available at the office or on the web site.
Eligibility: Certain programs have specific criteria (call for information)
Fees: Varies for activity. Financial assistance is available.
Community Garden Coalition, Inc.
711 Claudell Ln, Columbia, MO 65203
PO Box 7051, Columbia, MO 65205
573-875-5995 and 573-228-8182 (voicemail)
Services: Provides garden plots, water, seeds, plants, expertise, necessary supplies, and physical assistance with gardening when necessary to Columbia and Boone County residents.
Fee: None
Eligibility: Anyone
Daniel Boone Regional Library
100 West Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 9:00a.m.-9:00p.m.
Friday 9:00a.m.-6:00p.m.
Saturday 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Sunday 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m.
573-443-3161 Fax 573-499-0191
contact https://www.dbrl.org/contact
https://www.facebook.com/yourdbrl/
Services: The library provides computers for word processing, checking your email and accessing the internet. There is no charge to use these computers, but you need an active Daniel Boone Regional Library card or a guest card (for patrons who live outside the service area). The library’s computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Free access to books, audiobooks, magazines, music CDs, newspapers, DVDs, electronic resources and other library material; ESL and Spanish language materials; consumer and government information; telephone and e-mail reference information; public access computers; story times for children; summer reading program for children, teens and adults; One Read community reading program; events and classes for children, teens and adults; tours; bookmobile service to rural communities, neighborhoods and licensed child care centers; home and nursing home visits for homebound persons; liaison with Wolfner Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, comic books, streaming music, TV shows & movies, continuing education classes, genealogy resources, yearbook archive and other online resources
Fee: None
Eligibility: Open to citizens of Boone and Callaway Counties
Intake Procedures: Call Outreach Department for mail, bookmobile, and shut-in service; walk-in or phone for other services
Required Documentation for Services: Proof of residency required for library card, some services available without a library card (reference services, magazines & newspapers, tax forms, etc.) Adults can apply online: www.dbrl.org/library-card-application
Geographic Area Served: Boone, Callaway Counties; Locations: Columbia, Ashland, Fulton
Foreign Languages Spoken: Spanish is spoken by some staff
Other Names/Acronyms: Columbia Public Library
Douglass Family Aquatic Center
400 N Providence Rd, Columbia, MO 65203
573-442-5019 (in-season) 573-874-7460 (off-season)
https://www.como.gov/contacts/douglass-family-aquatic-center/
Located in Douglass Park. This central-city outdoor pool features a double loop slide, climbing wall, and spraygrounds. It has a picnic shelter for shade inside the fencing, lounge chairs, bathhouse, and concessions. Douglass Family Aquatic Center has the lowest admission fee of all the municipal pools, providing a great family value.
Admission Fees: Children ages 1 year and under are FREE, Youth ages 2 to 15 years old are $1.50
First Chance for Children
1010 Fay Street, Columbia, MO 65201
573-777-1815
Hours: 9 AM - 3:30 PM
http://www.firstchanceforchildren.org/
First Chance for Children provides a wide range of comprehensive programming designed to support families with their specific parenting needs. From diapers and cribs, to parent education, play groups, and more, First Chance for Children has a service for all families with children under the age of 5. Together, we can ensure all children are ready for school, ready for life.
Safe C.R.I.B.S., which stands for Community Resources, Infant Beds, and Support, provides infants without a safe place to sleep a pack and play crib. The crib is delivered to the family and is followed by 5 additional home visits focusing on family wellbeing and child safety. CRIBS is open to low-income families or those experiencing high parenting stress
Baby Bags provides diapers, wipes, hygiene items, and other supplies needed to provide care and comfort to children delivered along with Child development and safety information. Items are available at the First Chance office or through one of our partner programs.
Lend and Learn Libraries are a free, fun place where parents can play with their children ages 0-5, interact with other parents, and ask trained staff questions about development or other concerns. Toys are available for check out so families can extend learning and play at home. Eligibility: open to anyone caring for a child under the age of 5.
Baby U is a home visiting program supporting families with their specific parenting needs. Using the Nurturing Parenting and Parents as Teachers models, staff walk alongside families with children prenatally through the first semester of kindergarten providing resources, education, and support. Eligibility: Baby U is open to low-income families or those experiencing high parenting stress
Geographic Area Served: Boone, Howard, Cooper, Randolph, Audrain, Callaway, Moniteau, Cole, and Osage Counties.
Flat Branch Spraygrounds and Outdoor Amphitheater
400 Locust St, Columbia, MO 65203
573-874-7460
https://www.como.gov/contacts/flatbranch-spraygrounds/
Flat Branch Spraygrounds is centrally located in downtown Columbia in Flat Branch Park. It is FREE and open to the public from May 1 through Sept. 30. It is operated with recycled, chlorinated water. The spraygrounds is activated by push button and is a great to place to cool off during the summer. It is especially popular with families with young children. The spraygounds can also serve as an outdoor amphitheater, with tiered stone seating on the east side.
Park Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Open from May 1 through Sept. 30
FREE admission
Fun Family Events
A current listing of family events in the Columbia area, many are free of charge.
https://www.visitcolumbiamo.com/events/categories/family/
Laws Observatory - University of Missouri
223 Physics Building, Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-3355
https://physics.missouri.edu/laws-observatory
Laws Observatory, located on top of the Astronomy & Physics building on the UMC Campus in Columbia, Missouri, hosts a number of small telescopes, a computer room and an astronomy exhibit room with a collection of autographed pictures from NASA Mission Control, astronauts, engineers and people connected with NASA. The Observatory is open every Wednesday night from 8 - 10 pm (weather permitting), except holidays. Free to the public.
Level Up Entertainment
2300 Bernadette Dr, Columbia, MO 65203
573-615-0443
Hours: Monday through Wednesday 10AM - 10 PM, Thursday through Saturday 10AM - 11 PM, Sunday 11AM - 9 PM
Level Up offers bowling, arcade games, ropes course, laser tag, mini golf, and roller skating activities. Offers several different party packages starting at $19.99 per guest.
Pricing: Laser tag, ropes course, mini golf, and roller skating is $9.99 per person per activity; Bowling is $6.99 per person per game.
Southern Boone Area YMCA
405 South Main St, Ashland, MO 65010
573-657-9622
http://www.southernbooneymca.org/
The Southern Boone Area YMCA is an association comprised of persons of all ages, ethnic groups and religious affiliations dedicated to putting Christian principals into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. They offer 24/7 access, free group exercise classes, youth and adult sports, personal training, fitness challenges, summer cap, Y-Club before and after school program, and child care.
Membership rates:
Age 13-23 = $25 per month
Age 24-61 = $35 per month
Age 62 and up = $25 per month
Any individual who wishes to be a YMCA member or program participant but cannot afford regular fees is welcome to complete an Outreach application. Link to application: http://www.southernbooneymca.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Outreach-Application-Updated-2020.pdf
Southern Boone Community Pool
410 N Main St, Columbia, MO 65010
573-657-7665
http://ashlandoptimist.org/southernboonepool.html
https://www.facebook.com/SobocoPool/
Open 7 days a week during the summer months from 12 PM - 7 PM
$4 regular admission, $2 after 5 PM
Rainbow House/Veterans: $2 per person per pool visit for the individual and/or family, up to 6 people
Stephens Lake Beach (Unguarded) and Spraygrounds
100 Old 63 N, Columbia, MO 65201
573-874-7460
https://www.como.gov/contacts/stephens-lake-unguarded/
Stephens Lake Beach and Spraygrounds are FREE to the public and open from May 1 through Sept. 30. There is a sand beach and a designated roped area for swimming. The lake is unguarded and visitors swim at their own risk. Stephens Lake Park features the largest spraygrounds (5,782 sq. ft.) in Columbia’s park system, with a variety of water spray features, such as spray rings, water columns, stream jets, geysers, and bubblers. Stephens Lake Park is centrally located in Columbia and is a family friendly place to cool off and have fun.
Open from May 1 through Sept. 30
Hours: Dawn (no earlier than 6 a.m.) to dusk
FREE admission
Access from Old Hwy 63 entrance, park in west parking lot
Tiny Town Play Café
901 E Nifong Blvd, Suite B, Columbia, MO 65201
573-554-5960
https://www.tinytownplaycafe.com/
Tiny Town Play Cafe is an indoor playspace + full coffee shop geared toward families of children ages 0-9. We serve local Camacho coffee and espresso and pastries from local bakers such as Range Free and The Blakery. The Tiny Town Play Cafe playspace includes six child-sized playhouses: a grocery store, a school, an office, a house, a vet clinic and a construction site. Kids can go inside, dress up and partake in imaginative play. Our concept hinges on providing a space for families to enjoy, both children and adults. Parents can sip an iced caramel macchiato and play in the playspace with their child, or sit on one of the couches inside the playspace and watch their child happily playing within close proximity. Our vision is to create a place where children & their caregivers experience joyful play, fulfilling rest & meaningful community.
Drop-In Admission:
Children 6 months to 9 years old- $10
Siblings under 1 year old- FREE
Adults- $3
Can reserve a play time using this link: https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=25155333&appointmentType=30150436