Be sure to check the “event details” link for up-to-date information from the organizers.
I send a “things to do” email every Sunday night to tons of parents and caregivers in the Springfield, Mo. area. It’s full of free ideas that always match the season we’re in.
If you need more — less scheduled — inspiration for things to do, check out my blogs on indoor shops or destinations and outdoor gems.
Family-friendly events this week in Springfield, MO
Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 17–18 — Get your fall-festival fix and browse local makers in one family outing. The ongoing Harvest Fest is combined with a “maker’s market” this weekend, letting you shop for handmade goods and let the kids see farm animals, do hayrides or a corn maze. All ages welcome. Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, noon–6 p.m. (Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park, 3825 W. Farm Road 146, Springfield). Free admission. Event details.
Sunday, Oct. 18 — Let the kids add a handmade touch to your Halloween decorations. Ages 7–12 can drop in for Spooky Decorations Crafternoon to make their own eerie creations in a cozy, not-so-haunted space. All materials provided. Drop in between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (Library Center Story Hour Room, 4653 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield). Event details.
Sunday, Oct. 18 — Spread out a blanket and let live jazz slow down your Sunday. French and Fourt perform at Gigs in the Garden, an all-ages outdoor concert featuring vocalist Laura French and guitarist Ryan Fourt. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket. 2–4 p.m. (Springfield Botanical Gardens, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield). Free. Event details.
Friday, Oct. 23 — Spend a morning making art with your preschooler. Springfield Art Museum’s Pre-K Open Studio invites children ages 3–5 and their caregivers to explore hands-on art projects. This drop-in program takes place at the Fairbanks while the museum is under construction; advance registration is encouraged. 10 a.m.–noon. (Fairbanks Community Hub, 1126 N. Broadway Ave., Springfield). Free. Event details and registration.
Friday, Oct. 23 — Tackle fall-themed building challenges with the whole family. Fall Build-O-Rama brings an assortment of STEAM toys to the Library Station for families with children ages 5–12. Younger and older siblings are welcome. 1–5 p.m. (Library Station, Story Hour Room, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway, Springfield). Free. Event details.
Friday, Oct. 23 — Give those costumes an early outing at a free community celebration in Nixa. Nixa Parks & Recreation’s Halloween Spooktacular brings trick-or-treating, activities and face painting to McCauley Park. Bring the kids and their candy buckets for an evening visiting booths hosted by community partners. 5:30–8:30 p.m. (McCauley Park, 701 N. Taylor Way, Nixa). Free. Event details.
Saturday, Oct. 24 — Let older kids discover how plants can turn an ordinary piece of fabric into something colorful. Nature Adventures: Natural Dyeing, led by the Backyard Pantry, explores the art, science and history of making dyes from plants and other natural materials. Participants will dye a piece of fabric to take home. Ages 8–11 attend 10–11 a.m.; ages 12–14 attend 11 a.m.–noon. (Republic Branch Library, Friends of the Library Auditorium, 921 N. Lindsey Ave., Republic). Free; registration required for each age group. Register for ages 8–11 or ages 12–14.
Saturday, Oct. 24 — Come hungry for a community cookout where kids 12 and under get in free. Smokin’ the Ozarks EGGfest brings local cooking teams together to share sweet and savory samples prepared on Big Green Egg grills. Taste your way around the stations, meet the cooks and enjoy cooking demonstrations and music while supporting local charities. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (Outdoor Home, 882 W. Tracker Road, Nixa). $20 online through noon Oct. 23; $30 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free with an adult. Event details and tickets.
Saturday, Oct. 24 — Pick a pumpkin and turn it into a favorite book character. Strafford’s Storybook Pumpkin Patch invites children ages 5–12 to choose a pumpkin from the library patch and decorate it with materials provided. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (Strafford Branch Library, Community Room, 101 S. State Highway 125, Strafford). Free. Event details.
Saturday, Oct. 24 — Take the kids on a costume scavenger hunt at a historic farmstead. Halloween Fest at Gray-Campbell Farmstead includes games, crafts and a family scavenger hunt at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park. Reserve a time slot before going; the live registration screen currently offers starts at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and noon. (Gray-Campbell Farmstead, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield). Free; register by 4 p.m. Oct. 23 while spaces remain. Event details and registration.
Saturday, Oct. 24 — Dress up the kids and the dog for a downtown costume parade. Pets & Pumpkins Family Festival welcomes the whole family, including pets, to Park Central Square. Admission includes activities, the walking parade and costume contest, with proceeds supporting local children’s and animal organizations. Parade lineup begins around 2:15 p.m. beside Civil Kitchen. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. (Park Central Square, downtown Springfield). $2 per person and pet. Event details.
Saturday, Oct. 24 — Explore the library after dark for an evening of Halloween stories, games and treats. Night at the Haunted Library welcomes families with children of all ages for creepy games, scary stories, crafts, treats and punch. All children and teens must attend with an adult caregiver; keep the scary-story element in mind for sensitive little ones. 7–8:30 p.m. (Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, 397 E. Central St., Springfield). Free. Event details.
Saturday, Oct. 24 — Make an evening of free food, carnival games and pumpkins racing on wheels. East Sunshine Church of Christ’s Pumpkin Palooza welcomes all ages for inflatables, face painting, a cake walk, popcorn and other activities. Food and games run from 4–6 p.m., followed by the Pumpkin Derby at 6:30 p.m.; entering a racer requires separate registration. 4–7 p.m. (East Sunshine Church of Christ, 3721 E. Sunshine St., Springfield). Free. Event details.
Saturday, Oct. 24 — Let the kids bounce, play laser tag and try pumpkin chunkin’ in one evening. Ozark’s Festival of Frights brings families together for costume fun, games and activities at the Ozark Community Center. Activity wristbands cover attractions including inflatables, laser tag and pumpkin chunkin’, with food and drinks available for purchase. 6–8 p.m. (Ozark Community Center, 1530 W. Jackson St., Ozark). $15 activity wristbands. Event details.
Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 24–25 — Catch the final weekend of hayrides, pumpkins and farm fun at Rutledge-Wilson. Harvest Fest includes a cow train, inflatables, horse rides, a corn maze and new Barnyard Races featuring giant human-powered hamster wheels. Food trucks will be on-site, and the pumpkin patch is open while pumpkins last. Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, noon–6 p.m. (Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park, 3825 W. Farm Road 146, Springfield). Free admission; activities and pumpkins cost extra. Corn maze: $4 adults, $3 ages 5–11, free for ages 4 and under with an adult. Event details.
Sunday, Oct. 25 — Spread out a blanket for a relaxed afternoon of live music in the gardens. The final Fall Gigs in the Garden concert features Kenny Key and Juanita Lee performing folk, country and pop songs. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and leave a little time for a family walk through the gardens. All ages welcome. 2–4 p.m. (Springfield Botanical Gardens, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield). Free. Event details.
Sunday, Oct. 25 — Pony rides, carnival rides and a mountain of candy make this a generous free family outing. High Street Church’s Fall Fest includes inflatables, face painting, an interactive show, a silent disco and a photo booth. The whole family is invited to an afternoon packed with activities. 3–5 p.m. (High Street Church, 900 N. Eastgate Ave., Springfield). Free. Event details.
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