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Kid-Friendly Things to do in Missouri

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From aquariums to art museums, theme parks to ball parks, Missouri is filled to the brim with fun for kids of all ages. Here’s a sampling of the attractions you’ll find in every region of the state.

Northeast Region

  • Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis – No trip to St. Louis is complete without a stop at Gateway Arch National Park. Take a tram ride 630 feet to the top of the largest man-made arch in the world. Tour the underground museum to learn about Native Americans and westward expansion.
  • St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, St. Louis – Housed in St. Louis’ historic Union Station, six immersive galleries will transport you down the Mississippi River and out to the deep blue sea. Outside, you’ll find a 200-foot Ferris wheel with fully enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas, a ropes course, mini golf, a maze and more.
  • City Museum, St. Louis – Don’t be fooled by the name – this 600,000-squarre-foot destination is more whimsical playground than traditional museum. Climb through a network of mazes and tunnels, glide down a 10-story slide, ride on a rooftop Ferris wheel, and hop aboard a school bus perched atop the building.
  • Forest Park, St. Louis – More than 1,300 acres are packed with family-friendly activities, including a history museum, art museum, science center and the award-winning Saint Louis Zoo – and all are free to visit.
  • Grant’s Farm, St. Louis – See more than 900 animals from all over the world at the ancestral home of the Busch family. The farm’s historic buildings – including a log cabin where former President Ulysses S. Grant once lived – add to the property’s picturesque charm. Admission is free.
  • The Magic House, St. Louis – Hands-on learning activities spark the imagination and creativity within a place of wonder and magic.
  • Busch Stadium, St. Louis – Cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals, 11-time World Series champions, at the team’s “retro-classic” stadium with a spectacular view of the Gateway Arch. Take a stadium tour and visit the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum.
  • Energizer Park, St. Louis – Watch the St. Louis City SC men’s professional soccer team take on its opponents at the largest urban professional sports campus in the United States.
  • Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, Hannibal – Discover how a young boy growing up in the small village of Hannibal became one of the world’s most beloved authors. A self-guided tour includes six historically significant buildings, including the boyhood home of Samuel Clemens.
  • Mark Twain Cave Complex, Hannibal – Navigate crisscross passages on a guided tour of this labyrinth-style cavern. Mark Twain featured the cave in five of his novels, including “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”
  • Katy Trail State Park, St. Charles – The St. Charles Trailhead is a popular launching spot for a bicycle ride on the longest developed rail-trail in the United States. The route is mostly flat, making it ideal for family members of all ages. Take a break at multiple trailheads and towns along the way.

Northwest Region

  • Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, Kansas City – Get an up-close look at penguins, polar bears, primates and more. The 200-acre zoo and aquarium, located in Swope Park, is home to more than 1,300 animals from around the world.
  • The Rabbit hOle, Kansas City – Children’s books come to life at this enchanting, multi-sensory museum. Three floors of interactive exhibits immerse visitors in scenes from their favorite childhood stories.
  • Legoland Discovery Center, Kansas City – Step inside the 30,000-square-foot world of Legos for an array of activities that incorporates more than 2 million Lego bricks.
  • Kaleidoscope, Kansas City – Creativity is on full display at this art-making space. Crafts and hands-on displays are sure to spark the imagination. Admission is free.
  • KC Wheel – Take in 360-degree views of the Kansas City skyline from the comfort of a private climate-controlled gondola. Then play a round of mini golf at Pennway Putt.
  • The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City – This fully accessible children’s museum features interactive experiences that incorporate STEAM – science, technology, engineering, arts and math – for young children and their families.
  • Arrowhead Stadium – Visit the home of the world-champion Kansas City Chiefs. Take a tour of the football stadium to learn more about the team’s legendary players and see the championship trophies.
  • Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City – Watch the Kansas City Royals play at the “crown jewel” of ballparks. The stadium features iconic fountains, the Royals Hall of Fame and an interactive kids area.
  • CPK Stadium – Soccer fans can cheer on the Kansas City Current women’s professional soccer team. The state-of-the-art facility is the first stadium in the world to be built specifically for women’s soccer.

Southwest Region

  • Silver Dollar City, Branson – Life in the 1880s provides the inspiration for dozens of rides, restaurants, shops and shows at this top-rated theme park. Artisans demonstrate their skills in glassblowing, woodcarving, blacksmithing, candy making, bread baking and more.
  • Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, Springfield – The massive museum and 1.5-million-gallon aquarium showcase 35,000 fish, mammals, reptiles and birds. Wildlife galleries lead you through habitats found throughout the world.
  • Fantastic Caverns, Springfield – Board a tram for a subterranean trip to see stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and more in the country’s only ride-through cave.
  • Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park, Springfield – For a taste of farm life visit Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park. You’ll find animal barns, a farm-themed playground, gardens, a fishing pond and walking trails.
  • Dickerson Park Zoo, Springfield – See hundreds of animals, representing Africa, Asia, South America, Australia and North America, at the 55-acre zoo.
  • Springfield Conservation Nature Center, Springfield – Nature thrives in this 79-acre slice of the Ozarks outdoors. Explore miles of walking trails, exhibits and programs.
  • Wild Animal Safari, Strafford – Feed zebras, llamas, and bison from your vehicle on a Drive-Through Safari. Then head out on foot to explore the Walkabout Adventure Zoo with a variety of animals and interactive exhibits.
  • Aquarium at the Boardwalk, Branson – A giant octopus sculpture atop the aquarium guides you inside to see 10 zones of fish and fun, including a jelly fish room, kelp forest and submarine adventure.
  • Shepherds Adventure Park, Branson – Ozark mountain views offer a scenic backdrop for family fun. Find playgrounds, giant slides, mini golf, a ropes course, barnyard animals and more. Get your blood pumping with a ride on the Copperhead Mountain Coaster.
  • Branson Ferris Wheel, Branson – Board a gondola for a ride on this 150-foot Ferris wheel. At night, the wheel glows with more than 16,000 multi-colored lights and hosts a music and light show.
  • Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, Lampe – Escape to a 10,000-acre Ozark paradise to see towering bluffs, stunning waterfalls and rugged scenery. Explore miles of hiking, biking and horseback-riding trails, take a guided wildlife tour, and try your hand a trout fishing. 

Central Region

  • Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton – Hike to the ruins of a circa-1905 stone castle where you can see sweeping views of the Lake of the Ozarks. Explore sinkholes, caves, a natural bridge and Ha Ha Tonka Spring along15 miles of winding trails.
Aerial view of Ha Ha Tonka State Park
See beautiful Ozark views and the ruins of a 1905 “castle” at Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
  • Lake of the Ozarks State Park – If water is what you’re looking for, you’ll find it here. The park has 90 miles of shoreline, a marina and two swimming beaches. There are also campgrounds, rustic cabins, and trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
  • Warm Springs Ranch, Boonville – Tour the majestic red barns and bucolic pastures where the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales are born and trained. You’re likely to meet some of the newest additions to the ranch’s equine family.
  • Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Columbia – Find fascinating geologic features, picnic areas and 20 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking at this day-use park.
  • Harry S Truman State Park, Warsaw – Surrounded by water on three sides, this park offers swimming, a marina, fishing, camping and hiking.
  • Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park, Camdenton – Experience an underground wonderland filled with intriguing rock formations. Hear tales from long ago – marked by romance and tragedy – that are part of the cave’s colorful past.

Southeast Region

  • Discovery Playhouse, Cape Girardeau – Your child’s imagination will run wild in the interactive play spaces. With one floor dedicated to younger children and another for older kids, there’s plenty of fun to uncover.
  • Onondaga Cave State Park, Leasburg – Travel below the earth’s surface to see why Missouri is known as the Cave State. With towering stalagmites, dripping stalactites and active flowstone, the cave is considered one of the most beautiful in the country.
  • Elephant Rock State Park, Belleview – Giant billion-year-old granite boulders stand end to end like a train of circus elephants. Follow a one-mile trail through the massive rock formations. You’ll also find picnic areas and a playground.
  • Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Middle Brook – Explore this “waterpark” made by Mother Nature. Natural pools and chutes are perfect for splashing the day away. Reserve a campsite or cabin for an overnight stay.
  • Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center, Ste Genevieve – Walk among life-size models of dinosaurs in the museum’s Hall of Giants. Learn about the region’s history through exhibits, artifacts and activities.
  • The Space Museum and Grissom Center, Bonne Terre – A world-class collection of aerospace artifacts will transport you from the dawn of the space age to the spacecraft of today.