Things to do with kids in Springfield, MO: A Guide to the Discovery Center of Springfield

If you are planning a trip to Southwest Missouri, you absolutely have to stop by the Discovery Center of Springfield. While it might be a smaller museum compared to bigger cities, it's a really cool space when it comes to hands-on learning and interactive fun!

One of the best parts? If you are a member of another science center, this museum is often free for ASTC members through the reciprocal passport program! It’s a fantastic way to stretch your family travel budget while exploring one of the best family-friendly things to do in Springfield.

Discovery Town & Body Works

My middle man loves anything fireman related and the Station 3.14, a fully interactive fire substation created in partnership with the Springfield Fire Department. This isn't just a dress-up corner! The kids loved:

Crawling through the fire
Putting out the fire with the fire hose
Dressing up as firefighter
Driving the Firetruck (shoot, I did, too!)

A Face-to-Face Lesson on Senses

One of the most hilarious (and slightly gross—the kids loved it!) parts of the museum is the . You actually enter through a giant mouth with the hanging uvula. It’s such a clever, memorable way to talk about the . Between the oversized teeth and the "tongue" path, it’s a total hit for photos and a great conversation starter for your homeschool health lessons.

They have a specific Crawler Corner for the littlest ones—a soft, gated space where babies can explore safely and you can still see the bigger kids building with the large blue blocks!

Jurassic Discovery

Discovery Center in Springfield, Things to do in Springfield MO, Family Friendly things to do in Springfield MO, Science Centers, ASTC Passport Program

There's several and even a ! While the older ones really liked it, my youngest was a bit freaked out by these massive dinosaurs.

We spent a huge chunk of time in the LU Digital Playground, which features an awesome interactive fitness floor. There’s a giant screen that tracks your movement for games—it’s the perfect way to let the kids burn off some energy while playing a solo game.

Why We Like It

The Discovery Center of Springfield is the perfect "half-day" adventure. It’s manageable, engaging, and covers everything from physics and air pressure to biology and community safety.