Instead of the Dishes » 417 With Kids, Free Fun Events, Frugal Fawn, Spending Less » Free Fun in 417 with Kids: January 17-23

Free Fun in 417 with Kids: January 17-23

January 16th, 2014 | 1 Comment

This Week:

Friday, January 17th – Snowball Festival Storytime @ Midtown Carnegie Branch Library in Springfield, 10am
Age 3-Grade 2. Hear chilly stories, sing songs, drink hot cocoa and have indoor snowball fun.

Friday, January 17th – Winter Carnival @ Ozark Community Center, 5:30-8pm
All Ages. The Missouri Child Identification Program will offer free child identification kits, including digital photographs, digital fingerprints, vital child info and emergency contacts, a dental bite impression, and saliva DNA sample. These kits take about 15 minutes to process and are compatible with the Missouri Amber Alert system. There will also be games, activities, and rock climbing, which will require tickets (available at event for 50 cents each or three for $1) to participate in. Bring two canned goods to benefit Least of These food pantry and receive two free tickets.

Saturday, January 18th – Eagle Days @ Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 9am-4pm
All Ages. We’re celebrating the annual return of bald eagles to Lake Springfield. This special event includes the indoor presence of Phoenix, a live bald eagle from Dickerson Park Zoo. Programs will be held in the nature center auditorium every hour on the hour from 9am to 3pm. Stop by anytime and plan to spend about two hours. Opportunities to view bald eagles in the wild, with the assistance of volunteers and spotting scopes, will be available at the Lake Springfield Boathouse and Marina during event hours. No registration required.

Saturday, January 18th – Ozarks Model Railroad Association Open House @ The Association’s Clubhouse, 9am-12pm
All Ages. Take a virtual ride on the Frisco Railroad from Monett to Fort Smith, Arkansas. Refreshments will be provided.

Saturday, January 18th – Big Brentwood Play Day @ Brentwood Branch Library, 2-4pm
Infants-age 6. Little ones learn through play! We’ll make learning fun as kids explore a variety of sensory, creative, gross motor and language-based Racing to Read activities. Snacks will be provided. Call 883-1974 to register.

Saturday, January 18th – Eagle Watch @ Roaring River State Park in Cassville, 3-4:30pm
Roaring River State Park is very proud of its wintering bald eagle population. A video about bald eagles in Missouri will be shown. After the video, participants will go outside the nature center to watch for bald eagles coming in to roost for the night. Binoculars and warm clothing are usually needed.

Sunday, January 19th – Eagle Days @ Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 12:30-4:30pm
All Ages. We’re celebrating the annual return of bald eagles to Lake Springfield. This special event includes the indoor presence of Phoenix, a live bald eagle from Dickerson Park Zoo. Programs will be held in the nature center auditorium every hour on the hour from 9am to 3pm. Stop by anytime and plan to spend about two hours. Opportunities to view bald eagles in the wild, with the assistance of volunteers and spotting scopes, will be available at the Lake Springfield Boathouse and Marina during event hours. No registration required.

Monday, January 20th – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom March and Celebration: Fulfilling the Dream Changemakers @ Mediacom Ice Park in Springfield, 9:30am-12pm
All Ages. Participants will proceed north across the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge, then west on Tampa Street, south on Jefferson Avenue to the Gillioz Theatre. After the march a celebration of life Freedom Rally will take place at the Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central East.

Monday, January 20th – Springfield Multicultural Festival @ Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts in Springfield, 12-4p
All Ages. Features arts, entertainment, education, employment opportunities, health care information, financial services and community resources.

Wednesday, January 22nd – Little Acorns: Calling All Owls @ Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 11-11:45am or 1:30-2:15pm
Ages 3-6. Who-o-o-o hoots when it gets dark? Who-o-o-o goes out for food at night? Is it a wise old owl? Bring your children during daylight hours to learn about this nighttime bird. Call 417-888-4237 to register. Little Acorns programs are limited to one per month.

Wednesday, January 22nd – Smallmouth Bass Stream Fishing @ Springfield Conservation Nature Center 7-8pm
Ages 12 – Adult. Ozarks streams offer excellent smallmouth bass fishing with lots of opportunity. Learn what type of tackle to use, places to go, and the current research and management activities surrounding this strong fighting fish from Conservation Department Fisheries Management Biologist Dave Woods. Call 417-888-4237 to register.

Thursday, January 23rd – Attracting Backyard Birds in Winter @ Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 10-11am
Ages 7 and older. Birds have a very difficult time in winter. If you ever intend to feed them, winter is the time when they need it most. Join Volunteer Naturalist, nature photographer, and Audubon member Bob Ball for tips for attracting and providing for them. Call 417-888-4237 to register.

Thursday, January 23rd – Predator Hunting @ Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 6-8pm
Ages 11 and up. Topics will include the Wildlife Code of Missouri and how it pertains to seasons, hunting dates, and methods regulating predator hunting in Missouri. Hunting safety, calls and calling, and wildlife identification will also be covered. Call 417-888-4237 to register.

Go Here for events for Kids and Families at Springfield-Greene County Libraries.

Go Here for events for Teenagers at Springfield-Greene County Libraries.

Go Here for events at Christian County Libraries.

Featured Always-Free 417 Fun Activity:

Visit the Farmers Market of the Ozarks

Surprise! The Farmers Market of the Ozarks is open year round! In the summer their pavilion is open and airy, but in the winter, the out walls come down to keep things a little more toasty. Inside, you’ll still find wonderful, locally made products. The products aren’t free, but the smells (and some tastes), chatting with farmers, and learning about local food sources are all free at this market. Farmers Market of the Ozarks is located right off Republic Road and Highway 60 on Nature Center Way in Springfield. Winter hours are Saturdays, 9am to 1pm. The market has over 100 vendors (rotating depending on season) from a 150-mile radius. Head over to the FMO Facebook page to get more information on upcoming events, and what you can find at the market.

If you have a free event that you’d like to share, please let me know!