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Free Fun in 417 with Kids: February 14-20

February 13th, 2014 | Add a Comment

This Week:

Friday, February 14th – Love is in the Air @Midtown Carnegie Branch Library in Springfield, 10am
All Ages. Celebrate this special day of love and friendship with books, songs, and a Valentine’s Day craft. Materials provided.

Friday, February 14th – Un-Valentines Day Party @ Midtown Carnegie Branch Library in Springfield, 3pm
Grades 6-12. Hang out in the Teen Scene, make Un-Valentine’s Day cards and crafts, and have some special treats.

Friday, February 14th – Be My Valentine Ornaments @ Fair Grove Branch Library in Fair Grove, 3:30-6:00pm
Grades K-4. Visit the Library to make easy Valentine crafts. Materials provided. Call 759-2637 to register.

Friday, February 14th – Culture Night @ The Library Station in Springfield, 6pm
Grades 6-12. Forget Valentines Day! Stop by the Library Station for delicious, authentic Kenyan food and find out from a native of Kenya what it’s like to live in another country.

Friday, February 14th – Owl Prowl @ Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery in Branson, 7-9pm
All Ages. Here is your chance to learn more about our often misunderstood owls. In addition to learning about some myths and legends, you will also learn what makes owls such great night hunters. Dress for the weather because the program involves a night hike to ‘call’ to owls. Snacks and hot chocolate will be provided after the night hike. Call 417-334-4865 ext 0 to register.

Friday and Saturday, February 14-15th – The Great Backyard Bird Count @ Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 9-11am
All ages. Stop by and help count birds in the Wildlife Viewing Area with members of the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society. Learn the basics of identification and how to count birds to contribute to the nature center’s Great Backyard Bird Count tally sheet.

Saturday, February 15th – President’s Day Bonanza @ The Library Center in Springfield, 11:30am
Grades K-6. Our presidents have come from diverse backgrounds. Did you know that one president was a peanut farmer and another was an actor? Celebrate the lives of our nation’s leaders with fun and festivities!

Saturday, February 15th – Discovery Table: Backyard Birds And You @ Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 10am-1pm
All Ages. Stop by to learn all about backyard birds! Learn a few bird facts, get a few birding tips, and make a craft.

Saturday, February 15th – 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.

Tuesday, February 18th – Science Sprouts Storytime with the Discovery Center: Meet Roy G Biv @ Park Central Branch Library in Springfield, 10am
Infants-Age 6. Explore and discover with a science-themed storytime and an experiment with our guests from the Discovery Center!

Tuesday, February 18th – Badge Bonanza @ Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 6:30-8pm
Ages 6 and up. Scouting and youth organizations are invited earn nature badges. The focus will be on venomous animals, conservation careers and knot tying. Program is also open to the public. Call 417-888-4237 to register.

Tuesday, February 18th – Orchestra Concert @ Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts in Springfield 7:30 pm
All Ages. Orchestra concert performed by the Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra with guest soloist Dr. Jason Hausback, bass trombonist. Dr. Hausback will perform the third movement of the Prague Concerto for Bass Trombone composed by Christopher Brubeck. Festive Overture by Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich, and number 104 the London Symphony will also be performed. No tickets are required.

Thursday, February 20th – Minute to Win It Tournament @ Republic Branch Library in Republic, 5:30pm
Grades 4-12. How many crazy challenges to you think you can complete in under a minute? Bring a team or compete by yourself. Materials provided.

Thursday, February 20th – Little Acorns: Skunk Scurry @ Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 11-11:45am or 1:30-2:15pm
Ages 3-6. There’s more to a skunk than its smell. “Sniff out” some amazing skunk facts, learn a pre-spray skunk “dance,” and take home a craft that won’t “stink.” Call 417-888-4237 to register. Little Acorns programs are limited to one per month.

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:

Explore Downtown Branson

It appears that we’re going to have a heat wave this weekend! Seize the opportunity to visit downtown Branson and enjoy the freebies it has to offer. Starting at the Bass Pro at Branson Landing, stop in and check out the huge aquariums full of native fish and their friends. Be sure to catch the Fountain Show at Branson Landing – a combo of water and fire set to music that is a big hit with all ages. You can check the fountain schedule here. There is also a small ocean-themed playground near Joe’s Crab shack to explore. From the landing, hop on the boardwalk trail and head north (toward the Belk’s end of the Landing). You’ll end up in North Beach Park, which has plenty of grassy area for kids to run and play, as well as benches, picnic tables, and two fishing docks that offer a closer look at Lake Taneycomo. From the Belk’s parking lot, you can also catch a free Trolley for a riding tour of Historic Downtown Branson. Riding the Trolley might be enough to please the kids on its own, or you can hop off at various stops to explore more.

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