Free Fun in 417 with Kids: February 21-27

This Week:

Friday, February 21st – Introduction to Trout Fishing @ Walter Woods Conservation Area near Joplin, 6:30pm-8pm
Ages 7 and up. Have you ever wanted to go trout fishing, but didn’t know what to use or where to go? We will introduce locations to fish in southwest Missouri, what equipment and bait you need, and how to clean and cook your catch. Call 417-629-3423 to register or for more information.

Saturday, February 22nd – Women’s Hike @ Busiek State Park, 8am-12n,
Girls ages 14-17 accompanied by an adult female are welcome. Enjoy the crisp winter air on a hike at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area. Meet at the nature center and carpool. Bring a sack lunch and water and wear comfortable hiking shoes. Hike is three miles and rated moderate to difficult. This program is for women only.  Registration begins February 1. Call 417-888-4237.

Saturday, February 22nd – Beautification Day @ Prairie State Park in Mindenmines, 9am-3pm
All Ages. The park has 4,000 native prairie plants that need planting at the north and south entrances of the park on 150th Lane. This will make them more inviting and attractive, as well as better define the entrances. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring work gloves and to dress for the weather. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be postponed one week. Click here to read the news release.

Saturday, February 22nd – Moxie Mornings @ Moxie Cinema in Springfield, 10am
These hour-long kid-friendly events feature innovative short films and hands-on art-making for children ages 2-6. Admission is FREE and everyone is welcome! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday, February 22nd – Ninjago @ Brentwood Branch Library in Springfield, 11am
Grades K-5. Take part in Ninjago crafts and activities, test your agility in the training course, and perfect your ninja skills!

Saturday, February 22nd – Sophisticated Tea Party @  Library Station in Springfield, 11am
All ages. Are you fancy and glamorous? Do you love all things pink and sparkly? Join us for a very elegant tea party, complete with sophisticated activities, beautiful crafts and charming stories. Wear something fancy if you like, but make sure it’s okay to get glitter (and maybe some glue) on it.

Saturday, February 22nd – Vulture Venture @ Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery in Branson, 12n to 5pm
All ages. This unusual event features these misunderstood birds and allows visitors to get up and close to a live turkey vulture. Socrates (from the WOW Museum) will make appearances at the top of each hour. After the live vulture presentation, you and will get to participate in a variety of vulture activities. These include Roadkill Cafe, Fill the Roost, and Scavenge Like a Vulture. Outdoor activities include the opportunity to see one of the largest winter vulture roosts in Missouri. Volunteers will set up spotting scopes to help you see the large numbers of vultures along Taneycomo. For centuries, vultures have migrated to southern Missouri to roost along the protected valley of the White River. All participants will receive a free vulture print made just for this event. For more information or directions to the Fish Hatchery call (417) 334-4865 ext 0.

Saturday, February 22nd – Free Ice Skating @ Mediacom Ice Park in Springfield, 1-2pm
All ages.  Celebrate National Skating Month with free admission, skate rentals, and a free gift from US Figure Skating (while supplies last). Coaches will be on the ice to help with ice skating skills like turns, stops, and swizzles.

Sunday, February 23rd – Missouri State University Concert Chorale @ First & Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield, 2:30pm
All ages. The Missouri State University Concert Chorale is the primary touring choir of the Department of Music at the University. The choir of fifty-plus voices has established itself as one of the Nation’s premier choral ensembles—performing by invitation at major choral conventions and frequently traveling abroad.

Tuesday, February 25th – Stockton Lake Fishing @ Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 7pm-8pm
Ages 12 and up. Conservation Department Fisheries Management Biologist Adam Bowman presents insight on tactics and seasonal patterns that will help you target white bass, crappie, and walleye on Stockton Lake. He will also share fish population characteristics expected on Stockton Lake in 2014.  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 storytimes and other regular events at Springfield Conservation Nature Center.

Go Here for events at Christian County Libraries.

Go Here for Barnes and Noble storytimes.

Featured Always-Free  417 Fun Activity:

Do the Battle of Springfield Driving Tour

The kids have probably been learning a lot about history this month in school in observance of President’s day.  Take the opportunity to inject some local history by doing the Battle of Springfield driving tour.  It will take you back in time to 1863, when Union forces defended Springfield against Confederate troops in a battle for supplies and high ground. There are 12 markers to see, and plenty of other interesting sights and to-dos along the way.  Visit SpringfieldMO.org to download the driving route map.

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

Related posts:

Free Fun in 417 with Kids: January 3-9 Free Fun in 417 with Kids: January 17-23 Free Fun in 417 with Kids: January 24-30 Free Fun in 417 with Kids: February 7-13