For Parents
Places to Go!
There are tons of learning and outdoor recreation opportunities in the Ozarks- find yours!
Planet Green’s Green Baby : From Discovery’s Planet Green site comes a guide to helping you go green with your new addition. The key is not to go into a mindless buying frenzy, but to take a sensible look at organic food, reusable diapers, household toxins, and toys. This how-to guide will look at all of these and more, providing contact information, buying guides and the site’s archive on family-related articles.Kids who know and enjoy nature become active in protecting it- and have more fun too! Check out local places to go and great sites to explore to get your kids out of the house and into sustaining our Green Ozarks.
The Discovery Center. The Discovery Center of Springfield is an interactive, hands-on museum committed to inspiring people of all ages with a life-long love of learning and an appreciation of the world and our place in it. Come in for a visit or check out the programs offered for kids of all ages. Whatever you are interested in, they have resources available for your use.
The Parks. A good place to start for outdoor activities is Springfield-Greene County Park Board. Discover one of many parks around the Ozarks or check out their “Outdoor Initiatives & Youth Development Programs” to find great programs Ozarks to facilitate your kids outdoor adventures.
Outdoor Recreation Initiatives
The Nature Center. The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is just what is says- a center for natural exploration and adventure. Indoors you’ll find new programs, activities and displays each month. Outdoors, seasonal changes and unpredictable wildlife make each visit and adventure. Beautiful trails, educational exhibits, interactive displays and more!
Wonders of Wildlife. Currently under renovation and expansion, Wonders of Wildlife is a complete nature adventure- indoors! With over 225 species of live animals in natural habitats, Wonders of Wildlife offers the unique opportunity to see nature in an up-close and personal way. Check with the website periodically to learn about progress until the grand re-opening.
Dickerson Park Zoo. Take a walk on the wild side! If you’ve never been you’re missing out- Dickerson Park Zoo features fun events, great exhibits, and education opportunities (Z.E.B.R.A. classes) for kids. Check out the website for more information.
The Greenways. Ozarks Greenways is a citizen’s group dedicated to the preservation of “greenspace”
through the creation of linear parks. What this means for you is beautiful trails across our community for biking, walking, and exploring! The website provides maps and information, so don’t miss out on this valuable resource all around us.
Great Sites!
Green Kids Online. This site is a great place to start. If you’re looking for ways to help your child understand the importance of green living habits, consider bookmarking some instructive Websites listed here that are designed especially for kids.
Green Hour. Developed by the National Wildlife Foundation to promote kids to spend an hour a day outdoors. The physical and mental well-being of enjoying nature will truly benefit your child’s development, so unplug your kids from electronics for an hour (or more)! Remember the unique outdoor activities the Ozarks has to offer as listed above!
KidsGardening.org. “Families that garden together grow together.” From the National Gardening Association, ideas and inspiration for sustainability at the “ground” level. Including a step-by-step primer for starting a family garden, this site aims to make your family garden-literate and fun-filled. Don’t miss the “Parent’s Primer”!
Resources 4 Kids. From the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, loads of links to jump-start your kids’ sustainable education. Also, great ways to get involved and volunteer!
Kids Ecology Corps. The Kids Ecology Corps is a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire young people to make environmental action part of their everyday lives and in the lives of those around them.
Children and Nature. includes a list of fun and easy nature activities for kids and families, a list of good books for kids and families, and links to other sites of interest.