Calendar of family-friendly events in the Columbia area
By BY ELIZABETH KRAATZ/Neighborhood resident
Looking for ways to entertain your kids this fall? Check out this list of things to do in and around Columbia now through Jan. 9. All events are free unless otherwise noted.
RECURRING EVENTS
Mondays:
- 10 a.m.: Little Gymmers at the Activity and Recreation Center ($1)
- 11 a.m.: Little Swimmers at the ARC ($1)
- 6:30 p.m.: Rhymes and Rhythms for Pre-Walkers at the Columbia Public Library (Nov. 30)
Tuesdays:
- 9:30 a.m.: Family Story Time at the library
- 10:30 a.m.: Family Story Time at the library
- 11:00 a.m.: Little Swimmers at the ARC ($1)
- 6:30p.m.: Nighttime Story Time at the library
Wednesdays:
- 9:30 a.m.: Family Story Time at the library
- 11 a.m.: Little Swimmers at the ARC ($1)
- 6 p.m.: Free Tot-Friendly Cooking Class at Armory Sports Center (second and fourth Wednesdays)
- 8 p.m.: Laws Observatory Star Gazing, 5th Floor, Physics Building
Thursdays:
- 9:30 a.m.: Time for Twos at the library
- 10:30 a.m.: Time for Twos at the library
- 11 a.m.: Little Swimmers at the ARC ($1)
Fridays:
- 9:30 a.m.: Reptile and Amphibian Feeding, 202 Stewart Hall
- 9:30 a.m.: Rhymes and Rhythms for Walkers at the library
- 10 a.m.: Little Gymmers at the ARC ($1)
- 10:30 a.m.: Rhymes and Rhythms for Walkers at the library
- 2 p.m.: Fish Feeding at Bass Pro Shop
Saturdays:
- 9 a.m. to noon: Youth Skate ($4.50 for 9 and younger) at Empire Roller Rink
- 10:30 a.m.: Saturday Morning Science, Monsanto Auditorium, MU Life Sciences Center
- 2 p.m.: Fish Feeding at Bass Pro Shop
- 6 p.m.: Free Movie Night at Armory Sports Center (first and third Saturdays), 874-7460
Other recurring events:
- TRYPS Drop & Shop Workshops Nov. 29 to Dec. 20 for potty-trained 3 year olds and up. Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10 a.m. to noon and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturdays: 10 a.m. to noon and 3 to 5 p.m. $15 for 1st child, $10 each additional child
- Dec. 2, 9 and 16: Youzeum Drop & Shop craft sessions from 4 to 7 p.m. (admission fee, preregister) for potty trained 3 year olds and up.
Other things to bear in mind:
- Child care is available in the Kid Zone while you exercise at the ARC ($2.25 member, $3 non-member; 8 a.m. to noon and 4 to 8 p.m.; 8 a.m. to midnight Saturdays)
- The ARC pool is open at noon on days when public school is out.
- Childcare is available on home football game days at the Pigskin Preschool Day Care Child Development Lab, Stanley Hall, 884-6131 or [email protected].
- Indoor playgrounds for rainy days are at Columbia Mall, the McDonald’s near the Mall, Burger King on Nifong Boulevard and Going Bonkers (fee).
- The Lend and Learn Libraries provides a spot to play with new toys and even borrow toys that your child enjoys. (Two locations, both open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 1200 Wilkes Blvd., 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and J.W. “Blind” Boone Community Center, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
NOV. 17 - JAN. 9
- Nov. 17: See “Wizard of Oz” on the big screen (6:30 p.m., Forum 8 theaters, $7.50/ticket). Celebrate the 70th anniversary of the classic. Beware the flying monkeys.
- Nov. 19: Columbia Parks & Recreation Thanksgiving Party ($6, 10 to 11 a.m. preregister, 874-7460). Party and Thanksgiving craft at Stephens Lake Activity Center.
- Nov. 20: Flipz Fun Night (6 to 10 p.m., Flipz Gymnastics, 900 Hillsdale Road). Obstacle courses, trampolines and lots of games. Preregister: 474-6300.
- Nov. 21: Hy-Vee Kid’s Club (10 to 11 a.m., $5/child, ages 3-10, preregister: 442-8595). Make tasty treats for Thanksgiving in the new Club Room at Rockbridge Hy-Vee.
- Nov. 21: Free Kids’ Clinic at Lowe’s (10 to 11 a.m.). Make a snowman (get a free apron, project patch and materials).
- Nov. 21: “Jump into Reading” at the library (10:30 to 11:30 a.m., ages 3-5). Trained members of the MU Jumpstart Corps read aloud.
- Nov. 21: “Tellabration” at the library (2 to 2:45 p.m.). Celebrate Family History Month by listening to stories told by the librarians.
- Nov. 21: “Up” at the Armory Sports Center (6 p.m.). Free movie, popcorn and juice. You must provide your own child.
- Nov. 21-22: Make an ornament at Bass Pro Shop (noon to 5 p.m.). Reindeer Cone ornaments.
- Nov. 22: Wild Edibles Table Top Exhibit at Runge Nature Center in Jeff City (1 – 3 p.m.). Learn what edible wild treats you can find right in your backyard.
- Nov. 22: Columbia Jaycees Holiday Parade (3 p.m., Broadway in the District). Everybody loves a parade!
- Nov. 23: Discovery Time at the library (9:30 to 11 a.m., 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.) Crafts and playing in the program room of the children's area.
- Nov. 27: Talking Turkey at Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Turkey-themed games, activities, crafts and exhibits.
- Nov 28-29: Make an ornament at Bass Pro Shop (noon to 5 p.m.). Santa bobber ornaments today.
- Dec. 4: Flipz Fun Night (6 to 10 p.m., Flipz Gymnastics, 900 Hillsdale Road). Obstacle courses, trampolines, and lots of games. Preregister: 474-6300.
- Dec. 4: Living Windows Festival in the District (6 to 8 p.m.). Strolling carolers, holiday treats and visits from Santa.
- Dec. 5: St. Nicholas Advent Bazaar at Calvary Church (8 to 9 p.m., 123 S. 9th St). Children’s shop where children can purchase ½ price gifts. And St. Nick himself!
- Dec. 5: Santa Hotline is open 874-7473 or 874-6335 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Phone in your list to one of the elves, Mrs. Claus or the big man himself.
- Dec. 5: Free Kids’ Clinic at Lowe’s (10 to 11 a.m.). Make a gingerbread house (get a free apron, project patch and materials).
- Dec. 5: Free Holiday Workshop at Michaels Crafts (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Help your child make cards, stockings, trinket boxes or bracelets.
- Dec. 5: TRYPS Live at Eleven! (11 a.m.) at the library. Plays, improvisation, songs, puppets and more in the children’s program room.
- Dec. 5: University Concert Series: St Louis Ballet’s Nutcracker Suite (2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Jesse Hall). A seasonal tradition. $14 for children; adults $17-$28.
- Dec. 5 to 6: Make a holiday craft at Bass Pro Shop (noon to 5 p.m.). Reindeer hats today.
- Dec. 9: Parks & Rec Christmas Craft ($6, 10 to 11 a.m. preregister, 874-7460). Make decorations and have a snack at Stephens Lake Activity Center.
- Dec. 11: Flipz Fun Night (6 to 10 p.m., Flipz Gymnastics, 900 Hillsdale Road). Obstacle courses, trampolines and lots of games. Preregister: 474-6300.
- Dec. 12: Free Kids’ Clinic at Lowe’s (10 to 11 a.m.). Make Christmas ornaments (get a free apron, project patch and materials).
- Dec. 12: Enchanted Holiday Princess Tea Party (10 a.m. and 2 p.m., $20/person, preregister). Join Belle at TRYPS in the Mall for this extra fancy occasion.
- Dec. 12-13: Make a holiday craft at Bass Pro Shop (noon to 5 p.m.). Reindeer candy canes these days.
- Dec. 14: Columbia Parks & Recreation cookies with Santa ($6, 10 to 11 a.m., preregister, 874-7460). Make a craft while awaiting Santa’s arrival at Stephens Lake Activity Center.
- Dec. 17: Columbia Parks & Recreation Christmas Party ($6, 10-11:00 a.m., preregister, 874-7460). Party and Christmas craft at Stephens Lake Activity Center.
- Dec. 18: Flipz Fun Night (6 to 10 p.m., Flipz Gymnastics, 900 Hillsdale Road). Obstacle courses, trampolines, and lots of games. Pre-register: 474-6300.
- Dec. 19: Free Kids’ Clinic at Lowe’s (10 to 11 a.m.). Make a pet treat keeper (get a free apron, project patch and materials).
- Dec. 19: Enchanted Holiday Princess Tea Party (10 a.m. and 2 p.m., $20/person, preregister). Join Belle at TRYPS in the Mall for this extra fancy occasion.
- Dec. 19-20: Make a holiday craft at Bass Pro Shop (noon to 5 p.m.). Decorate cookies for Santa these days.
- Dec. 21: Winter Solstice. Savor the darkest day of the year by not turning on electric lights.
- Dec. 28-30: Holiday Happenings at Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Nature crafts and games, music, storytelling and refreshments.
- Dec. 31: First Night Columbia in the District (free for children under 8 years old, $8-10 if older). An alcohol-free celebration with activities and a children’s procession before bedtime. Starts at 7 p.m., children’s fireworks at 9:30 p.m. (grown-ups can stay ‘til midnight).
- Jan. 9: PAT Beach Party, Paxton-Keeley Elementary School (9:30 to 11 a.m.). Come for a morning of beach-themed fun and learning.