Inexpensive Family Recreation and Wellness
Content updated May 6, 2024
There’s a new option in Columbia this summer for parents looking for fun-filled educational programs for their children ages 6-14 on summer vacation. Hexagon Alley, the board game café that opened downtown last year, will host its version of “summer camp” from June through August. Hexagon Alley founders Kyle and Colleen Rieman and Nathen Reynolds look forward to bringing a new summer camp to Columbia that utilizes the café’s vast collection of board games to engage, encourage and develop the growing mind.
The curriculum strategically uses board games that build upon the neurodevelopmental functions of the brain and encourage the use of critical thinking, inference skills, teamwork and good sportsmanship.
Parents’ utilization of the “camp” is fully customizable. You can pick and choose the days, and even weeks, that you want your kid(s) signed up. Camp starts at 9:15 a.m. every day and goes until 4:30 p.m. Drop off starts at 9 a.m., with early drop off as early as 8:30 a.m. Pick up goes until 5 p.m., with late pick up until 5:30 p.m. Early and late drop off/pickup is available at an additional cost. Lunch is provided for full-day campers.
“Summer camp” at Hexagon Alley begins June 10 and sign-ups are underway now. You can find more information here.
Updated on: September 25. 2023
This resource guide is a comprehensive guide that includes any and all resources available in Boone and nearby counties to help lower income individuals and families in need.
Content updated Nov. 8, 2023
Outdoor children’s water park with concessions, slides, sprinklers, water cannons, and falls.
2500 Chapel Hill Rd.
Columbia MO 65203
573-445-8839
Visit website for information on birthday party reservations and private rental information.
This indoor facility is used for basketball, volleyball, meetings, aerobics, events, and after school programs. The Community Recreation and C.A.R.E. (Career Awareness Related Experience) programs along with the CoMo Bike Co-op are located in the Armory. When not in program use, the gymnasium and other rooms are available for public rental.
701 E Ash
Columbia, MO 65201
Front Desk: 573-817-5077
Community Recreation Department: Camren Cross 573-874-6378
CARE Office: Ron Schmidt 573-874-6300
Visit website
Content updated Oct. 28, 2023
When families have meaningful experiences outdoors their quality of life, health & social wellbeing improve. Whether you are new to hiking or an experienced hiker make it a family affair by checking out one of our child carriers. The child carriers will be available for check out through the “Lend & Learn Library” at First Chance for Children in Columbia, Missouri for enrolled families.
Content updated Jan. 23, 2024
Fun City Youth Academy is a 501-c-3 nonprofit organization that provides year-round programming in a safe and stimulating environment to help youth reach their full potential. For over 50 years, Fun City has offered programs that combine academic work with activities that promote cultural awareness and build positive self-worth.
310 Tiger Ln, Suite 101
Columbia, MO 65203
573-256-1436
Email
Content updated Aug. 25, 2023
United Community builders seeks to build and release capable people through faith-based community-wide programs that focus on education, mentorship, job-readiness training, and performing arts.
617 N Providence Columbia, MO 65203 573-449-0340
Email: contactus@ucbuilders.org
Updated on: October 25, 2023
The Columbia Farmers Market provide a place for direct exchange of high quality and safe food between the local farmer and consumers. They offer a matching program for recipients of SNAP or WIC, kids activities and gardening workshops.
1769 West Ash
Columbia, MO 65203
573-823-6889
Content updated Oct. 2, 2023
There are many community, family and parenting resources and events and a special children's area inside the library.
100 W Broadway
Columbia, MO 65203
573-443-3161
Visit website
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How to get a library card:
Link to printable library applications
Link to library card FAQs
Link to online library card application
Content updated Nov. 15, 2023
VAC no longer prints the Helping Hands catalog. CMCA took over the resource guide in an online form.
Content updated Oct. 28, 2023
A link to local events maintained by the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Content updated Oct. 28, 2023
Stephens Lake Beach and Spraygrounds are FREE to the public and open from May 1 through Sept. 30. There is a sand beach and a designated roped area for swimming. The lake is unguarded and visitors swim at their own risk. Stephens Lake Park features the largest spraygrounds (5,782 sq. ft.) in Columbia’s park system, with a variety of water spray features, such as spray rings, water columns, stream jets, geysers, and bubblers. Stephens Lake Park is centrally located in Columbia and is a family friendly place to cool off and have fun.
2001 E Broadway Columbia, MO 65201 573-874-7460
Content updated Oct. 28, 2023
This outdoor municipal pool on the east side of Columbia is surrounded by the beautiful Lake of the Woods Golf Course in Lake of the Woods Recreation Area. The pool features slides, lounge chairs, umbrella shade, and concessions at the clubhouse.
6700 St. Charles Rd. Columbia, MO 65202 573-474-7878 (in season) 573-874-7460 (off season)
Updated on: October 16, 2023
Facility amenities
Outdoor spraygrounds
Chlorinated recycled water, activated by push button
Surrounding park amenities: playground, benches, MKT Trail access, art sculpture
Tiered stone seating
Park Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.Open from May 1 through Sept. 30
400 Locust St.
Columbia, MO 65201
573-874-7460
Visit Website
Content updated Oct. 28, 2023
Located in Douglass Park. This central-city outdoor pool features a double loop slide, climbing wall, and spraygrounds. It has a picnic shelter for shade inside the fencing, lounge chairs, bathhouse, and concessions. Douglass Family Aquatic Center has the lowest admission fee of all the municipal pools, providing a great family value.
400 N Providence Rd Columbia, MO 65201 573-442-5019 (in season) 573-874-7460 (off season)
Content updated Oct. 28, 2023
Located in Albert-Oakland Park, Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center is Columbia’s largest outdoor municipal pool. It has a spacious 50-meter pool with two diving boards and a triple-loop enclosed flume slide. There is a separate water play area for kids; a bathhouse with mens, womens, and family changing rooms; concession area, and a large deck with lounge chairs and shade umbrellas.
1900 Blue Ridge Rd Columbia, MO 65202 573-474-5331 (in season) 573-874-7460 (off season)
Content updated Oct. 28, 2023
Playgrounds, disc golf course, soccer fields, baseball/softball fields, basketball court, creek and nature area, tennis courts, pickle-ball court, trail, fitness circuit, sand volleyball courts, football field, picnic shelters, trail.
Hours: 6 AM – 11 PM
1900 Blue Ridge Rd Columbia, MO 65202 573-874-7460
Email
Updated on: October 16, 2023
Indoor leisure pool, gymnasium (including basketball, volleyball, and pickleball), strength training equipment and weights, cardio equipment, indoor track, group exercise classes, and much more!
1701 W Ash
Columbia, MO 65203
573-874-7700
Content updated Jan. 10, 2024
Open to all ages, abilities, and economic circumstance, Access Arts has always been committed to providing creative learning experiences for everyone. Six 6-week sessions of regular classes are offered each year in a variety of fine art and traditional crafts media. Studios are available for advanced students to work independently year-round, and workshops extend class instruction.
6 WEEK ADULT CLASSES: Our 6-week adult classes are a weekly class that explores a specific medium. https://schoolofservice.org/adult
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DATE NIGHTS: Date Nights are a one-night, fun, creative experience for you and a partner! https://schoolofservice.org/date-nights
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6 WEEK YOUTH CLASSES: 6-week youth classes are a weekly class that explores a specific medium (clay, fibers, mixed-media). In addition to classes exclusively for kids, we also offer Parent+Child classes, for families who want to take a class together! We offer 5-6 class sessions per year, so be sure to catch the next one on our website! https://schoolofservice.org/weekly-youth-classes
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SUMMER CAMP: Summer Camp is a week-long camp offered between the dates CPS Summer School ends and the Fall Session begins. https://schoolofservice.org/youth
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1724 McAlester St
Columbia, MO 65201
573-875-0275