Children’s Resources
Content added Feb. 7, 2025
The Day Dreams Foundation eliminates financial barriers to participating in extracurricular activities and promotes healthy lifestyles, goal setting, academics, teamwork and respect for others. Our goal is for every child can fulfill their dream of participating in an extracurricular activity without ever worrying about the cost.
1 E Broadway, Suite C
Columbia, MO 65203
573-214-2600
Content updated May 7, 2025
Summer Academy serves students 3-12 years old. Learning and fun are combined using IXL educational enrichment. This software is a teaching tool that continually enhances participants’ mathematic and language arts skills and helps decrease potential learning loss that can happen during summer downtime. The summer program also includes a nutritious breakfast, lunch, educational enrichment, Science and discovery projects, swimming, and weekly field trips.
The summer session is from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm and runs June 2nd – August 8th , 2025. Cost is $150 a week per student with limited scholarships available. UCB Academy also accepts Mo State Child Care Subsidy.
7:30 am to 5:30 pm
617 N Providence Road
Columbia, Mo 65203
573-447-7351
Email: ucschoolhouse@ucbuilders.org
Content added Oct. 31, 2024
CMFCAA is a resource center for foster and adoptive families. There is no charge to use our services and if you have foster or adoptive or relative or guardianship care of children in your home then you qualify for our services. We also help license new foster and adoptive families through our Family Development team. We educate, support, and advocate for foster, kinship and adoptive children, youth and families in central Missouri by offering services and partnering with others to help them become healthy and self-sufficient.
M-F, 8am-5pm
3620 Interstate 70 Dr SE
Columbia, MO 65201
573-298-0258
Content added Sept. 3, 2024
Show Me Christian Youth Home: Rescue and Restore is in La Monte, Missouri.
Where can families turn in times of crisis with their children? Costly private programs? Children’s Division? Is there another option? There is a place…Going beyond the limits of traditional foster care, children living at Show-Me Christian Youth Home receive therapeutic benefits from specialized programs in a Christ-centered, family environment. Working together, we help each child—physically, academically, emotionally, and spiritually—overcome the struggles of their past and prepare for a successful future. It’s not our obligation to help children and families in crisis—it’s an opportunity to make our neighborhoods a better place for all of us.
24302 Mahin Rd.
P.O. Box 6
La Monte, MO 65337
Content updated June 16, 2025
We’re a group of volunteers dedicated to building, assembling and delivering top-notch bunk beds to children and families in need. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is always eager to help families in need, particularly ones whose kids have uncomfortable sleeping arrangements. Unfortunately, we can only help families who are close to our active chapters. Therefore, you must fit criteria to receive one of our beds. You can submit an application for a free bed here: APPLY FOR A BED
Content updated Dec. 1, 2023
Services Offered: Pediatric Primary Care, Dental Care, Behavioral Health services, and Optometry (for current patients only).
Children’s Center Brochure
Pediatric Primary Care
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (walk-ins welcome every day from 9 AM – 4 PM)
Pediatric Dental
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Behavioral Health
Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
200 Portland Street
Columbia, MO, 65201
To schedule an appointment: 844-853-8937
Content added Nov. 8, 2023
Starting November 8th, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will be available to all children in the State of Missouri. Once signed up, an age-appropriate book will be mailed to the child every month until they are 5.
Families and children of Boone County
Content updated May 20, 2024
Safe Families for Children provides short-term, temporary respite care for the children of families facing a crisis. Vetted and trained volunteer families host children in their homes, while parents work toward goals to create stability for their families.
807 N Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65202
573-217-0377
Email: midmissouri@safefamilies.net
Content updated May 14, 2025
The city of Columbia announced the return of its Summer Lunch Program for children and teenagers younger than 18 on Tuesday, according to a news release.
The program starts June 2 and runs through Aug. 7, excluding June 19 and July 4, which are federal holidays. Meal sites will operate Monday through Friday.
Content updated Dec. 1, 2023
Services Offered: Behavioral Health Services including:
• Therapy for Children and Adults
• Psychiatry for Children and Adults
• Psychological Assessment/Testing for Children and Adults
Open Access: To be connected with behavioral health services at Compass Health, you can walk-in to the Berrywood Clinic at 3501 Berrywood Drive, anytime Mon-Fri 8 AM- 4 PM, for an initial assessment. This is a thorough intake process and can take up to an hour.
1000 W. Nifong Bldg. 6, Suite 220B
Columbia, MO 65203
To schedule an appointment: 844-853-8937
Updated on: August 13, 2024
Macroni Kid is a national-local media company for parents. We connect moms & dads to the best local activities & resources for kids.
Macaroni Kid’s websites include a business directory, an event calendar and our signature “Our Pick” newsletters, giving families a heads up on what’s happening that week, over the weekend and in the coming months so every Macaroni Kid parent is in the know and on the go!
Content updated July 14, 2025
UPDATE 7/14/25: Columbia’s Salvation Army has expanded its baby pantry open hours from monthly to weekly – every Wednesday, 1:00-4:00 pm. The baby pantry offers a wide range of needs for babies and their families, based on what has been donated. Clients must provide parent photo ID and baby’s Social Security card.
1108 W. Ash St.
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 442-3229
SEED Success creates opportunity for post-secondary education, ownership, and economic opportunity.
3075 S Rangeline Rd
Columbia, MO 65201
info@seedsuccess.org
Content updated Aug. 12, 2025
MOScholars scholarships are a new Missouri program that provide qualifying students with up to $11,830 in K-12 educational funding that can be used for a wide variety of expenses including tuition at private schools, tuition at public charter and district schools, homeschooling expenses, tutoring, educational therapy, transportation to schools, and much more.
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
The after-school program is targeted towards children ages 8 years old up to 18 years old.
Content updated Sept. 16, 2024
At Dream Tree Academy 573, we stand committed to shaping tomorrow’s leaders through an innovative blend of education and entrepreneurship. Our mission is clear: to ignite the sparks of learning and creativity within our youth. Through vibrant after-school programs in music, graphic design, financial literacy, and mental health, we don’t just teach – we transform.
9 am to 5 pm Office hours
4 pm to 8 pm After school program
800 Cherry St, Suite 201
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 777-9704
Children, adults, couples
Content updated Sept. 25, 2024
Crowned Counseling is a local agency that provides mental health services to people across Columbia and the state of Missouri. Through employing clinicians of color, Crowned Counseling seeks to provide culturally responsive mental health services to underserved communities.
Crowned Counseling works with clients to reach holistic wellbeing by providing individual, family, couples, and group therapy.
601 E Broadway, Suite. 304
Columbia, MO 65201
573-825-0672
Email: hello@crownedcounseling.com
Boone County Families
Content updated Oct. 20, 20225
Child Trauma Initiative (CTI) provides trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions for children age 0-18 and their families who have experienced a traumatic event or loss of a loved one.
Hours: 8am-5pm
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic
1000 W Nifong Blvd., Building 7, Suite 300
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 884-6324
Email: psychcti@missouri.edu
Children and anyone looking for a bank
Content updated Aug. 13, 2025
We provide accounts for people looking for a bank. We have Regular accounts, 2nd chance accounts, First Savers accounts (ages 0-17) and more. Here is some information on our First Savers accounts:
For Kids 0-17
$1.00 Required to open an account
No Minimum balance
Earn interest on balances $0.01 +
Club Benefits
Free Local Events
Free Online Resources
Free Junior Savers App
Make an A, Get Paid - Earn $2.00 per A with a total reward max of $10.00 per semester in any class.
(573) 441-1800
Email: eelsea@fscb.com
300 Diego Dr, Columbia, MO 65203, 9am-5pm
3200 Golden Bear, Columbia, MO 65202, 9am-5pm
3601 Endeavor Parkway, Suite 101, Columbia, MO 65201, 9am-5pm
Updated on: April 22, 2025
UPDATE 4-22-25: This program’s funded has ended.
Hearing & Vision Screenings
Content updated Sept 28, 2023
Who is eligible:
Free & open to the public.
First come first serve basis.
Registration is not required.
Ages - six months to five years
The Center for Early Learning- North
2191 Smiley Lane
Columbia, MO 65202
(next to Lange Middle School)
Content updated Sept. 10, 2024
Missouri River Relief’s mission is to engage individuals and communities along the Missouri River in the exploration, enjoyment, restoration and care of the river through hands-on river cleanups, education programs and recreation. Visit website for details.
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. Visit website.
Content updated Aug. 28, 2024
Books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience for children and adolescent audiences, as listed on the Daniel Boone Regional Library website.
Content updated Aug. 14, 2024
The Moving Ahead Program is a high-quality, state-licensed, after-school, and summer program in the J.W. “Blind” Boone Community Center that provides an effective mix of one-on-one tutoring and fun cultural and physical activities for children in Kindergarten through 12th grade. MAP offers wrap-around services, including an extensive family development and education program, to ensure that the student and the whole family can build healthy social connections, overcome personal barriers, and grow!
Afterschool hours: 2:30 - 6:30 pm; Office Hours: 10:30 am - 6:30 pm.
Michaela Flores, MAP Assistant Program Coordinator, Email 301 N Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
573-443-2556 Ext 1283
Content updated Jan. 8, 2024
Grade A Plus provides one-to-one and small group academic support services for students in K-2nd grade, 3rd-8th grade and 9th-12th grade. GAP partners with community educators and the University of Missouri, to provide tutors, mentors, and enrichment leaders to work with youth. Both graduate and undergraduate students with concentrations in Education, Human Development, Math, and STEM related majors support the learning needs of students enrolled. Services are on-site and through Zoom.
Administrative Office Location
601 Bus. Loop, I-70 West, Suite 106
Columbia, MO 65203
573-213-6095
Email: gapinfo@gradeaplusinc.org
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. 12, 2024
Boys and Girls Club of Columbia is a positive and safe after school program that provides mentorship, homework help, and opportunities for kids to grow into the best versions of themselves. Afterschool programming is limited and takes place at our clubhouse facility (1200 N. 7th Street, Columbia, MO) from the time the school dismissal bell rings to 6:30 p.m.
1200 N 7th Street
Columbia, MO 65201
573-874-1697
Children 3-5 years of age, not enrolled in kindergarten, are eligible to participate.
Content updated Nov. 22, 2024
Jumpstart is a free kindergarten readiness program that helps prepare children to enter school ready to succeed. Children are matched with a Jumpstart member for one-to-one tutoring in a fun, safe, active learning environment. Children read books, sing songs, and explore new ideas focused on building their language, literacy, social and emotional skills. Children selected for enrollment attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays, October through May. Children may arrive as early as 3:00PM but must check-in by 4:00PM to enroll. Tutoring sessions end at 5:45PM. Jumpstart is not a drop-in program. Children selected for enrollment attend tutoring sessions each Tuesday and Thursday.
OFFICE: 201G Student Success Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Office hours M-F 8:00AM-5:00PM.
TUTORING SITES: The Family Impact Center, 105 East Ash Street, Columbia MO, OR Karis Church, 606 Ridgeway, Columbia MO
Tutoring services Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:00PM-5:45PM.
(573) 882-8942
Email: dicksoncn@missouri.edu
No website