Inexpensive Family Recreation and Wellness
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 June 26, 2024
STEM Cubs is an organization through Mizzou that holds free STEM camps for kids K-8. In these events, kids learn and receive hands on experience with lessons and activities pertaining to STEM. They offer morning and afternoon camp sessions for all ages.
This Summer’s event is to be held Saturday, July 13th. Visit their website at https://diversity.missouri.edu/program/stem-cubs/ for more information.
Content updated May 10, 2024
Warm Summer days are approaching, and the coolest place to be is Columbia Art League (CAL) Summer Art Camp! With lots of themed camps to choose from, there is sure to be something for everyone. This year, CAL is offering 10 different camps for kids ages 6 - 16!
🌟Each camp runs Monday - Friday and has a fun, engaging theme!🌟Students will be provided with quality art instruction that strengthens art technique and skill while encouraging creative expression!
🌟Scholarships are also available! Email mary@columbiaartleague.org with any inquiries.
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. 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.
“Summer camp” at Hexagon Alley begins June 10 and sign-ups are underway now. You can find more information here.
Content updated May 19, 2025
This resource guide covers CMCA's 8 county service area: Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau and Osage. It also covers the three additional counties we provide Head Start for: Benton, Hickory, and Morgan. It's a comprehensive guide that includes any and all resources available to help lower income individuals and families in need. The resources and information listed in the guide have been compiled by other groups and agencies in our 8 county service area over the years, and most notably in Boone County by the Voluntary Action Center.
Email: pr@cmca.us
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 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 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
All families
Content updated Sept. 4, 2025
We are a non-profit organization with an Early childhood educational program. We service families ages 2 yrs potty trained to 12 years of age. We have an all-day program and an after school program.
M-F, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
613 N. Providence Road
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 447-7351
Email: ucschoolhouse@ucbuilders.org
Visit website
Updated on: Aug. 21, 2024
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.
MU Healthcare Pavilion at Columbia’s Agriculture Park
1769 West Ash
Columbia, MO 65203
573-823-6889
Email: info@columbiafarmersmarket.org
Content updated Jan. 27, 2025
Columbia Public Library, Part of the Daniel Boone Regional Library system
Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
The library is free and open to everyone. Those interested in checking out materials and using the free online resources may apply for a free library card. Apply online or at the library.
In addition to being able to check out books, you can borrow music CDs, DVDs, magazines, early learning kits for children, fiber arts kits, Memory Care kits, Parent Packs for new and expectant parents, STEAM kits, telescopes and mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. You can reserve most items by placing a hold online or at any library, and then pick them up inside the library or via curbside pickup.
There are many opportunities taking place at the library that don’t require a library card including programs for all ages, a quiet reading room and a special interactive play area for children. You may take advantage of the free Wi-Fi in the building or use one of the public computers. To use the computers, you either need a library card or a guest pass. You may also scan, make copies and print documents for a small fee.
100 W Broadway
Columbia, MO 65203
573-443-3161
Content updated April 22, 2025
VAC no longer prints the Helping Hands catalog. CMCA took over the resource guide in an online form: https://sites.google.com/a/showmeaction.org/central-missouri-community-action-area-resource-guide
Content updated Aug. 21, 2024
A link to local events maintained by the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Content updated Aug. 21, 2024
Stephens Lake Beach and Spray grounds 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 spray grounds (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)
Content updated Aug. 21, 2024
Facility amenities
Outdoor spray grounds
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 Aug. 21, 2024
Located in Douglass Park. This central-city outdoor pool features a double loop slide, climbing wall, and spray grounds. 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 Aug. 21, 2024
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 Aug. 21, 2024
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: August 13, 2025
Indoor leisure pool, gymnasium (including basketball, volleyball, and pickleball), strength training equipment and weights, cardio equipment, indoor track, group exercise classes, warming/cooling center, and much more!
1701 W Ash
Columbia, MO 65203
573-874-7460
Hours: Monday-Friday: 5:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Saturday: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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