We’re all looking for ways to get out of the house in Springfield this winter. Fresh air is good for the soul, and it helps burn off some of that extra kid energy too.

Whether you’re bundling up for snow play or taking advantage of milder winter days, here are family-friendly outdoor winter activities around the Ozarks to enjoy over the next few months. Some are right in town, and others are just a short drive away.

Outdoor Winter Fun Ideas Around Springfield

1. Scenic, Family Friendly Hike

The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is open year-round and offers several trail options that are all family-friendly. Enjoy bird watching, spot some wildlife, and note how the woods change in the winter time. Bonus: the Nature Center offers kid-focused programs to make the trip extra educational!
Details: Open 8am - 6pm Nov - February (expanded hours March - Oct) | Cost: FREE | All Ages
Find educational program schedule here.

2. "Snow" Tubing

It's true the Ozarks don't often get enough snow for tubing, but you can go anytime at Snowflex in Branson! Wolfe Mountain is about a 45-minute drive from Springfield, and while it's open year-round, the cold weather feels especially fitting for this fun adventure.
Details: Open select dates (mostly weekends) in Jan & Feb. More dates available starting in March. Must book ahead. | Cost: From $35 per session | Ages 3 and up, no lap riders.
Book here.

3. Hot Cocoa Picnic

Winter is a great time to head out to a local park and picnic - just make it extra cozy with a thermos of hot cocoa! Our favorite picnic spots: Lake Springfield Park, Sequiota Park, and Phelps Grove Park
Details: Parks are generally open sunrise to sunset | Cost: FREE | All Ages
Link to public park locations here.

4. Explore a Cave

While our area offers plenty of cave exploration options, we suggest visiting Fantastic Caverns in the winter. It's still a balmy 60 degrees inside, and the ride-through tram makes it both memorable and kid-friendly.
Details: Open most days 8-5 in January-February; hours expand starting in March | Cost: tickets start at $18; kids under 5 are free | All Ages
Find out more here.

5. Sledding 

When it does snow, nothing beats a good sledding sesh. Don't have the space or the hills? Head out to one of these local favorite spots: Doling Park, Jordan Valley Park, Pat Jones YMCA, Wanda Gray Elementary, and Carver Middle School.
Details: School grounds are available when school is closed. | Cost: FREE | All Ages

6. Explore the Farm Park

Thanks to the abundance of activities to break free of cabin fever, we thought Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park deserved its own entry in this guide. Kids love playing at the playground and visiting the animals, but if you want to stretch the outdoor time even more, you can complete the park's special scavenger hunt, sign up for one of their regular educational classes, or even reserve the fire pit for a family bonfire.
Details: Park is open Tuesday - Sunday, 9am - 5pm | Cost: FREE (Bonfire rental is $50/hour) | All Ages
Find the scavenger hunt and rental info here.

7. Run a Race

Even in winter, the Springfield area offers plenty of options for family-friendly 5Ks and mile fun runs. Bonus: many of these races help raise money for great causes! We recommend: Time Travel 1 mile kids run, Jack Frost 5K, and Shamrock Shuffle 1 mile run.
Details: Dates, times, and registration deadlines vary | Cost: Varies by race | Ages: Varies by race; family-friendly races generally allow strollers.
Find upcoming races here.

Don’t Miss: More Winter Fun in Springfield

Looking for even more things to do this winter?
👉 Check our full events calendar for Springfield for the latest family-friendly winter events, pop-ups, and seasonal activities.