Calendar of family-friendly events in the Columbia area

Looking for ways to entertain your kids this fall? Check out this list of things to do in and around Columbia through Jan. 9. All events are free unless otherwise noted.

RECURRING EVENTS

Sundays:

• 2 p.m.: Fish Feeding at Bass Pro Shop, 3101 Bass Pro Drive

Mondays:

• 11 a.m.: Little Swimmers costs $1 at the Activities and Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash Street

Tuesdays:

• 9:30 a.m.: Family Story Time at the Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway   
• 10:30 a.m.: Family Story Time at the Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway
• 11:00 a.m.: Little Swimmers costs $1 at the Activities and Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash Street
• 6:30p.m.: Nighttime Story Time at the Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway

Wednesdays:

• 9:30 a.m.: Family Story Time at the Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway
• 11:00 a.m.: Little Swimmers costs $1 at the Activities and Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash Street
• 8 p.m.: Laws Observatory Star Gazing, 5th Floor, Physics Building, MU

Thursdays:

• 9:30 a.m.: Time for Twos at the Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway
• 10:30 a.m.: Time for Twos at the Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway
• 11:00 a.m.: Little Swimmers costs $1 at the Activities and Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash Street

Fridays:

• 9:30 a.m.: Reptile and Amphibian Feeding, 202 Stewart Hall, MU
• 9:30 a.m.: Rhymes and Rhythms for Walkers at the Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway
• 10 a.m.: Little Gymmers costs $1 at the Activities and Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash Street
• 10:30 a.m.: Rhymes and Rhythms for Walkers at the Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway

Saturdays:

• 9 a.m. to noon: Parents and their 9-and-younger children can pay $4.50 to join Youth Skate at Empire Roller Rink, 1305 Business Loop 70 E
• 10:30 a.m.: Saturday Morning Science, Monsanto Auditorium, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, MU
• 2 p.m.: Fish Feeding at Bass Pro Shop, 3101 Bass Pro Drive
• 6 p.m.: Free Movie Night on the first and third Saturdays of each month at Armory Sports Center, 701 E. Ash

Other recurring events:

• TRYPS Drop & Shop Workshops Nov. 29 to Dec. 20 for potty-trained 3-year-olds and older. 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 first child, $10 each additional child. Located in the Columbia Mall, 2300 Bernadette #918
• Dec. 2, 9 and 16: Drop & Shop craft sessions from 6 to 9 p.m. for potty-trained 3-year-olds and older, preregistration and admission fee required, at the Youzeum, 608 E. Cherry Street

Other things to keep in mind:

• Child care is available in the Kid Zone at the Activities and Recreation Center from 8 a.m. to noon and 4 to 8 p.m. for $2.25 for members or $3 for non-members. It's also offered from 8 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays. The ARC is located at 1701 W. Ash Street.
• The ARC Water Zone is open at noon on days when public school is out, 1701 W. Ash Street.
• Childcare is available on home football game days at the Pigskin Preschool daycare at Stanley Hall's Child Development Lab, MU. Call 884-6131 or e-mail mizzoupigskin@yahoo.com for more information.
• The Lend and Learn Toy Libraries provide a spot to play with new toys and even borrow toys that your child enjoys. The libraries are open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 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. 19 - JAN. 9

• 10 to 11 a.m., Nov. 19: Columbia Parks & Recreation Thanksgiving Party $6, Party and Thanksgiving craft at Stephens Lake Activity Center. Call: 874-7460 to preregister. 2311 E. Walnut St.
• 6 to 10 p.m., Nov. 20: Flipz Fun Night includes obstacle courses, trampolines and lots of games. Call 474-6300 to preregister. Flipz Gymnastics, 900 Hillsdale Road.
• 10 to 11 a.m., Nov. 21: Hy-Vee Kid’s Club. Make tasty treats for Thanksgiving in the new Club Room at the Rock Bridge Hy-Vee, 405 E. Nifong Blvd.
  
• 10-11 a.m., Nov. 21: Free Kids’ Clinic. Make a snowman and get a free apron, project patch and materials. Lowe's, 201 Conley Rd.
• 10:30-11:30 a.m., Nov. 21: “Jump into Reading” at the Columbia Public Library . Trained members of the MU Jumpstart Corps read aloud. Columbia Public Library, 100 West Broadway.
• 2-2:45 p.m., Nov. 21: “Tellabration” at the library . Celebrate Family History Month by listening to stories told by the librarians. Columbia Public Library, 100 West Broadway.
• 6 p.m., Nov. 21: “Up” at the Armory Sports Center. Free movie, popcorn and juice. 701 E. Ash St.
• Noon-5 p.m., Nov. 21, 22: Make a reindeer cone ornament at Bass Pro Shop . 3100 Vandiver Dr.
• 1-3 p.m., Nov. 22: Wild Edibles Table Top Exhibit at Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City. Learn what edible wild treats you can find right in your backyard.
  
• 3 p.m., Nov. 22: Columbia Jaycees Holiday Parade, Broadway in the District.
• 9:30-11 a.m., 6:30-7:30 p.m., Nov. 23: Discovery Time at the library, with crafts and playing in the program room of the children's area. Columbia Public Library, 100 West Broadway.
• 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 27: Talking Turkey at Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City. Turkey-themed games, activities, crafts and exhibits.
• Noon-5 p.m., Nov 28-29: Make a Santa bobber ornament at Bass Pro Shop. 3100 Vandiver Dr.
• 6:30 p.m., Nov. 30: Rhymes and Rhythms for Pre-Walkers at the Columbia Public Library, 100 West Broadway
• 6-10 p.m., Dec. 4: Flipz Fun Night. Obstacle courses, trampolines, and lots of games. Call: 474-6300 to preregister. Flipz Gymnastics, 900 Hillsdale Road.
• 6-8 p.m., Dec. 4: Living Windows Festival in the District. Strolling carolers, holiday treats and visits from Santa.
  
• 8-9 p.m., Dec. 5: St. Nicholas Advent Bazaar at Calvary Church. Children’s shop where children can purchase half-priced gifts. 123 S. Ninth St.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 5: Santa Hotline is open. Call: 874-7473 or 874-6335. Phone in your list to one of the elves, Mrs. Claus or the big man himself.
• 10-11 a.m., Dec. 5: Free Kids’ Clinic. Make a gingerbread house and get a free apron, project patch and materials. Lowe's, 201 Conley St.
• 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Dec. 5: Free Holiday Workshop at Michaels Crafts. Help your child make cards, stockings, trinket boxes or bracelets. 2001 W. Ash St.
  
• 11 a.m., Dec. 5: TRYPS Live at the library. Plays, improvisation, songs, puppets and more in the children’s program room. Columbia Public Library, 100 West Broadway.
  
• 2 p.m., 7 p.m., Dec. 5: University Concert Series: St Louis Ballet’s Nutcracker Suite . $14 for children; adults $17-$28. Jesse Hall, MU Campus.
  
• Noon-5 p.m., Dec. 5, 6: Make a reindeer hats at Bass Pro Shop. 3100 Vandiver Dr.
• 10-11 a.m., Dec. 9: Parks & Rec Christmas Craft. Call 874-7460 to preregister. Make decorations and have a snack at Stephens Lake Activity Center. $6. 2311 E. Walnut St.
• 6-10 p.m., Dec. 11: Flipz Fun Night. Obstacle courses, trampolines, and lots of games. Call: 474-6300 to preregister. Flipz Gymnastics, 900 Hillsdale Road.
• 10-11 a.m., Dec. 12: Free Kids’ Clinic. Make a gingerbread house and get a free apron, project patch and materials. Lowe's, 201 Conley St.
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Dec. 12: Enchanted Holiday Princess Tea Party, $20/person. Join Belle at TRYPS in the Columbia Mall for this extra fancy occasion. 2300 Bernadette Dr.
• Noon-5 p.m., Dec. 12-13: Make reindeer candy cane at Bass Pro Shop. 3100 Vandiver Dr.
• 10-11 a.m., Dec. 14: Parks & Rec Christmas Craft. Call 874-7460 to preregister. Make decorations and have a snack at Stephens Lake Activity Center. $6. 2311 E. Walnut St.
• 10-11 a.m., Dec. 17: Parks & Rec Christmas Craft. Call 874-7460 to preregister. Make decorations and have a snack at Stephens Lake Activity Center. $6. 2311 E. Walnut St.
• 6-10 p.m., Dec. 11: Flipz Fun Night. Obstacle courses, trampolines, and lots of games. Call: 474-6300 to preregister. Flipz Gymnastics, 900 Hillsdale Road.
• 10-11 a.m., Dec. 19: Free Kids’ Clinic. Make a gingerbread house and get a free apron, project patch and materials. Lowe's, 201 Conley St.
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Dec. 19: Enchanted Holiday Princess Tea Party, $20/person. Join Belle at TRYPS in the Columbia Mall for this extra fancy occasion. 2300 Bernadette Dr.
• Noon-5 p.m., Dec. 19,20: Decorate cookies for Santa at Bass Pro Shop. 3100 Vandiver Dr.
• Dec. 21: Winter Solstice.
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 28-30: Holiday Happenings at Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City. Nature crafts and games, music, storytelling and refreshments.
• 7 p.m., Dec. 31: First Night Columbia in the District. $8. An alcohol-free celebration with activities and a children’s procession before bedtime.Children’s fireworks at 9:30 p.m.