Children's Museums
Missouri Institute of Natural Science
📍 2327 W Farm Rd 190, Springfield, MO 65810🕐 Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–4:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9 AM–4:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–4:30 PM |
| Thursday | 12–4:30 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–4:30 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
About Missouri Institute of Natural Science
Missouri Institute of Natural Science is a children's museum in Springfield, MO. Visitors can participate in fossil hunting on institute grounds with exposed boulders and are allowed to collect loose fossils to take home, offering a hands-on paleontological experience. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 658 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Natural History Museum
- Admission
- Free
- Best For
- All ages
- Highlights
- Fossil hunting, hiking trails, triceratops specimen, ice age fossils
- Location
- Ozarks
💡 Did You Know?
- Visitors can participate in fossil hunting on institute grounds with exposed boulders and are allowed to collect loose fossils to take home, offering a hands-on paleontological experience
- The museum features Ice Age fossils and artifacts from Riverbluff Cave, which is currently not open to the public, making the institute the primary way to access these discoveries
- The museum offers completely free admission with optional donations, making it accessible to all ages and families
- The institute maintains a notable triceratops specimen among its primary exhibits, which received significant visitor attention with 33 mentions in reviews
💬 What Visitors Say
- Free admission with optional donations makes this an excellent budget-friendly choice, but plan to stay 2-3 hours to fully explore the museum exhibits, fossil hunting grounds, and hiking trails throughout the institute
- When fossil hunting on the grounds, remember that only loose fossils on the surface can be collected—tools like rock hammers, picks, or chisels are not permitted, so come empty-handed and let volunteers help guide you to the best spots
- Young children (ages 4-10) particularly enjoy the dinosaur play corner and interactive fossil digging experience; allow extra time if visiting with multiple kids as exhibits engage various age groups differently
- The museum features exclusive discoveries from Riverbluff Cave that are not accessible to the public, making these exhibits unique highlights worth prioritizing during your visit
- Parking is on gravel and may be challenging for wheelchairs or strollers, so plan accordingly; however, the institute is expanding with new facilities and exhibits, so check ahead for accessibility improvements
Other Children's Museums in Springfield
More Family Fun Nearby
Other venues within driving distance:
Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
AquariumsSpringfield, MO
6 miles away
Discovery Center of Springfield
Children's MuseumsSpringfield, MO
7 miles away
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