Fun Things to Do with Kids in St. Joseph, MO
Looking for ways to keep kids of all ages entertained in St. Joseph? From outdoor adventures and playgrounds to museums, camps, and family-friendly attractions, this local guide highlights some of our favorite spots for fun, learning, and making memories around town.
And yes, ice cream pairs perfectly with all of it.
Explore the Guide
Jump to the sections below to find activities your family will love.
OUTDOORS
Fresh air, room to explore, and plenty of space to burn off energy.
Whether your kids love climbing, running, or riding bikes, St. Joseph has great outdoor spaces for active fun and family time.
PLAYGROUNDS
Great spots for burning energy. Some with shade, splash pads, and plenty of room to roam.
Bartlett Park
3088 Duncan St
St Joseph, MO 64507
Popular local playground with plenty of space to play.
St Joseph Aquatic Park
402 S Noyes Blvd
St Joseph, MO 64501
816.271.5511
Seasonal community pool. Perfect for cooling off during summer.
Hyde Park
402 E Hyde Park Ave
St Joseph, MO 64504
Home to the Liberty Oak Splash Pad during summer months.
College Hill
North 12th & Henry St
St Joseph, MO 64501
Krug Park
3500 Saint Joseph Ave
St Joseph, MO 64505
Seitz Park
6800 Esther St
St Joseph, MO 64504
Hochman Park
5218 Pickett Rd
St Joseph, MO 64503
Rest Square Park
2222 Vories St
St Joseph, MO 64507
Northside Complex
3600 Saint Joseph Ave
St Joseph, MO 64505
Patee Park
900 Patee St
St Joseph, MO 64501
Mary Park
South 28th St & Parkway A
St Joseph, MO 64507
Maple Leaf Park
1943 Maple Leaf Blvd
St Joseph, MO 64501
HIKE & BIKE
From paved paths to nature trails, these spots offer great options for walking, biking, and exploring outdoors.
Mark Youngdahl Conservation Area
102 S 36th St
St Joseph, MO 64506
85 acres in the middle of town with paved trails, easy access, and plenty of parking.
Sunbridge Hills Conservation Area
4600 NE Huntoon Rd
St Joseph, MO 64501
Bluffwoods Conservation Area
SW Bluff Rd
St Joseph, MO 64504
Urban Trails
Scenic concrete trails perfect for strollers, walking, and easy rides. Flat, accessible, and great for all ages.
These dirt trails offer a range of difficulty levels for mountain biking and are also popular for walking and trail running.
SPORTS
Big events, local favorites, and plenty of ways to get kids moving.
From summer nights at the ballpark to year-round activities like skating and bowling, St. Joseph offers a wide range of sports experiences for kids, teens, and families. Whether you’re watching, playing, or just tagging along for the fun.
St Joseph Mustangs
2600 Southwest Parkway
St Joseph, MO 64503
816.279.7856
The St. Joseph Mustangs are a summer collegiate wood-bat baseball team playing exciting family-friendly games at Phil Welch Stadium from late May through July.
Cool Crest Garden Golf
1400 N Belt Hwy
St Joseph, MO 64506
816.558.0308
Copper Hill Golf Club
6480 SE 169 Hwy
St Joseph, MO 64507
816.253.9603
St Joseph Sports Commission
The Sports Commission works to attract and support sporting and recreation events in the area, helping bring youth tournaments, regional competitions, and community events to St. Joseph year-round.
→ View upcoming events
Bode Ice Arena
2500 Southwest Parkway
St Joseph, MO 64503
816.271.5506
Joe Town Mini Golf
5320 N Belt Hwy
St Joseph, MO 64506
816.558.0308
Behind KFC & Olive Garden
Belt Bowl
210 N Belt Hwy
St Joseph, MO 64506
816.233.1054
Fairview Golf Course
3302 Pacific St
St Joseph, MO 64507
816.271.5350
Joetown Speedway
5328 N Belt Hwy
St Joseph, MO 64506
816.558.0308
Behind KFC & Olive Garden
Kansas City Chiefs
Training Camp
The team generally arrives in late July and wraps up in August.
SUMMER CAMPS & SEASONAL PROGRAMS
Structured fun, learning, and new experiences during the summer months.
These programs typically run during the summer and may change year to year. Availability, schedules, and age ranges vary by organization.
Pony Express Day Camp
Pony Express Museum
914 Penn St
St Joseph, MO 64503
816.279.5059
Step back in time at Pony Express Day Camp, where kids entering grades 1–5 can explore 1860s history, play period games, try archery, and make crafts based on historic themes. Perfect for curious young adventurers. Scholarships and limited spots make early sign-ups a good idea.
Albrecht-Kemper Art Camp
Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art
2818 Frederick Ave
St Joseph, MO 64506
816.233.7003
Engage your child’s creativity at the Albrecht-Kemper Summer Art Camp, where kids explore visual art through hands-on activities and lessons inspired by museum collections.
Safety Town
Keatley Center
1202 S 28th St
St Joseph, MO 64507
816.233.3330
Safety Town offers young children hands-on lessons in pedestrian, bike, and general safety through interactive play and mock town environments. A fun way for kids to learn real-world skills.
God’s Mountain
14771 SW Old Hwy
Rushville, MO 64484
816.341.6635
Camp Invention
emPowerU
518 S 6th St
St Joseph, MO 64501
STEAM Camps
emPowerU
518 S 6th St
St Joseph, MO 64501
Genesis Youth Camps
Genesis Health Clubs
3107 N Belt Hwy
St Joseph, MO 64506
816.233.0261
MO West
Sports Camps
4525 Downs Dr
St Joseph, MO 64507
816.271.4481
MUSEUMS
Hands-on learning, history, and creativity for curious minds.
Perfect for rainy days, weekend outings, or kids who love to explore and ask questions.
Wyeth-Tootle Mansion
1100 Charles St
St Joseph, MO 64501
816.232.8471
Explore local history at the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion, a beautifully preserved historic home open for tours and special events. Perfect for curious kids and families interested in architecture and St. Joseph heritage.
Patee House Museum
1202 Penn St
St Joseph, MO 64503
816.232.8206
At the Patee House Museum, dive into Old West history with exhibits on the Pony Express, Jesse James, and life on the frontier. An engaging stop for families who love storytelling and real-world artifacts.
Robidoux Row Museum
219 E Poulin St
St Joseph, MO 64501
816.232.5861
Archaeology & Native American Galleries
3406 Frederick Ave
St Joseph, MO 64506
816.232.8471
Pony Express Museum
914 Penn St
St Joseph, MO 64503
816.279.5059
Black Archives Museum
3406 Frederick Ave
St Joseph, MO 64506
816.232.8471
Doll Museum
3406 Frederick Ave
St Joseph, MO 64506
816.232.8471
Glore Psychiatric Museum
3406 Frederick Ave
St Joseph, MO 64506
816.232.8471
Albrecht-Kemper
Museum of Art
2818 Frederick Ave
St Joseph, MO 64506
816.233.7003
Walter Cronkite Memorial
Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Dr
Spratt Hall Atrium
St Joseph, MO 64507
816.271.4199
LIBRARIES
Reading, programs, and quiet spaces designed with kids in mind.
Local libraries offer more than books. From story times to seasonal activities, they’re a great year-round resource for families.
Downtown
927 Felix St
St Joseph, MO 64501
East Hills
502 N Woodbine Rd
St Joseph, MO 64506
Carnegie
316 Massachusetts
St Joseph, MO 64504
Washington Park
1821 N Third St
St Joseph, MO 64505
Rolling Hills Library
1904 N Belt Hwy
St Joseph, MO 64506
MORE FUN
Unique experiences and local favorites that don’t fit neatly into one category.
From entertainment spots to special attractions, these activities add variety to family adventures around town.
InspireU
521 Felix St
St Joseph, MO 64501
816.271.4900
Expand curious minds with InspireU, a hands-on science and discovery center for kids and families. Interactive exhibits and engaging activities make it a great stop for learning, creativity, and exploration.
Remington Nature Center
1502 MacArthur Dr
St Joseph, MO 64505
816.271.5499
Explore nature right in the city at the Remington Nature Center. With hands-on exhibits, wildlife observation areas, and easy walking paths, it’s perfect for families who love the outdoors and environmental learning.
Parties on the Parkway
This summer after-work community event series brings people together with live music, food, and drinks at locations throughout St. Joseph’s one-of-a-kind parkway system. Hosted by the St Joseph Chamber of Commerce.
Robidoux Resident Theatre
615 S 10th St
St Joseph, MO 64501
816.232.1778
The Dance Arts Center
1902 Jules St
St Joseph, MO 64501
816.233.5442
Fun Run
3702 Frederick Ave
St Joseph, MO 64506
816.689.0659
Ricky Deans
3620 N Village Dr
St Joseph, MO 64506
816.343.8694
Allied Arts Council
118 S 8th St
St Joseph, MO 64501
Why We Love Sharing Local Fun
As a family-friendly ice cream shop in St. Joseph, we love seeing kids explore, play, and make memories around town. This list highlights places families enjoy every day, often before or after stopping in for a scoop.