Starting to plan Spring Break.
The boys will be 6,4, and 2. The bro’s kids are 12, 10, and 7.
Springfield is probably close to a 10-11 hour drive for us with all the stops the kiddos make.
So it really needs to be worth our while. Jimmy Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife looks pretty good.
https://wondersofwildlife.org/
But need a couple more days of activities to keep the kids occupied.

Other options are Indy and Columbus as they have really good museums for the kids and are about half the driving distance.

We just got back from Myrtle Beach and looks like next summer will be a month at the beach so not looking to do beach or water stuff really.

Springfield is pretty close to Branson.

The Bass Pro Shop flagship store in Springfield has some neat taxidermy and aquariums. It also houses a NRA firearms museum, but that might not hold their attention for long.

As mentioned, Branson has a lot more "touristy/family friendly" stuff, and is close by.

Branson Scenic Railway is pretty cool, that time of year it’d be a fun ride to do.

The Springfield Zoo is small but decent, it makes for a good half-day event.

As mentioned Bass Pro is good for an hour or so of pursuing.

Jordan Valley Ice Park is open at various times for family skating.

The Frisco Highline Trail is an old railroad roadbed that runs from NW Springfield up to Bolivar, probably too long in total for the kids, but you could hike/bike a section of it.

Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area between Springfield and Branson on 65 has some great trails for hiking (none are too difficult) and would get everybody outside for a while. Just make sure you hike the east side of 65 as the public shooting range is on the west side. I’ve never seen more disregard for firearms safety than I saw there.

If I come up with more I’ll update my post here.

In addition to the aforementioned:

Springfield Cardinals game. Nice stadium for double A team.

Silver dollar city amusement park in Branson. 1880s theme with lots of coasters.

Rent a pontoon on Lake Taneycomo for trout fishing. Better easier fishing there right now.
Rent a pontoon for swimming and lake fun on Table Rock Lake.

Lots of touristy type places - putt putt, shopping, go karts, Ripleys believe it or not
Etc in Branson.

College of the Ozarks south of Branson. Neat museums, very good restaurant and ice cream.
Also, the students will renew your faith in America.

It has a working dairy that they love to show the kids around. Students are wonderful and they welcome visitors. The hospitality program at the Keeter center is great.

Also known as Hard Work U.

https://www.cofo.edu
https://www.keetercenter.edu

Thought of one more, and it's free, well, no admission fee anyway. The Corp of Engineers has an interpretive center just across Table Rock Dam. Our kids, nieces, nephews, me had a good time there.