Lesson plans: Places to go that combine learning and fun

Museums, historical sites, parks and conservation areas abound in Southeast Missouri. No matter the season, there's always something to explore -- and many of them offer a chance to combine a fun family outing with an educational opportunity. So pack up the kids, the family dog and a picnic and enjoy a day spent in Southeast Missouri's classroom.

Floodwall Murals

__Floodwall murals__

What it is: Cape Girardeau's floodwall is home to two murals that highlight the city's history and famous Missourians. The "Mississippi River Tales" mural depicts the history of Cape Girardeau from planning the city in 1793 to Riverfest in 1980. Interpretative displays are set up along the wall to provide additional details. Further south, the Missouri Wall of Fame features portraits of famous Missourians ranging from Rush Limbaugh to Calamity Jane.

What to do: After a trip to the floodwall, have your children create their own murals on white butcher paper. Give them a topic -- portraits of their favorite athletes or events from your summer vacation -- and let their imaginations run wild.

The details: Along the riverfront in downtown Cape Girardeau

Hours: Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Cost: Free

Discovery Playhouse

__Discovery Playhouse__

Discovery Playhouse

What it is: The Discovery Playhouse in downtown Cape Girardeau is a wonderland of interactive educational exhibits. From a fitness park to fire truck and dental office and water garden, there's something for children of all ages.

What to do: Ask children to fill their shopping cart with items from specific food groups at the pretend grocery store. At the playhouse's bank, have them practice math skills with the play money.

The details:

502 Broadway

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

573-335-7529

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays

Cost: Admission: $5 for ages 2 to 64; $4 for 1-year-olds and adults 65 and older; free for children younger than 1

Bollinger County Museum of Natural History

__Bollinger County Museum of Natural History__

What it is: The Bollinger County Museum of Natural History in Marble Hill, Mo., is home to the only dinosaur artifacts discovered in Missouri. Learn all about the Missouri dinosaur, Hypsibema missouriense, its history and ongoing discoveries at the site. The museum also has exhibits featuring American Indian artifacts, Will Mayfield College artifacts and alternating regional exhibits of historical significance.

What to do: The museum's website, www.bcmnh.org, has a kids page with connect-the-dot puzzles and coloring sheets. Print them out before you leave home and keep your children entertained on the drive to Marble Hill.

The details:

207 Mayfield Drive, Marble Hill, Mo.

573-238-1174

Cost: $2 for adults and $1 for kids 18 and younger. Donations are welcome.

Hours: Noon to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday or by appointment

By Fred Lynch (Lutheran Heritage Museum)

__Lutherans in Perry County__

What it is: The Saxon Lutheran Memorial in Frohna, Mo., is dedicated to the 700 Saxon immigrants who came to the United States in 1839 from Germany. The grounds feature several log cabins, a log barn, a blacksmith shop, a bake oven and a visitors center. The Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum of Altenburg, Mo., focuses on Lutheran immigration from Germany to America, the history of the Lutheran Church in Perry County and the German-American culture of the region. The museum has a gift shop, exhibit hall and reception area, and offers tours of 19th century church buildings and cabins.

What to do: Give your kids a taste, literally, of what life was like in the 19th century. Spend a morning making homemade bread with your children (There is an abundance of easy bread recipes online.) Kids can help measure the ingredients (let them practice their math skills by using a variety of measuring cup sizes) and knead the dough. Enjoy the bread straight from the oven with butter you didn't have to churn yourself.

By Laura Holmburg (Sand Prairie Conservation Area)

__Conservation areas/state parks__

What it is: Southeast Missouri is home to numerous state parks and conservation centers that provide the opportunity to explore nature. Pack a picnic lunch and spend a day hiking, fishing and looking for wildlife. The Sand Praire Conservation Area near Benton, Mo., is being restored to native grassland, an imperiled natural community of Southeast Missouri's lowlands, to promote native habitats.

What to do: Have your children keep a list of the wildlife they observe. When they get home, add drawings and more information about the animals and plants to create a wildlife journal.

The details:

Conservation areas: mdc.mo.gov/regions/southeast

State parks and historic sites: mostateparks.com

Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center

__Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center__

What it is: The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center offers a variety of activities for all ages and weather. Inside, explore the interactive exhibits and check out American Indian artifacts. When the weather's nice, take a hike on the Nature Center's two-miles of trails and look for wildlife. The center also offers a variety of programs geared toward specific age groups. Get more information at mdc.mo.gov/regions/southeast/cape-girardeau-conservation-nature-center.

What to do: The Nature Center puts hands-on learning at the forefront. Take advantage of its many resources for a fun learning experience for your child. Invite friends along for a hike on the White Trace Trail and have each child keep track of the number of animals they see.

The details:

2289 County Park Drive

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

573-290-5218

Building hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Area hours: Open daily from sunrise to 10 p.m. in accordance with Cape Girardeau County Park rules