Top 10 Kansas City Children's Activities/Attractions
Ahhh, the good old family vacation. The words, "Pack your bags kids, we're going on vacation," can either send chills of excitement or chills of terror through your kids. I look back on my past family vacations, and images of the Griswold family vacations flash before my eyes. So if you are planning a vacation to the Kansas City area any time soon, here are a few ideas that will be sure to have your kids wondering how you got so cool!
1. Worlds of Fun- For those little adventurers and thrill seekers, Worlds of Fun is a must! For the brave kids, they can enjoy five of the wildest roller coasters and an assortment of amusement park rides any park has to offer. Including the brand new Patriot, the longest and tallest inverted roller coaster in the region. For the younger, less adventurous of the bunch, they can play in Camp Snoopy and meet all of their favorite Peanuts characters.
Located off the East loop of I-435 at exit 54 in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, directions, and ticket prices go to http://www.worldsoffun.com or call 816-454-4545.
2. Oceans of Fun- What could be better than a world of fun? How about Oceans of Fun! Located conveniently behind Worlds of Fun is a water-lovers paradise. There's something for everone from the 18 water slides, kids water attractions, a wave pool, sun deck, and even a pool side bar for the adults. If the water gets to be too much, get the Ride and Slide ticket deal and hop between both parks for the day.
For more information go to http://www.worldsoffun.com or call 816-454-4545.
3. The Kansas City Zoo- So many kids want to go on trips around the world, so on your next trip to Kansas City stop by Africa and Australia. The Kansas City Zoo is now featuring a Koala exhibit. Miimi and Nariah, two cute and cuddly koalas on loan from the San Diego Zoo, can be seen until Labor Day Weekend.
If you need a break from the summer heat, check out the air conditioned Discovery Barn and see the exotic animals. Also, for the kids, there's Peek-A-Boo Tree, a treehouse that they can climb and play like animals in the wild. There are also various animal shows daily.
Open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Located in Swope Park at 6800 Zoo Drive, KCMO off I-435 and US-71 Hyw. For more information, ticket pricing, and events go to http://www.kansascityzoo.org or call 816-513-5700.
4. Kaleidoscope- Every child has a little artist in them waiting to shine through, and there's no better place to unleash the Picaso in them than at Kaleidoscope. The best part is it's free!!
Your child will be able to make whatever their little heart desires using melted crayon, shiny paper, cardboard, polka dots, and ribbons...just to name a few. Kaleidoscope is the the perfect place to let them create, discover and explore their own imaginations.
Located at 2408 McGee in the Crown Center complex. Open Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Go to http://www.hmkaleidoscope.com/ or call 816-274-8300 for the calander of events and information on their Family Art sessions (adults and children of all ages) and Independent Art sessions (children 5-12 years old).
5. Deanna Rose Childrens Farmstead- Just outside of Kansas City about 20 minutes in Overland Park, there is another free attraction for children. The Deanna Rose Childrens Farmstead is a 12 acre park full of an farm animal you can think of, birds of prey, and vegetable and flower gardens.
What makes this park stand out from others is that they have a one-room country schoolhouse for children to experience the "old school" education setting, a Kanza Indian Encampment (a large tee-pee with Indian artifacts inside), and a fishing pond stocked with bluegill and catfish that children can catch with an old fashioned cane fishing pole and worms (catch and release of coarse!).
They have also added a large dairy barn equipped with a mini theater where you can sit in your tractor seat and learn the entire cow milking process. Then, once the film is finished you can go and test your milking skills on the cow milking simulator. It is definitely a unique park.
Located at 138th and Switzer and open April 1 through October 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, directions and more attrations go to http://www.opkansas.org/_Vis/Farmstead/index.cfm or call 913-897-2360.
6. Science City- One of the best kid attractions that is also educational is Science City in Union Station. Right now Science City is featuring their Dino Lab, an actual lab that lets you watch real paleontologists as they unearth real dinosaur bones and make casts of them. While you are there you can check out the other attractions Union Station has to offer, such as the rail exhibit featuring ventage rail cars or see a planetarium show.
Located inside Union Station at 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Call 816-460-2020 or go to http://www.sciencecity.com/ for ticket packages and pricing.
7. Children's Museum of Kansas City- Remember playing doctor or actually getting excited about grocery shopping as a child? At the Children's Museum of Kansas City, your little rug rats can get the ultimate make believe experience. In this hands-on learning enviornment they can play and pretend while developing social, emotional, and physical skills that will help them in their continuing growth and maturity.
The safe, child-sized exhibits include:
a supermarket
a hospital
stage and puppet area
construction area
music and optics area
a special "Tree and Me" area for toddler exploration
a fire safety exhibit
an art studio - Creation Station
The best part is the Children's Museum encourages adult-child interaction, so you can participate in the playing too! Located across the Missouri state line in Kansas City, Kansas. It's in the lower level, Southeast corner of Indian Springs Marketplace at 4601 State Ave. They are open Tuesday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and prices call 913-287-8888 or go to http://www.kidmuzm.org/.
8. Royals Game- The smell of hot dogs, the crowds roar, and the summer sun, nothing can top the experience of a major league baseball game!! Regardless of who your hometown team is, children and adults alike can still have a blast at a Royals baseball game!
You will definitely hit a homerun with your kids, both young and old, if you take them to the Little K before the game. There they will get to experience the major league experience by playing on a miniature-sized field, testing their fast ball and batting abilities, and even have a chance to win a free ticket to another game on the Putting Diamond!
Don't forget, after the games on Sundays, fans of all ages are invited to go run the bases on the field. Kauffman Stadium is located on I-70 and the Blue Ridge Cutoff. For tickets, schedules and more information go to http://www.royals.mlb.com/.
9. Puppetry Arts Institute- Looking for a little old fashioned fun? Children can explore the world through puppetry. Here they will get to make their own puppets and then put on a puppet show in an adjacent theater. There is even an educational expericence waiting for them, since they can learn about the countries of the world through puppets.
Located at 11025 E. Winner Road in Independence and is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 816-833-9777.
10. Jaegers Subsurface Paintball- After listing so many activities for the younger children, I will devote this last one to the older kids. Jaegers offers kids 10 and up the opportunity to play the fast paced game of paintball. They offer a year around underground facility and during the summer they have outdoor fields as well.
Located in Kansas City's famous underground limestone caves at 9300 N.E. Underground Drive, near Worlds of Fun. Open Monday through Friday 1 to 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday noon to 8 p.m. For more information and pricing go to http://www.jaegers.com/ or call 816-452-6600.
