Today we travel to Kansas City, MO with Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts
Hi! I’m Mandy from Sugar Bee Crafts – excited to be here!
I live in the Kansas City area – love the Midwest!! If you’re coming through, here are some great, FREE things to check out in my neck of the woods!
#1: Kaleidoscope– We LOVE Kaleidoscope – it’s put on by Hallmark – your kids can craft with lots of stickers, hot wax, markers, puzzle makers, etc – we go to family sessions and all ages are welcome – here’s some pics of my kids and their cousins:
Kaleidoscope is the brain child of Hallmark Cards Don Hall, who dreamt of a place where kids could ‘explore, create, imagine and do’. The magical atmosphere allows you and your kids to create art from left over Hallmark materials. Sessions last 40m.
#2: Crown Center- oh, and while you’re atCrown Center you can play in their fountain:
#3: Deanna Rose Farm– The kids LOVE Deanna Rose Farm – lots of fun things and animals to see for free – you will have to pay if your kiddos want to ride the horse, etc – there are parks within the farm too, if you need a play break. (the pic of my daughter is when we went in the wintertime – hence the giant coat)
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is a great place to go with children of all ages, any time of year. The 12-acre park has farm animals, beautiful gardens, a country schoolhouse, fishing pond, horse drawn wagon rides and pony rides and much more. Admission is free during the week.
Location: 135th and Switzer, OP.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., May 30-Sept 3rd (hours vary throughout the year, check website for details)
Phone: 913. 897-2360
#4: Nelson- Atkins– I have yet to take my kids to the Nelson-Atkins, but it’s on my to-do list – – and I want to use their Shuttlecocks as a backdrop for my next family pictures.
Those young and old love to play on the lawn among the Shuttlecocks and the huge sculpture garden at the Nelson-Atkins. Head inside to enjoy a blast of cool air and explore the miles of galleries, collections and exhibits.
Location: 4525 Oak, Kansas City
Hours:10am to 4pm Tues-Thurs; 10am-9pm Friday; 10-5pm Saturday; Noon-5pm Sunday.
#5: Friday Nite Flicks @ Crown Center- Take family movie night to a whole new level with the giant outdoor screen at Crown Center. This is obviously a summer activity.
Free Friday Nite Flicks at Crown Center
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and head to the Free Friday Night Flicks at Crown Center. Films will be shown on the huge outdoor screen on the Crown Center Square located across from the Crown Center Shops July 2nd-August 13th. Admission is free, and the movies begin at around 9pm. Concessions are also available.
#6: Train Ride- I discovered this when we went for a birthday party. At $0.50 a ride, it’s almost free! So, I’m putting it on the list!
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The Kansas City Northern Railroad is the perfect place for kids who love trains. The restored miniature trains choo-choo around a half-mile track to the joy of all those riding. The train is open on weekends from the 1st week in May to the last weekend in September.
Location: 60th and Waukomis in the Line Creek Park Area (Northland)
Hours: Sat 10-6; Sunday 12-6
Cost: $.50 per ride
Hours: Sat 10-6; Sunday 12-6
Cost: $.50 per ride
#7: Lakeside Nature Center- I just found this nature center when was doing a search for free things in the Kansas City area – – adding it to the to-do list!
At the Lakeside Nature Center–children of all ages are encouraged to explore nature and their surroundings. It’s here that kids will get to explore Missouri wildlife hands-on by touching everything from snakeskin’s to feathers of native wildlife–and much more. Lakeside is Missouri’s largest wildlife rehabilitation center and children will enjoy seeing all the animals–most of which are returned to the wild.Location: 4701 E. Gregory Blvd., (Swope Park) Kansas City, 816-513-8960
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 12-5pm. Closed Mondays.
#8: Harley Davidson Tour- There are a few places you can go on tours – we were first married, Trevor and I toured a Harley plant – way fun!
Free Tours in the KC Area
Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations. Tour the facility to see how hogs are made.
#9: Brewing Company and Jail Tour- Liberty Jail is a historic site for both Clay County and the LDS Church due to the five months Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, spent here. Boulevard Brewing Company… Tour the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest. Call for reservations.
#10: Penguin Park- If you just need a park around town, Penguin Park is the best – it was there when I was a kid and is still fabulous!
Penguin Park. This fun and playful park has everything from a 26-foot kangaroo slide to a 23-foot penguin to play inside.
Location: North Vivion Road and North Norton Avenue
Amenities at the 3.42-acre Penguin Park include: one reserve-able shelter house, restrooms and playgrounds. The 1.88-mile Lakewood Greenway Trail runs through the park. Penguin Park is home to an annual “Santa’s Wonderland” in December.
Location: North Vivion Road and North Norton Avenue
Amenities at the 3.42-acre Penguin Park include: one reserve-able shelter house, restrooms and playgrounds. The 1.88-mile Lakewood Greenway Trail runs through the park. Penguin Park is home to an annual “Santa’s Wonderland” in December.
I hope you think Kansas City is as fun as I do!!
Mandy,
Thanks for the walk down memory lane. I lived in Liberty, MO for two years. It's fun to remember what a great place it is.
We went to KC last summer and my kids loved that farm. I enjoyed the crown center and union station too.
Awesome post! Love seeing what it's like there in Mo! Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful to see this area of the world! Thanks so much for sharing!
This is a great list! My extended family is in KC and I visited during the summers as a kid. I remember lots of these places, but a few are new to me. Will check them out when I take my own family up to visit this summer!
Thanks, Mary! Glad you like the list 🙂
Just a heads up, Crown Center no longer allows playing in the fountains. Very unfortunate since I have such fond memories playing in those fountains.
Unfortunately, Amanda is correct. The Crown Center fountain is now roped off to disallow playing in the water. There were too many incidents of unsanitary things happening that it just wasn’t safe anymore. It’s a case of a few rotten apples spoiling the fun. You can still have an excellent day in the Crown Center area (Hallmark Visitor’s Center, Kaleidoscope, Ice Skating (Winter months), Chips Chocolate Factory, Fritz’, Walk the catwalk to Union Station/Science City, and the “don’t miss” coffee at Parisi).