KC is cool all the time, but especially summertime!
- Visit koalas, penguins, and giraffes at the Kansas City Zoo.
- Ride all 5 new rides at Planet Snoopy at Worlds of Fun and try all seven world-class roller coasters, and make waves at Oceans of Fun - all for the price of one ticket!
- Get lost in the Glass Labyrinth on the lawn of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
- Stop and smell the roses at Loose Park.
- Watch a show at Starlight Theatre. Especially for kids catch Matilda (May 24-28) and Beauty and the Beast (July 13-19).
- Attend T-Bones Baseball Game! Tip: Kids Eat Free at the game on Monday nights!
- Participate in hands-on history at the National World War I Museum and Memorial and get a spectacular view of the city atop Liberty Memorial.
- Indulge in a snow cone at TropicalSno.
- Explore Jurassic Gardens at Powell Gardens (and catch Booms & Blooms on July 3, and Festival of Butterflies the first two weekends in August).
- Participate in a Summer Reading Program.
- Play at the batting cages at Paradise Park or ride the gokarts, play a round of miniature golf, enjoy arcades and rockwall climbing, laser tag, or the Children's Edutainment Center.
- Spend a day at Crown Center - explore the new Mr. Potato Head exhibit, make art projects at Kaleidoscope, visit Legoland or Sea Life and catch Madagascar at The Coterie.
- Pick berries, peaches, and apples at local U-Pick Farms.
- Ride bikes at one of KC's Best Bike Trails.
- Go Bowling - for FREE!
- Dine with dinosaurs at T-Rex Cafe at the Legends Outlets.
- Watch a sunset.
- Explore one of Kansas City’s best parks.
- Imagine and play at KidScape at the Johnson County Museum.
- Buy ribs and smoked meats at McGonigle's for the perfect, but oh-so-easy, summer backyard bbq!
- Step back in time at one of Shawnee Town 1929's family-friendly summer events.
- Join a summer movie club at your local movie theater.
- Tour the homes of KC's famous residents at the Alexander Majors House, Wornall House, Vaile Mansion, Bingham-Waggoner Estate and Truman Home.
- Spend an hour trying to escape at Breakout KC.
- Go on an adventure hunting for treasure at new places with geocaching.
- Discover KC's Coolest Districts.
- Play a round of miniature golf at Cool Crest.
- Blow bubbles.
- Learn about Missouri's real discovered treasure at the Arabia Steamboat Museum.
- Marvel at modern art at the Nerman Museum, where admission is free.
- Attend one of Kansas City's Summer Festivals.
- Enjoy homemade waffle cones and delish ice cream at Murray's in Westport or Betty Rae's in Waldo.
- Ride aboard one of KC's Trains.
- Shop at one of KC's Farmers Markets.
- Go camping at one of Missouri or Kansas' campgrounds.
- Play disc golf at Swope Park.
- Try the new zipline at GoApe Zipline in Swope Park.
- Discover Kansas City’s rich history aboard the trolley.
- Enjoy a free concert in the park.
- Nurture your creative bug at Paint, Glaze & Fire or Ceramics Cafe.
- Treat the kids to some of Shatto Dairy Farm’s signature ice cream and ice cream “sammiches.”
- Dine al fresco at one of the many restaurants offering patio seating at the Country Club Plaza, Brookside Shopping District, Briarcliff Village, Park Place or Prairiefire.
- Draw with sidewalk chalk.
- Explore one of the area’s quaint shopping districts located on Main Street in KC’s surrounding suburbs and small towns.
- Pack a picnic and enjoy a day at Schlitterbahn Waterpark.
- Share a Skyscraper (a giant ice cream soda or shake) at Winstead’s.
- Swim at a local pool, waterpark, sprayground or beach - discover them all on our KC Water Fun Guide.
- Pretend you live in the Wild, Wild West at Antioch Park.
- Enjoy fishing at local fishing spots, feed the fish at Longview Lake, or rent a boat for a day of fun at one of KC's local lakes.
- Spend the day bird watching at the Overland Park Arboretum.
- Stargaze at Powell Observatory, home to the Ruisinger telescope, one of the largest telescopes available for public viewing in a five state area.
- Taste test every flavor of Glace Ice Cream until you find your favorite.
- Play volleyball at Volleyball Beach in Martin City or Shawnee Mission Beach.
- Feed the goats at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead.
- Ride a stagecoach (minimal fee) during one of Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop's FREE Family Fun Nights (Thurs in June & July).
- Discover nature on a local hike.
- Feed animals at the Native Hoofed Animal Enclosure in Fleming Park.
- Jump at Urban Air indoor trampoline park.
- Participate in hands-on science at Science City, catch a planetarium show at Gottlieb Planetarium, watch a movie at the Extreme Screen and explore the Body Worlds exhibit at Union Station.
- Stroll through Kauffman Memorial Gardens.
- Celebrate African American baseball history at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
- Treat your kids to a frozen delight at a Kona Ice truck parked at local festivals and attractions through the summer. Using the flavor wave, customers flavor their own slushes.
- Explore Downtown Kansas City and take photos with public art on display.
- Picnic near a Kansas City area waterfall.
- Feed the fish at Longview Lake, then enjoy a dip at the swim beach or rent a boat at the marina.
- Get an amazing view of the city from the River Observation Tower as you gaze out over the vast Missouri River.
- Paint a masterpiece at Thirsty Palette.
- Visit the free National Archives of Kansas City and explore their free exhibits.
- Build a free project at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Both offer free workshops on select Saturdays.
- Enjoy Little Adventures (Wed in June & July) at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures.
- Head to a new park for a picnic or go all out and attend KC's Big Picnic on the lawn of The Nelson-Atkins.
- Take a local Watch It Made Tour and discover how motorcycles, coffee, and marbles are made.
- Head to the local craft store for t-shirt making supplies and design your own KC or family t-shirts.
- Surprise your neighbor with homemade goodies.
- Roller skate with the family at a local skating rink.
- Go old school and catch a movie at one of KC's Drive-In Theaters.
- Take a family float trip and canoe locally.
- Photograph friends in front of a fountain.
- Build a pillow fort.
- Go on a hunt for the best burger in KC.
- Discover a masterpiece at the free Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Learn new things about nature through a class or program at one of KC's Nature Centers or Gardens.
- Grab some cash and take the kids on a trash or treasure hunt... a.k.a. Garage Sale Shopping.
- Take a free trip to the Money Museum and leave with a bag of shredded cash.
- Take a tour of the Kansas City, MO, City Hall and go to the roof for amazing views of downtown.
- Go on an alphabet hunt (find something starting with each letter of the alphabet in order) on a walk in your own neighborhood.
- Fly a kite.
- Explore the Central Branch of the Kansas City Library, because any library with a parking garage painted with classic books has to be cool.
- Root, root, root for the Royals! Tip: If attending a first game with a little one, take the family to guest services where young fans are awarded a souvenir certificate in honor of their first game.
- Take a Day Trip.
- Climb the walls at Little Monkey Bizness - with moon bounces, tunnels, giant toys, an art room and even a coffee shop for moms, this is a favorite destination for little ones.
- Build your own sundae at your neighborhood Frozen Yogurt shop.
- Meet up with other moms at Parkside Coffeehouse at Cedar Ridge Christian Church (8839 Lackman Rd., Lenexa, KS, 913.393.3000). Enjoy a coffee shop for parents and indoor play for kids, including gym, indoor playground equipment and ride-on toys.
- Try new foods and the new restaurant in your neighborhood.
- Watch the fish at Bass Pro in Olathe or Independence, the outdoor shop featuring giant fish tanks kids love.
- Ride the $1 Ferris Wheel at Scheel's.
- Wash the car the old-fashioned way.
- Munch on Topsy's popcorn and enjoy their homemade lemonade.
- Watch a show and make your own puppet at the Puppetry Arts Institute.
- Try something new in KC - use our Kansas City Calendar for inspiration.