Stretching the family budget while making the most of summer break is every parent’s dream. Celebrate the season with these free and cheap local ideas!
- Splash and play at a Kansas City area sprayground. All local spraygrounds are FREE. Discover more fun at local pools and waterparks with this KC Water Fun Guide (note: some of these exceed $5 admission, but check calendars for deals like free admission for Dad on Father's Day).
- Join the summer movie club at Cinemark or B & B Theaters where you can enjoy cheap films all summer long.
- Step back in time at one of Shawnee Town 1929's family-friendly summer events.
- Play at “The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD®,” Crown Center’s free summer kids exhibit. The exhibit is FREE May 28 - Sept. 5. An exciting hands-on traveling exhibit created by the Betty Brinn Children's Museum in collaboration with Hasbro. The exhibit features MR. POTATO HEAD, the much-loved silly character, who becomes an explorer, scientist, and adventurer with a change of his "parts."
- Attend a free family fun night at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop (Thursdays, 6:00-8:00). Enjoy a different theme of 1860s living history each week. FREE admission, stagecoach rides are $3/person ages 3 & up, some activities require an extra fee. 2016 Themes: June 2 - Cowboys, June 9 - Civil War, June 16 - Farm to Table, June 23 - 1860s Construction, June 30 - 1860s Mad Science, July 7 - 19th Century Fireworks, July 14 - Civil War, July 21 - Hit the Trail, July 28 - Kansas Wheat Harvest.
- Go fishing.
- Participate in a summer reading program.
- Enjoy Little Adventures (Wed in June & July) at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (Admission is $5 for ages 5 and up).
- Head to the KC Power & Light District for Sprint Family Fun Days event the second Saturday of each month.
- Explore the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
- Tour the Truman home in Independence.
- Visit Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead (2016 Admission - $2/person (under age 2 free), Fri.-Sun. & holidays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.-Thu.: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special Free Admission from 2pm to close Mon-Th).
- Picnic near a Kansas City area waterfall.
- Sign up for free bowling with www.KidsBowlFree.com or free roller skating at www.KidsSkateFree.com.
- Stroll through Kauffman Memorial Gardens.
- Attend Twelfth Night at Shakespeare in the Park (For its 24th season, the Festival will present Twelfth Night; or, What You Will, Shakespeare's hilarious romantic comedy set in romantic Illyria. The play explores love, loss and reunion along with ambition, madness and gender reversal -- all with lots of humor. The production dates are June 14 - July 3, 2016, Tuesday - Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Signed performances for the hard of hearing will be Wednesday, June 22 and Sunday, June 26. Festival admission is donation only.).
- Take a tour of The Roasterie and learn about coffee.
- Play at Penguin Park.
- Share a Skyscraper at Winstead’s.
- Play “I Spy” at Lakeside Nature Center.
- Create a masterpiece at Kaleidoscope.
- Ride the KC Streetcar.
- Imagine and play at KidScape at the Johnson County Museum. Note: This museum is relocating in 2017 and this summer is the last chance to see the exhibit before it moves to its new home next spring!
- Marvel at modern art at the Nerman Museum, where admission is free.
- Really hot outside? Treat the kids to a snow cone at Little Freshie or a Tropical Sno Station or Kona Ice Truck.
- Stop and smell the roses at Loose Park.
- Spend a first Friday in the Crossroads.
- Take a tour of the Kansas City, MO, City Hall and go to the roof for amazing views of downtown.
- Ride the KC Northern Railroad, just 75 cents on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Hike at Ernie Miller Nature Center.
- 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.
- Pretend to be a pirate at a local pirate ship park.
- Photograph friends in front of a fountain.
- Discover a masterpiece at the free Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Get free money at the Money Museum.
- Attend a Kansas City area Festival.
- Taste test every flavor of Glace Ice Cream until you find your favorite.
- Ride bikes at one of KC's Best Bike Trails.
- Learn about the Santa Fe Trail at Cave Springs Nature Center.
- Explore the Central Branch of the Kansas City Library, because any library with a parking garage painted with classic books has to be cool.
- Walk the Country Club Plaza and admire the art and fountains.
- Tour the Harley-Davidson Factory, a favorite activity for ages 12 and up.
- Take photographs in front of a fountain.
- Feed the fish at Longview Lake (buy fish food at the marina shop).
- Bike Trolley Trail.
- Take a free class at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center.
- Imagine you’re in the Wild West at Antioch Park.
- Learn new things about nature through a class or program at one of KC's Nature Centers or Gardens.
- And remember to search Free Events on our Kansas City calendar, where there are free (and cheap) things to enjoy every day.
Tip: You may also enjoy 100 Ways to Enjoy a Kansas City Summer (our favorite ideas regardless of price!).