Looking for KC family fun on the cheap? Celebrate the season with these free and cheap Kansas City area ideas!
- Go apple picking (set a budget of up to $5/person which is easy to do at the u-pick price)!
- Take photos in huge fields of sunflowers at Grinter Farms (tip: follow their page - linked here Grinter Farms - for instructions and rules).
- Spend a day at Overland Park Arboretum (2016 Admission is $3 for visitors 13 and over, $1 for visitors 6 to 12, Free for 5 and under. AND each Tuesday, admission to the Arboretum is free!).
- Attend a Kansas City area Fall Festival.
- Walk the Country Club Plaza and admire the art and fountains, make a point to visit during the FREE Plaza Art Fair (Sept. 23-25, 2016) and FREE Waterfire Festival (Oct. 1, 2016).
- Take a FREE tour of the Louisburg Cider Mill and watch as cider and apple cider donuts are made on site. Attend CiderFest (Sept. 24 & 25 and Oct. 1 & 2, 2016)
- Attend one of Shoal Creek Living History Museum's FREE Fall events.
- Visit Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop (especially fun during their Wild West Days Sept. 24-25)!
- Play at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead (admission is $2/person or free after 2pm).
- Take a FREE tour of The Roasterie and learn about coffee.
- Appreciate art at FREE first Fridays in the Crossroads.
- Enjoy a picnic at one of KC's Best Picnic spots (the top of a downtown roof, near a waterfall, or at a great park).
- Stroll through the Farmers Market and find one new food to try.
- Take a tour of the Shatto Dairy Farm or attend their FREE Family Day on the Farm (Sept. 10).
- Tour the Truman home in Independence.
- Treat the kids to one of the Best Caramel Apples in Kansas City.
- Take a tour of Watkins Woolen Mill Historic Site the only 19th century textile mill in the United States with its original machinery still intact.
- Stroll through Kauffman Memorial Gardens for free.
- Go fishing.
- Explore the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
- Enjoy autumn wildflowers and play among the trees at the Anita Gorman Discovery Center, a free nature center near the Country Club Plaza.
- Ride the KC Streetcar and visit the FREE KC Rail Experience at Union Station, play chess on the roof at the Central Library, and taste test a yummy treat at City Market.
- Learn about the Santa Fe Trail at Cave Springs Nature Center.
- Spend a day leaf peeping at one of KC's most scenic fall hangouts.
- Expore a Kansas City area waterfall.
- Share a Skyscraper at Winstead’s.
- Play “I Spy” at Lakeside Nature Center.
- Visit The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures where admission is just $5/ea.
- Create a masterpiece at Kaleidoscope, KC's FREE hands-on art center for children.
- Savor a scrumptious bowl of KC's best soup.
- Marvel at modern art at the Nerman Museum, where admission is free.
- Take a tour of the Kansas City, MO, City Hall and go to the roof for amazing views of downtown.
- Hike at Ernie Miller Nature Center.
- Head to the KC Power & Light District for the free Sprint Family Fun Days event the second Saturday of each month through October.
- Visit the free National Archives of Kansas City and explore their free exhibits.
- Discover a masterpiece and take a photo with the giant spider at the free Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Get free (shredded) money at the Money Museum.
- Taste test every flavor of Glace Ice Cream until you find your favorite.
- Play at Penguin Park FREE.
- Explore the Central Branch of the Kansas City Library, because any library with a parking garage painted with classic books has to be cool.
- Tour the Harley-Davidson Factory, a favorite activity for ages 12 and up.
- Bike Trolley Trail.
- Attend a free concert.
- Tour the FREE Hallmark Visitors Center.
- Take a free class or explore the exhibits and trails at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center.
- Imagine you’re in the Wild West at Antioch Park.
- Build a free project at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Both offer free workshops on select Saturdays.
- Go Roller Skating (most local rinks offer a discounted family night).
- Treat the family to delicious pumpkin treats, apple pies, and other yummy fall flavors available at local bakeries, restaurants, and stores!
- And remember to search Free Events on our Kansas City calendar, where there are free (and cheap) things to enjoy every day. Also, check out our KC Coupon Page for savings on local attractions!