The school year is coming to close, and we are getting ready for the kids to be home all summer. I like the summer to be relaxed and carefree, but I also like to plan some activities for us to do to get out the house for a few hours each day. Sometimes that means a trip to the playground or to the pool, but there are also tons of activities in and around Kansas City. I’m sharing a list of 19 summer activities for kids in Kansas City. These are all of our favorite places to visit over the summer.
Summer Activities In Kansas City For Little Kids
Splash Pad
This is good for ages young and old and so fun when the weather is hot and humid. We’ve been to the spray grounds at Roe Park, Lake Olathe, Thompson Park (small, but gets the job done), and Wilder Bluff Park (new and amazing!) Here is a more comprehensive list of splash pads in the city.
Royals Game
I’m definitely taking the kids to see a Royal’s game this summer. What kid doesn’t love a trip to the ballpark?! For a more affordable option, check out the Kansas City Monarchs!
Museum At Prairiefire
I haven’t taken the kids here before, but I’ve heard wonderful things about this museum and plan to take the kids on a day when we want to do something indoors. They have several kid friendly exhibits plus a kid’s discovery room.
Overland Park Arboretum
We’ve been here several times, and it’s pretty fun for the kids to explore the outside. They have a really cool miniature train area and real full sized train car for the kids to explore. I do suggest calling ahead as the trains are run by volunteers and aren’t operating some days.
Inspired Play Cafe
This is a neat little play space that recently opened in Overland Park. You can pay per day or have a membership. We’ve been a couple times, and my kids are always asking to go back. I plan on signing up for a membership this summer.
Kansas City Zoo
We love going to the zoo! My kids are animal obsessed and could spend all day exploring the exhibits. I suggest going on a weekday if you can since it’s a lot less busy.
Powell Gardens
Powell Gardens is another beautiful outdoor space to take your kids this summer. Pack and picnic and let your kids explore the gardens. Beginning May 26th, they will also have what looks to be an amazing exhibit called Fortopia which we will definitely be checking out!
Wonderscope
This is a incredible children’s museum that was newly relocated and has tons of cool exhibits and rooms for kids to explore. It does get pretty busy, especially in the mornings, so I recommend going in the afternoons if you can.
Johnson County Arts and Heritage Museum
This is a fairly new place that has a wonderful kid’s play area called Kidscape. It’s pretty affordable and great for younger kids.
The Coterie Theater
If you have kids ages 3 and up, you should definitely check out this kid’s theater in Crown Center. They have different plays and musicals for kids. Right now they have a Pete the Cat show, but it looks the summer show will be an Alice and Wonderland musical. This is a great way to introduce young kids to performing arts!
Curious George Exhibit At Crown Center
Speaking of Crown Center, I love that they always have a rotating exhibit for young kids to explore. We’ve been to several including their holiday themed exhibit and a Clifford The Big Red Dog exhibit. This summer, they are featuring a Curious George themed experience! I would say this is best for younger kids – probably up to 6 or 7 years old.
Strawberry Picking At Gieringer’s Farm
Summer is the time to go to your local farms to pick berries! We like going to Gieringer’s specifically to pick strawberries, but they also have blueberries and blackberries as well. Go early as the plants can get picked over by the afternoon. Also, don’t miss out on the donuts – best we’ve ever had!
Blueberry Picking At The Berry Patch
We’ve gone to The Berry Patch every year for the last 8 years to pick blueberries! U-pick usually starts sometime in June for blueberries. I would definitely recommend going at the beginning of the season when the weather isn’t unbearably hot.
Science City
We have yet to take the kids to Science City, but I definitely plan on taking them this summer. It is located in Union Station and has tons of science based activities for kids.
Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium
I’ve been wanting to take my kids to the Planetarium for years, and now that they are a little older, I’m planning on taking them to a few shows this summer.
KU Natural History Museum
Ever since we went to The Field Museum in Chicago and saw the famous T. Rex named Sue, my son has been obsessed with dinosaurs. I just recently heard about this museum in Lawrence, Kansas that has fossils and other dinosaur exhibits. My son is going to love this one!
Boulevard Drive In Movie Theater
Pack up some snacks and popcorn and head to the drive in theater for a fun night out with the kids. Boulevard Drive In has been around for a LONG time and would be such a fun experience. They have a couple shows playing at a time, but one is usually pretty kid friendly. Right now, they are showing Encanto. Note that they are cash only!
Deanna Rose Farmstead
Deanna Rose is really a gem of a place in Overland Park. Admission is pretty affordable and the kids always have a blast seeing all the animals and playing on the playgrounds. We’ll probably go here a few times this summer.
Shawnee Mission Park Beach
The cute little beach at Shawnee Mission Park is a fun place to take the kids on hot days. It’s obviously not a beautiful white sand beach (this is Kansas, after all), but honestly, the kids don’t seem to know the difference and the water is nice and calm for young swimmers.
Some other ideas that don’t require much money include taking your kid to the neighborhood or city pool, packing a picnic to take to your local playground, or camping in your backyard. For our favorite at-home activities for little kids, check out this post. I hope this gives you some ideas for your summer adventures!
