Kansas City, Missouri, is a wonderful tourist destination for families and kids. It offers several attractions like museums, activity areas, fun parks, and historic places. It is mostly known for jazz, fountains, and delicious barbecue. With its perfect mix of art, history, and modernity, it is a great choice if you’re planning a family vacation.
Sitting pretty on Missouri’s western side, Kansas City has tourist spots like the American Jazz Museum, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, etc. The city’s local architecture is brilliant and offers an insight into its past. It also has picturesque suburbs like Blue Springs, Overland Park, Lee’s Summit, etc. Whether you’re into big city glamor or small town charm, you will love it here.
For the perfect family vacation, you need to plan ahead. Here, we bring to you some of the best family friendly places and kids’ attractions in Kansas City that you will love. Check them out and plan your trip soon.
Museums
Museums are the perfect place to have a day out with your family. People of all ages can find something educational and interactive here. Kansas City is known for its wide variety of museums that are the best places to visit with kids and family. If you want to explore the museum scene of the city, we have a few options for you.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art 
This comprehensive art museum captures the history of art from ancient times to the modern age. It has something of interest and excitement for people of all ages. You can look at art from different time periods and cultures here. You can also learn about art pieces in and around the city at this place.
You can visit this place and explore art, take part in interactive activities, learn about art, and also shop for your close ones. The museum also holds fun group activities that your whole family can enjoy. Kansas City’s social, cultural, and educational life can be explored here, as it has a collection of more than 35,000 artworks, which attracts more than 500,000 visitors a year.
Get Directions To The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Timing
- Wednesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
- Thursday-Friday: 10 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday-Sunday: 10 AM to 5 PM
- Monday-Tuesday: Closed
Pocket Pinch
- Free admission
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures 
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures gives you a glimpse of the world of toys and miniatures. It is a place that both children and adults can enjoy as it gives the whole family and educational and inspiring experience. Currently, the museum has over 72,000 items on display. You can explore the history of antique toys and also visit events held there.
There are toys from all over the world that you can see and learn about. There are also miniature masterpieces that you will not find anywhere else. Your kids will love to see the evolution of toys from the ancient era and how their modern toys are different from history.
Get Directions To The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
Timing
- Wednesday-Monday: 10 AM to 4 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
Pocket Pinch
- Adults between 18-64 years: $8
- Senior Citizens: $7
- Children between 6-17 and College Students (with ID): $5
- Children under 6: Free
Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City
This is not a museum in the purest sense of the term. Instead, it is a super fun activity area for kids where they can learn stuff while playing with other kids. It has about 10 exhibits, weekly programs, and also features spontaneous pop-ups for the entertainment of the visitors. It is best suited for kids up to eight years of age, along with their parents, tutors, and educators. Here, you can learn about science, art, and literature in a fun, interactive way.
This family destination provides dynamic experiences that will inspire your kids to learn and grow. Its exhibits and programs are top notch and visitors are sure to be filled with joy and wonder while learning new stuff. If you want to bond with kids over studies, this is the perfect place to visit.
Get Directions To Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City
Timing
- Tuesday-Friday: 9 AM to 4.30 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM to 5 PM
- Entry stops 15 minutes before closing time.
Pocket Pinch
- General Admission: $8
- Senior Citizens: $7
- Children under 2: Free
- Military Members: $6
Outdoor Areas
Spring and summer are perfect seasons to plan a day outdoors with your family. Be it zoos, parks, or other outdoor leisure activities, Kansas City has great many spots to provide you a day of wholesome family fun. Here are a few outdoor attractions that you can explore on your vacation.
Kansas City Zoo
Located in the historic Swope Park of Kansas City, the zoo is a perfect picnic spot for the whole family. It houses over 1,000 animals and is spread over 200 acres. This is the most fun and affordable place to spend the day. The Kansas City Zoo is a non-profit organization that houses animals, birds, and plants from all around the world.
It is also an environment conservation center where you can donate funds for the animals too. Here, you can chat with the zoo workers to get more knowledge about the animals, watch shows, ride through the zoo, and also feed the stingrays. This place has something that everyone will enjoy.
Get Directions To Kansas City Zoo
Timing
- Monday-Friday: 9.30 AM to 4 PM
- Saturday-Sunday: 9.30 AM to 5 PM
Pocket Pinch
- Visitors between 12 to 55: $16
- Seniors above 55 years: $15
- Children between 3 to 11: $13
- Children under 2 years: Free
- More details can be found on the website.
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
The Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead in Overland Park has natural areas like conservation trails, fishing spots, petting zoos, and many other activities for family fun. Here, visitors can enjoy seeing up to 250 animals and birds, and also get to learn about them. They also have wildlife rehabilitation facilities, hands-on exhibits, and also educational programs.
You can take your kids to the flower gardens, vegetable farms, country schoolhouse, fishing pond, etc. Your kids can also ride ponies here and have loads of fun. They can also experience an Indian encampment and interact with animals like bottle-feeding baby goats, milking cows, and riding horse wagons through the woods.
Get Directions To Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
Timing
- Daily 9 AM to 5 PM
Pocket Pinch
- $3 per person
Lakeside Nature Center
Lakeside Nature Center is another natural outdoor area where you can enjoy a day out with your family. Here, you can take pictures with beautiful animals, get a tattoo of your choice, and also a make a craft to take home as a souvenir. There are gardens, munchies, wine, beer, sale, and so many other things to attract all members of the family.
The best part of this place is its scavenger hunt. You can participate with your family and have a gala time exploring the place and looking for clues. You can also go on hikes in summer, starting from March 23rd. There is also a Critter Corner here, to know more about bugs.
Get Directions To Lakeside Nature Center
Timing
- Varies for events and programs.
Pocket Pinch
- Free admission for all.
Amusement Parks
It is never a bad idea to take your kids out to an amusement park. And these are places that provide fun and entertainment to the whole family. You can go on rides, enjoy the atmosphere, and have loads of junk food. Here are few of the amusement parks in Kansas City.
Worlds of Fun
World of Fun Oceans of Fun is a 235 acre amusement park in Kansas City that has thrilling rides, slides, and water adventures that can be fun for the whole family. It also holds celebrations, family parties, and corporate events as well. This place also has family rides that you can enjoy with your kids, which can prove a real bonding experience.
Apart from thrill rides and roller coasters, there is also Planet Snoopy where your kid can meet the fun PEANUTS gang and get a warm hug from Snoopy. There is also live entertainment in the park, where artists like Talya Groves has performed. You can also have a delicious meal at Cotton Blossom BBQ.
Get Directions To Worlds of Fun
Timing
- Daily 11 AM to 7 PM from June 1st
Pocket Pinch
- Varies according to group and plan.
Paradise Park
The perfect place for family fun and adventure, Paradise Park offers unique entertainment, education, and play opportunities for people of all ages. It is clean, safe, and provides wholesome entertainment of all kinds. It is divided into an amusement park and family fun center. Birthday parties and events are also held here.
There is a plethora of activities to do here, like go karting, gem mining, climbing a rock wall, etc. Other fun offerings include escape rooms, bumper cars, foam factory, miniature golf, laser tag maze, etc. You can choose your activity and have fun with the whole family.
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Timing
- Monday-Thursday: 9.30 AM to 8 PM
- Friday-Saturday: 9.30 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday: 11.30 AM to 8 PM
Pocket Pinch
- Varies according to activity.
Unique Attractions
Apart from the obvious places to visit with kids and family, Kansas City has many unique attractions that you will love to check out. Some of these will give you memories of a lifetime. We bring to you some of those unique places that you can check out here.
Mesner Puppet Theater
The Mesner Puppet Theater is a professional company that produces plays for young audiences but people of all ages can enjoy them. The Mesner group performs locally and also goes on tour to schools, arts centers, churches, regional venues, etc. You will get an international experience at this place. Their storytelling is brilliant and you and your kids will get engrossed in the world of puppets.
Apart from puppet shows, they organize workshops in which you can participate. They inspire people with their creativity and reach out to first-time theater goers and underserved communities. They perform more than 200 times per year, catering to over 30,000 audience members on an average.
Get Directions To Mesner Puppet Theater
Timing
- Depends on the performSance.
Pocket Pinch
- Details on the website.
Legoland Discovery Center
The LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Kansas City offers a perfect abode for family friendly fun. Your young kids will have a blast in the indoor environment based on the popular LEGO® brick. This center has several play areas, a 4D movie hall, classes from the LEGO Master Model Builder, exciting rides, and also the star attraction, Kingdom Quest.
You can organize birthday parties and events here. Build a city, action figures, or a whole skyline with your kids. The MINILAND exhibit depicts the buildings and cityscape of Kansas City. All in all, this place can be enjoyed with your kids and family for a perfect vacation. And guess what, they also have an Adult Night for your level of fun.
Get Directions To Legoland Discovery Center
Timing
- Monday-Thursday: 9 AM to 7 PM
- Friday: 9 AM to 8 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM to 8 PM
- Sunday: 9 AM to 7 PM
- Entry stops two hours before closing time.
Pocket Pinch
- Depends on the activity.
iFly Kansas City
iFly Kansas City is a family recreational area that offers adrenaline-boosting activities for the entire family. You can explore fun and adventurous stuff here, like indoor sky diving and going through the wind tunnel. They also hold classes, camps, summer camps for kids, families, and adults. They also organize group events here for people of all ages.
They also provide boy scout activities, field trips, virtual reality, body flight, and many other out-of-the-world experiences. iFly also offers flight school for kids in a fun group setting. It is the best place to enjoy adventurous sports in a perfectly safe environment. You and your kids can have a wonderful and unique experience here.
Get Directions To iFly Kansas City
Timing
- Monday-Thursday: 12 PM to 8 PM
- Friday: 12 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM to 7 PM
Spring Break Timings (3/11/19-3/23/19):
- Monday-Friday: 10 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday: 9 AM to 9 PM
Pocket Pinch
- Depends on the activity.
Apart from these wonderful attractions, Kansas City has many other places to visit.
Some of these are Kauffman Stadium, Science City at Union Stadium, Loose Park, KC Fountains, Country Club Plaza, etc. With so many budget friendly options that provide complete entertainment, don’t think too much.
Take your pick among the million options to explore in Kansas City and plan a wonderful trip with kids and family. You will not be disappointed.