You can beat the winter blues with a bit of "summer fun." If you long for swimming, baseball, ice cream, playing outside.... have no fear! The fun of summer can be here all winter long. All it takes is a touch of creativity and a sense of adventure!
Go Swimming!
Kansas City boasts dozens of terrific indoor pools! From lap pools to full indoor water parks complete with slides, lazy rivers, and more. There is something for swimmers of every age!
- Best Bang for Your Buck: Many local community centers offer terrific indoor pools with additional amenities. Our 3 Favorites for inexpensive but fun-filled options are: Matt Ross Community Center (pictured) in Overland Park (913.895.6350) with a lap pool, zero-depth entry pool, spray toys, an 18-ft tall water slide for swimmers, water bucket drop and a lazy river with admission at $7/ea per day (memberships available). Legacy Park Community Center in Lee's Summit (816.969.1550) features a 141' long figure-eight water slide, spray features, large play area, and a zero-depth beach entrance, four 20-yard lap lanes, current channel and hot tub at $6-8/ea (price varies with residency and age), memberships available. The View Community Center in Grandview (816.316.4888) features a lap pool, zero depth recreation pool, lazy river, coconut tree, umbrella, and spray features and a 22 ft. high slide for $4.50-9.25/day (depends on age and residency), memberships available. Find a pool near you with our complete list of Indoor Pools in KC.
- Super Splurges! Consider an overnight staycation at one of Kansas City's Water Resorts: Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City, KS, (866.640.6353) is an indoor water resort with a four-story interactive treehouse water fort, winding lazy river, numerous slides including the Triple Twist, a high speed, five-story drop into a huge funnel followed by twists and turns, all housed in a luxurious hotel! CoCo Key Water Resort in Kansas City, MO, (816.737.0200) offers a wonderful 55,000 square foot indoor water park with a wading pool, slides, fast tube rides, activity pools and more! Play for a day or stay overnight at the Holiday Inn (where CoCo Key is located).
- Polar Plunge! For the truly daring, there is nothing like the Polar Plunge... a dive into one of Kansas City's lakes on a freezing cold winter day! On January 29, 2011, you can participate in one of two Polar Plunges, both benefiting the Special Olympics. In Kansas, participate in the Polar Plunge at Shawnee Mission Park Swim Beach, or if you're "Too Chicken" for an icy swim, try the 5K Polar Strut. The event is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics of Kansas. In Missouri, dive into the Polar Plunge at Longview Lake. The event is full of music, crazy costumes and loads of laughter. All proceeds support local Special Olympics Missouri athletes.
Pack a Picnic
Picnics are even better in the winter! You don't have to worry about bugs, heat, or crowds and your family will make fabulous memories with a picnic at one of our favorite outdoor winter venues.
- Picnic with a Polar Bear! The Kansas City Zoo is a favorite summer outing for many families. Did you know it is open year-round? In fact, winter is one of the best times to visit as the animals are especially playful and it isn't crowded. The indoor exhibits at the Tropics, Discovery Barn, and Snake House are great on chilly days, and the highlight of your trip will be a visit to the brand new Polar Bear Passage where your children will delight in watching Nikita swim and play right before their eyes! Pack a picnic and eat inside while watching Nikita play. Bonus: Weather permitting enjoy a ride on the carousel or train for more fun. Kansas City Zoo (6800 Zoo Dr., KCMO. 816.513.5800 www.KansasCityZoo.org).
- Petals and Picnics. Powell Gardens (1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO. 816.697.2600) is a wonderful and lush botanical center where something is always in bloom! Starting Jan. 11, you can escape the winter blues by filling your senses with the beauty of the Fragrance Garden, a special conservatory exhibit that celebrates and teaches about the bounty of aromas plants deliver. The exhibit includes a full display of forced spring blooming bulbs - including cineraria, ranunculus and anemones - to ensure a feast for the eyes as well as the nose! You can enjoy the beautiful blooms or take a class where adults and children learn skills from gardening to photography, bird watching to craftsmanship, and of course culinary classes! Pack a picnic and surround yourself with a bit of "green" in the midst of winter. Learn more about Powell Gardens here.
- Play at the Park. Kansas City's weather can be fickle. Last year, we enjoyed snow on the first day of spring. Conversely, it's not unusual for a few "warm days" to surprise us mid-winter. When the opportunity strikes, surprise the family with a day of play and picnic at one of Kansas City's Best Parks.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Celebrate America's favorite summer pastime... baseball! Whether you love to play, or you're an avid fan rooting for the home team, your passion for the sport can continue all winter long!
- Take a Swing! Does your child dream of being the next all-star baseball player? Beat cabin fever with a day at an indoor batting cage. Our Top Pick is Double Play Batting Cages in Olathe. DoublePlay is dedicated to taking baseball back to the good 'ol days with good, clean fun in a wholesome environment. The facilities include indoor batting cages, a pitching tunnel and infield practice facility. Call 913.768.1700 for information. Read our complete list to find additional Indoor Batting Cages in Kansas City.
- Learn about the Monarchs. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in the heart of the Jazz District is dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of the Negro Leagues Baseball, including the KC Monarchs, with interactive exhibits that appeal to fans of all ages. For information, call 816.221.1920 or visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum site.
- Visit the Royals Hall of Fame. The Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame at Kauffman Stadium is open year-round. Exhibits include artifacts, photos, documents and videos tracing the history of Kansas City Royals Baseball, along with unique multi-media interactive experiences. Call 816.504.4222 for information.
Spend a Day at the Amusement Park
For many families, summer vacation is spent with days enjoying thrill rides and arcades at the amusement park. Thanks to many indoor family fun centers you can enjoy the fun year-round.
- Ride a Roller Coaster. Zonkers Indoor Amusement Park at the Great Mall (913.393.3535) is a delightful indoor amusement park for young children. Kids love the snake roller coaster, carousel, train, kiddie rides, arcades, and batting cages (for all ages).
- Race Go Karts. There are several great places to ride Go Karts in Kansas City, but our top pick for racing enthuasists is Sadler's Indoor Racing with European inspired go-kart tracks. The high performance go-karts are imported from Germany and reach speeds up to 45mph. See KC Going Places to discover additional venues for go-kart racing.
- Play the Arcades. Children love Chuck E. Cheese, teens and adults are partial to Dave & Busters, the whole family will find fun at Paradise Park, Power Play, Cool Crest or Incred-a-Bowl. Read our complete list to find an Indoor Kansas City Fun Center near you.
Favorite Frozen Foods
I Scream, You Scream, We ALL Scream for Ice Cream.... even, and especially, in the cool of winter!
- Ice Cream! Whether you love homemade ice cream, flavors galore, or decadent desserts, sundaes, splits, and popsicles, Kansas City's local Ice Cream Shops have it all. Read our Guide to the Best Ice Cream in KC to find a shop near you.
- Frozen Yogurt! Have you tried the newest trend in healthy desserts with a visit to one of the frozen yogurt shops popping up all around town? We have the best recommendations for any craving. Read Marisa Frymire's reviews of Kansas City Frozen Yogurt Shops.
Musicals: Winter 2011
Every summer we look forward to terrific outdoor musicals. This winter, there are many fantastic shows for the entire family... all to be enjoyed inside!
- Shrek: The Musical: Jan. 12-16, Municipal Auditorium Music Hall. Your family will love the hilarious story of everyone's favorite ogre on stage. Buy Tickets for Shrek.
- Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Healthy Heroes: Jan. 13-16, Sprint Center. When Super Grover loses his superness, Sesame Street needs a hero! Read Lizz Welter's review of last year's Sesame Street Live performance. (Save $5 on Tickets you Purchase with the Code: PARENT). Buy Tickets for Sesame Street Live.
- Berenstain Bears: Family Matters the Musical: Jan. 18 at 9:30 AM & 11:30 AM, Folly Theater. Enjoy a fun-filled musical that weaves together three of Stan and Jan Berenstain’s most popular books: The Berenstain Bears Learn about Strangers, The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food and The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble at School. Tickets $6.00/ea. 816.842.5500 Folly Theater
- Moo Juice: The Musical: Jan. 21 at 7:30 PM, The Goppert Theater at Avila University. Kansas City's own Funky Mama, Krista Eyler, has written a rock n' roll musical about 5, 5-year-old friends singing their way through one very long day in daycare. Tickets are $15 each. Moo Juice: The Musical
- Anansi, The Spiderman of Africa Feb. 1-19, H&R Block City Stage on level B at Union Station. Popular, classic “trickster tales” such as Anansi's Feast, and Anansi's Hat Shaking Dance will be done in storytelling style with African costumes, drumming, and music. 816.460.2083 Theatre for Young America
- Wizard of Oz Feb. 3-6, Bell Cultural Events Center at MidAmerica Nazarene. CYT presents The Wizard of Oz as Dorothy and her friends embark down the yellow brick road to meet the Wizard, destroy the Wicked Witch of the West and find a way home. CYT Kansas City
- This Land is Your Land Feb. 3- Mar. 6, Chestnut Fine Arts Center. Folk songs are about life’s struggles, with a strong message of hope. 913.764.2121 Chestnut Fine Arts
- Honk! Feb. 10-12, YouthFront Auditorium . In this musical adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's 'The Ugly Duckling'. journey with Ugly as he encounters colorful characters including a flock of wayward geese, a larger-than-life bullfrog, and a domesticated hen. CYT Kansas City
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Feb. 17-20, Rose Theater at Rockhurst High School. "Goin' courting" has never been as much fun as in this rip-roaring version of the popular MGM movie adapted by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay. 913.681.3318CYT Kansas City
- "Cinderella" the Musical Feb. 17-27, Sermon Center. Enjoy the timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance. 816.325.7370 City Theatre of Independence
- The Mystery of King Tut Feb. 22 at 9:30 & 11:30 AM, Folly Theater. Theatreworks’ exciting new musical brings Egyptian history to life in this fascinating adventure, linking Tutankhamen and the man who made him famous in the modern world, archeologist Howard Carter. 816.842.5500 Folly Theater
- Duck for President, Fancy Nancy & Other Story Books Feb. 28 at 9:30 & 11:30 AM, Folly Theater. Your favorite storybooks come to life in this charming musical for young children. $6.00 EACH Reservations accepted by mail or fax only . 816.842.5500 Folly Theater
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears Mar. 1 – April 15, H&R Block City Stage on level B at Union Station. In this lively, musical version of the beloved folktale Mama, Papa, and Baby Bear lead a very green “ecologically correct” existence until their lives are disrupted by the intruder, Goldilocks, a modern show biz kid from the city, and her two upscale and clueless parents. 816.460.2083 Theatre for Young America
- Lost and Foundling Feb. 25 – Mar. 5, Blue Springs Community Theatre. A comic and contemporary myth set in the recognizable world of changing rooms, free samples, and incandescent lights that never turn off, Lost and Foundling is a modern retail fairy tale about growing up, self-reliance, and big big savings. 816.228.0137 Blue Springs City Theatre
Family Reading Programs
Summer reading programs are a tradition for many families. Thanks to our local libraries, this is tradition can now be shared year-round.
- Read Aloud Family Time. This winter, your family can join Mowgli’s family in Kipling's classic The Jungle Book for unforgettable adventures during the Mid-Continent Public Library’s 2011 Reading Aloud Family Time (RAFT) program (Jan. 18-Mar. 31, 2011). Participating families who read three multi-chapter books together earn a free hardback version of The Jungle Book, an award certificate, and a chance to win a DVD copy of Disney’s film version of The Jungle Book. For more information, read about the R.A.F.T. Program at Mid-Continent Public Libraries.
- Visit Storytime. Encourage a love for books with Storytime at the Library for children 0-3.
- Read a New Book. Julie Hubble, KC Parent Magazine's book reviewer, knows a good book when she reads it and she has recommendations for all ages and interests. Read Julie's collection of Book Reviews on KCParent.com to find a new title for your family to enjoy!
Get Back to Nature
Discover Kansas City's rich collection of FREE nature centers with animal exhibits, hands-on activities, classes and the great outdoors all at your fingertips. Our Three Top Picks are:
- Burr Oak Woods (1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO. 816.228.3766). Burr Oak Woods is one of our favorite family field-trips in Kansas City as one of the largest nature centers in the area. With an animatronic Smokey the Bear teaching children fire safety, a large aquarium of Missouri's fresh water fish, snakes, turtles, toads, and more, and wonderful hands-on educational exhibits for children, Burr Oak Woods is a great place to spend an afternoon. The Nature Center also features miles of beautiful trails for walking or bicycling. The Little Acorns programs for preschoolers, and family nature programs for all ages, offered throughout the month are FREE and fantastic! Check the Burr Oak Woods Calendar for upcoming events and hours.
- Lakeside Nature Center (4701 E. Gregory Blvd, KCMO. 816.513.8960). Lakeside Nature Center has one of the BEST animal exhibits in the area. The staff at the center rescue injured animals and keep them in a safe environment. See falcons, owls, eagles, toads, frogs, fish, insects, and wonderful exhibits on the animals in our city and in our homes. The Nature Center also features a gravel trail for walking and exploring.
- Prairie Park Nature Center (2730 Harper St. Lawrence, KS. 785.832.7980). This nature center features MANY fantastic animal exhibits, from reptiles (iguanas, alligators, snakes and more!), to amphibians (several species of frogs and toads), to birds (including native birds of prey) and mammals. The hands-on center for preschoolers features nature puppets, puzzles, and hands-on activities. The park includes grassland, forest, and lake with trails for walking and exploring.
- Discover many more wonderful nature centers in the Kansas City area.
Tour the Town
With 500+ Family-Friendly venues in the greater Kansas City area, there is truly something for everyone! Discover our favorites for every personality!
KC Going Places Top Picks! Discover YOUR favorite things in KC... from tea parties to tutus, motorcycles to monuments, there is truly something for everyone. Whether you need ideas for a great family staycation or attractions to share with out of town guests, read our 8 Itineraries to Tour the Town inspiration.
Day Trip
Craving adventure to beat the winter blahs? Take a Day Trip from Kansas City and discover something new!
Day Trips from Kansas City! You may be surprised to discover that many of our favorite day trips can be enjoyed year-round. If you love history, Fort Scott, KS is a quaint town with an incredible National Landmark begging to be explored. St. Joseph, MO, is home to a myriad of museums from the eclectic to the charming. For local lore, consider a trip to Topeka, KS, where you'll explore the Kansas State Capitol, Zoo, and historic sites. For more Day Trip inspiration, see KC Parent's collection of Day Trip Features.
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