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)!
- 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 (3rd weekend of September) and FREE Waterfire Festival (2nd weekend of October).
- Take a FREE tour of the Louisburg Cider Mill and watch as cider and apple cider donuts are made on site.
- Attend one of Shoal Creek Living History Museum's FREE Fall events.
- Visit Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop (especially fun during their Wild West Days the last weekend of Septemer)!
- Take a FREE tour of The Roasterie and learn about coffee.
- Appreciate art at FREE first Fridays in the Crossroads.
- Play at Penguin Park FREE.
- Stroll through the Farmers Market and find one new food to try.
- Take a tour of the Shatto Dairy Farm.
- Tour the Truman home in Independence.
- Treat the kids to one of the Best Caramel Apples in Kansas City.
- Head to the KC Power & Light District for the free Sprint Family Fun Days event the second Saturday of each month through October.
- 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.
- Visit the Overland Park Arboretum.
- Enjoy a delicious pumpkin treat at a local restaurant.
- Spend a day leaf peeping at one of KC's most scenic fall hangouts.
- Picnic near a Kansas City area waterfall.
- Share a Skyscraper at Winstead’s.
- Play “I Spy” at Lakeside Nature Center.
- Create a masterpiece at Kaleidoscope.
- Fly a kite at one of the best kite flying parks in the metro.
- Make a scarecrow for Shawnee's Scarecrow Festival (1st Sat in October).
- Explore one of Kansas City’s best parks.
- Savor a scrumptious bowl of KC's best soup.
- Imagine and play at KidScape at the Johnson County Museum.
- Marvel at modern art at the Nerman Museum, where admission is free.
- Go Roller Skating (most local rinks offer a discounted family night).
- Take a tour of the Kansas City, MO, City Hall and go to the roof for amazing views of downtown.
- Play at Little Monkey Bizness during their power hour from 1:00 to 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays, when guests enjoy $5 admission.
- 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.
- Discover a masterpiece at the free Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Get free money at the Money Museum.
- Taste test every flavor of Glace Ice Cream until you find your favorite.
- 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.
- 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 at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center.
- Make a craft for free at Lakeshore Learning, offered every Saturday, 11:00-3:00.
- Imagine you’re in the Wild West at Antioch Park.
- And remember to search Free Events on our Kansas City calendar, where there are free (and cheap) things to enjoy every day.