It's Raining, It's Pouring... you don't have to be snoring! Okay Kansas City, we all love our sunshine and nature, but let's face it Kansas City gets its fair share of rain. Planning for a little indoor fun is necessary for the savvy parent. Follow our guide from A to Z for great ideas to enjoy on a rainy day!
A) Art: Explore Hands-On art at Kaleidoscope where children can create their own projects with special materials from Hallmark and Crayola. They love the glow-in-the-dark room, melted wax, watercolor paint dryer, and jigsaw puzzle maker. Best of all, it is FREE! Kaleidoscope (2500 Grand, KCMO. Call for hours 816.274.8300). To read our review, click here.
B) Bounce: Jump and play at Overland Park's indoor trampoline park, Urban Air. Experience a hyped up, healthy dose of jumping, climbing, swinging, crawling, building, flying and dunking. Check attractions including our Kidzone and Urban Air Warrior Course.
C) Carousels: Did you know that one of America’s great carousel makers was from Kansas? Children love the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum, where you learn about C.W. Parker, the founder of a Carousel factory in Leavenworth, and ride an authentic 1913 carousel. This summer, you can also enjoy an all new model railroad exhibit. CW Parker Carousel Museum (320 S. Esplanade, Leavenworth, KS. 913.682.1331).
D) Dolls: The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (5235 Oak, KC, MO). Visitors of all ages enjoy the collection of dolls, dollhouses and historic toys in more than 30 rooms to explore.
E) Eat Out: Check out KC Parent's Kids Eat Free Guide for great deals all week long!
F) Foam Factory!: At Paradise Park a family can bond by firing foam balls at one another with air-compressed machine guns and devices in the Foam Factory! While you’re there, climb a rock wall or explore the Children’s Edutainment Center with everything from a miniature grocery store and bank, to an indoor water play exhibit and art center with face paints and special projects for kids. Also, check out laser tag and their new escape room for more fun. If it’s not raining, enjoy outdoor fun with go-karts, miniature golf, and batting cages. Paradise Park (1021 NE Colbern Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO. 816.246.5224).
G) Go-Karts: Put the pedal to the metal and race your loved ones at Extreme Grand Prix in Raytown, MO.
H) History of the Trails: The Oregon, California, and Santa Fe Trails played an integral part in shaping Kansas City. At the National Frontier Trails Museum (318 W. Pacific, Independence, MO. 816.325.7575) you can participate in interactive exhibits as you learn about Western Expansion. The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop features tours of the farm home and Santa Fe Trail Stagecoach Stop, as well as actual stagecoach rides (1200 Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS. 913.971.5111).
I) Indoor Ice Skating: Take a Spin around the ice at one of the Metro's indoor rinks! Silverstein Eye Center's Arena 19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Independence, MO, 816.795.7577, Ice Sports Arena 19900 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS, 913.441.3033, Line Creek Community Center Ice Rink 5940 NW Waukomis Dr., Kansas City, MO, 816.513.0760.
J) Jazz: Kansas City is known for Jazz and the American Jazz Museum is the perfect place to introduce young music lovers to the local genre. With wonderful hands-on exhibits and listening centers, children enjoy listening to classic Jazz, composing their own pieces, and learning about the history of 18th and Vine. American Jazz Museum (1616 E. 18th St., KCMO. 816.221.1920).
*K) KidScape: KidScape is a miniature city just for children. With a hands-on child-sized hospital, city hall, theater, shops, and park, kids love to play and explore the adult world through their eyes. This outing is hosted at the Johnson County History Museum (MOVED 2017: 8788 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS).
L) LEGO: Legoland Discovery Center (2500 Grand Blvd., KC, MO). Begin your journey on a ride into the unknown on laser chariots. Play with the world’s biggest box of Legos. Watch a film in the Lego Studios 4D cinema and explore a miniature Kansas City that highlights 10 of our most popular local attractions in Lego Miniland. Your imagination will run wild in this new family favorite!
M) Make a Masterpiece: Paint your own ceramic creations at a local pottery shop. They supply the ceramics, the paints, and the brushes… you just supply the creative budding artists! Paint, Glaze, and Fire (12683 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS. 866.662.2188) or Ceramic Cafe (9425 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS. 913.383.0222). Or, paint a masterpiece on canvas at a local Creative Canvas Painting Shop.
N) Nature – Indoors: Our local nature centers offer hands-on exhibits, aquariums, and special programs for families. For a complete guide to Nature Centers in Kansas City, click here.
O) Ocean: Sea Life Aquarium (2500 Grand Blvd, KCMO) is Kansas City's indoor aquarium. Your family can be transported into an amazing underwater world with up-close views of more than 5,000 sea creatures! Come nose to nose with sharks in the walk-through underwater tunnel, experience the touch pool where you can hold a crab or touch a starfish, participate in educational demonstrations, watch animal feedings and explore this state-of-the-art home for many of the ocean’s most majestic creatures!
P) PLAY: Indoor fun places abound! With moon bounces, slides, inflatables, Little Tykes toys and more, you'll find great places to play with our guide to Kansas City Play Places!
Q) Quest: Embark on a quest for hidden art. Take the family on a FREE outing and enjoy our exclusive Scavenger Hunt at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, printable here. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak, KCMO. 816.751.1238). R) Read Something New: Explore one of Kansas City's coolest libraries, beyond your own neighborhood branch.
S) Science: Visit Science City at Union Station (30 W. Pershing, KC, MO) where children enjoy hands-on exhibits and adventures!
T) Treasure: In 1856, the Arabia Steamboat was traversing the Missouri River when her paddlewheel caught a tree snag and she sunk. In the 1980s, the Hawley family took on the adventure of unearthing the Arabia’s treasures and their success is now on display for all to see. Children are captivated by her story and amazed by the cargo, from ketchup to porcelain dolls, tools to dishes, the artifacts of the Arabia give us a glimpse into the past. Arabia Steamboat Museum (400 Grand Blvd. KCMO. 816.471.1856). To read our review of the Steamboat Arabia Museum, click here.
U) Uncover something Big: The National Archives in Kansas City (400 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO. 816.268.8000) preserves historic documents for the Federal Government. They also provide museum quality exhibits year-round.
V) Visit the Harley-Davidson Factory: Harley Davidson Factory Tours (11401 N. Congress Ave. KCMO 816.270.8023). These tours are for guests ages 12 and up. Watch the modern assembly line process firsthand as manufacturers build a motorcycle right before your eyes! Call for hours or to schedule a group tour.
W) Water: Okay, it may be raining outside, but you can still have fun swimming and playing in the water at local indoor pools! Read our guide to local indoor pools and waterparks to find the best location near you!
X) eXperience Kanas City: Discover 400+ Ways to Experience Kansas City - some of these ideas are great for rainy days and others will make your dry-weather bucket list!
Y) Yum: Kids love to eat their OWN creations. Take a cooking class for kids at A Thyme for Everything (231 SE Main St., Lee’s Summit, MO. 816.554.3755) or the Culinary Center of Kansas City (7920 Santa Fe Dr, Overland Park, KS. 913.341.4455. If you’re inclined to have fun cooking at home, try some of our favorite healthy, kid-friendly Recipes.
Z) Zoo: Did you know that the Kansas City Zoo (816.513.5700) is open ALL year round? The indoor exhibits including Polar Bear Passage, Tropics, Discovery Barn, Snake House, Chimpanzee House, and more are great on rainy days and the train and tram both offer covered rides. Bring raincoats and umbrellas and enjoy the zoo when it's less crowded.
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