10 Top Picks for August in Kansas City

  August in Kansas City… the end of the Summer, Back To School Preparation, and many wonderful family outings in KC! Don’t miss these 10 great places to go in Kansas City in August!

 

10 Top Picks for August in Kansas City!

Festival of Butterflies

• When, Where, What: Annual Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens. Aug. 6-8, 13-15. 816.697.2600.
• Why We LOVE It: Our family makes it an annual tradition to attend Powell Gardens’ Festival of Butterflies. Walk through Butterfly habitats and discover hundreds of free-flying butterflies from the tropical United States and Costa Rica, two outdoor butterfly breezeways with native species, many themed hands-on children’s activities, a nature photography exhibit and more. Visit the Powell Gardens website for more information.

Tax Free Back to School Shopping

• When, Where, What: From August 6-8, save on Back to School Supplies in Missouri with Tax Free Shopping! Details: Section 144.049, RSMo, establishes a sales tax holiday during a three-day period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in August and ending at midnight on the Sunday following. Certain back to school purchases, such as clothing, school supplies, computers, and other items as defined by the statute, are exempt from sales tax for this time period only.
• Why We LOVE It: Stock up on school supplies and clothes saving 6-8% during Tax Free Shopping. Plus, watch the KCParent MomBlogs for great saving tips from Sara the Savvy Shopper and the Penny Pinchin’ Mama.

Beauty and the Beast

• When, Where, What: Disney’s Broadway Tour of Beauty and the Beast will be performing at Starlight August 10-15. 816.363.7827
• Why We LOVE It: The eye-popping musical spectacle of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast has captured the hearts of more than 35 million people around the world and this summer it comes to Kansas City! This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers. Visit the Starlight Theatre website for more information.
• Bonus: Preshow The Prince & Princess Parade

• During Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Starlight Theatre, Kansas City kids are invited to “dress like royalty” to participate in Starlight’s pre-show parade. The nightly Prince & Princess Parade will depart at 7:30 p.m. from the West Pavilion (inside Gate 4 and behind Terrace 6) and wind its way through the theatre to entertain the commoners! All princes, princesses and parents are invited to arrive early and take advantage of photo opportunities on the royal thrones located in the West Pavilion. All participants receive a souvenir Beauty and the Beast bookmark! On opening night, Aug. 10, a professional photographer will be on-site to take photos of the parading princes and Princesses. On other nights, parents and guardians are invited to take their own photos of the fun!
• For those interested in Kansas Cityâ’s beasts, the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City will host satellite adoption events on-site at Starlight on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 13-14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can give a lovable, four-legged beast a forever home or, if you prefer, you can bring one of the items the shelter needs most this summer: dog and cat treats, toys, collar and leash sets, paper towels, bath towels, fleece blankets, Dawn dish soap and 35-gallon trash bags.

Missouri State Fair

• When, Where, What: The Missouri State Fair is held annually in Sedalia. This year it is Aug.12-22. Visit the Missouri State Fair website for specific details, prices, and schedules.
• Why We LOVE It: The Missouri State Fair is fun for the whole family with a live circus under the Big Top, animal shows and programs, a carnival, concerts, rodeos, and more!

 

 

Moo Juice the Musical

• When, Where, What: Funky Mama’s Moo Juice: The Musical is live at The Chestnut Fine Arts Center from August 12-22. The show is appropriate for ages 7 and up. Rated G. all tickets are now $10 if you ask for the special “$10 Family and Friends” deal. 913.221.1517
• Why We LOVE It: Kansas City’s own Rockin’ mom Krista “Funky Mama” Eyler has written a rock n’ roll musical for the whole family about 5, 5-year-olds in daycare (played by grown-ups!) called MOO JUICE:THE MUSICAL.(Funky Mama is also part of the cast!). Funky Mama has been entertaining KC Kids with her own unique style of music for years, and we’re excited to see her first musical debut! Visit the Funky Mama website for more information.

Ethnic Enrichment Festival

• When, Where, What: Ethnic Enrichment Festival August 20-22 at Swope Park. Friday, 6-10 p.m., Saturday, Noon-10 p.m., Sunday, Noon-6 p.m. $3/adults, Children 12 and under: Free, FREE Parking. 816.513.7553
• Why We LOVE It: Every year we visit the Ethnic Enrichment Festival for a burst of flavor and tradition around the world. Over 60 countries participate each year with booths showcasing food and crafts from each country, and live performances on stage with dance, music, martial arts, and skills demonstrations. You may purchase food from each country creating your own smorgasbord of flavor, sampling many dishes from many cultures. Visit the Ethnic Enrichment Festival website for more information.

Splash and Swim!

• When, Where, What: Enjoy one more day of water play at a local Beach, Sprayground, or Pool!
• Why We LOVE It: Kansas City’s lakes feature great family-friendly swim beaches for fun sand play and swimming. We’re also home to many terrific spraygrounds (our favorites are Loose Park and John Anderson), and fabulous pools! Before the pools, beaches, and spraygrounds close for the summer season, make another visit to your local favorite or try a new hot spot! And, remember to pack a disposable water-proof camera to capture summer smiles! 

 

Fruit Picking

• When, Where, What: August is great for Peach Picking, Blackberries, and even some late Summer Blueberries! Check out our Peach Picking Guide and Berry Picking Guide to find a U-Pick Farm in near you!
• Why We LOVE It: Our city kids love the country experience of fruit picking! Savor the last flavors of summer and make family memories with a day at a local fruit farm! Pick your own peaches, blueberries, blackberries, or sweet corn and enjoy a healthy treat for the entire family while supporting local businesses. 

 

Ice Cream Social Train Rides

• When, Where, What: Every Friday Night at 7pm through the end of August the Belton, Grandview, and Kansas City Railroad hosts Ice Cream Social Train Rides. $9.50/ea. 816.331.0630
• Why We LOVE It:Trains bring out the child in everyone and the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad’s Ice Cream Social rides are truly fun for all ages.  Take an excursion south from Belton on a 5 mile, 45 minute round trip, and enjoy a dish of ice cream with your favorite topping. Visit the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad website for more information.

Spend One More Day at the Park!

• When, Where, What: One of the best things about Kansas City is its wealth of wonderful parks and playgrounds for families! We compiled a list of our favorite parks in Kansas City and why we love them!
• Why We LOVE It: Does your child dream of becoming a fire fighter? Do they pretend to be a Pirate, Prince, or Princess? Are they enthralled by elephants? Kansas City is home to many EXTRAORDINARY parks! Castle Playgrounds, Penguin Slides, Pirate Ship Parks, Firetruck Jungle Gyms, Dinosaurs and MORE! We’ve collected a list of some of the most unique and most FUN Parks in KC! Best of all? This is a FREE and Fun Outing on our list! Grab the picnic basket, camera, bubbles and balls and spend the last day’s of Summer playing.

Still looking for more great family fun ideas in Kansas City? Check out our Kansas City Calendar of Events and Going Places in Kansas City on KCParent.com.