Copy of KCP Best of Dec 24 - 1
As the holiday season approaches, many of us start pondering the perfect gifts for our loved ones. Reflecting on my own childhood, I realize that some of my most cherished memories stem not from toys but from unforgettable experiences. I vividly remember the thrill of receiving tickets to see American Idol on tour at the T-Mobile Center when I was thirteen. Even earlier, I fondly recall the weekly trips to the local zoo thanks to a family membership gifted by my grandparents.
While toys can be exciting, the gifts that resonate most deeply are often those that create lasting memories. Experiences allow us to bond with family and friends, turning fleeting moments into cherished stories that last a lifetime. Gifts like family memberships to local attractions keep on giving throughout the year by providing opportunities for connection and adventure long after the holiday season has ended.
Numerous Kansas City attractions offer memberships that allow families to enjoy free admission, exclusive events and discounts at venues across the country. My friend asks the grandparents for a different membership each year so her family can explore all that Kansas City has to offer. Here are some great options to consider:
SEA Life Aquarium/Legoland Memberships here vary based on availability, with basic options offering discounts and combo memberships allowing free entry to both attractions. These destinations provide immersive experiences that spark imagination and curiosity.
Wonderscope Members enjoy free admission and special programming, along with discounts at local businesses. Reciprocal arrangements with children’s museums across the nation are an added bonus, ensuring a fun-filled day of learning and exploration.
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium This membership offers various levels to cater to your family’s needs. You can choose basic admission or include unlimited rides—perfect for families with kids who enjoy the railroad train or the carousel! And rain or shine, the new Sobela Ocean Aquarium is a must-visit for all Kansas Citians!
Science City This wonderful indoor venue is perfect for all seasons and offers members special events and discounted admission to ticketed exhibits. Memberships also allow for reciprocal entry at science museums across the country, making it an excellent option for families who enjoy traveling.
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead This membership is incredibly budget-friendly—an annual family pass is just $50. It offers hands-on experiences like petting farm animals, fishing, riding ponies and learning about agriculture, making it an ideal place for children to explore farm life.
Johnson County Museum This is another affordable membership—annual passes for a family of 6 costs only $60. This membership offers free admission, discounts on events and a 10% discount at the gift shop. Members also receive invites to special events and exhibit openings. The KidScape children’s museum located here is a favorite in our family.
The Culinary Center of KC Although this premier culinary center doesn’t sell memberships, they offer gift cards that can be used toward their range of 500 cooking classes that both adults and kids will enjoy.
Powell Gardens A big perk to this membership is that it grants free admission to Powell Gardens’ annual events such as the Festival of Butterflies and the Festival of Lights. It also includes free or discounted access to many other gardens and arboretums across the nation.
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Sea Life Kansas City
This aquarium experience will get you up close and face-to-face with amazing underwater creatures such as sharks, octopus, our green sea turtle named Gertrude, stingrays, sea stars, seahorses, jellyfish and thousands of colorful fish! A favorite a...
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The Regnier Family Wonderscope Museum of Kansas City
Wonderscope is the region's only non-profit children's museum that focuses on STEAM -- Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math for children under age 8.
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Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Explore the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, with nearly 10,000 animals on 202 acres, it's the most affordable family fun for kids of all ages! Travel all over the world without ever leaving Kansas City.
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Science City at Union Station
Kansas City’s Science Center, Science City at Union Station Kansas City, is a dynamic, hands-on science center featuring nearly 200 individual interactive exhibits and daily programming. Kids of all ages experience the amazing world of science fir...
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Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
Visitors can see more than 250 animals and birds, learn about growing flowers and vegetables, or experience an Indian encampment, a one-room country schoolhouse and a turn-of-the-century main street.
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Johnson County Museum staff, 2020
Johnson County Museum
Featuring award-winning long-term and changing exhibitions as well as public and school education programs, the Museum is a great place to spend the day learning about our county’s history and having fun in our hands-on exhibit spaces.
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Culinary Center of Kansas City
A unique culinary arts center offering over 650 cooking classes annually, interactive cooking events and teambuilding, catered events, The Midwest BBQ Institute, All Hands for Hunger, Junior Chefs Academy, CookWell! wellness program, and more.
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Powell Gardens
Powell Gardens is a not-for-profit botanical garden located just east of Kansas City, Missouri. Our mission: to be an experience that embraces the Midwest’s spirit of place and inspires an appreciation for the importance of plants in our lives.
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National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. Named one of the top 25 museums in the United Sta...
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Rabbit hOle
The Rabbit hOle is a new museum experience celebrating 100 years of children’s literature for people of all ages. Visitors will become explorers in an immersive, multi-sensory, narrative landscape filled with discoverable environments.
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The National WWI Museum and Memorial Members enjoy free admission and special events, with the option to purchase additional museum tickets for guests at half price. It provides a profound learning experience about history, making it a thoughtful gift that fosters appreciation for our past.
The Rabbit Hole This unique storybook-themed museum offers family, individual and teacher memberships that include bookstore discounts and invites to exclusive events. It’s Kansas City’s newest magical space where stories come to life, fostering a love for reading and creativity.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Memberships include free admission to featured exhibitions and complimentary parking.The Nelson is stroller-friendly and perfect for kids from tots to tweens! Spend a day immersed in art and culture, exploring everything from classical to contemporary works.
Urban Air Trampoline Park With locations in Lenexa and Overland Park, Urban Air offers four different membership levels, ensuring something fun for everyone. Beyond trampolines, the park features a ropes course, climbing walls and a large indoor playground.
Overland Park Arboretum This 300-acre nature sanctuary in Overland Park features diverse landscapes, including gardens, woodlands and prairies. Plus, memberships have reciprocal benefits at other arboretums and gardens.
Live Performances Local theaters offer a variety of performances suitable for all ages. Season tickets often provide significant savings compared to single-show tickets. For families, The Coterie features shows tailored for children, while KCRep and Midwest Trust Center offers productions better suited for teens and adults.
Paint Your Own Pottery Although Ceramic Cafe doesn’t offer memberships, gift cards are available and sure to please any artistic family. Gift cards can be used toward their weekly Creative Story Time for kids, seasonal classes or just popping in to paint.
STEAM Classes or Summer Camps IDEA Space offers after school STEAM classes that develop science, technology, engineering, arts and math skills. Or head to KCParent.com’s Summer Camp Guide and find dozens of enriching summer camps that would make the perfect holiday gift.
Swim Lessons or Pool Passes Consider gifting a membership to your local indoor pool, or provide endless summer fun with outdoor pool passes for next year. Or give the gift of swim lessons at Goldfish or Emler—swim schools that teach necessary, lifelong skills for all ages.
Sports Tickets It’s been quite a fall for Kansas City’s winning teams. Whether it’s the Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, Sporting KC, KC Mavericks or our newest team, KC Current, season tickets can make a thrilling gift for any sports enthusiast.
Animal Destinations Near Wichita, Tanganyika Wildlife Park lets you swim with penguins or feed capybaras. The Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield, Mo., has breathtaking exhibits showcasing the history of the Ozark region, Native American heritage and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Both provide memberships that will create memories all year long.
This list is just a starting point for your holiday shopping. For more local inspiration, check out KCParent.com, where you can discover even more unique attractions. This holiday season, let’s create memories that will last a lifetime by giving the gift of experiences.
Allie Cole, a Kansas City native, lives in Lenexa with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys exploring Kansas City, and as her daughter puts it, she loves doing a hundred fun things every place she goes!