Winter in Kansas City doesn’t have to be boring! When the temperatures drop, we love finding fun things to do around town to keep the whole family entertained. Whether you’re looking for indoor activities, outdoor adventures, or unique experiences, Kansas City has plenty to offer. With years of exploring KC under our belts, we’ve crafted a list you can rely on to make the most of the season. These trustworthy, family-approved picks are sure to keep the winter fun going—let’s dive in!
Go for a Nature Walk
Bundle up and hit a local trail, nature center or botanical garden such as Overland Park Botanical Garden, Burr Oak Woods, and Lakeside Nature Center.
KC Parent Pro Tip: Before heading out, we like to print a simple animal track guide or download an app to help identify paw prints and scat. For nighttime walks, grab a pack of glowsticks at the dollar store—they’re a hit with the kids and add a magical vibe to the adventure.
Explore the Money Museum
Learn about the operations of the Federal Reserve Bank and its importance to the U.S. economy at the free Money Museum. See one of the nation’s largest cash vaults, browse coin collections from various presidential administrations.
KC Parent Pro Tip: Arrive early to snag a free bag of shredded cash as a souvenir—it’s always a favorite with the kids! Don’t forget to check out their giant coin collection; we like to challenge ourselves to find coins from all 50 states.
Visit the Kansas City Zoo
Winter is a great time to explore the Kansas City Zoo, with fewer crowds and playful animals. Enjoy indoor attractions like the Sobela Ocean Aquarium, Polar Bear Passage, Helzberg Penguin Plaza and Discovery Barn. All of these exhibits are conveniently located toward the front of the zoo.
KC Parent Pro Tip: Dress warmly, but layer up! The indoor exhibits like the Polar Bear Passage and Sobela Ocean Aquarium are perfect for warming up between outdoor explorations. We also pack a thermos of hot cocoa—it makes the visit extra cozy.
Go to Science City at Union Station
Littles can enjoy their water play table, sensory play areas and infant/toddler-friendly exhibits. Older kids will love exploring the three massive floors of interactive exhibits.
KC Parent Pro Tip: Still bring coats because their outdoor play structure is great for blowing off some extra energy!
Treat the family to a movie
When it’s too cold for outdoor adventures, a family movie outing is a perfect way to relax and have fun together.
KC Parent Pro Tip: 30 minutes before the showtime, head to B&B Theaters in Shawnee or in Overland Park for Screen N’ Play and let your kids climb on the indoor play structure and catch a flick in the colorful movie room.
Take a Daytrip
When winter feels like it’s dragging on, a daytrip is the perfect way to mix things up and create lasting memories by heading South for the day. The Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield, Missouri, has breathtaking exhibits showcasing the history of the Ozark region, Native American heritage, the Lewis and Clark Expedition and wildlife from around the world.
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Burr Oak Woods Nature Center
One of the largest nature centers in the Metro, Burr Oak Woods features hands-on exhibits for children, an aquarium with Missouri fish, live animals and nature trails.
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Crown Center Ice Terrace
Enjoy ice skating at Kansas City's original outdoor rink, open annually November-March.
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Family Tree Nursery Shawnee
A beautiful, modern garden center in the heart of Shawnee! Since opening it’s doors as Family Tree Nursery in 1981, our Nieman location has grown a loyal customer base with great plants and top-notch customer service.
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Federal Reserve Bank & Money Museum
Tour Kansas City’s Federal Reserve Bank and learn about the U.S. Monetary System. Children can make their own money and leave with a shredded souvenir!
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Fritz's
2450 Grand, Kansas City, MissouriOld-fashioned diner with a train theme serving American breakfasts, burgers & soda-fountain treats.
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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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LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Legoland Discovery Center Kansas City offers a fun, highly interactive and educational 2-to 3-hour indoor experience. Based on the ever-popular Lego® brick, Legoland Discovery Center provides a range of interactive play areas.
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Lakeside Nature Center
Enjoy an incredible place to enjoy learning about local native wildlife, including birds of prey, snakes, amphibians, turtles, fish and invertebrates.
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Lenexa Rec Center
Get ready for an exciting new recreation experience in Lenexa! The 100,000-square-foot Lenexa Rec Center features cutting-edge fitness equipment, a fun-filled indoor pool, a jogging/walking track that encompasses a full-service fitness floor and t...
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Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm
Visit the only working stagecoach stop open to the public on the Santa Fe Trail. Relive the adventures of early stagecoach passengers. Tour the home, blacksmith shop and farm. Mahaffie offers many events throughout the year, including hands-on pro...
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National Frontier Trails Museum
The National Frontier Trails Museum is a museum, interpretive center, and research library, operated by the City of Independence, dedicated to telling the rich history of America’s principle western trails.
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Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is Kansas City’s favorite free attraction, as voted by readers of KC Parent Magazine! Discover masterpieces in the galleries, spend quality time together at a festival or drop in for a weekend art activity. Classes...
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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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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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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 Rink at Zona Rosa
The Northland’s newest ice rink is at Zona Rosa this winter season. The Rink at Zona Rosa is open daily through February 2021 for public ice skating, curling, pond hockey, special events and more.
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dszc Getty Images/iStockphoto
Union Station
A place for great adventure. Where Kansas City Connects. All of these phrases – and more – are regularly used to describe Union Station. Visitors of all ages, from all places and for all reasons tie Union Station to special and magical moments.
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Wayside Waifs Bark Park
We hope you and your dog find the park to be a great outlet for fun, socialization, and bonding. Our goal is to create the safest dog park in the metropolitan area.
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Wonders of Wildlife: National Museum & Aquarium
500 W. Sunshine St., Springfield, MissouriThe 1.5-million-gallon aquarium—showcasing 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles and birds—and immersive wildlife galleries that bring visitors eye-to-eye with the greatest collection of record-setting game animals ever assembled.
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Enjoy All Things Trains
At Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant place an order through the old-fashioned phone and it will be delivered to your table by an overhead train. Perfect for any locomotive-loving kid.
KC Parent Pro Tip: While you’re downtown, be sure and visit the free Model Train Gallery where kids will love watching 8,000 square feet of model trains zoom by.
Splash Around at Lenexa Rec Center
This indoor pool delights all ages from its toddler play structure and spray features to its lazy river and two 40-foot-tall indoor water slides. Not a resident of Lenexa? You can purchase a day pass to this pool or discounted Splash With Me passes for tots.
Marvel at Art
The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art is perfect outing on a cold winter day. Grab a scavenger hunt at the front desk to best navigate the world of art. In addition, kids (and adults) can take art classes or explore their outdoor Kansas City Sculpture Park, including the iconic shuttlecocks, which look magical in the winter snow.
KC Parent Pro Tip: Check the museum’s website ahead of time for free family programs or special exhibits—they often have hands-on activities or tours tailored for kids. Pack a notebook and crayons so little ones can sketch their favorite pieces or create their own masterpieces inspired by the artwork.
Rediscover your Childhood Favorite Books
Explore The Rabbit Hole, KC’s newest exhibit in North Kansas City. This immersive museum features 14 exhibits based on classic children’s books like Caps for Sale, Madeline, Goodnight Moon, and more. They also host unique author and illustrator events and regular story hours.
Sip Coffee
Grab a friend and visit one of Family Tree Nursery’s coffee shop, Cafe Equinox, where blooming plants, koi fishponds, and magical fairy gardens will brighten a winter day. Plus, they have seasonal workshops that are incredibly fun and bring out your inner creative self that will surely beat those winter blahs.
KC Parent Pro Tip: Bring along a handful of quarters to purchase koi kibble and enjoy feeding the fish—it’s a simple but delightful experience that adds a touch of whimsy to your visit.
View Underwater Exploration and Millions of Lego Bricks
View majestic sharks, graceful stingrays and colorful tropical fish at Sea Life Kansas City and marvel at their 5,000+ sea creatures. Or go next door at LEGOLAND Discovery Center and enjoy the ultimate indoor Lego playground with rides, build and play zones, and even a 4D cinema.
KC Parent Pro Tip: You can buy a combo ticket for both attractions.
Take a Sleigh Ride
Oregon, California and Santa Fe Trails The trails played an integral part in shaping Kansas City. At the National Frontier Trails Museum 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 even in the winter.
Pet Furry Friends
Spending time with animals is a heartwarming way to brighten any winter day. Visit a local pet store to interact with adorable creatures or stop by Wayside Waifs to meet pets looking for their forever homes.
KC Parent Pro Tip: Ready for an exotic twist? Stop by Pet Stop in Shawnee and visit Frankie, the Capuchin monkey! Kids will get a kick out of this local legends, take a moment to learn about his unique habits and quirks from the staff.
Spin on the Ice
Enjoy Crown Center Ice Terrace and The Rink at Zona Rosa. Both are typically open daily for public ice-skating, special events and more. For more local rinks and wintery outdoor fun, search Winter Sports on KCParent.com.
Allie Cole, a Kansas City native, lives in Lenexa with her husband and two girls. She enjoys exploring Kansas City, and as her daughter puts it, she loves doing a hundred fun things every place she goes!