Christmas in July
Beat the heat with a bit of "winter fun!" If you long for ice skating, Christmas, and snow, create some fun summer memories with a creative "Christmas in July" celebration.
Kansas City's Christmas Shops:
- Christmas on Main Street (109 Main St., Parkville, MO. 816.505.2338), is a year-round Christmas boutique where you'll find ornaments, Christmas villages, Santas, stockings, snowflakes, Advent Calendars, and every bit of Christmas memorabilia you can possibly imagine. Tip: Read our Parkville Day Trip Guide for more fun on one of America's prettiest Main Streets! Tip: Read our Day Trip Parkville for more ideas while you're there!
- Holiday Magic (2nd floor of Crown Center at 2450 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO. 816.283.8338) sells Christmas decorations, trees, and ornaments 365 days a year and it is well at home in Crown Center, one of Kansas City's favorite family destinations and Christmas traditions... even in July! Tip: Read our Hot Tips for the Best Day at Crown Center.
Kansas City's Year-Round Christmas Trees:
- Hallmark Visitor’s Center (2450 Grand Blvd., KC, MO. 816.274.3613. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10:00-4:30; Sat., 9:30-4:30;Sunday: Closed. www.HallmarkVisitorsCenter.com). You won't be able to purchase Christmas ornaments at the Visitor's Center (though you can purchase them at Hallmark Shops in Crown Center or Holiday Magic above), but the visitor's center is a magical place where the holidays are celebrated year-round. One of the favorite exhibits is the J.C. Hall Christmas Tree Collection with beautifully decorated trees each with its own unique theme. Add to the "holiday fun" as you watch the production processes on Hallmark cards on factory machines. And don’t leave without pressing the button where you can watch as a gift bow is made right before your eyes as a free souvenir to take home. Tip: Don’t forget to visit Kaleidoscope, next door to the Visitor’s Center, for free hands-on art fun for kids! See www.HallmarkKaleidoscope.com for a schedule. Tip: Read our Hot Tips for the Best Day at Crown Center.
Give Back
- The Northland Christmas Store is dedicated to providing aid at Christmas time to needy persons and families of Clay County. Learn more about this the Northland Christmas Store and how you can help the cause throughout the year!
- Since 1924, City Union Mission has been reaching out to the homeless and needy of Kansas City. There are many ways your family can help through food drives, collections, and volunteering.
- Seek out ways to volunteer and help others. KC Teen Blogger, Josiah Bell, shares inspiration for Teen Volunteering this summer.
Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!
Okay, so we may be 5, 6, or 7 months away from snowflakes falling from the sky, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a little arctic fun in the summer!
- Pack a picnic, and take the kids to The Kansas City Zoo (6800 Zoo Dr., KCMO. 816.513.5800 www.KansasCityZoo.org) where the highlight of your trip will be a visit to the Polar Bear Passage where your children will delight in watching Nikita swim and play right before their eyes! The air-conditioned indoor exhibits at the Tropics, Discovery Barn, and Snake House are also great on hot days. For more fun, ride the African Sky Safari while you're there. Tip: Read our guide to the Best Day at the Kansas City Zoo to plan your trip.
- Who needs winter to enjoy a cool spin on the ice? Spend the day at one of Kansas City's indoor ice skating rinks for some unforgettable family fun in the summer! Choose from one of these 3 Indoor Ice Rinks: Ice Sports Arena 19900 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS. 913.441.3033 www.kcicecenter.com. HCA Midwest Community Ice 19100 E Valley View Pkwy., Independence, MO. 816.795.7577 IndependenceEventsCenter.com. Line Creek Community Center Ice Rink 5940 NW Waukomis Dr., Kansas City, MO. 816.513.0760 KCMO.org
- Treat the kids to lunch at the T-Rex Café (1847 Village West Pkwy, KCKS. 913.334.8888) a larger-than-life dining experience among the animals of the Ice Age. The restaurant features full size dinosaurs that“come to life” among waterfalls, aquariums, and ice caves! The Ice Age room is home to the Woolly Mammoth and the entire room is "chilling" with icicles. Activities include Build-A-Bear Workshop’s Build-A-Dino where children can create their own dinosaur pal and excavate fossils in a bone dig. Tip: Read Dine with Dinosaurs for full details.