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KC Kids Top Picks for Family Fun

Fall & Winter Edition

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Looking to make memories with the family this year? Check out these favorites for local kids.

Johnson Farms

Johnson Farms Plants & Pumpkins has been a fall family hot spot for more than 18 years. Spreading over 40 acres, the farmstead is one of KC’s premiere u-pick pumpkin patches. With pumpkins, gourds and squash in every shape, size and color imaginable, the farm ensures guests young and old alike can find the perfect one in the field. Visitors can also choose from 10 different varieties of apples, fresh sunflowers, mums, hay bales and more! Multiple play areas, a farm animal corral, jumping pillows, a corn crib and Farmer Tom’s Barrel Train are just a few of the many reasons why a trip to Johnson Farms equals a full day of fun. 

Louisburg Cider Mill

No fall is complete without cider or cider donuts, and there’s no better place to get them than  Louisburg Cider Mill! Throughout its history, from its humble beginnings as a fledgling fruit stand to its growth to a large-scale operation that has become one of Kansas’ premiere attractions, the Louisburg Cider Mill has held to its original mission: being a destination where guests can not only eat amazing apple treats but also watch the process from start to finish. As time has gone on, Louisburg Cider Mill has expanded its line to include Lost Trail Root Beer products, as well as expanded its attractions to include a large-scale corn maze and pumpkin patch. 

Weston Bend State Park

Escape the hustle and bustle of city life by enjoying all that nature has to offer in nearby Weston Bend State Park. Just a short jaunt north of KC in neighboring Weston, MO, this state park offers breathtaking views, secluded hiking trails, a 3-mile paved biking trail, a playground, campsite and scenic overlook accessible to both strollers and wheelchairs. Guests can pack a picnic, follow meandering wooded trails and possibly even discover a 100-year-old tobacco barn along the way! 

Carolyn’s Country Cousins

Since 1991, Carolyn's Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch has been a beloved fall tradition for KC kids. Every year, the patch just seems to get better and better. Families enjoy a variety of attractions including a hayride to the pumpkin patch, petting zoo, carousel, pig races, live entertainment, a pumpkin cannon, jack-o'-lantern jumping pillow, pedal karts, giant slides, fun photo ops and lots of great places to play!

America’s Incredible Pizza

If you want to eat incredible pizza, feast on a large selection of high quality salad bar topping and drive go-karts, then look no further than America’s Incredible Pizza! Rated #1 Family Entertainment Center in the world twice, America’s Incredible Pizza is one of the only places where families can eat their fill and then stick around for more fun at the fairgrounds, the restaurant’s own play station with more than 11 activities and 150 games. From laser tag to bumper cars to ropes courses and more, there’s something for everyone in your crew. A great place for a birthday party, or just a special family night out, America’s Incredible Pizza has it all!

Country Club Plaza

Every Thanksgiving evening for the past 90 years, something magical happens: The Country Club Plaza lights up in a glimmering holiday glow. That’s right! Until mid-January, Plaza guests view each and every tower, dome and window throughout the 15 blocks of the iconic Spanish architecture bedazzled in jewel-tone hues. There’s nothing quite like strolling along the streets of the Plaza or hopping aboard one of its classic horse-drawn carriage rides. Families of young children may wish to make this one of many drive-thru Christmas light tour destinations. With a cup of Christopher Elbow spiced drinking chocolate in hand, you’ll have an unforgettable night viewing the lights of the Plaza and neighboring Ward Parkway … and don’t forget to check out Crown Center’s twinkling glow surrounding the mayor’s Christmas tree!

Christmas at Longview Lake 

Christmas trees and lights and fireworks are the best for putting you in the yuletide spirit. Wait, what? Fireworks?! You bet! On Nov. 25, visitors can usher in the Christmas season by taking in Christmas in the Sky, a festive fireworks display that syncs to a selection of everyone’s favorite Christmas carols on 99.7 FM, the Point. Simply find a parking spot, tune in your radio dial and watch the sky light up in perfect harmony to the merry soundtrack! This holiday extravaganza includes pre-show entertainment from Monica’s School of Dance and ends with the official opening of Christmas in the Park, a 300,000-light drive-thru winter wonderland featuring more than 175 animated figures and a vibrant array of holiday hues, complements of Jackson County!

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Swope Park

At 1,805 acres, Swope Park is both Kansas City’s largest park and one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Home to more than a dozen different attractions, Swope Park draws more than two million visitors every year. The centerpiece of the park is the Kansas City Zoo, home to more than 1,000 animals from around the world. The zoo features wonderful indoor attractions including the Polar Bear Passage and Helzberg Penguin Plaza. Outdoor exhibits including the new Elephant Expedition, Tiger Trail, and the world-class Africa exhibit make this one of our favorite ways to spend a day in KC as a family.

Lauren Greenlee is a KC mom of three who enjoys nothing more than taking in the lights during the holiday season with her crew. Her favorite places to view them are Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead and the Vince & Associates display off Metcalf in Overland Park, KS.

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