10 Places to Go in Kansas City in March

     March in Kansas City is the welcoming of Spring and that means many fun family outings in KC and terrific places to go with kids in Kansas City. We want to make sure you don't miss these 10 great places to go in KC this Spring!

10 "Must See" Family Fun Places in KC all month long!

Go Fly a Kite!

• When, Where, What: It may seem cliche, but March is the beginning of excellent Kite Flying Weather in Kansas City! Choose your favorite park with wide open spaces, watch for power lines, and go fly kites! Check out our Guide to the Best Places to Fly Kites in Kansas City!  Do you have a favorite Kite Flying Park? Email kristina@kcparent.com and let us know!
• Why We LOVE It: What is childhood without the memory of kite flying with the family? Can you think of a better way to spend a windy day in Kansas City? We can't!

Visit the Kansas City Zoo!

• When, Where, What: The Kansas City Zoo is affordable Family Fun (Beginning March 1, admission is $11.50 for adults; $8.50 for children ages 3-11; $10.50 for seniors. Parking is always free!) and FREE for Friends of the Zoo Members! Did you know that Friends of the Zoo Members receive FREE Admission to Zoos across the country? This is fantastic when you're taking a family road trip!
• Why We LOVE It: The Kansas City Zoo is a fantastic family outing in March! The weather is pleasant before the heat of summer kicks in. Kids are anxious to get outside after the winter months of cabin fever. And, the Kansas City Zoo is celebrating the birth of a baby llama (born Jan. 16)! You can visit the new llama between the Carousel and the Discovery Barn. So, take advantage of this Kansas City Bargain and enjoy a family day at the Kansas City Zoo.

Watch Junie B. Jones at Theatre for Young America!

• When, Where, What: Theatre for Young America is performing the live play, "Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business" March 2 through April 16,2010 at the Union Station H&R Block City Stage. Call 816.460.2083 for ticket information.
• Why We LOVE It: Junie B. Jones is one of the most popular characters in juvenile fiction for girls. Watch Junie come to life onstage in this musical adaptation of Barbara Parks' book. Theatre for Young America has been entertaining Kansas City Kids for 36 years and they never disappoint!

Go Green at the Overland Park Arboretum!

• When, Where, What: Visit the Overland Park Arboretum (8909 W. 179th St. OPKS., open 8am-5pm), a FREE Botanical Garden right in Southern Johnson County.
• Why We LOVE It: The Overland Park Arboretum is truly a treasure in Kansas City. Visitors enjoy acres of gardens in Kansas. The Children's Garden features a maze and lookout hill, the Monet Garden is exquisite, the hiking trails through the woods give Kansas City kids a great glimpse of nature, and best of all... March is the beginning of blooming season! Pack a picnic, grab the camera, and take the family out for a fun day at the gardens.

Go Crazy for Marble Crazy!

• When, Where, What: Moon Marble Company (600 E. Front St., Bonner Springs, KS. 913.441.1432) is hosting their annual Marble Crazy on March 5th (noon-9pm) and 6th (10am-5pm).
• Why We LOVE It: Marble Crazy is a fun FREE family event in Kansas City that you won't forget. Marble Makers from across the United States come out for this annual event at Moon Marble. Watch marble making and glass artistry right before your eyes! Moon Marble is a one-of-a-kind old fashioned toy store in Bonner Springs where you can purchase marbles "by the tube," every classic toy imaginable, and a variety of educational and eclectic toys you won't find anywhere else.

Take the Kids to the Great Shawnee Duck Race!

• When, Where, What: The Great Shawnee Duck Race The 22nd Annual Duck Race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 14th, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. in Turkey Creek. Watching the race is FREE or take a chance on the winning duck for $5 each. Ducks will be available at Jake’s, 12001 Johnson Drive; COPS, 11121 Johnson Drive; and at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Shawnee the day of the Race.
• Why We Love It: Shawnee's Annual Rubber Duck Race is terrific fun for the young and the young at heart. Watch as thousands of quacky little yellow ducks swim their way down Turkey Creek to the finish line located behind the Post Office. Cheer, laugh and feel the excitement as the rubber ducks race their way to the finish line.  

Spring Trout Stocking at Johnson County Lakes!

• When, Where, What: March 12 at 2:30 at Heritage Park Lake, or 3:45 at Shawnee Mission Lake.
• Why We LOVE It: How many Kansas City Kids have seen 2,000 pounds of fish poured into a lake? Okay, how many Kansas City Parents have seen 2,000 pounds of fish poured into a lake? Sometimes it's just plain fun to do something out of the ordinary, and we think the annual fish stocking fits the bill! This one hour event is FREE to the public. Visitors watch as JCPRD populates up to 2,000 pounds of fish in its lakes. You have to admit, that's not something you see every day!
• For More Outdoor Fun, check our Guide to Kansas City's Nature Centers!

Watch a St. Patrick's Day Parade in Kansas City!

• When, Where, What: From the Snake Saturday Parade in the Northland, to Irishpalooza in South Kansas City, to the Shawnee St. Patrick's Day Parade and Duck Races out west, to the Emerald Isle Parade in Lee's Summit out east, or the Annual Downtown Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade, you'll find St. Patrick's Day fun in every direction. Check our Guide to St. Patrick's Day Parades across Kansas City , we have the full list from Mar. 13- 17! 
• Why We LOVE It: There is just something special about wearing green and celebrating with your community and nobody celebrates St. Patrick's Day quite like Kansas City! Don't forget to check out the KC Irish Museum or other terrific Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Celebrations and Events!

Visit Strawberry Hill!

• When, Where, What: Strawberry Hill is a historic district in Kansas City, KS, and we recommend two stops: Visit the Strawberry Hill Museum (720 N. 4th St., KCKS. 913.299.4795). The Museum is a historic house museum and it is open to the public from noon-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The Strawberry Hill Museum is home to exhibits on the countries of Croatia, the Ukraine, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Polish, Slovakia, Slovenia and Russia. You can tour the museum, visit the tearoom and gift shop, or take a Pysanky Egg Decorating Class at on March 14th at 1pm for $20. Next, visit the Strawberry Hill Povitica Bakery (8609 Quivira Rd., Lenexa, KS. 913.631.1002) to buy a loaf of the classic bread for your holiday festivities.
• Why We LOVE It: Psyanky Easter Eggs are a magnificent artform and tradition perfect for Easter. Povitica Bread is a delicious bread created with beautiful swirls as layers of bread are twisted to make the European pastry. Learn about the Slovak Heritage of Strawberry Hill at the museum and relax with an afternoon tea.

Visit the Bunnies on Country Club Plaza!

• When, Where, What: The Country Club Plaza is decorated for Easter from March 12 - April 5, as spring bunnies and animal statues greet visitors.
• Why We LOVE It: This is a spring tradition in Kansas City and it makes a great family outing! The Plaza Easter Bunnies are a sweet spring backdrop to capture family photos. Take the kids for a stroll on the Plaza, stop in Better Cheddar to sample cheese, swing by Helzberg for a free "I Am Loved" pin, split a pizza at the California Pizza Kitchen, or share a Skyscraper at Winstead's. Whatever you do, remember the camera... these KC Easter Bunny photos are FREE!
• For MORE Great Easter ideas, check out our Guide to Easter in Kansas City!

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.