✕
☰

Rainy Days in KC from A to Z

by

    It's Raining, It's Pouring... you don't have to be snoring! Okay Kansas City, we all love our sunshine and nature, but let's face it Kansas City gets its fair share of rain. Planning for a little indoor fun is necessary for the savvy parent. Follow our guide from A to Z for great ideas to enjoy on a rainy day!

A) Art: Explore Hands-On art at Kaleidoscope where children can create their own projects with special materials from Hallmark and Crayola. They love the glow-in-the-dark room, melted wax, watercolor paint dryer, and jigsaw puzzle maker. Best of all, it is FREE! Kaleidoscope (2500 Grand, KCMO. Call for hours 816.274.8300). To read our review, click here.

B) Bowling: At AMF Bowling Alleys, Kids Bowl Free all summer! For just $24.95 you can buy a family pass for up to four adults to join the kids in up to two games a day. Visit www.kidsbowlfree.com for complete details.

C) Carousels: Did you know that one of America’s great carousel makers was from Kansas? Children love the C.W. Parker Museum, where you learn about C.W. Parker, the founder of a Carousel factory in Leavenworth, and ride an authentic 1913 carousel. This summer, you can also enjoy an all new model railroad exhibit. CW Parker Carousel Museum (320 S. Esplanade, Leavenworth, KS. 913.682.1331).

D) Dolls: For Doll Lovers, there are many wonderful sites to see in Kansas City. Visit the Doll Museum, Toy and Miniature Museum, or Doll Cradle to see hundreds of dolls both past and present. For complete information on these ideas and several more for doll lovers, click here.

E) Eat Out: KC boasts several super fun restaurants for families. Three of our favorites: 

F) Foam Warfare!: At Paradise Park a family can bond by firing foam balls at one another with air-compressed machine guns and devices in the Foam Factory! While you’re there, climb a rock wall or explore the Children’s Edutainment Center with everything from a miniature grocery store and bank, to an indoor water play exhibit and art center with face paints and special projects for kids. If it’s not raining, enjoy outdoor fun with go-karts, miniature golf, and batting cages. Paradise Park (1021 NE Colbern Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO. 816.246.5224). To read our review, click here.

G) German Go-Karts: Put the pedal to the metal and race your loved ones at Sadlers. The indoor track is home to Go-Karts imported from Germany, racers can reach speeds of 45 mph. Sadlers Indoor Racing (325 N. Mur-Len, Olathe, KS. 913.768.7700).

H) History of the Trails: The Oregon, California, and Santa Fe Trails played an integral part in shaping Kansas City. At the National Frontier Trails Museum (318 W. Pacific, Independence, MO. 816.325.7575) 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 (1200 Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS. 913.971.5111).

I) Ice Cream: Have you ever sampled a Peach Float? When was the last time you indulged in some homemade ice cream? Or, what about ditching the Ice Cream for a little Frozen Custard? Take the family on an Ice Cream sampling journey and try some of our favorite local shops! Click here for a complete guide.

J) Jazz: Kansas City is known for Jazz and the American Jazz Museum is the perfect place to introduce young music lovers to the local genre. With wonderful hands-on exhibits and listening centers, children enjoy listening to classic Jazz, composing their own pieces, and learning about the history of 18th and Vine. American Jazz Museum (1616 E. 18th St., KCMO. 816.221.1920). To read our review, click here.

K) KidScape: KidScape is a miniature city just for children. With a hands-on child-sized hospital, city hall, theater, shops, and park, kids love to play and explore the adult world through their eyes. This FREE outing is hosted at the Johnson County History Museum (6305 Lackman, Shawnee, KS.). To read our review, click here.

L) Laughter: Comedy City is Kansas City’s family-friendly Improv Show (recommended for ages 10 and up, only because they’ll be old enough to enjoy it). At Comedy City, local comedians create a show right before your eyes with improv comedy that includes the audience. The show is clean and wholesome, and guaranteed to have you laughing out loud! Comedy City (817 Westport Rd., KCMO. 816.842.2744).

M) Marbles: Take a trip to Moon Marble to watch marble making (demonstrations begin at 10:30am and end at 4pm), learn marble games, and explore a toy store filled with classic toys for all ages. Moon Marble (600 E. Front St., Bonner Springs, KS. 913.441.1432).

N) Nature – Indoors: Our local nature centers offer hands-on exhibits, aquariums, and special programs for families. For a complete guide to Nature Centers in Kansas City, click here.

O) Ocean: Wonderscope Children’s Museum ‘s exhibit, Lego Ocean Adventure includes a Lego Submarine children can play inside, sea life constructed with Legos and plenty of space for Lego creativity and play. Other exhibits include H2O Water Play, a child-sized grocery store, Raceways where children race golf balls on wooden tracks, and much more. Wonderscope Children’s Museum (5700 King, Shawnee, KS. 913.287.8888). To read our review of Wonderscope, click here.

P) Painting: Paint your own ceramic creations at Paint, Glaze, and Fire. They supply the ceramics, the paints, and the brushes… you just supply the creative budding artists! Paint, Glaze, and Fire (12683 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS. 866.662.2188).

Q) Quest: Embark on a quest for hidden art. Take the family on a FREE outing and enjoy our exclusive Scavenger Hunt at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, printable here. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak, KCMO. 816.751.1238).

R) Read Something New: A trip to the Reading Reptile in Brookside is a children’s book lover’s dream. The store captures the imagination through its colorful displays and special events. On Friday nights, they show family films and serve popcorn for FREE. Reading Reptile (63rd and Wornall, KCMO. 816.753.0441).

S) Shop: Visit U.S. Toy & Constructive Playthings (913.642.2474. 2008 W. 103rd Terr., Leawood, KS 66206)... the shop sells wonderful toys, educational materials, arts supplies, carnival supplies and party goods. Give the children $1-5 and see what treasures they find! 

T) Treasure: In 1856, the Arabia Steamboat was traversing the Missouri River when her paddlewheel caught a tree snag and she sunk. In the 1980s, the Hawley family took on the adventure of unearthing the Arabia’s treasures and their success is now on display for all to see. Children are captivated by her story and amazed by the cargo, from ketchup to porcelain dolls, tools to dishes, the artifacts of the Arabia give us a glimpse into the past. Arabia Steamboat Museum (400 Grand Blvd. KCMO. 816.471.1856). To read our review of the Steamboat Arabia Museum, click here.

U) Uncover something Big: The National Archives in Kansas City (400 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO. 816.268.8000 www.archives.gov) preserves historic documents for the Federal Government. They also provide museum quality exhibits, currently: It’s Big featuring “Big Events” in local history and The Kansas-Nebraska Act. The staff at the archives will also work with students on research projects and they are a wonderful resource for history projects. Read KCParent.com’s article on the National Archives of Kansas City here. Best for 5th grade and up.

V) Visit the Harley-Davidson Factory: Harley Davidson Factory Tours (11401 N. Congress Ave. KCMO 816.270.8023 www.harley-davidson.com). These tours are for guests ages 12 and up. Watch the modern assembly line process firsthand as manufacturers build a motorcycle right before your eyes! Call for hours or to schedule a group tour.

W) Water: Okay, it may be raining outside, but you can still have fun swimming and playing in the water. CoCo Key (1.877.425.2746) is a wonderful indoor water park slides, spray grounds, a lazy river, and something for everyone. To read our CoCo Key Review, click here.

X)eXperiment with Weather: Katie Horner, our local meteorologist, wrote a book, “Brainstorming: A Creative Guide to Help Parents and Children Through Severe Weather.” The book includes creative weather experiments, excellent explanations of severe weather, and colorful illustrations to explain rainy days, thunderstorms, and all forms of severe weather in ways that are beneficial to children. Check out a copy at your local library or bookstore.

Y) Yum: Kids love to eat their OWN creations. Take a cooking class for kids at A Thyme for Everything (231 SE Main St., Lee’s Summit, MO. 816.554.3755). If you’re inclined to have fun cooking at home, try some of our favorite healthy, kid-friendly Recipes.

Z) Zoo: Did you know that the Kansas City Zoo (816.513.5700) is open ALL year round?  For our review of the Kansas City Zoo, click here.

 

Discover Even More Great Family Fun Places toGo in Kansas City!

Back to topbutton