Best of August in Kansas City: 2014

It's time to bid a fond farewell to Summer, make plans for Back To School, and enjoy many wonderful family outings in KC! Don't miss these our Top Picks for August in Kansas City!

Festival of Butterflies

• When, Where, What: Annual Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens. August 1-3 & August 8-10 from 9am-6pm. Festival pricing: $12/adults, $10/seniors, $5/children 5-12, members/free. 816.697.2600. 
• Why We LOVE It: Our family makes it an annual tradition to attend Powell Gardens' Festival of Butterflies. (You can read our blog post about this year's Festival of Butterflies for tips before your visit.) Visitors explore the indoor butterfly conservatory, two outdoor butterfly breezeways aflutter with native species, children's activities, and this year's Gardens Gone Wild exhibit. 2014 Festival Schedule: Storytelling featuring "Fancy Nancy," 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily . Caterpillar Float & Costume Parade, 11 a.m. daily. The Purpose of a Butterfly: Interactive Art Installation, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Trolley Service, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Children's Activities, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free activities include a caterpillar hunt, catch-and-release, costume parade and antennae headbands. Fee-based activities include butterfly wings ($3), paint-a-pot ($3) and face painting ($2). Fresh Bites with Barb the Gardener, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. Visit the Powell Gardens website for more information.
• New This Year: Two evening events during the Festival of Butterflies offer an upclose look at the butterflies with nature experts and the opportunity to enjoy Powell Gardens by twilight: Family Night: An Evening with the Butterflies, 7-9 p.m. Saturday, August 2 (all ages). This family-friendly event is a great way to explore the "night life" at Powell Gardens while enjoying the butterflies and moths that become active in the evening. Your family will enjoy learning about the Owls, a group of butterflies that fly at dusk, plus the mysterious and often overlooked cousin of the butterfly--the moth. Cafe Thyme will offer grilled items for sale and your ticket includes a serving of Tadley's Home-made Ice Cream! An Evening Escape: Monarchs & Mojitos, 7-10 p.m. Saturday, August 9 (ages 21 and older). Enjoy a casual night of drinks and light bites in breathtaking scenery, including an indoor conservatory with the world’s most colorful, exotic moths and evening-blooming plants.

Tax Free Back to School Shopping Weekend

• When, Where, What: August 1 - 3: Missouri's Tax Free Weekend for back-to-school supplies and clothing. Applies to the following items: Clothing under $100,   School supplies under $50, Computer software under $350, Computers/computer equipment under $3,500.
• BONUS EVENT: Back To School Tax Free Weekend At Children's Orchard (Aug. 1-3). Children’s Orchard will DOUBLE your sales tax savings. Yes, even in our Olathe, KS store. The MO state sales tax* holiday is ON. *MO state exclusions and rules will apply. (OLATHE • 11933 Strang Line Rd. • 913-780-6600. INDEPENDENCE • 4201 S. Noland Rd. • 816-373-4585)
• Why We LOVE It: Stock up on school supplies and clothes saving 6-8% during Tax Free Shopping.

Great Midwest Balloon Fest

• When, Where, What: August 8 - 10, Great Midwest Balloon Fest at the Kansas Speedway.
• Why We LOVE It: Hot air balloonists from all over the country converge on Kansas City to compete for fun and prizes. This family-oriented weekend will include balloon glows and competitions, music and more. Proceeds from this event benefit local charities. The evening balloon glows are absolutely exquisite and our favorite part of the entire event. 

Missouri State Fair

• When, Where, What: The Missouri State Fair is held annually in Sedalia. This year it is Aug.-7-17. 1.800.422.3247 www.mostatefair.com. 
• Why We LOVE It: The Missouri State Fair is fun for the whole family with a live circus under the Big Top, Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Shows, animal shows and programs, a carnival, concerts, rodeos, and more! The 11-day event will feature hundreds of free demonstrations and exhibits highlighting agriculture innovation, green initiatives and other timely consumer topics like couponing.
• Read our Tips for Family Fun at the Best Attractions at the Missouri State Fair.

Teacher Appreciation Night

• When, Where, What: Aug 7, 4-7pm at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. $5/Teacher (registration required).
• Why We LOVE It: Kick off the new school year in style! Join the Nelson-Atkins for an exclusive evening celebrating educators of all stripes. This night will feature exciting giveaways and hands-on workshops, plus a reception and vendor hall featuring museums and school-serving organizations from throughout the metro.

Ethnic Enrichment Festival

• When, Where, What: Ethnic Enrichment Festival August 15-17 at Swope Park. Friday, August 15, 6-10 p.m. Saturday, August 16, Noon-10 p.m. Sunday, August 17, Noon-6 p.m. $3/adults, Children 12 and under: Free, FREE Parking. 816.513.7553
• Why We LOVE It: Every year we visit the Ethnic Enrichment Festival for a burst of flavor and tradition around the world. Over 60 countries participate each year with booths showcasing food and crafts from each country, and live performances on stage with dance, music, martial arts, and skills demonstrations. You may purchase food from each country creating your own smorgasbord of flavor, sampling many dishes from many cultures. Visit the Ethnic Enrichment Festival website for more information.

Sprint Family Fun Days

• When, Where, What: The monthly Sprint Family Fun Series is back on the 2nd Saturday of each month! The entire event is FREE and open to the public! It begins at 11 AM in the KC Live Block of the Power & Light District and ends at 3 PM - Rain or Shine!
• Why We LOVE It: Bring your kiddos downtown for the Sprint Family Fun Days event on August 9. Enjoy the sweet sounds of live, family friendly music throughout the afternoon, and tour the festival filled with moonwalks, old fashioned carnival games, balloon artists, a cake walk, face painters, family fun and more!

Farmstead Safety Day

• When, Where, What: August 16 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. The checks are free; no appointment needed. $2 admission fee/1 & under free. 913.895.6390 www.opkansas.org/Events/Farmstead-Safety-Day
• Why We LOVE It: Hop aboard the fire truck, slide into the police cruiser or fly high at the LifeNet helicopter where, for a day, your son or daughter can imagine life as a firefighter, a police officer or a pilot. The Overland Park fire and police departments, the Kansas Highway Patrol, D.A.R.E., and other organizations will be on hand to teach children about safety and equipment.

KU Kickoff

• When, Where, What: Aug 22 from 6:00 pm until 10:00 pm KU Kickoff at Corinth Square 8221 Corinth Mall Prairie Village, KS. FEE Event!
• Why We LOVE It: Don't miss the Pep Rally to kick-off the year! Hear from KU coaches as well as enjoy food, drinks, inflatable games and fun for the entire family!

Just Between Friends Sale: Lee's Summit

• When, Where, What: August 22-24 at the John Knox Pavilion (520 NW Murray Rd, Lees Summit, MO 64081) Lee's Summit Just Between Friends Sale. Thursday, August 21st   10am-7pm: Prime Time Shopping ($10 admission, 18 & over, children free). Friday, August 22nd  10am-7pm: Open to the Public ($2 admission, 18 & over, join our e-mail list for a free admission coupon!). Saturday, August 23rd  10am-7pm (25% off items without a star, free admission). Sunday, August 24th   10am-7pm (50% off items without a star, free admission).
• Why We LOVE It: Save on great kids products, clothes, and gear at the leading Children's & Maternity Consignment Sale. Tip show our ad for FREE Admission!

KC Ballet Dance Day

• When, Where, What: Aug. 23, FREE Dance Classes and Performances courtesy of the KC Ballet at the Todd Bolender Center.
• Why We LOVE It: Enjoy our 4th annual KC Dance Day at the Bolender Center from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with FREE dance classes and FREE performances; even an open rehearsal by Kansas City Ballet dancers! The ever-popular 2 Guys & A Grill will be on the property from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. You may purchase a $6 meal ticket for your choice of a hamburger, hotdog or chicken breast, plus chips and a bottled water.

Lawrence Busker Festival

• When, Where, What: Lawrence Busker Festival Aug. 22-24, Lawrence, KS.
• Why We LOVE It:Now in its fifth year, the Lawrence Busker Festival is the area’s largest gathering of street performers in the area. Come enjoy three days of family fun with some of the most talented freaks, geeks, artists and musicians around. And while the festival may be large, planning your visit is easy. Check out the performance schedule to make sure you don’t miss your favorite acts.

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.