Best of June in Kansas City

June! School's Out! Summer is here!  Kick off summer fun at Kansas City's attractions... with fabulous gardens, live concerts, living history, and more - there is something for everyone in Kansas City this summer!

Jurassic Garden

• When, Where, What: thru Oct. 3 at Powell Gardens.
• Why We LOVE It: Travel back millions of years to explore the lost world of dinosaurs and prehistoric plant life! You will encounter incredibly realistic dinosaur replicas, designed by Missouri's Guy Darrough, a well known fossil collector, fossil preparation expert and illustrator. From his Lost World Studios in Arnold, Mo., Guy creates realistic models of prehistoric animals using fossilized bones and other materials. The lifelike dinosaurs, large and small, will be placed throughout the Gardens and include a 32-foot T Rex, 30-foot Hypsibema—Missouri's state dinosaur, and many more! 

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Doodle Reef

• When, Where, What: Doodle Reef is the newest exhibit at Sea Life Aquarium.
• Why We LOVE It: Doodle Reef showcases the beauty of the tropical ocean and the real life creatures that live within it. Merging inspiration and imagination, guests can create their very own virtual sea creatures which come to life on a screen within a live display! Guests will marvel as their amazing creatures are projected into a vast virtual sea and then swim through the underwater world!

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Madagascar

• Details: June 14 - Aug. 7 at The Coterie.
• Why We LOVE It:  It’s the world premiere of a new musical for all ages (yes, even parents) of the much-loved madcap journey from New York’s Central Park Zoo to the beaches of Madagascar. See Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and the always-plotting penguins. Their journey goes from the wilderness to just plain wild with King Julien. Join these crack-a-lackin’ friends and get ready to MOVE IT MOVE IT.

T-Bones Games

• When, Where, What: all summer the T-Bones play at Community America Ballpark. Tip: Kids Eat Free every Monday Night at the game!
• Why We LOVE It: The Kansas City T-Bones are a member of the Central Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseballl and they play at Community America Ballpark in Kansas City, KS. Free parking, great promotions, kids eat free on Mondays, and family-friendly fun make T-Bones games a highlight of summer!

Little Adventures at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

• When, Where, What: LITTLE ADVENTURES at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures on Wednesdays and Saturdays June 8 - August 10
• Why We LOVE It: Explore the museum collection through gallery talks and guided tours, then visit the hands-on workshop to make your own toy or miniature. From paper dolls to ships, each week features a new theme. Included with museum admission. Become a member today to enjoy all ten weeks for free

Belton Train Rides

• Details: Ice Cream Trains Friday at 7pm. And regular rides Sat & Sun at 2pm May-Oct, and Sat at 11am (June - Aug) aboard the Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad Co. (502 Walnut, Belton, MO). The Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad Co. is a short line passenger railroad and demonstration museum in Belton, Missouri, just south on US Hwy. 71 from the Kansas City Metro Area. The BG&KC offers excursions on our line running south from Belton on a 5 mile, 45 minute round trip. This is an all volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving rail travel and railroading.
• Why We LOVE It: All Aboard! The young, and the young-at-heart, LOVE trains... the charm, the fun memories and nostalgia. This summer, ride the rails with the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad. The organization is a non-profit volunteer organization run by volunteers like John, who happily tells every visitor his pay is the smile on the kids' faces... and do they ever smile!

Mahaffie Family Fun Nights

• When, Where, What: Mahaffie Family Fun Night 6-8 PM every Thursday Night in June & July, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm (1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe, KS). FREE admission. Enjoy a variety of historic-themed activities each week. Special activities like stagecoach rides are $3/person. 913.971.5111 www.mahaffie.org
• Weekly Themes: 2016 Themes: June 2 - Cowboys, June 9 - Civil War, June 16 - Farm to Table, June 23 - 1860s Construction, June 30 - 1860s Mad Science, July 7 - 19th Century Fireworks, July 14 - Civil War, July 21 - Hit the Trail, July 28 - Kansas Wheat Harvest.
• Why We LOVE It: Mahaffie is hosting special programs on Thursday evenings from 6-8pm when the farm truly comes to life with hands-on history from the 1850s. Activities include free activities (for example: butter churning, planting seeds, tours of the home) and activities with a small fee (for example: Stagecoach rides, working in the Blacksmith Shop, Grinding Corn)and they vary with the theme each week. Our children were enthralled at the blacksmith shop where they made their own "S Hooks" last year and the stagecoach ride is a fun historic experience.
• Bonus:  Read our tips for the most fun at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop before you go.

Pick Berries and Fruit

• Details: Pick your own fruit and berries at KC area U-Pick Farms. Read our U-Pick Guide for locations.
• Why We LOVE It: Picking blueberries at The Berry Patch, peaches at a local orchard, raspberries at u-pick farms and enjoying the "fruit of our labor" with yummy summer cobblers, smoothies, and treats is one of our favorite (and tastiest) summer traditions! There are many wonderful local farms, patches, and orchards where you can pick a variety of fruits, berries and other produce. The blueberry season typically begins mid-June with other fruits to follow! Click here for our Berry Picking in KC guide!

Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun with FIVE NEW Family Rides!

• When, Where, What: Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun are open for the Season and you can enjoy both parks for the price of one ticket.
• Why We LOVE It: Worlds of Fun is a roller coaster enthusiast’s dream park! Families can glide, fly and launch into 2016 at Worlds of Fun with the addition of five new family rides coming to Planet Snoopy next season: Woodstock Gliders – Young guests control their own flight with moveable wings. Beagle Brigade Airfield – Get your aviators glasses ready for a high-flying adventure with Snoopy. (formerly titled Flying Ace). Snoopy Space Buggies – Defy gravity and bounce to the moon and back. Linus Launcher – Experience the sensation of weightlessness through flight with feet dangling. Snoopy Junction – All aboard! Snoopy the conductor leads kids on a railroad adventure. And, it’s home to seven world-class roller coasters, including one of the tallest, longest and fastest roller coasters in the world, the Mamba, with a first drop of 205 feet! The Patriot is a giant inverted coaster that carries the daring through four inversions at a top speed of 65 mph. The extremely daring can pay an extra fee to experience the Ripcord, a Sky Coaster attraction that sends riders in a free-fall pendulum motion from 180 feet in the air at speeds of up to 80 mph.

Koalas at the Kansas City Zoo

• When, Where, What: The Kansas City Zoo is open year-round. (6800 Zoo Dr., KCMO. 816.513.5800 www.KansasCityZoo.org).
• Why We LOVE It: The Kansas City Zoo just welcomed Koalas and we couldn't be more excited! The Kansas City Zoo is one of our favorite year-round attractions, and with the Penguin Exhibit, Polar Bear Passage, Tropics and Discovery Barn all near the entrance and all with indoor exhibits, a cool weather outing to the zoo is more fun than ever! Then, on warmer days check out the kangaroos in Australia and the elephants, zebra, and giraffes in Africa.
• Tip: Mark your calendar for these fun events at the Zoo: June 11 - Sporting KC Day at the Zoo. June 11 & 12 - Zootastik Learning Fest— World Oceans Day. June 18 -  Putt & Play for Polar Bears  at Paradise Park. June 18 -  Goodnight Zoo—Koalas. June 19 -  Father’s Day,  Dads receive free admission. June 24 - Slumber Down Under Koala Overnight. June 25 & 25   - Species Spotlight—Giraffes. And more on the Zoo Calendar!

Music in the Park: Lee's Summit

• When, Where, What: Select Fridays in Downtown Lee's Summit
• Why We LOVE It:  Enjoy free Friday night concerts featuring a variety of musical genres in Howard Station Park in Downtown Lee’s Summit. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets for seating. Event dates are as follows: May 27 – KIDS’ NIGHT!, June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22, July 29, August 12, August 19, August 26, September 2

The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD®

• When, Where, What: thru Sept. 5 at Crown Center. FREE Admission. Hours: Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sun, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Why We LOVE It: An exciting hands-on traveling exhibit created by the Betty Brinn Children's Museum in collaboration with Hasbro. The exhibit features MR. POTATO HEAD, the much-loved silly character, who becomes an explorer, scientist, and adventurer with a change of his "parts." In addition to building a variety of essential academic skills, the exhibit encourages children to welcome new experiences with confidence, curiosity and humor, to think about all they can be and do, and to always respect themselves and others.

June Festivals

• When, Where, What: Summer is Festival Season in Kansas City, with many great festivals and fairs to choose from! Read our KC Festival Guide for the full scoop.
• Our Favorite June Festivals: (You will find more in our KC Festival Guide).

Old Shawnee Days June 2-5, Old Shawnee. Kick off your summer with everyone’s favorite Shawnee event - Old Shawnee Days! There’s something for everyone - music, carnival rides, contests, games, the parade, crafts, shopping, festival food, and so much more. 

Jazzoo June 3 Kansas City Zoo. Jazzoo is the Kansas City Zoo’s largest fundraiser. It helps raise support for the children’s educational programs and feeds the Zoo’s more than 1,000 animals. 816.513.5700

Lee's Summit Downtown Days June 3-5, Downtown Lee's Summit. Downtown Days is a family-friendly festival featuring live entertainment, arts and crafts, a carnival, KCBS-sanctioned BBQ contest, delicious food, and much more!

Children's Day & National Trails Day June 4, Missouri Town 1855, 8010 Park Rd, Lee's Summit, MO. Admission charged. Kids will get a glimpse into simpler times through the time-honored games of yesteryear… tug-of-war, marbles and gunny sack races!  A special exhibit exploring Jackson County’s ever-expanding trail system is also included. 

Sunflower Music Festival June 10-18, White Concert Hall on theWashburn University® campus in Topeka, KS. Sunflower Music Festival of Topeka, Kansas presents an annual series of orchestra concerts, chamber music evenings, educational projects and other artistic events of the highest caliber. These events occur throughout a two week period each June in White Concert Hall on theWashburn University® campus. The Festival was organized in the spring of 1987 and the first concert was presented in June of that same year. Our concerts are sponsored by leading area businesses, generous private donors and philanthropic foundations. The concerts are offered to the public free of charge. Participating musicians come from national and international symphonies and musical institutions. The Blanche Bryden Institute was developed by the Festival musicians for the advanced study of chamber music. Both high school and college musicians, ages 14-26, come together for a week of learning and performance coached by these Sunflower Orchestra musicians.

Independence Food Truck Festival June 11 & 12 at Independence Center Mall. Great variety of food trucks from local favorites to new, emerging chefs. Live Music - Check back for the band lineup, Beer Garden, Shaded Picnic Areas, Unique shopping opportunities, Special discounts from Independence Center stores, Activities & games for kids. Photo Booth - Includes opportunity for social media sharing.

Capital City Family & Food Truck Festival June 11 from 11am-7pm at Gage Park S.W. Blaisdell Drive, Topeka, KS. Join Visit Topeka Inc. and Shawnee County Parks and Recreation for the Capital City Family & Food Truck Festival at Gage Park! This event will feature delicious delicacies from at least 20 food trucks lined up along S.W. Blaisdell Drive. The trucks will specialize in a variety of food including Hawaiian, barbecue, cupcakes, coffee, and more. While eating, enjoy shopping at several vendors and attending concerts at Gage Park Amphitheater. The Gage Park mini-train and carousel will be open until 7 p.m. to accommodate the visitors.

Busker Festival at City Market June 11 from 9am-1pm, City Market. Fresh FREE freaky fun entertainment! City Market celebrates our extended family of buskers, street performers. Watch an amazing variety of aerial acrobats, jugglers, fire eaters and more perform just inside City Market Arch at 5th & Walnut.

Sprint Family Fun Days: Theme "Summer Safari" June 11, KC Power & Light District. Bring your kiddos downtown for the Sprint Family Fun Series the second Saturday of each month, May - October! Admission is FREE!* Be a part of all the fun on social media by connecting with us using #FamilyFunKC! Admission to the event is free. Fees apply for premium activities.

Dragon Boat Festival June 11, Brush Creek . You are invited to come to the east side of the Country Club Plaza along Ward Parkway and Brush Creek, just west of J.C. Nichols Parkway, and within sight of the Sister Cities Bridge to enjoy cultural and social exchanges among all the people of Kansas City through a celebration of the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. The day will include cultural games, performances, delicious food, and dragon boats, and fun activities for children of all ages. Dancers, drummers and musicians from all over town will entertain you on the stage. 

Heart of America Shakespeare Festival June 14 - July 3, Southmoreland Park. For its 24th season, the Festival will present Twelfth Night; or, What You Will, Shakespeare's hilarious romantic comedy set in romantic Illyria. The play explores love, loss and reunion along with ambition, madness and gender reversal -- all with lots of humor. The production dates are June 14 - July 3, 2016, Tuesday - Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Festival admission is donation only.  

SoJo Summerfest June 17-18, Corporate Woods, OPKS. Jazz in the Woods is now SoJo Summerfest! Our festival this year will be Father's Day weekend, June 17-18, 2016. ​Come join us for a night filled with local music, local food, and local brews benefiting local charities! Friends.  Family.  Music.  Drinks. Food.  100% local.  The perfect summer night! The fireflies. The cicadas. Those long days that slowly turn into magical summer nights. Create the kind of memories that last forever at SoJo Summerfest. A celebration of local life, family and friendship in the heart of South Johnson County, it’s the hottest thing happening this summer.

Kansas KidsFest June 18 at Kansas Expocentre 1 Expocentre Dr, Topeka, KS. KidsFest is Topeka’s largest hands-on, creative festival for area families. This full day celebration of the imagination will take place on Saturday June 18th, 2016 at the Kansas Expocentre. With over 50,000 square feet of indoor interactive exhibits, creation stations, live performances, inflatable rides, music, door prizes, food and a full family expo featuring local businesses and non-profits. This is an event you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendars and plan to attend KidsFest. Tickets are $7 online and $10 at the door. As the event gets closer you will find discount coupons available if you would rather purchase your tickets the day of KidsFest. We look forward to seeing you at this festival in June.

Future Stages Festival June 26, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Join the celebration and experience the arts in Kansas City! The FREE one-day festival invites youth and families to experience a diverse range of performances and interactive arts activities. Future Stages Festival is a free community event that showcases youth in the performing arts and is an extension of the Kauffman Center's Open Doors "Spotlight on Youth" program. Featuring a variety performing arts organizations and interactive arts activity partners - the festival provides fun for ALL ages! Tickets are not necessary, but please visit the link provided to sign-up to receive more information and RSVP!

Maker Faire: Kansas City June 25 & 26 at Union Station. Maker Faire Kansas City celebrates things people create themselves — from new technology and electronic gizmos to urban farming and “slow-made” foods to homemade clothes, quilts and sculptures. This family-friendly event demonstrates what and how people are inventing, making and creating. It brings together Makers, Crafters, Inventors, Hackers, Scientists and Artists for a faire full of fun and inspiration. Come see what others are making and be inspired to tap into your own creativity!

Swimming Season

• Details: Read our KC Water Fun guide for the best pools, waterparks, and beaches near you!
• Why We LOVE It: Summer with kids = swim season! With waterparks (including Oceans of Fun where admission to Worlds of Fun is included in the same ticket, and Schlitterbahn with the world's tallest waterslide), neighborhood pools (ranging from basic pools with a classic diving board to full on attractions and lazy rivers), FREE spraygrounds (outdoor sprinkler playgrounds), and swim beaches at local lakes - there are many great ways to enjoy swimming, splashing, and playing in the water all summer long! Read our KC Water Fun guide for the best pools, waterparks, and beaches near you!

Shop at Kansas City's Farmers' Markets!

• When, Where, What: Kansas City's Farmers' Markets start opening ALL Month long! With over 30 markets to choose from, ranging from small to large all across the metro, there is something for the locavore in all of us. Check out our Guide to Kansas City Farmers' Markets and read great tips for buying local farm fresh produce and discover a Farmers' Market near you.
• Why We LOVE It: We're fortunate to have so many terrific Farmers' Markets in Kansas City to choose from. If you want to eat organic, fresh, locally grown produce, or you are looking for plants for your own garden, or local honey, Amish baked goods, or even live animals... Kansas City's Farmers' Markets have it all! Several even boast live music and entertainment. This is an excellent family outing on a Spring Saturday... you have fun and finish a chore all at once!

A Day at the Lake

• When, Where, What: You can fish year-round at one of Kansas City's great Fishing Spots, or enjoy the Kids Fishing Derbies across the metro all month long! Then, Kansas City's Swim Beaches open Memorial Day Weekend for a day of memories swimming at the lake!
• Why We LOVE It: Introduce your kids to the sport of fishing and enjoy a hobby that will last a lifetime. If you're lucky, you may even enjoy a great dinner out of the deal too!

​​Sign up for Summer Camp

• When, Where, What: It is time to sign up for Summer Camp! The KC Parent Camp Guide is your resource for camps.
• Why We LOVE It: The best Summer Camps fill fast, so now is the time to enroll your child. We have you guide to the best camps in the area. Whatever the age, interest, or skill your child hopes to explore, the KC Parent Camp Guide has something for everyone!