Best of June in Kansas City

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

Day out with Thomas

• When, Where, What: Day out with Thomas at the Midland Railway in Baldwin City, KS. Rides available May 29 – May 31, 2015 and June 5 – June 7, 2015. Tip: To buy more tickets or ride at other times, save $2 off Day out with Thomas with code KCPARENT15.
• Why We Love It: Celebrate your friendship with Thomas. Meet Sir Topham Hatt. Enjoy Thomas the Train activities. And, best of all, ride aboard Thomas the Train and take photos with the family!

Storyland: A Trip through Childhood Favorites

• When, Where, What: Free thru Sept. 7 at Crown Center.
• Why We Love It: We always love Crown Center's Free Exhibits (a perfect addition to a day at LEGOLAND, Sea Life, Kaleidoscope, or The Coterie). This next exhibit "transforms seven beloved and award-winning picture books ("The Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter, "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats, "Where's Spot?" by Eric Hill, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numeroff, "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, "Abuela" by Arthur Dorros, and "Tuesday" by David Wiesner) into three-dimensional play and learning environments. Discover a love of reading in the exhibit's immersive environment, designed for children through eight years old."

Snow Queen: A Frozen Dance Adventure

• When, Where, What: presented by The Culture House June 12-13 at Olathe Northwest High School.
• Why We Love It: The Culture House shows are always fun for the whole family. This summer, the capture Frozen fever in their own dance production.  Snow Queen—A Frozen Dance Adventure is based on the beloved Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Snow Queen.  "Follow Anna as she tries to find her sister, Elsa, who has isolated herself in an ice palace on a frozen mountain.  Along the journey, Anna meets many fascinating characters, some of which are trying to prevent her from finding her sister.  In the end, thanks to her self-sacrificial love, Anna finds Elsa and true love melts away the frozen heart."  

Summer Festivals

• It's Here! Summer Festival Season is here. There are dozens of festivals to enjoy for every interest. These are our favorites for June. Read our KC Summer Festival Guide for more.
• Old Shawnee Days June 4 - 7, Old Shawnee. There’s something for everyone - music, carnival rides, contests, games, the parade, crafts, shopping, festival food, and so much more. 
• Jazzoo June 5 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.
• Lee's Summit Downtown Days June 5-7, Downtown Lee's Summit. Spanning six blocks in the historic Downtown Lee’s Summit central business district. Live entertainment featuring The Elders, food vendors, a carnival, Pianos on Parade, craft vendors, the KCBS-sanctioned BBQ competition and much more are part of this year’s festivities.
• Children's Day & National Trails Day June 6, Missouri Town 1855. Kids will get a glimpse into simpler times through the time-honored games of yesteryear… tug-of-war, marbles and gunny sack races! 
• City Market Busker Festival June 13 from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm at The City Market Third & Main Kansas City , MO. Celebrate the art of busking at our annual Busker Festival! You might be asking yourself: what is a busker? A busker is a street performer who practices their craft in public places, for gratuities. The Busker Festival will showcase musicians, unicycling, juggling, fire twirling, aerial arts, stilt walkers, musicians, dancers, comedy, circus acts, balloon twisting, magicians and more.
• Dragon Boat Festival June 13, Brush Creek. 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. 
• Independence Food Truck Festival June 27 from noon-9:00 PM at Independence Center Mall. Things are heating up in Kansas City, and Independence Center Mall invites families to celebrate the dog days of summer during its first-ever Food Truck Festival. As part of this outdoor, day-long event, attendees will enjoy live music from folk and alternative artists, including The Pale Blue Dots, Erica Joy, The Invisible World, M Bird, School of Rock and Brad Cunningham Band, as well as a “beer garden” for adults. Plus, there will be family-friendly entertainment and activities, including a bounce house, an obstacle course and more. Enjoy delicious bites from participating food trucks, including: Deco Street Eats - Wraps, salads and tacos, Plantain District - Cuban, Cupcake Cruiser - Cupcakes, Ollie Pearl's - Southern style breakfast and lunch, Gyro Express - Gyros, Iggy Truck - Mexican and Sebella's Fire - Pizza. Attendees are invited to visit Guest Services, located by the 39th Street Entrance on the upper level near Kay’s and Helzberg Diamonds, to pick-up a coupon book featuring exclusive savings from the center’s more than 130 retailers.   
• Future Stages Festival June 28, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts from 12 pm – 5pm, FREE, no ticket required. The festival invites youth and families to experience a diverse range of performance and interactive arts activities.

Nature Connects 2: An ALL NEW LEGO Sculpture Exhibit

• When, Where, What: Nature Connects 2: An ALL NEW LEGO Sculpture Exhibit at Powell Gardens thru Sept. 7. Nature Connects 2 will be open during regular Garden hours and will include educational activities and special performances, such as a hands-on LEGO® brick building station, LEGO® brick design competitions, storytelling, discovery stations, Paul Mesner Puppets performances and more.
• Why We LOVE It: We enjoyed the first Nature Connects at Powell Gardens a few summers ago and we always enjoy a family trip to see what's in bloom. This new exhibit is a must see! Inspired by nature and built from more than 300,000 LEGO® bricks, this special exhibit features 27 amazing sculptures set in 14 scenes that represent  the complex and amazing network that interconnects all living things on Earth. Ranging in size from 6 inches to 6 feet, a variety of creatures are represented in the exhibit, including a regal Bald Eagle, a giant Monarch butterfly on milkweed and birds taking on the squirrels at a bird feeder.

Belton Train Rides

• Details: Ice Cream Trains Friday at 7pm. Reg. 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!

Sprint Family Fun Day: L'il Sports Fans

• When, Where, What: This Year's Sprint Family Fun Days begin on June 13 from 11am-3pm at KC Power and Light District. Sprint Family Fun Days are offered on the 2nd Saturday of the Month May-Oct. Remember - ALL SPRINT FAMILY FUN DAYS attendees receive $2 parking at the KC Live and Main Street (next to Cosentino's Market) garages - Just tell the attendant you are coming to Family Fun Days in the Power & Light District *Tickets may apply for premium activities. Carnival tickets may be purchased at the Ticket Booth located on Walnut Street at 14th Street. Cash only. Free Admission. Free Family Entertainment and Live Music. Tickets are available for a low price for activities and rides. Ticket pricing options are: 12 tickets for $5 or 2 tickets for $1. Proceeds benefit Children's Mercy Hospital Trauma Services.
• Why We LOVE It: Live music, puppets, art... what's not to love? Each Sprint Famiy Fun Day features loads of fun activities for the entire family!

A Year with Frog & Toad at Coterie

• When, Where, What: A Year with Frog & Toad at The Coterie (June 16 - Aug. 2)
• Why We Love It: The favorite children's books come to the stage in this whimsical musical. The charming tale of true friendship is presented in a cheerful and funny show at The Coterie. With music inspired by the 20s, vignettes from the books, and creative costuming and staging, Frog and Toad are a child's literary "odd couple" who remain true friends through thick and thin and all seasons. This is a jazzy fun-filled musical for the whole family.

Annie at Starlight

• When, Where, What: Annie June 19-21 at Starlight Theatre.
• Why We Love It: My girls fell in love with the story all over again with this year's movie release of Annie on the big screen. This summer, they can't wait for the classic on stage at Starlight. "Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin and choreographed by Liza Gennaro, this production of Annie will be a brand new incarnation of the iconic original. This delightful tale of everyone’s favorite little orphan girl follows Annie from the orphanage to the back alleys of New York City to the mansion of Daddy Warbucks, who gives her a home and changes her life. Funny and heart-warming, Annie features an iconic score with such favorites as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You,” and the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.”

Gridiron Glory & Maker Faire at Union Station

• Details: at Union Station (30 W. Pershing KC, MO.)
• About Gridiron Glory: Gridiron Glory is a tribute to America’s passion – pro football. Pro football, from its humble beginning on America’s sandlots and overgrown fields, to the world’s biggest single-day sporting event, the Super Bowl, is chronicled within the exhibit. Inspiring stories of the game’s greatest players and circumstances of play bring to life words of courage, dedication, vision, fair play, and skill.
• About Maker Faire: June 27 & 28 at Union Station. Click for Ticket Information.  Maker Faire: Kansas City celebrates things people create themselves. 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!

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 $2/person. 913.971.5111 www.mahaffie.org
• Weekly Themes: June 4-Kansas Cowboys. June 11-Civil War. Upcoming weeks TBD.
• 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!

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!