FREE Summer Fun for Little Ones in Kansas City

Savvy parents know the key to successful summer fun is to always be prepared with a few ideas for great outings on a budget. We have the Best FREE Summer Outings in Kansas City... perfect for hot days, rainy days, and every summer day in between!

NEW in 2012! Touch a Dinosaur!

• When, Where, What: The Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice Exhibit is open May 26-Sept.9 at Crown Center during shopping hours (816.274.8444) and it is FREE! Kids will love this fully interactive traveling exhibit all about dinosaurs! The realistic, fully touchable dinosaurs include a Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops. At the Big Dig, children unearth fossils and identify them in the Field Research Station. See a smoldering volcano, dinosaur puzzles, an “icy” slide and prehistoric cave.
• Why We LOVE It: Crown Center is always one of our favorite FREE destinations and the FREE educational hands-on exhibits for kids make it even better! While you're there, discover more Crown Center Family Fun tips.

Attend FREE Puppet Shows!

• The Facts and Bottom Line... we LOVE It! There are many opportunities to take the kids to see FREE Puppet Shows in Kansas City and we couldn't be happier about that. Why? Let's face it, puppets aren't always mom and dad's faves at home, but they are a great tool for creativity, imagination, and role play... and in the hands of the pros, they can be fun for all ages! The FREE Puppet Show Line Up in KC 2012 is:
• Crown Center's July Puppet Series Every Saturday in July with shows at Noon and 2pm at Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. A Crown Center tradition continues with performances from the region's most exciting puppeteers. Scheduled to perform: Clement McCrae Puppets (July 7), StoneLion Puppet Theatre (July 14), Bob Kramer Marionettes of St. Louis (July 21) and Paul Mesner Puppets (July 28). 816.274.8444 http://www.crowncenter.com
• Stone Lion's FREE Puppet Shows: http://stonelionpuppets.org/calendar.html Starry, Starry Night Puppet Show June 16, 2:00 PM Mid-Continent Public Library - S. Independence Branch Simple astronomy and constellation stories with wacky Professor Van Gogo. The moon, the stars and more with music, madcap mayhem and audience participation. Discover what a star is, explore our sun the red giant and the constellations of Cygnus the Swan and Draco the Dragon in this highly original production hand puppet show. A regular favorite at The National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. and Stellaluna Puppet Show The little bat Stellaluna is separated from her mother during a night of foraging and lands in a nest full of birds. Mama bird happily adopts her, but Stellaluna just can't change her "batty" ways. Showing

• • June 12, 10:00 AM at the Kansas City Public Library Westport Branch.

• • June 13, 1:30 PM at the Olathe Public Library Bell Cultural Center

• • June 19, 10:30 AM Kansas City Public Library Plaza Branch

Kids Bowl FREE

• When, Where, What: Every summer, bowling alleys across America offer the Kids Bowl Free program. Simply sign up on their website and you'll receive 2 FREE bowling games every day for your child. They also offer discount packages for parents so you may bowl too! You only have to pay for shoe rental, or provide your own pair if you have them! (Local bowling alleys sell shoes, even for kids!). Mission Bowl 'n Olathe and Mission Bowl in Shawnee are our two favorite kid-friendly local locations and they are offering FREE Bowling May 1 - August 24 for kids ages 15 and under. Register at Kids Bowl Free to receive coupons.
• Why We LOVE It: Bowling is the sport the entire family can enjoy, and we especially love it in the summer when we're craving some a/c or a break from summer rain.

Splash and Play in a Sprayground!

• When, Where, What: Kansas City is home to several FREE Spraygrounds where children can run through sprinklers and play on a "water playground." We have your Guide to Spraygrounds in Kansas City!
• Why We LOVE It: Kansas City Summers can get HOT and we all need a fun way to cool of from time to time! Children enjoy the fun of water play and "running through the sprinklers" without a big water bill at home!

Create a Masterpiece at Kaleidoscope!

• When, Where, What: Kaleidoscope is a FREE hands-on art center for children sponsored by Hallmark. They offer walk-in sessions all summer, simply check Kaleidoscope's Calendar for details!
• Why We LOVE It: Creativity and imagination play in Kaleidoscope's magical hands-on world where children create masterpieces with super cool, super fun supplies, in a super amazing atmosphere all thanks to Hallmark. This is truly one of Kansas City's BEST family-friendly attractions! PLUS it is indoors... making it perfect for rainy days or days when you just need to "stay in the a/c"!
• Hot Tip: While you're there, stop by the Hallmark Visitor's Center next door, one of our "Watch It Made in KC" picks!

Play at KidScape at the Johnson County Museum!

• When, Where, What: Johnson County Museum (6305 Lackman Road, Shawnee, KS). Admission: FREE. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sundays 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. 913.715.25550. Read our review of KidScape here. 
• Why We LOVE It: KidScape is a delightful educational and hands-on exhibit for kids ages 3-9 (but our younger-than-3 children love it too!). Children escape into a child-sized suburban streetscape, where children role-play as community figures in educational environments: bookstore, park, City Hall, hospital, fashion boutique, farm, and theater.This is a terrific indoor option for super hot or rainy days! And, be sure to explore the rest of the Johnson County Museum on your trip. My children adore the pioneer home complete with a kitchen, dining table, and chicken coop. The historical exhibits in the Johnson County Museum tell the story of the area for older children - adults.
• Hot Tip: This summer the Johnson County Museum also offers great programs, including children's concerts, Pop 'n Play programs, storytellers and more... all for a nominal fee or free! See the Johnson County Museum Calendar for more information.

Enjoy Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop Family Fun Nights!

• Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop offers Family Nights every Thursday in June and July from 6-8pm with FREE admission. Special activities like stagecoach rides are $2/person. (1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe, KS. 913.971.5111).
• Why We Love It: The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm in Olathe offers a wonderful living history of pioneer life. From farming, the blacksmithing, to home life, and of course... Stagecoaches... Mahaffie is a wonderful historic outing to remember life in the 1800s. On Family Nights, the site comes to life with 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 ranging from $1-2/ea.) and they vary with the theme each week. Our children were enthralled at the blacksmith shop where they made their own "S Hooks" and the stagecoach ride is a fun historic experience, but watch out for stagecoach thieves!
• 2012 Family Night Schedule: June 7: Kansas Cowboys, June 14: Horse Power and 1860s Recreation, June 21: Modern Marvels, June 28: 19th Century Fireworks, July 5: Hit the Trails; July 12: Border War Showcase, July 19: 19th Century Chores, July 26: 19th Century Farming (Wheat Harvest)
• Tips: Read our review of the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop before your visit and bring your camera for some family fun. And, bring some cash for activities.

Visit the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead!

• Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead (Memorial Day-Labor Day)! (13800 Switzer, Overland Park, KS. 913.897.2360). Regular Admission: Mon.- Thur., FREE; Fri. - Sun., $2/person; 1 & under free. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 1 to Oct. 31, and open till 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the summer.
• Why We Love it: Every time we ask KC Parent Readers about their favorite family attractions in Kansas City, the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead always gets a top mention. The Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead features many wonderful attractions to help children learn and appreciate animals, nature, and the outdoors. Children love the dairy barn, fishing pond, petting zoo, goat feeding, chicken coop, and miniature tractor rides. This year, the newest attractions are Alex & Emily's Ice Cream Parlor where you can purchase hand-dipped ice cream and Vic's General Store where families purchase souvenirs ranging from old fashioned candy to farmstead themed toys and treats.
• Tips: The Farmstead is FREE Mon-Thurs, and it's still a bargain at $2/ea on weekends! The Farmstead is one of the metro's most popular attractions, so it is often a bit crowded, but we've come to discover that the Tuesday and Thursday evening hours offer the least crowded time of day to visit and most pleasant weather in the summer. Some attractions do charge a small fee, including: fishing, goat feeding, feeding animals in the petting zoo, and pony rides.

Explore the Best Nature Centers in Kansas City!

• The Facts and Bottom Line... we LOVE It! Kids love to be up close and personal with nature, and Kansas City is home to many terrific nature centers with wonderful trails, animal exhibits, and FREE (or cheap) programs to teach kids about nature firsthand! These 3 are our Favorite Nature Centers in KC (most animals and exhibits and best free programs):
• Burr Oak Woods (1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO. 816.228.3766). Burr Oak Woods is one of our favorite family field-trips in Kansas City as one of the largest nature centers in the area. With an animatronic Smokey the Bear teaching children fire safety, a large aquarium of Missouri's fresh water fish, snakes, turtles, toads, and more, and wonderful hands-on educational exhibits for children, Burr Oak Woods is a great place to spend an afternoon. The Nature Center also features miles of beautiful trails for walking or bicycling. The Little Acorns programs for preschoolers, and family nature programs for all ages, offered throughout the year are FREE and fantastic! Check the Burr Oak Woods Calendar for upcoming events and hours.
• Lakeside Nature Center (4701 E. Gregory Blvd, KCMO. 816.513.8960). Lakeside Nature Center features one of the BEST animal exhibits in the area. The staff at the center rescue injured animals and keep them in a safe environment. See falcons, owls, eagles, toads, frogs, fish, insects, and wonderful exhibits on the animals in our city and in our homes. The Nature Center also features a gravel trail for walking and exploring. 
• Prairie Park Nature Center (2730 Harper St. Lawrence, KS. 785.832.7980). This nature center features MANY fantastic animal exhibits, from reptiles (iguanas, alligators, snakes and more!), to amphibians (several species of frogs and toads), to birds (including native birds of prey) and mammals. The hands-on center for preschoolers features nature puppets, puzzles, and hands-on activities. The park includes grassland, forest, and lake with trails for walking and exploring.
• Discover many more wonderful nature centers in the Kansas City area.

Spend a Day at the Park!

• When, Where, What: One of the best things about Kansas City is its wealth of wonderful parks and playgrounds for families! We compiled a list of our favorite parks in Kansas City and why we love them!
• Why We LOVE It: Does your child dream of becoming a fire fighter? Do they pretend to be a Pirate, Prince, or Princess? Or they enthralled by elephants? Kansas City is home to many EXTRAORDINARY parks! Castle Playgrounds, Penguin Slides, Pirate Ship Parks, Firetruck Jungle Gyms, Dinosaurs and MORE! We've collected a list of some of the most unique and most FUN Parks in KC! Best of all? This is a FREE and Fun Outing on our list! Grab the picnic basket, camera, bubbles and balls and spend the day playing.

Museum Kids Drop-Ins!

• When, Where, What: Kansas City Museum (3218 Gladstone Blvd. KCMO) Wednesdays & Fridays in July & August from10 a.m.-2 p.m. This summer, drop in with your child for games, music, stories and arts & crafts. Different historical themes in these structured, unscheduled activities will keep children entertained and (don’t tell them!) they just might learn something. There will be storytelling in the mornings and singing in the afternoons. NOTICE: Museum Kids summer programs are drop-ins, not drop-offs. Kids must be accompanied by an adult while here at the Museum.
• Why We LOVE It: The Kansas City Museum is one of Kansas City's oldest landmarks. While the mansion is under extensive restoration, the visitor's center is still offering great programs to teach local kids about KC history in fun and interactive ways!

Discover Amazing Art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art!

• The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is open Wed, 10 a.m.—4 p.m.; Thurs, Fri, 10 a.m.—9 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.—5 p.m.; Sun, Noon—5 p.m. (4525 Oak, KCMO.
• Why We Love It: This is one outing where you will discover something new upon each visit. Families will especially enjoy the all new FUN Spot, located in Bloch Lobby, where visitors and families to learn what activities are available for them that day to maximize their fun.
• Tips: Use our Nelson- Atkins Scavenger Hunt on your visit for added fun! We offer two scavenger hunts: one for tweens, teens, and adults that can be a little more challenging and fun for groups and another for young children (even pre-readers... images provided!). You can race against two teams to complete the scavenger hunt, or try to complete one as a family project. And, the hunt for young children features objects found in multiple works of  art. Track how often you find any one thing or try the hunt more than once to discover there is more than one way to solve it.

Note: This list was compiled by the staff of KC Parent Magazine and may not be reproduced in print or online without permission. If you have an addition to this list, please email kristina@kcparent.com