FREE Summer Fun Ideas in Kansas City: 2011
Summer in Kansas City... Concerts, Movies, Theater under the Stars, Water Fun and great indoor fun to cool off on SUPER HOT Summer Days! Don't miss these great FREE Ideas for Summer Fun in Kansas City!
Top Picks for FREE Summer Fun in Kansas City!
Explore the Rainforest
- When, Where, What: The Rainforest Adventure Exhibit is open May 28-Sept.5, 2011 at Crown Center (816.274.8444) and it is FREE! Learn more about the Rainforest Adventure Exhibit at Crown Center!
- Why We LOVE It: Crown Center's FREE hands-on exhibits for kids capture the imagination and spark creativity and the "Rainforest Adventure" is one of the best! This multisensory expedition introduces children to tropical rainforests around the world. The exhibit features 40 interactive components, including computer games, a 9-foot kapok tree, gorilla blind and a station to create your own unique insect. Children role-play as research assistants as they explore and learn about the rainforest and its ecological wonders.
- Hot Tip: Read below to discover other great FREEBIES nearby... Kaleidoscope, the Crown Center Fountains (one of our favorite Spraygrounds), the Hallmark Visitor's Center and more!
FREE Summer Movies
- When, Where, What: Enjoy FREE Movies All Summer long! We have the complete Guide to FREE (and Cheap) Summer Movies in Kansas City, including FREE Summer movies for kids at the Legends 14 Theatre every Tuesday & Wednesday in June & July at 10am (doors open at 9am).
- Why We LOVE It: What could be more fun than a Summer Movie and a box of popcorn? Saving $ on Tickets with Free (or nearly free) Movies all summer long at local theaters, parks, and amphitheaters where you can enjoy your favorite flicks on the big screen!
Sprint Family Fun Days
- When, Where, What: The monthly Sprint Family Fun Series is back on the 3rd Saturday of each month and KC Parent Magazine is proud to be a sponsor! 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: The Sprint Family Fun Series is one of the BEST Family-Friendly events in the metro and it's FREE! The 2011 Line Up includes:
- June 18-Summer Safari-Petting zoo with exotic animals, reptiles up close & personal, choo-choo train rides, go on a safari scavenger hunt, show by Sugar Free All Stars, It’s a Jungle Out There puppet Show, Brandon Draper’s Drum Safari
- July 16-Sports & Fitness-Meet KC’s favorite sports mascots, mini-gold, baseball, play sports games and more
- August 20-Back to Nature-puppet show, learn about MO birds and animals, learn how to recycle and more
- September 17-Bubbles & Balloons-live music with the Doo Dads, Mad Science, Bubble contests and more
- October 15-Fall Festival-Hayrides, pumpkin decorating, costume contests, pumpkin patch, trick-or-treat (at Power and Light restaurants and shops)
Summer Reading Programs
- When, Where, What: Check our Guide to Summer Reading Programs in Kansas City for the full scoop!
- Why We LOVE It: Discover "One World, Many Stories" this summer at Kansas City's libraries where children earn great prizes and incentives for reaching their reading goals. Best of all, ALL local libraries are also hosting terrific FREE events all summer to promote summer reading. Also, discover local businesses that offer terrific incentive programs!
- Hot Tip: If you're looking for new books, read Elizabeth Welter's article on Kansas City's Children's Bookstores.
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 is offering a Summer Arts Program every Friday from June 3-July 29, 2011 from 10:00-Noon. This is a drop-in arts program for kids 4-8 years old, registration not required. Weekly themes introduce kids to art processes and fun! $3 per child, $2 for Museum Members. Parents must stay with children. Dress for mess!
Concerts Under the Stars
- When, Where, What: There are 100+ FREE Concerts in Kansas City and we have your Guide to Summer Concerts in Kansas City!
- Why We LOVE It: Jazz, Classical, Pop, Rock, Kiddie Rockers, Bluegrass, Patriotic, Country... this summer there is something for every music lover at one of Kansas City's terrific Summer Concerts and many of them are under the stars!
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" for FREE all summer. 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!
- Hot Tip: Discover our local Beaches in the Kansas City area for another affordable way to make a splash this summer or read KC Going Places to find a pool or water park near you!
Festivals & Fairs
- When, Where, What: Many of Kansas City's Festivals are FREE, while a few charge a "nearly free" admission. We have our list of Kansas City's Festivals in June 2011 and our list of Kansas City's Festivals in July 2011... .with the rest of the summer's list coming soon! You may also enjoy our Guide to the 4th of July in Kansas City with festivals, parades, and fireworks!
- Why We LOVE It: It's Summer in Kansas City and that means Festivals! Whether you fancy a good old fashioned county fair, or an ethnic festival with delicious delicacies, or something a bit more out of the ordinary... there is something for everyone!
- Hot Tip: This year, we're especially looking forward to the Duck Derby on June 26 at the Country Club Plaza! Learn how YOU can promote YOUR Business at the Duck Derby with our Duckorating Contest!
Heart of America Shakespeare Festival
- When, Where, What: Macbeth performed at 8pm nightly June 14-July 3 at Southmoreland Park for FREE. No performances on June 20 nor June 27, 2011. Sign language interpreted performances Wednesday, June 22 and Saturday, June 25. Learn more about the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival.
- Why We LOVE It: The Pre-Show Festival for Macbeth is almost as much fun as the show itself! The Festival offers a variety of performances and presentations before the play. Nightly the Green Show features Shakespeare Exploration students, presenting a 20-minute parody version of the Festival play. Show Talk, presented by local Shakespeare enthusiast, Philip blue owl Hooser and scholar Felicia Hardison-Londré gives audiences an entertaining and educational preview of the play. All of this sets the tone for a magical evening of live theater and Shakespeare. Bring a picnic and a blanket and curl up for a night of culture in Kansas City.
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
- When, Where, What: Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead (13800 Switzer, Overland Park, KS) 913.897.2360. Admission: Mon., - Thur., FREE; Fri. - Sun., $2/person; 1 & under free. The Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 1 to Oct. 31. During the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day), the Farmstead is open until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.
- 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! With almost 200 animals and birds of prey, a dairy barn, vegetable and flower gardens, petting zoo animals, child-size tractor rides, a one-room country schoolhouse, an old-time fishing pond, pony rides, an ice cream parlor, and more this is a favorite family attraction you will want to visit again and again!
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 are 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 summer playing.
- Hot Tip: Is Penguin Park too far out of the way for you to justify the trip? We travel north from time to time to the airport and make a point to visit Penguin Park on those trips to save gas. Consider bundling park visits with other errands to save gasoline.
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!
Kansas City's Nature Centers
- When, Where, What: Kansas City is home to many terrific nature centers (Burr Oak Woods and Lakeside Nature Center are our family FAVORITES) and we have your Guide to Nature Centers in Kansas City. Best of all the centers are all FREE and many of them offer terrific summer programs for kids.
- Why We LOVE It: My daughter still remembers her Crawling Crayfish class from last summer's free programs at Burr Oak Woods. The nature trails, hands-on exhibits, and educational programs captivate kids and teach our city kids about the great outdoors in a fun environment!
- Hot Tip: For more ideas to get back to nature, see Heather Shields' article on Fishing in KC, or our article on KC Farm Tours.
Kansas City's Summer Calendar
Still looking for more great family fun ideas for FREE in Kansas City? Read our Top 10 Picks for June in KC, then check out our Kansas City Calendar of Events and Going Places in Kansas City on KCParent.com for more family fun ideas!