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Kick Off Summer in Kansas City

Backyard cookouts, sandcastles, movie nights and lazy days at the park, nature walks and hunts for butterflies and bugs … this is the stuff of summer. Make even more memories this summer with these local traditions.

Roller coasters and waterslides

Worlds of Fun is open for the season, welcoming the rebirth of the Zambezi Zinger plus seven more world-class roller coasters, including one of the tallest, longest and fastest roller coasters in the world. This thriller is the Mamba and boasts a first drop of 205 feet! The Patriot is a giant coaster with four inversions and carries riders at a top speed of 65 mph. Enjoy a thrill as the entire family rides together on the Spinning Dragons, where the cars freely rotate as they speed along the track. Or ride the classic wooden roller coaster, the Timber Wolf. Young children enjoy Planet Snoopy with great rides for kids, and the theme park boasts dozens of thrill rides and attractions for guests of all ages.

On Memorial Day Weekend, Oceans of Fun opens for the season. With waves of fun from mild to wild, Oceans of Fun offers an amazing time for everyone in the family. Extreme waterslides appeal to thrill-seekers, and kiddos love the pint-sized slides, geysers and fountains at Crocodile Isle. Float along the Caribbean Cooler lazy river and catch some waves at the fan favorite Surf City Wave Pool. One of the newest attractions is Riptide Raceway, the world’s longest mat racing waterslide. From five stories high, racers will speed down 486 feet in enclosed, winding tubes and around a 360-degree loop before an epic splashdown finish. Visitors to Oceans of Fun enjoy Worlds of Fun admission for the price of one ticket.

Animal adventures

The Kansas City Zoo is a family favorite all summer long. We’re big fans of the African Sky Safari, a ski lift style ride above Africa offering great views of the animals. Other fun experiences are the train, boat and carousel rides and the world-class animal exhibits. The Elephant Expedition, camel feeding station, Discovery Barn, Australia exhibit, Helzberg Penguin Plaza and Polar Bear Passage are just a few of our favorite attractions at the zoo. Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is another beloved outdoor attraction. The petting zoo and farm offers fantastic educational attractions for the family. Pony rides, wagon rides, miniature tractors, an old-fashioned school, mining camp, gardens and farm animals are just part of the fun. Coming soon in 2023 … visitors will enjoy a brand new world-class aquarium at the KC Zoo.

Near the Kansas City Zoo, Go Ape offers treetop and private group adventures. The two- to three-hour obstacle course includes 40 crossings that feature rope bridges, five zip lines, Tarzan swings and net bridges. This is a fully immersive experience combining obstacles and zip lines for the adventure enthusiast.

Shop at a local farmers market

Kansas City is home to more than 30 farmers markets. They range from small markets selling exclusively organic produce to the City Market with more than 140 local vendors. You can purchase fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs, homemade soaps, baked goods and even live animals. If you are new to the world of the farmers market, this simple guide will get you started: “Farmers Market Guide” on KCParent.com.

Wet and wild water fun

A day at the lake is a quintessential summer pastime, and Lake Olathe is one of our favorite local lakes, boasting a beautiful swim beach and the inflatable Aqua Park. For landlocked Midwesterners, it’s great to have a place where you can build sandcastles, swim with the family and jump into the water from a giant floating playground. Lake Olathe Park visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and pedal boats at the marina. The upper lawn at the lake is surrounded by landscaping and a small stream with a water feature flowing into a waterfall before ending in a pond. A creek leading from the pond wraps around the kid-friendly sprayground before flowing into the lake.

Take your kids out to the ballgame

Grab your glove and ball cap and head to Kauffman Stadium to take in a Royals game. Since 1969, Kansas Citians have been cheering the boys in blue who’ve won two World Series championships. You can also catch a game with the Kansas City Monarchs, part of the American Association of Baseball, as they play at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. The team, formerly the T-Bones, rebranded in a partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and celebrates part of Kansas City’s rich baseball history.

Summer reading adventures

Books open new worlds to children. This summer, encourage your child to cultivate a love of reading with incentive programs from local libraries and businesses that kick off annually in May! This year’s theme is All Together Now.

Mid-Continent Public Libraries, Johnson County Public Libraries, Olathe Public Library and other local libraries and businesses host summer learning programs that encourage kids to ready daily and remain active. Children earn free books and prizes all summer long.

Check out KC Parent's Guide to Summer Reading Programs.

U-pick farms

In Kansas City, we enjoy many u-pick farms across the metro area, where you may pick blueberries, strawberries, apples, peaches, fresh vegetables and more. Summer kicks off the u-pick season when many local businesses host opportunities to enjoy farm-fresh produce. Use our guide to Kansas City's U-Pick Farms.

Summer festivals

From trendy boutique shopping to old-fashioned county fairs, ethnic festivals with delicious delicacies and local barbecue festivals ... there is something for everyone! Some of our favorites include Celebration at the Station, Great Balloon Glow, Strawberry Festival, Festival of Butterflies, WaterFire, Grand Carnivale at Worlds of Fun, Great Lenexa BBQ Battle, Jazzoo, Independence Day festivals, Missouri State Fair, Ethnic Enrichment Festival and more. Use our Summer Festival Guide for a complete schedule.

Kristina Light’s family loves celebrating summer at the lake and on roller coasters at Worlds of Fun.

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