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10 Great Indoor Outings in KC

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  1. The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is open year-round, and now with the new Sobela Ocean Aquarium, there are even more indoor animals to enjoy. Choose a warmer winter day to visit and hit up our favorite indoor exhibits—polar bear, penguins, Discovery Barn, Tropics—and remember to pack a lunch.
  2. Urban Air Trampoline Park (two locations: 8554 Maurer Rd., Lenexa, and 14401 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com) is one of our favorite places to play! Offering much more than trampolines, this is a great place to spend a day. Urban Air gives a generous helping of frenetic fun with attractions like Kidzone and Urban Air Warrior Course. The Sky Rider is an amazing indoor ride where passengers zip across the park in a harness. The ropes course, climbing walls, virtual reality games and tunnel play areas are all great additions to the classic trampoline attractions. Tip: Save on admission with a membership package; choose from several levels, including a meal-included option.
  3. Ceramic Cafe (9510 Nall Ave., Overland Park) is a paint-your-own pottery studio offering clay building, ceramic painting and glass fusing. Enjoy Creative Story Time for little ones, special classes or their walk-in programs to make gifts and holiday decorations.
  4. Something is always blooming at Family Tree Nursery (FamilyTreeNursery.com). Family Tree offers some of the largest nurseries in the area with wide selections to enjoy through one of the most unique and fun shopping experiences in the city. Little ones love the fairy gardens and displays.
  5. Inspired Play Cafe in Overland Park is a safe and clean environment where little ones can nurture their curiosity and imagination. The cafe offers drinks and food for parents and caregivers.
  6. The Lenexa Rec Center is one of our favorite indoor pools with fabulous waterslides and fun features. For even more indoor pools, click Going Places and search pools on KCParent.com.
  7. Enjoy indoor playtime at Kanga’s Indoor Play Center and Cafe in Independence. With tunnels, soft play areas, a bounce house, playground equipment and rides, this fun center is a favorite winter spot for families.
  8. RoKC Olathe (654 N. Central St., Olathe, 913.318.3600). This indoor rock wall climbing facility features 35- to 50-foot walls for all skill levels from beginner to expert, 15-foot bouldering walls, fitness equipment available for ages 14 and up, cardio equipment, elliptical equipment, Jacob’s ladders and facilities for advanced climbing training (for those with a year of experience). RoKC features three types of climbing walls: lead, top rope and auto belay. The lead and top rope walls do require passing certification, but auto belay is open to beginners. The site even has a speed climbing wall where you can time your speed or race friends. (The current record is 8 seconds!) The attraction is great for single-day visits, or you can purchase a multiple visit punch card, memberships and parties. For parents who want to climb, they even provide on-site childcare in a play lounge included with admission. If you are interested in hosting a party, the private event room features 20 of the site’s 32 auto belays.
  9. Kansas City is home to several wonderful nature centers, and admission is always free. Our local nature centers offer hands-on exhibits teaching families about native plants and animals. They also offer free classes and programs year-round. With aquariums, animal exhibits and trails to explore (weather permitting), nature centers are a favorite educational outing any season. Our favorites include Burr Oak Woods (Blue Springs), Anita Gorman Discovery Center (Kansas City, Mo.), Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary (Liberty), Ernie Miller Nature Center (Olathe) and Prairie Park Nature Center (Lawrence).
  10. Head to Chicken N Pickle or SERV. These are great community hangouts. Enjoy casual dining, pickleball courts, yard games and a super chill environment for a night out. They offer indoor courts to enjoy in the winter!
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