A World of Whimsy and Fun
One of Kansas City’s original favorites is the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures and it recently underwent a magical transformation. From the first impression, visitors enter a charming world of toys with interactive exhibits taking them on a stroll down memory lane. They encounter treasures from Grandma’s attic, a vast collection of dollhouses, miniatures and toys of yesteryear. Toys enjoyed by generations are waiting to be discovered.
Back in 1932, Hazelle Hedges Rollins opened a Kansas City-based puppet company. The company no longer exists, but her collection inspired and started the collection for the Puppetry Arts Institute, where visitors learn about puppets from around the world. The museum shows monthly puppet performances. After shows, kids may sign up to make their own hand puppet.
Hallmark’s Kaleidoscope is one of the most popular family-friendly destinations in Kansas City. If Willy Wonka were commissioned to create an art center for children, Kaleidoscope would be the outcome. Hallmark and Crayola sponsor this free art center, and kids discover a magical world where they create glow-in-the-dark art, watch their paintings dry in a robot-inspired dryer right before their eyes, wash their hands in modern art sculptures and create masterpieces they transform into jigsaw puzzles with the turn of a wheel.
The merry-go-round is one of childhood’s fondest memories, and you can take a trip to see where it all began with a visit to the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum, one of the recipients of the Eight Wonders of Kansas Award from the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The Carousel Museum pays homage to C.W. Parker’s innovation and designs, including the 1913 carousel. The museum is still actively creating and restoring carousel animals. You’ll also enjoy seeing a variety of merry-go-rounds, including the oldest operating primitive wooden carousel and even miniature carousel music boxes. Best of all, every visit includes a nostalgic merry-go-round ride for fun memories and the perfect photo op!