Design-a-Day: Kansas City Edition

When you’re raising a family, getting caught up in busy schedules and forgetting to set aside time to spend with the ones you love is all too easy. This Valentine’s Day, use our “Design-a-Day” ideas to surprise your special someone. Our ideas work for a variety of ages and interests. Some are great for the family, others work well for couples, and some work either way.

How To: Use our Design-a-Day Coupon below and have your loved ones choose their favorite category, then plan a fun day or evening out using our ideas (or perhaps you’ll be inspired to come up with a few ideas of your own)! These ideas are broken out by region for your convenience. Choose experiences close to home or try something new in another neighborhood.

Southern Johnson County

• DIY: Spend an afternoon or evening painting pottery or making your own fused glass masterpiece at Paint, Glaze & Fire (12683 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park). Check their calendar for discounts and special events, including family nights.
• Fun Food: Bubble waffles finished with ice cream, special toppings and sauces are all the rage at Waffle Bar (4937 W. 119th St., Overland Park), where your waffle is made from scratch and turned into an ice cream cone or dessert base right before your very eyes. Be sure to snap a pic for social media when you enjoy this tasty treat.
• Fun & Games: Enjoy a classic night out playing arcades at Dave & Buster’s (6811 W. 135th St., Overland Park). On Wednesday nights, enjoy half-price game play.
• Get Active: Sometimes you want to try something new, adventurous and one-of-a-kind. Blade & Timber (5203 W. 117th St., Leawood) is the perfect choice. You can reserve a lane or play with strangers, throwing axes at a wooden target. This is great fun for couples or groups (participants must be 10 years old or older). Read our blog review of Blade & Timber for the full scoop.
• The Big Screen: Catch a movie at AMC Town Center 20 (11701 Nall Ave., Leawood). You’ll find the best deals on weeknights or matinees.
• Bonus Pick: Looking for something for the whole family? Try Breakout KC at Park Place (11535 Ash St., Leawood), an amazing interactive escape room experience (ideal for tweens, teens and adults). Work together as a group to solve puzzles and escape in less than an hour.

Crown Center

• DIY: Children love Kaleidoscope, where creativity and imagination play. In Kaleidoscope's (2500 Grand) magical hands-on world, kids create masterpieces with super cool, super fun supplies in a super amazing atmosphere, all thanks to Hallmark. Check their calendar and enjoy a free family session (HallmarkKaleidoscope.com).
• Fun Food: Kids pick Fritz’s (Level I, Crown Center Shops) as the most fun place to eat in town. Trains deliver burgers and fries tableside. For a tasty, more grown-up choice, try Unforked, where the tacos and burgers are made fresh with local ingredients.
• Fun & Games: Head to Legoland Discovery Center (2475 Grand), where you’ll begin your journey on a ride into the unknown on laser chariots. Play with the world’s biggest box of Legos, watch a film in the Lego Studios 4D Cinema and explore a miniature Kansas City in Lego Miniland.
• Get Active: Take a spin on the ice at Crown Center’s Ice Terrace (2425 Grand), our city’s original outdoor rink. On Tuesdays, two skate for the price of one.
• The Big Screen: Walk the Link from Crown Center to Union Station, where you can watch an astronomy program at the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium or catch a feature film or educational flick on Union Station’s Extreme Screen, one of the most affordable tickets in town.
• Bonus Pick: In February, the Coterie is offering two wonderful live plays. First, for audiences ages 10 and up, watch Secret Soldiers: Heroines in Disguise through Feb. 10. The play tells the secret history of women who fought as men during the American Civil War. Then, from Feb. 26 to March 31, enjoy Mr. Popper’s Penguins, a charming musical adaptation of the beloved book.

Eastern Jackson County

• DIY: Create your own Pinterest-worthy projects at Pinspire LLC (12 1/2 SW Third St., Lee’s Summit). They provide the workspace, inspiration and supplies. You can participate in one of their workshops or reserve studio time at PinspireStudio.com.
• Fun Food: For the most affordable mini ice cream cone in town (splurge a few cents more for chocolate dipped), visit Lion’s Choice (4049 Little Blue Pkwy., Independence). The fast food restaurant is known for delicious roast beef sandwiches, fries and ice cream treats.
• Fun & Games: With an indoor ropes obstacle course, laser tag, bowling, billiards and arcades, Main Event (Multiple Locations) is the perfect place to experience a fun night out. On Monday nights, enjoy all-you-can-play for $10.95 from 4:00 to close. Or, take advantage of one of their other great specials, all on MainEvent.com.
• Get Active: Sky Zone Lee’s Summit (2801 NE McBaine Dr., Lee's Summit) is an indoor trampoline park with a Ninja Warrior Course, bouldering wall for climbing, foam zone, dodgeball and a new warped wall.
• The Big Screen: Independence and Lee’s Summit both are home to many movie theaters. If you’re in the mood for a classic, visit the Pharaoh on the Square in Independence, or catch a matinee at one of the AMC or B&B locations.
• Bonus Pick: Paradise Park (1021 NE Colbern Rd., Lee's Summit) offers a variety of fun activities for every age and interest. Book an Exit Room (specifically designed for families so tweens and teens can participate) and work together to crack the code and escape in under an hour. Or, enjoy some of the adventures like laser tag, rock wall climbing, foam factory or arcades.

For even more great ideas, remember to use the resources on KCParent.com. Our Going Places guide features 500+ local attractions, our robust KC calendar is loaded with great events across the metro, our Kids Eat Free Guide is the best way to save money when dining out, and our coupon page offers great deals on many local attractions.

Kristina Light loves trying new things, but she always orders the Tilapia Tango Tacos when dining at Unforked.