Fun & Messy Outings in KC

Art Masterpieces

Treat the kids to an outing at Ceramic Cafe, where they can paint their own ceramic masterpieces. Another creative option is a visit to a Kansas City classic: Kaleidoscope, the metro’s free art center for children. Be sure to make a reservation on their website.

The Foam Factory

Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter has tunnels, slides, rides and inflatables. For fun, chaotic, messy play, the foam blasters are a favorite. Children fire foam balls at opponents with air-pressure guns and tubes for a creative experience!

Dig in the Dirt

Kids love to play in the dirt! Visit Family Tree Nursery, purchase a few small plants or seeds, and start your own indoor garden. Let your children watch as their small plants grow. Additionally, you may visit one of Kansas City’s botanical gardens year-round. Powell Gardens, the Overland Park Arboretum, Kauffman Memorial Garden and the Children’s Beanstalk Garden are all fun to visit.

Splash and Play

Use your imagination at Science City at Union Station. The Let’s Play exhibit offers a variety of interactive environments designed for young learners 3 and under. Moms can rest easy as kids explore the Babyscape, Pretend Play, Ramps & Runs and Air Play areas.

Beginning Builders

On various Saturdays, kids can participate in free DIY projects at all metro locations of Lowe’s and Home Depot. Both free programs provide children with a kit to create their own project. Check online for availability.

Ooey Gooey

Chip’s Chocolate Factory in Crown Center is a treat for the senses! With a vision for entertaining and educating, the shop was designed for live demonstrations that are offered daily. Visitors can schedule a group tour for a full experience in “chocology,” with tastings and samples.

Look for more great family fun ideas in Kansas City at KCParent.com!

• Beanstalk Children’s Garden

  Children's garden features educational programs on gardening and nutrition.

• Ceramic Café

  Pottery painting and glass fusing. Walk-ins welcome. Great for birthdays and group events too.

• Chip’s Chocolate Factory

  Home to world famous Kansas City FudgeTM and a dizzying array of all handmade treats. Featuring imported Swiss Chocolate and time tested techniques, we make what we sell on site, right before your eyes. Your sweet tooth will thank you for visiting!!

• Family Tree Nursery Liberty

  A beautiful, modern garden center in the heart of Shawnee! Since opening it’s doors as Family Tree Nursery in 1981, our Nieman location has grown a loyal customer base with great plants and top-notch customer service.

• Family Tree Nursery Overland Park

  What sets Family Tree Nursery apart is our passion for plants. Our bedding plants look better because they’re grown better – we grow almost every bedding plant we sell at our own greenhouses.

• Family Tree Nursery Shawnee

  A beautiful, modern garden center in the heart of Shawnee! Since opening it’s doors as Family Tree Nursery in 1981, our Nieman location has grown a loyal customer base with great plants and top-notch customer service.

• Home Depot Locations Across the Metro

• Kaleidoscope

  At Kaleidoscope, children use their imaginations to make art with left-over materials from Hallmark’s manufacturing processes. Some materials are cut into shapes, while others are left just as Hallmark sends them.

• Kanga's Indoor Playcenter and Cafe

  Open 7 days a week, America’s newest indoor play venue offers kids hours of running, climbing, jumping, and sliding through incredible play spaces.

• Kauffman Memorial Gardens

  The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden is a privately-owned garden that is run in cooperation with Powell Gardens. The garden is free and open to the public.

• Lowe's Stores across the Metro

• Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

  Savor beautiful gardens including a Monet garden, a children’s garden and water gardens.

• Powell Gardens

  Powell Gardens is a not-for-profit botanical garden located just east of Kansas City, Missouri. Our mission: to be an experience that embraces the Midwest’s spirit of place and inspires an appreciation for the importance of plants in our lives.

• Science City at Union Station

  Kansas City’s Science Center, Science City at Union Station Kansas City, is a dynamic, hands-on science center featuring nearly 200 individual interactive exhibits and daily programming. Kids of all ages experience the amazing world of science fir...