The Ultimate Destination Staycation

Your kids are dreaming of the best spring break ever. The Joneses are vacationing in Aspen, the Smiths are heading to the beach and you’re unable to break away for the week, so you find yourself homebound. This year, surprise your kids with the “next best thing” and plan an unforgettable spring break week fulfilling their wildest dreams—all without leaving town!

BONUS:

This article was featured on Fox 4 Kansas City on Feb. 28, 2012.

Destination: Hit the Slopes

“If I could go anywhere for spring break, I’d go on a ski trip.” ~ Angela, 16

Bid a final adieu to winter before officially welcoming spring with a day of snowboarding and skiing at Snow Creek Ski Resort (816.640.2200) in Weston, just 45 minutes from KC. The resort is only open the first few weeks in March, so be sure to make plans now. Snow Creek offers skiing, snowboarding and lessons for beginners. While you’re in Weston, be sure to visit O’Malley’s (500 Welt St., 816.640.5235) one of the region’s most authentic Irish pubs, and stroll Main Street that’s lined with quaint eateries, boutiques and museums.

Destination: Movie Magic

“Mom doesn’t let us watch much television during the school year. I want to veg out with movies during spring break.” ~ Jordan, 9

Turn family movie night up a notch and create your own home theater. Have the kids design movie tickets and their own concession stand, complete with favorite theater snacks. Experiment with popcorn recipes (www.Popcorn.org) and pop in your favorite film or try a new one. Or treat the kids to one of AMC’s ultimate movie experiences. Towering screens immerse you in fantastic and exciting worlds at AMC’s four IMAX locations across the Metro. You also can enjoy dinner and a movie at AMC’s Fork & Screen, a one-of-a-kind experience where theatergoers enjoy personal recliners and seat-side service at the push of a button and where a full menu of casual dining choices is offered. Kansas City boasts a Fork & Screen theater at 12075 S. Strang Line Rd., Olathe (guests 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult). Call 888.AMC.4FUN for showtimes. And another fun theatre, the Alamo Drafthouse at 1400 Main St., KCMO, call 816.474.4545 for showtimes.

Destination: Make Some Waves!

“I want to go to the beach!” ~Savannah, 7

Your kids will have the time of their lives at Kansas City’s indoor water park, CoCo Key (816.737.0200) featuring 55,000 square feet of indoor fun with a wading pool, slides, fast tube rides, activity pools and more! Many local community centers also offer terrific indoor pools with additional amenities. Our favorite inexpensive fun-filled options are: Matt Ross Community Center in Overland Park (913.895.6350) with a lap pool, zero-depth entry pool, spray toys, an 18-ft. water slide for swimmers, water bucket drop and a lazy river; Legacy Park Community Center in Lee's Summit (816.969.1550) with a 141-ft. figure-eight water slide, spray features, large play area, zero-depth beach entrance, four 20-yard lap lanes, current channel and hot tub; and The View Community Center in Grandview (816.316.4888), featuring a lap pool, zero-depth recreation pool, lazy river, coconut tree, umbrella, spray features and a 22-ft.-high slide. Or, find a pool near you with our complete list of indoor pools in KC on www.KCGoingPlaces.com.

Destination: Adrenaline Rush

“Adventure is my middle name. Okay, maybe it’s not, but I wish it was. That would be cool!” ~ Jake, 11

A little friendly competition is good among family and even better when it’s daring and dangerous. Put the pedal to the metal and race go-karts outdoors at Cool Crest (816.358.0088) or Paradise Park (816.246.5224), where you can also enjoy miniature golf, arcades and more. 

Destination: Free Family Fun

“I’d love to fulfill my kids’ wildest dreams, but I’m on a budget.” ~ Sarah, local mom

Kansas City offers many terrific free outings, and some of them can only be enjoyed during the week. Younger children always love to visit Kaleidoscope (www.HallmarkKaleidoscope.com), the free hands-on art center for children, where they create masterpieces with super-cool, fun supplies in an amazing one-of-a-kind setting that only Hallmark and Crayola could create. While you’re there, visit Crown Center and their free Animal Tails & Trails exhibit. Enjoy lunch at Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant where model trains deliver food to your table, or dine on delicatessen pizza at d’Bronx.  And, the ultimate tour for frugal families is a visit to the Money Museum (1 Memorial Dr., KCMO, 816.881.2683, open weekdays from 8:30 to 4:30 for walk-in tours), where they give you money just for participating! Tour the facility with interactive exhibits exploring banking, basic economics and the financial policies that affect your family. The highlight of the tour is the free souvenir bag of shredded cash for each visitor.

These ideas are just the beginning. Visit www.KCGoingPlaces.com for 500+ attractions in the Metro all begging to be explored.

Kristina Light loves to plan unforgettable staycations.