Free (or Cheap) Ideas in KC This Winter

Looking for KC family fun on the cheap?  Celebrate the winter season with these free and cheap Kansas City area ideas!

1. Watch fish in the aquariums at Cabela’s (913.328.0322) or Bass Pro (816.795.4300). 
2. Visit Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm that is especially fun on snowy Saturdays when horse-drawn sleigh rides are offered—weather permitting.
3. Tour the Roasterie and learn about coffee. Learn the history, take a walk along their Green Coffee Mile, sample our coffee and watch a brewing demonstration. It’s all things coffee in one place.
4. Appreciate art at free First Fridays in the Crossroads. 
5. Explore the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
6. Visit the animals indoors at Lakeside Nature Center.
7. Step back in time at the Lanesfield School Historic Site. The museum is open on Fridays and Saturdays and tells the story of a typical 20^th-century school day.
8. Go on a hike at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center.
9. Marvel at modern art at the Nerman Museum, where admission is free.
10. Take a winter hike at Ernie Miller Nature Center.
11. Visit the National Archives of Kansas City and explore their free exhibits.
12. Get free money at the Money Museum.
13. Learn about nature at the Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary.
14. And remember to search Free Events on our Kansas City calendar, where you’ll find free (and cheap) things to enjoy every day.

• Bass Pro & Cabela's Locations across the Metro

  Your trusted source for quality fishing, hunting, boating and outdoor sporting goods. Inspiring people to enjoy & protect the great outdoors.

• Burr Oak Woods Nature Center

  One of the largest nature centers in the Metro, Burr Oak Woods features hands-on exhibits for children, an aquarium with Missouri fish, live animals and nature trails.

• Crossroads Art District

  Offers more than 100 art galleries plus tour for free the first Friday evening of each month.

• Ernie Miller Nature Center

  The nature center features animals native to Kansas, hiking trails and educational programs.

• Federal Reserve Bank & Money Museum

  Tour Kansas City’s Federal Reserve Bank and learn about the U.S. Monetary System. Children can make their own money and leave with a shredded souvenir!

• Lakeside Nature Center

  Enjoy an incredible place to enjoy learning about local native wildlife, including birds of prey, snakes, amphibians, turtles, fish and invertebrates.

• Lanesfield School Historic Site

  The Lanesfield School Historic Site is a tribute to rural schooling. It consists of a restored one-room schoolhouse, outbuildings and a visitor’s center. Programs in the schoolhouse feature a costumed schoolteacher who recreates a 1904 school expe...

• Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm

  Visit the only working stagecoach stop open to the public on the Santa Fe Trail. Relive the adventures of early stagecoach passengers. Tour the home, blacksmith shop and farm. Mahaffie offers many events throughout the year, including hands-on pro...

• Martha LaFite Thompson Nature Sanctuary

  Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary is a private nonprofit nature organization with a 100 acres Wildlife Sanctuary.

• National Archives at Kansas City

  Kansas City has one of the 11 branches of the National Archives. The collections include historical, diplomatic, genealogical and military documents, artifacts and exhibits.

• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

  The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is Kansas City’s favorite free attraction, as voted by readers of KC Parent Magazine! Discover masterpieces in the galleries, spend quality time together at a festival or drop in for a weekend art activity. Classes...

• Nerman Museum

  The museum boasts two lobbies – the impressive Cantilever Entrance (featuring a dazzling 60,000 white LED installation by artist Leo Villareal) and the glass and metal Atrium Lobby.

• Roasterie Inc.

  Tour the coffee company and learn about cupping, roasting and blending.