Free (or cheap!) Winter Family Fun

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 or Bass Pro. 
2. A visit Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm is especially fun on snowy Saturdays when horse-drawn sleigh rides are offered—weather permitting.
3. Tour the Roasterie and learn about coffee.
4. Explore the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
5. Visit the animals indoors at Lakeside Nature Center.
6. Step back in time at the Lanesfield School Historic Site.
7. Go on a hike at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center.
8. Take a winter hike at Ernie Miller Nature Center.
9. Visit the National Archives of Kansas City and explore their free exhibits.
10. Get free money at the Money Museum.
11. Learn about nature at the Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary.
12. When temps are warmer, visit a new park! Find a list of great parks all over Kansas City at KCParent.com.

• Bass Pro Shop - Olathe

• Bass Pro Shops – Independence

  The Best In Fishing, Hunting & Outdoor Products. Offer Ends Soon, Shop Now! Local In-Store Pickup. Outdoor Rewards. Price Match Policy. 100% Guarantee. Types: Hunting, Fishing, Boating, Camping, Clothing, Shoes & Boots.

• 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.

• 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...

• Roasterie Inc.

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