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Winter Fun in KC from A-Z

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    Since Kansas City gets its fair share of cold winter weather, planning for a little indoor fun is necessary for the savvy parent. Follow our guide from A to Z for great ideas to enjoy on a cold winter day!

A) Art: Explore Hands-On art at Kaleidoscope where children can create their own projects with special materials from Hallmark and Crayola. They love the glow-in-the-dark room, melted wax, watercolor paint dryer, and jigsaw puzzle maker. Best of all, it is FREE! Kaleidoscope (2500 Grand, KCMO. Call for hours 816.274.8300). To read our review, click here.

B) Bounce: Take the kids to Monkey Bizness in Olathe or Little Monkey Bizness in Shawnee where they will enjoy inflatables, obstacle courses and fun. Visit Monkey Bizness's site for open play hours.

C) Cinema: The Noland Fashion Cinema (40 Hwy and Noland Rd. in Independence) shows movies for $2.00/ticket! Click here for the schedule at Noland Fashion Cinema and directions.

D) Dolls: For Doll Lovers, there are many wonderful sites to see in Kansas City. Visit the Doll Museum, Toy and Miniature Museum, or Doll Cradle to see hundreds of dolls both past and present. Click here for our Guide for Doll Lovers in Kansas City.

E) Eat Out: KC boasts several super fun restaurants for families, but the ultimate top pick for KC Kids is consistently Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant (3 Locations: 250 N. 18th St., KCKS. 913.281.2777, or 1st floor Crown Center 2500 Grand, KCMO. 816.474.4004, or 13803 W. 63rd St., Shawnee, KS. 913.375.1000). Who needs waiters when you have a model train to deliver the food to your table? Fritz’s serves hamburgers, shakes, fries, and hot dogs all with the help of model trains that bring the food directly to your table. Little Engineers love the fun and the food is great! For more train ideas in Kansas City, click here.

F) Foam Warfare!: At Paradise Park a family can bond by firing foam balls at one another with air-compressed machine guns and devices in the Foam Factory! While you’re there, climb a rock wall or explore the Children’s Edutainment Center with everything from a miniature grocery store and bank, to an indoor water play exhibit and art center with face paints and special projects for kids.When it's not too cold outside, you can also enjoy outdoor fun with go-karts, miniature golf, and batting cages. Paradise Park (1021 NE Colbern Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO. 816.246.5224). To read our Paradise Park Review, click here.

G) Go-Kart Racing: Put the pedal to the metal and race your loved ones at Sadlers. The indoor track is home to Go-Karts imported from Germany, racers can reach speeds of 45 mph. Sadlers Indoor Racing (325 N. Mur-Len, Olathe, KS. 913.768.7700).

H) History of the Trails: The Oregon, California, and Santa Fe Trails played an integral part in shaping Kansas City. At the National Frontier Trails Museum (318 W. Pacific, Independence, MO. 816.325.7575) you can participate in interactive exhibits as you learn about Western Expansion. The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop features tours of the farm home and Santa Fe Trail Stagecoach Stop, as well as actual stagecoach rides (1200 Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS. 913.971.5111).

I) Ice Skate: Enjoy a day of skating outdoors at The Ice (117th and Nall, Leawood, KS. 913.663.2070) or the Crown Center Ice Terrace (2500 Grand Blvd., KCMO. 816.274.8411).

J) Jazz: Kansas City is known for Jazz and the American Jazz Museum is the perfect place to introduce young music lovers to the local genre. With wonderful hands-on exhibits and listening centers, children enjoy listening to classic Jazz, composing their own pieces, and learning about the history of 18th and Vine. American Jazz Museum (1616 E. 18th St., KCMO. 816.221.1920). To read our review of the American Jazz Museum, click here.

K) KidScape: KidScape is a miniature city just for children. With a hands-on child-sized hospital, city hall, theater, shops, and park, kids love to play and explore the adult world through their eyes. This FREE outing is hosted at the Johnson County History Museum (6305 Lackman, Shawnee, KS.). To read our review of KidScape, click here.

L) Laughter: Comedy City is Kansas City’s family-friendly Improv Show (recommended for ages 10 and up, only because they’ll be old enough to enjoy it). At Comedy City, local comedians create a show right before your eyes with improv comedy that includes the audience. The show is clean and wholesome, and guaranteed to have you laughing out loud! Comedy City (817 Westport Rd., KCMO. 816.842.2744).

M) Made in KC: Kids love to watch how things are made, and several KC businesses offer great "Watch it Made Tours in Kansas City." You can also watch as food is made in KC, but this is seasonal so only a few of our "Watch Food Made in KC" venues are open in the winter... go ahead and read our guide though and make your plans for spring, summer, and fall!

N) Nature – Indoors: Our local nature centers offer hands-on exhibits, aquariums, and special programs for families. For a complete guide to Nature Centers in Kansas City, click here.

O) Ocean: The National Geographic LIVE tour is coming to Kansas City this winter as experts present educational programs on their discoveries... including the ocean!

P) Painting: Paint your own ceramic creations at Paint, Glaze, and Fire. They supply the ceramics, the paints, and the brushes… you just supply the creative budding artists! Paint, Glaze, and Fire (12683 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS. 866.662.2188).

Q) Quest: Embark on a quest for hidden art. Take the family on a FREE outing and enjoy our exclusive Scavenger Hunt at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, printable here. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak, KCMO. 816.751.1238).

R) Read Something New: A trip to the Reading Reptile in Brookside is a children’s book lover’s dream. The store captures the imagination through its colorful displays and special events. On Friday nights, they show family films and serve popcorn for FREE. Reading Reptile (63rd and Wornall, KCMO. 816.753.0441).

S) Sled or Ski: Take the family sledding! Click here for a list of Sledding Hills in Kansas City! Visit Snow Creek to go skiing in Weston, Missouri.

T) Treasure: In 1856, the Arabia Steamboat was traversing the Missouri River when her paddle wheel caught a tree snag and she sunk. In the 1980s, the Hawley family took on the adventure of unearthing the Arabia’s treasures and their success is now on display for all to see. Children are captivated by her story and amazed by the cargo, from ketchup to porcelain dolls, tools to dishes, the artifacts of the Arabia give us a glimpse into the past. Arabia Steamboat Museum (400 Grand Blvd. KCMO. 816.471.1856). To read our review of the Steamboat Arabia Museum, click here.

U) Uncover something New: Kansas City is welcoming TWELVE new family-friendly attractions in 2012.... from LEGOLand to SeaLife to Disney's Aladdin at the Kauffman Center and more! There is truly something for everyone! Read our feature, "12 New Attractions in 2012" to unveil the inside scoop!

V) Visit the Harley-Davidson Factory: Harley Davidson Factory Tours (11401 N. Congress Ave. KCMO 816.270.8023 www.harley-davidson.com). These tours are for guests ages 12 and up. Watch the modern assembly line process firsthand as manufacturers build a motorcycle right before your eyes! Call for hours or to schedule a group tour.

W) Water: Okay, it may be freezing outside, but you can still have fun swimming and playing in the water. CoCo Key (1.877.425.2746) is a wonderful indoor water park slides, spray grounds, a lazy river, and something for everyone. To read our CoCo Key Review, click here.

X) eXcerise with Indoor Golf: Two Indoor Miniature Golf Courses in Kansas City we love:

Y) Yum: Kids love to eat their OWN creations. Take a cooking class for kids at A Thyme for Everything (231 SE Main St., Lee’s Summit, MO. 816.554.3755). If you’re inclined to have fun cooking at home, try some of our favorite healthy, kid-friendly Recipes.

Z) Zoo: Did you know that the Kansas City Zoo (816.513.5700) is open ALL year round? The animals are often more active when it's cold and the zoo isn't crowded! This winter admission is just $5! For our review of the Kansas City Zoo, click here.

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