Beat the heat with a bit of "winter fun!" If you long for ice skating, Christmas, and cuddling up with a movie.... have no fear... the fun of winter can be here all summer long. All it takes is a touch of creativity and a sense of adventure!
Embark on an Arctic Adventure
No one knows how to enjoy winter year-round quite like our favorite polar bear, Nikita, the Kansas City Zoo's beloved arctic resident.
Pack a picnic, and take the kids to The Kansas City Zoo (6800 Zoo Dr., KCMO. 816.513.5800 www.KansasCityZoo.org) where the highlight of your trip will be a visit to the Polar Bear Passage where your children will delight in watching Nikita swim and play right before their eyes! The air-conditioned indoor exhibits at the Tropics, Discovery Barn, and Snake House are also great on hot days. For more fun, ride the African Sky Safari while you're there. Tip: On Wednesday, August 3, enjoy Wild Wednesday at the Zoo with $2 Admission, Train Rides, and Carousel Rides!
Lace up those Skates.... Ice Skates that is!
Who needs winter to enjoy a cool spin on the ice? Spend the day at one of Kansas City's indoor ice skating rinks for some unforgettable family fun in the summer!
- Ice Sports Arena 19900 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS. 913.441.3033 www.kcicecenter.com
- HCA Midwest Community Ice 19100 E Valley View Pkwy., Independence, MO. 816.795.7577 IndependenceEventsCenter.com
- Line Creek Community Center Ice Rink 5940 NW Waukomis Dr., Kansas City, MO. 816.513.0760 KCMO.org
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.... in July!
There's nothing like a bit of Christmas cheer to add some sparkle to a hot summer day! Celebrate summer with a bit of "Christmas in July" and treat your kids to an ornament for this year's tree... early!
- Christmas on Main Street (109 Main St., Parkville, MO. 816.505.2338), is a year-round Christmas boutique where you'll find ornaments, Christmas villages, Santas, stockings, snowflakes, Advent Calendars, and every bit of Christmas memorabilia you can possibly imagine. Tip: Read our Parkville Day Trip Guide for more fun on one of America's prettiest Main Streets!
- Holiday Magic (2nd floor of Crown Center at 2450 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO. 816.283.8338) sells Christmas decorations, trees, and ornaments 365 days a year and it is well at home in Crown Center, one of Kansas City's favorite family destinations and Christmas traditions... even in July! Tip: Read our Hot Tips for the Best Day at Crown Center.
- Hallmark Visitor’s Center (2450 Grand Blvd., KC, MO. 816.274.3613. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10:00-4:30; Sat., 9:30-4:30;Sunday: Closed. www.HallmarkVisitorsCenter.com). You won't be able to purchase Christmas ornaments at the Visitor's Center (though you can purchase them at Hallmark Shops in Crown Center or Holiday Magic above), but the visitor's center is a magical place where the holidays are celebrated year-round. One of the favorite exhibits is the J.C. Hall Christmas Tree Collection with beautifully decorated trees each with its own unique theme. Add to the "holiday fun" as you watch the production processes on Hallmark cards on factory machines. And don’t leave without pressing the button where you can watch as a gift bow is made right before your eyes as a free souvenir to take home. Tip: Don’t forget to visit Kaleidoscope, next door to the Visitor’s Center, for free hands-on art fun for kids! See www.HallmarkKaleidoscope.com for a schedule.
Eat among Icicles!
Beat the heat with lunch in the coolest place we know... the Ice Age room at T-Rex Cafe!
Next time you're shopping at The Legends Outlets in Kansas City, treat the kids to lunch at the T-Rex Café (1847 Village West Pkwy, KCKS. 913.334.8888) a larger-than-life dining experience. The restaurant features full size dinosaurs that“come to life” among waterfalls, aquariums, and ice caves! The Ice Age room is home to the Woolly Mammoth and the entire room is "chilling" with icicles. Activities include Build-A-Bear Workshop’s Build-A-Dino where children can create their own dinosaur pal and excavate fossils in a bone dig. Also enjoy Li'l Legends Kids Club every Thursday and LIVE at the Legends FREE Concerts every Saturday night!
You don't have to wait for the holidays to enjoy "The Wizard of Oz!"
For many parents, watching "The Wizard of Oz" was an annual holiday tradition as the film classic was aired every Thanksgiving. Now you can enjoy the film on the big screen, for FREE this summer!
We all love the movie and no one can sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” like Judy Garland. This is your chance to enjoy it on the BIG SCREEN for FREE! This summer, The Legends 14 is showing FREE family films at 10am on Tuesdays & Wednesdays in June and July (doors open at 9am) and The Wizard of Oz will be shown on July 26 & 27. Learn more about FREE movies at The Legends. Tip: While you're at The Legends, be sure to take your children on a stroll across the "Yellow Brick Road" that runs between the shops in front of Palmer's Ice Cream Shop. See a map of The Legends here. Also, learn how to celebrate more Oz Family Fun in Kansas City.
Pop that Popcorn for Game Night!
Hot Cocoa, Popcorn, and Board Games are a staple of long winter nights, but a night of family classics like Monopoly and Clue can be enjoyed in the summer too! PS: Don't forget the marshmallows!
It simply wouldn't be game night without some delicious popcorn! Kansas City is home to several popcorn shops and you can even tour a popcorn factory in Kansas. Read our guide to Popcorn in Kansas City to discover our top picks, then follow learn how to Make Tonight a Game Night!
Savor some Hot Tea!
Little girls, and girls at heart LOVE tea parties! Kansas City's tea rooms all offer unique experiences for tea party lovers. Whether you love a pot of hot tea or freshly brewed iced tea, these tea rooms are known for their tea service and delicious treats.
- Shabby Hattie’s Tea Room (113 N. Main St., Parkville, MO, 816.587.1044). Shabby Hattie’s offers a delightful tea menu, including a princess menu with pink lemonade for children. Little girls are offered tin tea sets to play with as they wait for their food. They also enjoy feather boas, necklaces and gloves to “dress up” for the occasion. The tea room’s décor of bright blues and pinks makes a cheery and ladylike atmosphere for its patrons.
- Country Keepsakes Tea Room (501 Main St., Belton, MO, 816.348.7888). Country Keepsakes is one of the quaint shops lining Main Street Belton. Offering a wide variety of teas, quiches and sandwiches, the home cooked menu changes every month.
- Henry’s Tea Room (401 SE Douglas, Lee’s Summit, MO, 816.524.0057). Henry’s is located in one of Lee’s Summit’s oldest churches, now converted to an antique shop and tea room. Grandmothers love to visit this formal tea room! Henry’s offers a complete tea service with delicious sandwiches, quiches and salads.
- Memories on Main St. Tea Room & Cafe (1105A Main St., Blue Springs, MO, 816.229.3311) Memories on Main offers daily "Chef Specials," homemade soups, bread puddings, sandwiches, salads, quiches, scones and more. The build-your-own wrap sandwich is a favorite for kids.
- Strawberry Hill's Tea Room (720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, KS, 913.371.3264 (weekends only). Housed in Kansas City’s own Strawberry Hill Museum, the Tea Room offers a wide array of authentic Slavic desserts and dishes. After tea, take a tour of all the art, clothing and artifacts the Slavic museum has to offer.
Enjoy a Frosty Treat!
I Scream, You Scream, We ALL Scream for Ice Cream.... we all love our favorite frozen desserts year-round!
- Ice Cream! Whether you love homemade ice cream, flavors galore, or decadent desserts, sundaes, splits, and popsicles, Kansas City's local Ice Cream Shops have it all. Read our Guide to the Best Ice Cream in KC to find a shop near you.
- Frozen Yogurt! Have you tried the newest trend in healthy desserts with a visit to one of the frozen yogurt shops popping up all around town? We have the best recommendations for any craving. Read Marisa Frymire's reviews of Kansas City Frozen Yogurt Shops.
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