All About KC is the newest feature on KCParent.com. You ask and we answer your questions about Kansas City! From Family Fun in KC, to Date Night ideas, to the Best Places to take out-of-town guests, to inside tips on local attractions and restaurants, we have the answers! Submit a question for All About KC here.
- Q: Where can we miniature golf in Kansas City?
- Q. We would like a Top 10 List of Field Trips in Kansas City.
- Q. Where can we safely Trick or Treat in Kansas City?
Q: Are there any miniature golf courses anywhere? Any in south Overland Park? ~ Tricia
A: There are many great Miniature Golf Courses in Kansas City. Some courses are even indoors making a great option on cold fall days! Just a few courses we love:
- Incred-a-Bowl’s Tiki Hut Mini Putt Indoor Miniature Golf (8500 W. 151st St., OPKS. 913.851.1700) Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-11pm, Fri & Sat 11am-Midnight. $5.75/golfer 11 and up. $5.25/golfer 10 and under.
- Paradise Park Outdoor Miniature Golf (1021 NE Colbern Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO. 816.246.5224) Hours: Vary seasonally, call for hours and availability of golf (weather permitting). $5.95/person
- Power Play Glow-in-the-Dark Indoor Miniature Golf (13110 W. 62nd Terrace, Shawnee, KS. 913.268.7200). Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri/Sat 11am-Midnight. $3.50/golfer.
- Smiley’s Golf Outdoor Miniature Golf (10195 Monticello Terrace, Lenexa, KS. 913.782.1323). Hours: Open year-round 9am-Dark Daily. $2.50/children 4 and under, $5.50/children 5-12, $7.50/ages 13 and up.
- Howl-in-One Mini Golf Outdoor Miniature Golf at Great Wolf Lodge (10401 Cabela Dr., KCKS. 913.299.7001). Hours: 9am-8pm weather permitting. $8.95/ea if you’re not a guest of GWL. $7.95/adults, $4.95/children for guests of GWL.
- AMF Pro Bowl Lanes Outdoor Miniature Golf. (505 E. 18th Ave., North Kansas City, MO. 816.221.8844) Hours: Friday 5-10pm, Sat 5-11pm, Sun Noon-6pm weather permitting. $6.50/person.
Q: We homeschool - and we are always looking for great field trip ideas (we get a lot of our ideas from you all) - Could you maybe do a top 10 field trip ideas (and if they are free that's so much better). Thanks!! ~ Suzannebr />
A: This was very difficult! Only 10? Here you go! Top 10 Favorite FREE Educational Field-Trips around Kansas City.
- The Money Museum (1 Memorial Dr., KCMO. 816.881.2683, www.kc.frb.org). Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30pm for walk-in visits. Call to schedule a group tour. What You’ll Learn: The Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City offers wonderful interactive exhibits and a documentary explaining the nation’s financial system and the Federal Reserve Bank. Read Kansas City Parent Magazine’s article on the Money Museum here. Best for Jr. and Sr. High Students.
- Nature Centers: We have your Complete Guide to Kansas City Nature Centers here. They offer terrific exhibits and programs on nature and conservation throughout the year for all ages. For homeschoolers, many of the nature centers offer daytime programs and some even provide free materials. If you live in Missouri, you can subscribe to Missouri Conservationist Magazine for FREE and this winter, they are introducing a NEW FREE children’s magazine XPlor. Click here to subscribe.
- Kaleidoscope (2500 Grand Blvd., KCMO. 816.274.8301 www.hallmarkkaleidoscope.com). Kaleidoscope is a magical hands-on art experience for children provided by Hallmark. When I describe it to friends I tell them to imagine Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory transformed into a child’s art room. Kaleidoscope offers Free Family Sessions during the week for walk-in visitors, or you may call to schedule a group tour. Best for grade school students and younger.
- Three Free Art Galleries: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak, KCMO. 816.751.1ART www.nelson-atkins.org) is one of Kansas City’s greatest treasures. It is the largest art gallery West of the Mississippi and they house fantastic collections from America, Asia, Europe, Ancient Art, Modern Art, and traveling exhibits! For added fun, we have an exclusive KCParent.com Nelson-Atkins Scavenger Hunt you can download here. The Nerman Art Gallery at the Johnson County Community College Campus (12345 College Blvd, OPKS. www.nermanmuseum.org) is the largest contemporary art museum in the four-state region. They feature contemporary art and touring exhibits. The Kemper Museum of Modern Art (4420 Warwick Blvd, KCMO. 816.753.5784 www.kemperart.org) features modern art exhibits and it is within walking distance of the Nelson. All three galleries host family events and children’s art classes and workshops. Art Galleries make great outings for all ages.
- Kansas City Public Library Central Branch (14 W. 10th St., KCMO. 816.701.3400 www.kclibrary.org). This isn’t your ordinary neighborhood library (and we LOVE our neighborhood libraries)… the Central Library is housed in a beautiful historic bank building in downtown Kansas City with five magnificent floors of books and resources. For students learning to research, they provide fantastic educational tours teaching the fundamentals of research and how to use the library. One of the library’s many features is the Missouri Valley History Room with an extensive collection of historic documents, books, and maps. Even if you don’t book a formal tour, this library is worth a visit. They provide free parking to library patrons; just remember to get your parking stub stamped. Library cards are available to all metro area residents (not just KCMO) and books may be checked out on interlibrary loans. Speak with librarians for specifics. The library is great for all ages, the research tour is recommended for Jr. and Sr. High Students.
- National Archives in Kansas City (400 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO. 816.268.8000 www.archives.gov). The National Archives preserves historic documents for the Federal Government. They also provide museum quality exhibits, currently: It’s Big featuring “Big Events” in local history and The Kansas-Nebraska Act. The staff at the archives will also work with students on research projects and they are a wonderful resource for history projects. Read KCParent.com’s article on the National Archives of Kansas City here. Best for 5th grade and up.
- Johnson County Museums (6305 Lackman Rd., Shawnee Mission, KS. 913.715.2550 www.jocomuseum.org). The Johnson County Museum currently houses KidScape a wonderful hands-on miniature “city” for preschool and early elementary children. They enjoy the pretend hospital, city hall, theater, dress shop, library, park, and crafts. The History Museum exhibits the history of Johnson County, Kansas, and the metro area with local artifacts and interactive exhibits. Special programs are also offered throughout the year. KidScape is best for preschool and early elementary. The History Museum is best for grade school and up. Read Kansas City Parent Magazine's article on the Johnson County Museums here.
- 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.
- Overland Park Arboretum (8909 W. 179th St., OPKS. 913.685.3604 www.opkansas.org). The Overland Park Arboretum is home to beautiful gardens: Monet Garden, Rotary Children’s Discovery Garden, Erickson Water Garden, Marder Woodland Glen, Xeriscape Garden, Learning Arboretum and a Lakeside Amphitheatre. We are also very excited by the announcement of a Train Garden in the works! Every time we visit, we see volunteers hard at work tending the plants and happy to answer any questions. The Arboretum also offers wonderful programs and workshops throughout the year.
- Lanesfield School Historic Site (18745 Dillie Rd. Edgerton, KS 913.893.6645 www.jocomuseum.org/lanesfield.htm). The Lanesfield School depicts the “One Room School Education” of early pioneers. The museum is open for walk-in visits, but they also provide school tours and programs.
For additional Field Trip Ideas in Kansas City, check out Going Places on KCParent.com!
Q: Where can I take my children Trick or Treating safely this year? ~ Hilary
A: Read our guide to Safe Trunk or Treats in Kansas City this October!
Submit your questions for All About Kansas City by emailing kristina@kcparent.com.