Do you have a Dino Lover in your home? You can embark on a Jurassic Journey your children will love! From Dinosaur Dining, to an amazing Larger than Life Dinosaur Exhibit, to parks and playgrounds with Dinosaurs, and Dino Rock 'n Roll... we have it all! This is your Complete Guide to Dinosaur Fun in Kansas City!
Dinosaurs Unearthed: Kansas City
The Largest, Life-Sized Dinosaur Exhibit in the History of Kansas City, Roars into Union Station on May 1st! (Find out what Kansas City Kids think of the exhibit in our feature article on Dinosaurs Unearthed.) For your inner scientist, "Dinosaurs Unearthed" is a multisensory and interactive exhibit bringing inspiration, science and technology together as visitors also hear the sounds and see the movements of 24 full-sized animatronic dinosaurs, 8 of them feathered. Visitors can see all of these creatures as they appeared and behaved when they roamed the Earth, from the familiar T-Rex and Triceratops, including a feathered juvenile T-Rex, to Stegosaurus, Protoceratops and many others. Visitors control some of the animatronic dinosaurs by pressing simple buttons on consoles to create a series of movements. The life-sized Baryonyx, Stegosaurus, Allosaurus and juvenile Apatosaurus capture some of the most life-like motions ever created. Also featuring five fully-articulated, life-size skeletons (including the 62-foot long Omeisaurus) and more than 40 fossil replicas and eggs from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The exhibit features a kids paleontological dig site where visitors can uncover prehistoric fossils. Visitors to Science City in Union Station also experience the Dinolab where they can watch and interact with resident paleontologist, Matt Christopher, Kansas City's own Dino Matt, while he and staff educators prepare real dinosaurs for display. Also, catch "Dinosaurs Alive! 3-D" a thrilling film which takes visitors back into the early Triassic period to follow the tiniest dinosaurs to the largest creatures is also showing on the Regnier Extreme Screen.
"Dinosaurs Unearthed" in Kansas City Details:
- Union Station, Bank of America Gallery, 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, Mo. 64108
- Exhibit Hours (May 1, 2010 - Jan. 9, 2011): Tuesday---Saturday: 10:00 a.m.--5:00 p.m.; Sunday: noon--5:00 p.m.
- Admission: Adults 13-59: $13.50; Seniors 60+, College Students with valid ID and Military personnel with valid ID: $12.00; children 3--12: $9.50; children 2 and under: FREE. Groups of 15+: $9.50 per person; and, Union Station members: Adults $8.50; Children $7.00.
- See Dinosaurs Unearthed for more information.
- KCParent.com Mom Tip: Small children may be scared of the dinos. Walk around Union Station where you can see a giant T-Rex greeting visitors outside in front of Union Station, or see other dinos in the Grand Hall, and behind Union Station outside (as you walk into the Ticket Center). Check out these Dinosaurs before visiting the exhibit to see how your children respond.
Build-A-Dino at Union Station
If you're looking for a souvenir that will be a GIGANTIC hit with your Dino Lovers, check out the BRAND NEW Build-A-Dino at Union Station! Children choose one of nine dinosaurs to "make their own" dino friend! Several of the dinosaurs are also featured in the exhibit including the T-Rex, Triceratops, Brachiosaurus, and Velociraptor. Kids choose a dino, give it a heart, stuff it with fluff, and select an outfit for their new dinosaur friend! The store carries an exclusive Union Station T-Shirt for your Dino for just $6. They also carry "already stuffed" mini dinosaurs. Prices for stuff-your-own Dinos range from $12-22 and outfits range from $6-20 (depending on the number of accessories and pieces chosen).
The Dinosaur Play presented by Theatre for Young America
Enjoy this audience-participation play in Kansas City from October 12-November 6. The story begins with a magnificent dinosaur egg, gently tapping out a call for help. The audience works together to interpret what the egg is saying and help it hatch. When Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex join the action, a great mystery-adventure is set in motion. Enjoy special discounts for those attending both the special exhibition and The Dinosaur Play. More Information for The Dinosaur Play.
Dine with Dinos in Kansas City.
T-Rex Café is a dining experience you won’t forget! The restaurant features life size dinosaurs and theatrical prehistoric settings. The dinosaurs “come to life” among the waterfalls, aquariums, and ice caves. Activities include Build-A-Bear Workshop’s Build-A-Dino store in the restaurant where children can create their own dinosaur friend and a excavate fossils in a bone dig. Take photos with dinosaurs and enjoy dinosaur themed food. (1847 Village West Pkwy, KCKS. 913.334.8888).
Rock ‘N Roll Dinosaur Style.
KC’s Kid Rocker, Dino “Dinosaur" O’Dell & the Veloci-Rappers performs live concerts in Kansas City all year long. Dino O’Dell sings a number of Dinosaur tunes and he's performing for FREE at venues all around KC this autumn! For schedules, visit www.dinoodell.com or check the KCParent.com Calendar.
Find Fossils.
Take a Day Trip to Lawrence and visit the KU Natural History Museum. The Museum features an extensive collection of fossils, including the Mosasaur, the largest known lizard to have lived. (1345 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045. 785.864.2344. www.nhm.ku.edu). Enjoy a complete Day Trip in Lawrence while you're there.
Read about Reptiles at the Reading Reptile in Brookside
(63rd and Wornall, KCMO. 816.753.0441. www.readingreptile.com). The Reading Reptile is a gem of a bookstore tucked in Brookside. Enter a dream world of children’s literature and let your dinosaur fanatic explore their passion for reptiles… or perhaps, after so many Jurassic Journeys, they’ll choose a new favorite theme! While you’re at The Reading Reptile, enjoy a Free Friday Night Film or story time. Wander next door to Brookside Toy and Science and then treat the kids to ice cream at Topsy’s. Make it a day of fun your young explorers will love.
More Dinosaurs in Missouri:
- Metal Dinosaurs in Centralia, Missouri (13200 Hw T, 2 ½ hr drive from Kansas City) This is a roadside attraction. You will find half a dozen dinosaurs welded from metal implements in the yard of this home.
- St. Louis Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri (5050 Oakland Ave., 314.725.5645. 4 ½ hr drive from Kansas City). The St. Louis Science Center features a dinosaur exhibit including a giant roaring dinosaur.
More Dinosaurs in Kansas:
- Dinosaur Not So National Park in Erie, Kansas (Hwy 47, 1.25 miles west of Hwy 59. 620.244.3489, 2 ½ hr drive from Kansas City). Twenty metal dinosaurs, the largest over thirty feet long, were created and welded by Robert Dorris. The park is open during daylight hours to visitors who are welcomed to drive in, photograph, and enjoy the art.
- Riverside Park in Independence, Kansas (north side of town, east of U.S 75 at 120 N. 6th St. 316.332.2512, 2 ½ hr drive from Kansas City) features a stegosaurus, a corythosaurus and a brontosaurus.
- Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays, Kansas (600 Park St. 785-628-4286, 4 ½ hr drive from Kansas City) is devoted mainly to dinosaurs. The most unusual artifact was discovered by Mr. Sternberg: the "fish within a fish" fossil. The museum features life-sized models and murals of dinosaurs.
- Welded Dinosaurs in Rose Hill, Kansas (256 W. Rosewood St., 3 hr. drive from Kansas City). Phil Brinkly welds scrap metal dinosaurs, bugs, and pigs. Some of the dinosaurs are riding motorcycles or in other humorous poses.
- Play on the Dinosaurs at Leawood City Park (10601 Lee Blvd., Leawood, KS).