Kite Fest at OP Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
May in Kansas City is bursting with energy, sunshine, and opportunities to create unforgettable family memories! From honoring moms on Mother’s Day to kicking off summer fun over Memorial Day weekend, there's no shortage of activities to enjoy.
Star Wars fans have even more reason to celebrate this month. In honor of May the 4th, you can catch The Nostalgia Awakens exhibit at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, featuring a full collection of retro Kenner Star Wars action figures, or head to Sporting KC’s Star Wars Night for an evening of galactic fun at Children’s Mercy Park.
Two can’t-miss attractions open this month for thrill-seekers and curious explorers alike: Worlds of Fun officially kicks off its season of rides, shows, and splashy fun, while the Kansas City Zoo unveils its brand-new Dinosaurs! exhibit, featuring life-sized animatronic creatures that roar to life along the Zoo’s outdoor trails.
With warmer weather here to stay, it’s the perfect time to get outside and explore everything Kansas City has to offer—whether you’re visiting local parks, enjoying outdoor festivals, dining on patios, or seeking family-friendly adventures, there’s something for everyone to love.
Check out our top picks for the best things to do in KC this May!
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May 3, 2025 - May 4, 2025
2025 Spring Chick Event
SHOP LOCAL THIS SPRING at the 12th annual Spring Chick Event Over 120 local handmade vendors and boutiques Tasty Food trucks Mobile bars Free kids craft corner LIVE music & MORE! ADMISSION IS FREE Save the date Saturday, 5/3 -...
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Science City at Union Station
May 24, 2025 11:00 a.m. - noon
Act Natural in Science City
The curtain is up on kinetic thinking! Leap into a world where science and performance come to life. Our movement-based activities invite visitors of all ages to explore how your body balances, reacts, and performs while stepping into imaginative...
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Sep 16, 2025
Bark at the Park
Bark at the Park, presented by Underdog, our series of nights at The K with fan’s best friend. Come early, swing through exhibitor row, and hang out with all the four-legged friends.
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Date Night: Food Halls
Explore KC’s top food halls! From Parlor’s vibrant eats to Strang Hall’s laid-back charm and Lenexa Public Market’s global flavors, there’s something for everyone—and plenty of ways to support local businesses.
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Imagine & the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
May 23, 2025 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Dinosaurs Around the World: The Great Outdoors
Join us this summer as the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium’s animal residents are joined by their prehistoric ancestors! Dinosaurs Around the World, produced by Imagine, is free with Zoo admission and Friends of the Zoo memberships. You’ll find 13 ...
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Zona Rosa
May 30, 2025 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
FESTA ITALIANA at Zona Rosa
One of Kansas City’s favorite festivals, Festa Italiana, the unique celebration of Italian traditions and Italian-American culture, will be May 30- June 1, 2025. This longtime local ethnic festival draws visitors from across metropolitan Kansas C...
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Powell Gardens
May 7, 2025 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Family Programming: Frogs and Tadpoles in the Garden
Wednesday, May 7 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. $12 | 10% less for members Education Building Celebrate one of our favorite amphibians at Powell Gardens! Frogs and Tadpoles in the Garden includes story time, crafts, a snack, and a garden adventure to lo...
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Kolonko Getty Images
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Guadalupe Centers
May 3, 2025 noon - 10:00 p.m.
Guadalupe Centers Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Hola, KC! Mark your calendars for the evening of May 2nd and all-day May 3rd for our 103rd annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, free admission! Everyone is invited to the Westside for tasty authentic food, family-friendly activities, live entertainme...
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Hidden Gems of KC Barbecue
Think you’ve tried all the best BBQ in KC? Think again! Discover hidden gems, mouthwatering bites, and the new Museum of BBQ that just opened—bean ball pit included!
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Come early to enjoy all the pre-game kid-friendly games, giveaways and activities!
May 4, 2025 1:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Kid’s Day at Children’s Mercy Park
It’s Kid’s Day at Children’s Mercy Park on April 13 when Sporting KC takes on the Portland Timbers. Kickoff is set for 1:15. Come early to enjoy all the pre-game kid-friendly games, giveaways and activities!
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City of Overland Park
May 4, 2025 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Kite Fest at the Arboretum
Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Soar into the sky and let your spirits fly high at Kite Fest! Join us for a breezy day of colorful kites. The event will take place in the open green space outside of the Arboretum. Don't forget your kite, water bottle, bug spray and lawn chai...
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Union Station Kansas City
May 6, 2025 noon - 7:00 p.m.
Light Lab Grand Opening at Science City
Light Lab is powering on! Join us at Science City in Union Station Kansas City on May 6th to explore Light Lab, an exhibit that delves into the magic and wonder of the electromagnetic spectrum. This newest Battle of the Brains exhibit, created by...
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Mid-America Regional Council
May 9, 2025 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
MARC Family Fun Resource Fair
You are invited to MARC’s Family Fun Resource Fair, where Kansas City families, business owners, executives and decision-makers will celebrate 60 years of the national Head Start program! The Family Fun Resource Fair will include helpful resou...
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Apr 5, 2025 - May 23, 2025
Minecraft Movie $5 on BIG SCREEN
A Minecraft Movie is NOW PLAYING at Union Station on KC's BIGGEST SCREEN, tickets JUST $5, and the best family value concessions, making it no better place to experience this epic new block-buster!
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NEW Soaring Fun at the Kansas City Zoo
Fly high on the new Flying Flamingo zipline and explore all the exciting family adventures waiting at the Kansas City Zoo!
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Powell Gardens
May 16, 2025 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Nature Weavings (Ages 6-12)
Friday, May 16 | 1-3 p.m. $15 | 10% less for members Education Building Create nature weavings using sticks, yarn, and items found in nature. All supplies needed for this one of a kind project will be available for use during the session. ...
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Jun 7, 2025 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Open Hanger Days
New Century AirCenter - Commemorative Air Force Hangar
Kick off your month with Open Hangar Day! Enjoy free admission and family fun with face painting, flight simulators, vintage Jeep rides, games, vendors, and more. Airplane rides are available for purchase, and snacks and lunch are offered by donation
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KC STEM Alliance
Apr 26, 2025 - May 14, 2025
Remake Learning Days
Kansas City is a community of learning! Join us for Remake Learning Days, where youth and families engage in innovative, hands-on learning activities across our region. A variety of organizations - such as schools, libraries, nonprofits, busi...
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Created by JCCC's Marketing Department
May 3, 2025 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Remake Learning Days STEAM Festival at Johnson County Community College
Join us for this FREE learning festival at Johnson County Community College with hours of fun, hands-on, engaging, educational experiences for kids of all ages.
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SKC
May 4, 2025 5:00 p.m.
SKC Star Wars Night
Join Sporting Kansas City for Star Wars Night on May the 4th as they take on LA Galaxy! Kickoff is 6 PM, but come early for giveaways, games, photo ops with characters, and a whole new out-of-this world stadium experience. Bring the whole crew fo...
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Soap Cloud Science Fun
Mix science and craft time with this easy Ivory soap experiment! Watch it transform, learn about heat reactions, and have fun creating new shapes.
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Spring Blooms and Bites
Celebrate spring with Don’t Touch That Flower, a playful story about sharing and growth, plus easy garden party snacks kids will love to make!
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Springtime Adventures in Kansas City
Celebrate spring in Kansas City with fountains, festivals, gardens, markets, and more! From Fountain Day to Royals season, inclusive parks and family adventures at Worlds of Fun, discover all the ways to enjoy KC.
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Apr 21, 2025 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The Kansas City Symphony’s Mobile Music Box
Join the Kansas City Symphony’s Mobile Music Box for an outdoor concert full of sights and sounds for the whole family. Bringing blankets or chairs is highly recommended.
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May 3, 2025 - Jan 1, 2026
The Nostalgia Awakens: Retro Kenner Star Wars Action Figure Toys
National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
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May 3, 2025
Worlds of Fun Opening Day
Filled with more than 60 rides, plus dazzling live shows and bold events, Worlds of Fun is where your Passport to Adventure kicks off.
