Kansas City families looking for a free, kid-friendly activity this summer will want to add The Pigeon Comes to Kansas City: A Mo Willems Exhibit at Crown Center to their list. This playful, hands-on exhibit brings some of Mo Willems’ most beloved children’s book characters to life, including The Pigeon, Elephant & Piggie and Knuffle Bunny.
While my children may not know Mo Willems by name, they are huge fans of his work. Mention Elephant and Piggie, The Pigeon or Knuffle Bunny, and they instantly light up with excitement. All three of these favorite children’s book characters come to life in this interactive exhibit designed for readers ages 2–12 and their families.
Located at Crown Center Showplace on Level 1 of the Crown Center Shops, the free exhibit is open May 23–September 7, 2026, making it a great summer outing for Kansas City kids.
Hands-On Fun for Kids at Crown Center
One of my favorite parts of the exhibit as a mom was the Thank You Station. My girls spun a wheel to discover who they would write a thank you note to. The station provided notecards with sentence starters, and the girls either wrote a note or drew a picture for the person they chose. When they were finished, they proudly displayed their creations on the Thank You Wall. My oldest thanked her teacher, while my youngest thanked her mom and dad.
Some of my girls’ favorite activities included the giant bus that The Pigeon so desperately wanted to drive. Inside the bus was a bookshelf filled with Mo Willems classics, and kids could step into the world of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Another favorite was the hot dog launcher from The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!. We loaded up the launcher and tried to shoot foam hot dogs into moving targets, which brought lots of laughs.
Creative Activities Inspired by Mo Willems
Mo Willems is well known for his simple yet expressive art style. His books often feature just a few illustrated characters on a clean white page, and the exhibit gives kids the chance to try that style for themselves.
My girls enjoyed several creative stations throughout the exhibit. One featured a backlit tracing table with character outlines, while another included a step-by-step video showing kids how to draw Knuffle Bunny. My youngest was so proud of how hers turned out! There was also a large community mural where visitors could stop by and add their own drawings.
More Exhibit Highlights
Beyond the art stations, the exhibit features Mo Willems building blocks, a seek-and-find laundry station and an interactive spinning mirror that makes it look like the characters are dancing. Kids can also bring Elephant and Piggie to life with old-school animation tricks, chat with them through a double-sided phone booth, spin the Knuffle Bunny laundromat washer, dress up Naked Mole Rat and send him down the runway in a silly fashion show experience.
Families can also peek behind the curtain with prints and works-in-progress from Mo Willems that show how the stories come to life. Bilingual English and Spanish signage throughout the exhibit helps create a welcoming experience for families.
Make It a Full Day at Crown Center
We love the Crown Center area for all it has to offer families. Before visiting the exhibit, we explored the Center of Summer Soccer, where we kicked soccer balls at inflatable targets, snapped photos in front of the colorful mural and played beneath the participating countries’ flags.
Afterward, we stopped at Unforked for a delicious lunch. Between the free exhibit, the Crown Center activities and lunch nearby, it was such a sweet and memorable family day.
Know Before You Go
What: The Pigeon Comes to Kansas City: A Mo Willems Exhibit
Where: Crown Center Showplace, Level 1 of the Crown Center Shops
When: May 23–September 7, 2026
Admission: Free
Best for: Readers ages 2–12 and families
Exhibit Hours:
Monday–Saturday, 10:00–6:00
Sunday, Noon–5:00
Holiday hours for Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day, 10:00–5:00
Whether your kids already love The Pigeon, Elephant & Piggie and Knuffle Bunny or are discovering Mo Willems for the first time, this free Crown Center exhibit is a wonderful way to combine books, art, play and family fun in Kansas City.
For more information on the Pigeon Comes to Kansas City go to: CrownCenter.com
Looking for more things to do with kids in Kansas City? Make the most of your day with KC Parent’s guides to the best parks in Kansas City, outdoor summer movies you don’t want to miss, family-friendly events in KC, local farmers markets, indoor play places, and even Kansas City date night ideas for parents. Whether you’re planning a full family outing, a weekend adventure or a rare night out, KC Parent has you covered with local ideas for every season.