Dress up in Grandma's hats. Play marbles and enjoy nostalgic toys. Ride a train. Dig for treasure. Go on a Scarecrow Hunt. If you've ever wanted to "be a kid again," this is the place! A day in Bonner Springs will bring out the kid in everyone!
For added fun, from mid-October to mid-November, Bonner Springs is decorated with Scarecrows as they host the Annual Scarecrow Parade all around town! This is your guide to a Family Day Trip in Bonner Springs from Attractions, to Shopping, to Family Friendly Dining, to Autumn Events... there is something for everyone.
Day Trip Diary:
Moon Marble Company:
Details: Moon Marble Toy Store 600 Front St, 913.422.1432. Open Tues- Sat., 10am-5pm. Demonstrations of the Marble Making Process given on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (and Sundays during Holiday Hours) providing they have a glass artist available. Demos begin at approximately 10:30 am; shut down at 4:00 pm.
Why I Recommend It: From the outside, Moon Marble looks like a small shed. You walk inside and discover a magical toy store overflowing with the coolest toys around! Like Alice slipping through the rabbit hole, you'll discover gizmos and gadgets all around labeled, 'Try Me.' Moon Marble is filled with marbles, toys, and games. You'll find great vintage toys, modern toys that are a bit unique and out of the ordinary, family games, and more. They even have a room just for guests to take a break and play with wooden marble tracks, magnetic marble chutes, and large games. There are hundreds of toys for purchase, but the "treat" is to fill a tube with marbles ($3-5 depending on size) specially selecting your favorite colors and designs to create your own set, then reaching into the mouth of the "Marble Genie" to choose the perfect shooter to cap off the set!
Madame Hatter's Tea Room:
Details:
Why I recommend it: My girls and I enjoyed lunch at Madame Hatter's Tea Room, where they cater not just to "little ladies" but to the "little girl" still inside every adult lady. The girls were served Pink Lemonade in their very own special tea pot with tea cups. I was served hot tea over a tealight candle. The menu included sandwiches, salads, soups, quiche, and wonderful made-from-scratch desserts. The dining room is decorated with tea pots, 
dolls, lace, and tables decorated with seasonal tablecloths and beautifully folded cloth napkins. The food was good and the full "Tea Party Experience" was a treat for the girls, but the real fun came after Tea! Madame Hatter's provides a special knook for guests decked out with vintage hats, purses, shawls, boas, gloves, wraps, and jewelry where ladies of all ages are encouraged to "play dress up." My girls were thrilled to play trying on all the accessories overflowing from the trunk! The other ladies having lunch that day encouraged their "fashion show" with many oohs and aahs and my oldest declared it a "Fancy Nancy Day!"
Wyandotte County Museum:
Details: Wyandotte County Museum 631 N. 126th St, 913.721.1078. Open Monday- Saturday. Free, but donations accepted.
Why I recommend it: The museum features exhibits on the history of Wyandotte County, from the lives of the Native Americans who originally lived on the land, through early settlers. Many of the exhibits are interactive. The favorite for my chidlren was the "Archaeological Dig" with sand, brushes, and scoops allowing children to discover artifacts and treasures.
Agricultural Hall of Fame:
Details: National Agricultural Hall of Fame 630 Hall of Fame Dr., 913.721.1075. Tues-Sat 9am-5pm, Sundays 1-5pm. Adults $7, Seniors 62 and over $6, Students $5, Children (5-16) $3, Children under 5 FREE.
Why I recommend it: The Agricultural Hall of Fame is home to a small "farm community" where visitors can explore a Black Smith Shop, General Store, Farm House, Train (operated seasonally, call ahead for train hours), and museums with hands-on exhibits. The museum includes exhibits on Kansas' early pioneers in Agriculture, farm tools, bee keeping, and the Poultry Museum. The Ag Hall of Fame is most fun during special events and programs throughout the year. On the Second Saturday of the Month (Feb-Nov) they host "Farm Tales" from 10am-Noon.
More MoKan Day Trips & Vacations!
- Missouri
- 20-30 Min. East: Independence: Log Cabins & Trails West
- 45 Min. Northeast: Sibley: Lewis & Clark Country
- 45-60 Min. North: Weston: Autumn Splendor
- 1 Hour North: St. Joseph: Wild West in our Backyard
- 1 Hour Northeast: Lexington: Civil War in Missouri
- 1-2 Hours North: Jamesport: Amish Country
- 2- 3 Hours South: Carthage: Classic Rt. 66 Road Trip
- 2 1/2 - 3 Hours Southeast: Springfield: Ozark Country
- 4-5 Hours South: Branson: Vacation Capital of the Midwest
- 4-5 Hours East: St. Louis: Gateway to the West Kansas
- 30-45 Min. South: Louisburg: Apples, Autumn, and Astronomy
- 30-45 Min. West: Lawrence: Eclectic College Town & Family Fun
- 45-60 Min. Northwest: Atchison: History & Mystery
- 60-90 Min. West: Topeka: More than a Capital City
- 60-90 Min. South: Fort Scott: National Historic Site
- 3 1/2-4 Hours Southwest: Hutchinson: Soar to Outer Space