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June in Kansas City! School's out and Summer is here! This summer, discover wild animals in the rain forest, meet dinosaurs, and make a splash creating great family memories. Don't miss these 10 great places to go in KC this Summer! Also, read our ideas to Celebrate Father's Day in KC to honor the special dads in your life!
10 Top Picks for June in Kansas City!
Explore the Rainforest
- When, Where, What: The Rainforest Adventure Exhibit is open May 28-Sept.5, 2011 at Crown Center (816.274.8444) and it is FREE! Learn more about the Rainforest Adventure Exhibit at Crown Center!
- Why We LOVE It: Crown Center's FREE hands-on exhibits for kids capture the imagination and spark creativity and the "Rainforest Adventure" is one of the best! This multisensory expedition introduces children to tropical rainforests around the world. The exhibit features 40 interactive components, including computer games, a 9-foot kapok tree, gorilla blind and a station to create your own unique insect. Children role-play as research assistants as they explore and learn about the rainforest and its ecological wonders.
Jurassic Gardens
- When, Where, What: Jurassic Gardens at Powell Gardens (1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO) thru Aug. 14. Journey back to the prehistoric world when more than 20 dinosaurs and oversized ancient insects return to Powell Gardens. The exhibit is designed by Guy Darrough, Missouri’s own self-taught paleontologist and artist. Garden admission applies: $9.50/adults, $8.50/seniors and $5/children 5-12. 816.697.2600 www.powellgardens.org
- Why We LOVE It: Jurassic Gardens is fun for the whole family! Powell Gardens is one of our favorite family outings, especially with the addition of the Heartland Harvest Garden and it's an annual tradition to attend the Butterfly Festival in August. With giant dinosaurs greeting us throughout the foliage, the fun is even bigger and better than before! Discover MORE Dinosaur fun in Kansas City!
Day Out with Thomas
- When, Where, What: Day Out with Thomas: Midland Railway on June 3rd, 4th & 5th, 10th, 11th & 12th. Take a 25 minute ride w/life size Thomas the Tank Engine, Story Telling, Live Music, Thomas the Tank Engine Toys & much, much more!!! It is best to buy tickets in advance. BONUS: Save $2 OFF each Friday ticket with KCP11 code. $14-16/ea. 913.721.1211 Day out with Thomas at the Midland!
- Why We LOVE It: Kids love Thomas and the annual Day Out with Thomas at the Midland is a delightful event for the whole family! Discover more Train Fun in KC.
The King and I at Starlight
- When, Where, What: The King and I at Starlight June 6-12 at 8:00 PM, Starlight Theatre. 816.363.7827 KC Starlight Theatre!
- Why We LOVE It: This classic musical is a family favorite for generations. The Rodgers & Hammerstein musical classic tells the story of English widow Anna Leonowens who tutors the royal children at Bangkok’s Royal Palace in 1862. THE KING AND I’s lavish score features showstoppers including “Getting to Know You,” “Hello, Young Lovers” and “Shall We Dance?"
Paul Mesner Puppets: The Dinosaur Show!
- When, Where, What: Paul Mesner Puppets presents, "The Dinosaur Show" June 8-July 3 at their studio in Kansas City. BONUS: Save $ on Tickets with this Paul Mesner Puppets Coupon!
- Why We LOVE It: No bones about it – The Dinosaur Show will tickle your funny-fossil and stimulate your imagination. Paul Mesner Puppets digs into the past to bring the dinosaurs to life, using hand, rod, shadow and body puppets in a prehistoric tale.
Strotherfest at Paradise Park
- When, Where, What: June 10-11, Strotherfest at Paradise Park. $15 unlimited attractions (reg. $28.95) 816.246.5224 www.paradise-park.com
- Why We LOVE It: Strotherfest is an annual tradition in Lee's Summit! The event, hosted and operated by Paradise Park, includes activities, games, attractions, entertainment, food vendors, car show and live music. Best of all.... during Strotherfest you can buy an unlimited attraction wristband at Paradise Park for ONLY $15 (usually $28.95)! Discover many more festivals in June in KC.
The Life of Cosette
- When, Where, What: June 10 & 11, 2011. Family Pass - $12.00 Adult - $10.00 Child (12 & under) - $8.00 Group (20 or more) - $8.00. Information on The Life of Cosette. www.culturehouse.com
- Why We LOVE It: The story of Les Miserables is well known to the many people who have seen the musical, the movies, or read the book. The character of Cosette has been the subject of many short stories, songs, and even anime productions, all imagining the story of her life. This year at The Culture House we will be creating a beautiful and dramatic dance production based around the imagined story of the life of Cosette including the struggles, dreams, and ultimately the joy of finding a home where she belongs. The Culture House always puts on top notch productions that are fun for the whole family!
Zona Rosa KidZone: Cars 2 Event!
- When, Where, What: June 11, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, in the Grove at Zona Rosa. FREE family friendly event!
- Why We LOVE It: Disney is in the driver's seat and takes Zona Rosa V.I.K. (Very Important Kid) guests along for the ride to celebrate the coming of Cars 2! Racing Star Lightning McQueen and his best friend Mater are back for an international adventure as they go up against the world's fastest cars. Hang out with the Radio Disney crew, enjoy a World Grand Prix Adventure and have a blast with all kinds of Cars 2 activities! The Cars 2 event will feature souped-up and tricked out games and activities, including remote control cars races and out of this world Cars prizing. One lucky checkered flag VIK winner will win the Final Lap Prize Pack which includes a $100 Visa gift card and the Cars die cast collector set.
Sprint Family Fun Days
- When, Where, What: The monthly Sprint Family Fun Series is back on the 3rd Saturday of each month and KC Parent Magazine is proud to be a sponsor! The entire event is FREE and open to the public! It begins at 11 AM in the KC Live Block of the Power & Light District and ends at 3 PM - Rain or Shine!
- Why We LOVE It: The Sprint Family Fun Series is one of the BEST Family-Friendly events in the metro and it's FREE! The Upcoming 2011 Line Up includes:
- June 18-Summer Safari-Petting zoo with exotic animals, reptiles up close & personal, choo-choo train rides, go on a safari scavenger hunt, show by Sugar Free All Stars, It’s a Jungle Out There puppet Show, Brandon Draper’s Drum Safari
- July 16-Sports & Fitness-Meet KC’s favorite sports mascots, mini-gold, baseball, play sports games and more
- August 20-Back to Nature-puppet show, learn about MO birds and animals, learn how to recycle and more
- September 17-Bubbles & Balloons-live music with the Doo Dads, Mad Science, Bubble contests and more
- October 15-Fall Festival-Hayrides, pumpkin decorating, costume contests, pumpkin patch, trick-or-treat (at Power and Light restaurants and shops)
Children's TLC Duck Derby & Summer Festivals
- When, Where, What: This year, we're especially looking forward to the Duck Derby on June 26 at the Country Club Plaza! Learn how YOU can promote YOUR Business at the Duck Derby with our Duckorating Contest!
- Why We LOVE It: The Duck Derby is the a fun-filled fundraiser for Children's TLC. Enjoy live entertainment and family fun on the Country Club Plaza while waiting on 15,000 yellow rubber duckies to drop and race! The Kids Zone features inflatables, face and hair painting, games, and much more. Bonus: We have our list of Kansas City's Festivals in June 2011.
Still looking for more great family fun ideas in Kansas City? Check out our Kansas City Calendar of Events and Going Places in Kansas City on KCParent.com.
Note: This list was compiled by the staff of KC Parent Magazine and may not be reproduced in print or online without permission. If you have an addition to this list, please email kristina@kcparent.com