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Every parent loves to find ways to stretch the family budget while making the most of summer break. We’re here to help!
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FIFTY IDEAS for FREE FUN in Kansas City
- Play at Crown Center’s free Curious George™: Let’s Get Curious! Exhibit.
- Attend a free summer concert, especially Sunset Music Fest: Town Center, LIVE at the Legends, Olathe LIVE! Summer Concert Series.
- Watch a free movie in the park.
- Attend a Kansas City area summer festival.
- Attend a free family fun night on Thursdays in June and July at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop.
- Play at one of the best parks in Kansas City.
- Visit Kaleidoscope a free hands-on art center where children use their imaginations to make art with left-over materials from Hallmark’s manufacturing processes (tip: reservations required).
- Ride the KC Streetcar and participate in our Streetcar Scavenger Hunt on KCParent.com.
- Union Station's 7th floor is now Graffiti Attic, the largest “Free Wall” in Kansas City! They welcome amazing street artists to come to paint up the 1/4 mile of wall space!
- Go fishing.
- Splash and play at a Kansas City area sprayground.
- Tour the Truman Home in Independence and learn about President Truman and his wife Bess.
- Stroll through Kauffman Memorial Gardens.
- Participate in one of our local library's summer reading program.
- Visit a new library. Kansas City is rich with exciting local libraries, try one beyond your neighborhood location.
- PreK to 12th Grade Students and their Parents/Guardians are Eligible for FREE Admission to Theatre in the Park and the Johnson County Museum with the Sunflower Summer program!
- Play “I Spy” at Lakeside Nature Center.
- Marvel at modern art at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, where admission is free.
- Pack a picnic at one of Five "Secret" Places to Picnic in Kansas City.
- Visit bison and elk at the Native Hoofed Animal Enclosure at Fleming Park.
- Watch as marbles are made at Moon Marble.
- Stop and smell the roses at Loose Park.
- Spend First Fridays in the Crossroads.
- Take a tour of the Kansas City Missouri City Hall.
- Hike at Ernie Miller Nature Center.
- Photograph friends in front of one of Kansas City’s 200 fountains.
- Get free money at the Federal Reserve Bank & Money Museum.
- Enjoy one of KC's Best FREE Hiking Trails.
- Bring binoculars for bird watching at Burroughs Audubon Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary.
- Watch chocolate or fudge-making demo at Chip’s Chocolate Factory.
- Learn about the Santa Fe Trail at Cave Spring Historic Site & Nature Center.
- Discover the waterfall at Parkville Nature Sanctuary.
- Bike Trolley Trail.
- Take a free class at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center.
- Visit Waterfalls in the Midwest.
- Enjoy hands-on exhibits at Prairie Park Nature Center.
- Discover Kansas’ most famous residents through the artwork at Legends Outlets Kansas City.
- Learn about nature at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center.
- Imagine you’re in the Wild West at Antioch Park.
- Get a great view of the city at Rooftop Park on top of the building that houses Cosentino’s Market in the KCP&L District.
- Visit the free National Archives at Kansas City and learn about local history through their exhibits.
- Enjoy FREE outdoor theater at Gladstone Amphitheatre Theater in the Park showing Legally Blonde: The Musical (July 8-10) and Li’l Abner (Aug. 12-24) or Leawood Stage Company’s free showing of The Addams Family (July 14-21), or Romeo & Juliet at Southmoreland Park (July 14-July 3), or Belton Theater in the Park's Shrek: The Musical (June 17) or Cinderella (June 18).
- Discover a masterpiece at the free Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Hike the trails at the Kansas City Kansas Public Library - F. L. Schlagle Branch and nature center.
- Learn about your family history at Midwest Genealogy Center - MCPL.
- On Friday mornings, visit Farms at Colonial Gardens | Livestock Feeding Experience.
- Walk the trail around Lenexa's legendary dam at Black Hoof Park.
- Book a tour at KC Strings.
- Discover the natural bridge at Carl Chinnery Nature Trail.
- And remember to search Free Events on our Kansas City calendar, where there are free (and cheap) things to enjoy every day.
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Roy Inman
Extreme Screen at Union Station
TWENTY IDEAS $5 or less per Person
- Watch a film on the Extreme Screen at Union Station where you can catch summer blockbusters and documentaries.
- Imagine and play at KidScape at the Johnson County Museum, a pint-size play village for young children.
- Step back in time at Shawnee Town 1929 during their Time Travelers Summer Series.
- The Lake Olathe Park Marina has canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and pedal boats available to rent for $5/30 minutes.
- Search our daily calendar where you'll always find affordable options.
- On rainy days, play inside at Backyard Specialists Pay For Play.
- Ride the KC Northern Railroad, just 75 cents on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Learn about gardening at the Beanstalk Children’s Garden.
- Visit the Historical Society of Lee's Summit & Museum and explore Downtown Lee’s Summit.
- Sign up for free bowling at www.KidsBowlFree.com or free roller skating at www.KidsSkateFree.com. Shoe and/or skate rental fees still apply.
- Rent a Stand Up Paddleboard or Canoe at Legacy Park.
- Tour the Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and learn about the 1860s woolen mill and grist mill.
- Share a Skyscraper at Winstead’s.
- Feed animals at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead.
- Really hot outside? Treat the kids to a sweet treat at one of KC's Best Ice Cream Shops.
- Visit the Shawnee Indian Mission and learn about the school attended by boys and girls from Shawnee, Delaware, and other Indian nations from 1839 to 1862.
- Join a summer movie club at your local theater (see our KC Summer Movie Guide).
- Participate in a stargazing event on Saturdays at Powell Observatory and look at the night sky through the largest telescope in the region.
- Learn about Kansas’ farming heritage at the fun and interactive National Agricultural Hall of Fame.
- Buy a slushie at Quik Trip.
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THIRTY Ideas $10 or less per Person
- Catch a game with Kansas City Monarchs at Legends Field - tickets are less than $10/ea to watch from "Homerun Hill."
- Learn about the Pony Express and early Missouri citizens at St. Joseph Museums.
- Visit the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and learn about the 33rd President of the United States.
- Admission to the Kansas City Zoo is less than $10 for Jackson and Clay County residents, and FOTZ members enjoy unlimited admission all year long.
- Learn about the night sky at a show at the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station.
- Visit Powell Gardens and explore Fortopia.
- Participate in Thursday Toddler Time at Ceramic Cafe.
- Play volleyball or ride a bike at Berkley Riverfront Park (then visit the nearby City Market and purchase a fun lunch or fresh produce on weekends).
- Come face to face with big cats at Cedar Cove: Public Tours.
- Explore the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Admission to the museum is free, and parking is $12/car (less than $10/person if you have multiple passengers).
- Visit Missouri Town 1855 and learn about the lifestyle of the area’s earliest settlers.
- Play arcade games at Dave & Buster’s at Legends Outlets.
- Take a wagon ride aboard Pioneer Trails Adventures and learn the history of Independence, Missouri.
- Pick berries at a local U-Pick Farm (you set your budget, but you’ll likely spend at least $10/person).
- Swim at a local outdoor pool or beach found on our guide (admission is typically less than $10/person).
- Watch outdoor theater at Shawnee Theatre in the Park.
- Learn about Kansas City’s baseball heritage at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
- Attend a puppet show and make a finger puppet at the Puppetry Arts Institute.
- Celebrate Kansas City’s jazz roots with a visit to the American Jazz Museum.
- Tour the Strawberry Hill Museum and learn about immigrants from Eastern Europe.
- Enjoy arcades, laser tag, rides or go-karts at America’s Incredible Pizza Company.
- Head to a local Farmers Market and stock up on fresh produce and locally made goods.
- Enjoy a little “winter in the summer” and enjoy indoor ice skating at Independence Community Ice.
- Visit the KU Natural History Museum and see live-animal exhibits, the famous Panorama, and displays of fossils and Kansas wildlife.
- Rent a pedal boat at Shawnee Mission Park Marina.
- Visit the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
- Tour the John Wornall House Museum or Alexander Majors Home and learn about Kansas City’s earliest citizens.
- Make a Day Trip to Atchison and visit Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum to learn about the first lady of flight.
- Ride the rails with Belton Grandview and KC Railroad.
- Dine out and take advantage of Kids Eat Free deals.
And search Events on our Kansas City calendar, for even more fun things to enjoy every day.