Savvy moms seeking summer fun on a shoestring budget will love treating the kids to entertaining and educational outings at many of our favorite Kansas City attractions:
Harley-Davidson Plant
11401 N. Congress Ave., Kansas City, MO, 816.270.8023. FREE factory tours for visitors 12 and up. For information and schedule, visit: www.Harley-Davidson.com/en_US/Content/Pages/Factory_Tours/kansas_city.html
It’s not every day that you get to see a factory line in action as American workers assemble a motorcycle from start to finish right before your eyes...in just 45 minutes! The tours are led by a guide who provides you with safety goggles and a radio to hear the tour. You start with a short video on the history of Harley-Davidson and the dream of American motorcycles, then your guide leads you through the actual factory. Watching the efficiency of the factory as workers build complete motorcycles in less than an hour (plus paint drying time) is fascinating. You witness the entire process from robotic welding, to laser-cutting and frame-bending, to polishing and assembly. In the visitor’s center, you can sit on current production motorcycles and visit the gift shop. Whether you are an avid motorcyclist or simply possess a passing curiosity, this is one must-see attraction in KC!
Kauffman Memorial Gardens
Located at 4800 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO. Tip: Enjoy more nearby free fun at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and Country Club Plaza.
Kauffman Memorial Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in Kansas City, perfect for a stroll and photography. The gardens are FREE and open to the public. Moms will appreciate that the gardens are gated, keeping children within the walls to explore the flowers and fountains without worry that they'll wander into the street or parking lot. The indoor gardens offer a nice place to sit and relax, and they have public restrooms as well. Kauffman Memorial Gardens is a collaboration between the Kauffman Foundation and Powell Gardens. Powell Gardens manages the garden itself, with all of the annuals and many of the perennial plants grown at the Powell Gardens greenhouses.
The Money Museum
1 Memorial Dr., Kansas City, MO, 816.881.2683. This interesting spot is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30, excluding bank holidays, for walk-in tours. There is no admission charge, and reservations are not necessary.
The Money Museum is the best place to get a firsthand lesson in the nation's financial system. On a tour, you'll learn how the Federal Reserve Bank works and its role in the U.S. economy. Interactive exhibits explore banking, basic economics and the financial policies that affect your family. You'll also be able to take a peek into one of the nation's largest cash vaults, create your own monetary artwork and view coins from each U.S. presidential administration. Visitors also enjoy taking home a FREE souvenir bag of shredded cash. Read our review of the Money Museum at www.KCParent.com.
Johnson County Museum
6305 Lackman Rd., Shawnee, KS, 913.715.25550, www.JoCoMuseum.org
The Johnson County Museum features long-term and changing exhibitions about Johnson County’s history; however, the absolute favorite exhibit for children is KidScape! KidScape is a delightful educational and hands-on exhibit for kids ages 3-9 (but our younger-than-3 children love it too!). Children escape into a child-sized suburban streetscape, where they role-play as community figures in educational environments: bookstore, park, City Hall, hospital, fashion boutique, farm and theater. Be sure to explore the rest of the Johnson County Museum on your trip. My children adore the pioneer home complete with a kitchen, dining table and chicken coop. The historical exhibits in the Johnson County Museum tell the area’s story for older children and adults.
Burr Oak Woods Nature Center
1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO, 816.228.3766, www.MDC.MO.gov/Areas/cnc/BurrOak/
Burr Oak Woods is one of the largest nature centers in the area. With an animatronic Smokey Bear that teaches children fire safety, a large aquarium of Missouri's freshwater fish, snakes, turtles and toads, and wonderful hands-on educational exhibits for children, Burr Oak Woods is a great place to spend an afternoon. The children’s center offers an indoor playground, puppets and educational resources to teach children to care for the earth. The nature center also features miles of beautiful trails for walking or bicycling. Throughout the year, the center offers FREE educational programs for children of all ages, including the Go Wild! summer program where kids learn about wildlife, plants and nature and their role in conservation. Reservations are required for educational programs. Tip: Search “Exploring Nature in Kansas City” at www.KCParent.com for information on more local nature centers.
Kristina Light, mother of four, is always on the lookout for great opportunities to make the most of summer fun on a budget. Follow her blog, 100 Days of Summer.