Summer is coming to a close, but the fun doesn’t have to stop! Here are our Top 10 Ideas for Affordable Family Fun in Kansas City this August!
- Family Fun for 100 Cents at the Zoo! The Kansas City Zoo is celebrating it’s 100th Birthday with 100 Cent Mondays. Every Monday, you can purchase a terrific Zoo treat for only 100 pennies. Upcoming treats: August 3 – Corndog, August 10 - Ice Cream Novelty, August 17 - Chips or Animal Cookies, August 24 - Carousel Ride, and August 31 - Island Oasis 12 oz. Smoothie.
- Rent a Pedal Boat! Visit Lake Jacomo or Shawnee Mission Park to rent a Pedal Boat. Lake Jacomo (7401 W. Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO) Pedal Boat Rental is $11/hour for a four person Pedal Boat or $30 for all day rental. The Kill Creek Park Marina (11670 Homestead Lane, Olathe, KS) and Heritage Park Marina (16050 Pflumm, Olathe, KS) offer rental for $6/30min for Johnson County Residents or $7/30 min for non-residents.
- Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Theatre in the Park! If you haven’t been to Theatre in the Park (Shawnee Mission Park with separate entrance at 7710 Renner Road) yet this summer, now is the time! Theatre in the Park is a wonderful family experience. Pack a picnic and bring blankets and chairs as you enjoy a wonderful live performance of The Wizard of Oz (July 31-Aug 2 and Aug 6-9). The box office opens at 7:00 p.m., gates to the seating area open at 7:30 p.m. and shows begin at 8:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $8 for adults, $6 for Youth (ages 4-10) and children three and under are free.
- Tax Free Back-to-School Shopping! August 7-9 is Tax Free Shopping as you prepare for school to start! Clothing, school supplies, computer software, personal computers, and computer devices are included in the program and many stores offer big sales to coincide with the event!
- Explore the World! August is a great month for Fairs and Festivals (check our Calendar – there are new fairs every weekend). My personal favorite, is the Ethnic Enrichment Festival at Swope Park August 21-23. Admission is $3/adults, children 12 and under are free! The Festival features entertainment and food from over 60 countries. Watch live dancing and music, a parade of costumes, and eat ethnic delicacies from around the world. We like to purchase snacks, appetizers, drinks, and desserts at several booths to sample as many new foods as possible. I recommend the Æbleskivers from Denmark. They are “pancake balls” with powdered sugar! I’ve been eating them at the Ethnic Festival since my dad took us when we were kids!
- Visit Animals! Whether you’re looking for a leisurely day feeding fish, or an educational outing on exotic animals, or something NEW… we have the scoop. Our Ten Favorite Animal Outings in KC are here and they are all FREE or Cheap! Or, looking to learn about Flora AND Fauna… Kansas City’s Nature Centers make a great outing and they’re all FREE!
- Go to the Fair! The Missouri State Fair (August 13-23) is great family fun! With a Circus Under the Big Top, Animal Shows, Concerts, Carnival Rides, and great food… you can’t miss! The Fair is free for Kids 12 and under, and they offer great discounts throughout the event. Opening Day is $1 admission for adults, August 20th is $2, and August 23 is half-price day at $4 admission.
- Splash and Swim! Dive into fun one more time with a great trip to the Pool or the Beach. Try a new Pool or visit the Beach and take in a special event! Two events we recommend: Free Family Day at the Pool and Poolside Concert.
- Go on an Art Hunt. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is FREE, but the extensive galleries and expensive art can be a bit intimidating for some families. Turn a day of culture into a day of adventure on a family scavenger hunt! Click here for a printable scavenger hunt the kids will love!
- Watch a Movie Under the Stars for FREE! Take in a Free Movie under the night sky. Don’t forget to bring chairs and pack some popcorn. Parents, remember to review movies before attending as not all movies are appropriate for all ages.
- Briarcliff Village, Thursdays at dusk.
- • August 6: The Dark Knight
- • August 14: Ghost Busters II
- • August 21: Iron Man
- • August 28: Twister
- Crown Center Square 24th and Grand KCMO at 9pm
- • August 7: Wizard of Oz
- • August 14: Pirates of the Caribbean
- • August 21: Eddie Money
- Kearney Amphitheater at Jesse James Park at dusk
- • August 21: Kung Fu Panda
- Reading Reptile (816.753.0441) 328 W. 63rd St., KCMO
- Note: This is an Indoor Viewing, but it’s a great rainy day or hot day choice.
- • August 7: The Three Robbers, and Cat in the Hat
- • August 14: The Little Prince
- See a Movie, See KC Movies are free and begin at dusk.
- • Aug. 1: Pinocchio (Budd Park, St. John and Brighton)
- • Aug. 8: Cars (Budd Park, St. John and Brighton)
- • Aug. 13: Groundhog Day (Brookside Triangle Park, 58th and Brookside)
- • Aug. 21: Finding Nemo (Gage Park, W. 23rd and Jarboe)
- • Aug. 29: Hotel For Dogs (Roanoke Park, Valentine Rd to 34th Street and Karnes)