FREE Summer Fun Ideas in Kansas City

Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog

• When, Where, What: May 29 - Sept 6 at Crown Center (2500 Grand, KCMO 816.274.8444) is a FREE hands-on exhibit for children! Details here.
• Why We LOVE It: This exhibit captures the imagination as children visit the homes of Clifford, Emily Elizabeth, and all the residents of Birdwell Island. The large scale elements are based on the PBS Kids Clifford The Big Red Dog television series and include the Birdwell Ferry, Samuel's Fish & Chips Shack, T-Bone's Beach Fun and of course, Clifford and his Doghouse.
• Bonus: KCParent.com is giving away an Exclusive VIP Party at the Clifford Exhibit! Enter the Clifford Party Giveaway by July 15 for your chance to win!

 

Splash and Play in a Sprayground

• When, Where, What: Kansas City is home to several FREE Spraygrounds where children can run through sprinklers and play on a "water playground" for FREE all summer. We have your Guide to Spraygrounds in Kansas City!
• Why We LOVE It: Kansas City Summers can get HOT and we all need a fun way to cool of from time to time! Children enjoy the fun of water play and "running through the sprinklers" without a big water bill at home! It's great exercise and it's great fun!

 

Concerts Under the Stars

• When, Where, What: There are over 100 FREE Concerts in Kansas City and we have the complete Guide to Summer Concerts in Kansas City!
• Why We LOVE It: Jazz, Classical, Pop, Rock, Kiddie Rockers, Bluegrass, Patriotic, Country... this summer there is something for every music lover at one of Kansas City's terrific Summer Concerts and many of them are under the stars!

 

 

FREE Summer Movies

• When, Where, What: Enjoy FREE Movies All Summer long in Kansas City!We have the complete Guide to FREE Summer Movies in Kansas City!
• Why We LOVE It: What could be more fun than a Summer Movie and a box of popcorn? Watching it under the stars of course! Trade in stadium seating for a bit of novelty this summer and take in a movie under the open sky. This summer, enjoy a Free Movie at one of several area locations all across the Kansas City metro!

 

Spend a Day at the Park!

• When, Where, What: One of the best things about Kansas City is its wealth of wonderful parks and playgrounds for families! We compiled a list of our favorite parks in Kansas City and why we love them!
• Why We LOVE It: Does your child dream of becoming a fire fighter? Do they pretend to be a Pirate, Prince, or Princess? Or they enthralled by elephants? Kansas City is home to many EXTRAORDINARY parks! Castle Playgrounds, Penguin Slides, Pirate Ship Parks, Firetruck Jungle Gyms, Dinosaurs and MORE! We've collected a list of some of the most unique and most FUN Parks in KC! Best of all? This is a FREE and Fun Outing on our list! Grab the picnic basket, camera, bubbles and balls and spend the summer playing.

Shakespeare in the Park!

• When, Where, What: King Richard III performed at 8pm nightly June 15-July 3 at Southmoreland Park. No performance on June 21, 2010. Sign language interpreted performances on Saturday, June 26 and Thursday, July 1. Details here.
• Why We LOVE It: The Pre-Show Festival for King Richard III is almost as much fun as the show itself! Puppet shows, jugglers, musicians, and period performers set the tone for a magical evening of live theater and Shakespeare. Bring a picnic and a blanket and curl up for a night of culture in Kansas City.

• When, Where, What: Check our Guide to Summer Reading in Kansas City for the full scoop!
• Why We LOVE It: Make a Splash this summer at Kansas City's libraries where children earn great prizes and incentives for reaching their reading goals. Best of all, ALL local libraries are also hosting terrific FREE events all summer to promote summer reading.

• When, Where, What: Kaleidoscope is a FREE hands-on art center for children sponsored by Hallmark. They offer walk-in sessions all summer, simply check Kaleidoscope's Calendar for details!
• Why We LOVE It: Creativity and imagination play in Kaleidoscope's magical hands-on world where children create masterpieces with super cool, super fun supplies, in a super amazing atmosphere all thanks to Hallmark. This is truly one of Kansas City's BEST family-friendly attractions! PLUS it is indoors... making it perfect for rainy days or days when you just need to "stay in the a/c"!

• When, Where, What: Kansas City is home to many terrific nature centers (Burr Oak Woods and Lakeside Nature Center are our family FAVORITES) and we have your Guide to Nature Centers in Kansas City. Best of all the centers are all FREE and many of them offer terrific summer programs for kids.
• Why We LOVE It: My daughter still remembers her Crawling Crayfish class from last summer's free programs at Burr Oak Woods. The nature trails, hands-on exhibits, and educational programs captivate kids and teach our city kids about the great outdoors in a fun environment!

Kansas City's Summer Calendar

Still looking for more great family fun ideas  for FREE in Kansas City? Check out our Kansas City Calendar of Events and Going Places in Kansas Cityon KCParent.com... just search for "FREE" events and "FREE" places to go in Kansas City and you're on your way to a budget-friendly summer of fun!