Fun-tastic Summer List

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KC is cool all the time, but especially in the summertime! Enjoy the best of summer with our Fun-tastic Summer List!

  1. Visit the all-new Elephant Expedition at the Kansas City Zoo. While you’re there, be sure to visit the stingrays, polar bear, kangaroos, tigers, penguins, monkeys, camels and giraffes.
  2. Spend the day bird watching at a local nature area or park. Visit KCParent.com and click “Going Places,” then search “Nature” for our favorite places.
  3. Rent a free canoe at Legacy Park in Lee’s Summit, where you can practice paddling in their small pond.
  4. Explore the Sculpture Park on the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
  5. Make homemade Popsicles and enjoy them in your own backyard.
  6. Stop and smell the roses at Loose Park.
  7. Challenge the kids to a match of disc golf at Rosedale Park, Waterworks Park or Swope Park.
  8. Spend the day fishing at one of the city’s best fishing spots (all on KCParent.com). We especially enjoy Longview Lake, Shawnee Mission Lake, James A. Reed Wildlife Preserve and Lake Jacomo.
  9. Participate in hands-on history at the National World War I Museum and Memorial and get a spectacular view of the city atop Liberty Memorial.
  10. Participate in one of the library’s summer reading programs. We have the scoop on KCParent.com.
  11. Play at the batting cages at Paradise Park or ride the go-karts, try to escape from their Exit Room, play a round of miniature golf, enjoy arcades and rock wall climbing, laser tag or the Children's Edutainment Center.
  12. Engrave a padlock showing love for your spouse or family and lock it at Kansas City’s own love locks bridge (Red Bridge at Minor Park).
  13. Pick berries, peaches and apples at local u-pick farms. We have a complete U-Pick Guide on KCparent.com.
  14. Ride bikes at one of KC's best bike trails (all on KCParent.com). Our favorites include Trolley Trail, Indian Creek and Longview Lake. You can rent bikes affordably with BikeKC.
  15. Spend a day shopping at the Legends Outlets.
  16. Buy fresh produce at local farmers markets (all on KCParent.com) and try something you’ve never had before. Perhaps it is a new homemade product (flavored honey, salsa or mix), a new fruit or veggie, or a recipe inspired by one of the local vendors.
  17. Learn about the history of our downtown bridges as you walk or bike at Berkley Riverfront Park. The trail offers amazing views of the bridges over the Missouri River and placards telling the history of the river and the architecture of the bridges.
  18. Visit the Johnson County Museum and explore the All-Electric House where you can imagine what life was like for grandparents and great-grandparents.
  19. Ride the KC Streetcar and visit the FREE KC Rail Experience at Union Station, play chess on the roof at the Central Library and taste-test a yummy treat at City Market. TIP: Bring our Streetcar Scavenger Hunt on your trip!
  20. Rent an electric scooter and explore parts of Downtown or Midtown that you haven’t seen in a while.
  21. Go on an adventure hunting for treasure at new places with geocaching or letterboxing.
  22. Keep a nature journal recording the wildlife, plants and weather you observe this summer.
  23. Rent a pedal boat at Shawnee Mission Lake or Lake Jacomo. 
  24. Marvel at modern art at the Nerman Museum, where admission is free.
  25. Go camping at one of Kansas or Missouri’s campgrounds.
  26. Spend a Saturday in the West Bottoms, a perfect excursion to get creative juices flowing as you explore antique shops, boutiques and retailers in KC’s most eclectic shopping district.
  27. Nurture your creative bug at Ceramics Cafe.
  28. Pretend you live in the wild, wild West at Antioch Park.
  29. Stargaze at Powell Observatory, home to the Ruisinger telescope, one of the largest telescopes available for public viewing in a five-state area. 
  30. Visit the animals at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead.
  31. Participate in hands-on science at Science City, catch a planetarium show at Gottlieb Planetarium, watch a movie at the Extreme Screen and explore the Body Worlds exhibit at Union Station.
  32. Stroll through Kauffman Memorial Gardens.
  33. Explore Downtown Kansas City and take photos with public art on display.
  34. Picnic near a Kansas City area waterfall. You’ll find them all on KCParent.com.
  35. Get an amazing view of the city from the River Observation Tower as you gaze out over the vast Missouri River.
  36. Visit the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures and reminisce with your children about your own favorite toys. Then, treat the kids to a game night when you return home.
  37. Roller blade with the family on one of the city’s paved trails.
  38. Go old school and catch a movie at one of KC's drive-in theaters.
  39. Take a family float trip and enjoy canoeing. We especially love the Meramec and Current rivers in Missouri, but the Niangua is nice if you want something closer to home.
  40. Take a tour of the more than 200 fountains that grace Kansas City. Learn their history in our guide to KC’s fountains on KCParent.com.
  41. Learn about the Santa Fe Trail and take a walk exploring the ruins at Cave Springs Nature Center.
  42. Grab some cash and take the kids on a trash or treasure hunt ... a.k.a. garage sale shopping.
  43. Take a free trip to the Money Museum and leave with a bag of shredded cash.
  44. Try something new in KC—use our Kansas City Calendar for inspiration.
  45. Search “Craft Corner” on KCParent.com and make a new DIY project with the kids.

Kristina Light loves exploring her hometown with her four daughters.