A favorite place to spend a winter day is KidScape at the Johnson County Museum, a whimsical, hands-on, child-sized city. Children time travel to different periods and communities from the region’s past. They enjoy pretend play as they work on the farm, perform at the theater or puppet show, teach in the school, deliver the mail, care for patients at the hospital and fry up some burgers at the diner.

Take a spin on the ice. Our favorite outdoor rinks are open for the season. Crown Center Ice Terrace (816.274.8411), The Rink at Zona Rosa (816.208.3690) and Chicken N Pickle Overland Park (913.703.5950). For more local rinks, search “Winter Sports” on KCParent.com.

Step back in time at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farmkristinawhere you may tour the farm home and Santa Fe Trail stagecoach stop, as well as enjoy stagecoach rides and sleigh rides (on snowy days).

Attend Störling Dance Theater’s Underground, showing Feb. 3-4, CultureHouse.com. The vision for Störling Dance Theater’s Underground began in 2000 as a positive approach to addressing growing divisiveness over race in American culture.kristina The cast included 60 professional and amateur artists from a diverse group of backgrounds, neighborhoods and perspectives.kristina

Celebrate America’s pastime at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which showcases the history of American baseball from the Black perspective, beginning in 1863, and acquaints you with many famous local baseball stars.

Challenge the kids to a game of bowling! Head to Mission Bowl ‘n Olathe, a family-friendly bowling center in Johnson County.

Catch Coterie Theatre’skristinashowing of Only One Day a Year. This National Endowment for the Arts award-winning play intertwines present day with the last segregated days of Fairyland amusement park. Inspired by overlooked Kansas City history!

Attend the celebration of the century when Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate at T-Mobile Center Feb. 23-26. Audiences will be a part of the magic of Disney as mouse-ter of ceremonies Mickey Mouse leads a parade of more than 50 beloved characters. Starring Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy and featuring an ensemble of Disney princesses including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel, Snow White and Tiana.

Explore the night sky at the Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station, which offers interactive astronomy education, public shows and telescope viewing opportunities.

Kansas City Zookristinavisits are especially fun in the winter, as the animals are especially playful, and the crowds are smaller. The indoor exhibits at the Polar Bear Passage, Helzberg Penguin Plaza, Tropics and Discovery Barn are great on chilly days.

The National World War I Museum and Memorialkristinais not only a Kansas City landmark, but an American landmark. Every local family should make it a point to visit this museum that tells the story of the Great War through interactive displays, thought-provoking films and eyewitness testimonies. With family guides and hands-on exhibits, the museum is an educational attraction for all ages.

Build an earthquake-proof Lego tower at Legoland Discovery Center, where you can play with the world’s biggest box of Legos, watch a film in the Lego Studios 4D Cinema, enjoy rides and explore a miniature Kansas City in Lego Miniland.

Ride the sky bike at Science City, then explore the water table, dig for dinosaur fossils, make something in the maker lab and learn new things about DNA, nature and the earth. Consider purchasing a membership to enjoy unlimited visits all year long!

Spread some joy by purchasing a plant to give to a loved one for Valentine’s Day-or just because. Check out Family Tree Nursery for a great selection of plants, trees, greenery, shrubs and more!

Visit the Truman Presidential Library and learn about the nation’s 33^rd president. This recently renovated museum offers state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and warrants a half- to full-day visit.

Challenge yourself on the Warrior Obstacle Course or Slam Dunk Zone at Urban Air, the ultimate indoor trampoline park with locations in Overland Park and Lenexa.

Walk through an underwater tunnel at Sea Life Kansas City. Enjoy up-close views of more than 5,000 sea creatures.

Paint your own ceramic creations at Ceramic Cafe. They supply the ceramics, the paints and the brushes kristina€¦ you just supply the creative budding artists!

Help with Harvesters Food Pantry, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Great Plains SPCA or another local organization through your house of worship or school. Giving back to the community is an important part of growing up.

Walk around Legends Outlets. Shop, take in a movie, eat dinner and learn about local legends with their outdoor sculptures that celebrate famous local heroes. Be sure to head to LegendsShopping.com to download a fun family scavenger hunt!

Spend a day among the shelves at the local library looking for new books and exploring sections you’ve never explored before. Increase your chances of making a new discovery with a visit to a new branch.

Collect a free bag of cash-shredded, that is-at the Money Museum (816.881.2683), a free museum where you’ll learn how the Federal Reserve Bank works and its role in the U.S. economy.

Explore the treasures of the Arabia Steamboat Museum. The boat preserved in the museum is famous for sinking on an 1856 Missouri River journey during which its paddle wheel caught a wrecking tree snag.

With wonderful hands-on exhibits and listening centers to explore, the American Jazz Museumkristinainvites children to enjoy listening to classic jazz, compose their own pieces and learn about the history of 18th & Vine.

Explore the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. They offer great family guides and scavenger hunts at their information center. Admission is free; there is a fee for parking.

Visit Kaleidoscope, a free hands-on art center where children use their imaginations to make art with leftover materials from Hallmark’s manufacturing processes. Tip: Reservations required.

Learn about historical U.S. aircraft including the first Lockheed Constellation ever restored, a Martin 404, a DC-3 and a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar at the Airline History Museum.

Weather permitting, take the family sledding! Read our guide to the best sledding hills in Kansas City!

Kristina Light writes about family fun all season long on KCParent.com.