Every parent loves to find ways to stretch the family budget while making the most of summer break. We’re here to help!
Courtesy of Crown Center
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood®: A Grr-ific Exhibit opens May 25 and runs through Sept. 2 at Crown Center.
FORTY-FOUR IDEAS for FREE FUN in Kansas City
- Play at Crown Center’s free Daniel Tiger Exhibit.
- Check out a FREE Pass to visit the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library or Wonderscope Children's Museum with your Mid-Continent Public Library card!
- Attend a free concert.
- Watch a free movie.
- Attend a Kansas City area Festival.
- Play at one of the best parks in Kansas City.
- Visit Kaleidoscope a free hands-on art center where children use their imaginations to make art with left-over materials from Hallmark’s manufacturing processes (tip: reservations required).
- Ride the KC Streetcar and participate in our Streetcar Scavenger Hunt on KCParent.com.
- Go fishing.
- In the summer, splash and play at a Kansas City area sprayground.
- Tour the Truman Home in Independence and learn about President Truman and his wife Bess.
- Stroll through Kauffman Memorial Gardens.
- Visit a new library. Kansas City is rich with exciting local libraries, try one beyond your neighborhood location.
- Play “I Spy” at Lakeside Nature Center.
- Marvel at modern art at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, where admission is free.
- Pack a picnic at one of Five "Secret" Places to Picnic in Kansas City.
- Visit bison and elk at the Native Hoofed Animal Enclosure at Fleming Park.
- Watch as marbles are made at Moon Marble.
- Stop and smell the roses at Loose Park.
- Spend First Fridays in the Crossroads.
- Take a tour of the Kansas City Missouri City Hall.
- Hike at Ernie Miller Nature Center.
- Photograph friends in front of one of Kansas City’s 200 fountains.
- Get free money at the Federal Reserve Bank & Money Museum.
- Enjoy one of KC's Best FREE Hiking Trails.
- Bring binoculars for bird watching at Burroughs Audubon Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary.
- Watch a chocolate or fudge-making demo at Chip’s Chocolate Factory.
- Learn about the Santa Fe Trail at Cave Spring Historic Site & Nature Center.
- Discover the waterfall at Parkville Nature Sanctuary.
- Bike Trolley Trail.
- Take a free class at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center.
- Visit Waterfalls in the Midwest.
- Enjoy hands-on exhibits at Prairie Park Nature Center.
- Discover Kansas’ most famous residents through the artwork at Legends Outlets Kansas City.
- Learn about nature at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center.
- Imagine you’re in the Wild West at Antioch Park.
- Get a great view of the city at Rooftop Park on top of the building that houses Cosentino’s Market in the KCP&L District.
- Visit the free National Archives at Kansas City and learn about local history through their exhibits.
- Discover a masterpiece at the free Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Hike the trails at the Kansas City Kansas Public Library - F. L. Schlagle Branch and nature center.
- Learn about your family history at Midwest Genealogy Center - MCPL.
- Walk the trail around Lenexa's legendary dam at Black Hoof Park.
- Discover the natural bridge at Carl Chinnery Nature Trail.
- And remember to search Free Events on our Kansas City calendar, where there are free (and cheap) things to enjoy every day.
Roy Inman
Extreme Screen at Union Station
NINETEEN IDEAS $5 or less per Person
- Watch a film on the Extreme Screen at Union Station where you can catch summer blockbusters and documentaries.
- Imagine and play at KidScape at the Johnson County Museum, a pint-size play village for young children.
- Step back in time at Shawnee Town 1929 during their Time Travelers Summer Series.
- In the warm months, the Lake Olathe Park Marina has canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and pedal boats available to rent for $5/30 minutes.
- Search our daily calendar where you'll always find affordable options.
- On rainy days, play inside at Backyard Specialists Pay For Play.
- May - Oct, ride the KC Northern Railroad, just $1.00 on Saturdays and Sundays and holidays.
- Learn about gardening at the Beanstalk Children’s Garden.
- Visit the Historical Society of Lee's Summit & Museum and explore Downtown Lee’s Summit.
- In the summer, sign up for free bowling at www.KidsBowlFree.com or free roller skating at www.KidsSkateFree.com. Shoe and/or skate rental fees still apply.
- In the summer, rent a Stand Up Paddleboard or Canoe at Legacy Park.
- Tour the Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and learn about the 1860s woolen mill and grist mill.
- Share a Skyscraper at Winstead’s.
- April - October, feed animals at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead.
- Treat the kids to a sweet treat at one of KC's Best Ice Cream Shops.
- Visit the Shawnee Indian Mission and learn about the school attended by boys and girls from Shawnee, Delaware, and other Indian nations from 1839 to 1862.
- Participate in a stargazing event on Saturdays at Powell Observatory and look at the night sky through the largest telescope in the region.
- Learn about Kansas’ farming heritage at the fun and interactive National Agricultural Hall of Fame.
- Buy a slushie at Quik Trip.
30 + Ideas $10 or less per Person
- Visit the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and learn about the 33rd President of the United States.
- Enjoy playtime at Kanga's Indoor Playcenter.
- Play a round of extreme indoor miniature golf for just $6 on Mondays at Prehistoric Putt.
- Learn about the Pony Express and early Missouri citizens at St. Joseph Museums.
- Admission to the Kansas City Zoo is less than $10 for Jackson and Clay County residents, and FOTZ members enjoy unlimited admission all year long.
- Learn about the night sky at a show at the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station.
- Visit Powell Gardens.
- Participate in Thursday Toddler Time at Ceramic Cafe.
- Play volleyball or ride a bike at Berkley Riverfront Park (then visit the nearby City Market and purchase a fun lunch or fresh produce on weekends).
- Come face to face with big cats at Cedar Cove: Public Tours.
- Explore the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Admission to the museum is free, and parking is $12/car (less than $10/person if you have multiple passengers).
- Visit Missouri Town Living History Museum and learn about the lifestyle of the area’s earliest settlers.
- Play arcade games at Dave & Buster’s at Legends Outlets.
- Take a wagon ride aboard Pioneer Trails Adventures and learn the history of Independence, Missouri.
- In the spring and summer, pick berries at a local U-Pick Farm (you set your budget, but you’ll likely spend at least $10/person).
- Swim at a local pool (indoor or outdoor) or beach found on our guide (admission is typically less than $10/person).
- In the summer, watch outdoor theater at Shawnee Theatre in the Park.
- Learn about Kansas City’s baseball heritage at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
- Attend a puppet show and make a finger puppet at the Puppetry Arts Institute.
- In the summer, catch a game with Kansas City Monarchs at Legends Field - tickets are less than $10/ea to watch from "Homerun Hill."
- Celebrate Kansas City’s jazz roots with a visit to the American Jazz Museum.
- Tour the Strawberry Hill Museum and learn about immigrants from Eastern Europe.
- Head to a local Farmers Market and stock up on fresh produce and locally made goods.
- Enjoy indoor ice skating at Independence Community Ice.
- Visit the KU Natural History Museum and see live-animal exhibits, the famous Panorama, and displays of fossils and Kansas wildlife.
- During warm months, rent a pedal boat at Shawnee Mission Park Marina.
- Visit the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
- Tour the John Wornall House Museum or Alexander Majors Home and learn about Kansas City’s earliest citizens.
- Make a Day Trip to Atchison and visit Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum to learn about the first lady of flight.
- May - Oct, ride the rails with Belton Grandview and KC Railroad.
- Dine out and take advantage of Kids Eat Free deals.
And search Events on our Kansas City calendar, for even more fun things to enjoy every day.