In February 2025, Halley Zitterkopf, Digital Engagement Manager for KC Parent updated this article to include the latest information on Inspired Play Cafe, Deanna Rose, fish feeding at Family Tree Nursery, and more.
Looking for fun and affordable outings with your toddler? Our ultimate guide has you covered! From free activities and animal adventures to open gyms and more, discover dozens of ways to enjoy a great day with your little one—rain or shine!
Rabbit Hole
Cultivate a Love of Learning
Young children learn best when the opportunities are hands-on and engaging.
The Rabbit hOle (919 E. 14th Ave., North Kansas City, Mo.). This newly opened literary museum brings classic stories such as Goodnight Moon, Madeline, The Runaway Bunny, and Strega Nona to life. Visit each interactive exhibit and enjoy reading the stories as you do. At the café, you can order a Bowl Full of Mush, The Runaway Bunny salad and other book-themed yummies. Note: Strollers are not allowed. For more details, visit RabbitHoleKC.org.
The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children’s Museum (443 E Red Bridge, Kansas City, MO, 816-643-6700 Wonderscope.org) Come learn, play, and grow with us! Wonderscope is the region’s only fully accessible, non-profit children’s museum dedicated to providing STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math – educational experiences for young children and their families – all with a fun Kansas City theme. Wonderscope features 15,000 square feet of indoor exploration (plus 1/2 acre of year-round outdoor adventure). Daily programs are included with museum admission or membership. Memberships, starting at $150, are available and offer unlimited admission to the museum and programs for a full year. Birthday party packages are also available. Open Tuesday-Sunday.
Science City at Union Station (30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.460.2020, UnionStation.org). Science City is Kansas City’s largest, most interactive science museum with something for visitors of all ages. Favorite exhibits include the Riveting Robot where you learn to code and interact with Jarvis the Robothespian, DinoLab where children dig for bones and watch as fossils are preserved, Nature Works where children learn about nature firsthand, and exhibits about energy, engineering, water, optical illusions and more. Top off your visit with a planetarium show for an unforgettable experience.
KidScape at the Johnson County Museum (6305 Lackman, Shawnee, KS, 913.715.2550, JoCoMuseum.org) is a FREE hands-on child-sized city. The exhibit features a hospital where children pretend to be a doctor, a city hall with cars and trucks, theater with costumes and a real stage, shops with items the children can sell, and a park with tot-sized mini golf and fishing. Kids love to play and explore the adult world through their eyes. Throughout the month, the museum hosts special events specifically designed for infants and toddlers.
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm (1200 E. Kansas City Rd., Olathe). Explore the grounds, visit the Agricultural Heritage Livestock Barn and view exhibits in the Heritage Center. To tour the Mahaffie house as well, check their calendar and visit on a living history day. Make sure to ask the volunteers all the questions you can—they love it! Mahaffie.org
Library Story Time. Your local library is one of the best places for young children. Offering lap time for infants and toddle time and preschool story time for older children, librarians engage kids with books, snacks, crafts and games. Check your library’s calendar for additional events, including puppet shows, children’s concerts and special holiday programs.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Whether you’re home with a baby who is too young to talk, or toddlers who are beginning to explore, many local museums offer a great outing for mother and child. Spend an hour exploring the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak St., Kansas City, MO, 816.751.1278, Nelson-Atkins.org) with little ones in strollers (for toddlers, bring a copy of our Nelson-Atkins Scavenger Hunt). Parents are encouraged to bring their baby in a stroller or carrier for an adult-focused, infant-friendly mini museum tour. No reservations needed or worries about loud little ones!
Deanna Rose goats
Take a Walk on the Wild Side…favorite animal outings!
The Kansas City Zoo (6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City, MO, 816.513.5800, KansasCityZoo.org). The zoo is open year-round. In fact, winter is one of the best times to visit, as the animals are especially playful and the zoo isn't crowded. The indoor exhibits at the Polar Bear Passage, Helzberg Penguin Plaza, Tropics and Discovery Barn are great on chilly days. Bonus: Weather permitting, enjoy a ride on the carousel or train for more fun.
Sea Life Kansas City (2475 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.). Get that warm tropical feeling by enjoying the beautiful colors of the animals at Sea Life. A favorite exhibit is the underwater tunnel, where you can see your favorite creatures up close. Your kids will love getting hands-on with sea stars, urchins, snails and more in the interactive touch pool. VisitSeaLife.com
Animal Watching at Local Nature Centers. Kansas City is home to many wonderful nature centers, but these are some favorites: Burr Oak Woods (1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO, 816.228.3766 MDC.mo.gov/regions/kansas-city/burr-oak-woods-nature-center) is one of our favorite outings on a cold afternoon. You’ll meet an animatronic Smokey Bear teaching children fire safety, see a large aquarium of Missouri's freshwater fish, snakes, turtles, toads and more. Best of all, they offer wonderful free educational programs for the family, including Babes in the Woods for infants and Little Acorns for preschoolers, with hands-on activities kids enjoy. Lakeside Nature Center (4701 E. Gregory Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.513.8960, LakesideNatureCenter.org) is home to some of the best animal displays in the area, with falcons, owls, eagles, toads, frogs, fish, insects and wonderful exhibits on the animals in our city and in our homes. Lastly, Prairie Park Nature Center (2730 Harper St., Lawrence, KS, 785.832.7980) features reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals, as well as a hands-on center for preschoolers that features nature puppets, puzzles and activities.
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead (135th & Antioch) is the perfect place to immerse kids in farm animals and rural life. This charming attraction is packed with hands-on opportunities to interact with animals of all kinds. For our girls, the highlight is bottle-feeding the baby goats. These little ones are always eager (and a bit pushy!), so we’ve learned to either stand our ground or feed them through the fence for a calmer experience. Afterward, we head to the fishing pond with old-fashioned cane poles. Try a scenic wagon ride around the farm, pulled by the majestic Belgian draft horses.
Pro Tip: We never visit Deanna Rose without packing our coin purses! The kids love dropping quarters into the feed machines to get pellets for the goats, ducks, and fish. It’s always a hit, and we’ve learned to bring plenty so we don’t run out. Afterward, we make a stop at Vic's General Store to use a few more quarters for some delicious saltwater taffy to snack on—it’s become a fun little tradition for our family!
Feed the Fish at Family Tree! (7036 Nieman Rd., Shawnee & 8424 Farley St., Overland Park ) Family Tree Nursery is a win-win-win! It has beautiful plants, coffee shop, and a koi pond. Grab your coffee at Café Equinox and head into the greenhouse surrounded by beautiful plants and greenery! Your kids might even be able to snag a seat at the kid-sized table and chairs. After your coffee, head over to the koi pond. Make sure you bring a quarter for some fish food—your kids will love feeding the fish.
Foundry Church
Get the Wiggles Out!
Children need to exercise and play, but that can be tough when it’s it's bad weather! Consider a day of swimming or indoor play!
AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk (16201 Shawnee Dr., Overland Park). With over 40,000 square feet of fun, this brand-new family entertainment venue has something for everyone. Want to ride a roller coaster, play in an arcade, go bowling, ice skate or play laser tag? Sports Park is for you. They also have a gaming area for ages 9+ coming soon. BluhawkSports.com
Jump! Jump! Jump! Trampolines, toddler play areas and obstacle courses are perfect ways to burn off energy and get exercise, and Urban Air Trampoline Park (Lenexa & Overland Park, KS) is one of our favorite places to play! Check their calendars for special Jumperoo sessions for ages 5 and under with access to indoor playground and trampoline attractions.
Go for a Swim! Kansas City boasts dozens of terrific indoor pools (Visit Going Places to find an indoor pool nearby), from lap pools to full indoor water parks complete with slides, lazy rivers and more. Best of all, many offer terrific toddler areas, and you don’t have to worry about big crowds if you swim while school is in session. Our four favorite inexpensive but fun-filled options are Lenexa Rec Center in Lenexa (913.477.7529), Matt Ross Community Center in Overland Park (913.895.6350), Legacy Park Community Center in Lee's Summit (816.969.1550) and the View Community Center in Grandview (816.316.4888).
Foundry Church ( 8835 Lackman Rd., Lenexa) offers the ultimate kid-friendly coffee shop experience. While you and your friends enjoy a coffee, tea or smoothie, your kids can play in the enclosed playroom designed for children 5 and under. In the spacious playroom, you’ll find a wooden play structure with stairs and a slide. If the on-site gym is available, bring your own bikes, balls or play toys for even more fun.
Inspired Play Cafe
Raining? Indoor Play Areas!
My Play Café | 6529 N. Cosby Ave, Kansas City, Mo.
This cozy, family-friendly space is filled with engaging activities, including a wooden play set with slides, a play kitchen, a train table, ride-on toys and stations for imaginative play, such as a doctor’s office and dress-up area. There’s even a dedicated space with soft foam tiles and a baby gate for children aged 18 months and under. Plus, the café offers a full coffee and drink menu for parents.
Toddler Time at Above All Trampoline Park | 1927 Industrial Dr., Liberty
Almost every Wednesday and Friday from 10:00–noon, Above All offers a dedicated time for children ages 6 and under to jump and play safely. For just $7.99 per jumper (and a one-time fee of $2.99 for jump socks on their first visit), toddlers can enjoy a 60-minute jump session.
Busy Bean Play Café | 249 W. Mill St., Suite 101, Liberty
This warm, inviting space has a wooden structure that children can climb on and slide down, along with other climbing toys and a balance beam. Children can enjoy pretend play stations including a kitchen, a store, a doctor’s office and a baby care station. Parents can choose a drink from the full-service coffee menu while little ones select from a variety of kid-friendly snacks.
Downtown and Brookside
Kansas City Public Library: Central | 14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, Mo.
This downtown library offers a wonderful children’s area on the second floor. Children can enjoy imaginative play with an ice cream shop, puppet theater and building toys, or get creative at the coloring table. The library also hosts family story time Tuesdays at 9:30 and 10:30, baby story time Thursdays at 9:30 and toddler story time Thursdays at 10:30. Stop by The Nook downstairs for coffee, tea or a pastry.
Hümanette | 118 W. 63rd St., Kansas City, Mo.
Hümanette is Kansas City’s first kinder café designed specifically for children ages 0–6. This indoor play space features a climbing and sliding structure and soft mats to encourage active play. Children can explore toys and books while a soft area ensures safe play for those who aren’t yet walking. The café includes a lounge with games and art supplies for older children. Parents can join in, relax with a drink from the full-service café or work in the co-working space, which also offers a private chat booth.
Jackson County
Mid-Continent Public Library: Colbern Road | 1000 NE Colbern Rd., Lee’s Summit
Children can read and play with giant letter tiles or a variety of toys in this welcoming library space. A large table offers plenty of room for coloring and activities. The library hosts toddler story time on Mondays at 10:00 and 11:00, family story time on Tuesdays at 10:00 and 10:30 and Wednesdays at 10:00, along with baby story time on Wednesdays at 9:15. You can also stop by Post Coffee inside the library for coffee and pastries.
Open Gym at Xtreme Gymnastics | 725 NW Commerce Dr., Suite X, Lee’s Summit
Every Friday from 9:30–11:00, Xtreme Gymnastics offers an open gym where preschoolers can stay active and work on their gross motor skills. Kids can run, bounce on trampolines and climb on mats in a safe space. Multi-aged open gym times are also available for the whole family.
Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter | 19700 E. Jackson Dr., Suite G, Independence
Kanga’s offers a dedicated toddler area with a mini playscape, ball pit, large building blocks and wall puzzles, ensuring hours of fun for little ones. Young children can also enjoy the multi-level indoor playground and inflatable bouncy attraction. There’s a café on-site if you’d like a snack or lunch during your visit.
Johnson County
Inspired Play Cafe Overland Park & Merriam
Inspired Play Café is the perfect spot for a playdate with a friend. You can catch up and enjoy some adult conversation while your kids play. They offer coffee and smoothies, as well as breakfast and lunch options. Your kids will be entertained for hours with all of the imaginative play options and open-ended toys. You and your kids can also enjoy weekly classes and activities included with open play. Go check out their newest location in Merriam.
Olathe Public Library: Indian Creek | 16100 W. 135th St., Olathe
The Indian Creek branch’s children’s area features a playhouse, play castle and play kitchen, as well as a selection of board books and picture books for young readers. Parents can grab a drink at Sweet Tee’s coffee shop located inside the library. The library also offers circle time for children 2 and under on Mondays at 1:00 and Thursdays at 9:30, with story time for ages 3–5 on Mondays at 1:45 and Thursdays at 10:15. An outdoor playground is available for extra fun on warmer days.
Splash with Me at Lenexa Rec Center | 17201 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa
Splash with Me at the Lenexa Rec Center is a time for children ages 5 and under to safely play in the water. Available Monday through Friday from 10:00–11:30 and Saturday from 9:30–11:30, it costs $2 per person for non-members. The area includes shallow water, a small water slide and a water play structure specifically designed for young children. Parental supervision is required.
Kansas City native Halley Zitterkopf, Digital Engagement Manager for KC Parent, is a boy mom who loves exploring and sharing about her great city!