This winter, Kansas City has enjoyed quite a bit of snow.... which means cabin fever for little ones. I wanted to share five FREE outings for families in Kansas City to help beat the winter blahs!
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Lowe's Build and Grow Workshops
Register at: www.lowesbuildandgrow.com: On the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, Lowe's Hardware Stores across the metro offer the BEST woodworking classes for kids and they're FREE! The workshops are held in a classroom at the store and each child is given a canvas apron with their name on it (to keep), safety goggles and a small hammer (just to use for the project), and a small kit to build their own wooden project. We're especially looking forward to February's projects! On Feb. 12, the kids can make a fun little music box for Valentine's Day and on Feb. 26 they are making race cars. The kids love making something "real" and have a terrific sense of accomplishment, and Daddy loves making projects with his girls... I love that the woodworking happens THERE! It's a win-win! -
Burr Oak Woods Nature Center's Programs
www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/cnc/burroak/: Our family LOVES Burr Oak Woods Nature Center and all the terrific programs they offer for FREE for families. February is one of our favorite times to visit the nature center because we're craving a bit of outdoor fun with cabin fever setting in. For a couple years now, we've been attending FREE "Little Acorns" classes learning about crayfish, butterflies, bats, trees, frogs and squirrels. At each class, the children learn how animals grow, their special traits, what they eat, and what they do. They read a story (often with puppets), play a game related to the animal (i.e. racing while walking like crayfish), and make a craft (a pose-able squirrel puppet being the favorite so far). After learning about the animal or plant, the kids are taken out in "nature" to catch and release butterflies in nets, hunt for squirrel's nests, or catch and release crayfish in the river. Burr Oak Woods also offers family programs, Babes in the Woods for infants and toddlers, and classes. The full schedule for February and March is here. 
Under the Sea Adventure at Crown Center
Crown Center brings the best children's exhibits to Kansas City and the newest, "Under the Sea Adventure" debuts this weekend. Crown Center's website describes the newest exhibit, "As walk into an enchanted world of whimsical creatures they find themselves under the sea and instantly greeted by a giant octopus. The adventure takes them to a sunken pirate ship where they discover a treasure chest. They explore a submarine, visit a mermaid’s house, ride a seahorse and step inside a whale’s mouth. The exhibit will include an array of aquatic children’s books...in a waterproof reading area, of course!" While you're there, don't forget to head across the street to Kaleidoscope for a wonderful FREE art experience. Children of all ages are welcome for the walk-in family sessions!-
KidScape at the Johnson County Museum
KidScape is a free exhibit for kids ages 3-9 at the Johnson County Museum. A child-sized suburban streetscape, children learn about community through role-playing in an interactive bookstore, park, City Hall, hospital, fashion boutique, and theater. -
Moon Marble
Moon Marble is a charming toy store with many "forgotten toys" of years gone by... marbles, classic jack-in-the-boxes, tops, collectibles, as well as new toys crowd this eclectic and novel toy store. Several toys are out for playing / demo, and one room is set aside just to play with marble tracks (including a magnetic set). They also do marble making demonstrations which are captivating for children young and old... this is an experience the "chain toy stores" just can't match! Read our Review of Moon Marble.
What are your favorite FREE outings? Any other great "Best Kept Secrets in KC" to share??? Do tell!
Written by Kristina Light