You can beat the winter blues with a bit of "summer fun." If you long for swimming, baseball, ice cream, playing outside.... have no fear! The fun of summer can be here all winter long. All it takes is a touch of creativity and a sense of adventure!
Go Swimming!
Kansas City boasts dozens of terrific indoor pools! From lap pools to full indoor water parks complete with slides, lazy rivers, and more. There is something for swimmers of every age!
- Best Bang for Your Buck: Many local community centers offer terrific indoor pools with additional amenities. Our 3 Favorites for inexpensive but fun-filled options are: Matt Ross Community Center (pictured) in Overland Park (913.895.6350) with a lap pool, zero-depth entry pool, spray toys, an 18-ft tall water slide for swimmers, water bucket drop and a lazy river with admission at $5-7/ea per day (memberships available). Legacy Park Community Center in Lee's Summit (816.969.1550) features a 141' long figure-eight water slide, spray features, large play area, and a zero-depth beach entrance, four 20-yard lap lanes, current channel and hot tub at $6-8/ea (price varies with residency and age), memberships available. The View Community Center in Grandview (816.316.4888) features a lap pool, zero depth recreation pool, lazy river, coconut tree, umbrella, and spray features and a 22 ft. high slide for $4.50-9.25/day (depends on age and residency), memberships available. Find a pool near you with our complete list of Indoor Pools in KC.
- Super Splurge! CoCo Key Water Resort in Kansas City, MO, (816.737.0200) offers a wonderful 55,000 square foot indoor water park with a wading pool, slides, fast tube rides, activity pools and more! Play for a day or stay overnight at the Holiday Inn (where CoCo Key is located).
- Polar Plunge! For the truly daring, there is nothing like the Polar Plunge... a dive into one of Kansas City's lakes on a freezing cold winter day! Missouri and Kansas both host Polar Plunge events throughout the winter benefiting the Special Olympics. All proceeds support local Special Olympics athletes. Register for Polar Plunge online.
Pack a Picnic
Picnics are even better in the winter! You don't have to worry about bugs, heat, or crowds and your family will make fabulous memories with a picnic at one of our favorite outdoor winter venues.
- Picnic with a Polar Bear! The Kansas City Zoo is a favorite summer outing for many families. Did you know it is open year-round? In fact, winter is one of the best times to visit as the animals are especially playful and it isn't crowded. The indoor exhibits at the Tropics, Discovery Barn, and Snake House are great on chilly days, and the highlight of your trip will be a visit to the brand new Polar Bear Passage where your children will delight in watching Nikita swim and play right before their eyes! Pack a picnic and eat inside while watching Nikita play. Bonus: Weather permitting enjoy a ride on the carousel or train for more fun. Kansas City Zoo (6800 Zoo Dr., KCMO. 816.513.5800 www.KansasCityZoo.org). AND this winter, Nikita will be welcoming his new friend, Berlin (exact date TBD, but roughly 30 days after Dec. 20)!!!! Info on Berlin the Polar Bear as of 12/20: After a 7 hour journey from Minnesota in a refrigerated truck, Berlin the 23 year old female polar bear is safe and sound in KC. She is doing very well and will be quarantined for around 30 days before introductions begin with Nikita the resident KC Zoo rock star. Nikita definitely knows she's "in the house" as he's often seen smelling the air and going inside to investigate the new smells.
- Play at the Park. Kansas City's weather can be fickle. Last year, we enjoyed snow on the first day of spring. Conversely, it's not unusual for a few "warm days" to surprise us mid-winter. When the opportunity strikes, surprise the family with a day of play and picnic at one of Kansas City's Best Parks.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Celebrate America's favorite summer pastime... baseball! Whether you love to play, or you're an avid fan rooting for the home team, your passion for the sport can continue all winter long!
- Take a Swing! Does your child dream of being the next all-star baseball player? Beat cabin fever with a day at an indoor batting cage. Read our complete list to find additional Indoor Batting Cages in Kansas City.
- Learn about the Monarchs. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in the heart of the Jazz District is dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of the Negro Leagues Baseball, including the KC Monarchs, with interactive exhibits that appeal to fans of all ages. For information, call 816.221.1920 or visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum site.
Spend a Day at Amusement Park
For many families, summer vacation is spent with days enjoying thrill rides and arcades at the amusement park. Thanks to many indoor family fun centers you can enjoy the fun year-round.
- Play the Arcades. The whole family will find fun at Paradise Park where they feature arcades, bowling, bumper cars, a rock wall, the Foam Factory, and Children's EduTainment Center. Other attractions with arcades include Mission Bowl, Power Play, Cool Crest or Incred-a-Bowl. Children love Chuck E. Cheese, teens and adults are partial to Dave & Busters. Read our complete list to find an Indoor Kansas City Fun Center near you.
- Ride a Roller Coaster. Zonkers Indoor Amusement Park at the Great Mall (913.393.3535) is a delightful indoor amusement park for young children. Kids love the snake roller coaster, carousel, train, kiddie rides, and arcades.
- Race Go Karts. There are several great places to ride Go Karts in Kansas City, but our top pick for racing enthuasists is Sadler's Indoor Racing with European inspired go-kart tracks. The high performance go-karts are imported from Germany and reach speeds up to 45mph. See KC Going Places to discover additional venues for go-kart racing.
Favorite Frozen Foods
I Scream, You Scream, We ALL Scream for Ice Cream.... even, and especially, in the cool of winter!
- Ice Cream! Whether you love homemade ice cream, flavors galore, or decadent desserts, sundaes, splits, and popsicles, Kansas City's local Ice Cream Shops have it all. Read our Guide to the Best Ice Cream in KC to find a shop near you.
- Frozen Yogurt! Have you tried the newest trend in healthy desserts with a visit to one of the frozen yogurt shops popping up all around town? We have the best recommendations for any craving. Read Marisa Frymire's reviews of Kansas City Frozen Yogurt Shops.
Get Back to Nature
Discover Kansas City's rich collection of FREE nature centers with animal exhibits, hands-on activities, classes and the great outdoors all at your fingertips. Our Three Top Picks are:
- Burr Oak Woods (1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO. 816.228.3766). Burr Oak Woods is one of our favorite family field-trips in Kansas City as one of the largest nature centers in the area. With an animatronic Smokey the Bear teaching children fire safety, a large aquarium of Missouri's fresh water fish, snakes, turtles, toads, and more, and wonderful hands-on educational exhibits for children, Burr Oak Woods is a great place to spend an afternoon. The Nature Center also features miles of beautiful trails for walking or bicycling. The Little Acorns programs for preschoolers, and family nature programs for all ages, offered throughout the month are FREE and fantastic! Check the Burr Oak Woods Calendar for upcoming events and hours.
- Lakeside Nature Center (4701 E. Gregory Blvd, KCMO. 816.513.8960). Lakeside Nature Center has one of the BEST animal exhibits in the area. The staff at the center rescue injured animals and keep them in a safe environment. See falcons, owls, eagles, toads, frogs, fish, insects, and wonderful exhibits on the animals in our city and in our homes. The Nature Center also features a gravel trail for walking and exploring.
- Prairie Park Nature Center (2730 Harper St. Lawrence, KS. 785.832.7980). This nature center features MANY fantastic animal exhibits, from reptiles (iguanas, alligators, snakes and more!), to amphibians (several species of frogs and toads), to birds (including native birds of prey) and mammals. The hands-on center for preschoolers features nature puppets, puzzles, and hands-on activities. The park includes grassland, forest, and lake with trails for walking and exploring.
- Discover many more wonderful nature centers in the Kansas City area.
Tour the Town
With 500+ Family-Friendly venues in the greater Kansas City area, there is truly something for everyone! Discover our favorites for every personality!
KC Going Places Top Picks! Discover YOUR favorite things in KC... from tea parties to tutus, motorcycles to monuments, there is truly something for everyone. Whether you need ideas for a great family staycation or attractions to share with out of town guests, read KC Going Places for inspiration.
Day Trip
Craving adventure to beat the winter blahs? Take a Day Trip from Kansas City and discover something new!
Day Trips from Kansas City! You may be surprised to discover that many of our favorite day trips can be enjoyed year-round. If you love history, Fort Scott, KS is a quaint town with an incredible National Landmark begging to be explored. St. Joseph, MO, is home to a myriad of museums from the eclectic to the charming. For local lore, consider a trip to Topeka, KS, where you'll explore the Kansas State Capitol, Zoo, and historic sites. For more Day Trip inspiration, see KC Parent's collection of Day Trip Features.
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