15 Things to do in Kansas City with Kids!

Kansas City in Missouri, is a place full of surprises for families traveling with kids. It is a city where history, culture, and fun activities come together in ways that children can enjoy and parents can appreciate. From interactive museums to outdoor adventures, this city offers plenty of things to do that keep kids engaged while also teaching them something new. In this guide, we’ll take you through 15 best things to do in Kansas City with kids, sharing information about the top attractions and activities that make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.

1. Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Located in Swope Park, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium spreads across more than 200 acres, and is home to over 1,700 animals from different parts of the world, including elephants, penguins, polar bears, tigers, and many more. The aquarium is part of the zoo, and visitors can also enjoy extras like animal shows, a zipline ride, and a train that takes guests around the grounds. It is a fun spot for families, school trips, or anyone who wants to spend time outdoors while learning about animals. The paths are easy to walk, and clear signs along the way help visitors know where they are and what they are seeing.

2. Science City at Union Station

Opened in 1999, Science City is located inside Union Station and has grown into a hands‑on science center for kids and families. Covers about 100,000 square feet and includes more than 300 exhibits indoors and outdoors. Families can explore areas like the Maker Studio, Genetics Lab, Dig Site, and Nature Works. Visitors can test the Giant Lever, climb through the Kinetic Climber, and see how simple machines work in action. The center is filled with things you can touch, move, and discover, and also houses the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, where guests can enjoy shows about planets, stars, and the universe.

3. SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium

The SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium is home to more than 5,000 sea creatures from waters across the world. One of the main highlights is the 180‑degree ocean tunnel, where visitors can walk through and watch fish, rays, and other animals swimming all around them. The aquarium is divided into 12 themed zones, including touch pools where guests can gently feel sea stars and other small creatures. Kids enjoy the Doodle Reef, where they can draw sea animals that appear on a digital screen. Most visits take about 2 hours, and families can also catch talks or watch feeding times during the day.

4. LEGOLAND Discovery Center

The LEGOLAND Discovery Center has more than 12 LEGO‑themed zones where kids can play, build, and explore. Small rides like Kingdom Quest and Merlin’s Apprentice let children enjoy short adventures. One of the most popular areas is MINILAND, which shows Kansas City landmarks built from over a million LEGO bricks. At the Creative Workshop, kids can join building sessions led by a Master Model Builder. A 4D cinema plays short LEGO movies with fun effects like wind, rain, and snow. Other play areas give children the chance to build cars, test their creations on shaking tables, or de sign with thousands of colorful bricks.

5. Kansas City Northern Railroad

The Kansas City Northern Railroad is a small passenger train ride found inside Frank Vaydik Park. It runs on a 16‑inch gauge track that stretches nearly half a mile and makes two loops during each ride. Some of the trains once operated at zoo railroads, including one from the Kansas City Zoo. The ride is managed by volunteers and runs from May through October, with trains available on weekends and holidays. Charter rides can also be booked during the week for special occasions like birthday parties. People of all ages enjoy the experience, and kids often find the ride especially fun and exciting.

6. Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park

Inside Swope Park, Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park gives families and visitors an exciting outdoor activity. Its main draw is the Treetop Adventure, which has five zip lines, rope bridges, and climbing challenges set high among the trees, with platforms reaching up to 45 feet. One of the zip lines stretches about 475 feet, offering a long and thrilling ride through the forest. For beginners, there is the Treetop Journey, a smaller course with easier obstacles and platforms that rise to around 26 feet. The park also features axe throwing in a safe outdoor area, giving guests another fun way to spend time outside.

7. Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

Nearby in Overland Park, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead first opened in 1978 as a small petting zoo, and later renamed to honor Deanna Rose, the first police officer in the city to lose her life while serving the community. The farmstead welcomes families from April 1 through October 31 and shows what life was like on a Kansas farm in the early 1900s. More than 250 animals live here, including goats, cows, chickens, and birds of prey. Visitors can walk through well-maintained gardens, step inside a one‑room schoolhouse, and explore a Native American area with a tipi and earth lodge.

8. The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City

The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children’s Museum is a place where kids learn by playing, with a focus on science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The museum has 30,000 square feet of indoor exhibits and a half‑acre outdoor play area that stays open all year. Children can explore spaces like a pretend grocery store, a water play zone, a building room, and an art studio, each designed to make learning fun and easy. Clear signs guide families through the exhibits, and the museum also hosts school trips, group visits, birthday parties, and special programs that give kids chances to learn and enjoy.

9. Cool Crest Family Fun Center

The Cool Crest Family Fun Center has been a favorite place for family activities for more than 70 years. It offers four different 18‑hole miniature golf courses, each with its own layout, so every round feels new. Inside, there is a 7,000 square‑foot arcade filled with both classic games and modern video games that kids and adults can enjoy together. Outdoors, visitors can race go‑karts on a winding track or practice hitting in the batting cages. Walk‑ins are welcome, and the center also hosts birthday parties, school trips, and group events, with staff available to help organize everything.

10. Worlds of Fun

Opened in 1973, Worlds of Fun has grown into a large amusement park that covers more than 235 acres. The park is home to seven roller coasters, including MAMBA, Patriot, and Zambezi Zinger, which brings back a classic ride experience. For younger guests, Planet Snoopy provides kid‑friendly rides and activities. Right next door is Oceans of Fun, a water park added in 1982, where families can enjoy slides, pools, and splash zones, all included with the same ticket. Both parks also host special seasonal events such as KidZfest, Halloween Haunt, and holiday celebrations, making each visit different and exciting.

11. The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

Opened in 1982, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is located on the University of Missouri–Kansas City campus. It holds the world’s largest collection of fine‑scale miniatures along with one of the biggest public displays of historic toys in the United States. Visitors can see tiny rooms, furniture, and tools carefully made by skilled artists, often built at a 1:12 scale. These miniatures include detailed scenes such as a study from the Palace of Versailles or a Boston mansion. The toy collection shows how playthings have changed from the 1700s to today and what they reveal about childhood and culture over time.

12. Summit Waves

Opened in 2008, Summit Waves is a family‑friendly outdoor water park, features a big 8,000 square‑foot wave pool and a 904 foot action river where guests can float and relax. The park also has two large slides — one for body rides and one for tubes — along with a six‑lane lap pool that includes diving boards. Younger kids can enjoy the water playground, which has mini slides and splash areas. While the park does not allow rentals after hours, it does offer birthday party packages and small cabanas called Tommy Turtle Huts. It is a fun place for families to cool off and enjoy the water during hot weather.

13. T-Mobile Center

Opened in 2007, T-Mobile Center serves as Kansas City’s main indoor arena for concerts, sports, and live shows. The venue seats about 19,000 people and hosts basketball games, wrestling, family events, and major concerts throughout the year. It was originally called the Sprint Center until the name changed in 2020. The arena often welcomes the Big 12 basketball tournaments and other college sports, attracting large crowds. Located next to the Power & Light District, it gives visitors easy access to both national music tours and local events, making it a central gathering spot in the city.

14. Kauffman Stadium

The Kauffman Stadium has been the home of the Kansas City Royals since it first opened in 1973, with space for nearly 38,000 fans. The ballpark is famous for its huge fountains in the outfield, stretching more than 300 feet, giving the stadium a look unlike any other. Fans can walk around the entire circle path of the stadium without losing sight of the field. The outfield area is family‑friendly, with a playground, a small baseball field for kids, and even a carousel. Inside, visitors can explore the Royals Hall of Fame during home games, where old team items and stories from the past are on display.

15. GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

The GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium has been the home of the Kansas City Chiefs since 1972. It sits inside the Truman Sports Complex, right next to Kauffman Stadium. The arena can hold more than 76,000 fans and is famous for its loud crowds, once reaching a record noise level of 142.2 decibels. Along with NFL games, the stadium also hosts concerts, college matchups, and will be one of the sites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Inside, guests can visit the Chiefs Hall of Honor, which shares the team’s history through displays and memorabilia, with a clear signs that make it easy to move around.

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