12 Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Kansas City

Planning a trip to Kansas City could mean planning for a night of jazz music and slow-smoked barbecue. But if you want to pack a weekend or an entire week with fun things to do with the whole family, you need a few more ideas. It's a city with plenty to offer, whether you're after one of the impressive museums, fine art, sports or the parks.

Finding the best activities to go with when looking for kid-friendly things to do in Kansas City can be a big task, so below we detail and break down the best options, to help you plan your ideal trip.

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Sometimes you just need to let out the steam with some running, frisbee throwing and nature-seeing. Meadowbrook Park is a local park with some of the most engaging climbing structures around. The park has several walking and biking paths through wooded and open-sky areas. You'll also find open greenspace, sports courts and picnic areas. It's also dog friendly. It's a simple choice to add to your Kansas City, Kansas vacation ideas when you want something completely free to do that gets everyone moving. Keep in mind this park is one of several local, neighborhood parks. Some of them are close to the best Kansas City campgrounds.

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It's a 1.500-mile tri-oval intermediate speedway that is sure to impress everyone who visits, no matter the age. The Kansas Speedway has long been home to racing, including NASCAR and IndyCar events. The track offers plenty of room for 48,000 people. You will want to be one of the lucky ones present for the NASCAR Cup events. You'll also want to line the FanWalk to catch a glimpse of your favorite drivers and check out the NASCAR Racing Experience demonstrations.

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The weather in Kansas City could be too cold for some outdoor activities, but that makes it the perfect time to check out SuperKidz Club. This is a location designed to get kids moving through various types of play. It's meant to stimulate kids physically, socially and emotionally through various activities, climbing structures and opportunities to just play. As a parent, you can grab a smoothie or coffee and relax as the kids take on locations like the Bounceon Nebula or tumble through the Tiny Verse area.

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When the days are hot, a trip to Kansas City's Splash Cove at the Jim Allen Aquatic Center could be the perfect way to spend the day. This is a full aquatic center, home to a large aquatic playground meant for most people of all ages and abilities. There is a body slide, a mini wave pool and a traditional swimming pool to explore. The zero-depth entry allows families to introduce younger children to the water with a bit more control. Located nearby are concessions, a cabana area, a dry playground and picnic tables. This is a seasonal park open from May to August.

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To understand the community and region, you have to explore culturally critical hotspots such as The Kansas City Underground Railroad Museum of Quindaro, which is part of the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area. You'll see an archaeological dig with limited public access on the grounds. The accessible portion of the area has several themes, including exploration of the history of the region through the 1800s onward. The Old Quindaro Museum and Information Center, an African American history museum, is within the Vernon School.

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The Kansas City Monarchs put on a fantastic show for baseball fans of all ages, even if they don't win the game. This professional minor league team was once known as the Kansas City T-Bones. The Monarch brand pays homage to the city's longest-running franchise in the historic Negro Leagues. What you'll experience here is a game that's rich in entertainment, engagement and kid-friendly competitions. The entertainment between innings helps get kids excited about baseball. The stadium is packed with all of the best ballpark food, music and play areas.

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Located in a 1990s movie theater that's been reimagined as a museum, Atlas9 is anything but your typical painting-on-a-wall destination. It's immersive, with over 70 interactive touchpoints. There are stories told throughout the interactions to help you feel like you are within the art world. The destination also has several escape rooms that challenge your puzzle-solving skills. Occasionally, you'll be able to take in a live performance as well. Plan to spend two or three hours to engage with all of the hidden puzzles and longer if you plan to take in all of the performance. It's hard to beat this as one of the best kid-friendly activities in Kansas City.

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This is certainly one of the most original activities you'll find when visiting Kansas City, Kansas. The Moon Marble Company stocks machine-made marbles, perfect for both collectors and those who plan to play. Some are handmade, which are sought-after around the world. They even offer marble-making demonstrations several times a week. You'll also find dozens of other traditional toys you don't find everywhere else.

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Kaw Point Park, managed by the National Park Service, is a 10-acre natural state park. It's home to numerous biking and hiking trails. It's most known for being a destination on the Lewis & Clark expedition in 1804. Kaw Point, once called Kaw's Mouth, sits near the intersection of the Kansas River and Missouri River. Today, you can launch your boat into the rivers at the ramp, sit and fish along the boardwalk and explore Kansas Wildflower Hill. There's also an amphitheater here, called Clark's Court and a Discovery Expedition Encampment packed with information about that incredibly important adventure.

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For over 40 years, Jazz A Louisiana Kitchen has helped those in Kansas City enjoy truly authentic Creole dishes. It's become a destination whether you're looking for seasoned and seared blackened catfish or VooDoo Pasta. The food and atmosphere are pure New Orleans here. And, with the live jazz music most nights of the week, you can help your entire family celebrate this vibrant culture. This is easily one of the top attractions and things to do around Kansas City, Kansas.

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Here's one of the best family activities in Kansas City for history and cultural lovers. The Strawberry Hill Museum & Cultural Center was built in 1887 to showcase the diverse heritage of those who call Kansas City home. If you have older kids or want a deeper history lesson, book one of the guided tours of the Victorian Queen Anne-style property. Once a family home and then an orphanage, its storied past comes to life as you walk through the stunning displays. Some of the best demonstrations are the cooking and music lessons on display. The museum sits in one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, with an impressive garden and walkable grounds.

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When everyone's ideas of something fun to do differ, check out Chicken N Pickle in Overland Park. It's quite the special indoor and outdoor entertainment complex, focused on pickleball and good, relaxing food. Its mission is simply to create opportunities for fun for people of all ages. While you can come for a meal or two, there's more to do, including pickleball courts and yard games set up and ready to play. If you're local, you can even sign up for some pickleball lessons and dive into a fun new hobby.

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