101 Family Day Trips and Staycation Ideas Around Kansas City | Kids Out and About Kansas City <

101 Family Day Trips and Staycation Ideas Around Kansas City

 

Remember, it's always best to follow each link to get details about your visit directly from your destination, since some places operate seasonally or by reservation, as well as to check each venue's COVID requirements (masks, limits, social distancing).

Free activities and splurges that are worth it. The coolest stuff for a staycation in town and road trips for less than a tank of gas from Kansas City. Kids Out And About has tons of ideas for family travel, with places to explore, learn, and have fun!

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Explore Gardens & Sculpture Parks

  Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Powell Gardens
Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park (at The Nelson-Atkins Museum)
Sweet Streams Lavender Farm
Washington Creek Lavender Farm
Sunflower fields in Wathena, KS

 

 

Get Wild on a Hike

  Indian Creek Bike and Hike Trail
  Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park
Parkville Nature Sanctuary
Weston Bend State Park
Roanoke Park
Shawnee Mission Park
Black Hoof Park
Hidden Valley Park 

 

Time Travel Today

  Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Arabia Steamboat Museum
National Trails Frontier Museum
National World War I Museum and Memorial
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm
Shoal Creek Living History Museum

 

Make Life a Beach

Longview Lake Beach
Shawnee Mission Park Beach
Kill Creek Park Beach
Smithville Lake
Clinton State Park
Watkins Mill State Park

 

Splash into Some Water Fun

Oceans of Fun
The Springs Aquatic Center
The Bay Water Park

 

Spend the Day at a Museum

  Science City
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
Wonderscope Children's Museum
Flint Hills Discovery Center
Jesse James Bank Museum
Money Museum
Kaleidoscope
Museum at Prairiefire

 

Explore These Cities

  Branson
Omaha
St. Louis
Wichita
Olathe
Lincoln
Independence
Gladstone

 

All Aboard Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Boats!)

  National Airline History Museum
Kansas City Northern Railroad
Kansas City Fun Tours
Kansas City Automotive Museum

 

Grow Some Fun at the Farm

  Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch
Johnson Farms
Fun Farm
Weston Red Barn Farm

  

 

Play Ball!

  Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Comets
Kansas City Mavericks
Kansas City Royals
Kansas City T-Bones
Kansas City Storm

 

Treat Yo' Self

  The Candy Wizard
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
The Candy Store
Betty Rae's Ice Cream

 

Connect with Nature

Burr Oak Woods Nature Center
Ernie Miller Nature Center
  Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Lakeside Nature Center
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Prairie Oak Nature Center
Grinter's Sunflower Farm 

 

Amuse Yourself at These Amusement Parks

  Worlds of Fun
  Silver Dollar City
Six Flags St. Louis
Fun-Plex

 

Talk to the Animals

  Kansas City Zoo
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
SeaLife Kansas City
Cedar Cove
Native Hooved Animal Enclosure in Fleming Park

 

Explore the Globe Close to Home

  The Peace Pavilion
Shawnee Indian Mission
Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center
The Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center and Museum
Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Kansas City
Kansas City Irish Center
Kansas City Chinese Association

 

Let's Go Chasing Waterfalls

  Powell Gardens
Waterfall Park-Merriam
Waterfall Park-Independence
Tryst Falls Park

 

Get Active Indoors

  Legoland Discovery Center
Urban Air Trampoline Park
Winnwood Skate Center
Diamond Bowl

 

Challenge Yourself

  Breakout KC
TimberRidge Adventure Center
Tick Tock Escape Rooms
Go Ape

 

Shop Your Heart Out

  City Market
Crown Center
Ward Parkway Center
Zona Rosa
Legends Outlets

 

 

Limiting our list to 101 ideas meant some great destinations may have been left off the list - if there is something you’d like to see added, share it with us on Facebook!


Most of these destinations are within an hour from downtown Kansas City. For those that are a bit farther away:

             = Less than 1 hour away

          = 1 to 2 hours away

       = 2 to 3 hours away

   = Just over 3 hours away