Kansas City has an average of 100 rainy days per year. That may not sound like a lot, unless you have kids (or grandkids). What’s a parent (or grandparent) to do when the weather doesn’t cooperate for an outdoor activity? Don’t worry, we’ve compiled a list of 10 kid friendly indoor attractions in Kansas City. While most have an admission cost, some are FREE or low-cost. All of them are designed to elicit smiles and entertain all ages. Please note that the admission costs were current for February 2024, so doublecheck the websites before heading out.
Toy & Miniature Museum
Let’s start with an attraction that blew us away. The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures may be a mouthful to say, but it’s not just the name that will leave you speechless. The first floor is filled with tiny replicas of just about anything you can imagine. The details are best seen with the magnifying glasses that the museum provides. Be sure to head to the second floor to check out their collection of toys from throughout the ages. You’re sure to spot some that you played with as a child. Location: 5235 Oak Street – Admission: Adults $8 and Children $5
Money Museum
Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions KC proves that not everything is what it seems. This Union Station attraction unfolds the mystery of forced perspective. Become a bodiless head with the aid of mirrors. Be sure to bring a camera or phone to capture some incredible selfie opportunities. The staff has marked the best viewing spots to help maximize your experience. Location: Inside Union Station – Admission: Adults $15 and Children $10
Science City
Our list of kid friendly indoor attractions would be incomplete without mentioning Science City. This place has been a Kansas City favorite for more than two decades. Loaded with a dizzying array of activities, you’ll want to plan plenty of time for your visit. While the grandkids enjoy this place, I believe Crystal and I are two of the biggest kids in the place. Wear your comfortable shoes and don’t be afraid to join in on the fun. Location: Inside Union Station – Admission: Adults and Children $16.50
Sea Life
Living in the landlocked Midwest, it’s not often we get to view sea creatures. This changed when they opened Sea Life Kansas City. These days we are just a short drive from petting starfish. Watching the variety of fish swimming through the tanks is mesmerizing and we could do it for hours. After your visit be sure to stop by Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant for a meal delivered by a train. Location: Inside Crown Center – Admission: Adults and Children $19.99
Prehistoric Golf
The newest of the 10 kid friendly indoor attractions in Kansas City has to be Prehistoric Putt. We are huge fans of mini-golf, so we couldn’t wait to challenge the grandkids to a round. Each hole presents unique obstacles that force players to get creative. I never expected to be ziplining during a round of golf but once we did, we wanted to do it over and over again. We don’t know who won (we don’t keep score) but everyone had a blast. Location: 13907 E. US Hwy 40 – Admission: Adults $10 and Children $6 per round
Nelson Museum
Looking to add a little culture to your day? Why not plan an outing to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This world class museum is filled with amazing exhibits. Whether you’re a fan of modern art or prefer the classics, you’ll find plenty of examples. Keep an eye on their calendar of events to add another level of fun to your visit. This place has been a family favorite for decades. If the weather allows, step outside to check out their outdoor art walk. Location: 4525 Oak Street – Admission: FREE
Kemper Museum
If you’re looking for even more art, hop over to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. This place focuses on engaging the younger crowd with interesting events. We love that they have plenty of revolving exhibits, so every visit is fresh and new. Location: 4420 Warwick Boulevard – Admission: FREE
Prairiefire
We love museums and Kansas City is home to some amazing ones. One of the newest arrivals is Museum at Prairiefire. Approaching from the west, our first view was the dichroic glass exterior that shows as a different color on the inside. This museum focuses on S.T.E.A.M. education so be prepared for lots of hands-on activities. From dinosaurs (my favorite) to outer space, this place covers it all. Location: 5801 W. 135th Street – Admission: Adults and Children $5
Scheels
You don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy a visit to Scheels. A cold winter day was the perfect setting for a visit with our grandkids. After viewing their array of taxidermized animals, we turned our attention to the indoor Ferris wheel. Afterwards, we discovered the mini-bowling and shooting gallery. Our visit turned even sweeter with a stop at their fudge shop. Location: 6503 W. 135th Street – Admission: FREE but some activities have fees
Enjoy KC's Kid Friendly Indoor Attractions
Whether you are just visiting Kansas City or you’re a lifelong resident, you’ll find plenty of all-ages activities. We love exploring these with our grandkids but just as often it’s just the two of us. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and join in the fun. Age is just a number and we find that being playful helps keep our spirits young. We hope you feel the same way and will give a few of these spots a visit. Have fun!
Thanks for this new updated list. As you mentioned – many are good for all ages. The senior adults from our church have enjoyed several and now we have added a couple of others to our go to list.
We are happy to be of assistance. Our goal is to inspire others to explore.