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Top 17 Recommended Things To Do In Kansas City With Toddlers

parents cuddling toddlers captured by Springfield MO family photography studio

If you’re looking for things to do in Kansas City with toddlers, you’ll be surprised at how many choices there are, no matter their interests! There are plenty of fun and educational activities to entertain your little ones for hours!

Top 17 Things To Do In Kansas City With Toddlers:

parents holding baby boy in field captured by Springfield MO family photographer Jessica Kennedy of The XO Photography

1. Kansas City Zoo

The Kansas City Zoo has so many things to do in Kansas City. It is a 200-acre home to over 1700 animals worldwide, along with many other shows and attractions. It is known for being one of the best zoos in the midwest!  The Kansas City Zoo hosts many activities, events, camps, and tours throughout the year that can also be fun to check out!

2. Science City

Science City is THE location for our youngest explorers and beyond to get a firsthand look at the incredible world of science. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits that are enjoyable and engaging, as well as educator-led workshops and activities. Here is where your lifetime passion for science, learning, and discovery begins.

3. Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope is an art museum created by Hallmark for kids to enjoy crafts and activities. This was one of our first activities when we came to Kansas City, and it was a BLAST! My kids absolutely loved it that we had to come back every day for weeks.  Their website even has art projects online for you to follow at home.

family portrait of family cuddling in bed in photography studio in Springfield MO

4. Legoland Discovery Center

LegoLand is a 2 story indoor lego playground filled with millions of Lego bricks where you can fly on Merlin’s Apprentice, ride on the Kingdom Quest, see your favorite character on 4D theater and build ultimate Lego creations. This is the perfect place for your lego loving toddler to visit for a day of fun!

5. Deanne Rose Children’s Farmstead

Deanne Rose Children’s Farmstead is open seasonally and perfect for families who want to visit more than 250 animals and birds, learn about growing a vegetable garden and flowers, experience a too schoolhouse, Kanza Indian encampment, and take a stroll through Main Street to the fishing pond. Kids can bottle-feed goats and fish, play on several playgrounds and meet dairy cows where kids can learn about the farm-to-table process.

6. Sea Life Kansas City

Sea Life Kansas City is known for its jaw-dropping adventure of seeing the underwater worlds of the sea. Visit the 180- degree underwater tunnel, come face to face with fins with shared and rescued sea turtles, touch a sticky anemone, and explore over 12 breathtaking exhibits.

parents playing with kids and flowers captured by Springfield Mo family photographer Jessica Kennedy of The XO Photography

7. Lakeside Nature Center

The Lakeside Nature Center at Swope Park is one of Missouri’s most extensive wildlife rehabilitation facilities, offering environmental education,  recreational activities, a hiking route, a picnic pavilion, and an exhibit of local Missouri wildlife.   Two bald eagles, two turkey vultures, three barred owls, three types of hawks, and two Kestrel falcons are among the creatures housed at the institution. The Center even has an 80-year-old box turtle named “Wilma” on the premises.

8. Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf offers a day pass to their water park. You can enjoy unlimited splashes at their 84-degree indoor water park, access to over 50 activities, and more, all under one roof!

9. Kansas City Northern Miniature Railroad

Kansas City Northern Miniature Railroad is a miniature railroad track that offers seasonal rides to families.  It operates seasonally from May-September in Frank Vaydik Park.

family smiling cuddling toddler in family photography studio in Springfield MO

10. Stone Lion Puppet Theater

StoneLion Puppet Theater is a professional not-for-profit theater group dedicated to broadening the horizons of children and adults through the art of puppetry in an interdisciplinary community of ethnic and cultural variety, with a focus on environmental sustainability. StoneLion Puppet Theater uses a variety of puppetry forms, including marionettes, masks, shadow, mouth, and rod puppets, to bring the magic of world-class puppet shows straight to your doorstep! Shows can be done for groups of 30 or 20,000 people and are fresh, innovative, and informative.

11. Swope Park

Swope Park, the city’s most significant green space with soccer fields, golf courses, and a treetop adventure park, has trails winding through woodlands and grassy meadows. The historic Starlight Theatre, an outdoor venue for Broadway musicals, pop concerts, and comedy, is also located within the park, as is the Kansas City Zoo, which offers tourists safari-themed attractions, animal encounters, and zookeeper conversations. 

family laughing together in field during Springfield Mo family photography session

12. Wonderscope Children’s Museum

Wonderscope is a hands-on museum explicitly developed for young children. The H2Oh! room, where children experiment with water, and Farm to Market, where children gather eggs, feed animals, and learn about crops. Healthy Kids, where children learn about health and wellness, Raceways, where children experiment with gravity and motion, and many others are among the interactive exhibits. This is one of those museums where touching is not just encouraged but demanded! Special events, storytimes, puppet shows, concerts, and other activities are included on Wonderscope.org’s calendar.

13. Kidscape

Kidscape is a hands-on, child-sized city that is entirely free. A hospital where children can pretend to be doctors, a city hall with automobiles and trucks, a theater with costumes and a real stage, stores with things that children may sell, and a park with tot-sized mini-golf and fishing are all featured in the exhibit. Kids enjoy playing and seeing the world from the perspective of adults. Throughout the month, the museum will feature special programs geared toward babies and toddlers.

14. Library Story Time

The library has so many fun storytimes geared towards your child’s ages that the library engages kids with books, snacks, crafts, and games! They even have fun kids events such as puppet shows, concerts, and holiday programs. 

15. Nelson Atkins Museum Of Art

Nelson Atkins Museum of Art is an infant-friendly, child-focused art museum perfect for little ones ready to explore.  Toddlers are encouraged to bring a copy of their Nelson Atkins Scavenger hunt for further exploration and a fun thing to do as they navigate the art world.  Their facility is stroller and carrier friendly and even mentions not being concerned about noisy children (which, as a mom, relieves so much stress)! 

Springfield MO family photographer captures family cuddling on bed in photography studio

16. Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

Urban air is an adventurous kid’s dream regardless of age!  They have attractions that cater to children at all levels. As an indoor park for children to explore and fun indoor trampolines to get their energy out.

17. Starlight Drive-In Theater

What better way to go to the movies with kids than offering a unique experience with all of their favorite things— blanky, stuffed animals, and snacks all in the comfort of your car! The Starlite Drive-In Theater, of America’s oldest drive-in theaters and a perfect way to watch a movie under the stars.

Overall, there are so many things to do in Kansas City with kids

Whether you are looking for museums, playgrounds, or zoos, Kansas City has so many things to do in Kansas City with toddlers! It has something for everyone! 

Are you looking for a family photographer in Kansas City?

Hey, I’m Jessica, and I would love to be your family photographer! I believe every family session should be relaxed and fun while I capture your family enjoying spending time together. I help with everything from finding the perfect outfits, location, planning, preparation, and more! I even have a motherhood client closet you are welcome to borrow from. For more information, click HERE.

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