womanofsalt's Passport
 | Been to 103 Attractions |
 | 98 Reviews |
 | 58 First to Review |
 | 44 Photos |
 | 95 Helpful Votes |
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
We love to travel! I have been through nearly all 50 States and most of Western Europe and a smattering of Latin America. We have one son who goes everywhere with us. We took him to Alaska when he was nine months old and we've been traveling ever since.
Our Family's Travel Personality
curious, spontaneous, easy_going
We Just Got Back From
NYC, Philly, New England and Virginia
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
mine personally is Wales or Scotland, as a family Maine and Disney World
A Place We'd Love To Visit
the Badlands
Favorite Vacation Memory
The Carnegie Art and Natural Science Museum--the dino and geology exhibits were amazing. Lunch in St. Charles, MO on the river.
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
When my two year old ducked through and around us and ran through security at the LAX airport while we were stuck behind the security gate. Thank God for the kindness of strangers
3 days in Kansas City with kids ages 2-8
This list is for activities around the metro area generally ages 2-8. Some of these activities are great for other ages too, but for this list's purposes I'm gearing it toward ages 2-8. I'm going to try to include a little of everything, so you have a wide variety to choose from to please all types of children.
8909 W. 179th St
Overland Park, Kansas
Comment:
For your nature and wildlife lovers. Great for all ages.
reviewed on: February 24 2010
"Gardens, trails, workshops"
The Arboretum is 300 acres of land, most of it is natural ecosystems and the remaining portion (15% according to their website, but it sure seems much larger than that) is the gardens and center with trails. There are about 5 miles of trails which we love to explore. We love to go once in each season and take our digital camera to compare the same places on the trails throughout the year. It is a great place for bird watching to.Besides just enjoying the gardens and trails they also offer workshops, classes and programs year round. They have classes for all ages, including preschoolers.
Our favorite two planned activites here are the Arts for Kids (for ages 2-12) in early October and the Luminary Holiday Walk (after Thanksgiving and usually first weekend of December). This event has a small fee ($5 or so), but the gardens are breathtaking. Bundle up though, because it is Kansas in wintertime.
This is in a safe neighborhood in Kansas City. Its a little out of the way, but well worth it. The facility and parking lot is well lit, clean, there is plenty of parking, and restrooms. This place is all about family friendly.
12300 South Homestead Lane
Olathe, Kansas
Comment:
Great for nature and wildlife lovers of all ages. Check their website for any special events during your visit.
reviewed on: February 25 2010
"Trails, Nature Center, Events for the whole family"
What can I say, we love Nature Centers! Ernie Miller was Johnson County's first Nature Center and I think it is probably their best.The park has great trails for hiking, bird watching, animal track identification, and enjoying nature. My son and husband go nearly every weekend in the summer.
The Center has displays and exhibits and live animals for the kids to check out and they host all sorts of events year round. My favorites are Laura's Legacy (about Laura Ingalls Wilder) and Escape to Freedom (about the Underground Railroad). These programs are geared towards kids, usually age 6 and up.
They also offer preschool events throughout the year and several open to all ages events so the whole family can enjoy it. Most of these events require pre-registration and some have small fee as well. Check their website for events and fees each year.
They also offer camps during school breaks for all ages.
6800 Zoo Dr
Kansas City, Missouri
reviewed on: February 23 2010
"I think it will get better"
The problem with the KC Zoo is it's size and the size of the exhibits. This zoo revamped and built larger exhibits a while ago-the pro is that if gave the animals more space in a created environment which mirrored their natural habitat more, the con is that because the exhibit is larger and you aren't elevated over most of them you may or may not ever see some of the animals. Due to the vast size of the zoo it is a long trek from one end to the next. There is a tram for a small fee that will take you down into Africa and out afterwards, but the rest of the zoo is still a lot to cover, especially for that 5 year old you didn't bring a stroller for. (Though you can rent strollers and wagons so its not a total wash if this happens).The polar bears are coming in 2010 and fundraising is underway for a penguin exhibit as well. The zoo also offers a lot of workshops and special days at the zoo. Tuesdays are cheaper days as far as admission prices, which helps. I think this zoo is always looking for ways to improve and involve the public, so as a local I like that.
I think this zoo is best for older grade school children, who have an interest in habitats versus the preschooler wanting to see animals themselves.
13800 Switzer Rd
Overland Park, Kansas
Comment:
petting zoo, playgrounds, living history events, fishing.
reviewed on: February 10 2010
"Something for everyone regardless of age"
It is divided into two large sections: the petting zoo (the goats are a must because you can feed them) and the history/farm. A huge playground and duck pond connect the two sections.The farmstead has a working farm (where during certain days kids can learn to milk cows or churn butter), a one room school house, tee-pees, and for a small fee of a dollar or two you can go fishing, get pony rides, or pan for rocks/gold (this one is a family favorite).
They have restrooms and a snack bar, but we pack a picnic and make a day of it.
Visiting is free so you can't beat the price. You can easily make this a whole day event.
They also host special events and a pumpkin patch for Halloween.
5700 King
Shawnee, Kansas
Comment:
Great set up and play place for these ages. Indoors.
reviewed on: February 10 2010
"Fantastic Fun "
They say for ages 6months to 10 years old. I would say until ages 7-8 years for the most part.They have 10 permanent exhibits and a performance area. The exhibits are really whole rooms dedicated to the hands on activity that explore a variety of subjects. Our favorite room is the grocery store room and the doctors office room.
Theatre for Young America is housed here as well that put on performances throughout the year for an extra fee. They are great fun!
They usually have coupons on their website for events or special days.
You can spend hours here, so plan ahead.
2500 Grand Blvd
Kansas City, Missouri
Comment:
Indoors-great for budding artisits. Combine with Union Station and/or Crown Center for perfect day.
reviewed on: February 03 2010
"Kalidescope by Hallmark"
This is a fantastic family event--FREE--for ages 3 to 12 (older and younger kids are welcome during family art sessions, but may not have as much fun). Throughout the day Kalidescope has family art sessions and independent art sessions (for ages 5-12) each lasting 40 mintues. There are many stations inside that range from the traditional arts and crafts stuff to making picutres with melted crayons, designing your own puzzle (we always come home with at least 10), and watercolors. There is a book nook so you can read to younger children who may become bored before the session is over. There are restrooms and a water fountain in the session room. There is ample parking, but you will have to do some walking to get from the lot to the front door. Family sessions can fill up quickly during vacation days so try for an early session and if all the tickets are gone get tickets to a later session and visit the Hallmark Visitor Center next door for a free self guided tour of the their museum/visitor center (the kids can make their own bows) or pack a picnic lunch and eat at the Crown Center Fountains (just down the stairs from Kalidescope) or cross the skywalk or street and have lunch at one of the many restaurants or food court at Crown Center while your waiting for your session time.
Even if you have a kid that doens't like art, they will enjoy something at Kalidescope.
2405 Grand Blvd
Kansas City, Missouri
Comment:
Eat at Fritz's Train Restaraunt.
reviewed on: February 10 2010
"Plays, iceskating, fountain, family events"
Crown Center, frankly, has it all. They have family events several times during the year. They have a kids section set up where kids get hands on in a place to run, jump, explore, read, and/or listen to stories. They change this section a few times a year to keep it fresh and it is amazing. I am always surprised at what they cook up and how long the kids want to stay and play and explore.Our favorite restaurant is Fritz's. You place your order on a phone and your food is delivered via toy electric train. My son never kids tired of it. There are several other food choices ranging from food court to more upscale places.
Our favorite store is the Crayola store (they also have a cafe across the hall). They also have a great train store.
Crown Center has a movie theatre and is home to two live theatre companies: Coterie Theatre and American Heartland Theatre. The Coterie is our favorite and puts on great kids plays for a reasonable price.
Besides all this, Kaleidoscope is just across the street (near the fountains) or skyway. This is a great free hands on art event for kids of all ages. Union Station and Science City is also across the street.
During the summer there is a fountain kids are welcome to play in and during the winter it becomes a skating rink.
If you are local you can easily turn this into an all day event (there is a fee for parking, but validation will get some hours free and if you spend over a certain much in a shop/cafe you get more time for free). If you're coming from out of town this is a great location. Two hotels are attached/connected to Crown Center. Its a great jumping off point.
30 W Pershing Rd
Kansas City, Missouri
Comment:
Indoors, lots of activities. Across the street from Crown Center and Kalidescope.
reviewed on: February 03 2010
"Science City"
Union Station is free to get inside, but the exhibits and events cost extra (and it gets pricey fast). Science City has a ton to do for a large variety of ages. The have a dino sand pit where you can dig for bones, a critter room where you can see birds, snakes, turtles, a water table, music section, the rooms go on and on. There is a toddler to under age 8 area with play equipment. For extra you can add the Planetarium and IMAX and make a day of it.
3783 Highway K68
Louisburg, Kansas
Comment:
Outdoors-great for big cat lovers.
reviewed on: February 09 2010
"Fantastic Time--big cats up close"
We go to Cedar Cove every year. Nowhere else can you see big cats so close. All tours are guided and wrap up in under 1 hour usually (though it depends on the size of your group). On the first Saturday of every month you can see feeding time and learn about the big cats' diets.
The tour guides are child and family friendly, answer questions, and are full of fun facts and stories.
The visitors center has a bathroom and informational books and displays (mostly homemade notebooks which are chalked full of pictures and information).
We usually pack a picnic lunch and eat it outside after our tour.
Cedar Cove also puts on a fun Halloween event for kids of all ages.
It is very affordable and worth the drive, especially for big cat lovers!
Northeast Vivion Rd and N Norton Ave
Kansas City, Missouri
Comment:
Great park north of the river.
reviewed on: March 14 2010
"Giant Animals to climb, slide-great place for the whole family"
Penguin Park is a Kansas City favorite. It is north of the river, so we don't get there often (maybe once a year or so), but we love it every time.Penguin Park has lots of play places for both the toddler/preschool group and the older grade school kids (and everything in-between). Our favorite is the elephant and the giant penguin of course (how could it not be). There are giant slides, plenty of things to climb, these giant animals to explore, and plenty of other play equipment.
There is a restroom on site, which is fantastic. There is also a shelter and picnic area. When we go to Penguin Park we like to shoot up I-29 and grab lunch at Zona Rosa (there are tons of choices, though our family favorite is O'Dowd's, the Irish Pub).
In December the park puts on Santa's Workshop. We have only been once due to scheduling conflicts, but it was tons of fun.
We've been taking our son for five years now to the park and he loves it everytime.
6501 Antioch Road
Overland Park, Kansas
Comment:
Great park in southern metro.
reviewed on: February 24 2010
"Our #1 Favorite Park"
This park has everything. There is Dodge Town play area (I won't do it justice but I'll try) that is a row of child size main street buildings and train. There is also a more modern play area (with a rock wall, jungle gym, slides, etc) that is super fun. Our son moves back and forth between both playgrounds.There are two fishing lakes at the park and children under 16yrs old don't need a fishing license to fish.
There are also picnic shelters you can rent for birthday parties (or whatever). There are benches and plenty picnic blanket areas. The park has a rose garden, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a Vietnam Memorial.
There are restrooms, a drinking fountain, and plenty of parking.
This park also offers weekend and summer activities for different ages (for a fee) varying from nature camps to scavengar hunts.
5200 Wornall Rd
Kansas City, Missouri
Comment:
Great centrally located park in metro area. Very close to Country Club Plaza.
reviewed on: February 24 2010
"Family Favorite"
Loose Park is on our family favorite list. We love to have picnics here and usually stop after going to the John Wornall House Museum (its just down the street).Loose Park is almost two miles in size with walking trails surrounding the border and cutting through parts of it. It has huge trees everywhere, a lake (with ducks and geese), tennis courts, playground and picnic area, a sprayground, picnic area (though you can spread a blanket anywhere), restrooms, Garden Center, Japanese Tea Room and my favorite part--the Rose Garden.
The roses bloom in June and last through most of the summer and they are amazing. I just love to walk through, looking and smelling all the different types of roses (and my son puts up with it after an afternoon of playing and eating).
There is also a canon, monument for the Battle of Westport, and stature of Jacob Loose.
6305 Lackman Road
Shawnee, Kansas
Comment:
Self directed tours perfect for shorter attention spans and lots of info for longer attention spans. Some hands on stuff.
reviewed on: February 25 2010
"just the right size for kids "
Besides the permanent exhibits, the museum currently (until Jan. 2011) has a fantastic exhibit called Kidscape! Kidscape is really designed for kids ages 3-9 and is set up to look like a suburban street (kids size) with a dress shop, threatre, golf and fishing area, bookstore, hospital, builders section (with tractors and legos), and more. It is great fun. It is all hands on and our son had a blast. We've been twice and took friends each time. My son loves the theatre because kids can dress up and put on shows for their parents. He loves it! Kidscape is free (donations are welcome).Seeking the good life is the exhibit that gives a brief history of Johnson County. It is self guided so you can do it at your kids' pace, which is great.
This is a great way to introduce your kids (especially younger ones) to the museum experience.
I enjoyed the 1950s All Electric House (tickets were $2pp) though my husband and son breezed right through it.
This museum is small, but free (and you can't beat free). The displays are geared towards children and it is a perfect fit.
Visit their website for current exhibit updates.
