101+ Things to Do This Fall in Kansas City

This guide is sponsored by Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins.

Whether you’re trying to decide what to do this weekend or looking for ideas for fall break, this list of 101 things to do for fall in Kansas City will keep you busy all season long. Check out the second half of the list for free and inexpensive ideas.

1. Visit Johnson Farms to pick apples, find the perfect pumpkin, enjoy cider and donuts and

   

   have fun on the barrel train, jump pillows, and more. Open Sept. 5- Oct. 31 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Don’t miss our Apple Picking Guide.

2. Strap on your capes and join us for Hanging with Heroes (free admission!), Sept. 20 at Zona Rosa.
3. Stroll through the Plaza Art Fair, Sept. 19-21.
4. Check out the Overland Park Fall Festival on Sept. 26 and 27.
5. Head to Crown Center to experience KC Oktoberfest, a celebration of craft brews, traditional European food, engaging games, activities and Bavarian-style entertainment, Oct. 3-4.
6. Get tickets to Dogman: The Musical at the Folly Theater, Oct. 25-26.
7. Kick back and enjoy the music at Zona Rosa’s Friday Fall Concert series (Sept. 12-Oct. 17).
8. Be our guest at Beauty & The Beast at The Music Hall, Oct. 28-Nov. 2.
9. Take a road trip for fall break or Thanksgiving break.
10. Gather your walking buddies for the Kansas City Heart and Stroke Walk at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Sept. 27.
11. Enjoy wagon rides, reenactments, crafts at the Missouri Town Living History Museum Festival on Oct. 4.
12. Plan a couples or girls trip to Oktoberfest in Hermann, MO. 
13. Visit Legoland and let your kids build to their heart’s content.
14. Plan a Fall or Thanksgiving Break staycation at the new Margaritaville Resort or one of these hotels with an indoor pool. 
15. Like getting the shivers? Check out one of the spooky events going on in Kansas City!
16. Check out the GloWild lantern festival at the Kansas City Zoo.

    

17. Attend Whimsical Woods or other fall themed events at Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center.
18. Visit a family friendly brewery and celebrate Oktoberfest.
19. Visit the Kansas City Renaissance Festival weekends through Oct. 13.
20. Visit Pumpkin Hollow at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. It’s a great mini pumpkin patch for toddlers and preschoolers.
21. Make a family fun day at Chicken N Pickle with the Sunday DIY Series for kids!
22. Visit Ya-Ya’s Alpaca Farm in Garden City, MO.

    

23. Experience Boo at the Zoo at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium on October 26 and 27.
24. Need to get some work done? Check out one of these spots where mom’s work while kids play.
25. Go to Tricks and Treats at Worlds of Fun, or Haunt if that’s more your speed!
26. If you have a kid that loves trains, visit one of the best places for train lovers in Kansas City.
27. Try a new pizza place, donut shop, or ice cream parlor.
28. Introduce your kids to the rich history of Kansas City.
29.  Step into the past at Mahaffie Stagecoach Shop and Farm Historic Site in Olathe for their Trick or Treat OFF the Street event on Oct. 25.
30. Spend a day in Downtown Overland Park.
    
31. Visit the Louisburg Cider Mill for cider, donuts, and their 10 acre corn maze!
32. Attend Night of the Living Farm at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead the last two weekends of October.
33. Make a boo basket to surprise your neighbors and friends.
34. Go apple picking and then make applesauce or a pie to enjoy.
35. Attend the Deaf Cultural Festival at Nelson Atkins Museum of Art on Sept. 13.
36. See How I Became a Pirate at the Theatre for Young America from Oct. 14 – Nov. 1.
37. If you’re brave, visit the Haunted Houses in the West Bottoms!
38. Immerse yourself in Dark Forest, a walk-through experience in the woods at Powell Gardens with Quixotic.
39. Explore historic Weston, Missouri during Applefest, October 4-5, featuring a variety apple delicacies, from dumplings and pies to cookies, all made by members of local churches.
40. Visit Atchison, KS for a Haunted Trolley Tour.
41. Celebrate Día de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) Festival at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on Nov. 2.
42. Find a family friendly place to watch the Chiefs games this season!
43. Catch a Royals Game at Kauffman Stadium before the season is over! Sluggerr’s Birthday Party is on Sept. 7!
44. Learn about the history of Jesse James at this festival in Kearney, Sept. 19-21.
45. Take a fall trip to one of these top family destinations in the Ozarks.
46. Make crafts and eat plants at the Children’s Beanstalk Garden Fall Festival on Sept. 20.
47. Visit a Kansas City pumpkin patch to find the perfect carving pumpkin.
48. Take a weekend trip to the infamous Vala’s Pumpkin Patch in Nebraska.
49. Host a Chiefs Watch Party with your friends.
50. Find the best, fresh apple cider in KC with our top picks.
51. Get family photos taken during the most gorgeous season in Kansas City!
52. Get a head start on holiday shopping at the Fall Chick Event at Town Center Plaza, Oct. 4-5.

Free and Inexpensive Ideas

1. Visit Jack’s Hollow Haunted Drive-Thru in Gardner, KS. Make sure you sign up for a time slot before they book up!
2. Take your family on a fall hike.

   

3. Attend one of the MANY Trunk or Treat events around town.
4. Visit a new park. Check out our guide to the best parks for babies and toddlers.
5. Play a board game at Cardboard Cafe or Pawn and Pint.
6. On a rainy day check out the indoor play areas at Foundry Church and Kaw Prairie Church.
7. Visit Kaleidoscope to get your craft on.
8. Plan a family game night.
9. Check out a stack of fall and Halloween themed books at the library.
10. Go on a fall nature scavenger hunt at Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center or your

    

    favorite local park and see how many items you can find with your kids!

11. Camp out in the backyard (or living room) and make s’mores in the microwave.
12. Attend the Enchanted Forest at Sar Ko Par in Lenexa on October 30.
13. Visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Every weekend they offer free crafts for families from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
14. Challenge yourself with this list of 200+ Minute to Win It Games.
15. Build a blanket fort.
16. Make a sensory bin with things you already have like rice or beans and measuring cups. Throw in some fall leaves, acorns, and mini pumpkins. 
17. Eat at Spin Pizza or Rock & Brews on a Sunday when kids eat free.
18. Find a few fall crafts on Pinterest and rope your family into creating something fun

    

    during a fall crafternoon.

19. Go through old family photos together.
20. Make a visit to the Money Museum.
21. Introduce your kids to a Halloween movie like Hocus Pocus or Casper.
22. Paint kindness rocks and hide them in a nearby park.
23. Check out Harvest Fest at the Lee’s Summit Farmer’s Market on Oct. 4. The first 150 customers receive a complimentary 2025 insulated market tote bag!
24. Check out the Hallmark Visitors Center.
25. Get a head start on wish lists for the holidays.
26. Attend Halloween Happenings in Merriam on October 18.
27. Visit the Native Hooved Animal Enclosure in Lee’s Summit.
28. Ride the KC Streetcar. Some fun free stops would be the model train gallery at Union Station and the Central Library. 
29. Visit Weston Red Barn Farm, Pumpkins Etc., Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch, or Powell Pumpkin Patch. All offer free admission to their farm and have some free activities to enjoy.

    

30. Enjoy a free concert by the Kansas City Symphony at a Johnson County park.
31. Buy a few tiny gourds, decorate them like you would Easter eggs, and hide them around your house or yard for a game of “Gourd and Seek” with your kids.
32. Attend the Independence Halloween Parade on Oct. 25.
33. Make a thankful tree during the month of November.
34. Enjoy these screen free indoor activities for toddlers.
35. Visit the play area at Independence Center.
36. Check out the murals in the Crossroads district.

    

37. Attend the Mildale Farm Fall Festival on October 25.
38. Visit a state park in Missouri or Kansas.
39. Make and donate Happy Kits for Children’s Mercy.
40. Bake a fall treat like pumpkin bread and deliver to friends and neighbors.
41. Try one of these 20 baking soda experiments for kids.
42. Visit Scheels in Overland Park. They have $1 mini-bowling and ferris wheel rides as well as an indoor play area and a candy store.
43. Play Bingo at Boulevard Brewing or another local spot hosting Bingo.

    

44. Take turns taking fall family pictures with another family at one of these great fall photography spots.
45. Go on a family bike ride.
46. Challenge your family to a 30-minute costume contest. Take half an hour to scavenge the house for the best costume pieces and props, then compare your final ensembles.
47. Bake an apple pie or try your hand at homemade applesauce.
48. Visit the brand Olathe Arts Festival on Oct. 10-11 in downtown Olathe featuring local artists, musical performances, and fun art activities in the Kidtopia area!
49. Find and join a moms group!
50. Sign up to volunteer with your kids.