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 and Thanksgiving break this list of 101 activities will keep you busy all autumn long. Check out the second half of the list for free and inexpensive ideas for your family.

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. Don’t miss the new Adventure Barn and Play & Learn Timber Fort!

2. Take a fall trip to one of these top family destinations in the Ozarks.
3. Play among the dinosaurs at Prehistoric Putt indoor mini-golfing.
4. Pack a lunch and spend the day at Wonderscope. 
5. Go swimming at a local community center. Most have day passes and open swim hours. Great Wolf Lodge even offers a day pass. 
6. Visit the planetarium at Union Station. There are several shows to choose from.
7. See Chicken Little at the Theatre for Young America from October 10 – November 4.
8. Make a trip to Science City, they have exhibits for kids of all ages to enjoy, including toddlers. Make sure to check out their new multi-level kinetic climber. 
9. Check out the discovery room and dinosaur bones at the Museum at Prairiefire.
10. Get energy out at a trampoline park like Get Air, Sky Zone, or Urban Air.
11. Relax a bit and let your kids play at Kidscape at the Johnson County Museum. The entire exhibit is enclosed in one room.
12. Take a road trip for fall break or Thanksgiving break.

    

13. Reach new heights while indoor rock climbing at RoKC.
14. Take the whole family to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
15. Teach the kids how to roller skate at a local rink like Skate City or Winnwood Skate Center.
16. Visit Legoland and let your kids build to their heart’s content.
17. Have a family staycation at a hotel with a pool or Great Wolf Lodge.
18. Get crafty at one of Creative Culture’s two locations (and enjoy a fancy milkshake!)
19. Take your little ones to My Play Cafe, Rough and Bumble, Inspired Play Cafe or Busy Bean Play Cafe.
20. Take a day trip to Topeka. Fall is an excellent time to visit Gage Park.
21. Paint your own ceramics at a local studio like Paint, Glaze, and Fire or Potter’s Haven Art Studio.
22. Like getting the shivers? Check out one of the spooky events going on in Kansas City!
23. Check out the new GloWild lantern festival at the Kansas City Zoo.

    

24. Enjoy the giant indoor playground and inflatables at Fun Run in Liberty.
25. Visit a local arcade.
26. Attend Whimsical Woods at Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center on October 14. Registration is required.
27. Visit a family friendly brewery and celebrate Oktoberfest.
28. Bounce the wiggles out at Pump it Up.
29. Visit the Kansas City Renaissance Festival weekends through October 15th.
30. Check out Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter in Independence.
31. Design your own donut at Donutology or Duck Donuts.
32. Visit Pumpkin Hollow at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. It’s a great “mini pumpkin patch” for toddlers and preschoolers.
33. Hit the road for a day trip to Lawrence (Up and Away Play is perfect for kids).
34. Learn to play pickleball at Chicken N Pickle or SERV.
35. Visit Ya-Ya’s Alpaca Farm in Garden City, MO.

    

36. Visit the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium. Make reservations to see the new aquarium and experience Boo at the Zoo on October 28 and 29.
37. Need to get some work done? Check out one of these spots where mom’s work while kid’s play.
38. Go to the Great Pumpkin Festival at Worlds of Fun, or Haunt if that’s more your speed!
39. If you have a kid that loves trains, visit one of the best places for train lovers in Kansas City.
40. Check out BRKTHROUGH, a social gaming place perfect for older kids and teens.
41. Visit Powell Gardens for their Scarecrow Trail and Pumpkin Village from October 4-15.
42. Try a new pizza place, donut shop, or ice cream parlor.
43. Introduce your kids to the rich history of Kansas City.
44. Step into the past at Mahaffie Stagecoach Shop and Farm Historic Site in Olathe for their Trick or Treat OFF the Street event on October 28.

    

45. Spend a day in Downtown Overland Park.
    
46. Visit the Louisburg Cider Mill for cider, donuts, and their 10 acre corn maze!
47. Attend Night of the Living Farm at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead the last two weekends of October.
48. Make a boo basket to surprise your neighbors and friends.
49. Go apple picking and then make applesauce or a pie to enjoy.
50. Attend Cornucopia: KC’s Ultimate Fall Festival in the Power and Light District October 13-15. Mom pro tip: lines for the rides are shortest on Sunday afternoon!

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 the first annual Fun Fest at Theatre in the Park on October 14.
4. Attend one of the MANY Trunk or Treat events around town.
5. Visit a new park. Check out our guide to the best parks for babies and toddlers.
6. Play a board game at Cardboard Cafe or Pawn and Pint.
7. On a rainy day check out the indoor play areas at Foundry Church and Kaw Prairie Church.
8. Make a reservation and visit Kaleidoscope to get your craft on.
9. Plan a family game night.
10. Check out a stack of fall and Halloween themed books at the library.
11. 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!

12. Camp out in the backyard (or living room) and make s’mores in the microwave.
13. Attend the Enchanted Forest at Sar Ko Par in Lenexa on October 26.
14. Visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Every weekend they offer free crafts for families from 1p.m. – 4 p.m.
15. Challenge yourself with this list of 200+ Minute to Win It Games.
16. Attend the Fall Festival and costume contest at Brush Creek Community Center on October 28.
17. Build a blanket fort.
18. 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. 
19. Eat at Spin Pizza or Rock & Brews on a Sunday when kids eat free.
20. Find a few fall crafts on Pinterest and rope your family into creating something fun
    

    

    during a fall crafternoon.

21. Go through old family photos together.
22. Make a visit to the Money Museum.
23. Introduce your kids to a Halloween movie like Hocus Pocus or Casper.
24. Paint kindness rocks and hide them in a nearby park.
25. Check out Harvest Fest at the Lee’s Summit Farmer’s Market on October 7. The first 100 kids get to enjoy free pumpkin decorating.
26. Check out the Hallmark Visitors Center.
27. Get a head start on wish lists for the holidays.
28. Attend Halloween Happenings in Merriam on Saturday, October 21.
29. Visit the Native Hooved Animal Enclosure in Lee’s Summit.
30. Ride the KC Streetcar. Some fun free stops would be the model train gallery at Union Station and the Central Library. 
31. 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.

    

32. Enjoy a free concert by the Kansas City Symphony at a Johnson County park.
33. 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.
34. Attend the Independence Halloween Parade.
35. Make a thankful tree during the month of November.
36. Enjoy these screen free indoor activities for toddlers.
37. Visit the play area at Independence Center.
38. Check out the murals in the Crossroads district.

    

39. Attend the Mildale Farm Fall Festival on October 28.
40. Visit a state park in Missouri or Kansas.
41. Make and donate some Happy Kits for Children’s Mercy.
42. Visit Chicken N Pickle in the Northland or Overland Park and enjoy their yard games including corn hole, ping pong, bocce, battleship, and Jenga.
43. Bake a fall treat like pumpkin bread and deliver to friends and neighbors.
44. Try one of these 20 baking soda experiments for kids.
45. 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.
46. Play Bingo at Boulevard Brewing or another local spot hosting Bingo.

    

47. Take turns taking fall family pictures with another family at one of these great fall photography spots.
48. Go on a family bike ride.
49. 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.
50. Bake an apple pie or try your hand at homemade applesauce.
51. Visit the brand new Olathe Arts Festival on October 6 and 7 in downtown Olathe featuring local artists, musical performances, and fun art activities.