We’ve rounded up a list of over 30 free activities to keep your kids busy and out of the house during the cold winter months. From indoor playgrounds to free museums and lots of local libraries to explore, there’s an activity for your family any day of the week!
Kansas City Mom Collective Monthly Bucket Lists
Every month we round up the best family friendly activities around the city so you can see them all in one place! Many are free to attend! Also be sure to check out our 5 Must Do Weekend Activities posted every Wednesday on our Instagram account.
Free Indoor Play Areas
- Weekdays at KP at Kaw Prairie Community Church in Lenexa, KS. The church is now offering free programming instead of open gym hours. Check their website and find the link to this month’s calendar.
- Foundry Church in Lenexa has a coffee shop and a small indoor play area best for
Foundry Church Coffeehouse toddlers and a large gymnasium perfect for kids of all ages. Make sure to bring your own balls, scooters, and ride on toys for the gym.
- Scheels in Overland Park has a play structure in the back by the cafe. Also, make sure you walk around and look at the aquarium, taxidermy animals, and for $1 each you can ride the ferris wheel or play mini-bowling.
- Some McDonalds, Chick-fil-A, and Burger King locations have indoor play areas and free wifi.
- The Explorer Room at the Matt Ross Community Center. has a three story play structure is great for kids age 2 to 10.
Library Programs and Play Areas
Johnson County Library
- Johnson County Library Storytimes (also be sure to check out our guide to the Best Johnson County Libraries for Indoor Play.)
Central Resource Library - Get creative at the MakerSpace at the Central Resource Library in Overland Park. Make sure to reserve your session ahead of time!
- The Johnson County Library lets you sort by “audience” to see special events for kids and teens.
Olathe Public Library
- Olathe Library Storytimes
- Olathe libraries offer a whole calendar of events for teens and for kids.
- Bring your teen to play video games at The Zone at Indian Creek Library or on the second floor of the Downtown Library.
- Check out the Makerspace at the Indian Creek Library in Olathe.
Mid-Continent Public Library
- Mid-Continent Public Library Storytimes
- Check their calendar for family-friendly events (adjust target audience to kids or teens).
Kansas City Public Library
- Kansas City Public Library Storytimes
- Check out all their fun activities for kids and teens.
Kansas City Kansas Public Library
- Kansas City Kansas Public Library Storytimes
- Visit their calendar to see what family activities are available.
Crown Center and Union Station
- Enjoy a crafting session at Kaleidoscope.
- Visit the Hallmark Visitors Center.
- Crown Center typically has two different rotating exhibits come through each year, plus Santa’s Gingerbread Station around the holidays. The exhibit is on the first level of Crown Center back by the Coterie theater.
- Walk The Link to Union Station and visit the model train gallery.
- From Union Station you can hop on the KC Streetcar. The Central Library is a great stop between Union Station and the River Market. Make sure to check out their rooftop terrace!
Museums
Mom Pro Tip: Young kids often get free admission at many local museums.
- Take a tour of the Harry S. Truman Home in Independence MO. Kids can even earn a junior ranger badge!
- Make a visit to the Money Museum.
- Jazz Storytelling at the American Jazz Museum in KCMO. First Friday of the month at 10 a.m.
- Visit a local art museum. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art offers free crafts for families from 1p.m. – 4 p.m every weekend. The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art and Kemper Contemporary Museum of Art also charge nothing for admission.
- There are four free days a year at the Johnson County Museum that are the perfect time to check out Kidscape.
- Olathe libraries offers card holders a Discovery Pass to the Museum at Prairiefire that can be checked out.
Other Free Activities in KC
- Play a new game at Cardboard Corner Cafe at their location in Overland Park or Lenexa.
- Eat at a restaurant when kids eat free.
- Play Bingo at Boulevard Brewing or another local spot hosting Bingo.
- Walk around IKEA. Kids love trying the furniture out, exploring the indoor house set ups, and if your kid is between 37 and 53 inches they can even spend an hour playing in Smaland while you shop!
- Explore one of the many nature centers in the metro area.
- Volunteer as a family.
- Bundle up and visit the Overland Park Arboretum the first Tuesday of the month when admission is free.
- See a demonstration of how a marble is made at Moon Marble Company.
- Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas have fish, animals, and other fun things for kids to explore.
