Festive holiday experiences for small children can be found on almost every corner of Kansas City. Once they have officially ditched the magic of Santa, however, it can be significantly harder to find age-appropriate and family friendly activities for older children and teens. We have compiled an amazing list of places to keep those hard to please older kids entertained and engaged this Christmas.
40+ Ideas and Destinations to Keep Older Kids and Teens Entertained in Kansas City During the Holidays
Revel in the Twinkling Lights
Hit the holiday lights at the Country Club Plaza. Walk or drive through the Plaza to see the iconic sight. Pair it with hot cocoa and a little shopping (teens love their Nike store and Sephora!) for the perfect evening. It’s always fun to stop by Winstead’s for a skyscraper milkshake on your way back home.
Patrons of ALL ages will enjoy the GloWild Lantern Festival at the Kansas City Zoo. It’s beautiful, festive and would be a great reason to gather friends for a group outing.
Anyone can appreciate the loveliness of Union Station’s Holiday Reflections. Explore a dazzling wonderland of giant ornaments, light tunnels, and interactive displays. Grab some treats at Parisi before entering!
Powell Gardens’ Festival of Lights is filled with over 20 miles of lights. There’s bonfires, treat stands and cool stops along the way.
Drive through Winter Magic. Teens will love the immersive experience at Winter Magic. Located near Cliff Drive, this light show features dazzling tunnels of lights, animated scenes and festive tunes synced to your car radio. It’s perfect for snapping photos or making TikTok videos!
Walk through the Jingle Holiday Maze at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas.
Festive Outdoor Adventures
Go ice skating. Glide under the lights at Crown Center Ice Terrace, The Rink at Zona Rosa or Ice at Park Place.
The Penguin March at the Kansas City Zoo is the perfect excuse to watch adorable penguins waddle through the zoo during select holiday weekends.
Snow tubing at Snow Creek in Weston is quintessential winter fun.
Cheer on the Chiefs at GEHA Field. For sports fans, attending a Kansas City Chiefs game during the holidays is an unforgettable experience. If tickets are hard to find, plan a game-day watch party at home or a local sports bar.
Shop at Zona Rosa. Let teens explore this outdoor shopping center, complete with festive lights, good food and seasonal entertainment. It’s a hotspot for finding gifts and grabbing selfies.
KC Streetcar’s Holiday Jam is when the free KC Streetcar becomes extra festive during the holidays. Hop on to explore downtown’s lights and decorations. Every Saturday afternoon performers will provide live music!
The Great Santa Run 5k will get their legs moving for a good cause!
Creative and Artistic Experiences
Holiday-themed Escape Rooms will challenge your crew with holiday-themed puzzles at Breakout KC or World of Escapes.
DIY holiday workshops take place at local spots like Creative Culture, offering ornament decorating, plant bars or mug painting sessions.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is explicitly holiday-themed, but it often hosts seasonal exhibits and events. The famous shuttlecocks outside also make for a great winter photo op.
Take a pottery class. Learn to spin a pot or craft a ceramic masterpiece at Driftwood Ceramics to gift to someone special.
Take a cooking class. Local spots like The Culinary Center of Kansas City and Taste Buds Kitchen often host workshops (cookie making, gingerbread house building) for teens and families.
Enroll in a chocolate-making workshop. Local chocolatiers like André’s Confiserie Suisse often host classes. Teens can learn the art of making sweet treats—perfect for gifting (or eating!).
Take a Hallmark Cards Tour. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the holiday card-making process and then head to Halls for some fancy shopping. Time the visit to coincide with the Hallmark Christmas Experience where patrons can hear from and talk to Hallmark movie actors, writers and producers!
Attend a holiday market. Let teens shop for unique gifts at local holiday markets, like the Strawberry Swing, Westport Christmas Market or City Market’s Merry Market.
Entertainment and Culture
Holiday Movie Nights at Screenland Armour. Enjoy classics like Elf or Home Alone on the big screen at this retro theater. Teens will love the quirky decor and gourmet popcorn options.
Buy tickets to The Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Your kids are finally old enough to quietly sit through the entire performance and perhaps even appreciate it! Immerse yourself in this timeless tale of sugar plum fairies and holiday magic.
The Kansas City Symphony’s Film and Live Orchestra is the perfect way to meld childhood holiday whimsy in a more grown up location. They will appreciate watching a classic holiday movie in an instagram-worthy spot, and you’ll appreciate the time together.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs every year and draws crowds because of the high energy sounds and light show.
Catch a Sporting KC offseason event. Stay active with clinics or holiday meet-and-greets featuring Sporting KC players.
The Laser Holiday Magic show at Union Station’s Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium will entertain all ages.
Seasonal Eats and Treats
Take a Self-Guided Hot Chocolate Crawl. Discover the best hot chocolate spots around KC. Think: André’s Confiserie Suisse, The Roasterie Café and Christopher Elbow.
Hit Up Holiday Pop-Up Bars. While some pop-ups are 21+, others welcome families during earlier hours. Check out options like Miracle and Snow Globe Pop Ups (located at different spots around the city) for festive drinks and photo-worthy decorations.
Dress up and enjoy a nice meal together as an annual holiday tradition. Consider Pierpont’s for the great food and holiday cheer of Union Station.
Volunteer and Give Back
Consider volunteering with Harvesters. Spend an afternoon packing meals or sorting food donations to help local families in need.
Seek out Adopt-A-Family programs. Shop for gifts and essentials to brighten another family’s holiday season. Pick a family with teenagers so they can help find the most coveted items!
Look for pet shelter holiday drives. Bring joy to animals by donating food, toys or blankets to local shelters.
Encourage the spirit of giving by volunteering at places like Operation Breakthrough. It is a meaningful way for teens to connect with their community.
Check out a more extensive list of places to volunteer here.
Kansas City truly shines during the holiday season, and these activities are sure to create lasting memories for your older kids and teens. Whether you’re exploring the lights, hitting the slopes, or enjoying a festive show, there’s something special for everyone in this fun town.
