The Country Club Plaza has been a Kansas City tradition for more than 100 years. The Plaza is a great destination for all ages to visit during the special events, holidays and family celebrations.
Kids’ Guide to the Country Club Plaza
Country Club Plaza Dining
While we typically think of the Plaza as a date night location, the beautiful Spanish architecture, artwork and fountains make the Plaza the ideal place to celebrate milestones, special occasions and holidays.
Plaza Restaurants for Special Meals
Buca di Beppo
Buca di Beppo is a lively family style Italian restaurant. It’s located below street level which gives accessing the restaurant a fun, clandestine vibe. Inside you can’t miss the eclectic, vintage décor. It’s over the top – much like their meatballs! For extra fun, make a reservation to sit in the kitchen and watch the food being prepared. Buca di Beppo does offer a kid’s menu if your child doesn’t like what the family-style selections.
Fogo de Chao
If you have a family of meat lovers, Fogo de Chao is a great special occasion dinner pick. This unique restaurant offers an authentic Brazilian churrascaria experience. Throughout your meal, specially trained Brazilian chefs will visit your table with fire-roasted meats on skewers. They slice the meat off the skewer table-side for you, making for a memorable experience. There are 16 different types of meat (including filet mignon, ribeye and lamb) to try and it’s all you can eat. While there’s no specific kid’s menu at Fogo de Chao, there’s enough variety for most picky eaters to find something they will like. Children six and under are free and kids ages seven to 12, are half-price.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar is kind of like a more grown-up version of Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant (minus the train engines and sub the hamburgers for sushi!). Kura’s Revolving Sushi Bar allows you to select dishes as they float by on a conveyor belt that circles past your seats. When you see something you want to try, you just grab it. Everything on the belt is the same price ($3.25) making it a great opportunity to try a new roll or sashimi. You can also order specific items on a touch-screen and they will arrive via the Express Belt (a different layer of the conveyor belt). Even drinks arrive in a novel way, delivered courtesy of a robot named Kura-B. There’s no kid’s menu at Kura but all sushi is Wasabi-free and they all offer ramen, teriyaki chicken, Karaage (fried) Chicken and even French Fries.
Melting Pot
Dip to your heart’s content with a fondue dinner at the Melting Pot. While this romantic restaurant is great for a date, it’s also fun for the whole family. Kids love the playful nature of the meal and the ability to pick their own dip combinations. You’ll start by dipping breads, veggies and even fruit into creamy melted cheese. Then you’ll cook your own entrees (think beef, chicken, seafood and veggies) in the fondue pot and dip them in a variety of sauces. Finally, it’s time for the best part – chocolate fondue! Dessert dippers include marshmallows, strawberries and Rice Krispy bars. Kids “Fun-Due” combos include all three courses and you can even add special non-alcoholic “dipper sippers” with kid-friendly shaken drinks.
Plaza Restaurants for Special Desserts
If you don’t want to commit to a whole dinner, the Plaza also offers some great places to splurge on a decadent dessert.
The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory has 40 different specialty desserts including 30 varieties of cheesecake. Kids will love flavors like Cookie Dough, Oreo Dream, Celebration Cake, Toasted Marshmallow S’more, Reese’s, Hershey’s and Snickers. Plus, the restaurant itself gives off a palatial, gilded vibe which feels just right for a special evening.
Melting Pot
It’s perfectly acceptable to go to the Melting Pot just for chocolate fondue. In fact, you can go all out with the Chocolate Explosion, a pot of fondue topped with cake, cotton candy and fireworks!
Winstead’s
Celebrate with a Kansas City tradition at Winstead’s, KC’s own retro diner. Order the Skyscraper shake, a massive shake that’s almost a foot tall. The shake easily serves four or more people and comes in six flavors – chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, cherry, butterscotch or pineapple. Of course, it’s topped with plenty of whipped cream and cherries, too.
Things to Do on the Country Club Plaza
Shop
Tween and teens may want to spend some time shopping. After all, the Plaza is an outdoor mall. Shop favorite brands like Old Navy, Nike, H&M, Lululemon, Urban Outfitters, Vineyard Vines and Sephora. You’ll find your favorite sports team and local gear at Rally House and Charlie Hustle. Kids of all ages will enjoy the bulk and novelty candy at It’s Sugar. If you have a furry family member, it’s fun to let kids pick out fresh baked treats and “pupcakes” at Three Dog Bakery. For something completely different, the staff at 3DHQ can print just about whatever you dream up with their 3D printers. You can even make yourself into a figurine! Make sure you book an appointment in advance. You’ll need to be 3D scanned and photographed to make your mini-me just right.
Puttery KC
You might have heard this mini golf was for adults only, but Puttery KC welcomes all ages during certain times (Monday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and all day on Sunday.) Play one or all three of their quirky, eclectic nine-hole courses. Each course has a different theme – art museum, conservatory or rooftop. Unlimited golf is $25 for adults and $15 for those 18 and under. You can make reservations, but walk-ins are welcome as well.
The Escape Game Kansas City
The Escape Game Kansas City offers five differently themed escape room games. During your escape room game, you’ll attempt to find clues and solve a series of puzzles before your time (60 minutes) runs out. Each escape room holds up to 8 players. The Escape Game recommends their games for ages 13 and up. Younger players are allowed but the games may be too difficult for them. An adult (18+) must participate with anyone age 14 and under.
Friday Night Family Fun at the Plaza Library
For family fun aimed at young kids, visit the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library. Located just a few blocks away from the Plaza’s main shopping and dinning area, the Plaza Library hosts a weekly Friday Night Family Fun series. Each week’s event varies but may include crafts, STEM activities magic shows or story times. Activities are free and designed for ages three and up.
Seasonal Events on the Plaza
Plaza Art Fair (September)
The Plaza Art Fair is a top-ranked art event that covers nine blocks of the Plaza each September. The event features 240 artists, 20 restaurant booths and three music stages. It’s a fun atmosphere for browsing art and listening to live music. My family enjoys the ability to sample dishes from multiple restaurants. There’s also a craft area with interactive and creative projects just for kids.
Plaza Lights (Thanksgiving Night – mid-January)
The Plaza Lights are a Kansas City tradition. Each holiday season, thousands of lights illuminate the Plaza’s domes, towers and windows. The lights are switched on during a lighting ceremony on Thanksgiving night. During the ceremony a local celebrity flips a giant switch, lighting all 15 blocks at once, creating a breathtaking moment. Even if you skip the ceremony, the lights are still worth a visit sometime during the holiday season. The lights turn on at 5 p.m. each evening through mid-January. To make a night of it, book a carriage ride around the Plaza and visit one of the special restaurants listed above.
