After nearly 10 years of planning, fundraising, and construction, the Rabbit hOle KC has finally opened its doors – and it was worth the wait! The Rabbit hOle KC was created by the book loving owners of the legendary Brookside book store, The Reading Reptile. Their love for children’s literature created a truly awe-inspiring experience that allows museum goers to step out of the real world and on to the pages of iconic books from the last 100 years.
What Kids Will Love
The Rabbit hOle starts by quite literally sending you down the rabbit hole. You walk down a set of stairs and in to a “hole” full of caves and tunnels that lead from one place to another. My children spent about twenty minutes alone exploring the incredible entrance. Once you make it through the rabbit hole entrance, you come to the first floor of the museum. The first floor offers so many interactive exhibits for children to look at, climb up, walk through, and slide down. Every exhibit also offers multiple copies of the book or books that inspired it, so you and your child/children can stop to read or thumb through the pages that have come to life around you.
While the second floor is still under construction, you can still walk up the incredible staircase and gaze at the upcoming exhibits.
The museum also has an amazing book store with an expansive selection for all ages and plenty of space to sit and read.
What Moms Will Love
This is going to sound cheesy – but the most meaningful part of this experience was the nostalgia. I am a book lover, praying that I raise my three children to be book lovers. So watching my children play and explore in the interactive pages of books that I have read to them was incredible and left my mama heart so full. I also got to relive books I read during my childhood but have long forgotten about. Children’s classics like Madeline and Where the Sidewalk Ends that I will now need to add to our family library and nightly bedtime routines.
Who It’s Best For
The Rabbit hOle KC is truly meant for all ages. Families and readers of all ages and stages can come and find something they love.
Stroller and Wheelchair Accessibility
Ramps and elevators make the museum accessible for wheelchairs. However, the museum is a stroller free zone. If you have smaller children or infants, you may want to consider baby carriers or keeping your arms free for carrying.
Bathrooms
There is a large bathroom area on the first floor. It is accessible from the entrance as well as from inside the museum.
Food Policies and Purchasing Options
No outside food or drink is permitted. There is a literature inspired café opening in April. All items will be offered at a $5 price point and come directly from the pages of our favorite books. There will be a wide variety of offerings, like pasta from Strega Nona, bread and jam from Bread and Jam for Frances, blueberry muffins from Blueberries for Sal, and much more! Staff assured me there will be something for every member of your family – even the picky eaters.
Location and Parking
The Rabbit hOle KC is located at 919 E 14th Ave North Kansas City, MO 64116.
The main entrance is located at the corner of E 14th Ave and Jasper St.
Ample parking is available on the east side of the building. From E 14th Ave, turn south on to Knox St. There is parking along the side of the building as well as a parking lot on the east side of Knox St.
Admission and Hours
Timed tickets are available for purchase and are $16 for humans age 2 and older. Children under 2 are free.
Memberships are also available.
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday – Thursday: 10am – 6pm
Friday: 10am – 7pm
Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Sunday: 12pm – 5pm
Don’t Miss This Hidden Gem
Tucked inside the book store is the room from Goodnight Moon. The room features every single detail from the book – from the paintings on the walls to the clothesline to the dollhouse in the corner. It even has the rocking chair and bed for you and your children to sit on. This room truly had me on the verge of tears. I remember reading it as a child, and it was the first book given to me by my sister when I was pregnant with my oldest child. Watching my kiddos walk in to the room and recognize this book we have read together time and again was unforgettable!
