Tweens and teens are notoriously hard to shop for. But with this guide to local, Kansas City gifts and experiences, this year’s shopping list is made!
Kansas City Local Gifts for Tweens and Teens
For Chiefs Fans and Swifties
Arrowhead Stadium Tour (Kansas City)
Public Arrowhead Tours include a 90-minute guided tour of the press box, CommunityAmerica Club Level, GEHA Field, Hall of Honor, Locker Room, Press Conference Room, Broadcast Area and Founder’s Club. Tickets for children (ages 5–12) are $32.69. Adult tickets are $38.14. You can gift tickets (which are date and time specific) but gift cards aren’t available unless you are purchasing the pricer private tours ($300 for four tickets).
Westside Storey (Kansas City)
Taylor Swift seems to have a “Love Story” with local vintage shop Westside Storey. Swift has purchased at least five vintage Chiefs tops and has a beanie made by one of the owners. In addition to vintage Chiefs gear, the store sells new items as well. They even have a “Swifities only” section. Note: Be prepared for sticker shock on the vintage items. You might want to raid your family members’ closets!
Pink Dinosaur (Zona Rosa)
Pink Dinosaur has a huge variety of Travis, Taylor and Chiefs gear. They carry tops, jewelry, hair accessories, socks, purse straps, sunglasses – you name it. There are even Christmas specific items for your teen’s Merry Era.
EB and Co. (Brookside and Plaza)
EB and Co. is another local shop that Taylor has made famous. The accessory boutique carries the popular No. 87 gold jersey ring Swift wore to the AFC championship. You’ll also find beaded headbands, bows and other sparkly items in their “Swifities Collection.”
Kansas City Gifts For Gamers
BRKTHROUGH (Overland Park)
At BRKTHROUGH, teams of two or four can play through 40 unique and immersive high-technology challenge rooms. Each room is a fast-paced combination of physical, mental, and skill-based challenges and takes three to five minutes to complete. Passes are sold in two in three-hour increments and range from $29.99 to $42.99 per person. Gift cards can be given in any amount.
Tick Tock Escape Rooms (Overland Park)
Tick Tock Escape Rooms is a local family owned business that builds their games themselves. Especially great for younger teens and tweens, games here are family-friendly and can be made easier depending on age level. Games are private and your group will not be placed with strangers. Tickets start at $36 per player with a minimum of four players on Fridays and Saturdays or two players all other days. Instead of gift cards, you can purchase gift passes for $36 each.
FlipSwitch VR (Crossroads)
FlipSwitch VR is a free-roam, multiplayer, virtual reality arcade. They offer a variety of games including an intense zombie shooter, a chaotic kitchen simulator and a cartoon-styled free-for-all dodgeball game. Games are rated for ages 10+, 12+ or 13+. Up to four players can play at a time. Each game session includes 35 minutes of gameplay along with 10-15 minutes for rules and introductions. Gift cards are priced the same as tickets, running $28.99 per player/per game.
Tabletop Game & Hobby (Overland Park)
For more traditional gamers, Tabletop Game & Hobby carries a massive variety of board games, miniature games, role-playing games (like Dungeons & Dragons), puzzles, dice and gaming accessories. Their staff is well-versed in gaming and can recommend games depending on interest and skill level.
For Thrill Seekers and Active Teens
iFLY Indoor Skydiving (Overland Park)
iFLY Indoor Skydiving gives participants the feeling of floating on air thanks to a vertical wind tunnel. There are no heights involved or feeling of falling. Each flight within the wind tunnel lasts 60 seconds. However, total flight length depends on the package that you choose. An iFLY first-time flyer experience takes approximately 90 minutes from start to finish. Ages three and up can fly. There is no height requirement but flyers who weigh between 260-300 lbs. may not be able to fly. Flight experience packages start at $108. You can gift a flight experience voucher or a give a gift card in $25 increments.
Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun Season Pass (Kansas City)
Give unlimited visits to Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun with a 2025 season pass. Passes start at $89 per person for ages 3 and up.
K1 Speed: Indoor Go Kart Racing (Lee’s Summit)
K1 Speed’s 20-horsepower all-electric go karts can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour, which is the fastest in the industry. Their zero-emission karts are quieter and don’t release emissions like gas go-karts can. To race on the adult/teen track, drivers need to be at least 58 inches. K1 Speed also offers a junior track (speeds up to 20 miles an hour) for those at least 48 inches tall. All karts are single-seaters. Races start at $28.95. An additional annual license is needed ($7.95) which includes a free head sock and helmet use. K1 Speed offers gift cards in denominations of $50, $75, or $100.
Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park (Kansas City – Swope Park)
Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park offers treetop ropes courses and zipline adventures. There is an all ages course and a course for ages 16+. Tickets start at $45 for the all ages course. Ticket packages are available as well as gift cards.
ROKC (Olathe, Kansas City, North Kansas City)
ROKC offers basic bouldering and auto-belay (climbing with ropes). With a day pass, recipients can climb as much as they like and they can come and go as needed. There are no age requirements to climb. Climbing Gear (shoes, harness, chalk) is available for rent. Day passes are $21. Gift cards are available in $5 increments.
Chicken N Pickle (Overland Park, North Kansas City)
Chicken N Pickle has multiple indoor and outdoor pickleball courts and caters to both experienced and beginning pickleball players. Court rentals start at $20 per hour. Paddle and pickleball rentals are an additional fee. Chicken N Pickle also offers beginner clinics ($15) and private, semi-private or group lessons (starting at $25 an hour). Gift cards are available in any increment.
For Makers and Creatives
Hawaii Fluid Art (Overland Park & Zona Rosa)
Hawaii Fluid Art uses a paint technique that allows pigments to flow and mix together to create a one of a kind piece. Participants sign up for a one-hour instructor-led experience and create their own canvas, resin tumbler, glass painting or resin beach scene. Anyone ages three and up can complete a project. Projects start at $35. Gift cards are available in any amount.
The Ceramic Cafe (Overland Park)
The Ceramic Cafe is a paint-your-own-pottery and glass fusing studio for all ages. Select a pottery piece to paint or create a beautiful work of glass in studio with guidance from staff. Ceramic Cage offers a wide range of pottery pieces that range between $10 to $100. The pottery price includes all painting, glazing and firing fees. Glass projects are priced according to the size of the base and include use of all supplies needed to create a design. Look for special themed events with guided painting projects, snacks and games. Past event themes include Horror Movies, Taylor Swift, Squishmallows and Harry Potter. Gift certificates are available in any amount.
Creative Culture (Leawood, Westport)
Creative Culture is a DIY craft studio and milkshake bar. Projects are self-guided and change seasonally. Project examples include custom trucker hats (starting at $20), beaded bracelets or necklaces ($25) and hand-poured bath salts ($20). For extra fun, order an over-the-top milkshake ($14). Gift cards start at $10.
Local LEGO Stores
KC Brick Store in Overland Park has a selection of LEGO products including new and used sets, minifigs and add-ons such as lighting kits. Brick and Minifig in Mission also has new and used sets, but specializes in minifigs. Make your own from bins of pieces or buy specialized minifigs like Marvel or Harry Potter characters.
Taste Buds Kitchen (Leawood, Overland Park – Coming Soon)
Taste Buds Kitchen offers cooking classes for all ages including family (ages 9+) and tween classes (Ages 9-13). Learn how to make rustic Italian meals, sliders and shakes, sushi and more. Classes start at $50 a person. Gift cards can be purchased in any amount.
