Ready to enjoy the sunshine and get out and about the KC area with the fam? We have a handful of recommendations that every member of your family will love. Some of them include both in-person and virtual opportunities to suit you where you’re at in (what we hope to be) this tail-end of the pandemic.
5 Things to Get You & the Kids Out and About This Summer
We’ve chosen five different places our staff love to go with their families, including a range of indoor- and outdoor activities as well as varying interests and hobbies.
1) Mesner’s Puppet Theater
Who doesn’t love a good puppet show? Puppets make storytelling way more fun, and your family will love the shows put on by Mesner’s Puppet Theater. Internationally recognized puppeteer, Paul Mesner, established Mesner Puppet Theatre (MPT) in 1987.
Over the past 30+ years, the organization has captivated nearly two million people through our productions and educational programming. Audiences delight in the craftsmanship of the puppets, which range from glove puppets to marionettes, to innovative shadow and object based puppetry. Enjoy!
2) The Lakeside Nature Center
This year has required that we be outdoors to gather with the ones we love, and that has helped to reinspire our love of nature. The Lakeside Nature Center is part of the Swope Park system, an 1,800 acre wooded park that also houses the Kansas City Zoo, Starlight Theatre, Blue River Golf Course, Swope Memorial Golf Course, a Disc Golf Course, Swope Park Pool, ball fields, picnic areas, and a pond for fishing. Additionally, the Blue River winds through the Park.
Lakeside Nature Center is an incredible place to enjoy learning about local native wildlife, including birds of prey, snakes, amphibians, turtles, fish, and invertebrates. You can stroll on your own through the nature center or sign up to attend one of their many educational programs.
3) Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
This beautiful farm is 100% dedicated to the kiddos in our world. At Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead you’ll visit more than 250 animals and birds, learn about growing flowers and vegetables, experience a Kanza Indian encampment or a one-room schoolhouse, and take a stroll through main street to the fishing pond.
Kids have a chance to feed the animals, including bottle-feeding the baby goats. You can also learn how to milk cows, get an up close look at birds of pretty and bobcats, and we highly recommend touring the Kanza Indian encampment. You can bring your own picnic and eat at the tables provided at the west side of the east parking lot or purchase food and snacks from multiple concession options throughout the farm, with Alex & Emily’s Ice Cream Parlor being a particular favorite.
4) Science City
There is never enough time to visit Science City, which is considered one of the best children’s science museums in the nation. This is a great time to visit because crowded days can be overwhelming for sensitive children (or adults). To keep sizes healthy and manageable, there are only so many admissions per day so families and groups must book their visit ahead of time using the online ticket purchasing option.
Science City also runs summer camps in two different age groups (5-10 and 10-15), including overnight camp opportunities for kids who are ready to spend a week or two away from home. We highly recommend visiting the Planetarium while you’re there, which always offers several different program options.
5) Zip KC and iFLY Kansas City
Have a thrill seeker or two in the family? There are two places that are great when it comes to zipping and flying at great heights. The first is Zip KC. While ziplining is certainly the focus, there is lots of fun to be had on the ground (Ninja Training, anyone?) as well for younger children and those who aren’t as fond of heights or high speed thrills.
For an extra dose of low-risk thrills you can head to iFLY Kansas City where you can get a simulated skydiving experience in a high-speed wind tunnel, and their program is educational as well – geared to STEM field trips for interested groups.
Women’s Health Associates recognize that the happiest and healthiest families get out there and explore the world together. We hope this summer offers many opportunities to head to these and other fun family activities in and around the KC area.