Many parents are probably looking for fun, kid-friendly entertainment and activities this summer. Here are some ideas for FREE and cheap summer fun for kids in Kansas City (click on the links below for more details). I’ll add to the list as I find more, so make sure you check back. Also, if you know of any I missed, please leave a comment below.
Active Summer Fun for Kids in Kansas City
Here are several fun things to do with kids in Kansas City that will help them burn off energy.
FREE Bowling: All summer long, kids can bowl two FREE games per day at Kansas City area bowling alleys that are participating in a national Kids Bowl Free program. For a one-time payment (price varies by establishment), up to four adults can also bowl two games per person per day.
FREE Roller Skating: RInk Ratz Inc. in Blue Springs, Northland Rolladium Skate Center in Liberty and River Roll Skate Center in Riverside are participating in a national Kids Skate Free program for kids.
FREE or Cheap Swimming: There are plenty of places to swim “on the cheap” this summer; some are even FREE.
FREE Spraygrounds: To cool the kids off on a hot day, many Kansas City area parks are offering access to FREE spraygrounds.
Cheap Theatre Summer Fun for Kids in Kansas City
The Theatre in the Park has live theatre outdoor shows in Shawnee Mission Park that are family-friendly. Tickets are $8 for adults; $6 for kids ages 4-10.
FREE and Cheap Movies (indoor)
Sometimes summer fun in Kansas City means heading indoors out of the heat. Here are some FREE and cheap indoor movie options.
AMC Theatres has a summer movie camp with $3 movies every Monday and Wednesday morning.
B&B Theatres lets you fill your summer schedule with $5 movies on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Cinemark’s Summer Movie Clubhouse will allow you to see 10 kid-friendly movies for $1.75 per show.
FREE and Cheap Movies (outdoor)
Summer activities aren’t complete without some fun under the skies. There are plenty of budget-friendly outdoor movie watching places for families.
You can watch FREE Moonlight Movies on Independence Square on Thursday nights.
As part of the Off the Wall Film Series, FREE movies are shown on the third Friday of the month from May through September on the rooftop terrace of the Central Library in downtown Kansas City.
FREE County Fairs
Fairs are a great attraction in Kansas City for families. There are several county fairs (plus the Missouri State Fair) this summer with livestock shows, rodeos, carnivals, contests, demolition derbies, live entertainment, and more:
- Wyandotte County Fair: July 9-13
- Cass County Fair: July 16-21
- Platte County Fair: July 24-27
- Johnson County Fair: July 28-Aug. 3
- Douglas County Fair: July 29-Aug. 3
- Leavenworth County Fair: July 30-Aug. 3
- Missouri State Fair: Aug. 8-18
- Higginsville Country Fair: Sept. 14-21
Kansas City Exhibits and Experiences for Kids
Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibit: From June 8 through Sept. 22 Crown Center will host a new FREE interactive exhibit that are based on at least one of Clifford the Big Red Dog’s Ideas of share, play fair, have respect, work together, be responsible, be truthful, be kind, believe in yourself, be a good friend, and help others.
FREE Airplane Rides: Kids can get FREE airplane rides from volunteer pilots in the Young Eagles program.
FREE Summer Camps for Kids
Apple Camp: Kansas City area Apple stores are holding some FREE Apple Camps, where kids can learn how to make movies, compose musical stories, code games and robots, and more.
Summer Reading Fun for Kids in Kansas City
There are a number of kid-friendly summer reading programs throughout the metro.
- Barnes & Noble: Kids who read eight books and submit a Summer Reading Journal can get a FREE book.
- Cass County Public Library: Kids can earn a FREE book by reading a certain number of books (varies by age).
- Half Price Books: The bookstore is offering “Bookworm Bucks to kids who read for 15 minutes a day.
- Johnson County Library: Kids get a FREE book just for registering for the program.
- Kansas City, Kansas Public Library: Kids who register for the KCK program can earn prizes by logging the books they read.
- Kansas City Public Library: The Kansas City Public Library is holding a Youth Summer Reading Program with a “Rock & Read” theme.
- Mid-Continent Public Library: Mid-Continent is holding a Summer Learning Program this year. Kids can earn FREE books and win great prizes.
You may also be interested in the related posts:
- FREE & Cheap Things To Do With Kids in Kansas City
- Best FREE or Cheap Things to Do in Kansas City
- Always FREE Things To Do in Kansas City
- FREE & Cheap Weekend Events in Kansas
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