Things to Do with Kids on Winter Break in Kansas City

Are you looking for something fun and engaging for your kids to do over the winter break in Kansas City?

Kansas City on the Cheap is here to help with some frugal options for keeping everyone entertained that won’t have you draining your new year budget before 2020 even starts.

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Movies

Extreme Screen Theatre at Union Station: Tickets to Star War: Rise of Skywalker are only $5 for 12:30 p.m. shows (even on Christmas Day). Other showtimes are $8 for adults, $7 for kids. You can also see Mysteries of China, a documentary about ancient China and the discovery of the Terracotta Warriors and the Tomb of the First Emperor. All showings are just $6.

AMC Theatres: Every Tuesday, the theater chain offers its AMC Stubs and AMC Stubs Premiere members Discount Tuesdays. Tickets start at $5.

Ice Skating

Crown Center Ice Terrace: The Crown Center Ice Terrace is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. The rink closes at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and is closed on Christmas Day. They are open New Year’s Day from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday is the best “on the cheap” day with a 2-for-1 skate special.

Line Creek Community Center: The Line Creek Community Center’s ice arena is open during the winter break. Click here for the holiday schedule. Admission is is $6 (FREE for kids 3 and under); skate rental is $2.

The Ice at Park Place: Leawood’s only outdoor ice rink is open seven days a week, including some holidays. Admission is $8; skate rental is $4 if you don’t bring your own.

Craft Activities

Kaleidoscope: Kaleidoscope at Crown Center has FREE Creative Art Sessions Monday through Saturday during the holiday break. Children of all ages are welcome to create art together at free 50-minute art sessions. Tickets are free, but space is limited so it’s best to arrive early to make sure you can get into the session you want. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.

Kaleidoscope is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Lakeshore Learning: Every Saturday Lakeshore Learning in Merriam, KS has FREE craft activities for kids ages 3 and up.

Learning will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Museums

winter activities in kansas city - small child and father doing crafts

Photo: Austin Walsh

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: A crown jewel in Kansas City, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art has FREE admission every day they are open. They also have FREE events for kids, teens and adults on a regular basis.
The Nelson will be closed Christmas Eve because they’re always closed on Tuesdays. They’ll also be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Other than those days, hours are as normal.

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art: Admission at Kemper is always FREE, as is parking and much of their regular programming.

Wonderscope Children’s Museum: This museum provides fun, dynamic exhibits and programs that integrate the arts, sciences, and literature for kids ages eight and under, their parents, and teachers from across the Kansas City area. Tickets are $8 for ages 2-63; $7 for ages 64+; and FREE for kids under 2.

Museums on Us: Bank of America and Merrill Lynch customers get FREE admission to participating museums the first full weekend of each month. There is a holiday bonus with additional FREE days happening through Dec. 31, 2019.

More Kansas City Museums: Check out our post Marvelous Museums of Kansas City to find out more about museums around Kansas City. Some have FREE admission or charge as little as $5 per person.

Entertainment Specials

Paradise Park Winter Break Specials: Paradise Park (1021 NE Colbern Rd Lee’s Summit, MO) is a favorite indoor (and outdoor – weather permitting) attraction for family fun. They offer these great specials during Winter Break:

Mondays: Buy a full-priced child admission in Discovery Play and get an adult admission FREE.
Wednesdays: Every Wednesday, all arcade games are 50% off. There are more than 40 games to choose from.
Thursdays: Buy one Operation Laser Tag admission and get another one FREE.

Main Event Specials: There are three Main Event locations in Kansas City: Olathe, Independence and North KC. Each one offers bowling, laser tag, mini golf, arcade games, billiards, food and more. Here are some specials to keep everyone entertained this winter break:

Mondays: From 4 p.m. to close enjoy all-you-can-play activities or arcade games for $10.95 per person.
Tuesdays: The kids eat FREE special on Tuesday means you can get one FREE kid’s meal (12 and under) for every $8.99 food item purchased.
Winter Fun Pass: With an all-you-can-play Winter Fun Pass, you can enjoy all-you-can-play activities all day. Prices start at $14.99.