Family Friendly Attractions in Kansas City, Missouri

Family Friendly Attractions in Kansas City, Missouri

We have a big family, so planning a vacation requires a lot of research and preparation on my end. We are already in the process of planning for next summer, and my husband wants to visit Kansas City, Missouri.

When traveling as a family, finding the right hotel is key to an enjoyable vacation. Start your search for Kansas City hotels by looking for amenities that work for your family. Read reviews to see what past guests are saying, then look for options that are close to major attractions to cut down on travel around the area. After you’ve booked your hotel, check out some of these family-friendly attractions to visit when traveling to Kansas City, Missouri.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Plan ahead and reserve tickets for LEGOLAND Discovery Center online, because the center can become busy during peak travel season, resulting in possible wait time for walk-up guests. The center is geared toward children ages two through 10. Top attractions include a 4D cinema, two rides, and more. Kids younger than age 2 get in, while tickets for adults and older children cost $18.

Kansas City Zoo

Spend your day at the Kansas City Zoo learning about animals during the zoo’s Zookeeper Chats. Take in one of the animal shows — birds or sea lions — or catch a ride on the zoo’s tram, train, or boat or in a sky safari. The zoo is open year-round, admission is free for children age 2 and under, and tickets cost between $11.50 and $14.50 for kids, adults, and seniors. If you have a membership with your local zoo, check to see whether you can use it here for discounted or even free admission.

Sea Life Kansas City

Walk through an underwater tunnel with sharks and sting rays swimming over your head at Sea Life Kansas City. The Interactive Rockpool Experience gives kids the chance to touch a crab or starfish, and you can learn more about aquatic life while attending one of the educational talks or feeding shows throughout the day. Grab the free booklet to collect stamps from different stations while learning about the zoo’s creatures. Kids age 3 and under are free, and prices for everyone else start at $11 per person.

College Basketball Experience

If you’re traveling with any sports fans, the College Basketball Experience should be on your list. Experience first-hand the different skills of the sport at the rebounding, free-throw shooting, three-point shooting, and passing stations. Try to beat the clock by scoring the winning shot before the buzzer. Kids 3 and under get in free, and tickets for older guests start at $11 per person.

Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant

While Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant isn’t your typical family attraction, it has been a Kansas City favorite for decades. Kids will get a kick out of ordering their food on the telephone and then having it delivered to the table by an overhead train. Fritz’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and supper daily. One lunch and supper favorite is the Big R combo, which costs $8.99 for two burgers, fries, and a medium drink. Kids can get the Round House Special for $5.99, which comes with an engineer hat.

Smaller cities such as Kansas City, Missouri, are perfect for vacations, because many travelers skip them for more popular destinations, making them less crowded and sometimes much more affordable.