What Are Your Favorite Free or Nearly Free Activities in the KC Area?

When it gets warm the boys would I am sure enjoy going to a local spray ground! My kids always loved those. But, make sure he has them wear water type shoes or sandals so they don't slip or step on something. Also, downtown NKC has a nice little park and wading pool area with lifeguards and, last time I checked, was free. And lastly, when summer really heats up he can take them to one of the local tumble/gymnastic gyms on one of their "open gym" days (the ones around here are on Fri mornings right now). It's usually around $5- $7 dollars which isn't terribly expensive for air conditioning and lots of stuff to climb on and expend energy on (makes for a nice long nap for later). :) Have a SUPER FUN summer!

My mom sent me this whole list of stuff when I moved here- some free, some cheap, some not so cheap, some educational, etc... Hope it helps!

http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/kcmetro/

http://www.pitch.com/search/events.php?category=5789

http://www.wonderscope.org/

http://www.artsnoboundaries.org/resource.html

http://www.opcvb.org/visitor/attractions_family.html

http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/YS/staffrec.htm

http://search.cityguide.aol.com/kansascity/entertainment/...

http://www.visitkc.com/visitor_info/index.cfm?page=visito...

"German Kaspar Hand Puppets"
Type: Exhibits
Dates: Aug. 1, 2007-Jul. 31, 2008
Location: East
Address: Puppetry Arts Institute, 11235 E. Winner Road, Independence, Mo.
Phone: ###-###-####
Admission: $3 adults, $1.50 childrean up to age 16.
Hours: 10 am-5 pm, Tue.-Sat.
URL: www.hazelle.org
Description: German style Kaspar theater hand puppets created by Dr. Hans Waecker and Martha Feehan of Georgetown, Maine will be on display.

"Sparkling Strings Marionettes"
Type: Exhibits
Dates: Aug. 1, 2007-Jul. 31, 2008
Location: East
Address: Puppetry Arts Institute, 11235 E. Winner Road, Independence, Mo.
Phone: ###-###-####
Admission: $3 adults, $1.50 childrean up to age 16.
Hours: 10 am-5 pm, Tue.-Sat.
URL: www.hazelle.org
Description: New long running exhibit marionettes made by well known puppeteers Andrea and Gerry Sparks of Branson, Missouri will be on display.

"Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure 3D"
Type: Theatre
Dates: Oct. 5, 2007-May 30, 2008
Location: Near Crown Center
Address: Union Station, City Extreme Screen, 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
Phone: ###-###-####
Admission: $5.95 per person.
Hours:
URL: www.unionstation.org
Description: "Sea Monsters" uses stunning 3D computer-generated animation to weave together a series of paleontological digs from around the globe in a compelling story about scientists working as detectives to answer questions about this ancient and mysterious ocean world.

Wonderscope in Shawnee is great for kids and not very expensive at all. S.

It's not free, but Johnson County Parks and Rec has tons of pretty cheap day camps during the summer. Your little one isn't old enough for them, but the 5 year old is eligible for lots.

You might try touring a local dairy farm! I think it is free. Go to http://www.shattomilk.com/ to see how. Or you could check out their Monthly Moosletter at http://www.shattomilk.com/newsletter/June_2008.pdf to see what else is going on there. If I would have seen this sooner, I would have let you know in time for their Family Fun Day. Their milk is WONDERFUL!! And RBGH-Free (no growth hormones used)!!