If you are a local or an out-of-towner looking for a cheap way to learn about the Kansas City area or be entertained, Kansas City offers a wide variety of free activities for every age. Whether you enjoy the outdoors or want to brush up on your history or art, Kansas City has just what you are looking for and more.
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead (artsandrec-op.org/farmstead/) was established in 1976 as a way to educate children about the importance of farming. The farmstead is located in Overland Park on 12 acres and is open April 1 through Oct. 31. At the farmstead, guests can explore a rose garden, butterfly garden, an interactive dairy barn and a historic one-room schoolhouse. Fishing enthusiasts can fish in the farmstead's stocked pond, and children will enjoy the animal exhibits, which include goats, cows, pigs, sheep and more. Admission to the farmstead is free, but donations are accepted.
Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art (nermanmuseum.org/welcome) is located at Johnson County Community College and is comprised of 16 temporary exhibitions as well as a permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, photography and other works of contemporary art by artists such as Clement Meadmore, Eric Sall, Juan Quezada and Adrian Saxe. The Nerman Museum offers contemporary art class for children ages 5 to 11. Guided and self-guided tours are available free of charge.
Cave Spring Historic Site & Nature Center
Cave Spring Historic Site & Nature Center (cavespring.org) is a 36-acre urban nature center located in Kansas City. Guests to the site will find an interpretive center, walking trails and a picnic area that can be accessed free of charge. Features of the park include a pond, cave, bridges, old cabin ruins dating back to the Pioneer era, a waterfall and butterfly garden. Access to the park is free; educational programs are also available for groups of 10 or more but are subject to a fee.
Shoal Creek Living History Museum
Shoal Creek Living History Museum (kcmo.org/CKCMO/Depts/ParksandRecreation/ShoalCreekLivingHistoryMuseum/index.htm) is located on 80 acres in the Hodge Park area of Kansas City. The museum's main attraction is 20 authentic 19th century buildings dating from 1807 to 1885. Guests to the museum can take free walking tours daily and may be able to witness a 19th-century reenactment at the various buildings on the property. Tours and school programs are available by appointment only.
Hallmark Kaleidoscope
The Hallmark company's Kaleidoscope (hallmarkkaleidoscope.com/) is a free art center for children and parents to learn about and make art. Parents and children can take part in 40-minute art sessions or children ages 5 to 12 can take part in 60- to 90-minute independent art sessions where they learn about using different art materials and create art projects using recycled materials. Tickets to the Kaleidoscope center are free; tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
