The Best 3-Day Kansas City Itinerary for Families
Planning a family trip to Kansas City? This 3-day itinerary is packed with kid-friendly activities, hands-on experiences, and must-see attractions that will keep everyone entertained.
Whether your family loves interactive museums, creative play spaces, or exploring historic sites, Kansas City has something for all ages.
To help you make the most of your trip, I’ve put together a complimentary Travel Itinerary Planner. Download it now to get a head start on your perfect family adventure! 👇
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Get ready for an unforgettable Kansas City weekend with your family!
Kansas City Day 1 Itinerary: The Crown Center
The Crown Center is one of my favorite places to kick off a family trip to Kansas City.
It’s in a super convenient downtown location with easy parking, and once you’re there, you can spend hours exploring.
There’s something for kids of all ages, plus fun shops and special events that make every visit a little different.
It’s the kind of place where you start the day thinking you’ll just check out one or two things, and before you know it, the whole morning has flown by!
Crown Center Attractions
Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center
Sea Life Aquarium is right next to the Legoland Discovery Center. 🐠 🦈
If you plan on visiting, I recommend purchasing tickets online ahead of time to save money. They also have combo tickets for both attractions to help cut costs!
While we have been to both and had a fun time, if you’re short on time and want to experience something unique to Kansas City, I’d skip these.
However, if you have a Lego lover or someone who enjoys aquariums, then definitely go!
The Hallmark Visitors Center
Did you know that the Hallmark Headquarters is in Kansas City?! I always love learning fun nuggets of information like that! 🥰
The Hallmark Visitors Center is free to visit and worth about an hour of your day.
They offer a paper scavenger hunt for kids, fun photo opportunities, and even a bow-making machine where you can create your own bow! 🎀
Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope, located next to the Hallmark Visitors Center, is a free, creativity-driven attraction where kids can create art projects. 🎨 🖌
It’s a fun, hands-on experience! Reservations are recommended since walk-ins aren’t always available.
Crown Center Showplace
This is another free, family-friendly exhibit space featuring interactive exhibits that change usually once or twice a year.
From January to May, it features Snoopy and the Red Baron before switching to Thomas and Friends: Explore the Rails™ until early September.
Besides these attractions, Crown Center has great family-friendly shops like the Crayola® Store and Toy Time. 🖍
Looking for a fun place to eat? Try Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant—a train lover’s dream!
Kansas City Day 2 Itinerary: Union Station + College Basketball Experience
Union Station is one of those places we always look forward to when we visit Kansas City.
It’s a must-visit for families with kids—packed with history, fun attractions, and hands-on exhibits that make it easy to spend hours exploring.
We’ve had so many great moments here, whether it’s visiting Science City, enjoying different events, or just soaking in the atmosphere.
The best part? The convenience of a parking garage makes it super easy to get in and out, so it’s a perfect place to kick off your day without any hassle.
Science City
We LOVE Science City! You can easily spend half a day here.
With multiple floors of exhibits and a whole outdoor yard filled with even more activities, there’s something for everyone which is why it’s one of our favorite science centers!
Expert Tip: If you have a membership at a science center that participates in the ASTC Passport Program, you can get in for FREE!
FIND OUT MORE: Everything You Should Know Before Visiting Science City
Model Train Gallery
Located at the north end of the Grand Plaza, the Model Train Gallery is a must-see. 🚂
It’s budget-friendly, with a suggested donation of $10 per family.
✨Be sure to take some time to admire the beautiful architecture of Union Station as well—it’s impressive both inside and out!
College Basketball Experience
If you have older kids and want an afternoon activity, check out the College Basketball Experience inside the T-Mobile Center. 🏀
It’s a fun, interactive experience where your kids can step into the shoes of a college basketball player. ⛹🏻♂️
My kids loved ALL the shooting activities, but their favorite was definitely Call the Highlights, where they got to pretend to be ESPN announcers! 🎤
➡️ Don’t miss my family guide to the College Basketball Experience!
Expert Tip: Afterward, grab dinner in the Kansas City Power and Light District. It’s the perfect spot to wind down after a fun day! 🍽
Kansas City Day 3 Itinerary: National WWI Museum & Money Museum
For Day 3 in Kansas City, I’d definitely recommend checking out the National WWI Museum & Memorial and the Money Museum.
We loved our visit at both places.
The WWI Museum is fascinating, with exhibits that bring history to life, and the view from the top of the memorial is incredible.
The Money Museum is another fun stop—it’s so hands-on, and the kids loved participating in the currency activities. 💸
These museums are just a short walk from each other, so you can easily cross the lawn to get from one to the other.
We ended up spending more time than we planned, but it was totally worth it!
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Even if you don’t plan to visit the museum, I highly recommend walking around the Liberty Memorial Tower for stunning downtown views.
Admission to the Liberty Memorial Tower is separate from the museum, so it’s a great option if you want to go up to the top of the tower without visiting the museum.
If you do decide to visit the National WW1 Museum, tickets are required, but children under six get in free.
We took all four of our kids inside, and while everyone enjoyed themselves, I’d say the museum is best suited for kids 10 and older.
Money Museum
The Money Museum is a free attraction that pairs perfectly with a visit to the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Surprisingly, it’s super fascinating and interactive. Our kids had a blast trying to lift a real gold bar, designing their own currency, and watching robots move money around! 🤖
As a fun bonus, each visitor gets a souvenir bag of REAL shredded money, which was a big hit with the kids! 💰
Just a heads-up: the Money Museum is closed on weekends, so be sure to plan for a weekday visit.
✨Discover my top 5 things to know when visiting Kansas City’s Money Museum.
More Things to Do in Kansas City with Kids
If you have extra time, here are some more family-friendly attractions:
- Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium – A great way to spend a half or full day with kids! 🦒
- Worlds of Fun Theme Park – Perfect for the entire family! Don’t forget your swimsuit and towels for Oceans of Fun too! 🎢 💦
- Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead – Best for younger kids with farm animals and play areas. 🐄
- Museum at Prairiefire – A fun and educational stop with interactive exhibits. 🦕
For budget-friendly options, check out my favorite free and cheap things to do in Kansas City with your family.
Kansas City: A Family-Friendly Getaway
Kansas City is packed with family-friendly attractions, making it the perfect weekend destination.
Whether you’re exploring historic sites, engaging in hands-on experiences, or simply soaking in the city’s unique vibe, there’s something for everyone.
Ready to Plan Your Own Kansas City Adventure?
If you’re ready to make the most of your family trip to Kansas City, download my free Kansas City Travel Itinerary Planner.
It’s filled with all the must-see spots, hidden gems, and helpful tips to make your trip easy and enjoyable. Grab your itinerary now and start planning your perfect getaway! 👇
