KANSAS
Please be sure to call and verify times and rates as they are subject to change

ACTIVITIES:

INDEPENDENCE-  LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE
13 miles southwest of town on US 75;  follow signs.    620.331.3515
www.littlehouseontheprairie.com
COST:  FREE  but donations are appreciated
HOURS:  Mon - Sat 9 am - 8 pm
The site of the popular children's book "Little House on the Prairie".  Located on the original homestead are a replica cabin (built as specified in the LHOP book), and an original post office and one room schoolhouse from the same time period.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   Self guided so you can go at your own pace. 
 

KANSAS CITY AREA-  DEANNE ROSE CHILDREN'S FARMSTEAD
13800 Switzer Rd, Overland Park   913.897.2360
COST:  FREE  but there are some activities that you can pay for separately
HOURS:  Mon - Sat 9 am - 8 pm
This park, built on 12 acres, depicts a typical turn-of-the-century farm.  There is a petting zoo, playground, indian camp and historical buildings.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   The children loved the animals and walking around to see the different areas.

KANSAS CITY AREA, MO-  MISSOURI TOWN 1855
Located in Fleming Park (5 miles south of I-70 on MO 7), Blue Springs, MO   816.524.8770
COST:  $3 Adult / $2 Over age 62 and age 5 - 13
HOURS:  Mar 1 - Nov 15:  Tues - Sun- 9 am - 4:30 pm,  Nov. 16 - Feb 28:  9 am - 4:30 pm
Original 19th century buildings have been moved to this location to depict a typical small Missouri town of the mid-1800s.   Wandering around the property are costumed staff who go about life as village residents would have.  They are happy to answer questions and talk about the historical period.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   The kids liked that it was laid out as a town would have been with scattered buildings.  They especially liked the one room schoolhouse and the general store.  
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- The path is very ruddy so it is not stroller friendly.

KANSAS CITY AREA, MO-  NATIONAL FRONTIER TRAILS MUSEUM
318 W. Pacifc Ave., Independence, MO   816.325.7575
COST:  $5 Adult / $4.50 Over age 62 / $3 Age 6 - 17 / 5 and under Free
HOURS:  Mon - Sat- 9 am - 4:30 pm,  Sun-  12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
This museum depicts the history of three of the westward trails that began near Independence Missouri--   the Santa Fe, Oregon and California Trails.  The museum experience starts with a 17 minute movie that is full of interesting facts.  The museum displays are well designed, educational and comprehensive.  There is a hands-on children's area where the kids can try to load a wagon with just the right stuff to head west.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   The children spent a long time in the small children's section;  it was well kept and interesting.  Even the younger ones enjoyed the displays.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- The movie was a little too long for the younger children.

KANSAS CITY AREA-  LANESFIELD SCHOOL HISTORIC SITE
187th Street and Dillie Road, Edgerton    913.893.6645
COST:  FREE
HOURS:  Tues - Sat- 1 pm - 5 pm
This one room schoolhouse taught grades 1 - 8 from 1869 until 1963.  A 'teacher' dressed in early 1900s attire leads the tour through the school building and even teaches a little lesson to the children.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   The children really enjoyed sitting at the desks and learning as pioneer children would have.  The teacher was very friendly and answered the children's questions.
 

KANSAS CITY-  Zoo
6700 Zoo Dr., Kansas City   816.513.5700
www.kansascityzoo.org
COST:  Zoo Only-  $8.50 Adult / $7.50 Ages 55 and over / $5.50 Age 3 - 11
IMAX Only-  $7 Adult / $6 Ages 55 and over / $4 Age 3 - 11   Combo Admission-  $13.50 Adult / $11.50 Ages 55 and over / $8 Age 3 - 11
HOURS: Daily 9:30 am - 5 pm
Spread over 202 acres, the Kansas City Zoo offers an amazing array of animals representing six continents.    Among the favorites with children are the petting zoo, Discovery Barn (get up close to many exotic animals and learn about them through interactive activities) and the Peek-A-Boo Tree (safe and fun play place to get some energy out).   Be sure to stop and see one of the interesting shows such as the Sea Lion Show or the Lorikeet Feeding.  At the entrance is the IMAX theater (an additional fee....see pricing above).   Take an exciting, educational journey through the movies on this 6 1/2 story screen.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   Such a great variety of animals that the kids all saw exactly what they wanted to.  There were many learning opportunities that encouraged the children to learn in fun ways.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS-  The zoo is really large and some areas took about 20 minutes to get to....a really long walk for little ones.