Kansas City gets real rain — spring and summer storms can cancel outdoor plans without much warning. The good news: the city has an extensive indoor activity scene. Here's where to go when the weather turns.
Best Indoor Museums and Cultural Spots
Science City at Union Station — $60–90
Science City at Union Station is the go-to rainy day anchor for families. Hands-on science exploration built to keep kids moving and thinking — not reading plaques. 4.8 stars. Budget $60–90 for a family of 4. Check for combo tickets with other Union Station attractions. Plan 2–3 hours. Downtown location means you can walk to other rainy day options if needed.
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures — $30–50
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures — $30–50, 4.8 stars, UMKC area. Room after room of antique toys and miniature rooms so detailed kids press their faces against the glass. One of the more affordable paid museum experiences in the city. Plan 1.5–2.5 hours.
National WWI Museum and Memorial — $50–70
National WWI Museum and Memorial — $50–70, 4.9 stars, downtown. For families with kids 9 and up who are into history, this is a serious museum that genuinely delivers. Under 5 typically free. Military families often receive discounted or free admission. Plan 2–3 hours.
The Rabbit hOle — $60–80
The Rabbit hOle — $60–80 (~$15–20/person, under 2 free). 4.7 stars. Immersive story-world that kids can physically explore. Book online in advance. Plan 1.5–2.5 hours.
Regnier Family Wonderscope Children's Museum — $50–70
The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children's Museum of Kansas City — $50–70 for a family of 4 (under 1 free). 4.4 stars, south KC. The hands-on children's museum Kansas City families recommend most. Water area, creative arts, building. Bring a change of clothes for young kids. Membership pays for itself in 2–3 visits.
Museum at Prairiefire — $40–70
Museum at Prairiefire — $40–70 for permanent collection. 4.3 stars, Overland Park. Real natural history — fossils and specimens — in a well-designed science museum. Traveling exhibitions add $10–15/person. Members get unlimited repeat visits.
Kansas Children's Discovery Center — $30–50
Kansas Children's Discovery Center — $30–50, 4.8 stars, Topeka. Excellent and more affordable than major metro children's museums. Partially indoor with a discovery garden. ACM member institution.
Museum of Illusions — $60–80
Museum of Illusions — $60–80, 3.9 stars, downtown KC. Optical illusion rooms built for photos and experimentation. Short visit (1–1.5 hours). Book online for potential savings.
Entertainment Venues (Indoor Active)
Game Show Studio Kansas City — $80–140
Game Show Studio Kansas City — $80–140, 5-star rating. Your family inside a live game show format — buzzers, scoreboards, a host running tight pacing. Book in advance; sessions have limited capacity. 1.5–2.5 hours. Downtown.
BRKTHROUGH Overland Park — $80–120
BRKTHROUGH Overland Park — $80–120 (~$20–30/person), 4.9 stars. Escape rooms where kids are the heroes. Book ahead — these fill on weekends. 1–1.5 hours per room.
Activate Games — $60–80
Activate Games — $60–80 (~$18–22/person), 4.8 stars. Physical video game experience — kids become the controller, running through full-body arena challenges. 1–1.5 hours.
Rage KC! — $80–140
Rage KC! — $80–140, 4.8 stars, downtown. Smash room experience. For older kids and teens. Book online. 45 min–1.5 hours.
Main Event Kansas City North — $80–140+
Main Event Kansas City North — $80–140+, 4.3 stars. Bowling, laser tag, arcade, and a full menu. The full-package entertainment venue. Weekday pricing is lower than Friday/Saturday evenings. Bundle activities for better value. 2–3 hours.
PowerPlay Metro North Entertainment Center — $60–100+
PowerPlay Metro North Entertainment Center — $60–100+, 4.0 stars, north KC. Arcade, laser tag, bowling. Set a token budget before entering — it's easy to overspend. 1.5–3 hours.
Indoor Playgrounds
K&B's Fun Town — $35–50
K&B's Fun Town — $35–50, 5-star rating. Small, locally-owned, designed so toddlers aren't bulldozed by bigger kids. Perfect for ages 2–8. Extended weekday hours until 7pm.
Summit Play Village — $35–50
Summit Play Village — $35–50, 4.5 stars, Lee's Summit. Neighborhood-favorite indoor play. Weekday mornings are less crowded.
Club Run & Jump — $40–70
Club Run & Jump — $40–70, 4.8 stars, south Johnson County. Built for toddlers through 8-year-olds — toddler areas genuinely separated from big kid zones. Memberships for regular visitors.
Rough & Bumble KC Indoor Playground — $40–55
Rough & Bumble KC Indoor Playground — $40–55, 4.6 stars. Foam pit, climbing, tumbling. Kids ~$10–15, adults typically free or discounted. Punch cards and sibling discounts.
Kids Empire Olathe — $40–65
Kids Empire Olathe — $40–65, 4.5 stars. Modern multi-level indoor play. Membership plans reduce per-visit cost.
Superkidz Club — $40–65
Superkidz Club — $40–65, 4.5 stars, Johnson County. Membership and punch cards available. Weekday pricing may be lower.
Fun Run Blue Springs — $40–60
Fun Run Blue Springs — $40–60, 4.4 stars. East KC suburb. Daily specials and membership options.
Bump City at GAGE Center — $40–65
Bump City at GAGE Center - Indoor Playground — $40–65, 4.4 stars, Blue Springs.
Kanga's Indoor Playcenter Independence — $40–65
Kanga's Indoor Playcenter Independence — $40–65, 4.2 stars, Independence. Community-oriented indoor playground. Memberships available.
Trampoline Parks
| Venue | Cost (Family of 4) | Rating | |---|---|---| | Above All Trampoline Park | $50–80 | 4.4 | | Get Air Trampoline Park | $50–80 | 4.2 | | Fun Run Liberty | $40–60 | 4.2 | | Pump It Up Overland Park | $40–60 | 4.3 | | Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park | $70–120 | 4.2 | | The Rush Funplex | $60–100 | 4.1 | | Sky Zone Trampoline Park | $60–100 | 4.0 |
All have timed sessions — book online in advance for best availability and pricing.
Free or Low-Cost Indoor Options
Kaleidoscope — Free. Hallmark-sponsored creative arts studio. Book your free tickets online in advance. 1–1.5 hours per session. Downtown. This is one of the best free rainy day options in any city, not just Kansas City.
The Peace Pavilion — Free (donations appreciated). 4.9 stars. Cultural destination. Excellent for older kids.
National Elk Refuge & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center — wait, wrong city. Kansas City equivalent: Union Station Kansas City grand hall — free to walk through. Pair with a paid attraction inside for a full visit.
Quick Picks by Age Group
Toddlers (under 5): - K&B's Fun Town — stroller-friendly, nursing rooms, toddler areas separated from big kids ($35–50) - Club Run & Jump — toddler zones, nursing rooms ($40–70) - Regnier Family Wonderscope — purpose-built for under-8 crowd ($50–70) - Kaleidoscope — free, messy and creative, ages 3+
Big Kids (6–12): - Science City at Union Station — hands-on science ($60–90) - Game Show Studio Kansas City — live game show ($80–140) - BRKTHROUGH Overland Park — escape rooms ($80–120) - Activate Games — physical video game experience ($60–80)
Teens: - Rage KC! — smash room ($80–140) - Game Show Studio — competitive by nature, good for teens - National WWI Museum — if they're into history, this is outstanding ($50–70) - BRKTHROUGH Overland Park — escape rooms reward teens' puzzle-solving
Bottom line: Kansas City's indoor scene is deep enough to fill a full rainy trip. Kaleidoscope and Science City are the free and low-cost anchors. Game Show Studio and the escape rooms are the distinctive KC-specific experiences. Trampoline parks are the energy-burn backup. You'll never be stuck without options.