25+ Free & Cheap Things to Do in SE Kansas City This Summer With Kids

Trying to keep kids busy all summer without spending a fortune? Same.

The good news: SE Kansas City has plenty of free and budget-friendly family fun, from parks and playgrounds to library programs, splash pads, outdoor concerts, local trails, and easy no-spend adventures.

If you’re looking for free things to do with kids in SE Kansas City, cheap summer activities for families, or budget-friendly places to take kids near SE Kansas City, our 2026 guide is a great place to start.

Here are 25+ free and cheap things to do with kids in SE Kansas City this summer.

More Summer Fun in SE Kansas City

• Browse our 2024 Summer Fun Guide 
• Get a free printable summer fun bucket list
• Find camps in our Summer Camp Guide
• See what’s happening this week on our Events Calendar

Outdoor Adventures

1. Visit a local park or playground for an easy afternoon outside.
   Suggestions: Legacy Park in Lee's Summit, Rotary Park in Blue Springs, Young Park in Raymore, Memorial Park in Independence, or Armstrong Park in Raytown.
2. Take a hike at a local trail or nature center, or try one of your family’s favorite walking spots.
   Suggestions: Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs, George Owens Nature Park in Independence, Rock Island Trail in Lee's Summit and Pleasant Hill, or James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area near Lee's Summit.
3. Pack a picnic and spend the afternoon at a local park, lake, garden, or scenic spot.
   Suggestions: Longview Lake in Kansas City, Fleming Park in Blue Springs, Legacy Park in Lee's Summit, or Lake Remembrance in Blue Springs.
4. Plan a SE Kansas City playground tour and visit a few playgrounds and at least one new-to-you park. 
5. Explore a local garden, nature area, or scenic overlook.
   Suggestions: Powell Gardens near Kingsville, Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs, George Owens Nature Park in Independence, or James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area near Lee's Summit.
6. Go birdwatching, bug hunting, or nature spotting at a local park, preserve, or trail.
   Suggestions: Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs, George Owens Nature Park in Independence, Monkey Mountain Nature Area in Lee's Summit, or Fleming Park in Blue Springs.
7. Take family photos at a well-known local landmark or mural.
   Suggestions: Downtown Lee's Summit murals, Independence Square, Downtown Blue Springs, Longview Lake, or Missouri Town 1855 in Lee's Summit.

Water Fun

8. Cool off at a local splash pad, pool, beach, creek, or lake.
   Suggestions: Summit Waves in Lee's Summit, The Beach at Longview Lake in Kansas City, Raymore Aquatic Center in Raymore, Blue Springs Lake Beach, or Adventure Oasis in Independence.
9. Spend the day at a local beach, lake, riverfront, or water access point.
   Suggestions: Longview Lake, Blue Springs Lake, Lake Jacomo, or Fleming Park.
10. Skip rocks, search for shells, or walk the shoreline.
    Suggestions: Blue Springs Lake, Lake Jacomo, Longview Lake, or Lake Remembrance.
11. Check out a local pool or water attraction during a free or low-cost community swim time.
    Suggestions: Summit Waves in Lee's Summit, Raymore Aquatic Center, Adventure Oasis in Independence, or Blue Springs Fieldhouse aquatic events.
12. Take a sunset walk near a local lake, river, bay, pond, or waterfront trail.
    Suggestions: Longview Lake, Blue Springs Lake, Lake Jacomo, or Lake Remembrance.
13. Set up backyard water play with sprinklers, buckets, or water balloons.
    Suggestions: Invite neighbors over for a backyard water day or create a DIY splash zone at home.

Free Events and Entertainment in SE Kansas City

14. Attend a free outdoor concert at a local park, amphitheater, downtown area, or community space.
    Suggestions: Concerts in the Park at Rotary Park in Blue Springs, Downtown Lee's Summit concert series, Raymore Summer Scene events, or Independence community concerts.
15. Watch an outdoor movie at a local park, library, school, or community event space.
    Suggestions: Blue Springs Parks & Recreation movie nights, Lee's Summit Movies in the Park, Raymore Parks & Recreation events, or Independence community movie nights.
16. Explore a free/low cost local festival or community event.
    Suggestions: Downtown Days Festival in Lee's Summit, Red White & Blue Springs celebration, Santa-Cali-Gon Days in Independence, Pleasant Hill Fair, or Oak Grove Fall Festival.
17. Browse local farmers market and let kids pick one small treat or snack.
18. Check the upcoming free museum days or family days at a local museum, art center, or attraction.
    Suggestions: National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence, Missouri Town 1855 in Lee's Summit, or local Mid-Continent Public Library branches.
19. Plan ahead for the free kids’ events at a local business, community center, bookstore, library, or shopping area.
    Suggestions: Mid-Continent Public Library branches, Colonial Gardens in Blue Springs, Paradise Park special events in Lee's Summit, or local parks departments.
20. Browse our full list of family-friendly events in SE Kansas City.

Library and Learning Fun

21. Visit a local library branch for story times, special events, and air conditioning.
    Suggestions: Mid-Continent Public Library branches in Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Oak Grove, Independence, Raymore, and Pleasant Hill.
22. Join the summer reading program at a local library system or branch.
    Suggestions: Mid-Continent Public Library's Summer Learning Program offers reading challenges, prizes, and family activities all summer long.
23. Check out museum passes, activity kits, or other free family resources from local libraries.
    Suggestions: Many MCPL branches offer STEM kits, educational games, activity packs, and free family programming.
24. Attend a free craft, STEM, music, or performance event at a local library, museum, or community center.
    Suggestions: Programs hosted by Mid-Continent Public Library, Missouri Town 1855, Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area, and local parks departments.
25. Make a weekly library visit to a favorite local library branch part of your summer routine.
    Suggestions: Grab books, attend storytime, cool off indoors, and discover new family activities each week, and check out these 5 reasons your kid should have their own library card.

Cheap Places to Take Kids in SE Kansas City

26. Visit a low-cost museum, children’s museum, nature center, or discovery center.
    Suggestions: National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence (free admission), Missouri Town 1855 in Lee's Summit, Peace Pavilion in Independence or George Owens Nature Park in Independence.
27. Try a discount day at local attraction, museum, pool, or family fun spot.
    Suggestions: Summit Waves in Lee's Summit, Raymore Aquatic Center, Adventure Oasis in Independence, or Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum in Independence.
28. Go bowl, skate, mini golf, swim, or play during a special deal time.
    Suggestions: Lunar Bowl in Blue Springs, Cool Crest Family Fun Center in Independence, or Ratz Rink in Lee's Summit.
29. Escape the heat with indoor play for little ones.
    Suggestions: MY Play Café in Lee's Summit, Summit Play Village in Lee's Summit, or Paperback Playhouse in Blue Springs. These local indoor play spaces offer plenty of opportunities for active play when the weather is too hot, rainy, or humid for the playground.
30. Let the older kids burn off energy at an indoor active play center.
    Suggestions: Fun Run in Blue Springs, Bump City in Lee's Summit, Fieldhouse of Blue Springs in Blue Springs, or Kanga's Indoor Playcenter in Independence. 
31. Plan a small treat outing to a local ice cream shop, donut shop, bakery, coffee shop, or snack spot.
    Suggestions: Betty Rae's Ice Cream in Lee's Summit, Clinton's Soda Fountain in Independence, or Headrush Roasters in Raymore.

Before You Go

Prices, hours, deals, and free offerings can change, so it’s always smart to double-check details before heading out.

Don’t Lose This List!

Bookmark this page and check back throughout the summer. New free events, cheap activities, and family-friendly ideas pop up all season long in SE Kansas City. 

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