Things to do in Kansas, Kansas: The Best Children's Museums

August 25, 2021 Esmeralda Fenner

See a buffalo up close, live like a cowboy for a day on a working cattle ranch or visit a stagecoach stop on the Sante Fe Trail are just a few of the many vacation experiences possible in this state in America’s heartland. You’ll love the wide-open spaces and the opportunities to engage in a variety of one-of-a-kind experiences in this marvelous state, which has the largest segment of true tallgrass prairie remaining in the U.S. Regardless of where you visit: a major metropolitan area like Kansas City, a college town like Manhattan or Lawrence or engaging places like Wichita, Dodge City and Salina, there are a wide array of attractions and sights nearby. If you want to familiarize yourself with cowboy culture, visit the Boot Hills Museum in Dodge City, dine on all-you-can-eat barbeque and hear songs of the American Cowboy at Diamond W Chuckwagon Supper in Wichita or explore the Dickinson County Heritage Center in Abilene, which has dance halls, gaming rooms and 32 saloons. For outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, bird watching and other activities, three of the state’s most popular parks are: Cheney State Park near Wichita; Scott State Park near Scott City and Tuttle Creek State Park near Manhattan.
Restaurants in Kansas

1. Midwest Dream Car Collection

3007 Anderson Ave, Manhattan, KS 66503-2849 +1 785-236-5501 [email protected] http://midwestdreamcarcollection.org
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Midwest Dream Car Collection

MDCC began as the private collection of Ward and Brenda Morgan. Through their vision, passion and generosity the museum opened to the public in the spring of 2019 and later became a 501c3 non-profit organization. We are proud to showcase a stunning collection of over 65 cars ranging from 1907 to present day. The collection, while the most prestigious in the region, has something for everyone including custom cars, muscle cars, exotic cars and classic cars. Through our loaner network, exhibits are routinely rotated so visitors enjoy new vehicles with each visit. We are continually working to find innovative ways to share our love of cars with the Manhattan community. We invite you to pay us a visit, explore our programs or rent the venue and experience this outstanding collection first-hand!

2. ieDiscoveries

2017 Vanesta Pl Suite 118, Manhattan, KS 66503-0444 +1 785-320-2636 http://iediscoveries.com/
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

ieDiscoveries

We encourage families of all ages to visit ieDiscoveries for a unique learning experience with a focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Whether it is designing and creating in the Makers Space, engaging in light and shadow play, constructing the largest roadway with ramps and tubes, or experiencing the flight lab, there is something for everyone! Our indoor play space allows for fun all year round!

3. Kansas Children's Discovery Center

4400 SW 10th Ave inside Gage Park, Topeka, KS 66604-1959 +1 785-783-8300 [email protected] http://www.kansasdiscovery.org
Excellent
75%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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4.5 based on 174 reviews

Kansas Children's Discovery Center

The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center is a hands-on children’s museum with a mission to enhance the lives of children and enrich the communities it serves. Since opening in 2011 in Topeka, Kansas, the Discovery Center has become a special place where children can explore, create, discover and learn through play. The museum has hosted visitors from all 50 states and 23 countries. The Discovery Center features 15,000 square feet of indoor exhibits exploring science, careers, art, building and more, special space for babies and toddlers, and a 4.5-acre certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom. Daily programs, field trips, birthday parties and other special events provide additional opportunities for serious fun. Outreach programs bring quality, hands-on experiences into our community to inspire a lifelong love of learning for every child.

Reviewed By RoseyV5 - Minneapolis, United States

Took my 7 year old granddaughter. She loved the variety of experiences. The slime making session was her favorite. There was a large variety of activities for ages toddler to 12 yr olds.

4. Flint Hills Discovery Center

315 S 3rd St, Manhattan, KS 66502-6205 +1 785-587-2726 [email protected] http://www.flinthillsdiscovery.org
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
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4.5 based on 315 reviews

Flint Hills Discovery Center

The Flint Hills Discovery Center is a dynamic tribute to the last major stand of unbroken tallgrass prairie. This 35,000 square foot must-see attraction includes interactive exhibits highlighting the science, history and culture of the ecoregion from pre-history to present day. An immersive experience theater with panoramic photography and special effects shown on a 120-degree curved screen is the perfect starting point for an exploration of the magnificent Flint Hills of Kansas.

Reviewed By susandR3318CB

The Discovery Center offers trips to various locations in the area. Today was a gallery tour in Kansas City, MO and an outdoor Discovery center in the same area. The Buttonwood Gallery had artwork for sale supporting the Konza Prairie. The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art offered a variety of upcoming artists’ work on display and a wonderful lunch venue. Each location had someone to provide an overview of the site. These bus tours are an excellent value and provide new experiences each time. The Flint Hills Discovery Center is a wonderful venue for all ages and interests. Highly recommend a visit and a bus tour when available.

5. Museum at Prairiefire

5801 W 135th St, Overland Park, KS 66223 +1 913-333-3500 [email protected] http://www.visitthemap.org/
Excellent
32%
Good
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4.0 based on 210 reviews

Museum at Prairiefire

Spend an hour, or the day! This stunning Natural History Museum and regional Landmark is located in the Prairiefire Entertainment District which features a wide array of restaurants and shops, an AMC Movie Theater, Pinstripes Bistro, Bowling & Bocce, REI CO-OP, Home Goods and more! The Museum at Prairiefire engages visitors and students of all ages with world-class exhibitions, edu-taining programs, and provides significant educational and STEAM opportunities for underserved children. Museum at Prairiefire offerings include the Discovery Room for children ages 3-12, events and programming such as Science Happy Hour and Little Explorers Club, stunning artifacts from national and regional collections, T. rex and three amazing Virtual Reality Experiences. Tickets include all exhibits and experiences. Some areas, including entry to the Museum, are FREE.

Reviewed By Opa-Oma-66062 - Olathe, United States

2 Grand's are here for spring break and we thought it would be a great time to check this out. Wonderful hands on experiences in the Discovery Room and we all enjoyed Virtual Reality experiences and creating our own dinosaurs. The staff were all very courteous and knowledgeable. We all had a blast!

6. Prairie Fire Museum

5801 W. 135 Street, Leawood, KS 66623 +1 913-333-3500 http://www.museumatpf.org
Excellent
36%
Good
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Satisfactory
9%
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4.0 based on 11 reviews

Prairie Fire Museum

Reviewed By ksails - Kigali, Rwanda

We enjoyed the 360 Virtual Reality film of the space station. We learned a lot about Permian “monsters” which lived on earth ~250 million years ago (before the dinosaurs though they were huge). A delightful understandable description of subatomic particles that allow this earth to exist provided my physics lesson for the day. Then cap it off seeing the Liberty 7 Mercury capsule that sunk to the bottom on its return of Gus Grissom from space. There is a great hands on room for kids as well. Well worth the $10 fee.

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