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    Kaleidoscope

    4.6 (73 reviews)
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    Updated over 3 months ago

    Kaleidoscope Museums Photos

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    Vanessa A.

    This was our forst time! My 4.5 year old had SOOOOO fun here. She loved doing the art projects and all the cool colors of the rooms. It was awesome that their location is free. We really enjoyed everything they have to offer. The staff was also very friendly and informative. We will definitely be back.

    Lobby
    Stevie M.

    Fun place to bring kids for a free day out. They're open Tuesday through Saturday. There's specific time slots to look at on website to know when to go. It's walk in don't have to make a reservation to go. It's all sponsored by hallmark which is right next door. They've been around for years and still thriving to this day. I would definitely recommend going to an early time slot. The last one of the day is usually really packed.

    Drying
    Boon C.

    Great venue for kid. This is a sponsor attraction by hallmark. You will need a kid to accompany you in order allow you to enter. The attraction is free but you need to sign up your time slot. The space is small, they only allow certain number of kid due limited station of art and craft stations. As a result, time slot sign up is required. I like the kid work on the art. Many way to do the craft with fun creation. Don't most the main attractions with kaleidoscope. You can stand on the scope and they make the pattern of you. Very interesting. The museum have good imagination part for the kid. If I have a grand children, I will definitely bring them here to work on the art together.

    Quyen H.

    It's definitely a cool place for kids to create Arts and it's FREE. They also validate 2 hours parking ticket at Crown Center. Each session is 50 mins. My little one had such a fun time drawing, making greeting cards and exploring lights. You only need to make reservation for big group (15 or more kids and adults) from Tuesdays-Friday, and they open for walk in only on Saturdays. They also have nice/clean bathroom, and handwashing station. After finishing the activity here, we stopped by the Hallmark Visitors Center next door.

    Angie B.

    Kaleidoscope has been a Kansas City, staple and favorite for decades now. I went there on field trips, my children went there on field trips, and now I'm bringing my granddaughter there to visit. it is so clean and so well organized, and so fighting! The changes are truly remarkable and how much they have enhanced the experience over the many years they've been open. The fact that it is still free after all these years is nothing short. We had a great time and will definitely be back. be sure to check the times for studio sessions before you go so you can make the most of the time there.

    Die cut numbers... we made a birthday card!
    Katie C.

    I wanted to remind y'all... you have to have a child with you to be able to go enjoy this place! It's great for out of town family!

    Jeremy J.

    We had a great time while we were here exploring and having a great time. This is a free event so I made it even better you walk in and you got to play create a lot of art and just have a wonderful experience.

    Puzzle maker is still here!
    Liz B.

    They've updated the space since the pandemic. It's still fun for little kids but has lost a bit of the artsy chaos the old setup had. You can still easily fill your time here. Definitely still a good stop while doing other things in the area.

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    4 months ago

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    8 months ago

    It is very fun for kids and adults a cool experience in all will come again with kids or without kids

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    1 year ago

    I was worried my 2 year old wouldn't enjoy this, but man, he had the time of his life! Absolutely worth a visit.

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    2 years ago

    I loved this place. They were kind and welcoming to my boys and myself. Hands down going back again. The boys had a blast!

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    4 years ago

    It was a fun time. Our child was a little young to fully enjoy her time there. We will go back in a year.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Kaleidoscope

    Ugh just learning about this place and of course sold out the Saturday we will be visiting. Anyone try walk ins on Saturdays and have any luck? Thanks in advance !

    They rarely have walk in space available once school lets out. Between summer camps and parents looking for something to do, spots disappear quick. If you are already in the area you could try stopping by, but with the holiday weekend my guess is… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Kaleidoscope

    Nothing fancy here, it is the left-overs from Hallmark's card making, but that's what makes this place perfect!!!

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

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    The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art - Exterior of Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

    The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

    4.8(683 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    The Nelson-Atkins is synonymous with Kansas City and an absolute must-visit for visitors and locals…read morealike. Where to even start? This encyclopedic museum was built in the 1930s in a traditional beaux arts style. The original 1930s building is just as stunning today as it was 90 years ago. The original courtyard has been modified and transformed into a restaurant, but aside from that it remains largely untouched. In the 2000s the museum expanded with the Bloch building - an architectural marvel all it's own. Drive by at night to see each lens lit up. Currently they are working on another expansion, that will bring the museum into the modern era. I've spent so much time here it's ridiculous. From exploring as a child with my grandmother, to my time as a student, to exploring now as an adult there is really something here for just about anyone. Being an encyclopedic museum it features art from across the world and spanning the timeline of humanity. You can use the Nelson as a launching pad for discussing nearly any moment in time through the lens of art, which is really an impressive feat for a midsize city like KC. Some of my favorite pieces include a relic with the "finger bone" of st. John the Baptist (it's likely a chicken bone), "Woman IV" by Willem de Kooning, "Boulevard des Capucines" by Claude Monet, and "Persephone" by Thomas Hart Benton. This is the place I take all of my guests, and the place I come to when I need to reset or recharge myself. It's always beautiful, always therapeutic, and always FREE. I'm not sure folks really understand the incredible gift we have as a community to have access to this incredible place. My top KC treasure, and I hope every person gets a chance to visit someday.

    My wife and I were visiting from New York for a conference in Kansas City, and several people told…read moreus that the The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art was a must-visit. We decided to check it out on a Friday afternoon. We had a wonderful time exploring the various exhibits and galleries. We also stopped at the café for a pastry and coffee, and everyone we interacted with was friendly and welcoming. Because we enjoyed it so much, my wife suggested we return on Saturday to spend more time exploring some of the other exhibitions. While we were there, I was taking a few photos of my wife on the second floor above the café with my iPhone when a staff member approached us in a very rude and abrupt manner. She told us that we were not allowed to take pictures inside the museum--only selfies. She then stood nearby watching us, which made the situation very uncomfortable. Because of this interaction, we decided to leave the museum right away, which was disappointing and left us with an unpleasant feeling about the visit. When we returned to our hotel, I looked up the museum's photography policy online. It states: "The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art allows personal, non-flash photography inside the galleries, but strictly prohibits professional portrait, wedding, or engagement photo shoots inside the building." The photos I was taking were simply personal pictures of my wife and were non-commercial. It seems that this staff member was not properly informed about the museum's photography policy. As a result the low rating of our visit.

    Photos
    The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
    The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
    The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art - October 2024

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    October 2024

    Science City - Science museum gift shop

    Science City

    4.4(69 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    A must visit! I had read wonderful things about Science City before our move here and immediately…read moreadded it to my bucket list of places to take my kids. When it came home on the field trip flyer for one of their schools I knew I had to go. We had an incredible time and as a field trip it was fantastically organized (with multiple other schools there that day). We were able to explore and enjoy all of the exhibits, eat lunch, and play some more. Within days after the field trip we returned so my other kids could also have a day of fun. It was a great outing for our family. Full of things to do it is so easy to spend a full day here. Science City is a must if you are looking for something to do with your family within the city.

    I read so much about the Science museum before I landed in Kansas, and being a science buff myself,…read moreI was really curious to visit...but, that day, for some reason they did not open, maybe a private event, or some school children's field day, or, something like that... I did get to see their gift shop though. They have many gifts with pie on them,( the science symbol pie, not the food pie....) maybe if I have visited the actual museum I would have understood the relevance. Pretty cute though....T-shirts, cups, even boxes... But those are not the only things, there is also environment friendly jewelry, agate animals, galaxy lamps, science games, hats, and other souvenirs. Is you need any memento from Kansas , this is the place to buy ! Prices are pretty reasonable and there is stuff for every pocket. If I get a chance to visit Kansas again, my first stop this time is going to be Science Museum at the Union Station.

    Photos
    Science City - Science museum gift shop

    Science museum gift shop

    Science City - Science museum gift shop

    Science museum gift shop

    Science City - UFO slide

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    UFO slide

    The Money Museum - Main Exhibit Area

    The Money Museum

    4.2(51 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    What's not to like about this money museum inside Kansas City's beautiful Federal Reserve building?…read more Admission was free, parking was free and no reservations were required. I was subject to an airport-style screening when entering, but the staff were professional and fairly friendly. The museum included the extensive Harry S. Truman coin collection, which was a wall of coins from our country's founding to present, including gold and silver coins - nice! The exhibit area included bills from our country's founding to present, including large denominations and Confederate currency. It also included a gold bar lift challenge, a counterfeit currency exhibit, interactive exhibits for the kiddos and a wall of $100 bills totaling $40 million. It was also possible to see the operational currency processing area (no pictures allowed) where they don't print currency, but they do review it for counterfeit, worn, soiled or damaged bills and then distribute it to regional banks. The bad bills are shredded and available for free in small packages as you leave the tour. I also noticed a small theater with a Federal Reserve educational video playing on a loop. The museum is located very close to the National WWI Memorial, a scenic KC skyline viewpoint and Union Station. Overall, it was an excellent experience and a great way to see the history of US currency.

    What an awesome place to visit in KC, MO! This was a blizzardy Valentine's Weekend and we decided…read moreto check out museums in the area. I chose the Money Museum because I have a fascination with Federal Banks, The Fed, and everything involving our Country's Robust Economy. We parked in the visitor spaces in the lot and trekked through the snow to the entrance. When you drive up to this place, there are barriers in the roadway for cars so that they breach the entrance; great security measure. There are Federal Police who ask for your State Issued ID and then you go through a metal detector. They are pretty kind about the process, and professional. When you get inside, it is AMAZING! The Presidential Coin Collection is FANTASTIC! They have interactive exhibits that teach you all about the economy, The Fed, the whole setup of our economic system, and it is very nice. I love how they tell you about how money bills are made, and also allow you to touch samples of A the fabric or end product. There are a lot of historical facts at this museum. There is a theatre exhibit where the 12min movie teaches you everything about The Federal Reserve and The Fed. It is phenomenal. On the way out, you can take a free sample of shredded defective money. They shred 40 million dollars a day at this location. Very very cool experience.

    Photos
    The Money Museum - Building Exterior

    Building Exterior

    The Money Museum - Visitor's Map

    Visitor's Map

    The Money Museum

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    The Rabbit hOle - New exhibit in progress, Last Stop on Market Street

    The Rabbit hOle

    4.7(52 reviews)
    3.7 mi

    Anyone who looks at my reviews know that a 5 is rare! This exceeded any expectation I had and I was…read moresmiling so Much my cheeks hurt. What an Immersive experience! Books were SO much a part of our parenting I was transported to such deep memories. The attention to detail! The places to sit and read incorporated throughout! We went to an Adults only event just to check It out and we have already bought tickets to take our adult kids next month!!!

    This museum is exceptional! I felt like a kid again seeing my favorite storybooks come to life!…read moreEvery single nook and cranny of this space was well thought out and artistically crafted. It was nice to have places for the kids to climb and explore. And there were also spaces to rest and be quiet. I like that each book was unique on display so it wasn't the same old thing over and over again. What I really loved was that they have multiple copies of each book represented in said section. So the ones we hadn't read and were interested in, we were able to discover like The Funny Thing and The Fire Cat. And ones we were aware if were fun to read while exploring like Goodnight Moon (my absolute favorite part), Babar, Frog and Toad, and No, David! The bus ride is a must; so creative and heart warming. We didn't purchase tickets for The Three Robbers experience, but peeking inside I wish we had, it looks great. The docents and volunteers were all knowledgeable of the books. And they were very kind when needing to remind kids of the museum rules. If I lived here I would by an annual membership for sure. And would have gladly paid more than the current $16 admission as I think this experience is worth much more.

    Photos
    The Rabbit hOle - Main floor room

    Main floor room

    The Rabbit hOle - Where The Sidewalk Ends

    Where The Sidewalk Ends

    The Rabbit hOle - The Dog Man font! Her favorite

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    The Dog Man font! Her favorite

    The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures - Miniature apartment building

    The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

    4.7(93 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    This is one of KCs gems - and thankfully not so hidden. This museum was founded by 2 women - 1 with…read morea love of toys and 1 with a love of miniatures. I've visited several times and am always amazed at the popular toys from each decade and the incredible to scale miniatures. During this visit we were one of the first to attend the grand opening of the Native American miniatures exhibit. It's so cool. I recommend everyone check it out. This museum is a must visit for all ages.

    The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, despite being one of the bigger museums in KC, is…read morehonestly kind of a hidden gem in town. I never went before they renovated, but once they did I made my way here and immediately wondered what had taken me so long. You might think to yourself that this is for kids or on the flip side you might think that it's just for collectors - both couldn't be more untrue. The first fun thing is just the massive historic building that this place is in - if you like architecture and exploring old buildings you'll enjoy that part of it. The next thing you'll notice is that there is a ton to see here, from the ornate details of dollhouses, to miniatures that will blow your mind, to nostalgic barbies, there really is something for just about anyone. I like how you can come here to be reminded that everyone once was a kid and that toys tell a unique story about humanity in their own way. If you haven't been this is a great thing to do on a rainy day in KC. I would recommend it for older kids - maybe 10+ and for anyone who enjoys history or museums.

    Photos
    The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures - Yes. It's miniature.

    Yes. It's miniature.

    The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures - Interior

    Interior

    The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures - Fun photo opp

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    Fun photo opp

    American Jazz Museum

    American Jazz Museum

    4.0(78 reviews)
    1.2 mi18th & Vine
    $

    So glad we came here!! What a great learning experience…read more Staff is super sweet and helpful. Museum is small but has tons of exhibits and it is well organized and decorated with a lot of interactive displays. Getting a glimpse of Ella Fitzgerald dress was one of many highlights for me. I had no idea how influential and historical Kansas City was to jazz music. I got to see the famous BLUE ROOM, we did not get a chance to have dinner or hear live music but you can if you schedule yourself accordingly. Parking is easy and free tickets are super cheap and they honor military discounts

    I was expecting more from this museum…read more The museum is really small, and the few rooms are pretty sparse. There aren't many artifacts to look at. One pro is that the museum is very interactive. There's a lot of spots where you can play different jazz pieces and read about them. There's an interesting section that teaches you about rhythm, harmony, and mixing. Otherwise, the museum just has some basic facts about a handful of popular jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Not much interesting to read or look at. There is a nice introductory video with a little history of jazz, but I left feeling like I still know nothing about the local jazz history of Kansas City! Admission is only $10 for adults. You can buy tickets online or at the gift shop. At least the museum isn't expensive! If you're already going to the baseball museum, you might consider checking out the jazz museum as well. You can still access the museum entrance even with the current construction/closure on 18th street (Aug 2025). There's also an entrance in the back that connects to the parking lot. There's a parking map on the baseball museum website that is super helpful. Both museums are in the same building but require different admission tickets.

    Photos
    American Jazz Museum
    American Jazz Museum
    American Jazz Museum

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    Kaleidoscope - museums - Updated May 2026

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