For the past several years, my husband, Dusty, and I have traveled a lot for work. This spring is different though, and so far, we’re still working out of our home in Kansas City. Being here during the season has reminded me of the unique beauty and opportunities springtime offers. Here’s a couple of places to consider taking your grandchild to at this time of year.
Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Since the blooming trees and flowers are especially beautiful now, Hana (my daughter), Wally, and I visited the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. The park has hiking trails and paved paths, creative gardens, open spaces, and ponds.
There is a lot to see, and we didn’t hit everything, but we did try out some of the wooded trails. I particularly liked one that led to a bird watching station, which is set up with feeders and a small indoor spot to observe.
We also appreciated the beauty of Monet’s Garden, which resembles the famous garden Claude Monet painted in Water Lilies. There’s a Train Garden that runs a miniature mechanical train and has a full-size parked caboose. The fossil display in the Children’s Garden will be fun for Wally when he’s older. For now, he enjoyed walking with his mom in his baby carrier, taking in the scenery and listening to the frogs in the frog pond.
Admission is very reasonable ($7 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-17, and kids 5 and under are free). Even better, on the first Tuesday of every month, admission is free.
Another free and absolutely wonderful experience is attending a Mobile Music Box performance. This April and May, Kansas City Symphony musicians are playing mini-concerts from a small trailer at various parks and locations.
It’s an informal and fun way to enjoy classical music. Most events are scheduled around 6:00 pm, creating a perfect opportunity to enjoy picnic dinner while listening. Remember to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
What free Kansas City places and events do you enjoy with your family in the spring?