Top 10 Summer Adventures for Kids in OP

Is your summer adventure list for Overland Park ready? Beat the heat at local pools, wander through unique museums, and delight in sweet treats downtown – there’s an adventure waiting for everyone here! 😊 To help you make the most of your summer break, I’ve put together a list of the top 10 family-friendly spots in OP you have to visit this season. 

1. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at The Paleta Bar

A sweet summer treat is at the top of my summer adventure list! The Paleta Bar in Downtown Overland Park offers a unique take on Mexican ice pops. You pick an ice pop flavor and dip it into gourmet chocolate, choosing delicious toppings or fruit. They also serve agua fresca and other Mexican treats. It’s delicious and a definite kid-pleaser! My kids tried the bubblegum flavor and are now hooked.

2. Shop Local at the Overland Park Farmers' Market

During the summer, we love visiting the Overland Park Farmers' Market for local fruits and veggies, flowers, honey, handcrafted items, and fresh bakery treats. They often have live music, which my kids adore! Located in Downtown Overland Park, you can also explore the incredible local shops when you visit the farmers' market.

3. Uncover History at the Museum at Prairiefire

You’ll want to add a visit to the Museum at Prairiefire to your summer adventure list! The museum has a large Tyrannosaurus rex right at the entrance, capturing kids' attention immediately. Upstairs, the Discovery Room offers hands-on learning with exhibits on paleontology, zoology, anthropology, astronomy, and more! My kids love digging for dinosaur bones and seeing all the creepy crawlers.

4. Cool Off at the Splash Pads

Overland Park is home to three great splash pads that my family and I love visiting during the summer. You can visit Sapling Grove Park, Thompson Park, or Roe Park for free outdoor fun! Thompson Park and Sapling Grove Park both have a small, circular splash pad, perfect for a quick cool-off after playing on the playground. Roe Park is larger, offering ample space to play with two playgrounds and a nature play area. You can’t go wrong visiting any of these three for a cool summer adventure.

5. Explore Farm Life at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead

One of our favorite summer spots is the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. Despite living in the city, we can’t miss an opportunity to feed baby goats, go gold mining, fish in the pond, or stop at the ice cream shop here. It’s OP's quintessential summer spot! Plus, it’s free after 2 PM from Monday to Thursday, making it a convenient and affordable place we visit again and again.

6. Stop By the Star Spangled Spectacular

Independence Day is just around the corner, which means the annual Overland Park Star Spangled Spectacular is BACK! Spend the Fourth of July surrounded by live music, food trucks, and (of course) a dazzling firework display.  This family-friendly event is a must-see, located in Corporate Woods Founders' Park.

7. Make A Splash at the Tomahawk Ridge Aquatic Center

The first stop on any summer adventure list has to be the pool! Tomahawk Ridge Aquatic Center is perfect for all ages. My kids, who are under five, absolutely loved the kiddie play area, which includes a water splash pad, an elephant slide, and a large sand beach. It's completely fenced in, so they can play safely while I watch. This pool also features a large zone with a zero-entry shallow end, fun waterslides, and a large inflatable obstacle course. 

8. Catch A Film at B&B Theaters ScreenPlay!

While we love summer adventures, sometimes it gets too hot to stay outside. On those days, we like to visit the B&B Theatres for their special ScreenPlay! auditorium. Unlike other theaters, ScreenPlay! features an indoor play place. When you buy a ticket to ScreenPlay!, kids can play for 30 minutes before the show starts. Then, you can relax in the heated recliner seats while a kid-friendly movie plays. It’s a great way for kids to burn off energy before the movie starts, and we always enjoy the experience with popcorn and a great new film.

9. Get Artsy at Paint Glaze & Fire

Another indoor option for the creative-minded is Paint Glaze & Fire. This ceramics and coffee shop lets you pick any piece of pottery and customize it with your own unique color palette. We also enjoy their story time events, where kids can listen to a great book, have a snack, and then paint a ceramic item that goes along with the story. Sipping on an ice coffee while your kids paint a new piggie bank? Yes please!

10. Explore the Johnson County Museum & Kidscape

No Johnson County summer is complete without a visit to the Johnson County Museum! This museum showcases the history of Johnson County through creative displays, including a walk-through 1950s house. One of the best features is KidScape, a hands-on exhibit for kids where they can pretend to be a train conductor, a chef, a doctor, or shop at the city market. My kids love visiting KidScape, and it's an affordable option for indoor summer fun.

There are so many things to explore throughout Overland Park, but this list of 10 adventures should be at the top of your list! Where will you be visiting this summer? ☀️