There’s a Midwestern chill in the air and, as temperatures drop, cabin fever rises. We suggest bundling up and venturing to Overland Park where there are enough indoor adventures to cure cooped-up kiddos of any age.
BRK THROUGH
Put your mental, physical and skill levels to the test at BRK THROUGH. It all starts with two to four people traveling through game rooms that are based on physical, mental, and skill or a combination of all three. You probably won’t know what to do the first time you go into a room - but figuring it out is part of the game. Oh, and the countdown begins when you open the door.
Dave & Buster’s
Burn off some pent-up energy racing around one of the region’s largest arcades. Whether your group prefers classics like Skee-Ball and Pop-A-Shot or new-age games like Star Wars Battle Pod and Candy Crush Saga, there’s an adventure to fit every type of gamer. And plenty of fuel is on hand at the in-house restaurant – we suggest the pepperoni pretzel pull-apart for kids and the Crown Apple cocktail for mom and dad.
Pinstripes
While it may be cold outside, your arm will be warmed up after a few indoor games at Pinstripes. Pinstripes has two levels of entertainment offering both bocce and bowling. Win or lose, refueling is critical so we suggest ordering from their full made-from-scratch lunch and dinner menus. If you time it right, you can take advantage of their popular bottomless-buffet Sunday brunch.
Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
Inject a little culture into your playtime routine with a field trip to this internationally acclaimed modern art museum. Located on the campus of Johnson County Community College, the Nerman boasts an impressive permanent collection, cutting-edge sculptural pieces and a dazzling collection of American Indian works. And bonus -- admission is free!
Kidscape at the Johnson County Museum
This educational playground features classic staples of Americana come to life. Kids can tend to toy animals and collect eggs in a 19th-century farmhouse, serve burgers and fries at a 1950’s-style diner or teach class in a one-room schoolhouse. Lots of pretend patients need caring for at the town hospital and the secret cave in the park needs exploring, so clear at least a couple hours for this afternoon adventure.
Museum at Prairiefire
Bring your little ones to this one-of-a-kind museum. You'll impress the kids by merely standing outside and admire the stunning, colorful dichroic glass exterior that conjures up imagery of a blazing prairie fire. The glass is made up of the same glass used on astronauts shields to reflect the sun's glare. Walk inside and watch jaws drop as you marvel at the first complete T-rex ever assembled in the Great Hall. And then take the kids to the Discovery Room where they can get hands-on with learning like smelling what the moon smells like.
Chicken N Pickle
If you're one to brave the elements of Old Man Winter, head to Chicken N Pickle for ice skating. The rink is open for as long as winter allows. Bring your own pair of skates or rent them, the Zamboni is waiting for you. And if you're not into ice skating, head inside! Chicken N Pickles has an outstanding food menu (and drink menu too!). Indoor pickleball is available too.
AMC Theatre at Prairiefire
When the weather gets cold, cuddle up in front of the big screen. AMC Theatre at Prairiefire shows all the blockbusters and it's regarded as the most technologically impressive theater venues of its kind in the country. AMC Theatre at Prairiefire also has an upscale in-house food and beverage service.
Cardboard Corner
Bring out your inner competitor in a battle of tabletop games. Whether you are new to tabletop games, a seasoned veteran, or simply looking for a delicious meal, everyone will have a good time at Cardboard Corner. Find a table and choose from hundreds of board games to select from (they're free to play too!). And then place an order at the café -- they serve everything from coffee, cocktails and a full café menu that specializes in waffles.
The Culinary Center of KC
What was once a buggy barn in the historic Downtown Overland Park is now a beautifully renovated culinary mecca with two state-of-the-art cooking studios in a homey environment. The Culinary Center of Kansas City hosts over 600 cooking classes each year and many classes are specialized for kids. Led by experienced culinary instructors, these classes cover a range of dishes and techniques: Knife Skills 101, Seasonal Pies, The Art of Making Gnocchi, plus hundreds more.
