Parks & Playgrounds
Sometimes you just need fresh air, space to run, and a change of scenery. The parks and playgrounds in Overland Park deliver all of that and…
Family-Friendly Visit to Overland Park
Families flock to Overland Park and we know why.
With beautiful parks and playgrounds, interactive museums, kid-friendly dining and fun around every corner, Overland Park is the perfect place to create lasting memories.
Read on for an itinerary of family-friendly activities that will deliver fun for everyone in Overland Park.
Kid-Friendly Breakfast
It’s hard to get more family-friendly than The Wooden Spoon. Four generations of home cooks grew a family business that serves up some of the best breakfasts and breads around. We recommend the Panwich or Midwest Benny.
Flapjacks ‘n more is a local spot that fully delivers on its name. Along with stacks of flapjacks you’ll find brioche French toast, crepes, waffles and omelets, plus salads, sandwiches and burgers for lunch.
If it’s a grab and go type of morning, drop by Kolaches and Coffee for a handheld breakfast. Their kolaches are soft buns filled with traditional ingredients like egg and cheese, or for a more adventurous morning try the Ardiente with bacon, jalapeno, and cream cheese or the chicken tikka masala empanada.
Morning Activities
Next, the must see family-friendly activity in Overland Park: Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Step through the barn and experience life on a turn-of-the-century farm. Feed the animals (including baby goats!), go fishing and tour replicas of frontier farm life establishments, including a one-room schoolhouse, dairy barn, a demonstration blacksmith shop and a mining camp. Swing into Vic’s General Store for souvenirs, wooden toys and candy, then stop next door at Alex & Emily’s Ice Cream Parlor for a hand-dipped sweet treat.
For an indoor option, the Johnson County Museum has interactive exhibits and a KidScape where everyone can learn through fully-immersive play. This history museum inspires learners of all ages to explore exhibits like The 1950s All-Electric House, a historic house moved inside the museum gallery.
For lunch, try one of many kid-friendly restaurants in Overland Park.
Outside Play
With over 80 named parks in OP, it’s easy to find some green space and a playground to let the kids run wild and free.
Strang Park in north OP is an inclusive playground with a 30-foot tower and slide, in-ground trampolines, a sensory tunnel and more. For littles there’s a separate toddler playground featuring whimsical play structures themed around Overland Park’s signature farmer’s market. Fair warning: it might end up being the kids’ favorite stop of the whole trip.
You’ll find Thompson Park in the heart of downtown. With over 4 acres of green space, a playground, and a splash pad open seasonally, this park is perfect for a break from downtown shopping and sightseeing. In town during the summer? Don’t miss the free concerts on the second Thursday of the month at the outdoor performance stage.
Afternoon Fun
While some might need to break for naptime, others can keep the fun going into the afternoon.
The Museum at Prairiefire immerses visitors in the world of history and science. The photo-worthy building is the only building in the U.S. to feature NASA-developed Dichroic Glass, which changes color throughout the day. Inside there's more to be wowed by, like the towering Tyrannosaurus rex, augmented reality experiences, and the Discovery Room, a hands-on learning environment where kids can reconstruct a dinosaur skeleton, wear masks from various cultures and time periods and, if they’re feeling extra-brave, hold a hissing cockroach!
If there’s any energy left to burn off, head to Urban Air, an indoor adventure park where the whole family can jump, climb and play. Feeling more extreme? For an experience they’ll never forget, take the kids indoor skydiving at iFly where they can really (literally) take flight.
Dinner & Entertainment
There are plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in Overland Park to try, but why not do dinner a little differently?
Older kids and teenagers will have a blast at BRKTHROUGH where teams of up to four can play through 40 challenge rooms. Before or after game time, you can take in some delicious sharable plates, flatbreads and sandwiches.
For a variety of food options served with a side of pickleball, grab a seat at SERV. They have five different popular street food concepts to choose from (Tacodile is our top pick), along with indoor and outdoor pickleball courts.
