Cartoon family car on a winding road, pumpkin-patch road trip scene
Next 6 weekends · Oct 23–25 to Nov 27–29

Weekend getaways from Kansas City with kids

The best trip within about five hours of Kansas City for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on.

6 weekends3 citiesClosest: 3h 15m

Last checked against official pages. How we choose

Departures

From KC
Oct 23–25Stay in KCBoo at the ZooStaycation is your best optionStay homeOct 30–Nov 1Stay in KCGloWildStaycation is your best optionStay homeNov 6–8Stay in KCGloWildStaycation is your best optionStay homeNov 13–15St. LouisGarden Glow · 4h 15mMissouri Botanical GardenOvernightNov 20–22Stay in KCGloWildStaycation is your best optionStay homeNov 27–29Des MoinesDisney On Ice · 3h 15mCasey's CenterOvernight
How far is fun?

Everything within 5 hours

Each ring is one hour of driving from Kansas City. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.

1h2h3h4h5hOmahaDes MoinesWichitaTulsaSt. LouisKC
Omaha3h
Des Moines3h 15m
Wichita3h 30m
Tulsa4h
St. Louis4h 15m

Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.

WEEKEND 1
Oct 23–25
0 min
Stay home: staycation is your best option

Staycation is your best optionWeekend of Oct 23–25: Kansas City

Kansas City is our pick for the whole region this weekend. Boo at the Zoo both days from 9:30 to 5, included with admission, then GloWild's giant lanterns after dark if anyone's still awake.

Boo at the Zoo

Not-so-scary trick-or-treating. Treat bags are handed out at the entrance for kids 12 and under.

Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Included with zoo admission
Official page

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

Monster Bash

An after-hours costume party for kids 10 and under, with a Naturescape maze, a costume contest, a finale parade and trick-or-treating on the way out.

Sat Oct 24 · 6–8 p.m.
Wonderscope Children's Museum
$50 family pass (up to 6 guests, ages 2+) or $15 per person; not included with admission or membership
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City

If you'd rather hit the road

Tulsa~4h

HallowZOOeen, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

WEEKEND 2
Oct 30–Nov 1
0 min
Stay home: staycation is your best optionBest at dusk: lights after dark

Staycation is your best optionWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Kansas City

Kansas City is our pick for the whole region this weekend. Penguin March at the zoo on Saturday and Sunday, plus GloWild's lanterns in the evening.

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

Penguin March

Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · See the zoo's schedule
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Included with zoo admission
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City

If you'd rather hit the road

Tulsa~4h

HallowZOOeen has a Halloween afternoon session from 2 to 5, with Goblin Stops and carnival games. It aims for spooky but not too scary.

WEEKEND 3
Nov 6–8
0 min
Stay home: staycation is your best optionBest at dusk: lights after dark

Staycation is your best optionWeekend of Nov 6–8: Kansas City

Kansas City is our pick for the whole region this weekend. The Crown Center Ice Terrace opens Friday with a free skate, and GloWild's lanterns are lit Friday to Sunday evenings.

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Nov 6, Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

Crown Center Ice Terrace opening day

The rink's season runs through March 14.

Fri Nov 6 · See Crown Center
Crown Center Square
Free skate on opening day
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City
WEEKEND 4
Nov 13–15
4h 15m
Overnight: pack the PJsBest at dusk: lights after dark

DestinationWeekend of Nov 13–15: St. Louis

about 4 hr 15 min from Kansas City

Garden Glow opens Saturday at the Missouri Botanical Garden, with more than two million lights.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

Garden Glow

More than two million lights, plus the Holiday Flower and Train Show, which is included. Closed Nov. 16–19 and 26; Nov. 20 is an adults-only night.

Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · Evenings with timed entry; see the garden for times
Missouri Botanical Garden
Prices vary by date; $2 more for same-night tickets bought after 4:30 p.m.
Official page
St. Louis city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in St. Louis
WEEKEND 5
Nov 20–22
0 min
Stay home: staycation is your best optionGrateful: family weekend

Staycation is your best optionWeekend of Nov 20–22: Kansas City

Kansas City is our pick for the whole region this weekend. GloWild at the zoo, the Pigeon's holiday show at Crown Center and the Ice Terrace next door. Do one before nap and one after.

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!

A holiday show built on Mo Willems' Pigeon books.

Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · See Crown Center
Crown Center
See Crown Center for tickets
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City
WEEKEND 6
Nov 27–29
3h 15m
Overnight: pack the PJsFriday fun: day-after pick

DestinationWeekend of Nov 27–29: Des Moines

about 3 hr 15 min from Kansas City

Disney On Ice is at Casey's Center over the holiday weekend.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

Disney On Ice

In Des Moines Nov. 26–29.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · See the tour page for show times
Casey's Center
See the tour page
Official page
Des Moines city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Des Moines

Also within reach

Tulsa~4h

Two kinds of lights: Rhema's are free to walk, with a $5 kids' train, and the Botanic Garden has s'mores and Santa every night.

St. Louis~4h 15m

Wild Lights opens Friday at the zoo, and Garden Glow is on.

Little-traveler checklist

Pack it before you go

Car snacksMore than you think. Then a few more.
StrollerZoo paths and light trails are long for little legs.
Time the napLeave right before nap so the drive does double duty.
Overnight bagPast three hours, pajamas beat a 9pm drive home.
Parking cashFree admission days often still charge for parking.
Rain planPick one indoor backup, like a museum, before you leave.
More trips

Every region, every weekend

Plains weekendsAll regionsThis week in Kansas City
Good questions

Weekend trips from Kansas City: the FAQ

Where can we go for a weekend from Kansas City with little kids?

Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Kansas City are St. Louis, Des Moines. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.

Which cities are within an easy drive of Kansas City?

Omaha (about 3 hr), Des Moines (about 3 hr 15 min), Wichita (about 3 hr 30 min), Tulsa (about 4 hr), St. Louis (about 4 hr 15 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

Why is the same city picked more than once?

Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety.

Are the times and prices current?

They're what each official page showed on Oct 18, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.