# Plains weekend getaways with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/plains/

> Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines, St. Louis and Wichita. Kansas City is in the middle: about three hours from Omaha, Des Moines and Wichita, and four from St. Louis. Here's the best weekend trip in the region for each of the next 6 weekends, and what to do once you get there.

Last checked: 2026-10-18. Every event links to its official page.

## Weekend of Oct 23–25

**Pick: Kansas City.** 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**, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Included with zoo admission. Not-so-scary trick-or-treating. Treat bags are handed out at the entrance for kids 12 and under. Official page: https://kansascityzoo.org/events
- **GloWild**, 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. Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour. Official page: https://kansascityzoo.org/glowild
- **Monster Bash**, 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. 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. Official page: https://wonderscope.org/monster-bash/

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1

**Pick: Kansas City.** Penguin March at the zoo on Saturday and Sunday, plus GloWild's lanterns in the evening.

- **GloWild**, 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. Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour. Official page: https://kansascityzoo.org/glowild
- **Penguin March**, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, See the zoo's schedule, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Included with zoo admission. Official page: https://kansascityzoo.org/events

## Weekend of Nov 6–8

**Pick: Kansas City.** The Crown Center Ice Terrace opens Friday with a free skate, and GloWild's lanterns are lit Friday to Sunday evenings.

- **GloWild**, 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. Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour. Official page: https://kansascityzoo.org/glowild
- **Crown Center Ice Terrace opening day**, Fri Nov 6, See Crown Center, Crown Center Square. Free skate on opening day. The rink's season runs through March 14. Official page: https://www.crowncenter.com/events

## Weekend of Nov 13–15

**Pick: St. Louis.** Garden Glow opens Saturday at the Missouri Botanical Garden, with more than two million lights.

- **Garden Glow**, 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.. 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. Official page: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/events-classes/signature-events/garden-glow

## Weekend of Nov 20–22

**Pick: Kansas City.** 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**, 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. Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour. Official page: https://kansascityzoo.org/glowild
- **The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!**, Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, See Crown Center, Crown Center. See Crown Center for tickets. A holiday show built on Mo Willems' Pigeon books. Official page: https://www.crowncenter.com/events

## Weekend of Nov 27–29

**Pick: Des Moines.** Disney On Ice is at Casey's Center over the holiday weekend.

- **Disney On Ice**, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, See the tour page for show times, Casey's Center. See the tour page. In Des Moines Nov. 26–29. Official page: https://www.disneyonice.com/en-us/tickets/

## FAQ

**Which Plains city is best for a weekend with little kids?**
It changes every weekend. Over the next 6 weekends our picks are Kansas City, St. Louis, Des Moines, chosen for what's actually on: zoo events, holiday lights and shows with dates we checked on the official pages.

**How long are the drives?**
Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines, St. Louis and Wichita. Kansas City is in the middle: about three hours from Omaha, Des Moines and Wichita, and four from St. Louis. Drive times on this page are normal driving times without traffic.

**What if a weekend says “No standout yet”?**
It means we couldn't confirm anything worth the drive. We'd rather leave the slot empty than fill it with filler. Check back after the Thursday refresh.

**Are the prices right?**
They're what each official page showed on Oct 18, 2026. Tap the official link before you buy, since venues change hours and prices.