12 Train Activities for Kids in Kansas City
Kansas City offers a variety of fun and engaging train-themed attractions perfect for kids and families. Whether you're looking to explore model trains, climb aboard real ones, or dine with a unique twist, the Kansas City metro area has something for every young train enthusiast. Here are some must-visit spots!
Don’t miss the FREE Trains for Kids checklist at the end of this blog!
Discover Fun Train Destinations for Kids in the Kansas City Metro
1. Union Station Model Train Gallery
Located in the North end of the Grand Plaza at Union Station, the Model Train Gallery boasts over 8,000 square feet of model trains. It's free to enter (though donations are appreciated) and is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. This extensive display is sure to captivate kids and adults alike, making it a perfect (free) family outing. For a free parking option, park at the City Market and take the KC Streetcar down to Union Station to make a fun day out of this spot!
Address: 30 West Pershing Rd. Kansas City, MO 64108
Hours: Sunday - Saturday, 9 AM - 5 PM
2. Union Station Stories Museum and Freight House Bridge
Union Station is filled with special vignettes showcasing the unique culture of railway travel. Walk through the upper level for the Union Station Stories exhibit, featuring real artifacts from past conductors and travelers. Don’t miss the Freight House Bridge, where you can watch real trains pass by underneath you! This is located near the model train exhibit.
Address: 30 West Pershing Rd. Kansas City, MO 64108
Hours: Sunday - Saturday, 9 AM - 5 PM
3. Legler Barn Museum & Depot - Lenexa
Situated in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, the Legler Barn Museum & Depot features a retired caboose and depot. It's a great spot for a quick visit before heading to the nearby playground. The museum is free and open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 AM - 4 PM, offering a peek into Lenexa's history.
Address: 14907 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, KS 66215
Hours: Wednesday & Saturday, 10 AM - 4 PM
4. Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant
With three locations in Kansas City, Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant is a must-visit for train lovers. Kids can order their food via tabletop phones and watch as their meals are delivered by a miniature train—a dining experience they won’t forget! We love the Crown Center location because you can visit the free showplace exhibit and they validate parking. Plus, you can walk from Crown Center over to Union Station to view all the train exhibits. We also love the Shawnee location that offers breakfast and is an easy dining option with kids.
Address: 13803 W. 63rd St. Shawnee, KS 66216
250 N. 18th St. Kansas City, KS 66102
Crown Center - 2450 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64108
Hours: Vary by location
5. Dodge Town at Antioch Park - Merriam
Dodge Town at Antioch Park features two climbable trains in a recreated old west town setting. Kids will love pretending to be train conductors and passengers, and there's even a ticket booth for imaginative play. Two playgrounds are nearby along with swing sets, lots of picnic space, and a pond to explore. This is a hit for kids of all ages!
Address: 6501 Antioch Road Merriam, KS 66202
Hours: 6 AM - 10 PM (Summer), 7:30 AM - 8 PM (Winter)
6. Kansas City Zoo Railroad
The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium offers a fun train ride with two depots, making it easy to explore the zoo without too much walking. A wristband allows for multiple trips all day, and children under age 2 ride for free. A roundtrip ticket is only $3. We always love seeing the camels, goats, and kangaroos during the train ride! It's a delightful way to combine animal viewing with a love of trains.
Pro Tip: Enjoy a free visit to the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium with your Pogo Pass KC!
Address: 800 Zoo Drive Kansas City, MO 64132
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:30 AM- 4 PM | Saturday - Sunday until 5 PM
7. The Train Garden at Overland Park Arboretum
The Train Garden at the Overland Park Arboretum is a charming spot to watch miniature trains race around. Kids will enjoy the bridges the trains travel across and playing “train station” with the ticket booth near the caboose. Climb on the caboose for a higher look at the model trains and peek inside the windows to see what travel on trains was like! There is a great shelter house nearby for picnics. For quicker access to the train garden, enter through the new LongHouse Visitor Center entrance.
Pro Tip: The first Tuesday of the month has free admission and children under age 5 are always free!
Address: 8909 W. 179th Street Overland Park, KS 66013
Hours: Thursday 9 AM -8 PM | Friday- Wednesday 9 AM -5 PM
8. Calamity Line Park - Olathe
Calamity Line Park features a large train playset with a slide, rope climber, and options for both older and younger kids. The train depot shelter house and train tracks running through it add to the charm. This is the perfect park for a train lover but it can be tricky for toddlers to navigate. Note that there are limited parking spots, so plan accordingly. You can park at the CVS nearby and walk over if the parking lot is full.
Address: 901 W Santa Fe St. Olathe, KS 66061
Hours: 6 AM - 10 PM
9. The National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame - Bonner Springs
The National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame’s outdoor living history “Farm Town USA” includes a farmhouse, old schoolhouse, caboose, and a mini-train. For a $5 donation, families can enjoy a few laps around the lake on the mini-train. The attraction is open Thursday to Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM—call ahead to ensure the train is running since it is volunteer ran!
Address: 630 N 126th St, Bonner Springs, KS 66012
Hours: Thursday - Saturday, 10 AM - 2 PM
10. “All Aboard” Exhibit at Science City
Located in Science City at Union Station, the “All Aboard” exhibit is a train lover’s playground. It features train track toys, a restaurant and mail caboose, mini-trains, and more—all included with your Science City ticket. The proximity to the water exhibit adds to the fun.
Pro Tip: Enjoy a free visit to Science City with your Pogo Pass KC!
Address: 30 West Pershing Road Kansas City, MO 64108
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM, and Sunday 12 PM – 5PM (Summer)
Tuesday - Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM, and Sunday 12 PM – 5PM (Winter)
11. Kansas City Northern Miniature Railroad
For just $1.00 per person per ride, the mini-train at Kansas City Northern Miniature Railroad (KCNRR) near the Line Creek trail offers a delightful experience for families! It’s such a fun, weekend experience! You can walk over to the Line Creek trail to explore the waterfall, or walk across to the Line Creek Community Center. CASH ONLY
Address: 6060 NW Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, MO 64151
Hours: Saturday, May 4 until Sunday, October 29, 2024
Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Sundays, 12:01 - 6:00 PM
Special holiday trains available for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter!
12. T.B. Hanna Park Inclusive Sprayground - Raymore
This inclusive sprayground in Raymore, MO features a train theme with water sprayers, bucket dumps, a wheelchair-accessible train tunnel, and a surrounding fence. There are even train sounds and lights! There is an inclusive semi-fenced playground nearby. This park also gets great shade and has picnic tables and restrooms. It’s a perfect summer spot, especially for train enthusiasts!
Address: 214 S. Washington St., Raymore, MO 64083
Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day
BONUS Train Activities Near Kansas City
The Kansas City metro features some great trains, but if you want to take a day trip,- explore one of these kid-friendly trains!
Gage Park Mini-Train - Topeka, KS
Take a day trip over to Topeka, Kansas where you can go to a kid-friendly, small-sized zoo across from Gage Park. After the zoo, walk over to Gage Park for a picnic and playgrounds. Then you can climb aboard the Gage Park Mini-train for only $2 per person! Or grab a punch-pass for $25 and 15 rides that are good for either the mini-train or the carousel at the park. You can also visit the nearby Kansas Children’s Discovery Center for another fun activity!
Address: SW 6th & Gage Blvd. (Gage Park) Topeka, KS 66606
Hours: Seasonal Hours - 10 AM - 5 PM (last ride at 4:45 PM)
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad - Abilene, KS
For a longer day trip, head two hours west of Kansas City to Abilene, KS! Here you can ride the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad which is a full-sized train that takes you on a two hour journey. You will stop halfway for a 30 minute rest stop at the general store before boarding the train and returning to Abilene! They also run a Christmas train that you won’t want to miss.
For an elevated experience, check out the Dinner Train with local restaurants catering the trip!
Pro Tip: If you are a Kansas resident, you can ride this train for FREE with the Sunflower Summer App until August 11, 2024!
Address: 200 SE 5th St, Abilene, KS 67410
Hours: Rides at 10 AM and 2 PM Wednesday-Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM
Kansas City’s train-themed attractions offer endless fun and adventure for kids and families. Plan your visits and enjoy these delightful destinations!
Download this free Trains for Kids checklist to begin exploring trains around the Kansas City metro!
7/17/24 - Gabrielle Isom
