Coffee + Playdate Spots in the Kansas City Metro
As a parent, I’m often are on the hunt for the perfect spot to meet up with a friend over coffee while the kids play. Kansas City has some fantastic options where you can relax with a latte or espresso as your little ones burn off energy with friends. These local spots aren’t just great for grabbing a hot cup of coffee—they’re ideal for playdates, offering spaces for kids to play while parents catch up. Check out these coffee playdate locations, perfect for chatting with friends while kids have fun.
1.Busy Bean Play Cafe, Liberty, MO
The Northland’s first play cafe, Busy Bean, features an indoor playground and coffee shop. This spot in Liberty is a great location to meet up with another parent or friend and hang out while your little ones play. They have a small section for infants and then an open-ended play space for children. There are also special class, events, and meet-ups going on throughout the month!
Closed Thursdays
Location: 249 W Mill St. Suite 101, Liberty, MO 64068
2. Foundry Coffeehouse, Lenexa, KS
Foundry Coffeehouse, conveniently situated near Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, offers a lovely space for parents and kids. Little ones (aged 5 and under) can play in the indoor play room and all children are welcome to ride bikes or play in the gym. Foundry Coffeehouse is located inside of Foundry Church and they sometimes have the gym booked, so check online before you visit. Afterward, extend the play date by taking a stroll around the lake or let the kids enjoy the great playground.
Closed Mondays
Location: 8835 Lackman Rd, Lenexa, KS 66219
3. Ginna’s Cafe at Scheels - Overland Park, KS
Scheels is our go-to for those cold winter days when you need to get out for the whole morning. They offer affordable activities like a $1 ferris wheel, $1 arcade, $1 bowling, and $1 shooting gallery. They also have a full, free indoor play place! It’s right next to Ginna’s Cafe at the back of Scheels. Ginna’s Cafe serves up a full menu, including coffee, for a reasonable price! There are half off coffee drinks every weekday morning until 10:30 AM and after 4:00 PM.
Location: 6503 W. 135th St. Overland Park, KS 66223
4. Humanette - Kansas City, MO (Brookside)
A kinder-cafe that has a lot of charm! Humanette is a brand new indoor play spot for parents and kids in Kansas City. They offer a full-service cafe with coffee, food items, and even beer and wine in the afternoons! If you have kids across a broad age range - this is your next favorite spot to meet up with a friend! They have a toddler and baby section and then a primary play space for children ages 2-7. The lounge is great for kids age 7+ to hang with friends, do homework, play on Nintendos, or chill with a book. You can even reserve a private chat booth if you need to have a more in-depth convo!
Closed Tuesdays
Location: 118 W. 63rd St. Kansas City, MO 64113
5. IKEA - Merriam, KS
Invite a friend to meet up at IKEA in Merriam for a simple, fun playdate. You can grab a coffee or tea in the restaurant while your kids enjoy 30 minutes of free play at Småland, IKEA's supervised, gated play area. Småland offers crafts, activities, toys, and a G-rated movie for the kids.
Children must be fully potty-trained and between 37 and 54 inches tall, and parents aren’t allowed inside. If you're an IKEA Family member, your kids get an extra 30 minutes, plus you get free coffee or tea with every visit. It's a free, easy playdate... at least until you buy those cinnamon rolls!
Pro Tip: Get 2 free kid’s entrées when you buy 1 adult entrée on Wednesday at IKEA! (Must be a free, IKEA Family Member)
Smaland is scheduled to be open Monday - Sunday from 12 - 6 PM. Due to staffing, it isn’t guaranteed to be open.
Location: 6000 IKEA Way Merriam, KS 66202
6. Inspired Play Cafe - Overland Park, KS
At Inspired Play Cafe, you can enjoy your favorite coffee while your little ones dive into open play. My kids love visiting because the toys are frequently rotated, offering a variety of activities each time. The cafe has a great selection of food and drinks, plus plenty of seating. It does get busy during the mid-morning play period, so keep that in mind.
If you're only there for the cafe, no play admission is required, making it a great spot to meet friends, even if they don’t have kids. They also offer fun classes like unstructured art, music lessons, and crafting!
Location: 6527 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS 66209
New location coming soon in Merriam, KS!
7. Kaw Prairie Community Church Open Gym - Lenexa, KS
If you’re looking for a spot to escape the cold or rain, check out Kaw Prairie Community Church’s Open Gym. While the kids burn off energy in the gymnasium, you can enjoy a tea, coffee, or kid-friendly snacks from KP Cafe. This spot is perfect for kids of all ages, and with plenty of space to run around, it's ideal for letting them play in a safe environment. We like to take bikes or scooters to the gym or play at the indoor play place.
The Open Gym is available on Wednesday and Thursday for open play and it’s completely free to the public. They have other days available periodically, but close for private events or childcare. Just make sure to check out the details and any updates on their website here before heading over!.
Location: 9421 Meadow View Dr, Lenexa, KS 66227
8. Mid-Continent Public Libraries
Several Mid-Continent Public Library locations offer fabulous coffee shops right inside their walls, making them a fantastic destination for kids and parents. What could be better than letting the kids read, explore, and check out books while you catch up with a friend over a fresh cup of coffee? In addition to the cozy café atmosphere, these libraries also host weekly storytimes, giving kids even more to enjoy and a great excuse to get out of the house! Be sure to check online for details and schedules—it's the perfect spot for a fun, low-key outing that blends play, learning, and relaxation.
Locations: Post Coffee - 1000 NE Colbern Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
Novella Espresso Bar & Baked Goods - 8581 N Green Hills Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154
Friendly Bean Coffee Company- 8900 NE Flintlock Rd, Kansas City, MO 64157
9. MY Play Cafe - Gardner, Lee's Summit, Northland
For a great playdate spot that doesn’t involve cleaning up at home, head over to MY Play Cafe. Kids ages 6 and under will have a blast in the play area while you can enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, or boba. There are designated baby sections and then open-ended toys, a jungle gym, and board games. Just be sure to make a reservation beforehand, as space fills up fast. The brand new Northland location is now open!
Locations:
659 SW 2nd St., Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
810 S Creekside Dr., Gardner, KS 66030
6529 N. Cosby Ave., Kansas City, MO 64151.
10. Rough and Bumble KC - Bonner Springs, KS
Rough and Bumble is a perfect spot for parents needing a coworking space or simply looking for a fun playdate with a friend. In addition to a cozy café offering lattes, crafted sodas, and plant-based energy drinks, they have a rotating list of events and special classes like storytime, music, and yoga. The play space, designed to look like a beehive, is a cozy, engaging area for kids to climb and explore. If you have a larger play group, you can even reserve the space at an affordable rate, making it a great option for group meetups.
Location: 638 S. 130th St. Bonner Springs KS 66012
11. Sweet Tee’s Coffee Shop - Olathe Public Libraries
Combine storytime with a delicious cup of coffee or a crafted tea latte at Sweet Tee’s Coffee Shop, conveniently located inside Olathe's Indian Creek and Downtown Libraries. I'm always thrilled when a coffee shop offers thoughtful tea options, and Sweet Tee’s doesn’t disappoint. After grabbing a hot or iced beverage at the Indian Creek location, you can relax with a friend at the fabulous inclusive playground right outside. Inside, the children’s section offers hands-on activities and a little playhouse, making it a great stop for both play and learning.
At the Downtown Olathe Library, Sweet Tee’s is located on the main floor, while the children’s section is upstairs. My kids love the interactive magnetic wall and playing "work" on the computers. While there aren't any parks directly on campus, there are a few nearby for outdoor play afterward.
Locations:
Indian Creek Library, 16100 W. 135th St. Olathe, KS 66062
Downtown Library, 260 E. Santa Fe Olathe, KS 66061
12. Tiny Tots Indoor Play - Overland Park, KS
Tiny Tots Indoor Play is the newest play café in Johnson County, created by parents who wanted a fun and safe spot for kids to play while adults can actually have a conversation. With ample seating, it's perfect for coffee dates or even as a workspace if you're homeschooling. Tiny Tots now features two rooms—one dedicated to their weekly rotating classes like music, storytime, and movement. The toys cater to kids ages 5 and under, but older siblings are always welcome, making it a great spot for your next mixed-age playdate.
Location: 15275 Metcalf Ave. Overland Park, Kansas 66223
With so many options for coffee and play in and around Kansas City, which one will be first on your list? Treat yourself to a relaxing coffee and conversation while your kids have a memorable time exploring and playing. Share this with friends and fellow parents to discover more delightful spots for your next coffee playdate around the city! 🧡
Looking for more coffee shop vibes? Check out Kid-Friendly Coffee Shops in the KC Metro!
9/25/24 - Gabrielle Isom
