Are you looking to enjoy some summer fun with your family, but your budget isn’t quite what it used to be? Don’t worry—there’s still plenty to do in the Kansas City area, especially in and around Johnson County. Here’s a big list of free or super affordable summer activities to help make memories without maxing out your wallet.
**Disclaimer: Some links might be affiliates which gives me a small amount with no extra cost to you for sharing it.
🎳 Kids Bowl Free Program
Let the kids bowl two free games every day this summer at participating bowling alleys—just pay for shoe rental! Or Find some shoes on Facebook Marketplace and then your cost is even lower.
👉 Sign up here and choose a nearby alley. We’re doing Park Lanes in Shawnee this summer! They also have Main Event in Olathe, and Advent Sport Park in South Overland Park.
🌻 Sunflower Summer App
This state-wide program offers free admission to dozens of Kansas attractions for families with school-aged kids.
🗓 It runs for three weeks starting after July 4—stay tuned for more details!
📲 Download the app: Sunflower Summer
🌿 Overland Park Arboretum
Enjoy trails, gardens, and outdoor exhibits for free on the first Tuesday of every month, year-round! Don’t miss the train garden it’s one of our favorites.
📍 8909 W. 179th Street, Overland Park
🎬 Movies on the Lawn at the Legends
Free outdoor movies every Saturday at 7 PM at The Legends! Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy a family flick, arrive early for a good spot, and don’t forget the snacks. Enjoy the movie under the stars.
📍 In the courtyard near the fountain
📅 Check movie listings: Legends Outlets Events
📚 Johnson County Library Events
Join the Summer Reading Program and check out their free events all summer long—story times, book clubs, art workshops, and more for all ages!
💳 Bonus: On the Second Sunday of each month, you can use your library card to get free admission to the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures in KCMO!
🎆 Shawnee Town 1929 – Free Independence Day Fun
🗓 Visit July 1st for a FREE family celebration of Independence Day—1929-style with your JOCO Library Card!
Expect old-fashioned games like tug-of-war, sack races, and more.
📍 11501 W. 57th Street, Shawnee
🎟️ Low-Cost Summer Movie Programs
Keep cool indoors with these budget-friendly movie mornings:
B&B Theatres Summer Kids Series: $5 for admission or $3 is part of the club free to sign up!
Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse: $1.75 per ticket (Tuesdays)
AMC Summer Movie Camp: $3 per ticket (Mondays & Wednesdays)
🏛 Olathe Libraries Prairie Fire Pass
Check out a Prairie Fire Museum Day Pass for free with your library card! Great way to explore something new indoors. Learn more about the details here, 7 days to use and good for up to 4 people, but you can check out two passes on one card!
🏛 Johnson County Museum
📍 Located inside the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center
🧒 Don’t miss the KidScape interactive play area!
🗓 2025 Free Days:
Thursday, March 20- Saturday, June 7
- Saturday, September 13
- Wednesday, November 26
💵 Can’t make a free day? Their max family rate is just $23, no matter how many kids! – Just love this for large families.
🧗♂️ Scheels
Inside Scheels, kids can check out the free aquarium, play in the play place, or ride the giant ferris wheel for $1, test your aim in the rollerball for a small fee.
📍 6503 W 135th St, OP
🧠 Topeka Discovery Center
📍 Worth the drive! This hands-on children’s museum is FREE the third Thursday of every month from 5–8 PM.
🚗 About an hour away from Johnson County
🐐 Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
📅 FREE admission Monday–Thursday after 2pm except holidays.
Kids can feed cow being milked, see prairie dogs, and walk through the old-time farm town.
($5 admission other times)
💦 Splash Pads & Playgrounds
Stay cool and let the kids burn off some energy:
Small Spray Features:
- Strang Park (OP)
- Thompson Park (OP)
Spray Grounds:
- Wilder Bluff Park (Shawnee)
- Erfurt Park (Shawnee)
- Roe Park (Overland Park)
- Lake Olathe (Olathe)
Worth the Drive:
- Blue Springs Burr Oak Splash Pad – Largest in the area!
- Burr Oak Nature Center (open Tues–Sat) – See a few live animals, explore trails & playground . Check website for feeding times!
Playground Highlights:
- Best for Climbing: Strang Park (OP)
- Gated Playground: Shawnee Mission Park
- Skate Park: Harmon Park (PV)
🚂 Crown Center’s Free Summer Exhibit – Thomas & Friends™
This summer’s FREE exhibit at Crown Center is none other than Thomas & Friends™—and it’s perfect for little train lovers! We visited the last time it came to town and had an absolute blast, and we’re so excited it’s back!
📅 Running all summer long (check Crown Center’s site for dates and hours)
📍 Located inside the Crown Center Showplace
🌟 Bonus Tip: After visiting Thomas, take a walk over the skywalk to Union Station:
- Visit the free model train displays inside the Station
- Step outside to look down the real train tracks—if you’re lucky, you might spot a train rolling by!
Want a full free day Downtown Day Kansas City edition.
🏙️ City Events
Click the links to learn more and details.
- Olathe – Especially Movie Night in the Park and Music in the Park
- Mission – Summer Picnic
- Shawnee Mission Park – Movies in the Park $1 Tickets
- Merriam – Family Fun Fridays
- Shawnee – Moonlight Market Every Third Thursday May thru October – We attend this regular the kids have fun on some freebies or get to tour SWAT, FireTruck, etc. Check the calendar for what things will be free, they do have food trucks, craft booths, and free music too. Also Jammin on the Green for free live music.
- Zona Rosa – Free Movie on the Green and Summer Music Series
Another place to do free activities is Pinstripes, free to join the kids club, activities once a month. Lowes Build and Grow, along with Home Depots, Apple Summer Camp isn’t open yet – but this was a must love for my kids, the classes are free and you don;t have to have a device for many of them.
I know firsthand how tough it can be to find fun things to do when the budget is tight—but it is possible! With a little planning and a willingness to explore, there are so many ways to enjoy quality time with your family right here in Johnson County. Over the years, our family has taken advantage of many of these free and low-cost experiences, and we love sharing what we’ve learned to help other families do the same. Don’t feel like you have to do it all—just choose the ones that speak to you. So pack a picnic or grab some snacks, and get ready for a summer full of sunshine, laughter, and adventure.
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