The Visit Neighboring States Series
Don’t think, ‘just another science center’! Science City at Union Station in downtown Kansas City is perfect for all ages. Your family or school group could easily spend a full day of learning and play! Plan for a 4-6 hour visit.
Disclaimer: Our visit was hosted, however, all opinions expressed in this article are completely ours and based on our own family’s unique experience.
I have said it before, Kansas City offers more attractions and fun for families with children than in any other major city within a three hour drive from central Iowa!
We had a list of over a dozen places we wanted to visit during our last trip and Science City at Union Station was NOT top on the list. I really thought it was ‘just another science center’. Boy was I wrong!
First off, It’s HUGE! There are over 50 hands-on displays.
Second, most of the displays are things that my children have never experienced before at other science centers. There was only one display that was not functioning properly. Everything we encountered seem to be in complete working order.
Several displays are specifically tailored to middle and high school students and were beyond the scope of our younger elementary ages.
I really wish we could have tried making something out of 4D but we didn’t know that some stations have specific hours. On your visit, check ahead of time to make sure you can do all the different programs and activities.
Luckily, my kids weren’t disappointed, but they were both too short to write the Sky Bike.
There are a few classroom spaces for large groups. If you want to go as a co-op or organized school group, check with the education director for all the info!
I found the displays to be very educational and the signs were helpful. There were several displays that supported what we have been studying in science this fall including the magnet sand table.
Fun surprises are everywhere in Science City including the Nature Center which is home to a talking bird that said “here kitty” and meowed like a cat. Don’t skip this!
Near by the Planetarium was this very fun piano which my daughter enjoyed!
Food choices at Union Station are limited, so plan ahead. We took a 15 minute walk through The Link (sky walk) to Crown Center.
The kids remembered Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant from our last visit to KC and really wanted to return. Fritz’s is fun because a train delivers your food out in a basket. Prices are reasonable.
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