Best Parks in Kansas City (KC Parks & Trails Map)
We all need to get outside and get moving. There are tons of fun parks in Kansas City for your kids to play. There’s no shortage of KC parks, but know the best part? …they’re free!
Check out some of our favorite Kansas City parks around!
Use this list as a guide to fun playgrounds, local parks, and the best trails for your family to explore. There’s a fun park in KC for everyone in your family to love. So, check out the best parks & trails in KC before you plan your next family adventure.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors at KC Parks:
- Unique playgrounds in KC
- Where to pick apples near you!
- Best Places to Camp Near KC
- Best Places to Fish Near KC
- Complete Guide to Float Trips Near KC
- Guide to Cabins Near KC
- Sunflower Pass FREE for Kansas Families
Do you have special needs children? Check out KC’s Inclusive Special Needs Playgrounds & the Variety KC Playground at KC Zoo.
Best Parks & Trails in Kansas
Antioch Park
Antioch Park is Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s oldest and most popular park. This 44-acre park includes amenities such as two fishing lakes, walking paths, tennis courts, picnic shelters, a basketball court, restrooms, a playground, paved parking, and charcoal grills. This beautiful and well-kept park is a family favorite to many in the area.
They have plenty of things to climb on, swing on or just room to run around.
Roe Park
Roe Park, located in the charming city of Overland Park, Kansas, is a true gem for families and individuals seeking outdoor fun and relaxation. With its 41 sprawling acres of lush greenery, this picturesque park offers visitors an impressive range of amenities and activities that cater to people of all ages.
This park is perfect for active families! Not only does it have age-appropriate play areas, but it also has huge fields for running, pets, and picnics. It even has a few soccer fields as well.
From its ample playgrounds designed for children to explore and socialize to the numerous paved walking trails perfect for leisurely strolls amid nature, Roe Park has something for everyone to enjoy.
One of the park’s standout features is its state-of-the-art splash pad, which provides a refreshing oasis for kids during the warm summer months. Beyond water play, visitors can engage in friendly sports competitions at the park’s well-maintained tennis courts, basketball courts, and soccer fields.
For those looking to host gatherings or picnics, Roe Park also offers reservable shelters and grills that create the perfect setting for memorable family events. Overall, Roe Park serves as a beloved community hub for recreation and leisure in Overland Park, fostering a strong sense of togetherness among its visitors.
Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Okay, so not exactly a park.. but this KC spot has the best trails and a small kids “play area”.
The trails at the arboretum also feature their well-known “Enchanted Forest!” Younger kids love seeing all the fairy houses and tall trees, which makes for a great adventure! Outside the forest, there are gardens, grassy areas to play, a pond with huge Koi and even a train park with a train car kids can explore.
Shawnee Mission Park
This park is great for fun, but also for family photos! There’s tons of space to run, 3 playgrounds, an off-leash area, and an observation tower and stunning lake. This park is definitely a crowd-pleaser! Located in Shawnee Mission, KS.
This 1600-acre park includes a 120-acre lake with boating, fishing, swimming, and sailboarding, a giant off-leash dog park with 53 acres of land for your furry friend to run, picnic areas, shelters, playgrounds, Theater in the Park, archery and disc golf. You can even rent paddle boats, canoes, and fishing boats!
Shawnee Mission Park TRAILS
Even though it is the same place, the trails at SMP have their own spot on this list!
Its miles and miles of open space and beautiful views with trails for walking, hiking, biking, horse riding, and more. It’s definitely a must-visit. Be sure to bring your pups so they can roam and play too.
Black Hoof Park
First off, can you say playing with a view?! Black Hoof Park has an amazing setup to play and makes a great spot for photo opportunities.
You and your family can play overlooking Lake Lenexa, a nature play area, a second playground, and an amazing view of the lake by the picnic area. In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful parks in the KC metro area!
Blackbob Park
At Blackbob Park, you definitely need to plan for an all-day adventure! From the castle-themed playground to batting cages and trails to basketball courts, everyone will enjoy their time at the park.
If you’re into it, be sure to plan ahead for a game of miniature golf!
Franklin Park
If you’d rather stay close to a playground, Franklin Park in Prairie Village, Kansas offers a nature stream element in the playground so kids can splash, fill cups, and race twigs and leaves. Franklin Park also has a baseball and soccer field, playground, walking trails, sandbox and more.
Thompson Park
This beautiful park stretches over 4 acres and includes a playground, spray ground, walking paths and more. This newly renovated park is fantastic for families with all ages.
Variety KC Playground
Several park locations in KC are adapted so that children of all abilities have a safe place to play. Kansas City is dedicated to serving all children & give special needs children a safe place to play and have fun.
Smooth surfaces, adaptive swings, fencing, ramps on the play equipment, stainless steel slides and roller slides, and sensory activities involving musical chimes and drums.
Located in Independence, Leawood, Olathe, and Tiffany Springs. There is also a Variety KC Park inside The Kansas City Zoo!
Wyandotte County Lake
The trails at Wyandotte County are perfect for those that love to bike! Miles of trail circles the park in its entirety with a smaller nature trail offering plenty of stops along the way.
With a library, boat house marina, and war memorial, you are sure to enjoy your visit! There are many nature areas where you can walk, bike, hike, fish, & have family fun…
Meadowbrook Park
This huge park is roughly 80 acres and full of art, Pickleball court, trails, a spectacular playground and more. This park is a must visit.
Best Parks & Trails in Missouri
Cave Spring Park
This Raytown park has 4 miles of trails, a water garden, a small waterfall, a cave, a nature center, and historic ruins. The park is a park of the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails.
The houses and buildings that once stood in the park are long gone, but the chimneys and some walls are still standing. This definitely adds interesting scenery to your walk or playtime.
Jacob L. Loose Park
This is another family favorite for many reasons! This well-known park in KC has 75 acres of beautiful and historic land. They have a fantastic rose garden, picnic areas, a large shelter house for parties and events, and a playground with a sand pit the kids will love to dive into! The Spray ground is open May through Labor Day. And the Rose Garden is a must-see!
There are so many different things to enjoy at Loose Park so make sure you make it a day trip – check out our Loose Park guide for more info!
Penguin Park
Penguin Park is another fun park on the Missouri side of KC! Located on Vivion Rd in Kansas City North.
This park is divided into age-appropriate play areas but they also have a picnic area that allows you to see both play areas at once! Kids LOVE the gigantic animals including a penguin, giraffe, kangaroo, and an elephant. They have a separate area for the little ones to play and tucked away behind the park are some great walking/biking trails with a pond for fishing and watching geese.
This enchanting park is most famous for its large, colorful animal sculptures, including its namesake penguin, which brings smiles to the faces of children and adults alike. Carefully designed with kids in mind, Penguin Park offers fun and interactive playground equipment that fosters creativity and imaginative play.
Apart from its unique play areas, Penguin Park also boasts several amenities that cater to visitors of all ages. Fitness enthusiasts can take advantage of the park’s walking trail, while sports lovers can enjoy friendly matches at the basketball court or softball field. The park also features reservable shelters, picnic tables, and grills, making it an ideal location for hosting memorable gatherings and events with loved ones. As a treasured cornerstone of Kansas City’s recreational offerings, Penguin Park continues to delight and inspire both residents and visitors with its charming atmosphere and delightful amenities.
Jarboe Park
Jarboe Park, located at 17th and West Jarboe, is part of West Terrace Park one of the oldest parks in the city. This park is great for play or sports practice!
One side is a playground sure to challenge your kids and the other side is a baseball diamond great for practicing or even a friendly game! Either way, your family is sure to have a good time here.
Meadowmere Park
Meadowmere Park serves as a central hub Grandview Parks & Recreation Department. Long walking trails connect a whimsical playground and shaded benches with quick access to The View Community Center, Skate Park, Community Garden, and Grandview Amphitheatre.
Brumble’s Forest is a playground inside of Meadowmere Park, and their playground is really unlike anything else in the area! With a theme of the wonderful outdoors, huge animal statues, swings, and plenty of things to climb on, this playground is worth the drive (if you don’t live close).
McCoy Park
McCoy Park is a nice park with shelters for rent, playgrounds, spray grounds, tennis courts, and horseshoe pits. Located in Independence, MO. across from the Truman Library, this would be a perfect place for a birthday party or small gathering.
Valley Park
This park is sure to become one of the metro’s most popular parks, probably because it is so unique! Not only is Valley Park perfect for your most adventurous child, but it will definitely challenge those little muscles. They can climb on EVERYTHING, play on a rip-swing and enjoy a 55ft slide!
Listowel Park
If your kids love playing pretend or pirates, you have to check this park out! Listowel Park is another themed park that really goes above and beyond when it comes to expanding your kid’s imagination. Not only does it have picnic tables that face the equipment but it is Pirate themed!
What is more fun than playing pirates?!
Swope Park
As one of the oldest and biggest parks in Kansas City, Swope Park has it all. Trails, playgrounds historic buildings, amazing sites and even a ZipLine! This KC park is family, pet, and adventure friendly!
Maple Woods Nature Area
Although surrounded by the City of Gladstone and the greater Kansas City metro area, Maple Woods is a reminder of the wild lands that once dominated this area just 200 years ago. This old-growth forest is a National Natural Landmark that provides fabulous views in every season. This area offers trails of varying difficulty.
The special element to this area is the waterfall and river that flow just inside the entrance of the park. The water is easily accessible and is the perfect place to watch water bugs and frogs. This area is a designated nature area and has been since 1978. The large forest area is great for cooling off in the hot sun during the Summer. Trails also wind through the forest so you can have a leisurely stroll during the day without all the heat.
Pro Tip: The trail on the left side is the easier trail…the right choice if hiking with kids!
Line Creek Trail
Located in Platte County, this 8-mile trail is perfect for a long walk alongside nature on the paved, mainly flat walkways. Creeks and waterfalls are the perfect places to cool your toes. They even have a bike service station should you need to air your tires or simple repairs.
Jerry Smith Park
This park in Jackson County, Missouri, is the perfect place to explore. Whether you love to skip rocks on a lake, examine old stone walls and markers, explore a log cabin or abandoned house, or jump on one of two swings that overlook the tall grasses, these trails offer something for everyone.
Thomas H. Swope Memorial
Located in Swope Park, KCMO, next to the Swope Memorial Golf Course, this stunning colonnade with elaborate carvings, a fountain, bronze details, and stunning views is worth the visit.
Fun fact: You can see the memorial from the Sky Safari at the Kansas City Zoo. Try the ERTA trail for hiking or biking, it has two (small) waterfalls, large rock formations, and more great views of the surrounding area.
City Park
City Park in Liberty, MO is one of the newest adaptive parks in the metro. With picnic shelters, a spray ground, soccer fields, and more. Your family can enjoy this lovely park together.
MLK Jr. Park
This park was recently renovated by the 15 and Mahomies Foundation, a foundation created by Patrick Mahomes! This park was designed to include inclusive equipment and sensory-sensitive features for families with special needs. Every homie is welcome to MLK Jr Park.
Tiffany Hills Park
Tiffany Hills Park is located next to Tiffany Hills waterpark and athletic complex. It is a large pirate themed park and great for the northern KC residents.
Mark L McHenry Park
Mark McHenry Park is also in the northern part of Kansas City. It is right next to KCI airport and features picnic areas, soccer goals, baseball fields, and even horse riding trails for horseback riders and hikers. Be sure to check it out!
Where to Interact with Animals in KC:
Yaya’s Alpaca Farm
Visit alpacas to learn how they live & explore the farm! Your family can take 90-minute farm tours any day of the week, so head to Garden City for a unique experience!
You can also book these online.
Bridger Urban Conservation Area
Get up close and personal with elk, bison, and white-tailed deer. The animals love special treats and will happily eat apples, pears, and carrots through the fence. The park also has well-maintained trails. The conservation area is conveniently located next to Lake Jacomo, Kemper Outdoor Education Center, Burroughs Audubon Nature Center, and Bird Sanctuary.
Lakeside Nature Center
Just outside the KC Zoo is the Lakeside Nature Center. It has a gorgeous facility with books, puppets, live animals, and knowledgeable staff. Outside the center, there are trails to hike, rocks to climb, and you’ll definitely see some wildlife! Look for weekly events held at the Center and go in to meet Wilma, the 80-year-old box turtle.
Tips for fun (with kids) in nature
- Print a nature scavenger hunt to keep kids interested during a hike.
- Bring a small bag or envelope to collect items like twigs, leaves, and bark to create art at home.
- Ask questions about what they hear, see, and smell to engage kids with their surroundings.
- Bring a bike/scooter (where accessible)
- Clean up the trail! Encourage your child to care for nature by keeping it tidy.
There are so many parks, trails, & nature conservation areas throughout the KC metro area. This list doesn’t even come close to getting them all.
So, get out & explore KC with your family!
Take advantage of the nice weather. When you do, be sure to share your favorite spots with us – we love hearing about your family adventures!
Our favorite thing about the fun parks and trails in KC is that this is fun that is free and cheap. Two of our favorite words!
Luckily, we’ve also got your go-to list of places kids eat free around KC, so you can make it a dinner (or lunch) after your outside fun.
For even more KC kids resources & things to do around town, sign-up for The Scoop!
We hope your family enjoys your little nature adventure 😉
From our family to yours, iFamilyKC
