Family events in Blue Springs, MO

Home cooks and chili fans can put their best recipe to the test in a friendly chili cookoff with options for every style. Choose the Hot category for a bold, spicy batch, go with Not Hot if you prefer full flavor without the burn, or try Non-Traditional for creative takes such as white chili, chicken, vegetarian, or another unique twist. In line with health department rules, entries must be chili only with no garnishes, toppings, or extras. Bring a finished pot and see how your recipe compares to the competition.

Enjoy the annual Bark and Boo at the pumpkin patch with a focus on furry family members. Professional pet portraits are available for $20, and a blessing of the pets is part of the festivities. Dogs can enjoy treats and toys, and there will be opportunities to meet adoptable pets.

Young paleontology fans will explore how fossils can be more than bones. In this hands-on JAM Session, participants learn about trace fossils, then create a fossil patty pressed with dinosaur footprints to show how ancient animals left clues behind. Designed for children ages 6 to 10. Admission is free for MAP members and $5 for general admission, and members should use the discount code sent at the start of membership. Cancellations for Little Explorers Club and JAM Sessions require at least 24 hours notice by emailing info@visitthemap.org with the reservation name, number of students, and class details. To support a focused classroom, disruptions are discouraged. Parents may stay in the room or use the seating area just outside, and parents and siblings are welcome to visit the Discovery Room or the rest of the Museum until the session ends.

Enjoy a guided walk on the Fox Hollow Trail with a naturalist, learning about the different plants and animals you may spot along the way. The hike is weather dependent, and the ending time is approximate.

Hands-on discovery takes over the store with a focus on air and dinosaurs. Explore the new Air Toobz Evo while experimenting with airflow physics. Watch and listen as baby dinosaurs come to life, and learn about what they ate and how they lived. The Museum at Prairie Fire also features a live 10-foot T-Rex. Activities are designed to spark curiosity in young learners.

Summit Zoo & Pets presents the 3rd annual Halloweenie Races, a playful competition where dachshunds dash for Halloween bragging rights. Entry is limited to purebred dachshunds weighing under 20 pounds. Each racer must have two handlers, and dogs need to stay leashed when they are not on the track. Same day registration is available, with early arrival recommended to complete check in before racing starts. Costumes are encouraged to add to the festive spirit. Spectators can cheer on the pups as they sprint to the finish.

A family friendly gathering for all ages is on the way. Details for vendors and sponsors will be shared soon, and pre-registration will open as the event approaches. Help spread the word.

Put on a favorite costume and get into the Halloween spirit at Merriam Farmers' Market. Children can enjoy games and candy, plus a trunk-or-treat featuring business owners from Merriam. This event is designed for ages 10 and younger, and admission is free.

This community-focused event is dedicated to supporting Answering The Call and bringing awareness to its work. It brings people together around a shared purpose and offers a straightforward way to show encouragement.

At Woods Chapel Church, the trail becomes a playful path of candy stops with costumes encouraged and plenty of family-friendly fun. Enjoy face painting, popcorn, music, and inflatables while collecting sweets along the route. The event is free. Bring a bag or bucket to gather treats. Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals and small groups.

Hosted by The Museum of Kansas City in partnership with Mattie Rhodes Art Center, Stone Lion Puppet Theatre, and La Mega KC, this 13th annual celebration honors the history, traditions, and cultural significance of Mexico’s Day of the Dead. Admission is pay what you wish with advance tickets required, and all proceeds support the museum’s educational programs and public programming. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. The evening features live music from Mariachi Estrella KC, puppetry by Stone Lion Puppet Theatre, and traditional dance by Grupo Folklórico Izcalli. Children can enjoy complimentary face painting by artists Jessica Manco and Kathryn Messick and the Van Horn Art Department at Café 3218. Guests may participate in indoor and outdoor community altars by bringing remembrance items to place, with the understanding that items left will not be returned. Explore unique gifts at Wisteria, the museum’s boutique, and browse local vendors on the historic lawn, including Virginia’s Mexican Arts & Crafts, Café Ollama, La Hamburguesa Loca, Veronica Style, Shop Local KC, Eda’s Creations, Elixir on the Lawn, Sirena Serena Candles, DINKC, Life and Death Designs, and more. Local food trucks will be on site, and Elixir on the Lawn will offer beverages such as margaritas, Mexican beer, and sangria. Outside food and drinks are not permitted. Plan to spend about an hour and a half and wear comfortable shoes. Restrooms are located on the lower level. Professional photography and videography are not permitted inside the museum or on its grounds. ADA accommodations are available with advance notice.

Disney Concerts, Disney+ and AEG Presents introduce the next Worlds Collide Concert Tour, a new arena show that unites the music and stories of Descendants, ZOMBIES, and, for the first time, Camp Rock. The lineup features Disney stars Malachi Barton (ZOMBIES 4, Camp Rock 3), Liamani Segura (Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, Camp Rock 3), Dara Reneé (Descendants: The Rise of Red), Mekonnen Knife (ZOMBIES 4), Hudson Stone (Camp Rock 3), Swayam Bhatia (ZOMBIES 4), Kiara Romero (Descendants: Wicked Wonderland), and Alexandro Byrd (Descendants: Wicked Wonderland). Audiences can look forward to favorite songs from all three franchises reimagined with new mashups, dynamic choreography, electrifying effects, and interactive moments that invite plenty of sing-alongs and costume fun as these worlds meet live on stage in an all-new production.

A live music gathering at the VFW in Lee's Summit welcomes families and friends to enjoy the show together.

The Show Me Reptile Show arrives at Adams Pointe Conference Center with a family friendly expo that blends education and exploration. Attendees can see reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, small exotic mammals, and aquatics, plus find plants, bioactive supplies, feeders, enclosures, décor, and other care essentials from a wide range of breeders and vendors. Many guests come to browse, learn, take photos, ask questions, and connect with the community that supports the hobby. Outside animals are not permitted. General admission is available with advance purchase at $12 for adults and $5 for kids ages 7 to 12, with children 6 and under admitted free. At the door, adults are $15 and kids ages 7 to 12 are $5, with children 6 and under free. A VIP pass is offered for $17 in advance or $20 at the door and includes complimentary entry on day two at any two day shows.

Admission is free with a donation of dog food, and all contributions support a food drive that benefits local animal shelters. Expect a full day of canine fun, with games like sack races, bobbing for biscuits, and musical disks. Friendly competitions highlight crowd favorites such as best biscuit eater, best tail wagger, costume creativity, dog and owner look-alikes, best kisser, and best trick. Live demonstrations showcase the skills of search and rescue teams along with carting, police, service, and herding dogs. Hands-on matches, tests, and workshops cover agility, obedience, rally, the Canine Good Citizen program, dock diving, weave pole races, and frisbee. Browse booths featuring rescue groups, boarding services, adoptable pets, pet supplies, and pet sitters.

Dogtoberfest packs a full slate of canine friendly fun with free admission when you bring a donation of dry or canned dog food to support local shelters. The day features playful competitions like a Halloween costume contest, best trick honors, and a dog and owner look alike showdown. Expect agility runs and canine demonstrations, high flying disc catching action, a lighthearted biscuit bobbing game, and plenty of learning through live training sessions and educational demonstrations. More than 100 vendors will be on site, including pet bakeries, veterinarians, rescues, and others. Made a Promise Rescue will be there with a playful find us challenge, encouraging attendees to seek them out for cuddles, puppy kisses, and adoption ready charm.

A collaborative childbirth education workshop with Quincy focuses on practical preparation for birth and the early postpartum period. Participants explore ways to stay comfortable in late pregnancy, what to do in early and active labor, and how a partner can provide meaningful support. The session also addresses expectations around induction and augmentation, comfort measures for an unmedicated birth, and tools and resources for a medicated labor. Postpartum care is included, with guidance on infant feeding techniques and troubleshooting, along with information about postpartum mood disorders. Quincy is a full spectrum doula, childbirth educator, infant feeding specialist, homebirth midwifery assistant, and student midwife with more than five years of experience and participation in over one hundred births in a variety of settings. This class is recommended for those between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. The fee is $75 and covers one pregnant attendee and a single support person. Registration details are available on the event page.

This gathering celebrates the season and community with shared dishes, games, time around the fire, and live guitar music by Alan Voss. Attendees bring a dish to share, and there will be smores.

Connect with other moms at a weekly meet-up held every Monday at MY Play Cafe-Northland KC in Kansas City, MO. Drop in whenever it works for you to mingle and build community, and note that the second session tends to be the busiest. The café offers Messenger coffee, boba, teas, and pastries for purchase. Reservations are encouraged to secure a spot and speed up check-in. The space is shoe free, so wear socks or pick up branded grippy socks for $3. Adults are always free.

Stepping Stones KC leads a weekly music session at MY Play Cafe where children can explore their musical side during Music and Me. Participation is included with an open play reservation, and adults attend at no cost.

Young adventurers can dive into Dungeons & Dragons at Mindgames And Magic in a supportive, kid-friendly setting. Designed for ages 10 to 16, these sessions help players learn core rules while building teamwork, communication, problem solving, worldbuilding, and character development. Games take place in a private room with access to miniatures and terrain, atmospheric music and lighting, opportunities for costumes or cosplay, and adventures tailored to the players. The cost is 10 dollars per participant per session. Spots are limited and often fill quickly.

Explore how fossils can be more than bones in this hands-on JAM Session for children. Participants will learn about trace fossils, then craft a fossil patty imprinted with dinosaur footprints. The program is designed for ages 6 to 10. Admission is free for MAP members and $5 for general admission, and members should use the discount code sent at the start of membership. A 24 hour cancellation notice is required for reservations for Little Explorers Club and JAM Sessions, and messages should include the reservation name, number of students, and the class date and time. To help maintain a focused learning environment, please limit disruptions. Parents are welcome to stay in the classroom or use the seating area just outside, and parents and siblings may visit the Discovery Room or explore the rest of the Museum until the class concludes.

Participants can take part in a casual Gym Leader Challenge suitable for all experience levels. There is no entry fee. Check in with a Play! Pokémon ID to claim a prize pack, available while supplies remain.

Kansas City PBS presents an outdoor drive-in premiere of the newest installment of We Are Latinos at the Boulevard Drive-In Theater. This free, family-friendly screening is part of the Kansas City PBS Spotlight Series and features the documentary work of filmmaker Victor Antillanca, highlighting the voices and influence of Latinx artists and tastemakers in Kansas City while celebrating creativity, cultural heritage, and resilience. The evening offers more than the film, with local art, community vendors, and food trucks creating a festive atmosphere. Parking is available on-site, and audio will be available through the pole speakers or by tuning a car radio to 89.7 FM from inside your vehicle. Further instructions will be provided upon arrival. Support for We Are Latinos V is provided in part by Health Forward Foundation.

Enjoy magic presented right at your table on the second and fourth Thursday at Summit Pizza Lee's Summit. David will be on hand visiting tables and performing for guests.

An annual drive-thru flu shot clinic at Raytown South High School offers vaccination without leaving the car. Vaccines are available to people ages 6 months and up. After receiving a shot, participants can pick up creativity kits, naloxone (Narcan), and a coupon for a free premium car wash at Tidal Wave Auto Spa. Flu shots and the giveaway items are free while supplies last.

Homeschool families can come together for a casual social at Slick City Action Park. Discounted entry is offered, with tickets starting at $14.99. Expect dry slide attractions and plenty of indoor play where kids can stay active, socialize, and make friends while parents connect with other homeschool families.

Families can head to MY Play Cafe Northland KC in Kansas City for an open play session that includes a shared story and a hands on craft. The experience welcomes all ages and is especially suited to children ages 1 to 8. Admission details note that adults, and siblings younger than 1 or older than 7, are free, and the Get Out Pass is accepted during open play. Reservations for the open play session include both activities, and if plans change, rescheduling is available within two hours. The facility is shoes free, so socks are required for everyone, with grippy socks available for $3. For a quicker arrival, an online waiver can be completed ahead of time. Food and drinks are available for purchase on site. Peanut free outside food is allowed, but outside beverages are not. Guests are encouraged to share favorite moments from story and craft time on Facebook or Instagram. Additional details are available on the venue’s website.

At St. Joseph Catholic School, a Pink Out theme sets the tone for the final home game of the regular season. The action starts with a junior high scrimmage and continues with the varsity matchup. Playoff information will follow.

Glow Night returns to Go Ape with a nighttime treetop experience that lights up the adventure. Navigate the course after dark as you climb, swing, and zip through the trees under a glowing ambiance. The evening includes a selfie spot to capture the fun and glow accessories while supplies last, along with the thrill of exploring the canopy at night. Every reservation is automatically entered into the nationwide Glow Night Sweepstakes for a chance to win a one-year Go Ape membership, free merchandise, or tickets for another adventure. Share photos by tagging @GoApeUSA for a chance to be featured. Reservations are required and capacity is limited.

PM Power Hour at Mercury Gymnastics packs one hour with running, jumping, and tumbling fun. Kids can explore trampolines, the tumble trak, balance beams, bars, ropes, obstacle courses, and foam-filled pits. A special preschool area is set aside for toddlers up to age 5 with preschool-size bars, a mini trampoline, and a foam-filled pit. Activities are supervised by Mercury coaches. Open to boys and girls ages 16 months to 14 years. The cost is $10 per child for walk-ins the day of the event, cash only. Registration must be completed online. Membership is not required to attend.

Neighbors and people from throughout Kansas City gather for a welcoming evening centered on shared food, thoughtful conversation, and genuine connection. The atmosphere encourages relationships to grow and a sense of belonging to take root. Held on the second and fourth Fridays each month, the focus changes from week to week and can include neighborhood conversations, activities suited for all ages, and chances to uplift local causes and nonprofit efforts. A community meal offered on a pay what you can basis, supported by community partnerships, contributions, and grants, ensures everyone has a place at the table, regardless of circumstances. It is open to newcomers, longtime residents, and anyone looking for a place where their name is known, with a simple aim of making it easier to connect with others.

An enchanting fairy tale unfolds as a young woman and the love of her life are separated, and he sets out to find and save her. Their journey leads through the perilous realm of Florin, where they face dark forces that stand between them and a long-awaited reunion. Romance, adventure, and a timeless question await... can love prevail?