Students of SMSD do not have 104 days of summer vacation like Phineas and Ferb, but 80 days is enough time to have a great summer. No we can’t all be phenomenal 10 year old architects or build a time machine, but there is more to summer than just vegging out on the couch watching Netflix. Contrary to popular belief, the pool is not a lame place just for middle schoolers.

If you’re looking to make your summer worthwhile, try some new things and visit new places.

Museums/Exhibits

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

• Roads of Arabia exhibit now until July 6 – ($6 for students)
• In the Looking Glass exhibit now until July 20 – mid-1800 daguerreotypes (free)
• Living with the Spirits exhibit now until July 20 – bright colored traditional Chinese home decorations (free)

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

• Learn about the history of Negro League Baseball ($10 for adults)
• Located at 18th and Vine

American Jazz Museum

• Experience the sights and sounds of jazz through music and film ($13.50) *ticket price deals are available for purchase of Negro League Museum and American Jazz if purchased together
• Located at 18th and Vine

Union Station

• The Discovery of King Tut – take a look at King Tut’s treasures and learn more about his life and dicovery ($19.95)
• Science City – many fun activities for all ages that incorporate science ($8 if added onto King Tut ticket)

If museums aren’t really your thing, keep an open mind if you do visit one. I am not one to enjoy walking around and looking at stuff on walls, but museums can also be very interactive.

Hop in the Pool

Branch out

• If you live in Lenexa like me, you probably don’t visit Overland Park, Shawnee, or Prairie Village pools very often. Try visiting another city’s pools with your friends. If you don’t like what that pool has to offer at least you got a good tan out of it.

Schlitterban

• Located to the north right off of 435 highway, this is an up and coming waterpark with new rides and slides opening.
• This is a more pricey option ($36.50)

Worlds/Oceans of Fun

• Kind of far away, but who doesn’t love roller coasters? Call up some friends and run around Worlds/Oceans of Fun for the day.

Sports

T-Bones

• The T-Bones is Kansas City’s minor league baseball team.
• The ballpark is at the Legends and general admission tickets start at $6.

Royals

• Who doesn’t love America’s favorite pastime? Tickets can be pretty cheap for a MLB game starting at $12.

Sporting Kansas City

• The reining MLS cup champions are back for another great season. Also located at the Legends, Sporting park is just a short drive down 435 highway.

Viking Summer Baseball

• Every Tuesday and Wednesday night the baseball summer team plays against other schools at 3&2 West complex. Admission is free.

Other activities…

Kansas City Zoo

• Think of your favorite animal… Now drive to the zoo and make your wildest, literally, dreams come true. ($12.50)

Shawnee Mission Park

• Grab some discs and your friends and spend the day out on the disc golf course.
• Rent a canoe or paddleboat and spend the day on the water.

These are just a few ideas to keep you off the couch this summer. Netflix will still be there when you get home, I promise.