This is a super fun activity center for kids. It is free to enter. They have a session every 45 minutes which allows smaller group of kids to enjoy the activities. The area is full of different types of hands on activities like glueing shapes, painting, coloring, solving puzzles, arts and crafts. Each table had its own accessories like stickers, papers, accessories for kids to use their imagination to create different things. The passageway goes to a separate room where kids can act out puppet shows and interact with movie making process. Lots of associates constantly walk around the floor refilling the tables and making sure kids are enjoying their time. When the session is about to end, they notify all the parents to head toward the exit. read more

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Took grand niece there were kids from Leawood Ks bussed in 2 years older Than my niece they instruct adults to let the kids decide what to make and what to do the helicopter parents couldn't abide by that and made the stuff for the kids our grand niece did it all her self and she was 2'years younger Not enough time to complete everything Hours are really screwy one place says one Thing another place says different read more

*Free admission Great indoor activities for kids. Arts and crafts all around to let them fly on their creativity. We went around Christmas and New Year time. Lots ornaments decorations stations. They provide paper (regular and shaped), tapes, markers, stickers etc. Even I enjoyed a lot as an adult. Highly recommend for family with kids. read more

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This was our forst time! My 4.5 year old had SOOOOO fun here. She loved doing the art projects and all the cool colors of the rooms. It was awesome that their location is free. We really enjoyed everything they have to offer. The staff was also very friendly and informative. We will definitely be back. read more

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Fun place to bring kids for a free day out. They're open Tuesday through Saturday. There's specific time slots to look at on website to know when to go. It's walk in don't have to make a reservation to go. It's all sponsored by hallmark which is right next door. They've been around for years and still thriving to this day. I would definitely recommend going to an early time slot. The last one of the day is usually really packed. read more

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Oh did we love kaleidoscope, but phew chaos... haha. They had so much product for the kids seeing there were so many kids at once I'm glad they do put out enough! I loved that there were so many stations for my kiddos to go to. I forgot how fun kaleidoscope is, they even added a "theater" area where you could play and show off your silliness! We went on a weekday and it was over packed when we got there with a school field trip at 12 and so we had to wait an hour and yet again there was another school trip but we got to go in with them and a few more people, hence the crowdedness. I feel reservations should be a must everyday, I know they are if you have a group of 15. read more

Great venue for kid. This is a sponsor attraction by hallmark. You will need a kid to accompany you in order allow you to enter. The attraction is free but you need to sign up your time slot. The space is small, they only allow certain number of kid due limited station of art and craft stations. As a result, time slot sign up is required. I like the kid work on the art. Many way to do the craft with fun creation. Don't most the main attractions with kaleidoscope. You can stand on the scope and they make the pattern of you. Very interesting. The museum have good imagination part for the kid. If I have a grand children, I will definitely bring them here to work on the art together. read more

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It's definitely a cool place for kids to create Arts and it's FREE. They also validate 2 hours parking ticket at Crown Center. Each session is 50 mins. My little one had such a fun time drawing, making greeting cards and exploring lights. You only need to make reservation for big group (15 or more kids and adults) from Tuesdays-Friday, and they open for walk in only on Saturdays. They also have nice/clean bathroom, and handwashing station. After finishing the activity here, we stopped by the Hallmark Visitors Center next door. read more

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Kaleidoscope has been a Kansas City, staple and favorite for decades now. I went there on field trips, my children went there on field trips, and now I'm bringing my granddaughter there to visit. it is so clean and so well organized, and so fighting! The changes are truly remarkable and how much they have enhanced the experience over the many years they've been open. The fact that it is still free after all these years is nothing short. We had a great time and will definitely be back. be sure to check the times for studio sessions before you go so you can make the most of the time there. read more

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Kaleidoscope has apparently shifted away from a whimsical, energetic space and is instead preparing kids for a 9-5 cubicle life in the suburbs. First, this is fun for kids and I recommend it. Second, it's FREE, so I'm not really complaining, just observing how different it feels compared to the past iteration. I remember this place being SO much fun, with endless things to do, and feeling like you entered into a storybook. A quick Google Image search will show what I'm talking about. I was surprised to see their post-covid reveal being really blah overall. It has white walls, a few engaging stations, and a strict time limit. It used to be on par with that energizing chaos of Christmas morning as a kid and was so much fun. Now my daughters are 6 and 2, and the littlest one was content to run through some rainbow door strips over and over, and the oldest thought making your own puzzles was really fun. We do appreciate having this space, and any parent in the region knows that Crown Center has a lot to offer, so it's a good excuse to come down here and find other stuff to tie in with it. In fact, there's a field trip at my kids school in just a few weeks to come back, so it's great for the community overall. I just wish it had that same charm that it used to! read more

We brought my 3&5 year old here on our fall break visit to KC and it was just as magical as I remember as a kiddo. I still can't believe this experience is free to the community! The only thing that was missing this time was the puzzle machine. But the watercolor, hot crayon wax, and building stations (with boxes, cardboard tubes, etc.) were a big hit. There were also loads of fun stickers that the kiddos enjoyed. We will be back on another visit! read more

It is very fun for kids and adults a cool experience in all will come again with kids or without kids

I wanted to remind y'all... you have to have a child with you to be able to go enjoy this place! It's great for out of town family! read more

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We had a great time while we were here exploring and having a great time. This is a free event so I made it even better you walk in and you got to play create a lot of art and just have a wonderful experience. read more

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Remodel turned a once unique and imaginative place into another boring gray corporate box. I can appreciate its nice to have a place like this at all but it's a shadow of its former self and deeply disappointing to those of us who grew up going and were excited to share with our own children. read more

Free art place that appealed to my 7 year old, but the 10 year old less so- I would say probably targeted at elementary and younger kids. It's worth an hour, but probably not more than that. However, since it is free, you can't go wrong with it! read more

As always, we had a great time. They have done some renovations since we visited last, although the favorites are still there too. We arrived for the first session as walk-ins and we're able to get in easily. (They do take reservations online, if you'd prefer.) There are plenty of supplies and space to create and build. Ours were centered around the holidays which was a fun way to extend the joy of the season. read more

They've updated the space since the pandemic. It's still fun for little kids but has lost a bit of the artsy chaos the old setup had. You can still easily fill your time here. Definitely still a good stop while doing other things in the area. read more

Kaleidoscope - Puzzle maker is still here! - Museums Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

I was worried my 2 year old wouldn't enjoy this, but man, he had the time of his life! Absolutely worth a visit.

Kaleidoscope makes for a fun artistic adventure for the kids. Hallmark has truly produced this as a nice way to get back to the community. Make sure you go to the website to schedule your timeslot appropriately. Showing up without scheduling ahead of time may result you not getting your kids in for the art projects. Each timeslot for the kids to do artwork lasts roughly 45 minutes. This is fun, but not some thing worth driving an hour or more to do just this. Make sure you book some of the other kid specific activities in the area to combine with Kaleidoscope. read more

I loved this place. They were kind and welcoming to my boys and myself. Hands down going back again. The boys had a blast!

This is a fun and free activity. I would say this place is best for ages 5-12. I really liked how they allowed the children to create as much as they wanted in they're allotted of time. I was basic stuff like water color and markers and a variety of things to draw/paint on such a different shaped paper or precut out shapes of ghosts and pumpkins. They do have a melted wax station which was really cool! I wish they would have had more of a variety of things to utilize such as various pastels, inks, etc. However, since it is free and the kids only have 50 minutes to create something I see why they probably don't have more of a variety. All in all my older two kids (7 &12) really enjoyed it. My 1.5yr old wasn't a big fan. read more

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Fun place to keep young kids entertained. Even better that it's free! Staff is friendly too read more

You can't complain much about a free activity. We didn't know what to expect and because of another review, thought there was food here so we came for lunch. Memo to all, there's no food here. This basically is a place for kids to have fun and be creative. I would definitely recommend trying this out if you have kids ages 12 and under. My daughter didn't like that we couldn't get out of the activity area without an escort (they have to unlock a door to let you out for security reasons). But not a deal breaker for me. I would get here when they open (9:30am people start lining up). Because all of the craft supplies are neat and organized and untouched first thing in the morning. read more

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Kaleidoscope was fantastic! Outdoor activities have been put to a stop for now. So my husband and I googled indoor activities for toddlers. We have a one year old and wanted all of us to get out of the house! It was our first time going! My husband and I had a hard time finding it but a worker in Halls pointed us in the right direction. Upon arrival, you pick up tickets then get in line. Every 50 minutes or so they let a new group in. We got in right away and picked up a bag. You can decorate the bag with markers, paint in the black light area, or stickers! Then, they have several creative art stations set up to go to. Each station is something different such as making your own personal puzzle, decorating vday cards, taping letters, etc. So much fun and best part of it all... it was FREE!!!! read more

If you have young kids and are looking for a fun FREE experience Kaleidoscope is the place for you. I recently took my granddaughter on a hot June day. It was a welcomed relief from the heatwave. At age 3 I was concerned she may not enjoy it, boy was I wrong! Let me start with the Hallmark Kaleidoscope staff is outstanding! They are friendly and extremely helpful. The crafting experience is free flowing and extremely interactive allowing kids to use their imagination and create. In a world overloaded with technology this is a welcomed old school experience. The children run freely from station to station painting cutting crafting and creating. read more

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What a great place! Located at Hallmark Headquarters, this fun place lets kids be creative, have fun and bring home some fun artwork. From the minute you go in, you'll find supplies to make a number of different projects. Our favorite was the puzzle station - you draw and color a picture on a piece of cardboard, then you take it to the machine where you crank it through and make your own puzzle. The place was whimsical, colorful and best of all free! read more

Kaleidoscope - Museums Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

40 minutes of using your own creativity to work in art projects - and it's free! I made a puzzle, painted in neon colors, and found an awesome sticker that I wore the whole day! The kids did even more!! Go and have a great time. read more

Kaleidoscope - Painted puzzle and drawing decorated in the black light room. - Museums Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

It was a fun time. Our child was a little young to fully enjoy her time there. We will go back in a year.

You can't beat a FREE place to take kids! Great place for kids to run around and be creative! This place provides tons of stations with markers, crayons, paint, attachments, etc., where kids are able to create all sorts of artwork and use their imagination. There is a glow in the dark station as well that is pretty unique. read more

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I love going to Kaleidoscope with my girls and seeing what kind of art we leave with. Just keep in mind that you only have 40 minutes to make your masterpiece!! ((now, the last two times that we have gone we stayed as long as we wanted--during the week it is not as busy so I think they allow the kiddos to keep on going!!)) There are different stations to choose from. You just need to pick which one. One of our favorites is painting. After you paint you can put your artwork in the drying machine (sometimes twice if your artist is heavy handed with the coats of paint...or water!) Make your own puzzle. They have a super cool machine to put your artwork through...it cuts it out into a puzzle. There is a room that has melted crayon wax. There are about four stations that allow you to create with the wax. Oh...the room has black lights so the melted paint glows as well as the markers that you can use. Pretty cool. So grab a bag and start creating. Make sure you take extras for home as they have tons of materials. It's a fun spot and it's FREE!! Whoo hoo, Hallmark!! Thanks for an awesome outlet for the creative kid in all of us. I would make sure you check the summer schedule and make sure there aren't any private parties going on before making the trip out. read more

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This place is a FREE art center for children using left over card parts. Hallmark really does have a big imprint on this town and this place is another example. You must have a ticket (that is free) to come here but those can be obtained right before the timed sessions. If they are not full, it is very flexible and you can do your own thing. This is no cheesy center. The tools and materials are top notch and my favorite is the puzzle maker, which cuts your creation into a puzzle after you are done. The staff is extremely friendly and they give you a bag to fill up with art pieces to take home. There is no other way to describe this place, you must experience it for yourself. This is a must visit in the city if you have kids! read more

Fun place for young kids and parents, dark with a lot of black light, multiple stations for kids to watercolor masks, cut, paste, markers, necklace making, melted wax crayons for making designs under a black light. Totally free. You can't complain about the price. They have different sessions to keep the crowd numbers under control which allows the children to enjoy each activity with no waits. It's worth a trip and a great family day. read more

Kaleidoscope - Museums Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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I was really excited to bring my 3.5 year old son to a place I loved so much as a child. We arrived early to get our tickets and I even thought how perfect this would be for my son's next birthday party. Then we walked inside... there were just tables filled with the same materials (with exception to the table that had letters). There weren't any project examples, nor were there any volunteers to assist except at the puzzle cutter (and that woman was beyond rude). My son kept returning to the pin impression table to stick his hands under. We tried painting, but the watercolors trays were essentially empty. We tried to glue some of the cut paper onto some string but all they had was scotch tape. The markers were also pretty dried out. Seriously, there was the same cut out paper shapes at most of the tables. I saw one sheet of stickers. None of the volunteers engaged with the kids. When I told my son it was almost time to leave, he actually said "good." That about broke my heart, but I wasn't surprised. He had MUCH more fun at the Visitor's Center next door. I know they are closing for a month, but they could have kept everything well stocked and maintained until the end... or maybe this is just how it is now. A beloved part of my childhood has not changed for the better. That being said, I would still be willing to give it another chance in a year or so, just with the hope that the experience will improve and that maybe we did just catch it on an off day. read more

Kaleidoscope - Museums Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

We decided to come here with the little one today, we haven't been since we were tots ourself. This will forever be my favorite place to take kids to. read more

Kaleidoscope - Black light room - Museums Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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I have been coming to Kaleidoscope since I was about 8 years-old, and now I'm bringing my children here. There have been a few changes in the years. It used to be group led and children only, letting parents watch through 2-way mirrors at how their kids played. Now the parents get to play and create alongside their children (at least the fun parents do). Nothing fancy here, it is the left-overs from Hallmark's card making, but that's what makes this place perfect!!! You don't need fancy when you get to use your imagination (same reason I create shows for kids)! It's free to get in, but you're limited to 40 min. This is geared to younger children (toddler to 5th grade), but I still have a blast! Of course I've been accused of acting like a child. I've never been here at Christmas, but understand it's great!!! And crowded! This is a must do! read more

Kaleidoscope - Posting pics in their glow in the dark room at Kaleidoscope. - Museums Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

This is a child's dream and a stress relief for the creative parent. Oh - and it's ALL free!! No gimmicks. Dress your kids appropriately, as they will be turned loose on paint, markers, and (amazingly awesome!!) melted, glow-in-the-dark wax! When you enter the exhibit you will be able to pick up a paper bag that you can stuff in as many art projects as you and your little one(s) can create. First, my daughter and I made cards decorated with stickers and paper hearts they provided. We then painted and made a picture that could be cut into a puzzle through a little puzzle-making machine. We painted 3 pictures at the paint station, and we watched the painted pictures roll through a heater that dries them within 3 minutes. My daughter was riveted by this, and waited intently until her picture rolled off the conveyor belt. Then my five year old and I decorated a box with his name. He was so proud of it! And he also was able to create a kaleidoscope. We played with the melted wax, which I thought was great! But my kids weren't old enough to appreciate it. As they get older, that may become our favorite part of the exhibit. I highly recommend this place for a parent and kid outing - IF, and only if, a parent is ready for the messy kids and wants to be involved in the artistic, creative experience. We enjoyed it! I'll be going back for sure. read more

We visited this place while we were in Kansas City. What a fun and free place for the whole family. This place gets full quickly so it's better to get there a few minutes early. Once inside you will be handed tickets at the front counter and then you wait in line until they allow you in the back room. They give you 40 minutes to do whatever you want to do with arts and crafts and provide everything needed to have a family bonding time. You can also paint stuff and send it to the machine and then take it home with you without paying for it, again this place is 100% free. If you are visiting Kansas City and want to try something fun and free you should give this place a try. Oh and after the session is over you're allowed to go back in after you get entry tickets again. read more

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We enjoyed creating all kinds of things at the Hallmark kaleidoscope. Its a free program where Hallmark has a creative space with tons of leftover product material which they allow you to use to make hats, cards, puzzles, paintings etc. 45 minutes of crafty free fun for the kids and parents. read more

My girls (4 and 1) and I loved Kaleidoscope! It was a really neat thing to do with kids... and it's FREE! I suggest you go early. We came near closing time and weren't able to get the full experience. It is something I wouldn't miss! read more

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