Sea Life and LEGOLAND: two attractions, LOTS of fun!

Kansas City has a plethora of family-friendly venues; two such “staycation”-worthy spots are Sea Life Aquarium and LEGOLAND, located at Crown Center in the heart of Kansas City. I was so excited to have the opportunity to take my kids to both of these places for the first time this summer!
Now, I will confess that I have avoided Sea Life in the past as part of a silent protest of their policy which prohibits the use of double-wide strollers. If you plan to attend with more than one of your little ones, consider bringing a tandem or individual strollers or even your favorite baby wearer!

sealife1 (2)Due to time constraints, our time at Sea Life was relatively short; the next time we go, we will plan to spend a few hours there to really take advantage of all it has to offer (which is a LOT!). Pictures are allowed, but not flash photography since the light can harm some of their animals. The walls between each viewing window display fun facts about the animals, providing attendees of all ages with the opportunity to test their knowledge about what they had seen. If you happen to have a competitive crew, you can make a fun game out of it!

There is one hands-on tank where kids (and adults) can touch a variety of animals. One important note about this location: a stop here provides the best opportunity to use the restroom while inside the Sea Life exhibit! Also, while Sea Life does not have a cafe of its own, you do have the option to leave and re-enter which means you can enjoy a packed lunch at your car or at one of the great eateries just across the street at Crown Center.

Tlegoland4he re-entry option is only available at Sea Life; you cannot regain admission to LEGOLAND with the purchase of a single admission. Fortunately, LEGOLAND does offer a cafe in case you get hungry or thirsty but still have lots of play left in your tank. Since you can’t bring outside food or drinks, it’s worth mentioning that the prices are comparable to other cafeteria offerings with everything packaged in single, easy-to-grab servings. The price for a kid’s meal (which included an Uncrustable PB&J, fruit and a drink) was around $5; those with larger appetites have the option of a sandwich or salad with a side of fruit or chips and a drink for $8-$10. A la carte items were also available and started at around $2 apiece. Gluten- and wheat-free options are also available!

All of my kids (ages 3-10) loved the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride as well as peddling the Merlin’s Apprentice Ride. Another big hit with our family was the Master Builder Academy which allows you to learn building tips and tricks from a LEGO Master Builder. Everyone uses the same kits, and if you really love what you built, you can purchase your kit to take home! One of my favorite things about the class is that the instructor gives you the names of all the pieces you use which are nothing like our family’s made-up names like “flat gray 2 x 4.” There is also a really fun soft play course which includes giant foam-like LEGOs and a wrecking ball! Another tip: be sure your kids have socks! If you forget (which is easy to do during summer sandal season), socks can be purchased for a small fee at the cafe.

legoland6Other fun opportunities included building with LEGO Friends and building and racing cars on the speed test track. If a pit stop is in order, the restrooms are located just behind the test track area; thankfully, LEGOLAND offers changing tables in the men’s, women’s AND family restrooms which makes bathroom breaks a breeze!

A quick Google search should provide you with several discount options for these attractions; if you plan to visit both, buy a combo ticket and head to Sea Life first – then, use your LEGOLAND ticket that day or at any point over the next fourteen days. With smaller kids in mind, this might be a great way to avoid fatigue for little legs and minds!

Kids of many ages will have a great time at Sea Life Aquarium and LEGOLAND. Consider making them a part of your summer bucket list!

Note: Kansas City Moms Blog received one free family admission to these venues in exchange for this post; however, all opinions expressed here are those of the contributor who wrote them.

 

Sarah Rotert
I grew up in Liberty, just a few blocks off from the square. After a brief stint at Iowa State University, hubby and I returned to the Northland in KC to welcome our twin girls into the world. Soon after we were parents to 2, we were parents to 3. And after a bit of a hiatus, we returned to infant hood with the birth of our 4th child. As our twin daughters have special needs, I changed my course of study and earned an A.S. in Sign Language Interpreting. We used American Sign Language as our primary communication for the first 2 years of their lives. Over the last 9 years since becoming a mom, I've learned (and am still learning) about childhood advocacy, living on budget, baby wearing, cloth diapering, figuring out how to plan/shop/execute yummy/kid-friendly/healthy meals. While we've been life long KC residents, we are continuously in awe of what this city has to offer.