Part Two - Kansas City is a Holiday-Lover’s Delight!
National Toy and Miniature Museum in Kansas City, Missouri
Tip: Click on the [ ] button on the lower right of the video screen for full screen!
It’s no secret that Kansas City offers folks many fun things to do and see. What I didn’t realize is how many fun things the KC metro area offers during the holidays. I’ll tell you about one attraction I went to and then give you additional information on the more than 100 special things to do this time of year. If you are like me, you will be amazed!
Maybe I’m just a kid at heart, but one of my favorite KC museums is the National Toy and Miniature Museum. I hadn’t been there for years, but was pleased to see it was even better than I remembered it. One founder of the museum collected miniatures and the other collected dolls and toys. As with all substantial collections, they ran out of room to store their items in their homes so they met and decided to start the museum. The collection has since moved into larger and nicer facilities and is a real treat to see. It’s like taking a little trip through your childhood. So much fun!
I began my visit watching a video about the museum’s two founders and then moved to the second floor, containing dollhouses, dolls, and toys. I marveled at the numerous large antique dollhouses and furnishings and then I spotted a Fisher Price dollhouse I used to have. That brought back fond memories playing with my Fisher Price sets. I then moved to a special exhibit about retro aluminum holiday trees. Memories of Christmas at my grandma’s house came flooding back. My grandma’s house was every Mid Century Modern collector’s dream. I always thought her tree was unique and was amazed at the aluminum Christmas tree collection at the museum. So many fun colors and even patterns! Check out these photos from the museum exhibit!
After seeing this exhibit, I checked out the rest of the exhibits on the second floor. I saw dolls, teddy bears, giant marble runs, optical illusion toys and many popular toys and fads. What a trip down memory lane! Barbie, GI Joe, Simon Says (which I always wanted but never got 😂), Rock ‘em Sock’em Robots which we played at my grandma’s house, Cabbage Patch Kids, and even the large metal garage my mom let me pick out for my toy cars with green stamps. Nope, I did not want the cute little tea set. I wanted the two-story service garage with the elevator to play with my Hot Wheels cars. I guess I didn’t pay much attention to gender stereotypes even then, lol. 🤷♀️
While I was taking photos and reminiscing I discovered the museum was closing soon and my phone was about dead. 🙄 So, I guess next time I’ll have to go back and see the first floor. I breezed through part of one room and then my phone went black. Ah, well, it’s a good reason to go back on the next trip! 😁
I will feature one more KC attraction on my next post, GloWild at the KC Zoo. In the meantime, here are a bunch of other holiday options for both youngsters and adults at the links below, thanks to other bloggers. Check them out! Lots of great ideas yet for this year or for next year’s trip!
https://kc.kidsoutandabout.com/content/101-ideas-holiday-family-fun-kansas-city-2023
https://www.visitkc.com/holidays
https://kcparent.com/christmas-in-kc
https://www.travelawaits.com/2558814/best-holiday-experiences-in-kansas-city/