10 Fun and Educational August Activities for Preschoolers in Kansas City

August is the perfect time to soak up the final days of summer with your little one—before the back-to-school rush sets in. If you’re searching for August activities for preschoolers that are fun, enriching, and Kansas City-approved, you’re in the right place!

This list includes both local attractions and simple at-home options designed to support your child’s growth in areas like fine motor skills, early literacy, and social-emotional development.

1. Explore Nature Trails at Loose Park or Burr Oak Woods

Nothing beats a nature walk for curious minds and wiggly bodies. Kansas City’s Loose Park and Burr Oak Woods offer safe, shaded trails perfect for preschoolers.

Why it’s great in August: The flowers are blooming, the bugs are busy, and there’s so much to discover before the seasons change.

Developmental Benefits:

• Gross motor skills (walking, balancing)
• Vocabulary building
• Sensory exploration

Pro Tip: Turn your walk into a scavenger hunt for colors, shapes, or textures.

2. Cool Off at Splash Pads and Water Parks

One of the most popular August activities for preschoolers is water play! Try the splash pad at Penguin Park or the shallow pool areas at The Bay Water Park in Grandview.

Developmental Benefits:

• Sensory regulation
• Physical confidence
• Social play with other children

Learning Tip: Use waterproof toys to introduce basic science—float vs. sink, warm vs. cold.

3. Join a Storytime at the Kansas City Public Library

Beat the heat indoors while supporting early literacy skills. Many Kansas City libraries host free preschool storytime events in August.

Developmental Benefits:

• Listening skills
• Phonemic awareness
• Emotional learning through books

Library Highlight: The Central Library’s Children’s section offers cozy reading nooks, hands-on play, and even toddler-sized furniture.

4. Get Creative at Kaleidoscope by Hallmark

Located in Crown Center, Kaleidoscope is a free, colorful art studio where preschoolers can create using real Hallmark materials.

Why it’s perfect for August: Indoor art time offers a cool, quiet space for focus and creativity.

Developmental Benefits:

• Fine motor development
• Creative expression
• Self-confidence through choice

5. Shop and Learn at the City Market or Local Farmers' Markets

Field trips to the City Market or Overland Park Farmers’ Market help preschoolers understand where food comes from—plus, you’ll beat the school-year crowds.

Developmental Benefits:

• Counting and sorting
• Sensory experiences
• Healthy food education

Learning Game: Ask your child to find items by color or count fruits while shopping.

6. Ice Painting and Sensory Bins at Home

When you're looking for easy August activities for preschoolers at home, try frozen fun! Ice painting (colored ice cubes + paper) and sensory bins filled with rice or water beads can provide hours of screen-free engagement.

Developmental Benefits:

• Sensory integration
• Hand-eye coordination
• Focus and patience

Bonus Idea: Add small alphabet letters to your sensory bin to practice early literacy through play.

7. Visit the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead

August mornings are great for visiting the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Overland Park, where kids can feed goats, see bunnies, and ride ponies.

Developmental Benefits:

• Empathy and nurturing behavior
• Vocabulary expansion
• Real-world learning

Pro Tip: Bring a notebook and have your preschooler "journal" with drawings of the animals they see.

8. Try a Picnic and Playground Day

A good old-fashioned picnic in the park is one of the simplest yet most joyful August activities for preschoolers. Head to Swope Park or English Landing Park with a blanket, snacks, and favorite toys.

Developmental Benefits:

• Independent eating
• Social engagement
• Gross motor play on the playground

9. Set Up a Backyard Obstacle Course

Turn your backyard into a mini adventure park. Use cones, pool noodles, chalk, and buckets to build a preschool-level obstacle course.

Developmental Benefits:

• Coordination
• Sequencing and problem-solving
• Following directions

Learning Add-On: Create a “map” for the course and have your child point out what comes next.

10. Kindergarten Countdown Readiness Activities

If your preschooler starts kindergarten in the fall, August is the time to gently prep with fun readiness routines.

Activities to Try:

• Name writing with sidewalk chalk
• Practicing opening lunch containers
• Reading “first day of school” books

Why it matters: Familiarity builds confidence, and play-based practice eases transitions.

Final Thoughts on August Activities for Preschoolers

Whether you’re heading to a splash pad, visiting a farm, or enjoying a picnic, August activities for preschoolers are a perfect blend of learning, laughter, and bonding time. By choosing experiences that support physical, social, and cognitive development, you’re setting your child up for success in the school year ahead—and making memories along the way.