Top 10 September Activities for Preschoolers in Kansas City

As the weather cools and fall colors start to peek through, September is full of opportunities to enjoy Kansas City with your preschooler. From community festivals to cozy fall crafts, this month is a perfect balance of outdoor adventures and creative learning. Here are 10 fun and educational September preschool activities in Kansas City that will help your child explore, grow, and make lasting memories.

1. Kick Off Fall at a Local Apple Festival

Nothing says September like apples! The Kansas City area is home to several apple orchards and festivals, with Weston Applefest being one of the most popular. Families can enjoy fresh cider, live music, and vendors selling everything from apple pie to handmade crafts. For preschoolers, the highlight is often the simple act of picking their own apples straight from the tree. This hands-on activity helps kids connect with where their food comes from while also giving them the independence of making their own choices.

Learning Tip: Turn your basket of apples into a math and science activity at home. Let your preschooler sort apples by size or color, count how many they picked, and compare the difference between sweet and tart varieties during snack time.

2. Take a Ride on the Kansas City Streetcar

If you’re looking for a free and exciting adventure, the KC Streetcar is a preschooler’s dream. The ride itself is short and easy, perfect for little attention spans, and it offers plenty of opportunities for real-world learning. Talk about how the tracks work, identify colors of passing cars, or point out buildings and landmarks along the way. Stops like Union Station and the River Market are especially fun for families to explore after hopping off.

For many kids, simply being on public transportation is thrilling and new. It encourages patience (waiting for the streetcar), social learning (sharing space with others), and curiosity about the world around them. Plus, the fact that it’s free means you can hop on and off as many times as you like without worry.

3. Explore Wonderscope Children’s Museum

September is a great time to spend a morning or afternoon at Wonderscope Children’s Museum, Kansas City’s premier play-based learning center. With interactive exhibits that cover everything from water play to imaginative pretend worlds, Wonderscope gives preschoolers the chance to learn through hands-on exploration. They can splash in the water tables, climb in the indoor jungle, or experiment with building blocks—all while developing problem-solving and motor skills.

Parents love that the exhibits are designed for open-ended play, meaning kids lead the way in their own learning. It’s a perfect place to go when the weather is unpredictable or when you need an outing that balances fun with education.

4. Try Preschool Gymnastics or Dance Classes

September is when many studios start new class sessions, making it the perfect time to introduce your preschooler to gymnastics or dance. Programs like those at Pinnacle Gymnastics and Dance are tailored for young learners, focusing on basic movement, balance, rhythm, and coordination. Classes give kids the chance to be active while also practicing skills like listening to instructions, taking turns, and working with peers in a group setting.

Parents often notice that structured movement classes not only improve physical development but also help children gain confidence. Plus, preschoolers love the chance to jump, tumble, and twirl in a safe, encouraging environment.

5. Visit Powell Gardens for Fall Displays

Just outside of Kansas City, Powell Gardens comes alive in September with colorful flowers, seasonal harvest displays, and wide-open areas to explore. The Children’s Garden offers interactive features designed just for young learners, including water pumps, digging areas, and themed displays that rotate with the seasons.

A visit to Powell Gardens allows preschoolers to connect with nature while learning about plants, insects, and the changing seasons. Take along a small notebook and crayons so your child can draw the flowers and leaves they see, helping them make connections between the natural world and creative expression.

6. Create Fall-Themed Crafts at Home

As the weather turns cooler, September is the start of cozy craft season. Leaf printing with paint, apple stamping with cut fruit, and making pinecone bird feeders with peanut butter and seed are all simple, inexpensive projects that bring the beauty of fall indoors. Preschoolers thrive on hands-on activities, and fall crafts are perfect for building fine motor skills while also giving children the freedom to be creative.

At the same time, these projects connect kids to the world outside their window. Collecting leaves, pinecones, or apples together can turn into a mini field trip before the craft even begins. It’s a full circle activity that teaches resourcefulness and creativity.

7. Enjoy a Chiefs-Themed Family Day

Football season starts in September, and Kansas City’s love for the Chiefs makes game day an exciting time for kids too. Even if your preschooler isn’t watching the game, they can take part in themed family activities. Dress them in red and gold, bake simple football-shaped cookies together, or set up a “mini field” in the backyard where they can run around with a soft ball.

This type of imaginative play builds gross motor skills and provides a chance to introduce numbers (keeping score), basic rules, and teamwork. For little ones, it’s less about the game itself and more about joining in the family spirit and community pride.

8. Attend a Local Fall Festival

September marks the start of festival season in Kansas City, and there are plenty of family-friendly options. Santa-Cali-Gon Days Festival in Independence offers parades, live music, and carnival rides, while the Overland Park Fall Festival features arts, crafts, and food trucks that preschoolers will enjoy. These events offer a wonderful way to experience community together while keeping kids engaged with sights, sounds, and flavors of fall.

Preschoolers especially love parades, live entertainment, and hands-on craft booths. For parents, these festivals are an opportunity to let children explore safely in a lively, festive atmosphere.

9. Go on a Sunflower Field Adventure

September is prime time to see Kansas sunflower fields in bloom, with Grinter Farms in Lawrence being one of the most famous. Imagine your preschooler standing among towering flowers that are taller than they are—it’s both magical and educational. Running through the fields provides open-ended play opportunities, while observing the flowers up close teaches kids about plant life cycles and pollinators.

Bring along a camera to capture the moment and let your child help pick a sunflower to take home. Once home, place it in water and watch it over the next few days together, noting changes as part of a simple science lesson.

10. Visit the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

For a unique indoor activity, head to the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Preschoolers will be fascinated by the dollhouses, action figures, and vintage toys. While some exhibits are delicate and best for “looking eyes,” many displays inspire pretend play and curiosity. Parents can use the visit as a way to start conversations about imagination, creativity, and how toys have changed over time.

After the trip, encourage your preschooler to use their own toys at home to “create a museum.” This type of role play fosters creativity, language development, and storytelling skills—all while keeping the fun going beyond the outing itself.

Final Thoughts on September Activities for Preschoolers

From apple festivals and sunflower fields to hands-on crafts and museum adventures, September in Kansas City is filled with opportunities for preschoolers to learn, grow, and have fun. Each of these activities combines play with development, helping your child build important skills while making memories with your family.

Whether you’re exploring outdoors, celebrating at a festival, or getting cozy with crafts indoors, September is the perfect month to slow down, enjoy the season, and watch your preschooler discover the magic of fall.