Kansas City's zoo is not all that, in my opinion; Omaha's is MUCH better.

Right there in Union Station is Science City...here is the link for Union Station:

http://www.unionstation.org/exhibitsevents.html

A new restaurant either just opened or is about to, called Harvey's: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/03/07/2706091/harveys-at-union-station-set-to.html

If you walk the covered walkways over to Crown Center you will find Fritz's...a big favorite for kids...your food is delivered by a model train! Fun! http://www.fritzskc.com/History.html

Also in Crown Center is the Crayola Cafe: http://www.crayolacafe.com/

I may think of more.

Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Overland Park is a little different from a zoo and very good. http://www.kansastravel.org/overlandpark/deannarosefarmstead.htm

Kaleidoscope might work. It is recomended for age 5 up. http://www.hallmarkkaleidoscope.com/

Wonderscope Children's Museum in Shawnee is probably a netter bet for a 4 year old. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBcQoAIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wonderscope.org%2F&ei=E2CKTefRCY6atwfx4ryFDg&usg=AFQjCNF4chVppExHxeT22mJleXR-qDIe0g&sig2=xMU21p6I2X__Tlzk3Em35w

At Fritz's Railroad Restaurant the food is delivered to your table by a small train. The food is about like a good drive-in. The original location in Kansas City, Kansas is the one do visit, not the other two. http://www.kansastravel.org/kansascitykansas/ftitzrailroad.htm

If the child is mature and likes dinosaurs, the T-Rex Cafe at the Legends in Kansas City, Kansas is great, and the food isn't bad. http://www.kansastravel.org/kansascitykansas/trexcafe.htm

Keith

would i be right in thinking that Missouri and Kansas are next door to each other? my geography of my home country is terrible let alone anywhere else lol

Yes, it is one large metropolitan area. Without a car it would be quite difficult (or a pricey cab ride or 3) to get to Overland Park, Shawnee or Kansas City, Kansas.

Children under 5 are not allowed in Kaleidoscope.

Guess we could be a bit limited then as I don't drive, all travel accross the states is being done by train

I knew that (I responded on your Omaha thread). That's why my recommendations centered around the train station area.

I am NOT familiar with our public transit system at all, but there might be a trolley bus or similar transportation in the summer to take you to the Plaza (fun shopping, cool local toy store--Zoom, park and fountain) or maybe even a little further south to the Toy and Miniature Museum.

we're good at walking don't suppose you could recommend anywhere to stay lol, i'd booked somewhere but i've booked the wrong location (by the airport oops) luckily they don't charge cancellation charges!

Well, you'd be close (yes, you really could walk) to both the Westin Crown Center and Hyatt Regency. They are probably pricey unless they have a special running (which they don't advertise locally, of course). Not sure if you've done Priceline before, but I think those hotels come up on there pretty regularly.

A little further south (short cab ride) you would find a Residence Inn and maybe a Courtyard (don't remember for sure) and then even further (closer to/on the Plaza) a Marriott, Sheraton Suites, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, etc.

To the north (too far to walk...take a cab) there is a Marriott, Crowne Plaza and Hilton. My sister got the Crowne Plaza on Priceline last month for only $50/night.

I gather you are a fan of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers? You probably already know this (and it could well be the reason for your trip), but Fred was born in Omaha:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Astaire

And Ginger in Independence, Missouri (just outside Kansas City):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginger_Rogers

Absolutely spot on!! both a fan and the reason for this trip!! We're going to Independence 15th/16th July for what would have been Ginger's 100th birthday
Kansas City is more of a break between the journey from Omaha and the longer trip to Los Angeles, before we make our way back again lol. Will have a look on priceline, i've found a lot already that its cheaper for me to book hotels in dollars rather than sterling!