Kaleidoscope

This place is a FREE art center for children using left over card parts. Hallmark really does have a big imprint on this town and this place is another example. You must have a ticket (that is free) to come here but those can be obtained right before the timed sessions. If they are not full, it is very flexible and you can do your own thing.
This is no cheesy center. The tools and materials are top notch and my favorite is the puzzle maker, which cuts your creation into a puzzle after you are done. The staff is extremely friendly and they give you a bag to fill up with art pieces to take home. There is no other way to describe this place, you must experience it for yourself. This is a must visit in the city if you have kids!

1. Got PICKPOCKETED here — BEWARE!!! 10:30am on a weekday, with only about 10 families inside with us. No one looked suspicious, and everyone had kids, so beware. Wallet was slipped out of my purse underneath the stroller, cash stolen, wallet stashed (thankfully, I found the rest of my wallet). Staff nice, but said only option was to leave a report with security (I had two crying kids by that point, so I didn’t bother).
2. Parked on the «blue» level in the garage. Followed the signs through the halls and escalators and was eventually led to a staircase. NO STOLLER/​HANDICAPPED ACCESS! I have a double-​stroller, so I had to unload both kids, unload all of our bags, dissassemble the stroller, and reassemble everything at the bottom of the stairs. I asked at the info desk how to get to my car, and they said that there is no good way… I guess there is some winding path through some other building, but the info lady couldn’t really describe it and there was no signage. Surprising to have a kids museum that makes strollers almost impossible to use!
3. The museum itself was nice… lots of craft projects (decorate a crown, an envelope, make a paper puzzle, paint with black light paint…). Great that it was free. Just watch out for pickpockets targeting all the tourists (like myself!)

Maybe if my kids weren’t tired it would have been better but I agree with another review that the tables were stocked with the same supplies and no examples. Yes, they’re supposed to create what they want but it was kind of dark and we were unsure of what to do. We did make puzzles and they both loved the little sound booth. We stopped by in the morning before the aquarium and got tickets for a time in the afternoon to make sure we had a spot. There was no way I wanted to show up with two kids and it be full.

We visited this place while we were in Kansas City. What a fun and free place for the whole family. This place gets full quickly so it’s better to get there a few minutes early.
Once inside you will be handed tickets at the front counter and then you wait in line until they allow you in the back room.
They give you 40 minutes to do whatever you want to do with arts and crafts and provide everything needed to have a family bonding time. You can also paint stuff and send it to the machine and then take it home with you without paying for it, again this place is 100% free.
If you are visiting Kansas City and want to try something fun and free you should give this place a try. Oh and after the session is over you’re allowed to go back in after you get entry tickets again.

The majority of people I know who grew up in the Metro have been to Kaleidoscope. I am in the little minority of the not-​cool kids until today. I’m here to tell you, as an adult, I had a blast!
I went with my friend and her kids (no you can’t visit without kids) early on Saturday morning. I highly recommend going as early as possible. The line was long when we left. A huge plus, it’s free!
There are several art stations set up. There’s a place to draw out a picture for a puzzle, a watercolor area with a dryer to set the picutres, stuff to make Valentines (seasonally theme) and more. Honestly I didn’t get to see all of it. I was busy making puzzles! I do agree the with another reviewer the markers could have been fresher. I liked getting to put my art through the puzzle cut out machine. It was pretty darn cool.
I’m happy to say I’ve finally been to Kaleidoscope! Oh yeah… all the kids there seemed to have a good time too.

I have been coming to Kaleidoscope since I was about 8 years-​old, and now I’m bringing my children here. There have been a few changes in the years. It used to be group led and children only, letting parents watch through 2-​way mirrors at how their kids played. Now the parents get to play and create alongside their children (at least the fun parents do).
Nothing fancy here, it is the left-​overs from Hallmark’s card making, but that’s what makes this place perfect!!! You don’t need fancy when you get to use your imagination (same reason I create shows for kids)!
It’s free to get in, but you’re limited to 40 min. This is geared to younger children (toddler to 5^th grade), but I still have a blast! Of course I’ve been accused of acting like a child.
I’ve never been here at Christmas, but understand it’s great!!! And crowded!
This is a must do!

We went here today with our four kids as a break on our trip across country. It was a really nice free thing to do. I called ahead to check on start times and I’m glad I did because the way it works is: you show up, get tickets, and wait to go in until «start time». Your ticket is good for a forty minute stay in the play/​creating space.
All my kids had a great time. They are ages 3,5,7, and 9. There is a black light room where everything glows and they can paint with melted wax. There’s a pin point impression table which is sort mesmerizing. There are all kinds of mini work stations with papers, tape, scissors, and markers. There was regular water colors. Another cool part was the puzzle maker where the kids can put their drawing through a puzzle press. Overall, glad we went.
Oh and you can park free in the parking garage «with validation» but we couldn’t fit in the garage cause the clearance was a bit low. We parked at Union Station and walked the many foot bridges to Hallmark.

A fun place to be creative and have so much fun for kids big and small. The best part is the price… free…one of my favorite four letter words. My daughter enjoyed painting and drawing. We made puzzles and birthday cards for my family. We had a great time and my daughter had the biggest smile.

I was really excited to bring my 3.5 year old son to a place I loved so much as a child. We arrived early to get our tickets and I even thought how perfect this would be for my son’s next birthday party.
Then we walked inside… there were just tables filled with the same materials (with exception to the table that had letters). There weren’t any project examples, nor were there any volunteers to assist except at the puzzle cutter (and that woman was beyond rude). My son kept returning to the pin impression table to stick his hands under. We tried painting, but the watercolors trays were essentially empty. We tried to glue some of the cut paper onto some string but all they had was scotch tape. The markers were also pretty dried out. Seriously, there was the same cut out paper shapes at most of the tables. I saw one sheet of stickers. None of the volunteers engaged with the kids.
When I told my son it was almost time to leave, he actually said «good.» That about broke my heart, but I wasn’t surprised. He had MUCH more fun at the Visitor’s Center next door.
I know they are closing for a month, but they could have kept everything well stocked and maintained until the end… or maybe this is just how it is now. A beloved part of my childhood has not changed for the better. That being said, I would still be willing to give it another chance in a year or so, just with the hope that the experience will improve and that maybe we did just catch it on an off day.

40 minutes of using your own creativity to work in art projects — and it’s free!
I made a puzzle, painted in neon colors, and found an awesome sticker that I wore the whole day! The kids did even more!
Go and have a great time.

A free, fun, and clean place that uses products that could’ve been thrown away, and allows children to be creative? Score!
I’ve been here twice: once with my son and his cousins and another time with my son’s class, and each time he and all the other kids had a ball. During a 40-​minute session they created all sorts of paper products provided by Hallmark (bookmarks, cards, flags, and their favorite: homemade puzzles), made music, and ran around and danced. You can’t get much more wholesome than that.
And as an adult, I have to say that I had a lot of fun, too. It’s nice that they turned down the lights – I think that gives the sense that the place isn’t as chaotic as it really is – and there is so much space and it’s divided into several rooms that even though there are dozens of kids and adults in the area, you aren’t bumping into everyone and their mom (literally). Also, as a bit of a hypochondriac with OCD, I appreciate that they have a station or two for the kids to wash their hands and that the staff does a great job of cleaning up in between sessions. And of course, it’s great seeing the kids enjoy themselves so much.
I’d gladly pay to take my kids to Kaleidoscope considering how much fun the kids have, but the fact that it’s free absolutely makes this one of the best places to take the kids for a good time in Kansas City.

Ok. soooo I have no kids. I live with no kids, and really I am rarely around children. I have a few that are very near and dear to me so when one asked me to come here with her on a Saturday afternoon I accepted. I had such a blast! Not only is it FREE it is actually a lot of fun. I like that they handed out tickets so each 40 – 50 minute long session was not over crowded with people. Since they do only allow so many I recommend coming 10 – 15 minutes early to ensure you get a ticket and so you can be first in line! I loved the black light room, and the puzzle maker.
This is a great way to enterain kids for free in KC.

Lots of fun for the kids, and not a terrible time for adults.
This is a free exhibit put on by Hallmark to use their off-​cut paper for a good use. There are craft projects set up at stations, broken up by lively interactive stations. Some make music, some are photo manipulation.
For the price of free, this stop cannot be beat.

Clever. Clever. Clever.
This is a free exhibit for kids by Hallmark next to their visitor’s center. Essentially Hallmark throws a bunch of their excess stuff (and some specifically purchased items, to give them due credit) into a very well decorated large room and let kids go crazy with their creativity making cards, masks, puzzles, etc. etc. etc. Kids get about 40 minutes per session. If they are not busy, no one gets kicked out. My kids could have spent hours here if we didn’t pull them out to go to Legoland (which was much more expensive and lamer in comparison).
This facility is just such a clever re-​using of what would otherwise be industrial waste, building goodwill and brand equity in the process. As an MBA, this is a great outside-​the-​box idea and whomever conceived of and implemented it deserves massive credit.

Way cool! Free! Was good for my kids younger than 11 (not so much the 14-​yr old). Lots of hands-​on stuff. Hallmark didn’t cheap out on the activities, because it is free. The black-​light room is very cool. It was crowded (on a Saturday afternoon). Several attendants in there, helping. Mostly self-​directed activities. Colorful and interestingly decorated work spaces.
If visiting the Crown Center with kids, I highly recommend. It is a bit tricky to find. Ask for directions. Next to the Hallmark Visitors’ Center.

What’s not to love about Hallmark’s Kaleidoscope? I remember going as a kid and thinking it was one of the most magical experiences of my life! My children LOVE it and ask to go frequently. It has changed over the years, but it’s still great and it’s still FREE! There are so many opportunities to let your imagination run wild. You can’t do everything you want in one visit, either. Each session is one hour long.
If you want a wonderful KC experience during your vacation or stay-​cation you cannot beat a trip to Kaleidoscope, a run through the fountain in summer or a whirl around the ice rink in winter, followed by a fun meal at Fritz’s or Crayola Café at Crown Center. It’s also just a quick walk to Union Station and Science City. Kaleidoscope is truly one of the best things about Kansas City.

What a great place! Located at Hallmark Headquarters, this fun place lets kids be creative, have fun and bring home some fun artwork. From the minute you go in, you’ll find supplies to make a number of different projects.
Our favorite was the puzzle station — you draw and color a picture on a piece of cardboard, then you take it to the machine where you crank it through and make your own puzzle.
The place was whimsical, colorful and best of all free!

I LOVE this place!!!
Sometimes it costs a couple bucks, and some days its free!
This place has a special in my heart, I have great childhood memories of Kaleidoscope! Now I get to take my daughter here! I love that!
Here, any kids young and old, can let their creative juices flow, and be creative to their heart content.
painting, making your own puzzles, make your own necklaces, they have all sorts of ribbons and bows, papers, and so on and so on :)
I always have a good time here, as well as my daughter, and some day will love to take my grandkids here too!

Fun place for young kids and parents, dark with a lot of black light, multiple stations for kids to watercolor masks, cut, paste, markers, necklace making, melted wax crayons for making designs under a black light. Totally free. You can’t complain about the price. They have different sessions to keep the crowd numbers under control which allows the children to enjoy each activity with no waits. It’s worth a trip and a great family day.

I love going to Kaleidoscope with my girls and seeing what kind of art we leave with. Just keep in mind that you only have 40 minutes to make your masterpiece! ((now, the last two times that we have gone we stayed as long as we wanted – during the week it is not as busy so I think they allow the kiddos to keep on going!!))
There are different stations to choose from. You just need to pick which one. One of our favorites is painting. After you paint you can put your artwork in the drying machine (sometimes twice if your artist is heavy handed with the coats of paint… or water!)
Make your own puzzle. They have a super cool machine to put your artwork through… it cuts it out into a puzzle.
There is a room that has melted crayon wax. There are about four stations that allow you to create with the wax. Oh… the room has black lights so the melted paint glows as well as the markers that you can use. Pretty cool.
So grab a bag and start creating. Make sure you take extras for home as they have tons of materials. It’s a fun spot and it’s FREE! Whoo hoo, Hallmark! Thanks for an awesome outlet for the creative kid in all of us.
I would make sure you check the summer schedule and make sure there aren’t any private parties going on before making the trip out.