Community Resources Archives

Local KC Inclusive Community Events

Playabilities Trunk-or-Treat

Playabilities will be hosting a sensory friendly Trunk or Treat event on Saturday October 28th 3:30-5:00pm! All are welcome for a trunk or treating afternoon of fun! Event will be held at our Prairie Village location: 8340 Mission Road Prairie Village, KS 66206

KU Sensory Aquatics

Sensory Enhanced Aquatics is a swimming and water safety program for children with autism spectrum disorders. Swimming can be a great physical outlet and life-saving skill for children with autism spectrum disorders. In addition to promoting health, swimming reduces stereotypic behaviors and increases social behaviors of some children facing these challenges. Instructors in the program combine evidence-based teaching methods with sensory strategies matched to the unique needs of each child. Each session consists of eight, 30-minute lessons. Individual and small group lessons are available to meet the learning needs of children ages 4 to 17.

Dance Expressions

This music, movement, and fun dance studio is for children of all abilities! Classes geared for children ages 4-9 years of age with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, sensory processing disorder. Children will develop self-esteem, focus/attention, self-expression, coordination/balance, and positive relationships!

SOAR Special Needs

SOAR Special Needs empowers families with special needs to SOAR in their local and faith communities. SOAR is determined to walk beside families with children with special needs so that their challenges will not prevent them from obtaining a bright future.

KC Pumpkin Patch

Experience a day of adventure as you slide, climb and play your way through acres of farm fun. Located at: 13875 S. Gardner Road Olathe, KS 66061

Louisburg Cider, Spiders & Tricks & Treats

Join in for a fun-filled event of games for children on our Family Farm. Make sure to enter the costume contest after you enter the main barn entrance from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m on Saturday October 28th. $2 off entry fee when dressed in costume!

Sensory Friendly Nutcracker

Kansas City Ballet is thrilled to present a performance of a sensory-friendly Nutcracker for children, families, and adults with sensory sensitivities, autism spectrum disorder, or other special needs. Appropriate changes will be made to this performance to create a welcoming and safe space for all in attendance. Event will be held on December 13, 2023 at the Kauffman Center of Performing Arts.

Powell Gardens Festival of Lights

During the Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens, more than 20 miles of lights turn Kansas City’s botanical garden into a winter wonderland. Enjoy a breath of fresh air during a hectic holiday season! Held November 16-December 30th Wednesdays-Sundays 5:00-10:00pm

Local KC Community Resources

Last Updated August 31, 2023

Local Kansas City Community Resources

Kansas City is home to a plethora of amazing and inclusive community play groups! See options below for fun ways to engage with your child in the KC community!

Community events

Check out our page with upcoming local inclusive community events!

The Little Gym

The Little Gym is located in Prairie Village, KS and offers parent/child and group classes of movement, music, gymnastics, and fun!

Inspired Play Cafe

Inspired Play cafe offers one open space where parents and caregivers can work while being able to see their children play, grab something healthy to eat, watch their children socialize, meet a friend, or just get out of the house and play in a new space! Memberships & drop in play options are available.

Wonderscope Children's Museum

Wonderscope is appreciated as an educational resource in our community that provides all children and families with the opportunity to build a solid foundation for success in school and beyond. Wonderscope’s mission is to spark a lifelong love of learning through the universal and uniting power of play!

Black & Veatch Maker Space

The Black & Veatch MakerSpace at the Johnson County Library is an Exploratorium of technological contraptions for innovators, creatives and tinkerers! They help patrons learn to use new equipment and software, troubleshoot technologies, find resources, and help to foster the maker movement. This is a free resource to the public.

My Gym

My Gym was born out of their passion to teach children in a fun, physically engaging environment. They offer parent/child and group classes focused on movement, music, and motor development.

Deanna Rose Farmstead

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is home to over 250 animals and birds, offering interactive experiences for children of all ages.

Superkidz Club

Superkidz Club, located in Shawnee, KS, is an indoor 10,000 sq ft play space filled with countless fun-packed activities. Kids can explore, learn and run around freely in the custom-designed playground. The play area was specifically designed with kids’ favorite things-to-do in mind. It incorporates jumping, climbing, crawling, and sliding.

Kids Empire

Kids Empire, located in Olathe, KS, is an indoor playground where kids can explore floor-to-ceiling climbing walls, play structures, and ball pits. Drop-in & memberships available.

Pump It Up

Pump It Up is an indoor play space in Overland Park, KS that houses massive inflatables created to spark kids’ imaginations. The space is not only fun for the kids, but provides a healthy workout that burns off excess energy! It’s fun for kids of all ages!

Blue Valley Recreation Center

Blue Valley Rec Center is a Gymnastics & tumbling space located in South Overland Park. They offer classes and have open play hours.

Skyzone Trampoline Park

Skyzone is an indoor trampoline park located in Shawnee, KS.

Local KC libraries

Kansas City is home to some amazing libraries! Take a look at the below link with an overview of some of the top-rated libraries for kids in the local KC area!

Rainbow of the Heartland

Rainbow of the Heartland, located in Olathem KS, is a Swingset store with an indoor showroom that offers open play. Kids are invited to jump, climb, swing, and play in their indoor showroom for a fee.

Prairie Oaks Nature Center

The Prairie Oak Nature Center offers fun environmental education programs for children of all ages.

Explorer Room

The Explorer Room, located in Overland Park, KS, is a three-story playground full of adventure and excitement for children, ages two to 10.

The room has slides, tunnels, platforms to climb, and obstacles to climb through. It’s perfect for any child to run, climb, and burn off energy.

The explorer room is open to the public, for free, during normal community center hours.

Financial & Nonprofit Resources

Last Updated August 31, 2023

Financial and NonProfit Supports

Providing your child with therapeutic services that are recommended for them can be difficult due to finances. Individualized therapy is an investment, and while we do work with insurance companies to help offset the cost of therapy services, we understand that financial limitations can be a barrier to your child receiving the best care. When financial and insurance limitations become an issue, several Kansas City organizations are here to help support your family.

The Aidan Project

The Aidan Project of KC connects families that do not qualify for state-funded early intervention with local clinics specializing in services such as Occupational, Speech, Physical, and Behavioral Therapy. The Aidan Project also provides financial assistance through scholarships to children ages five and under who are in need of early intervention. The Aidan Project advocates for children with developmental delays and provides resources for families that have not found the assistance they are seeking.

Play

Above are videos of three Playabilities clients who received scholarships through the Aidan Project!

United Healthcare: Children's foundation

The mission of UHCCF is to provide medical grants to enhance the quality of life of children across the United States. Through these grants, kids can get the care they need.

Oracle Health Foundation: Pediatric Grant

Oracle Health Foundation’s application-based pediatric grants provide funding for children to receive needed care. The foundation advocates for children and their families in the healthcare system, connecting them to providers and resources.

Guaranteed Rate Foundation

The Guaranteed Rate Foundation provides customized financial support to those working to overcome extraordinary hardships. It’s their goal to offer hope to those in crisis—an opportunity to stop, take a breath and begin healing. Guaranteed Rate Foundation welcomes applications directly from those in need, as well as from organizations or individuals who wish to nominate applicants.

Variety KC

Variety Children’s Charity of Greater Kansas City is a volunteer-driven organization committed to providing children with
developmental disabilities the adaptive equipment and opportunities needed for
activity and inclusion. At the heart of Variety’s achievements are the remarkable contributions of people in the community, and it is only through your time and effort that Variety is able to do so much for
children and families right here at home.

Feeding Matters

Feeding Matters is the first organization in the world uniting families, healthcare professionals, and the broader community to improve the system of care for children with pediatric feeding disorder through advocacy, education, support, and research.

McLindon Family Foundation

The mission of the McLindon Family Foundation (MFF) is to provide adaptive bikes to children with special needs so that they can build critical core strength, boost confidence, and nurture friendships, all of which help children maximize their potential and participation in society.