Things to Do in Belton

Glossy hardwood bowling lanes explode with the sounds of crashing pins at Aaron's Family Fun Center, where an arcade, outdoor mini-golf course, and six sand volleyball courts keep all manner of attentions entertained. The 32-lane array gives ample space for individual and league play, though larger parties can opt to reserve The Den, a private, elegant bowling alley featuring six lanes, library-paneled walls, and no restrictions on false old-timey mustaches. The mini-golf course challenges putters to 18 holes with a range of colorful obstacles for year-round enjoyment, though unfavorable weather may limit off-season play to all but the most wind-resistant of miniature athletes.

Horses prance across Timbermist Farm's stately 50-acre facility, where equestrians master the reins amid white plank fences, verdant grounds, and an ivory stable fronted by columns. The Farm's veteran instructors, Tina English and Chuck Browning, offer lessons to riders of all abilities, imparting knowledge gathered during nearly three decades of training, competing, and counting wooly horses just before bedtime.

Tina and Chuck specialize in the English riding discipline, a style that favors an upright riding posture made possible by a flat saddle. To spread their expertise, the duo shows students how to steer horses in the Farm's indoor training facility, which is heated during the winter. In addition to educating humans on the finer points of horsemanship, Tina and Chuck also train horses and ponies on proper equine behaviors, from confident show-ring trots to courteous, whispered conversations at the horse library.

On their family-focused farm, Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch owners Kevin and Angie Scharig usually leave the corn mazes to the experts. Come early September, the Scharigs feature a variety of autumnal family activities, from zipline and barrel-train rides to steer roping and pumpkin picking.

At 280 Paintball, players who can combine speed and stealth will prove most formidable on the indoor and outdoor battlefields. Bracketed by towering trees, the outdoor theatre fills a field with wooden spindles, massive drums, and small platforms, favoring those who can turn the obstacles to their tactical advantage. Inside, splotches of paint blot the red and blue cover bags that serve as shelter for retreating platoons to hide from ambushes or pause to glue festive glitter onto their markers. 280 Paintball hands out both traditional and smaller, .50-caliber paintballs, which hit their mark with less impact and are a favorable alternative for young paintball warriors.

Recreational splashers and serious swimmers can find aquatic common ground at Bay Water Park, owned by the City of Kansas City Parks and Recreation. A six-lane lap pool facilitates low-impact workouts and a water playground and family slide let kids splash to their hearts' content. Guests can grab a tube or absurdly large piece of penne pasta and ride down two different tube slides or twist and twirl along the swirl-bowl ride.

The cardio-centric River Walking program takes advantage of the gentle tide of the park's lazy river, as participants stroll leisurely to sharpen balance and become strong enough to water ski without a boat. Both kids and adults can also take swim lessons at the park, while programs such as the Water Safety Awareness Clinic teach proper use of life jackets, rescue equipment, and general water safety.