Things to Do in Shawnee

In 1988, potter Michael Smith invited a small group of peers to his home to share ideas and further explore the art of clay manipulation. After just a few meetings, the group quickly grew to include around 70 craftspeople, who started meeting at the Kansas City Art Institute instead of inside Smith's giant conch shell. These regular get-togethers laid the groundwork for the initial incarnation of KC Clay Guild, a place where artists could socialize, buy materials in bulk, and learn from one another.

Now, the volunteer-run co-op is even larger. It occupies its own facility and has vastly expanded the number of services it provides. Amidst the changes, KC Clay Guild has remained true to its initial goals, guided by a mission statement to support the clay community. Artists of all skill levels enroll in classes that cover an array of techniques, such as wheel throwing, hand building, and slip casting. Members take part in regular meetings, open-studio time, and monthly shows, and visiting artists stop by to lead workshops and repair their ceramic automobiles. The guild even offers a scholarship to high-school seniors and hosts birthday parties, team-building exercises, and family-fun nights for casual potters.

During birthday parties at Pump It Up of Shawnee Mission, a white T-shirt is more than a fashion staple—it’s a beacon of light. The indoor play center, outfitted with bounce houses and inflatable slides, switches on LED lighting and black lights during its Glo in the Dark parties, turning outfits luminous without the hassle of a chandelier necklace. Customizable birthday parties can also adhere to pirate or superhero themes. Alternatively, sock-clad youngsters can bounce on the inflatables during open-play sessions, supervised by trained staffers and safeguarded by rigorous safety and cleanliness regulations.

As a fun, environmentally friendly alternative to a party bus, Pedal Hopper totes tipplers from pub-to-pub aboard a bike powered by the pedaling legs of its riders. A designated tour guide takes care of steering and braking as you and your friends cruise to choice watering holes at 5–8 miles-per-hour—a speed scientifically proven to be perfect for enjoying good times or air-drying KISS tattoos you won't remember getting. Pedal Hopper routes are generally designed to avoid steep avenues, allowing riders to propel forward at a casual pace without the fear of losing control. Taking its cue from the original bar cycles that have been wheeling carousers around Europe for more than 15 years, the bike boasts a stereo, a disco ball, and LED lights that allow for night riding.

Ward Parkway Lanes facilitates retro-inspired entertainment throughout the week with a well-maintained array of synthetic bowling lanes equipped with all-ages-friendly bumpers. Rock & Bowl takes place each Saturday and Sunday, featuring music selected and spun by live local DJs. In addition to bowling, the alley houses a full bar and grill, a billiards room, a video arcade, and a full-service pro shop for folks looking to pick up bowling bags, shoes, and balls to replace the ones they lost in the alley's challenging water hazards.

The ice in Kansas City Ice Center's newly renovated rink accumulates blade scratches from skaters of all stripes, including hockey players and two of the most revered figure-skating clubs in the U.S. Throughout the year, the facility acts as a practice arena for those clubs as well as a classroom for nonprofessional skaters. Both children and adults master techniques during Learn to Skate programs, and aspiring slap shooters strengthen their grasp on competitive fundamentals during Learn To Play Hockey programs. In addition to lessons, the center also hosts special events, such as birthday parties and on-ice reenactments of The Great Banana Peel Spill of 1908.