Free Educational Resources and Discounted Programs for Kansas City Homeschool Families

The Kansas City metropolitan area offers a variety of free and low-cost resources for homeschooling families, ranging from national park passes to museum field trips and specialized educational kits. These opportunities are available through state programs, local organizations, and cultural institutions that support the homeschool community in both Kansas and Missouri.

National and State-Specific Educational Freebies

Families residing in Kansas and Missouri have access to specific state-sponsored educational resources. One significant national program available to homeschoolers is the Every Kid Outdoors initiative. All families with fourth-graders, including homeschoolers, are eligible to receive a free National Park Pass. This pass is valid from September 1 through August 31 and covers National Parks, lands, and waters. Families can obtain the pass by following the instructions provided on the everykidoutdoors.gov website.

For Kansas residents specifically, the Kansas Corn Commission offers an educational program called Kansas Corn STEM. This program provides free resources and supplies to classrooms, and homeschoolers are explicitly qualified to participate. Interested families can request materials directly from the organization's website. Shipments typically take two to three weeks to arrive.

Museum and Cultural Institution Discounts

Several museums and cultural centers in the Greater Kansas City area offer specific programs or discounted rates for homeschool families.

Johnson Arts & Heritage Center: Located in Shawnee, Kansas, this museum shares community history and culture through exhibits and educational programs. It offers specific homeschool programs in addition to summer camps and special events.
Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City: Situated in Shawnee, this museum provides hands-on exhibits where youngsters can learn about arts and sciences. Exhibits include Raceways, TinkerSpace, and Artworks.
Wyandotte County Historical Museum: This museum in Kansas City, Kansas, features temporary exhibits, youth programs, and an auditorium. It serves as a resource for learning about the region’s history, dating back to the first Native Americans in the area.
National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame: Located in Kansas City, Kansas, this center allows homeschoolers to learn about the importance of agriculture through exhibits, galleries, and hands-on educational activities.
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site: Located in Olathe, Kansas, this historic site hosts Homeschool Days three times a year. During these events, children can visit farm animals, ride the stagecoach, play 19th-century games, and learn about frontier life. The site offers a discounted rate per student, with one free adult admitted per paid student. Families are permitted to bring their own lunches to enjoy at the picnic shelter.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: On designated dates, homeschoolers can visit the museum to enjoy special program activities, including interactive gallery experiences and hands-on art processes.
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium: The zoo offers educational programs and discounted admission for homeschoolers. The program "When Science Attacks" allows students to meet animals, learn about conservation, and improve reading, writing, and presentation skills. The zoo also hosts "Homeschool Days" which provide discounted tickets to homeschool families. In 2025, a Homeschool Day is scheduled for October 6. Additionally, the zoo offers discounted "field trip" rates for large groups.

Specialized Learning and Community Support

Beyond museums, Kansas City offers specialized programs for specific interests and robust community support networks.

Metro Homeschool Robotics: Based in Kansas City, Missouri, this program is designed for high schoolers interested in engineering. It operates year-round and allows students to compete in the FIRST Robotics competition.
Wild + Kindred Nature Group: Serving the greater Kansas City area, this group offers nature-based learning opportunities.
Adventure and Wonder Nature Group: Located in the Northland area of Kansas City, this group focuses on nature education.
Wild + Free Groups: These groups require creating a free account to join the community and locate a local group.

Organizational Support and Resources

Several organizations provide comprehensive support, resources, and events for the homeschool community.

Midwest Parent Educators (MPE): MPE brings the homeschooling community together in Kansas City. While the organization is a conservative, Christian group, it offers a wide range of resources. Paid membership provides free access to their annual homeschool conference. MPE services include:
- An annual conference and curriculum expo.
- Proms and graduation ceremonies.
- A regular podcast featuring guests from the KC area and beyond.
- An annual Women’s Encouragement Day.
- Smaller workshops for homeschool mothers.
- Testing opportunities.
- Special homeschool days with discounted rates to venues such as Great Wolf Lodge and Royals games.
- A comprehensive list of field trips in the Kansas City area.
- How-To Homeschool Guides for Kansas and Missouri.
- Members-only support groups and a homeschool moms mentorship group.
- MPE’s list of co-ops and enrichment programs.
Christian Home Educators Confederation of Kansas (CHECK): This faith-based organization is comprised of numerous regional groups, including Kansas Home Educators and Midwest Parent Educators. CHECK provides events, resources, legal advice, and support groups.
Power Homeschool: This resource highlights the availability of homeschool support groups and co-ops in Kansas. Support groups may meet in person or online to share advice and plan events. Co-ops are more focused on academics and provide group learning opportunities. Many of these groups maintain Facebook pages or websites for easy discovery.

Entertainment and Activity Discounts

Several entertainment venues in the Kansas City area offer special discounted days for homeschoolers.

Worlds of Fun: The park hosts "Educator Days" which offer special discounts to teachers and homeschoolers. These events are promoted as opportunities to learn about mathematics, physics, and science.
Kansas City Zoo: In addition to educational programs, the zoo offers specific Homeschool Days with discounted rates.
Great Wolf Lodge and Royals Games: MPE members can access special homeschool days with discounted rates to these venues.

Conclusion

Kansas City is rich with resources for homeschooling families, offering a mix of free educational materials, discounted admission to cultural and entertainment venues, and strong community support networks. Families can access national programs like the Every Kid Outdoors pass, state-specific resources like the Kansas Corn STEM kits, and a variety of local programs through museums, zoos, and organizations like MPE and CHECK. By utilizing these resources, homeschoolers in the region can enrich their educational curriculum with hands-on experiences and community engagement.