guides

The Ultimate Macaroni KID Guide to Local Coffee!

A guide to local roasters, coffee shops, and play cafes in our area!

By Brittany Marsh, Publisher of Macaroni KID Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola June 5, 2023

Caring for others can be a demanding role, and we're here to support you! That's why we've curated a comprehensive guide to the best coffee shops in our area to give you the energy boost you need.

Local coffee shops and roasters are often a staple of many neighborhoods, providing a cozy and welcoming atmosphere for coffee lovers to enjoy a great cup of coffee. These businesses are often independent and locally owned, which can give customers a sense of community and connection to their area. In addition, supporting local coffee shops and roasters can help to boost the local economy and create jobs.

One of the benefits of local coffee shops and roasters is the quality of the coffee. Many local shops and roasters take great pride in sourcing high-quality beans and creating unique blends that are not found in larger chain coffee shops. This can provide customers with a unique and flavorful coffee experience that they may not find elsewhere. Many of them also offer a variety of brewing methods, such as pour-over or French press, which can enhance the flavor of the coffee.

Additionally, local coffee shops and roasters often have a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing. Many shops prioritize fair trade and organic beans, and some even have their own farms or partnerships with coffee growers. This can give customers peace of mind knowing that they are supporting a business that values environmental and social responsibility. Overall, local coffee shops and roasters offer more than just a great cup of coffee - they provide a sense of community, unique flavors, and a commitment to sustainability.

This guide provides a list of coffee shops that are family-friendly and have play areas for children. It includes an overview of play cafes and kid-friendly coffee shops, followed by a list of local coffee shops that cater to families.


MY Play Café
810 Creekside Drive, Gardner, KS 66030

This space is ideal for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. It's a place where parents and caregivers can have a cup of coffee, take a break, get some work done, and interact with other adults, or get down and play with their kids in a new and different environment. Admission is sold by the session, and punch cards are available if you plan to visit regularly.




Serendipity's Daily Grind, at Serendipity's Farm and Vine
4674 W. 183rd Street, Stilwell, KS 66085

We have a full coffee shop with espresso drinks and non-coffee drinks, as well as pastries. We are a very unique atmosphere! Our coffee shop is located inside a barn with horse stables. If you prefer to enjoy the outdoors while sipping your coffee, we also have a beautiful landscaped area. We are open from 7:30am until noon, Wednesdays through Sundays. We can't wait to see you!


The Bean Coffee & Cafe
112 S. Main Street, Spring Hill, KS 66083

The Bean Coffee Company changed its name to better reflect the variety of items it offers beyond coffee. The Bean offers gluten-free and vegan items, including a new line of delicious and shelf-stable gluten-free items. The Bean Coffee & Cafe is a cozy neighborhood coffeehouse has a small KidsZone, and also host a kids story time once a week!


Goundhouse Coffee & Bakery
18855 S. Gardner Road, Gardner, KS 66030

103 S. Elm Street, Gardner, KS 66030

Groundhouse Coffee & Bakery is your place in the Gardner area where artisan coffee is served, community happens, and tastebuds are satisfied. Come in and relax awhile! Enjoy a cup of coffee, one of our local teas, a house-made pastries, or breakfast to order 7-days a week. The world will wait. Yeah, we have WiFi, we have to-go cups - now we even have a drive-thru, bakery, and a breakfast kitchen. We know that there's a world that goes on out there - sometimes you need to be in it- sometimes you need to escape it- we're here for you either way. Make Groundhouse Coffee & Bakery your place in Gardner!


Scooter's Coffee
1850 East Santa Fe Drive, Gardner, KS 66030


Zeb's Coffeehouse
724 Main Street, Eudora, KS 66025

Zeb's Coffeehouse offers great quality coffee, a comfortable space, and convenient ordering to support your local coffee needs. You can enjoy a quick cup on the go or relax in a cozy atmosphere with friendly baristas. We have kids area with books, puzzles and coffee themed toys for little ones to enjoy while here. We also offer online ordering and curbside pick-up for moms on the go. 


Cafe Latte
139 W. Peoria Street, Paola, KS 66071


Cowboy Coffee Post
808 Baptiste Drive, Paola, KS 66071

We are mobile with our coffee trailer serving NE Kansas, but we are also permanently established inside the entryway of the Paola Family Center Farm & Home. We offer special coffee drinks, teas, lemonade, and home baked goods. 


Hot Off The Press
513 Main Street, Wellsville, KS 66092


Aurora Coffee Co.
608 Main Street, Wellsville, KS 66092


Black Elk Coffee Bar
110 South 4th Street, La Cygne, KS 66040


Cause Coffee KC
33180 W. 83rd Street, De Soto, KS 66018

Cause Coffee is a company that aims to make a difference in the world by giving help and hope to those in need, such as orphans and victims of human slavery. They also prioritize education on sustainable growing, and fair/direct trade practices. All of the coffee, tea, and chocolate used in their facility are ethically sourced, and they partner with vendors and local coffee shops that support their mission. Their goal is to create a welcoming environment where people can enjoy their products and expand their awareness of global issues.




1900 Barker
816 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS 66044

1900 Barker is a small coffee bar in East Lawrence that serves quality food. The café was once an abandoned laundromat that underwent extensive renovations in 2015. It was founded by two brothers who care about each other, the planet, what they put into their bodies, and their guests. They hope to provide their guests with a bit of life's sweetness and the flakiest croissant to pair with it.


The Roost
920 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS 66044

The Roost is a located in downtown Lawrence, Kansas. They've created a welcoming atmosphere and believe food is an essential part of building relationships and culture. The restaurant prides itself on consistently providing quality breakfast, lunch, pastries, and beverages with attention to detail. 


Java Break
17 E. 7th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044


Great Blue Heron
823 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS 66044

Great Blue Heron Outdoors is an outdoor outfitter with a full beverage bar located in the heart of Massachusetts Street. Featuring kid friendly options such as smoothies, Italian soda, limeades, and hot chocolates, kids are sure to find something to enjoy. The Great Blue Heron staff come with knowledge in fishing, paddling and general outdoors activities and are always ready to help kids learn more about these opportunities to get outside.  They also feature gear and products for kids from fishing gear to science kits and informational books.


Grounded Coffee
11 E. 8th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044


Uplift Coffee
624 N. 2nd Street, Lawrence, KS 66044


Decade
920 Delaware Street, Lawrence, KS 66044

Decade is a coffee, cocktail, and food establishment located in the East Lawrence Neighborhood and Warehouse Arts District. They serve local coffee and pride themselves on delivering high quality beverages. Besides coffee, they offer traditional and herbal teas, seasonal beverages as well as their own signature drinks.


Cellar Door Cafe
7 W. 11th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044


La Prima Tazza
638 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS 66044


Sunflower Cafe & Pub
804 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS 66044

The Sunflower Cafe & Pub is located inside Lawrence's Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop. It serves breakfast all day, and has a full lunch and dinner menu with fresh ingredients. It also has a full-service bar.


Z's Divine Espresso
1800 E. 23rd Street, Suite A, Lawrence, KS 66046

2351 W. 31st Street, Lawrence, KS 66047

Z's has been roasting and brewing fine, organic coffee since April 2000. They prioritize sustainable and safe growing practices and take social responsibility seriously. They offer dairy and non-dairy options and their staff is trained to SCA standards. Z's focuses on creating excellent, small batch, craft roasted organic coffee and aims to make a small change in the way the world does business.


133 Coffee
106 6th Street, Baldwin City, KS 66006

133 Coffee is a specialty coffee shop located in Baldwin City, Kansas, home to Baker University. Their offerings consist of specialty coffee drinks prepared with beans from Messenger Coffee Co., hot/iced tea and matcha from Hugo Tea in Kansas City, and locally baked goods from Homestead Kitchen and Bakery. Located in an old home built in the early 1900s, 133 Coffee offers an inviting atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating, all designed with a modern touch while maintaining that natural feeling of "home". 133 Coffee believes that coffee is the best way to bring people together, create community, and have intentional conversation.


Jitters
822 Ames Street, Baldwin City, KS 66006


Mug Shot Coffee Shop
110 South Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067


Coffee Club
7301 NW 87th St, Kansas City, MO 64153

Gather your friends and head out for a fun-filled day at Zona Rosa's Central Park. Join Melissa from Macaroni KID Kansas City from 9am-11am for The Coffee Club. Enjoy the splash fountain, playground and other activities. Don't forget to visit the Bravo Italian tent for delicious breakfast burritos, specialty coffees and cannolis. The White Farmhouse Flower truck will also be parked nearby, offering fresh summer flowers and arrangements. 



Every Thursday, there will be special performers and activities, so keep checking back for more details:
June 1: Beach Towel Giveaway (limited quantity), MY Play Cafe sensory tables & activities + crafts from Macaroni Kid KC
June 8: Funky Mama performs
June 22: KC Bubble Parties, a mobile party will bring bubbles to Central Park
June 29: Story time local author, Katie Marie
July 6: Macaroni Kid KC Special Activity
July 13: Mr. Stinky Feet performs
July 20: Meaning Through Music will provide a 30-minute music enrichment class
August 3: Macaroni Kid KC Special Activity
August 10: Macaroni Kid KC Special Activity

Come share a cup of coffee with us on Thursday mornings all summer long! Click here for more info on The Coffee Club at Zona Rosa!