At Atlas9 and Activate, interactive art and high-tech play invite families to do more than watch—they become part of the story.

Words
Sara Maloney

Atlas9
1100 N. 98th St.
Kansas City, KS
@atlas9.kc

Architect
Perspective Architecture + Design
@perspectivearchitecturedesign

Designer
Dimensional Innovations
@dimensional_innovations

Builder
DI Build
@di_build_

Activate
6900 W. 119th St.
Overland Park, KS playactivate.com/kansas-city

s Kansas City hosts an influx of visitors during this summer’s World Cup, families—both local and visiting—will want to find ways to entertain themselves off the pitch, as well.

Across the metro, a wave of immersive, interactive destinations is redefining what it means to spend an afternoon out. From cinematic, story-driven environments to high-energy game spaces, these experiences invite guests to do more than observe—they encourage them to participate.

Step Inside the Story: Atlas9

Among the most imaginative is Atlas9, a ’90s movie theater replica where the premise compels: something has gone mysteriously wrong and all the movies playing on screen come to life.

Opened last September, this nostalgic experience incorporates immersive art, interactive mystery, and live performances. Guests move through a series of themed environments, with each area featuring movie scenes transformed into real life museum-type exhibits, says Alicia Cook, marketing and communications director. There are opportunities to explore, play, and piece together clues as you walk through the storyline.

One standout example is a room based on the movie Scavengers, which has come to life with ’90s toys and 3D sculptures. Elsewhere, a concession stand looms large with exaggerated, life-size popcorn and drink displays.

“It’s very photo-worthy, so it’s great for making memories,” Cook says.

Live performances—created in partnership with Quixotic—take place hourly, incorporating dance, music, and aerial elements that bring each film into motion.

Get Active: Activate

For a more physical experience, Activate offers a fast-paced alternative to the traditional arcade. Here, gameplay extends beyond screens, using interactive technology that reacts in real-time as people compete. The experience combines mental challenges and physical coordination, from strategizing and puzzle-solving to jumping and wall-climbing.

“There are 11 different rooms with each having a completely different experience,” says Overland Park location general manager Dale Schwisow.

Communication and group problem-solving help team-building skills, while guests often leave feeling as though they’ve had a workout.

One of the most popular rooms, The Mega Grid, is the “floor is lava” concept that has gone viral on TikTok as participants have to avoid tiles to complete levels. Other rooms include laser obstacle courses and basketball-inspired shooting challenges, each offering multiple levels of difficulty and combinations of activities each time people come to the facility.

There are more than 75 locations worldwide. The company expanded to the KC metro in 2024 after deciding to open locations in the Midwest, Schwisow says.

A New Kind of Outing

Together, venues like Atlas9 and Activate Overland Park reflect a broader shift in how people gather and spend time. Experiences are no longer passive—they’re participatory, social, and often designed to be revisited.

Whether stepping into a surreal cinematic world or racing across a glowing grid, the goal is the same: to create moments that last. And in a summer set to bring new energy to the city, they offer a timely way to experience Kansas City from the inside out.