KC Parent magazine January 2023

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FINDING FRIENDS FAR FROM HOME

Join Clara Net (a clarinet) as she meets new instrument friends from around the world and creates new music with different cultures.

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Belinda loves to tell stories. Using everyday objects, she recreates the classic tale of Cinderella. As she confronts her stepmother and stepsisters, she learns to stand up for herself and embrace her love of poetry.

This captivating version of “Cinderella” tackles the topics of cultural heritage, family and the power of language.

GRADES K – 6 | SCHOOL SHOWS: THURS. – FRI. FEB. 2 – 3 | 10 AM & 1 PM WEEKEND SHOW: SAT. FEB. 4 | 11 AM SCAN THIS CODE TO PURCHASE TICKETS.

Happy New Year! I trust you had a wonderful holiday season!

For the past few years, instead of resolutions, I’ve made smaller, more attainable goals that set me up for success. Instead of promising to “eat healthier,” I made a few swaps to my lunch routine to cut down on carbs. “Exercise more” was what I wanted to achieve, but instead of leaving that resolution broad, I set a goal number of classes I wanted to attend for the year. In addition to making resolutions or setting goals, the new year is a good time to take stock of some of the less appealing but important life tasks we all should address. Things like updating our wills or appointing guardians for our children. Check out Sarah Lyons’ article on pg. 26 for a list of important must-do’s in the new year. I must mention I especially loved her tip to tell people how you feel. Both my Dad and my brother passed away quickly and unexpectedly, but by the grace of God, my last conversations with both of them this side of heaven ended with, “I love you.” I had no inkling that those respective conversations would be my last and am so thankful that I told both how I felt. It’s so true that you never really know how long you have someone in your life, so make sure to let those important people know how you feel!

Winter is here, and it’s no secret how I feel about this season—blech! But a friend recently posted something I’m trying to remember on these cold, dark and dreary days: Winter is a time to rest and recharge. Like the animals, we should take some time to hibernate for the sake of our busy and tired bodies. So while I can’t promise that I won’t complain, I am trying to be positive this winter!

Happy 2023, Kansas City!

Publisher

Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com

Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com

Editor

Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com

Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com

Advertising Sales Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com

Digital Media Manager

Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com

Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com

Intern Tori Sarver Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com

Local Contributing Writers

Bill Bartlett (Belton), Hannah Berry (Kansas City), Julie Collett (Overland Park), Janelle Cumro-Sultzer (Manhattan), Lauren Dreher (Stilwell), Allison Gibeson (Lee’s Summit), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Christa Melnyk Hines (Olathe), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Regan Lyons (St. Joseph), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Kailyn Reinhart (Warrensburg), Tori Sarver (Lenexa)

Mailing Address

11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax

Kansas City Parent Magazine is published 12 times a year by Family Media Group. It is distributed free of charge throughout the Kansas City area. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect KC Parent’s opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. Kansas City Parent Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. All photography and letters sent to KC Parent will be treated unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. KC Parent often includes websites that may be helpful to our readers. We verify each site prior to publication. However, content changes frequently. We encourage you to use caution and discretion when visiting a website.

Postmaster, please send changes to KC Parent, 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213

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SPOTLIGHT SLEDDING HILLS IN KANSAS CITY

Is there anything more fun in the winter than sledding with the children, then returning home to hot cocoa and popcorn? Enjoy winter fun at one of Kansas City’s best sled hills. Find a list of favorite KC area sledding locations at KCParent.com. Bundle up and head out for a winter adventure your family won’t soon forget!

LABOR & DELIVERY GUIDE

Choosing the best hospital for the arrival of your baby is an important decision. Use the KCParent.com Labor & Delivery Hospital Guide to find the perfect location for you and your child.

DATES WITH THEMES

Let’s kick off the new year with themed dates for January’s celebrations!

TEA MONTH

In honor of National Tea Month, we recently enjoyed the prix fixe lunch in the tea room at Andre’s. This meal comes with an entree, two sides, a roll, a drink and a mini dessert. The entrees we chose were the ham and cheese croissant and the chicken salad with sides of mixed greens and tomatoes. It was all delicious, but the real stars of the meal were the hot tea and the desserts. I opted for the raspberry tea with the chocolate raspberry pastry, which was layers of chocolate cake and chocolate buttercream with raspberry preserves. My hubby got the green tea with citrus and gingko paired with the vanilla square, which was yellow cake and vanilla bean buttercream topped with fondant. Their tea is from Harney & Sons and is some of the best I have had anywhere—and the desserts were to die for.

POPCORN DAY

National Popcorn Day is Jan. 19, and we can’t think of a better way to pay homage to this “holiday” than to visit Popculture, with locations in Parkville and Overland Park. They serve up some of the best popcorn around, with more than 40 different flavors available for taste testing and purchase. Savory flavors include chili lime, dill pickle and loaded potato, as well as traditional butter and cheese. Cheesecake, cinnamon toast and Dr. Pepper are just some of their sweet flavors, along with traditional caramel and cinnamon. I’ll admit that it’s hard to restrain yourself when doing the taste testing, as they have so many flavors to choose from. But I always gravitate toward the savory, with barbecue and cheese being my favorites. Dean likes a little bit of everything—savory and sweet. In addition to popcorn, Popculture also features about 16 flavors of ice cream from the Ice Cream Club. It, too, is delicious!

HAPPINESS WEEK

Hunt for Happiness Week is the third full week in January, so Dean and I made a list of several things that make us happy and planned mini dates around them. Our list included serving, giving, being outside, sunsets and breakfast food. We started out our week by taking an evening to watch the sunset at a lookout spot close to our house. Next up was helping with an outdoor food distribution at our church on a beautiful, sunny Saturday, followed by an evening around our fire pit. We also handed out $5 Walmart gift cards to random customers at the store, and we gave some extra produce to our next door neighbors. Finally, we enjoyed several of our favorite breakfast foods together at home, including baked oatmeal, oven pancakes, barley breakfast bowls and cinnamon apple quinoa. Each of these things put a smile on our faces, but it’s the things we do for others that make us the happiest.

Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives in the Northland with her husband. They love to explore Kansas City and try new restaurants and activities.

FOR GREAT DATE NIGHT IDEAS STARTING WITH A-Z, HEAD TO KCPARENT.COM!

My cat Lady M (adopted from Pet Project 4 years ago) many times forgets to use the litter box for both potty and urine. When anyone comes to my house she runs and hides, she only likes me. She will be ten years’ old in March. Do you have any suggestions? I keep the litter box very clean. - Penelope

Sounds like Lady M might be struggling with anxiety and environmental changes are quite scary for her. I would recommend having a littler box on every floor in your home and keeping them clean and trying different types of litter. If you don’t think it’s about the litterbox and its anxiety-related, then I would consult you veterinarian to rule out any health problems and possible discuss behavioral medications. There are some pheromone sprays you can use in your home to help with anxiety in the home as well. - Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

My dog is absolutely terrified in the car when we travel. We had to cancel our Thanksgiving plans due to our dog being so scared in the car. He cries a lot and wants to get out. Please help!

- Rosie Miller

There are several things you can do for your dog to associate the car as a good place. I recommend exercising him for 20-30 minutes before a trip, keeping the car cool, and using toys and treats to create a positive experience. Try going on a bunch of small trips to fun places like the park or drive-thrus. There are pheromone sprays to calm him and in the worst-case scenario, you can consult your veterinarian to get antianxiety medication.

- Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

We adopted our dog a year and half ago from Great Plains SPCA. She paws at us when she hears noises that upset her. Thunderstorms, people talking on radio, buzzers/ bells on game shows, etcetera. Currently I use a water bottle to stop her, it helps occasionally. I usually try to find source and mute it. Hard to mute thunderstorms. She is on Prozac from the vet and exercised as much as possible. Behavior still occurs. Any ideas? - Mary

I would recommend you rewarding calm behaviors year around. Dogs are associative learners which means they learn in patterns. If you routinely reward during calmness, she is more apt to repeat those behaviors when she is nervous. You can also talk to your

veterinarian about medication for thunderstorms if she is displaying high anxiety. Prozac is a good anti-anxiety medication for dogs, so sounds like you’ve got a good start. You could also try a snug fitting shirt or wrap which help anxious animals. You can also work on desensitizing the noises by playing them on TV or a phone softly and rewarding her for being calm, then make the noises louder until they stop bothering her. - Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

Margarita has been in a Foster home for quite a while now and has become the ultimate homebody. She is completely housetrained and will even let you know when she needs to go outside. Plus, she knows what toys are hers and prefers to stick strictly to her chew toys. Her favorite things to do are snooze the day away or take a leisurely walk where she can sniff all the scents the world has to offer. If you love to nap and relax as much as Margarita, reach out to foster@greatplainsspca.org for more information!

Great Plains SPCA is an independent 501(c)(3) no kill shelter, with a 98% live release rate, GPSPCA provides lifesaving services for approximately 4,000 animals annually in the greater Kansas City area. As Kansas City’s premium family shelter, we continue to support the seven municipalities with which we are contracted, including Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Prairie

Village, Shawnee, Bonner Springs, Lake Quivira and Johnson County Parks Department and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department.

Email askashley@greatplainsspca.org for a chance to have your pet question answered in KC Parent magazine. Animal expert, Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA, is the Senior Director of Animal Behavior and Training at Great Plains SPCA. Ashley has more than 16 years of experience in animal training and behavior.

RESOLVE TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST

Happy New Year! It’s that time of year again to make promises to yourself and others about ways to improve your lifestyle and routine. New Year’s resolutions can be drastic, like changing jobs, or they can be as simple as drinking more water on a daily basis. No matter your resolutions, improving your sleep schedule is guaranteed to help jumpstart your quest toward many of your goals.

Although we often think of a bedtime routine as something for our kids, it’s important for adults as well. A consistent good night’s rest is essential for overall health, both mentally and physically. The National Sleep Foundation suggests that adults average between seven and nine hours of sleep per night to enjoy the full benefits of rest. On average, most people do not reach the number of suggested hours of sleep per night, leading to a number of issues such as increased anxiety and decreased productivity. For some people, an improved sleep schedule may mean getting to bed at an earlier hour to accommodate an early awakening.

Getting to bed at a reasonable time can be especially difficult for those who have a hard time falling asleep. Some tips and tricks to help fall asleep faster—and at a reasonable time—range anywhere from spending more time outside during the day to limiting time with technology before bed. Spending time outside in the sunlight can help to regulate your internal clock, especially if your body can receive some vitamin D in the morning. A conscious effort to limit the amount of media your brain is exposed to before bed can help minimize the time it takes to fall asleep and will make staying asleep easier. Swap out the games on your phone for reading a chapter of a book before bed to help unwind.

Cutting off caffeine after a certain time will also aid in getting a better night’s rest. For those going to bed on the earlier side, stopping caffeine intake by 2:00 in the afternoon can be beneficial, as the effects of caffeine last longer than most people realize. Swap out a regular coffee for a cup of decaf in the later hours of the day and steer clear of caffeinated soft drinks at dinnertime.

Increasing exercise also aids in establishing a better sleep schedule because your body will be more dependent on rest and recovery. Along with stimulating the mind and body, exercise also helps to decrease levels of stress hormones, making it a bit easier to fall asleep at night.

It’s important to note that improving a sleep schedule takes time and effort, so don’t be discouraged if it does not happen instantly. Start by going to bed earlier in 10-minute increments until you reach your desired bedtime. And choose one activity to focus on. For example, during the first week of your new routine, put your phone down an hour before bedtime. In a few weeks, begin limiting caffeine, and so on. Consistency is key to getting into a good sleep routine.

Tori Sarver is an intern for KC Parent. She is studying strategic communications with a business minor at CU Boulder.

As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.

Our commitment to do more for kids is at the heart of everything we do, down to each strand of DNA sequenced for genetic research. Together, we can help kids overcome whatever’s standing in their way. Learn more at childrensmercy.org/imagine.

Imagine the Potential

&

Q A

BY PEGGY GISLER AND MARGE EBERTS

HELPING THE MESSY CHILD SUCCEED IN SCHOOL

QUESTION: My fourth grader is having a rough time at school. He forgets to bring the right books home and doesn’t remember what his homework assignments are. His backpack, desks at home and at school and notebooks are in total disarray. He is a disorganized mess. How can I help him get organized? – Want to Help

ANSWER: First, all the skills your son does not have are called executive function skills. Executive functioning has become a buzzword in both education and psychology. A simple definition is these are the skills that help you get things done. They are the skills, according to WebMD, that help you manage time, pay attention, switch focus, plan and organize, remember details and multitask. Executive function problems are often seen in students with ADHD; however, some children are simply born with or have weak executive function skills.

It does sound like your child has a weakness in his executive functioning skills. They are not going to improve through nagging or punishment or calling your son sloppy or lazy. Fortunately, there are loads of things you can do to improve his basic planning and organizing skills, but you must be a teacher, not a rescuer. It does take patience and will be work for you. One caution: Do not try to improve too many areas at one time, as it will not work. And be sure to lavish praise when his skills begin to improve.

Here are some solid suggestions from the National Center for Learning Disabilities on how to manage executive function problems:

• Take a step-by-step approach.

• Rely on visual aids to get him organized.

• Use tools like time organizers, computers or watches with alarms.

How to keep things from getting lost going to and from school

• Try to duplicate his school supplies (textbooks, computer) at home, so there is one less thing for him to remember.

• Make a reminder checklist of all the things that need to be returned to school, such as homework assignments, permission slips and plan books for him to use.

• Work with him to follow this checklist and get everything in his backpack and at the front door every night.

• Create a reminder list to be placed on his desktop at school of things that must be brought home every day. Each item should be checked off as it goes into his backpack.

• The final item should be backpack. (It is helpful if a teacher reinforces following checklists.)

• Encourage him to place his backpack on his lap if he is riding a school bus. If you are driving him home, make sure he has the backpack before leaving the school.

How to handle homework

• Create a workplace with all necessary supplies where you can see him work.

• Have a homework checklist, which includes order for doing homework and placing assignments in homework folder.

• Make helpful suggestions when your child encounters difficulties in completing an assignment.

Ways to avoid mess

At the end of each week, set a time for cleaning out and organizing backpack, folders, plan books and study area.

Golden Ratio

I was in a waiting room at a doctor’s office where there was a coffee station with single-serve packets of flavored coffees from Golden Ratio. Curious, I took a couple to try at home. Upon further examination, I saw each packet contained a pouch, like a tea bag, only with coffee. Intrigued, I followed the instructions to make myself a cup and was pleasantly surprised. It made a light cup of coffee, almost like a cross between tea and coffee. I added a sweetener but it almost wasn’t needed. Lighter than a regular cup of coffee, it packed a nice, strong flavor and was a perfect second cup. DrinkGoldenRatio.com

Pancakes

Dry Erase Board

I’ve written in the past about the dry erase board we keep in the kitchen. On Sundays I fill it in for the upcoming week with dinners for each day along with any appointments or special events. Our current board needed to be replaced and I was thrilled to discover a weekly board from Quartet. In addition to having daily spaces marked, it sticks to the fridge or other metal surface to keep your weekly schedule in plain view. Also, it have has some fun marker colors to switch up my boring black or blue. Check out all of their supplies at Quartet.com.

5THINGS WE RIGHT NOW

I think food and drink flights are fun. I enjoy trying and tasting new things, and a flight is just right for that! We enjoy pancakes in the Sarver home, so when my younger told me about a new-to-us brunch spot, Urban Egg, that offers pancake flights, I knew I’d have to check it out. It took me a while to decide, but I finally settled on the traditional buttermilk, cinnamon swirl and Hawaiian samplings. All were fluffy and yummy, but the Hawaiian won as my fave—made with pineapple bits, drizzled with a homemade vanilla anglaise and topped with crunchy coconut. Yum! In addition to pancakes, they have a varied menu with lots of greatlooking dishes! UrbanEggEatery.com

LOVE

Compiled by Margaret Sarver

Journal

I am only so-so at journaling. I go through spurts when I do really well, and then there are times when I don’t write anything. I do find journaling helpful and enjoy looking back over my writing, so there’s really no excuse for me not to. I gifted each member of our family a copy of this 5-Minute Gratitude Journal in hopes that it will encourage each of us to not only spend just a few minutes journaling, but also focus on the positive. Each page features three prompts: One thing I want to remember about today … Today I felt … Today I’m grateful for … I hope this gift encourages the Sarvers to journal in 2023! Amazon.com

Crackerology

A friend recently recommended that, for this column, I try out Crackerology, a local company that makes all-in-one appetizer and dessert kits. I tried the Sweet S’moreology, Red Wine and Rosemary, and Lemon Blueberry Swirl. Whoa! Not only are they so easy to assemble that it took me no more than five minutes to arrange a platter of desserts for a party, but they are delicious as well! So delicious that I’m glad we decided to have the Red Wine and Rosemary at home just for us. In addition to a great treat to serve guests, they make a perfect hostess gift. Check them out today! Crackerology.com

“Dad, what’s a revolution?” Ian had been quietly playing with some toys, so the question came out of the blue.

“A number of things. A violent overthrow of an existing government, a regular circuit around something or even spinning in place. Why do you ask?”

“I heard something on TV about the new year and how people usually make revolutions. Should I make one?”

I smiled at him. “Oh, you mean, ‘resolutions.’ A resolution is something different. It’s a promise that people make to themselves.”

“Yeah, that’s it. Why are they talking about resolutions on the news?”

I sipped my coffee. “It’s just a custom. At the start of a new year, some people make a promise to improve themselves some way or another.”

“Should I make some?”

“Well, now, that’s the question, isn’t it? If you keep them, you can be proud. If not, you’ll consider yourself a failure. What would you prefer?”

“I’d like to make one, but you’ll have to help me keep it.”

“Seems reasonable.”

“OK, I make a resolution to eat my dessert after every meal. You’ll have to help by making sure we always have some.”

“Nice try, but that’s not the way it works. Resolutions are things you’re supposed to do to make yourself a better person.”

“What should I have said?”

“Something like you’d be nice to your brother, or you’d obey Mom and me without complaining or clean your room, all on your own.”

“That doesn’t sound fun.”

“Pleasure is not the point. The whole idea is to improve.”

“I think dessert every night would improve me.”

I gave him a long, steady stare, and he returned to his toys. It’s just as well he doesn’t make any. I certainly don’t plan to make dessert every night for the next year.

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

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SETTING REALISTIC RESOLUTIONS

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Everything changes NOW!” bark those ambitious New Year’s resolutions. Your mind snaps to attention but then shifts into foggy overwhelm as it considers the drastic changes you’ll have to implement immediately, and then your eyes glaze over. Sound familiar? After so many years of feeling the pressure to come up with some great thing to change, I’m not a huge fan. Instead, I like to think of the goals I want to achieve in the new year. We parents have things we want to do for our family and with our family. We also want to be good role models for our kids and teach them good habits and life skills. How do we go about doing this? First, we have to start implementing these habits in our own lives. Kids naturally watch what we do and take it as an example of what they should do themselves.

Let’s start with expectations. We can’t keep ourselves on track and keep moving forward if we don’t know what our expectations for our own yearly goals are. As we have well learned by now, life changes and throws curveballs at us. This means our goals will most likely have to shift around at some point to fit where our lives are going. I used to be so strict with myself that if something didn’t go perfectly in line with how it started and how I imagined it, I was done. New goal! I’ve learned that in order to make something happen, I have to adjust and pivot to deal with whatever comes at me. I’m sure lots of people can relate with being your own worst

critic and being overly hard on yourself. Well, I’ve also learned to expect something will happen to throw me off, but I also expect to roll with the changes and learn to fit my goal into wherever I am at that moment. I give myself grace and a little pat on the back for not giving up. After all, I still want to make those things happen, even if things look a little different in the end.

Parents, what goals do you have for yourselves for the year? Even if we do manage our kids, there are still things we want to do personally. Having and sharing goals also shows our kids we are more than just a mom or dad. We are our own people, too. These goals don’t have to be lofty and large undertakings. They might be as simple as finally finishing a photo album or redoing a part of the house. Even small goals require lots of tedious steps and some time to accomplish. Come up with the small, manageable steps to get those projects done and start to take action. Action is key.

Sit down as a family and talk about what everyone wants to make happen over the year. If your kids are old enough to provide input, I suggest letting them do that. We humans tend to feel more valued and want to participate more when we have input into decision making. In my personal experience, we also take more responsibility.

Kids start wanting independence at an early age. Coaching them about goals is a great way to let them start gaining that independence. From an early age, teach them how to set goals and

how to achieve them by breaking them down into manageable steps. Let them tell you what they want to do—you might even find out things about them you didn’t know! Teaching kids to do this will also teach them how to take life in small steps they can accomplish rather than attacking a momentous task in one impossible try.

The last—very important—part? Follow-through. Goals are great, but unless we follow up with action, they are just ideas. Here is my list of tips for following through.

Be realistic about your goals. It’s exciting to have lofty goals, but if they are too big, you might get overwhelmed instead of chipping away at the small things.

Don’t pick things you won’t do. Some things sound great to do, but if you’re honest with yourself, you know you won’t do it. Leave those for a different time.

Plan as much as possible. When you come up with activities to move toward a goal, put them in the schedule. Often, we have a great idea and then dismiss it and move on. Take two minutes to block time out and make it happen.

Find activities that are fun. Goal setting and achieving seems like a boring thing. Find a way to make it fun for you and your family. Mix some fun into the activities that are helping you achieve your goal. Find friends who want to do it with you.

Add something to your life instead of getting rid of it. I always thought of a resolution as something I’m going to take away so I could fix a part of my life or make it better. Someone once mentioned adding something. I thought that was a good spin!

If you are tired of being part of the group for which, come February, resolutions have fallen off your radar because of life’s happening, shift the way you think. I used to glaze over when someone asked me what my New Year’s resolution was. I always felt like the goals I set were not big enough or were too insignificant to qualify for a New Year’s resolution. The good news is we get to decide what the right resolutions and goals are for us. And big or small, they should be things that excite us to get out of bed or add satisfaction to the end of our day.

Goal setting doesn’t have to be for planning nerds. It’s for anyone who wants to be proud of what she accomplished throughout the year. It’s for those who are sick of looking back and saying, “I have no idea what happened to this year or what I did, but I was busy.” Don’t be another New Year’s resolution statistic. Come up with some goals with your family that work for all of you and have some fun with it.

For over 75 years, Oakhill Day School has provided the Kansas City Northland with student-first academic offerings that fit every family's needs. Experience firsthand the variety of options that Oakhill can provide for your family. Whether you need an early childhood program for your child's first years of school, well-rounded K-8 academics, or flexibility for your busy high school student, we will help you find YOUR perfect fit.

Academics from infancy to adulthood.

On-site learning & socialemotional support for students

Dedicated teaching staff

A close-knit community with a family feel

Lauren Dreher lives in Stilwell with her husband and two toddlers.

Carpool

This summer I found carpooling to be a godsend. Our daughter was involved in so many different camps and activities that transportation was tricky. Carpooling with a fellow mother made life so much easier on me, and it saved us both a ton of gas money!

Family Movie Night

Don’t feel like cooking tonight? That’s okay! Just declare it Family Movie Night. To kids there’s nothing better than pizza for dinner, a movie and some popcorn. To parents, Family Movie Night means no cooking, no dishes to clean up and some nice quiet time to relax.

Set Out Clothes the Night Before

Before bed, help your kids pick out what they’re going to wear tomorrow. In the morning, all they have to do is put on their clothes and they’re good to go. Your morning will go much more smoothly without the battle of what to wear to school.

Store Pickups

I tend to have so many random items I need to grab from the store throughout the week. I like to order items online and select drive-up as the pickup option. Then when I have time, I do all of my order pickups at once. This turns a day of running multiple errands into one 15- to 20-minute errand.

Save Our Sanity

Life can be hectic, and sometimes it’s okay to take a shortcut for sanity’s sake. We parents tend to put pressure on ourselves to make everything perfect and Pinterest-worthy. Don’t let the stress of parenting make you question your sanity. Try out these quick and easy tips to simplify the parenting life and make it more enjoyable.

Use Baskets

Freezer Meals

With after school activities, sports, jobs and more, our schedule makes it difficult to have time for a home-cooked meal. To prepare for this, I cook double batches of our favorite meals and freeze a batch in the months leading up to our busy time. This takes no additional cooking time and gradually builds up to a nice freezer stash. These freezer meals make for quick and easy weeknight meals. You can also freeze individual servings of breakfast burritos and sandwiches that can be heated up in the microwave and eaten on the go.

Clean During Other Tasks

Do you find yourself with a little bit of downtime waiting for certain tasks to conclude? I suggest pairing your chores if you can.For example, while your kids are playing in the bath,kill two birds with one stone and clean the bathroom at the same time. While your dinner is in the oven,empty the dishwasher.

Store-Bought Instead of Homemade

One of my favorite hacks is buying items from the store instead of

making them myself. They can be just as tasty as homemade without

all the effort to create them. For my daughter’s birthday party this

year I bought an already prepared charcuterie tray and placed it

on my board. Everyone complimented it and couldn’t believe it

when I admitted it was from Sam’s Club. I also provide cookies for

Our children tend to leave their belongings all over the common areas of the house, and asking them multiple times to clean up their stuff can be exhausting. A great hack is to have a basket on the stairs for each child. When you see their stuff out, just throw it in their bin. When they head up to their room, it’s their job to empty their basket and put things away where they belong.

Virtual Gift Cards

the football team my husband coaches. The kids have no idea the

cookies are baked from premade cookie dough.

Grocery Delivery

One of my least favorite errands is grocery shopping, especially with kids in tow. My oldest is constantly throwing items we don’t need into the cart, and my youngest refuses to sit in the shopping cart for longer than five minutes, which leads to our chasing her through the store. Grocery delivery has freed up so much time for our family and saved my sanity on multiple occasions. Most local grocery stores offer this service for a small fee. Another perk to ordering your groceries online is you are able to stick to your budget much more easily because you aren’t tempted by extra items you might see while walking the store aisles.

Finding time to shop and wrap gifts can be difficult. Sending virtual gift cards has become my go-to for gift giving. It’s so easy to email a Starbucks Gift Card to my friends and coworkers on their birthdays, and it saves me so much time. Most stores and even local boutiques offer this service now. Another option is sending cash through Venmo. My teenage nephew always wants money, so in his birthday cards, I write, “Check your Venmo.” He loves it, and I love not having to search for and wrap the perfect gift!

Take Time for Yourself

One of the best ways to save your sanity as a parent is to schedule time for yourself. Think about what helps you find peace and calm in your life. It could be as simple as taking a walk every day, spending 15 minutes reading or unwinding with a bubble bath before bed. Those moments make all the difference in your mental health and parenting.

Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband, Cale, and daughters Atley, 8, and Ensley, 2, in St. Joseph, MO.

KC Parent’s party guide fresh ideas

terrific themes great venues

Kansas City Zoo

Let the Kansas City Zoo host your child’s next birthday party. We guarantee a wild time for every guest! We are currently offering birthday party options on weekends. Zoo admission and rides wristbands are available as an add-on. You are welcome to provide your own décor, food, and activities. Visit KansasCityZoo.org/birthdays to join us for a celebration like no other! See display ad on pg. 25.

Mission Bowl

Mission Bowl has been serving the community since 1958.  We have hosted several generations of families for all types of birthday parties, from the 2-yearolds to the spunky seniors and everyone in between. We hope your family will be the next to join us in celebrating your next upcoming birthday.  All you have to do in invite the guests and let us do the rest including cleaning up the mess!! See display ad on pg. 24. MissionBowl.com

Movies2U

Roll out the red carpet and celebrate that special occasion with a movie! Round up the kids to watch their favorite movie on one of our larger-thanlife inflatable screens. Throw in our popcorn machine and the effect will be complete. The kids won’t forget it and you’ll love it as our professional staff takes care of every detail. One of our 4 differently sized screens is sure to fit your occasion and budget. See display ad on pg. 22. Movies2U.com

Princess at My Party

Invite your child’s favorite princess or superhero to their next birthday party! Watch the magic unfold as the children go on an adventure that includes a story, games, music, treasure hunt, and more! Choose from our characters including: Elsa, Anna, Mirabel, Moana, Ariel, Rapunzel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, Tinkerbelle, Super Girl, Bat Girl, Wonder Woman, and others. See display ad on pg. 24. 785.249.0176 PrincessAtMyParty.com

Urban Air Adventure Park

Urban Air Adventure Parks in Lenexa and Overland Park continue to be voted Best Kids Birthday Party Place year after year. It’s the perfect place for indoor stress-free birthday parties for all ages. More than just a trampoline park, Urban Air has something for everyone. Let the kids fly through the park on our sky rider, take on our climbing walls, or reach new heights on our trampolines. Urban Air. Let ‘em fly. See display ad on pg. 23. UrbanAirLenexa.com, UrbanAirOverlandPark.com

birthday planning secrets: tips from savvy moms

Planning the perfect birthday party for your kids may seem a herculean task, but it doesn’t have to be! Follow these party planning secrets approved by savvy moms to make your kids’ birthday parties the best yet—with minimal stress!

Brainstorm Ideas with the Birthday Kid

Sometimes your expectations are much higher than your child’s. Danielle Hewitt, a mom of three from St. Joseph, MO, suggests brainstorming ideas with your child. “When I started brainstorming with my daughter

about her birthday party, I realized she wasn’t wanting an extravagant party. She came up with a great idea that was easy to put together and budget friendly. It ended up being her favorite party to date,” says Hewitt.

Thank You Notes

While your child is opening gifts, instead of taking time to write a list of gifts and givers for thank you notes, simply snap a quick photo of the birthday child, guest and gift opened. It will be a quick and easy reference for thank you notes.

You could even print the photos out to use as personalized thank you notes.

Digital Invites

Keep it simple with invitations! Save the time of finding addresses and addressing each invitation. Send digital invites via text, email, Facebook event pages or websites like Evite. com. You will also save money on printing, envelopes and stamps! Just keep in mind you might need to follow up with guests if you don’t receive a response to your invitation. Parents are busy, and invitations can easily get lost in their email or social media pages.

Scoop Ice Cream Before the Party

KC Parent editor Margaret Sarver’s favorite party hack is to line a muffin pan with cupcake liners and place scoops of ice cream in each liner before the party and put back in the freezer. Pull out the muffin pan when serving cake and, voila, no mess!

Prevent Leaks

Serving ice cream cones? Place a small marshmallow in the bottom of each ice cream cone to prevent leaks and sticky hands.

Prep the Night Before

I like to prep everything for the party the night before. I put up all the decorations, pick up the cake and balloons, prepare food and drinks and have everything for the activities ready to go. By prepping the night before, you can enjoy the party day, and you will have time to run and grab a last minute item you might have forgotten before the party starts.

Create Individual Party Packages for Each Guest

To save the hassle in passing out craft supplies for activities, put together party kits in a plastic bag beforehand. The bag will have everything each guest will need to complete the craft or activity. Make sure you assemble a few extras in case someone didn’t RSVP or a younger brother or sister would like to join in the fun!

Invest in a Plastic Pool

A plastic pool isn’t just for splashing around. It can serve so many purposes for a birthday party. Fill it with plastic balls for a ball pit, water balloons for a balloon fight, ice to keep drinks cold, sand for a digging activity or Orbeez for a sensory activity for little ones.

Recruit Help from Your Kids

Let your kids be involved in the party planning process. I love letting them put together the goody bags for their friends. It

keeps them busy and checks one thing off the party planning to-do list!

Let the Activity Be the Favor

Instead of creating favor bags, do an activity that allows kids to take home what they made. Hewitt’s daughter’s party activity was creating different doit-yourself fidget toys. All the kids went home with a bag full of all the toys they created. Other examples include painting a ceramic piece, decorating cookies or cupcakes or tie-dying a pillowcase.

Ask About Any Special Allergies When Guests RSVP

Make sure none of the children have food allergies when the parents RSVP. We have a family friend with a peanut allergy, so we try to make sure all the snacks and the cake are peanut allergy friendly, so he can eat what everyone else is eating.

Easy Drinks

Provide a variety of drink options, but make sure they are individual serving drinks instead of drinks that need to be poured into cups. Hewitt says, “Water bottles and Capri Suns work perfectly. They’re easier to pass out, you will have less spills, and the cleanup is easier.”

Simple Tablecloths

If you’ve planning a messy activity, do yourself a favor and buy some plastic tablecloths. When the activity is over, you can throw away the tablecloth and everything on the table at one time. You will be saving your table from the mess and saving on cleanup time.

Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband and daughters in St. Joseph, MO.

LET THE ACTIVITY BE THE FAVOR

MUST-DO’S FOR THE NEW YEAR

Last year my husband and I set a goal to set up our will and estate plan. This forced us to look at who would become guardians of our children, what we would do in the event of one spouse’s death, when and how our money would be allocated and more. These conversations were tough, simply because of the subject matter. Although this process wasn’t enjoyable, I’m so glad we checked it off our list because we can both rest assured that our kids will be taken care of, and our affairs are in order, if needed.

As we begin a new year, it’s not uncommon to reflect on the highs and lows of the previous year as well as our accomplishments. We may also reflect on what important items on our list we did not accomplish. Even those of us who enjoy setting goals and meeting them may have a few items on our lifetime to-do list that we have been putting off. As you set goals

and intentions for the new year, consider tackling some of these important, but not always fun to-do’s, that you may have been procrastinating.

Appoint guardians for your children

Our children are the most important part of our lives, and it is irresponsible not to consider who would care for them if something were to happen to both parents. Though this scenario may be unlikely, it’s best to have a plan in place so that the parents’ wishes are followed if they are not around to speak for themselves. Discuss with your partner or co-parent and come to an agreement you are both comfortable with. After you have chosen guardians, speak with them to make sure they are comfortable with the plan. It doesn’t hurt to have a backup in mind in the event that your first choice doesn’t work out. Make sure you put it in writing.

Retirement and estate planning

Once you have the guardians established and are ready to put it into writing, you can create a will or estate. Have you planned for retirement? When will you retire and how will you pay expenses after retirement? Who will inherit your assets and money after you pass? How will it be divided and when will it be received? Do you have life insurance to help support the surviving spouse and children? These questions are not fun to talk about but are very necessary. If your wishes aren’t in writing, you can’t guarantee that they will be carried out as you had hoped. This can lead to strife within the family or the challenge of your assets being tied up in probate for years. To set up your will or estate, contact an attorney or a financial advisor to help guide you through the process and make sure your affairs are in order.

Break a bad habit

Habits are hard to break. This year choose one bad habit such as smoking, eating junk food or spending too much time on social media. Replace it with a healthy habit such as exercising, meditation or reading. Set a goal, start small and take it one day at a time. It can be helpful to choose an accountability partner who can check in on your progress and encourage you if you have the desire to give up or have a relapse.

Tell people how you feel

It’s never too late to tell someone how you feel about them. Do something special to let your spouse know you care. Call your grandparents and ask them to share stories of their childhood. Hug your kids and spend time laughing with them. Make memories, forgive others, spread kindness and settle disagreements. Life is too short.

Clean the closet

Most of us have a junk drawer, closet, garage or basement that we have been ignoring for months, years or even decades. Pick one area in the house you have been neglecting and sort through the items. It feels great to donate or throw away things you no longer need. It’s time to let go of those favorite jeans from high school. You will probably never wear them again anyway. As you purge, reorganize the items you plan to keep. If you have a lot to tackle, start small. Focus on one area of the house and narrow it down to one closet, shelf or drawer at a time if needed.

Do something you’ve been putting off

“I’ve always wanted to run a marathon.”

“Someday I will write a book.”

“I’d like to travel to Europe.”

We all have one dream that has always been in the back of our minds. Whether it’s a fitness goal, a travel destination or a daring adventure like skydiving, there always seems to be a reason to put it off. Now is the time. This year, make plans to do what you have always wanted. If it’s not in the budget right now, start saving and set a goal to make it happen in the near future.

As the new year begins, allow yourself to tackle one item on your lifetime to-do list that you may have been procrastinating. These tasks may not be fun, but they are worthwhile.

Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer from Olathe where she lives with her husband and six children.

As the new year begins, allow yourself to tackle one item on your lifetime to-do list that you may have been procrastinating.

These tasks may not be fun, but they are worthwhile.

kids collections:

A Great Way to Boost Learning and Processing Skills

iremember having collections as a child, don’t you? I remember the joy I felt when I added a new, sparkly rock to my rock collection. I recall my Hello Kitty sticker album where I not only collected, but arranged and categorized my stickers. I remember collecting these small fuzzy bears, which are now called “vintage” and miniature Trolls before they were a blockbuster hit. Guess I have kind of dated myself a bit! At any rate, while collections to us as adults might seem trivial or useless, children can benefit greatly from starting and managing their own collections.

A great thing about collecting is that it naturally provides some fun teaching opportunities, without your kids’ realizing they’re learning. Anna, whose 19-monthold collects different versions of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse characters (stuffed animals, bath toys, chunky puzzle pieces, small figurines, stickers, etc.), highlights a great example of this exact situation. “At

first it was just for fun, but then she started using them to draw comparisons,” Anna says. “She tells us which ones are bigger and smaller, softer and harder, matching in color, etc. She’s also started using them to practice prepositions such as ‘Big Minnie is on small Minnie’ or ‘Goofy is next to Daisy.’ So not only does she just love them, but also they’ve become an easy, fun teaching tool too!”

Beginning a collection also can instill a passion in children, as well as introduce them to things they might not normally be interested in. For example, if your child’s grandparent shares a coin or stamp collection, or an older sibling has a baseball card collection, your child may take up an interest in one of those or decide she’d like to learn more about it. This might lead to a trip to the library so she can pick out some books on her newfound interest, which in turn can lead to a renewed love of reading by finding a topic to be passionate about. Bonus!

Beginning

At the same time, collections can foster relationships among people. Collections can bridge the generation gap, bring siblings closer together and encourage new friendships. “While your child is negotiating a card trade or informing a classmate about the new addition to his dinosaur collection, he’s inspired to interact with other children. A collection can be a great way to boost selfesteem, as well as serve as a smooth entry into friendships. If your child is new to a school or neighborhood, discussing his trading card collecting can be a great icebreaker. Meeting kids who share a similar interest could mean he’s also found new buddies,” according to BabyCenter.com.

Collecting can teach children the fine art of patience and responsibility as well. True collecting is slow. Anyone can go outside and find a load of sticks or rocks to add to their collection in no time at all. However, if your child is collecting coins, stamps, sports cards, etc., he will need patience in trying to find just the right item to complete his collection. Likewise, children learn that these same items require special care and attention, as some are quite delicate and need preserving.

I love the quote from Pyschology Today that says, “Sometimes a collection is not just a collection, but a spur to the imagination, to learning and creating. And that’s what makes collecting in childhood a worthy pursuit.” We don’t hear much about collections these days, but maybe we should.

Julie Collett writes from Overland Park. She is constantly finding acorns, sticks, leaves, rings, coins, etc., around the house that her children are “collecting.”

a collection also can instill a passion in children, as well as introduce them to things they might not normally be interested in.

How Help Moms Rhythms

As parents, our lives are ruled by routines. We have a bedtime routine, naptime routine, mealtime routine and, likely, hundreds of others. Whether you realize it or not, you may also have rhythms.

Rhythms are things that trigger other things. They are fluid actions throughout the day that allow one task to flow into the next. While routines are strict, rhythms are natural. Routines are made to feel organized and punctual. But a good rhythm feels effortless.

And isn’t that what every parent wants—effortless flow throughout the day?

What Is a Rhythm?

When you wake up, you turn on the coffee maker and let the dog out. While the dog is outside you grab an ice pack out of the freezer and put it in the lunch box on the counter. Next, you put the lunch into your child’s backpack. By now, the dog is finished outside, so you let him in. Once you’re done doing those things, the coffee is warm. All of your actions roll together, with each one triggering the next. The signal for packing your child’s lunch was turning on

the coffee maker, which triggered letting the dog out, which in turn, cued putting the ice pack in the lunch box.

Thus a simple—but necessary—morning rhythm is born.

In a short amount of time you completed three tasks: set up coffee, let the dog out and put together your child’s lunch. These are automatic triggers. Turning on the coffee maker starts the day, then reminds you to let the dog out. Letting the dog back inside means the coffee must be ready to enjoy.

Most likely, you already implement rhythms. They make our days run so much more smoothly. They are adapted to serve you and your entire household. Every person, no matter their season or life stage, can benefit from a good rhythm. They don’t help only parents, they do wonders for kids, too!

Rhythms and Kids

Rhythms help tired mamas all day long, but especially with the known pain points of each day—bath, bed, meals, getting out the door, playtime, etc. They help kids know what’s next and begin to anticipate the change in activity. Children can be gently eased into

things they may not necessarily enjoy by rhythms. As a result, transitions occur with a little less pushback—we all hope!

Plenty of people abide by a schedule. Everyone has routines to help accomplish tasks. And adults and children both tend to be schedule oriented. But according to Waldorf principles, rhythms help children more clearly understand the time of day. This is because they encourage predictability.

At 1:00 in the afternoon, your children know what happens when you dim the lights and shut the blinds—even if you haven’t told them it’s naptime. They know it’s dinner when their sibling puts a plate on their highchair. They know bath time is approaching if pajamas are on the bathroom counter. They know to take their water bottle to the park if it’s sitting on the stairs when they put their shoes on.

Because children can’t easily grasp the concept of time, it might be difficult for them to understand when you say words like tomorrow or last week. These phrases feel vague to them. This is why, when we speak to younger children about time, it’s often paired with events they’re familiar

with. Some examples? We will go to the park after lunch. You have soccer before dinner. Your birthday is right after Christmas. We will go to Grandma’s on the Fourth of July.

Implementing Rhythms

Make rhythms work for you! They are best used during times that need flexible structure. Rhythms are not set in stone. In fact, tailoring them to the age or season you are in can feel even more effective. They are meant to change and naturally adapt to fit your days. Not the other way around.

Is naptime a struggle? Try gearing up for it sooner with some visual rhythms for your child. Play some calm-down music as you pick up toys before naps. Picking up the toys could be the calm but active movement your kiddos need to get their wiggles out before settling down in bed.

Don’t overcomplicate things. What you’re trying to create is peace and fluidity within your day. Rhythms shouldn’t add stress or time to your life. In fact, they should do just the opposite!

A good rhythm is a simple rhythm.

Helpful Rhythms

Though every family is different, parents usually have the most difficulties around meals, playtime and rest time. Moms often look for a series of rigid schedule changes to flip the switch on these difficult transitions. What they really need are simple rhythms! For all children, but especially those who are younger, you might consider the following questions to help you better implement rhythms:

• Getting ready: How do they know when to get dressed? How do they know what to wear?

• Eating: When do they eat? What do they do beforehand? What do they do when they’re done?

• Playing: How do they know when it’s time to clean up? How do they know if you’re playing with them or if you expect them to play independently?

• Rest time: What are some things they always do before bed? How do they know when to get out of bed?

What works for one person or household may not work for the next, so find what works best for you and yours. Then try it out for a little bit. If the changes don’t work over a period of trial time, then throw them out the window! Try another and another, until you find the sweet spot. They shouldn’t feel abrupt or forced. Remember: Simple, smooth and natural are key.

Many times with young and busy kids, rigid routines don’t stand the test of time. Someone gets sick. Work schedules change. Kids grow out of a nap. Having rhythms set as anchors throughout your day instills a sense of security and comfort in your child. In turn, everyone’s day runs a bit more smoothly. Hopefully, at least!

Kailyn Rhinehart writes from Warrensburg, MO. She lives with her husband and two small children and would not be able to function without rhythms throughout her day.

Four convenient locations near you!

Building Great Smiles for Life!

Even on the best of days, sibling rivalry is bound to rear its head. Children may fight for any number of reasons, whether it’s over possessions, a desire for attention, a need for control, pure boredom, a competitive nature or simply because they are tired or hungry. As a result, it can be easy for Mom and Dad to feel angry, exasperated and, maybe—if we’re honest—a bit amused when the bickering gets so creative! Sibling rivalry takes its toll on everyone it seems!

Here are some reason why sibling rivalry may occur:

Birth Order. Just as your children’s birth order has bearing on how they treat one another, so you or your spouse’s birth order will have impact on how you parent. Birth order isn’t hard science, but knowing about it can help you empathize with the relationship dynamics of your own home more intuitively. The Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Lehman is a good starting point for parents wanting to know more on this topic.

Spacing. Children born close together have more in common, more contact with each other and more reason for comparison. All of this access can make for the best of friends or the worst of enemies—sometimes both, depending on the time of day! Likewise, children spaced further apart spend less time together, have different sets of friends and less need for comparison.

Gender. If one sex is given special treatment over another, it will be a recipe for dysfunction not only between parents and a child, but also between siblings. In many events, sexism doesn’t just happen because of cultural preferences but also because of family makeup. For instance, if a family has three boys and a girl, the girl may be favored simply for being different than the other three.

Family Circumstances. Living in close quarters, be it a small house or an apartment, can ramp up squabbles simply because individuals have less personal space. Going through a big transition, such as adding a new baby to the mix, losing a loved one, dealing with remarriage or divorce, making a move, or facing financial hardship can shake things up in big ways, too.

solutions to Sibling strife

Tired parents often scratch their heads and wonder just why kids fight so much. It may seem nonsensical to us adults, but a number of factors are at play, many of which are actually beneficial. First, it’s helpful to acknowledge that not getting along is just part of doing life together and it shows a degree of trust. It’s said that you argue with those that you love because it’s a safe place to express your feelings without fear of rejection. So don’t beat yourself up if your kids argue. It’s not a sign that you’re poorly parenting or doing something wrong. If anything, it’s a sign your kids feel comfortable with each other (though they may feel a little too comfortable!). Second, learning to get along is an advanced skill set that takes a lifetime to refine. The goal shouldn’t be to avoid conflict altogether but to use those situations as learning opportunities for resolving conflict and respectfully and confidently standing up for yourself, while also mastering the art of negotiation and compromise. These are skills all children need as they grow and mature, and it will prepare them to have healthier interpersonal relationships outside your home. Viewing conflict as a training ground—not just a battleground—can be a paradigm shift that helps parents navigate the next tussle between their children.

Tools for Managing Sibling Rivalry

Ditch the Labels

Our nature is to categorize people and things, but when we communicate that we value our children for how they perform, we pit them against each other. Labeling kids “the smart one,” “the musical prodigy” or “the star athlete” can inadvertently peg our kids into holes they don’t want to stay in long term, while preventing another child from trying something for which his sibling might be known for. Focus on affirming character qualities over talents—virtues such as grit, tenacity, kindness or compassion—so that everyone in the family can root for each other and not feel pressure to compete for Mom and Dad’s approval.

Give Positive Attention

Some kids are so hungry for parental attention they’ll seek it even if it’s in all the wrong ways. Be on the offensive and seek to fill your kids’ “love tanks” by spending time with them individually. It can be as simple as running errands together or as lavish as a whole weekend getaway just for the two of you. Be a student of your child and learn the things that make him tick. What are his interests and hobbies? What’s one food he couldn’t live without? What’s the best book he read this year? Delving into the things that your children love is one of the most meaningful ways for them to feel valued.

Add Calm, Not Chaos

It can be easy to get wound up when you hear yelling from the other room, but kids need to be taught how to navigate conflict by example. Don’t match their volume level or fixate on who did what at the onset. Finding someone to blame is seldom helpful, especially if both were at fault in one way or another. Have everyone take a deep breath and then tell their side of things without interruption, starting with “I felt” statements (“I felt frustrated when you took my doll out of my hands!”). Then ask the kids whether they can find a solution. If they can’t come up with any on their own, offer a few ideas until they can reach an agreement.

Don’t Apologize. Ask Forgiveness

Making a child apologize when she’s not sorry can be counterproductive because it can feign reconciliation without any true peace being made. Instead of focusing on feeling apologetic, have your child focus on his actions. He doesn’t have to be repentant to acknowledge that he was wrong toward his brother. “I was wrong to push you when I was angry. Will you forgive me?” goes much farther than a trite or insincere, “I’m sorry, okay!” Encourage your children to take responsibility for their actions toward one another and remind them of the importance of being quick to forgive so as not to harbor any bitterness.

Lauren Greenlee is a freelance writer and boymom of four hailing from Olathe.

DIGITAL DETOX

We parents recall going outside and riding our bikes, playing basketball, sitting in a circle and talking to our friends, catching lightning bugs—anything to be outside in the fresh air. We did not have an ipad, iphone or tablet to entertain us. Not that there is anything wrong with our new technology to teach us, show us new ideas and bring the world to our fingertips.

It is a wonderful thing to be able to ask Google the name of a song, a movie or even a nation to help get homework done. And in the grocery store, calming an antsy toddler is simple with a Disney movie playing on your iphone. Suddenly, a tot can happily ride in the grocery cart. Why not flip the script, though? Pack plastic fruits in a bag and have your child find them in the store as you browse. Or ask your little ones to find the color of the green beans, bananas and hamburger. Keep them occupied watching for other children in the store or smiling at the deli manager as he hands you the macaroni salad. Looking around instead of down will inspire your child to ask questions, be more creative and learn to entertain himself!

Reward your little one with the opportunity to watch his favorite movie on the screen on the drive home. Then, when you get home, set the grocery bags on the floor and have him see all you purchased—maybe even help you put things away. This is a way to keep your child involved with his surroundings and away from the screen for a little bit of time.

Remember, too much screen time and regular exposure to poor-quality programming have been linked to obesity, inadequate sleep schedules and insufficient sleep, behavior problems, delays in language and social skills development, violence, attention problems and less time learning.

Keep in mind that unstructured playtime is more valuable for a young child’s developing brain than is electronic media. Children younger than age 2 are more likely to learn when they interact and play with parents, siblings and other children and adults.

By age 2, children may benefit from some types of screen time, such as programming with music, movement and stories. By watching together, you can help your child understand what she is seeing and apply it in real life. However, passive screen time shouldn’t replace reading, playing or problem-solving.

The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use, except for video chatting, by children younger than 18 months. If you introduce digital media to children ages 18 to 24 months, make sure it is high quality and avoid solo media use. For children ages 2 to 5, limit screen time to one hour a day of high quality programming.

As your child grows, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work as well. You will need to decide how much media to let your child use each day and what’s appropriate. Consider applying the same rules to your child’s real and virtual environments. In both, play with your child, teach kindness, be involved and know your child’s friends and what your child does with them. Also, keep in mind that the quality of the media your child is exposed to is more important than the type of technology or amount of time spent.

To ensure quality screen time, make sure you preview programs, games and apps before allowing your child to view or play with them. Organizations such as Common Sense Media have programming ratings and reviews to help you determine what’s appropriate for your child’s age. Better yet, watch, play or use them with your child.

10 HEALTHY TECH HABITS FOR YOU TO TRY

1) Instead of a phone alarm, find a cute, old-fashioned alarm clock to place by your child’s bed.

2) Make a “bed” for your child’s phone. Try a shoebox with a snuggly little blanket inside so it can sleep warmly! Place it in the living room away from your child’s bed.

3) Select books to read before bed. Make it a game. What are we thinking about today?

Batman? The stars? Football? Your child can select which for you to read to her or to read herself. Drowsy eyes happen when kids think themselves to sleep.

4) Get an aquarium and place it in your child’s room. It’s mesmerizing and teaches responsibility.

Also, seek out interactive options that engage your child, rather than those that just require pushing and swiping or staring at the screen. And, of course, use parental controls to block or filter inappropriate internet content.

Keep your children close to you during screen time so you can supervise their activities and ask them regularly what programs, games and apps they’ve played with during the day. If you find something inappropriate, don’t chastise your children. Watch the programming with them and discuss what you are both watching. Also educate your child about advertising and commercials.

In addition, avoid fast-paced programming, which young children have a hard time understanding, and violent content and apps with a lot of distracting content. Eliminate advertising on apps because young children have trouble telling the difference between ads and factual information.

As the media is showing us, certain sites such as Facebook, TikTok and others can lure older children in. Keep that line of communication open and be ever watchful about what your kids are posting.

Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.

5) PLACE A RADIO ON THE BEDSIDE TABLE. TUNE IN A CALMING STATION.

6) Write in a journal in cursive! Give your child starts. For example, what is your favorite class at school? What would you like for lunch tomorrow? What is the best thing that happened to you today? Never correct or critique what he or she writes.

7) Utilize the phone and set its timer for a few hours. During those hours, your child can build Legos, play with play dough, play an instrument or go outside for a walk.

8) Try to keep their phones away from the dinner table— and follow suit yourself. At least a couple days a week!

9) CLOSE THE LAPTOP.

10) Call Grandma and actually talk for a bit.

TO ENSURE SCREEN LIMITS IN YOUR HOME, TRY THESE TIPS

• Encourage unplugged, unstructured playtime. This means no screens, no emails and no laptops. Period.

• Create tech-free zones or times, such as during mealtime or one night a week. Reward, reward, reward! The night there is no screen time, go get a milkshake or order in whatever they want to eat as a special prize.

• Discourage use of media entertainment during homework. Perhaps find one of those sound machines that play birds, ocean waves or nighttime sounds. White noise is a guaranteed imagination and concentration enhancer.

• Set and enforce daily or weekly screen time limits and curfews, such as no exposure to devices or screens one hour before bedtime.

• Consider using apps that control the length of time a child can use a device.

• Keep screens out of your child’s bedroom and consider requiring your children to charge their devices outside of their bedrooms at night.

• Eliminate background TV.

• Try turning Alexa off while you’re cooking, playing or having family time. She is a great asset but can become a handicap. Sometimes, we need to try to use our own brains to come up with song names. There is nothing wrong with having a dance party when you ask her to play your favorite song, but remember to set limits

ENJOYING SCREENLESS ENTERTAINMENT LOW-TECH WAYS TO PASS TIME WITHOUT COMPLAINTS

Waiting in public with the kids can be quite stressful. After all, they might start fighting under the table before the food comes at a restaurant, or they might be spinning endlessly in the chair when the doctor finally walks into the exam room. Whenever there is a lull in the activity, it doesn’t take long for chaos to ensue.

In these types of situations, the easiest way to prevent a disaster is to simply give the kids a screen to keep them still, calm and preoccupied. With some planning, though, you can keep kids entertained and engaged while waiting without pulling out the phone and turning to technology.

Start developing your low-tech entertainment options by preparing a wide variety of busy bags for various occasions. Make sure the bags are ready to grab and go when it’s time to head out the door. There is really no limit to what you can put in them—crayons, coloring sheets, Legos, notebooks and puzzles are only the start of what is possible. While you are at it, consider themed bags. A bag with superhero puzzles and mini notebooks might be interesting to the child one day, but another day he might find a nature explorer bag more captivating.

Once you have your stash of busy bags, brainstorm simple games that don’t require any materials to play. “I Spy” is typically the first game that comes to mind in this

category, but there are plenty others, including “Would You Rather” and “I’m Going on a Picnic.” Rhythmic singing and clapping games are always fun as well.

These downtimes are also prime opportunities for kids to develop their imaginations and their storytelling abilities. Prepare several prompts for possible storylines, and have the kids brainstorm and share their stories. They could even work together to come up with a story and write it down later.

Simple and easy-to-carry art supplies and coloring books are another must-have that will also engage their imaginations.

Mad Libs are a favorite word and story game bound to make everyone laugh. Writing your own can be especially fun, so have the kids write their own simple stories and then remove various key words for everyone else to finish in their own way. Not only will hilarity ensue, but it can also teach the kids parts of speech and grammar.

Card games provide endless entertainment opportunities. From Go Fish on up to Rummy, the complexity of the games depends on kids’ age level, and engaging in these games can help boost reasoning and logic skills.

Working to keep the kids caught up on their academic progress is an especially productive use of downtime, too. To this end, bring flash cards for math facts or anything else they are learning. Having

short, simple and themed educational workbooks to complete are another fun way of learning.

Of course, the most classic form of low-tech entertainment is simply reading an old-fashioned physical book. Find a specific series of books your child loves and designate these periods of downtime specifically for reading their chosen series. This will not only improve their reading, but it will help them look forward to these times so they can escape into the world of their favorite books.

Perhaps most importantly, these downtimes can also be the perfect opportunity to reflect and connect as a family. Everyone can share about a favorite family memory or something they would like to do together in the future. You could also have the kids share about their favorite activities, interests and hobbies, and you might be surprised by what you learn about them. No need to always be serious, as some light-hearted discussion about the funniest or silliest thing that has happened to them is bound to bring laughs and fun conversation.

Remember, it’s good medicine for kids to find imaginative ways to entertain themselves. Creative thinking is an important skill that will serve them well as they get older.

Allison Gibeson is a Lee’s Summit writer and mom.

30 DAYS to a Healthier Social Life

Reviving a withering social network or starting fresh in a new community isn’t easy for any busy mom, but the importance of developing social connections can’t be underestimated. Women who feel a balanced sense of connection are healthier and more resilient to stress and anxiety. Take charge of your interpersonal interactions with one small step a day to create a more energizing, fulfilling social life.

1. Contact a mothers group. Ask to attend a meeting as a guest. Put the date on the calendar and schedule a sitter if necessary.

2. Call an old friend. Reconnecting can help you rebuild your confidence as you start meeting new moms.

3. Email a mom you’d like to get to know better. Arrange a meet-up time for both of you and your kids for a playdate at the park or the mall play area.

4 Send a Facebook friend request to a mom you’ve met recently.

5. Evaluate your schedule and answer a volunteer request. Want to get to know lots of members fast? Volunteer for a leadership position.

6. Meet the family down the street. Bring cookies and head over with your kids to introduce yourselves.

7. Kids are great icebreakers. Strike up a conversation with another mom at the park. Just a casual conversation with another adult can boost your spirits.

8. Send a card to a friend to let her know you’re thinking about her or call just to chat

9. Join an online moms group. Reaching out to other moms online who can relate to your situation can help you feel less isolated.

10. Text a friend with a new baby. Remember how hard those first few weeks are? Coordinate a time to stop by with a meal

11. Are your children in school? Invite other classroom moms to a “seasoned moms” lunch.

12. Sign up for a yoga, Zumba or Jazzercise class. The exercise will give you energy and boost your mood. The group fitness experience will help you feel a sense of connection to others with similar goals.

13. Time for girls night out! You may feel a little tired the next day, but recalling all the laughs is sure to put a spring in your step.

14. Does someone in your life zap your energy? (And, no, your kids don’t count!) Consciously begin to move away from draining, one-sided friendships

15. Beware of overcommitting yourself. Say no to whatever isn’t a priority or doesn’t interest you. You’ll do yourself and your family a favor.

16. Make a list of your favorite forgotten pastimes.

17 Carve out 15 or 20 minutes in your day to pursue one of those hobbies. Check out the latest trends with your hobby on Pinterest or your favorite social network.

18. Start a walking group with a friend or two. Walking and talking for an hour is great exercise and like free therapy!

19 Moms know the 4:00 to 6:00 “witching hour” is rough when everyone is tired, hungry and cranky. Invite other moms for a two-hour afternoon playdate and dinner. Order pizza and ask everyone to bring a side dish such as a salad, dessert and juice boxes for the kids. Dinner done, kids sleep well, and you get a quiet evening ahead!

20. Plan a morning at the zoo or the children’s museum with your kids and invite other moms to join you.

21. Check out the library for upcoming talks, book clubs and other activities. Attend a few discussions to meet other people with shared interests.

22. Organize a game night or book club with a few women you’d like to get to know better.

23. Feel roadblocked by cliquey moms? Reach out to a receptive member of the group. If she is on the PTA/PTO, ask how you can get involved. Don’t be pushy and do watch your body language. Averting eye contact, crossing your arms and hiding in a corner with your cell phone can signal a lack of interest in connecting. And, remember, many moms aren’t cliquey.

24. Schedule a manicure/pedicure morning out with a friend.

25. Find a sitter and schedule a date night with your spouse. Get dressed up and head somewhere nice. Feeling sociable? Invite another couple to join you.

26. Invite your neighbors for a backyard barbecue. Have outdoor games like badminton, horseshoes, volleyball, chalk, bubbles and hula hoops available for the kids to play together.

27. Support a friend who sells makeup, jewelry, cookware or candles by accepting an invitation to one of the parties. Go with a budget and enjoy some time hanging out with other women.

28. Need a break? Acknowledge when life is getting too busy and take a few hours to do something on your own—head to a pottery place and paint while you sip coffee, go clothes shopping or take in a movie.

29. Spending time with other families is fun, but set aside an afternoon for just you and your kids. Head to the park for a picnic lunch, watch a movie together, play a board game, try ice-skating or go bowling.

30. Regroup with your family around the dinner table. Communication builds stronger families. Talk about your day’s highs and lows, frustrations and successes.

Freelance writer Christa M. Hines resides in Olathe with her husband, two teenaged sons and one very spoiled rescue puppy.

Say W hat?

Tips to Improve Your Child’s Listening Skills

do you find yourself frustrated from repeating the same phrases over and over again when talking to your children? Does it seem like everything you say goes in one ear and out the other? Do your kids really not hear you, or are they just tuning you out?

First of all, it’s important to understand the difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is a passive act that requires no concentration. Listening is an active process that requires focus and multiple senses. Listening is voluntary, so children must decide whether they are going to just hear you or really listen to what you’re saying and use their mind and body to engage in a conversation. Good listeners turn into good communicators later on in life. If your child has trouble listening to you, the good news is there are many ways to improve those listening skills.

Model Good Listening Skills

One way to help your child build better listening skills is to be a positive influence and model good listening skills to your child. Kids learn best from watching their parents, so set a good example for them. Use good listening skills when you’re talking to your children, as well as other adults. When your child speaks to you, give him eye contact and use body language to show him you’re actively listening to what he’s saying. Nodding in agreement and asking followup questions are a few ways to show you’re invested and engaged in the conversation. Also, don’t interrupt while she is speaking.

Put Down the Gadgets

With parents and children more attached to their devices than ever before, it’s easy for us to tune out what we are saying to each other. According to Highlights magazine’s 2014 State of the Kid survey results, 62 percent of kids say their parents are distracted when kids are trying to talk to them. When asked what distracts their parents, kids’ top responses were cell phones (28 percent), siblings (25 percent), work (16 percent) and TV (13 percent). Before having a conversation with your child, turn off the TV and put down your cell phone or laptop. Give her eye contact

and show her she has your undivided attention. Ask her to do the same, so you can both focus on the conversation.

Get Their Attention

It’s important to get your child’s full attention before giving instructions. Sometimes you don’t fully have kids’ attention before speaking. Don’t just call up the stairs, “Go put your shoes on!” Instead, approach your child with eye contact, get down on his level and say his name. Once he’s looking at you, you can proceed with your instructions.

Ask Them to Repeat Instructions

When you ask your child to do something, follow up by asking her to repeat your request. Once you have given an instruction, ask her to repeat it back to you, so you can make sure she fully heard and understood your request—and ask whether she has any questions. I’ve oftentimes found we have asked my daughter to do something, gotten upset when she didn’t do it but then later realized she didn’t fully understand what we were requesting—and that’s why she did something entirely different.

Cook Together

Cooking and baking is based on reading or listening to instructions. Bake kids’ favorite cookies or have your kids help you out with cooking dinner in the evenings. Read the recipe and instructions aloud and let them listen and follow the directions to complete the culinary creation.

Read Together

Reading books can help with your children’s listening comprehension. Read aloud to your children every day. This doesn’t have to be only at bedtime! While reading, make sure to stop and ask questions about what’s going on in the story or what they think will happen next. You can also listen to audio books together during long car rides or just on the way to school. Be sure to react to the story and have conversations about what is happening in the book.

Take a Walk

Spending time out in nature is an easy and fun way to help develop listening skills. As you’re walking, ask your children what sounds they hear. This will help them turn on their listening ears and focus on the different sounds like birds chirping, the neighbor’s lawnmower, leaves rustling or a bee buzzing by.

Tell a Story Together

Kids can practice listening by telling a story together. Start the story off with a phrase like “Once upon a time there was a…” Then, let each child continue the story. They will be practicing listening, taking turns to speak and using their imaginations at the same time.

Play Fun Games

There are several fun games you can play with your kids that will help them practice their listening skills. An old-

fashioned game of Telephone requires kids to focus on what is being said to them. Games like Red Light, Green Light and Simon Says also help foster good listening habits.

Start Conversations

Make a habit of starting real conversations with your kids. Our family loves doing this at mealtime. We go around the table and talk about what we did all day, the best part of our day and the worst part of our day. My daughter loves it so much that she is the one who initiates the conversation now. You can follow up with questions after each person at the table has shared.

Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband and daughters in St. Joseph, MO.

Join the Movement

ice painting

Need a way to enjoy the outdoor elements without spending hours outside this winter? This easy and fun painting project is the way to go!

Step one: Gather icicles from outside or, if none are available, use ice from the freezer. Place into a plastic bowl or dish on top of place mat or craft mat.

Step two: Put water into water cup for easy rinsing of the paintbrush.

Step three: Using the watercolors, paint any design or paint randomly. This is a perfect opportunity to talk about primary and secondary colors and about mixing colors to create colors.

Step four: Easily rinse your ice or gather new ice or icicles to create new projects.

Step five: Freeze to save!

Optional: Paint outside on the icicles or snow or bring the icicles or snow into the bathtub!

Janelle Cumro-Sultzer lives in Overland Park with her husband, two children and two dogs. Janelle is a former health care executive director and is a mediator in Kansas, helping families in conflict. Janelle loves to focus on learning through play and getting messy with crafts.

Materials Needed:

• Icicles from outside or ice (freeze until ready to use)

• Watercolor paints

• Paintbrush

• Water cup with water

• Bowl or plastic tub for ice

• Paper towels or old towel

• Optional: place mat or craft mat

DIY Snow Globe

Wooden Snowman

Snowflake Slime

TASTYTREATS

GIVE QUICK AND EASY MEALS A FUN SPIN

(Family Features)

Work, school, extracurricular activities, social events and more can make the winter months feel frantic, and it can often seem like you’re running out of time. This seasonal time crunch makes it even more difficult to answer the age-old, mealtime question kids are always asking: “What are we having?”

To help solve that daily meal dilemma and discover family-pleasing recipes that take 35 minutes or less, the RAGÚ Meal Wheel lets the entire family take an active role in choosing what’s on the menu. Simply ask one of your kids to click the “spin” button to find delicious, quick-and-easy recipes like Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo with Fettuccine and Mini Turkey Sloppy Joes.

To find more quick and mouthwatering recipes to feed your family during the chilly winter months, visit RAGU.com/meal-wheel.

MINI TURKEY SLOPPY JOES

Recipe courtesy of “Honey and Birch” on behalf of RAGÚ

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

1 t. extra-virgin olive oil

1 c. diced onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb. ground turkey

1 c. finely diced carrots

1 med. green pepper, diced

CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

1 T. butter

1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

1 jar RAGÚ Classic Alfredo Sauce

1 pkg. (12 oz.) frozen broccoli florets, thawed 1 pkg. (12 oz.) fettuccine pasta

Grated Parmesan cheese, for topping (optional)

In large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Cook chicken, in batches if necessary, stirring occasionally, until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.

In same skillet, add sauce and broccoli; stir. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until broccoli is heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, about 2 minutes.

In separate pan, cook fettuccine according to package instructions.

Serve chicken, broccoli and sauce over hot fettuccine and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top, if desired.

1 med. red pepper, diced

1 jar RAGÚ Simply Chunky Marinara Sauce

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 t. ground mustard

1/2 t. kosher salt

1/2 t. black pepper 4 mini buns

In large skillet over medium heat, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When hot, add onion and garlic; sauté until onion is translucent. Add ground turkey. Break up meat and stir frequently until browned. Add carrots, green pepper and red pepper. Cook 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.

Add marinara sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard, salt and pepper. Stir and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and partially cover pan. Cook 10 minutes.

Serve on mini buns.

KC TRIVIA

Of the four species of penguin at the Kansas City Zoo, which is the smallest as a full-grown adult? A) Gentoo B) Humboldt C) King D) Rockhopper

What is average snowfall in KC in January?

A) 2.5 inches B) 6.3 inches C) 4.1 inches D) 1.6 inches

Kansas was admitted to the Union as the 34th state on Jan. 29 of what year? A) 1861 B) 1850 C) 1903 D) 1863

How many bowls of cereal are consumed by the average American annually? A) 200 B) 100 C) 75 D) 150

What is America’s favorite soup? A) Broccoli cheddar B) Potato C) Chili D) Chicken noodle

What is the location of Kansas City’s “Suicide Hill” sledding hill? A) 57th & Grand B) 63rd & Troost C) 56th & Brookside D) 51st & Wornall

The second Wednesday in January is National Take the Stairs Day. The Liberty Memorial Tower has a 217-foothigh, open-air observation deck. To reach the top of the tower, guests ride an elevator and then climb how many steps? A) 22 B) 45 C) 18 D) 30

Jan. 4 is National Spaghetti Day. Jasper’s has been KC’s favorite spot for spaghetti since ___? A) 1954 B) 1970 C) 1965 D) 1982 ANSWER KEY: 1 D) Rockhopper is smallest, with an average adult size of 41-46 cm and 5-6 pounds. 2 C) 4.1 inches 3 A) 1861 4 A) 1954 5 B) 100 6 D) Chicken noodle 7 C) 56th & Brookside 8 B) 45

HAPPY GILLIS

549 Gillis St., Kansas City, MO 816.471.3663, HappyGillis.com

Happy Gillis, in Old Columbus Park, was founded by Todd Schulte who started his culinary career in the soup business. His expertise at creating delicious recipes with healthy, all-natural ingredients makes Happy Gillis an absolute must on a KC soup tour.

• Most Popular Soups: White bean soup and tomato soup are both super popular among reviewers. Truly, though, at Happy Gillis, where the soup changes seasonally, you can’t go wrong with any choice!

• Great for Kids Because … Happy Gillis is committed to using all-natural, healthy ingredients, and they offer a super fun vintage atmosphere with white paper and crayons on the tables.

BEST REGARDS BAKERY & CAFÉ

6759 W. 119th St., Overland Park 913.782.1505, MakeThemSmile.com

At Best Regards Bakery & Café, everything is made from scratch. In addition to great soups, the grilled cheese is something that has everyone talking.

• Most Popular Soups: It’s hard to choose a favorite, but the San Marzano tomato basil soup and oven roasted potato soup are two that top the list.

• Great for Kids Because … BRB&C uses healthy ingredients and the finest products they can find. They use no corn syrup, no preservatives, no artificial flavors and as little salt and sugar as possible.

BIG BISCUIT

Big Biscuit offers numerous locations across the metro. The restaurant started in Independence in 2000, adding three more locations over the years. They live up to their “big” name with famously large portions. The neighborhood diner offers homestyle cooking and friendly service in a cozy atmosphere.

• Most Popular Soups: Potato soup and pinto bean soup.

• Great for Kids Because … The Big Biscuit offers a terrific family atmosphere where guests of all ages will find something on the menu to enjoy, whether it is soup and a sandwich or breakfast all day long.

FAVORITE INDOOR ATTRACTIONS WHEN IT’S COLD OUTSIDE

14 and up, cardio equipment, elliptical equipment, Jacob’s Ladders and facilities for advanced climbing training (for those with a year of experience). RoKC features three types of climbing walls: lead, top rope and auto belay. The attraction is great for single-day visits (purchase a day pass or multiple visit punch card), memberships and parties.

Lenexa Rec Center (Lenexa.com/reccenter) is the perfect place to bring the family on a cold day. The indoor pool includes water slides and a toddler play area. Spending the day at the pool is perfect for when you need to get the kids active! In addition, they have many family-friendly events throughout the year. They offer affordable memberships as well as day passes and punch cards.

KidScape at the Johnson County Museum (JoCoMuseum.org) is a whimsical, hands-on, child-sized city. Children time travel to different periods and communities from the region’s past. They enjoy pretend play as they work on the farm, perform at the theater or puppet show, teach in the school, deliver the mail, care for patients at the hospital and fry up some burgers at the diner. This exhibit is a favorite for early education.

Legoland Discovery Center (LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com). Legoland Discovery Center is Kansas City’s ultimate indoor Lego playground! The Train Station Adventure is where children climb, slide, jump and roll around train obstacles. Lego 4D cinema features exciting Lego movies with additional wind, rain and snow effects to really bring the film to life, and Duplo

Village lets little ones build a colorful Duplo flower for the garden or wiggle and slide around the cottage and play with the special big, soft bricks.

National World War I Museum and Memorial (TheWorldWar.org) is not only a Kansas City landmark, but also an American landmark. The museum tells the story of the Great War through interactive displays, thought-provoking films and eyewitness testimonies. The museum houses one of the largest collections of WWI artifacts in the world. With family guides and handson exhibits, the museum is an educational attraction for all ages.

RoKC Olathe (ClimbKC.com). This indoor rock wall climbing facility features 35to 50-foot walls for all skill levels from beginner to expert, 15-foot bouldering walls, fitness equipment available for ages

Sea Life Kansas City (VisitSeaLife.com). Sea Life Aquarium transports guests into an amazing underwater world with up-close views of more than 5,000 sea creatures! Walk through the 180-degree underwater tunnel, come face to fin with sharks and rescued sea turtles and explore more than 12 breathtaking exhibits. Stingray Bay, Sea Turtle Rescue Center and Doodle Reef, an interactive exhibit where kids design their own fish, are favorites.

Urban Air Trampoline Park (UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com) is one of our favorite places to play! Offering much more than trampolines, this is a great place to spend a day! Urban Air serves up a generous helping of frenetic fun with attractions like Kidzone and Urban Air Warrior Course. The Sky Rider is an amazing indoor ride where passengers zip across the park in a harness. The ropes course, climbing walls, virtual reality games and tunnel play areas are all great additions to the classic trampoline attractions.

Tip: Save on admissions with a membership package. Choose from several levels, including a meal-included option.

Sea Life Kansas City

BOREDOM BUSTERS FOR WINTRY DAYS

You and your crew wish you could kick Old Man Winter to the curb. Cold and gloomy days have been a mainstay of the forecast for the past month, cabin fever is alive and well, and everyone is bored. Don’t fret! Here at KC Parent, we’ve got you covered with things to do here, there and everywhere in between.

OUTDOORS

There’s an old Scandinavian sentiment that says, “There’s no such thing as bad weather. Just unsuitable clothing.” As a people that experience substantially harsher winters, they might be on to something. Too often, outdoor play is disregarded because of all the cons—cold, soggy clothes, numb fingers, all the work it requires to bundle vs. the amount of time actually spent outside. I get it! But with appropriate gear and a fresh resolve, there are a lot of pros to playing in the cold. First of all, it’s refreshing. Running through snow is certainly a great workout, and, as my third-born likes to point out, all the bugs are dead! (Not surprisingly, winter is his favorite season for outdoor play.) It’s also a great sensory experience. Thankfully, there’s a ton of ways to play outside when it’s frigid. Here are some snow day favorites:

n Head for the hills. Sledding hills, that is. Sled optional! Consider making a sled out of disassembled cardboard boxes or a yoga mat. Check out KCparent.com for the 411 on best sledding hills near you.

n Build a snow fort with snow furniture (beds, couch, TV, etc.) and, when the sun goes down, enjoy with a camping lamp or flashlight.

n Why build a snowman when you can build a snow family? Have each family member build a snow version of themselves. Remember to snap a photo of your crew next to their flurried doppelganger!

n Make snow ice cream! Shovel fresh, untouched snow and bring it indoors. Simply add sugar, milk of your choice (dairy, almond or coconut) and vanilla extract. Enjoy!

No snow? No problem! Consider these cold, snowless favorites:

n Blow bubbles. In warm weather they pop, but in cold weather they freeze! Enjoy a new experience with a familiar favorite activity.

n Go for a nature walk. Bundle up and hit a local trail, nature center or botanical garden such as Overland Park Botanical Garden. Research paw prints and scat and then be on the hunt to discover what other little critters took a nature walk in the same spot earlier. Or spice things up by going geocaching or doing a nighttime walk with glowsticks and flashlights.

n Install a bird feeder or make homemade bird treats like peanut butter and birdseed rolled on pinecones. Simply hang them from a tree and enjoy watching birds feast. Using a bird identification guide, keep a journal and document which feathery friends come calling.

n Build a fort. No snow? No problem! Fort building is a quintessential part of childhood, and winter is a perfect time to perfect the craft. With twigs and branches in abundance, kids can easily build a lean-to or A-frame and then fill the walls with leaves and pine needles. Your biggest limitations will be daylight and imagination!

n Hit an outdoor ice-skating rink. Check out KCParent.com to find the closest one near you.

n Go tubing or skiing at Snow Creek. With more than 60 snow making machines pumping over 3,000 gallons of water per minute, Snow Creek can have 100% snow coverage within 72 hours, so long as temperatures stay at or below freezing. They’ll have snow even if you don’t!

n Enjoy the firepit. I’d argue there’s never a bad time to enjoy a crackling fire but it’s hard to beat blazing heat on a frigid day. Break out the lawn chairs, blankets, a serving tray, roasting sticks, a Thermos full of hot cocoa and something to cook over the open fire (hot dogs, popcorn or smores, anyone?). Don’t have a firepit of your own? Check out a park, such as Black Hoof in Lenexa, that offers firepits to be enjoyed by the public.

INDOORS

n Have a snow day indoors. Shovel snow into the bathtub and let little ones enjoy all the cold stuff with mittens and bath toys—no polar plunge, of course, just play tub-side. When the fun is done, there are no soggy clothes to contend with, and the snow just melts down the drain.

n Get physical! Throw a dance party, streaming toe-tapping favorites like the “Macarena,” “Chicken Dance” or “Cha Cha Slide” (“Baby Shark” optional!). Build a homemade American Ninja Warrior course with couch cushions, pillows and bean bags. Stream a workout like Group Hiit. Install indoor play equipment like a doorframe swing set. Or throw an indoor snow ball fight using wool dryer balls or white socks as substitute snow.

n Get your game on. Develop a family game night or day and enjoy learning a new game or partaking in a familiar favorite. Snow days are perfect for committing to a long-lasting strategy game or the ongoing act of putting together an epic jigsaw puzzle.

n Make story stones and kindness rocks. Make up epic stories using the story stones and then go on a mission to leave a little sunshine at local stores, parking lots, parks and trails by leaving kindness rocks for future passersby.

n Learn how to do handicrafts. View YouTube tutorials and try your hand at making potholders on a loom, knitting a scarf or crocheting a blanket.

n Adopt an extended family member or even local friend as a pen pal and connect through writing old-fashioned snail mail. Dress it up and make it more fun with custom stamps, stationery and return address labels!

Lauren Greenlee is a freelance writing boymom hailing from Olathe who tolerates winter. She can be found playing board games (and mostly losing to her highly strategic teenagers!), trying her hand at new skills like making sourdough and, of course, dreaming of warmer weather!

WINTER BLUES WAYS

TO NOURISH YOUR SPIRIT

Welcome to 2023, where winter is still dark, cold and dreary! But we are going to focus on embracing this season with hygge. We are also going to connect with all our senses to get the most out of winter instead of letting winter get the best of us.

First of all, let’s define this buzzword. Hygge (pronounced like who-ga) means an overall quality of coziness, comfortableness and contentment and is one of the things Danish culture is best known for. In 2021, I read the book The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking, and he wrote, “Hygge is about making the most of what we have in abundance: the everyday.” Doesn’t that sound lovely? Now, this can seem easier to achieve during the festive months leading up to the holiday season, but now we need to refocus our hygge attention to the new year and the months of winter we have left.

So let’s turn to our senses. It may seem childish, but sometimes that’s the wisest thing we can do. Keep things simple and get back to the basics of what helps spark joy in our lives. Let’s begin with sight. If you close your eyes and imagine a cozy, happy place, what does it look like? Perhaps keeping some white twinkle lights up for the winter months would keep the darkness of winter at bay. Maybe adding some other lamps around the house or

lighting a candle in the room you are in would help. The low light of lamps instead of overhead lighting can notch up the cozy factor. Speaking of light, making sure to soak up some sunlight whenever possible can be a huge help. When that’s not an option during those long stretches of gloom, try investing in a Happy Light to help lessen the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Maybe a room reset would please your sight lines. Remove clutter, rearrange your furniture or tackle a small project that can help you feel focused and accomplished when it’s completed. A visual project could be painting a room a fresh color or framing some favorite photos to display so you can see those you love as you move about your home. Other visually pleasing things include reading some favorite or new books or watching some comforting or new shows.

Let’s move on to smell. Candles and scents have come a long way with their variety, so head to your local gift shop or box store to find a non-holiday winter candle that you can enjoy until winter begins to thaw. Check out Homesick.com for some inspiration. Other smells of winter may include fresh brewed coffee, chai or hot tea, hearty stews and soups, homemade bread or even citrus. Bath salts and oils for a nice warm bath could be soothing as well. Even though it’s cold, taking a walk outdoors can conjure up some wintery smells too.

Taste is a fun one that you can look forward to each day—from hot coffee, baked oatmeal, warm curry, vegetable beef stew, crackly fresh bread or warm cookies. During the holidays, we may tend to make our traditional meals, snacks and treats, but maybe you’ve had your eye on some other recipes you’d like to try during the colder months. Try scrolling Pinterest for some inspiration or checking out a few new cookbooks from the library to try some new recipes. Having something to look forward to making and consuming can be helpful when darkness falls early in the evening.

Touch is an easy way to connect to the hygge lifestyle. Bring out those favorite cozy blankets, embrace those flannels and hoodies, and change into your soft pajamas to signal the end of the day. Keep those flannel sheets on your bed, warm yourself with a cup of hot cocoa, use some quality lotion while you watch a show or before bed. Take some time to sit with a pet to enjoy their soft fur for a few minutes.

As for sounds, maybe you could actually use some more quiet in your life after the hustle and bustle and having kids around at all times during the holidays. Try some ambient noise such as ASMR or brown or pink noise. Did you know there was pink noise?! Or maybe you would like to find more opportunities to listen to music to lift your mood. I like to revisit some favorite playlists (’90’s country always puts a smile on my face) but I also like to find some fresh music that gets me excited to listen to something new. I primarily work from home, so I enjoy listening to a variety of podcasts and audiobooks to keep me company throughout the day. (You can follow my Bookstagram @stephanielovesbooks if you’d like some inspiration.) Ask around for some new podcast recommendations because listeners love to share about their favorites. I love The Popcast, Armchair Expert, The Office Ladies, Currently Reading Podcast, What Should I Read Next?, For the Love, The Lazy Genius Podcast and Sorta Awesome. They release on different days, which gives you something to look forward to throughout the week. When my kids are home, sometimes I can listen with one AirPod in, or I save them to listen to while I make dinner, clean the house, do laundry or go for a walk. Other sounds to pay attention to are your sweet kiddos’ belly laughs, listening to old videos of their tiny voices (and recording more for next year), and the stillness after a heavy snow.

Beyond our senses, movement is a great way to counteract winter blues—whether it’s trying a few free trials at various gyms to see what you like best, making a commitment to attend Burn Bootcamp in Overland Park for six weeks with a friend, doing virtual WERQ Dance Fitness classes in your basement or bundling up to take your dog for a walk to knock movement and sunshine out in one go. Moving our bodies produces feel-good endorphins that can help alleviate stress, increase focus on the task at hand, boost confidence and is good for your overall health. Other ways you can help elevate your mood include talking to someone about how you’re feeling, journaling, doing something kind for someone else or volunteering at an organization, or doing something that recenters you and makes you feel most like yourself. For me, I need to make sure I find time to read each day and I start to feel off if I haven’t had enough time to do that during the week.

Finally, look ahead to better days. Plan things to look forward to, from weekly date nights and family themed movie nights, to upcoming trips and vacations, birthdays and the next year’s holidays. Maybe you start an annual tradition that you take a short getaway somewhere warm each February so you have something to look forward to.

According to NorthKansasCityHospital. org, “The winter blues is clinically known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Although it affects 15 million people each year, there’s good news. The condition is treatable.” If you’ve tried several tactics and don’t find that they are helping, please seek help from your medical provider to see whether medication or therapy may be an option for you. You’re definitely not alone, and spring will reappear!

Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 12, Mason, 10, and Slade, 7, and relies on sunshine, exercise, reading and podcasts to get her through those long winter months.

Taste is a fun one that you can look forward to each day—from hot coffee, baked oatmeal, warm curry, vegetable beef stew, crackly fresh bread or warm cookies.

Winter Nature Walks

By Kristina Light

Before Your Winter Nature Walk

Your time outdoors will be more fun if you’re prepared. Consider the amount of time you expect to spend outdoors and prepare accordingly. If you’re taking a 15- to 30-minute walk in the neighborhood, a water bottle and basic winter layers will do. If you’re planning a longer nature walk or hike, you might want to bring snacks and really layer up. Some preparation tips:

Make Trail Mix: My girls love a trail mix bag. I set out favorite ingredients, and they make their own bag of goodies. Granola, mini pretzels, cereal, nuts, dried fruits, coconut, sesame seeds and even some sweet treats (limited) make a tasty snack to take along.

Design Your Own Scavenger Hunt: Let each member of the family contribute to a hunt list suggesting three to five things you should try to find on your walk. These can include animal prints, squirrels, birds, particular trees, pinecones, feathers, rocks, a creek, pond, nest and shapes in clouds. Let your kids brainstorm for other ideas.

Bundle Up: I purchase inexpensive packs of hand warmers at the local box store and keep them in my van for our winter adventures. For longer walks, I have my kids wear layers, including cuddle duds (think modern long underwear under jeans) and their coats, hats and gloves. We always bring water bottles—remember sunglasses, too.

Pack a First Aid Kit: I keep a complete kit in my van and a small kit to take in a backpack with basic bandages and such. For tips on building a family first aid kit, visit RedCross.org.

Where to Go

Some of our favorites include:

Shawnee Mission Park (JCPRD.com). The park features a 120-acre lake, mountain bike trails, hiking trails and paved nature trails. It is ideal for short walks or long hikes.

Blue Springs Lake (MakeYourDayHere.com). This park is home to a 720-acre lake. Their most scenic trails are the Lake Vista Trail, a 5-mile scenic loop around the lake with bridges, hills and woods.

Watkins Mill State Park (MoStateParks.com). The trail around the 100-acre lake is paved and ideal for walking or biking. The park is also home to an antebellum historic home and woolen mill you may tour.

Ernie Miller Nature Center (JCPRD.com). Visits to the nature center are always fun for children who enjoy seeing the animals and exploring the hands-on exhibits. There are numerous trails to enjoy around the nature center, through the woods and near the creek. You can easily choose shorter or longer routes according to your time.

Cave Spring Nature Center (CaveSpring.org). The trails around the 39-acre park are known for the cave, the old hedge trees and the ruins of old pioneer shelters where you’ll find multiple chimneys, the only surviving landmarks of former homes.

These are a few favorite ways to experience nature in the winter.

MUST SEE IN KC IN 2023

Kansas City Zoo

The Kansas City Zoo just keeps getting better, and 2023 promises to be a truly magnificent year for one of the best family-friendly attractions in KC. Since the 1950s, the sea lions have been a highlight of visits to the zoo. Their exhibit reopens spring 2023 with a new and improved habitat and venue dubbed Sea Lion Splash, featuring increased seating capacity, improved ADA accessibility and additional indoor space for the California sea lions. Then, September 2023 brings the biggest new attraction to the zoo in years! The brandnew 650,000-gallon aquarium will feature six zones with 34 exhibits that will tell the story of how ocean currents connect animals across the globe. Approximately 8,000 animals will populate the aquarium, including sea turtles, sea otters, multiple species of sharks and octopuses. KansasCityZoo.org/aquarium/site-plan

Kansas City Museum

In 2021, the Kansas City Museum reopened at Corinthian Hall with four floors of spectacular local exhibits. The museum offers free admission and tells the story of Kansas City. The museum pays homage to the legacy of the Long family, telling the story of Robert Alexander Long, a wealthy lumber baron and developer, who built the four-story mansion in 1907. Following Long’s death in 1934, Corinthian Hall remained empty until 1939 when the Long family donated it to the Kansas City Museum Association. The museum exhibits take visitors on a journey telling the history of Kansas City, beginning with the Lewis and Clark Expedition and continuing through the modern era. For 2023, the museum is excited to announce the Café at 3218 and Elixir, the soda fountain, will be open for daily food and beverage service. If you grew up visiting the Kansas City Museum, as I did, sweet treats from the soda fountain were highly anticipated with each visit. KansasCityMuseum.org

Worlds of Fun

Worlds of Fun is celebrating its 50th anniversary in style. The theme park will commemorate five decades of fun and launch new experiences for fans to enjoy in 2023. The year’s highlight will be the return of the brand-new, reimagined Zambezi Zinger, a thrilling new coaster in the heart of the African Serengeti. For fans, this ride will be reminiscent of the original ride. The new coaster will be built on a hybrid structure of galvanized steel and wood. The original Zinger was one of the park’s most popular rides—and one of only three coasters—when Worlds of Fun opened in 1973. The park will also offer new entertainment, including “50 Nights of Fire,” an amazing spectacle that will make you want to party nonstop. The evening stage show will feature some of the greatest Top 40 hits from 1973 to 2023, along with a finale filled with pyrotechnics. The around-the-world flavor of the park will be amplified with the new “passport to adventure” focus on theming, storylines and entertainment that invite guests on an immersive journey as they explore the various countries, continents and lands.

WorldsOfFun.com

This new year is going to be great in Kansas City with a brand-new state-of-the-art aquarium, a reimagined Zambezi Zinger bringing back fond summer memories, celebrations and commemorations at local museums and libraries, new exhibits and a new stage show with a local focus.

Mid-Continent Public Library

Mid-Continent Public Libraries just keep getting better! This year, the system is especially proud of two locations. Green Hills Library Center is special because it’s one of the “destination branches,” meaning it offers more than traditional library services. It is home to the future Culinary Center, specifically. Other destination branches include Woodneath Library Center, home to the Story Center program, and Colbern Road Library Center, home to the Square One Small Business Services team. In addition to the coming Culinary Center, the 35,000-square-foot Green Hills Library Center also offers a community program room, dedicated children and teen areas, story time room, outdoor seating area, coffee shop (opening in the coming months) and meeting and collaboration rooms. The Culinary Center, opening in 2023 or 2024, will feature a teaching kitchen space, as well as incubator kitchens for local food-based businesses. In addition, the North Oak Branch is receiving a complete upgrade. MyMCPL.org

Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum

Johnson County Library

This year, the Johnson County Libraries are introducing new and improved story times. Help your child discover the joys of reading and develop early literacy skills! Johnson County Library offers story time varieties carefully planned based on a child’s age group and developmental abilities. Space is limited! Pick up a free ticket at the Questions Desk when you arrive. Check for individual story time listings by library location at JoCoLibrary.org/events. If you are looking for great story time opportunities at home or on the road, they’ve now made it easy to enjoy story time anywhere, anytime! Recordings of favorite songs, rhymes, fingerplays and more are available at TinyURL.com/StorytimeOnDemand.

The United States boasts 15 presidential libraries, and we are fortunate that one is right in our own backyard and another is nearby. The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence and the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home in Abilene, KS, are both great destinations for history buffs. Closer to home, the Truman library reopened in 2021 after a fantastic transformation and renovation of a new museum entrance and permanent exhibition in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Truman’s ascension to the presidency. The museum exhibits reveal the story of Truman and his presidency as visitors read, listen, watch, look and relive through film and interactive displays some key moments in American history. In 2023, the museum will be commemorating the 75th anniversary of a huge civil rights milestone, as well as Truman’s “Whistle Stop” campaign. The museum is home to exhibits documenting these important moments in American history.

TrumanLibrary.gov

Kristina Light’s first roller coaster ever was the Zambezi Zinger, and she can’t wait to ride it again … for the first time!

jump

When it’s too cold to play outside, bring the kids to Urban Air for Jumperoo.

A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under.

UrbanAirTrampoline Park.com

walk

Bundle up for a hike on the Winter Trail thru Jan. 31 at George Owens Nature Park. The trail is filled with tree cutouts decorated by families and businesses.

GeorgeOwens NaturePark.org

CALENDAR january

learn

On Sundays, Ernie Miller Nature Center presents Sunday Family Series. Bring the family for entertainment and educational experiences. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

play

On Jan. 21 go to MTC Kids Jam at the Midwest Trust Center. Art activities in the lobby followed by a concert with Oran Etkin’s Timbalooloo. JCCC.edu/Midwesttrust-center

shop

Support local growers and makers at Lenexa’s annual Winter Farmers Market on Jan. 28 at the Lenexa City Hall. Expect cool season vegetables, meats, bakery items and more. Lenexa.com

MTC Kids Jam at Midwest Trust Center

Photo by Dusan Reljin

New Year’s Day

Sea of Lights 9:00, Sea Life Kansas City. Celebrate the season with thousands of lights and enjoy interactive zones decked in holiday décor. VisitSeaLife.com

Ice-Skating Noon, Crown Center Ice Terrace. Spend the first day of 2023 skating with the family on Kansas City’s public outdoor rink. CrownCenter.com

Laser Holiday Magic 1:00 and 4:00, Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium. Favorite holiday tunes come to life with laser choreography. UnionStation.org/holidays

First Day Hike 1:00, Wallace State Park. Kick off 2023 with a 1-mile guided hike. Wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes. MoStateParks.com

Winter Magic Thru Jan 1, 6:00, Historic Cliff Drive (Kessler Park). Drive through nearly 1 mile of a magical holiday light show experience. Purchase tickets at WinterMagicKC.com.

2 Monday

Christmas at the Johnson County Museum Thru Jan 7, Johnson County Museum. Get a glimpse into a midcentury Christmas. JCPRD.com/1836/Museum

Open Gym 9:00, Kaw Prairie Community Church. Grab a coffee from the coffee shop and hang out with friends while your kiddos get their energy out! KawPrairie.org

3 Tuesday

Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Merriam Community Center. Too cold to play outside? Ride, slide and play inside! Parents supervise children. Merriam.org/park

Play and Learn 11:00, MCPL (Grandview). Enjoy a preschool playtime that is designed to stimulate young minds and strengthen early literacy skills. MyMCPL.org

Discover Nature 2:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Go on an adventure to make amazing discoveries as you explore on a trail. Pre-reg at 816.228.3766.

4 Wednesday

Visit Legoland 10:00, Legoland Discovery Center. Take the kids to the ultimate indoor playground for the biggest fans of Lego. Purchase tickets at LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com.

Child and Parent Craft Program 4:00, Olathe Indian Creek Library. Complete a fun craft project with your child. Ages 2 through kindergarten. Pre-reg at OlatheLibrary.org.

Family Night 5:00, Lenexa Public Market. Bring the whole family for free activities and classic board games. Visit the website for dining specials. LenexaPublicMarket.com

5 Thursday

Winter Trail 8:30, George Owens Nature Park. Walk the paved trail filled with tree cutouts decorated by local families and businesses. GeorgeOwensNaturePark.org

Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists. Plan a playdate for your children and their friends at the amazing showroom! BackyardSpecialists.com

Ice-Skating 3:00, the Rink at Zona Rosa. The rink is open daily for public ice-skating, pond hockey, special events and more. ZonaRosa.com

Monster Jam

Jan. 14-15, T-Mobile Center. The most action-packed motorsports experience for families returns for an adrenaline-charged weekend. T-MobileCenter.com

6 Friday

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Overland Park). A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Toddler Time 2.0 10:00, Blue Springs Fieldhouse. Play inside the fieldhouse on mats, scooters, slides, a bounce house and more. BlueSpringsGov.com

Johnson County Home + Garden Show Thru Sunday, Overland Park Convention Center. See innovative home products and hundreds of local experts. OPConventionCenter.com

First Fridays 5:00, Crossroads Art District. Art galleries, retailers and other participating art venues located in the Crossroads Art District showcase art. KCCrossroads.org

7 Saturday

Kids Projects and Activities 9:00, Home Depot locations across the metro. Children will enjoy making their own snowball game. HomeDepot.com/c/kids

Mother Nature Reads 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Children hear a story, make a craft and often see a wildlife interpretation. LakesideNatureCenter.org

Good Living Expo Today and tomorrow, Overland Park Convention Center. More than 200 vendors featuring health, wellness and fitness services and products. GoodLivingExpo.com

Olde World Christmas Various times, Strawberry Hill Museum. Enjoy seasonal activities and see the mansion adorned with decorations. Pre-reg at StrawberryHillMuseum.org.

Project Shakespeare 3:00, MCPL (Red Bridge). Learn stage combat, how to create a character and more in this interactive workshop. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Sar-Ko-Aglow Thru Jan 16, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Take a nighttime stroll around Rose’s Pond to view the beautiful annual light display. Lenexa.com

Farmers Market 9:00, the City Market. The market is open year-round and offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries and more. TheCityMarket.org

Penguin March 11:00, Kansas City Zoo. See our penguins up close as they take a stroll in front of Helzberg Penguin Plaza. KansasCityZoo.org

Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org

9 Monday

Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. Play items are available, including push toys, riding toys, balls and inflatables. Lenexa.com

Sensory-Friendly Mondays 9:00, Johnson County Museum. Limited occupancy session for kids with sensory processing differences and autism spectrum disorders. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

Baby Story Time 9:30, Corinth Library. A lap-sit program of songs, rhymes and movement for babies. Ages birth-18 months with caregiver. JoCoLbirary.org

10 Tuesday

Drive-Thru History Tuesdays 9:00, Fort Osage. Drive into Missouri Town to explore the village and visit with our living history interpreters. MakeYourDayHere.com

Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Merriam Community Center. Too cold to play in the park? Ride, slide and play inside! Parents supervise children. Merriam.org/park

Ice-Skating 10:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace. Spend the day skating with the family on Kansas City’s public outdoor rink. CrownCenter.com

11 Wednesday

All School Open House 9:00, the Barstow School. Plan for the next school year! The open house is a one-stop overview of everything Barstow has to offer. Pre-reg at BarstowSchool.org.

Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Listen to a story and meet a special animal friend. Today’s theme: Whooo Are You? Pre-reg at 913.826.2800.

Pinocchio Thru Jan 21, Avila College Goppert Theater. TYA presents the tale of a puppet maker who carves a make-believe son out of wood. Reserve tickets at 816.460.2083.

12 Thursday

Winter Trail 8:30, George Owens Nature Park. Walk the paved trail filled with tree cutouts decorated by local families and businesses. GeorgeOwensNaturePark.org

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Lenexa). A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Toddler Time 10:00, Ceramic Café. On Mondays and Thursdays, toddlers 5 and under can paint one selected item for just $12! CeramicCafeKC.com

13 Friday

KC Restaurant Week Thru Jan 22, various restaurants. Enjoy an old favorite or explore a newly opened restaurant. Specially priced menus. KCRestaurantWeek.com

Ice-Skating 3:00, the Rink at Zona Rosa. The rink is open daily for public ice-skating, pond hockey, special events and more. ZonaRosa.com

SIX-STOP TOUR: STREETCAR TOUR

1. DOWNTOWN KC’S ICE RINK

The Crown Center Ice Terrace, Kansas City’s original public outdoor ice-skating rink, celebrates its 50th season of great skating fun. Bring the entire family to enjoy public skating seven days a week. Group rates and private parties are available. Admission is $8 plus $5 skate rental. Or purchase a season pass for $120. Info at CrownCenter.com/.

2. ICONIC LANDMARK

Explore one of our city’s most recognized landmarks, Union Station. It houses two gems: Science City that boasts loads of hands-on science exhibits for all ages, and the Gottlieb Planetarium, one of the largest 360-degree domed screens in the Midwest. Films are offered at the Extreme Screen, and you’ll also find souvenir shops and restaurants. UnionStation.org

3. GROCERIES AND ROOFTOP VIEWS

Stop in the Power & Light District to enjoy a local restaurant or live theater. Visit Cosentino’s for fresh food or a local souvenir and take their elevator to the top of the building to enjoy a stroll through Rooftop Park. For another great view, head to the top of KCMO’s City Hall for 360-degree views of downtown.

4. FANTASTIC SHOWS

The T-Mobile Center hosts fantastic shows year-round, from concerts to live productions. This winter, be sure to attend these shows: Monster Jam, the most action-packed motorsports experience in the world today, returns to Kansas City at T-Mobile Center Jan. 14-15. Then, Feb. 23-26, the celebration of the century comes alive in Disney on Ice – Let’s Celebrate

5. GIANT BOOKSHELF

The Central Library with its famed painted bookshelf parking garage and rooftop reading area sporting a life-size chess set is a downtown landmark. The library has reading rooms, historical archives, research areas, a film collection housed in an old bank vault and a café.

The Children’s Department is especially magical, inviting patrons to enter through the pages of a book.

6. RIVER MARKET

The Arabia Steamboat Museum, in the River Market, is one of the city’s most beloved museums. Learn about the excavation of the 1850s steamboat and her treasure on display at the 25,000-square-foot museum. While you’re visiting City Market, shop at the Candy Wizard for sweet treats, Level One Game Shop for family games and Planter’s, where you can stock up on spices.

Sar-Ko-Aglow Thru Jan 16, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Take a nighttime stroll around Rose’s Pond to view the beautiful annual light display. Lenexa.com

14 Saturday

Olde World Christmas Various times, Strawberry Hill Museum. Enjoy seasonal activities and see the mansion adorned with decorations. Pre-reg at StrawberryHillMuseum.org.

Color Craze 2:00, West Wyandotte Library. You be the artist! Materials ready for a fun hour of drawing and coloring, including coloring pages and mandalas. KCKPL.org

Princess Party 2:00, High Blue (Belton). Encanto princess party includes crafts, treats and even a princess parade. Princess attire encouraged. Pre-reg at Register.BeltonParks.org.

Monster Jam Today and tomorrow, T-Mobile Center. The most action-packed motorsports experience for families returns for an adrenaline-charged weekend. T-MobileCenter.com

15 Sunday

Kansas City Reptile Show 10:00, Double Tree (Overland Park). Thousands of reptiles, amphibians, feeders, invertebrates, supplies and more. ColdBloodedExpos.com

Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove. Explore Cedar Cove with an experienced guide. See these epic animals and learn about them. Tours start every half-hour. SaveOurSiberians.org

Sunday Family Series 2:00, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Bring the family for entertainment and educational experiences. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

Winterlude 7:00, Midwest Trust Center. The Bobby Watson Quartet performs, led by Watson who is a saxophonist, composer and arranger. JCCC.edu/Midwest-trust-center

16 Monday

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY

Mom & Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. For just $3 per person, you get a game, shoe rental and drink on Mondays and

Ice-Skating 10:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace. Spend the day skating with the family on Kansas City’s public outdoor rink. CrownCenter.com

MLK Day of Service 10:00, Olathe Indian Creek Library. Honor King’s legacy through service projects for local nonprofit agencies. Schedule at OlatheLibrary.org

17 Tuesday

Turtle Rescue Team Thru March 5, Sea Life Aquarium. See how we do it! Find the turtles and learn how to feed, track and help them. VisitSeaLife.com/kansascity

Tots on Tuesday 10:30, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Sing songs, read books, make your own art and more. Pre-reg at KemperArt.org.

Discover Nature: Naturalist Hour 2:00, Burr Oak Woods. Go on an adventure with a naturalist to make amazing discoveries as you explore on a trail. Pre-reg at MDC.mo.gov/events.

Family Movie 6:00, MCPL (Parkville Community Room). Come watch the movie Abominable at the library with the family. MyMCPL.org

Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00, Kansas City Zoo. See the penguins up close as they take a stroll in front of Helzberg Penguin Plaza. KansasCityZoo.org

18 Wednesday

Open Gym 9:30, Kaw Prairie Community Church. Grab a coffee from the coffee shop and hang out with friends while your kiddos get their energy out! KawPrairie.org

KC Restaurant Week Thru Jan 22, various restaurants. Enjoy an old favorite or explore a newly opened restaurant. Specially priced menus. KCRestaurantWeek.com

Family Night 5:00, Lenexa Public Market. Bring the whole family for free activities and classic board games. Visit website for dining specials. LenexaPublicMarket.com

19 Thursday

Winter Reading Challenge Thru March 15, MCPL. Read any five books in two months to earn a free, limited-edition mug! Details and registration at MyMCPL.org.

Pinocchio Thru Jan 21, Avila College Goppert Theater. TYA presents the tale of a puppet maker who carves a makebelieve son out of wood. Reserve tickets at 816.460.2083.

Free Family Fun Nights 5:00, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. Come explore a special place where children can create, discover and learn through play. KansasDiscovery.org

20 Friday

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Overland Park). A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Toddler Time 2.0 10:00, Blue Springs Fieldhouse. Play inside the fieldhouse on mats, scooters, slides, a bounce house and more. BlueSpringsGov.com

Local Life Today and tomorrow, downtown Overland Park. Explore locally owned businesses, activities and more. Head to DowntownOP.org for details about this month’s theme.

Third Friday Art Walk 5:30, Englewood Station Arts District. Tour the art galleries. View live performances and artists on the sidewalks in front of shops. EnglewoodStation.com

Public Skate 10:00, Ice Pond at Chicken N Pickle (Overland Park). Winter is here which means it is time to dust off those ice skates! ChickenNPickle.com/overland-park

Little Acorns 10:00, Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. Join for a journey through forests, streams and other magical places as we read select books. Pre-reg at MDC.mo.gov.

Penguin March 11:00, Kansas City Zoo. See our penguins up close as they take a stroll in front of Helzberg Penguin Plaza. KansasCityZoo.org

MTC Kids Jam 11:00, Midwest Trust Center. Art activities in the lobby followed by a concert with Oran Etkin’s Timbalooloo. JCCC.edu/Midwest-trust-center

Jay’s Juggling Science Show 11:00, MCPL (Red Bridge Branch). Join for a magical adventure back in time with a jukebox full of tricks and illusions. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove. Explore Cedar Cove with an experienced guide. See these epic animals and learn about them. Tours start every half-hour. SaveOurSiberians.org

22 Sunday

Farmers Market 9:00, the City Market. The market is open year-round and offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries and more. TheCityMarket.org

Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org

Sunday Family Series 2:00, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Bring the family for entertainment and educational experiences. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

23 Monday

Ice-Skating 10:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace. Spend the day skating with the family on Kansas City’s public outdoor rink. CrownCenter.com

Toddler Time 10:00, Ceramic Café. On Mondays and Thursdays, toddlers 5 and under can paint one selected item for just $12! CeramicCafeKC.com

24 Tuesday

AKMA After Hours 5:00, Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. After-hours event featuring kids games and activities, exhibitions and much more! Albrecht-Kemper.org

National Geographic Live 7:30, Kauffman Center. Photographer Jasper Doest creates visual stories that explore the relationship between humans and nature. KauffmanCenter.org

25 Wednesday

Toddler Story Time 9:30, Monticello Library. Short stories, songs, fingerplays and movement activities to reinforce early language learning. JoCoLibrary.org

Ice-Skating 3:00, the Rink at Zona Rosa. The rink is open daily for public ice-skating, pond hockey, special events and more.

26 Thursday

Open Gym 9:30, Kaw Prairie Community Church. Grab a coffee from the coffee shop and hang out with friends while your kiddos get their energy out! KawPrairie.org

Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists. Plan a playdate for your children and their friends at the amazing showroom! BackyardSpecialists.com

Overland Park Boat Show Thru Sunday, Overland Park Convention Center. See the latest in 2023 boats and all boating accessories. OPConventionCenter.com

27 Friday

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Overland Park). A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Public Skate 4:00, Ice Pond at Chicken N Pickle (Overland Park). Winter is here which means it is time to dust off those ice skates! ChickenNPickle.com/overland-park

28 Saturday

Winter Nature Walk 9:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Bundle up for the weather and join a naturalist to see the winter happenings on the trail. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

Winter Farmers Market 10:00, Lenexa City Hall. Support local growers and makers at Lenexa’s annual Winter Farmers Market. Lenexa.com

Babysitting Class 10:00, Indian Creek Library. Class covers babysitting business basics, behavior issues and emergency situations. Pre-reg at OlatheLibrary.org.

1860s Dance Party 6:30, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Celebrate Kansas’ statehood with a dance party with live music! Ages 16+. Pre-reg at Mahaffie.org.

29 Sunday

Penguin March 11:00, Kansas City Zoo. See our penguins up close as they take a stroll in front of Helzberg Penguin Plaza. KansasCityZoo.org

Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove. Explore Cedar Cove with an experienced guide. See these epic animals and learn about them. Tours start every half-hour. SaveOurSiberians.org

30 Monday

Winter Trail 8:30, George Owens Nature Park. Walk the paved trail filled with tree cutouts decorated by local families and businesses. GeorgeOwensNaturePark.org

Mom & Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. For just $3 per person, you get a game, shoe rental and drink on Mondays and Wednesdays. SummitLanes.com

Toddler Time 10:00, Ceramic Café. On Mondays and Thursdays, toddlers 5 and under can paint one selected item for just $12! CeramicCafeKC.com

31 Tuesday

Visit Legoland 10:00, Legoland Discovery Center. Take the kids to the ultimate indoor playground for the biggest fans of Lego. Purchase tickets at LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com.

Ice-Skating 10:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace. Spend the day skating with the family on Kansas City’s public outdoor rink. CrownCenter.com

Mother Goose Rhyme Time 10:00, Antioch Library. An active program of songs, classic rhymes, and fingerplay. Ages 12 to 24 mos. JoCoLibrary.org

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