KC Parent Magazine April 2016 by KC Parent Magazine

FREE | April 2016 | KCParent.com

celebrate

are animals

autismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

best friend?

e arth d ay in kansas city

springtime

day trips! pack the kids & go exploring

40+ great

summer camp options!

physicians

lee’s

summit

group

Lee’s Summit Physicians 1425 N.W. Blue Parkway Lee’s Summit, Missouri 816.524.5600 LSPhysicians.com

We offer pediatric walk-in urgent care seven days a week, medical advice by phone, after-hours on-call physicians and online scheduling!

Raintree Pediatrics 995 SW 34th St. Lee’s Summit, Missouri 816.525.4700 Raintree-Pediatrics.com Blue Springs Pediatrics 1600 NW South Outer Road Blue Springs, Missouri 816.554.6520 BlueSpringsPediatric.com

Sallie L. Veenstra, MD Barbara S. Trites, MD Lisa B. Fletcher, MD Deann E. DeWitt, MD Allison C. Henschel, MD Sarah J. Gladstone, MD Bryan L. Phillips, MD Daniel E. Gershon, DO Veronica Manka, MD Jeffrey P. Yannette, MD Jennifer M. Sauer, MD Ashley Campbell, DO

Urgent Care Blue Parkway office Mon-Thur 8:00 am - 7:00 pm Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Sat-Sun 8:00 -11:00 am Blue Springs & Raintree Mon-Fri 8:00 am -11:00 am

Danielle Leivian, MD Robin Dawson, MD Cynthia M. Dean, DO Anne Parkin-Cohen, MD Lauren Lee, C-PNP Kelly R. Fritz, C-PNP Julie Kirkpatrick, C-PNP Camille Lucitto, C-PNP Sarah Dedrick, C-PNP

Scheduled appointments Mon-Fri 10:00 -12:00 pm & 1:00 - 4:00 pm Free Prenatal Consults Mon-Fri 10:00 -12:00 pm & 1:00 - 4:00 pm

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Angela Stott, C-PNP Kimberly McNerney, C-PNP Tiffany Vitt, C-PNP

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S Y A S R E V E T Y R D A O T B S , NO S R E S”

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Isn’t waiting for a doctor of eR care? the

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You’re in enough pain to get yourself to an ER. So you walk in, you give your name, you sit and... you wait. And wait. Sometimes for hours. Does that make sense to you? If it’s enough of an emergency to go to an ER, it’s enough of an emergency to be seen by a health professional quickly. Fortunately, our ERs take your time seriously. In fact, our wait times are consistently shorter than national and local levels.* It’s the least we can do. After all, it is an emergency.

View our current average ER wait times at KCfastER.com.

* According to Hospital Compare December 2015 3528 A

APRIL 2016

DEPARTMENTS

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY IN KANSAS CITY, PG. 18

Media Mix

Healthy Kids

Craft Corner

Faith & Family

Word from Dad

FEATURES

SPECIAL SECTIONS

Bike Fun

Camp Guide

Day Trips

Tips for safe biking this spring in KC

16+ pages of great summer camp options

Pack the car and explore with the family

Party Guide

Camp Guide

Calendar of Events

Our cover features Grace from Kansas City. Cover and select interior photos by KiaBondurant.com. FREE | April 2016 | KCParent.com

ON THE COVER

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Celebrate Earth Day in Kansas City

Animals & Kids with Autism

Summer Camp Guide

Spring Day Trips

celebrate

are animals

autismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

best friend?

e arth d ay in kansas city

springtime

DAY TRIPS! pack the kids & go exploring

0+ 40 great

summer camp options!

3 Days ONLY! MAY 13 – 15, 2016

Traveling LEGO® Extravaganza coming for the first time to the Kansas City Convention Center! The fun is buil

“Swim” in the Big Brick Pile!

GIANT models made of LEGO bricks

Tips from a LEGO Master Builder

Fun group activities

ding!

#LEGOkidsfest @LEGOkidsfest

NOW ! OPEN

kcparent.com april 2016

EDITOR’SLETTER

fun

is building!

Win Lego KidsFest Tickets! Submit a photo of your child’s coolest original (not from a kit) LEGO creation to the contest post and use the tag #KCLovesLEGO.

Hurry! Contest runs April 1-15! Enter today at KCParent.com under “GIVEAWAYS.”

Happy spring, Kansas City!

APRIL 2016 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 Advertising@KCParent.com Electronic Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Event Calendar Susan Lynn Calendar@KCParent.com Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com Local Contributing Writers Bill Bartlett (Belton), Melissa Bellach (Overland Park), Karah Chapman (Kansas City), Tisha Foley (Belton), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Jessica Heine (Olathe), Karen Johnson (Olathe), Megan Kapple (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Jena Meyerpeter (Lenexa), Jessica Samuel (Kansas City), Melanie Yunger (Shawnee)

Mailing Address 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS FREE | April 2016 | KCParent.com

Margaret Sarver, Editor

kansas city’s #1 travel guide

winter 2016

kcgoingplaces.com

baby&

are animals

autism’s

best friend?

earth day in kansas city

pack the kids & go exploring

summer fun all winter long!

arts, antiques and

boutiques

springtime

DAY TRIPS!

#KCProud

400+ great

summer camp options!

only in KC

souvenirs

watch

food made in Kansas City

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The

’ve written in this space before that organ and tissue donation is near and dear to my heart. Over 16 years ago, my brother received a heart transplant. While we don’t know anything about the donor other than he was a 17-year-old young man, we are grateful to his family every single day for making the choice to donate their loved one’s organs. A few months ago, my family had the chance to be on the other side of organ donation, as the donor family. We lost my dad very suddenly and unexpectedly to a catastrophic cardiac event. As I arrived home in the middle of the night shortly after he passed, my mom was on the phone with Midwest Transplant Services, making arrangements so that he could donate. While we are all still reeling from our loss, we take comfort in knowing that he was able to help by being a donor. He would be proud. April is organ and tissue donation awareness month. If you’ve not had the opportunity to discuss your wishes with your family, be sure to let them know. One thing I’ve learned is that simply saying “yes” on your driver’s license isn’t all you need to do. Your family will be the ones ultimately making the decision, so it’s essential to let them know you want to be a donor. Spring is here, and that means it’s time to head outside and play! If you are suffering from spring fever, we have the cure! Check out Kristina Light’s article on pg. 48 for great spring day trip ideas. And Tisha Foley has put together a great list of activities to help your family soar into spring on pg. 20.

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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, 8691 W. 96th St, Ste 1B, Overland Park, KS 66212.

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Here For Your Family’s Health, On and Off the Field.

TWO Convenient Locations Overland Park (135th & Grandview) Lenexa (91st & Quivira) Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m. • Sat. & Sun., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

CentraCareKC.com There’s never a good time to be sick or injured. That’s why when it comes to the health of your family, it’s important to have quick access to health care you can trust. Introducing Centra Care Shawnee Mission Urgent Care. Just walk in or make an online reservation at CentraCareKC.com to see a Board-certified, Centra Care doctor.

· Open seven days a week · On-site X-rays and prescriptions · Most insurance plans accepted

kcparent.com april 2016

MEDIAMIX

for the love of the game

spring titles show us how to find the joy in everything we do By McGeath Freeman

Duck & Goose: Let’s Dance

Mouse Scouts

By Tad Hills

Best for: Ages 7-10

Song by Lauren Savage and Ron Gruet

Duck and Goose are back in this wonderfully fun board book. Get your young ones up and dancing along with Duck and Goose as they jump, waggle their tail feathers and shake their bodies. It’s easy to let go of your inhibitions as you help your children learn to sing and dance. Tad Hills uses simple, bright colors and an economy of lines to create a wealth of emotions. Small children will fall in love with Duck and Goose. In this special book you also can learn the lyrics of the Duck and Goose song and download a free copy at DuckAndGooseSong.com. It’s a great addition for any nursery or toddler’s collection.

In this new series from Dillard, Violet and Tigerlilly begin their journey as Acorn Scouts. In the first book they join other Scouts in learning the Acorn salute, Acorn pledge and begin their first badge for gardening. Whether they are gathering seeds or fighting off pests, they learn that determination and hard work are essential to creating a thriving garden and fulfilling the Scout’s mission. Pencil illustrations draw you into the emotion of the scene, while excerpts from the Scout handbook offer humor and keep the story moving along. Fans of Junie B. Jones will enjoy this new series and look forward to reading about each badge.

What’s good: Highly engaging text encourages children to interact with Duck and Goose.

What’s good: Good strong characters and humor are well suited for new readers.

What’s bad: Although Duck and Goose

What’s bad: The vocabulary

Best for: Ages 3-7

are exhausted at the end, your children will likely be wound up.

The Kid from Diamond Street: The Extraordinary Story of Baseball Legend Edith Houghton

By Sarah Dillard

sometimes gets a little advanced for new readers.

By Audrey Vernick Illustrated by Steven Salerno Best for: Ages 4-7 Can you imagine a 10-year-old playing professional baseball? What if that kid were a girl? Edith Houghton did just that in the 1920s. At 10 years old, Edith not only made the roster for the Philadelphia Bobbies, she was the starting shortstop. This all-girls team comprised mostly older teens and 20-something women. At 13 years old, Edith traveled with the Bobbies to Japan where they played against male teams, “winning more than they lost.” While most of the story is told from a third person perspective, quotes from Edith sprinkle the text. This touch gives the book a truly authentic voice that expresses Edith’s love and excitement of the game better than any biographer could.

What’s good: Historical information and photos included after the story make the accomplishment much more real for young readers. What’s bad: Would like to have seen some game scenarios included in the story.

kcparent.com april 2016

Dentistry That Will Make Kids

Board Certified Pediatric Dentists

Smile • Prompt, friendly care • Professional dental cleanings • Fun, interactive environment • Specialized dentistry just for kids!

kcparent.com april 2016

HEALTHYKIDS

what causes it, how to treat it and when to seek help

he teen years are often consumed with school, sports/activities, friends and, unfortunately, acne. Teens typically are more concerned about personal appearance than they will be at any other time of life, and a whopping 85 percent of them have to deal with the challenge of acne (ucdmc.UCDavis.edu). Acne can begin as early as age 11 for girls and a within a couple of years later for boys. This acne can last through the teen years and into the early 20s, with some people experiencing it into their adulthood. Acne happens when an oily substance called sebum clogs the pores, usually on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. Treating mild cases of acne includes washing the face twice a day with warm water and a mild soap. However, overwashing can leave the skin irritated and dry (WebMD.com). The use of over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide twice a day is effective in killing the bacteria in the skin, unplugging the oil ducts and healing the pimples (HealthyChildren.org). Most makeup is fine

TEEN ACNE:

kcparent.com april 2016

to use, but non-comedogenic is best, and mineral-based cosmetics should be avoided. Some severe, stubborn cases of acne require the help of a doctor, often a dermatologist. If over-the-counter medications are not working, prescription medication will likely offer better results. Trying home remedies for 10-12 weeks is

often necessary before seeking the assistance of a doctor (Acne.About.com). These treatments do have side effects to be aware of, so open communication with your doctor is imperative. No matter which treatment plan you use, remember to be patient. It may take three to six weeks of a consistent routine to see change and up to 12 weeks for maximum improvement. Also, be consistent. Follow the program every day and don’t stop and start each time your skin changes. Make sure to follow directions and don’t overdo it by thinking more treatment will equal better results. Finally, it’s important to only use your medicine. What is good for your friend may not be good for you. While acne is a common complaint in the teenage years, with the right treatment it can be well controlled and managed. Jessica Heine is a labor and delivery nurse. She lives in Olathe with her family. As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.

feeling rejected

hen you first lay eyes on your child, you make a promise to him or her that you will never let anything or anyone harm them. Then the real world meets your child and inflicts the bumps, bruises and emotional let-downs that come with losing a game or not getting invited to the party. “When my son is left out of an event, it makes me really sad, but I can’t make people include him even if I want to. So I try to explain to him that sometimes in life you don’t always get to be included in an event,” Katrina Johnigan, Kansas City mother and educator, says. “However I also try to instill in him that when he leaves other kids out, they feel the same way, and I encourage him to be inclusive.” Resilience is the term often used, from a psychological perspective, to describe the process of adapting to or overcoming challenges of adversity, loss, hardships or other stressors in life. In general, it refers to overcoming or “bouncing back” from hard times. For children and teens,

negotiating their emotional experiences of being left out of a group activity with their friends or getting cut from a team can be difficult to handle and elicit an emotional response of anger or sadness. The emotions themselves are natural and to be expected. In fact, many times they are tools that we use to help us move through the stages of “bouncing back” from adversity. Everyday life experiences, as well as times of adversity, are all opportunities that can help your child learn the behaviors that develop healthy resilience. The good news is that being resilient is not something you either have or don’t; it can be taught and strengthened in various ways. Working to build resilience differs from person to person, even within the same family. Because resilience varies greatly depending on life experiences, family and community structures and a person’s natural emotional tolerance, researching and teaching this trait is difficult. However, some common

strategies have been found successful when working with children to build healthy resilience. As a parent, you can make sure that your child has several different sources of personal connection, both inside and outside of the family. Expose your child to various experiences and help him build a network of people who care about him. You can encourage healthy behaviors in general to support strong mental health, such as physical activity and nutritious eating habits. Model and teach emotions by listening to him and helping him properly label how he feels. Then teach him how to express those emotions. By using opportunities that your children experience in everyday life, you can help them to develop resilience, which, in turn, helps your children overcome trials throughout their lifetimes. Karah Chapman is a school psychologist in the Kansas City area. She encourages the healthy expression of emotions.

y Parotm Roilable! Ava

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CRAFTCORNER There are endless ways to play and create with dyed pasta, but making a hanging mobile is a fun and unique way to display these dyed creations!

Materials Needed: Pasta Rubbing alcohol Food coloring Embroidery hoop Waxed paper Yarn

Step One: Put the pasta in a plastic baggie and add about a tablespoon of alcohol. Shake the bag until all of the pasta is coated.

dyed pasta mobile

Step Two: Add in a few drops of food coloring and shake again until the pasta is dyed. Lay the dyed pasta out on a piece of waxed paper to dry.

Dyeing pasta is such a fun and virtually mess-free activity. Experiment with mixing different colors of food coloring and shapes of pasta. There are endless ways to play and create with dyed pasta, but making a hanging mobile is a fun and unique way to display these dyed creations! Hang the finished works of art in a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s room or outside to enjoy!

Megan Kapple is a blogger from Kansas City, MO, where she lives with her husband and three young daughters. She loves anything DIY and crafty and blogs about her adventures at HomemadeGinger.com.

kcparent.com april 2016

Step Three: Step Three: Once the pasta is fully dry, string it onto yarn and tie the pasta strings onto an embroidery hoop. Tie yarn to the top of the hoop to hang.

kcparent.com april 2016

g n i bik ! n u f

If your child is a beginner, training wheels are a great approach to make him feel comfortable in riding a bike all by himself. If your child is growing, it’s still okay! Just pop those bad boys off and let him ride with the wind.

ith the weather warming and ice defrosting, the kids are ready to get out and play. It’s time to get rid of those winter coats and roll out those two-wheelers! That’s right, it time to get out the bikes. Now for parents, this can be fascinating, frustrating and fun. After all the seasons have passed, your children may have grown or the neighborhood may have changed. But don’t worry. After you follow these simple tips and tricks, you’ll be prepared for whatever comes your way!

Special Beginnings EARLY LEARNING CENTER Quality Christian early care and education for over 20 years!

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Lenexa Infants-School Age 10216 Pflumm Rd. 913.894.0131

Join us for a host of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) themed events all spring!

Visit our Events Page to learn more and RSVP.

Applications for grades K–12 are now being accepted for Fall 2016

Call (316) 202-2500 for information. MaizeVirtualPrepSchool.com

kcparent.com april 2016

School Age Care & Summer Camp Kindergarden thru 6th Grade Lenexa Location

• PT or FT Schedule • M-F, 6 am to 6 pm • NAC Accredited • Infants to 12 years • Developmental Curriculum Starting at Infants

OLathe Infants-Pre-K 14169 Murlen Rd 913.393.2223 OverLand Park Infants-Pre-K 8205 W 108th Terr 913.378.1075

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Safety first!

Children grow overnight, and we want to ensure they are safe at all times. Making sure helmets and kneepads are the correct size is the first step in biking smart with little ones. Reflectors are a great safety feature. Make sure you don’t delay replacing the broken or cracked reflectors on a bike—it’ll save you the headache later.

Watch the trailer.

Like at the movies, don’t be afraid to watch the trailers! Trailers are a great addition when biking with children. They’re balanced, you don’t have to worry about the kids’ taking off, they’re contained and they’re within arm’s reach. Trailers are a great fit for children between the ages of 3 and 6. Now there are also other alternatives. Some parents like to go the bike seat route. While that is an additional resource, remember that if you fall, so do your children. Bike seats are also meant for small

children. Kids in bike seats have to be able to support their own weight when sitting, so if they need help sitting or you have to adjust their seat often, this quick fix may not be the right one for you and your family.

Training wheels.

Before we get to the big timers, let’s not forget about those in training. The purpose of training wheels is to guide your child into feeling more confident in riding a bicycle by himself. Training wheels can be removed at any time and are quickly outgrown. If your child is a beginner, training wheels are a great approach to make him feel comfortable in riding a bike all by himself. If your child is growing, it’s still okay! Just pop those bad boys off and let him ride with the wind.

Finding the right fit.

One of the most common mistakes parents make when buying a bike for their

child is buying one they hope their child will grow into. This approach is tempting—after all, you don’t want to have to buy a new bike for your child every year. But buying a bike that doesn’t fit will only set you and your child back. When choosing a bike, take your child with you. Find her one that is comfortable to sit on and easy to make emergency stops with. Measure the bike’s wheels, not the frame. When you find a bike where your child can place both feet on the ground and sit, you have a winner. Of course, choosing color and pizzazz is challenging, but we’ll let you figure that one out!

Jessica Samuel is a native of St. Louis and current Kansas City resident, journalist, photographer, graduate student and ALLY.

Noah’s Ark Preschool NOW ENrOlliNg!

2 1/2-5 year olds Near Mur-Len on 151st in Olathe

mandyking.fbc@gmail.com 913-764-7088 x311

www.fbcolathe.org kcparent.com april 2016

ys 5 wa 18

kcparent.com april 2016

in kc

Eat local.

According to the Center for Urban Education for Sustainable Agriculture, the average American dinner takes a 1,500-mile journey to get from the farm to your plate. Large-scale, long distance food transportation consumes a vast amount of fossil fuel, while pumping huge amounts of carbon dioxide pollution into the air (not to mention, most food is either heavily processed using irradiation and preservatives to stabilize it for transport or is picked before it is ripe and gassed after its trip to help it “ripen”). Do your part to support the local environment and be in touch with your food sources this Earth Day by celebrating, locavore style! Take a family outing to a nearby farmers market to procure as many items on your grocery list as possible. The hardest part may be choosing which farmers market to visit, because Kansas City is home to more than 30, ranging from small establishments with exclusively organic wares to the

a y”

s o

p p y a e h “ a rt h y a

impressive City Market which is home to more than 140 local vendors that sell any number of items from fresh produce to homemade baked goods, soaps and even live animals! After purchases are made, call a family meeting to discuss what each family member would like to grow this year through gardening. Even urban dwellers with limited yard space can put their green thumbs to the test through container gardening or investing in a local community garden. End the day with a celebratory meal at one of Kansas City’s premiere farm-totable establishments, such as Renee Kelly’s Harvest or Urban Harvest.

Reduce waste.

The Natural Resources Defense Council indicates the average American throws away 20 pounds of food each month, resulting in roughly 40 percent of edible food’s going to waste in this nation. Almost all food

did you know?

this year marks the 26th earth day! waste ends up in a landfill where it produces methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times stronger than carbon dioxide. When considering all the water, energy and chemicals it takes to produce and transport food items, it becomes clear there’s more than a wasted meal on the line. Do your part to reduce waste by avoiding impulse buys and saving leftovers at home. Make creative recipes with leftover pantry items. Build a compost bin and put food scraps to work, producing rich soil that’s ideal for your garden.

Clean green.

How many toxic chemicals do you think reside in your home? One? Five? Ten? You might be surprised to find out the average household is home to more than 62 toxic chemicals. Yikes! From synthetic fragrances to phthalates to harsh fumes from appliance cleaners, toxic chemicals are everywhere, leaving many under constant exposure. While manufacturers argue that contact with trace amounts of toxic material isn’t all that concerning, continued exposure to multiple sources can add to the body’s toxic burden (that is, the amount of chemicals within the body’s tissues) and ultimately lead to serious conditions. In fact, ingredients in common household cleaners are linked to reproductive disorders, cancer, asthma and neurotoxicity, as well as hormone disruption. Because no federal regulation is involved to ensure chemicals in cleaning products are safe for consumers, it’s best to read labels and avoid toxic ingredients altogether. A myriad of alternative products have popped up in the market recently, but be aware that simply branding an item as “natural” or “green” doesn’t guarantee an item is actually nontoxic. Have your kids take a stab at how many chemical cleaners they think may be in the house, then go on a hunt together to find as many as possible to purge. And don’t forget: just because something smells good doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Parrafin-based candles, for example, are known to be carcinogens that release fumes as dangerous as second-hand smoke. Don’t just dump items along with your regular trash service. Household items that are ignitable, corrosive or reactive are considered hazardous waste materials and need

to be disposed of accordingly. Contact your trash service for appropriate disposal. Lastly, replace harsh chemical products with eco-friendly homemade ones concocted from combinations of vinegar, baking soda and essential oils.

Save energy.

Put natural resources such as the sun, wind and rain to work, not waste. Collecting rainwater is an ancient practice that’s experienced a renaissance recently, and for good reason. After all, why pay to use municipal water for your garden and landscaping when you can use free, safe rainwater that flows down your roof? Installing a rain bucket is simple and prevents untapped water from otherwise picking up dangerous chemicals as it flows down gutters, streets and storm drains. Line-drying clothing can save big bucks while greatly reducing one’s carbon footprint. The average American household dries more than 400 loads of laundry a year, costing roughly $120 in electricity bills. By line-drying half of the time, a family not only saves $60 a year but also produces 1,150 fewer pounds of CO2 emissions! Clotheslines come in many forms, including retractable varieties that take up little space when not in use. Lastly, you don’t have to have a solar home or even solar panels to enjoy the benefits of solar power. Small solar devices are becoming increasingly popular ways to utilize renewable energy. Consider a solar charger for your phone or laptop to save money and make a difference in the environment.

Get outside.

Earth Day is all about delighting in the beautiful planet we call home. It only makes sense that the best way to spend it would be outdoors! Turn off all the electronic devices and unplug for the day. Go for a walk, hit the bike trails, pack a picnic or play at the park with your kids. Being out in nature provides a fresh reminder of why we should be so vigilant to protect it!

Olathe mom and freelance writer Lauren Greenlee plans to celebrate Earth Day by hitting the Indian Creek Trail with her family.

To find fun crafts kids can make using recycled items, log onto KCParent.com.

kcparent.com april 2016

Soar

into Spring!

t’s finally here—time to ditch those winter coats and celebrate the arrival of spring! Your family can find plenty of activities to do this spring, no matter whether the weather is warm and sunny or cool and rainy. Check out these ideas:

fly a kite. Spring is known for its windy days, perfect for flying a kite. You can find many colorful designs and interesting shapes in stores, or your family can make their own. (Google it for lots of simple designs!) Locate a place without trees or power lines and have fun!

make a bird feeder. Your feathered friends will love this simple treat: Spread a layer of peanut butter on a bagel, then roll it in birdseed, popcorn or sunflower seeds. String yarn through the hole in the bagel, hang it from a tree in your yard and watch birds enjoy their feast!

keep a weather chart. Spring weather can be wacky—snow flurries one day, sunny and 70 the next, with thunderstorms in between! Have the kids keep a weather chart for a week or so, tracking the temperature, clouds and precipitation. Little ones can draw pictures, while older kids can make it a diary form. Weather.gov has a kids’ section with fun weather info and activities.

make a picasso. Use sidewalk chalk to turn your driveway or sidewalk into a giant work of art. Decide on a theme and have everyone in the family contribute to the picture. Be sure to take a photo of the completed masterpiece!

kcparent.com april 2016

reduce, reuse, recycle. Earth Day is April 22, but why make just one day of the year about the environment? Sit down with your family and make plans on ways you can help protect the earth. Some ideas include picking up trash at a park, buying locally-grown produce and recycling more at home.

play in the rain. We tend to hole up inside the house on rainy days, so the kids will love splashing in the rain! Slip on some boots, grab a jacket and go jump in some puddles!

go for a bike ride. Pedaling down a bike path with your family works those leg muscles and puts you in a great mood. Go to MARC.org for a map of local bike trails or explore new parts of your own neighborhood.

donate to charity. Take advantage of those rainy days and have the family go through their closets and drawers to find items they have outgrown or don’t want anymore. Donate those items to a charity. You will minimize your stuff and feel good in the process!

make your own rain. Have your kids ever asked, “How does it rain?” You can demonstrate with an experiment. Boil some water and pour a few inches in a glass jar. Place a paper plate over the jar for several minutes, then put some ice cubes on top of the plate. Soon the condensation that forms on the bottom of the plate will drip back into the jar, creating rain.

train for a 5k. Many of us get into a slothful pattern during the winter, but now is the time to kick that habit! From now until fall, you can find a local 5k race nearly every weekend. Select one in which the whole family would like to participate and start working toward the goal of completing the race. You don’t have to run; walking is just fine!

paint some rocks. You can find lots of interesting rocks at parks and in your own yard. Find some for the family to paint and use them to decorate your garden, flower bed or porch.

have a scavenger hunt. The kids will enjoy hunting for items in the backyard or at a local park. Some ideas for the checklist: something green, a flower, a bug and something with four legs.

make mud pies. Give the kids some paper bowls and let them make their own muddy creations.

go stargazing. On a clear evening, look upwards and see if you can find any constellations or planets. NASA.gov, along with many apps, can help in your search.

Attend a baseball game. America’s pastime kicks off in the spring, so make plans to attend a game, whether it’s a high school team, the Royals or the T-Bones!

Tisha Foley and her family love riding bikes, hanging out in the backyard and planting flowers in the spring.

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Other benefits of AAT include improving impulse control and teaching empathy, which are often areas of difficulty for children with autism. The following are quotes gathered from a Facebook support group for families with children on the spectrum:

Ruth: “My daughter has become a bird and squirrel ‘whisperer.’ She must stay very quiet to get them to approach her. Thankfully, we live in an area with many parks and backyard birds and squirrels.” Hope: “Horses relax and calm my son. They help with empathy, responsibility, confidence and self-esteem.”

animals & kids with autism The story of Nick and Stitch

Animal Assisted Therapy

Nick is 15 years old and has high functioning autism, which has caused him difficulty in connecting with peers. As a young child, Nick had delayed social skills and often spoke using repetitive language (referred to as echolalia). And for a long time, Nick’s parents struggled to help their son bond with others, calmly handle personal interactions and speak clearly and calmly when spoken to. Fortunately, much of that changed when Stitch came into Nick’s life. Stitch is a German shepherd who became Nick’s service dog when he was 7 years old. Once Nick had Stitch alongside him, communicating with others became easier. People came up to Nick, wanting to learn more about his dog, and this gave him opportunities to practice his social skills. Nick’s parents and therapists worked on a scripted response he could provide when asked about Stitch. Over time, speaking to others became more comfortable for Nick, as he had his buddy Stitch by his side.

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) has proven to be incredibly beneficial for children with autism. According to AnimalAssistedTherapyPrograms.org, an animal in session can help a child with emotional awareness, behavioral management skills, communication skills, gross and fine motor skills, caretaking responsibilities, assertiveness and appropriate social skills—many of the benefits seen by Nick’s parents as he began working with Stitch. For example, proper AAT sets up goals and effective intervention methods as a means for achieving those goals. A goal might be for the child to make a choice between two things. The animal-related intervention could include the child’s choosing which toy or treat to give to the animal or what direction to go with the animal. Another goal for a child with autism could be for him to learn about taking turns. AAT would help by having the child play fetch with the dog.

Diana: “My guy had an obsession with chickens forever. The chickens helped with his impulse control. He didn’t want to scare them.”

Dogs: A Child with Autism’s Best Friend Although success with all types of animals has been reported, the most common animal-assisted therapy is with dogs. “Children with autism may especially benefit from interacting with dogs, which can provide unconditional, nonjudgmental love and companionship,” says Dr. Gretchen Carlisle, a fellow with the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. There is a caution. “For families of children with autism, getting a dog should be a decision that’s taken very seriously,” Carlisle says. “For example, a child who is easily agitated or has sensitivities to noise may have great difficulty with an extremely active dog or one that tends to bark.” (AutismSpeaks.org) Trainers often have different theories on training service dogs for children with autism. Some trainers will match children with a dog after the dog is fully trained. Nick’s trainer instead matched him with a puppy that was brought home and trained with assistance from a team of trainers. The theory behind this type of training is that the dog and child build a very tight bond. Also,

Animals help with compassion, patience, impulse control and responsibility. And dogs, specifically, can become loyal friends.

kcparent.com april 2016

children with autism can have behaviors that a puppy would have an easier time adjusting to. “We trained one time per week for about two years. This training also served as an opportunity for Nick to be a part of a community that gave him socialization and a sense of belonging,” Nick’s mom, Sarah, explains. “It was not without difficulty but was definitely one of the best decisions we have ever made. Nick and Stitch have an amazing bond that we will be forever grateful for.” (Story of Nick and Stitch courtesy of Sarah Lapinski, Nick’s mother) Whether the animal is a dog, chicken or horse, evidence appears solid that working with animals as a form of therapy is incredibly beneficial to children on the autism spectrum. Animals help with compassion, patience, impulse control and responsibility. And dogs, specifically, can become loyal friends. Olathe mom Karen Johnson has three children, ages 6, 4 and 2. She writes at The21stCenturySAHM.com As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.

quiz: 1. Which of the following animals can benefit a child with autism if used in therapy? A. Dogs B. Horses C. Chickens D. All of the above

2. Animal Assisted Therapy helps with

A. communication B. impulse control C. Both A and B D. Neither A nor B

3. When should a child be assigned to a dog for therapy?

A. Before the dog turns 1 B. Only after the dog is fully trained C. Only after the child turns 5 years old D. There are different theories; decision is made by parents and therapists.

4. Where can AAT take place?

A. Anywhere, even a public setting, like a park B. Only in a center for children with autism C. Only at home D. Only at animal training centers

5. Which of the following is NOT a skill learned through AAT?

A. Gross and fine motor skills B. Learning to separate and face situations alone C. Assertiveness D. Taking turns

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party guide celebrate the sweet things in life (Family Features)

The Peanuts Everyday Ice Cream Cake can be found in freezer aisles and in-store bakery freezer cases across the country. To find a store near you, visit ILoveIceCreamCakes.com.

ay-to-day life is filled with one activity after another, from work meetings and school functions to play dates and sporting events. Schedules are busy, to-do lists are long and life starts flying by all too quickly. There are moments when it’s time to block out all the distractions, slow things down and enjoy the sweet, simple occurrences of everyday life. Even for just a little while. “There are countless moments in life worth celebrating—from big events like birthdays to small successes, such as an A-plus report card,” says Courtney Erickson, associate marketing manager for shopper marketing at Rich Products Corporation. “Enjoying those ‘everyday’ moments is what makes life extra sweet.”

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Try these celebration tips

to help create lasting memories:

Keep it simple. A celebration of a certain occasion doesn’t

have to be an elaborate party. Something special, but ordinary—like a movie night or extra hour of playtime outside—can make for some of the best memories.

Serve up sweet treats.

Nothing says “congratulations,” “good job” or “happy birthday” like a delicious dessert. A tasty (and adorable) option is the Peanuts Everyday Ice Cream Cake. The cake is a fun ode to the iconic comic strip that ignites nostalgia among adults and excites young children. The rich chocolate ice cream is layered with vanilla crunchies and topped with creamy icing—a triple threat of ingredients that will serve up sweetness in every bite. Plus, young and old alike can’t help but smile at the familiar scene depicted on top: Snoopy as the famous World War I Flying Ace wearing his iconic red scarf and aviator’s hat and perched atop his doghouse, with his pal Woodstock at his side.

Together is better. It’s whom you’re with, not what you

do, that makes celebrating extra special. Everyday moments are made sweeter thanks to those you enjoy them with.

sweet birthday tips • Before the party, scoop ice cream into lined muffin tins. When it comes time to serve, it’s already scooped and ready to go!

• For a fun surprise, go to the birthday child’s house the night before his birthday and decorate the driveway with sidewalk chalk.

• If you are serving a meal at the party, pack a sack lunch before to make serving a snap!

• No time to decorate a cake? No problem! Whip up a batch of cupcakes and let the kids decorate their own.

kcparent.com april 2016

WOMENSHEALTH

the gift of life

magine the entire city of Olathe anxiously awaiting an organ donation to continue living. Actually, that is roughly how many people nationally are waiting for an organ donation today. And, according to the Mayo Clinic, while they are waiting, 18 of them will die each day. What would you hope for if that were your mother, father, sister, brother, husband, wife or child? It is easy to say that you would hope for someone to donate their organs at their time of death to save another’s life. In fact, donating is said to be the most loving and generous last gift to others. Unfortunately, asking family members immediately after a loved one has passed is difficult for everyone. That is why it is so important to think about your choices in advance.

Why Donate? n

To save lives. One person can save up to eight lives and improve the quality of life for up to 50. n It may help your family cope with loss, knowing they helped so many others, especially at their time of sorrow.

How to Become a Donor:

Register as an organ donor with your state. This can be done at OrganDonor.gov by following the instructions on how to become an organ donor. n Sign the back of your driver’s license. n Tell family, friends, church leaders or anyone else important to you what your wishes are. n

Include your wishes in an advance directive or living will.

Registering with your state is one of the most important ways to make your wishes known. One may think that telling your family or signing the back of your driver’s license is enough, but ultimately your family will need to make the decision, one that must be made urgently and during a highly emotional time. Sometimes emotions cause families to have difficulty making that decision, and registering will eliminate both the liability from the hospital and guilt from the family. Your wishes will be absolutely clear, because you will have registered in advance. If you would like more information about organ donation, please visit OrganDonor.gov or talk to your personal health care provider. Register today to give the gift of hope and life to others. Melanie Yunger is a local wife, mother and nurse practitioner who is asking you to think about organ donation.

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FAITH&FAMILY

mission abundance

he was refusing to go to school for the third day in a row. I decided to try a different parenting approach than the previous day’s suck-it-up-you-still-have-over-a-decade-of-school-left tactic as we sat on the bottom stair waiting for her carpool ride. So I assigned her a mission. I reminded her of her status as a princess in God’s kingdom and her mission is to give away the love God has given her. The slump of her shoulders told me I needed to turn up the heat on the assignment, so we dug into the what and how details of her mission possible:

• Use your words to make three people smile. • Give your teacher a hug and tell her thank you. • Write a kind letter for a friend (during writing time). • Finally, you have to report back to me at the end of the day over after-school snack.

We can know about God and know about the Bible and still miss out on the abundant life God invites us into because we don’t know how a relationship with Him applies to our every day. In John 10:10 Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Part of the abundant life we have in Jesus is the joy of freely giving away love to others. It can turn a mundane Tuesday into opportunities for making a positive difference in the lives of people around us. There are important stories and verses throughout the Bible we want our kids to know by heart. They’re foundational components of our family’s faith

taught at bedtime, in church, at summer camp, around the dinner table and story time. However, along with the head knowledge, we need to experience the applied truth of God’s Word and see that He can and will transform us from the inside out. My strong-willed, homebody daughter didn’t magically start skipping off to school excited to fulfill her God-given royal calling, but she does come home with stories of seeing how sharing scissors with a classmate or telling the lunch helper thank you made her smile and her heart happy. I tell her it’s the presence of God’s Spirit going with her in her day, and she smiles. As parents, we see her strong personality and intentionally choose to speak to the princess in her as often as possible. She’s experiencing firsthand how faith and love are action-oriented verbs with no duty too small for significance in God’s kingdom. Faith & Family columnist Jena Meyerpeter writes from Lenexa. You can follow more of her writings at UnravelGrace.com.

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Kansas City, we want to hear from you! Log onto KCParent.com and nominate your favorite business in our KC Parent’s Family Faves. Nominations taken April 15-30. Then, come back and vote beginning May 23. Winning businesses will be featured in the August issue. kcparent.com april 2016

surviving a mom sick day

Have a stash of books for kids to read when mom is sick. Head to KCParent.com for great new titles and selections for kids of all ages!

e do what we can to avoid it, but at some point, the inevitable will happen. Mom will get sick. Enjoying a quiet, restful day in bed is not an option for most mothers. What’s a mom to do? Here are some tips to help you survive a “mom sick day”:

Call in the reinforcements In some cases, the working parent may be able to stay home and help with the kids, but often this is not a feasible option. “Don’t be too proud to call in reinforcements if necessary!” says Olathe mom Becky Baldridge. Ask friends and family to take the kids to school or help cook dinner. Most friends are willing to help, especially if you offer to return the favor in the future.

Simplify meals For a sick mommy, feeding her family can be a huge challenge. Keep it simple by ordering take out, raiding the freezer or letting the kids eat cereal for dinner. “I’ve had my husband order, pay for and have pizza delivered from work, because when

kcparent.com april 2016

I’m sick, preparing meals is impossible,” says Rodganna Avery, mom of three.

Let go of “normal” Many families limit the amount of screen time their children are allowed each day, but when Mom is sick, it’s okay to relax the rules. “I let them watch TV all day and I lie on the couch and sleep. I feel better the next day because I get rest,” says Olathe mom LouAnn Cunningham. Allowing extra TV or video game time helps to entertain the kids so Mom can rest. Mother of six Chrissy Roussel says, “When you are sick, just focus on making sure they’re fed and changed. Let go of the ‘normal’ parenting rules for a few days.” It won’t hurt the kids to have one or two days of extra screen time, and they will probably enjoy it as well.

Utilize more entertainment What do you do when TV time gets old? Build a fort, get out craft supplies or play with blocks. “I have a secret stash of toys that I only bring out when I’m sick,” says Jessi Cole, mom of three. “Since they are

rarely out, my kids think it’s a huge treat.” Try having the kids read a book aloud or put on a puppet show for you while you rest. When Mom is sick, anything goes. The goal is to keep the kids entertained but as quiet as possible throughout the day.

Plan ahead The last tip is one you can do in advance. Before you get the first hint of a runny nose or sore throat, prepare for when you do. Set some special toys and movies aside for your sick day, keep easy-to-prepare snacks and freezer meals on hand and teach your kids to prepare simple meals like sandwiches or cereal so they can help themselves when needed. As moms, we do so much for our families, and when we aren’t feeling well, a smoothly run household can spiral out of control fast. It’s okay to let the house go and rely on others for a few days. If Mom has time to rest, she should be back to her old self in no time. Sarah Lyons lives in Olathe with her family.

WORDFROMDAD

elopement, again and again

“N

o!” Ian’s eyes brimmed with tears of rage. “I quit! I quit this whole family!” Before I could stop him, he turned and darted through the door. He’s taller than I am and has the cocky attitude of a teen who can take care of himself, even though he refuses to do his laundry or dishes and will not make his meals. To make matters worse, his disability often robs him of the keel he needs to make sound decisions. He’s faster than I am, too, and disappeared into the tree line before I could catch up. We’d done this before. Just six months earlier he’d bolted out the door and outrun a high school football player to disappear in those trees. We called the police again and Sandi drove around, hoping for a glimpse, while I stayed home to fret, stew and try to calm James. With temperatures forecast to drop to near dangerous lows, the authorities took the situation seriously, and the machinery for a full-scale search with helicopters, dogs and ground teams moved toward action. Before things started in earnest, Ian walked in through the door. I wrapped my arms around him and held him while tears burned at my eyes, then called Sandi. She’d coordinate with the police and get the search cancelled. The police spoke with Ian. He has a history of elopement going back to his preschool years, but this time the talk seems to have had an effect. He hasn’t eloped again for almost a full year. Like all parents who steer their children through adolescence to responsible adulthood, we know we have no guarantees. A child within the autism spectrum can bring almost insurmountable challenges, but we don’t give up. We can’t. We love our children too much to let them fail. William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

Guide Your Child to a Healthy Lifestyle

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Special Advertising Section

island of Jamaica! AnimalCampJamaica.com. See display ad on pg. 45. Ask for free brochure! 573.458.2125.

Ceramic Cafe Interactive Education Guide available at KCParent.com

KC Parent’s

Camp Guide

Animal Camp-Cub Creek Science Camp Imagine spending a week feeding lemurs, walking llamas, grooming miniature horses, and playing with puppies and parrots! Choose from over 100 activities, sleep

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Ceramic Cafe’s summer program provides instruction in a variety of ceramic art techniques including hand building with clay, ceramic painting and glazing techniques and also glass fusing. Fun themes change every camp session, so kids can sign up for their favorite or enroll more than once. Camp sessions are divided by age groups. Creative Kids is for ages 5-7, Aspiring Artists is for ages 8 and up. One day Workshops are also offered throughout the summer. Visit our website at www.CeramicCafeKC.com for add’l info and registration form. See display ad on pg. 34.

Christian Youth Theater ACT. SING. DANCE. LIVE! CYT Kansas City offers summer theatre camps across the KC metro area that are out of this world! Half-day camps (ages 4-5 and 5-7) and fullday camps (ages 7-12) include “Disney from

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FEATURING EXCITING CLASSES FOR ALL STUDENTS AGES 2 - 18

Be a part of the Summer at Pembroke Hill cast and take on such roles as artist, engineer, scientist, or chef!

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JCPRD Summer Camps...

Come Grow with us!

CAMPGUIDE the Inside Out” and “Muppet Mayhem!” Xtreme camps (ages 10-15) include “Star Wars,” “Sherlock,” “Hunger Games,” “Supernatural” and “Camp Willy: Much Ado About Nothing” (ages 12-18). Overnight camps include “Godspell Jr” (ages 12-14) and “Anything Goes” (ages 14-19), with 4 full-length performances July 22-24 at the Bell Center at MNU. Visit www.CYTKC.org or call 913.681.3318 for all the details! See display ad on pg. 35.

City of Grandview Parks and Rec Bring your camper to Camp Kaleidoscope June 6th – August 5th. Each day campers will swim, play outdoors, create arts and crafts, play games, and more! Cost is $80 per child, per week. This includes daily snack, field trip shirt, and field trip admission. Campers are required to bring a lunch, tennis shoes, and swimsuit every day. Add swimming lessons for only $20 per week, per child (must be enrolled in Camp Kaleidoscope)! Call 816.316.4888 today! See display ad on pg. 34.

summer is a great time to create!

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College for Kids Spend time on the MCC Maple Woods Campus, meet new friends, and experiment with new and different digital media. The College 4Kids Program at Maple Woods is proud to announce new partnerships with exciting hands-on summer programs. Our classes are motivating, challenging and thought provoking. Each class is designed for learning, conceptualization, and jam packed with lots of play time experiences. Discover your pathway to summer fun in a higher education sitting. See display ad on pg. 35. www. MCCKC.edu/mwcollegeforkids

Cosmosphere From second graders through high school seniors, Cosmosphere campers spread their wings, expand their minds, and have fun they won’t find anywhere else on Earth. Camps include Space 101501, Mars Academy, Forces of Flight, and Space Medicine. Building robots and

continued on page 36

COLLEGE FOR KIDS

Summer 2016

Camps offered: June 6-August 4, 2016

#BeMoreAtMCC

Discover your pathway to summer fun in a higher education setting at MCC-Maple Woods.

Just a few of the summer camps:

Call us or visit the website to learn more about our variety of camps: Mad Science Pinterest and More Crafts Galore Australian Adventures Assemblage Assembly Line

To register go to: mcckc.edu/mwcollegeforkids For more information: 816.604.3011 or marti.adams@mcckc.edu

MAPLE WOODS

kcparent.com april 2016

CAMPGUIDE rockets, SCUBA training like astronauts, interplanetary missions to solve a crisis, learning to fly, understanding the medical demands of long duration space travel… those are just some of ways your child can spend the summer. See display ad on pg. 42. www.Cosmo.org

Crescendo Conservatory Crescendo Conservatory will host an exciting variety of dance camps and intensives for young performers. From Fairy Princess and Rockstar camps to comprehensive intensives for preprofessionals, Crescendo Conservatory will provide artistic and technically challenging summer offerings in a positive, creative environment. Our international master faculty brings techniques and styles of dance ranging from classical ballet repertoire to contemporary dance and Fosse technique to commercial/street jazz. All camps and intensives will end with an informal presentation! See display ad on pg. 47. www.CrescendoConservatory.com

kcparent.com april 2016

Culture House Spend your summer at The Culture House! Our 2016 summer programs include dance, theater, music and art ... all taught by professionally trained adults. “Addams Family” (ages 13-19), “Disney’s High School Musical” (ages 9-13), “Disney’s Aristocats” (ages 6-9), Art Camps, Broadway Showtunes, Songs from Matilda, Fairytale Ballet, Hip Hop, Minion Mania, A Frozen Adventure, Let’s Make a Movie & more! PLUS our summer production of “Big Fish” (ages 8-adult) at the Kauffman Center! Openings limited! See display ad on pg. 33. 913.393.3141. Enroll online: www.CultureHouse.com

J Camp The Jewish Community Center provides day camp activities for boys and girls ages 2–13 years. Exciting activities include swimming, sports, drama, crafts, field trips and special events. Specialty camps: Sports, Theatre, Art, Dance, Lego and Triathlon Camp. Youth don’t have to be Jewish or members

to attend. Sessions are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June 6 through August 5. Extended care available. Costs vary from $230 to $390 per week. See display ad on pg. 39. www.JcampKC.org.

Johnson County Park & Recreation District Come grow with us! From Outdoor Discovery to Just for Fun, we offer over 65 different and well-supervised camp programs conveniently located throughout Johnson County. Dedicated to providing activities that promote emotional, intellectual and physical health, our summer fun choices include nature and science, preschool enrichment, art, sports, computers, leadership development, and music, theatre and dance. The options include both indoor and outdoor programs, and full and partial day schedules are available. For details, call 913.831.3359 or visit www.jcprd.com/activities/camps.cfm. See display ad on pg. 34.

kcparent.com april 2016

Kids are active. When they spend time at camp, children are on the go. While many camps provide both structured activities and free-play time, children are engaged and moving for the majority of the day. “At camp, I know my kids are getting some great exercise, spending their days engaged with friends and activities. I don’t worry about them spending hours and hours in front of the TV or on the iPad,” says Susan Hein, Kansas City, KS, mom.

Learning helps children develop confidence.

lessons learned at camp

ith summer just around the corner, many families in the metro are in the process of choosing a summer camp. Camp can be an exciting and rewarding part of childhood that builds lifelong skills and memories. “I still have great memories of my time at dance camp,” Rachel Hawks, Olathe mom, says. “I am excited for my daughter to start that same journey.” If you or your child has never had a camp experience, there are a lot of reasons to give it a try. Metro parents weigh in on what they think is the best part of summer camp:

No matter what type of camp children attend, there are new things to learn every day. Children are exposed to new people and ideas and take on responsibilities they don’t necessarily own at home. “At home, I make sure my kids do their nightly routines of teeth brushing and face washing. At camp, my son had to do it himself and he was so proud,” Terri Haugh, Liberty mom, says. “It seemed like he grew up a bit while he was there, and it was only a week!”

Building friendships is a bonus. Children who camp together spend a lot of time together. “I remember my days at camp. You wake up with the same people, spend the day together, go to bed at the same time. You really get to know people,” says Bethany Michaels, Kansas City, KS, mom. At camp, kids have the opportunity to meet people outside of their school and neighborhood friends and get to know children their age who have

FACT:

Our proprietary Balanced Learning® curriculum emphasizes creative, social, emotional, physical, cognitive and character development. PRIMROSE WAY:

That’s pretty much everything, including the kitchen sink. NEW SCHOOL NEAR OLATHE NWHS. Primrose School of North Olathe – NEW SCHOOL! 913.764.0018 | PrimroseNorthOlathe.com

Primrose School of Overland Park 913.400.2435 | PrimroseOverlandPark.com

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Each Primrose school is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools® and The Leader in Early Education and CareSM are registered trademarks and service marks of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2015 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved. See primroseschools.com for additional information about our schools, curriculum, and programs.

CAMPGUIDE common interests. “I love cheer camp! My friends at school aren’t as into cheer, so it is great in the summer to get to spend time with other girls who like to cheer,” says 11-year-old Allie Davis, Olathe camper.

Kids gain social skills and independence. Camp can be a great way to encourage children to come out of their shells. It gives them some independence in a safe and nurturing environment and allows them to grow and meet new people. “I think spending time with kids who have common interests made my daughter feel safe, and that allowed her to be more outgoing than she is at school. She has a bunch of camp friends she looks forward to seeing each summer,” says Jessica Scott, Overland Park mom.

Camp breaks their routine. Summer days can be long for the entire family when each day looks the same as the last. Camp is one way to break up the routine and give kids a chance to explore a new environment. “My kids look forward to their week at camp all summer. It is great to have a break from school, but the days do get long without as many activities,” Macy Williams, Shawnee mom, says. “It is nice for them to have free playtime and then also break it up a bit with the fun and education they get at camp.” Melissa Bellach is a freelance writer and mother of two living in Overland Park.

camp resources Is your family interested in exploring camp options for your children? The American Camp Association serves more than 5 million campers nationwide. To learn more about this organization, their resources and their registered camps, visit ACACamps.org. Another place to find resources and options for camp is KidsCamp.com. When you start exploring camp options for your child, first understand your child’s interests. There are camps that focus on academics, such as engineering and mathematics, athletic camps and skill-building camps. Talk to your child about what the best options are for your family. Is your child not yet ready for sleep-away camp? Not a problem! Kansas City has a wealth of day camps and camps that offer a few hours of recreation.

SUMMER CAMPS & CLASSES 2016

Space Limited!

AGES 6-12

Full & Half Day Camps Extended Day Option Scholarships Musical Theatre Available

• Ballet • Visual Arts • Acting • Improv • Garage Band • Hip Hop • and so much more!

Rain-Proof, Heat-Proof Summertime Fun! GLASS FUSION • CANVAS CERAMICS • CLAY

Mix & match sessions to fit YOUR summer schedule!!

KCYA.org KCP

paintglazeandfire.net 127th & Metcalf, OPKS • 913-661-CLAY

5601 Wyandotte KCMO 816.531.4022 www.KCYA.org kcparent.com april 2016

SUMMER

CAMPGUIDE

2016

Camps

KCMO Parks and Rec

at KU in Overland Park

SUMMER FUN FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES. All camps will take place at KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park.

Physical Activity & Youth Fitness Camps

KU Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences

Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Camps KU Center for STEM Learning

Science & Chinese Language Camp KU Confucius Institute

EdwardsCampus.KU.edu/SummerCamps

& Safari Day Campsthe Zoo! er Camps at

Summ

For kids ages 4–15

Join us for Zoo-mazing fun and animal adventures on your days off from school and during the summer too!

Get ready for 10 weeks of fun with KC Parks Summer Enrichment Camp! This year’s camp includes great field trips to Science City, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and Worlds of Fun. Campers will also enjoy weekly swimming lessons, guest speakers, art projects, sports, and more! At the end of the summer, we’ll bring all the camps together for a giant cook-off and Olympic festival. Specialty sports camps are also available. Visit www.KCParks.org for details. See display ad on pg. 46.

The KCYA Community School of the Arts The KCYA Community School of the Arts (CSA) offers children performing and visual arts classes, camps and private instruction on the campus of St. Teresa’s Academy. Spring classes now forming. Summer Camps begin in June. Scholarships are available. 816.531.4022. See display ad on pg. 39. www.KCYA.org

KampOut-Kanakuk KampOut! brings the fun of one of the largest Christian summer camps in the nation, Kanakuk, to your hometown. Kanakuk professional staff leads this highenergy traveling day camp through five days of guided sports and activity times, Bible study, worship and small-group time for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. To learn more about your local KampOut! visit: www.Kanakuk.com/kampout. See display ad on pg. 41.

Kanakuk Camps

Visit kansascityzoo.org/camp for more details! OPEN DAILY | kansascityzoo.org | 816.595.1234

The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

kcparent.com april 2016

Kanakuk is a premier summer camp experience for boys and girls age 6–18 located in Branson and Lampe, Missouri. Our 8 camps provide children with ageappropriate, fun, safe and professional outdoor youth camping experiences that grow them spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially. Kids have fun with friends participating in more than 70 activities, sports and amazing themed parties. Our full-time and summer staff are committed to our mission to develop dynamic Christian leaders. Learn more

about customizing your child’s summer camp experience at www.GoKanakuk.com. See display ad on pg. 37.

Kansas City Ballet Kansas City Ballet School Summer Programs include once-a-week classes and four-day ballet camps for children age 3-9. Camp themes include Fairy Princesses and Frozen. Additional courses and workshops available for ages 8-18. Classes begin June 6th. Enroll today to guarantee your child’s spot. Two convenient locations: Downtown and Johnson County. See display ad on pg. 43. For more information visit www.KCBallet.org or call 816.931.2299.

Kansas City Zoo Make your summer a little wilder with Zoofari Adventures Summer Camp. Camp runs May 31 through August 12. Your animal enthusiasts will get the inside scoop about the zoo’s creatures. A typical camp week includes exclusive zoo tours, animal encounters/ shows, science experiments, games, and crafts. Topics vary each week. Half day camps are available for ages 4-5, full day for ages 5-15. COST: ½ Day: $110, Full Day: $250, Aftercare (3:30pm-5:30pm): $15. 10% discount for FOTZ. See display ad on pg. 40. www.KansasCityZoo.org/education

KU Edwards Campus Are your children sports-minded? Do they yearn to speak another language? Have they dreamed of working at Google? The KU Edwards Campus is hosting a variety of summer camps for children who are interested in areas such as sports, science, engineering, math, technology and Chinese language and culture. All camps will take place at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park. Learn more about our camp offerings at EdwardsCampus.KU.edu/SummerCamps. See display ad on pg. 40.

BOYS AND GIRLS ELEMENTARY AGE LIFE CHANGING FUN! EXPERIENCE JESUS THROUGH BIBLE STUDY AND WORSHIP SERVANT-HEARTED PROFESSIONAL KANAKUK STAFF A GLIMPSE INTO THE KANAKUK OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCE

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art “Camp out” this summer at the NelsonAtkins! Ages 6-16 can participate in art classes, make new friends and have many fun-filled activities, including “inside

continued on page 44

FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.COMETOKAMP.COM kcparent.com april 2016

CAMPGUIDE

four things you never knew about camp

amp has become a staple of the summer season. Each year, millions of children, youth and adults head to the hills, lakes, valleys and parks to participate in the timehonored tradition of camp. And, while most people easily conjure up images of campfires and canoes, there is a lot more to the camp experience. Here are five of the things you may not have known about the camp experience.

Manners matter, and often linger.

Green is “zen.” Research shows that first-

Veggies taste better with friends.

hand experience with nature, like those at camp, reduce stress in children and help them better handle stress in the future. In addition to teaching children how to be good stewards of the environment, camps are teaching children how to enjoy the world around them and take a minute to breathe deep and feel the nature, which ultimately teaches them how to de-stress the natural way.

Try this on for size! Camp is a great

place to try new activities and hobbies. Afraid of rock walls? According to ACA research, 74 percent of campers reported

kcparent.com april 2016

The camp experience teaches more than just archery or lanyard making. The entire experience is made of teachable moments, perhaps one of the biggest is how to live with a group of people. Campers learn to pick up after themselves, respect each other’s property, and to say “Please” and “Thank You.”

that they tried new activities at camp that they were afraid to do at first. And, those activities often leave lasting impressions. In the same survey, 63 percent of parents reported that their child continued new activities from camp after returning home.

Hollywood and fictional novels may have given camp food a bad reputation, but in truth, camps are constantly exploring healthy food options, and often are at the forefront of things like allergy specific diets, healthy snack options and vegetarian meals.

For more information on preparing your child for an independent, fun-filled summer, visit ACA’s family resource page at www.CampParents.org.

PLAN AHEAD WITH OUR SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR AGES 3-18 SUMMER PROGRAMS 2016 Classes are designed to provide your child with excellent ballet training and superior attention from our professional teachers, all while having fun. Classes begin June 6.

PROGRAMS INCLUDE: • Creative Movement ages 3-5

• Fairy Princess & Frozen Camps ages 3-5

Union Station

Johnson County 5359 W. 94th Terr. Prairie Village, KS (95th & Nall)

Nall Ave.

Broadway

Downtown Bolender Center 500 W. Pershing Rd. Kansas City, MO

I-3

Photographer Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios

• 1-8 Week Ballet Classes & Camps ages 3-18

94th Terr.

W. 95th St.

Pershing Rd.

SPACE IS LIMITED. . .ENROLL TODAY! 816.931.2299 | kcballet.org/school for a complete list of summer courses

Weekly Camps for EVERY SCHEDULE EVERY AGE • EVERY BUDGET EVERY INTEREST AREA

Plus...

EXTENDED CARE AVAILABLE

Ma y3

Enroll Online

1 – August 5, 20

NOW! barstowschool.org/summer

kcparent.com april 2016

CAMPGUIDE access” to the museum, led by camp counselors in full day, week-long camp sessions, July 18-August 5; 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., with an extended day option. Themes include time machines, dragons, maker studios, photography and cartooning and animation. Member discounts. See display ad on pg. 47. 816.751.1278. www.Nelson-Atkins.org/summer

Paint, Glaze & Fire Ceramics & Coffee House

Overland Park 913.681.1141

Shawnee

913.543.6085

Lawrence

785.842.6284

Prairie Village 913.681.1141

Camp ARTRAGEOUS! Paint Glaze & Fire Ceramics & Coffee House is offering summer camp for its 19th season! Your child will learn new techniques and have fun creating art in our multi-medium camps (ceramics, clay, canvas & glass fusion). Class size is limited - sign up early! Check it out online and find more information as well as a registration form at www.PaintGlazeAndFire.net. For more information on these and many other fun and creative programs, visit the website. See display ad on pg. 39. 913.661.CLAY (2529).

Pembroke Hill

IMPACT SOCCER CLUB & UPWARD STARS BASKETBALL Competitive Teams, Developmental Programs & Camps Featuring the 360 Progression—The development of the total athlete mentally, athletically, spiritually and socially applied intentionally through all Upward Stars Programs.

IMPACT SOCCER CLUB

Tryouts June 10-12 for Fall 2016 Season To Play with Purpose means you make smart decisions, improve in your physical development, discover your life’s purpose and put others needs before your own. Experienced Coaches guide players through three stages of athletic growth: game discovery, skill development and peak performance while using the teachings of Christ to foster positive sportsmanship and character. Upward Stars is a national, trusted youth sports organization with 19 years of experience and programs in 47 states and 72 countries. For information contact: THOR GARLICK tgarlick@upwardstars.org

It’s more than just a game, become more than just an athlete— Play with Purpose.

Lights! Camera! Action! Be a part of the Summer at Pembroke Hill cast and take on such roles as artist, engineer, scientist, or chef! Designed to accommodate your family’s busy schedule, our program offers flexibility by allowing you to enroll in any of the weeks you choose. Open to the community, students ages 2-18 are able to participate in our comprehensive summer camp. See display ad on pg. 32. Enroll online at www.PembrokeHill.org.

Primrose Summer Adventure Club Looking for a Summer Camp in North Olathe/South Lenexa for your elementary age children? At the Primrose Summer Adventure Club, children enjoy exploring interesting topics AND continue learning through purposeful play. The Primrose Summer Adventure Club builds Active Minds, Healthy Bodies and Happy Hearts thru engagement,

www.upwardstarskansascity.org

Visit the online camp for photos, vid

kcparent.com april 2016

activities, fun and discovery. To learn more about our Summer Camp and the activities & trips we have planned contact us at our new North Olathe location: 913.764.0018. See display ad on pg. 38.

QuestÂ June 6th-10th. Scuba Diving, Color Wars, Laser Tag, Roller Skating, Dunk Tanks, Bandanna Hunts and Water Parks are just some of the activities that you could experience at QUEST. Quest is summer day camp for students entering 6th-9th grade. Registration is only $40 and covers all activities and snacks. Registration fills up quickly. Check out www.vineyardop.org/quest for more information and to reserve your spot today. See display ad on pg. 45.

Science City Science City Summer Camp 2016 provides a fun, hands-on environment to explore exciting STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) topics. Campers ages 6-12 engage in life science, physical science, art and innovation each week! Space is limited! Camps run June 6-Aug 12, Monday through Friday, 9:00-4:00. FREE early and late care available. $180/week for Union Station members, $200/non-members. For more information, email Summer@UnionStation.org or call 816.460.2226. See display ad on pg. 54.

Summer at Barstow Summer at Barstow offers a unique and spectacular camp experience for children ages 3-14 in Academics, Sports, Arts and Enrichment. There are more than 400 programs in the visual and performing arts, science, technology and more! Summer at Barstow 2016 runs May 31 through August 5 with extended care available to all campers. Catalog available online now at www.barstowschool.org/summer. Contact summer@barstowschool.org or 816.277.0445 for information or to request a catalog. Enrollment now! Join us at Summer at Barstow and create smiles to last a lifetime! See display ad pg. 43.

guide at KCParent.com deos and more! kcparent.com april 2016

CAMPGUIDE

CAMP 2016 AGES 6-13 | $50/WEEK

JUNE 6 - AUG.12

MONDAY - FRIDAY 7:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M.

This ten-week day camp is a great opportunity for kids to make friends, play sports and games, enjoy arts and crafts, and go on fun field trips! Guests will be invited to speak to the campers as we work on our six essential character skills: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.

Sylvan Learning In addition to a full range of academic tutoring, Sylvan Learning offers several camps this summer. Elementary students can design video games and create a moving robot in one of our STEM camps, or boost their love of math with Math Edge! For writers – budding or struggling – our Summer Writing Program is just the ticket for students in grades 3 – 12. And what middle or high school student doesn’t need a study skills refresher? Our Study Skills Boot Camp will help your kids move into the next school year confident and prepared! See display ad on pg. 44. 913.681.1141

Topgolf Academy Topgolf Summer Academy is an exciting program filled with all of the components that make up the great game of golf. From chipping, putting and full swing to the rules and etiquette, your kids will learn everything they need to know. Each Academy is designed and taught by our Golf Teaching Professionals in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. It’s staffed with a low student-to-instructor ratio to ensure each junior golfer receives in-depth, hands-on attention while he or she develops a winning golf swing. See display ad on pg. 36. www.Topgolf.com

KCPARKS.ORG

Cam

Upward Stars Basketball p

$89Fee

Ages 5-12

Born in Croatia, Goran played professionally 19 years in Europe and US. He coached pro 4 years: 7 time All Star: member of the US Indoor National Team: represented the US in the 1996 Indoor World Cup in Spain; scored over 500 professional goals. Goran played locally for KC Sporting (Wizards), KC Comets, and in 18 different countries.

Camper Receives: • Free Soccer Ball • Free Camp T-Shirt Camp Director GorAn HunJAk 19 years Pro and US National Team

June 6th – June 10th (9am-noon) Overland Park, KS June 20th – June 24th (8am-11am Lenexa, KS June 27th – July 1st (8am-11am) Blue Springs, MO July 4th – July 8th (8am-11am) Lee’s Summit, MO July 11th – July 15th (8am-11am) Kansas City, MO July 18th – July 22nd (8am-11am) Overland Park, KS

913-284-7601 or Register online:

www.victoryinsoccer.org 2016_Victory_AD.indd april 2016 46

kcparent.com

3/3/16 4:19 PM

Upward Stars Basketball is bringing the focus of youth sports back to the athlete. Experienced coaches use the 360 Progression to develop the total athlete mentally, athletically, spiritually, and socially, while using the teachings of Christ to foster positive sportsmanship and character. Also introducing Impact Soccer Club coming Fall 2016 with tryouts in June 2016. It’s more than just a game – Play with Purpose and become more than just an athlete. Register at www.UpwardStarsKansasCity.org. See display ad on pg. 44.

VCamp June 20-24. Looking for a low-cost, funpacked, summer day camp for your kids? At Vcamp, kids will explore what it means to follow Jesus, the Light of the World. Vcamp is for kids who have completed kindergarten

to fourth grade and runs from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm daily. Students bring a sack lunch each day. $40 for the week includes snacks, supplies, and wrap-around care is available at no additional charge. Register at www.VineyardOP.org/vcamp by June 1. See display ad on pg. 41.

Fairy Princess or Rockstar?

Victory Soccer Camp

Whether you prefer twirling in tutus through a magical forest or dancing under a mirror ball to your favorite songs... Crescendo Conservatory has a Dance Camp for you this summer!

Victory Soccer Camp is directed by former US National Team member, Goran Hunjak. He played professional soccer for 19 years and coached professionally. Victory Soccer Camp provides professional quality soccer instruction in a fun and exciting environment, helping youth improve skill, gain confidence, and develop a positive self image. Our camp is designed with various levels of athletic ability including beginner level. For more information or to register go to www.VictoryInSoccer.org or call 913.284.7601. See display ad on pg. 46.

YMCA Is your child ready to have their best summer ever? Y Summer Day Camps are full of learning, adventure, active play and friendship! Traditional camps offer exciting themes weekly. Specialty camps include outdoor, art, sports, engineering and community service. And our Adventure Camp keeps teens excited and engaged throughout the summer. Locations include Blue Valley, Center, Olathe, Platte County, Shawnee Mission and Spring Hill School Districts; Camp Naish; North Kansas City; and Riverside. Ages 3-18. Learn more and register at www.YMCASummerFun.org. See display ad on pg 68.

Youthfront Youthfront Camps offer 73 years of camp experience for grades 3-high school. A huge part of being a kid is having fun and a typical camp day holds time for swimming, theme nights, solitude, and a NEW Splash Park at Camp West! We provide an authentic community where students grow in their relationship with God and make strong friendships that last a lifetime. Registration is now open at youthfront.com! Contact us at info@youthfront.com to learn more. See display ad on pg. 32.

Fairy Princess Camp Ages 3-7

June 20-24, 2016 9:30 am - noon $125

Rockstar Camp Ages 4-7

July 18-22, 2016 9:30 am - noon $125

Conveniently located at Corbin Park (135th & Metcalf)

Visit our website for class details.

www.crescendoconservatory.com

ENROLL TODAY!

SUMMER ART CLASSES Ages 3–Adult

nelson-atkins.org/summer 45th & Oak, Kansas City, Missouri | 816.751.1ART NelsonAtkins_KCParent_SummerClasses_Apr2016_FNL.indd 1

kcparent.com 3/9/16 april 20169:41 AM

Spring

day trips from KC

Old Prairie Town, Topeka, KS

Spring is here...celebrate with a day trip! Pack the kids end explore. Learn about famous heroes, fabulous art, dinosaurs, different cultures and, most importantly, make memories that last a lifetime!

Sibley, MO: Lewis & Clark and the Mighty MO

• Best Place to Go with Kids: Check out Fort Osage National Historic Site (FortOsageNHS.com). In 1808, Fort Osage was built to protect the newly purchased Louisiana Territory and establish trade with the Osage. Today, the site is a living history museum with special events throughout the year to teach visitors about the Louisiana Purchase, the Osage Tribe and early settlers.

More than 200 years ago, Lewis and Clark arrived in Sibley, where they met the Osage Tribe. Today you can travel 45 minutes from Kansas City and two centuries back in time with a visit to Sibley.

• Lunch Break: Tuscono’s Wood Fired Pizza and Pasta (312 S. Hudson, Buckner, MO, 816.650.8284) is an affordable family-friendly restaurant with delicious food the entire crew will enjoy.

Not Too Far

(30 – 45 minutes)

kcparent.com april 2016

Atchison, KS: Many Stories to Tell Atchison, situated on the bluffs of the Missouri River, defies the stereotype of Kansas prairie land with its rolling hills and beautiful trees. Amelia Earhart is Atchison’s most notable claim to fame, but her story is just one of the many Atchison has to tell. • Best Place to Go with Kids: A trolley ride is great fun! During it, you can learn about mystery, Atchison’s namesake who was President for one day and the town’s place in Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Then be sure to visit Amelia Earhart’s birthplace and hear about her childhood adventures building roller coasters in the backyard

and dreaming of her future as a pilot. AtchisonKansas.net provides info on the hours and rates for all the local attractions. • Lunch Break: Jerry’s Again (125 N. 5th St., Atchison, KS, 913.367.0577) is a local lunch spot housed in a century-old building in old downtown Atchison. The fresh made sandwiches and salads and the friendly service are trademarks of this local restaurant.

Farther

(45–75 minutes) Lawrence, KS: An Eclectic Day Trip Lawrence is home to the University of Kansas and famous “Mass Street,” where shoppers love to browse for antiques, clothes, toys, candles, books and European groceries. • Best Place to Go with Kids: Visit the KU Natural History Museum

(Biodiversity.KU.edu) where one of the highlights is the mosasaur, the largest known lizard ever to have lived. Then head over to the Prairie Park Nature Center (LawrenceKS.org/lprd/ppnc) to learn about conservation in Kansas and enjoy hands-on exhibits and a variety of animals. • Lunch Break: A visit to Lawrence is not complete without lunch and shopping on “Mass St” (Massachusetts Street, the eclectic downtown boutique and dining district). You’ll find a variety of locally owned restaurants serving all your favorite cuisines. Learn more at DowntownLawrence.com/exploredowntown-lawrence/dining.

Lexington, MO: Discover the Civil War in Missouri Lexington, a small historic town overlooking the Missouri River, was the site of one of Missouri’s bloodiest Civil

War battles. It is now home to Wentworth Military Academy, the Battle of Lexington Historic Site, wineries, orchards and a historic shopping district. • Best Place to Go with Kids: Learn about Missouri’s role in the Civil War at the Battle of Lexington State Historic Site (MOStateParks.com/park/battle-lexingtonstate-historic-site). The Anderson house was the center of a bloody three-day Civil War battle in 1861. Guests tour the home, walk the grounds and explore a visitor center with exhibits and information on the Civil War in Missouri. • Lunch Break: Enjoy Irish fare at Riley’s Irish Pub (RileysPub.net) and learn the legends of Lexington as the restaurant owners and staff share a rich history of the town dating back to the Pony Express. Or enjoy a treat at Big Muddy Ice Cream Parlor (1015 Franklin, Lexington, MO, 660.259.2905).

Battle of Lexington Reenactment

kcparent.com april 2016

Jamesport, MO

Topeka, KS: Lions, Tigers, Bears and Tornadoes in the Land of Oz Discover lions, tigers and black bears at the Topeka Zoo, a charming zoo just the right size for young children. • Best Place to Go with Kids: Explore Old Prairie Town (VisitTopeka.com/ listings/Old-Prairie-Town-at-WardMeade-Historic-Site/85) and learn about famous Kansans. Be sure to enjoy a phosphate at the authentic soda fountain. And visit the Topeka Zoo (TopekaZoo. org), where you can see black bears, feed giraffes and ride a train or boat through a variety of animal exhibits. • Lunch Break: We love Spangle’s (multiple locations in Topeka: SpanglesInc.com), the local hamburger joint where the ice cream specialties include the “Cyclone” and “Tornado”— delicious shakes with mix-ins.

Topeka Zoo

noodles, feeding Jersey calves with a bottle and taking a break from cell phones, credit cards, internet and movies. A trip to Jamesport, Missouri’s largest Amish community, is a visit to one of America’s most interesting subcultures. The Amish life is full of tradition, the people are welcoming and friendly and the trip feels like visiting a simpler time. • Best Place to Go with Kids: Visit the Homestead Creamery where you can watch cheese-making and explore a living dairy farm. Then take an Amish community tour or attend a local festival. You’ll find a calendar of events at JamesportMissouri.org. • Lunch Break: Gingerich Dutch Pantry (120 W. Broadway, Jamesport, MO, 660.684.6212) serves delicious homecooked meals and made-from-scratch pies!

Carthage, MO: Get Your Kicks on Route 66

Jamesport, MO: Spending the Day in Amish Country

Precious Moments Chapel Carthage is on the famous Route 66, where you can still eat at old diners and travel the scenic “Mother Road.” You can even travel just 20 minutes more to Joplin, where you’ll discover the state’s largest continually flowing waterfall.

Imagine a day eating horse-churned ice cream, sitting on handcrafted furniture, riding buggies, enjoying homemade bread and

• Best Place to Go with Kids: In Carthage, visit the Precious Moments Visitor’s Center (PreciousMomentsChapel.org) created by

Farthest

(1.5 – 2.5 hours)

kcparent.com april 2016

Missouri artist Sam Butcher, with animated characters and a chapel telling Bible stories through Precious Moments characters. Nearby, drive through Red Oak II (RedOakIIMissouri.com). Red Oak is a few miles northeast of Carthage off Route 66 and is a “real live” ghost town. Local artist Lowell Davis created a town with authentic old buildings to explore. • Lunch Break: Iggy’s Diner (2400 Grand Ave., Carthage, MO, 417.237.0212) is a famous Route 66 joint serving juicy burgers, delicious shakes and curly-q fries! Kristina Light’s family is always up for an adventure exploring new places in the Midwest.

For more great places to visit in KC this spring with the family, log onto KCGoingPlaces.com.

What’s Cookin’ Down Under Eat at more than 80 restaurants in one evening! Join us in black tie attire for a party down under. Enjoy savory dishes from these fine restaurants, live music and more! 75th Street Brewery 801 Fish 810 Zone Amigoni Urban Winery BRGR Kitchen + Bar

Coco Bolo’s Wood Fired Grill & Cantina

Lakeview Village Les Bourgeois Vineyards

Cosentino’s Catering

Lew’s

Cooper’s Hawk

Louisburg Cider Mill

Edible Arrangements

Spectators at the Sheraton Crown Center Stroud’s Sunset Grill Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant

El Porton Café

Magnolia’s Modern Southern Cuisine

Espirito Do Sul

MeMa’s Old-Fashioned Bakery

T-Rex Café

Belfonte Ice Cream & Dairy Foods Co.

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

Murray’s Tables & Tap

Ted’s Cafe Escondido

Gates Bar-B-Q

Nick & Jakes

Bizz & Weezy

Garozzo’s

Noodles & Company

Teocali Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

blanc burgers + bottles

North

Brancato’s Catering

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant

Brasserie at the Westin Crown Center

Hiland Dairy Co.

Baked In Kansas City Barley’s Brewhaus

Carmen’s Café Carmen’s (Food Truck) Charlie Hooper’s Chuy’s Claridge Court Cleaver & Cork

O’Dowd’s Little Dublin

Gram & Dun

O’Neill’s Restaurant & Bar Pinstripes

Hilton Kansas City Airport / Asado

Pita Blu RA Sushi

Hy-Vee Catering Isle of Capri / Calypso’s Buffet Jazz – A Louisiana Kitchen

República St. James Winery

Jon Russell’s BBQ of Kansas City

Scratch Office Catering & Bakery

Kaldi’s Coffee The Kansas City Steak Company Kingswood Senior Living

Relish

Sheridan’s Frozen Custard Sheridan’s Unforked

Taco Republic

The Blue Moose Bar & Grill The Blue Moose Truck The Funnel Cake Truck The Melting Pot The Roasterie Café The Well Bar – Grill & Rooftop The Zebra Room at the Aladdin Hotel Urban Table Waffle House Walker’s Food Products Co. Waldo Pizza Zocalo

The 27th annual Jazzoo | June 3, 2016

Get Your Jazzoo Tickets Today! Tickets on sale now at JazzooKC.org

april

CALENDAR

THE KCPARENT.COM CALENDAR FEATURES OVER 1,000 EVENTS EACH MONTH!

Chalk Walk

No part of this calendar may be reproduced in print or web format.

kcparent.com april 2016

learn

party

watch

create

celebrate

Visit the Healthy Yards Expo on April 2 at the Shawnee Civic Center. An earth-friendly lawn and garden event with fun for the entire family! 913.715.7000

Celebrate Earth Day at the Kansas City Zooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Party for the Planet on April 9 & 10. Face painting, art projects, puppets and more! KansasCityZoo.org

See Alice in Wonderland on April 16 & 17, performed by Miller Marley, at Olathe South High School. Join Alice on her trip through the rabbit hole. MillerMarley.org

Get creative at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chalk Walk on April 23 at Concourse Park. Kids and parents join artists to create chalk masterpieces. NortheastArtsKC.org

Celebrate cowboys at the Kansas Cowboy Jubilee on April 30 at Carlsen Center (JCCC). Enjoy demonstrations and performances. JCCC.edu/theseries

1 Friday April Fools’ Day Visit KCParent.com for fun April Fools’ ideas for the family!

Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire. Paint a pottery piece that goes along with a favorite story. Snack included. $13-$15. Pre-reg. 913.661.2529 Theater at the Library: The Pharaoh & the Rose 5:00, Antioch Library. JCCC presents a play based on an Egyptian folk tale. Free. JoCoLibrary.org

Farmstead Opening Day 9:00, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Opening day for the farmstead! Bring the kids out to see the animals. 913.897.2360

First Fridays 5:00, Crossroads Art District. Galleries and shops remain open the first Friday of each month. KCCrossroads.org

Spring Butterfly Exhibit Thru April 3, Powell Gardens. Blue Morpho butterflies return this spring! Exhibit includes hands-on learning. PowellGardens.org

New Moves Thru April 9, Frost Studio Theater. A unique performance event designed to showcase new emerging choreographers. KCBallet.org

Citywide Garage Sale Today & tomorrow, City of Lansing. Come out for a citywide garage sale. Maps available at City Hall and on city website. Lansing.KS.us

2 Saturday

Arbor Day Today & tomorrow, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Visitors will have the opportunity to select a seedling to plant. MDC.MO.gov Story Time 10:30 & 11:15, Wonderscope. Join us in our ArtWorks Exhibit for story time. This is free with museum admission. Wonderscope.org

Project Blue River Rescue 8:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Help preserve our environment. Be part of Missouri’s biggest one-day cleanup event. JacksonGov.org Funny Bunny 5K-9 & Autism Egg Hunts 9:00, Unity Village. Enjoy a 5K run or 1-mile fun run, along with egg hunt for kids with autism and an egg hunt for dogs! Paws4Autism.com

Healthy Yards Expo 9:00, Shawnee Civic Center. An earth-friendly lawn and garden event with fun for the entire family! Come early for free tree seedlings. Free. 913.715.7000 Kids Workshop 9:00, Metro Home Depot Stores. Come the first Saturday of the month for a great hands-on activity for kids. Pre-reg at Workshops.HomeDepot.com. First Lego League Junior Expo 9:00, Edwards Campus (KU). Teams will share their findings with family and friends during this expo, which is free and open to the public. KCStem.org Royals Day 9:30, Kansas City Zoo. See the animals enjoy enrichment items donated by the Royals. Meet Sluggerrr and participate in activities. KansasCityZoo.org GeoKids 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Kids 7-11 attend a brief classroom presentation and then head out on a treasure hunt. Must pre-reg at OPABG.org. The Little Red Hen’s Garden Puppet Show 10:00 & 11:30, Shawnee Civic Center. See the classic tale as a StoneLion puppet show. Free. StoneLionPuppets.org

THIS IS YOUR FUN

ONLY 6 EASY PAYMENTS OF Price Goe sU May 31 ST P

20.00*

*Plus applicable taxes and fees. Online offer only.

kcparent.com april 2016

Seussical the Musical April 7-9, Emmanuel Baptist. Culture House performs this fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza for the entire family. CultureHouse.com

Cold-Blooded, Smooth-Skinned 10:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. See live amphibians and participate in a frog game and make a frog hat! 816.759.7300 KC Passport to Adventure Kick-off Noon, Bass Pro Shop (Independence). Visit booths and hands-on activities and pick up your 2016 Passport to Adventure. 913.764.7759 Open Gym 12:30, Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics. Run, jump and play in the foam pit, on rope swings and more. EliteGymSwim.com The Wizard of Paws 7:30, Crown Center. Martin City Melodrama presents a brand new musical with both human and four-legged entertainment. 816.804.2602 Pablo Ziegler and the Quartet for New Tango 8:00, Carlsen Center (JCCC). See the Argentine musical tradition of new tango woven into a chamber music setting. JCCC.edu/theseries

3 Sunday Da Vinci: The Exhibition Thru May 1, Union Station. Explore Leonardo da Vinci’s genius and experience his creations. UnionStation.org Passport to India 10:00, Nelson-Atkins. Come for a colorful celebration of South and Southeast Asian art and culture. Nelson-Atkins.org Kite Fest Noon, Overland Park Arboretum. Purchase a kite or bring your own, then come enjoy watching them fly through the air in this scenic backdrop. OPABG.org Stuck 2:00, Plaza Library. Coterie Theatre artists read from favorite children’s books while young audience members can jump into the story. KCLibrary.org Shen Yun 2:30, Kauffman Center. Shen Yun brings a lost civilization to life on stage with unrivaled artistic mastery. ShenYun.com/KC

TA K E A C LO S E R LO O K ARTIST • SCIENTIST • INVENTOR • ENGINEER • ARCHITECT

4 Monday Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. A place for children to run, ride and play while exercising and making new friends. $1. Lenexa.com Toddler Takeover 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. Bring your little ones under 4 to run and play in the gym. $1. 816.784.6100 Toddle Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring your kids to play on the large assortment of toys in the gym. $2. 913.422.7010

Ages 6-12

Enroll Today!

Summer Camp 201 6 Create. Explore. Experiment.

June 6– August 12 FINAL CHANCE – CLOSES MAY 1

ONLY AT UNION STATION Details & Tickets at UnionStation.org

Join us as we spark interest in STEAM learning through interactive, challenging and FUN activities at Science City Summer Camp!

Space is Limited!

Presented by Sponsored by

kcparent.com april 2016

Become a Member & SAVE!

ScienceCity.com/SummerCamp

6 Wednesday

7 Thursday

Toddle Time 9:00, Matt Ross Community Center. Open playtime with an array of toys, including blocks, balls and puzzles. $1-$2. 913.895.6350

Elementary Open House 9:00, Heritage Christian Elementary. Parents can take campus tours, talk to current students and sit in on classes. HCAKC.org

Me and Mini Me Swim 9:00, Olathe Community Center. Parents and kids under 2 can swim in zero depth pool $6-$7. 913.971.8563

Sensory Time 9:00, Johnson County Museum. Kidscape can be loud; this special time is for kids with sensory integration and processing needs. 913.715.2575

KCPT Kids Writers Contest Thru April 15. Calling all young authors and illustrators! Kindergarten through third-graders are invited to submit their stories. KCPT.org

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood - Live! 9:45 & Noon, Carlsen Center (JCCC). Daniel and his friends learn the key social skills in this interactive musical adventure. $5. JCCC.edu/theseries

Open Gym 9:00, Indian Creek Community Church (Olathe). A time for kids 6 and under to play, run, kick, ride and jump. Free. IndianCreek.org

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park. A special time for those 5 and under to enjoy access to the playground and trampoline attractions. $10/child, parents free. 800.960.4778

Pedal to the Metal Thru Aug 28, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Experience America’s obsession with four-wheeled vehicles in this exhibit. 816.235.8000

Animal Tales & Trails Thru May 1, Crown Center, Level 1. Enter an interactive habitat where children learn about interesting creatures. CrownCenter.com

Toddler Tuesdays 10:00, Sea Life Aquarium. Tickets are just $14 for one toddler (0-4) and one adult! VisitSeaLife.com

What’s for Dinner? 3:30, Burr Oak Woods. Watch on Wednesdays and Saturdays as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

Seussical the Musical Thru Friday, Emmanuel Baptist. Culture House performs this fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza for the entire family. CultureHouse.com

Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Read a book and then paint a ceramic item that goes along with the story. Finish with a snack. $9.50. CeramicCafeKC.com

The Fantastiks 7:00, Spencer Theater. A story with clever props, snappy dialogue, plot twists and performances by a stunningly talented cast. Ages 8+. KCRep.org

The Two Hundred Year History of Black Paper Dolls 7:00, The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. A chronological history of the origins of paper dolls. RSVP to 816.235.8005.

Jazz on the Square 5:30, Corbin Theatre (Liberty). Enjoy live jazz. The music will keep your toes tapping, and the ballads will warm your heart! CorbinTheatre.org Build a Robot Dog 6:00, MCPL (North Oak Branch). Teens will build a robot dog using the Lego Mindstorm robotics kit. Ages 12+; must pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

5 Tuesday

L ANESFIELD H ISTORIC S ITE

L ANESFIELD ANESFIELD HLISTORIC S ITE

H ISTORIC S ITE

Saturday, April 16 at 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Step back to experience a simpler time. Free

Friday and Saturday 1:00-5:00 p.m. OR by appointment. Special programs available. Please call 913-715-2570 to schedule. back 18745Step S. Dillie Roadto• experience Edgerton, KS 66021 a simpler time. 913-893-6645 • www.jocogov.org/museum

Museum

Mid-Continent Public Library presents an all-day art event led by instructors from the Kansas City Art Institute and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art with opportunities for you to create new works of art. Woodneath Library Center 8900 NE Flintlock Road Kansas City, MO 64157

Register early for these sessions AND MORE! at mymcpl.org/accessart For Children Mythical Creature Masks Self-Portraits For Teens Blackout Poetry Manga Character Illustration For Adults Drawing Workshop Intro to Acrylic Painting

Presented by: Ofﬁcial Media Partner

Step back to experience Museum a simpler time. kcparent.com april 2016

Party for the Planet April 9 & 10, Kansas City Zoo. Celebrate Earth Day at the zoo with face painting, art projects, puppets and more! KansasCityZoo.org

8 Friday Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000 Where the Wild Things Are 10:00, Noon & 7:00, the Coterie. A journey to remember in an interactive adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved classic. TheCoterie.org Fine Art Friday 1:00, Kemper Museum. Docentled interactive tour. Students examine objects through observation and discussion. Ages 6-12. Free. KemperArt.org Second Friday Art Crawl 5:00, Downtown Excelsior Springs. Enjoy feature artists, music, dining and shopping. 816.630.6161 Family Fun Night 5:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire. Paint pottery and make memories! $25 includes a large pizza, four large soft drinks and four studio fees. PaintGlazeAndFire.net

CHILDREN’S CONFERENCE

Middle School Teen Night 7:00, Paradise Park. Gotcha! Jump in on the fun inside the laser tag arena. For only $15 get a “pick 3” wristband. Paradise-Park.com New Moves 7:30, Thru April 9, Frost Studio Theater. A unique performance event designed to showcase new emerging choreographers. KCBallet.org Jonah Bokaer Contemporary Dance 8:00, Polsky Theatre (JCCC). A performance with a new form of choreography that relies on visual art and design. JCCC.edu/theseries

9 Saturday

Trucks and Big Rigs 10:00, Theatre in the Park. Crawl, climb and sit in the driver’s seat and talk with real life operators of these vehicles. Free, donations accepted. JCPRD.com

Opening Day 7:00, Overland Park Farmers Market. The market opens its 34th season. Enjoy live music, fresh produce and more. 913.449.6995

Hat Designing in the 1920s 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Receive a cloche hat and a variety of trimmings to style your hat on site. $15. Prereg at 913.248.2360.

Party for the Planet 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Celebrate Earth Day at the zoo with face painting, art projects, puppets and more! KansasCityZoo.org

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party 2:00, Miller Marley. Meet Alice and have your photo taken, get a sneak peak of upcoming ballet, learn a dance and eat cookies! $10. MillerMarley.com

VENDORS

WORKSHOPS

April 22-23, 2016

MPE Homeschool Conference & Curriculum Fair will be held at the KCI Expo Center at 11730 North Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153 for directions please go to www.kciexpo.com Keynote address:

steve and annette economides of MoneysmartFamily.com thursday, april 21, 7:00 pm emmanuel Baptist Church • 10100 Metcalf ave., oP, Ks The Purpose of the Conference is to Provide Information on Home Schooling Techniques and Curriculum Choices.

More than 180 exhibitor booths

to find more information visit www.midwesthomeschoolers.org/conference or call 913-599-0311

kcparent.com april 2016

Second Saturdays 4:00, Downtown Weston. Stroll into unique gift shops and galleries for late night shopping and in-store specials. WestonMO.com Saturday Feeder 4:00, Cedar Cove. Come to see the public feedings of the cats, weather permitting. $5-$7. SaveOurSiberians.org Major League Improv 7:30, ComedyCity. A comedy sporting event with everything decided upon by the audience. $9-$13. 816.842.2744

10 Sunday Day in the Life: Soldiers of the War 10:00, National World War I Museum. Living history volunteers share stories and make history come to life! TheWorldWar.org Purchase Tickets for Lego KidsFest May 13-15, Kansas City Convention Center. The Lego KidsFest comes to Kansas City this spring. Get your tickets now! LegoKidsFest.com art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages! 816.751.1278

11 Monday Robotics Week 10:00, Science City. Explore the science of robotics at Science City all week with demos and workshops. ScienceCity.com Visit Legoland 10:00, Legoland Discovery Center. Spend the day at Legoland and see the new Lego Movie in 4D. LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com Token Mondays 10:00, Cool Crest. For $15 enjoy 100 tokens. No coupon required. CoolCrest.com Power Hour 1:00, Little Monkey Bizness. Arrive between 1:00 and 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays and admission is just $5 plus tax! 913.631.7000

12 Tuesday The Life and Times of the Three Little Pigs 10:00, H&R Block City Stage. A hilarious musical treatment of the fairy tale about the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. TYA.org Coffee Playground 10:00, OP First Assembly of God. Free play in the gym for kids 5 and under. Inflatables, scooters, balls and other toys! OverlandParkMOPS.com

kcparent.com april 2016

City Imagineerium April 16, UMKC (Pierson Auditorium). You Dream it! Design it! Build it! Kids from all over town are invited to spend the day building. 816.914.3115

Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Read a book and then paint a ceramic item that goes along with the story. Finish with a snack. $9.50. CeramicCafeKC.com Fountain Day 11:00, JC Nichols Memorial Fountain. The second Tuesday in April marks the day when the 48 fountains of Kansas City, MO, spring back to life! KCParks.org

13 Wednesday KCPT Kids Writers Contest Thru April 15. Calling all young authors and illustrators! Kindergarten through third-graders are invited to submit their stories. KCPT.org Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller. Enjoy stories, songs and a visit from a special animal friend. $2/person. 913.764.7759 Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com

Hoffman Prep Course Thru June 1, Hoffman International. Ten-week course that covers visual poise, skin care and cosmetics, public speaking and more. HoffmanModels.com Children’s Musical 6:00, Blue Valley Baptist. The story of Daniel in the lion’s den through a musical. Pizza dinner following. CornerstoneKS.org

14 Thursday Open Gym 9:00, Indian Creek Community Church (Olathe). A time for kids 6 and under to play, run, kick, ride and jump. Free. IndianCreek.org Da Vinci: The Exhibition Thru May 1, Union Station. Explore Leonardo da Vinci’s genius and experience his creations. UnionStation.org

his month begins with a day of fun and pranks on the 1st with April Fools’ Day, and the fun continues all month long as families celebrate National Humor Month. Laugh together with these Kansas City ideas:

ComedyCity (ComedyCity.cc) is a live improv show where comedians take suggestions from the audience for inspiration in their sketches. They offer both adults-only shows and also familyfriendly shows where no foul language or off-color humor is allowed. The Johnson County Museum frequently invites guest storytellers and children’s performers for

kcparent.com april 2016

Library Letterboxing 6:00, Central Library. Participants will make a stamp and a simple logbook to take home. Supplies provided. JoCoLibrary.org

Minsky’s Pizza (12920 State Line

U.S. Toy in Leawood (USToy.com) features a magic shop with a variety of tricks and magic books you may purchase. They also sell harmless childhood pranks and gags from the classic whoopee cushion to insects “frozen” inside an ice cube. Encourage your child’s sense of humor with a bit of harmless fun.

Brew for Books 5:30, Boulevard Brewing Company. Date night! All-you-candrink Boulevard beer, Waldo pizza and entertainment. Bring a new children’s book for discount. 816.474.7095

national humor month in kansas city special events. This month, Jo Ho the Storyteller presents “Me & My Anatomy” at 10:00 on April 20. With hilarious poems, songs and stories, it’s a grand “I’m not just a bag of bones” tour with Jane to the brain, Bart to the heart, Sydney to the kidney, the Youngs to the lungs, River to the liver, Shelly to the belly and Clementine to the small and large intestine. $2/person; members free. Call 913.715.2575 to register.

Rd., Leawood, KS, 913.317.9965, Minskys.com) has been serving gourmet pizza in Kansas City since 1976. Their fresh pizzas are made from scratch on hand-rolled dough with generous portions of fresh ingredients. They also make some of the best Buffalo wings in town and offer a gluten-free menu option. Live magicians and balloon artists perform on weekends (6:008:00 on Saturdays), dazzling kids with riddles, jokes and sleightof-hand tricks (our girls’ favorite is the magical signature card on the ceiling of the restaurant) and custom balloon animals. Kansas City is also home to many great magicians, comedians and storytellers who perform regularly at local libraries, museums and attractions. Visit the calendar on KCParent.com for upcoming shows.

15 Friday

16 Saturday

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park. A special time for those 5 and under to enjoy access to the playground and trampoline attractions. $10/child, parents free. 800.960.4778

Sale-ing into Spring 7:00, Vesper Hall (Blue Springs). Explore over 20 booths set up by local vendors and purchase treasures. 816.228.0271

Story Time for Babies 9:30, MCPL (North Oak). Fun, engaging story time for babies to instill a foundation for early literacy. MyMCPL.org Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire. Paint a pottery piece that goes along with a favorite story. Snack included. $13-$15. Pre-reg. 913.661.2529 Story Time 10:30 & 11:15, Wonderscope. Join us in our ArtWorks Exhibit for story time. This is free with museum admission. Wonderscope.org Third Friday Art Walk 5:30, Englewood Station Arts District. Tour the art galleries, view live performances and meet artists in front of shops. EnglewoodStation.com 39th Street Art Walk 6:00, 39th Street District. Every third Friday the merchants of 39th Street open their doors to local painters, musicians and more! 39thStreetWest.com

Access Art 9:00, Woodneath Library Center. MCPL presents an all-day art event for you to create works of art. MyMCPL.org/accessart Opening Day 10:00, Worlds of Fun. First day of the 2016 season. Enjoy five new family rides. WorldsOfFun.com Go Native 9:30, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Come for a day of learning about the wide variety of native plants for landscaping needs. MDC.MO.GOV/events. Scout Day 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Scouts in uniform and immediate family members get $4 admission and participate in activity stations in the lobby. KansasCityZoo.org Spring Muster Today & tomorrow, Alexander Majors House. Come to the official opening of the Majors House, watch the Irish Brigade drill and stay for a tour. 816.444.1858

City Imagineerium 10:00, UMKC (Pierson Auditorium). You Dream it! Design it! Build it! Kids from all over town are invited to spend the day building. 816.914.3115 Flights of Fancy 10:00, MCC-Longview Campus. Enjoy mega kite displays, face painting and inflatable maze, candy drop and more! Hosted by KC Kite Club. KiteFest.MCCKC.edu Scavenger Saturdays 10:00, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Follow the clues on this “ART-tastic” adventure! 816.753.5784 Magical Moonshine Theatre 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. Puppet show performance by Michael and Valerie Nelson, puppeteers. $6. Hazelle.org Open Gym 12:30, Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics. Run, jump and play in the foam pit, rope swings and more. EliteGymSwim.com Worms for Supper? Vermicomposting for Kids 1:00, Powell Gardens. Kids learn about worms and how they help the environment. Pre-reg at 816.697.2600 x209. Alice in Wonderland 2:00 & 7:00, Olathe South High School. Join Alice on her trip through the rabbit hole with Miller Marley Youth Ballet’s performance. MillerMarley.org.

Colonial Presbyterian Church, EPC Encounter God · Grow With Others · Impact People

Overland Park, KS 12501 W. 137th St., OP KS Sundays 8:00, 9:15, 10:45 a.m. colonialkc.org

kcparent.com april 2016

april by the numbers

A full moon should be 100 percent visible in this date’s night sky.

Date in 1889 when KC artist Thomas Hart Benton was born. You may tour his home at 3616 Belleview.

On this date in 1887, Susanna Medora Salter was the first woman to be elected mayor in the United States, governing the Kansas town of Argonia.

100,000 How many gallons of salt water provide a home for the penguins at Kansas City Zoo’s Helzberg Penguin Plaza. April 25 is World Penguin Day.

18th & Vine Location of the American Jazz Museum, where you can celebrate Jazz Month with interactive exhibits and music in the Blue Room.

Scrabble Day, a day set aside to play the game enjoyed by families since 1938.

1,500 The average number of PB&J sandwiches eaten by an American child before he graduates high school. April 2 is National PB&J Day.

On this date In 1930, the Twinkie entered production and quickly became one of America’s favorite treats.

3.7

Average inches of rain produced by April showers in Kansas City annually.

Kids Night Out 5:00, North Kansas City YMCA. Children ages 3-12 will enjoy a night of fun while parents enjoy the evening out on the town. KansasCityYMCA.org Wine Walk on Delaware 5:00, Delaware Street (River Market). Date night! Wine tasting hosted by a mix of Delaware Street establishments. $15. WineWalkOnDelaware.com Night Visions 5:00, Burr Oak Woods. The world looks different after the sun goes down. See photographs of starscapes, star trails and more. 816.228.3766

17 Sunday Farmers Market 8:00, City Market. Shop for local and fresh produce, meats, herbs, fresh baked goods and more! TheCityMarket.org Kite Fest Noon, Overland Park Arboretum. Purchase a kite or bring your own, then come enjoy watching them fly through the air in this scenic backdrop. OPABG.org art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages! 816.751.1278 Alice in Wonderland 2:00 & 7:00, Olathe South High School. Join Alice on her trip through the rabbit hole with Miller Marley Youth Ballet’s performance. MillerMarley.org

18 Monday Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. A place for children to run, ride and play while exercising and making new friends. $1. Lenexa.com

19 Tuesday Toddler Tuesdays 10:00, Sea Life Aquarium. Tickets are just $14 for one toddler (0-4) and one adult! VisitSeaLife.com Where the Wild Things Are 10:00 & Noon, the Coterie. A journey to remember in an interactive adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved classic. TheCoterie.org Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Read a book and then paint a ceramic item that goes along with the story. Finish with a snack. $9.50. CeramicCafeKC.com Tots on Tuesday 11:00, Kemper Museum. Bring in your preschooler for a fun and fashionable get-together every third Tuesday. 816.753.5784

20 Wednesday Pedal to the Metal Thru Aug 28, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Experience America’s obsession with four-wheeled vehicles in this exhibit. 816.235.8000 Me and My Anatomy 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Storyteller Jo Ho takes a look at what’s inside our bodies—what is under our skin and bones. $2. JoCoGov.org

Keynote Address 7:00, Emmanuel Baptist Church. See Steve and Annette Economides of MoneySmartFamily.com at the 2016 MPE Conference. Free. 913.599.031 Throughly Modern Millie Thru Saturday, Indian Creek Church. The Culture House presents this show that takes place during the height of the Jazz Age. CultureHouse.org

22 Friday Earth Day Fish Friday Tales 9:30, Olathe Community Center. Enjoy a morning of stories, song and play. Then stay for a special open swim for just $7. 913.971.8563 Earth Day Sale 10:00, Children’s Orchard (Olathe & Blue Springs). Bring in a reusable bag and receive 20 percent off clothing that fits in the bag. ChildrensOrchard.com Earth Day at Powell Gardens 10:00, Powell Gardens. Celebrate Earth Day and enjoy free admission. Take home a tree seedling. PowellGardens.org

Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller. Enjoy stories, songs and a visit from a special animal friend. $2/person. 913.764.7759

Story Time 10:30 & 11:15, Wonderscope. Join us in our ArtWorks Exhibit for story time. This is free with museum admission. Wonderscope.org

Family Adventure Pass Night 4:00, Paradise Park. VIP night for all of our FAP members. Members receive free admission to featured attractions. Paradise-Park.com

MPE Homeschool Conference & Curriculum Fair Today & tomorrow, KCI Expo Center. Info on homeschooling techniques and curriculum. 913.599.0311

21 Thursday

Fourth Friday Art Walk 5:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Fourth Friday art walks are packed with a variety of fun activities. DowntownLS.org

Toddler Takeover 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. Bring your little ones under 4 to run and play in the gym. $1. 816.784.6100

Baby Bounce Story Time 9:30, Plaza Branch. A special story time for babies (newborn to 18 months) with parent or caregiver. 816.701.3481

Purchase Tickets for Lego KidsFest May 1315, Kansas City Convention Center. The Lego KidsFest comes to Kansas City this spring. Get your tickets now! LegoKidsFest.com

Da Vinci: The Exhibition Thru May 1, Union Station. Explore Leonardo da Vinci’s genius and experience his creations. UnionStation.org

Kids Night Out 6:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire. For only $25 kids can enjoy a great time that includes pizza, painting and pottery. 913.661.2529

Sensory Time 9:00, Johnson County Museum. Kidscape can be loud; this special time is for kids with sensory integration and processing needs. 913.715.2575

Major League Improv 7:30, ComedyCity. A comedy sporting event with everything decided upon by the audience. $9-$13. 816.842.2744

Animal Tales & Trails Thru May 1, Crown Center, Level 1. Enter an interactive habitat where children learn about interesting creatures. CrownCenter.com Mt Gilead Monday 10:00, Mt Gilead School. A historic interpretation of a particular theme plus a craft project and games related to that theme. $10. 816.736.8500

Homeschool Lunch Bunch Noon, Lackman Library. Bring your lunch and meet fellow homeschool families. JoCoLibrary.org Third Thursday 6:00, Nelson-Atkins. Date night! Live music, free programs, art activities and more that showcase local talent. Nelson-Atkins.org

Full Moon Hike 8:30, George Owens Nature Park. Enjoy a guided hike through the park. Must pre-reg. Dress for the weather. 816.325.7115.

kcparent.com april 2016

Where the Wild Things Are Thru May 7, the Coterie. A journey to remember in an interactive adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved classic. TheCoterie.org

23 Saturday Recycling Extravaganza 8:00, Johnson County Community College. Drop off just about anything to recycle and help the Earth. 913.895.6273 Chalk Walk 9:00, Concourse Park. Kids and parents join artists to create chalk masterpieces. Strolling performers, book tent and more. NortheastArtsKC.org

Touch-a-Truck 10:00, Recreation Park (Raymore). Explore emergency response vehicles, military transports, construction equipment and more. Raymore.com Barnyard Babies National Agricultural Hall of Fame. This spring you are invited to the Ag Hall of Fame to see what babies can be found on the farm. AgHallOfFame.com

Earth Day Activities 10:00, Science City. Join at Science City for Earth day with themed demos and workshops. ScienceCity.com

Asian Cultural Festival 11:00, Olathe East High School. Martial arts school demonstrations, dance teams, yo-yo demonstrations and children’s activities. 913.850.4189

Kalijon’s Birthday Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Celebrate the birthday girl, Kalijon. Ape-mazing birthday festivities at Orangutan Canopy. KansasCityZoo.org

Earth Day/Arbor Day 11:00, Gardner Greenway Corridor. Group cleanup, free barbecue lunch, tree planting demonstration and more. 913.856-0936

Earth Day 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Crafts, wildlife interpretations and informational booths provide a fascinating day of science. Free. 816.513.8960

Open Gym 12:30, Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics. Run, jump and play in the foam pit, rope swings and more. EliteGymSwim.com

Photo by Chris van der Schyf and provided courtesy of Presentation House Theatre.

Arbor Day Celebration 1:00, Vesper Hall (Blue Springs). Participate in family friendly activities, arbor walk and more! BlueSprings.gov For the Love of Earth! 2:00, Ernie Miller. Meet animal friends, make a craft and learn about nature’s recyclers. $5. 913.764.7759 Sensory Friendly Concert 2:00, Central United Methodist Church. Performance for those with disabilities who may not be able to sit still in a traditional venue. 479.238.3936 TM & © Henson.

ENING E R C S E D O IS P E W NE AT THE KC ZOO’S ESS DAY N E R A W A M IS T U A am and 1pm April 24 at 10

FEATURING: “Lights up, sound-down” screenings of the new episode of Dinosaur Train, ‘Junior Conductors Academy’ Sensory-sensitive activities Representatives from local autism awareness organizations “Learn the Signs. Act Early” milestone trackers for caregivers FREE admission to the Zoo for those with autism and reduced admission for those accompanying them Quiet rooms, animal presentations, crafts and more!

For more information, visit:

KCPT.org/events

kcparent.com april 2016

Buddy the T-Rex meets Dennis Deinocheirus – a kid who knows even more dinosaur facts than he does! The new episode “Junior Conductors Academy,” from The Jim Henson Company, airs on PBS KIDS®.

Mother/Son Dance 6:30, Oak Grove Civic Center. Mom, Grandma, Aunt or friends, grab your boys and spend quality time together. Pre-reg at CityOfOakGrove.com. The Wizard of Paws 7:30, Crown Center. Martin City Melodrama presents a brand new musical with both human and four-legged entertainment. 816.804.2602

24 Sunday Farmers Market 8:00, City Market. Shop for local and fresh produce, meats, herbs, fresh baked goods and more! TheCityMarket.org CCVI Kids’ Trolley Run 9:00, Mill Creek Park. Younger kids (6 and under) run on grass while older ones run the track. Post-race bash. Pre-reg at TrolleyRun.org. Autism Awareness Day 10:00 & 1:00, Kansas City Zoo. Enjoy sensory-sensitive activities along with special screenings of KCPT’s new episodes of Dinosaur Train. KCPT.org/events Global Orphan Spring Carnival 4:00, Colonial Presbyterian. Games, prizes entertainment and tons of fun! To benefit orphans in Haiti. ColonialKC.org

25 Monday Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. Preschool kids can play with others while running, riding and bouncing during open play. $1. 913.477.7100 Moms FREE Monday 9:30, Paradise Park. Moms are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 Token Mondays 10:00, Cool Crest. For $15 enjoy 100 tokens. No coupon required. CoolCrest.com Power Hour 1:00, Little Monkey Bizness. Arrive between 1:00 and 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays and admission is just $5 plus tax! 913.631.7000

26 Tuesday Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000 Toddle Time 9:00, Matt Ross Community Center. Open playtime with an array of toys, including blocks, balls and puzzles. $1-$2. 913.895.6350

Story Time for Babies 9:15, MCPL (Lee’s Summit). Designed to instill a foundation for early literacy through play and interaction. MyMCPL.org Coffee Playground 10:00, OP First Assembly of God. Free play in the gym for kids 5 and under. Inflatables, scooters, balls and other toys! OverlandParkMOPS.com Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Read a book and then paint a ceramic item that goes along with the story. Finish with a snack. $9.50. CeramicCafeKC.com

27 Wednesday Stereotypes to Civil Rights Thru Aug 21, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Explore stereotypes of people of African descent through paper dolls. 816.235.8000 The Life and Times of the Three Little Pigs 10:00, H&R Block City Stage. A hilarious musical treatment of the fairy tale about the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. TYA.org Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com

five fave places to enjoy pretzels in kc. . . with a twist

April 26 is National Pretzel Day. Put a twist on the classic at one of these Kansas City locations. Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Root, root, root for the Royals (KansasCityRoyals.com) this season as the 2015 World Series Champions return to Kauffman Stadium for opening day on April 3. The K is our favorite place to enjoy a pretzel while rooting for the boys in blue.

Pretzel Sando

Pretzel buns are a trend here to stay. The Mixx (multiple locations, MixingItUp.com) is known for their pretzel chicken sando, a grilled chicken sandwich with pepper-jack cheese, sweet onions, tomato, spinach and garlic aioli on delicious pretzel bread. This signature sandwich is a consistent top pick for locals.

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

Laura Little’s (2100 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, 913.722.2226, LauraLittleCandy.com) is famous for delicious candy made from scratch in copper kettles with wooden paddles. Their made-fromscratch chocolate dipped pretzels are a sweet treat.

Cupcakes Topped with Pretzels

Smallcakes (several metro locations, SmallCakesCupcakery.com) is a sweet cupcake shop with a fun atmosphere. The cakes are moist, and the frosting is good—with a fun variety to suit the entire family. We love the caramel crunch, a chocolate cake with caramel frosting topped with sea salt and chocolate pretzels.

Salted Pretzel Ice Cream

Glace (4960 Main St., Kansas City, MO, & 4535 W. 119th St., Overland Park, GlaceIceCream.com) offers one-of-a-kind decadence showcased in a dozen flavors, including a popular salted pretzel ice cream. Glace uses only pure, fresh foods and natural ingredients to create their delicious flavors—no artificial flavorings. Locally owned and operated, this Christopher Elbow ice cream shop frequently invents new flavors just begging to be tried.

kcparent.com april 2016

What’s for Dinner? 3:30, Burr Oak Woods. Watch on Wednesdays and Saturdays as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

28 Thursday Open Gym 9:00, Indian Creek Community Church (Olathe). A time for kids 6 and under to play, run, kick, ride and jump. Free. IndianCreek.org Visit Legoland 10:00, Legoland Discovery Center. Spend the day at Legoland and see the new Lego Movie 4D. LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com Percy Jackson: the Lightning Thief 10:00 & 11:45, Folly Theater. A play adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. FollyTheater.org Spring Home School Day 10:00 & 1:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Hands-on activities, planting and gardening, cookstove demonstrations and more. Mahaffie.org Night Visions 5:00, Burr Oak Woods. The world looks different after the sun goes down. See photographs of starscapes, star trails and more. 816.228.3766

29 Friday Where the Wild Things Are 10:00, Noon & 7:00, the Coterie. A journey to remember in an interactive adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved classic. TheCoterie.org

Final Fridays 5:00, Lawrence. See hundreds of artists and performers in more than 30 locations. Free fun for everyone! FinalFridaysLawrence.wordpress.com

30 Saturday

Baby Buck Sale Today & tomorrow, Children’s Orchard (Olathe & Blue Springs). NB-18 mos clothing $3.99 or less only $1.00! ChildrensOrchard.com

Open House 9:00, TimberRidge Adventure Center. Visit to see all the programs and activities TimberRidge has to offer! Pre-reg at 913.856.8849.

Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire. Paint a pottery piece that goes along with a favorite story. Snack included. $13-$15. Pre-reg. 913.661.2529

Teacher Appreciation Day 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Free admission for teachers and three guests. Learn more about Zoo-Ed program. KansasCityZoo.org

Railroad Days 3:00, Historic Downtown (Pleasant Hill). Enjoy old-fashioned games, entertainment, model trains and more. PHillRailroadDays.com

Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros 10:00, Oak Park Library. A celebration that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all backgrounds. Free. JoCoLibrary.org

Brookside Art Annual Today & tomorrow, 63rd & Brookside. Enjoy a festive atmosphere, hospitality, convenience and, of course, art. BrooksideKC.org

Spring Swing 10:00. Alexander Majors House & Barn. Indie craft fair that celebrates the handmade movement. TheStrawberrySwing.org

Barbecue & Brew Fest Thru Sunday, Worlds of Fun. Sample BBQ and craft beers at the park! Ages 21+. WorldsOfFun.com

Kansas Cowboy Jubilee 11:00, Carlsen Center (JCCC). Festival celebrates the cowboy with demonstrations and performances. JCCC.edu/theseries

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Explore

Kansas City Zoo

April 2

KC Royals Day at the Zoo with appearance from Sluggerrr

April 7

Family Science Night — Energizing Energy

April 9 & 10

Party for the Planet with appearance from Curious George Zootastik Learning Fest

April 16

Sustainable Seafood Soiree *registration required

April 16 & 17

Scout Weekend

April 23 & 24

Kalijon’s Birthday Party

April 23 & 24

Species Spotlight — Hogs

April 24

Autism Awareness Day at the Zoo

April 30 & May 1

Teacher Appreciation Weekend

Check online for more Zoomazing experiences! kansascityzoo.org

Always a New Adventure! kansascityzoo.org | 816.595.1234 | Open Daily The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

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KANSAS COWBOY JUBILEE WHERE PAST MEETS PRESENT 11 A.M.-5:30 P.M., SATURDAY, APRIL 30 $20 DAYTIME PASS $10 FOR YOUTH 17 AND UNDER

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