KC Parent Magazine April 2019

FREE | April 2019 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

17+

pages of the

GROWING UP

GREEN IN KANSAS CITY

BEST

summer camps

WORRY LESS

about your kids—really!

BIRTHDAY PARTY ISSUE!

creative

EASTER EGG HUNTS

TIPS TO

SPRING CLEAN your family calendar

FAMILY FUN

IN THE GARDEN

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Explore

Kansas City Zoo April 6 Cub & Scout BSA Day at the Zoo April 7 Autism Awareness Day April 13 & 14 Meet Daniel Tiger at the Zoo April 13 & 14 APE-Ril: Celebrating Apes April 20 Party for the Planet April 27 & 28 Meet the Avengers Superhero Weekend April 27 & 28 Humboldt Penguin March

Always a New Adventure!

Open Year Round

Check online for more Zoomazing experiences!

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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APRIL 2019

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 Craft Corner 12 Date Night 14 Mojo for Moms 19 Word from Dad

RAISING CONSERVATION-MINDED KIDS, PG. 46

SPECIAL SECTIONS

FEATURES

20 Party Guide 30 Camp Guide 52 Calendar of Events

20

30

48

Party Guide

Summer Camp

Celebrate Spring

Tips to plan the perfect birthday party

Find TONS of options in the summer camp guide

Enjoy the best of the season with local traditions

Our cover features Sadie from Shawnee.

Photo by Kevin Ashley Photography www.kevinashleyphotography.com FREE | April 2019 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

ON THE COVER Worry Less Party Guide Creative Egg Hunts Spring Clean Family Calendar Camp Guide Growing Up Green

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14 20 26 28 30 46

17+

pages of the

GROWING UP

GREEN IN KANSAS CITY

BEST

summer camps

WORRY LESS

about your kids—really!

BIRTHDAY PARTY ISSUE!

creative

EASTER EGG HUNTS

TIPS TO

SPRING CLEAN your family calendar

You’ve analyzed your kid’s bowel movements like a forensic expert.

That’s We’re right there with you. With health tips and other parenting hacks, we’re here to help you be your best-ish. Subscribe today at Parentish.org.

.

EDITOR’SLETTER APRIL 2019

I

Enter to win tickets to the

Happy spring and happy Easter, Kansas City!

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PLUS pre-track passes, valued at over $800!

Details at KCParent.com.

Hurry and enter today!

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 Debbie Clark Debbie@KCParent.com Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Digital 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

LOCAL CONTENT

Bill Bartlett (Belton), Hannah Berry (Kansas City), Megan Coffey (Overland Park), Julie Collett (Overland Park), Wendy Connelly (Overland Park), Allison Gibeson (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Christa Melnyk Hines (Olathe), Gina Klein (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Kerrie McLoughlin (Peculiar)

Mailing Address 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS FREE | April 2019 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

kansas city’s #1 travel guide since 2010

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SINCE 2002

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BEST

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creative

EASTER EGG HUNTS

what babies need to

instaworthy kc:

summer camps

BIRTHDAY PARTY ISSUE!

APRIL- JUNE 2019 | KCPARENT.COM

GROWING UP

GREEN IN KANSAS CITY

after hours: wild things:

your family calendar

THRIVE

eye-catching sites

fears

BUSTED SIMPLE WAYS

evening fun for all ages

exotic animal excursions

TIPS TO

REAL ADVICE FOR

NEW MOMS

SPRING CLEAN

10

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to foster language skills

TIPS

to maintain a

500+ ways to

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experience the best of kc

.com

still use a paper planner for our family calendar. In fact, I’ve used the exact same brand of calendar since 2006 and I’d be lost without it. I keep all of our calendars from years gone by—it serves as a kind of journal and history of our life’s events. I’ve tried different apps and online tools and none have really appealed to me. I like being able to see the entire month at one time and being able to flip backward or forward when scheduling.

My mom and sisters use the same calendar I use, and my one sister jokingly refers to it as “the cloud.” We all show up for family calendar meetings with our pencils and our planners!

For fun, while penning this missive, I decided to pull out our 2006 calendar and look through it. Oh my! What simpler times those were when the girls were younger! So many days are blank (can you even imagine!), and the ones that aren’t have things like playgroup or swim lessons or ice cream dates written on them. To look at our calendar now often makes my head spin. For many, spring means the season for cleaning and sprucing up after winter. This year, why not spring clean your calendar? Are there commitments you can cut? Social events it would be okay to miss? For ideas on how to get started spring cleaning your family’s calendar, check out pg. 28.

Speaking of planning and calendars, how is your summer shaping up? Now is the time to think ahead and plan a camp or two for the kiddos. Check out the Summer Camp Guide both here in print, starting on pg. 30, and online at KCParent.com.

Facebook.com/KansasCityParent Pinterest.com/KCParent @KCParent

Member of:

Circulation verified by:

Margaret Sarver, Editor

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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KCPARENTWEBSITE

KCParent.com Even More Local Parenting Information, Articles, Events and Surprises

SEARCH KCPARENT.COM FOR MORE AFFORDABLE SPRING FUN IDEAS: 1. April Fools Guide 2. Virtual Camp Guide 3. Earth Day in KC

4. Farm-to-Table Restaurants 5. Free Indoor Fun 6. Kiids Eat Free

SPOTLIGHT

EASTER GUIDE

kids eat

Here comes Peter Cottontail.... it’s time for the annual roundup of Kansas City’s Easter egg hunts, shows, parades and festivities at KCParent.com!

FREE

(or cheap) guide

7. Best of April 8. Rainy Day Fun Ideas

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

9. Complete Calendar of Events 10. Coupons and Giveaways

4 MORE WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED

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9

CRAFTCORNER

e

earth day handprints arth Day is April 22. Use this fun craft as an easy way to talk about taking care of the environment. The power is in their hands to keep the earth clean and healthy!

Step one: Trace your child’s hands and cut them out.

Step two: Cut out a heart from the cardstock paper.

Step three: Paint or color the heart to look like the earth using blue and green.

Step four: After the paint dries, glue the hands onto the heart so it looks like they are holding the Earth.

Step five (optional): Brainstorm ways your child can help take care of the earth and list those ideas on the back!

Megan Coffey is a former kindergarten teacher and lives in Overland Park with her husband and two kids. She loves encouraging creativity with her children through art and play.

Cork Stamped Flowers

Van Gogh Inspired Paintings

Tin Can Planters

For TONS more great craft projects, log onto KCParent.com!

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kcparent.com april 2019

Materials needed:

• Skin-colored paper • Scissors • Blue and green paint,

markers or crayons • White cardstock paper • Glue • Pencil

kid-mergency for those dino-Sized emergencies.

Waiting long in the emergency room is ancient history. Our ERs are faster and exceed the national benchmark for treating pediatric emergencies. We’ll get your kids back to their roaring good times.

Learn more at KCkidsER.com.

Text “ER” to 32222 to view current average ER wait times.*

* Message and data rates may apply. For more information visit texterhelp.com. ER wait times are approximate and provided for informational purposes only. If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

ER CARE FOR KIDS & ADULTS

3530 A

Belton Belton Regional Medical Center I-49 (Hwy 71) & Hwy 58

Kansas City Research Medical Center Hwy 71 & Meyer Blvd.

Independence Centerpoint Medical Center 39th St. & Little Blue Pkwy

ER of Brookside Rockhill Rd. & Holmes Rd.

Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit Medical Center Northeast of Hwy 50 & Todd George Rd. Lexington Lafayette Regional Health Center 15th St. & State St.

Olathe ER of Olathe East of Black Bob Rd. on 135th St. Overland Park Menorah Medical Center 119th St. & Nall Ave.

Overland Park Regional Medical Center • Main ER • Dedicated Pediatric ER I-435 & Quivira Rd. Shawnee ER of Shawnee West of I-35 on Shawnee Mission Pkwy

FUN ACTIVITIES IN KC

DATENIGHT

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kcparent.com april 2019

This month, grab your sweetie and try one of these fun activities!

TRIVIA Now, I like to think I’m fairly smart and know a good bit of useless knowledge. But, apparently, not so much. On a recent Tuesday night, my husband and I migrated out to Geeks Who Drink trivia night at Cinder Block Brewery in Northtown. We had planned to just be a team of two, but not long after we arrived, we met a nice guy who was in town from Dallas for work. So the three of us decided to team up together, thinking the more brains the better.

Ha! In actuality, we probably didn’t know the answers to half the questions and ended up middle of the pack. There were clearly people there who were WAY smarter than us (and definitely smarter than a fifth grader!). But it was a fun time! If you go, be sure to try the cherry cider. Yum…

SCAVENGER HUNT On a beautiful sunny Saturday, my husband and I ventured out on a scavenger hunt in downtown KC. We had purchased a Groupon for a company called Operation City Quest. Through the use of an app and a virtual guide, we received a list of 150 things to find, do or answer. Most of them were objects to locate (like a street sign, a taxi or a flower shop). Some things were specific to Kansas City. Each of the 150 items was given a point value. We had to race around trying to collect points, competing with other teams who had done the quest. We had the use of a guide for two hours, but we didn’t really find a need for her. It was a fun experience but would’ve been more fun with more people. If you’re doing this as a date, we recommend that both people have the app installed on their phones so that both can be looking at the list. We also recommend having your phone fully charged and wearing comfortable shoes, as you will do a lot of walking.

ROLLER DERBY I had heard about KC Roller Warriors off and on for the past few years and was curious to see what it was like, so my husband and I bought tickets for the second matchup of the season. With team names like the Knockouts and Black Eye Susans, roller derby is definitely a contact sport with plenty of pushing, shoving and falling. Fortunately, we didn’t see any actual knockouts or black eyes! If you’ve never watched roller derby—which I hadn’t—the rules are printed in the program so you can at least get a general sense of what’s going on. Players are called jammers, blockers and pivots, and each matchup is called a jam. The all-ages crowd seemed to really get into it, and they were very knowledgeable about the teams and players. It was completely different than anything I’ve ever been to and actually quite entertaining.

Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives with her husband in Kansas City. They enjoy regular date nights and love trying new restaurants and activities.

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kcparent.com 11/13/18 4:46 PM april 2019

MOJOFORMOMS mōjō: 1. influence, especially magic power 2. mom joy

HOW TO WORRY

LESS ABOUT YOUR KIDS

Did you know there is a way to break free from worrying so much about your kids? You may be thinking, “Well, you obviously haven’t met my teenager,” or, “But my toddler is way behind the curve,” or, “If you only knew what my kid is dealing with right now.” Then this article’s for you. Because here’s the deal: Worry isn’t going to solve your kids’ problems. It’s only going to steal your joy. Let’s take your joy back from worry.

1 WHY YOUR BRAIN LIKES TO WORRY

Our brains want to be right at all costs, even at the cost of our happiness. When our brains latch onto a worried thought (a thought like, “What if [fill-in-the-blank] happens?”, they will search for any evidence to prove the thought true. Our brain’s need to be right is like an excellent attorney building up a strong case and a very poor detective overlooking crucial and relevant evidence to the contrary.

Our brains have another glitch: They like to conserve energy. Worry takes very little brainpower because it kicks us into rumination-mode. We just think the worried thought on auto-pilot, and all this rumination tricks us into feeling productive but gets us nowhere.

2 ALLOW YOURSELF WORRY TIME

When you feel a pang of worry about your kids, get a paper and pen and spend one or two minutes doing a “Thought Dump,” dumping all your worried thoughts out onto the page.

Then, examine every worried thought with three questions: 1. Is it true or even likely?

2. Is it helpful to focus on this?

3. Can I take some action to prevent this?

Another strategy is to give yourself “Worry Office Hours,” and I’d recommend five to 10 minutes a day (3:30 in the carpool pickup lane?).

Whenever a worried thought shows up, tell it to come back at precisely 3:30 and you’ll entertain it. Spend 10 minutes giving it your full attention, but when time’s up, it needs to go away until tomorrow’s office hours. This breaks the habit of constant worry and rewires your brain for longer periods of peace.

3 PEEL A “WHY ONION”

A potent tool for discovering the root of our worries is the “Why Onion.” Often, moms tell me they’re worried about their kids because they don’t want them to suffer. But sometimes preventing our kids’ pain serves us more than it truly serves our kids. Let’s say you’re worried about your daughter’s not making the soccer team.

Here’s how we’d use the “Why Onion” exercise: Q: WHY does your daughter’s not making the team worry you?

A: Because she’ll miss out.

Q: WHY does her missing out worry you?

A: Because it’ll hurt her feelings.

Q: WHY are you worried about her feelings being hurt?

A: Because it hurts me as a mom to see my child hurt. (Aha!) Once you’ve peeled back enough “why” layers, you’ll land on a feeling. At its deepest root, very often our worries are more about us than about what’s best for our kids.

Wendy Connelly, M.Div., is a podcaster (MoJo For Moms podcast), life coach and mother of two from Overland Park.

You can find Wendy’s latest podcasts, retreats and more at MoJoForMoms.com.

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kcparent.com april 2019

15

make kindness

W

e all know how good it feels to do something nice for someone else. Kindness is that special energy that floats around the universe, randomly spreading love and goodness to others through others. And, as we all know, kindness feels really good, no matter whether we’re on the giving or receiving end. It puts a smile on our faces and warms our hearts. Who doesn’t love kindness?

By teaching and modeling kindness to our children, we are gifting them a life skill they will carry with them forever. In a world where media and the Internet bombard us with negativity, impatience and intolerance, teaching our children kindness is an important part of their healthy development and role in their communities. And it all starts at home.

Be a good role model. Set a good example on how to treat others. Children learn to be kind by watching. Think about your word choices when talking about other people. Teach your children how to react with kindness and understanding rather than anger when faced with things they may disagree with. Create a culture of kindness in your home.

Teach empathy. When at a playdate or reading a book with your young child(ren), ask questions such as, “How do you think he/she is feeling?” Helping your child to read facial expressions and understand social cues is a great way to teach them to think about how others might be feeling.

Stay active. Get involved in community and school activities whose goals are designed to bring people together. This is

16

kcparent.com april 2019

a family activity

a great way for your kids to get to know other people from different families and backgrounds. Kindness comes out of respect for others.

Join a kindness challenge. Check out KindSpring.org. This site is a space that offers kindness challenges and where people share stories of their acts of kindness and offer support.

Another great idea to instill kindness into your family life is to start a kindness journal. All you need is a notebook or journal and a good place to keep it where it will be easily accessed by everyone in the household. How does it work? Every time someone in the family does something kind for another family member, those present in the room at the time gather and write it down in the journal, noting the date and what the kind act was. The acts of kindness don’t have to be major. Even the small good deeds count, because each one is special in its own way! For example: February 20, 2019: Dad helped Mom carry the groceries inside.

March 5, 2019: Johnny helped his sister button her coat.

It may seem small, but a kindness journal is helpful in many ways. Here are just a few:

children that kindness is something your family values … a lot!

Allows reflection. Taking the time to sit down and write about their act of kindness gives your children a wonderful opportunity to stop and reflect on what they did. This gets them thinking and recognizing how their actions impact other people.

Becomes a great reminder. When times are tough, tension is high and your family has been in a rut for a while, the kindness journal is a great tool to take out and look through as a family. It helps to calm things down and reset perspective.

This can help change the mood in the household for the better and inspire use of the journal again.

It’s a keeper. As parents, we know how quickly time flies by and how fast our kids grow up. The kindness journal will become a cherished family keepsake to treasure for years to come.

There are so many ways to teach kindness and compassion to our children.

You can do it simply by complimenting a stranger on her outfit, saying good morning to a neighbor, cheering up a friend who’s down, or saying thank you to the mail carrier. Kindness matters, and our kids are constantly learning from our actions.

Teaches what’s important. What’s important to your family? Kindness. This journal and the act of writing down the kind things each family member does for each other, along with reading them aloud together, speaks volumes. It shows your

Kansas City mom and author Gina Klein loves doing kind things for others, even if it’s as simple as sending them a text telling them how special they are.

WHAT WILL

STARE CANCER

IN THE FACE

AND NEVER

BLINK? LOVE WILL.

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WORDFROMDAD

i

piece of cake

parked the car and turned off the ignition. “Come on, guys. Let’s see how your new preschool looks. They didn’t answer, but I didn’t expect one from them. At ages 5 and 3, both lacked even rudimentary speaking skills. Sandi unbuckled Ian from his car seat while I helped James, then we joined hands and walked into the preschool.

The boys had received their diagnosis only days earlier. Just hearing the words “autism, severely impacting their development” nearly stopped our hearts.

But, we had no choice. We had to do what we could for them, so Sandi had contacted the school district immediately following the diagnosis. They pointed us to Grace Early Childhood Center, and we scheduled an appointment for the next day.

During a quick tour, the teacher lifted a blanket and handed it to me. “This is a weighted blanket. We also have weighted vests and a platform swing. Great ways to deal with meltdowns.” She reached toward her desk and handed a folder to me.

“Here’s a handout that shows how to make both of them.”

I read the platform swing diagram for a moment, then gave the papers to Sandi.

She studied the instructions for the weighted vest. “This is easy, Bill. They have hidden pockets with sandwich bags, filled with children’s modeling clay. Wish we’d known about these years ago.”

The teacher smiled. “Most parents feel like that, the first time they bring their autistic kiddoes here. It’s not impossible, once you know some techniques. Like everything else, you have to be flexible and use what works.”

We loaded the boys back into the car and left for home, armed with new knowledge.

“You know,” Sandi said, “I think we can do this.”

“Sure, we can.” I pulled into our driveway. “Piece of cake.”

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

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Want More in Life?

Here’s a way to experience the joy of parenthood and help children 4,000 Kansas City area children are in crisis due to child abuse, neglect or other family challenges. The need for new foster and adoptive parents is greater than ever.

Whether you are single or married, own or rent your home, have children already or don’t, work full-time or stay home, you may qualify.

We provide free training, 24/7 support, and monthly reimbursement to meet the child’s needs.

Contact us to learn more. (888) 655-5500 | www.kvckansas.org kcparent.com april 2019

19

Ceramic Café

party

KC Parent’s

guide

Celebrate your child’s birthday at Ceramic Cafe. All parties are scheduled for one-anda-half hours, giving you plenty of time to open presents and serve cake and ice cream.

Choose from painting pottery, creating with clay or a glass fusion project. Ceramic Cafe birthday parties are creative and fun for any age. Call 913.383.0222 or visit www.CeramicCafeKC.com for more details.

See display ad on pg. 44.

Gymboree

• fresh ideas • terrific themes • great venues

P rincess at my Party

FUN-OF

Have your favorite princess at your party!

BIRTHDAYS • EVENTS • STEM TRIPS

A-KIND.

Fully customizable packages & catering for groups of all sizes.

AMAZING FAMILY FUN FOR AGES 3 - 103

iFLYworld.com

Choose your child’s favorite theme and we’ll create a private, personalized party experience filled with kid-friendly activities guaranteed to be 100% fun with zero clean up! We specialize in 1st birthday parties all the way to 5th birthday parties.

Gymboree Play & Music parties are available to members and non-members.

Call to find out more details. 913.262.3339 (Leawood). See display ad on pg. 24. www.GymboreeClasses.com

iFLY Kansas City 10975 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, KS 913-305-4359

Parties Include: Story Games Facepaint Music Prizes & More

Rachel Johnson

rachel@princessatmyparty.com

816.830.4841

www.princessatmyparty.com

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kcparent.com april 2019

iFLY Kansas City

Jump City

Main Event

From birthday parties to corporate events and everything in between, iFLY is the perfect venue for groups of all sizes. We offer plenty of ways to make your event memorable, from exciting flight enhancements to food and beverage options. We’ll help your customize your event to fit your needs to throw the party of the year, while your guests experience the thrill of a lifetime. See display ad on pg. 20. www.iFLYWorld.com/Kansas-City

Jump City’s parties are full of bouncing, sliding, and jumping fun for kids 12 & under. With wall-to-wall inflatables, a variety of arcade games, full concession options and private party rooms, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the party while we do all the setup and cleanup. See display ad on pg. 22. www.JumpCityKC.com

Our birthday parties are epic! Kids and teen parties are as easy as 1, 2, 3 around here. We can customize aparty that’s easy for Mom and a blast for the kids. Parites included dedicated party host and reserved party space, food selection, FUNcard and more! We handle all the details, including invitations, setup and cleanup. Choose from four different packages. See display ad on pg. 5. Book online at www.MainEvent.com.

Johnson County Parks and Recreation Have your next party with JCPRD! We offer room rentals and organized party activities such as: geocaching in a JCPRD park; gymnastics at Mill Creek Activity Center; KidScape at the Johnson County Museum; the Escape Room at the Lanesfield Historic Site; animal presentations at Ernie Miller Nature Center; and outdoor activities at TimberRidge Adventure Center. See all of our party options at www.JCPRD.com/ birthdayparties. See display ad on page 23.

Kansas City Zoo Let the Kansas City Zoo host your child’s next birthday party. We guarantee a wild time for every guest! Our birthday party packages are for children 1-10 years of age. All packages include Zoo admission, a private space with your Education Party Host, cupcakes, and much more! Addon options include face painters, themed decorations, animal encounters and so much more! Visit our website to check out these exciting options at www.KansasCityZoo.org.

See display ad on pg. 22.

Movies2U Roll out the red carpet and celebrate that special occasion with a movie! Round up the kids to watch their favorite movie on one of our larger than life inflatable screens.

Throw in our popcorn machine and the effect will be complete. The kids won’t forget it and you’ll love it as our professional staff takes care of every detail. One of our 4 differently sized screens is sure to fit your occasion and budget. See display ad on pg. 25. www.Movies2U.com.

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PARTYGUIDE

seven tips for saving on birthday gifts

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don’t know about you, but I always seem to be toting my kids to a birthday party. Buying all those gifts can be a real budget buster, and nobody wants to go into credit card debt trying to impress little kids (and their parents) with lavish gifts. Below are some thrifty tips to save hundreds of dollars every year on birthday party presents.

Check your budget. This will be harder for some of you than for others, but I promise if you stop worrying about what other people think, you automatically will save some serious cash. Focus on your own finances and spend only what you can afford.

Plan ahead. Make a list of upcoming birthdays and parties and factor in several last-minute invitations to accommodate those you haven’t received yet. Computer-savvy mommas can set up a spreadsheet, but notebook paper also works just fine. If you have gifts ahead of time, you’re likely to spend less on a last-minute present.

Have a WILD Birthday Party at the Zoo! oo.org for details Go to kansascityz rty today! pa and to book your

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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.

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kcparent.com april 2019

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Stock up. Stocking up on gifts saves money on gas, because

Card trick. I haven’t bought a greeting card for a child in

you aren’t running to the store every time you get a birthday party invitation. I also tend to spend more when my own kids are with me, helping me to pick out a present for their friend. It’s so comforting to know you have a stockpile of gifts in a big plastic tub somewhere for any birthday party invitation that may come your kid’s way. What to stock up on? Read on!

10 years, because they are expensive and just get thrown away or recycled. I used to make my own cards for kid parties, but then my own kids started wanting to do it. You can go old school and use construction paper, or have your kids make a card on the computer.

Wrap it up. If you have gift bags lying around the house,

for kids of different ages include stickers, crayons, sketch pads, baby dolls, Barbies, balls, puzzles, small cars, beads with string, lacing kits, Legos, tea sets, dinosaurs, Perler beads, DVDs and books.

use them up! I’ve been known to put birthday gifts in Christmas gift bags—year-round—and have never had a kid complain.

Otherwise, you can wrap gifts in the Sunday comics section of the newspaper or have your kids decorate plain copy paper with markers, stickers and rubber stamps.

Where to find deals. Look at thrift stores, garage sales, consignment shops and Craigslist, because usually kids don’t care whether something is USED, as long as it is USEFUL to them.

For new items, check back-to-school sales, sales after school has been in session a couple of weeks and going-out-of-business sales (Think of the huge book store that just folded and the savings that were offered!) There’s a large department store chain (hint: It has a bull’s-eye logo.) that has great $1 stocking stuffer-type items year-round.

Kerrie McLoughlin lives in Peculiar, MO, and has a blast raising her five kids on a budget. For more frugal living ideas, head to TheKerrieShow.com.

Know what a kid wants. Some classic, frugal gift ideas

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PARTYGUIDE Paint, Glaze & Fire Ceramics & Coffee House We put the ART in PARTY & are KC’s only paint-your-own pottery studio with a coffee bar, offering smoothies, chai tea & more. Painting pottery is fun & easy for everyone. Visit us for birthday parties, Scout outings, team building, girls’ night out or “just because.” Masterpiece parties include a dedicated host and custom painted keepsake birthday plate. Find us at 127th and Metcalf.

913.661.CLAY (2529). See display ad on pg. 42.

Book online a www.PaintGlazeAndFire.net.

Paradise Park Paradise Park is hands down Kansas City’s favorite place to have a birthday party because our seven award-winning party packages create a one-of-a-kind experience for kids and a stress-free party for mom and dad. We take care of everything for you, from activities and hosting to cakes and pizza. Visit www.Paradise-Park.com to view

details and book online or call 816.246.5224.

See display ad on pg. 23 for coupons.

Princess at My Party Have your child’s favorite character come to the birthday party! Choose from Elsa, Anna, Rapunzel, Moana, Elena, Ariel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Jasmine and Snow White. Also, inquire about our new Super Girl, Wonder Woman, Batman and Spider-Man parties! Watch the magic unfold as the children go on an adventure that includes a story, games, music, a makeover or face painting and a treasure hunt. See display ad on pg. 20. 816.830.4841. www.PrincessAtMyParty.com

Sky Zone Throw your child the best party ever at Sky Zone! Your kids and their friends will experience the WOW of jumping, flying and flipping on our wall-to-wall trampoline courts. NEW Ninja Warrior, Rock Climbing,

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Warped Wall, Challenge Zone-Trapeze, Zip Line, Aerial Silks, Wipe Out and more coming soon! Throwing a great party can get complicated, but Sky Zone offers all-inclusive packages that make it easy. Attractions vary by location. Two Locations: Sky Zone Kansas City and Sky Zone Lee’s Summit. See display ad on pg. 25. www.SkyZone.com

Urban Air Trampoline Park Urban Air Trampoline Park is an attractive solution to a common problem: needing one place to entertain kids of every age. Just a few blocks from Prairiefire and Corbin Park, our facility is the perfect destination for family entertainment. Our facility caters to birthday parties for kids of all ages. If your group is up for a little sweat and a lot of bounce, we are the place for you. See display ad on pg. 21. www.UrbanAirOP.com

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W

creative easter egg hunts

e’ve traded coats for jackets with the coming of spring and can look forward to festive Easter fun like going to visit the bunnies at the Country Club Plaza. Easter egg hunts should be well planned with simple rules in place for things to run smoothly when dealing with children and candy. Our family has done Easter egg hunts at Bass Pro Shop and local churches, as well as with playgroups and at our own at home. Here are some fresh approaches for Easter egg hunts to share with your children this spring.

Easter Egg Snacks A simple tradition I’ve done since my oldest was around 2 years old is doing little egg hunts a few times a week for afternoon snacks.

When I decorate our house for spring, the Easter baskets come out, as well as all those plastic eggs. I believe this tradition stemmed from being a new mom with cabin fever, anxiously awaiting spring during the last sluggish weeks of Midwest winter. If it was cold, I would hide the eggs (usually just six per kid) around the house during their nap.

On the hopeful spring-like days, I put the eggs outside for them to find and then enjoy some outdoor snacking and playtime afterward.

This is such a simple activity, but my kids LOVE this tradition and look forward to it each spring.

As for what to put inside the eggs, I just fill them with whatever snack-type things they usually have, plus maybe one treat for extra fun. I also made the rule of not eating any until all the eggs were found so they could sit down in a designated area to eat their snack and avoid spilling as they went. As I had more children, I assigned a color to each kid so everyone knew which eggs were theirs and recognized it was fair. Knowing each child’s eggs were all found and accounted for helped me for the next hunt.

Get Active Amanda Wetterson began a similar tradition with her two little boys but has put an active spin on it. “Since my son went to his first Easter egg hunt, that’s all he’s wanted to do, so we do at-home Easter egg hunts. Instead of prizes, I put pieces of paper with tasks like ‘Do 10 bunny hops’ or ‘Run in place,’” she says. Depending on the age and ability level of your children, you could include more activities, such as climbing trees, doing hopscotch, making two shots at the basketball hoop, hula hooping for one minute and more.

Include Children with Special Needs and Limited Mobility Consider hosting an inclusive Easter egg hunt for children of all abilities. Brittany Yarbrough, mother of two (with another one on the way), says, “Many community egg hunts nowadays are accommodating special needs children, and it’s amazing! Most community events offer different hunts for each age group, and then they offer a separate special needs hunt. They are usually set

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up exactly the same way as the regular hunts, just a field/area with eggs scattered all over. In previous years I noticed many children in wheelchairs or with mobility issues whose parents had to pick up the eggs for them. Last year we attended an event where they put hay bales in the field and placed a bunch of eggs on top of the bales. This allowed the children with mobility issues to pick up their own eggs independently! As the mother of a severely autistic and wonderfully amazing little boy, I can say that it’s little things like this that make a huge difference in my son’s life. Seeing people take the time to acknowledge him and his desire to live his life like any other child and go out of their way to make sure he can be included really means so much to my son, my family and families like ours.”

Extra Fun Whether you’re hosting a large event, a neighborhood event or just a small one for your own kids, think out of the box completely.

Host a hunt in the woods, a treasure hunt, a relay race, a scavenger hunt, a messy hunt with mud or shaving cream. If adding an adult egg hunt, fill eggs with money, lotto tickets, free night of babysitting ticket, and more. Amber Callaway, mother of two, says, “We’ve even done a glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt.

Faith Based If you’d like to stick to a more faith-based approach to Easter, Cara Johnson, mother of three, suggests, “My kids LOVE searching for our Resurrection eggs in our own house around that time of year.”

Similar to an Advent calendar during Christmas, Resurrection eggs help explain the story of Easter from a Christian perspective in a more hands-on approach to help the younger crowd understand the holiday. Wetterson says, “When our small group kids came over, we put different silly ways to shout ‘Jesus is alive!’—really loudly, really quietly, in a cowboy voice, like a baby, etc.”

As I add years of experience to my parenting resume, I realize more and more I need to keep things simple. When we parents do that, we’re able to enjoy this celebration—and many others—with our kids to create happier memories together and traditions that are fun for the whole family to look forward to each year.

Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 8, Mason, 7, and Slade, 4.

She enjoys simple traditions with her family and looks forward to attempting some of these new ideas this spring.

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spring clean your calendar

hope as you are reading this that spring has finally “sprung” in Kansas City.

Winter was rough this year, but now the days are getting longer, the sun is shining more and it’s time to get some spring cleaning done! Spring is such a great time to throw open the windows, let fresh air in, clean out closets and freshen up around the house—but what about our calendars? Don’t those deserve a little spring cleaning too?!

Many of us find ourselves in a quandary … knee deep in our calendars, bound by them. Yet we keep adding more and more. A birthday party here, a volunteer opportunity there … oh wait, another committee meeting on that day. And that doesn’t even include basic work and family obligations either. If you find yourself feeling this way, you may be in a prime season for a little calendar tidy up.

Many people are familiar with Marie Kondo, author of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, as well as a new Netflix series. One of her claims to fame is asking people whether the items in their house spark joy. So, ask

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yourself, “Does this (committee, job, activity, etc.) spark joy?” If the answer is no, perhaps the time has come to let it go. A friend of mine and I were recently talking about the Bible study she regularly attends. Although a Bible study is a great commitment to have, hers became just another thing to check off her to-do list. She decided to take a break from going so that when the time is right for her to go back, she will have the right reasons and the right frame of mind.

When it comes to your calendar, keeping a balance is hard when you look at your own personal calendar, your kids’ calendar and a family calendar. Jennifer, an Overland Park mom of two, says, “One of my goals is to sit down and make a list of what takes my time and energy, what my commitments are, what I really love doing and who I love spending time with. Then, place each of these things in order of priority. For things that fall at the bottom of the list—to then step down from that committee, say no to that social invitation, etc. Life gets busy and things get out of order, but having a framework for

what’s most important and impactful will help me keep things at the front of my mind when I’m trying to decide between a yes or a no.”

For many families, children’s activities become a source of “fullness” for the family calendar. Sports, clubs, church groups and lessons have a great impact on how busy our lives are. Jennifer says, “I try to be intentional with my time and spend it with the people who need it most and whom I need (for my own heart) to be with most as well. We’ve set a guideline for our girls that they are only allowed one extracurricular activity a season.”

Rebecca, a mom of three, says, “We encourage one sports activity per child, so whichever child doesn’t have practice gets to stay home for one-on-one time with me or my husband. We really get to pour into them by reading, playing, etc., when they don’t have practice.” Tricia, Overland Park mom of three, makes a great point, too, noting, “I try to evaluate what is needed (like swim lessons since everyone should know how to stay safe

Life gets busy and things get out of order, but having a framework for what’s most important and impactful will help me keep things at the front of my mind when I’m trying to decide between a yes or a no. around water), what brings joy to me and/or my kids, and what can keep us active while maintaining our sanity.”

In all the craziness of coordinating calendars, remember to make time for yourself, as well as your spouse. The old saying “You can’t pour from an empty cup” comes to mind because you can’t be at your best for everyone else when your tank is empty. Find whatever it is that brings you joy and schedule it into your calendar like you would anything else. Otherwise, it’ll be the first thing to go when the calendar gets crazy.

While all of this sounds fabulous on paper, we all know reality is different. It’s okay if you find yourself saying yes too many times or struggling to cut things out. Know it is all a work in progress. No one has it perfectly figured out, and reevaluating frequently will be necessary. Amy, a mom of four, puts it beautifully: “I’ve been working to remind myself that kid stuff is great and important, but not if it gets too overwhelming or prevents us from really enjoying these years!”

Julie Collett does keep busy by nature of having four children, ages 8 to 18 months, but tries to maintain a low-key schedule and preserve downtime each week.

s

We asked KC Parent’s 54,000+ Facebook fans: What type of calendar do you keep?

Paper planner

24%

Family calendar on the fridge

18%

Calendar app on your phone

58%

kcparent.com april 2019

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Special Advertising Section

Christian Youth Theater

KC Parent’s

Camp Guide

ACT. SING. DANCE. LIVE! CYT Kansas City offers a variety of fantastic summer theater camps all across the KC metro area. Day camp themes include “You Are a Broadway Star” and “Disney’s Greatest Hits” for half-day (ages 5-7) and full-day (ages 7-12) campers. Non-musical Xtreme camps (ages 10-16) include “Star Wars: Tales from the Force,” “The Marvelous World of Marvel,” and “Nintendo Super Smash!”

Our High School Master Drama Camp features “Radium Girls.” Overnight camps include “Legally Blonde Jr.” (ages 11-14) and “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (ages 14-19), with full-length performances. Visit www.

CYTKC.org or call 913.681.3318. See display ad on pg. 45.

Code Ninjas

Camp Invention

Camp Wornall/Majors

Unmask your child’s creativity this summer in the all-new Camp Invention® program, Supercharged™, where children build 21stcentury skills and transform their wild imaginations into epic creations. Campers in grades K-6 will code and program futuristic robots, explore radio frequencies and unearth ancient fossils. Local educators will lead these innovative, hands-on STEM activities that build collaboration and creative problemsolving skills. Visit www.Invent.org/camp or call 800.968.4332 to register. Use promo code PLAY15LISTING to save $15 (expires 5/10).

See display ad on pg. 37.

Camp Wornall/Majors immerses children in history through activities, presentations, crafts and more. Each day of camp has a different historic theme, ranging from traveling across the wild west to junior archaeology. Students interact with topic experts, put their hands on real historic objects and create take home crafts, creating a summer experience they’ll never forget.

Camp Wornall/Majors is available for two weeks in June and July. Information at www.WornallMajors.org/learn/summer-camp.

See display ad on pg. 43.

Spark your child’s inner ninja and transform their love of technology and video games into a new skill with Code Ninjas summer camps! Our curriculum based camps include MinecraftTM, Robotics, Drones, RobloxTM, Website design, Application and Game Building, along with fun team building STEM activities and games. At Code Ninjas they can explore technology, develop new skills, and have a great time with friends in a safe environment. It’s an unforgettably fun learning experience! See display ad on pg.

39. Now with two locations in Lenexa and Leawood. www.CodeNinjas.com

Ceramic Café

Camp Wood YMCA

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. Aspiring Artists sessions run for 4 days and are for ages 8 and up. Creative Kids sessions run 3 days for ages 5-7. Several one day Mini Camps and a “Kids and Clay” series 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. 44.

Cosmosphere

Your overnight Y camp in the Flint Hills.

Trusted by KC families for 100 years, our classic summer camp experience includes archery, canoeing, horseback riding and more. Specialty camps like skateboarding, paintball, leadership and equestrian camps are also available. Our ACA-accredited programs help campers build character, learn skills and make friends—all within a safe, caring environment. Choose your adventure at www.CampWood.org. Join us Sunday, April 28 and Saturday, May 4, 1-5 pm for a free Open House. See display ad on pg. 35.

36,205

visitors to KCParent.com’s virtual camp guide in 2018

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104,000

readers each issue of KC Parent Magazine

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. Overnight and travel camps include Space 101-501, Mars Academy and Forces of Flight. Building robots and rockets, SCUBA training like astronauts, interplanetary missions to solve a crisis, learning to fly, plus experiences that include adventures of a lifetime with travel camps to Texas, Florida and California… those are just some of ways your child can spend the summer. See display ad on pg. 45. www.Cosmo.org

DID YOU KNOW? KCParent.com has a NEW Geo-based, searchable Camp Guide with maps, descriptions, photos and videos.

With these stats, it’s easy to see how KC Parent has camps covered!

CAMPGUIDE The Culture House Spend your summer at The Culture House!

Shows/workshops include dance, theatre, music and art ... taught by professionally trained adults. “A YEAR WITH FROG & TOAD” (13-20), “MARY POPPINS JR” (10-13), “101 DALMATIONS KIDS” (6-11), Music of Trolls, Greatest Show, Return of Mary, Music of Moana, Improv, Broadway at The Tony’s, Songs of Matilda, Instrumental Music, Painting, Art Exploration, Drawing, Minecraft Art, Prince & Princess Ballet, Itty Bitty Ballerina, Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet & more! Openings limited! See display ad on pg. 31. 913.393.3141. Enroll online: www.CultureHouse.com

Elite Squad Tennis Club Come join us for a ton of fun in the summer sun! Our program is specifically designed to teach tennis in a fun and encouraging environment. We will teach the fundamentals of tennis along with skills like ball tracking, footwork, teamwork, and social skills that will be transferable to any sport. Camp activities

include instructional tennis games, team building activities and tennis trivia! See display ad on pg. 32. www.EliteSquadTennis.com

Family Tree Nursery-Horticulture Camp Calling all 8-12 year olds for our Annual Summer Horticulture Camp! Grow your mind, cultivate a new friend, and dig in the garden for 3 fun-filled days at Family Tree Nursery. Explore amazing plants, eat yummy snacks, take home a cool t-shirt, and play interactive games with leaders and peers.

Camps run Tuesday, July 9-Thursday, July 11. Morning and afternoon sessions are available. See display ad on page 2. www.FamilyTreeNursery.com

Genesis Olathe Ridgeview At Mighty Camp at Genesis Olathe Ridgeview, we create an enriching summer camp experience for kids ages 5 - 12 packed with active, fun-filled days that your child will be stoked to be a part of!

Sport workshops, field trips, STEAM

programming, improv classes, swimming, and character programming fill our days at Mighty Camp. Avoid a long, boring summer at home and join the Mighty Camp family in 2019! Register today: 913.210.1775. See display ad on pg. 42. GenesisHealthClubs.com

J Camp J Camp, as UNIQUE as you are! Youth entering 1st through 8th grade can experience 13 Premiere and Specialty Camps, providing variety all summer long. Unique camp activities for children ages 2 – 5 years are offered through our Child Development Center (CDC). Campers of all ages will learn new skills in a structured, recreational, and educational environment while enjoying the arts, sports, STEM, swimming, and more. Conveniently located at 117th and Nall, our unparalleled facilities include two on-site pools! Open to everyone, The Jewish Community Center’s Camp IS summer. See display ad on pg. 40. www.JCampKC.org

Elite Squad Tennis Club

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Learn Tennis Now MONDAYS 12:00pm-1:30pm or 6:00pm-7:30pm 8 week session Call the front desk to sign up at

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kcparent.com april 2019

CAMPGUIDE Johnson County Park & Recreation District

To sign up, or to inquire about discounts, contact Mark Maroon, General Manager, by email at

mark@oakwoodcountryclub.org or call 816-761-5501, ext. 102

Daily Activities include

Professional Tennis Lessons – 1 hour daily Professional Golf Lessons – 1 hour daily Professional Swim Lessons – 1 hour daily Nutritious Lunch Morning & Afternoon Snack

Other Creative & Fun Activities including...

Sand Volleyball, Archery, Art, Fort Building, Drama, Pickle Ball, Gardening, Hiking, Fishing, Cup Stacking and more!

9800 Grandview Road, Kansas City, MO 64137 | www.oakwoodcountryclub.org

& Safari Day Campsthe Zoo! Summer Camps at 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!

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.

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From Outdoor Discovery to Just for Fun, we offer over 75 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, music, theatre, and dance. The options include both indoor and outdoor programs, and full- and partialday schedules are available. For details, call 913.831.3359 or visit www.JCPRD.COM/ camps. See display ad on pg. 41.

Kanakuk Kamps Kanakuk is a premier summer camp experience for boys and girls age 6–18 located in Branson and Lampe, MO. Our 5 Overnight Kids Kamps provide children with age-appropriate, 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 equip next generation leaders. Learn more about customizing your child’s summer camp experience at www.KanakukSummer.com. See display ad on pg. 33.

Kanakuk KampOut KampOut! brings the fun of one of the largest Christian summer camps in the nation, Kanakuk, to your hometown. Kanakuk professional staff leads this high-energy 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.CometoKamp.com. See display ad on pg. 38.

Kansas City Ballet Kansas City Ballet School Summer Programs include once-a-week classes and fourday ballet camps for children ages 2-7.

Camp themes include Little Mermaid and Continued on page 38

Camp Wood YMCA Be You.

Belong.

Your overnight Y camp in the Flint Hills. From trail rides through the prairie to campouts under the stars, Camp Wood YMCA offers your child the classic summer camp experience you’ve been searching for. Trusted by Kansas City families for over 100 years, we are the only ACA-accredited overnight Y Camp in Kansas.

Be Adventerous. www.campwood.org

620.273.8641

CAMPGUIDE

six tips

for a successful sleep-away camp experience

Camp is an unbelievable place where kids learn how to face disappointments, have a voice, make new friends or just get outside their comfort zone in a very safe environment.

C

onsidering a sleep-away camp for your child this summer? Here are a few tips to make the experience an adventure he’ll remember long after the campfire songs are mere echoes in his ears.

Determining readiness. Overnight camps vary in size, scope and age, welcoming campers anywhere between ages 6 and 19. Most kids are ready for an overnight camp by age 8 or 9. Whether or not a child is ready for overnight camp depends on personality and physical and emotional maturity.

Kristina Marchuk, mom of three, says her oldest daughter Katelyn, 14, went to her first overnight, a week-long Girl Scout camp, when she was 11, and her younger daughter Alyssa, 6, a Daisy in the Girl Scouts, will go to her first overnight camp this summer.

Try day camps to help introduce your youngster to the camp experience. Marchuk says sleepovers with grandparents and occasional overnights with their Girl Scout troops also helped her daughters prepare for extended sleep-away camps.

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Consider the length of the camp.

Because Alyssa is younger and hasn’t spent many nights away from home without at least big sister present, Marchuk chose a shorter three-day camp to see how she does.

“I’m more nervous about Alyssa. She’s going into second grade and will only be 7 by the summer,” Marchuk says. “I’m glad they offer that option to get the kids acclimated to spending time away from parents.”

Trish Barnes, the executive women’s director and K-2 women’s director at Camp Kanakuk in Branson, MO, and a mom of three children and three step-children ranging in age from 12 to 30, says choosing the right duration of camp definitely depends on the child and your goals.

“The first year I sent my oldest son just for a week because I knew two weeks or a month would have been tough on him. A week would have been out of his comfort zone, but not so overwhelming where it would spin him into anxiety,” Barnes says.

“My middle son? He was the complete polar opposite. He was ready to go for a month right off the bat.”

Set goals. Besides learning new skills, children learn how to collaborate and live in community while at camp, gaining self-confidence and independence through problem-solving and teamwork.

“The camping world is an unbelievable place where you can help your kids learn how to face disappointments, have a voice, make new friends or just get outside their comfort zone and try something new in a very safe environment,” Barnes says, who has worked at Kanakuk for 26 summers.

“It’s such a great accomplishment for a kid to get to do that away from home so that they know they accomplished that on their own.”

Also, include your child in deciding on a camp. Maybe she wishes to hone a specific interest like a sport she enjoys or wants to try a variety of new activities, like canoeing, horseback riding or zip-lining.

Research the camp. Do you want a faith-based camp or a more secular type of environment? Where is the camp located? Are you seeking a camp that offers a smattering of activities or one that

specializes in one of your child’s interests, like art, music or a specific sport?

Look at the camp website. Talk to other parents for referrals. Visit the camp and talk to the camp director.

Ask about counselor to camper ratios, safety policies and how the camp manages situations like homesickness, anxiety and medical situations. And listen to your intuition. Does the environment feel safe and well-organized? Is the staff kind, attentive and nurturing?

Manage expectations. Explain to your child that she needs to stick with the camp through its duration. By seeing things through to the end, kids grow more independent in their ability to make decisions and more resilient in the face of adversity and discomfort—skills that will prove invaluable as they grow into adulthood.

“Coming home is not an option. Let them know that the expectation is that they are going to finish because once you start something, you want to finish it. The only reason you wouldn’t finish something is because you are in harm’s way or it’s going to be ethically, morally bad for you,” Barnes says.

Arrive prepared. Together with your child, spend time gathering everything he’ll need at camp. Through diligent research, careful preparation and a positive attitude, you’ll lower any anxiety he may have and set him up for a successful sleep-away camp experience.

a Hig h-e ner gy, han ds- on ste m cam p

1,600+ summer programs available nationwide!

save $15 using code play15regprint (expires 5/10) at invent.org/camp

In partnership with the USPTO

Christa Melnyk Hines is a nationally published freelance journalist who resides in Olathe with her family, which includes her husband, their two happy camper sons and a menagerie of pets.

Homesickness/Anxiety Coping Skills

• Take deep breaths.

• Focus on the present.

• Write/reflect on five positive experiences each day.

• Help others.

• Talk to your counselor.

Source: Trish Barnes, Camp Kanakuk kcparent.com april 2019

37

NEW HEIGHTS REACH

THIS SUMMER!

CAMPGUIDE Fairy Princesses. Additional courses and workshops available for ages 8-22. Classes begin June 3rd. Enroll today to guarantee your child’s spot. Two convenient locations: Downtown and Johnson County. See display ad on pg. 41. For more information visit www.KCBallet.org/school or call 816.931.2299.

Kansas City Young Audiences Sing, Dance, Act, Create, and Play! Kansas City Young Audiences offers children performing and visual arts classes, camps, and private instruction at their creative space on Main Street. Summer Camps begin in June. Scholarships are available.

816.531.4022. See display ad on pg. 44. www.KCYA.org

MISSOURI MILITARY ACADEMY Build confidence, learn to lead, and have fun! Leadership, confidence or academic camps. For boys ages 8 to 17.

Mexico, Missouri • Est. 1889 • Missourimilitaryacademy.org/summer

Kansas City Zoo Make your summer a little wilder with Summer Break Camp. Camp runs May 28 through August 9. Learn the inside scoop about the Zoo’s creatures. A typical week includes exclusive zoo tours, animal encounters/shows, science experiments, games, and crafts. Half day camps for ages 4-5, full day for ages 5-15. COST: ½ day: $125, full day: $260-280, Before/Aftercare (3:30pm-5:30pm): $15. 10% discount for FOTZ Members. Check out single day camp options the week of 4th of July. See display ad on pg. 34. www.KansasCityZoo.org/ programs/day-camps

Miller Marley

BEST WEEK OF !

SUMMOEDR AY SIGN UP T

Join us for a week of new friends, Bible-based teaching, and nonstop fun and adventure led by our friendly, professionally trained staff.

Several Kansas City locations available!

Enroll today at

CometoKamp.com or call 417.266.3000

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Celebrating 56 years in business, Miller Marley has many options for all levels! Classes run Monday, June 3rd through Sunday, August 11th. There is always something new at Miller Marley! From mommy and me to hip hop to tumbling and musical theatre, there are so many options for all ages and skill levels. Check out the complete schedule at MillerMarley.com and make this the best summer ever with camps and classes at Miller Marley. See display ad on pg. 29.

Missouri Military Academy Build confidence, learn to lead, and have fun—discover summer camps at Missouri Military Academy! Through fun, challenging activities and new experiences, MMA provides an opportunity for boys to develop

GRAB YOUR KIDS’ SPOT AT 2019 SUMMER DAY CAMPS Summer break from school doesn’t mean kids’ development has to be on vacation, too. Summertime at the Y focuses on achievement, relationships and belonging — three important drivers of healthy youth development. Explore camps and register online at KansasCityYMCA.org/Camp.

®

kcparent.com april 2019

39

CAMPGUIDE

Cam

p

$99Fee

Ages 5-12 Camper Receives: • Soccer Ball • Camp T-Shirt

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. Our camp has a Bible halftime with a Bible story.

Camp Director GORAN HUNJAK 19 years Pro and US National Team

June 17th - June 21st (8am - 11am) Lenexa, KS July 1st - July 5th (8am - 11am) Blue Springs, MO July 8th - July 12 (8am - 11am) Lee’s Summit, MO July 15th - July 19th (8am - 11am) Overland Park, KS

Register online:

www.victoryinsoccer.org For more information: 913-284-7601

Camp

their independence, team spirit and selfreflection. Confidence Camp (ages 8-11) and Leadership Camp (ages 12-17) offer fun daily activities like paint ball, pugil sticks and rappelling, while Summer Academy (grades 9-12) focuses on academic improvement while offering earned credit. See display ad on pg. 38. www.MissouriMilitaryAcademy. org/summer

Music House Five days of life-enhancing arts experiences.

You can join a band, put on a show, make a music video, try a new instrument, write a song, and much more. Options for absolute beginners through experienced players ages 6 - 17. Regardless of what you choose, you’re sure to learn a lot about thinking independently while working cooperatively.

And you’re going to have fun in the process.

Enroll online at www.MusicHouseSchool. com/summer-camps. See display ad on pg. 37.

Oakwood Country Club For 100 years, Oakwood Country Club has been a charming and vital institution in our community. Home to thousands of Jewish lifecycle events, Oakwood has helped create many happy memories in our community, and they look forward to many more in the years to come. This summer kids can create memories at Oakwood’s Summer Camp, June 3-July 12. To sign up, or to inquire about discounts, contact Mark Maroon, General Manager, at mark@oakwoodcountryclub.org or call 816.761.5501, ext. 102. See display ad pg. 34.

Paint, Glaze & Fire Ceramics & Coffee House

Filling Fast! JCampKC.org June 3 - Aug. 2 • Ages 2 -13 • Open to all 5 Premiere + 8 Specialty Day Camps Convenient Location (435+Nall) • Extended hours available

Camp ARTRAGEOUS! Paint Glaze & Fire Ceramics & Coffee House is offering summer camp for its 21st 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! Find more information and register ONLINE (registration opens 2/1) as well at www.PaintGlazeAndFire.net. For more information on these and many other fun and creative programs, visit the website OR call 913.661.CLAY (2529). See display ad on pg. 42.

Continued on page 42

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Put Your Camp Face On!

ENROLL FOR SUMMER NOW WITH OUR PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AGES 2-18 Classes and camps are designed to provide your child with excellent ballet training and superior attention from our professional teachers, all while having fun.

Photography: Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios

BOLENDER CENTER 500 W. Pershing Kansas City, MO 64108

Nall Ave.

I-3 5

Broadway

Photography by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios.

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS!

Union Station

Pershing

94th Terr.

JOHNSON COUNTY 5359 W. 94th Terr.

Prairie Village, KS 66207

W. 95th St.

SPACE IS LIMITED — ENROLL TODAY! 816.931.2299 | KCBALLET.ORG/SCHOOL kcparent.com april 2019

41

CAMPGUIDE

10 reasons why teens should work at summer camp

1

It Beats Any Other Summer Job. Would you rather flip burgers, wash cars or make a difference in a kid’s life? Make no bones about it—camp counseling does involve real work. But a huge component of that work is leading kids in games, crafts and sports. So, you get to have fun, set an example for a younger generation, get a huge dose of vitamin D and, did I mention, have fun.

2

You Get Training That Serves You Beyond Camp. Camps typically require that counselors and counselors in training (CIT’s) receive some form of specialized training, whether online or in-house, on topics like conflict resolution and how to handle bullying or inappropriate behaviors.

But camp staff are also schooled in first aid and CPR. Together, these skills can serve counselors well into their adult years.

3

You Get To Unplug. Working at camp is not a desk job. It involves lots of time outdoors. Counselors are also encouraged to keep unplugged from their devices, which grants them the opportunity to have a much needed screen detox. Time offline in a positive environment helps counselors develop stronger communication skills and build relationships over shared experiences and meals.

4

You Get to Be a Role Model. Young adults are often given a bad rap for being self-absorbed. Counseling, in contrast,

requires camp staff to focus on helping others.

Serving a younger generation is a win-win, giving kids someone to look up to while also helping young adults strive to be better examples. And what many camp staff come to find out is that it’s not a sacrifice to serve.

In fact, being a role model feels good. “The kids challenge me in my own faith and make my spiritual relationship stronger,” Maddy Palodichuck, an ORU junior hailing form Olathe, says of her experience working at Youth Front Camp.

5

You Grow Strong Leadership Skills.

Whether directing staff meetings or managing kids activities, there’s no doubt

Register Online!

AGES Space 6-16 ! d e Limit

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

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about it: Camp counselors enjoy their fair share of leadership opportunities. For some staff, this brings to light natural abilities.

For others, it provides an opportunity to grow a new skill set. Regardless of a teen’s personality or bent, every young adult is better for having the chance to be in charge of something. One of the biggest leadership abilities counselors gain is public speaking skills. Seldom do teens have the opportunity to command a large audience of students. At camp, counselors can do so in silly and zany ways, which not only engages campers, but takes the edge off of most people’s biggest fear (public speaking).

6

You Get Paid to Have Fun. A big component of being an effective counselor is creating an environment that fosters joy and enthusiasm. In short, if you want the kids in your cabin to have fun, you have to show them how to do it! Counselors are not only leaders and role models, but they also get to be big kids and risk takers.

It means showing off your inner goof by launching off the Blob or channeling your

inner diva during karaoke. When you take your guard down and show kids it’s alright to take risks, you give them the freedom to do the same. Perfection isn’t the goal. Bravery is.

7

The Dress Code Is to Die For. At camp, every day is casual Friday, and the uniform of choice is typically some variation of a t-shirt, athletic shorts and Chacos. And who can forget the fun themes that transpire over the course of a camp week—wacky Wednesday, anyone?

8

You’ll Forge Deep Friendships. If you were a camper growing up, then you know how special camp friendships can be.

Being a counselor is no different. Camp staff are a diverse group, with counselors coming from other schools, churches, states and nations. Working at camp, you can expect to make a broad range of friendships built over time spent living, working and playing together.

9

You’ll Build a Resume and Good Interview Material. Working at camp shows you what you’re made of. You’ll

mediate middle school meltdowns, be pushed to your physical limits with late night activities and early morning wake-up calls, all while making a mean friendship bracelet.

Counselors develop increased self-awareness (both their strengths and weaknesses) while having an out-of-the-box summer work experience.

10

You’ll Develop a Whole New Appreciation for Your Own Mentors. “Serving as a camp counselor makes me so much more appreciative of my own youth leaders,” Alex Morehead, a college junior from St. Joseph, MO, says. “They chose to make diligent, purposeful efforts to ensure that I had countless exciting and enriching experiences. Now I hope to do the same for others.”

Lauren Greenlee lives in Olathe and is the daughter of a camp director who spent every summer leading up to high school graduation at summer camp.

H

Summer Drama Camps ACT! SING! DANCE! MOVIE MAKING!

1 & 2 WEEK CAMPS IN OP

H

Theatre of the

$40 OFF Lim ited on per househole d

Imagination

816-561-2787 dramakc.com

kcparent.com april 2019

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CAMPGUIDE Science City Science City Summer Camp 2019 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. Camp runs June 3-Aug 2, Monday through Friday, 9:00-4:00. FREE early and late care available. $220/week for Union Station members, $250/ non-members. Space is limited! For more information, visit www.ScienceCity.Com/ SummerCamp. See display ad on pg. 67.

Summer at Pembroke Hill Are you ready for a summer experience that is out of this world? The Summer at Pembroke Hill program fosters creativity, inspires curiosity and creates a fun learning environment for every student. 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. Enroll online today at www.PembrokeHill.org. See display ad on pg. 44.

Theatre of the Imagination Acting! Singing! Dancing! Movie Making! Fun & flexible 1 & 2-week camps. We take partials, pick your schedule. K-8th, no previous experience needed. No auditions, no leads and small class sizes. Free shows & free costumes.

Ask about our $174/week All Day special.

Unicorns, Space Warriors, Grouchy Cats, Sharkalanche, Mermaids, Ninjas, Fairy Tales, Rock Stars and more! And free fidget spinners July 1-5! Mention KC Parent & get $40 off, (some restrictions apply). See display ad pg. 43. www.DramaKC.com

Victory Soccer Camp Victory Soccer Camp provides professional quality soccer instruction in a fun and exciting environment. Children learn to combine excellence in sports with a focus on the fundamentals of the game, skills and

understanding of the game. Our curriculum is designed for every player to be challenged according to their age level. Our camp is for students with all levels of athletic ability.

Every camper is encouraged to live with good character qualities through our daily Bible Half-time. See display ad on pg. 40. www.VictoryInSoccer.org

YMCA of Greater Kansas City Kids can have the best summer ever at Y Summer Day Camps! The focus is on achievement, relationships and belonging, all rolled together with fun activities like field trips to explore our city, camper competitions to show off talents and learn teamwork, wild and wacky dress up days, swimming, arts, STEM, outdoor education and so much more. Locations are available throughout the metro. Learn more and register at www.KansasCityYMCA.org/Camp. See display ad on pg. 39.

KANSAS CITY YOUNG AUDIENCES

S i n g, , e c n a D Act, e, k a M & Play!

SUM M ER TI M E at

KCYA

Week-long, full and half day camp options Scholarships and payment plans available Descriptions online: KCYA.org

Summer Camps for All Ages Summer Camp Themes Harry Potter | Christmas in July Love of Pets | Dinosaurs

9510 Nall | Overland Park, KS 913.383.0222

CeramicCafeKC.com

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kcparent.com april 2019

Summer at Pembroke Hill

Now Enrolling!

Open to all students ages 2-18

www.pembrokehill.org

SUMMER CAMPS

kcparent.com april 2019

45

raising

conservation-minded kids

“g

oing green” can be a fun experience for the whole family Digging in the dirt and collecting rocks, bugs and worms are favorite childhood pastimes, but we often don’t realize how much our kids are learning as they get messy. Earth Day is this month and serves as a great reminder to be good stewards of the environment and teach this as a value to our kids.

While this is a novel idea, how do we practically show our kids the benefits of “going green?”

First of all, be intentional about disconnecting from technology, going outside and spending time with each other as a family, says Wendy Parrett, conservation education consultant for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Parrett says apps can help with the outdoor experience, and taking pictures of nature is always a fun activity, but, in

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general, minimize the use of technology while outside.

Noelle Morris, marketing and outreach director of the KC-based Bridging the Gap, says she and her husband implemented a “no electronics Sundays” rule with their two children about five years ago. To provide entertainment on these screen-free days, they go for hikes to reconnect with nature.

In the process, they have explored parts of Kansas City they never realized existed.

For instance, they discovered they loved the scenery at Lake Perry, just outside of Lawrence, KS. Additionally, they wanted to teach their kids about their connectivity to water in an environmentally responsible way, so they purchased a sailboat to use as a way of enjoying the water at the lake.

“With our fast-paced world, it’s important to teach our kids at an early age to set aside some time to reconnect with nature, to discover how all life on earth is

connected and how our daily behaviors impact the environment,” Morris says.

Wendy also suggests discovering and knowing your style as you go outdoors.

Are you and your family more inclined to adventurous hiking or rock climbing? Or do you prefer a picnic, a shady spot under a tree and some rest and relaxation? Engage in the activities that suit your personality best.

Once your family gets outdoors, begin looking for ways to teach the basics of conservation.

“One of the best ways to encourage conservation and stewardship is to plant something, whether it be a garden or a tree, and watch something decompose,” says Jensen Adams, a Kansas City dad and environmental educator.

Adams says oak trees support a lot of fungi, and if you put a branch or limb from an oak tree in a shady spot, it will begin colonizing before long. As this happens, you can show your kids the whole life cycle of a plant.

Adams also suggests starting to teach such environmental basics in your own yard first. When a child is young, his sphere of influence and awareness is narrow and he is most familiar with his own yard.

Once a child begins to take ownership of the nature in his own yard, his sphere of influence widens and it’s time to begin teaching him about the environmental aspects of the city and the region in which he lives, Adams says. Then when a child reaches the teen years, you can begin helping him see how environmentalism plays into various careers.

Along the way, it’s important to teach concepts such as picking up litter, reusing, reducing and recycling. When doing this, remember to teach the value of reducing and reusing before recycling.

To this end, Stacia Pieroni and Natali Rodgers with the Kansas City Zoo suggest growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs. They said growing your own garden reduces food waste because the product is fresh and lasts longer once in the home.

Additionally, consuming food from your own garden reduces your carbon footprint by eliminating transportation of food.

Planting something and watching it grow is often one of the first exposures a

child has to taking care of something living, Adams says. This teaches the child to be gentle and nurturing, and these skills can grow with time. Parrett suggests making a bird feeder as another family activity that can bring more nature to your yard, and this gives children the opportunity to care for something living by feeding it.

Composting is another great way to minimize food waste and raise children’s awareness about the environment, waste reduction and the importance of bugs and worms in the ecosystem, Pieroni and Rodgers say. Additionally, children can observe the basic steps of the scientific process by watching decomposition.

Other ways to practice reduction that Pieroni and Rodgers suggest include reducing your use of single-use plastics by utilizing reusable bags and water bottles.

And unplug charging devices when they are not in use as the charger is still drawing energy even if it isn’t in active use.

Consider other ways to reduce the amount of electricity you consume. Do you

turn lights off when you leave a room? Also, begin considering your transportation. Is it possible for you to walk or ride your bikes to school or the library? How can you reduce your transportation footprint?

Shopping at thrift stores not only promotes reduction, but it also saves money.

Adams says through his experiences thrift store shopping, his son is beginning to learn that things cost money and that we need to be good stewards with money.

If you would like to do a conservation activity with the whole family, Bridging the Gap offers various opportunities in the Kansas City area to volunteer with ecological restoration projects or at recycling centers.

Not only does getting outdoors teach kids principles about the environment, but in our tech-savvy society, it also helps them learn the value of finding simple entertainment and enjoyment in the world around them. This, in turn, can also produce many social, emotional and relational benefits in their lives.

Allison Gibeson is a Lee’s Summit mom and writer who loves going on hikes to explore nature with her husband and son.

Enjoying nature in KC Kansas City is home to many places that help teach conservation and provide an opportunity to connect with nature.

Here are a few you might want to check out:

• Lakeside Nature Center • Kansas City Community Gardens • Anita B. Gorman Conservation

Discovery Center

• National Agricultural Center and

Hall of Fame

•

Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center

•

Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

• Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center

be a part of MORE THAN just another school.

• Christ-Centered Education • Academic Excellence • Dual Credit Classes • League-Leading Sports • Featured Fine Arts • Leadership Development • Lifelong Friendships Pre-K through High School

Find your new school family.

mca-eagles.org

15000 W 63rd St. • Shawnee, KS 66217 • 913-631-0637

kcparent.com april 2019

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a midwest celebration Fountains, barbecue, baseball and flowers … spring in Kansas City is beautiful! This year, celebrate the best of the season with these Midwestern traditions.

Fountains Flow Every April, we celebrate our trademark with Fountain Day. This year, visit the Delbert J. Haff Circle Fountain (Meyer Boulevard & Swope Parkway) on April 16 when fountain season will be inaugurated as this fountain is turned on again for the season with a KC Parks ceremony.

Kansas Citians know that we are the City of Fountains, but you may not know that our first fountains were not for ornamental purposes. They were rather utilitarian, to provide water for horses, dogs and birds. The city’s first fountain was built in 1904 at Fourth & Minnesota for horses and dogs. It featured a large pedestal and a granite basin, and the water spewed from the mouths of lions into a taller bowl where people could get clean water as well. Since that time, it is said we have added more fountains than Rome. You can learn more about the history of our fountains and where to find them at KCFountains.com.

The First Robin of Spring Seeing the first robin in your yard has long been considered a sign of spring. You can learn more about local birds and enjoy bird-watching at Burroughs Audubon Society (7300 SW West Park Rd., Blue Springs), a nature center and bird sanctuary in Fleming Park near Lake Jacomo. The center is home to a large natural history library and small wildlife prairie ideal for bird watching. The center offers education programs throughout the year for budding bird-watchers.

Batter Up! This year, the Royals’ home opener is on March 28, making April the first full month of baseball season. Since 1969, Kansas Citians have been cheering the boys in blue who’ve won two World Series Championships. Families can enjoy a day at Kauffman Stadium where they can purchase Blue Crew packages for kids (including discounted tickets and souvenirs) or take advantage of a Buck Night (dollar deals on refreshments) and fireworks after Friday night games.

of all things spring Tulip Time Tulips are spring’s signature flower.

You’ll find the flower in bloom at the Country Club Plaza, Overland Park Arboretum, Loose Park, Kauffman Memorial Gardens and Powell Gardens. You can also celebrate at one of the Midwest’s spring festivals:

Tulip Time in Topeka, April 5-28: Lake Shawnee blooms with 60,000 tulips, as well as daffodils, hyacinths and spring flowering trees. Multicolored varieties of tulips accent ornate structures, fountains and planting beds along paths through the garden and along the lake shore. Tulips at Twilight, April 12-28: This event features more than 35 lighted displays, including larger-than-life illuminated flowers and more than 40,000 multicolored tulips at Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site and Botanical Garden. The event includes live music and tours on Friday and Saturday evenings. ​ Tulip Festival in Wamego, KS, April 27-28: Wamego, home to the Wizard of Oz Museum, celebrates spring annually with a festival featuring thousands of tulips from Holland and a large arts and craft fair in the city park where you’ll even see a Dutch-style windmill.

Tulip Time in Pella, IA, May 2-4: My girls and I have made it is an annual tradition to visit Pella for Tulip Time. The city celebrates their Dutch heritage with a three-day festival featuring daily parades (both a daytime and illuminated nighttime parade), dances, delicious Dutch foods (including fabulous pastries from Jaarsma Bakery) and tours. The historic village is brought to life by interpreters who teach visitors about their heritage at the wooden shoemakers shop, grist mill, working Dutch-style Vermeer windmill that grinds wheat into flour, library, bakery and childhood home of Wyatt Earp. This is one of our favorite weekend getaways with so much to see in this beautiful village. We enjoy watching the puppets dance through the windows of the klokkenspel (musical clock on the square), walking along the canal and viewing the thousands of beautiful tulips. Search “Pella” on KCParent.com for more information.

Fire Up the Grill You know it’s spring in Kansas City when the aroma of barbecue fills the air. It’s hard to resist the temptation to pick up ribs at McGonigle’s when driving along Ward Parkway, or a weekend stop at one of our favorite barbecue joints. Enjoying barbecue is part of our city heritage. In 1908, Kansas City’s “king of barbecue,” Henry Perry, sold a slab of pork ribs for 25 cents in the 18th &

Vine neighborhood. Since that time, our city has created an art form, developing the best sauces and smoking the tastiest meats in the United States. According to the Kansas City Barbecue Society, we have more barbecue restaurants per capita than any other city in the United States. Whether you enjoy your barbecue at home on the backyard grill or at your favorite local restaurant, the smell of smoke is one of KC’s favorite signs of spring.

Ride a Roller Coaster Worlds of Fun opens for the season on April 13. Worlds of Fun is home to seven world-class roller coasters, including one of the tallest, longest and fastest roller coasters in the world. This thriller is the Mamba and boasts a first drop of 205 feet! The Patriot is a giant inverted coaster with four inversions that carries riders at a top speed of 65 mph.

Enjoy a thrill as the entire family rides together on the Spinning Dragons, where the cars freely rotate along the track. Or ride the classic wooden roller coaster, the Timber Wolf. Guests of all ages love the live shows. Young children enjoy Planet Snoopy with great rides for kids, and the theme park boasts dozens of thrill rides and attractions for guests of all ages.

Let’s Go Fly a Kite Kite flying is at once fun, whimsical, nostalgic and magical. Our family loves flying kites together while we enjoy spring picnics at local parks (search “Kite Parks” on KCParent.com for our favorites). For beginners, we’re partial to the simple and inexpensive kites you find at local big box stores. For those wanting to learn how to fly a specialty kite or trick kite, Brookside Toy and Science, HobbyTown and Go Big Skill Toys are three great resources.

Also, be sure to mark your calendar for Flights of Fancy on April 20 at MCC-Longview (500 SW Longview Rd., Kansas City, MO, KiteFest.MCCKC.edu). The kites of Great American Kites & Events will take flight over the lawn of the picturesque MCCLongview campus in the heart of kite month. Marvel at aweinspiring mega kites, power kites, stunt kites and more, including the world’s largest windsock—three stories high and 200 feet long!

Tip: For more spring inspiration, you’ll find guides to local waterfalls, hiking trails, picnic spots and parks on KCParent.com.

Kristina Light and her girls look forward to their annual visit to Pella where they enjoy stroopwafels, and Dutch pillows while watching delightful parades with thousands of tulips and a windmill in the backdrop. kcparent.com april 2019

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autism myths and truths

“Autism is a developmental disability that is caused by differences in how the brain functions.

People with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in different ways,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to this agency, one in 59 children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Although autism may be common, there are some myths and misinformation.

MYTH # 1: Autism is caused by vaccinations.

MYTH # 3: People with autism don’t want friends.

One of the common misconceptions about ASD is that childhood vaccinations, such as MMR, cause kids to develop autism.

According to the CDC and the Institute of Medicine, there is no link between vaccines and autism.

It is true that many people with ASD struggle to understand social norms, which may cause them to feel isolated or to value alone time more than group settings. The myth here is that people with autism do not want friends or value close relationships.

They do. Everyone needs friends, attention, love and acceptance, and all people deserve it as well. People with ASD may need friends that are understanding and supportive of their social struggles and may benefit from support groups that help them build social skills.

MYTH # 2: All people with autism are geniuses.

A common misconception is that all people with autism spectrum disorder are geniuses, can do difficult math problems in their heads or have a special gift. True, some people with ASD do have unique talents and gifts. However, extreme cases, like the one seen in the movie Rainman, are rare.

As our culture progresses in understanding autism, we acknowledge that many people with autism have high intelligence, great attention to detail, and view the world in a different way that is valued in work environments. This opens a new set of opportunities in the workforce for people with autism.

MYTH # 4: People with autism don’t experience emotions.

Those who have autism may find it hard to understand other people’s feelings and read body language, but that does not mean they do not have emotions themselves.

They have feelings of joy, sadness, anger and frustration just like everyone else.

They may have trouble expressing their emotions or show them differently than others, but they still experience normal highs and lows.

MYTH # 5: Autism can be cured.

Over the years, as ASD diagnosis has become more common, there have been many ideas about how it can be cured. Some examples include removing gluten from the diet, taking vitamins, eliminating mercury from the diet and other fads. Parents typically turn to these ideas because they are concerned for their children and desperate for a cure. Studies have shown that none of these fads have worked, and autism cannot be cured. What is encouraging is the positive changes that can come from behavioral therapy that helps kids develop communication and social skills and gives people the tools to succeed in school and the workforce.

People with autism do respond differently to many situations, but as we learn more about ASD, we find that not all of the characteristics are negative, and people can be happy, successful and maintain healthy relationships with support and understanding from people around them.

Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer that lives in Olathe with her family.

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

SOURCE: CDC statistics – CDC.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html CDC and research on vaccines – CDC.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/autism.html

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@steph.pollock

VisitSiouxFalls.com

800-732-5682 // TravelSouthDakota.com

kcparent.com april 2019

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Great Plains Zoo // Falls Park—Sioux Falls

Find fun, excitement, and surprise in a city defined by its variety. From the rush of the water at Falls Park and hands-on learning activities at the Kirby Science Discovery Center, to wild encounters at the Great Plains Zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium, Sioux Falls is the perfect backdrop for the family getaway you’ve been dreaming of.

april

CALENDAR

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

Spring Open House at Family Tree Nursery

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

discover Head to the Healthy Yards Expo April 6 at the Shawnee Civic Centre. An earthfriendly lawn and garden event with fun for the entire family!

Johnson.K-State.edu

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watch

create

learn

meet

See Erth’s Make a masterpiece Prehistoric at Access Art on Aquarium April 13 & 14 at Adventure April various MCPL 10 at the Carlsen branches. All day Center. Enjoy art event with local art an immersive instructors. Pre-reg at experience where MyMCPL.org/accessart. you jump in and explore.

JCCC. edu/theseries

Discover the dance, music, fashions, art and culture of South and Southeast Asia at Passport to India on April 19 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Nelson-Atkins.org

Visit the Kansas City Zoo April 27 & 28 to meet the Avengers.

Bring your camera and meet your favorite Marvel characters.

KansasCityZoo.org

1 Monday 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 Indoor Play Park 9:00, New Century Fieldhouse. Hop, skip and jump through obstacles, bounce and kick balls, build with blocks and more! $3. 913.826.2850 Free Adult Admission 9:30, Paradise Park. Free adult admission in Discovery Play with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 Plaza Bunnies Thru April 26, Country Club Plaza. Popular Plaza tradition features largerthan-life bunnies on street corners and courtyards. CountryClubPlaza.com Journey to Oz 10:00, Crown Center. Tour the world of the Munchkins, follow Dorothy and her friends down the Yellow Brick Road and more.

Free. CrownCenter.com

2 Tuesday Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists.

Kids will enjoy our outdoor play sets that are available for open play. $2/cash. 913.307.6023

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, paint a pottery piece and enjoy a snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com Kids Read: Reading Boosters 4:30, MCPL (Liberty). Read a book, love it and then share it.

For kids kindergarten through third grade.

Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

3 Wednesday Splash with Me 10:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Kids can swim, play and become more confident in the water at the kiddie pool. $2. 913.477.7529 Toddler Time 10:00, Sky Zone. A time for little ones to bounce under the supervision of their parents and without interference from the big kids. SkyZone.com Baby Story Time 10:30, Cedar Roe Library.

A lap-sit story time with songs, rhymes and movement for babies birth through 18 months with a caregiver. JoCoLibrary.org Animal Tales 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center.

A 30-minute program that includes stories, songs and a visit from an animal friend. $2.

913.764.7759

4 Thursday Family Story Time 9:30, Olathe Downtown Library. Enjoy stories, songs and finger plays.

For children ages 3-5 and their family. Free.

OlatheLibrary.org Toddler Time 2.0 9:30, Blue Springs Fieldhouse.

Play inside the fieldhouse on mats, scooters, slides, a bounce house and more. $2-$3.

BlueSpringsGov.com Open Play 10:00, Jump City. Bring the kids to Jump City—where excitement and laughs are found daily! $8/child; parents are free.

JumpCityKC.com A Little Princess Thru Sunday, Culture House at Oak Park Mall. Culture House presents the story of a little girl with a big imagination.

CultureHouse.com Willy Wonka Thru April 13, Roger T Sermon Center. The City Theater of Independence presents this show base on Roald Dahl’s popular book. 816.325.7370 An Evening with Richard Dreyfuss 7:30, Carlsen Center. Live on stage, Academy Award winner Richard Dreyfuss will enthrall and entertain! JCCC.edu/theseries

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Journey to Oz Thru May 12, Crown Center. Tour the world of the Munchkins, follow Dorothy and her friends down the Yellow Brick Road and more. Free. CrownCenter.com

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

913.599.0311

Night at the Arboretum 7:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Enjoy the nighttime sights and sounds and escape at the arboretum. OPKansas.org

6 Saturday

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

UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Walk ’n Wag 8:30, Happy Rock Park. Vendors, entertainment, snacks and a walk around the trail. Bring your furry four-legged friend!

816.436.2200

Me and Mini Me Swim 9:00, Olathe Community Center. Parents and children 5 and under can swim in zero-depth area of pool. $6.

913.971.8676

Healthy Yards Expo 9:00, Shawnee Civic Centre. An earth-friendly lawn and garden event with fun for the entire family! Free.

Johnson.K-State.edu

Birdhouse Workshop 9:00, Home Depot locations. Hands-on workshop to build a window birdhouse. Children must be accompanied by an adult. HomeDepot.com

First Fridays 5:00, Crossroads Arts District.

Galleries and shops remain open the first Friday of each month. KCCrossroads.org

Park Day 2018 9:00, Battle of Lexington Historic Site. Volunteers across the nation join together to preserve Civil War battlefields and historic sites. 660.259.4654

Easter Egg Dive 9:00, the View (Grandview).

Race other participants to gather as many eggs as possible. Ages 2-12. Pre-reg at TeamSideline.com/Grandview.

Touch-a-Truck 9:00, Recreation Park (Raymore).

Kids explore favorite machines, including emergency response vehicles, military transport and more. Raymore.com

Cub & Scout BSA Day 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Scouts in uniform get free admission and participate in activity stations in the lobby.

KansasCityZoo.org

A Year with Frog and Toad 6:00, New City Church. Based on Arnold Lobe’s well-loved books. See the story of friendship that endures.

816.287.0411

CHILDREN’S CONFERENCE

VENDORS

WORKSHOPS

April 5-6, 2019

MPE Homeschool Conference & Curriculum Fair KCI Expo Center • 11730 North Ambassador Drive, KCMO 64153 Providing Information on Homeschooling Techniques & Curriculum Choices FEATURED SPEAKERS: TRICIA GOYER

STEVE LAMBERT

RAY AND ROBYN MCKELVY

ISRAEL WAYNE

MELINDA BORING

VICKI BENTLEY

More than 180 exhibitor booths

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

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Early Explorations 10:00 & 2:00, Nerman Museum. Learn about people and then create a plaster person. Ages 5-7. Pre-reg at JCCC.edu/youth.

Explore the Outdoors 10:00, FL Schlagle Library. Get a snake peek of new episodes of Wild Kratts, go on a nature scavenger hunt and make crafts. KCPT.org Wild Turkey in Missouri 10:00, Anita B Gorman Conservation Center. Learn about turkeys and make art with real turkey feathers. 816.513.7500

Have you ever used the excuse the Devil made me do it?

“PURE GENIUS!”

Day of Dance 10:00, Missouri Town 1855.

The Town Dancers demonstrate their skills and teach visitors dances from yesteryear.

MakeYourDayHere.com Hands-On History 11:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life.

Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org Snakes on a Plain 4:30, Prairie Oak Nature Center. Learn how snakes are an important part of Midwest ecology. 913.696.7771 Chita & Friends 8:00, Carlsen Center. Broadway icon Chita Rivera recreates signature moments from her legendary career. JCCC.edu/theseries

NATIONAL REVIEW

APRIL 12-13

“A PROFOUND EXPERIENCE!” “CLEVER AND SATIRICAL!” CHRISTIANITY TODAY THE NEW YORK TIMES 816.994.7222 ScrewtapeOnStage.com

KAUFFMAN CENTER

•

1601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO

KIDS SPRING JAMBOREE April 13, 2019 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Elementary School Age Children and Younger Easter Egg Hunt (bring your own basket), Crafts, Field Games, and Pictures with the Easter Bunny and Mother Nature

SHOAL CREEK LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM 7000 Northeast Barry Road Kansas City, MO 64156

816.792.2655

Sunday, April 14 10 a.m.–4 p.m. nelson-atkins.org 45th & Oak

shoalcreeklivinghistorymuseum.com kcparent.com april 2019

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7 Sunday Autism Awareness Day 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Day features quiet rooms, animal presentations and more. Free admission to those with autism.

KansasCityZoo.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 Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org Sunday Fun Day 2:00, MCPL (Boardwalk).

Join in for fun origami projects. Decorate to celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival. Free.

Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

8 Monday Toddle Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring little ones 9 months through 5 years to play on the large assortment of toys. $2. BonnerSprings.org

Homework Help 4:00, Jo Co Library (Central Resource). Homework coaches help students work on a specific project or use library resources. JoCoLibrary.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

9 Tuesday

Want to Foster or Adopt? 6:00, KVC (Olathe). A 10-week course to help you become a licensed foster or adoptive parent. 913.890.7513

Weekday Spring Choir Concert Various times, Crown Center. Local choirs entertain during the spring season. Free. CrownCenter.com

11 Thursday

Plaza Bunnies Thru April 26, Country Club Plaza. Popular Plaza tradition features largerthan-life bunnies on street corners and courtyards. CountryClubPlaza.com Kids Eat Free Main Event (Various locations).

Receive a free kids meal with the purchase of any entrée ($8.99). MainEvent.com

10 Wednesday Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure 10:00 & 1:00, Carlsen Center. Immersive experience that invites you to jump in and explore.

JCCC. edu/theseries Retro Story Time 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Enjoy a story from long ago and an art activity for little hands. JCPRD.com/museum

Whirlwind: Art in Motion 8:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Bundle up to see sculptures that change in the light and wind throughout the garden. OPKansas.org Visit Science City 10:00, Science City. Bring the kids for a day of learning and fun! Check out the huge new exhibit, The Amazing Brain.

UnionStation.org Just Between Friends Sale Thru Sunday, Wyandotte County Fairgrounds. Get ready for great deals! Kids look great and your wallet stays full! JBFSale.com Toddle Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring little ones 9 months through 5 years to play on the large assortment of toys. $2. BonnerSprings.org

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Preschool - 12th Grade • Biblically Integrated • College Preparatory • MSHSAA Member

Summit Christian Academy

Join Us for Campus Visit Day

1-3 p.m. on Friday, April 12 or May 3 Call 816.525.1480 to RSVP or for more information.

1450-1500 SW Jefferson, Lee’s Summit MO 64081 • 816.525.1480 • summit-christian-academy.org

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Sip & Shop 4:00, Grinter Place. Bring friends to sip and shop with lots of vendors and door prizes. $5. VisitKansasCityKS.com

12 Friday Geranium Sale 9:00, Family Tree Nursery.

Celebrate the start of spring with geraniums from Family Tree Nursery. All three locations.

FamilyTreeNursery.com Lansing Citywide Garage Sale Today & tomorrow, various locations. Get great deals at garage sales throughout Lansing. Map available at Lansing.ks.us.

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 at 913.661.2529.

Firefighters & Dalmatians 10:30, Olathe Downtown Library. Hear stories and enjoy a visit from the Olathe Fire Department.

OlatheLibrary.org Campus Visit Day 1:00, Summit Christian Academy. Visit the school to see all we have to offer your children. RSVP to 816.525.1480.

W

WEE

Child Development Center ORKSHOP “Where Your Child is Special”

2 weeks to 12 years ChildAges Development Center 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

“Where Your Child Is Special”

Ages 2 weeks to 12 years 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

10% OFF infant room for Two Convenient Locations: Child Development nd & enrollment.

MetcalfCenter Ave 127th &year Antioch first with162 new “Where Your Child is Special” 913.681.2191 913.681.2190 2 weeks to 12 since years FamilyAges Owned and Operated Part-Time Preschool (Ages 1990 3-5) 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

9:00-11:30 or 9:00-3:00 weeworkshopchildcare.com Mother’s Day Out (12 mos-3 years) 9:00-3:00

Two Convenient Locations: 127th & Antioch

Monday, April 22

All tickets are $6! follytheater.org 816.474.4444

162nd & Metcalf Ave

913.681.2190 Two Convenient913.681.2191 Locations:

162nd &and Metcalf Ave 127th & Antioch Family Owned 913.681.2191 913.681.2190 Operated Since 1990 Family Owned and Operated since 1990 weeworkshopchildcare.com weeworkshopchildcare.com

The Folly Kids’ Series is made possible through generous support from the Missouri Arts Council; ArtsKC; Oppenstein Brothers Foundation, Commerce Bank, Trustee; Theater League; R. A. Long Foundation; McDonnell Foundation; Sullivan Family Foundation; and Ronald D. Deffenbaugh, Sr. Foundation.

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Easter Eggstravaganza April 20, Science City. Maker activities, face painting, balloon artist, photos with the Easter Bunny and an Easter hat parade. UnionStation.org

Family Fun Night 5:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire. For $45 receive 4 studio fees, large pizza, and drinks plus 15 percent off pottery painted at event.

Pre-reg at 913.661.2529.

Flashlight Egg Hunt 8:00, Hidden Valley Park (Blue Springs). Hop on over with a flashlight to hunt for thousands of eggs. $5/child. 816.228.0137

Murder Mystery Night 6:00, the View. There’s been a murder, and teens have to solve! For ages 14-17. $15. Pre-reg at 816.316.4998.

13 Saturday

Mom & Son Superhero Bash 6:30, Uptown Market (Independence). A fun-filled evening with finger foods, games and crafts. $10. Pre-reg at 816.325.7843.

Breakfast with the Bunny 8:00, Roeland Park Community Center. Enjoy pancakes for breakfast and then a photo with the Bunny and an egg hunt! Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

Planting Independence 8:00, various locations. Event provides general yard cleanup for people with disabilities. Pre-reg with Kelly at kgrooms@thewholeperson.org.

April Showers Craft Festival 9:00, Shawnee Civic Centre. Shop for the perfect handcrafted gift. More than 80 vendors with a great variety.

913.631.7405

Teen Egg Hunt 7:00, Lion’s Park (Bonner Springs).

Hunt for ages 11-15. Includes music, games, races and a glow-in-the-dark egg hunt. Free. 913.422.7010

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny 8:00, Strawberry Hill Museum. Enjoy breakfast, photos and a gift from the Easter Bunny.

StrawberryHillMuseum.org

Doggie Egg Hunt 9:00, Prairie Center Park (Olathe). Bring Fido and a leash to hunt for treat-filled eggs. Local vendors and more. $10-$12. Pre-reg at 913.971.8676.

Screwtape Letters Today & tomorrow, Kauffman Center. She the theatrical adaptation of CS Lewis’ novel about spiritual warfare.

ScrewtapeOnStage.com

Underwater Egg Hunt Various times, Gladstone Community Center. Enjoy an egg hunt in water and playtime in the pool. $5-$7.

Pre-reg at 816.423.4200.

Breakfast with the Bunny 9:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Enjoy a light breakfast and spend time with the Easter Bunny! $5-$7. 913.422.7010

Egg Hunt and Glow Dance Party 7:00, Olathe Family YMCA. Enjoy a flashlight egg hunt and glow dance party. $3/person. 913.393.9622

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Easter Egg Hunt 9:30, Paul Henson YMCA. Children ages 1-10 are invited for egg hunt and craft. Free. 913.642.6800 Meet Daniel Tiger Today & tomorrow, 10:002:00, Kansas City Zoo. Meet one of KCPT’s most popular characters. Daniel Tiger will stop by from 10:00 until 2:00. KansasCityZoo.org Opening Day 10:00, Worlds of Fun. From the big thrill of the Patriot and Mamba to the little thrills of Planet Snoopy, Worlds of Fun has it all.

WorldsOfFun.com Access Art Today (Woodneath Library Center) & tomorrow (North Independence Branch).

All-day art event with local art instructors.

Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org/accessart.

#ShopSummitFair

www.summitfairshopping.com

Contemporary Creations 10:00 & 2:00, Nerman Museum. Learn about art that imitates life and then create a 3D drawing. Ages 8-11. Pre-reg at JCCC.edu/youth.

Trucks and Big Rigs for Kids 10:00, Theatre in the Park. Explore trucks, tractors, construction and city vehicles up close. 913.826.2958 Easter Eggstravaganza 10:00, Faith Chapel (Overland Park). Games, face painting, a DJ, balloon art and egg hunts. Free. FaithChapelAG.org

@summitfair

For Children Draw Like Audubon Youth Sculpture Studio ForTeens Mixed Media Painting Fantasy Worlds For Adults Intro to Adobe Photoshop Beginning Handlettering

Woodneath Library Center Saturday, April 13

Register early for these sessions AND MORE!

North Independence Branch Sunday, April 14

mymcpl.org/accessart

Mid-Continent Public Library presents all-day art events 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.

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Celebrate April KC Style

April 2: Children’s Book Day At Kansas City’s Central Library (14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, MO) visitors literally walk through the pages of a book to enter the vibrant children’s department. Spend the day at this branch or your favorite local library curled up with a good book.

April 7: Caramel Popcorn Day Kansas City is home to many delightful popcorn shops, from Topsy’s (TopsysPopcorn.com), to Velvet Crème (VelvetCremePopcorn.com), to Laura Little’s (LauraLittleCandy.com), each serving delicious caramel popcorn among other great flavors.

April 9: Winston Churchill Day Winston Churchill, one of the most respected world leaders of all time, is honored, along with his wife, as they are depicted on a bronze sculpture entitled Married Love.

Admire this figure on the Country Club Plaza at Wornall & Ward Parkway. You’ll find flags flying for the United States and the United Kingdom at this courtyard.

April 16: Eggs Benedict Day Enjoy the famous breakfast dish made from scratch at one of our city’s newest breakfast diners, Caleb’s Breakfast & Lunch (515 Red Bridge Rd., Kansas City, MO), where everything on the menu is delicious.

April 28: International Astronomy Day Visit the Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station (UnionStation.org) for an educational and entertaining “sky show” with comfortable seating, booming surround sound, state-of-the-art twin 4K digital projection and programming powered by cutting-edge software.

Easter Egg Hunt 10:00, Rotary Park (Blue Springs). Activities include a petting zoo, play structures and face painting.

BlueSpringsGov.com

Photos with the Easter Bunny Noon, Crown Center Shops. The Easter Bunny stops by!

Photos available for a fee, or you may take your own. CrownCenter.com

Beat Bugs 10:00 & Noon, the Coterie. The Beat Bugs explore the world and pick up life lessons along the way in this new musical.

TheCoterie.org

Spring Muster 10:00, Atkins-Johnson Farm.

See the lawn filled with tents as soldiers enlist, practice drills and cook over open fires.

816.453.3276

15 Monday

Playdate Thursdays 11:00, Independence Center. Each playdate includes a craft and reading from Mid-Continent Public Library.

Free. 816.795.8602

Easter Egg Hunt 10:00, Memorial Park (Belton).

Face painting, selfies with the Bunny, color pages, games and an egg hunt. BeltonParks.org Easter Egg Hunt 10:00, Arno Park. Prizes, Chris Cakes breakfast, games, crafts and, of course, the Easter Bunny. Free. StJohnsUMC.org Kids Spring Jamboree 10:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Enjoy field games, photos with Easter Bunny and an egg hunt.

Donations accepted. 816.792.2655 Easter Egg Hunt 10:00, Shalimer Park (Grandview). Grab your basket and hunt for thousands of eggs. Special guests as well. Free.

Grandview.org

Free Adult Admission 9:30, Paradise Park. Free adult admission in Discovery Play with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 Monday Night Madness 4:00, Main Event.

Choose from three super specials, each just $10.95. Available Mondays 4:00-close.

MainEvent.com Homework Help 4:00, Jo Co Library (Central Resource). Homework coaches help students work on a specific project or use library resources. JoCoLibrary.org

16 Tuesday Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air. A special time when entire park is open for children 5 & under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl!

UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Easter Eggstravaganza 11:00, Hitt Park (Greenwood). Annual community egg hunt. Bring your basket and join in the fun!

GreenwoodMO.com

Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists.

Kids will enjoy our outdoor play sets that are available for open play. $2/cash. 913.307.6023

Easter Egg Hunt 11:00, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. Bounce houses, petting zoo, food and hunt for candy-filled eggs. Free.

CornerstoneKS.org

Social Media from a Teen Perspective 6:30, Bernard Campbell Middle School. Learn about popular apps, social media trends and what parents need to know. LSCares.org

Bread Making Demonstration 11:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Bread making demonstration using 1920s wood-burning cookstove. Free.

ShawneeTown.org

17 Wednesday

Easter Egg Hunt 11:00, Antioch Community Church. Bring your basket for tons of fun and goodies. Free. ACCKC.org Underwater Egg Hunt Noon, Lenexa Rec Center. Come to gather more than 3,000 eggs in the rec center pool. $5-$7. 913.477.7529 Easter Egg Hunt 1:00, Weston City Park. Come to the second annual Easter egg hunt. Fun for the entire family! WestonMO.com

14 Sunday Passport to India 10:00, Nelson-Atkins.

Discover the dance, music, fashions, art and culture of South and Southeast Asia. Free.

Nelson-Atkins.org Day in the Life 10:00, National WWI Museum and Memorial. Volunteers share stories of the Great War and make history come to life!

TheWorldWar.org

Splash with Me 10:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Kids can swim, play and become more confident in the water at the kiddie pool. $2. 913.477.710 Toddler Time 10:00, Sky Zone. A time for little ones to bounce under the supervision of their parents and without interference from the big kids. SkyZone.com Animal Tales 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center.

A 30-minute program that includes stories, songs and a visit from an animal friend. $2.

913.764.7759 Easter Egg Hunt 6:00, Faith United Methodist Church (Grain Valley). Egg hunt followed by family Easter experience. Free. 816.729.7758

18 Thursday Toddler Time 2.0 9:30, Blue Springs Fieldhouse.

Play inside the fieldhouse on mats, scooters, slides, a bounce house and more. $2-$3.

BlueSpringsGov.com

Beginning Puppetry 6:30, Claycomo Community Building. Kids learn puppetry basics, from creating realistic movements to lip syncing. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

19 Friday Weekday Spring Choir Concert Various times, Crown Center. Local choirs entertain during the spring season. Free. CrownCenter.com Third Friday Art Walk 5:30, Englewood Station Arts District. Tour the art galleries. View live performances and artists on the sidewalks.

EnglewoodStation.com Good Friday Service 7:00, Lenexa Baptist Church. Prepare for Easter with a special service in the worship center. LenexaBaptist.com Full Moon Hike 8:30, George Owens Nature Park. Hike will be led by a nature park staff member on paved trails. Pre-reg at 816.325.7115.

20 Saturday Easter Egg Hunt 9:00, North Park Soccer Fields (Bonner Springs). Celebrate Easter with annual hunt for eggs and family fun. Free. Bonner Springs.org Native Plants Go Native 9:30, Anita B Gorman Conservation Center. Join in for a day of learning about a variety of native plants.

816.513.7500 Egg Hunt 9:30, Shawnee Indian Mission. Bring the kids and their baskets for a morning full of fun! Free. FairwayKansas.org Easter Festival 9:45, Memorial Park (Raymore). Egg hunt, pictures with the Bunny, refreshments and more! Raymore.com Party for the Planet Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Celebrate Mother Earth with Earth Day activities. KansasCityZoo.org Easter Eggstravaganza 10:00, Science City.

Maker activities, face painting, balloon artist, photos with the Easter Bunny and an Easter hat parade. UnionStation.org kcparent.com april 2019

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Easter 1860s Style 10:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Try a hot cross bun, take a stagecoach, visit the blacksmith and more! Mahaffie.org Harry’s Hop ‘n Hunt 10:00, Harry S Truman Library and Museum. Egg roll, egg hunts, story time with famous faces, live music and more.

816.400.1217

Easter Egg Plunge 10:00, Olathe Community Center. Plunge, dive and swim for thousands of Easter eggs throughout three pools. $10-$15.

OlatheKS.org

Underwater Eggstravaganza Noon, Indoor Aquatic Center (Lawrence). Crafts, goody bags, visit from the Bunny and pool egg hunt. $7.

785.832.7946

Asia Cultural Festival 10:00, Overland Park Convention Center. Wide variety of food, colorful performances and traditions.

MAACAWeb.org

Easter Egg Scramble 3:00, Dennis Park (50th & Rainbow). Grab your baskets and join the fun at this community-wide event. WestwoodKS.org

Earth Day 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center.

Crafts, wildlife interpretations, informational booths, puppet show and more.

LakesideNatureCenter.org

Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration 11:00, Winwood Park. Park cleanup and then enjoy a hot dog lunch in the park. GardnerKansas.gov

Easter Hunt and Pancake Breakfast 10:00, Woods Chapel Church (Blue Springs). Pancake breakfast, egg hunt, games, inflatables and more. 816.427.7062

Easter Egg Hunt and Parade 11:00, Greenspace (Raytown). Family fun! Parade starts at 11:00, and the egg hunt at 1:00.

RaytownMainStreet.org

Flights of Fancy 10:00, MCC-Longview Campus. Enjoy mega kite displays, face painting, inflatable maze, candy drop and more!

KiteFest.MCCKC.edu

Dog Bone Hunt 11:00, K9 & Me Park. A fun time for your pup! Take a photo with the Bunny and hunt for fun treats. Free. 913.422.7010

Bunny Hop 10:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit.

Parade, photos with the Easter Bunny and candy from participating businesses. DowntownLS.org Easter Egg Roll with Dole 10:00, Dole Institute.

Family fun including White House-style roll, egg hunt, games and more! Free. DoleInstitute.org

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Easter Egg Hunt 11:00, Louisburg Cider Mill.

Hunt for eggs and then Bunny will be on hand for pictures. Free. LouisburgCiderMill.com ART-astic Egg Hunt Noon, Kemper Museum.

Find eggs filled with art-themed prizes then create your own piece of colorful egg art. Free.

Pre-reg at 816.753.5784.

Comedy City at Culture House 7:00, Culture House Stage & Studio (Oak Park Mall). Five of the funniest improvisers create hilarious sketches. $10. CultureHouse.com

21 Sunday

Easter Sunday Easter Sunrise Service 6:30, Johnson Farms.

Watch the sunrise and enjoy fellowship. Dress for the weather. JohnsonFarms.net Easter Services 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00, Lenexa Baptist Church. Join us for services to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. LenexaBaptist.com Easter Brunch 11:00, Nelson-Atkins. A Kansas City tradition that combines elegant food with priceless art. Enjoy live music. Pre-reg at Nelson-Atkins.org.

Easter Egg Hunt 12:30, Hyde Park. Easter Bunny arrives for photos, and enjoy pony rides, inflatables and egg hunt. 816.753.6719

22 Monday

24 Wednesday

26 Friday

Splash with Me 10:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Kids can swim, play and become more confident in the water at the kiddie pool. $2. 913.477.710

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

UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

The Magic School Bus 9:45 & 11:30, Folly Theater. See an adventure with the wacky Ms Frizzle and her class. All tickets $6.

FollyTheater.org

Toddler Time 10:00, Sky Zone. A time for little ones to bounce under the supervision of their parents and without interference from the big kids. SkyZone.com

Journey to Oz 10:00, Crown Center. Tour the world of the Munchkins, follow Dorothy and her friends down the Yellow Brick Road and more. Free. CrownCenter.com

Baby Story Time 10:30, Cedar Roe Library.

A lap-sit story time with songs, rhymes and movement for babies birth through 18 months with a caregiver. JoCoLibrary.org

Monday Night Madness 4:00, Main Event.

Choose from three super specials, each just $10.95. Available Mondays 4:00-close.

MainEvent.com

25 Thursday

23 Tuesday

Visit Science City 10:00, Science City. Bring the kids for a day of learning and fun! Check out the huge new exhibit, The Amazing Brain.

UnionStation.org

Beat Bugs 10:00 & Noon, the Coterie. The Beat Bugs explore the world and pick up life lessons along the way in this new musical.

TheCoterie.org

Nature Story Time 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum . Enjoy music, movement and adventure outdoors for little nature lovers ages 2-5. $5-$6/person. 913.685.3604

Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists.

Kids will enjoy our outdoor play sets that are available for open play. $2/cash. 913.307.6023

Disney on Ice Thru April 28, Kansas Expocentre.

See Frozen characters and stories brought to life with the artistry of ice. KSExpo.com

REGISTER NOW FOR

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 at 913.661.2529.

Threaded Together Fashion Show Noon & 7:00, Carlsen Center. Featuring designs from fashion students and historical pieces from the Fashion Collection. JCCC.edu Arbor Day Celebration 4:00, Tomahawk Ridge (Overland Park). The mayor and winners of poster contest will plant a tree during the celebration. OPKansas.org Fourth Friday Art Walk 5:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Variety of activities include artist receptions, artist street theater, yoga in the streets and more. DowntownLS.org Final Fridays 5:00, Lawrence. See hundreds of artists and performers in more than 30 locations. Free fun for everyone!

UnmistakablyLawrence.com

OUTDOOR

SWIM LESSONS

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Sower Thru April 28, Culture House at Oak Park Mall. Storling Dance Theater presents an eclectic collection of choreographers and music. CultureHouse.com

27 Saturday Uptown Garden Faire 8:00, Independence Uptown Market. Garden market with demonstrations, fairy gardens and more.

816.325.7843

Spring on the Farm 10:00, Mahaffie. See blacksmith demonstrations, stagecoach rides, baby animals and more! $5-$7. Mahaffie.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

Healthy Kids Day Various times, YMCA locations across the metro. Enjoy healthy snacks, fun games, family fitness and more. KansasCityYMCA.org

29 Monday

Superhero Saturday 10:00, Roeland Park Community Center. Superhero training, scavenger hunt, art activity, photos and more!

Pre-reg at 913.831.3359.

Open House 9:00, TimberRidge Adventure Center. Choose from several activities, including canoeing, kayaking, pedal boating, hiking and more. JCPRD.com

Barnyard Babies Family Festival 10:00, Nat’l Ag Hall of Fame. Experience life on a farm— from barnyard babies to a tractor petting zoo and more. VisitKansasCityKS.com

Daffodil Day 9:00, Spring Hill Middle School South. Flower Power Color Run 5k race, inflatables, live music and more!

SpringHillRec.org

Hands-On History 11:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life.

Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org

Community Day 9:00, Mildale Farm. Bring a picnic and explore the farm. Arts and craft activities for the kids in the main barn. Free.

913.826.2957 Meet the Avengers Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Bring your camera and meet your favorite Marvel characters.KansasCityZoo.org

Bubba & Trixie 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. A puppet show about a timid caterpillar and a bold lady bug that share a journey. PuppetryArtsInstitute.org

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

Indoor Play Park 9:00, New Century Fieldhouse. Hop, skip and jump through obstacles, bounce and kick balls, build with blocks and more! $3. 913.826.2850 Free Adult Admission 9:30, Paradise Park. Free adult admission in Discovery Play with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224

30 Tuesday Journey to Oz 10:00, Crown Center. Tour the world of the Munchkins, follow Dorothy and her friends down the Yellow Brick Road and more.

Free. CrownCenter.com Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists.

Kids will enjoy our outdoor play sets that are available for open play. $2/cash. 913.307.6023 Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, paint a pottery piece and enjoy a snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com

OPEN HOUSE

May 3rd-5th | Noon - 5 pm Daily

Learn about the club, tour our facilities and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres

Drawing

FREE

for

So ial Membecrs hip!

Family Memberships starting at only $135/month!

Social/Fitness Members have access to fitness, swimming and ALL club amenities & activities

Add Golf to your membership for $65/month!

Award Winning Youth Programs: Junior Golf (Age 6+) and Swim & Dive Team (Ages 5+)

Contact Kamerin for more info or to RSVP at kamerin.ellis@brookridgegf.com or (913) 948-8639 LOCATED IN THE HEART OF OVERLAND PARK AT 435 & ANTIOCH | BROOKRIDGEGF.COM

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Enjoy delicious bites from the following restaurants Amigoni Urban Winery Belfonte Ice Cream & Dairy Foods Co. Big Momma's Bakery - Cafe Bizz & Weezy Confections Bo Lings Brasserie at the Westin Crown Center Bristol Seafood Grill Carmen's Café Charlie Hooper's Chicken N Pickle Coco Bolos Wood Fired Grill & Cantina Cornbread Buffet District. Pour House + Kitchen El Indio Pollos Al Carbon Fuzzy's Taco Shop Gates Bar-B-Q Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Hiland Dairy Co. Houlihan's Hy-Vee Catering I Am Frozen Dessert Cafe

Ignite Wood Fire Grill J. Gilberts Joe n' Hash Kingswood Senior Living Lakeview Village Levy Restaurants Lew's Grill & Bar Los Cabos Mexican Grill & Cantina Louisburg Cider Mill Luther's BBQ Mad Man's KC BBQ Magnolia's On The Move Midici The Neopolitan Pizza Company Morgana's Gluten Free Bakery Nothing Bundt Cakes O'Neills Restaurant & Bar Parker at The Fountaine Pig & Finch Pinstripes Polar Oasis

RA Sushi Saints Pub + Patio Shatto Milk Sheridan's Frozen Custard Sheridan's Unforked Southside Bar & Grille St. James Winery Taco Hangover Tavernonna Italian Kitchen at Hotel Phillips Ted's Cafe Escondido Teocali Mexican Restaurant & Cantina Thai Orchid The Classic Cup The Homesteader Cafe The Melting Pot The Roasterie Café The Well Bar, Grill & Rooftop Twin Peaks Waldo Pizza Zebra Room at the Aladdin Hotel

Endless Variety, Matchless Talent!

Spring 2019 Shows on Sale Now

Apr. 6

Apr. 12

May 18

Chita & Friends

Olga Kern, piano with Dalí Quartet

Neil Berg’s

Accompanied by a trio of superb musicians, Chita Rivera will perform timeless Broadway hits.

The Dalí Quartet invite pianist Olga Kern, Van Cliburn gold medalist, to perform Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F Minor.

101 Years of Broadway Featuring five of Broadway’s finest singers.

Check out next year’s lineup!

Secure your season package of five or more shows today.

jccc.edu/CarlsenCenter | 913-469-4445 NO ONLINE FEES | FREE PARKING | WINE & BEER AVAILABLE

NOW

OPEN

April 20 10 am - 5 pm

KC’s “Favorite Family Friendly Attraction”

eAstER

EGGSTRAVAGANZA

VISIT KC VISITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Plan Your Visit Today ScienceCity.com Union Station Members visit FREE

Tickets Now On Sale

Proud to be a

Smithsonian Affiliate

// 2 ADULTS + 2 YOUTH = $199 // FREE PARKING // BRING YOUR OWN SNACKS // FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES

YOU IN? SATURDAY NIGHT, MAY 11 BUY ONLINE AT KANSASSPEEDWAY.COM/KCPARENT OR CALL 866.460.RACE AND MENTION KC PARENT