KC Parent magazine May 2023

Big adventures start at The Birth Place.

The Birth Place was carefully designed with you and your newborn in mind. That means cozy suites, luxury amenities and a NICU where you can stay in the same room with your baby. It also means we’re going the extra mile to keep newborns and their families safe and healthy.

• Level II NICU, for babies needing extra care

• Skilled neonatal doctors and nurses

• Repeat winner of KC Parent’s “Favorite Place to Have a Baby”

• Comforts like queen beds and large windows

KC PARENT IS GIVING AWAY 2 FAMILY 4-PACKS WITH PIT PASSES TO MONSTER JAM (A $640 VALUE)!

For details and to enter, head to KCParent.com.

For 16 years I’ve anxiously awaited the arrival of May and the end of the school year. On the last day of school, the girls and I would go through all the school supplies and treasures they’d brought after a year’s accumulation in their lockers. We’d throw away most of it and salvage what we could for use at home or for the upcoming school year. But, as with every season in life, this stage is coming to an end in the Sarver home. Our younger daughter is graduating from high school this year! Although I’m excited for her, I’ll miss that last day and end-of-the-year traditions that have been a part of our lives for so many years. To our sweet Ally, congratulations on your graduation! You’ve worked hard, and we are so proud of you and can’t wait to see what your future has in store!

Along with the end of the school year, May brings the unofficial start of summer! It’s always been—and continues to be—my favorite season. I love everything about it: the long, hot days, lots of outdoor activities, unstructured days, vacations, flip flops, visits to the pool and more. There are so many great things that take place right here in KC all summer long! For a list of fun ways to kick off your KC summer, head to pg. 52. Of course, we also have a day set aside in May to honor moms! Local writer Regan Lyons takes a look at what makes moms so special on pg. 38. I hope that all the moms reading this get a day full of pampering and time spent with loved ones.

Happy Mother’s Day and happy May, Kansas City!

Publisher Michael Gimotty

Michael@KCParent.com

Associate Publisher Darrell Dean

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Editor Margaret Sarver

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Art Director Kim Tappan

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Local Contributing Writers

Kim Antisdel (Liberty), Bill Bartlett (Belton), Julie Collett (Overland Park), Janelle Cumro-Sultzer (Manhattan), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Regan Lyons (St. Joseph), Emily Morrison (Independence), Joleen Sams (Shawnee), Hailey Saunders (Kansas City)

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

OUR PRODUCTS

Celebrating 101

Margaret Sarver, Editor

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

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

Wax Paper Suncatchers

Looking for a fun and engaging craft for Mother’s Day or to hang in your nursery that is super easy to customize for your style, all while being very inexpensive? This craft will not only engage your little ones, it’s also a great opportunity to talk about primary and secondary colors and work on building strength in little ones’ hands and fingers.

Step one: Sharpen old crayons and sort the pieces by color onto plates. We ended up using about six total crayons. My 4-year-old loved to sharpen the crayons and spent about 30-40 minutes on this part. As an adult, I only needed a few minutes to finish.

Step two: Cut a sheet of wax paper around 2-3 feet long, enough to fold in half. Place wax paper on old towel.

Step three: Spread crayon pieces across half of wax paper and then fold into half. This is a great opportunity to talk about mixing colors, primary and secondary colors. Feel free to make a pattern if desired.

Step four: Have an adult use an iron or a hair straightener to quickly pass over the top layer of the wax paper using the lowest heat setting possible. The crayons will melt in seconds. Please be advised the wax paper will be extremely hot. Allow the wax paper and crayons to cool down completely for several minutes before children are allowed to touch the art

Step five: Once artwork has cooled down, feel free to cut out shapes of your choosing to hang in the window or from the ceiling. We chose to leave our artwork in one larger piece, trimming down just the sides, and we hung directly in the window to look like stained glass!

Materials Needed:

• Old crayons

• Pencil sharpener

• Plates or similiar to hold crayon pieces

• Wax paper

• Iron or hair straightener (iron is easier)

• Scissors

• String or yarn

• Old towel

Janelle Cumro-Sultzer lives in Manhattan, Kansas, with her husband, soon to be three children and two dogs. Janelle is the owner of Flint Hills Mediation LLC and loves to focus on learning through play and getting messy with crafts.

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

Hysterectomy 101

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hysterectomy is the second most common major surgery for women prior to menopause. Each year about 600,000 women have a hysterectomy in the United States. More than half of those women are less than 45 years old, and the highest rate of hysterectomy is for women 40-44 years old.

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and sometimes other structures as well. A hysterectomy is not typically the first treatment option and will only be recommended by your OB-GYN if the benefits of the surgery outweigh the risks. Many women will have tried other options that were not successful at controlling their symptoms before undergoing surgery. The most common reason for hysterectomy is uterine fibroids, which are benign tumors of the muscle wall of the uterus that can cause bleeding and pain. The other major indications for hysterectomy include endometriosis, uterine prolapse, abnormal bleeding and cancer.

Depending on your individual circumstances, the procedure may be performed through the vagina, through an incision in the lower abdomen or laparoscopically. Regardless of the type of procedure, you will receive general

anesthesia and will not be awake during the surgery. The length of your hospital stay after hysterectomy will vary and may require one or more nights at the hospital for continued monitoring. You may also get medicine to prevent blood clots while at the hospital. As with most surgeries, a major key to recovery will be getting up and walking as soon as you are able. This will greatly benefit you in maintaining your mobility and strength, as well as in preventing a blood clot.

When you return home to recover from surgery, you will be given specific instructions from your OB-GYN regarding pain management, as well as activity and lifting restrictions. Be sure to follow your specific post-op instructions for your individual procedure.

You will be sent home with a prescription for a strong pain medication and likely will need to take this initially before transitioning to using only over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Pads will be needed as light vaginal bleeding is expected for several days and up to several weeks. It is not uncommon for bleeding to stop and then start up for a brief time as you heal. Many women also experience constipation after hysterectomy. This can be prevented with a daily overthe-counter stool softener, fiber supplement

and drinking plenty of fluids. Contact your physician if these measures are not effective in preventing or managing constipation.

To effectively support your recovery, balance rest and physical activity. Allow yourself plenty of time to heal, but be sure to make an effort to get up and walk around throughout the day as well. Light walking that you can tolerate is encouraged and should be increased a little every day.

Although a hysterectomy may provide relief from symptoms and worries, it may also bring feelings of sadness and loss. This can be normal. Be sure to discuss your emotions with someone you trust, and be honest with your health care providers about your feelings. You may also find comfort in one of the many online hysterectomy support groups as you interact with others who share similar experiences with you.

Hailey Saunders, APRN, MSN, FNP-C, is a family nurse practitioner and Kansas City native who is passionate about evidencebased health education. When she has free time, you can find her at home with her husband and three sons tending to their garden, goats, sheep and chickens.

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

About a year ago, I adopted a beautiful German Shepherd mix named Ariana. She is a very sweet dog, with a mild temperament and has taken well to training. The only issue she has is she really enjoys licking skin, especially hands. She does this until you move or ask her to stop. Is this because of the salt in our skin? Thanks for everything you do!

- Chris Kennedy

Ariana’s licking is a natural and instinctive way to communicate with you. She may be licking you for a variety of reasons such as expressing herself, trying to bond with you, showing empathy, letting you know that she is stressed, or just because you taste good to her. I would not be concerned with this behavior unless it becomes excessive. Then you can train her to stop as you have been doing.

- Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

I have two young Australian Shepherds who eat feces. I have tried prescription meds and over-the-counter deterrents, but they have not worked. Any other tips to stop this behavior? -

Laurie

Coprophagia (eating feces) can be a tough habit to break for many dogs. Trying to find out why they eat poop is key in understanding how to curb it. Dogs may eat poop because of stress, parasites, boredom, poor diet, issues with their pancreas, and sometimes they just do it because they enjoy it, which is one of the tougher ones to break. Try to find

out why, then you can work on it. I also recommend hanging out with your pooches outside so you can pick their stool up immediately and redirect them from eating it. Do this for a few months and work on the commands “leave it” and “come” so you can direct them without being close by.

- Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

My 10-year-old very good girl, Lola, has always loved her walks. Within the last six months to a year, she has started to hide when the Amazon truck is in our neighborhood. Unfortunately, as time has passed, she is now afraid to leave the house on walks. We have been patient with her and at times can coax her into walking down the street. Ultimately at some point she becomes startled and wants to immediately return home. Do you have any recommendations for us to try? Lola always enjoyed her walks, and it is breaking our hearts to see her like this.

- Brandon

Sounds like something scary may have happened in the past and now walking is causing her anxiety. I recommend practicing walking in the back yard or in places that are not frightening for her and going out a little further into the street every day. This can even mean only an extra couple of feet at a time. You may want to practice walking when your street is less busy with low stimuli or triggers to build a positive association. You can also start by putting a blanket in the front yard and having little picnics and getting her used to hanging out in the front yard, then

walking a little bit afterwards around the house and venturing further out if she chooses. Anything to create a positive interaction with her being outside is crucial. Stick close to home in case she gets nervous and constantly praise any confidence she is displaying. Take it slow and don’t expect quick changes. If she is enjoying her time outside, whether that’s walking or not, that is still enrichment for her.

- Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

She’s tried being nice. Tried being cute. Tried begging and pleading and hoping that her forever family would walk in the door and take her home. But now? She’s just tired and starting to lose hope. Shelters across the Kansas City area and beyond are in a crisis, and it’s dogs like Bug that are suffering in these unprecedented times. Bug needs a hero. All of our shelter dogs do, but we want to get Bug OUT of the shelter before her 2-year shelter anniversary hits. We know that Bug’s forever family is out there somewhere.

READ her profile. SHARE her story. ADOPT Bug. We have no chance without the help of our community. If you would like to meet Bug, please email adoptions@greatplainsspca.org for more information!

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

KIDS WITH ANXIETY: A GROWING CONCERN

Ask any pediatric health care professional or educator about children with anxiety, and you’ll hear that we’re seeing more and more children struggle with mental and behavioral health concerns. As a parent, you may have noticed this as well. Many factors are contributing to this rise, but there’s good news, too. More awareness, resources and techniques than ever before can help kids navigate and learn how to cope with stress and anxiety.

In honor of National Mental Health Awareness month, let’s review what anxiety looks like for children, and how you can foster positive mental health at home. Finally, we’ll look at when and where to ask for help in your community.

ANXIETY OVERVIEW

We’ve all experienced anxiety at one point or another in our lives. Stress and anxiety are helpful when they make you take action but become problematic when your quality of life starts to suffer.

For example, imagine you have a big test coming up that has you worried. Good stress motivates you to prepare and study. Bad stress paralyzes you and makes you think that studying won’t matter. Then, when you get a bad grade, you blame it on not studying.

As your children grow and develop, they experience plenty of age-appropriate fears. A few common examples:

n 9 MONTHS – Around 9 months, your baby may show signs of separation anxiety, more commonly known as a sense of “stranger danger.” Some babies don’t mind being with unfamiliar people, but others are inconsolable until they are reunited with their familiar person.

n PRESCHOOL – This age group has many real fears based on imaginary dangers, like monsters in the closet or fear of the dark.

n ELEMENTARY – School-age kids start to fear real-life dangers, like tornadoes, insects, animals or what happens when animals or people die.

n MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL – Social anxiety, fear of the future and fear of failure are all significant stressors.

For most kids, anxiety levels seem “normal” for their age. However, problematic anxiety is on the rise. Anxiety disorders are typically diagnosed when worries and fears interfere with a child’s ability to function or enjoy life. Fear and worry can keep your child from trying new activities or making friends and interfere with school performance.

CHILDHOOD SIGNS OF ANXIETY

As a parent, you know your child best. Every person’s journey with anxiety is unique, and symptoms can change over time. In general, some signs your child may be struggling to control worries and fears may look like this:

n EXCESSIVE WORRY. Worries that seem out of proportion for the situation, or extreme separation anxiety.

n INTENSE FEARS. Fears that keep your child from participating in activities.

n IRRITABILITY OR ANGER. Your child may blow up over seemingly minor transgressions.

n PHYSICAL SIGNS you may notice:

Fatigue

Headaches

Stomachaches

Poor sleep

Panic attack symptoms – difficulty breathing, heart pounding, dizziness, feeling shaky or sweaty.

FOSTER A POSITIVE HOME ENVIRONMENT

Children experience stress and anxiety just like adults do but don’t always have the tools to manage their big feelings. As a parent, your role is to help them grow and develop the coping skills needed to function in the world. Of course, much of this happens naturally, but everyone can benefit from learning more about positive coping skills.

COMMUNICATE. When talking with your children, ask open-ended questions, so they can’t just answer yes or no. Listen more than you talk. Instead of offering advice, tell them a story about a time you encountered a similar situation, how you felt and how you handled it.

CREATE ROUTINE AND BOUNDARIES. Children crave routine and boundaries, even though they will challenge them at every stage. Predictability can soothe fear of the unknown.

FOSTER A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. Physical activity, a well-balanced diet and good sleep practices are essential for overall health. A healthy lifestyle has been shown to help manage anxiety symptoms.

WHEN AND WHERE TO ASK FOR HELP

There’s never a bad time to ask for help. Your child’s pediatrician is a great place to start if you or other caregivers in your child’s life have concerns about his behavior. Because there is such a high demand for behavioral health care services, many primary care offices now have behavioral health professionals on-site. Your local school district and county mental health resource centers are also great resources.

Age-appropriate therapy services can benefit your child in several ways. First, you and your child will learn about the things and situations that trigger her anxiety. Therapists then teach and help practice coping skills to help your child manage her symptoms. There are several practices across the KC metro—ask for recommendations from trusted friends and family or your health care providers.

Our kids face a rapidly changing world. The best way to prepare them is by fostering healthy behaviors, communication and connection with others. As they grow, they need coping skills to help them navigate the unknown. It’s OK to ask for help; we all have plenty to learn from one another!

Joleen Sams is a passionate mental health advocate and family nurse practitioner who lives in Shawnee.

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

RESOURCES:

Greater Kansas City Mental Health Coalition at ITSOK.us. Site includes resources for KC metro community mental health centers. KC Center for Anxiety Treatment at KCAnxiety.com.

REFERENCES

Anxiety and Depression in Children | CDC

Remake Learning Days

Remake Learning Days is back for the third year and takes place May 1-15. Remake Learning Days KC invites families to have fun learning together as the greater Kansas City area transforms into the classroom with more than 150 events across the metro. So many fun activities and events from organizations all over the city, including a festival at Johnson County Community College, introduction to archery, pizza making, creating upcycled jewelry and more! Check out more than 130 activities at RemakeLearningDays.org.

Water Filter

Sometimes, the things I want to purchase require some research. And I love it when someone has already done that research for me. I have been wanting a way to filter our drinking water, but there are a lot of choices out there! Luckily, my sister had researched thoroughly and gave me two options to consider. I went with the Clearly Filtered pitcher and water bottles. Although they’re a bit on the pricy side, I’m happy with my choice and have seen my own evidence of the filter at work: The film in my water cup has disappeared! ClearlyFiltered.com

Meal Prep

I’ve written here before about how I love Dream Dinners for not only their yummy food, but also for how they save me time in the kitchen and alleviate meal planning stress. And if you can believe it, just recently they’ve gotten even better! The minimum needed to place an order has dropped from 12 meals to just three! So if you aren’t a long-term planner and would rather purchase weekly, now you can! And if you suddenly find yourself hosting friends or family for dinner, now you can order food for the event in a snap. DreamDinners.com

LOVE

5THINGS WE RIGHT NOW

Compiled by Margaret Sarver

Shoes

When flying, I stand in the regular security line because I don’t have TSA pre-check or Clear. Although, after a recent one-hour-and-twominute wait in the security line at the Denver airport, I may need to reconsider. But for now, when I go through security, I need to remove my shoes (always a pain). Enter Kizik shoes! They feature a patented heel design so you can take them off and put them on without bending over or touching them with your hands. Brilliant! And they are comfy! In addition to being helpful when traveling, I think they’d be perfect for when you’re pregnant and reaching down is tricky! Check them out at Kizik.com.

National Parks

Our national parks are a treasure, and there are so many I’d like to visit. In fact, if you’d asked me not too long ago how many I had visited, my answer was always none. Until I received a copy of The National Parks Scavenger Hunt by Stacy Tornio. In paging through this informative book with delightful illustrations, I realized I’ve actually been to four parks! This book contains not only a wealth of information but also a fun scavenger hunt for each park. It’s a great jumping off point for planning a trip and provides a family-friendly way to explore all 63 parks. I highly recommend for your family’s library!

FRIDAY NIGHTS

“That’s not fair! You get a party every Friday night, but we don’t.” An adolescent conflict with my mother had escalated to forceful sentences, but Mom kept her temper.

When my grandparents retired, they sold their store in the Ozarks and moved a few blocks away. Dad picked up them and a case of beer every Friday evening. Since they were the Greatest Generation, the ones who had confronted evil and decisively defeated it, drinking beer during a get-together was just something they did.

This became such a regular occurrence on Friday evenings, we kids christened it, “Beer Night.” The adults sat around our dining room table with a beer at hand while they played cards and talked. They never had any specific topic or agenda, and their discussions ranged wide, with humor never far away. Kids were tolerated as long as we stayed quiet, and I spent many hours as a fly on the wall, soaking up lessons the grown-ups offered without charge.

This went on for years, and, before I knew it, my own approaching adulthood made me chafe at my childhood restrictions, which I now regarded as blatantly unfair.

So, I told her what I thought.

Her answer caught me by surprise.

“You think I want to do this? I’ve played cards and drunk beer every Friday night for the last six years, and I’m sick of it.”

I blinked. “Why don’t you stop?”

“Because she’s my mother and this is what she likes.”

The next Friday evening, I sat in the dining room with the adults and watched Mom. She gave no indication that she’d rather be anywhere than here. She talked, laughed, and sipped her drink. More importantly, she gave yet another gift to her mother who was unaware of what those few hours cost.

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

&

BY PEGGY GISLER AND MARGE EBERTS

HOW ACCOMMODATIONS CAN HELP ADHD STUDENTS INVESTIGATING NEW APPS

QUESTION: My ADHD child in middle school has extended time and note taking accommodations. Is it likely that these accommodations have really been helping him this year? Is there anything that might work better? – Concerned.

ANSWER: Your child is either receiving his accommodations because of a school intervention plan, a 504 plan, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a plan developed by a private school. All interventions are usually put in place by a team. You should have been present at the team meeting and been able to ask questions. When you left the meeting, you should have received a copy of the written plan.

At any time, you can request for the team to meet again to look at how the accommodations are working for your son. There are two easy ways to find out how well the accommodations are working. First, simply ask your son if they really help. Second, look at his grades and comments on papers and report cards.

Usually, extended time means that your son is taking his tests in another room with other students who are also receiving extra time. Note taking accommodations usually mean that he should be receiving a copy of the teacher’s notes. Both of these accommodations should definitely help him. He should use the notes he receives to correct and fill in any missing information from the notes he takes in class.

Other accommodations that could be added to his plan, if necessary, are having tests read to him, being able to use notes or study guides when taking his tests, or having shorter tests. Word banks are another accommodation that can be added when students who are answering an essay question would have trouble spelling or coming up with words needed to respond to a long-form question.

QUESTION: What pitfalls should you warn your children about when they start using a new app?

– Avoiding Dangers

ANSWER: Almost all children became more savvy users of electronic devices during the pandemic. You definitely want your children to enjoy using their electronic devices, but you also want to protect them from the drama of cyberbullying and oversharing. Keep in mind that most apps do build in features to disable things that could be a possible danger to young users.

You should personally use all apps that your children have to make sure the app employs appropriate language for the age of your child and the content is appropriate. Safety is all-important, too, especially when your child is using social media apps because your child’s location can be tracked to within a city block, and posts may include their location. Make sure to turn off location settings on the phone and in the app. Check to see whether previous posts include location information and delete them.

Brighten Your Brunch Spread

(Family Features)

Astaple of warm weekend days, brunch combines the best flavors of the first two meals of the day. Every great brunch spread complements its savory items with something sweet, something refreshing and a signature beverage, and there’s one ingredient that can help cover all of those bases–100% orange juice.

An option like Florida orange juice is not only delicious but delivers a powerful combination of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that have associated health benefits. One of nature’s nutrient dense foods, one 8-ounce glass of orange juice provides 100% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C and is also a good source of potassium, folate and thiamin, making it a great substitute for sugar-sweetened beverages and a simple addition to brunch staples like this Orange Oatmeal.

When combined with a healthy lifestyle, 100% orange juice may also help support a healthy immune system. Orange juice contains beneficial plant compounds, flavonoids and colorful carotenoids to aid in fighting inflammation and cell communication. It is also rich in vitamin C, which helps strengthen immune systems by protecting cells and promoting the production and function of immune cells. Vitamin D, which can be found in fortified juices, also plays an important role in regulating immune response and helps immune cells fight off bacteria and viruses that get into the body.

For more information and sweet, nutritious brunch recipes, visit FloridaJuice.com.

Citrus Watermelonade

1 c. hot water

2 c. sugar

6 c. watermelon, seeded, rind removed and cut into 1-inch pieces, divided

2 c. Florida orange juice

1 c. Florida grapefruit juice

3/4 c. lemon juice

3/4 c. lime juice

2 c. Florida oranges, cut into 1-inch pieces, peeled

1/2 c. mint leaves

Ice, for serving

Florida orange slices for garnish (optional)

Watermelon chunks for garnish (optional)

In small saucepan over low heat, combine hot water and sugar; heat until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate until chilled.

In blender, puree 4 cups watermelon until smooth.

In large pitcher, stir watermelon juice, chilled sugar syrup, orange juice, grapefruit juice, lemon juice and lime juice until combined.

Add remaining watermelon pieces, orange pieces and mint leaves; refrigerate 2-3 hours until well chilled. Serve over ice in glasses. Garnish with orange slices and watermelon chunks, if desired.

Orange Oatmeal

1 c. Florida orange juice

1 1/2 c. water

1 c. quick-cooking steel-cut oats

1 Florida orange, peeled and diced

1 T. agave nectar or honey

1/4 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. salt

In medium saucepan over high heat, bring orange juice and water to boil.

Add oats to boiling liquids.

Return to boil then reduce to medium heat and cook, uncovered, 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Mix in diced orange, agave nectar, cinnamon and salt. Remove pan from heat; let stand 1 minute before serving.

THE

GOODBYE TO FINES.

t hat’s a Wrap: FINISHING THE SCHOOL YEAR STRONG

It’s finally May, and you can almost smell the chlorine filling the local pools. The grill is prepped, the amusement parks are open, and your kids are looking forward to a life of leisure for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, we aren’t there just yet.

It’s only natural that around this time of year parents, teachers and students start to take their foot off the gas pedal of learning— but that doesn’t mean it’s a great idea. How children finish their current school year will set the tone for summer months and the forthcoming academic year. If they’re given leeway to ease up and coast out of their grade, they are already at a disadvantage. Parents want to raise responsible learners who take their job seriously and don’t quit just because the end is near.

Here are a few tips to keep your kids engaged with their schooling, all the way to the first cannon ball of summer.

SET ATTAINABLE GOALS

The imminence of summer freedom can make the work in front of your children seem insurmountable. Debilitating, even. They may find themselves struggling to focus and falling behind. Be proactive and review outstanding tasks due. Break work into small,

weekly chunks that are more palatable than the entire thing all at once. Then celebrate each weekly win to give your children momentum to carry all the way through.

PRO TIP: Don’t believe your children when they tell you they’re done with their work for the whole year and “nothing is happening.” They’re lying.

KEEP READING IN THE MIX

When school is over, one of the single best ways to ensure your kids retain what they’ve learned is to keep them reading. In the weeks leading up to the end of the year, hit up the library and start your children reading a chronological series (e.g., Harry Potter, The Boxcar Children, Percy Jackson, etc.). By the time summer starts, you’ll have finished the first book and they’ll be excited to start the next one. They won’t realize it, but you’re teeing them up to keep turning pages all the way through the summer.

END-OF-YEAR CONFERENCES

If you feel like it’s possible your child has fallen behind, it’s not too late. Schedule a meeting with the teacher and your child to talk realistically about what can be done before the final bell rings. Are there extra-

credit opportunities or missing assignments that would bring that grade up just a few more points? Depending on your child’s age, consider letting him lead this meeting. It’ll be good practice for asking for help when he gets a job and is on his own. If kids are younger, feel free to drive the conversation with the teacher to get the most out of the time.

DIG DEEP FOR INTERESTS

Take a minute to focus on what is piquing your child’s interest at this time in her life. Is she super into dinosaurs? Find a nearby museum and offer to take her this weekend if she completes her science project early. Earning small rewards will keep your child engaged and motivated. Uncovering these interests can also help you carry learning into the summer months. Find local camps or activities based on those interests and get your child signed up!

DOUBLE-CHECK THEIR TOOLS

It’s the end of the year, and not only is your children’s patience waning, but their learning tools might be running low too. Check to make sure they have enough pens, sharpened pencils with full erasers, glue and paper. You might be surprised at how

a brand new pencil not covered in teeth marks can make someone feel motivated. (It works for me!)

Give the backpack a quick glance as well. Who knows what Twix crumbs and permission slips you were supposed to have signed linger in that black abyss. A quick cleanout can help your child—and you—feel a boost of energy.

KEEP GETTING ZZZZ’S

The sun is staying out longer, and the temperatures are rising. This is not the time to allow bedtimes and homework to slip. Keep your school schedule on a strict loop all the way through to the last day. Those nights of recuperation are vital to your children’s staying focused and learning. Don’t do them a disservice by letting them miss out.

BE SELECTIVE WITH EXTRAS

The final weeks of school are packed to the gills with activities, both at school and home. Spirit Week, Field Day, end-of-year celebrations, track and soccer competitions, birthday parties … the list is never-ending.

These activities are meant to be fun, but coupled with the pressure of end-of-year exams, can be overwhelming. If your child doesn’t want to dress up like his favorite Disney character this Wednesday, let him skip it and wear what he wants. If you feel she’s getting burned out, skip the Saturday birthday party at the skating rink in exchange for a couple of days of relaxation.

SHOW THEM HOW

Let’s be honest—you’re excited for summer, too. No more dropping off and picking up and heading to soccer practice and arranging schedules to attend recitals. We parents find it so easy to slip into a lower gear and get complacent before that final bell rings. Be mindful of the words you’re saying around your child. Avoid negative phrases about the remainder of the year that allow your child to mimic your energy. Because, trust me, they’re listening.

BE HEALTHIER

Skip juices and soda at dinner. Drink a lot of water. Eat some vegetables. Maybe throw an apple in there, too. The end of the

year is generally when fast food and quick meals start to appear more frequently. Do your best to prepare for the week ahead, so your children have the nutrition to stay in motion.

Kim Antisdel is a freelance writer and interior design sales rep for KC. She lives in Liberty with her husband, stepdaughters and son.

QUICK END-OF-YEAR HACKS CLEAR

OUT THE CLOSET – Get the long-sleeve shirts and sweaters into the winter bins. If your kids can easily find weather appropriate clothing, it will cut down on their stress.

REDUCE SCREEN TIME – They have all summer to be screen zombies. Turn the screens off by a scheduled time each night and stick to it. No exceptions.

GET OUTDOORS – The weather has improved, so spend weekends and evenings after homework outside. The Vitamin D will do everyone good.

Magical Modeling

RAISE A SELFLESS KID

When you turn on the TV news or pull up the latest news on your phone, it’s likely a negative report or story of others’ hardships. Maybe a family lost everything in a tornado, or someone fell victim to a crime. Our basic human instinct tells us to empathize and stress for a moment about those who are having a rough time.

Kids are born with the ability to empathize to an extent, but selflessness and caring for others is a learned, modeled behavior. The best and most important thing parents can do to raise selfless kids is to give them opportunities to help others. Expose them to activities that promote selflessness.

For us adults, putting others before ourselves can sometimes be a hard thing, so teaching our kids may be hard, too. Yet teaching children that the world does not just revolve around them is an important lesson. Here are a few ways to encourage selflessness in your kiddos.

Read about it

Don’t be afraid to check out a few books on the subject, like How to Raise Selfless Kids in a Self-Centered World, Raising Uncommon Kids or Here Come the Helpers

Be kind to strangers

Even if you’re just out at the grocery store with your kids, let them see you treat strangers with love and respect. Let someone in front of you in the checkout line. Tell people “excuse me” when you walk past them. Your kids will pick up on these subtle gestures.

Find volunteer opportunities

You don’t necessarily have to take your kids to an open-door food kitchen but try to find little ways to help out in your community. Take them with you to drop off a bag of gently used items at a second-hand store. Pick up pieces of trash at the park (with gloves, of course, and making sure you safely wash and sanitize hands afterwards). Adopt a puppy at the animal shelter together (if a new pet happens to be on your radar).

Do chores together

Have your kids help you load the dishwasher a few times a week. Vacuum the living room floor together. Ask your son or daughter to walk with you to grab the mail. Let kids know their assistance to you is a big help and that you appreciate it. This might motivate them to take initiative later in helping if they know it makes you happy. They’ll want to help others, too.

Model selflessness

If you’ve got a full cart of groceries but see an elderly couple standing behind you in the checkout line, let them ahead of you. Tell your kids later that even though it’s hard to wait our turn sometimes, patience is a virtue, and it makes others happy if we can put them first once in a while.

Help them care for others

Teach big brother that little sister is so happy when he invites her to play race cars or dinosaurs with him. Even if he wants to play alone sometimes, she likes to feel included, and including her means he cares for her.

Recognize their selfless acts

Most importantly, if you see your children exhibiting a positive, helpful behavior you’ve modeled, let them know. Tell them you’re so proud and thank them for taking out the trash or helping a sibling with homework or feeding the dog. Acknowledge that you see their actions and appreciate them.

Emily Morrison is a freelance writer, former copy editor, full-time mommy and Disney fanatic who lives in Independence with her husband, son, daughter and dog.

KC Parent’s

Camp Chippewa

Camp Guide

At Camp Chippewa, we’ll worship, laugh, stargaze, and dream. We’ll enjoy campfires, s’mores, animals, and the beautiful outdoors. Come grow along new lifelong friends as we face challenges, build new skills, and most importantly … have fun! Chippewa offers 8 weeks of camping with a variety of camps to choose from, and is available for kids entering grades K-12. Learn more and register at www.CampChippewa.org/summercamps

See display ad on pg. 31.

Ceramic Café

Campers will explore the fascinating world of the fired arts with creative, hands-on projects including: clay sculpting, ceramic painting techniques, and fused glass. We will feature all

new projects for camp 2023 using our favorite fired arts materials in new and creative ways! Items created will be fun and functional. Glazed ceramics are food safe! There will be built-in breaks for snacks and fun activities to get everyone up and moving around. Don’t wait, many of our sessions sold out last summer. See display ad on pg. 35. www.CeramicCafeKC.com

Church of the Resurrection

Save the date to have your Kindergarten through 5th-grade kiddo join us for a week at Beach Bash. Everyone’s invited July 17-21 across any of our six Resurrection locations: Leawood, Olathe, Downtown, Blue Springs, Overland Park and our newest location in Brookside. More information at www.COR.org/vbc.

See display ad on pg. 28.

The Coterie Theatre School Classes and Performance Camps

The Coterie offers summer acting and drama classes to students entering Grades K-12 at five sites: Crown Center (at the Coterie), The Plaza (Pembroke Hill), Overland Park (MillerMarley), Liberty (Liberty Community Center), and Kansas City, KS (KCKCC). Led by professional, trained teaching artists, Summer 2023 week-long, halfday classes include creative drama, acting, and audition skills; and full-day performance camps for Grades 5-12 will be held at the Plaza, Liberty, and KCK locations. Get class schedules & descriptions or enroll online now at www.TheCoterie.org. See display ad on pg. 29.

Culture House

Come have a summer blast at The Culture House where performing and fine arts camps fill the building with creativity, friendship and fun! There are all kinds of camps for your children: Theater, Musical Theater, Dance, Music and Art. Parents will love how smooth all aspects of registration and logistics are handled making it easy for all to enjoy a summer filled with great memories and new friendships. Sign up today before camps are full at www.CultureHouse.com! See display ad on pg. 27.

Continued on page 28

59,540 unique page views at KCParent.com’s ’22 Virtual Camp Guide

104,000 readers each issue of KC Parent Magazine

DID YOU KNOW?

KCParent.com has a 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

Father Son Kamp

Kanakuk’s Father Son Kamp is a 1-Week experience for Fathers and their sons ages 9-18, located in Branson, Missouri. Step away from the noise and busyness of everyday life and enjoy an adventure filled with Christian adventure, incredible fun, and deeper relationships with your son! Fathers and sons will leave with priceless memories and practical tools to keep their relationship growing throughout the year. Learn more about this experience at www.Kanakuk.com/father-son-kamp or by calling 417.266.3000. See display ad on pg. 30.

KC Watersports

Camps are held Monday-Friday from 9:00-3:00. Our passion is teaching people how to enjoy watersports at every level. Whether you’re new to

the sport and have never ridden any kind of board before to the advanced rider wanting to learn a new flip or twist our camp will fit every level of rider. Included with camp is instruction from our top-level coaches, gear, and a light lunch. Kids bring a positive attitude, swim wear, sunscreen and a towel. See display ad on pg. 30.

KCWaterSports.com

Kansas City Missouri Parks & Recreation

Get ready for 10 weeks of fun at Kansas City, Missouri Parks & Recreation’s Summer Day Camps! This year, camps include educational enrichment opportunities, field trips, games, art projects, recreational sports and more—all provided in a safe and healthy environment. New in 2023 is

a Sport Specialty Camp and Outdoor Adventure Camp. Visit www.KCParks.org for details. See display ad on pg. 36.

Kansas City Young Audiences

Sing, Dance, Act, Make, 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 & Classes: June 5 –August 5. Scholarships are available. Early enrollment discounts too! 816.531.4022. See display ad on pg. 30.

www.KCYA.org

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art

Now enrolling for summer classes on weekdays June 13-July 28! Each week, students ages 5-11 explore a different topic and create unique

CAMPGUIDE

projects. Single-session classes this summer include painting, mixed-media shadowboxes, scratch art and mobile sculptures. Weekday summer classes feature special 4-day options: Painting Studio Week and 3-D Art Week. Aspiring Artists for ages 12-14 meets June 8 and 9. www.NermanMuseum.org or 913.469.2323. See display ad on pg. 31.

Oakhill Day School

Every day is a vacation at Oakhill Fully Charged! Our flexible weekly themed day camps for campers ages two through middle school are a high-energy combination of play and creativity! Embark on a journey of what summer should be through field trips, camp-wide water balloon fights, trips to the pool, and more from our fantastic crew of Fully Charged counselors! Enroll online:

www.OakhillDaySchool.org/Summer. See display ad on pg. 35.

Rock Springs Ranch

Since 1946, Rock Springs Ranch has been host to generations of young campers. They unplug, explore, learn lifelong skills, and grow in the heart of the Flint Hills of Kansas, a wondrous place with wide, open spaces. Many make friends for life. Open to ages 8-17 with choice of 3- or 5-night adventures with enrichment activities, outdoor fun, and expanded programming, including a focus on leadership skills. www.RockSpringsRanch4hCamp.org

(785) 257-3221 See display ad on pg. 31.

Summer at Barstow

Have you heard the buzz? Summer at Barstow is Kansas City’s favorite summer camp program for kids ages 3 and up!

Continued on page 36

Get creative at the Nerman Museum!

Classes (ages 5-14) combine engaging, interactive tours with unique studio projects.

Tues.-Fri., June 13-July 29 10 a.m.–noon or 2–4 p.m.

Preregistration is required.

913-469-2323 • nermanmuseum.org

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art Johnson County Community College

THE GREAT NEWS ABOUT HOMESICKNESS

One of the primary reservations parents have about overnight summer camp experiences for their kids is homesickness. We tell ourselves that our kids will be ready to go to camp when they don’t have fears about being homesick at all. But what if I told you homesickness could actually be not only a good thing, but a great thing in your child’s development?

Homesickness is not the exception, it’s the rule. In study after study, researchers found that around 95 percent of children who were spending at least 14 days at overnight camp felt homesickness to some degree. Children at day camp may also feel similarly, but less frequently. The good news, however, is homesickness is typically mild, kids that have it are in good company with their peers, and learning how to overcome it can be a huge boost to a child’s self-confidence.

... homesickness could actually be not only a good thing, but a great thing in your child’s development.

Consider these facts:

1

Homesickness means there is some aspect of your home environment that is desirable. Whether it’s home cooking, playing with a sibling or walking the dog, that bit of family life makes a homesick child see home as the place to be. Parents should be encouraged that they have fostered an environment that is so warmly regarded by their kids. (Way to go, Mom and Dad!)

2

Homesickness is going to hit hardest when there’s downtime. Thankfully, though, camp life is full of structured events that are exciting and out of the ordinary, which help to keep anxiety at bay. Because homesickness will most likely come in waves, it’s important campers realize that when it does strike, it isn’t a bad thing. Learning different coping strategies is key. We’ll talk about some of them below.

3

Homesickness typically gets better with time. First-time campers are far more likely to have a pining for home during their stay than return campers. After all, successful camp experiences beget successful camp experiences. Learning how to cope bolsters both a child’s independence and confidence and prepares kids for their future.

4

H omesickness is a pining for the familiar, but learning to find good in new experiences fosters resilience, growth and a hunger for adventure.

Whether or not your kids communicate they have cold feet about camp, it’s helpful to brainstorm some coping strategies together in advance, so they’ll have some tools in their pocket if homesickness does hit. One of the hardest aspects of homesickness is being caught off guard by it. By preparing for the chance it does develop, your child has a one-up on a potential challenge. Here are some ways to work together:

Involve your child in the planning. Have some fun together in the anticipation. Go shopping together for new summer clothing, toiletries and favorite snacks and treats. Pick out stationery and provide stamped and addressed envelopes, so your child can write home as much as she wishes while away. On the flip side, consider writing to your child often, so your camper can receive a little bit of sunshine in the mailbox at camp.

Don’t create an issue that doesn’t exist. If your child doesn’t articulate concerns about being away, don’t magnify a what-if scenario. The biggest issue with homesickness, remember, isn’t having it. Rather, it’s being taken off guard about what to do if it strikes and you didn’t think it would. Articulate that you think your child has the capacity to figure out a problem on his own and project confidence, not fear. Dr. Michael G. Thompson, a clinical

psychologist and author of Homesick but Happy: How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow, says that many parents, in an effort to diminish fears, actually produce homesickness by projecting their own fears onto their kids.

Normalize homesickness. “Kids can be both a little bit homesick and happy—you can have fun all day and then cry yourself to sleep,” Thompson says. It’s essential, though, that Mom and Dad don’t offer to swoop in and take a child home at the first sign of sadness or fear; offering an opt-out undermines confidence in your child’s ability to figure out how to cope.

Don’t offer deals. Just as you should avoid offering a pickup plan midweek, avoid offering bribes for staying or rewards for having a positive experience.

Why? A bribe negates the reward of the camp experience itself and makes the goal merely enduring the week. A reward for having a good time puts undue pressure on a child to have the type of experience you would prefer. The reality is that there will naturally be both highs and lows.

Set up a trial run. There is research that indicates the more time a child has away from home, the less they will be homesick. This doesn’t mean you should send your kids away all the time, but a small trip alone can be good for both you and your child. See whether Grandma and Grandpa would be willing to host a special weekend with the grandkids, or have your kiddos stay with another trusted family member or friend for a day or two. Learning how to cope with being away from Mom and Dad, albeit with familiar faces, is a safe way to help your children spread their wings. It’s also

a time for you to figure out how to fill the void while they’re away—which is particularly helpful if you have anxiety about your child’s being away.

Prepare how you will handle if they reach out while at camp. You’ve given them stationery to write home and projected confidence in their ability to navigate the week without you, but what happens if they write tearstained letters or call in a frenzy because they want to come home? First of all, stay calm and don’t guilt yourself. Listen to your children’s concerns and assure them they’re heard. But also assure them that they’re doing something they are capable of. Redirect the conversation to positive experiences. What new friends have they made? What has been a favorite new experience or skill learned? Remind them to put the amount of time they have left at camp in perspective.

If your child is the exception, praise effort. Ultimately, parents have to trust their gut. Severe anxiety only hits a small percentage of campers, but if it’s prohibiting a child from being able to sleep or eat, it may well be time to bring a youngster home. If that’s the case, make sure to applaud your child’s effort, reminding her of how proud you are that she tried something new. Likewise, encourage her that she can try again next year. Trying again shows grit, and that’s a character quality worth celebrating as well.

Olathe freelance writer Lauren Greenlee attended summer camp from kindergarten until her senior year of high school and always regarded it as one of the highlights of summer. The only downer? Getting an egg on the head for receiving so many letters from home—thanks, Mom!

CAMPGUIDE

Campers love Summer at Barstow’s action-packed adventures in creative arts, athletics, academics and new this year STEAM camps for grades 1-12 at the Dan & Cassidy IDEA Space just down the road in Leawood, Kansas. Kids love exclusive camps and adventures; parents love our experienced instructors, 4:1 camper-to-staff ratio and extended care options. Check out camps for every budget, age, interest and schedule at www.BarstowSchool.org/ Summer. May 30-Aug. 12. Email summer@ barstowschool.org or call 816.277.0445 for more information. See display ad pg. 33.

Theater of the Imagination

Acting! Singing! Dancing! Movie Making! Fun & flexible week-long camps, start & stop whenever you like.

Open 1st-8th (in Fall ’23), no previous experience needed. No auditions, no leads and small class sizes. Big performance at the end of each week. Free shows & costumes. Shows include “Unicorns,” “Space Warriors,” “Frozen Mermaids,” “Stranger Waffles: The Musical,” “Mean Girls of Oz,” “Dragons,” “Ninjas, Rock Stars and more!” Mention KC Parent & get $30 off, (some restrictions apply). See display ad pg. 34. www.DramaKC.com

Tiger Rock Martial Arts

Train all summer at Tiger Rock’s Martial Arts Summer Camp. For only $199, you can spend your summer training at our studio. Fee includes summer training uniform and unlimited martial arts lessons. Hurry! You must register for this offer by June 1. Classes fill

up every summer, so register today! 913.829.8818 (Olathe), 913.890.3179 (Lenexa), 913.851.5050 (Overland Park) or 605.595.5284 (N. Overland Park). See display ad on pg. 32. KCTigerRock.com

Victory Soccer Camp

Victory Soccer Camp provides 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. 35. www.VictoryInSoccer.org

June

Join

•

•

Preparing HAPPY Campers

whether you are looking into single day or weeklong camps, or even overnight ones, the best place to start is by figuring out what interests your children. Just because you want them to participate in something doesn’t mean they will want to … and why waste the money or haggle with your kids each time they must go? Meredith, mom of one, says, “My husband and I both enjoyed playing tennis when we were in elementary school, so we signed our 8-year-old up for a weeklong half-day camp. She didn’t enjoy it, and luckily we hadn’t made a long-term commitment of time and money to lessons.”

Once you’ve narrowed down interests, look at your family calendar and determine which days and weeks are available. While doing this in February can be difficult, at least plug in the things you know to be non-negotiable. At this time, you’ll also want to consider just how busy you want

the schedule to be, which can be different depending on how many children you have and what they are involved in. I thought scheduling several activities into June and basically nothing in July last summer would be great for our family. The reality was, having so much downtime in July was difficult for all four of our kids—and me— so we’ll definitely plan things differently this year!

Don’t let the many local and nearby options overwhelm you. Chat with other families to see what camps or places come recommended—and maybe even see whether a classmate wants to join your child in camp. This could be particularly helpful if considering an overnight camp.

Summer camp is a time-honored tradition that can create a lifetime of memories. “We are lucky to live in an area with so many great resources!” Meredith says. “City and county recreation centers, school districts, gyms and dance studios offer a wide variety of camps that last anywhere from an hour to a full day. You name an activity, and I bet there is a camp for it!” So, get out there, do your research and start registering!

Julie Collett writes from Overland Park and is hoping her children will want to try a new camp this summer.

Every year, hundreds of disadvantaged and deserving children make City Union Mission's Camp CUMCITO their summer destination for a fun-filled week. But this year, because of inflation and other economic factors, contributions that support sending kids to camp are down considerably.

I’d love to go to camp, but . . .

Please consider a generous gift that would fund sending one or more kids to camp this summer. Thank you!

MarvelousMoms

There are endless reasons why mothers are marvelous! Their unconditional love for their children is hard to put into words. You will more than likely never understand a mom’s love for you until you are a mother yourself, but in honor of May and Mother’s Day, we would like to take a look at just a few of the things that make moms so special!

Maternal instinct

Mothers have a special maternal bond with their children that begins in the womb. This bond gives a mom the innate ability to know exactly how to care for her children. Her maternal instinct could be displayed by “nesting” her home to prepare for her baby, knowing what her child’s different cries mean, having a mother’s intuition when her child is sick or in danger or knowing when her child is lying about something.

Selfless

Mothers are the most selfless people. Once they give birth, their world becomes about their children. Their wants are no longer a priority. They sacrifice so much to make sure their children have the best lives possible. This could mean working several jobs to make ends meet, buying their kids new clothes and shoes instead of getting things for themselves and giving their free time to invest it in their children’s interests and activities. The best thing is they do all of this without a thought or expecting anything in return.

They do it all

Mothers wear many hats. They wear the hats of chefs, chauffeurs, nurses, teachers, counselors, coaches and activities coordinators to name a few. The amazing thing is they can juggle many things at once and make it all work. They’re the glue that keeps the family together. Moms can get their kids to school, work a full day, pick up the kids and get them all to different activities and home in time to cook a nice meal for the family, help with homework and get everyone to bed on time. They are truly superheroes!

They know everything about you

Moms have a strange way of knowing absolutely everything about you. They know you better than anyone else possibly could. They love their children so much that they remember every single kernel of information about them. They know everything from your biggest fears, goals, dreams and motivations down to your third favorite color, how many points you scored at your game last week, your favorite and least favorite foods and when your next dentist appointment is.

Comforting

A mother can comfort you like no one else. She knows how to cheer you up after a bad day, and she always has a shoulder to cry on. One hug from your mother can melt away all your problems and make you feel safe and secure—even as an adult. When you’re sad, she’s sad, and she will do anything in her power to make it better.

They fulfill your needs

Your mother not only provides your basic needs, like food, water and shelter, but she also provides you with social and emotional needs. She knows how to make you feel loved and important, and she cares about your feelings and feels empathy for you.

Your best friend

Mothers can also be your best friend. They are great listeners and have experience with friendships, so they give the absolute best advice. They are always wanting what is best for you and will help guide you in the right direction. They are trustworthy and the best secret keepers. As your mother ages, you will realize more and more that you couldn’t have a better best friend than your mother.

WAYS TO SPOIL MOM

This Mother’s Day, tell the mothers in your life just how much you appreciate them. And if you’re a mom, give yourself a pat on the back, because you’re amazing! Here are a few ways to spoil your mother this year!

• Make her breakfast in bed.

• Have the kids make her a DIY card or gift.

• Treat her to a spa day.

• Take the family to the park for a picnic.

Supportive

Moms are pillars of strength that you can lean on for support throughout your life. They will encourage you to follow your dreams, listen to your worries, give praise and reassurance and offer helping hands when needed.

Protective Mothers have a maternal instinct to protect their young, and this never fades as their children grow. When you were a child, your mother made sure you were safe while you took your first steps and rode a bike for the first time. When you were a teen, she didn’t let you go to a party when the parents weren’t home. She always does her best to keep you safe.

She’s always there for you

Moms put their children first and will always be there for you. No matter whether you’re 5, 15 or 55, your mother will be there when you need her. She will be your biggest cheerleader in the stands and the one there to comfort you when you’re down. Her number one priority is to make you feel her love, and she has a wonderful way of doing it!

You learned how to love from your mom

Your mother was your very first experience with love. She loved you from the moment she knew about you, and you learned how to love from her. Then that same love sprouted into the love you have as a mother for your children, and that same love will continue through your children. It’s a beautiful cycle.

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

TIPS FOR NAVIGATING FOOD ALLERGIES WITH CHILDREN

Learning your child has food allergies can yield a huge sense of relief, but it can also evoke extreme responses of fear, grief or guilt. It’s possible to run the gamut of emotions at any given time depending on how debilitating or impactful these allergies may be. Take a moment to unpack these reactions.

FEAR

For Olathe mom Melissa Schmidt, serious allergies are something she knows all too well. Her secondborn, Jonathan, experienced extreme eczema as a baby because of allergies. When taking a diagnostic food allergy test at 2, he had an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts, requiring epinephrine. Seeing Jonathan’s peanut reaction induced a huge amount of fear for both mom and son. It didn’t stop there. Years later, Schmidt discovered that both she and her firstborn, Nicholas, also had celiac disease. She joined an area support group, which helped her to navigate a series of unknowns, but her concerns for her boys’ long-term health remained.

“I wondered what kind of wedding cake Nicholas would be limited to, and I knew both boys would need to find a future wife that would be willing to shoulder their allergies as if they were their own,” Schmidt shared. Jonathan, now married, has a wife who does just that, avoiding contact with peanuts as if her own life were on the line.

Anxiety can be a common first response to allergies, whether it’s because of the allergy’s severity, the unknown variables or just the initial impact of how much research awaits you. Because there can be such a learning curve initially—scouring ingredient lists for trigger items both within food and household product labels, determining which restaurants have safe items or might be off the table, teaching your child how to advocate for his own health—it’s important that you extend grace to yourself and your child in the process.

It’s also important for both parents and children to seek out support. A 2019 Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

study indicated that an overwhelming threequarters of parents of children with food allergies feel fear and anxiety as a direct result, while over 82% think about their child’s allergy all the time. Additionally, the study determined that the emotional impact that food allergies had was felt more in parents of children 13 and older than on the children themselves. Loneliness only compounds the challenge of dealing with allergies, but on the flip side, finding “your people” (the ones who are also familiar with navigating a life with food allergies) can be a tremendous reassurance. This support can come in the form of a social media support group or an in-person community group. Many families can find such groups already formed through their local hospital systems. Food allergy friends can provide camaraderie and insight, providing feedback when planning things like vacations or handling holidays with non-allergy-sensitive family and more. And there’s nothing like one of those friends to share empathy when your child is dealing with a flare-up or reaction.

GRIEF

For author and self-trained chef Danielle Walker, finding out the foods she loved were killing her was a punch to the gut in more than one way. Birthed into a rich Italian heritage that included long-preserved family recipes, Walker’s fondest memories included learning how to cook alongside her grandmother. Family affairs were big events that centered on food, and Walker couldn’t wait to one day get married, start a family and continue the tradition. But at 22, Walker was diagnosed with an extreme form of ulcerative colitis that landed her in and out of the hospital. The foods that were front and center in her life could easily set off her autoimmune disease, and medication alone wasn’t enough to stave off the symptoms. Her illness might have jeopardized her physical health, but she was not about to let it steal her opportunities to

make memories around the table with her beloved friends and family. On the other side of grieving what she could no longer eat, Walker committed herself to finding ways to recreate guthealthy versions of her favorite comfort foods. Her husband’s encouragement to post her recipes on her blog Against All Grain ended up building a worldwide community of hope for millions that suffer with autoimmune diseases, chronic ailments and food allergies. She has since gone on to write three New York Times best-selling cookbooks and, more recently, an autobiography appropriately titled Food Saved Me.

Grief is a natural response to loss. And with allergies, there are losses. Losses of foods and the comfort and memories they bring. And loss of connection with others if friends and family are eating things your child can’t. Many don’t understand until later that allergies can equally affect relationship with others as much as they do a relationship with food, because eating together is such a communal experience. This may go as far as impacting special events such as birthday parties, school celebrations or holidays such as Halloween, Valentine’s Day or Easter.

Allow your child to grieve. After all, some food allergies can be to things kids crave the most, so it’s only natural to feel sorrow! Consider creative solutions together for tackling sticky social situations. Let your child shop for a fun allergy-friendly alternative to take to a party if they know that nothing offered will be something they can have.

GUILT

When my firstborn was a preschooler, he dealt with terrible stomach issues. Based on what I knew at the time, I figured he needed more fiber coming in the form of whole grain. I offered him whole wheat toast, crackers and pasta, thinking it would help. What I would later find out was that he was gluten intolerant, and I was actually feeding the problem.

It turns out I’m not alone. Psychologist Paige Freeman is a parent of a child with food allergies and counsels families navigating the same waters. She encourages parents to be kind to themselves, noting that the degree of vigilance required is extraordinarily high. Aim to give yourself the same amount of empathy and patience that you would to a friend. She also suggests family members give themselves flexibility to go on outings in different groups, meaning those that don’t have allergies can have a broader depth of experiences while others get individualized attention. Develop clear boundaries with family and friends who hold different thoughts about precautions than you do and avoid food-based interactions completely if necessary. And if you find yourself dealing with significant anxiety despite your best efforts, find a therapist who is food-allergy informed.

Lauren Greenlee is a boymom of four kiddos with multiple allergies. She writes from her Olathe home.

Tips from a SAVVY Party Planner

PARTIES: You either love them or dread them. And not because they’re not a blast— but sometimes the planning process can get overwhelming. If you’re about to embark on your little one’s party-planning journey, have no fear—we’ll help you make it a success.

The best way to ensure low-stress planning is to make a good list. It sounds simple, but a real solid, thorough to-do list goes a long way. If you’re like me, you may have a constant fear of forgetting or letting an important detail fall through the cracks. If you begin this process early, you’ll enjoy, not dread, party day.

Take a look at our best advice, tips and tricks to kickstart your kiddo’s big day, so you can begin tackling that checklist.

Choose a party theme

Start by choosing your theme. Maybe your party theme is inspired by your child’s favorite TV show or Disney character. Do your kids favor princesses or superheroes? Dinosaurs or robots? Soccer or ballet? Make a list of ideas before choosing and be sure to run it by your kiddos. They may already have their hearts set on a theme.

Establish your budget

Choose your ideal amount to spend on the party and try to stick to that. Decide what you can make and what you can buy. Figure out what you’d like to cook and what you would rather order ahead. If you have friends and family willing to help out, delegate small financial duties to each of them.

Create your guest list

Once you decide which family members and friends to include, you’ll really be able to start crossing off the rest of the tasks on your to-do list. Ask your kiddo (unless he’s only turning 1 or can’t tell you yet), which of his best friends he’d like to see there. Decide whether you want the celebration to be a kids-only party or with parents too. Invite a few of your own friends, as well as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. The size of the party will help determine your venue.

Set a date and choose your venue

After you’ve brainstormed a guest list, you can begin choosing dates and selecting the perfect venue. If your guest list is short, you may consider hosting the party at your house. If you find your list growing, an outside venue may be a better choice. Start

calling potential venues to see what dates they’d have available and accommodations they can make.

Send invites

Your guest list is complete, a venue has been chosen, and you figured out a date that seems to work around almost everyone’s busy schedule. Now you can send out those invitations. You can either make them (including your kiddo in the process) or custom order, depending on what you have the time for.

Shop for supplies and decor

Once you have an idea of the theme, number of guests and venue, shopping for supplies and decor should be easy. Remember to stick to your budget as much as you can. If you’re wanting to include party favors or goodie bags, this is the time to shop for those as well.

Order or bake the cake

If you’re a star baker or your child has allergies or food sensitivities, you may opt to bake a cake or cupcakes yourself. Otherwise, go ahead and order a cake from your favorite bakery or local grocery store. Be sure to call a few weeks in advance and schedule a pickup time prior to the party.

Try not to procrastinate

I’ve learned this the hard way many times, but the best way to set yourself up for success is to check as many boxes off your to-do list as early as possible. When you’ve picked out an invitation design, order it immediately. When you settle on the perfect venue, book it. Order that cake. You’ll thank yourself later.

Emily Morrison is a freelance writer, former copy editor, full-time mommy and Disney fanatic who lives in Independence with her husband, son, daughter and dog.

All Aboard: Train Fun in Kansas City

Screaming in the tunnels, listening to the rhythm of the tracks and waving at passersby … memories of train rides are a highlight of childhood. Kansas City is home to several affordable train rides and attractions for families. Celebrate National Train Day on May 13 with one of these ideas.

RIDE THE RAILS

Kansas City Northern Railroad The three restored G-16 open air trains operate on a half-mile of track.

Season: First weekend of May through last weekend of September.

Kansas City Zoo Train The zoo features an open air, large-scale train. A highlight of the ride is a trip through the tunnel.

Season: Year-round; operates daily if the weather is above 50 degrees.

Agricultural Hall of Fame Train Ride a narrow-gauge Union Pacific miniature train through the site. Explore museum exhibits and living history displays.

Season: Spring through fall.

Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad

The BG&KC offers excursions running south from Belton on a 5-mile, 45-minute round trip.

Season: May through December.

Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Ride through the Smoky Hill River Valley on the former Rock Island track laid in 1886!

Season: May through October. ASVRR.org

WATCH AND ENJOY TRAINS

Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant at Crown Center on Level I Model trains travel around the perimeter of the restaurant, delivering burgers and fries to your table.

Overland Park Arboretum 8909 W. 179th St., Overland Park. Enjoy the magical Train Garden, where trains wind through bluffs, over streams and through an old town.

Union Station 30 W. Pershing, Kansas City, Mo.

Union Station celebrates its rail history as a station for Amtrak and the home to an 8,000-square-foot model train exhibit and the KC Rail Experience.

Making Memories

IN THE KITCHEN

Amy Moss, Overland Park mom of three, shares, “My oldest daughter showed an interest in cooking, so we started doing Raddish Kids, a monthly cooking subscription box. I found it allowed her to start feeling more confident and independent in the kitchen, but also she became more interested in trying new foods. She continues to be more and more independent in the kitchen (without the kits now) and offers to help me now, too!”

What pops into your head when you hear the words making memories? Is it family movie nights? Taco Tuesdays together? Summer trips to the pool? Family vacations? Walking your children to school in the mornings? What about making memories in the kitchen? Did that pop in your head? Don’t worry if it didn’t, because it didn’t for me either! When I was growing up, cooking was something my mom just did, and I wasn’t usually a part of it—except to eat it. Now with four children of my own, I end up using the time spent cooking dinner or being in the kitchen as “me” time … a time to have a bit of quiet from the day while our kids are otherwise engaged. However, I’ve realized I may need to reevaluate this thought process because there are so many benefits to having your kids help you in the kitchen!

Reading, math, science and more

The first of many benefits is the obvious: Cooking with kids helps them in math, science and reading. Your children can read numbers in the recipe if they are younger, while older children can measure out ingredients, and older teens can manage the math involved with doubling recipes or converting measurements. Cooking and baking can seem a little like a science experiment to children, too. Let them make a hypothesis about what will happen when they mix ingredients together or let them watch ingredients change before their eyes (like melting). Your children can also read the recipes and instructions, which can enhance language development and vocabulary, as they are being exposed to new words.

Motor skills

Did you realize being in the kitchen can help your children, in particular younger ones, with motor skills? Think of all the mixing, stirring, dough rolling, spreading, pouring, chopping, squeezing and more that is done in the kitchen! This is so good for their little hands and muscles, which they’ll need later for writing, coloring and cutting. For older children, flipping pancakes, dicing veggies or portioning out muffin batter are great ways to continue working on this strength and coordination.

Basic skills

Being in the kitchen together is a wonderful, real-life way for children to learn basic life skills such as food and kitchen safety. While you work, you can teach concepts such as which knife to use for the best and

safest cutting, what safety practices to use around appliances like ovens, mixers and microwaves, or how to safely handle and properly clean things when using raw meat.

Family time

Making meals at home together can create a relaxed, nonthreatening family bonding time where everyone can visit in a casual way. In some households, the kitchen is the connection point or hub, the gathering spot, if you will. Why not invite your teen into this space with you to hang out while you are cooking? Culinary togetherness can also give you an opportunity to share family traditions centered on food or those secret family recipes that have been passed down for generations. If you are like me and don’t really have these, consider starting your own! Although I don’t usually include our own children in everyday cooking, I do enjoy baking with them and creating yearly traditions. Some we have started over the years are Super Bowl cookies, chocolate covered strawberries for Valentine’s Day, Resurrection rolls for Easter and holiday cookies.

Healthy choices

Did you know that children are more likely to eat a meal they have helped prepare? Cooking in the kitchen together will not only encourage your children to try what they have helped make, but gives you an opportunity to have conversations about healthy eating choices. You can take it a step farther with older children and discuss the monetary benefits of eating at home versus eating out.

Self-confidence, independence and responsibility booster

Perhaps one of the benefits you may not think about is improving your child’s selfconfidence and independence. Cooking also creates a sense of ownership and pride, as well as responsibility. Nicole Cook, Overland Park mom of two, shares, “Cooking with my youngest son has blossomed his self-esteem beyond measure. Even being able to put together just a few select dishes, he comes to me and asks if he can cook for the family. He relishes in the culinary process and even goes outside his comfort zone to experiment with adding something new in the dish he’s preparing. Now if only I can convince him that cleaning up is just as fun!”

Cooking with kids may feel like an insurmountable task or like just one more thing to fit in. I also realize for many moms, the 5 o’clock hour is really tough … kids are melting down, and you are overstimulated by that point. So perhaps the manageable option is to have your child help you meal prep on the weekend or make lunch together on Saturdays. If that even feels like too much in between busy sports schedules, wait until summer break. For now, you can simply make a snack together or build in one meal a week that can be cooked together. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. The experience should feel like something helpful or enjoyable, not a task or chore. Whatever way you can, try to get your children involved. Maybe, if you’re like me, it will look like just letting someone else in the kitchen to be with you while you are doing the cooking. After all, we are about progress, not perfection.

Julie Collett writes from her home in Overland Park where she has difficulty letting her kids help in the kitchen but is committed to trying!

The perfect playdate—or close to it Tips to make hang-outs a success

The perfect playdate doesn’t exist … or does it? Well, we’re here to help you set yourself up for success. Kids are wild and unpredictable (and so much fun), so it’s important to prepare.

First, you know your child best. Consider their limits. If they are ultraintroverted, a one-on-one setting may be ideal. If you’ve got a more extroverted child, they may thrive in a group setting. It could take some trial and error to figure out what works for your family, but that’s OK, too.

Next, choose the setting. A neutral or familiar environment will work best for both parties for your first meet-up. The park is a perfect spot to prevent having to share toys and to reduce that stressor. The library is a nice, calm setting, but for vocal kids with extra wiggles, it could feel a bit restricting. Again, it just depends on the kiddo and the time of day. Both options are free and enriching.

Choose a window of time. Do mornings work best before nap time? Or is your child happiest and most ready to socialize after nap time and lunch?

Recognizing and accommodating this small detail will help set you and your child up for success. Hungry, sleepy kids don’t typically feel like socializing. If you can choose a window of time that best suits your kiddo’s needs, it will make this activity more fun for both of you. Chances are, your friend is in the same boat and will share your feelings.

Try to remain present. This is a tough one, but once you have all details ironed out and possible scenarios planned for, try to just sit back and let your children engage with each other. Provide guidance or redirection when needed, but they’ll most likely have fun all on their own. Parents, try to relax and enjoy chatting with another adult. Cheers!

Keep the playdate short. This leaves less time for major meltdowns, which are totally acceptable by the way, burnout or overexertion for both parents and kids. Shorter, more frequent playdates are the key, sometimes. Your kids will thrive with that routine, too.

PRO TIP: Keep snacks on hand. Be sure to check on everyone’s allergy list because most kids like to share food.

PRO TIP: If you meet at either of your houses, keep treasured toys out of reach to reduce the risk of something happening to a comfort item. There’s no need to stress either kiddo out—let them know “Teddy” or “Bunny” is in a safe space where no one will take it.

KEEP RULES SIMPLE: “Be kind. Be courteous,” for example. Even if the kids have trouble grasping that concept, as kids sometimes do, parents may guide them in the right direction.

If you’re feeling extra organized, you might even set up a Facebook group for coordination with your gathering of mom friends. The visual reminders and help with planning are great tools. Keep the meet-ups flexible and low-key. With everyone’s everchanging schedules and unpredictability (for example, sick kiddos and stomach bugs), it’s nice to have back-up plans and rain checks.

Morrison is a freelance writer, former copy editor, full-time mommy and Disney fanatic who lives in Independence with her husband, son, daughter and dog.

Emily

KC PARENT FAMILY FUN ZONE

Located next to Town Hall

Saturday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Sunday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

TONS of FREE Children’s Activities and Performances

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

12:00 – 12:30 Professor Farquar

12:30 – 5:00 Games

1:00 – 4:00 Balloon Artist

5:00 – 5:30 Professor Farquar

5:30 – 6:00 TBD

SUNDAY, JUNE 4

11:00 – 12:00 Yoga For All

12:30 – 1:00 Games

1:00 – 4:00 Balloon Artist

1:00 – 1:30 Martika

1:00 – 3:00 Games

3:00 – 3:30 Professor Farquar

3:30 – 4:00 Martika

4:00 – 4:30 Games

4:30 – 5:00 Professor Farquar

ENJOY THE FREE TICKET TO FUN AT THE FARMSTEAD ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 11:00AM – 4:00PM!

THURSDAY, JUNE 1 – SUNDAY, JUNE 4

SHAWNEE TOWN 1929 | 11600 JOHNSON DRIVE, SHAWNEE, KS | OLDSHAWNEEDAYS.ORG

– 10:00pm 11:30am – 6:00pm (carnival, concert, & food booths only) (PARADE AT 10:00am)

SPONSORED BY

MAY KC TRIVIA

4 What year did Kansas Citybased company Hallmark began selling Mother’s Day cards?

A) 1890

B) 1950

C) 1905

D) 1920

1

On May 15, 1856, this author and creator of the beloved Oz books, set in Kansas, was born.

A) L. Frank Baum B) Roald Dahl

C) Ian Fleming D) Daniel Handler

5 May 8, 1884, is the birthday of President Harry S. Truman, the man from _______.

2 May 4 is known as Star Wars Day. This Star Wars actor and voice of Yoda is from Overland Park:

A) Larry Ward

B) Matt Lanter

C) Tom Kane

D) Silly Serpant

A) Liberty

B) Independence

C) Kansas City

D) Gladstone

3 May 23 is International Jazz Day. The American Jazz Museum is located in Kansas City’s 18th & Vine district, but, according to the song “Kansas City,” it should be here

A) 12th Street & Vine

B) 18th Street & Lydia

C) 14th Street & Grove

D) 17th Street & Vine

6

Celebration at the Station, the largest free Memorial Day concert in the Midwest is held annually on the lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. The show always concludes with this song and accompanying cannon salute.

A) “The Star-Spangled Banner”

B) “William Tell Overture”

C) “America the Beautiful”

D) “God Bless America”

KICK OFF SUMMER IN KANSAS CITY

Backyard cookouts, sandcastles, movie nights and lazy days at the park, nature walks and hunts for butterflies and bugs … this is the stuff of summer. Make even more memories this summer with these local traditions.

Summer reading adventures

Books open new worlds to children. This summer, encourage your child to cultivate a love of reading with incentive programs from local libraries and businesses that kick off annually in May! This year’s theme is All Together Now.

Mid-Continent Public Libraries, Johnson County Public Libraries, Olathe Public Library and other local libraries and businesses host summer learning programs that encourage kids to read daily and remain active. Children earn free books and prizes all summer long.

Roller coasters and waterslides

Worlds of Fun is open for the season, welcoming the rebirth of the Zambezi Zinger plus seven more worldclass 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 coaster with four inversions and 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 as they speed along the track. Or ride the classic wooden roller coaster, the Timber Wolf. 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.

On Memorial Day Weekend, Oceans of Fun opens for the season. With waves of fun from mild to wild, Oceans of Fun offers an amazing time for everyone in the family. Extreme waterslides appeal to thrill-seekers, and kiddos love the pint-sized slides, geysers and fountains at Crocodile Isle. Float along the Caribbean Cooler lazy river and catch some waves at the fan favorite Surf City Wave Pool. One of the newest attractions is Riptide Raceway, the world’s longest mat racing waterslide. From five stories high, racers will speed down 486 feet in enclosed, winding tubes and around a 360-degree loop before an epic splashdown finish. Visitors to Oceans of Fun enjoy Worlds of Fun admission for the price of one ticket.

Wet and wild water fun

A day at the lake is a quintessential summer pastime, and Lake Olathe is one of our favorite local lakes, boasting a beautiful swim beach and the inflatable Aqua Park. For landlocked Midwesterners, it’s great to have a place where you can build sandcastles, swim with the family and jump into the water from a giant floating playground. Lake Olathe Park visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and pedal boats at the marina. The upper lawn at the lake is surrounded by landscaping and a small stream with a water feature flowing into a waterfall before ending in a pond. A creek leading from the pond wraps around the kid-friendly sprayground before flowing into the lake.

Animal adventures

The Kansas City Zoo is a family favorite all summer long. We’re big fans of the African Sky Safari, a ski lift style ride above Africa offering great views of the animals. Other fun experiences are the train, boat and carousel rides and the world-class animal exhibits. The Elephant Expedition, camel feeding station, Discovery Barn, Australia exhibit, Helzberg Penguin Plaza and Polar Bear Passage are just a few of our favorite attractions at the zoo. Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is another beloved outdoor attraction. The petting zoo and farm offers fantastic educational attractions for the family. Pony rides, wagon rides, miniature tractors, an oldfashioned school, mining camp, gardens and farm animals are just part of the fun. Coming soon in 2023 … visitors will enjoy a brand new world-class aquarium at the KC Zoo.

Near the Kansas City Zoo, Go Ape offers treetop and private group adventures. The two- to three-hour obstacle course includes 40 crossings that feature rope bridges, five zip lines, Tarzan swings and net bridges. This is a fully immersive experience combining obstacles and zip lines for the adventure enthusiast.

Shop at a local farmers market

Kansas City is home to more than 30 farmers markets. They range from small markets selling exclusively organic produce to the City Market with more than 140 local vendors. You can purchase fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs, homemade soaps, baked goods and even live animals. If you are new to the world of the farmers market, this simple guide will get you started: “Farmers Market Guide” on KCParent.com.

Take your kids out to the ballgame

Grab your glove and ball cap and head to Kauffman Stadium to take in a Royals game. Since 1969, Kansas Citians have been cheering the boys in blue who’ve won two World Series championships. You can also catch a game with the Kansas City Monarchs, part of the American Association of Baseball, as they play at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. The team, formerly the T-Bones, rebranded in a partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and celebrates part of Kansas City’s rich baseball history.

U-pick farms

In Kansas City, we enjoy many u-pick farms across the metro area, where you may pick blueberries, strawberries, apples, peaches, fresh vegetables and more. Summer kicks off the u-pick season when many local businesses host opportunities to enjoy farm-fresh produce. Search “U-Pick Farms” on KCParent.com for a complete guide to local farms.

Summer festivals

From trendy boutique shopping to old-fashioned county fairs, ethnic festivals with delicious delicacies and local barbecue festivals ... there is something for everyone! Some of our favorites include Celebration at the Station, Great Balloon Glow, Strawberry Festival, Festival of Butterflies, WaterFire, Grand Carnivale at Worlds of Fun, Great Lenexa BBQ Battle, Jazzoo, Independence Day festivals, Missouri State Fair, Ethnic Enrichment Festival and more. Find them all in our “Festival Guide” on KCParent.com.

Kristina Light’s family loves celebrating summer at the lake and on roller coasters at Worlds of Fun.

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

see

The Coterie presents Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical thru May 21. A comedic musical production based on the popular series by Mo Willems. TheCoterie.org

enjoy

Head to the Remake Learning Days Festival May 6 at JCCC. Enjoy an MTC Kids Jam concert, discover your inner artist and enjoy STEAM activities.

Pre-reg at JCCC.edu/midwesttrust-center

explore

This year’s Miami County Spring Farm Tour is May 13-14 at various locations. Visit as many stops as you like while traveling in your own vehicle. MiamiCountyKS.org

watch

Monster Jam comes to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on May 20. See world-class drivers and monster trucks tear up the dirt and compete in competitions. MonsterJam.com

splash

May 27 is Opening Day at Oceans of Fun. Come celebrate the unofficial start of summer with all the favorite Oceans of Fun attractions. WorldsOfFun.com

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical

Photo by Jim Vaiknoras and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre

1 Monday

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

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

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

2 Tuesday

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

Story Time for Toddlers 9:15, Woodneath Storytime Barn. Share a fun, interactive journey with your toddler that encourages next steps into early reading. MyMCPL.org

Kids Media Mix-Up 4:30, Albrecht-Kemper Museum. Put your imagination to work by using different mediums to create artwork. Ages 6-12. Pre-reg at Albrecht-Kemper.org.

3 Wednesday

Farmers Market 8:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Purchase a variety of fresh produce, plants, meat, baked goods, handmade crafts and more. DowntownLS.org

City of Champions Thru May 29, Legoland Discovery Center. New event! Bring your champion skills and complete the epic missions! LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com

Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Listen to a story and meet a special animal friend. Today’s theme: Fairy-Tale Forest. 913.826.2800

Giggle Time Children’s Program 10:00, Tomahawk Ridge Community Center. Enjoy a giggling and wiggling fun-filled time with StoneLion Puppet Theatre. OPKansas.org.

4 Thursday

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

Life on the Farm 9:00, Colonial Gardens. Activities may include feeding the chickens, hugging an alpaca or holding a baby goat! ColonialGardensKC.com

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

Funville Thru May 7, Crown Center. An exhibit where children experience grownup occupations in a kid-friendly setting. CrownCenter.com

5 Friday

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

Brookside Art Annual Thru Sunday, 63rd & Brookside Boulevard. Enjoy art along with booths that serve a variety of delicious food and drink options. BrooksideKC.org

Kickoff Concert 6:00, Grandview Amphitheater. Grab a spot on the lawn and enjoy musical performances. Fireworks after the show! GrandviewAmp.com

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical 7:00, the Coterie. A comedic musical production based on the popular series by Mo Willems. TheCoterie.org

Friday Night Sound Bites 7:00, Lenexa Public Market. Enjoy live music and rotating food trucks. Some seating available, lawn chairs recommended. LenexaPublicMarket.com

First Fridays 7:00, Crossroads Art District. Art galleries, retailers and other participating art venues of the Crossroads Art District showcase their art. KCCrossroads.org

6 Saturday

Merriam Farmers Market 7:00, Merriam Farmers Market. Shop for fresh goods and support local in the downtown Merriam historic district. Merriam.org

Tower 2 Tower 5K 8:00, WaterOne (Lenexa). Celebrate National Drinking Water Week with a family fun race that supports Water for People. Tower2Tower5k.org

Shop Small Saturdays 9:00, Brew Haha Coffeehouse. Shop vendors showcasing local products and sip local coffee. Enter to win giveaways! KCLocalCraftFair.com

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

Kids Fishing Derby 9:00, Lake Jacomo. Casting clinics, fishing demos and more. Bring own rod, reel, bait and bucket to transport fish. MakeYourDayHere.com

Harry’s Hay Days 10:00, Main Street Grandview. The day begins with a parade, followed by a festival, live entertainment, vendors and more! GrandviewHarrysHayDays.com

Remake Learning Days Festival 10:00, JCCC. Dance and sing at MTC Kids Jam concert, discover your inner artist and enjoy STEAM activities. Pre-reg at JCCC.edu/midwest-trust-center.

Farm to Table Cooking 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Join for a day of cooking a typical spring meal in the 1920s Shawnee kitchen. ShawneeTown.org

Free Comic Book Day 10:00, Indian Creek Library. Come to the library and pick up a free comic book! Titles available for kids, teens and adults. OlatheLibrary.org

Mother Nature Reads 10:00, Lakeside

Spring Bazaar 10:00, Union Cemetery. Family fun includes local artisans, food trucks, kids scavenger hunt and more! UCHSKC.org/events

Birds: Fill the Bill 1:30, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Explore the world of bird beak diversity through hands-on activities from a bird’s eye view. MDC.mo.go

Baby Prom 3:00, MCPL (Red Bridge Branch). Come dressed in fanciest clothes, take pics at selfie station and dance to music. Ages birth-2. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Parkville Cruise Nights 4:00, Downtown Parkville. Listen to music and check out all the cars while also exploring downtown Parkville. ParkvilleMO.org

7 Sunday

Tour de Shawnee 7:00, Shawnee Civic Centre. Choose a 5-mile or 12-mile family-friendly route to ride and receive a post ride breakfast to go! Pre-reg at CityOfShawnee.org.

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

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

Open House 1:00, Camp Wood. Visit with staff, tour the camp and try some favorite camp activities. Bring your family and spend the day exploring our camp! CampWood.org

First Sunday Free Concert 1:00, Theis Park. Enjoy a free concert in the park. See the Old Crows with several special guests. KCParks.org

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

8 Monday

Visit Sea Life 10:00, Sea Life Aquarium. Bring the kids to see the Doodle Reef, the touch pool, Stingray Bay and more! Purchase tickets online at VisitSeaLife.com.

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

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

9 Tuesday

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

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

Mother Goose Rhyme Time 10:00, Antioch Library. An active program of songs, classic rhymes and fingerplays. Ages 12-24 months with caregiver. JoCoLibrary.org

Kids Media Mix-Up 4:30, Albrecht-Kemper Museum. Put your imagination to work by using different mediums to create artwork. Ages 6-12. Pre-reg at Albrecht-Kemper.org.

10 Wednesday

Farmers Market 8:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Purchase a variety of fresh produce, plants, meat, baked goods, handmade crafts and more. DowntownLS.org

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

Retro Story Time 10:00, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Hear a story from long ago read by a guest from the 1950s All-Electric House! Craft included. Pre-reg at 913.831.3359.

11 Thursday

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

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

Nature Story Time 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Enjoy music, movement and adventure in the great outdoors. Pre-reg at OPKansas.org/events.

12 Friday

WildRoots NaturePlay 10:00, Wildwood Outdoor Education Center. Immersive lesson about the natural world and unstructured playtime with peers. Pre-reg at WildwoodCtr.org.

Show-Me Wildlife 4:00, Lykins Square Park.  Discovery Center naturalist shares about Missouri native animals, including their habitats and more. RemakeLearningDays.org

Second Friday 5:00, Downtown Excelsior Springs. Shops open late, happy hours, live musicians, great eats—there’s something for everyone!

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical 7:00, the Coterie. A comedic musical production based on the popular series by Mo Willems. TheCoterie.org

13 Saturday

Running with the Cows 7:00, Queen of the Holy Rosary School. Run, walk or push a stroller and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Post-race buffet. Cow.run

Junque n’ Donuts 8:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. Peruse the many booths of local artisans and stop in at the Country Store for apple cider donuts. LouisburgCiderMill.com

Fishing Derby 8:30, Rotary Park (Blue Springs). The lake will be freshly stocked, so bring a fishing pole and bait! Receive a goody bag and hot dog lunch. BlueSpringsGov.com

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.

Second Saturday 9:00, Powell Gardens. On the second Saturday through October, Powell Gardens is open late. Enjoy extended hours! PowellGardens.org

Walk and Read Thru May 21, Meadowbrook Park. Read two stories posted around a path, one going each direction. JCPRD.com

Kids Club 10:00, Colonial Gardens. Kids enjoy fun activities while you shop at Colonial Gardens or savor a coffee at the Bean Counter. Pre-reg at ColonialGardensKC.com.

Kite Fest on the Prairie 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Bring kites and picnics and spend a day on the prairie. Food trucks, family activities and more. OPKansas.org/events

Open Hours 10:00, Lanesfield Historic Site. Visit the limestone schoolhouse, the last remaining structure in the former town of Lanesfield. JCPRD.com

Kids in the Kitchen 10:00, Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. Learn to make delicious and nutritious salads. Pre-reg at Johnson.K-State.edu.

Miami County Spring Farm Tour Today and tomorrow, various locations. Visit as many stops as you like while traveling in your own vehicle. MiamiCountyKS.org

Child Development Center

“Where Your Child is Special”

Ages 2 weeks to 12 years

Child 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 first year with new enrollment.

Child Development Center

“Where Your Child is Special”

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

Part-Time Preschool (Ages 3-5) 9:00-11:30 or 9:00-3:00

Mother’s Day Out (12 mos-3 years) 9:00-3:00

Two Convenient Locations: 127th & Antioch

913.681.2190 162nd & Metcalf Ave 913.681.2191

Two Convenient Locations: 127th & Antioch

913.681.2190

Family Owned and Operated Since 1990

162nd & Metcalf Ave 913.681.2191

weeworkshopchildcare.com

Family Owned and Operated since 1990

weeworkshopchildcare.com

Petting Zoo 11:00, Indian Heights United Methodist Church. Petting zoo features a variety of animals. Also enjoy games, prizes and more! IndianHeightsUMC.org

Aloha Swim Noon, The View (Grandview). Swimmers in grades 1-8 and their parents have access to pool to learn about water safety. Grandview.org

Free Weekend Fun 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum. Design and create your own movable paper horse armor using shapes and symbols. Nelson-Atkins.org

Short Storytelling 4:30, John Wornall House Museum. Aspiring author Tom Owens takes middle and high schoolers through the basics of writing a short story. Pre-reg at WornallMajors.org.

Water Lantern Festival 5:30, Frank A Theis Park. Enjoy food trucks and live music! Design your own lantern and then launch it. Tickets at WaterLanternFestival.com.

Public Viewings 8:00, Powell Observatory. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to see images from the Ruisinger telescope on a large screen. ASKC.org/observatories/powell-observatory

14 Sunday

M other’s Day

Brunch and Bingo 10:00, Chicken N Pickle (Overland Park). Join for a delicious brunch and enjoy FREE bingo games. ChickenNPickle.com

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

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

15 Monday

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

City of Champions Thru May 29, Legoland Discovery Center. New event! Bring your champion skills and complete the epic missions! LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com

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

16 Tuesday

Homeschool Days 9:30, Kansas City Zoo. Homeschool families receive discounted tickets and meet other families all while learning from animal experts. KansasCityZoo.org

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

Agent Undercover 6:00, MCPL (Red Bridge Branch). From high-tech to low-tech, see how gizmos and gadgets are put to use. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

17 Wednesday

Farmers Market 8:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Purchase a variety of fresh produce, plants, meat, baked goods, handmade crafts and more. DowntownLS.org

Splash with Me 10:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Little ones can splash, play and build confidence in the water during this morning swim time just for them. Lenexa.com

Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Listen to a story and meet a special animal friend. Today’s theme: Prairie Pollination. 913.826.2800

18 Thursday

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

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

Moonlight Market 5:00, Downtown Shawnee. Shop local vendors, grab a bite from a food truck, jam out to music, family activities and more! CityOfShawnee.org

19 Friday

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

Meet a Mermaid Thru May 28, Sea Life Aquarium. Come face-to-fin with real mermaids as they swim throughout the ocean exhibit. VisitSeaLife.com

Cirque Kalabanté 10:00 and 7:00, Midwest Trust Center. A colorful show features amazing acrobats performing to native instruments of Guinea. JCCC.edu/Midwest-trust-center

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

Time for Tots 10:30, Kemper Museum. Sing songs, read books, explore art and make your own art with a Kemper Museum educator. Prereg at KemperArt.org.

Homeschool Play 1:00, Urban Air (Overland Park). A chance for homeschool families to come in, get active and play during the day. $15.99/child. UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Book Sale Today and tomorrow, Olathe Indian Creek Library. Support the Friends of the Library and pick up some great deals! OlatheLibrary.org

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

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical 7:00, the Coterie. A comedic musical production based on the popular series by Mo Willems. TheCoterie.org

20 Saturday

Jigsaw Jam 9:00, Tony Aguirre Community Center. Teams of two will receive the same 250-piece puzzle and have 1.5 hours to complete. 816.513.8530

Capital City Domino Tournament 9:00, Great Overland Station. A single elimination tournament for 64 competitors. Prizes for top competitors. Pre-reg at Parks.snco.us.

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

Story Time in the Barn 10:00, Alexander Majors Home. Preschoolers enjoy themed activities and crafts based on a storybook. WornallMajors.org

Nature Story Time 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Enjoy music, movement and adventure in the great outdoors. Pre-reg at OPKansas.org/events.

Box Office: 913–469–4445

KC SPOTLIGHT

IT’S A KANSAS CITY PARTY!

SAT. MAY 6 | 11 AM | POLSKY THEATRE | FREE

Dance and sing along with Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove, Dino O’Dell, Funky Mama and more in this rocking Saturday morning concert.

JOIN US FOR REMAKE LEARNING DAYS! Discover your inner artist with STEAM activities across the JCCC campus.

Saturday, May 6 | 10AM – 4PM | Free Registration required. Scan this code to reserve your spot.

CIRQUE KALABANTÉ Afrique en Cirque

FRI. MAY 19 | YARDLEY HALL

School show: 10 a.m. Tickets start at $5. Public show: 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25. All ages

A colorful creation featuring amazing acrobats performing authentic choreography to native instruments from Guinea.

SCAN THIS CODE TO PURCHASE TICKETS.

THANKS TO: Adams Family Arts Education Endowment, BNSF Railway, Francis Family Foundation, Hudson Family Foundation, JCCC Foundation, Victor and Caroline Schutte Foundation and Yellow Freight System Inc.

Celebrating Urban Birds 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Learn simple steps to help birds in your backyard. Free program. LakesideNatureCenter.org

Fun in the Park 10:00, George Owens Nature Park. Fun, unique and engaging outdoor activities designed to increase activity. CI.Independence.Mo.us

Turkey Creek Festival 10:00, Antioch Park. A full day that features free kids activities, live music, arts and crafts, 5k walk/run, food trucks and more! Merriam.org

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

Armed Forces Day 1:00, Legends Outlets. Activities for the whole family, including a military vehicle display, live music, obstacle course and more! LegendsShopping.com

Campout with the Family 3:00, Ironwoods Park. Various fun family activities available for overnight campers. Dinner, s’mores and a light breakfast served. Pre-reg at Leawood.org.

Public Viewings 8:00, Powell Observatory. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to see images from the Ruisinger telescope on a large screen. ASKC.org/observatories/powell-observatory

Outdoor Summer Movies 6:00, Zona Rosa. Come early for food trucks and movie-themed activities, then stay for the show! Tonight’s movie: Top Gun: Maverick. ZonaRosa.com

Monster Jam 7:00 GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. See world-class driver athletes and monster trucks tear up the dirt and compete in intense competitions. MonsterJam.com

21 Sunday

Dog Days 9:00, Powell Gardens. Enjoy seasonal blooms and sunshine with your furry friend! Dogs must remain on a leash at all times. PowellGardens.org

KC Northern Train Rides Noon, Frank Vaydik Park. Ride restored trains around a half-mile track in the park. $.75/ride. KCNRR.com

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

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical 2:00, the Coterie. A comedic musical production based on the popular series by Mo Willems. TheCoterie.org

Walk and Read Thru May 29, Celebration Park. Stories are placed around the lake on the west side of the park. Follow the trail to read each page of the story. GardnerKansas.gov

Outdoor Concert Series 5:00, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic dinner and enjoy a variety of live music. Lenexa.com

22 Monday

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

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

23 Tuesday

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

AKMA After Hours 5:00, Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. Bring the family for an event featuring kids games and activities and more! Albrecht-Kemper.org

Tabletop Games 6:00, Monticello Library. Discover new games from our collection or bring your personal favorite to share. Refreshments are provided. JoCoLibrary.org

National Geographic Live 7:30, Kauffman Center. Dr Kakani Katija studies the waters that are teeming with creatures. Tickets.KauffmanCenter.org

24 Wednesday

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

City of Champions Thru May 29, Legoland Discovery Center. New event! Bring your champion skills and complete the epic missions! LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com

Jammin’ on the Green 7:00, Shawnee Town. The free concert series kicks off with the Vine Street Rumble Jazz Orchestra. ShawneeTown.org

25 Thursday

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

Parent Practicum 9:00, Journey Bible Church. A parent conference that offers tools and training to introduce the classical model of education. ClassicalConversations.com

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

26 Friday

Memorial Day Weekend Thru Monday, National World War I Museum and Memorial. Special events throughout the weekend. TheWorldWar.org/memorialday

Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing Thru Oct 1, Union Station. The story of the web slinger, from his origins in 1962 to his modern-day adventures. UnionStation.org

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

Worlds of Fun Rededication Ceremony 11:00, Worlds of Fun. Celebrate the original 1973 opening with special activities and surprises. WorldsOfFun.com

Fourth Fridays Art Walk 5:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Showcases from local artists, live music, shops, restaurants and more! DowntownLS.org/fourthfridays

Busker Festival Thru Monday, Lawrence. Enjoy street performers. Saturday workshop for kids to learn skills of being a busker. LawrenceBuskerFest.com

27 Saturday

Farmers Market 8:00, Lenexa Civic Campus Parking Garage. Support local farmers by purchasing produce, meat, flowers and artisanmade goods. Lenexa.com

Life on the Farm 9:00, Colonial Gardens. Activities may include feeding the chickens, hugging an alpaca or holding a baby goat! ColonialGardensKC.com

Opening Day 11:00, Oceans of Fun. Come celebrate the unofficial start of summer with all the favorite Oceans of Fun attractions. WorldsOfFun.com

Sensory Sensitive Story Time 11:00, Parkville Community Room. A more relaxed tone with low lighting, softer music and fewer stories. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Public Viewings 8:00, Powell Observatory. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to see images from the Ruisinger on a large screen. ASKC.org/observatories/powell-observatory

28 Sunday

Brunch and Bingo 10:00, Chicken N Pickle (Overland Park). Join for a delicious brunch and enjoy FREE bingo games. ChickenNPickle.com

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

KC Northern Train Rides Noon, Frank Vaydik Park. Ride restored trains around a half-mile track in the park. $.75/ride. KCNRR.com

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

Celebration at the Station 7:00, Union Station lawn. Attend the largest FREE Memorial Day weekend event in the Midwest. 816.460.2083

29 Monday MEMORIAL DAY

5K Home Run 8:30, South Park (Lawrence). First-time racers, joggers, walkers, strollers and dogs on leash are welcome. LawrenceFamilyPromise.org

Science City Open 10:00, Science City. The museum is open for today’s holiday. Bring the family for a day of fun! ScienceCity.com

Dive In! Most pools open for the season Memorial Day weekend. Be sure to check out the online calendar at KCParent.com for holiday fun!

30 Tuesday

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

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

Summer Reading Kick-Off 10:00, Indian Creek Library. Celebrate the start of Summer Reading with games, crafts and more! OlatheLibrary.org

31 Wednesday

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

Days Out with Frank & Ella 10:00, Mahaffie. Hands-on activities and crafts help visitors of all ages experience childhood in the 1860s & 1870s. Mahaffie.org

Fairy Tale Village 10:00, Crown Center. Discover a world of make-believe as classic children’s tales come to life. CrownCenter.com

The Itty Bitty Monsters Show 10:30, Woodneath Community Room. Sing-alongs, movement songs and a puppet show about five itty bitty monsters. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

SIX-STOP TOUR: UNION STATION AND CROWN CENTER

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

Opening May 27, “SpiderMan: Beyond Amazing” tells the story of the web slinger from his origins in 1962 to his modern day adventures through original art, interactive displays, photo ops and more. This summer, visitors can experience the universe of SpiderMan at Union Station during the world premiere of this once-in-alifetime exhibit. UnionStation.org

Crown Center offers three levels of shopping and dining. Shop for toys, clothing, candy, cooking items and local souvenirs at these boutiques—there’s truly something for everyone. The Coterie offers live children’s theater, and Music Theater Heritage produces live shows for all ages. Throughout the year the center hosts free, handson educational exhibits for children to enjoy. CrownCenter.com

Sea Life Aquarium is home to a walkthrough

underwater tunnel and an enthralling journey from the fresh waters of the Missouri River to the salt water of the Atlantic Ocean. This aquarium experience will get you faceto-face with sharks, octopus, a green sea turtle named Gertrude, stingrays, sea stars, seahorses, jellyfish and thousands of colorful fish! VisitSeaLife.com/ kansas-city

Discovery Center

Kansas City offers a fun, highly interactive and educational 2- to 3-hour indoor experience. Based on the ever-popular Lego brick, Legoland Discovery Center provides a range of options for fun, including interactive play areas, a 4D cinema, Master Builder classes, themed rides and exhibits.

LegolandDiscovery Center.com/ kansas-city

One of Kansas City’s most respected museums is the National World War I Museum and Memorial. After exploring the galleries, you may take a tour to the top of the tower for views of the city skyline. The immersive virtual reality experience, “War Remains,” transports viewers to the Western Front of the First World War. TheWorldWar.org

1. ICONIC LANDMARK

2. SPIDEYSENSE

3. SPEND THE DAY SHOPPING

4. UNDER THE SEA

5. PLAYTIME Legoland

6. A HISTORIC ADVENTURE