KC Parent Magazine June 2018

FREE | June 2018 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

DADS ROCK! celebrating fathers in kc

are kids’ sports too

competitive?

party guide

H

summer fun

H

favorite camps

ZAXBY’S DAYS ®

PLANNING YOUR WEEK JUST GOT

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Wednesday Family Night

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Limit two Zax Kidz Meals per adult meal purchase.

Thursday Nibbler Day

Tuesday Spirit Night

99¢ Nibblerz™ all day.

On scheduled fundraiser nights, 10% of all proceeds will support a local organization!

Sunday Bulletin Day

Inquire inside for more details.

Bring your bulletin in for 10% off your entire order.

AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS ONLY:

12195 S. Strang Line Rd. • Olathe • (913) 747-4277 9500 W. 135th St. • Overland Park • (913) 538-4131

Limited time only. Offers not valid at any other locations. © 2017 Zaxby’s Franchising LLC “Zaxby’s,” “Zax Kidz” and “Nibblerz” are trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising LLC. Each Zaxby’s restaurant is independently owned and operated under a license agreement with Zaxby’s Franchising LLC.

Here For Your Family’s Health,

On and Off the Field.

Make an online reservation today at CentraCareKC.com.

• Walk in or make an online reservation 7 days a week • On-site X-rays and prescriptions • Shawnee Mission Health providers Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m. | Sat. & Sun., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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With FOUR Convenient Locations: Lenexa, Olathe, Overland Park & Shawnee

Caring Adults Needed Foster parenting is one of the best ways to help children in crisis In the Kansas City area, there are 4,000 children and teens who have experienced abuse, neglect or other family challenges. Foster parenting provides a child with a safe, loving environment. It will also enrich your life with joy and meaning. People from all kinds of life situations can qualify!

We’ll guide you every step of the way by providing: • Free training and ongoing support available 24/7 • A sense of community with other foster parents who share your passion • Assistance finding local resources • A fun weekend away at our Resource Family Conference, which provides a fantastic learning experience for parents and children • And of course, monthly reimbursement to meet the child’s needs plus assistance with back-to-school supplies and holiday gifts.

Contact us to learn more. (888) 655-5500 | www.kvckansas.org We offer FREE training classes and support you every step of the way. kcparent.com june 2018

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Purchasing a playset is a big decision.

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The playsets are available with different deck heights, accessories and lots of configurations.

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kcparent.com june 2018

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

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For our first trick:

Fast ER wait times It’s a magical feeling when your kids get patched up without a long ER wait. And the best part is that our hospitals exceed the national benchmark for treating pediatric emergencies.* At our hospitals, it’s not a magic trick, it’s reality.

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

ER CARE FOR KIDS & ADULTS Belton Belton Regional Medical Center I-49 (Hwy 71) & Hwy 58

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

ER of Brookside Rockhill Rd. & Holmes Rd.

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

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

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

* According to National Pediatric Readiness ** Message and data rates may apply. For more information visit texterhelp.com.

ER wait times are approximate and provided for informational purposes only. If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

20080 A 2/2018

JUNE

2018

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 Craft Corner 12 Media Mix

SUMMER FUN GUIDE, PG. 42

13 Word from Dad 14 News You Can Use

SPECIAL SECTIONS

FEATURES

18 Party Guide 28 Camp Guide 42 Summer Fun Guide 52 Calendar of Events

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24

Craft Time

Dads Rock

Midwest Zoos

DIY bath bombs are fun and easy to make

Celebrating Father’s Day in Kansas City

This summer visit zoos throughout the Midwest Our cover features Grayson from Olathe. Cover and select interior photos by KiaBondurant.com.

FREE | June 2018 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

DADS ROCK! celebrating fathers in kc

ON THE COVER Party Guide

18

Celebrating Father’s Day in KC

24

Favorite Camps

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Summer Fun Guide

42

are kids’ sports too

competitive?

party guide

6

kcparent.com june 2018

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summer fun

H

favorite camps

Dad’s Day Out

CLOSER THAN YOU THINK Make this Father’s Day one to remember at Legends Outlets!

From Eddie Bauer and Sportibles to Yard House and AMC—fun, flavor and fashion for the whole family is never too far away.

LegendsShopping.com | Follow us

EDITOR’SLETTER JUNE 2018

W

TICKET GIVEAWAY! KC Parent is giving away

Happy summer in your home! And, KC dads, Happy Father’s Day!

28 TICKETS to Worlds of Fun! Hurry to KCParent.com and enter today!

Margaret Sarver, Editor

Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com Advertising Sales Darrell Dean Advertising@KCParent.com Digital Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Event Calendar Susan Lynn Calendar@KCParent.com Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com Local Contributing Writers

LOCAL CONTENT

Bill Bartlett (Belton), Julie Collett (Overland Park), Allison Gibson (Lee’s Summit), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Christa Melnyk Hines (Olathe), Amy Hundley (Olathe), Megan Kapple (Kansas City), Gina Klein (Kansas City), Brandon Lewis (Liberty), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Erin McIntosh (Shawnee), Maggie Uhl (Kansas City)

Mailing Address 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS FREE | June 2018 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

kansas city’s #1 travel guide since 2010

baby&

spring/summer 2018

kcgoingplaces.com

maternity

APRIL- JUNE 2018 | KCPARENT.COM

BETTER THAN EVER

DADS ROCK!

WHAT’S NEW IN KC

celebrating fathers in kc

common pregnancy fears

FARM-TO-TABLE DINING

busted!

FEAST ON TASTY LOCAL DISHES

NATURAL WONDERS

are kids’ sports too

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

competitive?

the

labor & delivery issue

everything you need to know about baby’s

517

WAYS TO EXPLORE KANSAS CITY

party guide

H

summer fun

H

4 NAPS 4 SWIM

LESSONS

4 MELTDOWNS

tips for surviving

bed rest

favorite camps

.com

elcome, summer!

To usher in this most wonderful time of the year, here’s my A-to-Z list of things we’re looking forward to in the Sarver home.

Air conditioning: because it can get hot! Blueberries—and fresh fruit—yum! Concerts: While I’m looking forward to many, I’m most excited for Erasure as I’ve never seen them live. Dinner: so much easier in the summer! Easy: Summer laundry is easier because the clothes aren’t as bulky—and no school clothes! Flip-flops: I’d wear them all year if I could. Grill: Fire it up for a simple and tasty meal. Hot: Nothing beats a hot summer day. Ice cream—because, ice cream. July 4th: a fun celebration. Ketchup: on a grilled burger.

Lemonade stand: I love to stop by and purchase from kids in the neighborhood. Margarita: They’re always good, but everything seems to taste a tad better during the summer. Nights: Like they sing about in Grease, enjoy those “summer ni-ights.” Ocean: Our family vacay this summer is a week at the beach, and I can’t wait. Pool: best place to be on a hot summer day. Quick: Why does summer seem so much shorter than the other seasons? Relax: Take time to unwind during summer. Simple: The unstructured, nowhereto-be-at-any-certain-time days of summer are the best. Tan: Yes, I wear my sunscreen, but I do enjoy getting a tan. Umbrella: Keep it handy for a summer storm. Vacation: If you don’t have one planned, do it! Even a weekend away is good for the soul. Water: Ocean, lake or pool, one of my fave places to be is next to the water. eXciting: Summer brings great adventures. Yard: Often you’ll find me in a hammock swing in the backyard. Zilch: the number of boring days in summer.

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Kansas City Parent Magazine is published 12 times a year by Family Media Group. It is distributed free of charge throughout the Kansas City area. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect KC Parent’s opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. Kansas City Parent Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

All photography and letters sent to KC Parent will be treated unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. KC Parent often includes websites that may be helpful to our readers. We verify each site prior to publication. However, content changes frequently. We encourage you to use caution and discretion when visiting a website.

Postmaster, please send changes to KC Parent, 8691 W. 96th St, Ste 1B, Overland Park, KS 66212

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kcparent.com june 2018

KCPARENT.COM

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

SEARCH KCPARENT.COM FOR MORE AFFORDABLE FUN IDEAS: 1. Free Summer Fun 2. Best of June 3. Summer Reading Programs

4. Coupons for Local Attractions 5. KC’s Spraygrounds 6. Farmers Market

SPOTLIGHT FESTIVALS

It’s festival season in Kansas City! From trendy boutique shopping to old-fashioned county fairs, ethnic festivals with delicious delicacies and local barbecue festivals... there is something for everyone! Visit KCParent.com for a complete list!

Expecting?

7. Day Trips 8. Perfect Picnic Spots

HOSPITAL LABOR & DELIVERY GUIDE Check out the Virtual Hospital Labor & Delivery Guide at KCParent.com to search hospitals by location, NICU level, classes and more.

Use KC Parent’s virtual Hospital Labor & Delivery Guide to choose

the best medical care for Mother and Baby.

9. Summer Movie Guide 10. Great Giveaways

4 MORE WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/KansasCityParent Repin us on Pinterest // Follow us on Twitter @KCParent // Subscribe to our FREE e-newsletter at KCParent.com

kcparent.com june 2018

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CRAFTCORNER

The best part about these bath bombs is that you can hide a small toy on the inside for a fun surprise as it dissolves in the tub!

b

surprise bath bombs

ath bombs are a fun and inexpensive way to make bath time a blast for kids of all ages! You might be surprised to learn how easy they are to make, and these DIY bath bombs are great because you can customize the scent and colors to your liking. The best part about these bath bombs is that you can hide a small toy on the inside for a fun surprise as it dissolves in the tub!

Step One: Mix the baking soda, citric acid, corn starch and Epsom salt together. Combine the oil, water and 8-10 drops of essential oil together in a separate bowl and very slowly add the liquid to the dry ingredients.

Step Two: If you want to make your bath bombs multiple colors, divide the mixture up into separate bowls. Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl and mix well.

Step Three: Overfill one side of the bath bomb mold with the mixture.

You can use more than one color if desired. For the other side of the bath bomb mold, add some mixture and then press a small toy into the mold and fill with more of the mixture. Press the two sides of the filled mold together.

Step Four: Allow the bath bomb to sit for a few minutes, then give the mold a tap and remove it to reveal the bath bomb. Let the bath bomb dry for two or three days before using.

When you are ready to use, simply drop the bath bomb into warm water and watch it fizz and reveal the surprise toy!

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

Plastic Bottle Hanging Planter

Velcro Chore Charts

Ice Cube Paintings

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

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kcparent.com june 2018

Materials Needed: • 1/2 c. Epsom salt • 1 c. baking soda • 1/2 c. citric acid • 1/2 c. corn starch • 2-1/2 T. melted coconut oil • 2 T. water • Food coloring • Essential oils • Bath bomb mold • Small toys

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kcparent.com june 2018

11

MEDIAMIX

girl power

june finds its strength in an assortment of books for girls

By McGeath Freeman

Rosie Revere, Engineer

I Am Enough

By Andrea Beaty

Illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

By Grace Byers

Illustrated by David Roberts

Best for: Ages 4-8

filled with color and energy.

This simple poem offers a strong and much needed message of selfworth. Byers fills the verbal imagery with analogies, making it easy for young readers to follow and understand.

Although the book is written for 4- to 8-year-old girls, this is a message of positive affirmation that can translate to any age and any gender.

The main character is a young African-American girl. Bobo brings her to life in bright colors and with playful expressions, as she and her friends discover all the ways they are enough.

As Byers says, like the birds, they are here to fly high and soar over everything.

This is an excellent book for grade school classrooms. And both moms and dads should read passages like these to their children every day. What children wouldn’t wake up ready for the day when they went to sleep after hearing these messages?

What’s bad: Similar storyline to the other

What’s good: Fantastic positive

What’s good: Wonderful illustrations

books in the series.

affirmations.

What’s bad: A little simplistic for readers 10 and up.

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By Jennifer Adams Illustrated by Carme Lemniscates Best for: Ages 4-8

Best for: Ages 5-10 Rosie is a brilliant inventor and the Rose’s great, great niece. Young readers may not know who Rosie the riveter is, but this story will give you a nice way to start the conversation. Much like the other books in this series—Ada Twist, Scientist and Iggy Peck, Architect—Rosie Revere follows a similar story arch. She has wonderful ideas but worries about exploring them until a key role model gives her the push she needs. Aunt Rose helps Rosie understand that just because projects don’t go the way she expects, they aren’t failures. You learn from them and keep building.

Take time to let your eyes wander through the illustrations. They are filled with wonderful contraptions from past projects, including helium pants, rockets and more. This modern tale of girl power adds a bit of history to the conversation.

I Am a Warrior Goddess

You don’t have to be an adult to make a difference. Our hero in this tale is a young girl with flowing red hair. From the time she greets the morning to the time she goes to bed, this young girl is filled with confidence and kindness. She keeps her mind strong with books from the library. She keeps her body strong at play in nature.

Written as a tribute to her single mom, Adams’ tale seeks to spread the message that her mother gave her: Be strong without having to be brash or aggressive.

Adams brings this message home when she speaks about the warrior goddess embodying kindness. She says it is the most powerful weapon there is, along with love, gratitude and generosity. This is an excellent addition to any young girl’s library.

What’s good: Good message for young girls to understand their strength.

What’s bad: Similar messages can be found in picture books that introduce yoga.

WORDFROMDAD

sitting with dad Summer break from school doesn’t mean kids’ development has to be on vacation, too. Summertime at the Y focuses on achievement, relationships and belonging — three important drivers of healthy youth development.

“b

ill, I have to go somewhere for a couple of hours. Can you stay with Dad for a bit?”

My stepmother’s call came as a surprise on this humid summer evening. Dad had helped me more times than I could count.

He taught me so much, from how to do things to loving my family. But he did more than teach me things.

He was there for me. After Mom and Dad divorced during my childhood, he scrupulously observed his visitation rights.

On the few times when I was sick and couldn’t go with him, he always came in to see me and brought some little trifle for my comfort. As an adult, he was there when I needed a hand with one car after another.

And he never complained.

Now, Dad was sick. Pulmonary fibrosis took away everything—strength, mobility, independence—and he needed my help.

After all these years of his doing things for me, I could be there for him.

“Absolutely. What day and what time do need me?”

On the appointed day, Dolores led me into the living room. “Thanks for coming. I won’t be long. Just a couple of hours or so.”

“Aw, I’m happy to be here.” We entered the living room and I saw my father. “Hi, Dad.” He looked up at me from his wheelchair and smiled, but his voice came in a faint wheeze. “Hi, Bill.”

I lifted a bag. “I know it’s hard for you to speak with your oxygen and all, so I brought a movie and some popcorn. And when we get thirsty, we’ll have some cherry lime-aid.

Dad’s face glowed and we settled in for a comfortable evening together, one that he enjoyed and one that I’ll never forget.

My father passed away about five months later.

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

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NYCU

NEWS YOU CAN USE June 2018

What does the latest research say about sugar consumption during pregnancy and parental controls? Here’s what we found:

SUGAR, PREGNANCY AND CHILDHOOD LEARNING The bad press for sugar continues. A new study published in the American Journal for Preventative Medicine found that when pregnant women consume greater quantities of sugar, the cognitive abilities of their children are diminished.

Specifically, memory and learning were negatively impacted, as well as the nonverbal ability to solve problems, verbal memory, fine motor skills and several other cognitive functions.

Anyone who has attempted to limit her sugar intake knows that it is found in almost everything, and yet more and more evidence is pointing to its adverse effects on our health.

The biggest contributor of sugar in the American diet is sugar-sweetened beverages, known as SSBs. These include diet sodas and fruit juices, and researchers examined the associations between consumption of SSBs during pregnancy and childhood cognition. The results showed a meaningful impact when pregnant women consumed more fruit and avoided diet soda.

“This study provides evidence that there should be no further delays in implementing the new Nutrition Facts label. The new label will provide information on added sugars so that pregnant women and parents can make informed choices regarding added sugars and more easily limit their intake,” comments lead investigator Juliana F.W. Cohen, ScD, School of Health Sciences, Merrimack College.

ARE PARENTAL CONTROLS REALLY HELPING? Most parents use some type of parental controls on their children’s technology. Providers and manufacturers often build in tools to help parents manage devices used by children. There are a wide variety of apps available which offer parents power over what content can be seen, how much time is spent online, and even what time of day a device can be used. But how helpful are those controls really? Two recent studies conducted by the University of Central Florida found that apps designed to protect children from internet dangers may actually be counterproductive. Researchers concluded that such apps harm the trust between a parent and child and reduce the child’s ability to appropriately respond to online threats.

For their studies, researchers looked at three main points: 1) types of parents who use parental control apps, 2) how effective the apps were in keeping kids safe and 3) what children think about their parents’ using these controls.

“Parental involvement and direct supervision were both associated with fewer peer problems and less online victimization for teens, but neither of these factors correlated with the use of

parental control apps,” says Arup Kumar Ghosh, a doctoral student in UCF’s College of Engineering and Computer Science.

To find out how kids feel about parental control apps, the researchers reviewed 736 publicly posted reviews written by teens and younger children. They found that 79 percent of reviews rated the apps at two stars or less (out of five)—citing reasons such as overly restrictive, invasion of privacy, supportive of lazy parenting and felt that it turned their parents into “stalkers.”

“Teens, and even younger children, told us loudly and clearly that they would rather their parents talk to them than use parental control apps,” Ghosh says. “Not because they wanted to get away with something bad, but because they wanted their parents’ trust and respect.”

The studies concluded that rather than tightening the reins on their children, parents may want to consider other strategies for keeping kids safe online. By staying involved, empowering and equipping kids to make wise decisions about their online activity, parents may better protect their kids than by using an app.

Erin McIntosh is a mom of four children, 15, 12, 10 and 6. She works at the Kansas City Art Institute and is also a freelance writer and photographer. She is currently working on her first book, a memoir about single parenting.

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

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kcparent.com june 2018

ON THE ROAD AGAIN:

5 Tips for Avoiding Car Sickness Forget the books: Yes, you should encourage your children to read, but not on long road trips. Looking down can cause headaches and nausea. Instead of reading or playing card games, get creative and play verbal games. A fun round of something like “I Spy” can help your child keep his head up and not feel carsick.

Bring a cooler: On longer road trips, keeping children hydrated is important. Fill a small cooler with water bottles and ginger ale (made with real ginger). Ginger can help with settling a stomachache. Avoid sugary drinks that could cause headaches or make nausea worse.

Sit by the window: If one child tends to get carsick easier than others, place him in the middle seat so he can look straight out the window. Children need to be able to look out the car window without twisting their head around too much. This helps their body adjust to the moving vehicle and prevent nausea.

Eat peppermints: When packing snacks for the road, avoid greasy chips and sugary treats. Instead, choose to suck on peppermints or chew peppermint gum. Peppermint assists in settling nauseous stomachs. If your children hate the taste of peppermints, try lemon drops instead. They help settle upset stomachs just as well.

Take frequent breaks: When traveling with children, extra stops may keep you on the road a couple more hours, but keeping children seated in a moving car for too long is a sure way to encourage carsickness. Make frequent stops so your children can use the restroom, drink some water and walk around to stretch their legs.

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Arboretum. A beautiful nugget in Overland Park not to be missed.

Bible study. Our very own Margaret Sarver does a study with her hubs through their Bible app. They don’t have to do it together but can read each other’s thoughts and messages.

Car wash. Yes, this simple, mundane task is a great way to steal a few minutes away with your spouse!

Dishes. Doing them together is way more fun than doing them alone.

Eat. Out or in, just pick something you both enjoy!

Fly a kite. KCParent.com has great options for kite flying parks in Kansas and Missouri.

Greet. Cari says, “I always stop what

creative ways

to stay connected with your spouse

i

think we could all agree that marriage in and of itself is hard. Factor in children and the complexities of life, and letting your relationship shift to the back burner is all too easy. For many, marriage very easily can start to feel more like a friendship or roommate relationship if we don’t carefully nurture it. We nurture our relationships with our kids, our extended families and our friends. So why should the relationship with our spouse be any different? But when life is so busy, chaotic and nutty, how do we stop to connect with our spouses?

Although it seems very basic, simply showing an interest in your spouse and his life can make a big difference. Cari, a homeschooling mom of three children, says, “Overall, I try to stay interested in and connected to my husband’s life outside the home. I keep track of what’s going on

at work so he can share things with me without having to give me a big back story.”

Stacey, a mom of six (soon to be seven), shares her and her husband’s secret. “It comes down to priorities. Each week we sit down with our calendars and look at the plan for the week ahead. We walk through all the scheduling commitments, but also ensure we have penciled in time for our marriage and family. If we are not intentional about scheduling time for family fun, as well as time together, it’s likely not to happen. Because our marriage matters more than any of those things on our calendar, we want our lives to reflect that.”

Tecia, a mom of four children, says appreciating what you have in common and making even small amounts of time available to share in those activities together is important. Try her approach and pick one of the dates below to try out this month!

GIVE THE GIFT OF A YEAR OF DATES! For ideas on 12 months of dates for your spouse, visit KCParent.com

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kcparent.com june 2018

I’m doing, smile at and greet my husband when he walks in the door...even when it feels like Armageddon at our house!”

Honey-do list. Knock out those projects together!

Ice cream. Check out Subzero Nitrogen or Freezing Moo. Jigsaw puzzle. Once the kids are in bed, grab a snack and settle in.

Kiss. Make it a movie star one!

Lunch. Steal away for a middle-of-theday meal.

Movie. Don’t forget the treats!

Notes. Leave a special note on the mirror or in the car.

Outdoors. Head out for a picnic in the park.

Paint. Tap into your inner artist at a couple’s paint night at Thirsty Palette.

Quiet. Have a quick cuddle.

Read to each other. Or pick the same book to discuss.

Sporting event. Forever Royal, right?!

Text a thoughtful message. Cari says, “It’s little things like this that help me feel loved and remembered in the middle of a busy day.”

Uno Attack. It’s a great family game, but my husband and I love playing once the kids have gone to bed!

My husband will always be “in my house,” so my relationship with him must be the priority.

Video. Whether it be a home movie, rented disc or YouTube stream, curl up under a blanket and enjoy.

War. As in Nerf gun war! eXercise. Go for a hike or even just a walk around the neighborhood.

Yes. Say, “Yes!” to a unique or fun opportunity.

Zzzzzz. Nap! In the course of everyday life, losing sight of what brought you and your spouse together in the first place is all too easy, but Stacey shares, “No matter how you look at it, marriage takes work and commitment, time and effort.” Cari agrees: “It takes work, but it’s so worth it. I am constantly reminding myself that we’ll only have children in our house for a few more years. My husband will always be ‘in my house,’ so my relationship with him must be the priority.”

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Julie Collett writes from Overland Park, where she and her husband need to up their “creative connection” game!

If you have never done so, take the 5 Love Languages quiz at 5LoveLanguages.com/profile.

This is a quick way to gain easy insight into what “language” you and your spouse speak.

Also, check out 52 Uncommon Dates: A Couple’s Adventure Guide for Praying, Playing, and Staying Together by Randy Southern.

HAVING A BABY SOON? Check out KC Parent’s Interactive Virtual Hospital Labor & Delivery Guide at KCParent.com

Our interactive virtual Hospital Labor & Delivery Guide has images,complete descriptions, video, social media links and much more.

SEARCH HOSPITALS BY: LOCATION | NICU LEVEL | CLASSES OFFERED kcparent.com june 2018

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party KC Parent’s

Kansas City Zoo

guide

Let the Kansas City Zoo host your child’s next birthday party. We guarantee a wild time for every guest! Our birthday party packages are for children 1-10 years of age.

All packages include Zoo admission, a private space with your Education Party Host, cupcakes, and much more!

Add-on options include face painters, themed decorations, animal encounters and so much more! Visit our website to check out these exciting options at www.KansasCityZoo.org. See display ad on pg. 23.

Lenexa Rec Center Looking for a new place to celebrate a child’s birthday? Host a memorable event at the Lenexa Rec Center, with access to a fun-filled indoor pool and activity gym.

Whiz down 40-foot-tall water slides, climb through an inflatable obstacle course, or learn some new dance moves—there’s something for everyone! Birthday party packages range from $155 to $245 for up to 25 kids and adults (more participants can be added for a fee). See display ad on pg. 20. www.Lenexa.com/RecCenter

• fresh ideas • terrific themes • great venues Ceramic Café

Gymboree

Celebrate your child’s birthday at Ceramic Café. All parties are scheduled for oneand-a-half hours, giving you time to open presents and serve cake and ice cream.

We have three different packages for kids parties, and another for mixed-age group celebrations. Call 913.383.0222 or visit www.CeramicCafeKC.com for more details.

See display ad on pg. 34.

Choose your child’s favorite theme and we’ll create a private, personalized party experience filled with kid-friendly activities guaranteed to be 100% fun with zero clean up! We specialize in 1st birthday parties all the way to 5th birthday parties. Gymboree Play & Music parties are available to members and non-members. Call to find out more details. 913.262.3339 (Leawood), 816.505.3344 (Zona Rosa). See display ad on pg. 21. www.GymboreeClasses.com

Fun Services Look like a party planning superstar to your guests! Let Fun Services help you put together a once-in-a-lifetime event that everyone will remember for years to come. From inflatables to carnival games to concessions to entertainers, we’ve got everything you need to have a successful party. Call us today to help plan your party.

913.441.9200. See display ad on pg. 22. www.FunServicesMidwest.com

Jump City Jump City’s parties are full of bouncing, sliding, and jumping fun for kids 12 & under. With wall-to-wall inflatables, a variety of arcade games, full concession options and private party rooms, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the party while we do all the setup and cleanup. See display ad on pg. 21. www.JumpCityKC.com

82,000

104,000

unique visitors monthly to KCParent.com

readers each issue of KC Parent Magazine

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Movies2U Roll out the red carpet and celebrate that special occasion with a movie! Round up the kids to watch their favorite movie on one of our larger than life inflatable screens. Throw in our popcorn machine and the effect will be complete. The kids won’t forget it and you’ll love it as our professional staff takes care of every detail. One of our 4 differently sized screens is sure to fit your occasion and budget. See display ad on pg. 19. www.Movies2U.com.

DID YOU KNOW?

KCParent.com has a NEW Geo-based, searchable Party Guide with maps, descriptions, photos and videos.

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

kcparent2016-2.pdf

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8/10/16

3:58 PM

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party guide

making memories with summer birthday parties

e

veryone knows hot summer days are ideal for outdoor children’s parties. Planning a summer birthday party is a blast, and whatever their age, boys and girls enjoy seeing their friends and classmates during the summer away from school. Some local moms share their unique ideas to keep kids engaged and entertained.

A great idea for summer fun in the heat is to host an everything water party! Hang water balloon piĂąatas from tree limbs and have kids use a baseball bat or stick to hit them. The water falls on them and cools them off! Or have a game of water balloon baseball and watch them hit the balloons and laugh as they break. Play pass the water: Children stand in a line, the first passes a cup of water over her head to the one behind and so on. See who spills the cup!

Send each child home with a bag of balloons and create a fun balloon cake or cake shaped as a swimming pool.

A way to have some tail wagging fun is to have each child bring his dog (socially friendly ones, of course). Set up plastic kiddie pools around the fenced yard and let the dogs run and play in the pools.

You even can find birthday cakes with pet-safe ingredients for dogs at some local specialty pet stores. It’s fun to watch them snarf that cake! Send each child home with a bag of dog treats for their furry friends, and bagged-up homemade Chex cereal puppy chow (find the recipe online) serves as a great party favor for the kids.

Local mom, Michelle Spigarelli, creator of Painting Petunias, shares some ideas for parties she has held for her three sons.

17201 W. 87TH ST. PKWY. LENEXA, KS 66219

20

kcparent.com june 2018

“With three boys, my motto was always keep it simple and avoid the meltdown, especially in summer when it’s already hot.

Even boys like to be involved, so have them help with the planning and the prep and flow of the day. Great summer themes are mini carnival with potato sack races, tractor races, ball toss, cake walk and the like. Make sure everyone wins a prize for something.

Soccer parties are fun, and you can hire someone to teach the kids skills and have a soccer game after. Trophies all around. Soccer themed foods round it out. If the children are older, hold a book exchange, especially for a rainy-day summer party. The children can read an excerpt from their favorite book and act out parts, then swap books. Being an artist, I think it’s fun to have the kids be Picassos and set up stations of finger painting, sponge and rock painting, then they can bring their works of art home. All treats can be in party theme. I feel one or two activities go a long way!”

A favorite party I planned when my children were young was a neighborhood scavenger hunt. This works perfectly if you know all the neighbors on your street and they can join in the fun. Have children go in groups of three and make sure you and some other adults walk around with them. Make a list of items such as a marshmallow, paper clip, piece of gum, toothpick and any other common household items. Give each group a baggie and have kids go door to door, asking for the items.

Whichever group fills its list first wins a prize!

P rincess at my Party

Princess parties are always a hit! You can find people who do this online, and some bring trunks of dresses, feather boas and crowns to your home so each child can choose and dress up. Use cell phones or even hand out those disposable cameras so party-goers can take glam shots. Make tiny cupcakes and serve on themed princess trays and have pink lemonade. Give each child a crown to take home by cutting plastic visors and using glitter paint to write their names on the created crowns. This party can be held out on the patio or screened porch or even in the backyard.

Little ones will enjoy a fishing party. If you have a lake or pond nearby, transport the party there and help kids thread worms on the hooks or use fishing lures. Make an Oreo dirt cake, complete with worms (find the recipe online), for the finale.

Embrace summers with your children—especially on their birthdays!

An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit and enjoys all seasons, especially summer. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.

Sources: Pinterest, PopSugar.com

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PARTYGUIDE

Games

easy party favors

Card games or puzzles are both the perfect cost and size for a party favor! Often you can find puzzles to match your theme at the dollar store.

Movies Everyone loves a movie night! Send kids home with a bag of microwave popcorn and a box of candy for their own at-home movie night.

Color Kids love to create, and a blank sidewalk is the perfect canvas! Buy a pack of sidewalk chalk to allow kids to get creative.

Plant Give each partygoer a pack of seeds and a small shovel.

They will love planting and watching the seeds grow.

Bubbles What says summer more than a bottle of bubbles?

Throw in a pack of water balloons and you are sending kids home with an afternoon of fun.

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kcparent.com june 2018

Paint, Glaze & Fire Ceramics & Coffee House Paint, Glaze & Fire puts the Art in PARTY & is KC’s only paint-yourown pottery studio with a full service coffee bar. Creating beautiful ceramics is fun & easy for everyone from young children to experienced adults. Visit us for birthday parties, Scout outings, corporate team building, girls’ night out, bachelorette parties or “just because.”

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CLAY (2529). See display ad on pg. 33.

BOOK your KIDS Party ONLINE at www.PaintGlazeAndFire.net

Paradise Park Paradise Park is hands down Kansas City’s favorite place to have a birthday party because our six award-winning party packages create a one-of-a-

kind experience for kids and a stress-free party for mom and dad. We take care of everything for you, from activities and hosting to cakes and pizza. Visit www.

Paradise-Park.com to view details and book online or call 816.246.5224. See display ad on pg. 22 for coupons.

Princess at My Party Have your child’s favorite princess come to her birthday party! Choose from Elsa, Anna, Rapunzel, Moana, Elena, Ariel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Jasmine and Snow White. Also, inquire about our new SuperGirl and Wonder Woman parties! Then watch the magic unfold as the birthday girl and guests go on an adventure that includes a story, games, music, a makeover or face painting and a treasure hunt. See display ad on pg. 21.

816.830.4841. www.PrincessAtMyParty.com

For fun favors, great games and so much more to make your party a success, head to KCParent.com!

SoPro Gaming Make your next birthday bash awesome with a game-themed birthday party, inspired by your favorite video games.

Let SoPro manage the party so you can enjoy this special day. SoPro’s amazing staff will make your special occasion memorable and hassle-free! Access to all Games, PCs, Consoles, and our Virtual Reality motion platform. Play Minecraft, Overwatch, Call of Duty, Mario Kart, Madden Football, and more! Refreshments & gift bags also available. See display ad on pg. 23. www.SoProGaming.com

Urban Air Trampoline Park Urban Air Trampoline Park is an attractive solution to a common problem: needing one place to entertain kids of every age. Just a few blocks

from Prairiefire and Corbin Park, our facility is the perfect destination for family entertainment. Our facility caters to birthday parties for kids of all ages. If your group is up for a little sweat and a lot of bounce, we are the place for you. See display ad on pg. 19. www.UrbanAirOP.com

Head to KCParent.com for great giveaways all summer long!

Hurry and enter today for a chance to win tickets to Worlds of Fun!

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

OPEN DAILY kansascityzoo.org 816.595.1234 The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. kcparent.com june 2018

23

dads

rock!

P

eruse the greeting card section around Father’s Day and you’ll find the shelves bursting with stereotypes about dads. Although we may love to poke fun at his expense, we have more reasons to appreciate dear old Dad besides how handy he is with a wrench. Supportive dads and father figures positively influence a child’s development.

Here’s how.

emphasize education.

Father of three Brett Clark joined Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) and All Pro Dad programs at Riverview Elementary in Shawnee four years ago. He says the programs give him valuable insight into what’s happening in his children’s school and, by extension, their lives.

“Growing up, I don’t recall my dad—or any fathers for that matter—attending school with me or knowing what I did every day,” Clark says, whose children are Colton, 12, Carter, 10 and Rowen, 6. “Programs like Watch D.O.G.S. are important for a number of reasons. But most importantly, I believe it is vital for children to see their dad engaged in their education and life.”

24

kcparent.com june 2018

Researchers agree. Kids who see both their parents actively involved in their school life are less likely to get into trouble for behavioral issues, perform better academically and are more likely to graduate from high school.

Through Watch D.O.G.S., dads, stepdads, grandpas and other father figures manage an assortment of tasks, from completing school security checks and greeting kids as they arrive at school to providing homework help.

They also jump in during the lunch hour to help peel open those stubborn half-pint cartons of milk, offer cleanup assistance and dine with their kids.

The best things dads can do are to simply be present and offer their attention and interest in their children.

“Eating lunch with your son or daughter offers a unique insight into your kids’ friends and what they talk about, what they think is funny and how innocent their minds are,” Clark says.

Some dads even stick around for recess.

“It’s amazing how cool the kids think it is getting someone to push them on the swings, play tag, play basketball or football,” Clark says.

model healthy relationships.

Emotionally secure, nurturing dads, who help with day-to-day childcare and household chores don’t just neutralize assumptions about gender roles in the family. Their support enhances a mother’s overall sense of emotional well-being. Her happiness trickles down, helping the entire family feel more well-adjusted and resilient to stress.

“Secure fathers (and mothers) are likely to have secure kids. A sense of security means the person sees him- or herself as worthy of being loved,” says Omri Gillath, Ph.D., University of Kansas Department of Psychology.

Research suggests that children, especially boys, who have a positive relationship with their fathers are more likely to have higher quality romantic relationships as they enter adulthood, Gillath adds.

Both boys and girls who experience positive relationships with their dads are also less likely to engage in first-time risky behaviors like substance abuse and premature, unsafe sex.

DID YOU KNOW?

• F athers who help around the house are more likely

to raise daughters who envision a broader range of possible career options for themselves.

• Fatherhood is linked to lower blood pressure, lower rates of heart disease and longevity.

• Fathers who help with caregiving feel more patient, empathetic and flexible.

Source: LeanIn.org

teach emotional management.

Boys can learn how to manage emotions like anger from their fathers, while girls can gain self-confidence and the expectation that they deserve to be treated with respect.

“It’s important for fathers to be okay expressing and allowing a full range of emotions from both their daughters and sons,” says parent coach Tom Limbert, author of Most Valuable Dad. “By acknowledging and allowing vulnerability, anger, sadness in yourself and in your children, you open up a supportive dialogue that will help children grow to have healthy relationships and emotional well-being.”

Fathers also teach their youngsters socialization skills and self-control through rough-and-tumble play like playful wrestling, tumbling and chasing. This kind of rough-housing, especially with their sons, encourages kids to take risks, learn how to manage back and forth interactions and recognize body language cues like when rough play should end.

MY DAD ROCKS BECAUSE… …. He plays video games and chess with me. ~Dylan, 9 …. My Poppy (Grandpa) rocks because he takes me for shrimp. ~ Gracie, 7 …He is awesome. ~ Nealeigh, 7 …He is cute. ~ Lainie, 5 …He is cooler than anyone. ~ Alleigh, 2 …I am just like him. ~ Trey, 9

enhance empathy.

Outside of their school life, Clark connects with his children through sports activities like coaching his oldest son’s baseball team, volunteering with community organizations like the March of Dimes and the American Heart Association and by spending leisure time together.

“We enjoy being outside as a family, whether that is taking bike rides, attending sporting events or enjoying the many community events around Kansas City,” Clark says.

Researchers at McGill University found that children raised by attentive, actively involved fathers exhibited higher levels of empathy as adults.

“The best things dads can do are to simply be present and offer their attention and interest in their children,” Limbert says.

“Obviously it would be helpful to be empathetic and supportive as well, but primarily—without complicating it —it’s all about being present and engaged.”

Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines resides in Olathe with her husband, who is a fantastic dad to their two school-age sons.

Christa is the author of Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital Age.

WHAT IF DAD IS ABSENT? For many families, dads simply aren’t in the picture because of divorce, death or other reasons. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t raise a well-adjusted child.

According to the 2016 Census Bureau, although the majority of children live in two-parent homes, 23 percent are being raised by single mothers. Single moms can give their children the benefit of a father figure by seeking male role models within their extended family, at school or in the community.

“There are good dads and men in the public eye, too, whom you can point to and talk about what makes them admirable and a role model,” Limbert says.

kcparent.com june 2018

25

COMPETITION: YAY OR NAY? One Mom’s Take in Support of Healthy Competition

Should kids play sports year round?

Read the pros and cons of year-round sports at KCParent.com

26

kcparent.com june 2018

W

e live in a world riddled with perplexities when it comes to competition.

Participation trophies abound in many an arena, leaving children with a sense of entitlement for little to no effort (not to mention a lack of life lessons on how to handle defeat). Meanwhile, childhood anxiety is on the rise over mounting pressures for things such as school performance and standardized test scores. It would seem competition means nothing. And yet, in many ways, it’s everything.

As parents, we try to reconcile the dichotomy, but usually our pendulum swings to one or the other extreme.

Competition is bad, some say. It puts too much pressure on results and leaves kids riddled with fear that they’re not good enough as a whole person. Competition is good, others contend. It teaches kids to be tough and roll with the punches.

I would concede that competition can be both healthy and unhealthy. I’m saddened to think that many children today are deprived of the opportunity to compete—whether it be in sports, academics or the fine arts— simply because competition as a whole has been ruled out as bad, when in fact, healthy competition can be a huge driving force for character development, life lessons and selfconfidence.

We’ve all seen competition get out of hand: Parents at Little League games threatening referees for “bad calls,” or child bullies lording their intellectual or athletic prowess over their peers. Healthy competition doesn’t view a winning score as the end all, be all. Instead, true competition helps a child to think long term. Making a basket or racing across the finish line are just incentives along the way. In all things, there will be victories and defeats. It’s learning what to do with both that develops our identities and our value systems.

Healthy competition allows kids the opportunity to taste the victory of success after much hard work. Likewise, losing can be an equally valuable teacher. In his article “How Today’s Society Should View Competition,” Collin Sparks, executive

director of Kamp Ministries at Kanakuk Kamps, submits that to avoid struggle is to deny the opportunity for character formation. “Losing leads to growth.

Sometimes the same is true in life. To be successful, our youth need to understand that losing or making a mistake does not speak to some identity flaw or lack of ability, but rather is an opportunity to learn and grow.” He adds, “Winning is not the goal.

Everyone wants to win but winning isn’t the point of playing the game. The goal of competition should be to have fun, do your best and develop good sportsmanship.”

Competition provides children a time and space to troubleshoot when things aren’t going well. As parents, we don’t like seeing our children struggle. Competing allows kids the opportunity to make decisions and try hard things without having Mom or Dad swoop in to the rescue. Learning how to make good calls independently can build self-confidence.

Competition also builds grit, one of the hallmark characteristics to success in any category. In her TED Talk, psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth describes grit as passion and perseverance for very long goals. “Grit,” she says, “is living life like it’s a marathon and not a sprint. Talent doesn’t make you gritty. There are many talented individuals who simply do not follow through with their commitments. Grit is usually unrelated or even inversely related to measures of talent.” She concludes by reminding viewers that the ability to learn is not fixed but can be changed by effort.

Competition provides opportunities to lead and see that positive change is produced through effort over time. In that, parents can offer encouragement and sincere compliments. It’s important to note that how our kids perform is not based on how effective we are as parents. We simply need to teach them how to handle both the good and the bad; on that foundation, they’ll build the skills they need to truly succeed in life.

Lauren Greenlee is a freelance writer and mom of three residing in Olathe.

T

o say that Sporting KC captain Matt Besler is competitive by nature may be a slight understatement.

With two MLS Best XI and five MLS All-Star Team titles to his credit, along with earning more than 40 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team since 2013, Besler possesses drive and dedication that have landed him with perhaps his most esteemed career title: the first Kansan to play in the World Cup. But as the KC native recounts in his new book No Other Home, that competitive drive was put to practice not only on the soccer field, but also at home.

Matt is the oldest of three boys, and he and sibs Mike and Nick couldn’t resist going head to head in everything from card games to ping-pong. One particular evening, a challenge was made to see who could throw more grapes into a drinking glass placed on the dining room table.

When no one succeeded, Matt upped the ante by offering $100 to whomever first made a shot. Grapes flew across the room like grenades in battle.

It wasn’t until after 10 minutes of shooting that a winner was declared.

There was only one problem: It wasn’t until Matt’s mom entered the room that the boys realized the state of the dining room. Matt writes, “She couldn’t believe what she saw. Actually, none of us could. Over by our dinner table, there must have been a hundred grapes on the floor. Worse, the wall behind the table was stained from all the shots that went long and smashed into it. In the fog of competition, we didn’t realize the mess we were making. We were so locked into winning, we didn’t notice that we were splattering the wall.”

Matt recounts other humorous memories, along with the highs and lows that have come within his professional and personal life throughout his memoir. A portion of the proceeds from his book will be donated to his non-profit charity, the Besler Family Foundation.

kcparent.com june 2018

27

Special Advertising Section

change every camp session, so kids can sign up for their favorite or enroll more than once. Aspiring Artists sessions run for 4 days and are for ages 8 and up. Several one day Mini Camps and a “Kids and Clay” series are also offered throughout the summer. Visit our website at www.CeramicCafeKC.com for add’l info and registration form. See display ad on pg. 34.

Code Ninjas®

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Camp Guide

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Trusted by KC families for 100 years, our classic summer camp experience includes archery, canoeing, horseback riding and more. Specialty camps like Skateboarding, Paintball, Leadership and Equestrian Camps are also available. Our ACA-accredited programs help campers build character, learn skills and make friends—all within a safe,

caring environment. Choose your adventure at www.CampWood.org. See display ad on pg. 28.

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kcparent.com june 2018

HONESTY

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The Coterie offers classes for kids entering grades K-12 at five sites: The Plaza (Pembroke Hill), Overland Park (MillerMarley), Lee’s Summit (MCC Longview), Liberty (Liberty CC), and the Northland Continued on page 32

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last minute tips before heading off to

DAY CAMP

J

une is here, and that means many KC kids will be heading out to day camp. I am not a camper by nature. But as leader of my daughters’ Girl Scout troops, I felt an obligation to be a day camp leader for several years. And while I can’t say it was the most enjoyable experience ever, I did learn a few things. Before sending your child off to day camp this summer, here are a few things to keep in mind to help make day camp a success!

Fill ’er up. Be sure to send plenty of water. Looking back at the four years I volunteered at camp, I realized that the record high temps for those summers occurred while we had day camp.

It’s going to be hot, your camper is going to be active, and water is a key component to keeping your kiddo happy and healthy throughout the day.

Freeze a towel. Find a golf towel or something of a similar size.

Wet it, wring it out, fold it, place it in a zip-close baggie and place in the freezer. The next morning, place it in your camper’s lunch. By midday, the towel will have thawed just enough that your camper can place it around his neck. It’s built-in air-conditioning that really helps when the temps soar.

Dress them right. I was always a bit taken aback by what some kids wore to camp. Campers need to be dressed to spend the day outside, prepared to do a lot of walking. That means ONLY closedtoe shoes, preferably tennis shoes, shirts with sleeves and longer shorts. Leave the cute sandals and tank tops at home and don’t wear anything new. Chances are very good you may want to trash some of the clothes after camp ends.

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Pack a snack. Send an extra snack with lunch. Kids are famished at the end of the day, and a small snack on the bus ride home can help ward off the grumps at pickup time. Also be sure the lunch you send is substantial, because campers work up big appetites.

Spray all over. Coat them in the morning with sunscreen and bug repellent and then send it with them so they can reapply throughout the day. Nothing ruins a week at camp faster than a lack of sunscreen on the first day. And there will be bugs. Lots of them. Do a tick check each night after camp. True story: I was in the outhouse with a child who commented, “Look at that big ant!” to which I replied, “That’s not an ant. That’s a really big tick.”

Send a bandana and Lysol. Strangest tip yet, I’m sure, but I am here to tell you those outhouses and port-a-potties stink with a capital “S.” My co-leader and I had it down to a system.

Wrap bandana around nose and mouth. Open door to outhouse and spray away. Let it sit for a minute and then send child in (with mouth and nose covered) to take care of business.

Find a backpack. Send a cinch sack or something along those lines to hold water bottle, extra bug spray and sunscreen, frozen towel and individual wipes. While there will be areas to wash hands, a sanitized wipe is a good idea. Also, throw in a travelsized hand sanitizer. The backpack will also come in handy to carry around any trinkets collected or crafts made throughout the day.

Clean it out each night and restock for the next day.

Lenexa mom Margaret Sarver is not sorry that her days as day camp leader have come to a close.

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CAMPGUIDE (MCC Maple Woods). Half-day and full-day classes led by professional, trained teaching artists include creative drama, acting, and audition skills. 2018 Performance Camps include Spamalot (at Pembroke), The Hobbit (at Liberty), and Seussical the Musical Jr. (at Longview).

See display ad on pg. 63. Visit www.TheCoterie.org.

The Culture House

Spend your summer at The Culture House ... NOW IN TWO LOCATIONS (Olathe & Oak Park Mall)! Programs include dance, theatre, music and art all taught by professionally trained adults.

“Sister Act” (ages 13-20), “Aladdin ” (ages 10-13), “Winnie the Pooh” (ages 6-11), Rudimental (percussion) Bootcamp, Painting, Sculpture, Drawing, The Greatest Show: Movie Musicals, Songs from Matilda, Music of Moana, Isle of Lost Combat, Broadway Now, Improv, Princess Ballerina, Me & My Dolly Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Tap & MORE! 913.393.3141 See display ad on pg. 29. www.CultureHouse.com

Genesis Health Club – Olathe Ridgeview

Camps provide an influential, magical setting free from evaluation; unlike school where there are rubrics. In camps children have the liberty to explore new passions, activities, friendships, and new aspects of who they are. In the right camp setting, children learn crucial life skills: problem solving, perspective taking, initiative and grit! Have you selected the right camp for your child?

Are you making the most out of your child’s summer? Check out Ridgeview Camps today! See display ad on pg. 34. www.GenesisHealthClubs.com

Eagles Camp Soaring

Who says summer learning can’t be fun?

At Eagles Camp Soaring we understand how important it is for learning to continue through the summer and for kids to just be kids! Our program is designed to offer hands on learning with a focus on academics, enrichment activities and STEAM. For extra fun, there’s swimming, field trips, library visits, and ice cream treats! Students stay busy and happy

while learning! See display ad on pg. 32. www.MCA-Eagles.org

Johnson County Parks and Rec

From Outdoor Discovery to Just for Fun, we offer nearly 60 different and well-supervised camp programs conveniently located throughout Johnson County. Dedicated to providing activities that promote emotional, intellectual, and physical health, our summer fun choices include nature and science, preschool enrichment, engineering, leadership development, and art, music, theatre, and dance. The options include both indoor and outdoor programs, and full- and partial-day schedules are available.

For details call 913.831.3359 or visit www.JCPRD.com. See display ad on pg. 65.

Kansas City Zoo

Make your summer a little wilder with Zoofari Adventures Summer Camp. Camp runs May 29 through August 10. Learn the inside scoop about the Zoo’s creatures. A typical week includes exclusive zoo tours, animal encounters/shows, science experiments, games, and crafts. Half day camps for ages 4-5, full

Summer Adventure Camp Session 1 Oh The Places To Go

May 29TH - June 29TH

Session 2 Oh The Things To Do

July 5TH - August 3RD

REGISTER TODAY! www.mca-eagles.org Questions? Contact Chenaye Sutton email: suttonc@ma-kc.org or phone: 913.631.9286

Visit www.mca-eagles.org for a complete list of camp activities!

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day for ages 5-15. COST: ½ day: $110, full day: $250, Before/Aftercare (3:30pm-5:30pm): $15.

10% discount for FOTZ Members. Check out single day camp options the week of Memorial Day and 4th of July. See display ad on pg. 33. www.KansasCityZoo.org/programs/day-camps

Imagine the fun of OPERA CAMP!

In-depth vocal and acting instruction | July 23 - Aug 3

Lyric Opera

Music Theatre. Opera. What do they have in common? What makes them different?

We’ll find out as we study West Side Story at Opera Camp 2018! Grades 3-7 (11:00 – 3:30 daily) will be featured in The Coyotes and the Rabbits, a bilingual opera. Grades 8-12 (11:00 – 4:30 daily) prepare an art song and an opera scene, with opportunity for a private coaching. Other opportunities include singing/acting/musicianship sessions, master classes, creation of sets/ props/costumes, and group voice lessons.

See display ad on pg. 33. www.KCOpera.org

Notre Dame de Sion

Join us and get ready to be extraordinary!

At Sion Summer Spectacular students can participate in engaging, innovative, and Continued on page 34

Register now online at kcopera.org or e-mail Linda Ade Brand: labrand@kcopera.org.

Deadline to apply for a scholarship is June 30.

& Safari Day Campsthe Zoo! Summer Camps at For kids ages 4–15

Space Limited!

AGES 6-12

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

Mix & match sessions to fit your schedule!! $

5 OFF $30 PURCHASE

Offer expires 6/30/18. May be combined with 1/2 studio fee special only. May not be used for camp, classes or special events.

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

Visit kansascityzoo.org/camp for more details!

OPEN DAILY | kansascityzoo.org | 816.595.1234

The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. kcparent.com june 2018

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CAMPGUIDE age-appropriate enrichment camps for PreK-8 boys and girls in the arts, STEM, crafts, tactics, wellness, and fitness led by our outstanding faculty and renowned industry partners. Our program is designed to accommodate your family’s schedule, offering weekly camps, as well as morning and afternoon extended day care options.

Whether students take center stage with Camellot Academy, or participate in our weekly classes with our expert instructors, Sion Summer Spectacular will make their inner superhero shine! To enroll please visit www.NDSion.edu/summer. Grade School Campus: 3823 Locust, KC MO. See display ad on pg. 35.

Paint, Glaze & Fire Ceramics & Coffee House

Camp ARTRAGEOUS! Paint Glaze & Fire Ceramics & Coffee House is offering summer camp for its 21st season! Your child will learn new techniques and have fun creating art in our multi-medium camps (ceramics, clay, canvas & glass fusion). Class size is limited— sign up early! Check it out online and find more information as well as a registration form at www.PaintGlazeAndFire.net. For more

information on these and many other fun and creative programs, visit the website. See display ad on pg. 33. 913.661.CLAY (2529).

for parents: Drop ‘em off and we’ll make sure they have the best experience ever. See display ad on pg. 31. www.SkyZone.com

Science City

Tiger Rock Martial Arts

Science City Summer Camp 2018 provides a fun, hands-on environment to explore exciting STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) topics. Campers ages 6-12 engage in life science, physical science, art and innovation each week. Camp runs June 4-Aug 3, Monday through Friday, 9:00-4:00. FREE early and late care available. $200/week for Union Station members, $225/ non-members. Space is limited! For more information, visit www.ScienceCity.Com/ SummerCamp. See display ad on pg. 67.

Sky Zone

Have an epic summer at SkyCamp! Kids can have fun with activities like Free Style Jump, Dodgeball, and SkySlam. Ninja Warrior & Rock Climbing now at Sky Zone Lee’s Summit! SkyCamp combines fun and fitness for pure happiness! Different themes each week! Your kids will never be bored!

Including Super Community Heroes, Science of Sky Zone & more. It’s easy and hassle-free

Train all summer at Tiger Rock’s Martial Arts summer camp. For only $189, you can spend your summer training at our studio.

Fee includes ninja uniform. Hurry! Classes fill up every summer so register today!

913.829.8818 (Olathe) or 913.851.5050 (Overland Park). See display ad on pg. 35. www.KCTigerRock.com

YMCA

Kids can have the best summer ever at Y Summer Day Camps! The focus is on achievement, relationships and belonging.

A wide variety of experiences include field trips, swimming, arts, STEM, outdoor education and more. Locations throughout the metro. Opportunities for ages 5-12 include traditional camps with exciting weekly themes, and sports specialty camps.

Youth Volunteer Corps Summer of Service is available for ages 11-18. Learn more and register at www.KansasCityYMCA.org/camp.

See display ad on pg. 13.

create a memory give a gift made with love birthday parties • field trips summer camps • and more!

9510 Nall 913-383-0222

CeramicCafeKC.com

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SUMMER2018

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memories making

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y mom cooked everything for our family by following recipes in her head. We ate basic, fresh food, much of it from our farm. She was gracious with her time and let me sit, talking with her while she’d chop and stir, never asking me to help (I smile when I tell myself she liked my company that much). I’d plop down on a kitchen stool and rest my head on my hands. We’d talk so peacefully and laugh while she moved around reaching into the refrigerator bringing handfuls of food to the counter and stove. My memories of cooking are not actually cooking. They are watching her cook. They are loving her while she cooked.

With my history of sitting down to watch my mom cook instead of learning to cook, I floundered when I became a mom. Over the years, though, as I’ve tried to make different taste buds happy on a daily basis, I’ve learned I don’t need to be deeply schooled in the kitchen to create

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in the kitchen amazing food. I have found a few delicious recipes we love and I would now argue these kinds of recipes—simple and resilient—are the best kitchen tools available.

The Easy Beginning to a Long Relationship.

I found this recipe years ago by simply googling “moist, delicious, yellow cake.” Yellow because my oldest daughter doesn’t like chocolate cakes, and moist because I am not fond of dry cakes held together by frosting toupees. I wrote the recipe down with hurried penmanship on a piece of yellow construction paper and have referred to it ever since.

What I think I love most about this cake—and why my mother would have found it a keeper—is that it’s not fussy.

You likely will have everything you need on hand, and there’s no trickery. It’s easy for a child to read the recipe and claim his or her first cake. Also, as is the nature of easy food, this cake is a marvelous chameleon. It once became

a blue cake when our friend, coming over for her birthday told us blue was her favorite color. When my youngest daughter helped me, the cake became bright pink with red sugar sprinkles. We’ve put strawberries between the layers and chocolate shavings on top.

Conversations are light and easy. Talking and listening and laughing are some of the great results of this recipe because of the sweet common ground it creates. The same, delicious story is tasted by everybody gathered around the table.

Why This One Is Special: A Look Behind the Cake Curtain.

This cake has been to so many of our events, it is now a part of the family. And it’s not surprising to me that its DNA is very close to the farm desserts I grew up with: lots of butter, some eggs, a bunch of sugar and the kicker is the buttermilk. Buttermilk in the batter offers a slight acidity that breaks down tough strands of gluten. This creates a creamier texture. And the tartness of the milk adds a very subtle, tangy taste that gives the cake a rich quality. If you don’t want to buy buttermilk, you can make your own by adding one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to one cup of milk. Then let it sit 10 minutes. Plain yogurt works as a buttermilk substitute too.

The cake itself is very forgiving. Once when I added too much yogurt, the cake looked like Dr. Seuss himself had been in the kitchen. The batter bubbled up on top with extra pools here and there. After a few extra minutes of baking time, we let the cakes cool and, instead of frosting one round on top of the other like a hatbox, we spooned the lumpier cake into 4-ounce Ball jars, then iced them with our favorite cream cheese frosting tinted a reddish purple color. We topped the small cakes with berries. They were photograph ready, I must say, and tasted lovely.

Large is this cake’s middle name, so you can eat your cake and have it too. It’s terrifically dense. A birthday party might manage to eat only half of the whole. You can slice up the rest and give it to your guests to take home or do as we did last summer on a nice day. We set out walking with the remaining half cake in a tin—because it even travels well—and we ended at our good friends’ house. We hadn’t called ahead, so when they answered the door we offered the cake as a double surprise. They brought out plates and glasses of milk and we stayed for more than an hour, sitting near a sunny window having fun, talking and laughing about nothing, which in the end, is one of the richest life experiences: no agenda other than friendship.

This Cake Is Community.

My children have learned lessons far beyond baking from this creamy and forgiving cake. It is a creation of instant community. Although the recipe didn’t come from my mom, her lovely kitchen karma is present when we eat it.

Moist Delicious Yellow Cake 1 c. butter 2 ½ c. white sugar 3 eggs 1 ½ t. vanilla extract 2 ½ c. buttermilk (or plain yogurt) 3 ¾ c. flour 2 ¼ t. baking powder 2 ¼ t. baking soda Preheat oven to 350. Grease rounds. Sift flour, baking powder and baking soda and set aside.

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla. Beat in flour alternately with the buttermilk. Bake 35 to 40 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting 1 8-oz. pack cream cheese at room temp ¾ stick of butter at room temp 2 c. powdered sugar Grated citrus peel 1 t. vanilla Beat cream cheese and butter with mixer until luffy. Gradually add powdered sugar. Beat in citrus peel and vanilla.

Refrigerate for a half-hour.

Maggie Uhl lives in Waldo with her family.

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BUST toy boredom To be honest, we have very few toys, just because the more kids I’ve had, the more I realized they lose interest in them quickly. I’m quick to get rid of anything I haven’t seen used in a while.

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s we approach another Midwest summer we might find ourselves complaining it’s too hot for the kids to get outside! What can we to do on these extreme temperature days when our climate doesn’t always allow for outdoor activities? As a culture, we often give in to the more, more, more idea, the idea that if our children are complaining about being bored, well then, they must need more or different toys. This isn’t necessarily the case however.

Sometimes we all need a little shakeup to keep things interesting!

clear the clutter Take a few moments one day when your children aren’t around, grab a trash bag and start clearing.

Start with games, toys and puzzles that are missing pieces or broken. If your children are of the age where they can help, this can be a great process in which to involve them.

Pay attention over a span of a few days or weeks to what toys your children consistently play with

and which ones they don’t touch anymore. Brittney, a mom of four, says, “To be honest, we have very few toys, just because the more kids I’ve had, the more I realized they lose interest in them quickly. I’m quick to get rid of anything I haven’t seen used in a while.”

back to basics Suzanne, a Prairie Village mom of three, shares, “I put everything away and only leave out a couple things, such as blocks, books, paper with pens, pencils and crayons. They usually end up doing something really creative and playing well together.” When making toy purchases, try to stick to items that are open-ended and leave many options for your children. Consider toys like blocks, Legos or Duplos, art supplies, MagnaTiles, cars, trucks, dolls and trains.

consider a toy swap Have you ever thought about getting together with a friend or small group of friends and

hosting a toy swap? Why not even offer to host?! Blogger Mique, from ThirtyHandmadeDays.com, suggests deciding on a guest list, choosing your exchange rules, displaying the toys clearly, swapping using a system similar to a white elephant exchange, then donating the leftovers. Easy peasy, and everyone walks away with something new for their children.

in new ways. We have made a library checkout desk with big brick blocks and we play with the toys in a different area of the house. Somehow setting up all the Barbie house items in the front room instead of the dollhouse is more popular!”

get active

Rotating toys is another way to keep things fresh. In our home, I switch out books based on season or theme, and toys will rotate around from kids’ rooms, to playroom, to basement.

Sometimes just changing out toys every few weeks or months can help keep boredom at bay.

Sometimes instead of being so focused on toys, encourage your children to be active. Let youngsters build a fort out of the couch cushions, set up an obstacle course or practice their gymnastics. Brittney changes things up when the toys aren’t cutting it by “putting on a YouTube dance video or kids yoga/fitness video to get the wiggles out, or just playing some Kids Bop to get them moving.”

think outside the box

join in

Audrey, a mom of three, says, “Besides rotating toys, I also encourage my children to play with their toys

Scrap your to-do list and just join in with your kids! Everyone’s mind and imagination is different, so don’t be

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afraid to show your children a new way to play with their toys. Let the Star Wars figures take over the dollhouse (this has happened in our house!), use the stuffed animals as a vet’s office, build a house for dinosaurs out of MagnaTiles and so on. Seeing how different people can play with the same toy a myriad of ways is mind-expanding!

Two things are certain: This summer will have miserably hot days where you will be spending more time than you want indoors, and your children are guaranteed to hit a rut with their toys.

The good news is now you have a few tricks up your sleeve to keep even the most loved toys fresh and fun!

Julie Collett writes from her Overland Park home. She likes to keep things interesting with her four children and has tried some of these same ideas too!

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WHY I RUN

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have been training for some longer races lately and have had more time to contemplate why I run.

Why do I run? Why do I run so far, so many miles or so often? Why is it a priority for me each week?

My dad has been giving me a hard time about running away from my kids, but the thing is, it’s not too far from the truth! I have been lucky to live out my dream of being a stay-at-home mom to our children for seven years now.

Parenting is so fun and rewarding but it really is exhausting and overwhelming at times.

I was a mom first and runner second.

Not in the lovely way of saying that I put motherhood before my running (I do), but because I was not a runner until my first baby was about 9 months old. I was active in high school and participated in various sports, even intramurals in college, but I was not on the track or cross country team.

Sometimes I would become motivated to run around the block, and my dad joked that I had completed my bi-annual run.

Fast forward to marriage, moving to a new city and away from anyone we knew, and I bought a jogging stroller hoping that shelling out that much moolah would motivate me to get out and get back in shape.

On top of buying the stroller for motivation, I also had a 1-year-old golden retriever that needed exercise. I specifically had wanted a dog that would require me to exercise, even if it was walking every day.

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Another motivating factor for me then, that continues six years later, is registering for a race. I need that kick in the rear. The slightly competitive part of me wants to be able to finish without walking, to not feel like I’m dying and to try not to be last.

Running is effective and quick exercise for the busy mom working around everyone else’s schedule. Even 20–30 minutes is sufficient time to get some miles in before moving on with the rest of your day. It’s also a pretty reasonable amount of time to expect your baby or child to be happy in the stroller before you reward him with a park/snack/ cartoon. (As for the time to get out the door and become presentable after your run, that’s another story!)

Running with my children has helped me focus in on being a healthy role model to them as well. I want to demonstrate that exercise can be fun and

not a dreadful part of life. It also motivates me to keep going even when it’s challenging.

I want to teach them that Mommy can do hard things and so can they. When running on trails with bridges, I trained my stroller riders to “cheer for Mommy!” every time we went over a bridge. Hearing “You can do it Mommy!” or “Go, Mommy, go!” in their sweet, tiny voices is always encouraging.

Running has helped me reestablish my identity as a SAHM. I have something else to talk to adults about other than how many diapers I changed or how frustrating today’s nap time was. That aspect also has helped with my overall confidence in myself.

Exercise makes you feel better thanks to all the happy endorphins flowing, it helps you appreciate your body and feel better in your mommy skin. It also shows me hard work can pay off and I can do hard things! Those happy endorphins also help me be a better

mommy. I feel accomplished and ready to face the rest of the day. My kids know the rule that running makes Mommy happy. I am not above bribery either; they also know that letting Mommy run = fruit snacks!

Running helps me with goal setting too. My first goal was to finish a 5K race. I moved on to finishing a 5K race after each baby we had (generally within the first year).

When there was a greater space between our second and third babies, I set a new goal of running a 10K. The further I pushed myself, the more I wanted to see how far I could go. I then signed up for the Heartland 30K Series in KC that included three 10K races within a month’s time. I was able to train and complete that when my third baby was only 5 months old (and after my third c-section).

I only mention that because it proves that you can do things you set your mind to. My first 5K with a 9-month-old was a HUGE accomplishment to me, so to see how far I had come over the years was pretty amazing.

Last year, my youngest turned 2 years old, so I set my eyes on my first duathlon race; I

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wasn’t properly equipped for the triathlon, so this was a great alternative. It took a lot of training but was so satisfying to accomplish.

Thanks to being in pretty good shape from that race, I went ahead and registered for my first half-marathon. I was able to complete that last September and finally earn my silly 13.1 car sticker that had seemed to mock me over the years.

Running helps me center myself in a meditation kind of way. Now, not every run is a peaceful experience these days, especially when I take my whole parade with me (two kids on bikes, stroller and dog, currently). But thankfully I have a supportive husband who gives me time to run occasionally throughout the week and gives me time to do a long run on the weekends. I look forward to the 5-plus-mile run! Running solo is peaceful. I have time to think without being interrupted or distracted by my darling cherubs. I can listen to music I enjoy instead of pacifying my kids with the Disney station on Pandora Radio. Music is another part of my identity that is so nice to reconnect with. What type of music do I like?

What are my favorite current bands? Which concerts should we get a sitter for and go on a fun date to? I also started listening to podcasts while running last summer, which has been a fun change of pace. This is also a time I think of all my favorite people and pray for them. Simply time to think. This is truly one of the best gifts running offers me.

Another key part of that is time away from notifications on my phone. I do run with my phone but I’m physically doing something and listening to music, so it’s a time I set away from distractions.

I write this only to encourage anyone with an inkling to run to actually give it a valiant try. Try for a month or sign up for your first 5K. Running truly has been a blessing to me, and I hope to pass the joy along.

Stephanie Loux is the mother of three and fits in time to run around her family’s schedule, either with or without her children in tow. You can check out more of her writing at LettersFromTheLouxs. blogspot.com.

Summit Christian Academy

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Named a Top 5 Private School in the Kansas City Area

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15-Minute Drive from K ansas

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816.525.1480 • summit-christian-academy.org kcparent.com june 2018

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SUMMER FUN

table of contents 43 simpler summers 44 summer fun 46 apps that teach 47 family rules 48 animal adventures

GUIDE 42

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SNACK ON all summer long

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hether you plan to embrace or dread the summer heat, you can count on one thing: needing to feed your kiddos’ sweet and sweaty appetites all summer long.

Maybe your kids will be out to play, traveling and on the go or they’ll be staying in at home. No matter their summer plans and activities, having nutritious snacks readily and constantly available remains important. Snacking is essential for children and teens because their smaller stomachs fill up fast and they burn energy quickly. Between meals, snacks give growing bodies the nutrients and hydration they need. So for optimal health, three meals plus two snacks per day are necessary. Plus, snacks can boost energy levels between meals and provide your kids with essential vitamins and minerals.

KC parents already have plenty on their plates getting healthy meals on the table. How does making snack time simple, creative and nutritious sound? Read on to discover how you can optimize your child’s health from the inside out!

Smart Summer Snacks

• 1 tablespoon nut butter spread on sliced apples or pears • 3 cups air-popped popcorn sprinkled with 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

• Celery and carrot sticks with hummus • Sugar snap peas, yellow pepper strips and cherry tomatoes with reduced-fat ranch dressing

• Small baked potato topped with salsa and low-fat cheese • 1 cup tomato soup with whole grain crackers • Yogurt sprinkled with berries or dried fruit • Fruit smoothie made with low-fat milk and blended with frozen bananas and yogurt

• Toaster waffle topped with 1 tablespoon nut butter and a dash of honey • Whole grain dinner roll with one slice deli meat, one slice low-fat cheese and mustard

• Whole grain crackers with low-fat sliced cheese • Trail mix made with mixed nuts, dried cherries and granola • Vanilla pudding with sliced bananas and crumbed graham crackers

Recipe:

Recipe:

Creamy Veggie Dip

Fuel Up Sweet Summertime Bars

Ingredients 8 oz. low-fat cream cheese 1/3 c. mayonnaise 1 carrot, finely chopped 2 T. green onions, thinly sliced ¼ c. diced red pepper 1/3 c. finely chopped broccoli 1-2 T. fresh dill, finely chopped

Ingredients 2 c. quick oats 1 c. natural peanut butter (or nut butter of your choice) 1 c. honey 1 c. dried cranberries 1 c. dark chocolate chips 1 c. milled flaxseed

Directions

Mix all ingredients together and stir until blended. Spread mixture into an 8x8-inch pan and refrigerate until ready to serve. Cut into pieces to serve.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, soften cream cheese by mixing with hand mixer. Add mayonnaise and mix well. Stir in chopped vegetables. Refrigerate for at least one hour prior to serving for best flavor.

Can be served on crackers, flat bread or used as a spread for sandwiches Sources: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, KidsHealth.org

Directions

Amy Hundley is a registered dietitian nutritionist, licensed in both Kansas and Missouri, and a published freelance nutrition writer. She is currently practicing as a clinical RD and has been a resident of Olathe since early childhood. kcparent.com june 2018

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SUMMER FUN

•G U I D E•

savoring the simplicity of

kcparent.com has TONS of summer fun ideas!

summer

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he long, warm days of summer are here, and they bring with them an almost unlimited potential for childhood fun. With the kids home, some of the greatest classic summer activities often begin in your own yard and don’t cost much money.

“We love to hang out in the backyard, make a picnic lunch and play in our inflatable pool,” says Blue Springs mom Jessica Harper.

“Or we’ll head over to the park to get all the energy out and then swing by the ice cream shop on the way home.”

Bubbles provide one of the purest ways of capturing the joy of childhood. Let the kids expend their energy by having them chase the bubbles all over the yard. There can be contests to see who can pop the most bubbles or who can keep a bubble on his finger, arm or nose the longest. You can find many recipes for homemade bubbles on the

internet, and they all include ingredients you typically would find around your home.

When the bubbles all have popped, a water table is another fun backyard activity that provides an opportunity for simple fun—and even a chance to teach something as complicated as the very basics behind hydraulics. Once the sun goes down, even more fun is at hand. Grab some Mason jars and get ready to catch some lightning bugs.

Learning begins at home, and your driveway can present an opportunity to teach business lessons. The classic lemonade stand is a decades-old staple when it comes to fostering entrepreneurship skills.

Consider expanding the lemonade stand concept and see what else the kids can make and sell, whether that be baked goods or handmade items.

Sidewalk chalk is a classic tool for building artistic skills in a child. Independence mom

the best fun often can be found in classic activities 44

kcparent.com june 2018

Amy Jo Gillam suggests developing your own neighborhood art walk. While you are drawing on the sidewalk or driveway, encourage other kids in the neighborhood to recreate art pieces—or design their own—on their driveways. Friends and neighbors then can stroll through the showcase of everyone’s work. This summer she also wants to surprise some friends by writing and decorating Bible verses on their driveways.

A scavenger hunt affords another way to get all the neighborhood kids playing together. Develop different lists and you can repeat the activity multiple times during the season.

When you are ready to leave your neighborhood, there’s no need to get in the car. A simple bike ride through the subdivision always provides a chance for exploration. Develop different ride routes that include stops at a nearby restaurant, park or wooded area.

Endless hours of simple fun also can happen in the park. Grab some friends and bring a picnic lunch and some Popsicles for dessert. Spread out a blanket, lie back and take a few minutes to look up at the clouds

and imagine what animals and objects they resemble. While you are at the park, don’t forget to bring a kite and see how high you can fly it. Better yet, research how to build a kite and try your hand at making your own.

While you are out and about enjoying the parks, consider finding a good fishing spot. The metro is home to many good angling areas, from James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area and Blue Springs Lake on the Missouri side, to Shawnee Mission and Kill Creek parks on the Kansas side. These same areas also have opportunities for hiking and camping, which are also some of the most classic summer activities.

A weekend filled with fishing, hiking and camping is an inexpensive way to enjoy the best summer has to offer. It’ll teach the kids how to have fun outdoor entertainment without spending large amounts of money.

“My family loves being outdoors in the summer,” says Lee’s Summit mom Kim Ketteman. “Water balloon fights, kite-flying and reading books in the shade of a big tree are some of our favorite activities. The season is perfect for scavenger hunts of all kinds, like bug types and flower colors.”

A well-rounded summer includes activities both at home and out and about.

Lee’s Summit mom Jessica Talley says she enjoys going on hikes with the kids, as well as digging holes, riding bikes and enjoying sidewalk chalk. They also have themed days, where they pick something like STEMrelated activities, a field trip, a community service project or reading activities to focus on for the day. She says their STEM days are usually on Mondays and can include activities such as an egg drop, solar ovens or catapults.

With such fun activities, be prepared for you home to become a popular place.

“I always have extra supplies because sometimes a friend or neighbor joins,” Talley says.

Whatever you do this summer, remember the best memories can be made while sharing simple activities.

Allison Gibeson is a freelance writer from Lee’s Summit, and she enjoys going for hikes in the summer.

IT’S

AMAZING IN HERE

TM

Buy online & save $21 on admission at worldsoffun.com Worlds of Fun • Oceans of Fun • Kansas City, MO • 816.454.4545 © Peanuts Worldwide LLC, peanuts.com ©2018 Cedar Fair, L.P. WF18-119

kcparent.com june 2018

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SUMMER FUN

• G U I D E • sneak in

SUMMER LEARNING with apps

S

ummertime is upon us. Although the warm weather means trips to the pool or family vacations, it also might usher in a time that some parents fear. With most schools being closed for the traditional summer break, students are out of their normal routines. They might sleep longer, watch more television or even get less exercise. While you consider options and activities for your children instead of hours of video games, take a look at these ways your children can practice previous skills, read interesting texts, solve problems, create and have fun!

Kodable Numerous sites rank Kodable as the top app to teach kids about computer programming. One of the advantages is that it teaches users to use JavaScript, not just blocks.

Hopscotch Hopscotch is an extremely user-friendly app that allows all ability levels to learn, play and create their own games.

Epic!

Epic! is the largest database for children’s books, offering both fiction and nonfiction titles, as well as audiobooks, quizzes and videos.

ABCmouse ABCmouse is designed for early learners (2-8) to accelerate their development in reading and math skills.

Science, art and music are also infused throughout the app.

Kids A-Z The entire suite houses content, from Reading A-Z to Science A-Z and more. This app has a great number of resources, as well as the ability to check for understanding through quizzes.

Tinybop Collection Tinybop Inc. has created a large number of apps geared toward children’s developing a deeper sense of curiosity and understanding around science.

BrainPOP BrainPOP is a curious child’s dream app, boasting vast amounts of material on various topics across all content areas.

Aside from the videos, you’ll find quizzes, activities and more.

Make-aMovie If your child (or you) is a fan of BrainPOP, Make-a-Movie allows you to create your own BrainPOP movie—Tim and Moby style! iMovie iMovie is the ultimate creation tool.

Use pictures, videos, music and text to bring a story to life.

Clips Clips is an app that allows you to create a quick video with just a few simple clicks. Effects, text and filters are just a sample of the features you can use to make fun videos to share with others.

Brandon Lewis is an innovation and learning coach for Liberty Public Schools. He and his wife, Jeni, live in Kansas City with their two children, Zoey and Ezra.

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Prodigy Math Prodigy is a highly engaging app aligned to national math standards. This adaptive math game ranges from first to eighth grades.

Comic Touch 2 Have you ever wanted to be in a comic?

With this app, you can take your photos and turn them into pages out of a comic book by adding text boxes, filters and comic-styled layouts.

Splash Math Designed to meet the individual needs of each child, Splash Math uses self-paced lessons and adaptive practices to help your children grow their math skills.

Bedtime Math The goal of Bedtime Math is to foster a love of math in every learner, just like a bedtime story endears reading. Learners of all ages, including adults, can use Bedtime Math.

family rules to

BREAK this summer

S

chool’s out, and it’s time for kids to break the rules. After all, there’s no school bus to catch in the morning, no homework to worry about and no reason to shower every day…right? Well, it depends. Although maintaining some level of normalcy and sanity in your home throughout the summer is important, it’s also okay to break a few of your rules.

As the family rule maker, sit down and think about your current rules and then carefully decide on some you’re willing to give up for a few months. Keep your family’s summer necessities in mind as you think things through and come up with a list you’d like everyone to follow. In the meantime, here are some helpful suggestions on what rules to ditch, along with some super fun ideas to replace them to make your summer one your kids will never forget!

• B ye-bye early bedtime! Because they don’t have to wake up early to catch the bus and head off to school, why not let them stay up an extra hour? Even if it’s just time for them to hang out in their bedrooms and read, it’s a big deal to kids to have that extra hour.

• I ce cream…for dinner? Why not? Take a break from cooking, let

loose and allow the kids to eat junk food for dinner! Or simply flipflop the norm and try having dessert before dinner. Kids love nights like this, and to be honest, you probably will too!

• P ut away the alarm clock. Unless they must be somewhere, there’s no need for the kids to get up early. Let them sleep in, especially after they’ve exhausted themselves from long days of summer play.

This gives you a chance to enjoy a peaceful morning while they’re snoring away.

• T ry a new bedtime routine! Surprise your kids with a nighttime pajama walk around the neighborhood after they’re completely ready for bed. An impromptu walk will be a fun adventure, and if you do this at least once a week, it will become a lifetime memory.

• B attle the whines of summer boredom. Developmentally,

boredom is important. It forces creativity, which is great for kids’ minds. Work with your children on a pre-planned list of things to do. Be prepared to stay by their side at the beginning of the activity, especially with littler kids, even if you’re just sitting nearby.

• B ack down on your own screen time. Your technology habits

heavily influence those of your kids. Try breaking down exactly how much time you spend with your children each day, one-on-one, without screens. It might surprise you just how little you get. So put your phone away while spending time with them and enjoy every minute having fun together.

• K eep a loose summer schedule. It’s good for everyone! Kids

cannot be expected to entertain themselves for 12 hours a day (especially without screens), so relax your schedule. Give your kids possible projects or activities at the start of the week and let them choose. Board games with Mommy from 11:00 to noon, followed by lunch until 1:00 and quiet play or crafting time from 1:00 to 2:00.

However you plan to schedule your summer, get your kids excited about all the things they get to do, such as swimming, ball games with neighbors, riding bikes, playing in the sprinkler, visiting amusement parks and more. And remember: Playing outside helps their brains!

Scientists say that the sights and sounds of nature peacefully stimulate the brain so that it no longer craves the hyperstimulation of electronics. In fact, research shows improvement in attention spans after time spent outside. So, get those kiddos outside this summer!

Gina Klein is a nature-loving mom and author who resides in Kansas City and loves to play outside as much as possible with her two daughters and husband. kcparent.com june 2018

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midwest’s finest zoos

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his summer, take your family on an exotic adventure (or several adventures)

exploring the best zoos in the Midwest. Kansas City Zoo FOTZ members enjoy discounted or free admission to reciprocal zoos, offering even more bang for your buck! These are a few of our favorite zoos and the reasons we love them.

animal adventures Memphis Zoo

Kansas City Zoo

Home Sweet Home

About Three Hours Away

KANSAS CITY ZOO

OMAHA’S HENRY DOORLY ZOO & AQUARIUM

6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City, MO KansasCityZoo.org

Favorite Things: Over the years, the

3701 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE OmahaZoo.com

Kansas City Zoo just keeps getting better.

We’re excited about the recently opened brand new Stingray Bay, a touch pool home to docile cownose rays and small bamboo sharks. Visitors pet and watch these sea creatures as they swim in their new home.

We’re also excited to welcome Bam Bam the polar bear, new pal to resident bear Berlin.

The Helzberg Penguin Plaza, Sumatran Tiger Exhibit, Australia, Africa and the Tropics are just a few more of our favorite attractions. Ride the train, carousel, boat, tram and Sky Safari to enjoy terrific views of the animals.

incredible reputation as one of the finest zoos in the Midwest—and rightfully so. Perhaps the most famous attraction at the Henry Doorly Zoo, the Desert Dome, is the world’s largest indoor desert, located under the world’s largest glazed geodesic dome. Visitors see animals in their natural desert habitat, from the road runner and coyote, to a variety of birds, lizards and snakes. We also love the Lied Jungle, an exhibit taking you through America’s largest indoor rainforest as you walk under waterfalls, watch monkeys play and birds fly on this real-life adventure.

About an Hour Away

Favorite Things: This zoo has an

TOPEKA ZOO

SPRINGFIELD’S DICKERSON PARK ZOO

635 SW Zoo Pkwy., Topeka, KS TopekaZoo.org

1401 W. Norton Rd., Springfield, MO DickersonParkZoo.org

Favorite Things: The Topeka Zoo is a

Favorite Things: This zoo includes African

relatively small zoo with reasonable crowds.

You can expect a pleasant visit to this zoo on weekends. Children love feeding giraffes (for just $1) and exploring Black Bear Woods, home to three black bears, as well as an eagle, hawk and coyote. The Pollinator Palooza exhibit is a dedicated garden space that includes a walk-through Butterfly Pavilion.

exhibits, where you may feed giraffes; Asia, home to the Asian elephant; South America, home to spider monkeys and exotic birds; as well as native exhibits including Missouri habitats where visitors will see a black bear, bobcat, gray wolf and mountain lion. The train ride and petting zoo area are favorites with children. The small zoo is beautifully maintained and is a great afternoon outing.

Topeka Zoo

BLANK PARK ZOO 7401 SW 9th St., Des Moines, IA BlankParkZoo.com

Favorite Things: This small zoo offers exhibits where visitors get an up-close view of tigers, lions, monkeys, red pandas, rhinos and more. Children enjoy the carousel and train ride, but the camel ride is the real treat. Visitors also enjoy feeding parakeets, ostriches, giraffes and petting zoo animals for a low fee.

SEDGWICK COUNTY ZOO 5555 W. Zoo Blvd., Wichita, KS SCZ.org

Favorite Things: This zoo is home to penguins, hippos, big cats, giraffes, a wonderful children’s zoo and many more exotic animals you can comfortably see in a few hours. Children enjoy observing the hippos through a window that allows them to watch the “water horse” swim through the water. Kids also enjoy feeding the giraffes and the animals at the children’s zoo.

The zoo boat ride is well worth it! Visitors enjoy a behind-the-scenes view of the animals up close.

Kansas City Zoo FOTZ members enjoy discounted or free admission to reciprocal zoos.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium kcparent.com june 2018

49

About Four Hours Away TULSA ZOO 6421 E. 36th St. N., Tulsa, OK TulsaZoo.org

Favorite Things: This zoo offers a variety of exhibits showcasing habitats from cold climates to deserts, land to sea. Ride through the zoo aboard the train for a tour of the exhibits. A new fan-favorite is the Lost Kingdom exhibit, home to many rare animals from Asia, including snow leopards, Chinese alligators, tigers and Komodo dragons. The Oceans and Islands exhibit is especially unique as it creates the experience of exploring animals from the remnants of a shipwreck. Visitors watch sea lions swim through their aquarium, African penguins play and black and white ruffed lemurs frolic in the trees.

ST. LOUIS ZOO 1 Government Dr., St Louis, MO StLZoo.org

Favorite Things: Plan to spend an entire day at this zoo, where you can see animals up close and personal and admission is free.

Sea Lion Sound offers an incredible sea lion exhibit where visitors watch the animals swim in their aquarium with a walk-through tunnel for guests. In the summer, you can cool off in the climate-controlled Antarctic Penguin and Puffin Exhibit. Visitors learn all about bugs at the Monsanto Insectarium

Springfield’s Dickerson Park Zoo

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where children see a variety of insects from beetles to butterflies. The Emerson Children’s Zoo (admission charged) is a favorite where kids enjoy the tree kangaroos, alpacas and the goats climbing throughout the fenced area.

About Seven Hours Away MEMPHIS ZOO 2000 Prentiss Pl., Memphis, TN MemphisZoo.org Distance: About 7.5 hours from Kansas City

Favorite Things: The Memphis Zoo is one of only four zoos in the United States to house giant pandas, and it happens to be the closest one geographically to Kansas City.

When you visit the Memphis Zoo, you’ll be transported to China through a beautiful exhibit where two pandas live, one male, “Le Le,” and one female, “Ya Ya.” In addition to this phenomenal exhibit, bear lovers will enjoy the Northwest exhibit, where polar bears and black bears live. This zoo is medium-sized, but all of the exhibits are top notch, and the zookeepers offer terrific educational presentations for visitors.

Kristina Light’s daughters love bears, butterflies and aquariums most of all…and they have fond memories of the aquarium in Omaha, chasing butterflies in St. Louis and seeing real giant pandas in Memphis!

St. Louis Zoo

Take a short drive to the Ozarks for a getaway your family will never forget. From a cave exploration to an afternoon on the lake, Big Cedar has countless opportunities to connect with the great outdoors. In the evenings, share your favorite moments from the day as you dine in one of six restaurants across the property.

Call or visit the website to plan your getaway today!

866.966.5620 BIGCEDAR.COM

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

june

A Day in the Park JCPRD

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

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kcparent.com june 2018

CALENDAR

play

explore

read

see

create

Visit Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop for Family Fun Nights. Nights, late night fun on Thursdays in June and July. A different theme each week.

Free admission.

Mahaffie.org

Visit Shawnee Mission and Kill Creek parks for A Day in the Park on June 2. Activities throughout the parks, free beach access and boat rentals and more!

913.831.3355

Stock up on summer reads at the Sizzlin Summer Book Sale June 7-9 at Johnson County Community College.

Thousands of books at bargain prices.

JoCoLibrary.org

Bring all your little princesses to see The Little Mermaid ballet performed

by Culture House June 8 & 9 at Yardley Hall. Enjoy the story of Ariel and friends.

CultureHouse.com

Head to Maker Faire June 23 & 24 at Union Station.

Family-friendly event that demonstrates what people are inventing, creating and making.

MakerFaireKC.com

1 Friday Big Backyard Thru Oct 21, Powell Gardens. A larger-than-life exhibition featuring backyard items. PowellGardens.org Sunflower Wickets 1:00, Olathe Community Center. Play croquet to raise funds to support Mahaffie education and programs. Mahaffie.org Downtown Days Thru Sunday, Downtown Lee’s Summit. A festival featuring live entertainment, arts and crafts, a carnival and more!

DowntownLS.org First Fridays 5:00, Crossroads Arts District.

Galleries and shops remain open the first Friday of each month. KCCrossroads.org Old Shawnee Days Thru Sunday, Shawnee Town 1929. Carnival rides, entertainment, food and lots of family fun! Old ShawneeDays.org Prairie Village Art Show Thru Sunday, Prairie Village Shops. Annual art show featuring more than 100 artists. Children’s activities, food, music and more. PrairieVillageShops.com SummerFest Today & tomorrow, Belton Memorial Park. Food trucks, outdoor concerts, inflatables and more. BeltonParks.org

Stories Under the Stars 7:00, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Enjoy old-fashioned family fun with stories that will delight all ages. $3/person.

913.764.7759

Free Crafts for Kids 9:00, Home Depot. Build a vintage General Motors-style wooden car and customize with paint and stickers.

HomeDepot.com

Jazzoo 7:30, Kansas City Zoo. Enjoy delicious dishes from many Kansas City area restaurants, limitless libations and entertainment. 21+.

JazzooKC.org

Strawberry Festival 9:00, Vaile Mansion.

Strawberry treats, 100 craft and antique booths and plants for sale. VaileMansion.org

First Friday Movie Series 7:30, Summit Fair.

Enjoy activities and a movie under the stars!

SummitFairShopping.com

2 Saturday Party on the Prairie 8:00, Jerry Smith Park.

Enjoy family and environmentally friendly activities amidst the flora and fauna.

KCParks.org FREE Day 9:00, Johnson County Museum.

Admission is free today to the museum featuring the 1950s All-Electric House and KidScape. JCPRD.com/museum Wornall/Majors Garden Tour 9:00, John Wornall House Museum. See some of the most stunning and prestigious garden spaces in Kansas City. WornallMajors.org

A Day in the Park 10:00, Shawnee Mission and Kill Creek parks. Activities throughout the parks, free beach access and boat rentals and more!

913.831.3355 EcoFest 10:00, Waterfall Park at Bass Pro. Event features eco-entertainers StoneLion Puppet Theatre, interactive displays and more. 816.325.7370 GeoArboretum 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum.

A brief classroom presentation on maps, directions and using a compass with a treasure hunt. Pre-reg at OPABG.org.

Rose Show & Rose Day Today & tomorrow, Loose Park. View hundreds of displayed roses.

Kids enjoy the children’s rose craft workshop!

KansasCityRoseSociety.org Capital City Family & Food Trucks 11:00, Kansas Statehouse. Food trucks, vendors and more will be positioned around the Capitol.

VisitTopeka.com

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Juneteenth Celebration June 9, 10:00, Nelson-Atkins. Connect with activities, music, dance, demonstrations, art and history. Nelson-Atkins.org

First Saturdays at Shoal Creek 9:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Reenactors bring the village to life with historical demonstrations. 816.792.2655

Family Fun Time 1:30, TimberRidge Adventure Center. Archery, bb guns, boating and fishing offered on this day of fun. $15-$17. Pre-reg at 913.856.8849.

Cardboard Boat Regatta 12:30, Black Bob Bay. Build a human-powered boat and bring to Black Bob Bay to race. Pre-reg at OlatheKS.org.

Outdoor Concert Series 6:00, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and picnic dinner and enjoy the music of Abbey Road! Lenexa.com

Summer Learning Program Kickoff 2:30, MCPL (Red Bridge). Meet live horses, boogie at a family dance party, get your face painted and more! MyMCPL.org Barenaked Ladies 7:00, Starlight Theatre.

Barenaked Ladies bring the “Last Summer on Earth 2018” tour to KC with Better Than Ezra and KT Tunstall. 816.363.STAR

3 Sunday art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages! 816.751.1278

Music in the Park 6:00, Rotary Park (Blue Springs).

Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors with free, live musical entertainment. BlueSpringsGov.com

4 Monday

Family Story Time 10:30, Oak Park Library.

Enjoy stories, songs, finger plays and movement activities. Fun for the whole family.

JoCoLibrary.org

Game On VBS Thru Friday, Lenexa Baptist Church. Kids will make crafts, play games and enjoy snacks while digging deeper into God’s word. LenexaBaptist.com/VBS

Who Was George Washington Carver?

10:30, Midwest Genealogy Center. Discover Carver’s contributions to American society.

MyMCPL.org/genealogy

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

JumpCityKC.com

Trivial Pursuit: A 50-State Adventure Thru Sept 3, Crown Center. Take a trek across the USA and enjoy an activity for every state.

CrownCenter.com

little Adventures

BIG fun this summer at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures JUNE 13 / JUNE 16 MINIATURE MASTERPIECES Paint and frame a miniature work.

JULY 18 / JULY 21 SUPERHERO ADVENTURES Make an epic action figure.

JUNE 20 / JUNE 23 TOYS OF THE FUTURE Create a moving robot.

JULY 25 / JULY 28 TINY TABLES Build a miniature table.

JUNE 27 / JUNE 30 SPLENDID CERAMICS Mold and paint a tiny plate and pie.

AUGUST 1 / AUGUST 4 MARBLE MAZE MANIA Construct a unique maze.

JULY 5 / JULY 7 MARVELOUS MARBLES Craft a keychain or necklace.

AUGUST 8 / AUGUST 11 SURPRISE PROGRAM Discover a new, exciting program.

JULY 11 / JULY 14 MINIATURE ROOM SETTINGS Decorate a tin with tiny furniture.

OPEN DAILY: 10 AM – 4PM, CLOSED TUESDAYS

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5235 OAK STREET K ANSAS CIT Y, MO 64112

816.235.8000

TOYANDMINIATUREMUSEUM.ORG

5 Tuesday Pay For Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists.

Kids will enjoy our outdoor playsets that are available for open play. $2/cash. 913.307.6023 Summer Kids Series 10:00, B & B Theatres.

Family-friendly movies for only $3/person Tuesdays through Thursdays. This week: The Boss Baby. BBTheatres.com Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com Popsicles in the Park 6:30, various parks (Independence). Enjoy free frozen treats, live children’s entertainment and special activities.

816.325.7115 Summer Band Concert 7:30, Rooney Justice Center (Liberty). Enjoy a variety of fun and exciting music ranging from classics to show tunes. LibertyMissouri.gov

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

913.895.6350

Toddler Town on Tour 9:00, Glendale Park.

Explore various playgrounds and work on an outdoor project. 816.325.7115 Retro Story and Art 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Hear stories from long ago. After, enjoy an art activity for little hands.

JCPRD.com/museum Animal Tales 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center.

A 30-minute program that includes stories, songs and a visit from an animal friend. Today’s theme: animal surprise. $2. 913.764.7759 Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6.

IntegrityOP.com

7 Thursday Sizzlin Summer Book Sale Thru Saturday, Johnson County Community College. More than a hundred thousand books and audiovisual items at bargain prices. JoCoLibrary.org Around Since the Dinosaurs 10:30, MCPL (Riverside). Discover how bats, fish, opossums, turtles and crayfish coexisted with the T-Rex. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

MPE Used Curriculum Sale 6:15, Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene. Get great deals on curriculum! Free for all buyers.

MidwestHomeschoolers.org Farmstead Concert 6:30, Deanna Rose Farmstead. Bring blankets and picnic dinner and enjoy music by Funky Mama. 913.897.2360 Cats Thru June 24, Musical Theater Heritage.

See one of the world’s best-known and meowvelous musicals! MusicalTheaterHeritage.com

8 Friday Hot Summer Days 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Water games for the whole family, along with making ice art and enjoying icy treats. OPABG.org Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire.

Paint a pottery piece that goes along with a favorite story. Snack included. $13-$15. Pre-reg at 913.661.2529.

The Little Mermaid Today & tomorrow, Yardley Hall. See the story of Ariel and friends told through dance. CultureHouse.com

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Marble Tournament June 9, 9:00, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Experience the thrill of marble competition and free admission today. 816.235.8000

Fine Art Friday 1:00, Kemper Museum.

Interactive experiences in the museum’s gallery to encourage students to examine objects.

KemperArt.org Arts in the Park Today & tomorrow, Macken Park. Live music, food trucks, entertainers, street performers and a variety of great artists!

NKC.org Sugar Creek Slavic Festival Today & tomorrow, Mike Onka Memorial Building. Music, food and dance from Slavic nations of Eastern Europe.

SlavicFest.com Festival on the Trails Today & tomorrow, Gardner. Entertainment, food and beverage booths, crafts, kids activities and more!

FestivalOnTheTrails.com Summer Movie Night 6:00, Oak Park Mall.

Festivities begin at 6:00 and the movie starts at 7:00. Free. TheNewOakParkMall.com

four ideas to

S’more Family Fun 6:00, Shawnee Mission Park. Modern day scavenger hunt to find the caches hidden around the Small Lakes area. Pre-reg at 913.831.3359.

Snakes Alive 7:00, Ernie Miller Park Amphitheater. Explore the facts and fallacies of these legless wonders of the natural world.

913.826.2800 Sounds on the Square 7:00, Linden Square. Bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a familyfriendly concert. Picnics allowed. LindenSquare.info Dive In Movie 9:00, Adventure Oasis. Grab your family and come for an after-hours familyfriendly movie. Inner tubes will be provided. $3.

816.325.7843

9 Saturday Marble Tournament 9:00, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Experience the thrill of marble competition and free admission today.

816.235.8000

Get Outdoors 9:00, Black Hoof Park. Outdoor fun, fitness, safety, demos, playground challenges and more. Lenexa.com Flag Day 9:00, Fort Osage. Learn about proper flag etiquette and explore a display of flags representing different periods of American history. $4-$7. 816.229.8980 Kids Triathlon 9:00, Gladstone Community Center. Give your kids the experience of doing a triathlon! Participants compete in three age groups. 816.423.4200

celebrate father’s day

Celebrate Dad with family fun making great memories.

Free Admission for Dad on Father’s Day at the Kansas City Zoo Dads enjoy free admission to the Kansas City Zoo (KansasCityZoo.org) on Father’s Day. The zoo is honoring fathers with a day just for them—and their cubs of course! Learn how dads of the animal kingdom take care of their families, especially Radi, who looks out for his gorilla troop, including 3-year-old Masika. Visit the Helzberg Penguin Plaza and learn how important the male penguins are in the nesting and chick-rearing process.

Celebrate Dad at Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun Worlds of Fun (WorldsOfFun.com) is the perfect place for family fun. Gold and platinum passholders may purchase up to four Bring-A-Friend tickets at an exclusive discount on Sunday, June 17 (available online or at any front gate ticket window). Your ticket includes rides at Worlds of Fun and slides at Oceans of Fun. Enjoy the 235-acre park with thrilling roller coasters, water rides and Planet Snoopy for little ones. Ride the Nordic Chaser, the park’s newest ride located in the Scandinavia section of the park.

Spend the Day at the Lake Shawnee Mission Park Beach and Marina (located in Shawnee Mission Park at 7900 Renner Rd., Shawnee and Lenexa) and Kill Creek Park Beach and Marina (11670 Homestead Ln., Olathe) are favorite summer hangouts. Celebrate Dad with a day at the lake. Enjoy swimming at the swim beach, rent a pedal boat, kayak or canoe at the lake or enjoy a day of fishing. Find information at JCPRD.com.

Ride the Rails Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad (BeltonRailroad.org) is a short line passenger railroad and demonstration museum. The BG&KC offers excursions running south from Belton on a 5-mile, 45-minute round trip. Special events include hot dog train rides, ice cream rides and specials on holidays. This is a great family experience for all ages.

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Zootastik Learning Fest Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Celebrate World Oceans Day with activities in the lobby. KansasCityZoo.org

TRAIN RIDES

Juneteenth Celebration 10:00, NelsonAtkins. Connect with activities, music, dance, demonstrations, art and history.

Nelson-Atkins.org Dragon Boat Festival 10:00, Brush Creek (Country Club Plaza) Dragon boat races, entertainment, food and fun for the entire family. ChinaGardenSociety-KC.org Hands-On History 11:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life. Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org Art Fair Today & tomorrow, Olathe Station.

More than 40 artists display and sell original artwork. Refreshments and children’s area.

OlatheStationArtFair.org Saturday Feeder 4:00, Cedar Cove. Come to see the public feedings of the cats, weather permitting. $5-$7. SaveOurSiberians.org Summer Scene Festival 4:00, TB Hanna Station Park (Raymore). Arts and crafts, food trucks, live entertainment and more! Raymore.com

TrainDayRides Ice Cream Train Rides Ice Cream Train Family Food Pumpkin ExpressTrain Train Train Grandparents $8.50

$9.50 $10.00 $12.00 $10.00 ofSaturday the 8th, 15th 22nd September 11,Depart one grandparent Regular Trains Regular Trains Depart EveryRides Every Friday,in October weekends 2ndFriday of theand month Sat (May - Oct) - Aug2:00 Sat &FREE Sun,with 2 pma[May -Sun, Oct]2 pm 12:30, and 3:30 June - Aug, Trains depart atJune rides paid& child’s admission!

June - Aug 7 pm Sat., 11 am [June -Closed Aug Sundays only] in July and Aug 7 pm 7 pm Sat, 11 am (June - Aug only)

Kids under three FREE

Charters •• Field Trips or Birthday Parties, plan by appointment.

Field Trips or Birthday Parties, plan by appointment.

Charters

Tickets sale one one hour hourbefore beforetrain traindeparture departuretime. time.

Tickets go go on on sale

Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad Co.

502 Walnut •Belton, Missouri • 816-331-0630 • www.beltonrailroad.org

Saturday, June 9, 2018 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | FREE The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art joins JuneteenthKC in commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States.

Saturday, June 9 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art 45th & Oak | nelson-atkins.org

Saturday, June 16 | Noon to 9 p.m.

The Historic Jazz District 18th & Vine | Juneteenth-kc.com kcparent.com june 2018

57

Trivial Pursuit: A 50-State Adventure Thru Sept. 3, Crown Center. Take a trek across the U.S.A. and enjoy an activity for every state. CrownCenter.com

Overnight Fishing 11:00, Kill Creek Park. Grab your fishing pole and lantern for overnight fishing. Park police officers will be on duty.

913.888.4713

Summer Sundays 4:30, Merriam Marketplace. Family-friendly event with an inflatable, yard games, live music and food trucks. 913.322.5550

10 Sunday

11 Monday

Strawberry Festival 11:00, Shawnee Mission Health (Prairie Star). Fun for the entire family!

Games, chair massages, moonwalk, health screenings and more! ShawneeMission.org

Moms Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park.

Moms are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission.

816.246.5224

Future Stages Festival 11:00, Kauffman Center.

A fun-filled day for families. Experience a diverse range of performances and interactive activities. Free. 816.994.7200

Open Play 10:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park.

Bring the kids to run, play and jump. Enjoy a little sweat with a lot of bounce! 913.298.0626

Garden Tour 11:00, Union Hill. Self-guided walking tour of more than 20 residential and community gardens. $10. UnionHillKC.com

Parent Practicum Thru Wednesday, First Baptist Church (Shawnee). Join homeschool parents for encouragement and inspiration.

ParentPracticum.com

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

Rockin’ the Library Noon, Shawnee Library.

Bring the kids to the library for a rockin’ show with Mr Stinky Fee. JoCoLibrary.org

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

Lenexa Infants-School Age 10216 Pflumm Rd. 913.894.0131 School Age Care & Summer Camp Kindergarden thru 6th Grade Lenexa Location

7/31/18

1200 Kansas City Road Olathe, Kansas 913.971.5111

Activities vary by season Wild West Days September 24 & 25 Visit www.mahaffie.org

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

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

specialbeginningsonline.com

Zax Kidz Night 5:00, Zaxby’s (Olathe and Overland Park). Zax Kidz meal only 99 cents with purchase of adult meal. Zaxbys.com

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

JumpCityKC.com Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com

Live Music at Grinter Jamboree 7:00, Grinter Place. Enjoy food, beverages and great live music! $5. 913.481.3527 Much Ado About Nothing Thru July 1, Southmoreland Park. Free outdoor Shakespeare theater with preshow activities. Bring a blanket and enjoy! KCShakes.org

13 Wednesday Construction: 1860s Style! 9:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Children 7-12 can try their hand at construction activities, 1860s style!

Mahaffie.org Little Adventures 1:00, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Explore the museum collection and visit the hands-on workshop.

816.235.8000 Family Dance Party 2:00, Mill Creek Campus (Olathe). Put on your dancing shoes, grab your family and come dance. 913.971.6874 The Little Mermaid 8:30, Theatre in the Park.

See the story of Ariel and Prince Eric in an outdoor setting. TheatreInThePark.org Summer Band Concert Series 8:00, South Park (Lawrence). Enjoy annual concert series throughout the summer. LawrenceKS.org

14 Thursday

Food Truck Friday 11:00, Union Cemetery. Enjoy a tasty and affordable lunch in downtown’s most peaceful park space. KCParks.org

Trivial Pursuit: A 50-State Adventure Thru Sept 3, Crown Center. Take a trek across the USA and enjoy an activity for every state.

CrownCenter.com Flag Day Fun 9:30, Roeland Park Community Center. Good ol’ family fun includes a flag craft, board games and root beer floats. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

Summer Kids Series 10:00, B & B Theatres.

Family-friendly movies for only $3/person Tuesdays through Thursdays. This week : Trolls.

BBTheatres.com J Is for Jazz 1:00, MCPL (Red Bridge). Join author Ann Ingalls for an ABC introduction to American Jazz. Ages 6+. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Family Fun Nights 6:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Late night fun on Thursdays. A different theme each week. Free admission.

Mahaffie.org

Skateboard Competition 4:00, Old Mill Skate Park (Blue Springs). Three divisions, prizes awarded to the top three finishers in each division. BlueSpringsGov.com Third Friday Art Walk 5:30, Englewood Station Arts District. Tour the art galleries. View live performances and artists on the sidewalks.

EnglewoodStation.com Rockin’ Party in YOUR Park 6:30, Brown Park.

Games, face painting, an inflatable, light dinner and tunes from area musicians. 913.322.5550 Flashback to Folk 7:00, Legacy Park Amphitheater (Lee’s Summit). The evening features hits of the Mamas and the Papas. Free.

RockTheAmp.net Ice Cream Train 7:00, Belton, Grandview & KC RR. Enjoy a train ride and an ice cream treat. A great summer evening! BeltonRailroad.org

15 Friday

16 Saturday

Junior Jaunts 10:15, Nelson-Atkins. Bring your baby in a stroller or carrier for an adult-focused yet infant-friendly tour. Nelson-Atkins.org

Father’s Day 4-Mile Run/Walk 8:00, Charles B Wheeler Downtown Airport. Enjoy a 4-mile run/ walk and a kids run. FathersDayFourMile.com

FAMILY

FUNFEST Join us at Summit Fair

Saturday, June 16th, 1:00-3:00PM

for a festive afternoon featuring family entertainment, giveaways, shopping specials and more!

Live street entertainment includes: Performances by Dino O’Dell, balloon artists, face-painting, glitter tattoos, a caricature artist, free shaved ice and more! *all while supply lasts

www.summitfairshopping.com

Located off NW Blue Parkway in Lee’s Summit, MO

@summitfair kcparent.com june 2018

59

what’s your

JUNE KC IQ?

test your local smarts with this quiz 1. J azzoo, hosted on June 1, is the Kansas City Zoo’s largest fundraiser and helps feed and care for how many animals?

A) 1,000+

2. J une is National Rose Month. How

B) 2,200+

C) 1 ,700+

D) 1,400+

3. On June 1, Missouri’s Town of Kansas,

many varieties of roses grow in Loose Park at 51st & Wornall?

named in honor of the Kansa Indians who inhabited the area, was incorporated and granted a charter

by Jackson County in this year:

A) 168 B) 1,215 C) 73 D) 112

A) 1820

B) 1865

C) 1870

D) 1850

5. June 1 is Donut Day. Ray Lamar,

4. Summer officially begins on:

founder of Kansas City’s LaMar’s donuts, began his donut career at Jack Frost Donuts Company in 1933.

How much did a dozen donuts cost at that time?

A) 50 cents B) 18 cents C) 25 cents D) 10 cents

eaches C) P

D) Apples

ANSWER KEY:

A) S trawberries B) Blueberries

1) C :M ore than 1,700 animals

to pick mid-June:

2) A: 168 varieties of roses

6. Fruit picking is a favorite summer tradition for families. This fruit is ready

3) D : 1850

D) June 21

4) D: June 21

C) June 30

5) B: 18 cents

B) June 15

: Blueberries 6) B

A) June 1

Lavender Harvest Festival 8:00, Prairie Lavender Farm (Bennington). Tours, demonstrations, u-pick bundles, kids activities and more. PrairieLavenderFarm.com

Father’s Day at the Zoo 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Celebrate Dad with a relaxing day at the zoo. Dads receive complimentary admission.

KansasCityZoo.org

Nature Printing with Fish 10:00, Anita B Gorman Conservation Center. Use rubber fish and textile inks to create beautiful wearable works of art. 816.759.7300

Father’s Day 10:00, Worlds of Fun. Celebrate Dad with a trip to Worlds of Fun! Special offer for Gold and Platinum pass holders.

WorldsOfFun.com

1920s Mystery Book Club 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929 Farmhouse. A Caribbean Mystery

by Agatha Christie is this month’s selection.

ShawneeTown.org

Living History Farm Program 10:00, Watkins Woolen Mill. Demonstrations focus on the way people lived and played in the 19th century.

816.580.3387

Mother Nature Reads 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Children listen to a story, make a craft and often see a wildlife interpretation. Free.

816.513.8960

Father’s Day Barbecue 11:00, Rozzelle Court Restaurant (Nelson-Atkins). Enjoy picnic food and music and then explore the museum.

Nelson-Atkins.org

Experiential History Program 10:00, National Frontier Trails Museum. First-person interpreters bring history to life. 816.325.7575

18 Monday

Scavenger Saturdays 10:00, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Follow the clues on this “ART-tastic” adventure! 816.753.5784 Putt and Play for Polar Bears 11:00, Paradise Park. Learn about polar bears and purchase tickets for activities at Paradise Park.

KansasCityZoo.org Antique Festival Today & tomorrow, Crown Center Square. Festival features pottery, china, toys, linens, collectibles, furniture and more.

CrownCenter.com Old MacDonald’s Farm 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. Friends from the farm shine at the big puppet county fair. $6. Hazelle.org Family Funfest 1:00, Summit Fair. A festive afternoon with entertainment, face painting, shaved ice and more! SummitFairShopping.com Summer Splash 1:00, Gardner Aquatic Center.

Live music, entertainment, cool giveaways, free hot dogs and much more! GardnerKansas.gov The Great American Family Campout 2:00, Shawnee Mission Park. Sleep under the stars!

Bring own camping equipment. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

17 Sunday Father’s Day Dadfest 9:00, Vineyard Church (KCMO).

Celebrate dads! Car show, food trucks, family games, petting zoo, inflatables and more!

VineyardKCNorth.com

JKids Jam Week Thru June 21, Journey Church International (Lee’s Summit). Jam to music, make crafts and discover how much God loves us. TakeTheJourney.cc Open Play 10:00, Jump City. Bring the kids to Jump City—where excitement and laughs are found daily! $8/child; parents are free.

JumpCityKC.com Family Story Time 10:30, Oak Park Library.

Enjoy stories, songs, finger plays and movement activities. Fun for the whole family.

JoCoLibrary.org Zax Kidz Night 5:00, Zaxby’s (Olathe & Overland Park). Zax Kidz meal only 99 cents with purchase of adult meal. Zaxbys.com

19 Tuesday Pay For Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists.

Kids will enjoy our outdoor playsets that are available for open play. $2/cash. 913.307.6023 Toddle Time 9:00, Matt Ross Community Center. Open playtime with an array of toys, including blocks, balls and puzzles. $1-$2.

913.895.6350 Tots on Tuesday 10:30, Kemper Museum. Bring in your preschooler for a fun and fashionable get-together every third Tuesday. 816.753.5784 Popsicles in the Park 6:30, various parks (Independence). Enjoy free frozen treats, live children’s entertainment and special activities.

816.325.7115 Taps at the Tower Thru Saturday, National World War I Museum and Memorial. Visit the grounds, bring a picnic and gather to experience “Taps.” TheWorldWar.org

20 Wednesday Toddler Town on Tour 9:00, Sycamore Hills Park. Explore various playgrounds and work on an outdoor project. 816.325.7115 GeoArboretum 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum. A brief classroom presentation on maps, directions and using a compass with a treasure hunt. Pre-reg at OPABG.org.

Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com Little Adventures 1:00, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Explore the museum collection and visit the hands-on workshop.

816.235.8000 Fried Chicken Dinner with all the Fixin’s 5:30, Shawnee Town 1929. Feast on a fried chicken dinner just like in the 1920s. $10. Pre-reg at 913.248.2360.

21 Thursday Open Play 10:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park.

Bring the kids to run, play and jump. Enjoy a little sweat with a lot of bounce! 913.298.0626 Libraries Rock the World 10:00, Lenexa Civic Center. Learn about the science of summer sounds. Audience participates in the band.

JoCoLibrary.org Goosebumps-Phantom of the Auditorium: The Musical 11:00 & 1:00, the Coterie. A cartoony mystery musical based on the series from RL Stine. TheCoterie.org Moo-vie at the Farmstead 7:30, Celebrate National Dairy Month by viewing Babe on the lawn! Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Free.

913.634.7165

22 Friday Big Backyard Thru Oct 21, Powell Gardens. A larger-than-life exhibition featuring backyard items. PowellGardens.org Fourth Friday Art Walk 5:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. A variety of activities, including art receptions and music in Howard Station Park.

DowntownLS.org Great Lenexa Barbecue Battle Today & tomorrow, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Watch cooks from all over compete while children enjoy activities and live music. 913.477.7500

kcparent.com june 2018

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Maker Faire June 23 & 24, Union Station. Family-friendly event that demonstrates what people are inventing, creating and making. MakerFaireKC.com

Waterfest Today & tomorrow, Broadway (Excelsior Springs). Event features arts and crafts, entertainment, water inflatables and more. EXSPGSChamber.com Kids Night Out 6:30, Paint, Glaze and Fire. Leave the kids with us for a great time including a movie, pizza and painting. PaintGlazeAndFire.net Comedy City 7:00, the Culture House Stage & Studio (Oak Park Mall). See five of the funniest improvisers create hilarious sketches.

CultureHouse.com The Good, the Bad and the Smelly 7:00, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Take a look at spiders, skunks and snakes. 913.826.2800 Summer Concert Series 7:00, Grandview Amphitheater. Bring a blanket and enjoy live music, food and games. GrandviewAmp.com Late Night @ Black Bob Bay 8:30, Black Bob Bay. Enjoy the lazy river, slides, diving boards and more under the lights.OlatheKS.org

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23 Saturday Breakfast & Blooms 8:00, BinghamWaggoner Estate. Enjoy a home-style breakfast followed by garden tours.

BWEstate.net/events Day of Dance 9:00, Missouri Town 1855.

Learn a variety of contra dances (line dancing) under the direction of experienced callers.

816.503.4860 Open House 9:00, Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport. Aircraft displays, vendors, helicopter rides, lots of kids activities and more.

CityOfLS.net

150 Years of Little Women 2:00, Midwest Genealogy Center. Celebrate the sesquicentennial of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. Free. 816.252.7228

Species Spotlight 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. On the fourth Saturday, the zoo shines a spotlight on an amazing animal. Today’s animals: giraffes and ungulates. KansasCityZoo.org

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

Maker Faire Today & tomorrow, Union Station.

Family-friendly event that demonstrates what people are inventing, creating and making.

MakerFaireKC.com

Fiesta Filipina Today & tomorrow, Filipino Cultural Center. Showcase of Filipino culture, food, dance, music and games.

Filipino-Association.org

Paved Trail Scavenger Hunt 3:00, Weston Bend State Park. Pick up a list of items to look for along the trail. Once complete, receive a prize. MoStateParks.com Saturday Feeder 4:00, Cedar Cove. Come to see the public feedings of the cats, weather permitting. $5-$7. SaveOurSiberians.org Freedom Celebration 4:00, Hitt Park (Greenwood). Entertainment, carnival rides and inflatables, a car show and fireworks!

GreenwoodMo.com Stems: A Garden Soiree 7:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Fine wine, delicious food and entertainment in a garden setting.

StemsSoiree.org

24 Sunday Summer Fest 9:00, South Park (Lawrence).

Enjoy an outdoor craft show with fun activities for children. Free! LawrenceKS.org Train Rides 2:00, Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad. Enjoy an old-fashioned train ride Saturday & Sunday afternoons. 816.331.0630 Fishing Derby 5:00, Heritage Park Marina.

Prizes awarded for biggest fish, most fish, smallest fish and first fish caught. JCPRD.com Music in the Park 6:00, Rotary Park (Blue Springs). Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors with free, live musical entertainment.

BlueSpringsGov.com

25 Monday Moms Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park. Moms are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 Trivial Pursuit: A 50-State Adventure Thru Sept 3, Crown Center. Take a trek across the USA and enjoy an activity for every state.

CrownCenter.com Open Play 10:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park.

Bring the kids to run, play and jump. Enjoy a little sweat with a lot of bounce! 913.298.0626 Zax Kidz Night 5:00, Zaxby’s (Olathe & Overland Park). Zax Kidz meal only 99 cents with purchase of adult meal. Zaxbys.com

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

913.895.6350 kcparent.com june 2018

63

Family Fun Nights 6:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Late night fun on Thursdays. A different theme each week. Free admission.

Mahaffie.org

Red, White & Zoo 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Active and retired military individuals receive free admission today, tomorrow and July 4.

KansasCityZoo.org

Movie in the Park 8:30, Theatre in the Park. See Wonder Woman on a big screen in the park! $1.

TheatreInThePark.org

29 Friday

27 Wednesday

The Lion King Jr 1:00, Lee’s Summit West HS Performing Arts Center. The African savannah comes to life on stage. SummitTheatre.org

Little Adventures 10:30, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Explore the museum collection and visit the hands-on workshop.

816.235.8000

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com

Goosebumps-Phantom of the Auditorium: The Musical 11:00 & 1:00, the Coterie. A cartoony mystery musical based on the series from RL Stine. TheCoterie.org Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com

28 Thursday Pay For Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists.

Kids will enjoy our outdoor playsets that are available for open play. $2/cash. 913.307.6023 Didgeridoo Down Under 2:00, MCPL (North Oak). Australian-themed program combines music, art, puppetry and more. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

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

UnmistakablyLawrence.com Food Trucks, Fireworks, Music & Fun! 5:30, Stump Park. Food trucks, bounce houses and fun for the whole family! CityOfShawnee.org Independence Day Celebration 6:00, Kenneth W Bernard Park (Lansing). Featuring children’s rides and inflatables, food and beverages and fireworks. Lansing.ks.us

30 Saturday Kids Obstacle Challenge 8:30, Zip KC. Adventure and obstacle course race series for kids ages 5-16, with fun and challenging obstacles. Pre-reg at 888.655.1127.

God & Country Today & tomorrow, Lenexa Baptist Church. Celebration service to pray for our nation and salute those who serve.

LenexaBaptist.com Spirit of America Celebration 7:00, Celebration Park (Raymore). Live music, bounce house, food trucks, giveaways and fireworks!

Raymore.com Community Orchestra 8:00, Lenexa Commons.

Bring a lawn chair, grab refreshments from the Lenexa Public Market and enjoy a great show.

913.477.7100

For TONS of great fireworks displays all over Kansas City, visit KCParent.com!

Free!

JUNE 2

Free!

JUNE 2 JUNE 16

Movies in the Park!

Tuesday evenings - dates listed below

$1 per person GATES OPEN 7:30 PM MOVIES BEGIN 8:30 - 8:45 PM

June 12

June 26

July 10

July 24

August 7

LIVE! ON STAGE 4 FOR $40

FAMILY FUN PACK Just $40 for 4 lawn seats*

AUGUST 1–5 • PROVIDENCE AMPHITHEATER Tickets at www.WizardOfOzKC.com or call 800.745.3000 For special group rates, call Craig at 816.559.3846.

*plus service charge

!

!

E C N E I D U A R U O Y THRILL

H

with an unforgettable night under the stars!

G AT STARTIN

$295

11'

14'

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23 FEET LOCALLY OWNED

From MOVIES to VIDEO GAMES, SPORTING EVENTS to CONCERTS, we transform your venue into a world-class cinema.

H Residential H College Campuses H Parks & Pools

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H School Events H Churches / Weddings H Corporations

Outdoor Cinema • Special Events

913.424.9444 • Movies2U.com

E!

REATIV C Y L T N IA L IL R B KY, AND

FUN, FUN

JUNE 23 & 24

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

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kansascity.makerfaire.com your prehistoric journey begins at union station

Explore

Kansas City Zoo

STINGRAY BAY

–STINGRAY & SHARK TOUCH TANK–

NOW OPEN!

June 1 Jazzoo *ticket required, 21+

June 9 KSU Day at the Zoo June 9 & 10 Zootastik Learning Fest— World Ocean’s Day June 16 Mizzou Day at the Zoo June 17 Dad receives FREE admission for Father’s Day June 23 & 24 Species Spotlight— Ungulates June 30–July 4 Red, White & Zoo

Always a New Adventure!

Check online for more Zoomazing experiences!

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