KC Parent Magazine June 2019

FREE | June 2019 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

finding the

RIGHT SPORT

celebrate

for your child

DADS IN KC

TOP

5 THINGS

parents should know about

CONCUSSIONS

ER FU M M

SU the hidden power of

laughter

N!

DIY sidewalk chalk

BEST vacay ever JUNE fun hunt

ANCIENT MYSTERIES MODERN DISCOVERIES Journey Back 12,000 Years

Featuring 300 original artifacts

North American Premiere • Limited Engagement • Hands-On Activities Tickets as low as $12.95* *Excludes Preservation Fee

NOW OPEN only at UNION STATION

Six Galleries

ENS P P A H G N I k WHERE Ma

JUNE

Kansas City IT ’S A LL IN C LU D ED

22 & 23

O N LY AT U N IO N STAT IO N

E: FO R O N E LOW PR IC

pture sive outdoor sky scul as m – ion ot M g in ct • New! Refle rates, wer Racers, Badge Pi Po p, ou Gr s er ild Bu • RETURNING! KC R2 d more!

Molding Chocolate an eators akers, tinkerers and cr • Hundreds of local M e and out ce City access . . . insid ien Sc ll fu s de clu in et • Tick • And So Much More!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

kansascity.maker faire.com

How Tim’s kidney stones helped heal his heart valve.

Tim’s heart had never warned him that it was in pain. Not until kidney stones brought him to an HCA Midwest Health ER. Using tests already being done to diagnose his emergency, we found he had several severe heart conditions, including a leaky valve and a blockage in his widow maker artery. Luckily, our expert cardiologists are skilled in new minimally invasive heart procedures and were able to save Tim—and his family—from a broken heart.

Expert ER care that helps prevent cardiac emergencies.

See more stories like this at HCAmidwest.com/CareConnect

SUMMER

9AM-6PM

10:30AM-5PM

FAMILY TREE NURSERY 830 W LIBERTY DR, LIBERTY MO 64068 LOCAL VENDORS | LOCAL ARTISANS | LIVE MUSIC | IN-STORE SPECIALS POTTING WORKSHOPS | FOOD TRUCKS | KIDS ACTIVITIES

FFll us ff event remindds familytreenursery.com

Don’t let little things get in your child’s way…

Discover allergy at the cutting edge, and breathe easy. Ƭ

Ǥ Ǥ ǡ with youǡ Ǥ

OLATHE: 11795 W 106th St Olathe KS, 66061 PLAZA: 4330 Wornall Kansas City, MO 64111 NORTHLAND: 8350 N St Clair Kansas City, MO 64151

Learn more at www.kcallergycenter.com or call us at 816.531.0930 ZACHARY D. JACOBS, MD Allergy & Immunology / Plaza & North Locations

NEHA PATEL, MD

Allergy & Immunology / Olathe and Plaza Locations

Learn more at www.kcallergycenter.com or call us at 816.531.0930

JUNE

2019

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 Date Night 12 Mojo for Moms 15 Word from Dad 16 Five Things We Love

14-PAGE SUMMER FUN GUIDE, PG. 38

39 Craft Corner 43 Tasty Treats

SPECIAL SECTIONS

FEATURES

22 Party Guide 32 Camp Guide 38 Summer Fun 52 Calendar of Events

30

34

44

Video Games

Teens to Camp

Summer Trip

How video gaming changes brain chemistry

Benefits teens get from attending summer camp

Tips to help you plan your summer vacation

Our cover features Paxton from Lake Quivira. Cover and select interior photos by BondurantStudios.com.

FREE | June 2019 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

ON THE COVER

6

kcparent.com june 2019

celebrate

DADS IN KC

TOP

5 THINGS

parents should know about

CONCUSSIONS

ER MM FU DIY sidewalk chalk

SU

18 20 26 39 44 50

the hidden power of

laughter

N!

Finding the Right Sport Concussions Celebrate Dads DIY Sidewalk Chalk Best Vacay Ever June Fun Hunt

finding the

RIGHT SPORT

for your child

BEST vacay ever JUNE fun hunt

EDITOR’SLETTER JUNE 2019

A

kcgoingplaces.com

500+ WAYS TO EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF KC

scenic

day trip adventures

fabulous tour of fountains

kid-picks three days of family fun

Happy summer, Kansas City!

Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com Advertising Sales Debbie Clark Debbie@KCParent.com Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Digital Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Event Calendar Susan Lynn Calendar@KCParent.com Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com Local Contributing Writers Bill Bartlett (Belton), Hannah Berry (Kansas City), Julie Collett (Overland Park), Megan Coffey (Overland Park), Wendy Connelly (Overland Park), Allison Gibeson (Lee’s Summit), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Christa Melnyk Hines (Olathe), Amy Hundley (Olathe), Gina Klein (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Regan Lyons (St. Joseph), Kerrie McLoughlin (Peculiar)

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

Margaret Sarver, Editor

kansas city’s #1 travel guide since 2010

baby&

spring/summer 2019

SINCE 2002

maternity

kcgoingplaces.com

for your child

DADS IN KC

TOP

5 THINGS

parents should know about

CONCUSSIONS

ER MM FU DIY sidewalk chalk

SU the hidden power of

laughter

APRIL- JUNE 2019 | KCPARENT.COM

500+

finding the

RIGHT SPORT

celebrate

BEST vacay ever

WAYS TO EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF KC

scenic

day trip adventures

what babies need to

THRIVE

10

labor & delivery fears

BUSTED

fabulous tour of fountains

kid-picks three days of family fun

SIMPLE WAYS REAL ADVICE FOR

NEW MOMS

to foster language skills

TIPS

to maintain a

JUNE fun hunt

healthy pregnancy

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

Member of:

Thinking of what to do this season?

Pick up the latest issue of KC Going Places to plan the perfect summer!

LOCAL CONTENT

.com

spring/summer 2019

Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com

N!

kansas city’s #1 travel guide since 2010

h, it’s finally here, my fave time of the year: summer! I adore the lazy days of having nothing scheduled, no place to be and nowhere to go. I live for days by the pool, dinner on the patio and flip flops on the feet. I’m also a big fan of taking a vacation during the summer. Are you and your family traveling this year? We have a couple of trips planned, including a beach getaway with my side of the family. Yep, 24 of us traveling together for 10 days. The key to making travel with such a large group work is two-fold: planning and separate spaces. My sisters and I rotate planning duties, and this year was mine to plan. My fingers are crossed that all goes smoothly. We also make sure each family has its own space so that we don’t have to spend every waking minute together.

If you’re taking a trip this summer, be sure to check out Gina Klein’s tips on pg. 44 for making this year’s vacay the best yet!

June not only brings the start of summer, but also Father’s Day. It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that this is the fourth Father’s Day without my dad. I miss many, many things about him, but I got to thinking the other day about his eggs Benedict. Sunday brunch at Mom and Dad’s was a tradition for as long as I can remember.

Dad was known for his eggs Benedict and worked hard to fine-tune his recipe. From the perfectly poached eggs to the best hollandaise sauce I’ve ever tasted, they were so good!

Dads are special people, and so often it’s the little traditions shared with them—like eggs Benedict on Sundays—which mean the most.

Cheers to all the dads out there. Enjoy your special day!

Circulation verified by:

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

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

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

8

kcparent.com june 2019

KCPARENTWEBSITE

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

SEARCH KCPARENT.COM FOR MORE AFFORDABLE SUMMER FUN IDEAS: 1. Free Summer Fun 2. Best of June 3. Farmers Markets

4. Kids Eat Free 5. Coupons for Local Attractions 6. Summer Reading Programs

SPOTLIGHT

NEW WEBSITE Follow KC Parent on Facebook where we’ll announce the launch of our BRAND NEW website coming soon. You’ll find all the content you love on KCParent.com with enhanced features to make your summer planning easier! Search nearby events on our Calendar and Going Places guide and discover tons of summer fun.

7. Great Giveaways 8. Perfect Picnic Spots

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

9. Day Trips 10. KC Spraygrounds

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 2019

9

BREW UP SOME FUN IN KC

DATENIGHT

10

kcparent.com june 2019

It’s date time! This month, how about you and your honey brew up some fun with one of these tasting activities?

BREWERY TOUR KC Bier Co. opened in 2014 and has since gained a very loyal following, especially when it comes to their dunkel. They pride themselves on the fact that they use only four ingredients: malt, hops, yeast and water. On a recent Saturday, my husband and I (and about 25 other people) took a tour of the brewery in Waldo. Robert was our tour guide and he was great! With his deadpan humor, he made the experience entertaining for all. The tours are held at 1:00 on Saturdays, cost $10 and last an hour or more. During the tour, you get to sample the brewery’s four main beers: hefeweizen, helles lager, pils and dunkel. The latter was served to us right out of the big conditioning tank. Pretty cool! In addition to the brewery tour, KC Bier Co. has a very nice bierhalle and outdoor biergarten. They also serve various food items.

WINERY TOUR If wine is more your thing, be sure to visit Stonehaus Farms Vineyard & Winery in Lee’s Summit. It was established in 1996 and offers nine different wines, including dry, semi-sweet, dessert and fruit wines. They grow all their own grapes, evidenced by the numerous vineyards on the property. The winery sits on a small lake, has extensive outdoor seating and also offers two event facilities. The tasting room was recently redone and shows off some of the original stone used to build the house after which the winery is named. It is definitely one of the prettier wineries we have been to, and even better is the fact that tastings are free. The Vidal blanc was my favorite by far, with the Vivant being a close second. While you are there, grab a glass of your favorite wine to enjoy in the tasting room or outside with some of their cheese and crackers.

DISTILLERY TOUR A third option is to visit the oldest distillery still operating west of the Mississippi: the Holladay Distillery, better known as the McCormick Distillery. The site is on the National Register of Historic Places. They offer $10 distillery tours every day of the week. On premises, they make bourbon and whiskey—the first batch of bourbon was crafted way back in 1856! They also bottle gin, vodka and tequila. The distillery uses rye, wheat, barley and corn to craft their libations, with all wheat and corn being sourced from within 90 miles of the site. As part of the tour, you get to see their new event space, watch a short video in an old cave and dip your finger into three different fermentation tanks of mash to have a taste. Fun experience! To end the tour, you can try three samples of any of the McCormick products. Additional samples are just 25 cents. You also can buy souvenirs in the store and pick up free recipe cards for various cocktails.

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

WHAT WILL

MAKE A HEALTHIER

WORLD

FOR KIDS? LOVE WILL. Driven by love, we’re working to ensure that children everywhere spend less time as patients, and more time as kids. Learn more at childrensmercy.org/lovewill.

LO VE W I LL.

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

THE GIFTS OF JEALOUSY It began for me in the blogosphere. I’d scroll through picture-perfect blog reels of big happy families enjoying summer reunions at their lake cabin compound—complete with watersports, tennis tournaments, fear factor food competitions plus opening and closing ceremonies—and find myself feeling a wee tinge of jealousy. As an only child, I couldn’t give my kids the rich experience of summer holidays with gaggles of cousins sporting matching tees and gleeful grins. I wanted this for my kids. I wanted it for me. I don’t think of myself as a jealous person, but every year as I scroll through this gorgeous family’s summer blog, experiencing vicariously and virtually a life beyond my reach, I get bitten by the green-with-envy bug. And I’ve grown to realize that maybe it’s not such a bad thing.

1 AVOIDING

2 ALLOWING

3 GRATITUDE & DESIRE

Many of us have learned that jealousy is wrong and to be avoided.

Let’s challenge this. When we believe our uncomfortable or “negative” emotions are inherently bad, we either try to resist them or load up on a heavy dose of guilt. Both reactions only compound the problem and wreak havoc on our joy and inner peace. The trouble with avoidance is that emotions we resist persist. They get stuck and swell and snowball out of control, which only serves to ratchet up normal human emotions to a level of disorder. And when we pile guilt on top of jealousy, we don’t free ourselves from it—we amplify it with yet another uncomfortable, secondary emotion. So what are we to do instead?

Instead of avoiding jealousy, what if we allow ourselves to feel it? Emotions, after all, are just sensations in our bodies—a quickened pulse, burning chest, sinking stomach—created by our thoughts. Realizing we don’t have to fear something as minor as a sensation in our bodies, we instead turn our attention to jealousy’s function. Like all “negative” emotions, jealousy is like a professor who teaches us about the thoughts that created it. Thought sentences like “My life will never look like theirs” (scarcity) and “I wish I could give my kids that experience!” (desire).

When we recognize thoughts of scarcity and desire that create jealousy, we get some leverage over how we feel and tap its wisdom to create a better life.

When jealousy is tethered to thoughts of scarcity, a simple shift to gratitude heals our minds and broadens our perspective: “I’m grateful for my small but mighty family.” When the jealous thought is linked to desire, we can explore ways to pursue and awaken our latent desires and dreams.

For my family, it meant building an extended tribe of close-knit neighbors and planning trips together. Our gettogethers might not look exactly like that blog family’s, dozens-strong at the lake compound, but we’ve got our own thing going … complete with matching t-shirts. Through gratitude and desire, we alchemize envy into its emotive cousin: inspiration. Thank you, jealousy!

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

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

12

kcparent.com june 2019

DEN

T I S T R Y FO R C H I L D R E N

•Board certified pediatric dentists •Compassionate team of experts to put every child at ease •Professional dental cleanings and the best restoration for children •Kid-friendly environment, including encouraging oral education and fun incentives Schedule an appointment at one of our five convenient locations today!

www.kidsmilekc.com

913.387.3500 Overland Park 913.764.5600 Olathe

913.378.9610 Prairie

Village 913.745.2500 Shawnee

SHOESM GAMEN DONUTS SWEAT

913.299.3300 Kansas City

Everyone needs an outlet

kcparent.com june 2019

13

5

Federal Reserve Bank & Money Museum (1 Memorial Dr., Kansas City,

BY KRISTINA LIGHT

FREE MUSEUMS

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

TO VISIT IN KANSAS CITY Hallmark Visitors Center

Hallmark Visitors Center (2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO). Discover the story of Hallmark from humble beginnings in 1910 to the growth of this world-famous company. Interactive displays and intriguing exhibits fascinate.

Kids love pressing a button and watching as gift bows are manufactured, producing the perfect free souvenir from your visit.

S

U

M M I

MO). Tour Kansas City’s Federal Reserve Bank and learn about the U.S. monetary system. Children can make their own money and leave with a souvenir bag of shredded cash.

The Historical Society of Lee’s Summit & Museum (220 SW Main St., Lee’s Summit). Artifacts dating back to the 1890s tell the history of Lee’s Summit from the old settlers to the city’s most prominent and famous citizens. Spend a bit of time learning about Lee’s Summit’s history, then visit Downtown Lee’s Summit where you can enjoy a variety of shops, restaurants and local businesses.

(4525 Oak, Kansas City, MO). Discover masterpieces in the galleries, spend quality time together at a festival or drop in for a family weekend art activity. This summer, enjoy miniature golf on the lawn and take a stroll through Sculpture Park.

The Wyandotte County Historical Museum and Archives (631 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs). The museum features Native American collections, interactive pioneer exhibits, county history and a 1905 KCK steam pumper fire engine.

T

I

E

R

M

Y

CH

S

T

IA

N

A C

A

D

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

Enrolling Now for 2019-20!

Call 816.525.1480 for more information or a personal tour.

Summit Christian Academy

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

14

kcparent.com june 2019

WORDFROMDAD

Let our family take care of your family!

not far from the tree “Kaylee, come here, ya daft, ol’ beggar!”

My dog had bolted for a cat, and I hauled on her tether to get her inside where we could stop her barking. While I fought a tug-ofwar against our 60-pound pooch, I thought of another gift my father had left me.

I hadn’t used profanity.

Today’s salty language is omnipresent, but a foul mouth was far more rare in my youth, and I never heard Dad swear.

Not once. The worst I can remember is his expression of distaste whenever my behavior made him drop what he was doing and correct me.

I knew that look, eyes narrowed, mouth stretched wide in a flat line. Not anger, just disappointment that I hadn’t lived up to his expectations, and I grew to hate it, vowing I’d never show that same disappointment to my children.

He taught me more than how to correct a child. I learned humor with his “dad jokes,” like the one when we drove over a railroad crossing. “Hey, Bill, a train’s been by here recently. How do you think I know?”

I shrugged.

“You can tell by the tracks.”

I winced. Got me again.

I pulled myself back to the present and wrestled our mutt, full of pride at protecting us from a 10-pound kitty, back inside and went to my desk.

James sat behind me at another computer where he played an interactive online game. He wore headphones with an attached microphone and his voice came loud to my ears. “No profanity, please.”

Ian went into the kitchen and fixed a bowl of food for our dog. “Kaylee! Come here, ya daft ol’ beggar.”

Despite my best efforts, I’ve failed at keeping Dad’s look of distaste off my face.

But, I may be doing something right.

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

Kid friendly environment serving infants through adults

Providing Family & Pediatric Dentistry

6004 N. State Route 9, Parkville, Missouri 64152 (816) 746-KIDS (5437) www.parkvillepediatricdentistry.com

Dr. Rachael Graue Dr. J. Reese Graue Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

General Dentist

HIGH QUALITY, STYLISH YOUTH ACTIVEWEAR MADE TO LAST

ACTIVE. FIT. STYLISH 816.579.0680

|

W W W. G O B A B Y G O F O R A C T I V E K I D S . C O M kcparent.com june 2019

15

FIVETHINGS

Zum Lip Balm If your house is like mine, you have a plethora of random lip balms scattered throughout.

So when my husband recently gifted me with a couple more, I figured I’d just add them to the collection. Whoa, baby, was I wrong! I fell in love with the Zum Kiss lip balms he brought home. I’ve got wild tangerine and grapefruit, and not only do they smell tropical, but they make your lips super smooth. My girls love them as well! IndigoWild.com

How Did This Get Made?

Podcasts are great for a long car trip, but I also love to listen while I’m in the kitchen prepping a meal. One my husband and I consistently enjoy is How Did This Get Made? (HDTGM).

The hosts watch a bad movie (think Teen Witch or Toys) and then discuss, sometimes in studio and sometimes in front of an audience. Lots of adult language, so not for kids, but if you like older, bad films, you’ll enjoy this podcast!

HDTGMInfo.com

5

THINGS WE

LOVE RIGHT NOW

Compiled by Margaret Sarver

Cranberry Walnut Toast I know what you are thinking … toast?

How does one love toast? Well, my friend, let me introduce you to the toast at Black Dog Coffeehouse. If you’ve never had it, you’re missing out. But if you have had it, you’re nodding in agreement with my love of this toast. My fave is the cranberry walnut bread with butter, almond butter, honey and sea salt. Pro-tip: Let it sit for 15 minutes. This allows the butter to seep into the bread. SO good! Dang it—now I want a piece.

BDCoffeehouse.com

Good Rx Long story short, I was picking up a prescription for my daughter and didn’t have my insurance card because we had just changed carriers. I remembered hearing about an app called Good Rx. I downloaded it and, with a coupon, only paid $15 for the medicine. I’ve since used it with insurance to bring down the cost of monthly meds. What would have cost me $68 (with insurance) was only $30 after applying the Good Rx coupon. Download and save today!

GoodRx.com

Jumble Word Game I love words, so I’m guessing it’s no coincidence that both my career and my free time activity of choice revolve around words. When I have a few minutes of downtime, I love to play Jumble word games. In fact, I keep a copy in my car, one in my bedroom, one in the family room and one in the kitchen so I can pick up and solve a few scrambled word problems any time! Great for when you are pool- or oceanside!

PennyDellPuzzles.com

16

kcparent.com june 2019

June Playset of the Month!

Great deals on Trampolines and Basketball Goals!

Delivery and Set-up

by Specialist Install Team

LION’S DEN WITH TARP ROOF $2,675 WITH FREE DELIVERY AND SET-UP Visit our Olathe store, website, or Facebook page for more information

2227 E. Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS 66061

913-307-6023

Visit our outdoor showroom

kc@backyard-specialists.com | www.backyard-specialists.com www.facebook.com/redwoodplaysets/

kcparent.com june 2019

17

finding the

team that fits

18

kcparent.com june 2019

f

rom recreational to competitive play, choosing the right youth sports team requires consideration After playing recreational soccer, Overland Park mom Becca Wilkinson’s oldest son began asking if he could join a competitive team. Given his interest, initiative and drive, making the commitment to a competitive team proved to be the right decision. Today he plays in college, and soccer still has a big role in his life.

Wilkinson’s other two sons have played competitive soccer as well, but they don’t necessarily have the same drive in the sport as their older brother. In fact, one enjoys playing basketball competitively, perhaps even more so than soccer.

Wilkinson’s experience is similar to that of many Kansas City families involved in youth sports. With various sports to choose from and ranging levels of teams, how can you know which team is right for your child?

Most communities in the metro area offer recreational sports as a way of exposing kids and their families to sports. The commitment is generally for a season (usually around eight to 10 weeks) and typically involves a practice one night a week and one game a weekend, all close to home. The coaches are usually parent volunteers, the cost is affordable and the games are in your community.

Oftentimes, the organizations try to match up kids who go to the same school.

Given the seasonal commitment of such sports, it’s possible for a child to play multiple sports throughout the year on a recreational basis if the youngster desires to do so.

“The majority of soccer participation nationwide is recreational,” says Joel Dragan, executive director of the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association. “Where that line between competitive and recreational play is drawn is often blurred. Mostly I believe it’s about both commitment level and a player’s long-term soccer aspirations.”

For those kids who happen to be particularly interested in a sport and desire more training coupled with a chance to advance, a competitive team might be worth considering.

Often, the coaches are more experienced and can provide more direction.

“The draw to putting them in young is that when they start out on the premier side at a young age, they can grow with the process,” says Leawood mom Julie Weinrich, who has six children who have played competitive soccer.

Although the competitive side comes with opportunities for growth and training, it is a large commitment to make.

Participation is generally more expensive and sometimes goes year-round with several practices a week. Traveling to other cities for games is frequently involved. Additionally, with that kind of commitment, the child typically has to choose to focus on one sport at a time.

“Recreational soccer is often the entry point for competitive play, but many players will continue

recreational because it fits their needs and the needs of their family,” Dragan says.

Yet the benefits of competitive play are notable.

Weinrich says that as a result of playing competitively, her daughter has learned how to manage her time between school, homework and practice. She has learned how to commit to something, train and work hard, and the sport has helped keep her busy and stay out of trouble.

“A sense of team and even family is common in travel soccer,” Dragan says. “Plus, the opportunity to advance a player’s skills to the point where a scholarship is an option is always enticing.”

Weinrich says her daughter has made great friends and connections with kids outside of her school, whom she wouldn’t have otherwise met if not for her competitive soccer team. Overall, Weinrich says her children have chosen when they have been ready for competitive teams and when they have not. “We always let our kids make the decision,” she says.

Kyle Hogge, director of the KC Legends soccer club, says recreational sports are typically geared more toward younger kids under fourth grade and don’t have a set curriculum to accompany them. More competitive teams offer more in these areas and have opportunities for continued growth. Hogge says their program and curriculum praise creativeness, boost self-confidence and emphasize leadership away from soccer.

Sometimes choosing strictly between a recreational or competitive team isn’t necessary. Both KC Legends and Sporting Blue Valley offer intermediary programs that fall somewhere between recreational and competitive, and these teams give kids and their families a chance to see more of what a competitive team would be like before making the full commitment.

Hogge says KC Legends believes strongly in using soccer to teach life lessons. They have had thousands of players come through their program over the years, he says, and from that they have produced 60 professional players. Although the vast majority of players will not continue past high school, the lessons they learn along the way are invaluable.

Choosing the right team is a case-by-case basis, according to Hogge, and the ride home from practice or a game can often be the most important part of the experience as it gives you the opportunity to discuss what kids are learning and whether they are truly enjoying the experience.

Overall, Wilkinson says if a child is having fun, being creative and continuing to learn, he is in a good place.

If one of those aspects isn’t there, it might be time to reevaluate.

competitive talking points If your child expresses an interest in joining a competitive sports team, here are a few questions to consider before signing up:

u Does your child have a passion for the sport and desire to grow in her skills?

u Does your child have an interest in possibly playing in college?

u Does your child desire more skilled coaching? u Does your child show the ability to balance sports along with family, school and other aspects of life?

u Is joining a competitive team logistically and financially feasible for your family?

u Does your child appreciate the life lessons Allison Gibeson is a freelance writer and mom from Lee’s Summit whose 5-year-old-son has played recreational soccer.

outside the game that he is learning from the sport? kcparent.com june 2019

19

top five things parents should know about

F

or every kid eager to hit the gridiron, there’s a parent anxious about what might happen to him.

Injuries can be par for the course with any physical activity, and chances are, you know someone (or are someone) who has experienced a concussion, a brain injury caused by a mild blow or jolt to the head. Thankfully, with increased information, many brain injuries that take place are now being properly diagnosed.

Here’s what you need to be aware of as your child gets ready to hit the field.

Concussions Are on the Rise … or Are They?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that head injuries in children are on the rise, surging over 60 percent in the past 10 years. Most of these injuries are sustained doing recreational activities such as sports. Why the spike?

Some argue that it may have something to do with the fact that children are now playing organized sports at unprecedented rates, many of which are year round. That, coupled with a heightened awareness about concussions, means that kids are being diagnosed with concussions more than ever before. Are concussions really on the rise? Possibly. But more than likely, head injuries that would have been shrugged off as no big deal are now being assessed

20

kcparent.com june 2019

concussions more properly for signs of traumatic brain injury (TBI). And parents can take heart knowing that, statistically, the number of children that get injured within the population that plays organized sports is extremely low.

Symptoms Might Not Be What You Think Many people erroneously think that a concussion can’t be sustained unless an athlete loses consciousness. Interestingly, only 10 percent of those who experience a concussion black out. Because every brain injury is unique, reactions to it can be as well. However, Dr. Brian Harvey of Children’s Mercy’s Sports Medicine Center says one tell-tale sign impacts almost all concussion recipients: headache. “The number one symptom an athlete experiences after sustaining a concussion is a headache,” Harvey says. “More than 90 percent of concussions will have a headache. That means there are some athletes, 10 percent or so, who experience more dizziness, sensitivity to light or noise, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, difficulty with concentration or focus as their predominant symptom. Any or all of these symptoms could worsen with physical or mental activity and may indicate the athlete has suffered a concussion. It is important to be evaluated if there is a concern for a concussion.”

Certain Sports Have Greater Risks Football gets a bad rap for being a sport that comes with a high risk for concussions and brain-related injuries. The Head Case Company, an organization dedicated to protecting young athletes from head injuries, notes this concern isn’t without cause.

More than 47 percent of all sports-related concussions, in fact, take place during high school football season. Other contact sports fall closely behind, including hockey, lacrosse, soccer and wrestling. But no one is exempt from risk, including cheerleaders, dancers, bikers or simply a gaggle of kids running around the playground.

Because of this, there’s truly no way to protect your child from every risk. So, what should parents do? “My advice for parents would be to encourage their kids to play sports!” Harvey assures. “There is a risk for any injury, not just concussions, in any sport we play. Don’t shy away from contact sports simply due to the concussion risk. I have seen concussions in just about every sport out there. We do not currently know the long-term consequences. We just don’t have enough research to definitively say: Stay away from contact sports. Thankfully, there is a lot of research going on currently to help us answer this question, but I suggest letting the science catch up before making a judgment on the long-term consequences.”

Recovery Protocol Has Changed Recovery will look different for every patient, every concussion and every situation.

It used to be that concussions were generally treated by keeping a patient at rest for long periods of time. But new research indicates that stimulation can actually help blood flow and recovery.

Dr. David Marshall, director of Sports Medicine Program of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, states that 95 percent of the time, people who sustain a concussion make a full recovery within three weeks. Harvey agrees, noting that 24 to 48 hours of rest can be truly beneficial, but after that, the goal is to acclimate into a normal routine at a rate that doesn’t exacerbate symptoms.

“Even exercise, as long as it doesn’t worsen symptoms (no lifting, contact sports or practice), has recently been shown to decrease symptom duration,” Harvey says.

He recommends all athletes go through a graded return to play, once they have no symptoms for 24 hours, under the direct supervision of an athletic trainer if available.

Precautions Matter There’s truly no way to prevent all concussions from taking place, but parents, coaches and athletes can do their part to mitigate risks. Coaches can start by instructing athletes on proper technique and form when playing sports. Athletes should be fitted and wear all proper safety equipment, as well as abide by the rules and report all concussion symptoms. Parents can keep a watchful eye and take children in for a proper evaluation should symptoms arise.

Lauren Greenlee is a freelance writer, KC sports enthusiast and mom of three. She writes and resides in Olathe.

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

Who’s at Greatest Risk? n

Females (compared to male counterparts)

Younger children (due to underdeveloped brains)

Want More in Life?

Here’s a way to experience the joy of parenthood and help children

4,000 Kansas City area children are in crisis due to child abuse, neglect or other family challenges. The need for new foster and adoptive parents is greater than ever.

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

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

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

• •

Barrier spray treatments to rid your yard of mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.

All natural treatment options available.

$25 OFF

• Kid and pet friendly!

FIRST • Satisfaction guaranteed. TREATMENT New customers only.

Cannot be combined.

n

n n

Those with previous concussions or TBIs

Athletes during games (opposed to during practice)

CALL TODAY 1-855-ASK-A-JOE

mosquitojoe.com

kcparent.com june 2019

21

FEATUREDADVERTISER

party guide

Roll Out The Red Carpet!

Parties starting at

$295

visit the virtual party guide at KCParent.com!

Outdoor Cinema • Special Events

913.424.9444

•

Movies2U.com

Growing young minds around the Come see why we’re the global leader in classes kids.

Growing young minds around theforworld. world.

Try a

oin u FrJR fo Es claE c sses la s fo this SsJ o J childpre origin rin n us 0-5 for nc ! us

yfeoarrscllasse as s

ttooday ses day!!

Location 1 Location 2 Location 3

Personalized and gymboreeclasses.com gymboreeclasses.com gymboreeclasses.com private birthday parties!

Address 1

1-XXX-XXX-XXXX

Address 2

1-XXX-XXX-XXXX

Address 3

1-XXX-XXX-XXXX

School skills classes for 3- to 5-year-olds

JUMP C ITY Family Fun Center

• Over 18,000 sq. feet of inflatables, jumps, slides and obstacle course • Walk-ins 7 days a week and UNLIMITED PLAYTIME • Parents are free • Private Party Rooms • Large Group Events • Field Trips • We setup and cleanup

WE DO ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE ALL THE FUN!

$2.00 OFF

Monday-Thursday

MISSION FARMS in Leawood, KS 10517 Mission Road 913-262-3339

gymboreeclasses.com

22

kcparent.com june 2019

This coupon cannot be combined with any other coupons or offers.

Expires June 30, 2019

PARTIES/ PLAY/ FIELD TRIP JUMP CITY | 8020 E. 171 St., Belton, MO 64012 (816) 425-4966 | www.jumpcitykc.com

L

et 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.

KANSAS CITY ZOO 6800 ZOO DR 816.595.1234 KANSASCITYZOO.ORG

FUN-OF BIRTHDAYS • EVENTS • STEM TRIPS

A-KIND.

Fully customizable packages & catering for groups of all sizes.

AMAZING FAMILY FUN FOR AGES 3 - 103

iFLYworld.com

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

visit the virtual

party guide at KCParent.com

for your guide to throwing an unforgettable party in kc! kcparent.com june 2019

23

PARTYGUIDE

party favors sure to please

a

By Margaret Sarver

fter the candles are blown out and the presents unwrapped, it’s time for party favors! Finding kid- and parent-pleasing favors can be a snap; here are some ideas to help with your search!

Search the grocery section. Have you ever stopped to check out the sheer number of fruit snack varieties? Chances are good there’s a fruit snack to match your party theme. Don’t overlook those mini items: mini cereal boxes, packages of muffins, granola bars. Grab a few and place in a festive bag and you’ll have a yummy favor in no time!

Pick out in the health and beauty supply area. Most kids love Band-Aids

adorned with their favorite characters. They come in enough varieties to please boys and girls. Lip gloss, nail polish and hair ties also make great favors.

Don’t overlook the toys. Sure, the toy aisles are filled with plenty of expensive toys, but what about packages of Play-doh?

Give each child just one can. Small Lego kits, card games or magic tricks are also great choices. See what you can find hidden among the toys.

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

24

kcparent.com june 2019

Think art. The craft and office supply sections are a gold mine! Washi tape, coloring books, boxes of crayons, pencils, markers, notebooks and on and on all make for favors that are sure to be used once the party is over.

Dig through the dollar section.

You’ll find puzzles, bath toys, straws, pool toys, stickers, books and more. There are so many treasures to be found at the dollar store!

Be creative and have fun knowing that the favors you buy will put a smile on the faces of the children and the parents.

P rincess at my Party

Have your favorite princess at your party!

Parties Include: Story Games Facepaint Music Prizes & More

Rachel Johnson

rachel@princessatmyparty.com

816.830.4841

www.princessatmyparty.com

The Giving Home

ByJulie Collett

If you’re like me, you may have started off the year with a bang: organizing, decluttering and tidying. Then somewhere along the way, life and, well…more life, made it difficult to keep up. Even if you did some spring cleaning, you’ve probably found that things have gotten back to “normal” around the house, with clutter and stuff accumulating. So, let’s take a trip through the house and see what we can find to donate!

Closets: These can be quickly overrun if we aren’t careful. Consider putting a “one in one out” rule in place to help control some of the clutter. Regardless of whether you are cleaning out a linen, clothes or coat closet, search high and low for items you can donate. Do box up bedding, towels, clothing and shoes, but don’t donate things that are stained or have holes.

Family/living room: In our house, this area Playroom/basement: If this is overflowing with Christmas and birthday gifts, trinkety treasure box toys, etc., try Suzanne’s tip. The Overland Park mom of three says, “In the chaos of everyday, clutter just adds to the stress.

When we simplified our toys and only kept the things we truly loved and used, my stress levels went way down, and I was able to breathe in my own home again. Our home has a more peaceful atmosphere because they play better with less toys.”

tends to become a dumping ground for all kinds of things. Once you have returned items to their original homes, do look for books, frames, pillows and blankets, décor and furniture that you don’t need anymore.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore will accept your donations and even come pick them up for free. You can also check out LittleFreeLibrary. org to find a location near you to donate your gently used books—but don’t forget to take a new one home too!

Bedrooms & Bathrooms: Do you have a treadmill you use as a second closet or a crib no longer holding a sleeping baby?

As in your family room, gather items you don’t need or use anymore. Don’t forget about furniture too! Make sure any items you donate are in good working order.

It might sound strange, but believe it or not, things found in the bathroom can be used by others! Round up all those hotel samples and mini toiletries from traveling to donate to a shelter but, remember, don’t donate any product that has been opened or used.

Office: Gather up electronics you aren’t using. If they are still working, consider donating to Goodwill. They will sell your item if they are able and, if not, will recycle it properly for you. Remember, don’t just throw ink cartridges, cords, printers, old cell phones and such away, as it all ends up in our landfill!

Garage: Donate tools, bikes and garden equipment but don’t just toss out chemicals and paint. These need to be disposed of properly.

You can contact Johnson County Household Hazardous Waste Disposal to schedule a drop-off.

kcparent.com june 2019

25

TRADITIONS Father’s Day is a day to stop and thank, celebrate, reflect on and remember all the father figures in our lives, as well as the fathers in our children’s lives.

E

very mid-June comes along a holiday that may be glossed over as summer takes hold of our lives, but it is marked on the calendar because it is important. Father’s Day is a day to stop and thank, celebrate, reflect on and remember all the father figures in our lives, as well as the fathers in our children’s lives.

Now, selecting the perfect gift for the men in our lives tends to be challenging, especially as the years go by. Too often they seem already to have the golf clubs, grill and ties typically thought of for gifting.

Being a parent yourself can make it a logistical challenge both to celebrate your own father, as well as start your own traditions with the father of your children.

Different trains of thought seem to surround both Mother’s and Father’s days. Some

26

kcparent.com june 2019

spouses like to help their children honor the other parent, while other families let the children celebrate their parents while the adults celebrate their own mothers and fathers. This is an important discussion to have with your spouse to understand and know what to expect, especially if you live close to your families.

Think of what your husband enjoys and work with it, even if it includes the stereotypical ideas mentioned above. If Dad is an avid golfer, embrace it in any price point. Plan for him to have a golf outing or weekend at a beautiful course he’s been wanting to try—or hasn’t even dreamed of! If that’s not an option for your family, schedule a surprise tee time for him at his favorite local course and encourage him to take some time to enjoy his hobby. You could

also plan a family outing to a par-3 course to give him the opportunity to share his hobby and teach his children how to golf too.

There’s always mini golf for the younger kids. Check out the Howl in One Mini Golf offered at Great Wolf Lodge. This is a fun way to celebrate and enjoy what Daddy likes. As for gifts, replacing or upgrading his gear is always appreciated. For Daddy’s little buddies, there are cheap kids’ golf sets that can be cute for practicing like Daddy.

This goes for any hobby, such as grilling, car shows, fishing, hunting, video games and more. Use his unique interests and be creative with it.

I personally love the idea of annual traditions. Growing up, we would help my mom make breakfast in bed for my dad, usually steak and eggs with toast.

Serving and just taking extra care of Dad, making that day special for him, is an easy way to honor him. This can be a fun way to incorporate your kids and give them something exciting to look forward to each year. Plus, who doesn’t like being served breakfast in bed?

Kristen Krogmeier, mother of two, has a fun tradition. “We always do a brewery tour, either local or sometimes we make a trip out of it, such as visiting the Budweiser Brewery Experience in St. Louis.” If this sounds up your alley, check out the 45-minute walking tour at Boulevard Brewing Company that finishes with samples in their Tasting Room.

Their website does suggest arriving early on weekends and holidays to make sure you get your tickets. There are also many other local breweries that could be fun to check out, such as KC Bier Co. with a bonus kids play area, Rock and Brews with patio jungle gym, and Bier Station.

Casey Frasser, mother of three, celebrates with a different tradition. “We always end up going fishing and then having a cookout.”

For fishing, check out Kaw Point Park, the Lewis and Clark Park, Shawnee Mission Park or Swope Park Lake of the Woods.

Lori Tate, mother of three, celebrates simply. “We usually eat out or grill out (Dad’s choice), and the kids make cards and homemade gifts.” Speaking of going out to eat or grilling as options, check out some of the amazing barbecue for which KC is famous. My family’s favorites are Jack Stack and Joes’ Kansas City Bar-B-Que. You also can buy their meat rubs, seasonings and sauces to grill your own—or mail to your own dads. Both restaurants also ship their famous barbecue for a tasty package to receive in the mail.

A great way to make sure he has a great day is to simply ask what he’d like to do that day and then honor him. Bradey Turner, mother of two, says, “My husband gets to choose whatever he wants to do that day. It usually involves doing something outside and then enjoying some beer afterwards.”

As with all things in this day and age, countless ideas appear online and on

Pinterest. They can help make this day extra special, but they also can leave you completely overwhelmed. This is where having the conversation about what his expectations are is very useful. If this is overwhelming to you or Father’s Day is already TOMORROW and you didn’t plan anything, then just breathe and let the kids plan something special for Daddy. He’s their dad after all.

As with Mother’s Day, these parenthonoring days sometimes can be challenging for those who have had difficult relationships in the past or who wish to become a parent. If this is a holiday that has some baggage for you, maybe you can create a new tradition for this day, like going to see a new movie or taking a hike then getting ice cream cones.

Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 9, Mason, 7, Slade, 4, and appreciates her husband as a father and is thankful for her father, Brian.

Family Social Memberships starting at only $135/month!

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

Family Golf Memberships starting at only $200/month!

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

Contact Kamerin for more information at kamerin.ellis@brookridgegf.com or (913) 948-8639 LOCATED IN THE HEART OF OVERLAND PARK AT 435 & ANTIOCH | BROOKRIDGEGF.COM kcparent.com june 2019

27

the hidden power of

g n i h laug

Lightens anger’s heavy load.

Laughter is a powerful tool for managing conflict. A shared laugh can diffuse anger and conflict fast. It helps you put problems into perspective and enables you to move on from confrontations, leaving resentment and disgruntled feelings in the past.

Enhances spiritual well-being.

When you choose positivity and laughter, it teaches you to choose to live and be at peace with others, with yourself and with your environment. It also helps you build resistance to stress and find meaning in life.

May help you live longer. According to a study in Norway, people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who didn’t laugh as much.

Increases blood oxygenation.

i

f you often find yourself in the midst of a good chortle, giggle or even belly laugh, well, good for you! Seriously, laughing is really good for you. Studies have shown that laughter has numerous health benefits for us all and can be very healing. For instance, when we laugh, we are activating the body’s natural relaxation response. It’s similar to jogging, only internally. A good belly laugh massages our internal organs and tones our abdominal muscles. It lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones and increases circulation of antibodies in the blood stream, making us more resistant to infection. And that’s not all.

Here are even more reasons to add laughter into our day:

Laughing causes us to use our respiratory system very quickly and strenuously for a short amount of time. This stimulates an increase in blood flow as the heart rate temporarily increases, thus increasing the amount of oxygen flowing to the brain. All this promotes healthier brain function since oxygen is integral to brain health.

Promotes creativity. Because laughter has so many effects on the chemical processes in the body, the combined result is enhanced creativity in those who laugh often.

Combats depression. Laughing is a wonderful way to step outside the downward spiral to depression.

Unhappiness can become a mindset pattern if we don’t sometimes step outside of ourselves. Even forced laughter releases hormones, neuropeptides and dopamine, all of which improve your mood.

subside. It stops distressing hormones, making it hard to feel anxious or sad when you’re laughing. It reduces stress and increases energy, and it draws you closer to others. This alone can have a profound effect on all aspects of your mental and emotional well-being. Even a simple smile can go a long way in making you feel better.

Relieves pain. Laughter won’t take

Does good for the heart. The American Heart Association recommends laughter for a healthy heart. Research has shown laughter promotes reduced artery inflammation and increased production of HDL or “good” cholesterol.

of laughter, and it’s contagious. So when you see something funny or even mildly entertaining, practice smiling. Put your phone away and look at people. Smile at the passerby on the street, your coworkers or the local barista. Flash those pearly whites everywhere you go and notice the effect it has on people.

Calms stress hormones. Laughing

Make a grateful list. This helps keep

away pain, but those who laugh admit they are less bothered by the pain they do experience. In other words, the amount of pain remains the same, but your perceived pain level declines, leaving you with a belief that you can cope. In fact, 14th-century French surgeon Henri de Mondeville used humor to distract patients from the pain of surgery and to help them during recovery.

Helps you stay mentally healthy.

Laughter makes you feel good, and this feeling stays with you even after the giggles

28

kcparent.com june 2019

stimulates multiple physiological systems that decrease levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and epinephrine, and increases activation of the dopamine-dispensing reward system of the brain (according to a 2017 study in Advances in Physiology Education).

With so many wonderful benefits to enjoy, you will definitely want to jump on the laughter train now! Here are some great ways to spark the giggles in your life:

Say, “Cheese!” Smiling is the beginning

negative thoughts away. The act of simply considering the positive aspects of your life will invite the humor and laughter you seek.

Gravitate toward laughter. When you hear it, join it. People are very happy to share something funny because they enjoy

hearing you laugh, and they feed off the humor you find in it. So when you hear laughter, find out what’s so funny.

Spend time with people who like to have fun. These are the people who laugh easily—both at themselves and at life’s absurdities. They always find the humor in everyday events. And it’s contagious.

Invite humor into conversations.

Ask people to share the funniest thing that happened to them that day or week.

But know what isn’t funny. Laughing at the expense of others isn’t. Always laugh with—not at—people.

Make humor a priority. Watch a comedy you enjoy, read a funny book or listen to your favorite comedian.

Find your inner child. Hang around with children and try to emulate them.

They are experts on laughing freely and taking life lightly.

Remind yourself to lighten up.

Surround yourself with reminders, such as a funny toy you keep in your car or a silly screensaver that’s sure to make you smile each time you look at it.

Keep a journal. Write down all of the funny things that happen each day. Then on days when you’re feeling down, you can open your journal and smile at all of the great memories.

Life is funny. It really is—so go ahead and laugh! The ability to laugh at yourself makes others want to be around you and can help relieve your own stress. Focus on finding the laughable moments in your day, and then increase the power of laughter by sharing it with a friend.

Kansas City mom and author Gina Klein cannot live without laughter. Her secret?

Allowing her inner child to blossom every day.

FINDING OPPORTUNITIES TO LAUGH! • Watch a funny TV show, movie or a favorite comedian.

• Seek out funny people to hang around with.

• Check out humorous books at the library or bookstore.

• Host a game night with friends.

• Make time for fun activities with friends and family (e.g., karaoke, comedy club, miniature golf, arcade, etc.).

• Goof around with children.

• Play with a pet.

• Check out a laughter yoga class.

(Yes, it’s a thing.)

kcparent.com june 2019

29

Our Kids’ Brains on Video Games How video gaming changes brain chemistry

W

hen it comes to video games, Donna Volpitta’s fifth-grade son is like many boys his age. If kids aren’t coming over to his house to play video games, he’s going to their homes, or he’s joining them online.

“Just like phones are not evil, video games are not evil. [Digital media] is part of our kids’ world and their social life,” says Volpitta, who holds a doctorate in education and is also mom to three other children, ages 12, 14 and 16. “But, it’s important to teach them mindful use and what video games do to your brain.” Volpitta is the author of The Resilience Formula: A Guide to Proactive—Not Reactive—Parenting.

Why a healthy balance matters.

Balancing your kids’ electronics-use with both organized activities and unstructured free time to dream and engage in creative pursuits, not only helps them become more conscientious users of technology, but also supports healthy brain development.

Too much screen time starves the cortex of the brain, which is in charge of long-term decision-making, and overfeeds the limbic system, which is the emotional fight-or-flight part of the brain. Over time, this wires the brain for a short attention span, impulsive behavior and an inability to pick up on social cues.

Although video gaming can provide a positive way for peers to connect and enhance skills like hand-eye coordination and problem-solving, it doesn’t help kids build resilience in the same way that solving a more complex problem can.

30

kcparent.com june 2019

Suppose your child is trying to assemble a paper airplane that flies across the room instead of nose-diving the minute it hits the air. He looks up ideas online, tries different techniques, folds, refolds, experiments and tries again. With a pile of frustrated attempts balled up around him, he finally experiences the sweet thrill of success as he tosses a plane into the air and watches it glide gracefully across the room.

When we pursue and achieve a hard-won goal, the brain is flooded with dopamine, the reward neurochemical, and serotonin, the self-confidence neurochemical.

Furthermore, our persistence and creative problem-solving builds self-esteem and resilience, a trait that will prove invaluable as problems crop up throughout life.

“It’s not that video games don’t offer some level of persistence, but there’s a very straight and narrow path toward that next goal,” Volpitta says.

Unlike more complicated projects that delay gratification, video games offer users short bursts of reward chemicals that often leave the player wanting more.

“It’s almost like having a chocolate chip as opposed to a Hershey bar,” Volpitta explains.

The desire for more quick, pleasurable hits of dopamine and serotonin plus unlimited access to gaming ultimately prime the brain for addiction.

Choose games wisely. Just as wholesome foods nourish your body, the content we feed the brain influences how we respond to the world.

“Continued and excessive exposure to violence puts the child into a reality where violence is an acceptable way of solving different problems,” says pediatrician Raun Melmed, author of the children’s book Timmy’s Monster Diary: Screen Time Stress.

“Kids who are exposed to violence are more anxious, more fearful and, very likely, more prone to violence.”

Hilary Cash, Ph.D., agrees. She is the chief clinical officer of reSTART Life, a Seattle-area internet and digital technology addiction residential treatment program for adolescents and young adults. She notes research indicating that the levels

of empathy among college students has dropped by nearly 40 percent in recent years.

“A lot of that is attributed to video games and the antisocial environment of the internet. People are becoming inured to antisocial behavior and not developing the good emotional and social intelligence needed to promote empathy,” Cash says.

Research games your child wants to play before you buy, and play or watch them together. Seek prosocial games and those that encourage creative problem solving.

Check out CommonSenseMedia.org for ratings and reviews.

Establish a media plan. Melmed suggests coming up with a media plan as a family, outlining rules that both parents and kids agree to follow. For example, consider how much video game time is appropriate each day and when electronics will be powered down each evening to ensure a good night’s sleep.

For her family, Volpitta doesn’t allow screen time behind closed doors and limits video games to one hour a day once homework and chores are complete.

You might decide to have a digital free day once a week or ban electronic devices in the car or during mealtime.

“Then you have to make sure mealtime is an interesting time as well—a time for sharing and time for interacting,” Melmed advises.

By creating realistic limits and understanding how video games impact the brain, you will feel more in control despite the rapidly changing digital landscape. Although your kids probably won’t express appreciation for vigilance, they will feel safer too.

“The brain needs to feel safe, and it feels safe with those limits, with knowing that somebody is in control,” Volpitta says.

“When we’re afraid of setting those limits— when we’re afraid of technology—it actually makes their brains feel unsafe.”

Signs of trouble. Gaming becomes problematic if it is all your child seems to think or talk about, and if he exhibits agitation or anger when you try to set limits.

“The similarities between kids who play too many video games for long periods of time and those who are addicted to anything else, from drugs to alcohol or cigarettes, is equivalent,” Melmed says.

Signs of gaming abuse and addiction include: n Digital media use for extended periods of time n Problems with school work n Trouble sleeping or sleepiness n Being physically overweight or underweight n Having infrequent face-to-face interactions with peers n Depression, anxiety or anger To learn more, visit NetAddictionRecovery.com

Christa Melnyk Hines lives in Olathe with her two adolescent sons who love video gaming. She understands the challenges and the importance of striking a healthy balance. She is the author of Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

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

Ideas for Engaging Screen-Free Meal Times n Bring

a current event to the table to discuss.

n Share

the day’s highlights, lowlights, gratitudes.

n Ask

questions like “What was something kind you did for someone today?”, “Who made you laugh today?”, “What was something interesting you learned today?”

n Play n Try

a trivia game.

to solve riddles.

kcparent.com june 2019

31

Special Advertising Section

The Culture House

KC Parent’s

Spend your summer at The Culture House!

Shows/workshops include dance, theatre, music and art ... taught by professionally trained adults. “A YEAR WITH FROG & TOAD” (13-20), “MARY POPPINS JR” (10-13), “101 DALMATIONS KIDS” (6-11), Music of Trolls, Greatest Show, Return of Mary, Music of Moana, Improv, Broadway at The Tony’s, Songs of Matilda, Instrumental Music, Painting, Art Exploration, Drawing, Minecraft Art, Prince & Princess Ballet, Itty Bitty Ballerina, Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet & more! Openings limited! See display ad on pg. 7. 913.393.3141. Enroll online: www.CultureHouse.com

Camp Guide

Kansas City Zoo

Ceramic Café

Code Ninjas

Ceramic Cafe’s summer program provides instruction in a variety of ceramic art techniques including hand building with clay, ceramic painting and glazing techniques and also glass fusing. Fun themes change every camp session, so kids can sign up for their favorite or enroll more than once. Aspiring Artists sessions run for 4 days and are for ages 8 and up.

Creative Kids sessions run 3 days for ages 5-7. Several one day Mini Camps and a “Kids and Clay” series are also offered throughout the summer. Visit our website at www.CeramicCafeKC.com for add’l info and registration form. See display ad on pg. 36.

Spark your child’s inner ninja and transform their love of technology and video games into a new skill with Code Ninjas summer camps! Our curriculum based camps include MinecraftTM, Robotics, Drones, RobloxTM, Website design, Application and Game Building, along with fun team building STEM activities and games. At Code Ninjas they can explore technology, develop new skills, and have a great time with friends in a safe environment. It’s an unforgettably fun learning experience! See display ad on pg. 33. Now with two locations in Lenexa and Leawood. www.CodeNinjas.com

Make your summer a little wilder with Summer Break Camp. Camp runs May 28 through August 9. Learn the inside scoop about the Zoo’s creatures. A typical week includes exclusive zoo tours, animal encounters/shows, science experiments, games, and crafts. Half day camps for ages 4-5, full day for ages 5-15. COST: 1/2 day: $125, full day: $260-280, Before/Aftercare (3:30pm-5:30pm): $15. 10% discount for FOTZ Members. Check out single day camp options the week of 4th of July. www.KansasCityZoo.org/programs/day-camps See display ad on pg. 36.

Miller Marley Celebrating 56 years in business, Miller Marley has many options for all levels!

Classes run Monday, June 3rd through Sunday, August 11th. There is always Continued on page 36

36,205

104,000

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

readers each issue of KC Parent Magazine

32

kcparent.com june 2019

DID YOU KNOW?

KCParent.com has a NEW Geo-based, searchable Camp Guide with maps, descriptions, photos and videos. With these stats, it’s easy to see how KC Parent has camps covered!

kcparent.com june 2019

33

CAMPGUIDE

Sending Teens to Summer Camp

S

ummer camp seems the perfect summertime solution for elementaryage kids so they don’t sit around the house bored and so they can make friends and learn new things while having fun. As our children grow out of their “little kid years,” we sometimes forget they still need those kinds of experiences they had when they were younger, just in a different form. Maybe the thought hasn’t crossed your mind that your teen needs summer camp. Your teen should be babysitting, mowing lawns, working at the pool, hanging around with friends, right? Well, sure! But why not send teens off for a week or more of summer fun and learning this year for a break? Here are some great benefits for teens attending summer camp:

Learning how to give back.

Community service camps offer a great chance for teens to make a difference and help out in the community, while also learning lifelong skills. Kids get to spend their days helping others, which just feels

34

kcparent.com june 2019

good to everyone involved. Maybe your teen will learn how to pack food for the homeless, teach kids how to read or work on a project that will benefit the community, like cleaning up a playground or fixing equipment. Teens even could learn how to paint a house, care for the yard of an elderly person who is unable to do so anymore … or they may even learn how to plan and build a house for someone in need.

Making new friends. Continuing to grow and change is important, and adding new friends to one’s life enriches it at any age. Some teens attend the same camp or camps every summer and might find the same friends there year after year. Many attend for the very first time and need to hone their social skills to make new friends and get to know other kids in their age range outside of a school setting. Being in close proximity for days or weeks helps kids get closer faster.

Learning new things. Whether your teen attends a camp to learn more about horses, adventure, a specific sport or anything else, he has an entire day, week or longer to focus on that one activity and really immerse himself in it. Who knows? Your teen might find a new passion that he never considered before that could be helpful in his educational or work life later on down the road.

Deepening faith. If your teen enjoys church youth groups and activities, a church or other organized religious camp might be just the ticket. The day might begin with a church service, followed by breakfast, then a hike and some time spent in the cabin with friends memorizing Bible verses for a competition at the end of the week. Later there could be singing songs around a bonfire while roasting s’mores.

Developing a hobby. When your child is unplugged from the TV, video game player or smartphone, she can really focus

on developing a hobby in a creative way.

These days, it seems like there’s a camp for pretty much any interest your kid has. There are camps for horse and other animal lovers, sports lovers of all types (think developing soccer skills, swimming, football, volleyball, baseball—anything!), Boy Scout camp (it covers so many different hobbies and topics), Girl Scout camp (it also covers so many great skills) … the list goes on!

Working as a team. Your child will be meeting kids of different ages and from different backgrounds. Learning how to get along and work as a team is a huge life skill that will be reinforced at camp. Some camps even have kids do team-building and trust activities to help them get to know each other.

Staying active. Forget sitting around doing “screen time” all day long during the summer! When a teen attends summer

camp, he often forgets all about those things and focuses on having fun with his friends while going on hikes, paddle boating, swimming and more, depending on the camp he chooses! Bonus points for activity if your kid chooses a camp targeted to a sport he is passionate about.

Standing on their own. Let’s face it.

As our kids get older, they start to grow away from us. They are simply preparing to head out on their own and they are also preparing you for that transition by perhaps being a little distant. They are stuck in between childhood and adulthood, and it’s a confusing time. Going away to camp for even a short period of time helps teach independence. A daily structure at camp is already in place, which teens need to follow.

Because parents aren’t the ones doing the nagging, teens don’t tune out, but rather respect other adults and learn from them.

Appreciating everything. Away from screens (yes, I keep focusing on this one), a person finds it easier to focus on nature, learning, forming relationships and more.

Being away from parents, kids will come home with a new appreciation for what it takes to be in a family and help out in the running of the household. Your teen will probably also appreciate funny things like a full pantry that’s open all day, a comfy bed and privacy!

Teen summer camp has so many benefits that cover all the bases, including physical, social, mental and spiritual. As for the rest of the summer? Well, your teen can spend plenty of time doing those odd jobs to help pay for camp next year!

Kerrie McLoughlin is the seasoned homeschooling mom of five. Three of the kids have done overnight camp and loved it! Find them at TheKerrieShow.com.

Mission Creek is a camp for individuals with all abilities,

EVERYONE!

A CREATIVE ALTERNATIVE FOR SUMMER FUN! Fused Glass • Canvas Clay Hand-Building Ceramics

Space Limited!

AGES 6-16

Come join the fun with activities such as Horseback Riding, Water Park, Canoeing, Pedal Boats, Archery and of course S’mores!

MISSION CREEK CAMP

paintglazeandfire.net

7240 SW Douglas Road Topeka, KS 66610 785-256-6357 missioncreekcamp.org

127th & Metcalf • Overland Park, KS kcparent.com june 2019

35

CAMPGUIDE something new at Miller Marley! From Mommy and Me to Hip Hop to Tumbling and Musical Theatre, there are so many options for all ages and skill levels. Check out the complete schedule at MillerMarley.com and make this the best summer ever with camps and classes at Miller Marley. See display ad on pg. 15.

Mission Creek Camp Mission Creek Camp is a residential summer camp for kids with all abilities! Nestled in the rural area of Shawnee County, Kansas in Dover amidst the Flint Hills of Kansas, Mission Creek Camp offers a summer experience rich in fun, friendship, learning and adventure. Camp weeks are Jr Weeks 1st grade - 6th grade, Senior Weeks 7th grade - 12th grade and two weeks of 18+ Camps. Visit www.MissionCreekCamp.org or Facebook -Mission Creek Camp. 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! Find more information and register ONLINE (registration opens 2/1) as well at www.PaintGlazeAndFire.net. For more information on these and many other fun and creative programs, visit the website OR call 913.661.CLAY (2529). See display ad on pg. 35.

Science City Science City Summer Camp 2019 provides a fun, hands-on environment to explore exciting STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) topics. Campers

ages 6-12 engage in life science, physical science, art and innovation each week.

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

See display ad on pg. 2.

Tiger Rock Martial Arts 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 summer training uniform and belt and unlimited martial arts lessons.

Hurry! Classes fill up every summer, so register today! 913.829.8818 (Olathe) or 913.851.5050 (Overland Park). See display ad on pg. 33. www.KCTigerRock.com

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

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

Summer Camps for All Ages

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.

36

kcparent.com june 2019

Summer Camp Themes Harry Potter | Christmas in July Love of Pets | Dinosaurs

9510 Nall | Overland Park, KS 913.383.0222

CeramicCafeKC.com

J

p ay cam d

last-minute tips before heading off to

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 closed-toe 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.

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 travel-sized 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.

kcparent.com june 2019

37

fun guide table of contents 39 sidewalk chalk 40 ready or not 42 summer safety 43 summertime eats 44 best vacay ever 46 animal adventures 48 take a walk 49 june festivals 50 june fun hunt

38

kcparent.com june 2019

CRAFTCORNER

Materials needed:

• Chalk • Grater • Paint brush • Containers (one per color) • Tablespoon • Water

sidewalk chalk

s

ummer is here! This activity is a fun spin on traditional chalk. Easy, with minimal prep—you’ll have your kids outside painting and entertained in no time.

Step one: Grate an inch or so off the end of a piece of your chalk into a container.

Step two: Add a tablespoon or so of water to your chalk powder.

Step three: Mix and adjust ratio if needed.

Step four: Paint! The paint will get darker as it dries. Have fun!

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

Surprise Bath Bombs

Plastic Bottle Hanging Planter

Paper Strawberries

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

kcparent.com june 2019

39

ready or not! here comes summer

Slowing down and savoring the moment is really what summer is all about.

Which version of summer is more true for you?

A) Lazy days spent lounging poolside with my happy, contented family.

B) A mad rush of activities, exhausted parents and grouchy kids.

Want a summer that’s a little more lounging and less racing around? Here’s your guide for leaning into a more carefree, creative and spontaneous season.

Hit pause. Rather than vault into summer, ease into it.

“Our school year is full of activity, routine and deadlines. Use the first few weeks of summer like a detox from constant activities,” says Shannon Kinney-Duh, a mom of three and holistic life and spiritual coach with A Free Spirit Life, Shawnee.

Tip: Brainstorm a list of summer desires/activities together. Mindfully answer questions like: What do I/we want summer to look like? More downtime? More family connection? Less running around? And remember, free activities count too. Kinney-Duh’s sons enjoy making stop-motion movies, writing plays, painting at the park, water balloon fights and movie nights in the backyard.

40

kcparent.com june 2019

Boredom is okay. Kinney-Duh suggests we look at boredom as a creative opportunity. Boredom, she says, “invites kids’ creativity to kick in, providing their deep need to play more with a space to flourish.”

Multiple studies show that kids who are given the time and space for creativity and personal expression without adult interference turn out to be more flexible to change, stronger problem solvers and innovators.

“Children need time to immerse themselves in creative activities, a place that feels safe to express ideas that are unconventional, and encouragement to explore the unknown so they can discover what they enjoy and unlock a universe of possibilities,” writes Helen Hadani, a researcher at the Center for Childhood Creativity, in her paper “Inspiring a Generation to Create: Critical Components of Creativity in Children.”

Tip: Keep a space in your home that allows for freewheeling creative expression.

Stock it with painting, drawing and craft supplies, inexpensive cameras, recycled objects, and building materials.

Strike a balance. For some of us, envisioning long days without a plan causes our brain synapses to crackle and pop with alarm. Without structure, won’t our kids spend the next two-and-a-half months fighting or turning into houseplants playing video games?

Of course, we also don’t want to spend the entire summer peeling our sweaty selves in and out of the car as we run our kids from one scheduled activity to another.

“All too often we fall into the ‘too much/ not enough’ trap,” Kinney-Duh says. “We end up filling our days with obligations and too many activities with this underlying feeling that if we don’t, we somehow aren’t doing enough for our kids. This cycle can easily leave us feeling tired, overwhelmed and depleted.”

Decide what a happy medium looks like and what your priorities are, including your needs for self-care.

Tip: Ask questions like: What types of skills would I like my kids to work on this summer? What are they interested in doing?

Could a responsible sitter help run my kids around a few times a week? What are ways I can recharge and care for myself to ensure I show up feeling present, patient and engaged with my family?

Provide simple structure. While summer is meant to be more laid back, providing a framework around the days helps kids feel secure and grounded.

A sense of structure is especially important for children with sensory, attention or impulse control issues. They “benefit greatly from monitoring and feedback during the summer to stay on track, maintain and improve communication skills,” says Sara Minges, MS, director at Playful Awareness, Overland Park.

Tip: Plan weekday mornings for more structured activities and the afternoons for free play. Perhaps designate Sunday evenings as s’mores nights with friends or Fridays as pizza/game nights.

Be realistic. When planning your family’s summer vacation, take into account each family member’s interests and build in time to relax and take breaks from each other.

“Too many activities and not enough ‘chill time’ can push everyone’s last nerve,” Minges says.

Instead of focusing on creating the perfect vacation, remain flexible. Although you can plan for some variables, you can’t control the weather, a moody teenager or your 2-yearold’s inopportune meltdown while going through airport security.

“Any personality, irritability or anxiety issues experienced during the year will still be there and may become more pronounced,” Minges says.

Tip: Choose a vacation destination with activities that appeal to each member of your family. Remind your kids of the importance of flexibility.

“They may not have the extras or comforts they are used to when traveling, such as comfy pillows, TV, separate bathrooms and beds, favorite foods or friends to play with,” Minges says.

Make a family media plan.

Establish your family’s technology rules as soon as summer starts to avoid tech

fun guide

overload and battles over time allowances.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no tech time for toddlers, other than video chatting, and only one hour a day for preschoolers. Set reasonable guidelines for your older children to ensure they’re getting plenty of exercise, good sleep and face-to-face time with family and peers.

Tip: Set aside one tech-free day a week.

“That means no technology at all,” KinneyDuh says. “It may sound hard, and you may feel restless at first, but it’s worth it!”

Inspire creative connection.

Document the summer with photos and stories in a summer journal that your whole family can contribute to, including ups and downs. Chances are the moments when things went awry are those that you will recall with laughter later.

Tip: Minges suggests creating a “wall of gratitude.” Using post-it notes or slips of paper and markers, each family member writes their favorite moments from their vacation and pins it to the wall. Encourage younger children to draw pictures of their favorite moments. Don’t forget to take a photo of your wall!

Savor summer. Notice and embrace the unplanned moments when family connection unfurls.

“Our kids grow up fast, and the summer seems to be shorter and shorter every year,” Kinney-Duh says. “Slowing down and savoring the moment is really what summer is all about.”

Christa Melnyk Hines is a nationally published freelance journalist who resides in Olathe with her husband and their two adolescent sons. Christa loves to sprinkle the summer with mini outings and activities with her boys.

Source: Shannon Kinney-Duh, A Free Spirit Life kcparent.com june 2019

41

SUN SAFETY Kids spend hours a day soaking up the sun in the summertime, but before they head outside, make sure they have on sunscreen. Sunscreen of at least SPF 15 should be applied 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Keeping your kids covered up is another way to defend them from the sun’s harmful rays. Clothing with tightly woven fabrics, wide brimmed hats and sunglasses are additional ways to protect your kids.

SAFETY

summertime School is out, and the lazy days of summer finally have arrived, but did you know summer is referred to as “trauma season” by most doctors and nurses? All of the time spent outdoors can lead to many different injuries. Follow these tips to make sure you and your kids enjoy nothing but fun in the sun this summer.

BUG BITES Steer your children clear of pesky bug bites this summer by using insect repellent containing DEET, which repels both ticks and mosquitos. The AAP and CDC recommend children older than 2 months use 10 percent to 30 percent DEET. However, DEET should not be used on infants younger than 2 months of age. Just make sure to wash off the repellents when the kids come back inside.

HEAT EXPOSURE Warm weather means outdoor sporting practices, games and tournaments begin. Just keep in mind those dog days of summer can very quickly cause heat exhaustion and dehydration. Signs of heat exhaustion include paleness, headache, dizziness, vomiting and nausea.

Ways to prevent heat exhaustion and dehydration include staying hydrated, moving activities indoors during extremely high temperatures, wearing light colored and lightweight clothing and taking breaks every 20 minutes in high heat. If you fear your child has heat exhaustion, get him indoors, apply cool towels to his skin and get him hydrated immediately.

PROTECT FROM POISON IVY, OAK AND SUMAC We all love a family hike, but there’s nothing worse than coming home with poison ivy. Up to 85 percent of people are sensitive to the oil from poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac plants. To keep your kids safe from this itchy rash, show them what the plants look like so they can do their best to avoid them. Also, make sure to bathe your kids immediately after being near an area with these plants. All clothing also will need to be washed in hot water and detergent, because the plant oil can stay active and continue to cause a rash after the first exposure.

If your child is exposed for the first time, she should see her pediatrician.

Treatments include hydrocortisone cream, cool compress, oatmeal baths and Benadryl.

WATER SAFETY Swimming is a fun way for the kids to cool off from the summer heat, but it also can be dangerous if important safety measures aren’t taken. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, drowning is the single leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1-4. Many injuries happen when children unexpectedly access water, which is why the AAP says the most important rule is to make sure all homes with a pool have a four-sided fence that completely surrounds the pool and isolates it from the house. Parents also should never leave children alone while near water, including bath tubs, pools, spas or other open water. Inexperienced swimmers need to wear life jackets, but do not rely solely on life jackets for protection.

Enrolling your kids in swimming lessons at an early age also can help keep them safe in the water. Research by the AAP shows that swim lessons are beneficial for children starting at age 1 and could possibly lower drowning rates. Check out your local YMCA or aquatic park to enroll your child in lessons.

Regan Lyons is a freelance writer who lives in St. Joseph, MO, with her husband and 4-year-old daughter.

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

42

kcparent.com june 2019

TASTYTREATS fun guide

energetic summertime eats Since school is officially out for summer, the time has arrived for kids to get out and play.

With all the new activities, fun adventures and hot, humid heat our KC summertime brings, turn to these nutritious nuggets to provide your kiddos with optimal energy for long-lasting summer bliss!

nut butter and crackers

mixed veggies and guacamole

Opt for some type of nut butter, whether pistachio, almond, peanut, sunflower or soy—and slather some of that creamy goodness onto crackers. Ideal to bring along for an outside picnic or pool-time snack break.

Do your kids turn their noses up at the word “vegetable”? Fear no more! Make veggie eating a pleasurable experience by creating a tasty dip with guacamole. This is a simple dish that you can bring along to any type of gathering.

Does your youngster ever lack energy? Provide him with a handful of nuts and a yellow “nanner.” You’ll soon see him acquire the zip for loads of outside fun!

Ideal for a go-to-anytime, between-meal snack.

Need to Know: Not only is the nut butter rich in protein, good carbohydrates and healthy fats, it is also a source of B vitamins that turn food into energy. The crackers provide fiber, keeping your kiddo filed up.

Need to Know: Whether your

Need to Know: Crunchy cashews are filled with magnesium, a mighty mineral that helps blood vessels and nerve cells relax. Go crazy for bananas because they are chock full of potassium, a mineral that works to facilitate a healthy, happy heart.

choice of veggies includes carrots, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes or celery sticks, you can’t pick wrong, because the great news is they all contain powerful antioxidants that reduce inflammation and enhance optimal cell production. Guacamole is made from creamy avocados that contain a large dose of vitamin E, which aids in healthy-growing, sun-kissed skin.

cashews and banana

fruit and cheese Pineapple, mango, watermelon, mixed berries— the options are practically limitless. Same applies to cheese: Mozzarella, cheddar, Swiss or classic American are just a few options. Get creative and pair new or favorite combos. Something else to keep in mind is that kids may be more enticed to consume these healthy items when they are presented in an artistic manner. For instance, cut and cube cheese and assemble fruit and cheese kebabs.

Need to Know: Fruit choices will all be packed with vitamin C, a nutrient that pays dividends for a functional immune system. Cheese provides a nice dose of protein kids need to build and maintain bones and muscles.

With all these simple, even portable, nutritious nuggets, KC parents can guarantee their kiddos have the fuel for an all-out energetic, healthy and fun lovin’ summer.

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.

Source: EatRight.org kcparent.com june 2019

43

best vacay ever

t

he weather is warm, the kids are out of school and everyone is ready for that fabulous family vacation!

The question is, are you really ready for it? Really?

The one thing you don’t want to be when traveling with your family is frustrated and frazzled because you didn’t plan out your trip carefully ahead of time. A stress-free, fun vacation begins well before the trip, so here are some great tips to get you rolling the right way.

Get organized. A notebook, folder or planner of some sort is the perfect start to getting your travel plans underway. This is where you can keep all of your travel information in one place.

You can include things such as phone numbers for airlines, car rental agencies, passports, itineraries and so on. And let’s not forget the lists! Lists are super important when planning all details of your trip. A personal packing list for each family member is a must, as is a checklist of things to do before you leave. If you will be having house- or pet-sitters, you will want an instructional list for them, too.

Be smart with your budget. Be honest with yourself and crunch the numbers. Figure out what you can spend on lodging, transportation, meals and entertainment. Keep making adjustments until you have a plan that fits your budget. You might even add a little to your total just in case.

44

kcparent.com june 2019

Read, listen and watch.

Purchase or borrow a few travel and tour books and immerse yourself (and your children) in the culture of where you plan to travel.

Check out some maps and places you may want to visit while there. Listen to some travel podcasts to get some tips and insight into local culture. And to get a feel for a place, check out some movies set in the location you are interested in visiting. You can also jump online and check out Google Earth to zoom in on the location.

Be app ready. Check with your mobile carrier and check with their international plans if you’re going to travel overseas. Also, download various mobile apps for your phone that will work even when not connected to Wi-Fi or the cell network. Language dictionaries and translators, subway maps and city guides are examples. For kids, check out apps for their tablet or iPad, if they have one, to help them learn about the places you plan to visit, too. Look into Stack the States, Stack the Countries, License Plate Finders or Road Trip Bingo.

Pack smartly. No one wants to lug around heavy luggage, so pack lightly to keep moods happy. Plan to do laundry while traveling and pack only three to four outfits per person that can be mixed and matched. Avoid packing bulky clothes to save space.

Also, purchase what you need when you arrive at your destination,

fun guide such as shampoo, diapers, wipes, hygiene products and snack foods. This will save you from having to haul it all back with you, because you’re buying only what you need. Make a shopping list ahead of time so your trip to the store is quick.

Keep the kids happy. Pack a variety of healthy snacks to bring along. Also, pay a visit to the dollar store for small games and toys to entertain the kids while traveling.

Plan your days lightly. Although you may have a long list of things to do and places to see on your trip, remember that with children, you may have to visit attractions at a slower pace than if you were on your own. Keep your schedule light and only plan one or two things to do per day. This will be easier on the kids … and your patience! Remember that no matter how much you want to finish a particular activity, your little ones may not be able to handle more stimulation. Or, they may simply need to refuel. Follow the lead of your children. If they seem hungry,

tired or done with an activity, call it quits and take care of what they need. Everyone will be much happier if you do.

Create a souvenir budget. Use an envelope for each child and put his name on it, along with a small amount of cash he is allowed to spend on souvenirs. Make sure kids know that once they spend all of their money, that’s it. No more money will be deposited into their envelopes.

Avoid souvenir clutter. Instead of buying various souvenir knickknacks, consider clutter-free options, such as postcards, small ornaments or a personal travel journal that you can write in throughout your trip.

Kansas City mom and author Gina Klein admits that while she’s great at planning and making lists for trips, she isn’t nearly as good at packing lightly.

For great games to keep kids occupied on a long car trip, head to KCParent.com

W

WEE

Child Development Center ORKSHOP “Where Your Child is Special”

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

“Where Your Child Is Special”

LICE PROBLEM?

We offer an EASY solution!

WE COME TO YOU!

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

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

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

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

7/31/19

Two Convenient Locations: 127th & Antioch

162nd & Metcalf Ave

913.681.2190 Two Convenient913.681.2191 Locations:

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

1200 Kansas City Road Olathe, Kansas 913.971.5111 Activities vary by season Wild West Days October 12 & 13 Visit www.mahaffie.org

• Appointments available within 24 hours in the comfort and privacy of your home.

• Written 30-Day Guarantee • No Harsh Chemicals • FSA/HSA Payment accepted • Two visits included

816.288.8887 www.licefreetoday.com kcparent.com june 2019

45

KANSAS CITY’S

WILDEST ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

This summer, make memories up close and personal with animals at these local attractions: Sea Turtle Rescue Center at Sea Life Sea Life Kansas City recently opened the brand new Sea Turtle Rescue Center. Visitors get face to flipper with rescued green sea turtles! The Sea Turtle Rescue Center provides a home to rescued sea turtles that are no longer able to survive in the wild. This center enables guests to meet sea turtles up close and learn about the threats wild turtles encounter, teaching people how to make a positive difference. VisitSeaLife.com/kansas-city/discover/sea-turtle-rescue-center

Bottle-Feed Baby Goats at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead For Kansas City kids, the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is a fabulous hands-on encounter with more than 250 farm animals and birds. Kids love bottle-feeding baby goats (for a nominal fee), riding ponies or a horse-drawn wagon, and watching as cows are milked. The interactive petting zoo is a favorite place for little ones to learn about animals and experience them up close and personal. Climbing through tunnels in the prairie dog village, feeding critters in the petting zoo and learning from the volunteers give kids a great early education on farm animals. OPKansas.org/things-to-see-and-do/deanna-rose-childrens-farmstead

Feed Fish at the Lake Young children love to feed fish and watch the feeding frenzy when they toss the treats into the water. You can feed fish at Longview Lake Marina (9898 Longview Rd., Kansas City, MO) in the summer. The marina shop sells bags of fish food from $.50 to $1.50 per bag. (They ask that you not bring stale bread and such from home as it is not safe for waterfowl.) Dress your little one in a life jacket for safety on the dock and remember to follow the posted rules about where you may and may not feed fish and whether fishing is permitted. After feeding the fish, enjoy a nice walk or bike ride on the nearby trails or a picnic at the shelter. Longview Lake is a beautiful place for summer fun.

Go Behind the Scenes at the Kansas City Zoo We love, love, love visiting the Kansas City Zoo! Days of visiting a bunch of snoozing animals within small cages with bars are a thing of the past. Now, zoo animals enjoy beautiful spacious habitats, and visitors learn more and appreciate the animals more than ever before.

Zoo Overnights The zoo also offers a variety of themed overnights where visitors may stay as families or groups in the Polar Bear Passage, Helzberg Penguin Plaza, Stingray Bay or outdoors in Australia or Africa. The overnights include animal encounters, hands-on educational activities and sometimes even a night hike to see nocturnal animals or visit behind-the-scenes sites like the commissary. Our family has enjoyed both the penguin and polar bear overnights, which have, without a doubt, made some of our favorite family memories.

46

kcparent.com june 2019

fun guide Keeper for a Day Playing with cute, cuddly, sometimes wild animals is one of those dream jobs for kids on par with astronaut, firefighter and ballerina. Yet few know what zookeeping actually entails. We recently participated in the Kansas City Zoo’s Keeper for a Day program (mini program for ages 7-12, junior program for ages 13-17 and adult program for 18+), and it was truly an outstanding educational experience.

Each Keeper for a Day program features a variety of activities, including helping prepare food for animals, cleaning habitats, creating enrichment for animals and behindthe-scenes experiences. The activities for the program vary from day to day, so you may choose to attend more than one program for more experiences.

The day was full of hands-on activities. Throughout the day, the girls were given the chance to make enrichment toys for the parrots, as well as learn details about several of the animals. The highlight of the day was going behind the scenes with the penguins and right into the exhibit where they observed the keepers feeding the Humboldt penguins and helped document what they ate. They made meals for gorillas by measuring the fruits, veggies and starches precisely.

After a human lunch break, they headed to Stingray Bay to feed those creatures.

Next, they journeyed to the snake house to watch as the slithery reptiles were fed, and finally headed back to the learning department where they prepared for their public presentation of the bearded dragon and Madagascar hissing cockroaches.

The Keeper for a Day program is one of the best educational programs at the Kansas City Zoo. It truly offers one-of-a-kind experiences that enhance your appreciation for the animals, the zookeepers and the zoo.

Feeding Camels, Goats, Stingrays and Lorikeets Kansas City Zoo guests love interactive exhibits. This summer, the zoo introduces the brand new camel feeding deck. The new deck will be located on the northwest side of the camel yard, so visitors will be able to watch the zoo’s dromedaries from the Discovery Zone and Australia. Visitors may purchase food from machines and drop the food pellets into tubes that transport it straight to the camels.

You also may feed rainbow lorikeets in their aviary near the carousel. And the Billy Goats Gruff Yard near the Discovery Barn is a fun-filled habitat where children enjoy feeding goats and watching them trot overhead on their special bridge.

For an aquatic encounter, visitors love touching stingrays at Stingray Bay. At 10:00 and 1:00, you may feed the stingrays for $1 (while supplies last).

NEW! Summer 2019: Behind the Scenes Encounters In addition to the popular penguin encounters, where visitors experience the Helzberg Penguin Plaza Exhibit with penguins waddling all around as they learn about cold weather penguins and have an “up close and personal” encounter with some of these magnificent birds, the zoo is expanding their behind-the-scenes offerings! These new special experiences offer additional “up close and personal” animal encounters and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours.

Kristina Light’s daughter Brielle, a lifelong bear lover, is all the more convinced she wants to be a zookeeper when she grows up after an unforgettable experience as Keeper for a Day.

kcparent.com june 2019

47

take a

S

WALK!

ummertime is a delightful season to take walks, but if you incorporate the activity year-round, that’s all the better. Doing regular exercise is critical to prevent any couch potato tendencies. Simply putting one foot in front of the other several times a week can put a dent in childhood obesity and pull your kiddos away from television, computer and video games. Actually, children ages 6 through 12 need 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Walking together is the most inexpensive, fun way to get that exercise in and garner some super quality family time!

Something I did while my son was practicing football or soccer was to walk

48

kcparent.com june 2019

around the track as he practiced. That way, I could watch him and get some exercise in during a busy day—plus it set an example for my son, and other moms joined me! If no track is handy, get a few moms and join a gym close by and plan to exercise during practice times.

With the new fitness monitors, you can make a game out of counting steps and have the kids keep track and guess how many steps it will be from home to the playground.

Fitbit and Garmin have devices designed specifically for kids.

Plan rewards on the walk. For example, make your turnaround spot a store or market where you can grab a healthy treat. Bring along treats or prizes to give at milestones along the way.

When you have the whole family and friends along, make up games. When you hear a dog bark, a bird chirp or a car horn honk, the person in front runs to the back of the line. Keep your kids’ attention peaked and incorporate some interval training by challenging yourselves to change up the walk. Options could be to run for a block, hop, skip, slide sideways and more. Have your kids pick what they want to do next.

The old follow the leader game is a fun way to give your kids responsibility and make them the star. For example, have your daughter lead and everybody is to do what she does, whether she whistles, sings, spins her arms, stops and does a push-up— whatever. This promotes concentration and creativity. And your child will like that you have to mind her!

Ann Scheer, mom of two kids, ages 10 and 7, likes going for walks on a regular basis.

“We like to mix up our walks going around our neighborhood, to the local dog park or at one of the playground parks around town,” she says. “Especially as the weather gets warmer, it’s a nice way to get some fresh air.”

As you take each step, give lots of room for your children to talk to you about their ideas, things happening in their lives, their concerns, their dreams and wishes, their favorite book—anything and everything.

Listen intently, as your walk allows for the time and space to do so.

Take turns creating a poem-on-the-go.

Start off with a simple line like, “I really love to take a walk.” Then have kids add their own rhymes in turn like, “except when I forget my sock,” “and then I step on a rock,” and so on.

A good way to help your kids think of the walking time as a treat is to purchase special walking clothes for them. When it’s time to walk, they’ll have fun donning a certain pair of sweats or pants and tennis shoes that make them feel big and strong. Any time kids can relate an activity with a certain piece of clothing it will trigger lasting emotions.

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

Sources: VeryWellFamily.com, TheEpochTimes.com

JUNE

festivals IN KANSAS CITY

fun guide

These are a few of our favorite summer festivals.

Old Shawnee Days June 6-9 at Shawnee Town 1929 Museum. Enjoy

a carnival, parade, live music and entertainment, food trucks, arts and crafts and family fun.

Jazzoo June 7 at Kansas City Zoo. Jazzoo is the Kansas City Zoo’s largest fundraiser, and the adults-only event helps feed and care for more than 1,700 animals and educate Kansas City youth through the Zoo Learning Fund.

Downtown Days June 7-9 at Downtown Lee’s Summit. Live

Jazzoo

entertainment, carnival rides, sports and autograph booth, festival food, handcrafted goods and two beer tents featuring craft beer are part of this year’s festivities.

Juneteenth Celebration June 8 at Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Connect with activities, music, dance, demonstrations, art and history.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.

15th Annual Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival June 8 at Country Club Plaza. Held as a daylong event, the festival features a fleet of boating teams competing on the water, as well as a variety of live cultural performances and delicious food and beverage options.

Future Stages Festival June 16 at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Admission to the family-friendly event is FREE and will include the opportunity to see Kansas City-area youth acts perform on indoor and outdoor stages. Community partners will host arts activities throughout the day.

Dragon Boa

t Festival

Great Lenexa BBQ Battle June 21-22 at Sar-Ko-Par Park. The twoday event, which includes children’s activities and live music, attracts cooks from all over the nation to compete for the coveted title of grand champion of the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle—which is also the Kansas state championship.

Maker Faire Kansas City June 22-23 at Union Station. Maker Faire is part science fair, part county fair and part something entirely new! As a celebration of the maker movement, it’s a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness.

Stems: A Garden Soiree June 22 at the Overland Park Arboretum.

Sip wine. Taste delicious food from 25 top restaurants and caterers. Enjoy art, music, fireworks, beautiful surroundings and more. Meet friends at the networking event of the summer—the place to see and be seen.

Booms & Blooms June 29 at Powell Gardens. Celebrate at the 25th and final installment of this popular Independence Day celebration!

Enjoy a beautiful palette of floral color on land and a fantastic display in the air, provided by Premier Pyrotechnics.

Booms & Blooms

Find the complete Summer Festival Guide on KCParent.com kcparent.com june 2019

49

Fun Hunt S U M M E R

Summer’s here, and that means lots of fun to be had, not only at home, but all over Kansas City! Challenge your family to complete the summer fun hunt below to make memories and enjoy all the season has to offer!

BY MARGARET SARVER

I scream, you scream, let’s go get some ice cream.

Try a new location or a fun new flavor.

Pull out a blanket, grab a book or magazine and head out back for a reading party. Set a timer for 30 minutes and have everyone enjoy quiet reading together.

Our city is full of outdoor live music events. Use best friend Google or Facebook to find some music you’ll enjoy and head out for a night of tunes under the stars.

Find a local spot for berry picking and gather your own.

Nothing tastes better than fresh-picked fruit!

Take a walk!

Go around the neighborhood and each time you hit a turn, have someone choose left or right.

Take turns and see where you end up.

Grab a deck of cards, stop by Sonic for a limeade and head to the park for cool drinks and card game fun.

Head to the farmers market and choose tonight’s dinner based on what you purchase at the market.

Get some sidewalk chalk, give everyone a piece of space in the driveway and have an art contest.

Let your neighbors vote for their fave drawing.

Find a podcast the family can enjoy.

Take a drive with the windows down and enjoy listening to the podcast together.

Make homemade lemonade and serve with dinner tonight.

For an afternoon snack, take raspberries, rinse and drain. Place a white chocolate chip in the middle and freeze. Yum!

Water fight! Fill up water balloons or spray bottles and cool off on a hot day with a friendly water battle.

Put a few dollars aside. When you hear the ice cream truck coming through the neighborhood, grab that money, run out and get some treats.

Visit the library and rent a movie to watch together.

After a busy day, gather inside and enjoy a familyfriendly flick.

So many cool parks can be found all over the metro. Discover one you’ve never been to, then visit.

Purchase a watermelon and have an old-fashioned speed spitting contest!

Pool day!

Visit your neighborhood pool or try a new spot and relax by the water!

Did you know there are several beaches around town? Bring the family and spend the afternoon building sandcastles.

Make bubbles! Find an easy recipe online and make bubbles.

See who can blow the biggest bubble.

Set aside a day for a craft day. Use up what’s in your craft closet to create a masterpiece. Also, check out KCParent.com for loads of easy crafts.

Head to a baseball game or grill hot dogs at home and watch a game on TV or listen on the radio.

Tip: Take a quick photo of your family completing each of the suggested activities, then put the photos together in a small keepsake book.

Whip up s’mores tonight in the fire pit.

Don’t want to bother with a fire? Cheat and use the microwave.

No one has to know!

Too hot to handle the summer heat? Visit KCGoingPlaces.com and find a museum you’ve never been to, then go ahead and visit.

Eat a meal outside.

It doesn’t need to be a fancy picnic. Heat up some toaster waffles and dine outdoors in jammies!

50

kcparent.com june 2019

june

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

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

52

kcparent.com june 2019

CALENDAR

Snow Queen–A Frozen Dance Adventure at Carlsen Center

learn

enjoy

watch

celebrate

eat

On Saturdays visit the National World War I Museum and Memorial for Hands-On History, where History is brought to life.

TheWorldWar.org

On Wednesdays & Thursdays head to Mahaffie for Days Out with Frank & Ella. Learn about life in the 1860s through activities, crafts and more.

Mahaffie.org

Bring the family to Snow Queen A Frozen Dance Adventure June 7 & 8 at Carlsen Center.

See the story of Anna and her sister, Elsa.

CultureHouse.com

Enjoy the Juneteenth Celebration June 8 at NelsonAtkins. Connect with activities, music, dance, demonstrations, art and history.

Nelson-Atkins.org

Celebrate all things chocolate at Kansas Chocolate Festival June 15 in Downtown Topeka.

Enjoy activities, artists and more.

KansasChocolate Festival.com

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

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

KCParks.org Strawberry Festival 9:00, Vaile Mansion.

Strawberry treats, craft and antique vendors, plants for sale and more! VaileMansion.org NAWS Woofstock 9:00, Linden Square.

Festival for people and pets will feature music, contests, vendors and more!

LindenSquare.info/naws-woofstock Free Craft Workshop, 9:00, Home Depot.

Hands-on workshop where you and your child build a putting green to master your hole-inone. HomeDepot.com Levee Fest 9:30, Armourdale Levee Trail. Join us for fun, food trucks and family activities including a boat tour, zumba and more.

VisitKansasCityKS.com Hooves & Horns Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Special zookeeper chats and activities to learn more about the hoof stock that reside at the zoo. KansascityZoo.org

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

JCPRD.com

Enchanted Faire 2:00, Overland Park Arboretum.

Gnomes, fairies and sprites will be frolicking in the grove. Treats, entertainment and more.

OPKansas.org

First Saturday Event 10:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Enjoy family activities and historical demonstrations. 816.792.2655

Food Truck Frenzy 4:30, Old Town Lenexa.

Come to Old Town to sample what the metro’s best food trucks have to offer. Lenexa.com

Prairie Village Art Show Today & tomorrow, Prairie Village Shops. Annual art show featuring more than 100 artists. Children’s activities, music and more. PrairieVillageShops.com

Family Fun Night: Giant-Sized Clue! 6:00, Culture House (Oak Park). Enjoy pizza, drinks, popcorn and a giant-sized Clue game! Pre-reg at CultureHouse.com.

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

Children’s art contest. KansasCityRoseSociety.org

Insects: Firefly Experience 8:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Learn more about fireflies, make a cool craft and hike to watch for the twinkling insects. 816.228.3766

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

Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org

2 Sunday

Story Time 1:30, Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary. Hear a naturalist read a tale about an animal and make a craft.

NatureSanctuary.com Mother Son Picnic 2:00, Grandview Amphitheater. Moms, grab your sons and enjoy games, inflatables, dance-offs, relay races, and more. Pre-reg at 816.316.4884.

KC Northern Train Rides Noon, Line Creek Park.

Ride restored trains around a half-mile track in the park. $.75/ride. KCNRR.com art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages! 816.751.1278 Grand Opening 1:00, Lenexa City Center Library.

Ribbon cutting, tours of new building, meet awardwinning illustrator and more. JoCoLibrary.org

Enjoy a Summer of little Adventures Discover a new focus tour and craft activity each week. Fun for all ages! Wednesdays and Saturdays / 10:30am-3:30pm JUNE 5 / JUNE 8 SEW MUCH FUN

JULY 10 / JULY 13 LITTLE LIGHTS

JUNE 12 / JUNE 15 TINY TEXTILES

JULY 17 / JULY 20 MINIATURE ROOM SETTINGS

JUNE 19 / JUNE 22 FINE (SCALE) DINING

JULY 24 / JULY 27 FASHION DOLL HISTORY

JUNE 26 / JUNE 29 RECYCLE IT

JULY 31 / AUGUST 3 MINIATURE MASTERPIECES

JULY 3 / JULY 6 COMIC BOOK CREATIONS

AUGUST 7 / AUGUST 10 SURPRISE PROGRAM

Included with admission. Members enjoy all 10 weeks free.

Visit toyandminiaturemuseum.org for details.

The National Museum of Toys / Miniatures

Events are supported by

Wednesday through Monday, 10am– 4pm / Closed Tuesday / 816.235.8000 toyandminiaturemuseum.org / 5235 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64112 kcparent.com june 2019

53

Downtown Days June 7-9, Downtown Lee’s Summit. A festival featuring live entertainment, arts and crafts, a carnival and more! DowntownLS.org

Outdoor Concert 5:00, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.

Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy an outdoor concert. New this year: food truck selling concessions. Lenexa.com

Jazz on the Square 5:30, Corbin Theatre.

The Corbin Theatre presents Jazz on the Square on the first Monday of every month. Free. CorbinTheatre.org

Music in the Park 6:00, Rotary Park. Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors with free, live musical entertainment. BlueSpringsGov.com

4 Tuesday

3 Monday

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

Into the Wild Thru Friday, Lenexa Baptist Church. Make crafts, play games, sing songs and more while digging deeper into God’s word. Pre-reg at LenexaBaptist.com/vbs

Kids Eat Free Main Event (various locations).

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

Story Time in the Park 10:00, Frontier Park. Bring a blanket and enjoy stories, songs and finger plays. Geared to ages 3-5. OlatheLibrary.org KidsGiG Thru Friday, Westside Family Church.

Kids learn strategies for navigating through the game of life with Jesus. Pre-reg at WestsideFamilyChurch.org/kidsgig.

Moo-vie Night Featuring Tangled

June Bug Ball 4:00, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Enjoy assorted craft activities and games that will keep you buzzing.

913.897.2360 Wings and Feet 4:30, MCPL (Blue Springs).

Learn about adaptive characteristics from a live owl, hawk and snake. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

FIRST SATURDAY EVENT JUNE 1, 2019 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. FREE

Movie begins at dusk

Enjoy family fun activities and historical demonstrations of life in Missouri during the 19th century. Skits throughout the day. Shop the mercantile and visit the newspaper office located in the Crossroads Inn.

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and join us for Moo-vie Night at the Farmstead.

SHOAL CREEK LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

Presented by

7000 Northeast Barry Road Kansas City, MO 64156

816.792.2655

shoalcreeklivinghistorymuseum.com

54

kcparent.com june 2019

Popsicles in the Park 6:30, various parks (Independence). Enjoy free frozen treats, live children’s entertainment and special activities.

816.325.7115

5 Wednesday Days Out with Frank & Ella 10:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Learn about life in the 1860s through activities, crafts and stagecoach rides! Mahaffie.org

Brickworks 10:00, Hollis Renewal Center.

Join for a kid-friendly and family focused service program. Space limited; pre-reg at HollisBrickworks2019.eventbrite.com.

Little Adventures 10:30, the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Take a guided focus tour and craft a toy or miniature in the hands-on workshop. 816.235.8000

Old Shawnee Days Thru Sunday, Shawnee Town 1929. Carnival rides, entertainment, food and lots of family fun! Old ShawneeDays.org Used Curriculum Sale 6:15, Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene. Free to shop, small fee for sellers. MidwestHomeschoolers.org

7 Friday

Voices from Ellis Island 2:00, Midwest Genealogy Center. Join actress Pippa White for the inspiring and true stories of seven immigrants. 816.252.7228

Stonehenge 10:00, Union Station. Worldclass exhibition allows guests to explore the prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England.

UnionStation.org

Summer Breakout 5:00, Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Food trucks, live music, inflatables, face painting, games and more. MLMKC.org

Fridays in the Park 11:30, Macken Park Festival Pavilion. This summer event is a favorite and free to attend. Enjoy local live music in the park.

NKC.org

6 Thursday 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 Oklahoma! Thru June 30, MTH (Crown Center).

Musical Theater Heritage presents a reimagined production. MusicalTheaterHeritage.com

Snow Queen - A Frozen Dance Adventure Today & tomorrow, Carlsen Center. Culture House presents the story of Anna and her sister, Elsa. CultureHouse.com Sugar Creek Slavic Festival Today & tomorrow, Mike Onka Memorial Building. Music, food and dance from Slavic nations of Eastern Europe.

SlavicFest.com

Annie Thru June 15, Theatre in the Park.

Enjoy a live performance of Annie under the stars in beautiful Shawnee Mission Park!

TheatreInThePark.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 Bluesfest Today & tomorrow, Oak Grove Park (Gladstone). Come and enjoy the tasty food and great blues music.

GladstoneChamber.com/bluesfest Jazzoo 7:30, Kansas City Zoo. Enjoy delicious dishes from many Kansas City area restaurants, limitless libations and entertainment.

JazzooKC.org

8 Saturday Summer Festival Today & tomorrow, Family Tree Nursery (Liberty). Enjoy fun, entertainment and great deals at the Liberty Summer Festival.

FamilyTreeNursery.com

kcparent.com june 2019

55

Get Outdoors Lenexa 9:00, Black Hoof Park.

Outdoor fun, fitness, safety, demos, playground challenges and more. Lenexa.com Lost Arts Day 9:00, Missouri Town 1855. Explore the trades and arts that have been lost to time like blacksmithing, wood carving and more.

816.229.8980Â Family Fitness Day 9:30, Clothier Park.

Activities include balloon artists, face painting, family friendly exercise sessions and more. ci.Independence.mo.us World Oceans Day Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Celebrate World Oceans Day with activities around the zoo. KansasCityZoo.org Juneteenth Celebration 10:00, NelsonAtkins. Connect with activities, music, dance, demonstrations, art and history. Nelson-Atkins.org Festival on the Trails Today & tomorrow, Gardner, KS. Entertainment, food and beverage booths, crafts, kids activities and more!

FestivalOnTheTrails.com GeoKids 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum. A brief classroom presentation on maps and how to use a compass, followed by treasure hunt.

913.685.3604 Dragon Boat Festival 10:00, Brush Creek (Country Club Plaza). Dragon boat races, entertainment, food and fun for the entire family.

ChinaGardenSociety-KC.org

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

TinyFest Midwest Today & tomorrow, Louisburg Cider Mill. Tour tiny houses, van conversions, skoolies, gypsy wagons and more!

TinyFestMidwest.com Discover Nature: Life in a Stream 1:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Take a walk down to Burr Oak Creek to discover who lives there.

816.228.3766 Saturday Feeder 4:00, Cedar Cove. Come to see the public feedings of the cats, weather permitting. $5-$7. SaveOurSiberians.org

9 Sunday War of the Lilies: Public Day 8:30, Kelsey Short Youth Camp. Visit this annual medieval reenactment at Kelsey Short Youth Camp.

VisitClayMo.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

56

kcparent.com june 2019

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

KC Northern Train Rides Noon, Line Creek Park. Ride restored trains around a half-mile track in the park. $.75/ride. KCNRR.com Music in the Park 6:00, Rotary Park. Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors with free, live musical entertainment. BlueSpringsGov.com

10 Monday Free Adult Admission 9:30, Paradise Park. Free adult admission in Discovery Play with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 Parent Practicum Thru Wednesday, First Baptist Church (Shawnee). Join homeschool parents for encouragement and inspiration.

ParentPracticum.com

LAKE OLATHE PARK OlatheKS.org/LakeOlathe

Walking on the Moon 5:30, MCPL (Parkville).

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 and learn what it took to put a man on the moon.

Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Vacation Bible School Thru Friday, 6:00, Antioch Community Church. Crafts, snacks, games, Bible stories and more. ACCKC.org

11 Tuesday Nature Connects: Art with Lego Bricks Thru July 28, Powell Gardens. A unique exhibit featuring Lego brick sculptures throughout the core gardens. PowellGardens.org Preschool Bug Hunt 10:00, Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse. Scavenge the sidewalks, dig in the dirt and peer into the pond to find amazing insects. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic CafĂŠ. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com Live Music 6:00, Grinter Place State Historical Site. Enjoy food, beverages and great live music on the second Tuesday of the month.

913.481.3527

12 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 Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog Thru Sept 22, Crown Center. Visit the world of Clifford, Emily Elizabeth and the residents of Birdwell Island. CrownCenter.com Retro Story Time 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Enjoy a story from long ago and an art activity for little hands. JCPRD.com/museum kcparent.com june 2019

57

Maker Faire June 22 & 23, Union Station. Family-friendly event that demonstrates what people are inventing, creating and making. MakerFaireKC.com

Annie Thru June 15, Theatre in the Park.

Enjoy a live performance of Annie under the stars in beautiful Shawnee Mission Park!

TheatreInThePark.org

Nerf Wars 7:00, Ward Park (Blue Springs).

Kids and their guardians will compete six-on-six in this Nerf battle. Pre-reg at BlueSpringsGov.com.

13 Thursday

14 Friday

Days Out with Frank & Ella 10:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Learn about life in the 1860s through activities, crafts and stagecoach rides! Mahaffie.org

Scribble Workshop 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. A child/parent art event with a different theme each month. Dress for mess! 816.513.7741

Sesame Street Road Trip 10:00, Frank Theis Park. Interactive family festival with entertainment, activities and more!

SesameStreet.org/50

Donuts with Dads 10:45, Palmer Center. Come in for a cup of coffee and a donut to celebrate the fathers and father figures in our lives. ci.Independence.mo.us

Collaborative Art 2:00, Olathe Downtown Library. Drop by and create a collage star that will become part of a collaborative artwork.

OlatheLibrary.org

Arts in the Park Today & tomorrow, Macken Park. Artist and maker fair with entertainment, face painters and more. ArtsInThePark.org

Summer Stroll Guided Hike 5:00, Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary. Relax, stretch and hike for exercise and fun on the trails. NatureSanctuary.com

Family Fun Night 5:30, Paint, Glaze and Fire.

Get four studio fees, a large pizza, four drinks plus 15 percent off pottery painted during the event. Pre-reg at PaintGlazeAndFire.net.

Summer Concert 6:00, Linden Square. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an outdoor concert. Concessions available. NKC.org City Center Live 7:00, the Commons (Lenexa).

Grab a drink or bite to eat from the Lenexa Public Market and come see the show! Lenexa.com Summer Concert Series 7:00, Grandview Amphitheater. Bring a blanket and enjoy live music, food and games. GrandviewAmp.com

four ideas for FATHER’S DAY IN KC 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.

Celebrate Dad at Paradise Park Paradise Park’s Discovery Play Center (1021 NE Colbern Rd., Lee’s Summit, Paradise-Park.com).

Specially designed for safe, clean, fun, interactive, imaginative and educational play, Paradise Park’s Discovery Play center offers 20+ unique areas.The week before Father’s Day, the theme is “Dads,” helping little ones prepare to celebrate dads, grandfathers and anyone who plays that special role in their lives.

58

kcparent.com june 2019

15 Saturday Lavender Festival 8:00, Prairie Lavender Farm.

Tours, demonstrations, u-pick bundles, kids activities and more. PrairieLavenderFarm.com

The Wolf & Little Red Hen 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. Experience this classic tale from many points of view.

PuppetryArtsInstitute.org

Urban Kids Fishing Derby 8:00, Spring Valley Park Lake. Bring rod, reel, tackle, bait and stringer. Ages 4-16 with guardian. KCParks.org

The Great American Family Campout 2:00, Shawnee Mission Park. Sleep under the stars!

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

Lost Trail Days 9:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. A history of Lost Trail Soda, viewing of an actual soda production run, and a nine-flavor flight.

Pre-reg at 913.837.5202.

SummerFest 2:00, Belton Memorial Park.

Beer garden, food trucks, vendors, outdoor concerts, inflatables, fireworks and more.

BeltonParks.org

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

Skateboard Competition 4:00, Old Mill Skate Park (Blue Springs). Three divisions; prizes awarded to the top three finishers in each division. BlueSpringsGov.com

Kansas Chocolate Festival 10:00, Downtown Topeka. Celebrate all things chocolate with entertainment, activities, artists and more.

KansasChocolateFestival.com

Arts in the Park 5:00, Macken Park. An artist and maker fair with family-friendly entertainment, face painting, balloon art and more! 816.300.0545

Bugs 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Learn about bugs in an interactive fashion. Crafts and tattoos round out the experience. 816.513.8960

Solstice Dance Project 7:30, Carlsen Center.

Choreographers from all over the nation come together to bring new dance in this KC tradition. JCCC.edu/theseries

16 Sunday FATHER’S DAY 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 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 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

17 Monday JKids Jam Week Thru June 19, 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

Join Us for Great Programs Including

Summer Learning Program Spectacular Kickoffs Mad Science: Walking on the Moon Rocketship Yoga Science City Subzero The Royals Scholastic Victory Program and dozens more!

Registration is required:

Mid-Continent Public Library Summer Learning Program

mymcpl.org/events Thanks to our Community Partners for prize donations.

Babies Kids Teens Adults

MAY 20-JULY 31, 2019 Read Books. Do Stuff. Earn and Win Stuff.

Register and learn more at mymcpl.org/BLAST

Official Media Sponsors:

kcparent.com june 2019

59

Celebrate June KC Style

June 4: Cheese Day Sample more than 160 varieties of cheese at One Good Taste Country Store (7089 Outer Rd., Odessa, MO). The shop offers free samples of cheddars, Monterey Jacks, goudas, Swiss, hard cheeses, flavored processed cheeses, cheese curds, string cheese and cheese spreads.

June 7: National Donut Day Design your own donut at Donutology in Westport, where you choose your donut, icing, drizzle and custom toppings for your own customized sweet treat.

June 12: Red Rose Day Stop and smell the roses at the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden at Loose Park (51st & Wornall), home to more than 3,000 roses of more than 150 varieties.

June 21: Go Skate Day Many local roller skating rinks participate in Kids Skate Free (KidsSkateFree.com), a program where children ages 12 and under enjoy free skating and you simply pay for the skate rental.

June 26: National Canoe Day Legacy Park in Lee’s Summit offers free canoe, stand-up paddle board and bicycle rental. Enjoy paddling around the park’s 22-acre lake. Simply call 816.969.1550 to reserve your rental.

Starry, Starry Night 2:30, MCPL (North Oak).

Explore the stories behind the stars with wacky Professor Van Gogh Go. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Beginners Night 6:00, Central Resource Library.

Introduction to 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC machine, design software and more.

JoCoLibrary.org

18 Tuesday Time Travelers 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929.

Step back in time to the 1920s with family activities in this living history program.

Shawneetown.org Story Time in the Park 10:00, Frontier Park.

Bring a blanket and enjoy stories, songs and finger plays. Geared to ages 3-5.

OlatheLibrary.org Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play! 11:00 & 1:00, the Coterie. A lively and irresistibly charming musical look at friendship.

TheCoterie.org Kids Eat Free Main Event (various locations).

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

19 Wednesday Nature Connects: Art with Lego Bricks Thru July 28, Powell Gardens. A unique exhibit featuring Lego brick sculptures throughout the core gardens. PowellGardens.org Shakespeare in Love Thru July 7, Southmoreland Park. Free outdoor Shakespeare theater with preshow activities. Bring a blanket and enjoy! KCShakes.org Taps at the Tower 8:45, National World War I Museum and Memorial. Bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds, then gather at sunset for “Taps.” TheWorldWar.org

20 Thursday Stonehenge 10:00, Union Station. Worldclass exhibition allows guests to explore the prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England.

UnionStation.org Pay For Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists.

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

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

Free. 816.795.8602 Family Fun Nights 6:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Late night fun on Thursdays. A different theme each week. Free admission.

Mahaffie.org Moo-vie at the Farmstead 7:30, Celebrate National Dairy Month with a movie! Bring blankets and lawn chairs. 913.634.7165

21 Friday

22 Saturday Breakfast & Blooms 9:00, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. Enjoy a home-style breakfast followed by garden tours. BWEstate.net/events Fun & Flight 9:00, Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport. Aircraft displays, vendors, helicopter rides, lots of kids activities and more.

LSAirport.net Maker Faire Today & tomorrow, Union Station.

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

MakerFaireKC.com

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

Community Celebration 11:00, Menorah Medical Center. Free food, live music, entertainment and more! MenorahMedicalCenter.com

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 Lawn Grand Opening 11:00, Legends Outlets. Family-friendly entertainment and activities, giveaways and more!

LegendsShopping.com

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

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

Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.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

Discover Nature: Bee Spotter 1:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Learn the importance of bees and head outside to collect data.

816.228.3766

Waterfest Today & tomorrow, Broadway (Excelsior Springs). Event features arts and crafts, entertainment, water inflatables and more. EXSPGSChamber.com

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

Filipino-Association.org

Food, Art & Drink Festival Today & tomorrow, Linden Square. Event features live music, local art vendors, food trucks and more!

LindenSquare.info Make Music in Liberty Today & tomorrow, Liberty. Every kind of musician pours onto streets, parks, plazas and porches to share music. MakeMusicLiberty.org Super Sneaky Family Scavenger Hunt 6:00, Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse. Enjoy dinner and then scour the park for clues to complete a puzzle. Pre-reg at 913.831.3359.

Summer Concert Series 6:00, Uptown Market (Independence). Listen to local bands. Food and beverage for sale. 816.325.7843 Party in Your Park 6:30, Quail Creek Park. Enjoy games, an inflatable, light dinner and tunes from Beauty and the McBeest. 913.322.5550 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 8:30, Theatre in the Park. Take a fantastic musical adventure with an amazing car. TheatreInThePark.org

Saturday Feeder 4:00, Cedar Cove. Come to see the public feedings of the cats, weather permitting. $5-$7. SaveOurSiberians.org Cruise Night 4:00, Olde Town Belton Main Street. Historic Main Street comes alive with a wide selection of muscle cars, antique cars and more. OldTownBelton.com Stargazing Nights 8:00, Powell Observatory.

Educational presentation with a tour of the night sky and viewing through the telescopes.

ASKC.org

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

Enjoy an outdoor craft show with fun activities for children. Free! LawrenceKS.org Goat Yoga 1:00, Paradise Park. Basic yoga combined with the fun, playful nature of baby goats. $25. Paradise-Park.com

kcparent.com june 2019

61

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang & Annie Multiple dates, Theatre in the Park. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and see a live show under the stars. TheatreInThePark.org

Fishing Derby 5:00, Heritage Park Marina.

Prizes awarded for biggest fish, most fish, smallest fish and first fish caught. JCPRD.com Vacation Bible School 5:30, Thru Friday, Word of Life Community Church. Seek out exotic animals and find encounters with Jesus in Scripture. Pre-reg at WOLVBS.com.

Music in the Park 6:00, Rotary Park. Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors with free, live musical entertainment. BlueSpringsGov.com

24 Monday Free Adult Admission 9:30, Paradise Park. Free adult admission in Discovery Play with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog Thru Sept 22, Crown Center. Visit the world of Clifford, Emily Elizabeth and the residents of Birdwell Island. CrownCenter.com

Family Story Time 10:30, Monticello Library. Stories, songs, finger plays and movement activities the whole family will enjoy! JoCoLibrary.org

25 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 Popsicles in the Park 6:30, various parks (Independence). Enjoy free frozen treats, live children’s entertainment and special activities.

816.325.7115

26 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

33

CES VERY FUN PLA TO EXPLORE WITH KIDS IN LENEXA

62

kcparent.com june 2019

Little Adventures 10:30, the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Take a guided focus tour and craft a toy or miniature in the hands-on workshop. 816.235.800 Jammin’ on the Green 7:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic dinner and enjoy the sounds of the Kansas City Ukesters. ShawneeTown.org Taps at the Tower 8:45, National World War I Museum and Memorial. Bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds, then gather at sunset for “Taps.” TheWorldWar.org

27 Thursday Days Out with Frank & Ella 10:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Learn about life in the 1860s through activities, crafts and stagecoach rides! Mahaffie.org Elephant & Piggie’s We are in a Play! 11:00 & 1:00, the Coterie. A lively and irresistibly charming musical look at friendship.

TheCoterie.org Genes for Teens 6:30, Midwest Genealogy Center. Explore your family’s history, learning techniques to help you collect and tell your story. MyMCPL.org

The Lion King

Friday, July 12th, 9:00pm* Activities begin at 8:00pm

Balloon art, face painting, bubbles, giveaways & more!

(Located in the back parking lot behind DSW) *Start time is an approximate based on sunset.

28 Friday A Night Out 4:45, Macken Park. Bring the kids out for tow trucks, police cars, fire trucks and so much more! Food trucks and inflatables.

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

UnmistakablyLawrence.com

With over 40 retailers offering the best in brand name apparel, boutique fashions, home décor, beauty services, specialty gifts, and more… you’re sure to find everything you need, and even more of what you want! @summitfair #ShopSummitFair www.summitfairshopping.com

Parked! Music, Food Trucks and Fireworks 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 Major League Improv 7:00, Comedy City. A comedy sporting event where everything is based on suggestions from the audience. $9$13. 816.842.2744 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 8:30, Theatre in the Park. Take a fantastic musical adventure with an amazing car. TheatreInThePark.org

29 Saturday Booms & Blooms 9:00, Powell Gardens.

Spend the day enjoying the gardens and stay for fireworks and music, beginning at dusk.

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

KansasCityZoo.org kcparent.com june 2019

63

Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog Thru Sept 22, Crown Center. Visit the world of Clifford, Emily Elizabeth and the residents of Birdwell Island. CrownCenter.com

Mother Nature Reads 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Children hear a story, make a craft and often see a wildlife interpretation. 816.513.8960 Family Fun Day Beach Bash 11:00, Smithville Lake. Spend a day of fun at the beach with a live DJ, family fun activities and more. VisitClayMO.com Story Time 1:30, Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary. Hear a naturalist read a tale about an animal and make a craft.

NatureSanctuary.com Street Blues Festival 1:45, Lavender’s Circle L Ranch. Festival celebrates the rich history of Kansas City’s blues and jazz heritage.

KCKBlues.com Saturday Feeder 4:00, Cedar Cove. Come to see the public feedings of the cats, weather permitting. $5-$7. SaveOurSiberians.org Freedom Festival 4:00, Hitt Park (Greenwood).

Entertainment, carnival rides and inflatables, a car show and fireworks! GreenwoodMo.com

64

kcparent.com june 2019

Spirit of America Celebration 7:00, Celebration Park (Raymore). Live music, bounce house, food trucks, giveaways and fireworks! Raymore.com Stargazing Nights 8:00, Powell Observatory. Educational presentation with a tour of the night sky and viewing through the telescopes. ASKC.org

30 Sunday 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 KC Northern Train Rides Noon, Line Creek Park. Ride restored trains around a half-mile track in the park. $.75/ride. KCNRR.com Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org

Shakespeare in Love Thru July 7, Southmoreland Park. Free outdoor Shakespeare theater with preshow activities. Bring a blanket and enjoy! KCShakes.org

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

Explore

Camel Feeding NOW OPEN!

Kansas City Zoo

June 1 & 2 Hooves & Horns June 7 Jazzoo

(21 and over, ticket required for this event)

Always a New Adventure!

June 8 & 9 World Ocean’s Day Celebration June 15 Sporting KC Day June 16 Dads get FREE Admission June 22 & 23 Humboldt Penguin March June 29 & 30 Red, White & Zoo

Open Year Round

Check online for more Zoomazing experiences!

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