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LIFE LESSONS LEARNED FROM SPORTS, PG. 32

FEATURES

JUNE

2021

IN EVERY ISSUE

10 Craft Corner 12 Date Night 14 Dear Teachers 16 Media Mix 18 5 Things 19 Word from Dad 20 Ask the Experts 47 Tasty Treats

SPECIAL SECTIONS

26 Camp Guide 40 Party Guide 46 Summer Fun Guide 56 Calendar of Events

26

Camp Guide

Great ideas for last minute summer camps.

34

Bonding with Kids

Ways for busy parents to fit in time to bond with kids.

46

Summer Fun

Your guide to tons of summer fun in Kansas City.

Our cover features Matt and son, Theodore from Overland Park. Photo by Melissa Rieke Photography. MelissaRiekePhotography.com

ON THE COVER

Celebrate Dad’s Day 22 Sports Life Lessons 32 Volunteer with Kids 42 Summer Fun Guide 46

SUMMER FUN GUIDE

VOLUNTEERING

WITH KIDS

SPORTS

LIFE LESSONS

FREE | JUNE 2021 | KCPARENT.COM

YEARSKC PARENT MAGAZIN E 1985–2020 53 creative

WAYS TO CELEBRATE DAD

EXPLORE . IMAGINE. PLAY!

KC Parent is giving away 10 FAMILY 4-PACKS

to Sea Life Aquarium or Legoland Discovery Center.

Details and to enter, visit KCParent.com. W hen I started high school, my mom told me I needed to join a sports team because she felt it was “good for everyone to have that team experience.” Since I was not what you would call athletic, I joined the swim team (it was a no-cut sport and practices were at one of the all-boys high schools, a win-win). To say I wasn’t good would be an understatement. I showed up for practices and meets and did try my best, but I’m truly just not athletic. After my failed swim team attempt, Mom dropped her requirement for my siblings because she discovered that some kids just aren’t made for sports teams. But that’s not to say her reasoning wasn’t sound. There are a lot of beneficial life lessons kids can learn from being part of a team, and despite the fact that I wasn’t any good, even I managed to learn some of them. Athletics are a big part of life for today’s kiddos. Judy Goppert takes a look at just some of the lessons yours can learn from sports on pg. 32.

June brings the start of my most fave season of all, summer! I revel in the longer, hotter days and everything that accompanies them. My husband and I love to attend concerts and are thrilled to see so many picking back up this year, especially at outdoor venues. What are some of your favorite summer activities? If you are a thrill seeker, then head to pg. 54. to check out great ideas for unforgettable summer adventures right here in KC!

June also brings Father’s Day. I get my love of summer from my dad. He hated the cold and snow and loved the heat of summer. Cheers to my Pops—happy Father’s Day in heaven! I know it will be a great one!

Happy Father’s Day, KC!

Margaret Sarver, Editor

JUNE 2021

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

LOCAL CONTENT

Local Contributing Writers Bill Bartlett (Belton), Hannah Berry (Kansas City), Julie Collett (Overland Park), Janelle Cumro-Sultzer (Overland Park), Lauren Dreher (Stillwell). Sandy Foster (Grain Valley), Allison Gibeson (Lee’s Summit ), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Kerrie McLoughlin (Peculiar), Emily Morrison (Independence), Heather Shields (Kansas City) Mailing Address 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax

OUR PRODUCTS

SUMMER FUN GUIDE

VOLUNTEERING

WITH KIDS

SPORTS

LIFE LESSONS

FREE | JUNE 2021 | KCPARENT.COM

YEARSKC PARENT MAGAZIN E 1985–2020 53 creative

WAYS TO CELEBRATE DAD

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

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Even More Local Parenting Information, Articles, Events and Surprises

SPOTLIGHT

FESTIVAL GUIDE

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

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.

SEARCH KCPARENT.COM FOR MORE AFFORDABLE FUN IDEAS:

1. Best of June

2. Family Game Night

3. Summer Reading Programs

4. Best Parks in Kansas City

5. Party Guide

6. Farmers Markets

7. Father’s Day Gift Ideas

8. Hiking Trails

9. Great Giveaways

10. Perfect Picnic Spots

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This quick and easy craft can be done with items you probably already have around your house.

Love You to Pieces Photo Frame

Father’s Day will be here before we know it! This quick and easy craft can be done with items you probably already have around your house. Step it up one notch and add a homemade card with the saying “We Love You to Pieces!”

Step one: Put new photo into photo frame.

Step two: Glue puzzle pieces onto the frame. Make sure to leave a straight line of pieces at the bottom where the frame will stand up.

Step three: Continue to layer pieces until you have your desired look..

Step four: Let dry and you are done!

Janelle Cumro-Sultzer lives in Overland Park with her husband, son and two dogs. Janelle is a former health care executive director and is a mediator in Kansas, helping families in conflict. Janelle loves to focus on learning through play and getting messy with crafts.

Kids Art Coasters

DIY Rock Art Ice Cube Paintings

For even more great craft ideas, log onto KCParent.com!

Materials needed:

• Photo • Old photo frame • Glue stick • Old puzzle (we used 22 pieces)

DATES WITH LETTER T

It’s date night time! How about one of these “top notch” ideas?

TASSO’S

Where can you eat amazing Greek food and break a plate after? Tasso’s, of course! What began in 1976 as a gyro sandwich business run out of a tiny bar in Brookside grew into a freestanding building of its own on Wornall Road. Tasso’s is festive and fun, with live music, belly dancing and breaking plates on Fridays and Saturdays. It had been several years since my husband and I had been there, so we set off for a date night recently to enjoy some tasty food. He had the pastitio, which is pasta and ground beef topped with Béchamel sauce. I had the moussaka, which is eggplant and ground beef, also topped with Béchamel. Rice, potatoes, mixed veggies and pita bread rounded out the entrees. Everything was delicious! If you are looking for a fun and different date night, head to Tasso’s. Next time, we will definitely get the saganaki— flaming cheese served with pita bread. Opa!

T-MOBILE CENTER

An outing at the T-Mobile Center is always a great date! My husband and I have attended a number of concerts there, with my two absolute favorites being the Eagles and Garth Brooks. But the T-Mobile Center has many other kinds of events besides music. We have seen motorcycles race around at an Arenacross event and have cheered on the Tigers at an MU basketball game. We have watched big trucks tear up dirt and compete with each other at Monster Jam. And one of my favorite non-music events that we attended was the US Figure Skating Championships. Other events hosted by the T-Mobile Center include professional bull riding, Disney on Ice and comedy tours. If you are looking for a fun date night (or day), you can bet the T-Mobile Center will have something up your alley.

TIKTOK TARGET CHALLENGE

The TikTok Target Challenge, which went viral in 2020, sends couples— or friends—into Target with a list of items to find for each other. On a recent weekday afternoon, we headed to the store, split up and did our shopping. On the challenge list were the following items: their favorite snack, their favorite drink, something in their favorite color, something they need, something you want them to try, something that reminds you of them and something from the Dollar Spot section. We set a budget of $20 or less. The challenge ended up being harder than I thought it would be, and I had to make more than one pass around the store to fulfill all the items. I also forgot to add up my finds as I went and ended up going over budget by more than $10. My husband managed to stay much closer to the limit than I did. All in all, it was a fun date, and we both liked that it was something different.

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.

FOR GREAT DATE NIGHT IDEAS STARTING WITH A-S, HEAD TO KCPARENT.COM!

My rescue dog, KC, from Great Plains SPCA, is a wonderful dog with great manners and personality. However, she has one problem - she whines and cries continuously whenever she rides in the car. She is always excited and eager to get in the vehicle, but as soon as we start the engine she begins to vocalize. And she does not stop. She gets a little better on the way home if we have been somewhere where she has had some exercise, but she still carries on. Any ideas about why she may do this? How can I train her not to do it? Thank you for your help.

– Priscilla Bradley

you can practice some small trips around the neighborhood and stop the car and ignore her every time she whines, then start driving again. Do not do this if its fear related however, as it can cause adverse effects.

– Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

This is a very normal habit for many dogs and I recommend you try to find out why your dog is whining. Sometimes it can be related to fear, excitement, or motion sickness. Sounds like it might be from excitement from what I am reading. Try to redirect her by putting her in sit, stay, down on the back seat or give her treats or a Kong filled with goodies to occupy her time. It is not safe to do this when you are driving, so have someone else drive while you work on this with KC. If it is just you in the car, I have a multi-feline home and one of the cats has a lot of issues with not using the litterbox. He seems to frequently go on the rugs near the litterbox, but not in the litterbox. I am getting tired of cleaning up his messes. Thoughts on why he used the litter box for years then suddenly stopped?

– Violet Hawkins

Stress and medical problems can cause a cat to avoid using the litterbox. Some litters irritate the paws of declawed cats so you may need to use a different kind if your cat is declawed. As you can see there are many reasons for litterbox issues. About 10 percent of cats have issues with litterboxes at some point in their lives so this is not uncommon behavior. Try different things and through trial and error you will find what helps.

– Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

FEATURED FEATURED PET PET

There are many reasons for litterbox issues with cats. Some cats do not like using the litterbox if it is not clean or if they do not have easy access to the box. I recommend having a litter box on every floor in your home and multiple litterboxes if you have multiple cats. The rule of thumb is to have one litterbox for every cat in the household plus one more. Some cats do not like them if they are too small or deep. Some cats do not like the hoods or liners. If this behavior started suddenly, you may want to check with your vet to make sure your cat is feeling well and rule out any medical concerns.

Sophie Sophie

Sophie is a loving and devoted companion searching for her perfect family! She is a four-year-old terrier mix who adores being by her human’s side 24/7. She is an all-star ball player and is always game for snuggles after a good play session. Sophie is a very well-behaved house guest and is very smart! She will do best in a home where she can be your one and only pet so she can soak up all your love herself. As soon as you meet this lovely girl, we know you’ll fall in love!

Email askashley@greatplainsspca.org for a chance to have your pet question answered here in KC Parent magazine.

Animal expert, Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA, is the Director of Animal Behavior & Training at Great Plains SPCA. Ashley has more than 16 years of experience in animal training and behavior.

Great Plains SPCA is an independent 501(c)(3) no-kill shelter serving approximately 4,000 animals annually in the Johnson County community. As Kansas City’s premium family shelter, we continue to support the seven municipalities with which we are contracted including Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Shawnee, Lake Quivira and Johnson County Parks and Recreation and unincorporated Johnson County.

QA DEARTEACHERS &

BY PEGGY GISLER AND MARGE EBERTS

HOOKING CHILDREN ON READING

QUESTION: My children who are currently in second

and fourth grades are just barely reading on grade level. What can I do this summer to help them up their reading level and get them hooked on books? – Need a Plan

ANSWER: Most unmotivated readers don’t associate reading with the word “fun.” They limit their reading to school assignments. Start off by reading to your children every day. Select reading material that will make them laugh. Poems written by Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelusky and Bruce Lansky will definitely tickle their funny bones. You will be able to get other good suggestions from your local librarian or the library’s web page. Once they see that reading can be fun, your children will be readier to tackle some reading on their own.

Begin by having them read material that is fun and that caters to their interests. If you can find books that are slightly below their reading level, they will feel more confident of their reading ability and likely read more. Plus, the more they read, the more their reading will improve.

You can further build your children’s excitement about reading by helping them become active readers. We do not mean they are to run around the room as they read. No, they are to become interactive with the printed page. You can help them learn how to do this by asking them questions about what they think will be happening next in a story when you read to them. Also, have discussions with them about the author’s point of view in what you or they are reading.

Select from the activities below to help your children become even more excited about reading:

1. Have great reading materials spread throughout your home, from magazines to vacation brochures.

2. Be sure each child has his or her personal collection of fiction and nonfiction books.

3. Start an online book club or a neighborhood one if social distancing has been lifted.

4. Have your children take part in the summer reading program at your library if one is available.

5. Give kids a magazine subscription.

6. Let them stay up at night an extra 15 or 30 minutes to read in bed.

In addition to getting them excited about reading, attending a summer school program at elementary schools, colleges and learning centers, if these are available, can usually improve children’s reading skills.

Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher.com or to the Dear Teacher website.

©Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2020

A great way to keep kids reading over the summer is to get involved with your local library’s summer reading program. Visit KCParent.com for a list of summer reading programs all over the KC metro.

Bear Outside

Written by distinguished author Jane Yolen and illustrated by awardwinning illustrator Jen Corace

“Some folks have a lion inside, or a tiger. Not me. I wear my bear on the outside. It’s like wearing a suit of armor,” begins the narrator of Bear Outside.

The narrator of our story is a plucky little girl. With the help of her bear.

They go everywhere and do everything together … They saunter past bullies, they go to school and raise their hand in class and they ride their bike all the way to the stop sign. And while they might not agree on everything (like what’s the best paint color), there is one thing they wholeheartedly agree on: “I take care of Bear, and Bear takes care of me.”

A beautiful look into the relationship people have with their inner strength and a wonderful conversation starter about confidence and self-assurance. I Want to Ride the Tap Tap

By Danielle Joseph, illustrated by Olivier Ganthier

Claude and his mother walk Claude’s father to the tap tap stop on Monday so he can ride the tap tap to work. They meet a lady selling mangoes. She is also boarding the tap tap.

The next day the family walks to the tap tap, they meet a fisherman. Each day Claude wants to ride the tap tap, but each day he has school to attend and chores to do.

Claude is surprised when the end of the week arrives and the whole family boards the tap tap to go to the beach!

This vibrantly illustrated look into the life of a Black Haitian family will have children wanting to ride the tap tap themselves! Tap taps are brightly decorated vehicles that are privately owned. No two tap taps are alike! Dozens of Doughnuts

Picture book debut by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Brianne Farley

“Early one morning, as autumn leaves scatter, LouAnn’s busy (a big, black bear) stirring a big bowl of batter. She’ll eat some sweet treats, then, warm and well-fed, she’ll sleep away winter, tucked tight in her bed.”

At least that’s what LouAnn thinks is going to happen! As she pulls a pan of fresh, hot doughnuts from the oven, her doorbell rings. It’s her friend Woodrow, who is hungry.

Of course, LouAnn is willing to share her doughnuts, but when they are about to eat … the doorbell rings again. Another friend! This time it’s Clyde.

And so it continues. LouAnn’s generous nature wins out until her doughnut batter is all gone, and there are no doughnuts left for her! Finally, her friends come to her rescue in this cute book about friendship and sharing.

Sandy Foster lives in Grain Valley and is a Bookstagrammer (@picturebookapotamus), freelance writer and mother of two. You can find children’s book reviews and resources at HappyBeingMom.com.

Strip Lights

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

Both of my girls recently painted and redecorated their rooms, and they both wanted strands of lights to run across the top of their walls. I wasn’t sure how this was going to work, but we ordered the lights, they arrived, and now I understood how it works. You just peel and hang—so simple and fun! (Note: the sticky stuff is super strong and pulls paint off, so hang in the right place the first time.) The lights, controlled by a remote, have all sorts of colors and settings. Our hallway does look a little like a rave when both girls have the lights on at night, but they’re a fun way for them to personalize their living space! Amazon.com

A friend on Facebook shared a post about what fun her family had playing Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, so I got on Amazon, ordered and scheduled a family game night. It’s a card game with only a few rules, but it brought lots of laughs. The funniest part was the fact that my older couldn’t get the hang of it and was getting very flummoxed. The more confused she got, the more I laughed. We played again with cousins of all ages, and everyone enjoyed! Be prepared for some sore hands from slapping cards, but also be prepared to have lots of fun!

5THINGS WE LOVE RIGHT NOW

Hubert’s Lemonade

Compiled by Margaret Sarver

Flavored Milk

We’ve been fans of the Shatto flavored milks for quite some time in the Sarver home. A grocery store by us recently started selling 12 oz. bottles of their flavored milks, a perfect size for our family because we often have trouble finishing off the larger containers. The coffee-flavored milk in this size is now one of our go-to’s. We heat up a small amount, froth it and then pour coffee into—a delightfully decadent way to enjoy a morning cup of joe. Side note: The glass bottles are the perfect size for small vase. One of these days I’m going to paint one! ShattoMilk.com In our home, we indulge in several treats that are strictly seasonal. For example, I’ll only make pumpkin bread in the fall and I have an egg casserole that is reserved for Christmas morning. A summer fave and a staple is Hubert’s Lemonade. Even though it’s available yearround, it’s in our fridge all summer long and is the perfect drink to sip on a hot summer day. Available at retail stores all over; watch for when it’s on sale at Sprouts!

Taste Box

For many years, my dream job was to be a food critic. However, I don’t like seafood so I figured that might hamper my aspirations. I recently discovered Kansas City Taste Box and it’s like I can be a food critic in my own home! Each month they offer a tasting box with treats from six local establishments. You and your family try and rate each item, send in your scores and then see the results. It was such a fun and yummy event, even my teen (who doesn’t especially look forward to things with Mom and Dad) got involved! Kansas-City-Taste-Box.square.site

what dads are for

The image caught my eye, but not because it was an unusual photograph of a baby elephant as it frolicked on its mother in a rare moment of semi-recumbence on a hillside. Instead, I related to the moment because I did this when my kids were little.

I first noticed after my oldest started walking. All I had to do was lie on the floor, and the kids knew. I have no idea how, but the second my sorry corpus hit the carpet, they stopped whatever they were doing and ran as fast as their little legs would take them to where I lay, then flopped on me, again and again.

Sometimes, they crawled on me before they got up, but all five of my kids loved standing with their legs touching some part of my body, before they toppled over on me. I didn’t mind. I did this many times, partly to observe the phenomenon but, mostly, because I enjoyed it, too.

I remember the sadness when my youngest child stopped this game. Of course, it’s both inevitable and natural that they outgrow a part of their childhood, even if they’re still children when they do. Tricycles become bikes, then 10-speeds— then cars carry them about.

Parents lose importance as our children grow to prefer time with their friends, then become embarrassed by our presence before developing romance after romance until they find the one that will last the rest of their days.

If we’re lucky, we’ll witness the time they don’t look back as they walk out of our lives. Years later, but always when we least expect it, we’ll see an image that brings back the times when their legs were so little, but big enough to carry them from their pursuits, just to flop on Dad.

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Is your child struggling with their mental health?

It can be difficult for children to understand and explain what they’re feeling so it’s important for parents and caregivers to watch for any changes in a child’s behavior.

If you’re concerned about your child, complete a free mental health assessment with them at:

www.kvchospitals.org/assess

MEET THE EXPERTS

We have a wide range of experts on hand to answer your questions on everything from dental visits and playdates to dance lessons, lawns and so much more! If you have a question that needs answering, get in touch.

Dr. Jeremy Fry

FRY ORTHODONTICS At Fry Orthodontics, we have been providing superior service to patients of all ages for more than 40 years while helping them achieve a healthy and beautiful smile. 913.469.9191, FryOrthodontics.com

Megan Maciel

KVC KANSAS KVC Kansas provides heart-centered services to children and families through in-home family support, foster care, adoption, behavioral health care and children’s psychiatric hospitals. 913.499.8100, Kansas.kvc.org

Rebecca Tusken, MD, FAAP

ADVENTHEALTH AdventHealth Shawnee Mission’s pediatricians and primary care providers offer compassionate, expert care for children of all ages. Find a provider at AdventHealthKC.com.

Brad Winfrey, RN, BSN

CHILDREN’S MERCY Children’s Mercy is one of the nation’s top pediatric medical centers. With hospitals and specialty clinics in Missouri and Kansas, we provide the highest level of care for children. 816.234.3000, ChildrensMercy.org

ASK THE EXPERTS...If you have a question, send it our way and we’ll ask one of our experts to answer. Email editor@kcparent.com and put “Ask the Experts” in the subject line. As always, please consult your health care provider with any medical questions or concerns.

Q

How can I help my child deal with discomfort from braces?

One of the biggest concerns of patients and parents is about the potential pain from braces. The pain from braces is a lot like a bruise on your arm: It only hurts when you touch it. When patients are chewing food, it is similar to touching a bruise and is uncomfortable. The good news is that the pain is not a continual, throbbing pain. Most patients spend most of the day with their teeth apart and are not in pain. Pain can be best managed with over-the-counter pain medicine like Tylenol or Advil. Chewing sugar-free gum is also a good pain management technique, as the gum will dissipate the pain quicker after appointments. Dr. Jeremy Fry

Fry Orthodontics

Q

How can I make sure my child is getting enough physical activity?

First, you should know how much exercise your child needs. Infants should spend at least 30 minutes doing tummy time daily. Toddlers and preschoolers should spend three hours of their day active, while older children need 60+ minutes daily. Starting in elementary school, three days of the week should include muscle/ bone strengthening as well. Exercise shouldn’t feel like a chore – make it a fun family event. For younger kids, a walk, bike ride or outside play are forms of exercise. With older kids, finding an activity that they enjoy and that facilitates socialization while keeping them moving is the key. Variety is also important, especially for middle schoolers – try multiple sports. Rebecca Tusken

Johnson County Pediatrics AdventHealth

Q

How do I know my home meets the licensing requirements to provide foster care?

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, we encourage you to reach out to a recruitment specialist to discuss options. During this process we will evaluate and discuss your home, how many children you are interested in fostering, and what state requirements need to be met. We can also assist with school and daycare enrollment, community resources for counseling, and where to access medical care for a foster child in your home. Megan Maciel

Director of Recruitment and Communication KVC Kansas

Q

With summer approaching, what are some water safety tips to keep in mind?

Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 years, and children are more likely to drown at home. Drowning is also a top cause of death among teenagers. Some tips to help prevent drownings: • Teach kids to swim. Most children are ready by 4 years. • Watch the water. Active supervision is required for all children in pools and other bodies of water. Develop a “water watcher” system where adults take turns making sure at least one adult is watching and is within arm’s length of children. • Wear life jackets. • Fence with locking gate. • Cover the pool. • Get CPR certified! • Install door alarms.

Brad Winfrey

Manager, Center for Childhood Safety Children’s Mercy

celebrate

DAD’S DAY!

Father’s Day is just around the corner ... can you believe it? If you don’t already have the holiday on your radar, no worries! It will be our little secret, and KC Parent is here to help you with plenty of ideas to celebrate the dads, grandpas, uncles or other important male figures in your life. Read on to find a fun new idea for 2021!

No matter what the dad in your life is into, I’m sure anything you do will be well received because it is from the heart!

Does your dad have a little competitive side to him? Host a family game night with games you already have. You might even consider purchasing a new one. There are endless possibilities with card and board games and outdoor games— or let your kids make up a game.

Auto Dad

If your dad is a car lover, visit the KC Auto Museum in Olathe or KC Classic Auto in Lenexa. Be sure to check their websites for current hours and pricing. You also can book an exotic driving experience at the Kansas Speedway at TheXtremeXperience.com. Other amazing driving experiences, including ones through our very own Kansas City, are available through KCExotic.com.

Handy Dad

You might find this dad always tinkering, building or fixing. Why not buy him a special tool he has been wanting or a fun “handy dad” sign for the garage? Check out Lowe’s for one of their Build and Grow kits Dad and the kids can do together or snag a similar kit from Home Depot the first Saturday of the month and save it for Father’s Day!

Sporty Dad

Grab a couple tickets to the Royals’ 1:10 home game on Father’s Day, or let dad pick his favorite sports bar to watch the game with a few friends. You also could peruse Kansas Sampler for his favorite local team gear (boy, do they have a ton!) or see what Amazon offers for non-local team fans, like my husband, who roots for Manchester City soccer.

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