New Products & Supplies

By Elena Epstein, Director of the National Parenting Product Awards

Discovery Picture Book Series

These bright board books are full of noisy fun perfect for toddlers to learn as they press buttons and engage with colorful photos and simple descriptive text. Series includes titles such as Rumble with the Dinosaurs, Roar at the Zoo, Oink on the Farm, Hammer at the Construction Site and many more. $12.99/each, ages 3-5, SilverDolphinBooks.com

Early Math101 To Go – Geometry & Problem Solving – Level 2

Contains everything you need to create a fun and hands-on experience for your child to learn problem-solving skills and logical thinking through play. In addition to activity booklet and cards, the set comes with tactile math items including pattern blocks, small pegs and lacing beads. $39.99, ages 4+, EdxEducation.com

Magna-Tiles: Animal Series

These unique animals are ready for your child’s next adventure in creativity and learning. Match animals to their footprints and build new and exciting environments. Compatible with all Magna-Tiles sets, featuring new characters, colors and patterns. Series includes Arctic Animals, Jungle Animals and Safari Animals. $39.99/each, ages 3+, MagnaTiles.com

That’s My Piano, Sir

Travel through time with a charming little mouse who loves cheese and music as he learns more about Mozart. In addition to an illustrated story and introductory notes on the composer, this album features recordings of the narrated story and the performance of the composition “A Little Night Music.” $16.95, ages 5-8, TheSecretMountain.com

Ultimate Back-to-School Combo

Includes all the durable, waterproof labels needed to keep your kids’ things out of the lost and found. Waterproof, dishwasher safe, microwave safe and laundry safe. $41.50, ages 3+, MabelsLabels.ca/en_CA/ultimate-back-to-school-combo.html

Sago Mini School

A learning platform designed to build early reading, math, sciences and problem-solving through holistic, child-led activities. Monthly subscription will provide access to new activities. $7.99/per month, ages 2-5, SagoMini.com/school/

Math Wizard and the Magical Workshop

An addition and subtraction adventure. Brew potions with dragon claws and magic sparkles to master place value on a magical quest. Then, add and subtract balloons to help dragons fly. Part of the Osmo Math Series for first and second grade math curriculum learning. $59/each, ages 6-8, PlayOsmo.com

last hurrah

BEFORE THE FIRST BELL RINGS

Best Back-to-School Photos … When I Grow Up

Create an album for your child capturing not just the smiles of baby teeth, missing teeth, braces and grown-up pearly whites … capture who they are! Take a photo of your child against a backdrop with the child on the far right of the backdrop (a sheet or solid wall is ideal). Then, using your favorite photo editing software, add text to the left of the image answering basic questions about your child: name, age, favorite color, favorite hobby, what he wants to be when he grows up, favorite pet, nickname, favorite school subject, etc. Do this again next year, and the next … watch every year as your child’s dreams change from growing up to become a fire fighter to a veterinarian, a doctor to a ballerina, a movie star to an astronaut.

Back-to-School Shopping & Lunch … Just You & Me Moms often find the task of school shopping to be a daunting chore, but it can be a great chance for one-on-one time with your child. Schedule dates with each child individually and go to lunch, buy that special outfit, get a new haircut and do something fun. Start the conversation now and keep it going all school year long with ongoing ice cream dates. To make the outing extra memorable, select a special restaurant for lunch—the perfect place for a treat! Some ideas for special occasions: Legends Outlets (LegendsShopping.com). Get everything you need for heading back to school in one stop at Legends Outlets. With over 100 stores, you’ll find supplies, clothes, shoes and more. And, with 20+ restaurants to choose from, you can make a day of it. Smitty’s Garage (EatAtTheGarage.com). Smitty’s isn’t your typical burger joint. They offer everything from bison to turkey to angus beef burgers and vegan patties. And their fries? The house cut fries served with a variety of dipping sauces and homemade chips are favorites. Kids will love finishing off their meal with a Bomb Pop! Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant (913.375.1000). This casual restaurant is one your children will not forget! Model trains travel around the perimeter of the restaurant and deliver burgers and fries to your table.

Before the First Day for Elementary

What does your child enjoy most in this world—and can you make it come true? You will find many great theme ideas on KCParent.com, but a few of our favorites are especially fun in August!

For many parents, back to school is a time to reminisce about their own childhoods. One of our favorite attractions in Kansas City for sharing childhood memories is the National Museum of Toys & Miniatures (ToyAndMiniatureMuseum.org). Remember Raggedy Ann? Electric trains? Your first Barbie? Playing marbles? The magic of childhood comes to life as children and adults explore more than 30 rooms of toys and treasures.

Cosmosphere (Cosmo.org) is an out-of-this world museum inspiring future astronauts, pilots and those with an interest in outer space. Boasting exhibits, planetarium showings, science demonstrations and attractions, Cosmosphere is an all-day or multiple-day attraction. The museum is home to the largest combined collection of U.S. and Russian space artifacts in the world. The exhibits take visitors through the history of the Cold War and up through the modern era and include both the history and science of the space program. Sputnik I and II, space suits, rockets, a moon rock and more than 100 artifacts tell the story of the astronauts’ experience, how movies have been made and the history of the American space program. Visitors may even experience what it is like to fly on the naviGATOR Simulator. In addition to spacecraft and exhibits, the museum offers several shows. This interactive museum tells the story of space in a way that is captivating and inspiring.

Before the First Day for Tweens & Teens

Make the most of your time with your children … teens and tweens often spend more time with peers than parents, but keeping communication open is important, and having fun together is the best way to do just that!

Learn to wakeboard at KC Watersports! KC Watersports (KCWatersprots.com) is the best wakeboarding destination in the Midwest. For beginners, they offer lessons to perfect new skills. For experts, the challenging set of rails, ramps and sliders tops those anywhere else in the United States. For the family, they have a beach— with shade—where you can relax and watch the kids ride, and the “Snack Shack” keeps everyone fueled throughout the day. The Pro Shop is well stocked with the best gear in the industry, and rental equipment is also available. This is a terrific way to enjoy some fun in the sun!

Head to Chicken N Pickle (ChickenNPickle.com). This is a great community hangout. Enjoy casual dining, pickleball courts, yard games and a super chill environment for a night out. They offer indoor and outdoor courts, so you can enjoy the fun atmosphere in any weather.

Finish summer with a night at the ballgame! Go cheer on the KC Monarchs (MonarchsBaseball.com). The Monarchs brand hasn’t had a home field since 1965, but the team is rebranding in a partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to celebrate part of Kansas City’s rich baseball history. Enjoy the casual, fun atmosphere at Legends Field where they offer many special events throughout the season.

Still need ideas? Brainstorm together. What has been on your bucket list all summer? Visit KCParent.com and click “Going Places” to find a ton of searchable ideas for fun. Axe throwing, laser tag, escape rooms, museums, waterparks, pools, indoor ice-skating, roller-skating, bowling, arts and crafts attractions and more are just waiting to be discovered. Pursue your favorite hobby or interest together and support local businesses on your next adventure. Then, consider adding a monthly parent/ child night out to the calendar during the school year!

Guide

Kristina Light still remembers enjoying sopapillas at Annie’s Santa Fe with her grandmother on their back-to-school shopping dates when she was growing up.

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