CAPTURE THE LAST MOMENTS OF SUMMER Beautiful

Summer has a way of slipping through our fingers quickly. Before your kids head back to school and summer slips away, enjoy a bit of rest, relaxation and bonding with your family at some of the prettiest and most peaceful places around.

Waterways…

Something’s truly serene and peaceful about spending an afternoon on the water. For a truly peaceful experience, enjoy an afternoon canoeing or paddle boating at a local lake. You can rent canoes, paddle boats (and bicycles) at Legacy Park’s 22-acre lake in Lee’s Summit. Simply call 816.969.1550 for reservations. Or head to Lake Olathe where you can enjoy the swim beach, fishing dock and stand-up board rentals. Stroll around the lake and savor time outside.

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade…

Remember the Country Time Lemonade commercials that used to air showing children and grandparents sipping lemonade on the back porch? Does anything say summer better than a glass of ice-cold, freshly squeezed lemonade? We love to buy homemade lemonade at local fairs, including the Missouri State Fair (Aug. 1020). Locally, Unforked (multiple locations) makes a delicious lavender lemonade.

Go for a Picnic Near a Waterfall…

Many beautiful parks in the area offer pleasant spots to picnic, but for a scenic afternoon enjoying natural beauty, pack a lunch to enjoy al fresco near a local waterfall.

• Waterfall Park in Merriam The 15acre park features an access point to the Turkey Creek Streamway Trail, a scenic walking path, and practice fields.

• Waterfall Park in Independence The 18-acre park, near Bass Pro Shops in Independence, is nestled in a wooded area overlooking a lake and waterfalls. It features a fantastic playground, small rock wall, small lake, walking trails, picnic tables, restrooms and the scenic backdrop of a waterfall. Playing at Waterfall Park is an escape to the woods right in the midst of the city.

• Waterfall at Watkins Mill State Park

You may see the seasonal waterfall from an accessible scenic overlook deck, approximately 2,000 feet north of the swim beach. Be sure to tour the historic site that features an elegant home and a three-story woolen mill. The structures have been preserved to give visitors a sense of life in the 1870s.

• Cedar Creek at Lake Olathe An overflow dam on Cedar Creek just above Lake Olathe, the waterfall flows yearround, but, like most waterfalls, is prettiest after heavy rain. Fishing, boating, hiking and playgrounds are available for fun.

• Waterfall at Ernie Miller Nature Center The nature center is home to a small stream and waterfall, which you may view from the Wildlife Viewing Room or the trails.

• Waterfall at Parkville Nature Sanctuary The hiking trails are beautiful and scenic with waterfalls, a stream, wildlife and serenity—just 15 minutes from the city!

Back-to-School Shopping…

I have fond memories of back-to-school shopping with my grandmother. We’d shop at Bannister Mall (back when everyone in KC shopped at Bannister Mall) and have lunch at Annie’s Santa Fe. Make a tradition of taking your child out for a day of shopping to select a special first-day-ofschool outfit and enjoy lunch. Our favorite local shopping centers include Legends Outlets in Kansas City, Kansas, and Zona Rosa in the Northland.

Go Fishing…

I grew up fishing for crappie with my grandfather at the lake. Whether you fish from the dock (especially serene) at a local marina, or the shore at a local lake or rent a boat to reach the hot spots, a day fishing is one of the best ways to make summertime memories as a family. Remember that adults need a current fishing license from the state conservation department.

Great Fishing Spots in Missouri and Kansas:

• Kill Creek Park (Olathe)

• Shawnee Mission Park (Lenexa)

• Antioch Park (Merriam)

• Heritage Park (Olathe)

• Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead (Overland Park)

• Englewood Lake (Kansas City North, MO)

• Lake of the Woods in Swope Park (Kansas City, MO)

• Blue Springs Lake (Lee’s Summit)

• Lake Jacomo (Blue Springs)

• Longview Lake (Kansas City, MO)

• Smithville Lake Trail: This 4-mile (and growing) off-road trail is great for mountain bikers. Why we love it: Smithville Lake offers a scenic view for the rider to get out and enjoy nature.

• Mill Creek Streamway Park: One of the nicest paved trails in Johnson County, this 10-plus-mile byway runs along the creek from the Kaw River, south through Shawnee Mission Park, to 119th Street in Olathe. Why we love it: This popular trail offers a variety of scenery along the way.

• Shawnee Mission Park: The park offers mountain bike trails connecting to Mill Creek Streamway Park trails. Why we love it: Lake, woods and shelters make this a great choice for nature lovers.

Make a Scrapbook…

Go for a Family Bike Ride…

Biking is great family exercise, and you can find local trails at KCBike.info/KCTrails. Our favorite local trails include:

• Trolley Trail: This 6-mile paved trail connects the Country Club Plaza, Brookside and Waldo in southern Kansas City, MO. Why we love it: This is a great urban ride with many super lunch stops and shops along the way.

• Swope Trails: Built for mountain bike enthusiasts, the 13.5 miles of trails wind through the woods at Swope Park. Local volunteers and the KC Parks system continue to improve these trails for athletes. Why we love it: These trails are designed with adventure in mind. From beautiful limestone bluffs to wooded paths, the trails offer nature in the heart of the city.

Create albums for your children to capture not just the smiles of baby teeth, missing teeth, braces and grown-up pearly whites but to 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 she wants to be when she grows up, favorite pet, nickname, favorite school subject, etc. Repeat the photo annually. Watch every year as your child’s dreams change from growing up to be a firefighter or veterinarian to a ballerina or movie star.

Kristina Light’s family loves canoeing and they always remember to start planning their fall family canoe trip before summer ends!

1 Tuesday

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

Time Travelers 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Step back in time to the 1920s with family activities in this living history program. ShawneeTown.org

Summer Kid Series Thru Aug. 10, 10:00 and 12:30, Miller Theatres (Blue Springs). See a family movie for only $2.50/ticket. Combos also available. MillerTheatres.com

Summer of Sharks Thru August, Sea Life Kansas City. Participate in shark-themed activities and hear brand-new shark talks from our experts. VisitSeaLife.com

50 Nights of Fire Thru Aug. 12, Worlds of Fun. An ending to the day featuring some of the greatest moments of Worlds of Fun’s dedication to adventure and fun. WorldsOfFun.com

Johnson County Fair Thru Aug. 5, Johnson County Fairgrounds. Celebrate all of the best in Johnson County. Carnival, nightly arena events and more! JoCoKansasFair.com

Monarchs Baseball 7:00, Legends Field. Cheer for the Monarchs as they take on the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Home stand thru Aug. 6. MonarchsBaseball.com

Movies in the Park 8:00, Shawnee Theatre in the Park. Come out to see a movie in the park. Tonight’s movie: Trolls World Tour TheatreInThePark.org

2 Wednesday

Festival of Butterflies 9:00, Powell Gardens. Spend a day outdoors exploring tropical and native butterflies alongside botanic displays. PowellGardens.org

Summer Movie Clubhouse 9:30, Cinemark Merriam. Bring the kids and enjoy exciting bigscreen entertainment for just $1.50 per ticket. Cinemark.com

Giggle Time Children’s Program 10:00, Roe Park. Gather your little ones for some giggling and wiggling and a fun-filled time with Funky Mama. OPKansas.org

Doctor Dolittle Thru Aug. 6, 11:00 and 1:00, the Coterie. See this new youth and family audience version of a country physician who can talk to animals. TheCoterie.org

Squishmallow II 4:30, Ceramic Café. Come paint a pet pal plate of your all-time favorite or a new one. Enjoy some pizza after painting. Prereg at CeramicCafeKC.com.

Parker Quartet 7:00, Polsky Theatre. Experience the exceptional musicianship of the Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet. Tickets at JCCC.edu/Midwest-Trust-Center.

Footloose Thru Aug. 5, 8:30, Shawnee Theatre in the Park. Footloose brings the rockin’ rhythm of its score along with dynamic new songs to the stage. TheatreInThePark.org

3 Thursday

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

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

Innovation Festival Thru Saturday, Crown Center. A day of music and innovation, featuring scientific conferences and a day of music and innovation. TheInnovationFestival.com

Missouri State Fair

Aug. 10-20, Sedalia. The 400-acre fairground in Sedalia features livestock shows, competitive exhibits, carnival rides and more! MoStateFair.com

Ice Cream Social 5:30, Shawnee Town 1929. Celebrate the end of summer in 1920s style ... with a ukulele band and ice cream! ShawneeTown.org

Live Music 6:00, Red Bridge Shopping Center. Grab some friends and a spot on one of our patios, and enjoy live music from Nick Nave. RedBridgeShoppingCenter.com

4 Friday

Tax-Free Weekend Thru Sunday, various locations. Take advantage of Missouri’s tax-free weekend and shop for back-to-school deals.

Kitties & Canvas 10:00, Great Plains SPCA. Kids ages 6 to 11 unleash their creativity with paintbrushes and adorable kittens as their muses. Pre-reg at GreatPlainsSPCA.org.

Painting for Beginners 10:00, AlbrechtKemper Museum of Art. Learn basic painting techniques in oil and acrylic paint. Ages 12+. Pre-reg at Albrecht-Kemper.org.

Friday Family Special 11:00, Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter. Summer is here, and Kanga’s has a sizzling special for families every Friday! Independence. KangasPlaycenter.com

Fridays in the Park 11:30, Macken Park (North KC). Enjoy a Friday summer afternoon in the park listening to local musicians. NKC.org

Matilda the Musical Today and tomorrow, the Kauffman Center. The Culture House Summer Broadway Series presents Matilda the Musical Tickets at TheCultureHouse.com.

Fresh Fridays 5:00, City Market. Sip and shop while enjoying music, food and fun each month. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome. TheCityMarketKC.org

Summer Concerts in the Park 6:30, Central Park (Zona Rosa). Bring a chair, blanket and friends and enjoy free concerts on Fridays. ZonaRosa.com

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

Summer Concert Series 7:00, Ward Parkway Center. Join for a free outdoor concert with genres from jazz and classic rock to Irish and indie. WardParkwayCenter.com

Friday Flicks and Food Trucks 7:30, Hidden Valley Sports Complex. Enjoy a special night under the stars! Food and beverage vendors available. BlueSpringsGov.com

Cinderella 8:00, Gladstone Amphitheatre. Director Dani Trebus and assistant director David Norris bring the classic Cinderella to the stage. GladstoneTIP.com

The Phil Collins Experience 7:00, Legacy Park Amphitheater. Terry Adams Jr. recreates Phil Collins performance of all the greatest tunes. CityOfLS.net

Sand Cinema 9:00, Longview Lake Beach. Load the kids into the car to watch Lightyear on the giant inflatable screen! MakeYourDayHere.com

5 Saturday

Run for the Raptors 7:30, Lakeside Nature Center. Largest annual fundraiser benefiting Lakeside Nature Center! Pre-reg at RunSignUp.com.

A 19th-Century Picnic 9:00, Missouri Town Living History Museum. Pack your blanket and picnic lunch. Enjoy period activities and lawn games. MakeYourDayHere.com

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

Mother Nature Reads 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Little ones enjoy a nature-themed story time. LakesideNatureCenter.org/events

Little Acorns 10:00, Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center. Join volunteer naturalists for a fantastic journey through magical places as they read books. Pre-reg at 816.759.7300.

Innovation Festival 11:00, Crown Center. A day of music and innovation, featuring scientific conferences and a day of music and innovation. TheInnovationFestival.com

K-State Nite 6:00, Legends Field. Join Willie, wear purple and do the Wabash! Fireworks too! MonarchsBaseball.com

Heart of America Hot Dog Festival 3:00, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. This festival celebrates the historical connection between baseball and hot dogs. NLBM.com

Parkville Cruise Nights 4:00, Downtown Parkville. Hang out with friends, listen to music, check out all the cars and explore Downtown Parkville. ParkvilleMO.org

Movie Night on the Lawn 6:00, Legends Outlets. Watch timeless classics and Hollywood blockbusters on the big screen on Saturdays through October. LegendsShopping.com

Summer Concert Series 7:00, Ward Parkway Center. Join for a free outdoor concert with genres from jazz and classic rock to Irish and indie. WardParkwayCenter.com

Footloose 7:30, Shawnee Theatre in the Park. Final night! Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart. TheatreInThePark.org

6 Sunday

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

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

Art Garden KC 11:00, Berkely Riverfront Park. Weekly art fair with more than 60 vendors, food trucks, live music, kids activities and more! ArtGardenKC.org

Free Weekend Fun 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Design and create a folded screen with your favorite things from each of the four seasons. Nelson-Atkins.org

Tiny Tot Tri

Aug. 19, Little Mill Creek North Park. Kids ages 3 to 9 years will bike, get wet, run and slide their way to the finish line! Register in advance. Lenexa.com

Summer Concerts 6:00, Rotary Park. Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors with free, live musical entertainment. BlueSpringsGov.com

Grand Carnivale Thru Aug. 6, Worlds of Fun. Celebrate the sights, sounds, smells and tastes from cultures around the world. WorldsOfFun.com

7 Monday

Jumperoo 8:00, Urban Air (Overland Park). A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

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

Muddy Mondays 10:30, Ceramic Café. Our clay expert will guide you through the process of making a clay creation on the wheel. Pre-reg at 913.383.0222.

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

Jazz at the Garrison 6:00, Corbin Theatre. Enjoy a night of relaxing jazz performed by local musicians on the first Monday of every month. CorbinTheatre.org

8 Tuesday

Pay For Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists. Plan a playdate for your children and their friends at our amazing outdoor showroom.

Nerf Night 6:30, Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter and Café. We provide everything your kids need for thrilling (and safe) Nerf games. Pre-reg at Independence.KangasPlayCenter.com.

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

Now Open

WWI has left enduring legacies on the world. One such legacy is the design and craft of artificial limbs, facial prosthetics and technology for those with limb loss or limb difference. Bespoke Bodies: The Design & Craft of Prosthetics explores the language, history and modern conceptions of prosthetic devices through the ages and through the stories of designers, medical professionals and users.

9 Wednesday

Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. Your little one can let out some energy while having fun meeting others. Lenexa.com

Mom & Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. For just $3.25 per person, you get a game, shoe rental and drink on Mondays and Wednesdays. SummitLanes.com

Summer Movie Clubhouse 9:30, Cinemark Merriam. Bring the kids and enjoy exciting bigscreen entertainment for just $1.50 per ticket. Cinemark.com

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

10 Thursday

Missouri State Fair Thru Aug. 20, Sedalia. The 400-acre fairground in Sedalia features livestock shows, competitive exhibits, carnival rides and more! MoStateFair.com

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

Camp Weston Wine Flights Noon, Weston Wine Company. Date idea! Indulge in a camp-themed wine flight. Pre-reg at WestonWineCompany.com.

Concert in the Park 7:30, Thompson Park (Downtown Overland Park). Enjoy Kansas City-based trio the Stolen Winnebagos! Free summer concert series. OPKansas.org

11 Friday

Fortopia 9:00, Powell Gardens. Enjoy a playful exhibition composed of awe-inspiring forts that invites explorers of all ages to discover the gardens! PowellGardens.org

Play and Learn 10:00, MCPL (Red Bridge). Enjoy a special preschool playtime designed to stimulate young minds and strengthen early literacy skills. MyMCPL.org

Summer Concerts on the Lawn 7:00, Kansas City Museum. Bring a blanket and picnic and enjoy a concert on the lawn! Tickets at KansasCityMuseum.org

Summer Concert Series 7:00, Ward Parkway Center. Join for a free outdoor concert with genres from jazz and classic rock to Irish and indie. WardParkwayCenter.com

Friday Night Sound Bites 7:00, Lenexa Public Market. Enjoy live music and rotating local food trucks on the patio every Friday night. LenexaPublicMarket.com

Sounds on the Square 7:00, Linden Square. Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and join for a night of music under the stars. LindenSquare.info

Movies in the Park 8:00, Shawnee Theatre in the Park. Come out to see a movie in the park. Tonight’s movie: The Goonies TheatreInThePark.org

12 Saturday

Junque n’ Donuts 8:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. Miami County’s best outdoor flea market and craft sale. Grab some lunch and enjoy yard games. LouisburgCiderMill.com

Miniature Railroad Rides, 10:00, KC Northern Railroad. Ride the best railroad in KC—where the fun never stops! KCNRR.com

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

Second Saturday 9:00, Powell Gardens. Take advantage of extended hours. Each season brings more to explore! PowellGardens.org

Story Time in the Barn 10:00, Alexander Majors Home. Read a story and complete themed activities. We highlight a different book each month. Reservations required. WornallMajors.org

1880 Historical Event 10:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Reenactors will bring the village to life with demonstrations. ShoalCreekLivingHistoryMuseum.com

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

Dogs Days of Summer 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Enjoy dog-friendly vendors, splash pools, music, contests, prizes and more! ShawneeTown.org

Free Morning Program 10:00, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org

Free Weekend Fun 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Design and create a folded screen with your favorite things from each of the four seasons. Nelson-Atkins.org

Music on Main, 1:00, Downtown Parkville. Enjoy live music on Main Street in Pocket Park. ParkvilleMo.org

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

Movie Night on the Lawn 6:00, Legends Outlets. Watch timeless classics and Hollywood blockbusters on the big screen on Saturdays through October. LegendsShopping.com

Raytown Live 7:00, Town Center Greenspace. Bring blankets or lawn chairs and join folks from all over to kick back and enjoy the tunes. Raytown.live

13 Sunday

Second Sundays 10:00, Lexington, Mo. Enjoy first-class fun with the farmers market, trolley tours, historic attractions and sites and more! VisitLexingtonMo.com

Brunch and Bingo 10:30, Chicken N Pickle North KC and Chicken N Pickle Overland Park. Free to play! Listen to your favorite music and win great prizes! ChickenNPickle.com

Art Garden KC 11:00, Berkley Riverfront Park. Weekly art fair with more than 60 vendors, food trucks, live music, kids activities and more! ArtGardenKC.org

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

Summer Concerts 6:00, Rotary Park. Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors with free, live musical entertainment. BlueSpringsGov.com

14 Monday

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

Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. Your little one can let out some energy while having fun meeting others. Lenexa.com

Story Time in the Park 10:00, 55 N. Poe St. (Claycomo). Join story time staff at an area park for stories, music and activities! MyMCPL.org

Mom & Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. For just $3.25 per person, you get a game, shoe rental and drink on Mondays and Wednesdays. SummitLanes.com

15 Tuesday

Summer of Sharks Thru August, Sea Life Kansas City. Participate in shark-themed activities and hear brand-new shark talks from our experts. VisitSeaLife.com

Preschool Indoor Playground

Community Center. Too hot to play in the park? Ride, slide and play inside! Parents supervise children. Merriam.org/park

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

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

Monarchs Baseball 7:00, Legends Field. Cheer for the Monarchs. Great family fun! Home stand thru Aug. 21. MonarchsBaseball.com

16 Wednesday

Jumperoo 8:00, Urban Air (Lenexa). A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com