KC Parent Magazine September 2017

FREE | September 2017 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

OUR

arts AND enrichment ISSUE

EXTRA FUN

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

BUSHELS OF

FALL FUN!

+ GO GLAMPING

what makes grandparents

GRAND

e m o C r u O Join ily!

Fam THEATRE!

2017 WINNER

FALL 2017

family faves

wActing: Levels 1-4 wMusical Theatre Dance (jazz, tap, ballet) wAudition Fundamentals wBroadway Musical Theatre wStand Up Comedy wBoys Dance & Conditioning wImprovisational Theatre wLeading Characters wStorybook Theatre: Winnie the Pooh wPrivate Acting Lessons

Ages 4-20

DANCE!

Ages 3-Adult ALL DANCE CLASSES PERFORM IN OUR JUNE DANCE PRODUCTION OF THE LITTLE MERMAID!

wBallet: Pre-Ballet, Adults, Pointe and Levels 1-6 wBoys Only wModern: Adult and Levels 1-3 wJazz: Levels 1-4 wCreative Movement wBallet Tap Combo wTap: Levels 1-3 and Teens/Adults wHip Hop or Break Dancing: Levels 1-3 wMusical Theatre Dance (jazz, tap, ballet)

ART AND MUSIC!

wDrawing wPainting wFundamentals in Art wHomeschool Art

Ages 4-Adult

wPrivate Voice Lessons wPrivate Instrumental Lessons wHomeschool Harmony Choir

SHOWS!

Ages 3-Adult

wThe King & I (ages 7-20, fall musical) wJames and the Giant Peach (ages 6-14, spring musical) wAnnie Get Your Gun (ages 13-20, spring musical at MTH) wThe Diary of Anne Frank (ages 12-20, spring play) wThe Little Mermaid (ages 3-adult, June dance production)

ENROLL NOW! (Fall THEATRE enrollment ends Sept. 7th)

And MANY more programs to choose from in our Schools of DANCE - THEATRE - MUSIC - ART!

60+ professional artists committed to excellent training and building confidence in every child.

www.culturehouse.com | 117th & Black Bob | Olathe, KS | 913.393.3141

Dentistry That Will Make Kids

Board Certified Pediatric Dentists

Now Welcoming New Patients!

www.kidsmilekc.com

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

(913) 764-5600 Olathe (913) 387-3500 Overland Park (913) 745-2500 Shawnee (913) 378-9610 Prairie Village (913) 299-3300 Kansas City

kcparent.com september 2017

3

Foster parents needed!

Help children who have experienced abuse, neglect or other family challenges Do I qualify to be a foster parent?

All kinds of people can qualify to foster a child. 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 be eligible.

How will I handle saying goodbye to the child if and when it’s safe for them to go home?

This is no doubt difficult, but any sadness is outweighed by the safety and love you will give to a child during a time of crisis. Plus, you’re encouraged to maintain life-long connections with the child and family. Thousands of children in the Kansas City area are in need of caring foster families. If not you, then who?

Contact us to learn more. We offer FREE training classes and support you every step of the way.

(888) 655-5500 | www.kvckansas.org

For Your Family’s Health, On and Off the Field.

Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sat. & Sun., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Make an online reservation today at CentraCareKC.com.

Convenient Locations: Shawnee (Shawnee Mission Pkwy & Nieman) Lenexa (91st & Quivira) Olathe (119th & Blackbob) Overland Park (135th & Grandview)

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kcparent.com september 2017

Why not walk to school?

If you’ve ever considered walking to school with your child — now’s a great time to start. Walk for fitness or walk for fun!

to

International Walk to School Day is Wednesday, October 4.

Find more information and register your school at walktoschoolkc.com.

Lakeshore

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kcparent.com 7/27/17 1:52 PM september 2017

SEPT

2017

DEPARTMENTS 10 Craft Corner

BIRTHDAY PARTY GUIDE, PG. 18

12 Media Mix 15 Word from Dad 27 Healthy Kids

FEATURES SPECIAL SECTIONS 18 Party Guide 52 Calendar of Events

14

34

48

Save Money

Grandparents

Fun Facts

Tips for saving money when dining out

What makes these special people so grand

30 fun facts about this town we call home

Our cover features Madison and Grace from Overland Park.

Cover and select interior photos by KiaBondurant.com.

FREE | September 2017 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

OUR

ON THE COVER

arts AND enrichment ISSUE

EXTRA FUN

6

kcparent.com september 2017

Birthday Party Guide

18

Enrichment Options

28

Pint-Sized Pursuits

30

Bushels of Fall Fun

32

What Makes Grandparents Grand

34

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

BUSHELS OF

FALL FUN! + GO GLAMPING what makes grandparents

GRAND

The starting point for a healthy smile.

Starting Point Dental offers both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in one location.

Our dental services are provided by specialists who received additional training after dental school. By offering these specialties together, we can give busy families convenience and comprehensive care.

Locations:

Overland Park 14465 Metcalf Ave Overland Park KS 66223 913-553-2492

Legends 10940 Parallel Pkwy Kansas City KS 66109 913-948-8688 Owner John P. Roth DDS and family Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry Specialist in Orthodontics

StartingPointDental.com

2017 WINNER

family faves

kcparent.com september 2017

7

EDITOR’SLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017

Margaret Sarver, Editor

Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com Advertising Sales Darrell Dean Advertising@KCParent.com Electronic 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

Local Contributing Writers

CONTENT Kim Antisdel (Liberty), Bill Bartlett (Belton), Melissa Bellach (Overland Park), Julie Collett (Overland Park), Tisha Foley (Belton), Allison Gibeson (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Jessica Heine (Olathe), Karen Johnson (Olathe), Megan Kapple (Kansas City), Gina Klein (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Kerrie McLoughlin (Overland Park), Katie Newell (Shawnee), Jessica Samuel (Kansas City) Mailing Address 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS

baby& 15

spring/summer 2017

Y

kansas city’s #1 travel guide since 2010

&

KC B A B

FREE | September 2017 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

N

MATERNI T Y YE A R S

SI

Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com

G A Z I NE MA

Enjoy the start of fall in KC with your family!

Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com

OUR

kcgoingplaces.com

arts AND enrichment

WHAT’S NEW IN

KANSAS CITY 500+ DISCOVERIES

ISSUE

TO MAKE IN KC

EXTRA FUN

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

CE

2 00 2

maternity

JULY- SEPTEMBER 2017 | KCPARENT.COM

choose your doctor issue the

ULTIMATE

SUMMER FUN LIST FAVORITE

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

BUSHELS OF

FALL FUN! + GO GLAMPING

+ BEST KEPT WEEKEND SECRETS INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT WITHOUT LEAVING KC

what makes grandparents

tips for

exercising

GRAND

during pregnancy dealing with

postpartum pains

.com

I

’m busy. You’re busy. We’re all busy these days. And frankly, I don’t like it. What are some of your time-saving tips? I am constantly on the lookout for ways to save time and make my days less busy. I’ll share a few of the ways I try to save some time; please email me some of your best time-savers! I recently did my weekly grocery shopping online and had the groceries delivered—that was a terrific time-saver! I also try to get up a little earlier than needed so I can get a few tasks checked off the to-do list before my day begins. And I’m still trying to refine saying no and not overcommitting myself. As of the writing of this letter, I am determined to say no to being a room parent. We’ll see how that works out!

Liberty mom Gina Klein has some great timesaving tips on pg. 44 One thing that makes my days busy is the after-school activities in which my girls are involved. We have a strict one activity per child at a time rule in our home, but as the girls get older and have not only school, but also sports, a job and community service, it gets a little harder to enforce. My girls’ interests and activities have evolved over the years. One is currently in dance, while the other plays lacrosse. We are fortunate to have so many choices for arts and enrichment in Kansas City. On pg. 28, we take a look at options for school-aged kiddos, and on pg. 30 we offer ideas for the pint-sized crowd. You’re sure to find something your child will enjoy.

Days are getting shorter and there’s a crispness in the air! While you won’t ever find me camping or glamping (a less rustic version), I know many people enjoy those activities. Check out pgs. 50-51 for some nottoo-far glamping spots!

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

Member of:

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, 8691 W. 96th St, Ste 1B, Overland Park, KS 66212.

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kcparent.com september 2017

KCPARENTWEBSITE

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

SEARCH KCPARENT.COM FOR MORE AFFORDABLE FALL FUN IDEAS: 1. Best of September 2. Day Trips 3. Pumpkin Patch Guide

4. Ideas Under $5 for All Fun 5. Kids Eat FREE 6. Fall Festivals

APPLE PICKING It’s apple picking season in Kansas City! For a list of great orchards, as well as many apple-themed activities and recipes, log onto KCParent.com 7. Coupons 8. Caramel Apples in KC

eNEWS Get the latest in family fun ideas with our weekly eNewsletter, delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning. Join the 51,000+ opt-in subscribers and be in the know for the best family fun in KC!

9. Party Guide 10. Date Night Ideas

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 september 2017

9

CRAFTCORNER

Ditch the paintbrushes and try making a painting using straws.

Materials Needed:

• Straws • Acrylic or tempera paint • Paper

I

straw paintings

f you are looking for a quick and easy kids art project, ditch the paintbrushes and try making a painting using straws! This project is so simple, but kids of all ages will have a blast creating these beautiful masterpieces. Your child will love experimenting with different colors and various ways to make crazy shapes using a straw!

Step One: Mix the paint with some water to make it more fluid.

Step Two: Drop different colors of paint all over a piece of paper.

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

Toothpick Cactus

Draw Like Van Gogh

Fall Frames

Step Three: Using a straw, For TONS more great craft projects, log onto KCParent.com!

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kcparent.com september 2017

blow the paint around in all different directions to create your masterpiece.

ENROLL NOW CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AGES 2-18

Photography: Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios

ENHANCE POISE, FOCUS AND RHYTHM WITH THE REGION’S MOST RESPECTED PROGRAM FOR ASPIRING DANCERS

BOLENDER CENTER 500 W. Pershing Kansas City, MO 64108 Union Station

Pershing

Nall Ave.

I-3 5

Broadway

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS! 94th Terr.

JOHNSON COUNTY 5359 W. 94th Terr.

Prairie Village, KS 66207

W. 95th St.

SPACE IS LIMITED — ENROLL TODAY! 816.931.2299 | KCBALLET.ORG/SCHOOL

DAYTIME & AFTERNOON ACADEMY PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

Get creative at the

Nerman Museum!

Contemporary Creations classes (ages 8-11) and Early Explorations classes (ages 5-7) combine engaging, interactive tours with hands-on studio projects, and students explore different topics each week.

Pre-registration is required.

Saturdays, Sept. 30–Dec. 2 10 a.m. – noon or 2 p.m.-4 p.m. $15 / $10 for Museum Members Register through JCCC Continuing Education.

913-469-2323 • www.nermanmuseum.org

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art Johnson County Community College kcparent.com september 2017

11

MEDIAMIX

friendship and fairy tales

this september, new books focus on humor for all ages

By McGeath Freeman

Pigeon P.I.

By Meg McLaren Best for: Ages 4-8

Brightly colored birds are going missing around town. But now that Murray’s partner has flown the coop, Murray has decided to close their P.I. business.

The case doesn’t concern him. Then a Canary named Vee gives Murray a pretty convincing argument. So when Vee goes missing, Murray is determined to find her and the rest of the missing birds. All the clues point to the Red Herring Bar and Grill. Murray finds and frees all the birds— with a little help from Vee. To wrap things up he only needs to discover who the mastermind is behind the bird-nappings. I guess you’ll have to read the book to find out. McLaren entertains us with wordplay and visual gags created with watercolorlike illustrations, full panel images and comic book-style panels.

Big Machines, the Story of Virginia Lee Burton

Beanstalker and Other Hilarious Scarytales

By Sherri Duskey Rinker

By Kiersten White

Illustrated by John Rocco

Best for: Ages 12 and up

Best for: Ages 5-10 If you have children and don’t know who Virginia Lee Burton is, shame on you.

Just kidding—sort of. This new biography brings Burton and her classic picture book tales of big machines—Mike Mulligan’s Steam Shovel, Maybelle the Cable Car, Choo Choo and even the Little House—lovingly to life. As much a look at Burton’s creative process as it is a biography, Big Machines takes readers through several of her classic tales as she tells the stories to her boys, Aris and Michael. Rinker and Rocco offer a wonderful tribute that touches on Burton’s recurring themes of change and survival while pushing creative wonder, friendship and family.

What’s good: Good blend of biography,

Twisted fairy tales are nothing new in publishing. However, the twists usually are fun and quirky. In White’s reimaginings, the twists are of the macabre variety.

Don’t expect to find your traditional Cinderella, Red Riding Hood or Goldilocks here. In these tales, you may find a vampire or zombie instead. White likes to twist the reader’s expectations and, in doing so, uses quite a bit of wordplay to keep readers off balance. The omniscient narrator guides the reader through this scary tale land, taking delight in the dark turns, but always with an eye on the joke around the corner. Yes, these stories are dark—maybe too dark and scary for some readers. They are also quite humorous.

What’s good: Engaging illustrations and

style and message.

What’s good: Reimagined twisted fairy

humorous storytelling.

What’s bad: A list of all Burton’s

tale poems separate each story.

What’s bad: Not enough twists, even for

published works would have been a nice addition.

What’s bad: Too dark and scary for some younger readers.

a picture book.

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13

Head to KCParent.com for a list of where kids eat for FREE in Kansas City!

g

save money while dining out

oing out to eat is one of the few luxuries parents have left. We’ve lost sleep. And quiet. And personal space.

But at least once in a while we can pay for someone else to make food for our families.

However, eating out can get pricey— especially if you have a few kids in tow. Here are some tips to help you save pennies when dining out in the KC area.

Check the restaurants around you for “kids eat free” days or discounted days for kids meals. Check out a comprehensive list at KCParent.com and click on “Kids Eat Free.” And always double check before visiting, as business may change their policies.

Visit restaurants that offer a points or rewards system. For example, you can join the “Circle of Crust” at Pie Five or EClub at Noodles & Company to accumulate points that can be applied to future purchases. Also, check out websites for the restaurants you frequent. Chances are you’ll find an option to join their mailing list and receive coupons, deals and promotions.

Find places that offer special deals with your purchase. Our favorite pizza joint is Spin Pizza, where our kid get a free ice cream with their meal! They get pizza and dessert to make our night out a bit more fun.

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kcparent.com september 2017

Use coupons or discount cards. If you have kids, chances are they’ve sold either coupon books or Major Saver cards (or both) as fundraisers. Buying these is a great opportunity to support your children’s schools and save money when dining out! I leave them in my car, and when we are grabbing a bite, I check to see which coupons we have yet to use as we decide where to eat. Many coupons offer either a percentage off your bill or a BOGO option.

Also, lots of coupons are available online— check out ValPak.com and search for your favorites.

If your kids tend not to finish an entire kids meal, try ordering them one adult meal to share.

Pay your bill with a credit card that offers cash back incentives. You’re paying that bill either way, so you might as well make some extra change while you do it! Many credit card companies like American Express, CitiBank, Capital One and Chase offer cash back incentives or let you accumulate points toward future purchases. Think smart when swiping that plastic!

Go out to eat during happy hour.

Lots of restaurants offer food and drink specials before 7:00, which is probably when your kids are hungry anyway.

Make smart choices when ordering.

If your kids tend not to finish an entire kids meal, try ordering them one adult meal to share. Ask the wait staff to skip the bread— your kids are likely to fill up on it and not eat their meal. Or order them each their own adult meal and bring home the half they don’t eat for tomorrow night’s dinner.

That’s two nights you don’t have to cook and no food was wasted!

Use appetizers wisely. Consider skipping appetizers so your kids are hungry enough to finish their entire meals. A different option is to skip the meal and only order a few appetizers for everyone to share.

We’ve done this a few times and, more often than not, everyone leaves with a full tummy!

Money’s being tight doesn’t have to keep you from going out to enjoy a restaurant meal with your family. Do a little homework, make smart choices and enjoy some happy hour specials! They are usually pretty tasty!

Olathe mom Karen Johnson has three kids, ages 8, 6 and 4. She writes at The21stCenturySAMH.com.

QC: CD: AD: AM: PM: PO:

Brand: AB CSR "Legal Drinking" Job/Order #: 297632 QC: cs Item #:PCA2016013

gazed out the picture window at my beloved sugar maple in the front yard. Its windfall sticks went into my barbecue for a delicious smoke flavor. In summer, it shaded almost our entire home, and its autumn color delighted my eyes with a rich orange that started at the very top, descending until the entire tree was a living flame.

That magnificent color lasted about a week before the leaves fell. First in ones and twos as the breeze took them, then in groups of tens and hundreds without the aid of the faintest puff of wind.

They covered my front yard in a drab, brown carpet that gave no recollection of their former glory. The tree was bare, and I knew it was time.

“James! Ian! Get your coats. We have to rake the yard.” The boys, still preverbal at ages 3 and 4, ran to their jackets.

After hours of work, we’d made no discernible difference. But, with the boys kicking the leaves, it was understandable. I took out my frustration on the leaves, but Sandi tried a different tack.

“No, not yet!” She told them time and again. “We need to wait until we get a big pile!”

Sheer grit paid off, and we made a mountain of leaves. I went for the tarp to haul them out back, but when I returned, the boys were nowhere in sight.

“Sandi, where are James and Ian?” She put her finger to her lips and pointed to the leaf pile.

Both boys jumped up from the leaves and giggled, hands over their heads and throwing the leaves to the wind. We looked at one another and shrugged. I took her hand and we made a running jump into the leaves.

The yard could wait one more day.

MUST INITIAL FOR APPROVAL

Closing Date: 8/11/17

I

YARD WORK

Pub:KC Parent Mag

Trim: 3.6" x 9.875 Bleed: none"

CW:

Live: 3.35" x 9.625"

WORDFROMDAD

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family. kcparent.com september 2017

15

Prepare your seasoning paste: Except for the apple cider vinegar, measure and combine all ingredients listed under “for the seasoning paste.” When well combined, add 2 T. apple cider vinegar to the other seasonings, stirring to create a paste. Set aside.

Start your soup: Heat a large soup pot

sweet potato

S

and corn chowder

eptember is one of my favorite months of the year. It’s still warm enough in the day to wear flip flops, but the evenings are just cool enough to get me excited about soup season! This Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder is one of our family’s absolute favorite “early fall” soups.

It’s quick to pull together and uses up lots of tasty goodies from the transitioning farmers markets.

Autumn Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder

For the seasoning paste: 1 T. chili powder 1 T. ground cumin 1 T. ground coriander 1 t. smoked paprika (or Spanish paprika) 1 t. organic cane sugar 1 t. sea salt 1 t. black pepper 1/4 t. ground cinnamon 1/4 t. cayenne pepper 2 T. apple cider vinegar

Instructions

Serves four to six as a main course

(60 minutes total, 20 minutes active)

For the chowder:

Prepare your produce: Peel and cut

4 c. of sweet potato, from 2-3 average spuds 3 ears corn on the cob 2 leeks 3 cloves garlic 1/4 lb. nitrate-free bacon 1 quart filtered water 1/2 c. sour cream, plus more to garnish 1 T. fresh thyme, plus more to garnish

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kcparent.com september 2017

4 cups of sweet potatoes into 1-inch chunks.

Set aside. Remove corn kernels from cobs.

DO NOT DISCARD COBS. Set aside.

Thinly slice 2 leeks, whites and light green parts only. Mince three cloves garlic. Leeks and garlic may be stored together. Coarsely chop 1 T. of fresh thyme, leaves and tender stems only.

over medium heat for about five minutes.

When hot, use kitchen shears to cut 1/4 pound of nitrate-free bacon into 1/4-inch strips directly into the hot pot. Brown bacon for about 5 minutes, until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon to a paper towellined plate. Add prepared leeks and garlic to the bacon drippings. Saute for about 5 minutes. Add sweet potatoes and saute 2-3 minutes more. Add your seasoning paste and stir continuously for one minute more, being mindful not to let the spices burn.

Add one quart filtered water and the corn cobs to the pot. Cover with a tight fitting lid and let simmer over medium heat for 25-30 minutes, until potatoes are tender and can be pierced easily with a fork.

Puree your chowder base: When potatoes are tender, remove pot from heat.

Remove corn cobs and discard. Use an immersion blender to puree soup until smooth. (If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can pour hot soup into a regular blender, blend it like a smoothie and then return pureed soup to pot.)

Finishing your soup: When soup is smooth, return it back to the burner set on medium. Add corn kernels and fresh thyme to pot. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

When 10 minutes have passed, turn off heat and stir in 1/2 c. of real sour cream and 3/4 of the bacon. Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish each bowl with a bit of the remaining bacon, an additional dollop of sour cream and a fresh thyme sprig, if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Notes: One of the best things about this soup is that it is so nutrient-dense that we often just enjoy it as a one-pot meal for dinner. If entertaining guests, this soup can easily be paired with a simple green salad and crusty bread. While packed

vering

with flavor, the spice blend is mild enough for even small children to enjoy and is a great way to introduce them to new and enticing flavors. This sweet potato and corn chowder is naturally gluten-free and nutfree. Vegetarians simply can omit the bacon and saute the leeks and garlic in 2 T. of real butter or extra virgin olive oil. If fresh corn is unavailable, substitute 2 cups of frozen corn ACE THE NEXT REPORT CARD WITH SYLVAN kernels and add an additional teaspoon of organic cane sugar to the seasoning blend.

Delivering RESULTS

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The Health Benefits Overland Park Sylvan of Lawrence 913.681.1141 of Sweet Potatoes

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f you’ve not SYLVANLEARNING.COM yet added this terrific tuber to your veggie rotation, it islawdir@sylvanks.com time to give them a try. Research *See the complete Sylvan Field Research Results at SylvanResearchInstitute.com. suggests that carotenoids, the nutrients that give sweet potatoes SylvanLearningCenter_LM16sp.indd 12/17/15 2:51 PM their deep orange hue, have many1 natural medicinal properties. Many experts even rank sweet potatoes as one of the top 10 superfoods!

Regularly consuming sweet potatoes, as well as other orange winter squash, can help the body naturally lower blood pressure, prevent macular degeneration, fight inflammation, and even can slow the visible signs of aging. Carotenoids are a fat-soluble nutrient, so be sure you always add a Gymnastics not only improves little healthy fat when you consume Guide Your Child strength, balance, and coordination, them. In this soup, the bit of bacon but promotes commitment, discipline, to a drippings that the sweet potatoes are social interaction and teamwork.

Healthy Lifestyle sauteed in actually make this meal Plus... IT’S FUN! more nutrient dense than if the bacon were left out. If that doesn’t make this a winning fall dinner for both the health nut and the foodie, I don’t 435&Metcalf www.integrityop.com know what does!

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kcparent.com september 2017

17

Jump City

KC Parent’s

part y guide • fresh ideas • terrific themes • great venues

Advanced Laser Tag Have your next party at Kansas City’s original 2-story arena! In addition to laser tag, we have a 2000 sq. ft. high-tech video arcade with the latest, family-friendly video games. Packages available for hassle-free birthday parties, corporate team building & leadership training, church group lock-ins and private corporate events. The meeting area seats 150 people. Fun for ages 7 to 77!

See display ad on pg. 23. www.TagMe.net

Breakout KC Breakout KC is a top-rated escape room located right here in Kansas City. The goal of Breakout is simple: You have 60 minutes to break out from one of our real life escape rooms. Crack the codes, use your gut, solve the riddles to find out if you have what it takes to break out in time! Facilities available for groups of any size. See display ad on pg. 24. www.BreakoutKC.com

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

We have three different packages for kids parties, and another for mixed-age group

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celebrations. Call 913.383.0222 or visit www.CeramicCafeKC.com for more details.

See display ad on pg. 22.

Gamer’s Quest Have a party you’ll never forget at Gamer’s Quest VR, the best Virtual Reality experience in Kansas City. Battle waves of zombies, explore exotic places, or immerse yourself in 3D movies. Team up with friends, take them down in multi-player mayhem, or let everyone have their own individual virtual reality journey. Whether you come in just for the cutting-edge VR experience or prefer an inclusive package with pizza and party favors, we’ll cover virtually everything! See display ad on pg. 21. www.GamersQuest.net

Gymboree Choose your child’s favorite theme and we’ll create a private, personalized party experience filled with kid-friendly activities guaranteed to be 100% fun with zero clean up! We specialize in 1st birthday parties all the way to 5th birthday parties. Gymboree Play & Music parties are available to members and non-members. Call to find out more details. 913.262.3339 (Leawood), 816.505.3344 (Zona Rosa). See display ad on pg. 23. www.GymboreeClasses.com

Jump City’s parties are full of bouncing, sliding, and jumping fun for kids 12 & under. With wall-to-wall inflatables, a variety of arcade games, full concession options and private party rooms, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the party while we do all the setup and cleanup. See display ad on pg. 22. www.JumpCityKC.com

Kansas City Zoo Let the Kansas City Zoo host your child’s next birthday party. We guarantee a wild time for every guest! Our birthday party packages are for children 1-10 years of age. All packages include Zoo admission, a private space with your Education Party Host, cupcakes, and much more! Addon options include face painters, themed decorations, animal encounters and so much more! Visit our website to check out these exciting options at www.KansasCityZoo.org.

See display ad on pg. 22.

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

Paint, Glaze & Fire Ceramics & Coffee House Paint, Glaze & Fire puts the Art in PARTY & is KC’s only paint-your-own pottery studio with a full service coffee bar. Creating beautiful ceramics is fun & easy for everyone from young children to experienced adults. Visit us for birthday parties, Scout outings, corporate team building, girls’ night out, bridal showers or “just because.” Only at 127th and Metcalf, 913.661.CLAY (2529). See display ad on pg. 21. www.PaintGlazeAndFire.net Continued on page 22

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Battling birthday party blues? Break the routine! Invite your partygoers to bounce off the walls at Urban Air—a golden play place with over 30,000+ square feet of endless entertainment options that let you customize the perfect event.

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Keep it simple with a trampoline party or take it to the next level with the warrior course and/or our indoor playground. Too young to bounce? No sweat! Turn the little ones loose in a dedicated indoor playground. Better yet, go all out on a "Glow Package" and party in the dark! Book your next party today.

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urbanairop.com 14401 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, KS | 800.960.4778 *1 kcparent.com september 2017

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PARTYGUIDE

A great way to save money on gifts is to create a gift reserve. Find out how at KCParent.com.

seven tips for

b

saving money on birthday gifts

irthdays are exciting milestones during childhood. Each new age brings new opportunities, new skills to learn and new experiences. For parents, birthdays are often bittersweet. We are excited to see our children grow, change and learn, but saying good-bye to the previous stage of childhood is often emotional. “I love and hate my son’s birthday,” Amber Stubbs, Olathe mom, says. “I love seeing him grow older and watching him become this amazing person—but every year I look back on his baby days and feel nostalgic.”

For many families, one part of birthdays is buying presents. Going overboard buying gifts is easy, and many parents are looking for ways to reign in birthday spending. Here are some tips from metro parents on how to slow your family’s spending at birthday time:

plan ahead. Make a plan for how you

know what your child wants.

will handle the party and gifts ahead of time.

This will allow you to shop sales, pick up items on clearance and take advantage of valuable coupons.

When your child expresses an interest, take note. If you have a running list of what your child would like, you can share it with family members and friends, allowing them to plan ahead and shop sales ahead of time.

shop all year. This advice may sound like it would cause you to spend more, but shopping during off-seasons can add up to big savings. “I buy birthday gifts all year when things go on sale. It takes a bit of planning, but it can help make the money stretch further,” Amy Parks, Gardner mom, says. “I shop for Christmas during end-of-summer sales and for birthdays during end-of-winter sales. It is a great way to save money on toys and clothes.”

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stick to a budget. If you need to set a budget for birthdays, set one and stick to it. Establishing a budget is a good way to keep the birthday party and gifts within a manageable amount and is also a way to keep things equitable among multiple children. “My kids know there is the same spending limit for each of them,” Laura

Peters, Shawnee mom, says. “They don’t know the exact number, but it helps them understand when one child gets one large gift and another gets five small things. They all add up to the same amount—it is just about what each one wants.”

think outside the box. Birthday gifts don’t have to mean toys. Experiences, events or even classes can be a wonderful gift. “For my daughter’s birthday, my mom paid for a year of dance lessons. Things were tight for us, and this allowed her to have something to look forward to every week. It was an amazing gift,” says Rachel Griffin, Kansas City, MO, mom.

skip the trimmings. Wrapping paper, bows and cards are a quick way to add to the birthday budget. Consider reusing gift bags or finding other creative ways to package gifts. Children rarely take the time to admire the wrapping!

join a shop and swap site. Many communities have shop and swap sites on social media. These are easy ways for parents to sell everything from baby supplies to kids clothes or party supplies. Toys can be purchased for a fraction of the price of a new toy, and you can help stretch your dollar. If you have your shopping list ahead of time, consignment sales are also great ways to buy gifts for less.

Melissa Bellach is a freelance writer, wife and mother of two living in Overland Park.

i

decorations and locations

n the age of Pinterest parties, the decorating and location of birthday parties can become very elaborate. However, many options won’t break the bank and can be great fun for your family and friends.

• Consider hosting a party at your home or at a local park.

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• Make your own invitations, send them via email or invite people using social media.

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PARTYGUIDE Paradise Park

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

Kansas City’s premier party destination offers an incredible experience for the birthday child and easy, hassle-free party for mom and dad. We take care of it all!

Choose from five award-winning party packages. Visit www.Paradise-Park.com for online booking. 816.246.5224. See display ad on pg. 24 for coupons.

Princess at My Party Have your child’s favorite princess come to her birthday party! Choose from Elsa, Anna, Rapunzel, Moana, Elena, Ariel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Snow White. Also, inquire about our new Super Girl parties! Then watch the magic unfold as the birthday girl and guests go on an adventure that includes a story, games, music, a makeover or face painting and a treasure hunt. See display ad on pg. 24. 816.830.4841. www.PrincessAtMyParty.com

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!

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.

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Urban Air Trampoline Park Urban Air Trampoline Park is an attractive solution to a common problem: needing one place to entertain kids of every age. Just a few blocks from Prairiefire and Corbin Park, our facility is the perfect destination for family entertainment. Our facility caters to birthday parties for kids of all ages. If your group is up for a little sweat and a lot of bounce, we are the place for you. See display ad on pg. 19. www.UrbanAirOP.com

Wings of Love Bird Shows Unique entertainment for all ages. Beautiful birds who talk, sing and even do tricks (they can ride a bicycle, play basketball, etc.), is wholesome entertainment, extremely enjoyable and fun. Several programs to choose from with very reasonable rates. Great for schools, VBS, Scouts, retirement homes, BIRD-DAY parties, corp. events; we can tie into your theme. See display ad on pg. 23.

816.540.4730. www.WingsOfLoveInc.org

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

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23

plan the

PARTYGUIDE

By Lauren Greenlee

GIRLS

FROZEN

SPA

ART

Frozen may have hit the theaters a few years ago, but this frostbitten flick is still a hot pick. Converting your party space into a wintry wonderland is a cinch!

Coffee filters provide the perfect medium to create paper snowflakes. Simply string your finished product from clear fishing line and pin to the ceiling at varied heights to achieve a blustery look. Sandwiches cut in the shape of snowflakes will remind everyone of Hans’ favorite food.

Ditch the cake and instead go for snowball look-alike powdered sugar donut holes. A rousing game of pin the carrot/nose on Olaf provides a creative spin on pin the tail on the donkey.

Girls of any age love a good pampering, and a spa party delivers!

Instead of going decoration crazy, opt to create a soothing atmosphere by diffusing lavender oil and streaming a soft interlude station on Pandora. Present each guest with her own terry bathrobe and flip flops.

Then direct the girls to three stations: one for hair (where girls can apply hair tinsel), one for nails (where Mom can provide manis and pedis) and one for making a sugarbased body scrub (both craft and party favor!).

A spa-like menu is sure to include infused water, smoothies and a veggie platter.

If your birthday girl is a budding artist, let art take center stage during her celebration. Decorations should be bright, colorful and rainbow hued.

The good news? This can be done on the cheap! The Dollar Tree provides a vast array of party goods for—you guessed it—a buck apiece. Hang various colored plastic tablecloths vertically against the showcase wall to provide a vibrant backdrop.

Use plastic palette liners as plates to keep with the theme and offer a colorful sweets bar with M&M’s and Skittles! Each guest can don an apron and get to work painting a canvas, a party favor sure to be enjoyed long after the party.

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

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MOST FUN TEEN PARTY EVER! Breakout Kansas City is a brand new entertainment game in Downtown Kansas City’s River Market.

Your goal is simple: You have 60 minutes to break out from one of our real life escape rooms by cracking codes, solving riddles, and more!

BreakoutKC.com 816.945.2633

$70 Value!

Must book by 10/31/17 using coupon code “MAXUP17”. Coupon must be used at time of booking. Only one coupon may be used.

Paradise-Park.com

perfect party!

BOYS LEGO

CAMPING

STAR WARS

Legos take the cake in play, so why not utilize this popular toy in your birthday boy’s party theme? Skip the expensive licensed paper goods and opt for using solid primary red, yellow, green and blue staples from a dollar store instead. Build the letters in your child’s name from Duplo blocks and stand them upright to become the table centerpiece. Play Pictionary using Lego blocks to build the clues instead of drawing. A plain sheet cake lined in Candy Blox (essentially edible Legos) makes for the perfect treat.

Melt your child’s crayon nubs in a silicon Lego mold and boom! Legoshaped crayon party favors!

Bring the outdoors in with this winning theme! Trail mix, hot dogs and s’mores make the perfect spread (brownie points if the s’mores are made in the fireplace or firepit!). Decor can be as simple as pitching a tent and building an imaginary campfire out of wood and red and orange tissue paper flames.

Go on a scavenger hunt together and don’t forget to hand each guest a flashlight as both a fun and functional favor! Set up a make-your-own trail mix bar. Set out bowls with cereal such as Cheerios or Chex, chocolate chips, granola, marshmallows and more. Guests can scoop their faves into a bag for a personalized snack!

May the force be with you as you take your cue from this iconic series!

An intergalactic feast is sure to include Hutt dogs, Han burgers and Wookiee cookies, but if you’re feeling especially ambitious, check out the official Star Wars Cookbook series for further ideas. Don’t forget to play the infamous theme song and present guests with their very own pool noodle light saber as they prepare for jedi training!

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SEPTEMBER

festivals & fairs IN KANSAS CITY

Enjoy fall with these top picks for festivals and fairs in KC.

Kansas City Renaissance Festival Weekends Sept. 2-Oct. 15, KCRenFest.com. Roam the village shops for unique crafts; delight in comedy, music, magic and more on 20 entertainment stages.

Science City kidFEST Sept. 2, Science City at Union Station.

A one-of-a-kind, family-friendly day full of science play geared toward early childhood learning! Enjoy kidFEST activities including live entertainment, science demonstrations, hands-on activities, entertainers, maker activities and more.

rfest

Octobe

Old Settlers Days Sept. 7-9, JohnsonCountyOldSetters.com, Downtown Olathe. Carnival, crafts, booths, parade on Saturday and family fun!

Kansas City Chalk and Walk Festival Sept. 9-10, Crown Center Square, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO, KCChalkAndWalk.org.

Experience the creation of street paintings, interact with the artists, enjoy street performers, Children’s Creative Corridor and workshops.

Spinach Festival Sept. 9, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Lenexa, Lenexa. com. A fun-filled day of food, music, entertainment, arts and antique vendors. Experience the world’s largest spinach salad.

Shawnee Town Arts & Crafts Fair Sept. 16, Shawnee Town 1929, Shawnee, ShawneeTown.org. Enjoy live music, raffles, food booths and more than 120 vendor booths all featuring hand-made goods.

Overland Pa

rk Fall Festiva

l

Oktoberfest Sept. 22-23, Downtown Lee’s Summit, LSOktoberfest.com.

Enjoy German food, entertainment, German dancers, a carnival, biergarten, free children’s activities, contests, arts and crafts booths and so much more!

Overland Park Fall Festival Sept. 23, Downtown Overland Park, OPKansas.org. A hometown parade through Downtown Overland Park, the county’s best arts and crafts fair, a classic car show, merchant sales, fantastic food and much more!

Ciderfest & Craft Fair Sept. 23-24 and Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Louisburg Cider Mill, Louisburg, KS, LouisburgCiderMill.com. Enjoy handmade crafts, barbecue, live music, old-fashioned good eats, pumpkins and a lot of other fun activities!

Wild West Days Sept. 23-24, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm, Olathe, Mahaffie.org. Entertainment from the Whip Guy, the Wicked Liars and more! Sample delicious food from the chuck wagons and vote for your favorite (Saturday only).

The Fall Swing Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, KC Wine Co., TheStrawberrySwing.com.

Wild West Days

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Come celebrate the handmade movement with the Midwest’s number one indie craft fair. 50+ handmade and vintage vendors.

HEALTHYKIDS

vitamins for kids

M

aking sure our kids eat a well-balanced diet can be extremely difficult. Kids are notorious for being picky eaters, and making nutrient-rich foods that meet all the daily requirements demands a lot of time and energy. So although kids don’t have to take a daily multivitamin, many parents choose this route to fill in the dietary gaps.

Although all nutrients are important, six are especially critical for children as they grow: A, C, D, the B vitamins, calcium and iron. Vitamin A promotes normal growth and development, tissue and bone repair and healthy skin, eyes and immune responses. B vitamins (B2, B3, B6 and B12) aid metabolism, energy production

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and healthy circulatory and nervous systems. Vitamin C promotes healthy muscles, connective tissue and skin. Vitamin D promotes bone and tooth formation and helps the body absorb calcium.

Calcium itself builds strong bones, and iron builds muscle and is essential to healthy red blood cells (WebMD.com).

Some parents think of multivitamins as an insurance policy— something they give their kids to insure any holes in their diet are being filled (TodaysParent.com). Make sure to keep the vitamins out of your children’s reach, because kids can have a hard time differentiating between vitamins and candy. Most vitamins have a level of sugar in them to appeal to young taste buds, something to be aware of if you are limiting sweets in their diet.

Talk to your child’s doctor if you are concerned your child has nutritional deficiencies before you start him or her on a multivitamin, because like everything else, it comes with risks. Ingesting toohigh doses of vitamins and minerals can be toxic. When selecting a multivitamin, make sure the daily allowance does not exceed 100 percent, as this can lead to dangerous concentration levels in the blood (WebMD.com). Also, some medications can interfere with the multivitamin and affect absorption (MayoClinic.org). Talk to your child’s doctor about what his typical day-to-day diet looks like and ask for recommendations about adding not only a multivitamin but also possibly supplementing omega fish oil, fiber or additional vitamin D. Jessica Heine is a labor and delivery nurse. She lives in Olathe with her family.

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

If They’ve Got Homework,

You’ve Got Help!

If you live or work in Clay, Jackson, or Platte County and have a Mid-Continent Public Library card, you can start using FREE online resources for elementary, middle, and high school students today.

Visit mymcpl.org/homework

Leigh’s School of Dance Teaching children and adults the love of dance since 1970

Competitive & Recreational Gymnastics for all Ages!

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dance, tumbling and music lessons,

oh my!

W

e are fortunate to live in an area where opportunities

abound for our children: sports, art activities, classes, camps and more. Although having so many choices and opportunities is nice, sometimes it can feel overwhelming. How exactly do you go about choosing something for your child?

Have a budding artist on your hands? Visit KCParent.com for ways to encourage your young artist.

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Consider your child’s interests and desires.

BrightHorizons.com suggests to “really ‘see’ your child.” What are his natural gifts?

Consider asking your child what he wants to do. Meredith, an Olathe mom, shares, “My child has always had a flair for the dramatic and loves to sing. I don’t know how she gets through the day at school, because she can’t go an hour at home without singing! We decided to build on that and enroll her in musical theater classes at the Culture House.”

Remember too, that these opportunities are for your child, not for you. BrightHorizons.com explains, “Parental expectations that don’t match with a child’s true self can cause a lot of grief for both parent and child.” Just because an activity was good for you as a child or is good for your best friend’s child, doesn’t mean it will be for your child.

Look at the big picture.

Think about what you’d like your child to gain from the enrichment activities. Do you want your child to meet and make new friends? Do you want your child to do it because the activity is popular or everyone else is doing it? Would you like for your child to gain cultural awareness?

Or do you simply think it might be fun for your child? Ask yourself these questions— but be ready to answer them honestly!

Try out a class.

Usually the elementary years are a great time to try out various classes and activities in a fairly inexpensive way.

Caroline, an Overland Park mom, says, “I do think it is good to try different things when they are young because sometimes you’ll be surprised what really resonates with your child.” Be prepared to try several activities before finding what your child loves and is willing to stick with. By exploring multiple options together, you can help your child find something he

really enjoys! Summer camps are also an excellent way to check out a class. Many arts camps are only a week long and offer full or half day options. What a great way to test the waters before jumping in long term!

Kimberly, a local music teacher, suggests an instrument “petting zoo,” where your child can see instruments up close and even give them a try. Many local organizations such as the Kansas City Symphony (KCSymphony.org) and the KC Civic Orchestra (KCCivic.org/wordpress) offer these opportunities each year. What a fun and unique way to introduce your child to music!

Offer guidance and exposure.

As a parent, you will have the job of exposing your child to the arts, just as you would to sports. “I think it is important to expose children to the arts and see what they enjoy! Take your child to the Nelson, a play, the ballet. Go to a local concert.

The arts are all around us in KC, between all of the options offered through both local rec departments and private theater, dance, music and art studios. Take advantage of it!” Caroline suggests.

Throughout this process, you also may find your child repeatedly goes back to the same type of activity. Be willing to offer a bit of guidance and push him slightly to try out something different. If you have a sports enthusiast, try guiding him toward an art or music lesson to help him break out of his comfort zone. “Our daughter has loved music since she was a baby, so we also decided to encourage her desire to dance. She likes to move quickly, so we thought hip hop classes would be a better fit for her than the traditional ballet that many little girls do.

Classes usually aren’t available until they are 4, so we enrolled her as soon as she was old enough at Jody Phillips Dance Company,” says Meredith.

Avoid overscheduling.

While trying different activities is great, don’t rush out there and sign up your child for four different classes at once. An overscheduled child probably isn’t going to enjoy much when she feels so tapped out and exhausted. And let’s be honest, neither will you! Just like you plan activities for your child, be cognizant of planning downtime to avoid burnout.

Johnson County offers so many opportunities to pay for a drop-in music class, cooking lesson or art activity, making for great try-it-firsts. Hop on JCPRD.com or BlueValleyRec.org and check out what activities are coming up…and as always, KCParent.com is an excellent resource too!

And remember to have fun exploring the arts with your child!

Julie Collett loves arts enrichment activities and tries to expose her three children (ages 6, 4 and 2) whenever time, energy and finances allow!

Local arts enrichment ideas to check out:

• Culture House • Theatre for Young America • Coterie Theatre • Theatre of the Imagination • N erman Museum of Contemporary Art (youth art classes)

• J CCC youth enrichment classes • T he Jewish Community Center • Kaleidoscope • Paint, Glaze and Fire • J CPRD.com (loads of fine and performing arts choices)

• Ceramic Café • KansasCityMusicTeachers.org • Culinary Center of KC

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pint-sized pursuits :

enrichment activities for the preschool crowd Providing extracurricular activities for your preschoolers can encourage their natural curiosity and love of learning.

Activities also can help them develop important skills like self-awareness, social development, language and motor skills.

Countless classes and programs are available through both parks and rec and private organizations for your child that are both fun and educational. But which activity is right for your child?

team sports Team sports help kids with their social development, as well as problem solving skills. Being part of a team also gives kids a sense of confidence as they have the opportunity to cheer each other on and contribute to the common goal. “Soccer seems to be a good place to start. It gets them used to the idea of team sports,� says Kara Thomas, mom and preschool teacher. Another preschool-friendly team sport is T-ball. Team sports are a good fit for your child if he loves physical activity and socializing with other kids.

art

Preschool kids love to listen to music and to dance. Many music enrichment programs are available that encourage kids to sing, make their own music and use their bodies to express themselves through dance. Numerous dance studios offer beginner classes for the preschool crowd. The study of music and dance helps kids develop their gross motor skills, language and even improve their math and reading skills down the line, according to PBS.org. Music classes are a good fit for any preschooler, but kids who are naturally drawn to music and movement in particular should look into music classes such as Gymboree or Music with Mar, which are geared toward preschool children specifically.

An art class provides the opportunity for kids to create, make messes and try crafts their parents may not want to try at home, such as painting, sculpture and papier-mache. Art helps develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills and encourages kids to explore different colors and textures while encouraging their creativity. Kids who are introverted, creative and can sit still for longer periods of time would enjoy an art class.

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music and dance

preschool and playgroups Traditional preschool exposes children to many different types of enrichment, such as art, music, games, cooperative play, drama and pretend play, as well as develops their social and language skills. While preschool may provide a well-rounded enrichment experience, it may not be a good fit for some families due to schedules or finances. Play groups are another great way to expose your child to many types of enrichment experiences while giving them the social aspect that preschools provide.

individual sports

“I think dance or tumbling is a really good first organized activity for kids,” says Angela Leever, Olathe mom of three and preschool special education teacher. “You want to make sure you get them into an activity where the instructors are used to working with young children and their expectations are age appropriate.”

Gymnastics, swimming and martial arts are great sports activities for little ones to try because they work on their core strength and confidence. Kids who love to be active and are maybe even a little daring do great in these individual sports.

The wonderful thing about preschool enrichment is there are several programs and opportunities in the Kansas City area and countless chances to expose your kids to learning at home as well. “We are really into gardening right now. My son waters the plants every night and has to help pull weeds. It has been a great learning experience for him,” says Katlyn Purkapile, mom of two from Edgerton.

Kids can learn by helping with chores around the house, exploring all the parks and museums Kansas City has to offer and even visiting the local library.

Olathe mother of two Stephanie Pratt says, “Everything you do is a learning activity for preschoolers. My kids love to cook with me.”

Get creative, make learning fun and allow your child to explore and try new things both in organized programs and at home.

at-home enrichment You don’t have to spend a fortune on classes to give your kids great enrichment experiences. Here are some ideas to incorporate at home or explore in your community.

Gross motor: Visit a park, play in the backyard, create an obstacle course using household objects or have a family dance party.

Fine motor: Create a sensory bin, play with puzzles or blocks, allow your kids to draw and practice with scissors.

Language: Sing, read and use cooperative play.

Social development: Host playdates, explore the city, go on a scavenger hunt.

Self awareness: Dress up, cook, have kids help with chores and gardening.

Mom of six Sarah Lyons lives in Olathe with her family.

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a bushel of fun!

Let’s get the ball rolling with a few fun apple games...

For apple bowling, take nine to 10 recycled plastic bottles of any shape, size and color and form a triangle. After you form the triangle, stand on the opposite side of the room and give an apple you don’t mind sparing a nice solid roll toward the bottles. The goal here it to knock over as may “pins” in one roll as you can. Strikes are welcome! This is a do-it-yourself, cheap and fun way for family and friends of all shapes, sizes and ages to come together for some friendly competition. Apple bowling is also enjoyable in teams: girls versus boys, Mom versus Dad—even kids versus parents. As long as we all can agree that the losers do the dishes!

While dozens aren’t the easiest to carry,apples are definitely tons of fun. The harvest is here, and the apples are ready, so keep reading for fun, food and facts with one of America’s favorite fruits.

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retrieve the apples using only your mouth.

This is a fun group game, and it’s okay if everyone gets a little wet.

Apple towers! This do-it-yourself build-it tower requires only two things: diced apples and toothpicks. This game is most popular among the little ones and requires just a little parental encouragement. Remind your children that not only is this fun, but the tower also can be a fun snack!

Now for the food...

Nothing works up an appetite more than a night full of games! Here’s a recipe for a quick and healthy snack.

DID YOU KNOW?

Apple Chips

1. Apples are grown in all 50 states.

What you will need:

2. Apples range in size from as small as a

3 apples Cinnamon Granulated sugar

Finally, recruit the mad scientists! This game will not only improve your children’s attention to detail, but it can save money in the long run. You will need six separate bowls, one with lemon juice, one with vinegar, one with baking soda, one with milk, one with nothing and one with water.

Dice up a few apple slices, being sure to place the same number of apples in each bowl, and then wait for the magic to happen.

The goal here is to see how long the apples last in the bowl before they turn brown. You can even set a timer and have the kids count down. Family-oriented apple fun!

Fun with facts…

Baking spray Cookie sheet Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray to avoid sticking. You will need to chop your three apples into ¼-inch slices (or your preferred chip thickness), mix the ground cinnamon and granulated sugar in a small bowl, then sprinkle the mixture over the sliced apples. Bake the apples for 1 ½ hours on each side. When baking is complete, the chips should be nice and crispy and still quite healthy.

cherry to as big as a grapefruit.

3. Apples even make you smart! Did you

know apples contain boron, a mineral that increases mental alertness?

4. Apples also contain an acid that whitens

your teeth and dissolves stains.

5. Lastly, more than 7,500 varieties of

apples are grown around the world.

Now that you know a little more about apples, take advantage of that bushel!

Jessica Samuel is a St. Louis native that now lives in Kansas City. She’s a photographer, freelance writer and graduate student.

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33

ain’t life

GRAND

Meemaw and Pawpaw. Nana and Papa. Grandma and Grandpa.

W

e call them by thousands of different names, but we all can agree no one symbolizes the strength of family and love quite like a grandparent. Year over year, decade over decade, these men and women help solidify our family bonds, remind us to stay grounded and stuff our kids with candy they shouldn’t be eating. And life wouldn’t be the same without them! So what makes a grandparent truly grand? Let’s find out…

They keep it real.

Grandparents are beholden to no one.

They aren’t your parents or your friends and they don’t have to live with your

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ridiculous attitude when you get home. As a teenager, I confessed to my grandmother that I was quitting a job and didn’t want to give my employer the full two weeks’ notice I’d initially promised. I framed a solid justification, telling my grandma how I really wanted to get going on my new job and it was more money, so it wasn’t a big deal. My grandmother looked me dead in the eyes and said, “So you want to be known as someone who doesn’t keep her word? What a terrible thing for someone to discover about you.” Needless to say, I fulfilled my two-week obligation.

Grandparents are truth tellers, and no one escapes that.

They have time for everything.

As a general rule, by the time you’re old enough to really talk to your grandparents, they’re probably retired. This means you and your child can call them any time of day or night (and as weird as it seems, grandparents can hang until the late hours) and talk their ears off. Or, with grandparents getting more savvy with technology, you can stay connected via social media and Facetime!

Grandparents are also great cheerleaders when it comes to supporting your child’s passions. Make sure to send an invitation to every concert, graduation, birthday party and celebration. If they live nearby, also offer to

shuttle them back and forth. Though they won’t be able to attend each event, you will be so glad for the ones they did. No one ever looks back and says, “I wish my grandparents hadn’t come to that choir concert.”

“Spoil” doesn’t compute.

Meema and Pappo aren’t spoilers— they’re just “strict resistant.” Part of becoming a grandparent means taking those hard and fast rules that Mom and Dad have set and bending them a little.

Okay, sometimes breaking them right off.

This can occasionally become a point of contention between parents and grands because it may feel invasive or disrespectful when rules aren’t followed. At the heart of it, though, spoiling comes from love.

Grandparents have worked hard their entire lives to finally kick back and cause a little mischief. They’re ready to live it up and see the joy in their grandchildren’s eyes when “yes” is the answer to every request.

And really, 20 years from now, will that extra late bedtime have caused any tangible problems? Doubtful.

They pass on generations of stories.

To know your future is to understand your past. No one has a key to days gone by like a grandparent. By their 60s and 70s, they have lived a lot of life and they remember like it was yesterday. Children both young and old should learn about their grandparents’ lives. Consider periodically sitting down with your kids and their grandparents to simply ask them questions.

You’ll be amazed at the lessons they’ve learned, the narrow escapes they’ve executed and the mistakes they’ve made. Many children lose their grandparents early in life, so the more time you can spend with them now, the more memories you will make. As Shannon Elder says, “Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.”

Kim Antisdel is a freelance writer and interior design sales rep for KC. She lives in Liberty with her husband, stepdaughters and toddler son.

Five questions to have your children ask Meema and Pawpaw:

1

Tell us about the first date you ever went on. Who did you

take and where did you go?

2 3

What was your worst subject in school? What was your best?

Where were you when (fill in the blank) happened? Tip: If

your child is learning about a certain event in school, ask about that specifically. It will give kids a real world perspective from someone they know and respect.

4

What is the biggest trouble you can remember that Mom/Dad

got into? How did they handle the consequences?

5

If you could have lunch with one person, alive or dead,

who would it be and why?

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at-home

PRESCHOOL

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kcparent.com september 2017

a

s of this fall, my 4-year-old will begin preschool at home. Having taught the two older brothers who have gone before him, I now have more than seven years of practice under my belt.

One of the things I’ve learned in that time is that teaching preschool isn’t hard. In fact, I’d argue it’s one of the greatest joys of parenting young children.

Maybe you would like to homeschool your preschooler but you don’t know where to start or you feel overwhelmed by all the information you’ve received. Let me encourage you with this simple truth: As a mom or dad, you already have been unofficially teaching preschool within the home. To parent is to teach. Every time you remind your child to say please or thank you, show him how to tie his shoes or read a beloved picture book for the countless time, you’re teaching him manners, life skills and a love for the written word. Integrating a gentle preschool program into your day is merely an extension of that parenting.

Preschool is also not a time for high academia. It’s a time of wonder and discovery. A time to learn through play, singing, simple chores and interaction with others. Preschool then should whet a child’s appetite for learning and excite him about what’s to come later on within formal schooling.

Many parents feel like they may fall short in instructing preschool because they think they need to have a bunch of expensive educational resources, a designated room or even a specialized degree. But the truth is preschool can be done anywhere on any budget (not to mention you have credentials that no one else can boast as the premier expert on your child). Truly, the world is your classroom! Not limited to a designated classroom, preschool can take place cuddled up on the couch reading Caldecott Awardwinning classics, in the kitchen baking cookies, in the backyard building mud pies or in the bedroom constructing a fort.

When I began preschool with my firstborn, I was chomping at the bit to buy everything I could get my hands on that would benefit his learning experience.

Sections of our house really did look more

like a school than a home environment.

Over time, I invoked a less-is-more approach, whittled down our mounting collection of toys and manipulatives and ditched all the schoolroom wall art. From there, I assessed what was working and what was not, took note of tried-and-true favorite activities and toys and got rid of everything else that stood in the way. It turned out simplicity really was best.

As a mom or dad, you already have been unofficially teaching preschool within the home.

To parent is to teach.

Within our home, I have four main objectives for preschool: character formation, life skills, basic academics and social interaction. Some of the activities we do focus specifically on one goal, while many integrate all of the objectives together.

One morning we may break out a game of Memory, where players try to find matching pairs of cards. By afternoon, the same skills will be put to the test through real life application, be it sorting dirty laundry by colors, folding socks or unloading the clean utensils from the dishwasher. Add siblings to the mix and a preschooler is learning the art of teamwork (social skills), diligence and hard work (character), as well as comparing and contrasting items so they can be placed accordingly (life skills and basic skills).

There are times when it’s obvious a child is lacking in something. If a child is struggling by way of character, this is not a disruption to preschool; it is a time to make preschool work for that child’s shortcoming. Read books about virtuous and heroic people of old, discuss virtues and vices (particularly focusing on the virtue that’s missing) and look for opportunities to grow those “character muscles” within the home and out.

Children need a sense of structure and order to their days. Building in designated times to eat, sleep, do chores, school and play gives a child predictability to his days and helps him to anticipate the next thing.

This doesn’t mean you need to be a slave

to a rigid schedule so much as there is a constancy to your daily happenings. Over time, the rhythm and flow of your days will become the building blocks to family rituals that foster closeness. Of course, if there is anyone who knows a thing or two about unanticipated situations, it’s a homeschooling mom. Make sure your schedule reflects that, building in adequate margin for the hiccups that come along the way.

Having a baby underfoot can be one of the biggest challenges for trying to begin preschool with an older sibling. In those seasons, your schedule may seem to be at the mercy of the baby (because, well, it is!). Utilize the baby’s naptime or times when he is eating contentedly in the high chair nearby as one-on-one time with your preschooler. On the flip side, homeschooling offered a sweet perk to my babies: They never had to be awakened from a nap so we could pick up or drop off an older sibling at preschool.

Resources for preschool abound. My favorites usually revolve around the library.

Story time hours, free music classes, helpful children’s librarians and online holds (not to mention drive-thru pickup options at select libraries within our system) all made it a top resource. The Six by Six program available within the Johnson County library system— thoughtfully crafted bags full of board books, hardback books, CDs and DVDs centered on unit studies perfectly designed for children under 6—were just the cherry on top!

Lauren Greenlee is a homeschooling mother of three and an avid fan of teaching the preschool years. She and her young family reside in Olathe.

HERE’S AN IDEA! With 52 weeks in a year and 26 letters in the alphabet, a letter of the week program (or a letter for every two weeks, rather) is a great introduction to phonetic awareness and pre-reading skills.

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37

10 TIPS TO CONQUER

i

kid clutter Start by overhauling what your kids already have for about an hour a day so you don’t get overwhelmed.

get exhausted just thinking about how much clutter accompanies kids: clothes, shoes, diapers, wipes, bottles, toys, stuffed animals, paperwork and on and on. And it only gets worse as they grow up and start to participate in activities outside the home (think ballet shoes, softball equipment, Scout projects, homework papers and such). Sure, you can tell your kid to clean his room, but chances are he has too much and won’t even know where to start. Why not give a few of these tips a try to help your household recover from clutter?

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1

Start by overhauling what your kids already have for about an hour a day so you don’t get overwhelmed (toys, stuffed animals, shoes, clothes, books, videos). Separate items into two or three piles or bags: throw away, give away (or sell at a consignment store or in a garage sale) and (if applicable) save for a future kid. Then group like items (e.g., shoes, leotards, sports equipment) so you can quickly figure out what you are missing or have too much of. A friend of mine with four boys says, “I found that my kids’ dressers were overflowing with clothes, much of it never worn. I went through them and … only kept a few pairs of shorts and pants and their five favorite shirts. It has made it much easier for them to get dressed in the morning because without all the clothes they weren’t wearing packed in there, they can choose their outfits quickly.”

2

Notify family and friends that you are trying to reduce clutter.

Grandma would probably be thrilled to get the kids a membership to the local zoo, while several people could pool money to pay for quite a few of your daughter’s ballet lessons. This is also a great way to teach your kids that birthdays and the December holidays are not just about what your kid can get out of the whole deal.

3

I am in love with those toy storage units with the 10 brightly colored bins. You can either have your child throw everything in the bins however he likes, or try to get him to sort by bin (e.g., trains in the large yellow bin, books in the small blue bin, animals in the small red bin, etc.). But … don’t get too crazy about grouping like items. While this method works well for many things (trains, shoes, Barbies), make sure you have a catch-all system, too (see #4).

4

Consider buying a storage ottoman for a main living area.

Target carries a nice brown faux leather storage ottoman with a no-pinch lid for about $80 that hides toys and is also sturdy enough to serve as a seat for two. Kids can do a fast pickup daily or when company is on the way, and then close the lid on the whole mess.

5

Underbed boxes and/or plastic storage tubs are nice for storing things like stuffed animals and out-of-season clothes, depending on the height of your child’s bed frame.

Consider using simple copy paper boxes, which are great for throwing miscellaneous toys into and then shoving in a closet. Not only are they free, but also fit under many beds so they are hidden.

6

Perform a paper purge. One sample of how well your child colored within the lines at age 3 is fine, but something even more special would be a hand-drawn picture. This is a tough one for most softies, so ideas for saving space include putting pictures up in the garage instead, taking a photo of a set of pictures or giving away pictures to loved ones. Here’s a tip from a mom with seven kids, “The laundry room is our art gallery. Special pieces of art line the walls; the masterpieces are swapped out when the walls are full and new pieces arrive. With six kids I spend many hours in the laundry room surrounded by art and the kids feel like a million bucks!”

7

Never search for shoes again!

Place a medium-size basket by the door you normally use to enter and leave the house for seasonal shoes. Out ofseason shoes can be stored in their closet or in a plastic tub in the basement.

8

Take all kiddie DVDs and music/ computer/video game CDs out of their cases. Store them in a short, round case or in a disc album that holds eight CDs per page in sleeves.

9

Do a purge before holidays and birthdays because it’s a given that more stuff will be arriving. I like to pretend I’m moving in a week and absolutely can’t take everything in my home with me.

That prompts me to get rid of more things.

10

Keep it up. To maintain your newfound order, have the kids pick up daily, either before dinner or before bedtime, and teach them that it’s easier to do it as it happens instead of letting it get out of hand (something that took me about 35 years to figure out!).

Kerrie McLoughlin is the homeschooling mom of five. You can catch up with her at TheKerrieShow.com.

KC Parent readers share their best tips for conquering clutter: Sarah: Everything has a home. When I hand my child any item that belongs to him or is communal, I say, “Put this where it belongs,” and he knows exactly where it goes.

Kim: We have a designated charging station for all Kindles, iPads, iPods, phones, etc.

Every night all electronics get plugged in and left in the charging area.

Laura: I hang kids’ artwork on the inside of my cabinet doors. Every time I open, I get to see their creations!

Grace: I hung an over-the-door shoe organizer inside my daughter’s closet.

Any random items can be stuck in there to keep them off the floor. We organize it every couple of months.

Michelle: I place any items left around the house throughout the day in a basket at the bottom of the stairs. Each night everyone in the family goes through the basket and puts away their things.

kcparent.com september 2017

39

staying connected with relatives NOW IN THE DIGITAL AGE, KEEPING UP WITH FAMILY MEMBERS THROUGH TEXTING, SKYPE OR FACETIME AND SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE EASY.

m

y children have lived much further than “over the river and through the woods” from all their grandparents and extended family for most of their lives. We have lived in different states than our family for more than six years so we know all about trying to stay connected with many miles and hours between us.

Fostering strong relationships between my children and our extended family is a priority, but with distance between us, we have had to get creative with how to manage that wish. Personal visits are important and memorable, but visiting takes time, money and lots of planning—especially if you are traveling with children. Holidays and birthdays are a natural time to visit family or have family visit you. Other ideas include visiting for family reunions, annual events like hometown festivals or starting your own

40

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family traditions. I am thrilled we have been able to head back to my grandparents’ home in Iowa to make homemade apple cider in the fall and love that my kids have a special memory with their great-grandparents.

Visits are still infrequent, though, so we supplement to maintain those relationships.

Children can color a picture, make a cute craft or write a card to mail to family members. Then it’s fun to see their creations hanging on the refrigerator when they do get to visit. “I take all the school papers I would just throw away and mail to Grandma,” Sarah Lyons, Olathe mother of six, says.

“She loves to see them and hang them up, and I have less paper to deal with.” My own daughter began a pen pal notebook to draw pictures and write to her grandma who lives in Colorado. It’s a fun piece of mail to receive and so sweet to look back on their notes and pictures to each other over the years.

You can send quite a few surprising things via snail mail. My son sent the AniMails Moose to his grandpa, and now his grandpa texts us pictures of what “Marty the Moose” is up to at his house. For great-grandparents who are not tech savvy, we send periodic updates in a physical letter, including recent pictures of the kids.

Jennifer Willis, Blue Springs mother of four, offers a great idea from her family: “My grandmother had many siblings and they had an ongoing round robin letter. Every few months, my grandmother would receive a large envelope with letters from each of her siblings, along with pictures. Once she read all of them, she would take her old letter and pictures out and replace them with new ones and send the envelope to the next person.”

To help children become more familiar with unfamiliar family faces, get creative!

“When the big boys were little, they had some ‘stranger danger’ feelings when outof-town relatives would visit, so I made a family matching game,” Willis says. “I printed wallet size pictures at Walmart (you get two of the same picture). They loved playing the game and they got familiar with family members!” If craftiness is not your forte, Shutterfly.com offers a personalized memory game. Photographs are a great way for little ones to get to know their family members. Display both old and new pictures throughout your home and use a digital photo frame or computer screensaver to run a slideshow of family photos. Another fun way to keep family in your home is by having out-of-town relatives give recordable storybooks from Hallmark. My children love listening to Great-Grandma read them a story!

Now in the digital age, keeping up with family members through texting, Skype or Facetime and social media can be easy.

I enjoy keeping up to date by posting our family photos online monthly and even began a personal blog about our daily life.

My grandparents are pretty tech savvy, and my grandma often jokes she waits for new pictures to pop up on Facebook and worries she will wear out videos I post online by watching them too many times. Creating your own personal blog is simple, or you can create private albums on various sites and simply email the link to family members.

Creating a group text is an easy way to stay in the loop of each other’s lives, as well. “I have a group text with John’s sisters that is constantly going,” Willis says. “We share pictures and updates about life and kids.”

Speaking of phones, teaching children how to actually speak on the phone is a fun way to let kids connect to family, but you may need to translate for the younger speakers.

So if you find yourselves relocating for different jobs like our family has, take heart knowing your extended family can indeed stay connected. A bit more planning is required but it can be fun!

Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 7, Mason, 5, and Slade, 2, and writes from her home. You can check out more of her writing at LettersFromTheLouxs.blogspot.com.

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what’s healthier, school lunch or packed lunch?

Packed lunches still can be healthier than school lunches, even after accounting for parents’

I

f you’ve decided to send your kids to school with a packed lunch because you think it’s healthier than school lunches, you might want to take a closer look at what you’re putting in it.

According to the Journal of Child Nutrition, 60 percent of packed school lunches failed to meet nutrition standards set by the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Children’s packed lunches scored negatively on amounts of dessert and snack food calories, as well as saturated fats and sodium. Only 27 percent of packed lunches met three or more NLSP standards for protein, grains, fruit, milk and vegetables.

In the past, school lunches often exceeded levels of fat and sodium recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. But today, due to improved requirements, many school programs receive high scores in protein, fats, calcium, iron, sodium and vitamins.

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The Hazards of Convenience Convenience might be superseding healthy choices in your packed lunches.

According to the journal study, the culprits are prepackaged desserts, snack chips and SSBs (sugar-sweetened beverages). Who doesn’t love a sweet treat—and kids are no exception! But even if the packaged dessert has as few as 100 calories, that’s a quarter of a 400-calorie lunch! Snack chips can appear healthy if they are baked and made with whole grains. But beware, they often have a higher sodium content to make up for the loss of flavor from frying.

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB’s) claim they are healthy because they contain added vitamins. But interestingly, the study found packed lunches containing SSBs were significantly more likely to have low amounts of proteins, fiber and calcium, along with excessive amounts of sugar.

Send only 100 percent fruit juice, but be aware of the sugar content. Although fruit juice may seem more “natural” than drinks with added high-fructose corn syrup, raw fruit is even better because it delivers a lower concentration of sugar along with fiber that makes you feel full longer.

Healthy Packed Lunch Strategy n

Packed lunches still can be healthier than school lunches, even after accounting for parents’ limited time to prepare them. One strategy is to shift your focus away from trying to limit fats, sugars and sodium in your kids’ lunches. Instead, focus on what to include. Try including a variety of proteins, whole grains and fruits and vegetables.

n

Your first move can be to use a lunch bag that includes a freezer pack. Or include a frozen food that will thaw by lunchtime, such as make-ahead meat or peanut butter sandwiches. (Place fresh lettuce

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When I became a new mom 3 years ago, I was shocked to learn about the chemical junk in our baby care products. So I decided to make it my goal to protect my sweet little boy from those harmful, synthetic chemicals. With over a year of research and education, I am now a local natural wellness educator and distributor with Young Living Essential Oils. My goal is to educate, encourage and empower families to ditch their household toxic chemicals and begin living lives of wellness, purpose and abundance!

Send a text to 913-952-4208 NOW to learn more about the natural lifestyle.

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limited time to prepare them. and pickles in separate bags). You also can send frozen burritos or pizza. n Lean protein sources for packed lunches can include deli meats, peanut butter, chicken, eggs and beans. n Low-fat dairy can come from yogurt, cottage cheese and other cheeses. n Whole grains can be incorporated into lunches through breads, cereals and highfiber tortillas. n Cooked, canned, dried or raw fruits and vegetables are easy to pack. n Swap out high-calorie snacks and desserts for hummus with vegetables, nuts, seeds, popcorn, dried fruits and whole fruits with yogurt.

Your child’s healthiest school lunch option still can be her home-packed lunch bag.

Karen Kight has packed hundreds of school lunches for her three kids and, regrettably, has sometimes sacrificed healthy food for more convenient, less ‘natural’ options.

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kcparent.com september 2017

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time flies!

easy time-savers for parents

Saving a few minutes here and there can really add up. Head to KCParent.com for tips on how to save a few minutes each day that could add up to big time savers!

l

et’s face it: Being a parent in today’s busy world is far from easy. In fact, some days can be downright crazy!

From making healthy meals for the family each day and running kids to practices, to paying bills and fitting in a little time for yourself, time is of the essence. Unfortunately, there just never seems to be enough of it to go around. The good news is that there are ways to sneak in an extra hour or two each day. Here’s how:

make lists. While a long to-do list can look dreadfully daunting, you’ll find

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no simpler household management tool.

Some cool mobile apps are available to help busy parents, however, many people find it much more satisfying to mark off tasks on a simple pen-and-paper checklist or calendar.

delegate chores. Divvy up the responsibilities each day among family members. Showing the eldest children how to wash their own clothes or the youngest how to fold and put away their own clean clothes doesn’t take long. Create chore charts for each child so he knows

his chores each day. This allows kids to see what chores are expected, plus gives them the satisfaction of checking things off as they’re completed. Sharing the household chores builds responsibility and self-esteem, helping your children become more successful adults.

manage the mornings. Are you running amuck each morning trying to get everyone out the door? Lessen the stress by packing lunches in the evening.

Try putting single-serving containers of applesauce, carrots, cheese sticks and other

make extra. When making a family

do shorter cycles. If the clothes aren’t

favorite for dinner, double the recipe and freeze the other half for another night.

Voila! Even easier…head to Social Suppers (SocialSuppers.com) and purchase entrées from the express fridge. See pg. 43 for a coupon for a FREE entrée from the Prairie Village location.

that dirty, choose a shorter cycle during the wash and rinse phase. You’ll get laundry done much more quickly, and as a bonus, a shorter cycle is better for the environment and your water bill!

take shortcuts. Does the recipe call for chicken? Buy rotisserie or frozen grilled chicken breasts from the store. No time to make homemade sauce? Don’t be afraid to buy it from the store.

have your groceries delivered.

For a small fee, most grocery stores will deliver right to your door. Online grocery shopping also can cut back on impulse buying—especially if you’re shopping hungry.

have breakfast for dinner. When there’s no time to whip up dinner, serve the family one of their quick breakfast favorites!

Scrambled eggs are quick to make, and a serving of fruit on the side makes it that much healthier. Not egg fans? Let everyone fill a bowl of cold cereal, with a cup of fruit on the side. invest in an extra freezer. Having an additional freezer will allow you to buy in bulk so you make fewer trips to the grocery store each month.

control clutter with baskets.

lunch items in a basket on the counter, then let your kids pick what they’d like to put in their lunches. Choose the next day’s clothing, checking the weather the night before and having your children (and you) select the following day’s outfits ahead of time. This little step will alleviate morning arguments over proper clothing.

prep in advance. While you’re making breakfasts, prep what you can for dinner ahead of time. You can mix dry ingredients to have them ready, and wash and chop veggies.

Purchase some pretty baskets and designate one for each family member. At the end of each day, have everyone gather their toys, books, socks and other items in their baskets to put away before bedtime.

multitask. While waiting for dinner to finish cooking, clean the kitchen. Scrub down the bathroom after you shower or fold laundry as you remove it from the dryer.

treat clothing stains asap. Doing this is much easier than trying to inspect every item of clothing on laundry day. Pretreat stains as they happen so, when the time comes, you can just toss everything into the washing machine.

purchase wrinkle-free fabrics.

Unless you really enjoy ironing, look for clothing labeled “wrinkle-free.” Stay away from fabrics such as linen and rayon that crease easily.

put a tape dispenser and scissors in every living area of your home. When you have kids, these come in handy and seem to be needed a lot.

Plus, with multiple sets, you spend less time running around the house looking for them.

take a “busy-mom” shower.

“What is this?” you ask. Washing yourself using the sink, washcloths and soap rather than taking a full shower every day. Almost every busy mom has done this. Dry shampoo is handy, too. However, if you’re someone who needs to shower every day, try showering at night to free up some time in the morning.

pay bills and bank online. Most banks now let you deposit checks online instead of having to do it in person. Plus, setting yourself up to pay bills online will save you both money on stamps and trips to the post office. Double whammy!

purge. The more stuff you have in your home, the more cleaning, dusting and organizing you must do. If you have more than you need, it’s probably time for a garage sale or a big donation run to your local thrift store or the Good Will. Some organizations even offer free donation pickup services in certain areas.

Freeing up time in your daily life really can be this simple! Just remember: No household has ever fallen apart from parents’ consolidating tasks and cutting a few corners. Instead, happier, lower stress homes were created.

Kansas City mom Gina Klein is a writer and author who thrives on cutting as many corners in her day-to-day life as she can for her family’s sanity.

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parenting without overdoing it how to step back and let children build self-sufficiency

S

helby Vanbuskirk, a Lee’s Summit mom and school teacher in the Kansas City area, often has heard second- and third-grade students say they can’t complete simple tasks such as getting items out of their backpacks or desks.

At the same time, she also sees many parents with young children jump every time their toddler trips to try to prevent all their falls. She believes the lack of

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confidence in the school-age children she works with might begin with the excessive intervention parents often give in earlier stages of development.

How do parents effectively teach children the life skills and independence they need to thrive? What exactly is overparenting?

“Overparenting is doing for a child what they can do for themselves,” Vanbuskirk says. “Now, there are times we do it for them because it’s safer or the child needs a break,

but overparenting is not letting your kids figure things out for themselves through harmless mistakes and falls.”

Amy Speidel, a master instructor for Conscious Discipline, says to correct overparenting, parents need to look at the cause of the issue.

“It’s important to know why this happens,” Speidel says. “Why are parents doing this in a way we’ve never done before?”

To that end, she says society was much different 60 years ago. There was asphalt on playgrounds, child safety in cars was an afterthought, no one wore a helmet on a bike, and there were no cell phones to constantly check up on a child. Similarly, little consideration was given for child safety in the emotional arena. If someone called a child a name at school, the child just had to deal with it.

Eventually, society began to see some of these things needed to change, but the changes kept coming.

“It went from where we needed to go for children’s safety to overprotection,” Speidel says. “The line got blurred.”

As a result, she says, children sometimes don’t have the confidence they can walk through this world and are still calling their parents for basic things when they are older.

Overall, she says overparenting tries to eliminate any consequence for a child.

One way to recognize whether someone is overparenting is seeing a child be ready to step out into more responsibility, but a parent holds him back for fear it will not go well for the child.

Similarly, she says oftentimes a child can do a task but perhaps not as well as the parent. The parent then chooses to do that task because the child can’t complete it perfectly. This is another form of overparenting and only teaches the child he should be perfect at everything.

Instead, Speidel says parents need to dig deep in themselves and decide whether they are willing to let their child face the natural consequence of a choice so he can become resilient and responsible. She says natural consequences are a good learning tool for children.

For example, if a child refuses to finish her homework, letting her receive a bad grade and face the resulting consequences is preferable to doing the homework for the child. Similarly, if despite warnings a school-age child keeps forgetting to put his bike up in the garage and it gets stolen when left outside, letting the child feel the loss of

the bike and save up money for a new one will help teach him to take good care of his possessions.

When a parent decides to let the natural consequences run their course, Speidel says, it’s important to be compassionate with kids in the discussion of the consequences and what they mean.

as often when they argue over something.

She says the result is her kids are learning some conflict resolution skills on their own, as well as how to climb and accomplish physical tasks at the park.

“I was a big-time helicopter mom, but I have learned they will be better off if I just sit back and let them figure things out,” she says.

Garbi also says she has thought back to her childhood and all the falls, spills and bruises she took and how it made her tougher as a result.

Allison Gibeson is a stay-at-home mom and writer from Lee’s Summit.

When should I be protective?

Overparenting is doing for a child what they can do for themselves.

“Be curious about their experience and help them learn from the consequence,” she says.

Another form of overparenting can come from being too involved in how a child compares with other children. A parent’s being too concerned with how everyone perceives the child might only teach the child she is deficient in some way.

Andrea Garbi, a Blue Springs mom of three, says she has learned to calm down and step back a bit over time as a mom. She doesn’t help her kids out as much at the park as she used to and doesn’t intervene

While allowing for natural consequences to happen, taking into consideration what might happen if parents go too far and never intervene is important.

“In a perfect world, free-range parents are probably more on the mark, but not everyone has (children’s) best interest at heart,” Amy Speidel, master instructor for Conscious Discipline, says.

To this end, she says it’s important to pay attention to the anomaly of what could happen in a given situation, while still allowing for everyday experiences.

“It’s always gauging what the consequences would be if it went poorly,” Speidel says.

She advises parents to separate out what makes them uncomfortable with what isn’t safe or responsible for the child.

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facts about kansas city

1 2 3 4 5 6

Kansas City is the 37th most populated metropolitan area in the United States.

The scoreboard at Arrowhead Stadium was the first to transmit instant replay.

Kansas City has more barbecue restaurants per capita than any other United States city.

The Country Club Plaza, opened in 1922, was the nations’s first suburban shopping district.

Possum Trot and Rabbitville were early name suggestions for our city. Town of Kansas was agreed upon, which later became City of Kansas and then Kansas City.

7 8

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Swope Park, at 1,805 acres, is more than twice the size of Central Park in New York City.

14

1934 was the hottest Kansas City summer on record, with an average temperature of 84.9 degrees.

You probably know about the famous shuttlecocks on the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, but did you know that the museum is supposed to be the net in the badminton game?

kcparent.com september 2017

9 10 11 12 13

15

By the late 1940s, 86 factories were manufacturing garments in Kansas City.

In 1963, what is widely believed to be the first multiplex movie theater opened in Ward Parkway Shopping Center.

More than 25 colleges and universities call the Kansas City area home.

Before Harry S. Truman went into politics, he owned a Kansas City haberdashery.

The Happy Meal was invented in Kansas City.

Bob Bernstein, founder of local advertising agency Bernstein-Rein, got the idea after noticing his son staring at a cereal box during breakfast.

Ernest Hemingway worked as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star from 1917 to 1918 and wrote the ending to his novel, A Farewell to Arms, while back in the city for the birth of his second son.

Legendary baseball manager Casey Stengel was actually named Charles, but his nickname comes from the initials of his birthplace, the one and only K.C.

16

Russell Stover, the largest maker of boxed chocolate in the world, has been based in KC since 1932.

17 18 19 20 21 22

Before Jackie Robinson became the first AfricanAmerican major leaguer, he was a shortstop with the Kansas City Monarchs, a Negro Leagues organization.

Kansas City has more than 200 fountains, giving it the nickname the City of Fountains.

John Steinbeck’s book The Grapes of Wrath, was banned in KCK in 1939.

Jazz legend Charlie Parker’s first gig was in the Country Club Plaza, where restaurant Fogo De Chao is now located.

The Plaza Christmas lights tradition started with a strand of 16 lights over a doorway in 1925.

Walt Disney opened his first animation studio, called Laugh-O-Gram Studios, in Kansas City.

Mickey Mouse was inspired by a real-life mouse in the building.

23 24

25 26 27

Jam sessions originated in Kansas City, when jazz musicians would play into the wee hours of the morning.

KCMO has more than 220 parks, 29 lakes, 103 playgrounds and 134 miles of trails and bikeways.

28 29

Joyce Hall, founder of Hallmark Cards, started out selling postcards out of a shoebox in Kansas City.

The Jacksons’ Victory Tour, fresh off the success of Michael’s album Thriller launched at Arrowhead Stadium in 1984.

Our airport was originally called Mid-Continent International but became Kansas City International when it opened in 1972. The designator code remained MCI, because K is reserved for broadcast station call letters.

The Kansas City Royals got their name from the American Royal, the livestock show that’s been held in KC since 1899.

Kansas City has more boulevards than Paris.

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March 23, 1912, set a record for most snowfall in a single day in Kansas City–20.5 inches.

Belton resident Tisha Foley loves watching the Royals, eating barbecue and visiting Kansas City attractions with her family.

Sources: Visit KC, the Kansas City Star, Kansas City Public Library, KCMO Parks and Recreation, KSHB

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an autumn family

glamping trip

g

lamping is one of the fastest growing trends in travel. If you want to experience the great outdoors without the work of setting up tents and unrolling sleeping bags, but also want to enjoy the luxuries of mattresses, heating and cooling, indoor plumbing and more, you’ll be happy to find that more and more options are becoming available. If you had asked me years ago, I would not have predicted that glamping would become one of my favorite ways to travel.

I have many fond memories of tent camping and always have loved sleeping under the stars. But, alas, I’m a chronic back pain sufferer, and sleeping on the ground is no longer my friend. I’ve wanted my girls to experience great family memories while enjoying the beauty of nature, so glamping has become one of our family’s favorite ways to vacation. These are a few of our favorite places for a weekend (or week-long) getaway to enjoy autumn foliage and nature.

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Lodge at Echo Bluff State Park Photo Credit: Missouri State Parks

ECHO BLUFF STATE PARK EchoBluffStatePark.com

Our family loves state parks. We often add them to the itinerary when traveling to other states and we make a point to visit several Missouri state parks every year. Last year marked the opening of Missouri’s newest state park, Echo Bluff.

Situated in southern Missouri in the heart of the Ozarks, with nearby access to float trips along the Current and Jack rivers and Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Echo Bluff was our destination last fall. We fell in love with it, booking a trip for this coming October before we left. The site is open year-round, but we are especially partial to the beauty of autumn.

Canoeing in Echo Bluff State Park Photo Credit: Missouri State Parks

The beautiful concave bluff along Sinking Creek, where voices echo against the rocks, gives the park its name and offers a scenic backdrop to the park lodge and cabins.

Visitors to Echo Bluff have many lodging choices, including hotel rooms in the main lodge (which also houses a restaurant and gift shop), cabins, RVs and tent camping.

Our family chose modern cabins that were fully furnished homes complete with kitchen, bathrooms and beautiful decks for grilling. The site includes a delightful playground, an amphitheater used for programming and a community fire pit where you may sing camp songs and make s’mores.

The park is beautiful and scenic, and if you’re lucky, you’ll even see the wild

mustangs of Shannon County, one of the only wild horse herds in Missouri, known to roam the park and nearby riverways.

Five fun things to do when you visit Echo Bluff State Park:

• Canoe: Many float trip outfitters are set

up near Echo Bluff, and you may choose to float the Current or Jack rivers. We opted for a half-day float on the Current River. The river is one of the prettiest in Missouri with crystal clear blue water, and floats are a level 1, ideal for families with young children and beginning canoers. Use the directory on MissouriCanoe.com to schedule your trip.

• Tour Alley Spring Mill: The mill, part of the National Park System, offers photos worthy of a calendar. The bright red historic mill, used to grind wheat to flour, is picturesque against the backdrop of Alley Spring with surrounding walking trails.

NPS.gov/ozar/learn/historyculture/alleymill.htm • Go Fishing: Bring your fishing pole and

try to catch smallmouth bass or goggle eye, a local favorite fish.

• Hike and Mountain Bike: The park

offers 4.23 miles of hiking and biking trails.

Nearby, try the Current River Trail for 8 miles of trails. You may bring your own bikes or rent them at the lodge.

• Enjoy Nature Programs: The faculty

at the park hosts nature programs all year long, teaching families about local wildlife and nature. Or bring your telescope or pack a journal and create your own nature journal during your stay.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK NPS.gov/grsm/index.htm

Bears, bears, bears. If you visit our home, you’ll find that one of our daughters LOVES bears. Last year, as we planned our next family trip and asked the girls for input, her love for bears and the other girls’ love for adventure took us on a Smoky Mountain vacation we all loved. The Smoky Mountains in Tennessee offer breathtaking views of “blue smoke tipped mountains” and wildlife.

Our family was excited to see live black bears in Cades Cove in the National Park, but that

was just part of the fun. As America’s most visited national park, this destination offers many adventures to enjoy in the park and surrounding communities. You may choose traditional camping or rent a cabin from one of many local agencies. Those cabins come with any number of luxurious amenities according to your budget.

Five fun things to do when you visit the Smoky Mountains:

• Plan a day in Pigeon Forge, TN:

Pigeon Forge offers a variety of family entertainment options and live shows.

Some of our favorites included the Island (IslandInPigeonForge.com), an entertainment and dining mecca with a Ferris wheel offering gorgeous views of the mountains, arcades and my girls’ favorite, the Island Ropes Course with 30 different elements, two zip lines and one simulated free fall quick jump. Our family loved the Alpine Mountain Coaster (SmokyMountainAlpineCoaster.com), the longest downhill mountain coaster in the United States. And my daughter’s favorite was Three Bears General Store (ThreeBearsGeneralStore.com), a gift shop that also happens to be home to a live bear habitat where visitors may feed bears.

Bears at Cades Cove, Smoky Mountian National Park

• Visit Dolly’s Hometown of Sevierville, TN: Take a cave tour through Forbidden Caverns (ForbiddenCavern.com), one of Tennessee’s natural wonders. Play at NASCAR Speedpark (NascarSpeedpark.com) that has go-kart tracks for all ages and sizes.

• Ride the Aerial Tramway at Ober

in Gatlinburg, TN: The aerial sky tram (OberGatlinburg.com), inspired by similar rides in Europe, offers visitors breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains. After your ride, visit the many shops and restaurants in Gatlinburg.

• Explore Fall Foliage: The National Parks Service offers maps and advice for your leaf peeping tour at NPS.gov/grsm/ planyourvisit/fallcolor.htm.

• Be Adventurous: From zip lines

to helicopter tours, white water rafting to mountain biking, you’ll have many adventures to enjoy in the Smoky Mountains.

Pigeon Forge, Smoky Mountain National Park Photo Credit: Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

Kristina Light’s girls are planning a s’mores cookoff competition and camping version of “Cutthroat Kitchen” for this year’s autumn trip to Echo Bluff. They hope to make it an annual tradition. kcparent.com september 2017

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september

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

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

CALENDAR

American Indian Cultural Celebration at the Nelson-Atkins

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party

celebrate

listen

learn

watch

Sept. 2 head to Kansas Speedway for the Cowtown Family Fun Fest.

Face painting, mechanical bull rides, pony and tractor rides and fun for the entire family!

AmericanRoyal.com

The first Jewish Culture Fest is Sept. 10 at the Jewish Community Center. Event features artists, activities, food, musicians, entertainers and more. $3-$6.

JewishCultureFest.com

Enjoy a Discovery Concert Sept. 23 at the Folly Theater.

Pianist Charlie Albright makes his Kansas City debut in a free concert open to the public (print tickets at home).

HJSeries.org

The American Indian Cultural Celebration is Sept. 24 at the Nelson-Atkins.

Celebrate the vibrant cultural and artistic expressions of American Indians. Free.

Nelson-Atkins.org

See the world premier of Between the Lines Sept. 8Oct. 1 at Spencer Theater. A musical that asks what happens when the line between fiction and fantasy is blurred.

KCRep.org

1 Friday 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.

Enchanted Forest Thru Sept 4, Overland Park Arboretum. See the mystical domains of gnomes, fairies, elves and other garden creatures along a trail. OPABG.org Talkin’ Truman 11:00, Harry S Truman Library and Museum. Explore the Masonic life of Harry Truman. TrumanLibrary.org De Soto Days Festival Thru Sat, Miller Memorial Park. Fun with local flair! A parade, classic car cruise, carnival and more!

DeSotoDays.com Santa-Cali-Gon Days Thru Mon, Independence Square. Features more than 400 crafters and vendors, country Western music, food and more. SantaCaliGon.com First Fridays 5:00, Crossroads Art District.

Galleries and shops remain open the first Friday of each month. KCCrossroads.org

First Aid 4 Kids 6:00, Olathe Medical Center.

Non-certified, kid-friendly class that provides lots of hands-on practice opportunities. $25.

OlatheHealth.org

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

TheWorldWar.org

Light Up the Lawn 8:30, Nerman Museum (front lawn). Blues musician Danielle Nicole performs. Food and drink available for purchase. Free. JCCC.edu/theseries

Cowtown Family Fun Fest 11:00, Kansas Speedway. Face painting, mechanical bull rides, pony and tractor rides and fun for the entire family! AmericanRoyal.com

2 Saturday First Saturdays at Shoal Creek 9:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Reenactors bring the village to life with skits, skirmishes and demonstrations. 816.792.2655 PNC kidFEST 10:00, Science City at Union Station. A family-friendly day full of science play geared toward early childhood learning!

UnionStation.org Geocaching for Beginners 10:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Learn the basics for geocaching and then practice your skills on a starter course. 816.228.3766 Kansas City Renaissance Festival Weekends thru Oct 15, Bonner Springs. Join the revelry for a one-of-a-kind experience and relive history the fun way! $13-$22. KCRenFest.com

Open Sept.16-Oct. 31 10:00am-7:00pm 7 days a week

Open Gym 12:30, Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics.

Run, jump and play in the foam pit, rope swings and more. EliteGymSwim.com Saturday Feeder 4:00, Cedar Cove. Come to see the public feedings of the cats, weather permitting. $5-$7. SaveOurSiberians.org Public Stargazing 6:30, Powell Observatory.

An educational talk on astronomy, a tour of the night sky and viewing through the telescopes, weather permitting. ASKC.org Kansas City T-Bones 7:05, Community America Ballpark. The T-Bones take on Saint Paul. Special post-game Labor Day fireworks.

TBonesBaseball.com

Fabulous Fun on the Farm!!

• Company Outings & Birthday Parties • New – Country Carouse l

• Old-fashioned pig races , entertainment & music on weekends • Little Bud’s Railroad: Kansas City’s only farm train • Old-fashioned tractor wagon rides • Pumpkin donuts, homemade fudge and fresh kettle corn • Traditional farm animals • Rocks and mining • 60 acres of pumpkins

Bring in this ad & receive $1 off single admission.

Cannot be combined with other offers.

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53

3 Sunday Farmers Market 8:00, the City Market. The market offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries, flowers and gift items from nearby farms. TheCityMarket.org Selfie Scavenger Hunt Thru Sept, KCK. Explore Kansas City, KS, with this family-friendly scavenger hunt and discover fun things to do and see. VisitKansasCityKC.com

Kansas City T-Bones 1:05, Community America Ballpark. The T-Bones take on Saint Paul. Kids eat free! TBonesBaseball.com

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

913.895.6350

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

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

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

Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails Thru Sept 10, Crown Center. All aboard for learning adventures with Thomas and Friends. Free.

CrownCenter.com

4 Monday

Concordia Fall Festival Thru Sat, Concordia.

Highlights include three parades, a variety of exhibits, entertaining rides and more.

ConcordiaFallFestival.com

LABOR DAY Gardens of Myth Thru Oct, Powell Gardens.

Exhibition of incredibly realistic sculptures of goblins, fairies, trolls and more.

PowellGardens.org

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Pooch Paddle 5:45, Merriam Aquatic Center.

Bring your dog to swim, wade, chase a favorite water toy and have a doggone good time! $5-$6. Merriam.org

6 Wednesday Playgroup at FBC 9:00, First Baptist Church of Shawnee. A safe place for kids to run and play and for parents to enjoy coffee and conversation. Free. 913.226.9438 Moms Together Kick Off 9:15, Westside Family Church. Meet weekly with other moms in all stages and walks of life.

WestsideFamilyChurch.com Children’s Concert 1:00, Tomahawk Ridge Community Center. See Janie Next Door perform in this family-friendly show. Free.

913.327.6645 Waldo Farmers Market 3:00, 79th Street, one block east of Wornall. Market features organic vegetables, meats, eggs, cheese and more.

WaldoKC.org

7 Thursday Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com The Magic of a Simple Life 4:30, MCPL (Parkville). Celebrate the 150th birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder with stories and pictures from her life. Free. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Old Settlers Days Thru Sat, Downtown Olathe.

Crafts, carnival, live entertainment and more.

JohnsonCountyOldSettlers.com

8 Friday Fall Homeschool Day 10:00 or 1:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Cowboy activities such as roping, cowboy gear and more will be featured. $5/student. Mahaffie.org Fine Art Friday 1:00, Kemper Museum. Docentled interactive tour. Students examine objects through observation and discussion. Ages 6-12.

Free. KemperArt.org Belton Fall Festival Today & tomorrow, Main Street Belton. Family entertainment, food and craft vendors, dances, magic and more.

Belton.org Juggling Festival Thru Sun, Rockhurst High School. Kansas City’s biggest juggling and performance extravaganza is back! $5-$15.

816.520.8870 Swift Mile Street Festival Today & tomorrow, Swift Avenue (NKC). Handmade market, artists, yard games, live music, children’s area and more! TheSwiftMile.com Art Westport Thru Sun, Historic Westport.

Artists showcase original art, unique jewelry, fine crafts and much more.

WestportKCMO.com

10-Acre

14730 K68 Highway, Louisburg, KS 66053

Opening Night 5:00, Liberty Corn Maze. An adventure filled with many twists and turns!

LibertyCornMaze.com Greek Festival Thru Sun, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Authentic Greek food, live music, gift shop and more.

GreekFoodFest.org Kansas State Fair Thru Sept 17, Kansas State Fairgrounds. Carnival games, rides, entertainment, tractor pull, demolition derby, food vendors and more!

KansasStateFair.com

Kids have fun on our Jump Pillow !

Pumpkin Patch & Maze Open Sept.15 thru Oct. 31

Country Store Open Year Round Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 6 pm Sunday: 9 am to 6 pm

Amazing 10-Acre Aerial view from 400 feet.

Cider Mill Corn Maze

Middle School Teen Night 7:00, Paradise Park. Go-karts are a part of the featured fun tonight. In addition, receive a $10 fun card and personal pizza. Paradise-Park.com

9 Saturday Parent Summit Today & tomorrow, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. National speakers, breakout sessions and more to help parents grow. $15. PleasantValley.org

Pumpkin Patch

• • • • • • • •

Tricycle Track Spider Web Climber Farm Animals Visit & Like Us: Hill Slide Wagon Rides Jump Pillow Play Area Tire Tower

Monday — Thursday: 10 am to 5 pm Fridays & Saturdays: 10 am to 10 pm Sundays: 10 am to 6 pm Fridays & Saturdays: 7 pm to 10 pm Bring a flashlight & go through the maze IN THE DARK!

www.louisburgcidermill.com 913-837-5202 kcparent.com september 2017

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Chalk & Walk Festival Sept. 9 & 10, Crown Center. Empty squares of asphalt are transformed into magnificent pieces of artwork. Free admission. 816.274.8444

Summer Fest 9:00, Grinter Place. Free admission includes booths and a car show. Concessions and vendors available.

913.299.0373

Open House Today & tomorrow, Battle of Lexington Historic Site. Enjoy a film in the visitor center, take a self-guided tour and more. Free. 660.259.3082

Lenexa Spinach Festival 9:00, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Join us at the festival for entertainment, food, music, kids activities and so much more! Lenexa.com

GeoArboretum 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Brief classroom presentation followed by hunt for two geocaches. $5-$10.

ArtsAndRec-OP.org

Apple Fest 9:00, First Baptist Church (Raymore).

Crafts, apple related food, entertainment and children’s area. MBCH.org/events

Hummingbird Festival 10:00, George Owens Nature Park. Walk through a humming bird trail.

Enjoy crafts and other activities. 816.325.7115

Chiefs Day 9:30, Kansas City Zoo. Animals enjoy a sea of enrichment items donated by the Chiefs. Wear Chiefs apparel and receive $1 off admission. KansasCityZoo.org

Lost Arts Fair Today & tomorrow, 1855 Harris Kearney House Museum. Festival featuring arts, crafts and skills from the 1800s.

WestportHistorical.com

Library in the Park 10:00, Big Eleven Lake (KCK). Activities include face painters, crafts, mobile library, music, food, drink and more!

LibraryInThePark.org

Free Crafts for Kids 11:00, Lakeshore Learning. Every Saturday Lakeshore Learning offers free crafts for kids. Materials supplied.

LakeshoreLearning.com

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kcparent.com september 2017

Carnival for CASA 11:00, Paradise Park.

Event includes Paradise Park attractions, PLUS lunch and special carnival activities. $25-$30.

816.984.8202 The Snake with Big Feet 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. A puppet show for the entire family! $6, reservations requested. Hazelle.org Pioneer Days Today & tomorrow, Edgerton. Live entertainment, artisans and demonstrations, shootouts by reenactors, pony rides and more. EdgertonMO.org

Chalk & Walk Festival Today & tomorrow, Crown Center. Empty squares of asphalt are transformed into magnificent pieces of artwork.

Free admission. 816.274.8444

JazzFest 3:00, Harmon Park (Prairie Village).

Enjoy an evening of magical music, fabulous artistry, delectable food and drink and fun! $5.

PVKansas.com

Dippin’ Dogs Swim Party Noon, the Springs Aquatic Center. Bring your family and your dog for a special dip in the pool! $10/pooch.

816.513.7527

Second Saturdays 4:00, Downtown Weston.

Stroll into unique gift shops and galleries for late night shopping and in-store specials.

WestonMO.com

Kids Fishing Derby Noon, Gardner Lake. Prizes will be given, along with a barbecue lunch and goodie bags. Poles provided or bring your own. $5. GardnerKansas.gov

Car Cruise 6:00, Blue Springs. Head to downtown Blue Springs the second Saturday of every month April-October. Concessions available. BlueSpringsGov.com

How to Homeschool Workshop Noon, Linwood Community Library. Learn how families accomplish academics and more.

913.301.3686

Dance in the Park 6:30, Roanoke Park. The event starts with a free dance class and then showcases a variety of local dance companies.

CItyInMotion.org

Country Fair Thru Sept 16, Higginsville.

Activities include ice cream social, entertainment, kids playground, car show and more. HigginsvilleCountryFair.com

Public Stargazing 6:30, Powell Observatory.

An educational talk on astronomy, a tour of the night sky and viewing through the telescopes, weather permitting. ASKC.org

Independence Uncorked Winefest 1:00, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. Day date! Enjoy wineries from all over Missouri! $25-$50.

IndependenceUncorked.com

Pickin’ on the Front Porch 7:00, AtkinsJohnson Farm and Museum. Live music performance featuring the Hunt Family Band.

Free. AtkinsJohnsonFarm.com

10 Sunday

Grandparents Day Grandparents Day 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Spend a day at the zoo with the grandkids!

Grandparents receive free admission today.

KansasCityZoo.org Arts & Crafts Festival 10:00, South Park (Lawrence). Artisans from all over the state, plus performances, activities for kids and more.

UnmistakablyLawrence.com Jewish Culture Fest 11:00, Jewish Community Center. Event features artists, activities, food, musicians, entertainers and more. $3-$6.

JewishCultureFest.com Grandparents Day Noon, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Enjoy 1860s living history activities. One grandparent admitted free with each paid child.

913.971.5111 Preschool Story Time 1:30, Nelson-Atkins.

Story time in Noguchi Court presented by librarians from the Kansas City Public Library.

Nelson-Atkins.org

TRAIN RIDES

Train Rides Train Train Rides Express TrainTrain PumpkinFamily Express Food Train Grandparents DayIce CreamPumpkin $8.50

An amazing adventure filled with twists and turns!

Open Fri., Sat. and Sun. Sept 8 – Oct 29 Located between Liberty and Independence, MO off Highway 210

www.LibertyCornMaze.com

$9.50 $10.00 the 8th, 15th 22nd September 11,Depart one $10.00 grandparent Ridesweekends on Select Regular Trains EveryRides Friday,in October 2ndofWeekends Saturday of theand month Regular Trains Depart Sat &FREE Sun,with 2 pma[May - Oct] admission! June - Aug, Trains departinatOctober 12:30, 2:00 3:30 rides paid child’s Juneand- Aug pm (May – Oct) 7 pm Sat., 11 am Sat [June& -Sun, Aug2only] 7 pm

Kids under Kids threeunder FREE

three FREE

Charters• •Field FieldTrips TripsororBirthday BirthdayParties, Parties, plan by Charters by appointment. appointment.

Ticketsgogoononsale saleone onehour hourbefore before train train departure departure time.

Tickets

Belton, Grandview Co. Belton, Grandview& &Kansas KansasCity City Railroad Railroad Co.

502 Walnut • Belton, Missouri www.beltonrailroad.org 502 Walnut •Belton, Missouri• •816-331-0630 816-331-0630 •• www.beltonrailroad.org kcparent.com september 2017

57

Park Palooza Sept. 17, Theatre in the Park. Live bands on the stage including Liverpool and Mr. Stinky Feet, family fun, food trucks, interactive activities and more! JCPRD.org

Awana 4:50, Lenexa Baptist Church. Scripture memorization class for boys and girls. Pre-reg at LenexaBaptist.com.

Between the Lines 7:00, Spencer Theatre.

Musical that asks what happens when the line between fiction and fantasy becomes blurred.

KCRep.org

11 Monday Moms Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park.

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

816.246.5224 Mummies of the World 10:00, Union Station.

Embark on a journey into the extraordinary world of mummies and mummification.

UnionStation.org 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

12 Tuesday Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center.

Inflatable bouncers, Little Tikes riding toys and more. $2. 913.322.5550 Gardens of Myth Thru Oct, Powell Gardens.

Exhibition of incredibly realistic sculptures of goblins, fairies, trolls and more.

PowellGardens.org

13 Wednesday

14 Thursday

What’s for Dinner? 3:00, Burr Oak Woods.

Watch on Wednesdays and Saturdays as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

Disney on Ice presents Dream Big Thru Sun, Sprint Center. High-flying jumps, daring acrobatics, breathtaking skating and lovable Disney friends. SprintCenter.com

Foster/Adoptive Parent Information Night 6:00, KVC Topeka. Free, 10-week course to gain a better understanding of successful foster parenting. Kansas.kvc.org

Feast of Fountains 5:30, Concourse Fountain (Kessler Park). Favorite food trucks, live music and other activities for the whole family.

KCParks.org

four fall fun ideas for FREE in Kansas City 1

Visit 40 acres of sunflower fields at Grinter Farms (24154 Stillwell Rd., Lawrence, KS, Facebook.com/GrinterFarms) for amazing photos ops. This spectacular autumn experience offers breathtaking views of acres upon acres of sunflowers. Typically, the flowers bloom early September through early October.

Splurge with a stop by Sunflower General (14755 243rd St., Lawrence, KS), where you can purchase locally-made goods and enjoy treats from the bakery.

2

Take a day trip to Weston and ride bikes or walk the trails at Weston Bend State Park (16600 Hwy. 45 N., 816.640.5443. MoStateParks.com). With trails leading to the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River, this park offers beautiful autumn views. Many of the trails include exhibit information about Lewis and Clark’s expedition. For more area history, you also can visit an old tobacco barn (the native crop for the area) that currently is being renovated. The barn includes an exhibit on the history of tobacco farming in the area. And plan ahead: Every October, Weston hosts one of the best fall festivals around, the Weston Apple Fest (Oct. 7-8). You won’t want to miss it!

3

Visit the Native Hoofed Animal Enclosure (8010 E. Park Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO, 816.229.8980) at Fleming Park, where you can watch white-tailed deer, elk and bison eat and play. Bring apples or carrots and feed the animals through the fence. Then enjoy a walk or hike on one of the many trails in Fleming Park with beautiful fall foliage and views of Lake Jacomo.

4 Grinter Farms

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Pack a picnic and explore Waterfall Park (4501 S. Bass Dr., Independence, MO, 816.325.7375). The 18-acre park, near Bass Pro Shops, is nestled in a wooded area overlooking a lake and waterfalls and features a fantastic playground, small rock wall, small lake, walking trails, picnic tables and the scenic backdrop of a waterfall.

KC Magic Man 6:30, MCPL (Raytown).

Prepare to be amazed by magical feats utilizing cards, coins, cups and more. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

39th Street Art Walk 6:00, 39th Street District.

Every third Friday the merchants of 39th Street open their doors to local painters, musicians and more! 39thStreetWest.com

The Great Pumpkin Fest Thru Oct 29, Worlds of Fun. Halloween-themed activities plus Peanuts-themed rides and attractions in Planet Snoopy! WorldsOfFun.com

15 Friday

16 Saturday

Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com

Opening Day 9:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. The pumpkin patch and amazing corn maze open today! LouisburgCiderMill.com

Waldo Fall Festival 10:00, 75th & Wornall Road.

Welcome fall with lots of food and family fun at this annual event. WaldoKC.org

Miniature Masterworks Thru Sun, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Fine-scale miniature artists showcasing and selling their work. 816.235.8000

Paws in the Park Dog Walk Festival 9:00, English Landing Park. Dog walk, vendors, raffles, KC Disc Dogs and more!

ParkvilleShelter.com

Blue Springs Fall Festival Thru Sun, Downtown Blue Springs. Come for the food and stay for the fun—shows, carnival, parade and more! 816.229.8558

Artists for the Animals 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Orangutans and elephants get in the spirit by painting on exhibit. KansasCityZoo.org

Brush Creek Art Walk Thru Sun, Banks of Brush Creek. Come out and enjoy the walkways of Brush Creek while painters paint. 816.718.8380

Deaf Cultural Day 10:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. American Sign Language poetry performances, film, tour and artist demonstrations. Nelson-Atkins.org

Third Friday Art Walk 5:30, Englewood Station Arts District. Tour the art galleries, view live performances and meet artists in front of shops.

EnglewoodStation.com

Opening Day Carolyn’s Country Cousins.

Bring the family out to the pumpkin patch! First day of fun for the season.

CarolynsCountryCousins.com

Hallmarket 10:00, Crown Center Square.

Browse watercolor paintings, sculpture, textiles, jewelry, photography and more.

CrownCenter.com Scavenger Saturdays 10:00, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Follow the clues on this “ART-tastic” adventure! 816.753.5784 Birthday Party 10:00, Lakeside Nature Sanctuary. Wilma, the ornate box turtle, is celebrating her birthday. Stop by to wish her a happy birthday. 816.513.8960 Sunflower Art and Music Fest 10:00, the Barn (De Soto). Arts and crafts from more than 30 vendors, live music and more.

DeSotoArtsKS.org Open Gym 12:30, Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics.

Run, jump and play in the foam pit, rope swings and more. EliteGymSwim.com

September 23 & 24

AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL CELEBRATION Sunday, September 24 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | FREE kcparent.com september 2017

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september by the numbers

23

80,000 Number of honeybees in a hive. The honeybee is Missouri’s state insect, and September is Honey Month.

1956 Year the presentday Broadway Bridge opened on Sept. 9.

22

Date of the September equinox, when the sun shines directly on the equator and the world experiences nearly equal amounts of day and night. This is also the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.

Date in 1900 the Folly Theater opened as the Standard Theatre, with a performance of The Jolly Grass Widows.

Vaudeville was featured.

38

Anniversary celebrated this Labor Day weekend by the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, where competitors from around the world join in the world’s largest barbecue competition.

9/32 The fraction of an inch measuring the gaps in lines on college-ruled notebook paper, used by millions of students heading back to school this month.

20

Date in 2006 the Liberty Memorial was designated a National Historic Landmark.

1954 Year in September that ground was broken on the original KCI Airport. The airport did not open until 1956.

1.24 Times faster humans notice the color yellow out of their peripheral vision than they notice red, an attention getting color.

This fact makes yellow the universal color choice for school busses.

19 Tuesday

22 Friday

Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. Inflatable bouncers, Little Tikes riding toys and more. $2.

913.322.5550

Food Truck Friday 11:00, Alexander Majors House Museum. Each Friday enjoy two to four delicious food trucks in the event space.

WornallMajors.org

Selfie Scavenger Hunt Thru Sept, KCK. Explore Kansas City, KS, with this family-friendly scavenger hunt and discover fun things to do and see. VisitKansasCityKC.com

Oktoberfest Today & tomorrow, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Enjoy live entertainment, a biergarten, German meals, carnival, free kids activities and more. LSOktoberfest.com

Family Feast Day Pizza Shoppe. Get a single topping king pizza, two Shoppe house salads and an order of garlic cheese bread for only $19.99. PizzaShoppe.com

Fall Fest Thru Sun, Downtown Liberty.

Entertainment, parade, carnival, music, dancing and more in this three-day festival.

LibertyFallFest.com

Hero Fest 4:00, Linden Square. Enjoy live music, food trucks, bounce houses and more.

LindenSquare.info/hero-fest

Conservation Kids 6:30, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Take a walk in Burr Oak Creek to see what animals live there. Pre-reg at 816.228.3766.

The 86th Annual Plaza Art Fair Thru Sun, 5:00, Country Club Plaza. Stroll the streets of the Plaza as artists display their work.

CountryClubPlaza.com

Overnight Fishing 11:00, Lexington Lake Park.

The park will be open for fishing only, and park police officers will be on duty. 913.888.4713

20 Wednesday

Family Fishing Night 5:30, TimberRidge Adventure Center. Fishing, hot dog dinner and end the evening roasting marshmallows. $10$11. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

Brewtopia 1:00, 63rd & Raytown Road. Day date! Come check out Kansas City’s newest homebrew and craft beer festival.

KCBrewtopia.com Train Rides 2:00, Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad. Enjoy an old-fashioned train ride Saturday afternoons. 816.331.0630 Riverside Music Fest 3:00, EH Young Riverfront Park. Local food trucks, beer garden and music from local bands and a national headliner.

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

17 Sunday Strutt with Your Mutt 7:00, 63rd & Brookside Plaza. 5K race & 3K walk for homeless pets in beautiful Brookside. WaysideWaifs.org/strutt Park Palooza 11:00, Theatre in the Park. Live bands on the stage including Liverpool and Mr Stinky Feet, family fun, food and more! Free.

JCPRD.org 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

18 Monday Pioneer Trails Adventure 9:00, Independence Square. Receive $5 off adult price of a covered wagon Full City History Tour when you mention KC Parent. 816.254.2466 Moms Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park. Moms are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 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 Open Jump 10:00, Urban Air. A hyped-up, healthy dose of jumping, climbing, swinging, crawling, flying and dunking.

UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Gardens of Myth Thru Oct, Powell Gardens.

Exhibition of incredibly realistic sculptures of goblins, fairies, trolls and more.

PowellGardens.org Playgroup at FBC 9:00, First Baptist Church of Shawnee. A safe place for kids to run and play and for parents to enjoy coffee and conversation. Free. 913.226.9438 What’s for Dinner? 3:00, Burr Oak Woods.

Watch on Wednesdays and Saturdays as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

Night at the Arboretum 7:00, Overland Park Arboretum. View samples of water collected to see what organisms live in the aquatic habitat.

913.685.3604 New Dance Partners Today & tomorrow, Yardley Hall. Original works for local companies that premier on the Yardley Hall Stage.

JCCC.edu/theseries

23 Saturday

Happy Hour Concert 6:00, Kauffman Center.

Musicians of the Kansas City Symphony perform a one-hour chamber music program.

Free. KCSymphony.org

Touch-a-Truck 9:00, Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. Come take a close look at trucks, honk the horns and learn all about them!

CI.Independence.mo.us

21 Thursday

Species Spotlight 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. On the fourth Saturday of each month, the zoo shines a spotlight on an animal. Today’s animals: pachyderms. KansasCityZoo.org

We Shall Not Be Moved 9:45 & 11:45, the Coterie. The story of ordinary citizens who stand witness to a movement forming before their eyes. Ages 11+. TheCoterie.org Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com Festival in the Park Thru Sat, Memorial Park (Raymore). Carnival, food vendors, live entertainment, family fun and more.

RaymoreFestival.com Between the Lines 7:00, Spencer Theatre.

Musical that asks what happens when the line between fiction and fantasy becomes blurred.

KCRep.org

Overland Park Fall Festival 10:00, Santa Fe Commons Park. A hometown parade, arts and crafts fair, live music, merchant sales and more!

OPKansas.org Opening Day Johnson Farms. Today is the first day of pumpkin season! Fun for the whole family! 816.331.1067 Grand Festival of Chez Les Canses 10:00, Fort Osage. Reenactors help visitors explore how French settlers lived. Artisans display custommade wares. $4-$7. 816.503.4860

kcparent.com september 2017

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Kansas Cowboy Jubilee Sept. 30, Carlson Center. All day fun includes guest lectures, exhibit, performances, barbecue lunch and more! JCCC.edu/theseries

Wild West Days Today & tomorrow, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Entertainment, delicious food, 1860s games and fun for the entire family.

913.971.5111

KCI Cruise Car Show 3:00, Ambassador Building (KCI). Hundreds of classic cars on display. Bounce house for the kids.

Free. 816.243.3164

Ciderfest Today & tomorrow and Sept 30-Oct 1, Louisburg Cider Mill. Enjoy good old-fashioned apple cider fun. Free admission; cost for some activities. LouisburgCiderMill.com

Food Truck Frenzy 4:00, Lenexa Civic Campus. Sample what the metro’s best food trucks have to offer. Come hungry! Lenexa. com

Walk & Read Weekend Today & tomorrow, Celebration Park. Two children’s books will be up to enjoy while taking a stroll around the lake. Free. GardnerKansas.gov

Little Princess Ball 6:00, Truman Memorial Building. Dress in your prettiest gown and attend with your most favored knight. Ages 4-10. $30/couple. Pre-reg at 816.325.7843.

Apples, Arts & Antiques Festival Today & tomorrow, Downtown Lexington. Premier fall festival! Quality antiques, apple treats, regional art show. VisitLexingtonMo.com

Free Discovery Concert 7:00, Folly Theater.

Pianist Charlie Albright makes his Kansas City debut on a free Discovery Concert. HJSeries.org

Story Time: A Splash of Red 11:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. Familyfriendly craft and reading of Jen Bryant’s book.

TheWorldWar.org

Glowing Bike Ride 8:00, Fieldhouse (Blue Springs). Entertaining nighttime ride through the streets of Blue Springs. $25-$30.

BlueSpringsGov.com

24 Sunday Farmers Market 8:00, the City Market. The market offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries, flowers and gift items from nearby farms. TheCityMarket.org American Indian Cultural Celebration 10:00, Nelson-Atkins. Celebrate the vibrant cultural and artistic expressions of American Indians.

Free. Nelson-Atkins.org

NATIONAL CHEESEBURGER DAY

N

ational Cheeseburger Day is Sept. 18, so we’ve rounded up our favorite diners, drive-ins and dives known for serving a juicy classic cheeseburger.

The jukebox in the corner, the shortorder cook behind the counter snatching paper slips from a ring, the sack of burgers you can see through and the to-die-for ice cream sodas that make a child’s eyes light up as big as saucers—these are the stuff of Happy Days, Grease and classic drive-in flicks. All can be found with a side of nostalgia at our favorite local landmarks, each earning its place in the memories of locals for generations:

Town Topic (TownTopic.com). Kansas City’s original greasy spoon with three locations has been open for more than 75 years as a local landmark. In 1937, Claude Sparks opened the original location at 24th & Broadway, where he sold hamburgers for 5 cents each. At the end of his first day, he pocketed a whopping $21.00, and now the diner is a favorite for diner-style cheeseburgers, handdipped malts and fresh pie.

Grandstand Burgers (4942 Merriam Dr., Shawnee, 913.362.0111).

This pit-stop burger joint is small, with only four stools at the counter and picnic tables outside, but the popular burger joint is such a hit you’ll often find long lines waiting (because it’s worth it) for their hand-formed juicy burgers. The double decker cheeseburger with grilled onions is a favorite!

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Third Street Social (123 SE 3rd St., Lee’s Summit, 816.384.2123), located in historic downtown Lee’s Summit, serves delicious made-from-scratch cuisine.

This beautiful restaurant in the historic Arnold Building takes your classic burger to a whole new level. The Social Cheeseburger is your classic sandwich, and the Animal Style is a mustardseared patty with thousand island dressing.

The Snack Shack on Santa Fe (8039 Santa Fe Dr., Overland Park, 913.428.7749) The Snack Shack on Santa Fe is a favorite neighborhood hangout in historic Downtown Overland Park offering barstool countertop seating. The sweet potato fries and hand-dipped shakes are great compliments to their tasty cheeseburgers.

Hum-Dinger Drive-In (2504 E. 9th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.231.0888). This classic drive-in is a cash only greasy spoon known for old-fashioned jumbo cheeseburgers, fried mushrooms, fries, tacos and shakes. The nostalgia of the place makes it a favorite for locals.

Johnny Ray’s Drive-In (800 SW Blue Pkwy., Lees Summit, MO, 816.524.1910), since 1956, has been serving steakburgers with “all the fixin’s,” homemade malts and see-through-the-bag fries and rings at a drive-in that feels as though it were straight from the screen of a ’50s car classic.

Christy’s Tasty Queen (1405 S. 55th St., Kansas City, KS, 913.287.2800) has been serving customers for more than 40 years.

Feasting at this authentic drive-in diner, you eat in your car or at a picnic table. Christy’s serves thick classic cheeseburgers that can’t be missed.

Hedge Apple Day Noon, Overland Park Arboretum. Come and make crafts with nature items collected right here at the arboretum.

OPABG.org Hayrides 2:30, Oak Ridge at Shawnee Mission Park. Enjoy the crisp autumn air from a tractordrawn hay wagon. Pre-reg at 913.831.3355. $7.00/person.

25 Monday Mummies of the World 10:00, Union Station.

Embark on a journey into the extraordinary world of mummies and mummification.

UnionStation.org Story Time for Toddlers 10:00, MCPL (Blue Springs South). A fun and interactive environment that encourages early literacy.

Ages 2+. MyMCPL.org Open Jump 10:00, Urban Air. A hypedup, healthy dose of jumping, climbing, swinging, crawling, flying and dunking.

UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com Selfie Scavenger Hunt Thru Sept, KCK. Explore Kansas City, KS, with this family-friendly scavenger hunt and discover fun things to do and see. VisitKansasCityKC.com

26 Tuesday

28 Thursday

Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. Inflatable bouncers, Little Tikes riding toys and more. $2. 913.322.5550

Foster/Adoptive Parent Information Night 6:00, KVC Wichita. Free, 10-week course to gain a better understanding of successful foster parenting. Kansas.kvc.org

Train Station Adventure 10:00, Legoland Discovery Center. Climb, slide, jump and roll around train obstacles inside this all-new play zone! 816.471.4386

Light the Town Pink Lighting Ceremony 7:00, the Village Shops (Prairie Village). Event includes family entertainment and door prizes!

ShawneeMission.org

Simple Machines at Play 10:00, Science City.

New exhibit! Race a friend down a zip line, scale a massive climber and more! ScienceCity.com

Between the Lines 7:00, Spencer Theatre.

Musical that asks what happens when the line between fiction and fantasy becomes blurred.

KCRep.org

American Royal Youth Rodeo Thru Fri, Hale Arena. These top-notch rodeo contestants are selected from all over the Midwest.

816.569.4013

Movie Night 8:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit.

Bring your blankets, chairs, and picnics to enjoy The Princess Bride. DowntownLS.org

27 Wednesday

29 Friday

Janie Next Door 10:00, Johnson County Museum. See Janie Next Door perform at the new Johnson County Museum. $4-$5. Must pre-reg. 913.715.2552

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.

What’s for Dinner? 3:00, Burr Oak Woods.

Watch on Wednesdays and Saturdays as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

Food Truck Friday 11:00, Alexander Majors House Museum. Each Friday enjoy two to four delicious food trucks in the event space.

WornallMajors.org

Come run or come watch!

fifth annual

KC Pumpkin Run 5K

20 Acre Cor

n Maze Incl

17701 Holmes Road, Belton MO Mon.- Fri. 12 to 6 pm • Sat.-Sun. 9 am to 6 pm Retail store open every day 9 am to 6 pm www.johnsonfarms.net • 816.331.1067

Admission:

All participants will receive a race shirt, custom bib, pumpkin and will compete for age group and overall prizes.

After the 5K will be the Kids Fun Run for ages 8 and under!

uded in Adm

25,000 Garden

ON SEAS S PA S LE AB AVAIL

2 and under FREE Mon-Fri Sat-Sun

$11

$13

Adults 13-59 $9 Seniors 60+ $7

$11 $9

Kids 3-12

(includes jumping pillow)

ission

Mums in 84 Varie

ties

Small & Large Gr oup

Discounts

Birthday Party Pack

ages

U-Pick Pumpkin

s, Flowers and Ve

Lots of NEW ATTR ACTIONS Every Year

ALL PRICING INCLUDES TAX

ggies

Our farm is “stroller friendly” having pavement throughout to every amenity.

Sunday Oct. 1st at 8:00am CHARITY PARTNER

kccommontable.org Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins 17701 Holmes Rd., Belton, MO 64012

Details at

kcpumpkinrun.com

$10 OFF FAMILY SEASON PASS FOR UP TO 6 PEOPLE* $5 OFF FAMILY 4 PACK SEASON PASS* OR (REGULAR PRICE $100) (REGULAR PRICE $65) *MAX 2 ADULTS PER PASS

* See website for details about our Special Discounts. No other discounts may be applied. Pass and offer expires 10/31/17

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American Royal Rodeo Today & tomorrow, Hale Arena. It’s KC’s only PRCA rodeo—and the most action-packed show of the American Royal season. AmericanRoyal.com

The Great Pumpkin Fest Thru Oct 29, Worlds of Fun. Halloween-themed activities plus Peanuts-themed rides and attractions in Planet Snoopy! WorldsOfFun.com

Free Crafts for Kids 11:00, Lakeshore Learning. Every Saturday Lakeshore Learning offers free crafts for kids. Materials supplied.

LakeshoreLearning.com

Gladfest Thru Sun, Downtown Gladstone. Live entertainment, a carnival, a marketplace, arts and crafts, food and more! GladstoneChamber.com

Art Classes Thru Dec 2, Nerman Museum.

Classes begin today and offer interactive tours with hands-on projects. Pre-reg at NermanMuseum.org.

Fall Festival Today & tomorrow, Family Tree Nursery (Shawnee). Live music, food, activities for the kids, fairy garden workshop and more!

913.631.6121

Ciderfest Today & tomorrow, Louisburg Cider Mill. Enjoy good old-fashioned apple cider fun. Free admission; cost for some activities.

LouisburgCiderMill.com

Oktoberfest 11:00, Shawnee Civic Center.

Festive event features authentic German-style food and beverages and fun for the entire family. ShawneeGermanClub.org

Cars in the Park Car Show 10:00, Theatre in the Park. Concessions, music, vendors, raffles and much more. 913.826.3027

Open Gym 12:30, Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics.

Run, jump and play in the foam pit, rope swings and more. EliteGymSwim.com

Kansas Cowboy Jubilee 11:00, Carlsen Center.

All day fun including guest lectures, exhibits, performances, barbecue lunch and more!

JCCC.edu/theseries

Train Rides 2:00, Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad. Enjoy an old-fashioned train ride Saturday afternoons. 816.331.0630

Smoke on the Trails BBQ Competition Today & tomorrow, Celebration Park. Live bands, kids zone and, of course, barbecue!

GardnerKansas.gov Public Stargazing 7:00, Warko Observatory.

Free Friday night public observing session.

Every clear Friday night to the end of October.

ASKC.org SoPro Gaming Lock-in 8:00, SoPro Gaming.

Pizza and soda provided. Play unlimited games during the evening. Pre-reg at SoProGaming.com.

30 Saturday Kansas Chocolate Festival 10:00, Downtown Topeka. Chocolate cooking demonstrations, food trucks and many other chocolate-themed activities. VisitTopeka.com

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Meet Curious George 11:00, Paradise Park. A day with fun activities! Bring your camera for a photo with Curious George. KCPT.org The Fall Swing Today & tomorrow, KC Wine Co. Indie craft fair with 50+ handmade and vintage vendors. TheStrawberrySwing.com

Look for KC Parent’s BIG pumpkin patch guide in the October issue and online at KCParent.com!

Live Theatre Ignites Imagination!

Don't miss our Fall Productions! www.cytkc.org

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(CARNIVAL REMAINS OPEN SEPT. 24)

German Meals & Dancing - Home Brew Competition - Carnival Arts & Crafts Showcase - Kids Street - Biergarten - contests Live Entertainment - Stein Hoisting Competition - sportzelt

AMTRAK • ARC PHYSICAL THERAPY+ • Central States Beverage Co. • CHINNERY EVANS & NAIL, P.C. • Discover Vision Centers • Door Systems, Inc. First Federal Bank • GREAT SOUTHERN BANK • Kansas City Star • Longview Funeral Home & cemetery • Tingle Flooring • us bank

Explore

Kansas City Zoo

September 2, 3 & 4 Dollar Days September 9 KC Chiefs Day at the Zoo September 9 & 10 Zootastik Learning Fest—Butterfly Bonanza September 10 Free admission for Grandparents at the Zoo September 16 Artists for the Animals September 23 Zoo Run for the Elephants September 23 & 24 Species Spotlight—Pachyderms September 23 & 24 Penguin March

Always a New Adventure!

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.

Over 25 Performances 2017-18 SEASON

Oct. 13

iLuminate

A Fusion of Storytelling, Music and Technology

Nov. 4

Festival of South African Dance

Featuring Gumboots and Pantsula Dance Companies

Dec. 9

Danú and the Kansas City Chorale A Christmas Gathering: Féile Na Nollag

Tickets on sale now! jccc.edu/CarlsenCenter | 913-469-4445 NO ONLINE FEES | FREE PARKING | WINE & BEER AVAILABLE