FREE | September 2022 | KCParent.com | Since 1985 FINDING THE BEST TIPSENRICHMENTACTIVITIESFORRAISING resilient kids WHAT KIDS CAN LEARN FROM grandparents + STEM Outings Fall Festivals
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Every Minute Matters Know where to go in an emergency. Your family’s health is your top priority. It’s ours, too. If you or a loved one are injured or experience chest pain, stroke symptoms or severe stomach discomfort, don’t hesitate. You’ll find expert emergency physicians at the AdventHealth ER standing by to help you. When minutes matter most. Four Locations in Johnson County Prepare for emergencies by locating the ER nearest you at AdventHealthKC.com/ER.
Keeping kids as healthy as possible is about more than ER visits and diagnosing rare diseases. We want to be there for your parenting questions, from the breakfast table to your biggest fears. Because when we partner together, we can clear new paths for every child’s potential. Learn more at childrensmercy.org/imagine. Imagine the Potential
septemberkcparent.com20226 10 Craft Corner 12 Date Night 14 Women's Health 16 Dear Teachers 18 5 Things 19 Word from Dad 20 Tasty Treats IN EVERY ISSUE 38 Party Guide 52 Calendar of Events SPECIAL SECTIONS SEPTEMBER 2022 FREE September 2022 KCParent.com Since 1985 FINDING THE BEST TIPSENRICHMENTACTIVITIESFORRAISING resilient kids WHAT KIDS CAN LEARN FROM grandparents + STEM Outings Fall Festivals CHOOSINGFEATURESTHE BEST ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, PG. 22 44 Resilient Kids Teaching children to navigate the ups and downs of life. 30 Eating Out Lessons kids can learn when dining at a restaurant. After-School Clubs Tips and ideas for starting an after-school club . ON THE COVER Choosing the Best Enrichment Activities 22 STEM Outings 28 What Kids Can Learn from Grandparents 32 Raising Resilient Kids 44 Fall Festivals 50 24 Our cover features June from Olathe. Photo by Melissa Rieke MelissaRiekePhotography.comPhotography.
Conservatory of the Arts Kid Friendly. Family www.culturehouse.comValues. Give the gift of confidence and creativity to your kids ... for a lifetime of success. DANCE THEATRE MUSIC ART Call today to enroll or to book a tour! Classes for ages 3 to Adult in our 20,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, conveniently located near all of your favorite retail stores in the heart of Olathe. 119th & Black Bob Road, Olathe, Kansas 913.393.3141
septemberkcparent.com20228 Kansas City Parent Magazine is published 12 times a year by Family Media Group. It is distributed free of charge throughout the Kansas City area. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect KC Parent’s opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. Kansas City Parent Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. All photography and letters sent to KC Parent will be treated unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. KC Parent often includes websites that may be helpful to our readers. We verify each site prior to publication. However, content changes frequently. We encourage you to use caution and discretion when visiting a website. Postmaster, please send changes to KC Parent, 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 Circulation verified by: Facebook.com/KansasCityParentPinterest.com/KCParent@KCParent Member of: .com OUR PRODUCTS BEST + babymaternity& laborday! problems 637 EDITOR’S LETTER SEPTEMBER 2022 Publisher Michael Michael@KCParent.comGimotty Associate Publisher Darrell Darrell@KCParent.comDean Editor Margaret Margaret@KCParent.comSarver Art Director Kim Kim@KCParent.comTappanTappanDesign Advertising Sales Darrell Darrell@KCParent.comDean Digital Media Manager Kristina Kristina@KCParent.comLight Copy Editor Susan Susan@KCParent.comCrainshaw Intern Tori Sarver Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com Local Contributing Writers Kim Antisdel (Liberty), Bill Bartlett (Belton), Hannah Berry (Kansas City), Julie Collett (Overland Park), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Christa Melnyk Hines (Olathe), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Regan Lyons (St. Joseph), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Tori Sarver (Lenexa) Janelle Cumro-Sultzer (Manhattan) Mailing Address 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax Margaret Sarver, Editor E ach September we celebrate Grandparents Day. For several years, my mom and dad took the girls to a nice restaurant to teach them the art of fine dining. Lessons included not only table manners, but also topics like how to make small talk with guests you may not know well. I know that my girls enjoyed the time out with their grandparents while learning useful life skills. Time spent with grandparents can have great benefits for not only grandkids, but the grandparents as well. Check out Judy Goppert’s article on pg. 32. Speaking of dining out, I’ve always enjoyed dinner at a restaurant. When I was a child, we didn’t eat out often as a family. We had six kids in the family, and I’m sure it was quite a chore to take all of us out. Plus, back in the day folks didn’t eat out as frequently as we do today. For me, a great night out is a leisurely, full-course meal that takes the entire evening—not really feasible with young kids—but dining out as a family certainly has become a common occurrence. It can be worthwhile, too. Though it can be a big undertaking, restaurant dining together makes a great opportunity to connect as a family and a teachable moment to introduce everyday life skills. For a list of not only the benefits of dining out, but some great kid-friendly options, check out Julie Collett’s article on pg. 30. Fall officially begins this month, which means lots of family fun in Kansas City! Be sure to check out our calendar, here in print and online at KCParent.com, to find a list of all the great activities for fall family fun in KC. And be sure to watch for our pumpkin patch guide in the October issue! Enjoy the start of fall, Kansas City!
KC
PARENT IS GIVING AWAY A SUNDAY FUNDAY FAMILY PRIZE PACK TO EVERY MONARCHSSUNDAYGAME! For details and to enter, head to KCParent.com. LOCAL CONTENT
Lee’s Summit Chamber LSoktoberfest.com Presented by September 23•24•25 DOWNTOWN LEE’S SUMMIT 5-11 p.m. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Noon-4 p.m. (carnival only)
Step one: Trace or draw shape(s) of your choice.
Step five: Mix up pieces and help your children practice spelling their names using the shapes as a guide for the puzzle. Focus sometimes on the spelling and sometimes on the shape!
septemberkcparent.com202210
Step two: Color the shape.
Janelle Cumro-Sultzer lives in Manhattan, KS, with her husband, two children and two dogs. She is a mediator in Kansas, helping families in conflict. Janelle loves to focus on learning through play and getting messy with crafts. even more great craft log
Drawing
Materials needed: • Blank paper • Pencil • Marker • Assorted crayons, colored pencils or markers • Sissors • Optional: shapes to trace For
ideas,
Step four: Cut out shape. Option: Cut out shapes into bigger strips for smaller children or smaller pieces for older children.
onto KCParent.com! HandprintButton ArtHomemadeMugs HandprintsStacked Shape Name Puzzles CRAFT CORNER
Step three: Spell out name (or other chosen word) across shape, leaving room between each letter.
T his super quick and easy craft is full rounded on the educational checklist! and tracing, coloring, writing, cutting and then spelling! Make one or make 20! These are sure to be a big hit!
TRU STORY EMBARK ON THE EXTRAORDINARY KIDS FREE! NEWTRUMAN.ORG STEP INTO THE ALL NEW “I BLOWNWAS COUNTRYMUSEUMPRESIDENTIALANOTHERTHERE’SAWAY!NOTINTHELIKEIT!” STEVE KRASKE, KCUR 89.3 FM
One of my absolute favorite foods is pancakes, so, of course, Sept. 26 is one of my favorite holidays. That’s right—National Pancake Day! And boy, do we know the best place for that! Snooze, an A.M. Eatery has the most amazing pancake flight. The signature flight includes the pineapple upside down, blueberry danish and sweet potato pancakes. Or you can build your own from any of their pancake choices, which also include regular blueberry, chocolate chip, buttermilk, strawberry shortcake and vegan bliss. When we went, we opted for their signature because they all sounded so heavenly, and they certainly were. The sweet potato pancakes are probably the best pancakes I have ever had anywhere. I dream about those. And while the pancakes, in my opinion, are the stars, they also have other great dishes, like the breakfast pot pie, crab and asparagus omelet and Juan’s breakfast tacos.
DATE NIGHT
POT PIE DAY National Pot Pie Day is Sept. 23, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to visit PotPie in Westport. It’s a cozy, unpretentious, come-as-you-are kind of place that just so happens to also have great food. For my meal, I ordered the vegan root vegetable pie. Not because I’m vegan but because I love veggies. It was loaded with parsnips, turnips, mushrooms and carrots that were tender and flavorful, swimming in a rich, savory and creamy sauce. It enveloped me in a warm hug. My husband had the chicken and vegetable pot pie, which he enjoyed as much as I enjoyed mine. And let me just say that neither one of us left any of that crust behind. Tender, flaky, buttery and worth every last calorie! This place is comfort food at its best.
PANCAKE DAY
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Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives in the Northland with her husband. They love to explore Kansas City and try new restaurants and activities.
THEMESWITHDATES
DANCE DAY National Dance Day is Sept. 17, and one great way to honor that is to plan a fun night out at Funkytown. After 20 years in business, this dance club is still going strong. Open 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, this is truly the place to get your groove on. They play mostly ’70s and ’80s music. And though the crowd is overwhelmingly middle aged, you’ll see everything from 20-somethings to 70-year-olds. For many people— including us—part of the fun is dressing up in funky retro attire. The décor is festive, the atmosphere is fun and carefree, and the dance floor is almost always full. It’s impossible not to have fun here! If you plan to visit, do make note of the fact that they accept cash only (with an ATM on site) and have a $10 cover charge. And whatever you do, don’t miss out when they play “Car Wash.”
FOR MORE GREAT DATE NIGHT IDEAS, GO TO KCPARENT.COM!
Plan a fun date around one of these September holidays!
14WOMEN’S
Physical exercise leads to increased production of endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers and are released in response to pain or stress. Increased endorphins reduce pain, as well as produce a general feeling of happiness and well-being. To release these natural feelgood drugs, go for a fast-paced walk or lift weights. Exercise can be a nice time to allow your brain to wander and become distracted. Try going for a walk outdoors without listening to any music or podcasts. If walking isn’t your thing, try out a new sport, such as pickle ball or tennis, for a fun opportunity to socialize and release those endorphins.
STRESS.
Tori Sarver is an intern for KC Parent. She is studying strategic communications and journalism at CU Boulder. As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.
S ometimes recognizing when your body has become overwhelmed with stress is a hard thing to do. Some physical symptoms can include fatigue, muscle tension and pain and even stomachaches. Emotionally, you might find yourself feeling restless, sad and generally anxious. To help combat these feelings and symptoms, first and foremost make time for yourself. Putting yourself first may feel selfish, but it is not! When you find time for yourself and reduce stress, you are more present and available for family and friends. To guarantee “me time” with a busy schedule, try waking up just 30 minutes earlier than you typically would. Time for yourself needn’t be lengthy—15 minutes is enough to journal or meditate—but make sure to plan for a break in your day. In advance add it to your weekly or daily schedule and set a reminder on your phone that notifies you when it’s time for a break!
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HEALTH
WAYS LESSSTRESSTO
Stress is a common companion in this busy life, and more likely than not, the people around you will be experiencing some kind of stress at any given moment. Talk to friends or loved ones about emotions you may be feeling and confide in people you trust when feeling overwhelmed with stress. They can share ways they combat stress and also relate with you about your feelings.
If feelings of overwhelming stress continue to present themselves even after you intentionally work to reduce them, please reach out to a medical professional.
Everyone experiences it at one time or another. Stress can be caused by a number of things and presents itself differently in different people. Even mild stress may cause unwanted reactions, such as daily headaches, and no one wants that! Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the ways in which stress presents itself, its negative effects and some simple ways to reduce it.
Cellphones and technology have the potential to create stress with their constant updates and alerts, so try powering your phone off completely when going to bed at night to allow for true rest and relaxation. If possible, spend the first 30 minutes to an hour of your day without consuming media; instead, read a book or magazine. Adult coloring books can be purchased at your local crafts store or on Amazon and can be a fun way to relax and take your mind off things.
Email askashley@greatplainsspca.org for a chance to have your pet question answered in KC Parent magazine. Animal expert, Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA, is the Senior Director of Animal Behavior and Training at Great Plains SPCA. Ashley has more than 16 years of experience in animal training and behavior.
Great Plains SPCA is an independent 501(c)(3) no kill shelter, with a 98% live release rate, GPSPCA provides lifesaving services for approximately 4,000 animals annually in the greater Kansas City area. As Kansas City’s premium family shelter, we continue to support the seven municipalities with which we are contracted, including Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Prairie Village, Shawnee, Bonner Springs, Lake Quivira and Johnson County Parks Department and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department.
She walks in front of you because she has not yet learned to walk to your side. She will continue this behavior until she learns differently. Train her by taking a step back and luring her around and to your side by using a treat. Continue to do this until she learns the new pattern. Lure rewarding with treats can be very effective in training and is not at all considered bribery.
– Ally Stephenson There are a lot of misleading websites with inaccurate information. My first recommendation is to sign up for basic obedience training and get established with a trainer nearby. If you are near Great Plains SPCA, we would love to have you in class. You can sign up on our website. A good website with lots of resources that I recommend is HEARTLand Positive Dog Training Alliance at https://www.
ADVERTORIAL
You can also try giving your visitors a treat and having them ask her to sit when they first come into the –home.
I recently got a dog from a family member that could no longer take care of him. I am a first-time dog owner and I need some help. I have been reading information online and there is a lot of contradictory content out there. What do you recommend?
– Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA
All.trainerswithheart.com/Resources-Thereyouwillfindmanywebsite
– Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA
I have a dog that will not stop jumping on people when they visit the house. I am worried that she might hurt my grandmother when she comes over. Please help.
Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA
– Rachel Barnett Dogs jump on us to get our attention, so the best thing to do when your dog is jumping on you is to not give her that attention. Dogs are less likely to jump when you greet them in a calm and quiet manner. If she jumps on you, turn around and ignore the behavior. Sometimes your dog will run around you and jump again. If this happens, turn around again and make sure you are not facing her. Keep doing this until she gets bored of what she believes is a game and goes into a sit. Once she sits, praise her for the behavior and repeat until she stops jumping on you and your visitors.
Athena is bubbly, energetic and in search of a family that loves to have fun as much as she does! She is currently offsite in the Puppies for Parole program where she lives with a large group of friendly dogs. In this program, Athena receives daily one on one training from which she and her future family will benefit greatly. She is housetrained, knows tons of commands, and is learning more every day! If you are interested in meeting the pup that’s the total package, Athenaadoptions@greatplainsspca.orgemailabouttoday!
When I go on walks with my dog, she always wants to walk in front of me and will randomly stop and sometimes I trip over her. Is she trying to tell me something? I also heard that giving treats to dogs is considered bribery. Is that true?
and book recommendations–all from phenomenal trainers.
– George Marvin Simmons
THE BENEFITS OF RECESS
ANSWER: An abundance of literature emphasizes the need for and benefits of children’s getting sufficient physical activity every day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day. And schooltime devoted to recess can obviously balance the sedentary lives so many children live. Unfortunately, as academics and testing have become more important, recess time has been reduced and reduced until it is almost nonexistent in some schools. Right now, the average amount of time devoted to recess is about 26 minutes per day for elementary school children. Although recess time decreases as children age, it has been shown that time allotted to a break from academic subjects is also beneficial for adolescents. Incidentally, when recess is associated with lunch time, findings indicate that it is better to have it precede lunch. In that situation, students are not rushing through lunch and wasting more food in their haste to enjoy recess.
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QUESTION: I know recess is important for all kids, especially ADHD kids. Is it better for it to be free play or teacher directed? How long is recess at most elementary schools, and is it the same as physical education time? – For Exercise
BY PEGGY GISLER AND MARGE EBERTS
classrooms after recess or break time. Furthermore, it is extremely counterproductive for teachers to take away recess time for punitive or academic reasons. Recess is a welcome respite from vigorous academic tasks. Some teachers hold brief inclass exercise sessions of about five minutes after children have been working steadily for 45 minutes and find it keeps the children more focused on the next tasks.
Studies do show that children, as well as adolescents, are more attentive and productive in
Studies are definitely divided on whether recess time should be free play or teacher directed. Each have advantages. Free play is a great opportunity for children to develop their social skills, such as playing fair and sharing. On the other hand, teacher direction can teach children new games and athletic skills. Plus, there is more active participation by all students regardless of their skill level. Of course, teacher supervision on the playground is essential to ensure the safety of all theAschildren.farasphysical education goes, threefourths of our states require physical education in elementary through high school. However, more than half the states allow recess, dance classes and other activities to be substituted for this requirement, and most states do not mandate the amount of time that should be devoted to physical education.
– For Some Routine ANSWER: There are definitely no hard and fast rules about how much routine children should have during the school year. Routines need to reflect each child’s personality and needs. For example, a child with ADHD will definitely profit from quite a bit of structure while one who seems to have a built-in organizer can function with far fewerEveryroutines.home needs some routines just to make things function smoothly. A morning routine will have a time for getting up and dressed, eating and leaving the home with everything needed for school. Most homes also have homework and bedtime routines to give a sameness to every day. No routine should cover every minute of the day. Free time needs to be part of every routine.Basic routines need to be written out and displayed. Pictures can be used for young children. Here is another thing about routines: They need to be flexible. Routines will change as activities are added or eliminated, and when outside events disrupt normalcy, dinner and homework times can be adjusted. Some children need a little extra help following routines, especially early morning ones. Try employing a kitchen timer to show when a particular activity should begin or end. Rewards can also be used if they are an effective tool in encouraging children to follow routines.
QUESTION: I am looking forward to things getting back to normal this school year with, hopefully, face-to-face instruction all year long. I am wondering how much routine we should have in our family on school days. I don’t want the children organized down to the last minute.
Finally, if a routine doesn’t seem to be working, change it. And the older your children get, the more input you should get from them.
WHAT MAKES FOR A GOOD ROUTINE FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN
kcparent.com 17september 2022 © Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2022
New Exhibit I was recently talking with a friend who said she was looking for different ideas of things to do in KC. I gave her a list and included on it the recently opened Maya, the Exhibition: The Great Jaguar Rises at Union Station. As always, the exhibits are not only well done, but educational as well. The exhibit includes more than 300 artifacts and allows you to discover how the Maya live on today—in their inventions that continue to shape our daily lives and in the millions who carry on the Maya tradition in language and lineage. UnionStation.org
A green thumb I do not have. Nor am I creative when it comes to arranging plants. But I can water a plant and keep it alive! Enter Family Tree Nursery’s container workshop, Sept. 9-11. Each fall my younger and I visit during the container workshops and we have fun putting together planters that not only look great, but last all season. The Family Tree staff does a great job of assisting with choosing and arranging plants so that you leave with a masterpiece! Make sure to grab a coffee before your workshop at the newly renovated Café Equinox at the Shawnee location. Pre-register for a spot at FamilyTreeNursery.com.
Compiled by Margaret Sarver
FIVE THINGS
StairSlide When my girls were young, they would get into a sleeping bag and use it to speed down the stairs. It kept them busy for hours, but I always worried they’d hit something because they couldn’t see where they were going. So when I received an email about StairSlide and it coincided with an upcoming visit from my young nieces and nephews, I knew had to give it a try. It turns your stairs into a slide and it’s as awesome as it sounds. Naturally, safety was a concern, but my fears were allayed immediately. StairSlide secures to the carpet with a grip on the bottom, and you can adjust the number of stairs you place it on to adjust speed. Provides hours and hours and hours of fun! StairSlide.com Air Purifier Does your car sometimes get stinky? Mine does (typically from someone’s leaving a coffee drink in the car and then forgetting to throw it out) and so does my hubby’s, so we got a PURGGO Car Air Eco-Purifier & Freshener. We decided my husband’s vehicle was stinkier, so he got to try it out. Guess what? It has greatly reduced any less-thanpleasant smells! It comes ready to hang on the back of the headrest and gets rid of the smell without replacing it with an artificial scent. Great for any car that sometimes smells not so great! Amazon.com
LOVE
Phone Bypass For a lot of years, I kept my phone downstairs at night. But then one child went off to college, and the other started driving, so I want to be able to be notified if a situation arises. I don’t want to check my phone or be bothered by it, though, throughout the night. Do Not Disturb bypass solves my dilemma. I am able to place my phone on Do Not Disturb but can allow notifications to come through if either girl texts or calls. It’s easy … go to the contact you want to put on bypass, click on “info” and then scroll down to text tone. Click there and you’re able to choose “emergency bypass on.” Voila! A little peace of mind at night.
Container Workshops
septemberkcparent.com202218 5THINGS WE RIGHT NOW
— Lynne, Overland Park DANCE SHOPPE 15% OFF all regularly priced merchandise EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 512 NW ENGLEWOOD RD. | KANSAS CITY, MO 64118 DANCESHOPPEINC.NET | (816) 455-1995 THEDOGEMPTYDISH
Celebrating 37 Years in KC
William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.
“We’ll remember her, James. As long as we keep her in our hearts, Precious will always be with us.”
“What are we going to do, now that she’s gone?”“Dealing with a feed dish that no one uses anymore is just the first part.” I still have to learn how to walk straight across the floor where I once dodged and weaved, how to avoid trips down the pet food aisle, how to keep my hand from reaching for her favorite treat. I dried her bowl and tucked it away in the closet, on the top shelf.
TESTIMONIAL: I brought my daughter in for a professional pointe shoe fitting. After trying on over twenty pairs of shoes, my daughter was fitted into the perfect shoes for her. I was blown away with their customer service – it was certainly worth the drive from Johnson County.
kcparent.com 19september 2022
Whether you’re a beginner dancer looking for your first leotard or a seasoned performer in need of a pointe shoe fitting, Dance Shoppe is your go-to dance store for the best selection of leotards, tights, shoes and accessories.
“Father, where should I put this?” James walked out of the kitchen carrying the feed dish of Precious, our little Boston terrier mix, who’d just died. We hadn’t had Precious since she was a puppy, but when Sandi’s brother passed away, his dog became part of our family, helping us deal with our loss. Now, we had to deal with our loss of her, too, and that blow hit hard. To make matters worse, Precious was one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever known. A good-natured pooch, friendly to everyone, she roughhoused with me on the bed when I returned from work. In the evening, she snuggled up beside me when I relaxed in the recliner, and, whenever I picked her up for a hug-and-cuddle session, she made a soft noise that I took for the canine equivalent of purring. “I’ll handle it, son.” I took the heavy bowl into the kitchen where I scrubbed it spotless. What has humanity ever done to deserve dogs? Cats demand attention on their terms, but a dog soaks up cuddling like a dried sponge absorbs a raindrop. People let one another down with a regularity that would inspire envy in a ticking clock, but dogs are born perfect.
WORD FROM DAD
PASTA WITH YOGURT SAUCE
After a long day in the classroom or at the office, not much tops bringing the family together with a home-cooked meal. When evenings are busy with homework and activities, however, cooks have little time left for complicated dishes.
Total time: 25 minutes
Turn your hectic weeknights into cause for celebration with more quick and easy recipe ideas at MilkMeansMore.org.
1/2 t. ground cumin
septemberkcparent.com202220TASTY TREATS (Family Features)
1/4 t. ground white pepper
1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt (2% or 5%)
1/2 c. chopped zucchini
1 T. vegetable oil, divided 1 small white onion, minced 8 oz. ground beef or lamb 1 t. salt 1/2 t. ground black pepper 1 c. plain yogurt
In medium pan, bring salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Strain pasta and reserve about 1/2 cup water. In medium saute pan over medium heat, heat 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil. Add minced onions. Cook until translucent and aromatic, 2-3 minutes. Add ground meat and season with salt and black pepper. Cook until meat is browned through, 8-10 minutes. Drain fat. Transfer cooked meat to bowl and set Inaside.small pan over medium heat, cook yogurt, white pepper, cumin and garlic powder until mixture comes to soft boil and thickens. Remove pan from heat. Add pasta water to reach desired consistency. In same saute pan used to cook meat over medium heat, add remaining vegetable oil and saute garlic until golden in color. Add mint. Remove from heat and pour over yogurt mixture. Mix pasta, meat and yogurt sauce; serve.
Servings: 4 12 street taco-size corn tortillas
ROASTED CHICKEN AND ZUCCHINI TOSTADAS
Nonstick cooking spray
1/4 t. cumin 1/4 t. garlic powder 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 T. fresh mint or 1 t. dried mint
Servings: 4 Salted water 8 oz. angel hair pasta
Take on those busy schedules with a menu of delicious recipes that require 30 minutes or less so you can focus on celebrating the day’s accomplishments with loved ones. These simple, yet flavorful, ideas from Milk Means More call for limited instructions, less equipment and shorter ingredient lists fueled by dairy favorites that provide much-needed nutrients to recharge the entire family.
3 t. lime juice, divided 1/4 t. garlic powder
Recipe courtesy of Enas Malik, RDN, on behalf of Milk Means More. Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes
FAMILY MEALS That Make Busy Weeknights a Breeze
1-1/2 c. shredded or chopped rotisserieroasted chicken breast
1/2 c. seeded and chopped tomato
2 t. olive oil
1/8 t. ground cayenne pepper
Recipe courtesy of Marcia Stanley, RDN, culinary dietitian, on behalf of Milk Means More.
1 c. (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Heat oven to broil. Line large baking sheet or 18-by-13-by-1inch baking pan with foil. Arrange tortillas in single layer on pan. Lightly spray tortillas with nonstick cooking spray. Broil about 5 inches from heat 4-6 minutes or until beginning to brown on one side. Remove from broiler. Carefully turn tortillas over. In medium bowl, stir yogurt, 1 teaspoon lime juice and garlic powder. Set aside. In another bowl, toss chicken, tomato, zucchini, remaining lime juice, olive oil, cumin and cayenne pepper. Spread yogurt mixture on un-browned sides of tortillas. Top with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil about 5 inches from heat 2-3 minutes or until hot and the cheese melts. Serve immediately.
Photo courtesy of Jenny Struik of Jenny with the Good Eats (Pasta with Yogurt Sauce).
TIPS PICKINGFORTHE BEST ENRICHMENTACTIVITIES FORCHILDYOUR
Meeting the staff and program leaders is an essential step. To assess the program’s quality, ask them about their skills and background.
TRY OUT A CLASS
We love attending our friends’ birthday parties. One of the great things about birthday parties is your children might be exposed to a new activity they’ve never tried before. And occasionally they unlock an unknown talent or interest. My daughter attended a farm party with horseback riding that led her to an interest in horses. We’ve also attended ice-skating parties and learned that is not her cup of tea.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BIRTHDAY PARTIES
ou’ll find no shortage of enrichment activities these days for kids … from sports to music to coding, there’s something for everyone. With so many different enrichment programs available, choosing the right program for your child is important. Here are a few tips to help you discover the perfect fit for your child.
Do your best to follow your child’s talents and interests and let those lead the way in your decision making. If you have a very active child, try out something to help him burn his energy. Does he love helping in the kitchen? Try a baking class. Your kids might have ideas of their own, or you might have to help them discover what interests them.
MEET THE STAFF
Before you enroll your child in a new activity, ask whether you can schedule a visit so the two of you can see the activity for yourselves. Many programs offer a free trial class to see whether the experience is going to be a good fit for your child. This is a great way to let your youngster test the waters to see whether the class is something she would like to continue on a regular basis before you make the commitment to enroll.
LET YOUR CHILD LEAD THE WAY
DON’T SCHEDULE TOO MANY ACTIVITIES
Y
SCHEDULE SMART Scheduling can be the most important aspect of enrichment activities. If your children are all involved in the same activities, do your best to schedule each child’s activity in the same night. If they’re all into martial arts, see whether you can schedule all their classes at the same or similar times on the same night to knock out several classes at once. This will also save you from driving to the same place several times each week.
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If your child has many interests, choosing just a few can be hard. Try to select only the activities that will fit conveniently into your schedule. You don’t want to overschedule your child and increase her stress levels. Children should still have unstructured playtime at home. To keep from overscheduling, consider enrolling your child in a different program every season of the year instead of year-long activities. This will provide your youngster with a broad range of activities without packing your schedule. If kids’ extracurricular activities are leaving them exhausted and yearning for some downtime, it might be a sign to cut back on an activity. If you’re having trouble choosing which activity to cut out of your schedule, try to keep activities that will make your kids the most well rounded. If they are in three sports and one music class, it might be time to drop one of the sports.
kcparent.com 23september 2022 PLAY IN THE OFF SEASON
CHECK YOUR BUDGET Before enrolling your child in an activity, make sure you’ve covered all the costs involved and feel comfortable with the financial commitment. Many activities have small fees to enroll but extra costs for uniforms, musical instruments, equipment, competitive fees and traveling costs that really add up. Make sure you aren’t caught off guard by those extra costs.
LOOK AT EACH CHILD INDIVIDUALLY
FIND THE FUN
Make sure all the activities you enroll your children in have some aspect of fun added in the mix. Enjoying programs they’re involved in is important for kids. Otherwise, they won’t be motivated to continue going. Children also learn better when they are enjoying themselves. Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband, Cale, and daughters Atley, 8, and Ensley, 2, in St. Joseph, MO.
Between the practices, games and tournaments, joining a sports team can be very time consuming. If you have multiple kids playing multiple sports, the hours really add up. If your kids enjoy sports that all run in the same calendar seasons, choose one of the sports to play in the off season. Most sports have summer leagues you can join, and some offer leagues year round. This way your kids can focus on one sport each season and not get overwhelmed by the busy schedule of multiple sports at a time.
REEVALUATE When an enrichment activity session is complete, talk to your children to find out how they liked the activity. Did they enjoy going every week? Did they learn something new? Do they want to continue the activity? If they were asking to skip piano lessons every week and didn’t put in the extra practice time, it might be time to reevaluate and find something new that interests them. You can always circle back to that activity if they decide they would like to try it again.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING NEW Your children might decide to try something that seems out of left field to you. Perhaps they want to join a coding club and they know nothing about computers. Encourage them to give it a try anyway. A major benefit of enrichment programs is that children will gain confidence as they learn new and challenging skills. When they conquer new things, kids feel a sense of accomplishment and feel better about themselves.
If you have more than one child, looking at each as an individual is important. Even though your oldest child loved martial arts, your youngest might have no interest in that activity. The same is true for parents. Many parents want their children to follow in their footsteps, but your child might be interested in activities that hold no interest for you.
Photography Club: Start a photography club and teach techniques for taking and developing the best photos. Look at professional photography and study lighting, contrast and backgrounds. Hold contests for the most original photos each week and help the kids create scrapbooks. Garden Club: Help the kids create container gardens or give them each a square in your garden. Cultivate green thumbs as you pass on all the tricks of the trade. Then, create culinary delights. Help junior herb gardeners create the best pesto or vegetable gardeners concoct the best vegetable soup. You’ll be sharing skills that last a lifetime, and the kids will take pride in growing and harvesting their own food.
TIPS FOR STARTING YOUR VERY OWN CLUB When the school bell rings, do your kids run to the TV or video games? After a hard day at school, students need some R & R, but it doesn’t have to come with a plug! Savvy moms can start an after-school club to inspire new hobbies and skills, while creating lasting relationships with their kids.
Nutrition Club: Each week, introduce a new healthy and delicious recipe. Teach the kids to read labels and make good choices. Create healthy smoothies, trail mix or cookies as you tempt young taste buds with delicious foods they’ll enjoy.
Lego Club: Legos are downright addictive, but that’s okay … they are also one of the best toys for building a young imagination! Each week provide a new theme (e.g., outer space, under the sea, zany creations) and let the young architects create! Take photos and create a digital slideshow. If you have space, set up a Lego museum exhibiting the best creations.
Classic Movie Club: Visit the library to check out classics on DVD. Then, introduce a new one each week. Watch family classics like Pollyanna, Herbie the Love Bug and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Watch behind the scenes info and learn about original special effects. Let the audience choose films and take a cinematic journey they won’t forget!
Fashion Club: Do you have a background in fashion, style or makeup? Teen girls love expert tips! Start a fashion club and help girls select clothes and makeup that are flattering and stylish. Teach budget shopping and accessorizing techniques.
BY KRISTINA LIGHT
Fun Friends
HOW TO START A CLUB: You can host the club once or twice a week and invite as many kids as you like. The number of guests will likely grow as your club succeeds. One mom can host a club for several kids, or several moms can team up to divide the work. The best clubs have a purpose or a theme. For inspiration, start with your skills and interests, the kids’ hobbies or a just-for-fun theme!
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AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS FOSTER AND
Ethnic Cooking Club: Explore ethnic recipes and make dinner at the same time! To get you started, check out Kids Around the World Cook!: The Best Foods and Recipes from Many Lands or The Around the World Cookbook Cupcake Club: Each week, bake a new batch of cupcakes or muffins and decorate them. Try new recipes and decorating techniques. Let each baker take home enough to share. Rate the recipes for flavor, consistency, creativity and style! Can’t decide? More than one theme is tempting? No problem! Choose a new club theme each month. Remember your goal is having fun, learning new things and building relationships. Create an after-school club the entire neighborhood will love and, before long, you’ll have the coolest house on the block!
IDEAS FOR AFTER-SCHOOLYOURCLUB:
Academics
for Dedicatedstudents
our
Tour one or both of campuses located in the heart of Gladstone, Missouri. more at oakhilldayschool.org/admissions 816.436.6228
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A close-knit community with a family feel KC PARENT’S BRAND NEW AFTER-SCHOOLVIRTUALACTIVITIESGUIDE Whether you offer music, sports, theater, tutoring, dance, art or STEM, our virtual ACTIVITIESAFTER-SCHOOLGUIDE is your one-stop resource at KCParent.com. OUR WORK!GUIDES 65% of our readers use KC Parent to choose after school913.782.3238activities. • ADVERTISING@KCPARENT.COM
For over 75 years, Oakhill Day School has provided the Kansas City Northland with student first academic offerings that fit every family's needs. Experience firsthand the variety of options that Oakhill can provide for your family. Whether you need an early childhood program for your child's first years of school, well rounded K 8 academics, or flexibility for your busy high school student, we will help you find YOUR perfect fit. from infancy to On-siteadulthood.learning & socialemotional support teaching staff
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Oakhill Day School will seek diversity in its student body and welcome enrollment by students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation, and any other characteristic protected under applicable law. It prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of any protected category under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances, including but not limited to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), specifically, but not limited to, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation, gender or sex, race or ethnicity, ethnic group identification, ancestry, nationality, national origin, religion, color, mental or physical disability, age, or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics in Oakhill Day School’s educational programs or activities.
One of the best ways to spark your children’s creativity is to give time and space for them to create. If your kids’ day is filled with sports and activities, they may not have the time to be creative with their free time. Make sure your busy schedule allows for free time where your children are allowed to play, create art and build things using their imaginations. Set up a space in your home where they are allowed to get a little messy with a craft and fill it with materials they can use to create something. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on craft supplies. Crayons, markers, glue and paper are a great place to start but also consider using items from your recycle bin, such as empty paper towel rolls, cardboard boxes, newspapers or magazines, egg cartons, scraps of yarn, ribbon, lace or fabric. Pipe cleaners, Popsicle sticks, paint and clay can be bought at an affordable price, and children can often find ingredients for art by collecting nature items outside, such as pine cones, sticks, leaves or rocks. Allow your children to discover what items interest them and begin to create.
ALLOW BOREDOM Kids will often turn on the TV, tablet or video game to fill times of idleness. “Let them be bored!” says Karla Traul, Spring Hill, KS, mom of four. When your children are bored and they are not allowed to have screen time, they are forced to find something to entertain themselves. “When my kids are bored, I see their imagination come out the most, and they play the best together,” says Ashley Frew, elementary education teacher and mom of two from Olathe. “Turn off the electronics, busy yourself with something else and don’t facilitate anything for them,” she says. “Let them learn to entertain themselves.”
ENCOURAGE THE PROCESS
A great way to encourage any behavior or habit you would like your children to develop is to set an example. If you would like them to become creative problem solvers, walk them through how you think of new ways to solve the problems you face in daily life. If you would like them to develop artistic talents,
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PROVIDE OPEN-ENDED TOYS
INSPIRE
While your child is being creative with art projects or pretend play, try to give him space without direction to figure it out on his own. Showing an example of a completed project is a great way to inspire kids but allow them to make it their own. If they would like to color a banana purple, don’t discourage them by calling it silly or pointing out bananas are usually yellow. “Avoid jumping in if they are struggling,” Frew says. “Instead, ask openended questions that encourage them to find their own solution. I always praise the process, not the product.”
SET AN EXAMPLE
WAYS TO RAISE CREATIVE KIDS
An open-ended toy allows children to use their imaginations to play and can be used in a variety of ways. Some great examples of open-ended toys are blocks, dolls, cars, clay, play food or art supplies. If your children are surrounded by toys that inspire creativity, they are more likely to develop the skills they need to be creative in other areas of their lives. “Encouraging creativity and imagination can lead to so many other great skills, such as independence, problem solving and growth mindset,” says Frew.
H elping strengthenbuildchildrenyourand their creativity can help them become better problem solvers, understand how things work, develop their talents and interests, improve their self-esteem, develop concentration skills, boost learning and more. Children are naturally creative, but just like adults, some may need a little more encouragement and inspiration than others. How can parents raise creative kids who find joy and confidence in their ideas and creations? CREATIVITY
CREATE A PLACE FOR ITEMS TO BE STORED AND ORGANIZED. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive, but having a space to put away art supplies, paper and other items will help keep the mess corralled and make for easier cleanup.
Set boundaries and rules that fit your household, such as to clean up when you are done, only write on paper and be safe with scissors. Limit items if needed but try to supervise use of craft items rather than take them away completely. When kids know they can be messy, creative inspiration’s strike is more likely.
TIPS TO CONTROL THE CREATIVITY MESS
TEACH KIDS TO CLEAN UP AFTER THEMSELVES. Set a rule that craft projects are allowed but only if creators clean up when finished.
Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer who lives in Olathe with her family.
DESIGNATE A SPACE FOR CREATING. This could be the kitchen or dining room table, playroom or corner of the basement. Designate an art project space so the mess feels more contained.
ALLOW MESS
“Let them get messy,” advises Frew. “My kids have full access to our craft closet as long as they are safe and responsible. It is stocked with scissors, glue, paint, stickers, play dough and more.”
When thinking of ways to inspire creativity in your children, consider their interests. Not all children enjoy arts and crafts. If your children loves sports, suggest they make up their own game. If your kids love movies, have them write a movie script and act it out. The most important thing is that they have the opportunity to create.
With raising creative kids comes a fair amount of mess. Many parents find this stressful and overwhelming. Establish some simple boundaries for the mess and you’ll free your kids to focus on creating. Here are some tips to help:
kcparent.com 27september 2022 participate with your kids when they are making art projects or while they play pretend. You may feel you don’t have much of a creative side but you can use what interests you and bring your child alongside you. Whether it’s decorating, fashion, gardening, sewing, cooking or organizing, you can get your child involved and show her how you use your own creativity to do the things you love and create solutions for problems that arise.
PROVIDE CLOTHES FOR GETTING MESSY. If you’re concerned about your kids' clothes getting ruined by glue and paint, provide them with a craft smock, apron or specific clothes they are allowed to get dirty.
TAKE CRAFT PROJECTS OUTSIDE WHEN POSSIBLE If weather permits, have the kids work on messier projects outdoors or in the garage.
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Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary offers tours of their facility devoted to the care and preservation of endangered large cats to educate the public on their behavior, physiology, habitats and the threats and dangers of extinction. Keepers at Cedar Cove are educated and trained in the care of large exotic felines. Visit SaveOurSiberians.org for information.
Gottlieb Planetarium is housed in Union Station and offers spectacular public shows and night sky viewing opportunities. The 60-foot dome makes it one of the largest planetariums in the Midwest. This is a great add-on to a visit to Science City. Visit UnionStaiton.org for information.
Gottlieb Planetarium
The Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering and Technology is a research library, home to a beautiful 14-acre arboretum and a facilitator of amazing online resources for STEM learners. The library is not your traditional local library with stacks of books to explore; rather, expert librarians help researchers discover materials among their thousands of volumes to work on projects. The grounds surrounding the library are home to a beautiful 14-acre arboretum that is free and open to the public. The gardens are especially lovely in the spring and autumn and are a favorite place for exercise, quiet respite, dog walks, photographers and nature lovers. This is a great place to enjoy a beautiful green space in the heart of the city. In addition to the physical library, Linda Hall Library offers other fantastic resources for STEM learners. Specifically, their online exhibitions and their "How Do I Become __________?" Series are wonderful for young people! Visit LindaHall.org to learn more.
Richard L. Sutton Jr. Museum of Geosciences at UMKC displays a collection of cephalopods (squidlike ocean dwellers), crinoids and fluid inclusions (rocks containing liquids). An interactive feature allows viewers to tip one such specimen of clear quartz to watch the trapped primordial water move. These and countless other mineral and fossil specimens are available for viewing by the public.
Four STEM Inspired Outings
As students settle in at school again, foster a love of learning with a family field trip to one of these excellent STEM sites.
kcparent.com 29september 2022 The starting point for a healthy smile. Dr. John P. Roth, DDS Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry Specialist in Orthodontics Dr. Hannah Loseke Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry StartingPointDental.com OVERLAND PARK 143rd and 913-553-2492Metcalf LEGENDS Just north of the Speedway 913-948-8688 LEAWOOD 435 and 913-491-5044Roe www.becampaign.org Join the Movement BeCampaign_KCMag_Aug.indd 1 7/15/22 3:22 PM
Despite all the reasons I can come up with for not taking our family out to eat, I do realize restaurant dining holds great value for our kids. If you find yourself feeling like I do and maybe dreading to eat out with your kids, read on to find how other metro moms deal, where to go and which cool, local KC business can help you out!
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Dare I say it has actually been kind of fun seeing them rise to the challenge?! If you’ve decided you all are going to venture out to a restaurant, you may be thinking, “Now what?! Where do we go? What do I take?” Well, before you put yourself into a tailspin, take a deep breath!
I f I am super honest with you, dining out with kids is not something I love to do. I am a bit of a homebody and enjoy staying in—probably too much sometimes—and with four children between the ages of 11 and 4, dining out can feel like a bit of a … chore. Plus, dining out with a family of six these days is expensive! Anyone else relate?!
In addition to connecting with your kids, dining out together is a wonderful opportunity to teach your kids appropriate manners. Margaret Sarver, KC Parent editor, shares, “When my girls were younger, my parents would take them to a nice restaurant once a year to teach them ‘the art of fine dining.’ One of the things they worked on was how to make conversation with someone you don’t know well. It was a fun tradition.”
“There is so much that kids gain by having conversations at the dinner table. It’s kind of like going on a date … you don’t sit on our phone the whole time, so we should look at dinner with our kids the same. A time to hear about their day, get to know their sweet personality and help build their character.”
Dining out with kids actually has great benefits for the entire family. Our current societal norms can undermine those, however, with the temptation to just hand over your phone to kids in an effort to keep the peace at a restaurant. But as Kristin Cotton, Olathe mom of two, puts it, this is a wonderful time to connect with your family: “There is so much that kids gain by having conversations at the dinner table. It’s kind of like going on a date … you don’t sit on our phone the whole time, so we should look at dinner with our kids the same. A time to hear about their day, get to know their sweet personality and help build their character.”
KRISTIN COTTON, OLATHE WITH KIDS
The most important part is choosing a place to go that will suit your family, which
Our family has eaten out a bit more than usual this summer and we’ve used it as an opportunity to teach our kids how to order their own food, ask for what they need and use appropriate manners in a restaurant.
DINING OUT
dining
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Do keep in mind you don’t have to turn cartwheels to make dining out a successful experience. Sometimes it is okay for kids to just sit and not be entertained by you or by things. Be realistic too—dining out isn’t always going to be successful, but that’s just part of the adventure. So, if you didn’t brave the Kansas City heat to eat out this summer, never fear. Cooler weather is almost here!
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Julie Collett writes from Overland Park where her family is braving restaurant a little more often but never leaves home without her “bag of tricks” to help engage and occupy the a few games could play together as a family if your kids are older or varied in We recently went to Tanners where we played Skee-Ball, darts and pool (attempted anyway!), which was a fun way for us to hang out together before our food came. You may also consider choosing somewhere that is kind of loud or has a patio you can sit on, so you (or other patrons) won’t be bothered when your kids are loud, too.
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Kaylee Biller, an Olathe mom of two, says, “We weren’t willing to give up eating out all together when we added a child to our family but knew we had to adjust our expectations. We come prepared. We go early. We avoid waits. We work together.” Elizabeth Godfrey, Overland Park mom of four, has similar insight: “Pick a kid-friendly restaurant with a quick turnover to avoid waiting. Be prepared. Bring snacks, paper, crayons and cards. Also, get the check when they serve the dinner … when kids are done eating, waiting isn’t an option!”
Cotton has a great tip about keeping kids entertained: “The key is to bring a few different things each time so they don’t get bored.” In fact, Cotton and her coworker, both Olathe kindergarten teachers, started a small business called KC Kits that offers tons of learning kits, sensory kits, entertainment kits and pretend play kits! They’re all effective to keep kids busy, but the entertainment kits are particularly great for restaurants (or sibling activities or road trips). You can find them on Facebook at KC Kits, Instagram at KCKits2213, or their website at KCKits.net.
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kcparent.com 31september 2022 You are now armed with some great family benefits of dining out, places to try and things to keep your kids engaged and busy while waiting, so what are you waiting for?!
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kids! TWO ■FORWEEKSONLYUnlimitedClassesForTwo(2) Weeks ■ Free Training Uniform & Rank Belt MARTIAL ARTS LESSONS FOR AGES 4 YEARS AND UP! OLATHE 14024 W 119th St · (913) 829-8818 OVERLAND PARK 8645 W 135th St · (913) 851-5050 Visit our website at KCTigerRock.com! ®$39! This incredible special offer includes: Limited to only the first 50 students! LENEXA 8789 Penrose Ln (913) 890-3719 OVERLAND PARK NORTH 8719 W 95th St · (605) 595-5284 can vary depending on the ages of your children. If you have a small window of opportunity—perhaps you have a small baby who is napping—find a place close to home. If your kids are young, pick somewhere that has a kids menu to color or offers snacks ahead of time. Venture out to a restaurant with
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Kaylee Biller, Olathe mom of two, says, “We still love getting out and trying new places to eat in KC, and we hope exposing our children to restaurants at a young age helps them love it, too!” Here are a few kid-friendly restaurants to put in your rotation: Pickle Red Crow Brewing Company Fritz’s Nick and Jake’s Dewey’s Pizza Magic Noodle Taco Republic Blue
e all know grandparents love spending time with their grandchildren. Holding the child of your child is something indescribably life changing. Not only is it affirmation that you have somehow done something right and that your child is now going to become you, but it is a miracle. It’s also an enriching experience for the youngsters physically, emotionally, mentally and socially.
Children learn that happiness is easy around grandparents.
Grandparents can actually increase your children’s emotional intelligence, which is so important now. Raising emotionally well-adjusted kids is our goal, and grandparents can assist with this. Research has found that children who spend more time with their grandparents are at a reduced risk for having emotional and behavioral issues compared to children who do not have grandparents involved in their lives. This is particularly true for adolescents from divorced or separated families. So if you want a happy child, invite Grandpa over for s’mores!
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We parents often run on empty, desperate for a shower, a snack that doesn’t include Goldfish crackers or a moment alone in the bathroom. When grandparents do not live in the same house as their grandchildren, spending time together may feel extra special for both. Grandparents may also be retired and have more energy and patience when playing with younger children, which gives parents a great breather. Quality time with grandparents is a joyous win for all involved!
Little ones may innately fear the elderly, which contributes to ageism. Studies show that children as young as 3 exhibit negative attitudes toward older people. Having Grandma and Grandpa around can reduce these feelings.
Grandparents encourage prosocial behaviors, making kids more sweet-natured and accepting. Grandparents’ financial and emotional support was shown to both improve their grandchild’s behavior and increase school engagement. A study focused on 10- to 14-year-olds living in both single and two-parent families. Grandparent involvement led to an increase in kind, empathetic behavior. A teenager who is considerate toward others is a reason to celebrate!Thepower of true, unconditional love and connection in grandparent-grandchild relationships battles back against depressive symptoms in children and elderly people alike. Grandparents who took part in a study were found to be less depressed when they what kids can learn from grandparents
Often, as parents we don’t want to tell all the things we did in the past, but grandparents satisfy our kids’ natural curiosity about when, where and how their parents grew up. What were you like as a kid? What sports did you play? What was your favorite food? Grandma remembers vividly and can offer funny anecdotes, which are worth their weight in gold to kids, as this humanizes Mom and Dad. Also, these memories can connect your kids to their grandparents over story time. Does Grandpa do woodworking? Does Grandma crochet or knit or cook? Because they started life long before their grandchildren, they thrill to teach them a new skill. Passing down these arts to kids helps keep traditions alive, and those skills are amazingly handy to have. Let your kids teach Grandma and Grandpa something new as well! For example, grandkids can walk their seniors through how to work their new iPhone!
My family never lived close together, so several times a year we would travel to Texas to visit my mother’s parents. Those times rank highest on my memory list. Mamau was about fourfoot-eleven and towered to me. She made the most amazing homemade everything, from meatloaf and mayo to cheesecake and bread. She spent “special” time with me in the mornings when we would go out into her backyard and pick tiny red peppers to put in a jar. I love hot sauce now because of her, and I can’t eat a meatloaf sandwich with a fresh tomato and mayo without being transported back in time. And Grandpa drove a Tom’s candy truck! He would let my sisters and me climb the steps inside and pick any candy we wanted. The hum of the window air conditioner in their house and the way I felt sitting at their melamine table, the crack of her spoon on the constant hot pan on Mamau’s gas stove, and the Velveeta box filled with coupons. Your little girl or boy will absorb experiences you can’t imagine if they are lucky enough to be around your parents. In their eyes, your kids are angels!
— Judy Goppert
For a grandparent, this new relationship means a second chance! Grandparents may have tried their hardest as parents, and now they get to know how to do things with a fresh new outlook. Also, spending time with grandchildren helps Grandma and Grandpa live longer. It gives them something to look forward to, and they will be great babysitters! Grandkids can actually help their elders reach old age simply by being around. Studies have shown that those who babysit their grandkids have a 37% lower mortality rate compared to people of the same age who do not have consistent childcare duties assigned to their daily lives. This may be attributed to the fact that older people who care for younger children have a great sense of purpose, remain active with their fast kids and spend their days honing in on cognitive function and skill. An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.
kcparent.com 33september 2022 received or gave tangible help to their grandchildren. This includes rides to the store, advice on life or financial assistance. So, when Mom doesn’t have the answer, Facetime Grandma! It’s good for her mental health, and she will give you new perspective. And let’s face it, there is probably nothing you could throw grandparents’ way they haven’t seen before!
Many enjoy the rich stories grandparents tell, which helps your children understand where they came from. Helping kids understand the struggles and successes of the family helps them learn family history. And when they know the backstory, grandchildren will love and keep old heirlooms and photo albums, secret family recipes and neat treasures. This sharing helps keep grandparents’ memories alive, which for many older adults is so important. Every family is unique, and you may learn something yourself as parents that will connect you to your roots.
Beyond building family heritage, grandparents are the ultimate at cuddling! Nobody knows how to do this better than grandparents. A good hug makes people feel safe, supported and secure. It also releases oxytocin for both huggers. Talk about emotional medicine!
Everyone loves a beautiful day at the Kansas City Zoo. Pack a picnic and bring it to the zoo! Spend time enjoying the Polar Bear Passage, Helzberg Penguin Plaza, Tiger Trail, Australia and Elephant Expedition. Then, head over to Africa and enjoy a ride on the Sky Safari. Remember to ride on the carousel, boat or tram for even more fun. Upgrade your FOTZ membership to enjoy free rides! KansasCityZoo.org
• Did you watch TV? Favorite shows?
• What did you think when you first met me?
Whether grandparents live nearby or far away, you can capture and preserve the special relationship they hold in your family. Help the kids create a journal or blog and interview their grandparents, recording the answers. Make two copies—one to keep and one to share— or create a blog to share online. Add to it each year. Interview Grandparents:
• When you were my age, what did you enjoy?
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• Did you have a favorite pet?
• What do you enjoy most about your grandparents?
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There is something special about the handprints of a child, and the best place to make a handprint, footprint or thumbprint keepsake is Ceramic Café. This paint-yourown pottery shop offers a wide selection of projects, from plates and mugs to frames and holiday pieces. The staff will happily help with project ideas and inspiration as your children paint ceramic masterpieces. You can invite grandparents to paint with you or make gifts in advance for the holiday. For the gifts to be ready in time, plan your painting for a week or more in advance. CeramicCafeKC.com
• What did you want to be when you grew up and did you do it?
• What is your first memory of your grandparents?
• Tell about the first time you met Grandma/Grandpa.
• What would you like to know about them?
3 Paint Pottery
Interview Children:
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2 FREE Admission for Grandparents Day One of our favorite local attractions, the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm, is celebrating grandparents a day early this year, on Sept. 10. Bring the whole family to experience living history, 1860s style! The Olathe Civic Band will begin playing on the North Activity Area at 2:00. Living history activities may include stagecoach rides, seasonal farming activities, visiting the Mahaffie House, blacksmith and cookstove demonstrations, yard games, self-guided tours of exhibits in the Agricultural Heritage Livestock Barn and the Heritage Center. Best of all, one grandparent is admitted free with one paying grandchild admission. Mahaffie.org
Conduct an Interview
Grandparents Day falls on Sept. 11 this year. We are excited to honor grandparents with memory-making outings, homemade gifts and treasured time celebrating them! 1 Train Rides Enjoy a ride aboard the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad. Trains bring out the child in everyone, and the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad’s oldfashioned rides are just the ticket! Take an excursion south from Belton on a 5-mile, 45-minute round trip. You’ll find tickets for 2:00 Sunday afternoon rides at KCRRM.org.
• What do you share in common?
• What did you enjoy in school?
• What did your bedroom look like?
• What do you look forward to doing together?
4 Head to the Kansas City Zoo
• What was my parent like as a child?
kcparent.com 35september 2022 marc.org/KCWalks Why walk? To keep your mind and your healthy!body
N o one is harder on themselves than moms. Each day is a constant battle within our own minds, making sure everything is done on time and in the right order. The to-do list in our head for taking care of others is never-ending, yet the list for ourselves is never started. When you’re in the thick of motherhood, it can be difficult to see the forest for the trees. Here are six ways you think you’re failing as a parent, but in reality, you’re kicking some serious mother tail.
WRONG: Drive-throughs instead of cooking
WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DID RIGHT: Made everyone’s life easier Repeat after me: “I am not Gordon Ramsay. I am not Wolfgang Puck. I am a mom, and tonight McDonald’s is the answer.” Seriously, check this worry off your list. Our calendars runneth over with meetings, sports, bills and relationships. We can’t finagle all of them to clear time to create a culinary masterpiece every evening. You are not failing if you stick your head out the window and order from a menu that offers nothing but high fructose corn syrup and processed carbohydrates. One of the greatest joys in life is eating junk food occasionally. And while we’re here, let’s get something straight. If you feel cooking is too much to add to your plate, get some help. Enlist your partner or a weekly meal service to shoulder some of the responsibility. Because remember, you are not Gordon Ramsay.
YOU’REGREAT,DOINGMAMA
WHAT YOU THINK YOU DID
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WHAT YOU THINK YOU DID WRONG: Were too soft WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DID RIGHT: Showed compassion We have a soft spot for our kids. It’s how we’re built. Though we appreciate that discipline is an essential and integral part of teaching fundamentals, sometimes those long eyelashes and pouty lips just melt us into a puddle of butter. Relax, Mom. Showing compassion and understanding over discipline and consequence isn’t going to ruin your child today or even tomorrow. No one grows up and says, “My mom was way too understanding with me.” There is a major supply chain shortage on empathy in this world. Fill that inventory as much as you want.
n Take the long way home so you can finish one more episode of your favorite podcast.
Kim Antisdel is a freelance writer and interior design sales rep for KC. She lives in Liberty with her husband, stepdaughters and son.
THINGS MOMS DO THAT FEEL SO WRONG BUT ARE SO, SO RIGHT:
n Sign up to bring the easiest item on the school holiday party list. Napkins, baby. Napkins.
WHAT YOU THINK YOU DID WRONG: Missed your children’s event/game WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DID RIGHT: Taught them to be their own cheerleaders A harsh reality for kids to learn is that their mom cannot be present for every high and low of their lives. As much as we want to attend every field day, trip to the aquarium and musical performance, it simply isn’t feasible. Mothers are humans and they are not omnipresent. We have our own goals and, gasp, lives! When a conflict arises and you’re forced to miss a game or a performance, cut yourself some slack. Talk to your child and explain where you will be and why it’s important that you be there. Then send him on his way with a smile, knowing he’ll be just fine. After all, you can’t sit in on your child’s first performance review, so he’d better get used to going it alone now.
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There is no such thing as an unnecessary doctor visit. When your child exhibits symptoms that cause you concern, it is absolutely acceptable for you to get them checked out. A doctor would much rather see you for a false alarm than find out you sought medical advice from 200 unqualified strangers on social media. You are your child’s biggest—and sometimes only— advocate. Kids look to you to know when there are signs of trouble. Lean into that honor and never question it. If your concern turns out to be nothing, great. You can sleep easier knowing you trusted your gut.
n Skip piano lessons and get a mommy/daughter pedicure instead.
n Eat the kids’ Halloween/Easter/Christmas candy.
If your child is old enough to get cereal from the cabinet and work a remote control, you are allowed a few sleepins on the weekend. The world will not collapse if that pile of laundry doesn’t get put into the dryer, and your household will not die of starvation if you skip making breakfast on Sunday. By having a morning all to yourself, you teach those little ones of yours to fend for themselves. Might it backfire? Sure. They might find a Twinkie for breakfast, but hey, they’re fed. (Also, a Twinkie is nutritionally no better than a donut, so relax.) Let go of the notion that you aren’t allowed a little bit of laziness. Every family and situation is different, but most moms have one thing in common. We worry we aren’t doing it right. Trust that you are doing your absolute best and no one is doing it perfectly. Give yourself some grace and a pedicure … you’ve earned it.
n Hire the babysitter. Two times in one week.
WHAT YOU THINK YOU DID WRONG: Let your children fall WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DID RIGHT: Taught them to get back up This applies both metaphorically and actually. Babies learn to walk because they fall down and then get back up again. In the same way, your child will learn to succeed by failing—and then trying again. By allowing your children to make mistakes, such as running on a slippery surface, eating too much candy or forgetting their homework again, you teach them to fail quickly and then rebound faster on their own.
n Say NO to PTA, book club, coaching, chaperoning or any extracurricular activity you don’t have the bandwidth for.
WHAT YOU THINK YOU DID WRONG: Went to pediatrician—again—andthe it was nothing WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DID RIGHT: Followed your gut
WHAT YOU THINK YOU DID WRONG: Slept in on the weekend WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DID RIGHT: Taught self-sufficiency
septemberkcparent.com202238PARTYGUIDE With attractions that cater to any level of adventurer, there’s something fun for Whereeveryone.fun TAKES FLIGHT! UrbanAirOverlandPark.com 14401 Metcalf Ave • Overland Park, KS 66223 • (913) 298-0626 UrbanAirLenexa.com 8554 Maurer Road • Lenexa, KS 66219 • (913) 359-5800 Both locations now open P lanning the perfect birthday party for your kids may seem a herculean task, but it doesn’t have to be! Follow these party planning secrets approved by savvy moms to make your kids’ birthday parties the best yet—with minimal stress! Brainstorm Ideas with the Birthday Kid Sometimes your expectations are much higher than your child’s. Danielle Hewitt, a mom of three from St. Joseph, MO, suggests brainstorming ideas with your child. “When I started brainstorming with my daughter about her birthday party, I realized she wasn’t wanting an extravagant party. She came up with a great idea that was easy to put together and budget friendly. It ended up being her favorite party to date,” says Hewitt.
BIRTHDAY PLANNING SECRETS: TIPS FROM SAVVY MOMS
Scoop Ice Cream Before the Party KC Parent editor Margaret Sarver’s favorite party hack is to line a muffin pan with cupcake liners and place scoops of ice cream in each liner before the party and put back in the freezer. Pull out the muffin pan when serving cake and, voila, no mess!
Thank You Notes While your child is opening gifts, instead of taking time to write a list of gifts and givers for thank you notes, simply snap a quick photo of the birthday child, guest and gift opened. It will be a quick and easy reference for thank you notes. You could even print the photos out to use as personalized thank you notes. Digital Invites Keep it simple with invitations! Save the time of finding addresses and addressing each invitation. Send digital invites via text, email, Facebook event pages or websites like Evite.com. You will also save money on printing, envelopes and stamps! Just keep in mind you might need to follow up with guests if you don’t receive a response to your invitation. Parents are busy, and invitations can easily get lost in their email or social media pages.
kcparent.com 39september 2022 Visit www.kansascityzoo.org/birthdaystoplanyourpartytoday! Mission Bowl 1020 S. Weaver St. Olathe, KS 66061 (913) missionbowl.com782-0279 BirthdayBowlingPartiesXStrike X $90.00 per Lane (package) • 2 Hour Party for 5 • Shoe Rental for 5 • Large ToppingSinglePizza • 5 Small Soft Drinks • Tablecloth, Plates, Napkins, Balloons, NEON Bowling Pin • 5 Goodie Bags You invite the guest we do the rest... Princess Partyat my Have your favorite princess at yourFacepaintInclude:Partiesparty!StoryGamesMusicPrizes&More Rachel Johnson rachel@princessatmyparty.com 816.830.4841 www.princessatmyparty.com Prevent Leaks Serving ice cream cones? Place a small marshmallow in the bottom of each ice cream cone to prevent leaks and sticky hands. Prep the Night Before I like to prep everything for the party the night before. I put up all the decorations, pick up the cake and balloons, prepare food and drinks and have everything for the activities ready to go. By prepping the night before, you can enjoy the party day, and you will have time to run and grab a last minute item you might have forgotten before the party starts. Create Individual Party Packages for Each Guest To save the hassle in passing out craft supplies for activities, put together party kits in a plastic bag beforehand. The bag will have everything each guest will need to complete the craft or activity. Make sure you assemble a few extras in case someone didn’t RSVP or a younger brother or sister would like to join in the fun!
Simple Tablecloths
Provide a variety of drink options, but make sure they are individual serving drinks instead of drinks that need to be poured into cups. Hewitt says, “Water bottles and Capri Suns work perfectly. They’re easier to pass out, you will have less spills, and the cleanup is easier.”
Easy Drinks
PARTYGUIDE Have an Unforgettable Party! Movies2U is KC’s premier provider & facilitator of outdoor and indoor cinema events Outdoor Cinema • Special Events 913.424.9444 • Movies2U.com startingPartiesat $ 295 THE ULTIMATE ALL-NEW PARTYBIRTHDAYGUIDE FOR KANSAS CITY 200 + PARTY VENUES AND ENTERTAINERSPARTYCHECKIT OUT AT KCPARENT.COM!
Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband, Cale, and daughters, Atley and Ensley in St. Joseph, MO.
If you’ve planning a messy activity, do yourself a favor and buy some plastic tablecloths. When the activity is over, you can throw away the tablecloth and everything on the table at one time. You will be saving your table from the mess and saving on cleanup time.
Instead of creating favor bags, do an activity that allows kids to take home what they made.
Ask for Any Special Allergies When Guests RSVP
Make sure none of the children have food allergies when the parents RSVP. We have a family friend with a peanut allergy, so we try to make sure all the snacks and the cake are peanut allergy friendly, so he can eat what everyone else is eating.
40 Invest in a Plastic Pool
Let your kids be involved in the party planning process. I love letting them put together the goody bags for their friends. It keeps them busy and checks one thing off the party planning to-do list!
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A plastic pool isn’t just for splashing around. It can serve so many purposes for a birthday party. Fill it with plastic balls for a ball pit, water balloons for a balloon fight, ice to keep drinks cold, sand for a digging activity or Orbeez for a sensory activity for little ones. Recruit Help from Your Kids
Let the Activity Be the Favor
Hewitt’s daughter’s party activity was creating different do-ityourself fidget toys. All the kids went home with a bag full of all the toys they created.
Other examples include painting a ceramic piece, decorating cookies or cupcakes or tie-dyeing a pillowcase.
FLIPSWITCH VR (FlipSwitchVR.com). This is the ultimate virtual reality experience. FlipSwitch uses state-of-the-art wireless technology and motion tracking to take you inside the game where your body is the controller and your mind believes it’s real.
DAVE & BUSTER’S (DaveAndBusters.com). This family-friendly restaurant is home to arcade games, shuffleboard and billiards.
CHUCK E. CHEESE (ChuckECheese.com). This is the classic favorite for children, where they can enjoy pizza, arcade games and indoor amusement rides.
MAIN EVENT (MainEvent.com). This family fun center offers bowling, billiards, laser tag, ropes obstacle course, video games and more.
ARCADE ALLEY (ArcadeAlley.com). This retro arcade bar located in the Strother District in downtown Lee’s Summit is a great hangout, boasting food, fun and a big dose of nostalgia.
DISCIPLES OF GAMING VR (DisciplesOfGaming.com). This is an immersive VR experience where you kill zombies, fly starships and experience the future of interactive gaming.
DRAFTCADE (Draftcade.com). Full-service bar with food items and more than 70 arcade games. Geared toward adults.
GAME CAFÉ (PlayGameCafe.com). Game store in the heart of Independence, offering board games, table top games, card games and more.
MISSION: BOARD GAMES (MissionBoardGames.com). This is a tabletop game café where you can gather with friends and try out new board games. If you love the game, you may purchase it to keep.
COOL CREST (CoolCrest.com). Famous for their beautiful miniature golf courses, the fun center is also home to an arcade room and go-karts.
PAWN AND PINTS (PawnAndPints.com). This board game pub offers food, drink and a collection of thousands of board games to play with friends!
POWER PLAY (PowerPlayKC.com). This family fun center features rides, laser tag, whirly ball, arcade games, bowling, go-karts and more.
UP-DOWN KC (UpDownKC.com). Arcade and bar with a retro vibe for adults only. These attractions include great hangouts for kids, several for the entire family and a few just for adults that make a great parents night out!
CARDBOARD CORNER CAFÉ (CardboardCornerKC.com). A place for great food and great games, whether you are new to tabletop games or a seasoned veteran.
CONNECT THROUGH THE MAGIC OF
Storytelling
“ W hy do you have a badger skin?” inquired my 6-yearoldMynephew.family, along with a small group of other adults and children, formed a semicircle in the shadowy quiet of a reconstructed Native American encampment earth lodge at a children’s nature center. Christine Freeman, an employee, had been guiding us through the lifestyle of the Kanza Indians, showing us how the Plains tribe crafted bows and arrows and used turtle shells for soup bowls and as calendars. She reached over and picked up the skin.
“A story is a way to be in connection with our children and be in empathy and sympathy with them without giving advice or laying down the law,” says Robin Moore, professional storyteller and author of Creating a Family Storytelling Tradition: Awakening the Hidden Storyteller Expand creativity. Just like imaginative play, stories help children sort through problems and work through issues. “The more stories that kids can relate to others, the more ability they have to use their imagination and to become problem solvers,” says Joyce Slater, professional storyteller and performing arts teacher. Research suggests that families who tell stories report higher levels of happiness, closeness and adaptability.
“This is actually a raccoon,” she said as she placed it over her shoulder. Sitting down, she ran her hand along the fluffy, circled tail. “If you have time for a story, I’ll tell you how the animals worked out night and day,” she said. We all leaned in a little closer. Listening to Freeman recount the myth about the animals, we learned how the Indians taught their children about why days are split into nighttime and daytime hours.
and sharing one’s imagination,” says Kevin Doyle, a children’s book author and father of two, ages 7 and 3. He began telling stories to his daughter when she was just a toddler. Doyle’s children especially desire imaginative, adventurous stories with pretend characters. “Those are my favorite to think up and the kids’ favorites to hear. Bedtime is our primary story time. That’s the best time to unwind and help everyone relax,” he says.
As an author, Doyle knows a thing or two about spinning yarns that appeal to kids, but you don’t have to be a professional storyteller to entertain your kids with your tales. Tell life stories. Kids love to hear about their parents’ adventures when they were kids. Family stories, in particular, shape a child’s understanding of his family’s values, a sense of right and wrong and appropriate social behavior both in the family and in the world.
“Storytelling is ageless. It appeals to everyone,” she says. “With children, it’s a great way to catch their attention.”
Freeman, who is also a mom of two adult sons, knows that when she weaves information into a story, her audience is more likely to listen and retain the information.
Learn through storytelling. Stories put our experiences into perspective, comforting us with the knowledge that we aren’t alone in our human experiences. Stories serve to entertain, inspire, teach compassion and other values and stoke admiration and respect for the generations of individuals who came before us. Studies also show storytelling enhances a child’s language development, emergent reading and comprehension skills.
“One of the stories that kids should always know is the story about their birth,” Slater says. “‘What was the day like? Who was there? Why do I have this name?’ It becomes a real self-identifying process if you know how you came into being and why somebody chose your name.”
“My favorite thing about storytelling has to be showing my kids how fun it is to embrace one’s creativity and to not be shy about exploring
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Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines thinks it’s magical how the question “Can I tell you a story?” turns people of all ages into captive listeners.
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Teachables (pre-K – 6th grade) – activities and skills sheets on a variety of subjects, games, and more
• U.S. History and World History – research toolkit for writing reports, including tips and worksheets World – current events Science – learning activities with guided lessons followed by a quiz Science Reference Center – experiments, worksheets, and a research guide – videos, quizzes, projects, and other media
VIEW A FULL LIST OF HOMEWORK HELP RESOURCES FOR ALL AGES AT MYMCPL.ORG / BacktoSchool
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Science Reference Center –experiments, worksheets, and a research guide ScienceFlix – videos, quizzes, projects, and other media
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The school year has started and, as many caregivers know, providing students with academic support can be a daunting task! Mid-Continent Public Library’s branches, located throughout Clay, Jackson, and Platte Counties, are here to help, and the Library’s many online resources are available 24/7. In addition, a number of MCPL branches have small meeting rooms which provide privacy to study and do homework.
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TumbleMath (K-5th grade) – a system that utilizes math picture books to connect learners with math concepts; includes thousands of quizzes
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MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
TrueFlix (Grades 3 and up) – videos, quizzes
• Bloom’s Literature – literary themes, timelines, and essay topics
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Teachables (Pre-K – 6th grade) – activities and skills sheets, games, and more
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For caregivers who want to provide their student with step-by-step help (but are just as lost as they are!), MCPL’s Live Homework Help from Tutor.com connects students with an online tutor for live, interactive help with homework assignments. This free resource is available seven days a week for English and Spanishspeaking students from noon to midnight. Tutors will walk students through each step of their homework problems (messaging and audio communications available).
Below are some of the resources compiled by the experts at MCPL to help you get started! These resources provide age-appropriate lesson plans and other content to support learning at home, as well as in-classroom instruction.
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As with all of the Library’s resources, these are free to use with a Mid-Continent Public Library Access Pass (Library card), which metro residents can sign up for (and immediately begin using) at mymcpl.org/NewCard
CultureGrams – activities organized by grade level K–12 (social studies) FreedomFlix – videos, quizzes, and other activities
Mid-Continent Public Library Offers Online Resources for Students of All Ages
GRADES
• Explora for Teens – STEM, geometry, American History
• ScienceFlix
K–6 Explora for Kids – STEM, geometry, American History World Book Kids – lesson plans and scavenger hunts
All good parents inherently want to keep their kids safe, but kids are robbed of the opportunity to learn resiliency when all risk is eliminated. It’s essential, then, to view risk as a means of learning. By giving children age-appropriate freedom, they begin to learn what their own limits are. Don’t wait until your child is old enough to obtain her driver’s license to start navigating road safety. Preparation begins when you teach that same child how to ride a bike years before (slow down and look both ways). Not all kids jump at the chance to figure out how to do things on their own. Some kids want a clear cut, simple fix answer. As many adults can attest, life doesn’t always have easy answers. Instead of doling out quick fixes, normalize your children’s concerns and help them navigate a variety of solutions to the problems they are facing. Have a child with test anxiety? Brainstorm strategies for time management and study habits. You aren’t taking the test for him, but by engaging your child in the process of preparation, he is repeatedly figuring out
Additionally, parents can’t be there at all times for their kids. So it’s essential that kids gain the skills to learn how to navigate uncertainty through problem solving.
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Lynn Lyons, psychotherapist and co-author of Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways to Stop the Worry Cycle and Raise Courageous and Independent Children, notes, “When they step into a situation, resilient kids have a sense they can figure out what they need to do and handle what is thrown at them with a sense of confidence.” Thankfully, resilience, the ability to bounce back from hardship, is not a genetic trait you either inherit or don’t. It can be taught. This can be especially encouraging to anxious parents who are learning how to tolerate uncertainty themselves. Lyons asserts that the inability to handle life’s curveballs is one of the primary reasons anxious parents shield their kids from worst-case scenarios. But by overprotecting their kids, they actually increase their anxiety. Since a child’s brain is not a mini adult brain, but instead one that is malleable and still under construction, it is imperative that parents foster an environment rich with both physical and social wiring instructions. Here are a few ways parents can help their children develop a brain that is flexible and resilient.
RESILIENTRAISINGKIDS
A dulthood may be stressful with all its mounting responsibilities, but childhood isn’t exactly a cakewalk either. From homework assignments to standardized testing, making new friends and enduring schoolyard bullies, getting braces put on or getting over the flu, childhood has its fair share of challenges. The key to navigating the normal ups and downs of the human experience, whether young or old, is resiliency.
Allow Some Risk and Don’t Fight All Your Kids’ Battles for Them
For parents wishing to give their children the world on a string, resiliency seems almost counterintuitive. After all, it can’t be bought, given or worked out on behalf of someone else. It has to be learned through trial and error, wrestled with and earned by the child himself. Because happiness is such a highly regarded ideal, many parents shield their children from situations where there is risk of failure, mistaking comfort for an ultimate end. The problem? Life simply doesn’t work like that. Parents can’t prevent their children from dealing with struggles, nor can they be one step ahead of them in everything they do.
what works and what doesn’t. Know it’s okay to not have all the answers, too. A simple “I don’t know” followed by flipping the script and asking questions helps kids learn how to process uncertainty and develop ways to navigate potential outcomes on their own.
“Carpenters carve wood into the shape they want. Likewise, parents can sculpt their child into something specific. Gardeners help things to grow on their own by cultivating a fertile landscape. They can provide an environment that encourages healthy growth in whatever direction the child takes. Once you understand what kind of plant you’re growing, you can ‘adjust the soil’ for it to take root and flourish.”
Allow Your Child to Make Mistakes
Lisa Feldman Barrett, a Harvard neuroscientist and psychologist, suggests that parents frame the act of raising kids to being more like a gardener than a carpenter.
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Lauren Greenlee is a recovering perfectionist seeking to raise four resilient boys. She writes from her Olathe home.
Building Great Smiles for Life!
Teach Them How to Emotionally Self-Regulate Learning how to manage emotions is a hallmark of resiliency. It’s okay to feel “all the feels,” but it’s important to put emotions in their proper place. Feelings make good co-pilots but horrible drivers. A child has every right to be upset after losing his game or dropping her ice cream cone on the ground. But after those initial feelings are passed, kids need to learn how to navigate what to do next. Remind your child that feelings explain why you want to do what you want to do, but they don’t excuse or justify bad behavior. Powerful emotions can get reactions— both good and bad—from Mom and Dad, so it’s critical that parents learn to respond with patience and consistency. After all, you can’t teach your child how to self-regulate while you yourself are noticeably freaking out. Of course, you’ll inevitably mess up because parenting is hard and requires a lot of practice, but when you make mistakes, own them and apologize. Modeling how to rebound from your own mistakes shows kids perfection isn’t key; grit and authenticity are.
Failure isn’t fatal and can oftentimes be a really effective teacher. This can be incredibly hard for perfectionistic or overprotective parents to allow, but failure provides kids the chance to self-correct and make better decisions in the future. For example, if your child has an assignment she has no interest in doing, it can be easy to swoop in and try to “help” so it’s perfect. But a far more valuable lesson happens when a child learns through the consequences of her own choices. Likewise, if a kid forgets his homework at home, he’ll be less inclined to make the same mistake again if he learns the hard way instead of Mom’s running back home and getting it for him.
GARDENER?
Talk about family safety rules early, often and as situations come up. I have reminded my children since they were young that they were never to go near water without an adult, and every time we saw or walked by ice, I made sure to add they were never to step onto ice without checking with an adult first either. I also explained why, so they would have a better understanding of why that was our rule.
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Establish that kids can say no to an adult and have agency over their own bodies. This is also a tricky one in today’s climate because we want our children both to respect authority but to also have agency over their own bodies. If they feel uncomfortable around an adult, they should be able to safely let you know any time. This includes having the right to decline giving a relative a hug if they don’t want to without it making a scene. This leads into our next tip.
Frequent reminders here and there work well to help kids commit this information to memory. We, unfortunately, had an opportunity to implement this lesson once when my middle son, then 3, ran off in the opposite direction at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Luckily, I had eyes on him, but he instantly panicked and found a mom and told her my name and phone number. This was a teachable moment, and he didn’t want to get lost ever again.
septemberkcparent.com202246 SMART TIPS
arenting seems trickier these days, doesn’t it? Opportunities abound for parents to worry—especially about how to keep our kids safe. I think a lot of it is due to the exorbitant amount of information bombarding us from the never-ending news cycle as well as social media. Nostalgia makes us yearn for parenting’s simpler times when we could safely shoo the kids outside and tell them not to come back until the streetlights come on. But we want the simpler times for our own children’s sake too, right? So how do we allow freedom and independence during childhood while still ensuring our children’s safety? Let’s take a look at some tips from other parents craving a more idyllic childhood for their own kids.
Show how and when to talk to strangers. This is one of the trickier things to teach young children. It’s easy to say, “Don’t ever talk to strangers,” and to harp stranger dangers, but what if you also want to teach your children how to be friendly to their neighbors walking their dog by your yard while they’re out playing? I think we all have a gut feeling about who’s safe to give a friendly wave and hello to and who we feel uncomfortable around. I think we have to steer our children into learning how to trust their own instincts a little bit, too. So maybe you encourage your kids to wave at neighbors strolling by when they say hello but to know firmly they are never to approach a stranger’s car or that adults should not ask kids for help. Keep no secrets. This is an important lesson to teach and revisit with all children. Lori Tate, mother of three, tells her kids, “No one should ask you to keep secrets from your mom and dad.” She also describes the difference between a surprise and a secret. “A surprise can be told or shared, just not yet. An example being what you got Dad for his birthday or going to a surprise party for someone. They will eventually find out. It doesn’t stay a secret for forever.”
TO HELP KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE
Other rules include always wearing a helmet on toys with wheels. We implemented this important rule just as soon as our kids were old enough to toddle along on their Strider balance bikes, around 18 months, so they haven’t known anything different. I am thankful we’ve had this rule in place because my youngest got a concussion from a bike fall when he was 5 years old. I truly think his helmet saved his life. Teach kids how not to get lost and how to find help if they do. Teach preschoolers your full name and phone number ASAP and teach them to look for a mommy or worker to ask for help if they get lost. I would teach and have my kids practice reciting this information while I pushed them in the stroller or strapped them in their car seats. Those times of undivided attention worked well for them to focus.
Another idea comes from Michael Houghton, mother of two: “Before my kids had cell phones and we went to a large, highly populated place, I wrote my phone number on their arms with a Sharpie in case we got separated. I also taught them that if that happens, try to find an adult that works there over a random adult. It actually happened at Silver Dollar City when they were 4. It was awful and scary, but we found each other that way.”
Teach children proper body awareness.
Children are mostly born curious and reckless, which, for kids, is all sorts of thrilling, but for parents can be more like heart stopping. Children need to learn how to assess risk on their own now to help them later in life, though. For example, when children are younger, they may decide it’s worth the possibility of falling out of a tree to experience the views and sense of accomplishment from climbing it. They may also decide the possibility of wiping out and getting a scraped knee is more than worth the fun of pulling their roller blade wearing siblings by jump rope behind their bike. (Don’t ask how I know!) Definitely encourage kids to think about what will happen or how they would handle different situations that could happen. Guide them with specifics: That hill looks steep, so make sure to brake slowly the entire time. This campfire is hot and will burn you if you get too close. This knife is sharp, so be sure to cut carefully. Specifics are more effective than a generic, “Be careful!”
Understand what to do in the event of an emergency. Kids need to be aware of what constitutes an emergency and what to do if they’re ever in one. From housefires and weather events to someone’s getting hurt, kids should know where to go and how to call for help. It’s wise to make a fire plan and to practice how to safely get out in different scenarios, where to meet and how to call 911. Make sure to test the smoke alarms when your children are home, so they recognize that sound if there’s a fire. I recently had a health scare where I randomly passed out after putting my kids to bed while my husband was traveling for work. Luckily, I came to enough to call for my son and instruct him how to call for help. I ended up going to the ER and, thankfully, being fine, but it was a good reminder that we need to keep reviewing with kids what to do in case something like that happens again.
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Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 12, Mason, 10, and Slade, 7, and has been through a variety of scenarios (stitches, glue, ER visits, broken collarbone, broken arm and concussion, to name a few) trying to keep her three kids safe.
kcparent.com september 2022
Teach children risk management.
Parenting is definitely not for the faint of heart, but it’s always worth the extra effort to raise and enjoy safe kids—even if you do end up with a few broken bones along the way.
Children should know the proper names of all body parts, including private parts. It’s also wise to remind them that no one is to touch any body part that would be covered by their swimsuit. I would often mention this during the kids’ bath times that only Mommy can wash them to take care of them and then sometimes a doctor, with Mommy’s permission, will have to check to make sure their body is staying healthy. I would remind them of this before well check visits to the doctor, too, so they knew what to expect.
Regularly discussing these lessons calmly in a matter-of-fact way is a foundation for safety. Then, on top of that, discuss how they should absolutely tell Mom or Dad if anyone makes them feel uncomfortable and that they would not get in trouble because they are kids and adults will be held responsible.
GREAT AMERICAN MAIN STREETS IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA
HISTORIC LEAVENWORTH Famous for its prisons and the military fort bearing its name, Leavenworth, “the First City in Kansas,” is also a fun and nostalgic day trip courtesy of Leavenworth Main Street. Begin with a visit to the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum, one of the most whimsical sites in Kansas. Learn the history of Parker’s carousel business from hand-carved horses to the introduction of aluminum animals, and conclude with a spin on a 1913 carousel!
Take a historic tour on the Leavenworth Trolley and let the kids ring the bell at the end of the ride. Eat at Pullman Place Family Restaurant, decorated with railroad memorabilia, including a special glass top table with a model train running inside! The district is also home to many shops and boutiques, including the unique Queen’s Pantry, selling British goods like fine teas, cookies and delicacies. In addition to these stops, you’ll find book stores, antique shops, boutiques, a toy store and more in downtown Leavenworth.
septemberkcparent.com202248 I magine a leisurely day of shopping and dining at locally owned businesses where you are greeted with a smile. Does it seem like a distant memory of years gone by? With the revitalization of historic shopping districts in recent years, many areas have been transformed into beautiful places to live, work and play, bringing the Great American Main Street back to life. Hosting farmers markets, girls nights out, holiday events, sales and great boutiques and cafes for an “any day getaway,” these districts make a wonderful day trip, and we’re fortunate to have many right in our own backyard.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN OVERLAND PARK Downtown Overland Park is one of the most eclectic districts in the area with a strong celebration of the arts, including the Art Deco Rio Theatre, one of Kansas’ original movie theaters, that shows independent films. For lunch, the district boasts diversity, too. You can enjoy a variety of restaurants all under one roof at Strang Hall where chef-driven restaurants offer a grown-up food court experience. Another delicious favorite is El Salvadoreño where you can enjoy an authentic El Salvadoran feast. Learn something new at the Culinary Center of Kansas City, offering more than 450 classes from gourmet cooking to beginning skills for all ages. Other fun shops include the General Store, the Tasteful Olive and Penzeys, a spice shop.
INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
Your guide will tell tales of the trails, the Civil War and, of course, Harry Truman. After your tour, enjoy shopping and dining or a movie or game of bowling. Two of the square’s most unique shops are Blue and Grey, selling Civil War books and collectibles, and Scandinavia Place, with gifts from around the world. For a delicious treat, visit Clinton’s Soda Fountain, the location of the original Crown Drug Store, Truman’s first boyhood employer. Or, dine below street level at the Courthouse Exchange, where rock walls create a cozy atmosphere as you enjoy pub-style dining.
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HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LIBERTY Historic Downtown Liberty is legendary for history buffs and shoppers alike! The most infamous landmark is the Jesse James Bank Museum, site of America’s first daylight bank robbery. Take a brunch break at Ginger Sue’s Bruncheonette. Visit the James Country Mercantile, selling supplies for historic reenactors, including 19th-century gear, clothing, toys, paper dolls, books and more! In addition to these sites, you’ll find a variety of stores selling clothing, books, antiques, artisan foods, toys, gifts and more.
Each district in this guide is home to many unique attractions, and this list barely scratches the surface! Search “Day Trips” on KCParent. com to discover many more attractions in each district and other Main Streets in Missouri and Kansas. Kristina Light loves writing about great places to visit in the Kansas City area on KCParent.com.
The Downtown Lee’s Summit shopping district is one of the most vibrant in the area. Start with a discovery of the area’s history at the Lee’s Summit Historical Society Museum, housed in a 1905 train depot in the heart of downtown. The area offers restaurants ranging from upscale to the local diner, but kids’ favorites are Poppy’s Ice Cream, serving homemade ice cream, and the Filling Station BBQ, housed in an old Texaco station, with indoor or sidewalk dining. Of course, the day isn’t complete without shopping. Visit KD’s Books, the quintessential bookstore for kids. If you love to cook, stop by A Thyme for Everything, a kitchen shop with all your cooking needs. At Embers Candle Bar, you can create your own scented candle. Mindgames and Magic is the ultimate game shop for RPG and board game fans. For fun, head to Arcade Alley where you can play old-school video games. In addition to these stops, you’ll find a variety of other shops and restaurants.
DOWNTOWN LEE’S SUMMIT
Independence is best known as the home of President Truman. Make a visit to the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum, one of 15 presidential libraries in the United States. The museum underwent a marvelous renovation and reopened just over a year ago. The new exhibits capture the story of Truman and his presidency, and visitors read, listen, watch, look and relive (through film and interactive displays) key moments in American history. Cinematic films are shown throughout the museum previewing the various exhibits and setting the stage for the stories they tell. In addition to the museum, you may also visit the Truman Home. Before Truman, the Civil War was raging and, before that, pioneers moving! Step back in time with a mule-drawn wagon ride on the Independence Square, courtesy of Pioneer Trails Adventures.
Lenexa Spinach Festival Sept. 10, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. The family-friendly Lenexa Spinach Festival is packed with food, music, entertainment, hands-on activities, craft vendors and more! Learn more at Lenexa.com
Children’s Mercy Dream Big Day Sept. 24, Crown Center Square. Children’s Mercy Dream Big Day is a family-friendly celebration and 1-mile walk to rally our community around Children’s Mercy and raise funds to provide answers, hope and care to patients and their families! DreamBigDay.org Find the complete Fall Festival Guide on KCParent.com.
Kansas City Chalk & Walk Festival Sept. 2-4, City Market. You are invited to experience the creation of these street paintings, interact with the artists, enjoy street performers, Children’s Creative Corridor and workshops. KCChalkAndWalk.org Raytown’s Festival of the Trails Sept. 10, Cave Springs. Explore various locations throughout the day along or near the Santa Fe Trail in and around Raytown. Facebook.com/festivalofthetrails
50 GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo Sept. 1-Dec. 11, Kansas City Zoo. See the Kansas City Zoo in a whole new light this fall with a new, completely unique and immersive nighttime experience, GloWild. This lantern festival will be the largest of its kind in the Midwest. KansasCityZoo.org
Friends of Shawnee Town Arts & Crafts Fair & Fall Festival Sept. 17, Shawnee Town 1929. Enjoy the 46th Annual Friends of Shawnee Town Arts & Crafts Fair & Fall Festival, featuring more than 140 vendors showcasing their handmade, homemade and repurposed items! ShawneeTown.org
The Great Pumpkin Fest Sat & Sun, Sept. 17-Oct. 30, Worlds of Fun. Hooray for fall! Hop on your tractor, pirate ship or witch’s broom and hurry on over for a super-sized celebration of all things fall at Worlds of Fun’s Great Pumpkin Fest. WorldsOfFun.com
SEPTEMBER festivals
ACROSS KANSAS CITY Lee’s Summit OktoberfestGloWild
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44th Annual Ciderfest Sept. 24-25 & Oct. 1-2, Louisburg Cider Mill. Activities include live music starting at 11:00, cider and donut making, pony rides and inflatable slides throughout the day until 6:00. LouisburgCiderMill.com
Lee’s Summit Oktoberfest Sept. 23-24, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Enjoy Kids Street, arts and crafts, German meals, beer and brat tents, carnival, the sportzelt, live entertainment, contests, a biergarten, home brew tasting, German dancers and much more. LSOktoberfest.com
septemberkcparent.com202252 support Head to Crown Center Square Sept. 24 for Children’s Mercy Dream Big Day 1-milecelebrationFamily-friendly.andwalktorallyourcommunityandraisefunds.Support.ChildrensMercy.org shop Visit the BusinessKidsFestFair on Sept. 10 at the Shawnee Civic Centre. Young launchentrepreneurstheirveryownstartupbusinessatthismarketplace.CityOfShawnee.org play Enjoy the start of fall at Oktoberfest Sept. 23-25 in Downtown activitiescarnival,entertainment,Summit.Lee’sLiveGermanmeals,freekidsandmore.LSOktoberfest.com see On Sept. 9 the National World War I Museum and Memorial hosts Puppets A Glow-Go Kansas City Aerial Arts and glow artists light up the StonelionPuppets.orgnight. create Weekends in September visit the Nelson-Atkins for family fun with On the Move. Build your own paper car and color Art Deco inspired Nelson-Atkins.orgdetails. No part of this calendar may be reproduced in print or web format. Oktoberfest in Lee’s Summit THE KCPARENT.COM CALENDAR FEATURES OVER EVENTS1,000EACHMONTH! CALENDAR september
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First Fridays 7:00, Crossroads Art District. Art galleries, retailers and other participating art venues of the Crossroads Art District showcase their art. KCCrossroads.org
Shop Small Saturdays 9:00, Brew Haha
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1 Thursday Fortopia 9:00, Powell Gardens. Enjoy a playful exhibition composed of awe-inspiring forts that invite explorers of all ages to discover the gardens! PowellGardens.org
Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! 10:00, Crown Center. Children will have fun as they explore the world of Curious George! CrownCenter.com
Mother Nature Reads 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Little ones enjoy a nature-themed story time. LakesideNatureCenter.org/events
Toddler Time 10:00, Ceramic Café. On Thursdays from 10:00 to 2:00, toddlers 5 and under can paint one selected item for just $12! CeramicCafeKC.com
Laura Ingalls Wilder Day 9:00, Missouri Town 1855. Learn a lesson in the one-room schoolhouse and enjoy games and crafts from the 1850s. MakeYourDayHere.com
Coffeehouse. Shop vendors showcasing local products and sip local coffee. Enter to win giveaways! KCLocalCraftFair.com
Reenactment Event 10:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Enjoy family fun activities and historical ShoalCreekLivingHistoryMuseum.comdemonstrations.
Freaky Friday: The Musical 6:30, New Theatre Restaurant. A new musical adaptation of the beloved novel is heartfelt and comedic. NewTheatre.com Summer Music Series 7:00, Prairiefire. Take in live music while you enjoy some of the best food and patios in Overland Park! VisitPrairiefire.com
pumpkin patch fun! Traditions your family will love year after year. Come and enjoy... kc’s premier pumpkin patch for 31 years! t Acres upon Acres of Pumpkins t Historic Country Carousel t Petting Barn with Farm Friends t Little Bud’s Railroad Rides t Weekend Pig Races t dozens of activities for all ages t World Famous Pumpkin Donuts t Fudge, Kettle Corn and Other Delicious Farm-Made Treats 17607 N.E. 52ND liberty,streetMO64068 Sep 17-Oct 31Thursdayopen through Monday www.carolynspumpkinpatch.com Save $ 3 when purchased online admissionper CPP Ad_KC Parent_22_7.4x4.85 V2.indd 1 8/4/22 5:30 PM
DeSoto Days Festival Thru Sept 4, Downtown DeSoto. Festival includes a carnival, car show, live performances and much more! DeSotoDays.com
2 Friday SantaCaliGon Days Thru Sept 5, Independence Square. Features more than 500 crafters and vendors, live music and entertainment, food and more. SantaCaliGon.com Irish Fest Thru Sunday, Crown Center. Enjoy everything from Irish culture to shops, beverages, food and activities featuring Irish themes and traditions. CrownCenter.com
Light Up the Lawn 8:30, Nerman Museum. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets for this fun event featuring Victor and Penny! JCCC.edu/midwest-trust-center
Chalk & Walk Festival Thru Sunday, Historic City Market. Empty squares of asphalt are transformed into magnificent pieces of artwork. KCChalkAndWalk.org Sounds on the Square 6:00, Linden Square. Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and join for a night of music under the stars. LindenSquare.info Summer Concert Series 7:00, Ward Parkway Center. Join for a free outdoor concert with genres from jazz and classic rock to Irish and indie. WardParkwayCenter.com
Saturday Lenexa Farmers Market 8:00, Lenexa Civic Campus. Bring your kids to the market and let them learn about the food they eat. Lenexa.com
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Little Acorns 10:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Join volunteer naturalists for a fantastic journey through magical places as they read books. Pre-reg at 816.759.7300. Parkville Cruise Nights 4:00, Downtown Parkville. Hang out with friends, listen to music, check out all the cars and explore downtown Parkville. ParkvilleMO.org
4 Sunday Farmers Market 9:00, the City Market. The market is open year-round and offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries and more. TheCityMarket.org
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Maya: The Great Jaguar Rises 10:00, Union Station. Journey through the awe-inspiring Maya architecture and astonishing cultural accomplishments. UnionStation.org GloWild 6:00, Kansas City Zoo. All-new event! Lanterns will line a one-way path through the zoo. The journey will take about 90 minutes. Tickets at KansasCityZoo.org.
5 Monday LABOR DAY SantaCaliGon Days Thru Sept 5, Independence Square. Features more than 500 crafters and vendors, live music and entertainment, food and more. SantaCaliGon.com
septemberkcparent.com202254 Butterfly Picnic 10:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Complete a butterfly survey and play games to learn some new insects! Pre-reg at MDC.MO.gov.
SaveOurSiberians.org
6 Tuesday Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. Too warm to play in the park? Ride, slide and play inside! Parents supervise children. Merriam.org/park
Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove. Explore Cedar Cove with an experienced guide. See these epic animals and learn about them. Tours start every half-hour. KC Northern Train Rides Noon, Line Creek Park. Ride restored trains around a half-mile track in the park. $.75/ride. KCNRR.com. Sunday Funday 1:00, Legends Field. Play carnival games, bounce in inflatables, play catch on the field and even more! MonarchsBaseball.com
ENROLLSEPT.BEGINSSESSIONFALL6TODAYKCYA.ORG
Public Tours Weekends, Cedar Cove. Explore Cedar Cove with an experienced guide. See these epic animals and learn about them. Tours start every half-hour. SaveOurSiberians.org KCYA.org KC,
&TAP/JAZZDANCEBALLETIMPROVDRAWINGPAINTINGVISUALARTSTHEATREGARAGEBANDHIPHOPACTINGMUSICALTHEATRE we’reoctoberpsst...busywhippingupajuicynewissueforFREE EVENT Sat. September 17 5 -10pm DEANNA ROSE • patchpumpkinguide • finding a tutor • fall fun in kc
Second Friday 5:00, downtown Excelsior Springs. Shops open late, featured artists, live musicians, great eats—there’s something for everyone! VisitExcelsior.com Summer Concerts on the Lawn 7:00, Kansas City Museum. Bring a blanket and picnic and enjoy a concert on the lawn! Tickets at KansasCityMuseum.org. Puppets A Glow-Go 7:30, National World War I Museum and Memorial. Kansas City Aerial Arts and glow artists light up the night in a reverse parade. StonelionPuppets.org
7 Wednesday Farmers Market 8:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Purchase a variety of fresh produce, plants, meat, baked goods, handmade crafts and more. DowntownLS.org Open Gym 9:30, Kaw Prairie Community Church. Grab a coffee from the coffee shop and hang out with friends while your kiddos get their energy out! KawPrairie.org Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Listen to a story and meet a special animal friend. Today’s theme: Magical Migration. Pre-reg at 913.826.2800. Weekly Life on the Farm Tour 5:30, Colonial Gardens. Activities may include feeding the chickens, hugging an alpaca or holding a baby goat! ColonialGardensKC.com
Kansas State Fair Thru Sept 18, Kansas State Fairgrounds. Live entertainment, carnival rides, food, concerts, competitions and more! KansasStateFair.com
kcparent.com 55september 2022 Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists. Plan a playdate for your children and their friends at the amazing showroom! BackyardSpecialists.com Discover Nature 2:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Go on an adventure to make amazing discoveries as you explore on a trail. Pre-reg at 816.759.7300 Shakespeare off the Cuff 6:30, MCPL (Liberty). Explore the art of improvisation in this workshop to help with creativity, awareness and “thinking on your feet.” Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.
Huff ‘n Puff Balloon Festival Thru Sunday, Mount Hope Cemetery (Topeka). Vendors, activities, hot air balloons and fun. Huff-n-Puff.org
Smoke on the Trails BBQ Competition Today & tomorrow, Celebration Park. Experience this Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned event in Gardner! GardnerKansas.gov
8 Thursday Herp Days Noon, George Owens Nature Park. Meet one of the fantastic, cold-blooded creatures—snake, salamander or turtle. GeorgeOwensNaturePark.org Freaky Friday: The Musical 6:30, New Theatre Restaurant. A new musical adaptation of the beloved novel is heartfelt and comedic. NewTheatre.com Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in Concert 7:00, Kauffman Center. Experience the thrilling tale accompanied by a live symphony orchestra. KCSymphony.org 9 Friday Greek Food Festival Thru Sunday, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Live entertainment, music and delicious food. GreekFoodFest.org Art Westport Thru Sunday, Westport Kansas City. The largest visual art show that exclusively showcases juried, high quality KC-regional artists’ work. WestportKCMO.com
Experience the Farm this Fall to Pick Apples and Flowers Located In Blue Springs, Missouri Weekends September 17 through October 30 Visit ColonialGardensKC.com for details and all events Little smiles can have a BIG www.TheSmileSpot.comimpact! The Smile Spot Waldo 8043 Wornall Road, Suite 203 Kansas City, MO 64114 Phone: 816-363-2900 The Smile Spot Independence 651 E US Hwy 24, Independence, MO 64050 Phone: 816-461-0300 New Patient Special Offer: $55* cleaningIncludesDentalChildren’sVisitexam,andx-rays *Limited Time Offer *Services provided by a MO licensed dentist *Not valid with any other offer, discount, program/plan Most Insurance Plans Accepted
10 Saturday Festival of the Trails Day 8:00, Cave Spring Park. Food, beverages and retail items available for purchase at various locations around Raytown. RaytownChamber.com Spinach Festival 9:00, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park (Lenexa). Enjoy food, live music, art, vendors, inflatables, the World’s Biggest Spinach Salad and more! Lenexa.com/spinach Farm to Table Saturday 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Cooking series that highlights the recipes and ingredients common in a 1920s Shawnee kitchen. ShawneeTown.org Kids Club 10:00, Colonial Gardens. Kids enjoy fun activities while you shop at Colonial Gardens or savor a coffee at the Bean Counter. Pre-reg at ColonialGardensKC.com. Grandparents Day 10:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Enjoy fall living history activities, stagecoach ride and more! One free grandparent with paid child admission. Mahaffie.org
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Movies at the Amp 8:00, Grandview Amphitheater. Grab your family and friends, lawn chairs or blankets and head over for a free movie! GrandviewAmp.com
Plan your visit at nelson-atkins.org.
kcparent.com 57september 2022 Car and Motorcycle Show 10:00, Merriam Marketplace. View more than 250 classic cars, hot rods, street rods, antique cars, trucks and custom motorcycles. Merriam.org
JCCC.edu/Midwest-trust-center Monarch Magic 1:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Join for an afternoon of fun to learn about the Monarch butterfly and its magical trek to Mexico. Pre-reg at MDC.MO.gov.
8788 Metcalf Ave Overland Park, jocoahc.comKSMuseum Enhanced Cleaning
Want More in Life?
For more info & to book your session: JCPRD.com/Museum
Here’s a way to experience the joy of parenthood and help children 4,000 Kansas City area children are in crisis due to child abuse, neglect or other family challenges. The need for new foster and adoptive parents is greater than ever. Whether you are single or married, own or rent your home, have children already or don’t, work full-time or stay home, you may qualify. We provide free training, 24/7 support, and monthly reimbursement to meet the child’s needs. Contact us to learn more. (888) 655-5500 | www.kvckansas.org
KidsFest Business Fair 10:00, Shawnee Civic Centre. Young entrepreneurs launch their very own startup business at this one-day marketplace. CityOfShawnee.org Car-B-Que Car Show 10:00, Belton Memorial Park. A car show, backyard series contest, food trucks, concert and more! BeltonParks.org Little Acorns 10:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Join volunteer naturalists for a fantastic journey through magical places as they read books. Pre-reg at 816.759.7300. World Culture Festival Noon, Yardley Hall. Event showcases song, dance, dialogue and food representing our rich cultural diversity.
CREATIVITY
Hike with a Naturalist 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Enjoy a hike and learn about different habitats and the plants and animals along the trail. LakesideNatureCenter.org
12 Monday Sensory-Friendly Days 9:00, Johnson County Museum. Limited occupancy session for kids with sensory processing differences and autism spectrum disorders. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.
Music in the Park 6:00, Rotary Park. Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors with free, live musical entertainment. BlueSpringsGov.com
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New Dance Partners: The Ultimate Collaboration Sept. 16-17, Midwest Trust Center. Four choreographers create original works performed by local dance companies. JCCC.edu
Photo by Mike Strong
Exhibition organized by New-York Historical Society 11 Sunday Art Garden KC 11:00, Pendleton Heights Neighborhood. Weekly art fair with more than 60 vendors, food trucks, live music, kids activities and more! ArtGardenKC.business.site KC Northern Train Rides Noon, Line Creek Park. Ride restored trains around a half-mile track in the park. $.75/ride. KCNRR.com. Weekend Fun: On the Move 1:00, NelsonAtkins. Build your own paper car, color Art Deco inspired details and draw in the driver and passengers. Nelson-Atkins.org Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in Concert 2:00, Kauffman Center. Experience this thrilling tale accompanied by the music of a live symphony orchestra. KCSymphony.org
16 Friday Fall Fun Festival Thru Sunday, Downtown Blue Springs. Come out and enjoy a parade, craft and food vendors, live music, carnival and more! BlueSpringsFallFestival.com
Join us Saturday, Sep. 24, noon to 6 p.m. for the Latino Arts Festival
14 Wednesday Mom & Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. For just $3 per person, you get a game, shoe rental and drink on Mondays and Wednesdays. SummitLanes.com
13 Tuesday Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. Too warm to play in the park? Ride, slide and play inside! Parents supervise children. Merriam.org/park Discover Nature 2:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Go on an adventure to make amazing discoveries as you explore on a trail. Pre-reg at 816.759.7300 Butterfly Picnic 3:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Complete a butterfly survey and play games to learn some new insects! Pre-reg at MDC.MO.gov.
Free Family Fun Nights 5:00, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. Come explore a special place where children can create, discover and learn through play. KansasDiscovery.org
visit
City Park(ed) 5:00, Leawood City Park. Fuel up at a food truck and get an up-close look at Leawood city vehicles. Fun for the whole family. Leawood.org
Stories by the Campfire 6:30, George Owens Nature Park. Roaring fire, exciting stories, fun for all. Tonight’s story is Pirates Speak! AARRH! GeorgeOwensNaturePark.org the Nerman Museum! Discover JCCC’s in the Nerman Museum. “All Arts Day!” a campus with a performance at the Midwest Trust Center and an experience. Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
15 Thursday Little Critter’s Day Out 9:00, Ernie Miller. Little critters enjoy an adventure, eat a snack, make a craft, play games and see an animal visitor. Ages 3-5. Pre-reg at 913-826-2800.
Art classes for youth ages 5-11 combine engaging interactive tours with unique studio projects.
Opening Day Louisburg Cider Mill. Opening day for the fall season of family fun at the Cider Mill! LouisburgCiderMill.com
Babes in the Woods 10:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Explore using dip and butterfly nets to learn about the life cycles of frogs and butterflies. Pre-reg at MDC.MO.gov.
Retro Story Time 10:00, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Hear a story from long ago read by a guest from the 1950s All-Electric House! Craft included. Pre-reg at 913.831.3359.
View class schedules and register Pre-registrationonline. is required. $15 per session or $10 for members FREE general admission nermanmuseum.org Also available: • Free NMOCA Kids family guide • Free activity booklets for K-6th grade • Free guided tours for groups K and older; schedule online or email tours@nermanmuseum.org Have an extraordinary
Toddler Time 10:00, Ceramic Café. On Thursdays from 10:00 to 2:00, toddlers 5 and under can paint one selected item for just $12! CeramicCafeKC.com
JCCC offers programs for families, camps and school groups combining
Local Life Today & tomorrow, downtown Overland Park. Explore locally owned businesses, activities and more. Head to DowntownOP.org for details about this month’s theme.
Get creative at
Third Friday Art Walk 5:00, downtown KCK. Free, family-friendly events. Art exhibits, performances, food and more. EpicArtsKC.org
diverse and nationally acclaimed permanent collection and special exhibitions
kcparent.com 59september 2022 Fortopia 9:00, Powell Gardens. Enjoy a playful exhibition composed of awe-inspiring forts that invite explorers of all ages to discover the gardens! PowellGardens.org Washed Ashore 9:00, Botanica (Wichita). Exhibit featuring giant sea life sculptures made entirely of marine debris collected from beaches. Botanica.org
Terra Luna Thru Saturday, Overland Park Arboretum. Take a wild journey through the grounds, culminating in an immersive performance. ArtsAndRec-OP.org
interactive visual art
world-class
DISCOVERY& The Museum at Prairiefire, a stunning regionalmuseumartwork,knownlandmarkforitsvibrantglasshousesaninteractivethatoffersregulareventsandprograms,suchasScienceHappyHourandLittleExplorersClub.Visitorswillfindscientificartifactsfromnationalandcollections,aDiscoveryRoomforchildrenages3-12andtwouniquevirtualrealityexperiences.
3. PICKLEBALLPLAY
Pickleball seems to be taking the world by storm. This trendy game became a fast favorite among teens and adults thanks to its simplicity, familiarity and fun factor. Head to Chicken N Pickle at Prairiefire where you can enjoy casual dining, pickleball courts, yard games and a super environmentchillforanightout.
septemberkcparent.com202260 1. HISTORY
4. PLAYSMART
5.LOCALSHOP Kansas Citians are known for taking pride in their artwork,accessories,There’shometown.nobetterplacetosupportlocalthanMadeinKC.Thisboutiqueshopsellscuratedmerchandisemadebymorethan50localcreatorsandmakers.You’llfindstylishattire,one-of-a-kindlocaldeliciousgoodiesandbooksinthisPrairiefireshop. 6. CATCH A FLICK There’s nothing better after a day of fullPrairiefireDine-Indiningshopping,andfunthancatchingamovie.AMCTheateratisoneofthemostpopularmovietheatersinthearea.ThislocationoffersachoicefromamongRealD3D,DolbyCinemaandIMAXtechnologies.Choosefromamenu,includingmealsandclassicmoviesnacks. 1 2 6354 SIX-STOP TOUR: PRAIRIEFIRE Visit Southern Overland Park to explore the boutique shopping, dining and attractions district known as Prairiefire.
2. FOOD & FUN Bowling doesn’t have to be boring. Take in a game of tenpins or bocce and enjoy a delicious atmospherePinstripes’mealfrom-scratchmade-courtesyofpremierchefs.Pinstripesisahipvenuewithfabulousfoodandafunwhereyoucangatherwithfamily,friendsoradateforabitoffun.
Fat Brain Toys is not your neighborhoodaveragetoystore.Theshopisaplay-friendlyenvironmentwhereyoucanactually“trybeforeyoubuy.”Proudofsellingtoysthataren’tjustfunbutareeducationaltoo,thisstoreoffersphenomenalselection,knowledgeablestaffandavibrantenvironmentthatmakesthisafavoriteforgiftshopping.
Smithsonian FREE Museum Day 10:00, St Joseph Museums. Join for free tours of the Glore Psychiatric Museum and Wyeth-Tootle Mansion. StJosephMuseum.org
New Dance Partners: The Ultimate Collaboration 8:00, Midwest Trust Center. Four choreographers create original works performed by local dance companies. JCCC.edu Outdoor Movies in North Park 9:00, Zona Rosa. Grab a blanket or lawn chair to watch a classic summer flick under the stars! ZonaRosa.com
Opening Day Johnson Farms. Today is the first day of pumpkin season! Fun for the whole family! JohnsonFarms.net Old-Fashioned Street Faire 10:00, Downtown Smithville. Vendors of all kinds, inflatables, festival foods, all-day entertainment and more! SmithvilleMO.org
The Great Pumpkin Fest 10:00, Worlds of Fun. Halloween-themed activities plus Peanutsthemed rides and attractions in Planet Snoopy! WorldsOfFun.com
Movies in the Park 7:45, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and the family to see Jumanji under the stars! Lenexa.com
Opening Day Weston Orchard. First day of the fall season! Pumpkins, hayrack rides, play zone and more! WestonOrchard.com
Opening Day Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch. Bring the family out to the pumpkin patch! First day of fun for the season. CarolynsPumpkinPatch.com
17 Saturday Run for the Sharks 8:00, Kansas City Zoo. Event features a 4-mile run/walk and 1-mile family run/walk. Sign up to participate at KansasCityZoo.org.
Big Shoal Country Fair 10:00, AtkinsJohnson Farm. Enjoy crafts, food, Kids Zone, petting zoo, musical performances and more!
18 Sunday Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove. Explore Cedar Cove with an experienced guide. See these epic animals and learn about them. Tours start every half-hour. SaveOurSiberians.org
kcparent.com 61september 2022 Summer Concert Series 7:00, Ward Parkway Center. Join for a free outdoor concert with genres from jazz and classic rock to Irish and indie. WardParkwayCenter.com
FriendsOfTheAtkins-JohnsonFarm.org
Fall Family Festival 10:00, Kansas City Community Gardens. Enjoy outdoor games, hand painting, garden crafts and much more! KCCG.org
Arts & Crafts Fair & Fall Festival 9:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Explore vendors that showcase handmade items, food vendors, kids activities, music and more! ShawneeTown.org
Weekend Fun: On the Move 1:00, NelsonAtkins. Build your own paper car, color Art Deco inspired details and draw in the driver and passengers. Nelson-Atkins.org Fiesta on the Square 5:00, Linden Square. The evening features food and dancing and music by KC Latin and Jazz Allstars. LindenSquare.info Moo-vie Night 5:00, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy a family-friendly movie. Enjoy activities before the movie. OPKansas.org Night at the Tower 6:30, National World War I Museum and Memorial. A spectacular night of food, fun and entertainment awaits. Ages 21+. TheWorldWar.org Library Lets Loose 6:30, Central Resource Branch. This is the festive, lively, after-hours celebration and fundraiser for library lovers. 21+. JoCoLibraryFoundation.org
21 Wednesday Open Gym 9:30, Kaw Prairie Community Church. Grab a coffee from the coffee shop and hang out with friends while your kiddos get their energy out! KawPrairie.org Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Listen to a story and meet a special animal friend. Today’s theme: Johnny Appleseed. Pre-reg at 913.826.2800.
WESTON ORCHARD U P I C K A P P L E S ~ P U M P K I N P A T C H W I N E T A S T I N G S ~ S L U S H I E S H A Y R A C K R I D E S ~ K I D S P L A Y Z O N E S J A M S ~ C I D E R ~ P I E S ~ D O N U T S H I S T O R I C & V I N E Y A R D 1 8 5 4 5 C o u n t y R o a d H W e s t o n , M O 6 4 0 9 8 8 1 6 6 4 0 4 0 1 3 w w w . w e s t o n o r c h a r d . c o m VOTED TOP 10 ORCHARDS IN THE NATION BY USA TODAY! Open 7 days a week from 9-5 Aug 1 - Sept 2 ~ $5 daily Sept 3 - Sept 6 ~ $10 daily Sept 17 Oct 31 ~ $12 M F ~ $15 Sat & Sun Active Military ~ $10 Sdaily eniors (60+) ~ $8 daily Sept 3 Oct 31
22 Thursday Maya: The Great Jaguar Rises 10:00, Union Station. Journey through the awe-inspiring Maya architecture and astonishing cultural accomplishments. UnionStation.org Festival in the Park Today & tomorrow, Raymore Memorial Park. Car show, parade, barbecue contest, live music, dog show and crafts. RaymoreFestival.com
19 Monday Mom & Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. For just $3 per person, you get a game, shoe rental and drink on Mondays and Wednesdays. SummitLanes.com Story Time for Families 10:00, various branches (MCPL). Hear stories, sing songs, join in movement activities and create memories together. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.
Weekly Life on the Farm Tour 5:30, Colonial Gardens. Activities may include feeding the chickens, hugging an alpaca or holding a baby goat! ColonialGardensKC.com
GloWild 6:00, Kansas City Zoo. All-new event! Lanterns will line a one-way path through the zoo. The journey will take about 90 minutes. Tickets at KansasCityZoo.org.
23 Friday Oktoberfest Thru Sun, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Enjoy live entertainment, a biergarten, German meals, carnival, free kids activities and more. LSOktoberfest.com
Jammin’ on the Green 6:30, Shawnee Town 1929. Come relax under the stars and listen to the very distinctive and laid-back sounds of Hot Club KC. ShawneeTown.org
septemberkcparent.com202262 KC Northern Train Rides Noon, Line Creek Park. Ride restored trains around a half-mile track in the park. $.75/ride. KCNRR.com. Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org Train Ride 2:00, Belton, Grandview and KC Railroad. Take a 40-minute trip along the tracks of the Frisco Railroad and enjoy a fun afternoon! Pre-purchase tickets at KCRRM.org. Outdoor Concert Series 5:00, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic dinner and enjoy live music. Lenexa.com
20 Tuesday Akeelah & the Bee 9:45, the Coterie Theatre. Akeelah Anderson is forced to expose her hidden smarts when she participates in the school spelling bee. TheCoterie.org Tots on Tuesday 10:30, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Tots on Tuesday is now virtual! Sing songs, read books, explore art and more. Pre-reg at KemperArt.org. Discover Nature 2:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Go on an adventure to make amazing discoveries as you explore on a trail. Pre-reg at 816.759.7300.
Terra Luna Thru Saturday, Overland Park Arboretum. Take a wild journey through the grounds, culminating in an immersive performance. ArtsAndRec-op.org
24 Saturday Children’s Mercy Dream Big Day 8:00, Crown Center Square. Family-friendly celebration and 1-mile walk to rally our community and raise funds. Support.ChildrensMercy.org
kcparent.com 63september 2022 Fall Festival Today & tomorrow, Downtown Overland Park. Children’s entertainment, artisan fair, live music, food and more! OPKansas.org Blues & Barbeque Contest Today & tomorrow, Shawnee Town 1929. Great-tasting barbecue and activities for kids and community to enjoy. ShawneeGreatGrillers.com
Nieman Fall Festival Today & tomorrow, Family Tree Nursery (Shawnee). Live music, food, activities for the kids, workshops and much more! FamilyTreeNursery.com Ciderfest Today & tomorrow, Louisburg Cider Mill. Enjoy good old-fashioned apple cider fun. Free admission; cost for some activities. LouisburgCiderMill.com
Latino Arts Festival Noon, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. An afternoon of community creators sharing their art, music, food and passion. NermanMuseum.org Rock the Amp 6:00, Legacy Park (Lee’s Summit). Enjoy an outdoor concert along with children’s events and more! Fun for the entire family! CityOfLS.net
Kansas Book Festival 9:00, Washburn University. See author presentations and enjoy vendors, entertainment, activities and book signings. KansasBookFestival.com
The Great Pumpkin Fest 10:00, Worlds of Fun. Halloween-themed activities plus Peanutsthemed rides and attractions in Planet Snoopy!
WorldsOfFun.com Weekend Fun: On the Move 1:00, NelsonAtkins. Build your own paper car, color Art Deco inspired details and draw in the driver and passengers. Nelson-Atkins.org
Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org Train Ride 2:00, Belton, Grandview and KC Railroad. Take a 40-minute trip along the tracks of the Frisco Railroad and enjoy a fun afternoon! Pre-purchase tickets at KCRRM.org.
25 Sunday
Annual Plaza Art Fair Thru Sun, Country Club Plaza. Stroll the streets of the Plaza as artists display their work. CountryClubPlaza.com Fall Fest Thru Sun, Downtown Liberty. Entertainment, parade, carnival, music, dancing, vendors and more in this three-day festival. LibertyFallFest.com
Art in the Park Today & tomorrow, South Park (Lawrence). Enjoy high quality art by area artists, along with music and food vendors. LawrenceArtGuild.org Puppets and Percussion 11:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. See a performance with superb storytelling, live music and audience participation. PuppetryArtsInstitute.org
Outdoor Concert Series 5:00, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic dinner and enjoy live music. Lenexa.com
Summer Concert Series 7:00, Ward Parkway Center. Join for a free outdoor concert with genres from jazz and classic rock to Irish and indie. WardParkwayCenter.com
30 Friday Akeelah & the Bee 9:45, 11:45 & 7:00, the Coterie Theatre. Akeelah Anderson is forced to expose her hidden smarts when she participates in the school spelling bee. TheCoterie.org Gladfest Thru Sunday, Liden Square. A fall festival featuring crafts, carnival, parade, vendors and lots of family fun. GladstoneChamber.com
septemberkcparent.com202264 Music in the Park 6:00, Rotary Park. Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors with free, live musical entertainment. BlueSpringsGov.com
26 Monday Washed Ashore 9:00, Botanica (Wichita). Exhibit featuring giant sea life sculptures made entirely of marine debris collected from beaches. Botanica.org Mom & Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. For just $3 per person, you get a game, shoe rental and drink on Mondays and Wednesdays. SummitLanes.com Story Time for Families 10:00, various branches (MCPL). Hear stories, sing songs, join in movement activities and create memories together. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.
Log Cabin Festival Today & tomorrow, Historic Downtown Harrisonville. Enjoy a parade, carnival, entertainment, vendor fair and much more! HarrisonvilleChamber.com
Child Development Center “Where Your Child is Special” Ages 2 weeks to 12 years 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ORKSHOPEE W W Child Development Center “Where Your Child is Special” Two Convenient Locations: 127th & 913.681.2190AntiochFamilyOwned and Operated since 1990 weeworkshopchildcare.com 162nd & Metcalf 913.681.2191Ave Ages 2 weeks to 12 years 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 10% OFF infant room for first year with new enrollment. Child Development Center “Where Your Child Is Special” Ages 2 weeks to 12 years 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Part-Time Preschool (Ages 3-5) 9:00-11:30 or 9:00-3:00 Mother’s Day Out (12 mos-3 years) 9:00-3:00 Two Convenient Locations: 127th & Antioch 913.681.2190 162nd & Metcalf Ave 913.681.2191 Family Owned and Operated Since 1990 weeworkshopchildcare.com 1200 Kansas City Road Olathe, Kansas •
28 Wednesday Farmers Market 8:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Purchase a variety of fresh produce, plants, meat, baked goods, handmade crafts and more. DowntownLS.org Open Gym 9:30, Kaw Prairie Community Church. Grab a coffee from the coffee shop and hang out with friends while your kiddos get their energy out! KawPrairie.org American Royal World Series of Barbecue Thru Oct 2, Kansas Speedway. Enjoy the largest barbecue competition in the world. AmericanRoyal.com/bbq 29 Thursday Fortopia 9:00, Powell Gardens. Enjoy a playful exhibition composed of awe-inspiring forts that invite explorers of all ages to discover the gardens! PowellGardens.org Maya: The Great Jaguar Rises 10:00, Union Station. Journey through the awe-inspiring Maya architecture and astonishing cultural accomplishments. UnionStation.org Toddler Time 10:00, Ceramic Café. On Thursdays from 10:00 to 2:00, toddlers 5 and under can paint one selected item for just $12! CeramicCafeKC.com
Activities vary by season Visit www.mahaffie.org Farm Fresh History since 1858! Check out our website and Facebook page for summer fun!
27 Tuesday Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. Too warm to play in the park? Ride, slide and play inside! Parents supervise children. Merriam.org/park Discover Nature 2:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Go on an adventure to make amazing discoveries as you explore on a trail. Pre-reg at 816.759.7300
GloWild 6:00, Kansas City Zoo. All-new event! Lanterns will line a one-way path through the zoo. The journey will take about 90 minutes. Tickets at KansasCityZoo.org. Twilight Hike 7:00, Ernie Miller. Bring a flashlight and explore the trails as the sun sets. Gather around a fire ring for stories, activities and a treat. Pre-reg at 913.826.2800. Movie in the Park 8:00, Meadowbrook Park. Bring blankets and lawn chairs and watch Zootopia with the family under the stars!
JCPRD.com 913.971.5111
kcparent.com 65september 2022 Preschool Pals Registration required • Tues & Thurs • 9–11 a.m. Young Explorers Registration required • Wed • 9–10 a.m. Learn more at LENEXA.COM/PRESCHOOL Activities to get kids kindergartenreadyPRESCHOOLprograms Gym for Me Drop-in activity • Mon–Wed • 9–11 a.m. Splash With Me Drop-in activity • Mon–Fri • 10–11:30 a.m.
kansascityzoo.org 816.595.1234 LANTERN FESTIVAL AT THE KANSAS CITY ZOO
ONE GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET
Terms/Conditions: Two ways to redeem this offer: 1) For guaranteed entry book online at LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com/ Kansas-city or visitsealife.com/Kansas-city under the “buy tickets” tab, select “promotional code” and enter the code provided below. 2) Walk-up and present this offer to LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City or SEA LIFE Aquarium Kansas City. Offer valid at admissions only when walk-up tickets are available. This offer is only valid on the full price rate and does not include a LEGO collectible. Online reservations strongly encouraged for guaranteed admission. Copies are not accepted. Cannot be combined with any other promotional rates. This voucher must be surrendered upon arrival. Adult must have a child with them for entry. Final interpretation resides with LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City or SEA LIFE Aquarium Kansas City. LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2022 The LEGO Group. CODE: KCPARENT22. Exp: 9/30/2022
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