KC Parent Magazine October 2014

Where you ďŹ nd family, you will ďŹ nd us.

FREE Oct 2014 KCParent.com Since 1985

100

ways to have an

outstanding october

pick the perfect pumpkin! check out the pumpkin patch guide

does my child need a tutor?

tips to help you decide

putting the

BRAKES on praise & rewards

physicians

lee’s

summit

group

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Sallie L. Veenstra, MD Barbara S. Trites, MD Lisa B. Fletcher, MD Deann E. DeWitt, MD Allison C. Henschel, MD Sarah J. Gladstone, MD Bryan L. Phillips, MD Daniel E. Gershon, DO Veronica Manka, MD Jeffrey P. Yannette, MD Jennifer M. Sauer, MD Ashley Campbell, DO Danielle Leivian, MD

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kcparent.com october 2014

3

Moms, Life Coaching May be the Answer You’re Looking For

By Patty Kohn, Certified Life Coach & Service Leader Between diapers and dance recitals, laundry and little league, moms sure do know how to keep it all together. But what happens when life starts feeling less manageable or you’re simply feeling stuck or unfulfilled? Where do you turn for help? Friends, family, clergy? These are all certainly appropriate and useful options, but there’s one you may not have considered: life coaching.

We partner with you in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires change and provides direction.

Whether you’re facing challenges at home or at work, or you simply want to invest in self-discovery, a life coach at Mosaic Life Care can help you define your strengths, clarify your values, and discover insight and perspective.

Mosaic Life Care offers lifecoaching services to clients looking for a little direction and clarity. With six certified life coaches who can work with you either virtually or at several Northland locations, Mosaic Life Care is leading the way in providing patients with much more than health care.

The Mosaic Life Care Life Coaching vision statement reads: Partnering with you to imagine, invent and design your best life.

Life coaches use this vision to “Working with a coach has helped me to get guide a process a handle on all aspects of my life. I can now in which you evaluate things clearly and have a solid game plan to more forward.” create an individual life plan - Mosaic Life Care Life Coaching Client for yourself that consists of goals Each life coach at and aspirations for every Mosaic Life Care has in-depth area of your life: myHealth, training in transformational myLifestyle, myCareer, coaching and is certified by the myFinances, myRelationships, International Coaching Federation. myInnerPeace and myCreativity.

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kcparent.com october 2014

“We help our clients better understand their core values and provide them with tools and assessments to discover and leverage their strengths. It’s about helping our clients find out who they really are and who they want to become.

Our coaching model provides clients with the ability to create a powerful new paradigm for their life.”

- Patty Kohn

If, like most moms, you’re looking for a little help juggling it all, consider taking advantage of a complimentary one-hour consultation with a certified life coach.

Set up your consultation via email: mylife@myMosaicLifeCare.org, or by phone: 816.437.8122. Learn more at myMosaicLifeCare.org

more than health care … life care

LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations, the Minifigure and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. Š2014 The LEGO Group.

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5

OCT 2014

DEPARTMENTS

100 WAYS TO HAVE AN OUTSTANDING OCTOBER, PG. 42

FEATURES

12

16

32

Lefty

Get Crafty

Tweens

Tips on raising a left-handed child

Cute and creative monogrammed art

When to allow certain freedoms

10

Media Mix

15

Women’s Health

16

Craft Corner

22

Faith & Family

27

Healthy Kids

41

Word from Dad

SPECIAL SECTIONS 23

Party Guide

36

Pumpkin Patch Guide

50

Calendar of Events

Our cover features Shelly and Joe-Joe from Bucyrus. Cover and select interior photos by KiaBondurant.com Where you find family, you will find us.

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ON THE COVER

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Putting on Brakes

20

Tutor Needed?

24

Pumpkin Patch Guide

36

Outstanding October

42

100

ways to have an

outstanding october

pick the perfect pumpkin! check out the pumpkin patch guide

does my child need a tutor?

tips to help you decide

putting the

Brakes on praise & rewards

DANCE

THEATER

MUSIC

ART

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Sign your child up today to dance in the fantastical production of SNOW QUEEN !

Be in the story that Disney brought to life in the wonderful movie, FROZEN. Join the fun, the costumes, the music and those beloved characters in this winter wonderland!

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(right off of 119th & I-35 exit - minutes from Lenexa, O.P. & Shawnee - adjacent to shopping and entertainment)

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EDITOR’SLETTER OCT 2014 Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com

L

Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com Advertising Sales Darrell Dean Ted Massing Jackie Streiker Marla Westrup Advertising@KCParent.com Electronic Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Event Calendar Susan Hawke Calendar@KCParent.com Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com Local Contributing Writers William Bartlett (Belton), Melissa Bellach (Overland Park), Karah Chapman (Kansas City), Wendy Connelly (Overland Park), Jessica Heine (Olathe), Jennifer Higgins (Kearney), Christa Melnyk Hines (Olathe), Rebecca Ishum (Kansas City), Karen Johnson (Olathe), Megan Kapple (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Stephanie Loux (Olathe), Kate Meadows (Louisburg), Mari Rydings (Platte City), Jim Strahle (Kansas City), Melanie Yunger (Shawnee)

Business Office 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS Where you find family, you will find us.

kansas city’s #1 attraction guide

Our October issue is chock full of fun fall ideas, along with our

PUMPKIN PATCH GUIDE which includes coupons and giveaways!

ON PGS. 36-45

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fall/winter 2014-15

FREE Oct 2014 KCParent.com Since 1985

kcgoingplaces.com

100

baby&

Where you find family, you will find us.

Ways to explore KaNsas CIty

the issue

pick the perfect pumpkin!

NICU

check out the pumpkin patch guide

does my child need a tutor?

tips to help you decide

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maternity

500+

ways to have an

outstanding october

spectacular views

putting the

Brakes on praise & rewards

NICU nuggets

cool penguin adventures

the best NICU apps

savoring local wines free fun for all ages

pregnancy

tastiest BBQ in KC

perks

surviving newborn isolation kcgoingplaces.com

Enjoy the crisp, fall days, Kansas City!

This just about sums up leaf raking in the Sarver home!

100% LOCAL

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postpartum doula ...what is it? is it worth it? kcparent.com oct-dec 2014

1

.com

ittle kids are my thing. I have a degree in elementary education with an emphasis on early childhood education. I have taught kindergarten, first and second grades. I have two children, and I felt confident of my parenting skills (on most days) when my kids were younger.

My girls aren’t so young any more. I have a soon-to-be-10-year-old and a 13-year-old, and on a daily basis, I question at least one parenting decision or thing I’ve said or way I’ve handled a situation or…the list goes on.

Questions, so many questions! When can I have a phone? Can I go to the mall with just my friends? Jill is having a boy/girl party— can I go? So I went to one of our local writers who is dealing with kids around the same age as mine and asked her to write an article about kids and freedoms. She offers some great advice on pg. 32.

One issue that parents of both big and little kids may face is a child who struggles in school. If your child is having a hard time or falling behind in school, how do you know whether he needs a tutor? What if he is doing okay, but you feel he could do better? Is tutoring right in that situation?

Louisburg mom Kate Meadows takes an in-depth look at tutoring, which will help you decide whether a tutor is right for your child.

Speaking of my above-mentioned almost-10-year-old—my sweet Ally celebrates her birthday this month. She has such a gentle and caring spirit, and I am proud to be her mom. Happy birthday, sweet Ally! I hope you have a blast celebrating double digits!

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

Member of:

Circulation verified by:

Margaret Sarver, Editor

Kansas City Parent Magazine is published 12 times a year by Family Media Group. It is distributed free of charge throughout the Kansas City area. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect KC Parent’s opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. Kansas City Parent Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

All photography and letters sent to KC Parent will be treated unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. KC Parent often includes websites that may be helpful to our readers. We verify each site prior to publication. However, content changes frequently. We encourage you to use caution and discretion when visiting a website.

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kcparent.com october 2014

9

MEDIAMIX

have you got a story to tell?

New Titles Tell Fantastical Tales

By McGeath Freeman

Day Dreamers: A Journey of Imagination

By Emily Winfield Martin Best for: Ages 3-7

If you’re looking for a soothing bedtime story with dreamlike qualities, this one is for you. In Day Dreamers, Martin takes the reader on a journey of the imagination and highlights mythical animals, such as dragons, unicorns and gryphons. The illustrations have a modern, yet nostalgic, feel. The children are bedecked in clothing reminiscent of

the 1960s as they walk through museums and gardens, but appear to be in 1900s clothing as they fly on the backs of dragons. It is all very fantastical, which children will love. For those youngsters who want to continue pushing their imaginations, the last page gives a clear suggestion of what to do.

What’s good: The rhyming text is generally unforced and flows with ease for readers of all ages.

What’s bad: The illustrations are very calming but may seem a little old-fashioned for some readers.

Hermelin: the Detective Mouse

By Mini Grey Best for: Ages 4-8

This fun picture book uses a combination of talk bubbles, typed notes and traditional narrated statements in comic book-styled panels to tell the story of Hermelin, the detective mouse.

The mysteries are not too deep or complicated, but the illustrations bring out the humor in each situation. Upon solving each mystery, Hermelin leaves a typewritten note behind. This causes

another mystery for the residents of Offley Street, where the tale takes place.

Who is Hermelin? When the residents get together to honor Hermelin, they see him only as a pest and shoo him away. But one young lady, a detective in her own right, learns the truth about Hermelin.

They begin a lasting friendship, which is sure to appear in follow-up stories in the future.

What’s good: Great illustrations that are filled with details and humor. Look carefully and see whether you can solve the mysteries before Hermelin.

What’s bad: The story seems a little thin, almost as if it is purely a setup for future Hermelin tales.

William Shakespeare’s Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope

By Ian Doescher Best for: Ages 10 and older

With all the hype over the new Star Wars sequels and the planned Star Wars expansion at Disney World, I couldn’t help but pick up a copy of William Shakespeare’s Star Wars. The Star Wars saga is practically Elizabethan, so reimagining it as a Shakespearean play is actually not a big stretch. But doing it well is another story. Lucky for

us, Ian Doescher does a wonderful job combining the characters we have all grown to love with iambic pentameter and traditional Shakespearean storytelling devices. Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope is brilliantly entertaining, and I can’t wait for middle and high school drama classes to begin performing it.

What’s good: Students who struggle with Shakespeare may change their tune upon reading this tale.

What’s bad: The Shakespearean language may be a bit much for younger readers.

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kcparent.com october 2014

I am ... … a Mimi (a Grandmother). … a home decorator. … an entrepreneur. … an implementer. … a blood donor. … a good friend. … a volunteer. voluntee … healthy. … a wife. … a mom.

Janet is the founder of D’Bronx Deli in Kansas City and is the current owner of Tea Drops. This busy entrepreneur lives a healthy lifestyle and still finds time to be a loyal and dedicated blood donor who takes 60 minutes of her time every 56 days to help save a life in her community.

Who are you?

savealifenow.org

raising a

Lefty

in our right-handed world

i

f you are raising a left-handed child, you are probably thankful that he or she is growing up in the 21st century, a time when left-handedness is usually accepted and sometimes thought to be superior! Throughout history, however, left-handed people did not fare so well. In fact, many modern languages still associate the word “left” with a negative connotation and the word “right” to mean “correct.” In Spanish, Italian and French, “left” often means clumsy or awkward. In many Asian cultures, it is disrespectful to eat with one’s left hand, and in Ghana, it is very rude to hold out one’s left hand to greet someone or receive an object from another. Also, in Christianity, the right hand is usually associated with God and the left with Satan.

For all of these reasons, children throughout history have been forced to become right-handed, a process which, unfortunately, can lead to stuttering, dyslexia and other disabilities. However, many cultures (including our own) are now embracing left-handedness, offering left-handed scissors in schools, better desks for lefties and left-handed computer mice.

Athletically, left-handedness has actually evolved into a positive trait. In baseball, being a left-handed hitter or pitcher is considered a specialized skill. Other sports

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kcparent.com october 2014

where left-handedness puts players at an advantage are fencing, bowling and boxing.

Unfortunately, despite the growing cultural value of left-handedness, society has not completely caught up. Lefties will continue to find disadvantages in various tasks, such as use of weaponry and power tools.

Parents often wonder when a child’s

Children’s hand preference is determined between ages 3 and 6. preference for left- or right-handedness is determined. Most babies use both hands for eating and picking up objects. As they begin to eat with utensils, they may switch between hands through their toddler years.

According to most experts, children’s hand preference is determined between ages 3 and 6. By the time children are in school full time, they likely have decided which hand is more comfortable for writing, and that will be their dominant hand.

Parents also may ask what the chances are of having a lefty. Some studies find that the dominant hand is inherited from the father’s side and that if both parents are lefthanded, chances are much greater that they will have a lefty. For example, According to The Natural Superiority of the Left-Hander

by James T. DeKay, if both parents are lefthanded, there’s a 50 percent chance that their children will be left-handed, too. But if neither parent is a lefty, the probability decreases to only 2 percent. Other research, however, has found that 75 percent of left-handed people have two right-handed parents. Conclusion? It is somewhat unpredictable whether you, as a parent, will be raising a left-handed child.

So if you have determined that you do have a lefty at home, how can you help him or her succeed in our right-handed world? One major area is writing, often a great challenge for left-handed students.

Gina Landfair, an occupational therapist at Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital, was quoted in “Tips for Teaching a Left-Handed Child” on Education.com. Here are some of her suggestions:

• T each the left-handed child to tilt the

paper to the right as he or she practices writing.

• Ensure the child is grasping the writing

utensil properly. Try to encourage the left-handed student to hold the pen or pencil the correct way rather than with a “hook” grasp.

• Purchase quick-drying pens for your lefthanded child to use. This helps to avoid smudging the words as the hand moves across the paper.

• If your child is learning on a computer with a mouse, invest in a left-handed mouse to allow him or her to progress at the appropriate rate in computer knowledge and training.

Another tip, specifically for righthanded parents of left-handed children, is to be a mirror for your son or daughter, especially when teaching shoe tying or how to operate a zipper. Sit across from your child and model the action for him or her.

This is more effective than trying to teach while sitting next to your child, since you are using the opposite hand.

Karen Johnson is a former high school English teacher turned stay-at-home mom.

She lives in Olathe with her three children, ages 5, 3 and 1. Follow her adventures at 2stCenturySAHM.blogspot.com.

• Left-handed people often think more holistically and creatively, while right-handed people tend to think more analytically.

• Lefties tend to use both sides of their brains to process language, while right-handed people predominantly use their left side.

• Some famous lefties include Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Jimi Hendrix and Leonardo DaVinci.

• Five of the past seven presidents have been left-handed. kcparent.com october 2014

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These young liars are still quite innocent, though.

B

abyhood is hard. There’s no question about that. The unknown world of parenting has just begun, and on top of that is the oppressive lack of sleep. But when looking at your new baby, seldom do you think of this innocent little one boldly lying to your face.

These young liars are still quite innocent, though. According to DrJamesDobson.org, parents need to “first, understand that a young child may or may not fully comprehend the difference between lies and the truth. There is a very thin line between fantasy and reality in the mind of a preschool boy or girl. So before you react in a heavyhanded manner, be sure you know what he understands and what his intent is.”

We don’t want to limit their imaginations when they are pretending to be superheroes or doctors, but it is easy to get frustrated when it’s obvious your child is lying. Take a moment to consider why your child is lying in the first place. Lying occurs when trying to get out of an unpleasant consequence or preventing your beloved mommy or daddy from becoming upset with you. This is why a finger may be pointed unfairly or why a child adamantly believes that his imaginary buddy broke Mommy’s special decoration. Considering this, it’s easier to be more understanding to your child and make this a teachable moment.

Children may lie for other reasons, too. They may be trying to please their parents or might have actual confusion between what is actually real and what they wish were real. Perhaps we have set them up to respond in a certain way, according to OneTimeThrough. com. If we as parents come across an entire bag of sugar spilled on the floor, we may reactively yell, “Who did this?!” The child is most likely going to lie to try to get out of the obvious trouble he will be in if he tells the truth.

Katie Kuhlman, Olathe mother of three, seems to have a good handle on this parenting dilemma. “I personally don’t use the term ‘lying’ with my kids. I don’t think they really know that they are lying at 2 and 4 years old. If they aren’t telling the truth or are fibbing, I always remind them that Jesus knows what went on even

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LIAR LIAR if Mommy didn’t, and it’s best to tell the truth,” she says. “It’s not making a big deal of the situation, which I think draws less attention to it. Therefore—hopefully—they don’t want to do it again. We don’t have a consistent lying problem in our house, but if someone does bend the truth, I just gently remind them.”

What should we as parents do if (or, more accurately, when) our child lies? “Parents should take some time to have a serious talk and discuss the difference between make believe and reality, lying and telling the truth, the importance of honesty at home and in the community and alternatives to lying,” suggests an article on AmericanAcademyofChild&AdolescentPsychiatry.org.

A couple of other local moms from Overland Park have some easy questions or comments to use with lying in their families. “I ask if it is a true story or a story story,” says Jennifer Farrell, mother of two. Meredith Barreth, mother of three, says, “I tell my kids that we are truth tellers in our family.”

For older children, FocusOnTheFamily.com suggests to “draw up a contract with your child. After everyone agrees that lying, for example, is a cause for correction, establish and transcribe a reasonable punishment. Have you and your child sign and date the document. Then, whenever a situation comes up that would invite lying, gently remind him about the contract. Knowing that you will follow through on the penalty may be the extra incentive your child needs to choose to tell the truth.”

In our house, simply checking on their obedience is an obvious way to know whether our children are telling the truth. For instance, if I have asked them to pick up the playroom and they say they have and are playing somewhere else, I simply ask if I can go check the playroom. If they were not telling the truth I will hear, “No, no, no!” as they run to go do what I had already asked them to do. If they are being truthful, it won’t matter whether Mom checks on their obedience.

Stephanie Loux is a mommy to two preschoolers and writes from her home in Olathe.

WOMENSHEALTH

T

hat is the question, at least if you are a female between the ages of 40 and 49. Why the need for such controversial debate? The latest debate began because of a group of health experts named United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The USPSTF reviews research and then makes recommendations for the public based on the research results. In 2009, the USPSTF made the recommendation that screening mammograms should be done every two years, beginning at age 50, for a female with average risk for breast cancer. They also recommended that doctors should not be teaching patients to do self breast exams.

These guidelines were decided upon by studying research that produced evidence that obtaining a mammogram on a yearly basis may be dangerous to a woman’s health and, as a result from false positives, may also be the reason for so many premature and unnecessary breast biopsies. Shawnee mom, Melissa Rose, has this to say: “If there is anything you can do to detect breast cancer, you should do it. Whether it is a mammogram

To Mammogram or Not to Mammogram? or self breast exams, any prevention is better than no prevention.” Preventing breast cancer is dear to Melissa, as she lost her sister to breast cancer at the tender age of 31.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Mayo Clinic, the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology think differently than the USPSTF. On July 20, 2011, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists put out a press release regarding their recommendations which support obtaining a screening mammogram beginning at age

40 and encourage all women to do self breast exams. A statement made by the American Family Physicians in 2013 states that for women with more than a 20 percent risk or who have a BRCA mutation, screening should begin at age 25 or at the age that is five to 10 years younger than the earliest age that breast cancer was diagnosed in the family. At the Mayo Clinic the current practice is: n

Every woman should become familiar with her breasts so that she may be able to alert her physician of any changes. n Clinical breast exam performed by a health care provider each year, beginning at age 40. n Screening mammogram beginning at age 40.

If you have questions about mammography, it is important to talk with your doctor, research your options and decide what is right for you.

Melanie Yunger is a local nurse practitioner, age 40-49, who endures yearly mammograms.

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

kcparent.com october 2014

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CRAFTCORNER These paintings make great handmade gifts and are so fun that Mom and Dad may want to join in and make one, too!

PAINTED LETTER CANVASES

materials needed:

• Canvas •M asking or

painter’s tape

• Acrylic paint • Paintbrushes

1 Using the masking tape, have your child form his letter on the center of the canvas. You may need to trim parts of the tape with scissors, depending on the letter that you choose.

2

To prevent your painting from becoming brown or muddy, choose just a few colors of paint. Have your child cover the entire canvas with the paints. For small children, you may want to rotate the canvas a few times during the painting process to help them cover the area with colors.

3

m

ake these painted canvases on a rainy day with kids of all ages. They turn out so beautifully that you will want to proudly display them in your home! All you need are a few materials to have your child paint a work of art featuring his or her first initial. These paintings also make great handmade gifts and are so fun that Mom and Dad may want to join in and make one, too!

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kcparent.com october 2014

Allow the painting to fully dry, then carefully peel off the tape to reveal your child’s letter.

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

I am ... … a cancer patient. … an artist. … creative. … a singer. … a funny. … a blood recipient. … inspiring. … bright. … braved. … sweet. … loved.

Natalie Grace is Wonder Girl!

She is a super hero artist who possesses a super power like no other. She gives smiles, joy and warm cheer through her works of art. Natalie Grace is also a blood recipient who battles PreB-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She is thankful for blood donors who took just 60 minutes of their time to help save her life.

Who are you?

savealifenow.org

PASTA

did you know? october is national Pasta month! enjoy some of these family-friendly meals tonight!

VegetaBle and herB laSagna

P

erfect to feed the kids after school! Lasagna with ricotta, eggplant, zucchini, radicchio and herbs will not only keep them asking for seconds but will provide them with important vitamins that they need! Make it now or freeze it for an easy make-ahead meal solution.

ingredientS: 1 large or 2 medium eggplants (about 2 lbs.), sliced crosswise into ½” slices Vegetable oil, for brushing 4 medium zucchini (about 2 lbs.), sliced into ¼” slices 1 head radicchio (about 10 oz.), sliced 12 oz. lasagna 1 (32 oz.) container part-skim ricotta ¼ c. (1 1/8 oz.) finely chopped garlic 2 T. fresh oregano ¾ c. (¾ oz.) sliced basil leaves 3 c. (24 oz.) tomato sauce or 1 (23.8 oz.) jar prepared lowsodium tomato sauce 4 oz. finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano

directionS: Preheat oven to 400° F. Place the eggplant on a large baking sheet. Brush with vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the zucchini on a large baking sheet and do the same.

Place the radicchio on a baking sheet and toss with a small amount of vegetable oil, salt and pepper. Place vegetables in the oven and cook until softened and brown (20–30 minutes), flipping halfway through cooking.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook the lasagna according to package directions. Drain on a damp towel to prevent sticking. Reserve.

Stir together the ricotta, garlic, thyme and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Reserve.

To assemble the lasagna, place 1/3 of the lasagna across the bottom of a 9” x 13” baking pan. Top with half of the ricotta mixture. Strew half of the vegetables over the ricotta. Repeat to create another layer. Top with the remaining lasagna. Pour the tomato sauce over the noodles and sprinkle with cheese.* Bake for 30 minutes or until heated through. * Lasagna can be refrigerated or frozen at this stage. Wrap well in plastic wrap.

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Sensational Stuffed Shells

E

asy to make ahead and reheat for a weeknight meal, this stuffed shells recipe will have your whole family eating shrimp and spinach! By disguising healthy protein and vegetables, you and your kids can both be happy with dinner!

Ingredients: 16 jumbo pasta shells (plus a few extra to allow for breakages) 8 oz. spinach leaves, well-washed 1 (15 oz.) container part-skim ricotta 4 oz. frozen cooked shrimp, thawed and finely chopped ½ t. dried oregano or Italian herb mix 1 T. finely chopped garlic 2 whole eggs 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes with garlic and basil 1/3 c. (1 oz.) grated Parmigiano Reggiano ¼ c. shredded basil

Directions: Preheat oven to 350° F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the shells according to package directions. Drain, rinse under cold water and reserve.

Place the spinach in a medium saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until wilted (about 3 minutes).

Drain and, when cool enough to handle, squeeze out as much water as possible; there will only be about ½ cup.

Finely chop the spinach.

In a bowl, combine ricotta, chopped shrimp, spinach, oregano, garlic and eggs. Season with salt and pepper.

Stuff the shells with the ricotta mixture.

Pour the tomatoes into a 9” x 12” baking dish. Place the stuffed shells into the baking dish on top of the sauce with the open side of each shell facing up.

Sprinkle with Parmigiano Reggiano and bake for 30 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with basil and serve.

Makes 4 servings.

PASTA

Chicken Penne with “Cream” Sauce

K

ids love chicken and pasta—so give them what they want! Add some tasty vegetables to the mix in a lightened version of a cream sauce.

Ingredients: 4 oz. penne rigate 2 t. vegetable oil 1 c. (4 oz.) roughly chopped mixed wild mushrooms 1 T. finely chopped garlic 2 c. (8 oz.) asparagus, cut into 2” pieces ¼ c. (2 oz.) white wine 6 oz. shredded cooked chicken ½ c. (4 oz.) low-fat sour cream ½ c. (½ oz.) shredded basil

Directions: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package directions. Drain and reserve.

Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the oil and sauté the mushrooms until softened and beginning to brown (about 5 minutes).

Add the garlic and cook another 30 seconds. Add the asparagus and white wine.

Cover and cook until the asparagus is crisp-tender (about 2 minutes).

Stir in the chicken, sour cream and penne. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir in the basil and serve.

Recipes courtesy of PastaFits.org kcparent.com october 2014

19

putting the brakes on praise and rewards

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just want to be rewarded for all of my hard work. I work really hard, and I get nothing,” my 7-year-old daughter sobbed as she sat on my lap, distraught after yet another gymnastics session in which she felt she didn’t measure up to her peers.

“What kind of a reward do you think you should get?” I prodded.

“A piece of candy.”

And that’s when I knew we had entered…the Praise and Reward Zone, where kids expect to hear “Good job!” and receive a trinket or trophy for every achievement, including just showing up.

It’s natural instinct to want to build a child’s self-esteem by piling on the praise and rewarding their every effort. It’s tough to watch children suffer through disappointment, failure and hurt feelings.

But well-intentioned parents who overpraise their children and offer frequent tangible rewards might be doing more harm than good.

“Constant external rewards actually end up reducing positive behavior, because children come to expect material items or constant praise for every task,” says Carmen McHenry, a Northland mother of three young children and a licensed child

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and family therapist at Water Street Family Counseling in Liberty. “In our society today, excess is valued at times, leading to a ‘the bigger, the better’ mentality. Rewards are becoming increasingly excessive, as well.

That’s the problem.”

Heaping generic praise on children can also backfire. Instead of serving as a self-esteem booster, compliments can discourage children from taking risks or attempting new challenges. They also can leave children with the impression that they must consistently meet exceptionally high standards.

Does that mean parents should avoid using extrinsic rewards and verbal praise all together? Absolutely not. But if your goal is to transition from external motivation to internal motivation, offering specific verbal praise is a step in the right direction.

“When I talk with parents about verbal praise, I stress that it needs to be specific,” notes Amy Hines, a Kansas City mother of two and a parent educator with the North Kansas City School District’s Parents as Teachers program, which works with parents of children 5 years old and younger. “’Good job’ isn’t as meaningful to a child as ‘Wow! Look at how well you wrote your name! How do you feel when you write your

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name so well?’ Tying it to their feelings helps develop a sense of intrinsic motivation.”

Combining specific praise with simple rewards, especially for younger children, will also help them develop an internal focus. “Rewards don’t need to be tangible,” says Hines. “They can include a special trip to the park or time alone with a parent.

Typically, I encourage parents to use rewards only when a specific behavior needs to change.”

According to Victoria Anderson, a Kansas City mom of two teenagers and a licensed marriage and family therapist at Water Street Family Counseling, there are red flags parents should watch for that will let them know when their praise and reward system isn’t working. “One sign is when attitudes of entitlement creep in. If your teenager says ‘How much will I get for that?’ when you ask him to do an extra chore or ‘The work isn’t worth the money you give me,’ then it’s time to have a conversation and reevaluate.”

Anderson says signs of stress, such as withdrawing, falling grades or performance, increased irritability or picking fights with others in the family, also can indicate the need for a change. “If these signs start to appear, reflect a moment. Try to step into your teen’s world and see where they might be coming from. Convey that you genuinely care by asking for clarification about how they are experiencing the expectations at home. Ask if they think those expectations are reasonable, and if not, what about them seems unreasonable? Do they have

any suggestions to make it easier on them?

Teens feel respected and grow in maturity and expression when parents are willing to consider their perspectives and make adjustments.”

parent tip: to motivate and reward your children, try offering connection activities instead of tangible items.

Whether and how to reward children is a family decision, and finding an approach that works well is a matter of trial and error. What works with one child won’t necessarily work with another, as Melissa Kay Henderson, a Shawnee mother of three, discovered. “I have tried so many different rewards with my kids, and I have come to the conclusion that every situation is different, as is every kid,” she says. “My daughter is happy just to please me. I thank her and hug her, and she’s good with that.

My oldest son is motivated by cold, hard cash, but the youngest is not motivated by much at all. He tries hard at sports because that is what he loves, but we have yet to find the perfect motivator for him in other areas.”

For children today, spending quality time with their parents is the perfect reward, especially as families seem busier than ever. McHenry recommends offering

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connection activities as motivators and rewards. Anything, from letting the child pick the game on family night to staying up later than siblings to going to a movie with one parent, can shift the focus away from external rewards and create an internal feeling of self-esteem and pride.

“Many times, children act out because they lack connection or want us to be present with them,” McHenry says. “By this I mean ‘eye contact, really listening’ present, not ‘on our phones next to them’ present. I literally have been making myself leave my phone in the car or plugged into the wall so I can practice what I preach, because it can be so difficult at times.”

McHenry advises parents to follow their intuition when it comes to their specific situation. “If you feel disconnected and that you are overusing external rewards, you probably should change it up a bit,” she says. “Transitioning out of excessive use of material rewards will be challenging, but it can be done. Expect some unhappy kids at first. You are the parent, and disappointed kids are okay. Life is not always full of praise and smiley faces. Ultimately, they will be fine if they are getting genuine emotional connection through quality time with you.”

Mari Rydings is a freelance writer and editor from Platte Woods. She blogs at MyIdealReality.com.

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21

FAITH&FAMILY

DO WE HALLOW HALLOWEEN?

T

he question’s been mulled over like cider in parenting circles. How do we approach the Halloween holiday with our kids? Many parents view Halloween as light-hearted, impish fun, harking back to their own childhood trickor-treating as ninja turtles (and wishing they’d saved their costumes for the cartoon comeback). Others are off-put by the fear induced by the devilish haunts lurking around every cobwebbed corner, sending terror-tossed kids into their parents’ beds with nightmares. While some embrace the holiday, it leaves many parents feeling unsettled. Is Halloween really harmless fun?

Parents of faith are often particularly conflicted about the holiday, and so, too, are churches. Among the smorgasbord of faith communities in which I was raised, some partook in Halloween with trunk or treats and pumpkin patched parking lots. Others eschewed it for the preferred “fall festival” or liturgical feast of “All Saints,” and a few saw it as something more sinister, avoiding it altogether.

As for our house of haunts, Halloween is an enchanted night of fire pits blazing like cauldrons in the cul-de-sac, jack-o’-lanterns winking their winsome welcomes at parades of passersby and more candies than even the gingerbread witch could stomach. But there is no onesize-fits-all approach to how and whether families of faith celebrate Halloween, and I won’t venture to offer one here. Instead, KC Parent Magazine asked you, local readers, to chime in on its Facebook page: How do you feel about celebrating Halloween with your kids?

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kcparent.com october 2014

Here’s what you shared: My children really get freaked out going into stores filled with scary skeletons and spooky witches during the Halloween season.

Much of what Halloween embraces seems dark and evil to our family, and that’s why we really don’t see a point to taking part in the holiday.

Anna G., Lee’s Summit I see both sides to celebrating Halloween. We choose to celebrate in our home, but focus more on the commercial holiday it has become, dressing in costumes and trick-or-treating, and less on its origins.

Melanie S., Lenexa As Christians we are called to be a light in a world of darkness (Mt. 5:14). When we studied the origins of Halloween, there is much evil and darkness in its history. We opt to enjoy fun in the month of October with family activities centered on pumpkins, apples and hayrides without witches, ghosts and goblins.

Tina L., Kansas City Wendy Connelly, mother of two, is co-founder of the “Live and Let Think” dialogues on Christianity, and a graduate student at St. Paul School of Theology, Leawood.

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does my child need a

Tutor?

W

e are a competitive society. We want the best for our children, and we want our children to be the best.

Against this competitive and comparative backdrop, a tutoring craze has exploded, not just nationally, but internationally. Homework help. Test prep help.

Help with individual school subjects. Studies show that children as young as age 3 are being introduced to tutors, fueled by the idea that one can never start learning too early. Tutoring has become a wildly popular franchise, with businesses like Kumon and Club Z dispatching thousands of private tutors to kids of all ages worldwide.

A 2012 article in Forbes magazine reported that the international tutoring market is expected to surpass $102 billion by 2018.

What does the tutoring craze mean for today’s kids? Does your child need a tutor?

Daneen Hollern is a special education teacher and tutor at Wolf Creek Elementary School in Spring Hill. She says the sole purpose for tutoring is to provide personalized strategies and TLC for a struggling child, to help that child close the gap between his own academic skills and those of his peers.

“The sooner you intervene and help build solid academic skills for your child, the quicker success will follow,” Hollern says.

Tutoring services are a good investment any time your child’s teacher raises concerns about academic progress.

Tami Gast, a licensed ELL instructor who teaches in Olathe and tutors privately, lists four common scenarios in which parents seek tutors for their children: 1) the child’s teacher recommends the child receive additional help in a specific subject; 2) a child’s reading skills fall below her grade level; 3) a child has a learning disability; and 4) English is not the child’s first language.

“Tutoring services are a good investment any time your child’s teacher raises concerns about academic progress,” says Hollern.

She once worked with a child who required early speech/ language intervention. When the child was dismissed from the publicly funded program at age 4, the parent sought continued support through private tutoring, with an emphasis in early reading skills.

October typically brings parent-teacher conferences.

Get tips for a successful conference at KCParent.com.

24

kcparent.com october 2014

It was a smart move.

But some cases aren’t so cut-and-dry.

In her book, Rethinking Homework: Best Practices That Support Diverse Needs, author Cathy Vatterott writes that, in the face of extreme competition and pressure to excel, some parents are taking a step back, weighing the heavier loads of homework against the value of family time and a carefree childhood. “… David Elkind wrote about The Hurried Child (1981)—a trend to push children too hard, to over-structure their time and to burden them with too many adult responsibilities,” Vatterott writes. “Today’s balance movement echoes that concern, and it is continuing to gain support among teachers, other professionals and the general public.”

Before hiring a tutor, Hollern recommends that parents seek suggestions from their child’s teacher about how they as parents can best help their children at home.

“If that does not work and you have been consistent with practicing, or you have a hard time working with your child, then tutoring is a next great option,” Hollern says.

“Open conversation is always important,” adds Gast.

Should a tutor be necessary, Hollern recommends finding one through the child’s school district, rather than performing a broad online search or going through a nationwide franchise.

The school’s administrative professional or counselor often can provide terrific resources.

Finding a tutor who exhibits a solid overall character is as important as finding a tutor who knows her skills. “Your child deserves someone who knows how to teach, knows multiple

Does Your Child Need a Tutor?

A checklist of questions to help parents think through the learning process

• Is your child younger than age 5?

• Have you communicated with your child’s teacher about your child’s strengths and weaknesses?

• Is your child happy with her teacher?

• Is your child applying to a competitive school?

• Does your child seem to enjoy school?

• Does your child have a learning disability?

• Do you have a genuine concern for your child’s academic achievement, or are you simply competitive by nature?

• Has your child outlined specific goals for his/her academic achievement this school year?

• Are you keenly aware of your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses?

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kcparent.com october 2014

25

learning strategies, can assess whether progress is being made and who is in the education field,” Hollern says.

“You also need someone who is empathetic toward struggling learners, someone who will build them up,” she adds.

“Children need confidence as much as they need strategies. Half the battle to learning is to feel like a learner, to be confident in taking risks and having someone beside you to cheer you on while giving you tools you didn’t have before.”

Learning to assess a child’s particular struggles can be one of the biggest challenges for parents. And don’t forget—sometimes struggle is good. Keep the communication lines open between yourself and your child. Support him as best you can when he needs it. And if all else fails, enlist some outside help and see what comes.

Kate Meadows lives in Louisburg, where she throws her energy into writing, editing and being a mom to two boys. KateMeadows.com

Do’s and Don’ts of Tutoring • D o NOT feel guilty as a parent if you have difficulty working with your own child. Some kids welcome parental help; others do not. A parent is often the last person a child will listen to. “A change of scenery might be important,” Gast says.

•

DO be aware of before and after school study groups that your school might offer, as an alternative to tutoring. Also consider seeking an older neighborhood kid to help your child practice skills or complete homework.

of other kids. Know what your own child is capable of and measure progress based on his own work and study.

• D O keep copies of tests, report cards and progress reports for the tutor to analyze.

• D o NOT keep the tutor separate from your child’s teacher. Ask the tutor to communicate with your child’s teacher, and vice versa.

• D O communicate with your child often about his experience with a tutor. Make sure you have your finger on the pulse of their time together.

• D o NOT compare your child’s progress to that

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HEALTHYKIDS

sleepwalking & night terrors what causes them and how to cope

REM cycle, while night terrors are not technically a dream, but instead a reaction, projected through fear, of transitioning from one sleep phase to another, according to KidsHealth.org. These terrors usually occur two to three hours after a child falls asleep, and the child may sit upright and scream in distress. Their breathing and heart rate may increase, and they act upset and scared.

The difference is that after a few minutes the night terror resolves, and the child will calm down and return to sleep as if nothing has happened. Oftentimes children will not recall the event the next day because they were in a deep sleep and have no mental images to recall.

d Sometimes a fear of a monster under the bed can keep a child from getting a good night’s sleep. Visit KCParent.com and read “Goodbye Ghosts” to help kids deal with night time fears.

o you occasionally find your young child wandering the halls aimlessly or talking to herself hours after she’s fallen asleep for the night?

Sleepwalking is very common among children, and most outgrow it by their teenage years. While this can be scary for other family members, sleepwalking is rarely caused by an underlying medical, psychological or physical condition, according to KidsHealth.org. Instead, the website explains, some children are predisposed to sleepwalking, and others can have it brought on by lack of sleep, fatigue, irregular sleep schedules, illness or fever or certain medications. Some children sleepwalk, some talk in their sleep, some will sit up and some even raid the refrigerator and eat, according to SleepFoundation.org.

Sleepwalking occurs during the deep stages of REM, every 90-100 minutes. The child will be difficult to arouse during the episode and often will have little to no memory of the event the next day.

Night terrors often can be mistaken for nightmares but are very different.

Nightmares are associated with the dream

Night terrors often can be mistaken for nightmares but are very different.

In coping with sleepwalking and night terrors, the most important thing is to keep your child safe. Experts say that you should try to avoid waking your child when she is experiencing night terrors or sleepwalking, because it could cause her to be confused and potentially remain awake for a longer period of time. If you simply leave your sleepwalking child asleep, you can try to guide her to lie back down, and she should become restful again relatively quickly.

And while waking the sleeping child is not recommended, you may have to do so if she is in a position of danger, such as thrashing around or at risk of falling down the stairs.

If your family is in the throes of night terrors or sleep walking, try to rest assured that this season will pass, and your child should soon outgrow these episodes. In the meantime, try to remain calm and gently guide your child back to sleep in her bed.

Jessica Heine is a labor and delivery nurse.

She resides with her family in Olathe.

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

kcparent.com october 2014

27

W

why moms need to stop saying

I feel it is necessary to apologize, especially when it is with a group of men or individuals who do not have children.

hen is the right time to say you are sorry? Many of us who were brought up to be polite and courteous offer apologies as frequently as we utter a greeting of hello. We say we are sorry when we approach people at work, we apologize for not having a guest’s favorite brand of coffee on hand, and we say we are sorry for not buying Girl Scout cookies from every single one of our friends’ daughters.

“I use it a lot when it comes to missing a meeting or event because my kids are sick or one of my kids has a doctor’s appointment,” Allison Murphy, Shawnee mom, says. “I feel it is necessary to apologize, especially when it is with a group of men or individuals who do not have children. Somehow if I apologize, then that makes it acceptable.”

Moms in Kansas City are taking on more than ever, juggling career and kids while creating Pinterest-worthy homes and meals and always making time for a romantic date night. This standard of multitasking and over-scheduling has become not only the norm, but the expectation. The heavy load carried by modern moms is leading to

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a generation of moms who spend much of their day saying “I’m sorry” as an automatic response to any number of common situations.

Katrina Alcorn writes in her book Maxed Out: American Moms on the Brink that moms are perpetually sorry for all the ways they perceive themselves as failing their employers, their families and themselves. Alcorn argues that when we say “sorry,” we are too often apologizing for our failure to do the impossible.

Alcorn says anyone can respond to an email in a timely manner, go to a parents’ meeting for the hockey team or contribute just one thing to the teacher appreciation lunch. However, she argues that no one can do all of those things simultaneously while also helping one child with spelling words, listening to another child rehearse lines for a school play and taking the call from her mother-in-law to start planning the next holiday family get-together.

At its heart, an apology is an admission of wrongdoing. So when most moms say they are sorry, do they actually feel they are at fault for something? Or are they expressing remorse for simple

inconveniences or their lack of ability to be in multiple places at once? “Moms these days have more to-dos on our lists than ever before. I think a lot of the time we say ‘I’m sorry’ because we just can’t fit another thing into our day. We say ‘I’m sorry’ because we want to make the other person feel better,” says Liberty mom Stephanie Green.

In situations ranging from your reputation at the office to your good standing with your friends, saying you are sorry too often can have negative consequences. Not only can your words begin to lose their sincerity, but frequently putting yourself in a position of offering apologies for small perceived inconveniences paints you as a person who lacks confidence and self-worth.

“I’m guilty of saying ‘I’m sorry’ too much and need to work on it,” Blue Springs mom Cindy Hilton says. “The word just flows out—it seems to be my go-to word too often. Because of that, I do feel it creates a negative reputation for me, almost making me seem weak and unable to do my job.

If used correctly, it can have the opposite effect—shows someone is willing to admit their mistake.”

Setting reasonable expectations and practicing good time management can help you keep a clear conscience and not fall into the trap of offering too many apologies.

Know your limits and don’t feel guilty about holding firm to those limits. Here are a few steps to get you started on overcoming the auto-apology: 1. Keep a log of how many times you apologize during the day. Notice the patterns. When are you saying it and how often and why are you saying it?

2. Pay attention to the value you are placing on your words. When you overuse a phrase, even an apology, it can lose its value to those who are hearing it.

3. If you feel you need to offer a nicety for inconveniencing someone, try a ‘thank you’ rather than an apology. Extend thanks for the understanding and patience of others, rather than saying you are sorry for the circumstances.

Melissa Bellach is a freelance writer, journalist and mom living in Overland Park.

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29

drama free

drop-Offs W

e’ve all been there. We go to drop off our child at school or at a friend’s house, thinking that he will be excited and have a great time, and then…meltdown. Flailing, weeping,

gnashing of teeth. Or maybe just cruel, silent tears coursing down the cheeks. Whichever, it pulls at a mommy’s heartstrings and can make the brief separation difficult for everyone.

To make that transition a little easier for their little ones, mommies have developed quite the range of drop-off techniques. Learn some of the tried-and-true methods and see if one of them will work for your family!

30

kcparent.com october 2014

Sing a Song

“Every time I drop my girls off, we sing to each other ‘Grownups Come Back’ from Daniel Tiger in the car before arrival,” says Laine Scott from Peculiar. One of her twins has anxiety, and if she is having an extra hard time, she asks Mom to sing the whole song to her. That routine helps remind her girls that Mommy always comes back, just like the song says.

Talk Up the Fun

Sarah Brandt from Lee’s Summit likes to preview the day for her kids. While they are on their way to school, she takes time to talk with her kids each morning about the fun activities that they will get to do that day. Talking about the dress-up center, train center or

their fun art day gets her kids so excited that they race into class.

Sometimes, they even forget their good-bye hugs!

Give Them a Schedule

As the person who is often on the other side of drop-offs, Erica Smith, a kindergarten teacher from Brookside, implements a visual schedule with anxious students. She says, “When a child is having a difficult time separating from parents on a daily basis, I make a picture schedule so they can see what activities we’ll be doing all day, concluding with a picture of when school is out.

As we complete those activities, the child crosses the picture out and has a concrete way of seeing when it’s time for parents to come back. I encourage parents to have one at home so they can review with their child as they get ready for the day or for bed.” Sometimes children are visual learners and need that tangible reminder that they are moving toward seeing their parents again.

Give Them a Task

Some kids do well with a specific task that they are in charge of when they go to a drop-off. Debbie Burre, an occupational therapist from Lee’s Summit, suggests that “having a job to do on arrival can help. A note to deliver or a sticker to put on a chart when they get in” helps them shift their focus away from their parents. As someone who works with both special needs kids and peer models, she has seen the benefit of using special jobs to help make the transition go more smoothly.

run!

Sarah Stolberg, Lee’s Summit, quips, “You mean you are not supposed to dump them and run as fast as you can before they turn around to see you are gone?” But I think she accurately describes one of the most popular drop-off techniques. It’s the equivalent of ripping the Band-Aid off quickly and then using the “out of sight, out of mind” idea at the same time. Sarah adds a little more seriously, “Honestly though, that’s what we do. The faster we leave, the better she does. Lingering just makes her more nervous and makes the situation worse.”

As a mom of 3-year-old quadruplets, one of whom has autism, I find myself using a combination of drop-off techniques based on the personality of each of my kids. One of my children responds well to our previewing her day. One couldn’t care less if we are there or not.

One needs a brief distraction and all is well, and our son with autism needs a combination of a visual schedule and the parental “run!” approach.

No single technique is best, and what works best for a child may change over time. Kudos to the many parents out there who take the time to learn their child’s preferences and find the best way to transition them from their arms to a playdate or classroom in such a way as to minimize their anxiety. It’s a wonderful way to show a child how much you love him even when you aren’t physically there.

Rebecca Ishum lives in South KC with her husband and preschool-aged quadruplets who all have completely different personalities. She does her best to make school and church drop-offs as trauma-free as possible.

Read more about their parenting adventures at ABeautifulRuckus.com

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kcparent.com october 2014

31

w

hen babies are born, we have a set of benchmarks to chart their growth and development: rolling over, first tooth, walking or when they begin eating solid food. But once those babies grow up and become tweens and then teenagers, those benchmarks aren’t as concrete, and knowing whether we are doing the right thing becomes harder. Tweens are searching for freedom and testing boundaries, and as a parents, it’s hard to know when to give them that freedom.

Understandably, each child is different, and each family is different. The ages listed below are just guidelines and are not meant to be concrete rules.

When can a child go to the movies with friends without a parent’s supervision?

“I would base this on what movie and what friend(s). I would prefer a group of friends, that way if something (God forbid) happened, there would be more than a single girl left to figure it out.

I also would base this on maturity

level to know what to do in an emergency. Could my child exit the theater? Find a staff person for help? I am not there yet, but more likely when she is 13,” Sarah Martens, Kearney mother of three, says.

“I believe a child can be dropped off for a movie without an adult present around age 13, as long as there is a group with them. This is one of the first “alone” things I would allow, because I feel there is less of a threat or areas to run into problems while at a movie. I would, however, drop them off right before and return for pickup before the movie lets out,” Ashley Bultmann, Kearney mother of two, says.

“Depends on the time of day.

Are we talking middle of the day matinee? Then perhaps 11 or 12.

But on a Friday night? I would say 13 or 14,” Misty Black, Liberty mother of two, says.

Ride a bike to a friend’s house alone?

“I let my kids ride their bikes to their friends’ houses (not more than 1/2 mile away from home) at age 11. Both

tween timelines 32

kcparent.com october 2014

parents are in contact about the child’s leaving and arriving (unless said child has a phone). This is really the first taste of freedom for them, not to mention a trust exercise!” Bultmann says.

“Again, this depends on location.

Down the street? Within sight? Age 5 or 6. But further down the road, out of sight? Or around the corner?

Then age 8 or 9,” says Black.

Get a Phone?

“Sixth grade (age 12) was perfect for us. It helps if they pay a portion to increase accountability and responsibility. Peer pressure was there for sure. Kids are getting busier, and it was convenient to have her with a phone. It’s also necessary when she stays at home: we don’t have a land line anymore,” Martens says.

“I believe every child going to sixth grade should have a phone. This is the time a lot of kids have after school activities and like to hang out after school with friends once in a while. Having a phone is a lesson in responsibility and 12 or 13 is a good age to be teaching this kind of responsibility (i.e., social networking).

Our 11-year-old did just get a phone because, for our family, it makes more financial sense at this point—we can cancel our home phone. He does have limited use of it,” Bultmann says. stay home alone?

“I believe around the age of 10 kids are okay to stay home alone for short periods. Again, I think this teaches them responsibility, as well as another trust exercise. The older they get and the more responsibility they show, the length of time left home alone gets greater,” Bultmann says.

GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH GIVEAWAY giving away

25

family 4-packs KC Parent is giving away family 4-packs to all your favorite local pumpkin patches!

Follow us on Facebook (Kansas City Parent Magazine) to learn more or search “Great Pumpkin Patch Giveaway” on KCParent.com for details.

“This depends on how long and where I’ll be. If less than 30 minutes and I’m close by, I left them at 6 to 8 years. For an hour or longer or further away, I waited until 8 to 10 years. We are just now doing in the evenings or for longer periods, so 9 to 11 years,” says Black.

Jennifer Higgins is a freelance writer, mother and teacher from Kearney.

She has two tweens and is constantly wondering about the appropriate age for activities for her girls.

Is your tween ready to babysit? Log onto KCParent.com for tips to help you decide.

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33

ARE YOU PLAYING WITH FIRE? plan ahead to protect your family should disaster strike

W

hen it comes to home disasters, children are most likely to experience a fire. Preparedness and planning save lives, but nearly threequarters of Americans have never developed or practiced a home fire escape plan.

I know what you are thinking: “The chances of my house catching on fire are remote. House fires only happen on the news. To other people.”

That’s what I thought, too, until my husband and I stood shivering in the snow while firefighters crashed through our burning home and reporters buzzed around.

A brand new lamp shorted out while we were at work, turning our bedroom into an inferno that blasted out our windows. Energized by gulps of air, it proceeded to lick its way toward the roof.

34

kcparent.com october 2014

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fires claim as many as 400,000 homes in the United States each year. Although we were displaced from our home for several months, we counted our blessings that no one was hurt or killed.

On average, seven people die each day in house fires across the nation.

Curious youngsters who play with fire are also cause for serious concern.

According to the American Red Cross, children under 5 are twice as likely to die in a house fire compared to the rest of the population. Frightened kids who don’t know how to escape or what to do panic.

Take steps to help keep your kids safe.

Visit the fire department. From the time my boys were toddlers, I’ve taken advantage of organized tours to our

local fire department. The firefighters show the kids how they change into their protective gear. I could see why firefighters worry about kids’ hiding from them during a fire.

Dressed in their masks and gear in the station, they look alien. But they must look terrifying and monstrous while fearlessly marching through dark smoke and flames searching for scared children and pets.

If you and your family have never been on one of these tours, call your local fire department to schedule one.

Encourage other families to join you.

You don’t have to be with a school or organization, and the tours are free.

Create and practice an escape plan. When my son was in second grade, the teacher assigned the kids to come up with a fire escape plan.

Together, we drew a plan of our

house. Then we walked through it to come up with two ways out of the house in the event of a fire. We ran a drill, crawling through the house to get to the exits and designating a family meet-up spot. This was a valuable exercise to see how quickly we could get out and whether our plan had any flaws.

Got a two-story home? “Get a ladder,” says Nicole Feltz, an American Family Insurance agent.

“It will allow the family and kids to escape if you can’t get down the stairs.” Store the ladders under upstairs beds.

Test your smoke alarms annually.

Choose a holiday, anniversary or birthday to make it easier to remember. We tested our smoke alarms while practicing our escape plan. NFPA says that nearly half of fire deaths are prevented simply by having working smoke alarms.

Create a home inventory. Even if no one dies or is injured, going through a fire is traumatic. Walking through the soggy, burned-out shell of our home, with the toxic smell of melted plastic searing our nostrils, was surreal.

The days that followed were mindnumbing as we tediously inventoried the sooty remains that mapped our lives. Inventory your possessions before disaster strikes. Feltz suggests the Dream Vault app to take pictures of the items in your home. File or scan copies of receipts for large ticket items. “If you update a deck, fence or kitchen, take a picture even of the receipt,” Feltz says.

Purchase a fireproof safe. My husband and I received a fireproof safe soon after we were married as a Christmas gift. The box seemed like an odd gift to me at the time. But for less than $50, this safe proved priceless, saving us a few headaches. (See the

sidebar for the types of documents to store.)

In the end, we were lucky. My husband and I had each other, reliable insurance and many friends offering support. The house was rebuilt, our lives restored and things replaced.

Now that we are parents, our two little risk factors have raised the stakes. I’m not gambling on their safety. To me, that would be like playing with fire––a fire I’m not sure I’d ever recover from.

Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two active boys and a pair of playful mutts. Christa’s latest book is Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

?

Documents to store in your fireproof safe:

• Homeowner’s insurance and your insurance • • • • • • • •

agent’s name and number Passports Original birth certificates Original social security cards CD or external hard drive of family photos and inventory Copies of important legal and financial documents Safety deposit box keys if you have a bank deposit box List of family physicians, copies of current prescriptions and pharmacy contact information Bank account information and copies of your credit cards and bank cards to help you access your funds quickly

Quiz: What is the leading cause of house fires? a. Space heaters b. Cooking c. Kids’ playing with matches What do you do if your clothes catch on fire? a. Run screaming b. Stop, drop and roll c. Take your clothes off Where is the best place to hide during a fire? a. The bathtub b. A closet c. Never hide Answers: 1b; 2b, 3c

Source: Legal Zoom

kcparent.com october 2014

35

12

Top 10 Reasons KC Parents Prefer Faulkner’s Ranch Pumpkin Season

PUMPKIN PATCH

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kcparent.com october 2014

6 2

17607 NE 52nd St., Liberty, MO 816.781.9196 www.CarolynsCountryCousins.com

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6 louisburg Cider Mill

14730 Hwy. 68, Louisburg, KS 913.837.5202 www.LouisburgCiderMill.com

7 shuck’s

291 Hwy. & 203rd St. Pleasant Hill, MO 816.335.4014 www.ShucksMaze.com See pg. 54 for complete pumpkin patch descriptions.

Magical Moonlit Walks Local attractions bring the magic of the season to life. Storybook characters and creatures greet children during evening walks along nature trails for an unforgettable night of fun.

Superheroes and the Curse of Alien Invaders. Oct. 4, 1:00-3:00 and 5:30-8:30, Burr Oak Woods (1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO, 816.228.3766). Admission is free. Batman, Superman, Aquagirl, Spider-Woman and many others will enchant audiences along a luminary-lit trail as visitors learn about conservation at this educational and entertaining event.

Introducing Glow: A Jack-o’-Lantern Festival Oct. 18 & 19, Powell Gardens (1609 NW US Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO, 816.697.2600, PowellGardens.org). As the region’s largest pumpkin fest, “Glow” promises to become a new favorite garden tradition for all ages.

Festivities kick off Friday, Oct. 17, with a celebrity jack-o’-lantern carving of some 25 jumbo pumpkins. Along with the jack-o’-lantern display, visitors can enjoy pumpkin painting, hayrides, costumed characters, games, crafts, storytelling and more. Festival admission applies on Saturday and Sunday ($12/adults, $10/seniors, $5/children 5-12; gold level and above members FREE).

Magic Woods: Oct. 10, 6:00-9:00, and Oct. 11, 5:00-9:00, Lakeside Nature Center (4701 E. Gregory Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.513.8960, LakesideNatureCenter.org). Magic Woods features a walk on the nature trail where hikers will meet Mother Nature and her friends.

Eco-Elvis and Eric the magician will be entertaining at this year’s event. Admission is $5/person.

Night of the Living Farm: Oct. 17-18 & 24-25, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead (13800 Switzer, Overland Park, KS, 913.897.2360 ext. 33, OPKansas.org/events/night-of-the-living-farmweek-1). Old-fashioned lanterns and carved pumpkins will lead costumed trick-or-treaters through pathways of graves and ghouls.

Tickets in advance are $8; at the door tickets are $10. Advance group tickets are available online only (50 or more) for $7/ea.

Enchanted Forest: Oct. 23, 6:30-8:30, Sar-Ko-Par Park (87th & Lackman Rd., Lenexa, KS, www.ci.Lenexa.KS.us). Admission is free. Unlimited access to hayrides, inflatables and mini-pumpkin decorating is available with the purchase of a $3 wristband at the information booth. The trail features performances by marionette puppets, magicians and singers.

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kcparent.com october 2014

37

what’s your

i

halloween style?

t’s time to pick out some pumpkins and brush up on your apple bobbing skills! There are plenty of exciting ways to enjoy Halloween with your family. Do you love starting new seasonal traditions or prefer celebrating the old-fashioned way? Take the quiz below to find out your Halloween style.

1. Your spouse comes home from the local farmers

market with a pumpkin. You promptly…

A. G ather your kids to watch you carve it. They can help by sketching a design and scooping out the seeds.

B. Turn the kids loose on it with a sticker decorating kit.

C. S earch online for this year’s hot decorating ideas. Bring on the paint and glitter!

2. Your personal favorite Halloween candy to munch is…

A. Candy corn, of course!

B. M ini Snickers, M & M’s or some other chocolate-based favorite.

C. Homemade candy apples.

3. However, trick-or-treaters visiting your house can

expect to receive…

A. T hat orange and black-wrapped taffy that has been around forever.

B. Small bags of pretzels, popcorn or fruit snacks—or perhaps even a non-food treat.

C. C andy bars covered with homemade “Happy Halloween!” wrappers.

4. Come Oct. 31, your house will be decked out with…

A. Cotton spider webs adorned with black plastic spiders.

B. A giant inflatable Halloween decoration in the front yard.

C. Fall art projects created by family members.

5. You love seeing trick-or-treaters dressed like…

A. Witches, cats, pirates and pumpkins.

B. Doc McStuffins, Twilight Sparkle and Daniel Tiger.

C. A nything they want, as long as the costume is homemade!

6. Your family’s favorite thing to watch around

Halloween is…

A. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

B. H alloween specials that feature your kids’ current favorite characters.

C. Home videos of Halloweens past.

38

kcparent.com october 2014

7. After your kids come home with a bag full of trick or

treat loot, you…

A. Tell them to go for it. It’s only once a year!

B. Let them eat a few pieces each day for the next week or so.

C. Use the leftovers to create exciting new cupcake and cookie recipes.

8. When the class Halloween party rolls around, you’re

most likely to be seen…

A. Watching the costume parade.

B. Recording the costume parade to share with far away family members.

C. Volunteering at the party.

Mostly A’s: Classic When it comes to holidays, your slogan is “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Halloween means costumes, candy and jack-o’-lanterns, period. You love celebrating with your family using the same timehonored traditions you enjoyed as a child.

Mostly B’s: Modern You love to incorporate the best of old and new traditions and aren’t afraid to change up your family’s celebration from year to year. When you need new ideas for food or fun, you look to pop culture, Pinterest or your Facebook friends.

Mostly C’s: Crafty You’ve got this Halloween thing under control. You’re naturally organized and love to “do it yourself.” At this point, you’ve probably already got half a dozen adult and kid-friendly costume ideas pinned, and may have even started sewing!

Michelle Shrink is a freelance writer and proud mother of one.

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PUMPKIN PATCH

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IT’S HERE...JUST WHAT YOU’VE ASKED FOR! KCParent.com has an interactive online PUMPKIN PATCH GUIDE featuring maps, photos and videos!

Plus, like us on Facebook to win tickets to your favorite patch.

See details on pg. 33.

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kcparent.com october 2014

39

Fun Farm is Kansas City’s newest fall family attraction!

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Items with * are additional cost

650 N. Jefferson Street Kearney, MO 64060 • 816.628.0028

FunFarmPumpkinPatch.com 40

kcparent.com october 2014

WORDFROMDAD

slimy pumpkin strands

i

turned to James. “Do you want a happy pumpkin or a scary one?”

“Um, happy.” James never hesitated.

I scraped the inside of the pumpkin, cut the face and carved the final details. A jack-o’-lantern with a cheerful demeanor.

“How about you, Ian?” I already knew the answer, but they both needed the question as part of the Halloween ritual. “Do you want a scary one or a happy one?”

Ian drew out the word in wavering tones. “Sca-aaa-rrr-yyy.”

I stuck my arm into the second pumpkin and applied a fresh layer of slimy, pumpkin threads to my already sticky arm. The feeling isn’t pleasant, but I know why I’ve endured it for more than 40 Halloweens.

I didn’t carve my first pumpkin until after I was married, and I did almost everything wrong. The knife was too big, I nearly made the lid wrong and I had nothing to scrape all the inside fibers. When I finally carved the face, it was way too small.

I persevered and overcame my rookie ineptitude. I sat Jack out on the air conditioner of our second-floor apartment balcony, easily visible from the distant road. But, the damp, windy night didn’t cooperate, and I had to return several times to relight the candle. Each time, my frustration increased.

I stepped out one more time to relight the candle, but something happened. Just before I closed the door, I heard two pairs of young feet cutting through the apartment grounds. And I heard voices.

“Hey, look at that pumpkin.”

“Cool!”

My face lit up like the pumpkin’s. Oh, yeah. Forty years? All worthwhile.

I lit the two finished pumpkins, then turned to the boys. “Hit the lights.”

The candles grew brighter. The faces glowed, orange and gold.

James and Ian spoke in unison. “Cool!”

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

2013 Corn Maze

291 Hwy and 203rd St Pleasant Hill, MO 64080

www.shucksmaze.com

Fri. nights 6-10 (flashlight night) Sat. 12-6 & 6-10 (flashlight night) (last admission at 10 PM, closing is later) Sun. 12-6

Open: Sat., Sept. 27 – Sun., Oct. 26

$1 off admission Exp 10-31-14 cannot be used with other coupons

Corn Maze • Pumpkins • Barrel Train • Corn Cannon • Hay Mountain • Hayrides • Concessions • Laser Tag • Hay Jump kcparent.com october 2014

41

100 ways

to have an outstanding october

1

Watch as more than 800 handcarved pumpkins are electrically lit on Pumpkin Mountain at the annual Pumpkin Fest in St. Johseph, MO (StJoMo.com/pumpkinfest), the second weekend of October.

2

Roast pumpkin seeds.

9

Make apple prints. Cut apples in half (both directions for different results) and use them to stamp on paper.

10

Go on a day trip to Weston, MO (WestonMo.com). This is especially fun during Apple Fest, the first weekend of October, when you can enjoy apples, pumpkins, fall foliage and small-town memories.

11

Spend a day at the pumpkin patch (visit KCParent.com for a complete guide).

3

Eat a delicious caramel apple made from scratch at Sweet Caroline’s (7723 W. 151st St., Overland Park, KS, 913.495-9993, SweetCarolines.co).

4 5 6 7

Make old-fashioned leaf rubbings.

Treat the kids to Lamar’s pumpkin donuts for breakfast (Lamars.com).

12 13 14

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kcparent.com october 2014

17 18

Bake cinnamon rolls.

Select your favorite scent for a seasonal candle at 5B&Co. in Brookside (6231 Brookside Plaza, Kansas City, MO, 816.361.6393).

Make a scarecrow.

Attend Waterfire (WaterFireKC. com), one of Kansas City’s most unique festivals, held Oct. 10 & 11 at the Country Club Plaza. The festival is a multi-sensory experience of music, fire and water featuring a moving art installation with beautiful floating bonfires on Brush Creek.

19

Visit the farmers market for fresh squash (Tip: search Farmers Markets on KCParent.com for a complete guide).

20 21 22

Eat chili and cornbread for dinner.

23 24

Host a harvest party.

Decorate your home with pumpkins and fall decorations.

Step back in time and attend the Missouri Town 1855 Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music, Oct. 4 & 5.

Enjoy 1850s music and dance, horsedrawn buggy rides, hot spiced cider, children’s games, period arts and crafts and fun-filled hayrides.

Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

Take a driving tour to enjoy Missouri’s most vibrant fall leaves—and don’t forget the camera!

Visit MDC.mo.gov/discover-nature/ outdoor-recreation/driving-tours/fallcolors for a leaf map recommending the best places for the best views.

Visit a local cupcake shop and try one of their seasonal flavors.

Keep a nature journal.

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Go on a nature scavenger hunt (Tip: search Nature Scavenger Hunt on KCParent.com).

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Jump in a pile of leaves.

Go on a hayride (Tip: you’ll find several to enjoy on the KCParent.com calendar).

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Watch cider making at Louisburg Cider Mill (14730 KS Hwy. 68, Louisburg, KS, 800.748.7765, LouisburgCiderMill.com) and enjoy delicious cider donuts.

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Get lost in the Liberty Corn Maze (17607 NE 52nd St., Liberty, MO, 816.781.9196, LibertyCornMaze.com). This year’s theme is Sporting KC!

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Play Monopoly.

Ride the Pumpkin Express weekends with the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad (BeltonRailroad.org).

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Head to the American Royal’s World Series of Barbecue Oct. 2-5 (AmericanRoyal.com/events/ world-series-of-barbecue%C2%AE).

Learn to knit at the Studio KC (1121 W. 47th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.531.4466, TheStudioKC.com).

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Make s’mores.

Enjoy a fall float trip (MissouriCanoe.org).

Eat barbecue.

Enjoy a pumpkin pie concrete at Sheridan’s (SheridansFrozenCustard.com for locations).

Pop some popcorn on the cob. You may purchase it from Kansas Originals (KansasOriginals.com) or other local novelty and seasonal shops.

Wear boots.

Zipline through the trees in Bonner Springs at Adventure Zip KC (AdventureZipKC.com).

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Collect pinecones and create a centerpiece with them.

Stargaze and enjoy the autumn night sky at Powell Observatory (ASKC.org/powell.htm), where you can look through a giant telescope.

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Go camping.

Bake an apple pie.

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Carve pumpkins. Visit PumpkinPile.com for free creative designs.

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Delight in gourmet hot chocolate at Christopher Elbow (1819 McGee St., Kansas City, MO, 816.842.1300, ElbowChocolates.com).

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Pillow fight.

Lunch at Potpie (904 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.561.2702, KCPotPie.com), where you’ll enjoy the best chicken potpie in town.

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Take family photos with fall props: scarecrows, pumpkins, hay bales, piles of leaves, etc.

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Spend a day at Howl-O-Fest at Worlds of Fun (WorldsOfFun.com).

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Go on a hike and discover a new local trail using EveryTrail. com/best/hiking-kansas-city-kansas.

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Watch a football game.

Check out fall-themed books at the local library: pumpkins, apples, scarecrows, spooky stories, mysteries and more!

Collect leaves.

Visit the Kansas City Zoo (KansasCityZoo.org), where they are hosting pumpkin events all month long.

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Make costumes.

Visit the petting zoo at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead (13800 Switzer Rd., Overland Park, KS, 913.897.2360).

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Take a family bike ride.

Experiment with candy.

Visit CandyExperiments.com for ideas.

Climb a tree.

Buy a jack-o’-lantern pizza at Papa Murphy’s (PapaMurphys.com for locations), available near the end of October every year.

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Make a fall wreath.

Picnic at the park.

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Go fishing (search Fishing on KCParent.com to find the best places nearby).

Participate in the Great Pumpkin Run 5K for charity (TheGreatPumpkinRun.com/event/ kansas-city-mo/).

kcparent.com october 2014

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Plant mums.

Host an apple bake-off. How many delicious things can you bake with apples?

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Volunteer at Harvesters (Harvesters.org), Kansas City’s local food bank.

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Create a thankful tree. Use a branch from the yard, place it in a large jar or vase and decorate it with fall cutouts, writing on each one something you are thankful for this year.

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Check your smoke detectors, review fire safety and practice fire drills for Fire Prevention Month.

See NSC.org for tips.

Sip on some of the best soup in town at Best Regards Bakery and Café (6759 W. 119th St., Overland Park, KS, 913.912.7238).

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Make applesauce in the crockpot (search Applesauce on KCParent.com for instructions).

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Tour beautiful homes at the Kansas City Parade of Homes (KCHBA.org/kc-parade-ofhomes/fall/).

Paint pumpkins.

Make a baked potato bar with tons of toppings: cheese, chili, chives, sour cream, bacon, broccoli, you name it!

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Collect acorns.

Stock up on warm clothes for the impending winter season at Children’s Orchard (and save a bundle!). ChildOrch.com

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Make birdfeeders.

Tour Watkins Woolen Mill (MoStateParks.com/park/ watkins-woolen-mill-state-historic-site), America’s only 19th-century textile mill with its original machinery still intact.

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Watch turkeys and other wildlife at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center (1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO, 816.228.3766).

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Eat candy corn.

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Play flag football.

Savor soup and sandwiches at Happy Gillis (549 Gillis St., Kansas City, MO, 816.471.3663, HappyGillis.com), where you’ll enjoy lunch made with healthy, all natural ingredients.

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Get crafty at Kookiedoodle Crafts. Walk in and create a masterpiece!

(KookiedoodleCrafts.com)

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Bake banana nut bread.

Fall in love and show it!

Commemorate your loved one or family with a brick for the path at Union Station, Liberty Memorial or the stadiums. Or for a one-of-a-kind something, purchase a love lock for the Old Red Bridge (KCParks.org/ attraction/old-red-bridge-love-locks/).

Go on a day trip to someplace new (search Day Trip on KCParent.com for inspiration).

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Catch a puppet show at Paul Mesner Puppets (PaulMesnerPuppets.org).

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Buy a pie at the Upper Crust Pie Bakery (7943 Santa Fe, Overland Park, KS, 913.642.2999 and lower level of Pryde’s Old Westport, 115 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO), where you’ll enjoy delicious madefrom-scratch pie.

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Host a family game night and invite the neighbors.

Attend a trunk or treat event.

See the KCParent.com calendar to find one nearby.

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Make a fort.

Take a free tour of the Roasterie and learn about Kansas City’s own air-roasted coffee company (TheRoasterie.com/about/tours).

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Have a family slumber party with favorite snacks, movies and games.

Decorate your windows with window markers.

Eat a plate of Dixon’s Chili (9105 E. US Hwy. 40, Independence, MO, 816.861.7308), serving chili since 1919 and loved by Harry S. Truman himself. This is a local landmark.

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Put together a jigsaw puzzle.

Start a new hobby.

Attend a book event at Rainy Day Books (RainyDayBooks.com).

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Go horseback riding.

Wear your favorite comfy clothes.

Read KC Parent Magazine cover to cover.

Schedule a date night with your spouse or child at Thirsty Palette (ThirstyPalette.com).

Kansas City mom Kristina Light loves fall most of all.

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kcparent.com october 2014

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T

Chores: sweeping their way children and

to independence

Should you pay children for chores? Visit KCParent.com for tips on whether to pay or not to pay.

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kcparent.com october 2014

aking pride in themselves, learning a sense of responsibility and learning how to contribute to a community are all attributes your children will gain when they participate in sweeping, mopping and doing dishes.

A Kansas City-area early childhood educator and mother of two, Michelle uses jobs within her classroom to build self-esteem, teach task completion, instill responsibility and help children understand how to be a positive part of their community. She also takes her understanding of chores and child development home to her own children.

“My kids (ages 10 and 6) have been helping around the house since they were toddlers. Because of this, my children view themselves as important contributors to our family by being a part of keeping the house put together and having things within our home that they are solely responsible for completing, such as sorting laundry, taking out the trash and helping with the vacuuming.”

Michelle embraces the positive effects that sharing responsibilities within the home will have on her children. “I feel that chores will help my children to be selfsufficient, competent, autonomous, good with time management skills and altogether more responsible adults.”

Another Kansas City area mother, Breanna Dykes, agrees, “My son is 4 1/2 years old and contributes to our home by doing basic chores. He seems to get a great deal of pride out of completing his tasks.”

Dykes’ son lends a hand by helping to make his bed, putting his toys away in the right places and dusting the floor boards.

You can help younger children become more independent in their chores by creating picture to-do lists. Better yet, allow your child to join in on creating his list just the way he likes it to help him have a sense of ownership of his tasks.

“We made it fun for him by building him a picture chart of his to-do list, and he gets to check off his list as he completes the different tasks. He really loves to check a task off and show us his great work,” Dykes says. “He enjoys it so much at this age that he has now begun to ask to help me or my husband when are doing something around the house.”

While very young children generally find chores to be novel and exciting, they may begin to find the work less desirable as they mature. “They are kids, so at times they do grumble and complain, but for the most part, they complete their chores willingly,” says Michelle.

Because her children have been involved in helping around the house since they were toddlers, she says they now know what to expect and don’t see their chores as unfair expectations.

Oftentimes, chores and to-do lists get a bad rap, but parents can cast them in a positive light with rewards and praise. “We give our son a lot of positive praise, both while he is completing a task, as well as after he has completed it,” says Dykes.

Cash for chores can also be a useful motivator, in addition to helping children understand the value of money. “More recently, he has gotten small amounts of money for the chores that he does, which makes him very excited” says Dykes. She

goes on to note that her son enjoys letting others know he bought a toy all on his own with money he worked hard to earn.

With your trust, support and guidance, your child can become a valuable contributor to the household while learning to be responsible and independent.

Karah Chapman is an area school psychologist for whom window washing was a favorite chore.

age appropriate chores Ages 3-6 Independently:

• Pick up and put away belongings • Put dirty laundry in hamper • Put away folded clothes • Dust • Wipe baseboards and cabinets • Make the bed • Sweep • Fold washcloths and towels

• Match socks • Feed pets • Pull weeds With supervision:

• Empty dishwasher • Help wipe up messes • Water plants • Wash dishes • Set and clear the table

Ages 6-10

10 and up

Independently:

Independently:

• Sort laundry • Get mail/newspaper • Take out trash • Wipe counters • Help with meals • Help vacuum • Help mop • Plus all chores from previous list

• Put away groceries • Make a snack • Make a simple meal • Do own laundry • Iron clothes • Change bedding • Wash the car • Plus all chores from previous list

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inexpensive family fun oard games are great family fun, and they come in all levels of difficulty, from those geared to preschoolers to ones that challenge adults. Most of us grew up on such board game classics as Monopoly and Clue. We enjoyed being with family or friends as we built our real estate kingdoms or found out “whodunnit.”

Here’s some good news: Playing board games is not only fun, but studies show that many of them are educational, as well. In her article “Board Games for Kids: Do they make kids smarter?”, Dr. Gwen Dewar, an anthropologist who specializes in studying the ways children learn, concluded that playing board games enhances

B

ZINGO (ages 3+) This early learning game is great fun. It is a sturdy version of a bingo card and can be played at two levels of difficulty. Pre-readers learn to match pictures and place them on their cards, while early readers identify sight words and play until they can yell “Zingo!”

Games can be played competitively or as a group until all players are winners.

THE LADYBUG GAME (ages 3-7)

This well-designed game is a winner.

Kids love being one of the four color-coded characters and will learn to recognize numbers, count, recognize colors and even some words. All the while, they’ll pick up facts about gardens and gardening.

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kcparent.com october 2014

learning. Important academic skills are introduced and developed while youngsters play board games. Skills such as following rules, predicting outcomes, detecting patterns, making appropriate choices and solving problems logically are practiced in each game played.

Social skills also are supported, such as waiting for a turn, paying attention and practicing good sportsmanship. Dewar also suggests that games relying solely on chance are not as valuable to learning as those that require both strategy and a degree of luck.

Here are some board game selections for various age ranges, along with the skills these games introduce and reinforce.

AFRICAN ADVENTURE PUZZLE AND GAME (ages 4+)

African Adventure by Talicor is a unique blend of game and puzzle. Join two characters who are bilingual (English and Spanish) on their journey through the jungle. Players will learn critical thinking, improve memory skills and encounter jungle animal facts along the way. This game won the Creative Child Magazine award in 2010.

“Playing board games is not only fun, but studies show that many of them are educational as well.”

BUG TRAILS (ages 6-9) This game comes with six-legged colorful dominoes. Players learn to match colors strategically, depending on whether they make a one-, two- or three-legged match. Great for color recognition, pattern recognition and simple game strategy.

PIRATES vs. PIRATES (ages 8+)

This swashbuckling game of swords and rewards requires each player to go for the gold coins while at the same time protecting his pirate. It’s a great beginning game of strategy with practice in calculated risktaking. Aaargh, Matey!

“Playing board games enhances learning.”

TICKET TO RIDE (ages 8-12)

This train-themed game is set in the early 1900s. The goal is to build your railroad track to connect major American cities. Players learn names of cities and gain map skills. They also get a sense of American geography. This game requires strategic moves, decision-making skills and making a long-range plan. The game comes in alternate versions: Europe, Marklin (Germany), Asia, India, Nordic Countries and the Heart of Africa.

Sounds Like a Plan (ages 10-15 and up)

This is a fun game for a large group and is guaranteed to produce lots of laughter.

Players match advice to a given activity.

Score points if your advice is taken. Players report having a lot of fun with giving the worst advice or Grandma’s advice. Great for developing the ability to think from another’s point of view.

Parents’ Choice, established in 1978, is a nonprofit guide to quality in children’s toys and games. These games have earned Parents’ Choice awards:

• Mummy’s Treasure (by HABA) for ages 3 and up

• Shelby’s Snack Shack Game (by Educational Insights) for ages 4 and up

•C at in the Hat I Can Do That (by Wonder Forge) for ages 4-8

•A Snail’s Pace Race (by

Ravensburger) for ages 3-5

•G opher It! (by Playroom

Agricola (ages 12-16) Forbidden Island (ages 10-12)

This intriguing game won the Mensa Favorite Brainy Game Award for 2010.

It is a game requiring cooperation and collaboration. The goal is to capture four sacred treasures before the island sinks. A complex game for older players.

Agricola is Latin for farmer. In this highly strategic game, you begin in a one-room shack and endeavor to build your farm from scratch. You may take two actions at each turn with regular turns for harvesting. What will you do first: collect stone or build fences?

Entertainment) for ages 5 and up

• T he Secret Door (by Family Pastimes) for ages 5-7

• R ivers, Roads and Rails (by

Ravensburger) for ages 5-12

• S umoku (by Gamewright) for ages 10 and up

•M ap It! (by Foxmind) for ages 10 and up

•D aVinci’s Challenge (by Briar Patch) for ages 9 and up

• 1 0 Days in the USA (by Out of the Box) for ages 10 and up

•Q wirkle (Mindware’s best-

selling game of all time) for ages 6 and up

The Big Fat Tomato Game (ages 10-15) Tomato farmers gear up to compete for the biggest tomato harvest. This competitive game reinforces basic math skills. Farmers work hard to grow their crop while fighting off varmints, weeds and even a dastardly tomato zombie.

Trajan (ages 12-15) Trajan is a sophisticated development game set in ancient Rome. Players try to increase their influence and power in the realms of politics, trading of goods and military domination. Made with beautiful artwork and graphic design, this game won the 2012 International Gamers Award for strategy.

Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher and freelance writer. She is an avid supporter of any activity that reinforces academic and social skills in children, board games included.

kcparent.com october 2014

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october

CALENDAR learn See the diversity of agriculture in our region on the Kaw Valley Farm Tour on Oct. 4 and 5.

On a self-guided tour of 27 farms, visit with farmers and enjoy activities for kids. $10/car.

785.979.8142

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

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

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kcparent.com october 2014

walk

see

Dust of your shoes and walk your child to school on Oct. 8, International Walk to School Day. Organized

by BikeWalkKC and the Mid-America Regional Council.

816.205.7056

A unique, multisensory experience of music, fire and water takes place on the Plaza with Waterfire on Oct. 10 & 11. Enjoy performances from local theaters, as well.

WaterFireKC.com

watch

listen

Young and old will delight in the Kansas City Ballet’s Alice (in wonderland) Oct. 10-19 at the Kauffman Center.

It’s a spectacular reimagined, full-evening take on Lewis Carroll’s classic.

KCBallet.org

Saddle up!

Riders in the Sky perform on Oct. 25 at 8:00 at Yardley Hall (JCCC). Enjoy tunes from America’s favorite classic cowboy quartet.

JCCC.edu

1 Wednesday

OPENING OCT 17

Story Time 10:00, Tomahawk Ridge Community Center. StoneLion Puppet Theatre will be entertaining one and all at this morning fun time. Free. 913.895.6390 Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Stories, songs and a visit from a special animal friend. $2/person. 913.764.7759 Gardens Gone Wild Thru Oct 5, Powell Gardens. Visit the gardens to see a 12-foot elephant, a pair of wrestling bears and a 5-foot-tall hen.

816.697.2600 Welcome Wednesday Notre Dame de Sion Co-ed Grade School Campus. See why children thrive in small class settings taught by skilled teachers. Pre-reg at NDSion.edu.

Farmers Market 2:00, Hy-Vee Parking Lot (Gladstone). Grab fresh vegetables, fruit and more for dinner tonight. Gladstone.MO.US Kids and Clay 4:30, Ceramic Café. Kids learn basic skills such as hand building, slab work, pinch pots, etc., and create a fun masterpiece. $16.

913.383.0222

2 Thursday Stories for Ones 9:30, Waldo Library. Bring your 1-year-old to a story time geared toward this age group. 816.701.3486 Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists (Olathe). Play on the equipment for a couple of hours. The hardest part will be leaving the fun! $2. 913.307.6023

An Epic Exhibit of

E xtreme Size!

Complete details at

UnionStation.org

Gladfest Thru Oct 5, Downtown Gladstone. Carnival, parade, music and more at this annual fall festival. GladstoneChamber.com Family Economics Conference Thru Oct 4, Evangel Church. A vision-packed nuts and bolts conference on family economics and mentorship. FamilyEconomics.com Hard Hat Tour 2:00, Kansas City Museum. Take a hard hat tour of Corinthian Hall and see how it looks mid-renovation.

KansasCityMuseum.org

3 Friday Toddler Time 9:30, Sky Zone. If you can walk, then you can jump!

Toddler Time is for the little ones to have their own jump time. $7.

913.213.5900 Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze and Fire. Paint a pottery piece that goes along with a favorite story. Snack included. $13-$15. Pre-reg.

913.661.2529 First Fridays 5:00, Crossroads Art District. Galleries and shops remain open the first Friday of each month. KCCrossroads.org

SECOND ANNUAL

Spookfest Buggin’ Out!

October 25 • Creepy Critters in the Nature Center • Eerie Edibles in the Test Kitchen • Maker Magic in the Maker Studio • Spooktacular Science Stage Shows • Spooky Science Demos Avoid the Line – Preorder Tickets Today!

ScienceCity.com

Flashlight Fridays 5:00, Liberty Corn Maze. The corn maze is exciting anytime, but especially in the dark. Bring a flashlight and sense of direction. $8-$10. 816.781.9196

kcparent.com october 2014

51

Kansas Soccer 7:00, Rock Chalk Park. See the Jayhawks take on Oklahoma State. Multiple ticket options available. 785.864.7953 ARCA Race 7:30, Kansas Speedway. Start of race weekend. Enjoy an ARCA race under the lights. KansasSpeedway.com

4 Saturday

Scarecrow Festival 9:00, Shawnee City Hall.

Downtown merchants create and display scarecrows for viewing. Children’s activities, as well. 913.742.6226

Fruits of the Forest 10:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Foraging the fall forest for wild foods is fun when you know what to eat and where to look. MDC.MO.gov

How to Build an EMS Truck 9:00, Home Depot.

Learn how to build an EMS truck during fire safety month. Free. HomeDepot.com

Brick or Treat Weekends in Oct, 10:00, Legoland. A ghoulishly good time.

Activities include LEGO pumpkin patch, scavenger hunt, costume contest and more.

LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com

Farmers Market 7:30, Downtown Overland Park. Shop for fresh produce, flowers and more.

Free. 913.642.2222

Ciderfest Today & tomorrow, Louisburg Cider Mill. Tons of family fun including hayride, music, arts and crafts. Watch cider being made!

1.913.837.5202

The Great Pumpkin Run 9:00, Johnson Farms.

Tackle the trails and conquer the corn maze!

Sign up to run, or just come to watch. Benefit for Harvesters. TheGreatPumpkinRun.com

Renaissance Festival Thru Oct 13, 10:00, Bonner Springs. Enjoy 50 free kids activities every day. Fun for the entire family!

KCRenFest.com

Hoots and Howls Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Head out to the zoo for some spooky, not scary, activities and entertainment.

KansasCityZoo.org

Grandparents Weekend 10:00, Faulkner’s Ranch. Join the fun on this special weekend.

Grandparents receive half off admission with the purchase of a grandchild’s admission.

816.761.1234

Kids’ Korral 9:00, Hale Arena. What’s it like to live, work and play in the wild, wild West?

Find out at the American Royal Kids’ Korral.

AmericanRoyal.com

Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music 10:00, Missouri Town 1855. Enjoy 1850s music and dance, horse-drawn buggy rides, games, crafts and more. $9/vehicle. 816.503.4860

Kaw Valley Farm Tour 10:00, farms along the Kaw River Valley. A self-guided tour of 27 farms.

Visit with farmers and enjoy activities for kids. $10/car. 785.979.8142 GeoArboretum 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum. High tech treasure hunt at the arboretum using hand-held GPS devices.

913.685.3604 Weston Applefest Today & tomorrow, Downtown Weston. Demonstrations, pony rides, carnival games, pumpkin painting and more. 816.640.2909 Makin’ Music Drum 11:00, Lakeshore Learning.

Create your own drum to take home and make some music. Free. 913.432.3998

creative events for all ages! birthday parties, story time, kids & clay, CPR for the soul, pottery painting & glass fusing classes!

95TH & MISSION ROAD

913.383.0222 ceramiccafekc.com

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kcparent.com october 2014

Spooky Fun Puppet Shows Noon & 2:00, Crown Center Shops. The fall tradition continues. Today see Bob Kramer Marionettes perform. Free. 816.274.8444 Curious George Hayride Adventure 1:00, Paradise Park. Meet Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat. Free to meet; cost for hayride. 816.246.5224 Superheroes and the Curse of Alien Invaders 1:00-3:00 & 5:30-8:30, Burr Oak Woods. Batman, Superman, Aquagirl and others enchant along a luminary-lit trail. 816.228.3766

5 Sunday Hollywood Casino 400 1:00, Kansas Speedway.

Don’t miss the fourth race in the chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. KansasSpeedway.com Pumpkin Music Festival 1:00, Carolyn’s Country Cousins. Hear the folk music of David Knopf and stay for gospel group Made Worthy. After the show, pick a pumpkin!

816.781.9196 Art of the Machine Car Series 10:00, City Market. Car enthusiasts can view custom, restored and vintage vehicles. Free.

816.842.1271

TRAIN RIDES Kids under three FREE

Regular trains run Sat./Sun. at 2 P.M. all of Sept. and first weekend of Oct.

Pumpkin Express Train

Rides in October weekends of the 11th, 18th & 25th.

Trains depart at 12:30, 2:00 and 3:30.

Prices of Regular and Pumpkin Express are $9.50 for anyone 3 and older.

Santa Train

Departures are 9 am, 11 am, and 1 pm., Sat., Nov. 29 and Sat., Dec. 6, 2013.

Check website for price.

Reservation required for this event.

Charters • Field Trips or Birthday Parties, plan by appointment.

Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad Co. 502 Walnut •Belton, Missouri 816-331-0630 • www.beltonrailroad.org Tickets go on sale one hour before train departure time.

art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages!

816.751.1278 Clint Black Concert 7:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC).

Enjoy an epic evening of down-home songs, welcome banter and funny anecdotes.

JCCC.edu

6 Monday Visit Warm Springs Ranch Thru Oct 31, Warm Springs Ranch (Boonville). Take a day trip to the state-of-the-art Budweiser Clydesdale breeding farm. Pre-reg at WarmSpringsRanch.com.

Purchase Tickets Get your tickets for the Nutcracker Tea Party on Dec 6 & 7. Event will sell out. NutcrackerTeaParty.org Toddle Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring your kids to play on the large assortment of toys in the gym. $2.

913.422.7010 Visit the Farm Noon, Johnson Farms. Wagon ride to choose a pumpkin, jumping pillow, corn maze and more. JohnsonFarms.net kcparent.com october 2014

53

Sprint Family Fun Days

Oct. 11, Power & Light District. Today’s theme is fall festival. Hayrides, puppet show, pony rides, mechanical bull and more! Free admission. 816.842.1045

Power Hour 1:00, Little Monkey Bizness.

Arrive between 1:00 and 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays and admission is just $5 plus tax!

913.631.7000

7 Tuesday Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000 Story Time for Preschoolers 9:30, MCPL (Liberty Branch). Explore the first steps toward reading readiness for you and your preschooler (ages 3-5). Free. 816.781.9240 Coffee Playground 10:00, OP First Assembly of God. Free play in the gym for kids 5 and under. Inflatables, scooters, balls and other toys!

OverlandParkMOPS.com Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222

KC PUMPKIN PATCHES

8 Wednesday International Walk to School Day Greater Kansas City’s celebration of International Walk to School Day is organized by BikeWalkKC and the Mid-America Regional Council.

816.205.7056 Pop ‘n Play 9:00, Johnson County Museum.

A drop-in program with age-appropriate activities for children 9 months to 3 years old.

913.715.2550 Baby Bounce Story Time 9:30, Plaza Branch.

A special story time for babies (newborn to 18 months) with parent or caregiver.

816.701.3481 Grapes & Steaks Competition 6:00 American Royal (Wagstaff Auditorium). Taste wines paired with delicious offerings from some of KC’s popular restaurants. Pre-reg at 816.569.4023.

9 Thursday Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott 9:45 & 11:45, Coterie Theatre. The story of Rosa Parks. Question and answer with cast after show. Suggested fourth grade and up.

TheCoterie.org All-You-Can-Play Day 10:00, Cool Crest. On Mondays and Thursdays get unlimited mini golf, two go-kart rides and 10 arcade tokens for only $10.99. CoolCrest.com

Carolyn’s Country Cousins

Paradise Park

Bring the family to our 50-acre U-Pick pumpkin patch and farm. Open 10:00am-7:00pm, September 20th through October 31st.

Families love taking an old-fashioned hayride to the field to pick their own pumpkins and visiting our animals at the petting barn!

Weekends feature Uncle Lester’s pig races, live entertainment and great food. For more information, call 816.781.9196 or visit us at: www.CarolynsCountryCousins.com

Every fall we crank up the tractors and theme the grounds for a fall harvest experience.

Daytime and evening hayrides run every weekend Sept.19-Oct. 31 with s’mores and hot chocolate by the campfire. Added features include the children’s petting zoo, haunted foam factory & at night the zombie attack laser tag hayride. Fall hayrides: Fri., 6:00-10:00; Sat., 1:00-10:00; Sun., 1:00-6:00. Zombie attack laser tag hayrides: Fri. & Sat., 7:00-10:00. 816.246.5224. www.Paradise-Park.com

Johnson Farms At Johnson Farms, you’ll be in the country, but close to home. Take a wagon ride out to the pumpkin or vegetable patch and Pick-YourOwn right from the vine. Experience our giant jumping pillow, tunnel maze or explore one of two field mazes, all are INCLUDED in your admission. We are Kansas City’s best pumpkin farm with plenty of parking and outdoor fun. www.JohnsonFarms.net. 816.331.1067 #johnsonfarmsMO

Fun Farm Fun Farm is Kansas City’s newest and most exciting pumpkin patch and, at almost 27 acres, we are the largest corn maze in the KC area! The barnyard area is full of babies and miniatures that everyone from young to old will love! With our giant jump pillow and huge corn crib along with many other children’s activities, the kids won’t want to leave! For the big boys, our Pumpkin Cannon will shock and impress! Reserve your campfire spot to keep toasty on those chilly fall evenings. www.FunFarmPumpkinPatch.com

Faulkner’s Ranch-Pumpkin Season!

Oct 1-31, 10:00-6:00 daily. Special events on weekends. Visit www.FaulknersPumpkinFarm.com for all of the attractions and upcoming events.

Clean, quality, interactive fun at Faulkner’s Ranch. 816.761.1234

Louisburg Cider Mill Country Store Store hours: 8:00-6:00 (Mon-Sat), 9:00-6:00 (Sun).

Ciderfest: Sept. 27 & 28, Oct. 4 & 5; live music, food and craft booths. Watch as fresh cider is pressed and enjoy the delicious cider donuts!

Special fall family fun! 10-acre Frankenzombie corn maze, farm animals, children’s play area, huge pumpkin patch, jump pillow and more!

913.837.5202. www.LouisburgCiderMill.com

Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch Two mazes located within one, with different levels of difficulty. Barrel train ride, corn crib--it’s a large sandbox only it’s filled with corn. Hay mountains, tractor-pulled hayrides, concessions and field trips. www.ShucksMaze.com

See our complete PUMPKIN PATCH GUIDE on pgs. 36-45 PLUS find our geo-based ONLINE PUMPKIN PATCH GUIDE at KCParent.com.

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Hard Hat Tour 2:00, Kansas City Museum. Take a hard hat tour of Corinthian Hall and see how it looks mid-renovation. KansasCityMuseum.org

10 Friday Teach Music Together Teacher Training Thru Sunday, Lawrence Country Club. Love kids and music? Take workshop to learn to teach Music Together. MusicTogether.com Story Time 11:00, Reader’s World Lee’s Summit.

Every Friday enjoy story time with a story, crafts and a snack. Free. 816.246.7323 Second Fridays 5:00, Downtown Excelsior Springs. Enjoy feature artists, music, dining and shopping. EXSPGSChamber.com Weston Irish Festival Thru Sunday, O’Malley’s Pub and Courtyard . Three-day festival that showcases great acts in Irish music. $5-$10.

WestonIrish.com Magic Woods 6:00, Lakeside Nature Center.

Watch skits, munch on popcorn and hot chocolate, make crafts, enjoy face painting and more $5. 816.513.8960

Meyer Fest Today & tomorrow, St Peter’s Church (Brookside). Community event with golf tournament, pig roast, carnival and food trucks.

MeyerFestKC.com

Sound of Music Weekend 10:00, Faulkner’s Ranch. Enjoy some of KC’s finest entertainment, including Mr Stinky Feet and magician Reggie Gray. $8/person. 816.761.1234

Waterfire Today & tomorrow, Country Club Plaza. A unique, multisensory experience of music, fire and water. WaterFireKC.com

Brick or Treat Weekends in Oct, 10:00, Legoland. A ghoulishly good time.

Activities include LEGO pumpkin patch, scavenger hunt, costume contest and more.

LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com

Alice (in wonderland) 7:30, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. A spectacular reimagined, full-evening take on Lewis Carroll’s classic. KCBallet.org

11 Saturday Farmers Market 7:30, Downtown Overland Park. Shop for fresh produce, flowers and more.

Free. 913.642.2222 Hoots and Howls Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Head out to the zoo for some spooky, not scary, activities and entertainment.

KansasCityZoo.org Pumpkin Party at the Patch 10:00, Carolyn’s Country Cousins. Take a hayride to pick a pumpkin, make a scarecrow and mine for stones. Fun for everyone! 816.781.9196

Ol’ Fashioned Street Faire 10:00, Historic Downtown Smithville. Street vendors, entertainment, food and more! Free.

816.215.8264 KC Japan Festival 10:00, Johnson County Community College. Festival that educates and introduces visitors to the culture of Japan.

KCJapanFestival.org Renaissance Festival Thru Oct 13, 10:00, Bonner Springs. Enjoy 50 free kids activities every day. Fun for the entire family!

KCRenFest.com Wonderpalooza 10:30, Wonderscope. Enjoy a special performance by Funky Mama. Different performers each month. 913.287.8888

An amazing adventure filled with twists and turns!

Open Sept 5 – Nov 1 Located between Liberty and Independence, MO off Highway 210

www.LibertyCornMaze.com

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October

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FREE!

FREE

Hands-on Exhibit for Kids!

Admission Prices:

Adult (13 and up) Single Day: $10 Child (4-12) Single Day: $8 Child (3-under): Free kcparent.com october 2014

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Seussical

Oct. 16-19, Goppert Theater (Avila University).

CYT Kansas City presents this fun show for all ages! CYTKC.org

Wildwood Family Adventure 10:30, Wildwood Outdoor Education Center. Outdoor fun, including fishing, high ropes course, giant swing and more. Overnights available.

913.757.4500 Sprint Family Fun Days 11:00, Power & Light District. Today’s theme is fall festival. Hayrides, puppet show, pony rides, mechanical bull and more! Free admission. 816.842.1045 Fire Safety Fido 11:00, Lakeshore Learning. In honor of fire safety month, make this adorable fire pup. Free. 913.432.3998 Autumn in the Grove 11:00, Kelly Grove Park (Lansing). Story time, chainsaw carving demos, carnival games, campfire and more.

913.727.5488 Fall Harvest Days Noon, Paradise Park. A roundup of fall fun for everyone. Play with a max pak unlimited wristband and enjoy a hayride. Paradise-Park.com

Pumpkin Express Train 12:30, 2:00 & 3:30, Belton, Grandview & KC RR. Take a train ride out to a field to choose a pumpkin.

BeltonRailroad.org Bark in the Park 1:00, Nelson-Atkins.

Celebrate four-legged friends and the 25th anniversary of the sculpture park. Free.

Nelson-Atkins.org Whimsical Woods 1:00, Ernie Miller Nature Park. Enjoy a walk on the trail. Costumed storybook characters will delight and entertain. $5/person. 913.764.7759 Saturday Night Feeder Saturdays thru Oct, 4:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. Watch the cats being fed. $5. 816.739.0363

Visit the Farm 9:00, Johnson Farms. Wagon ride to choose a pumpkin, jumping pillow, corn maze and special events on the weekends.

JohnsonFarms.net KC Northern Railroad Saturdays (10:00) & Sundays (Noon), Frank Vaydik Line Creek Park.

Ride on our trains for only 50 cents per person!

KCNRR.com

12 Sunday Community Yard Sale 8:00, City Market. Bring antiques, collectibles or gently used items to sell in this city-wide event. 816.842.1271

Family Fun Day 1:00, Kansas City Museum.

Explore mural making with local muralist Jose Faus. Free. KansasCItyMuseum.org

Kansas City Museum Family Fun Day Techniques of Mural Making Sunday, October 12 | 1-3 p.m. | Free

Explore the history, art and techniques of mural making with local muralist Jose Faus, educator Hector Casanova, and graffiti writer Gear. Programming tailored for middle-school aged children and teens.

Party Central

with peace of mind for mom!

The Fairy Princess

Saturdays, December 14, include 21 All7, parties Day of the Dead 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Celebration | $10 Sunday, October 26 | 1-3 p.m. | Free Sundays, December 8, 15, 22 Presented with the Mattie Rhodes Center PieCe Discover the history and cultural traditions noon-4 p.m. |for$10 birthday

behind Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) child! through music, storytelling, Kansas and artsCity andMuseum’s historic Fairy crafts (sugar skulls, collage,Princess and more). once again spreads holiday Learn about the process of remembering Visit our website cheer at the Kansas City Museum. and explore artifacts in our new forand list of party A exhibition, complimentary photo Fairy Dressing Up in Kansas City: Rites of Passage, packages!

Princess gift is included with your visit. that celebrate and honor both life and death.

816-483-8300 paintglazeandfire.net AT CORINTHIAN HALL

816-513-0720 kansascitymuseum.org

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kansascitymuseum.org

127th & Metcalf • Overland Park, KS

913-661-CLAY

art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages!

816.751.1278 Alice (in wonderland) 2:00, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. A spectacular reimagined, full-evening take on Lewis Carroll’s classic. KCBallet.org

13 Monday Scarecrows in the Gardens Powell Gardens.

Scarecrows of every shape and size take their place in the Heartland Harvest Garden!

PowellGardens.org Purchase Tickets Get your tickets for the Nutcracker Tea Party on Dec 6 & 7. Event will sell out. NutcrackerTeaParty.org Toddler Takeover 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. Bring your little ones under 4 to run and play in the gym. $1. 816.784.6100 All-You-Can-Play Day 10:00, Cool Crest. On Mondays and Thursdays get unlimited mini golf, two go-kart rides and 10 arcade tokens for only $10.99. CoolCrest.com

14 Tuesday The Hunter Jumper Show Kemper, Hale and Tom Bass arenas. Watch the best horses and riders in the nation soar. $10-$15. 816.569.4046 Young Explorers 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. Learn about nature through songs, games, stories, hands-on activities and art projects. $10-$12. 913.477.7132

Welcome Wednesday Notre Dame de Sion Co-ed Grade School Campus. See why children thrive in small class settings taught by skilled teachers. Pre-reg at NDSion.edu.

Pixie Skate 9:30, Skate City (Overland Park).

A program for ages 6 and under to learn how to skate safely and have fun. $5 includes skate rental and snack. 913.888.6668

Tots on Tuesday 11:00, Kemper Museum. Bring in your preschooler for a fun and fashionable get-together every third Tuesday. 816.753.5784

JoHo Storyteller 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Enjoy stories brought to life with homemade costumes and props. Free.

913.715.2552

Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222

Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Stories, songs and a visit from a special animal friend. $2/person. 913.764.7759

Cut the Clutter and Get Organized 1:00, Olathe Public Library (Indian Creek). Learn how to develop strategies to manage, reduce and eliminate clutter. Free. Pre-reg at 913.715.7000.

The Color of Autumn 1:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Bring the kids and learn how trees start to change during the season.

913.685.3604

15 Wednesday

16 Thursday

Farmers Market 5:00, Independence Square.

Check out the farmers market to pick up fresh produce for your family. 816.325.7000

Visit Warm Springs Ranch Thru Oct 31, Warm Springs Ranch (Boonville). Take a day trip to the state-of-the-art Budweiser Clydesdale breeding farm. Pre-reg at WarmSpringsRanch.com.

Julie Fowlis Music of the Scottish Isles 8 p.m. Saturday, October 18 Polsky Theatre $30 | Youth: $15 The pure voice of Julie Fowlis will transport you to the Highlands of Scotland. She sang “Touch the Sky,” the theme song for Brave.

Tickets on sale now! jccc.edu/TheSeries | 913-469-4445 Performing Arts Series | Johnson County Community College NO ONLINE FEES | FREE PARKING | WINE & BEER AVAILABLE

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Story Time for Babies 9:15, MCPL (Liberty Branch). A fun, engaging story time for babies to help instill a foundation for early literacy.

Free. 816.781.9240 Seussical Thru Oct 19, Goppert Theater (Avila University). CYT Kansas City presents this fun show for all ages! CYTKC.org Museum Highlights 2:00, Nat’l Frontier Trails Museum. Explore a variety of topics focusing on westward expansion in a 30-minute guided tour. 816.325.7575 Remembering Our Babies 6:00, JC Nichols Memorial Fountain. Remembering babies that left too soon. For anyone affected by pregnancy loss. SamsPond.org

17 Friday JBF Consignment Sale Thru Oct 19, Overland Park Int’l Trade Center. Save big on clothes, gear, toys and more. JBFSale.com Toddler Time 9:30, Sky Zone. If you can walk, then you can jump! Toddler Time is for the little ones to have their own jump time. $7.

913.213.5900

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Anniversary Sale Today & tomorrow, Children’s Orchard. Save 20% on regularly priced resale clothing. ChildOrch.com Xtreme Bugs 10:00, Union Station. Opening day of an epic exhibit of extreme size!

UnionStation.org Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze and Fire.

Paint a pottery piece that goes along with a favorite story. Snack included. $13-$15. Pre-reg.

913.661.2529 Phantoms of the River Party 4:30, Richard L Berkely Riverfront Park. Fun for all ages including live music, food trucks and prizes.

PhantomsOfKC.com Lenexa Chili Challenge Today & tomorrow, 5:00, Old Town Lenexa. The festivities include live music and entertainment, fireworks, games and activities. 913.477.7100 Enchanted Forest 5:00, George Owens Nature Park. Characters come to life as groups are guided along the candlelit trail. Adventure ends with hayride. 816.325.7115

Flashlight Fridays 5:00, Liberty Corn Maze. The corn maze is exciting anytime, but especially in the dark. Bring a flashlight and sense of direction. $8-$10. 816.781.9196 HOWLoween 6:00 Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Kids will have a howling good time exploring stations like Track or Treat, the Bone Yard and Not So Scary Prairie Maze. MDC.mo.gov Night of the Living Farm 6:00, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Spooky fun for your costumed trick-or-treater. 913.940.7270 Los Lobos Concert 8:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC).

The group will perform the album La Pistola y El Corazon followed by a set of fan favorites.

JCCC.edu A Trail of Stardust 9:00, TimberRidge Adventure Center. See remains of Hailey’s Comet streak through the sky. Program plus stargazing. $9-$10. 913.831.3359

18 Saturday Farmers Market 7:30, Downtown Overland Park. Shop for fresh produce, flowers and more.

Free. 913.642.2222

Warsaw Heritage Days Today & tomorrow, Drake Harbor (Warsaw). Celebrate the unique Warsaw area with old-time demos from the 1800s. FestivalNet.com

The TWC Engineering Extravaganza 10:00, Pierson Hall (UMKC). Come for a fun-filled day of learning disguised as play! Inside every child there is an engineer! $10. 816.914.3115

Pumpkins on Parade 4:30, Cave Springs. Stroll along trails aglow with hundreds of carved, lighted pumpkins. There will be lots of fun-filled activities. Free. 816.547.9679

Visit the Farm 9:00, Johnson Farms. Wagon ride to choose a pumpkin, jumping pillow, corn maze and special events on the weekends.

JohnsonFarms.net

GeoKids 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Kids will love this fun-filled treasure hunt where they learn about maps, directions and how to use a compass. 913.685.3604

Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too 5:00, Kansas City Zoo. Enjoy an evening of live music, food and a variety of beer and wine from local breweries and vineyards. $30-$35. KansasCityZoo.org

Family Fun Festival 9:00, Children’s Mercy Hospital. Young runners have a chance to complete their own mini-marathon on the day of the Kansas City Marathon. ChildrensMercy.org

Bunny Reading Pointer 11:00, Lakeshore Learning. Create a cute bunny-faced pointer to assist young readers. Free. 913.432.3998

Glow: A Jack-o’-Lantern Festival Today & tomorrow, 6:00, Powell Gardens. Jack-o’-lantern display, pumpkin painting, hayrides, costumed characters, games, crafts, storytelling and more.

816.697.2600

Pumpkin Carnival 10:00, Carolyn’s Country Cousins. Live music, face painting, pumpkin donuts and a hayride to pick your own pumpkins. 816.781.9196 Halloween Spooktacular 10:00, Roeland Park Community Center. Costume contest, pet parade and a pumpkin carving contest. $3/ child. 913.826.3160 Brick or Treat Weekends in Oct, 10:00, Legoland. A ghoulishly good time.

Activities include LEGO pumpkin patch, scavenger hunt, costume contest and more.

LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com

JOIN KCPT AT

Rapunzel 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute.

Rapunzel, by Great Arizona Puppet Theater, is a charming rod marionette show. $5/person.

816.833.9777 Kid Safe Halloween Noon, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Trick-or-treat door to door throughout Shoal Creek village. 816.792.2655 Alice (in wonderland) 2:00 & 7:30, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. A spectacular reimagined, full-evening take on Lewis Carroll’s classic. KCBallet.org

Zombie Forest Night 6:30, Louisburg Cider Mill Corn Maze. A fun night of spooks and thrills!

Live music, bonfire, hayrides and more. Bring a flashlight for the maze. 1.913.837.5202 Haunted Kansas 6:30, Ernie Miller. Walk through the trails of Ernie Miller and listen to stories of long ago. Characters share legends around a campfire. $5/person. 913.764.7759 Julie Fowlis Concert 8:00, Polsky Theatre (JCCC). Best known for performing the theme song “Touch the Sky” from Brave, Fowlis presents music of the Scottish Isles. JCCC.edu

d Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstea

OW HOLL PUMPKIN SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25

k, 913.897.2360

13800 Switzer Road, Overland Par

Join KCPT at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead’s annual Pumpkin Hollow to find a pumpkin you like, crafts for children, and a prize drawing!

A horse-drawn wagon will take you to the pumpkin patch where each person can pick a pumpkin.

Children can ride the Pumpkin Hollow Express a barrel train pulled by a real farm tractor.

For more information and ticket pricing go to: www.opkansas.org/events/pumpkin-hollow

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take note: october ’14

Cookie Month: McLain’s Bakery October 22: National Nut Day: Head to We B Nuts and Stuff (913.649.6887), a locally owned nut and candy store selling delicious fresh nuts, nostalgic candies and fine chocolate.

(McLainsBakeryInWaldo.com) has been serving delicious baked goods, including cookies, to local customers since 1945. Famous for their chocolate cup cookies, they offer a delicious way to celebrate Cookie Month.

October 1: World Vegetarian Day Café Gratitude (816.474.LOVE) serves farm-to-table and organic seasonal dishes in a creative and inspiring atmosphere. Treat yourself to lunch at this delicious diner.

October 4: International Frugal Fun Day: Discover fun on a budget in Kansas City!

Visit KCParent.com and click “Coupons” for savings at local attractions, or click “Calendar” and search for FREE events around town.

October 31: National Caramel Apple Day: Enjoy a gourmet caramel apple from Sweet Caroline’s (913.495.9993) where you’ll find every caramel apple flavor imaginable!

October 10: Angel Food Cake Day: Bloom Baking Company in the River Market (816.283.8437) is famous for quality baked goods using the best ingredients.

Among their many delicacies, the angel food cake is “to die for.”

October 16: Dictionary Day: Dictionary Day is celebrated on the birthday of Noah Webster, the father of the American Dictionary. Challenge each member of your family to look up a new word and share it at dinner tonight.

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National Popcorn Popping Month: For more than 50 years, Topsy’s has been serving delicious popcorn to Kansas Citians!

The Plaza Christmas Popcorn Tin is a holiday tradition in many homes as to where families try to decide which is best: cheese, butter, caramel, pecan crisp, popcorn peanut, kettle corn or cinnamon! Visit TopsysPopcorn.com for more information.

Xtreme BUGS

Union Station. Get up close and personal with bugs that are often hidden from view. Opens Oct. 17. UnionStation.org

19 Sunday Dogtober Fest 2014 10:00, Kemper Outdoor Education Center. Event highlights include the Halloween costume contest, agility fun run, dock diving and more. 816.229.8980 Football Fundays Noon, Paradise Park. With 15 TVs, Paradise Park is the best place for football fans to watch the big game each week!

816.246.5224 Kansas Soccer 1:00, Rock Chalk Park. Watch as the Jayhawks take on Texas Tech. Multiple ticket options available. 785.864.7953 art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages!

816.751.1278

20 Monday Visit Warm Springs Ranch Thru Oct 31, Warm Springs Ranch (Boonville). Take a day trip to the state-of-the-art Budweiser Clydesdale breeding farm. Pre-reg at WarmSpringsRanch.com.

Monday Play Dates 10:00, Faulkner’s Pumpkin Ranch. Bring small kids and play groups out on Mondays. Hayride, scarecrow story time and more. $8. 816.761.1234 Toddler Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring your kids to play on the large assortment of toys in the gym. $2.

913.422.7010 Medical Advancements of the 1890s 10:00, Mt Gilead School. A program for homeschool students. Learn about medical innovations of the era. $10. 816.736.8500 Power Hour 1:00, Little Monkey Bizness.

Arrive between 1:00 and 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays and admission is just $5 plus tax!

913.631.7000

21 Tuesday The Adventures of Nate the Great 10:00, Union Station. Nate’s adventures come to life in a film noir style, complete with a jazz music background. $10. TYA.org

Tee Off Tuesday 10:00, Cool Crest.

Unlimited miniature golf and 30 arcade tokens for only $12/person.

CoolCrest.com All Day Play in Sky Maze 10:00, Amazing Play. For only $6, kids of all ages can run, climb and play in the Sky Maze. 816.994.2160 Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000 Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222

22 Wednesday The Livestock Show American Royal Complex.

Animals are exhibited and judged based on breed traits, including structural correctness, frame size and balance. 816.569.4054 Welcome Wednesday Notre Dame de Sion Co-ed Grade School Campus. See why children thrive in small class settings taught by skilled teachers. Pre-reg at NDSion.edu.

Pop ‘n Play 9:00, Johnson County Museum.

A drop-in program with age-appropriate activities for children 9 months to 3 years old.

913.715.2550 Brave Stephen and the Headless Ghost 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. This puppet show is especially for children 2-6 years old.

Performed by Anitra Steele. $5. 816.833.9777 Fall Trout Kill Creek Park (1:30), Heritage Park (2:30) and Shawnee Mission Park (3:45). Watch as the lakes are stocked with rainbow trout.

913.888.4713 Hard Hat Tour 2:00, Kansas City Museum.

Take a hard hat tour of Corinthian Hall and see how it looks mid-renovation.

KansasCityMuseum.org

23 Thursday Stories for Ones 9:30, Waldo Library. Bring your 1-year-old to a story time geared toward this age group. 816.701.3486

Thomas Hart Benton Display 10:00, National World War I Museum. View a display describing the impact of Benton’s US Naval experience on his art. 816.888.8100 Spark Lab 11:00, Science City (Union Station).

Visit Science City and the newest exhibit, Spark Lab. Hands-on activity center to learn the invention process. UnionStation.org Enchanted Forest 6:30, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park (Lenexa). For one night the park is transformed into the Enchanted Forest. Free admission.

913.477.7100

24 Friday Story Time 11:00, Reader’s World Lee’s Summit.

Every Friday enjoy story time with a story, crafts and a snack. Free. 816.246.7323 Trunk or Treat 4:00, BMO Harris Bank. Tis’ the season for lots and lots of candy! Come and see Wonderscope at BMO Harris Bank on Renner Road. Wonderscope.org Enchanted Forest 5:00, George Owens Nature Park. Characters come to life as groups are guided along the candlelit trail. Adventure ends with hayride. 816.325.7115 Spirits from the Past 6:00, Missouri Town 1855.

The village comes alive with goblins, ghosts and other spooky creatures. $10. Pre-reg at 816.503.4860.

Harvest Night 6:00, Recreation Park (Raymore).

Haunted hayrides, a haunted walking trail, s’mores by the fire, cocoa, face painting, pumpkin decorating and more. $5. Raymore.com

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Fright Night: Gladstone 6:00, Oak Grove Park. Treats from the various sponsors and merchants. Don’t forget to wear your costume! $2. Gladstone.mo.us

Dios De Los Muertos 10:00, Carolyn’s Country Cousins. Celebrate the Hispanic tradition in remembrance of family and friends. $12.

816.781.9196

25 Saturday

Pumpkin Party Weekend Today & tomorrow, 10:00, Faulkner’s Ranch. A pumpkin party!

Come celebrate the final weekend of pumpkin season. $8. 816.761.1234

Halloween Costume Parade/Contest 8:00, Reilly Plaza. Free pumpkins and candy.

Fun starts at 8:00; parade begins at 10:00.

913.682.2567 Trick or Treat Main Street Blue Springs 9:00 Main Street. Downtown merchants open their businesses and store fronts for trick-or-treating.

BlueSpringsGov.com Mildale Farm Fest 9:00, Mildale Farm. Spend the day exploring the farm and enjoy a number of fall activities. Free. 913.826.2950 27th Annual Fall Muster 9:00, Fort Osage.

Annual reenactment that portrays events surrounding the prelude to the War of 1812. $3$7. 816.503.4860 Boo at the Zoo Today & tomorrow, 9:30, Kansas City Zoo. Trick-or-treat the zoo while enjoying Halloween-themed activities and entertainment. KansasCityZoo.org

Pumpkin Hollow 10:00, Deanna Rose. Join KCPT at Pumpkin Hollow for pumpkins, crafts, barrel train ride and more. OPKansas.org Trick or Treat in Downtown Parkville All day, Downtown Parkville. Safe and fun Halloween trick-or-treating at participating shops and businesses. ParkvilleMO.org Safe Trick or Treat 10:00, Downtown Historic Leavenworth. FREE treats for costumed children at participating downtown merchants.

913.682.3924 Haunted Gingerbread House 10:00, Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. Handson cooking lesson. Designed for ages 7-12. $10.

913.715.7000

Spooky Sweets Holder 11:00, Lakeshore Learning. Create a spooky bat to hold your Halloween treats. Free. 913.432.3998 Spooktacular Oz 11:00, Macken Park.

Inflatables, hayride, pumpkin patch, balloon artist, carnival games and more! NKC.org Fall Harvest Days Noon, Paradise Park. A roundup of fall fun for everyone. Play with a max pak unlimited wristband and enjoy a hayride. Paradise-Park.com Pumpkin Express Train 12:30, 2:00 & 3:30, Belton, Grandview & KC RR. Take a train ride out to a field to choose a pumpkin.

BeltonRailroad.org Meet Me at the Museum 1:00, Kemper Museum. Join a museum docent for a lively discussion and tour the museum’s current exhibitions. KemperArt.org Spookfest 5:00, Science City. This year’s theme is Buggin’ Out! Enjoy creepy critters, eerie edibles, spootacular science stage shows and more. ScienceCity.com

Riders in the Sky 8 p.m. Saturday, October 25 | Yardley Hall $30, $20 | Youth: $15, $10 America’s favorite classic cowboy quartet!

Preshow Dinner: $25 per person (paid reservations by noon on Oct. 22) Sponsored in part by Elnora and Larry Nokes

Tickets on sale now! jccc.edu/TheSeries | 913-469-4445 Performing Arts Series | Johnson County Community College NO ONLINE FEES | FREE PARKING | WINE & BEER AVAILABLE

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Family FUN Night 5:00, Parker Carousel Museum. Come in costume! Get unlimited FREE carousel rides with purchase of hot dog combo.

913.682.1331

Friends of Overland Park Arts Invite You to

Historical Hauntings 6:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Tractor-drawn hayrides, trick-or-treating, costume contest, snacks at the Ghoul Café and more! $1. 913.248.2360 Haunted Havens Hayride & Halloween Safety Fire House 7:00, Havens Park. Haunted hayride, trunk or treat and bounce houses.

913.758.6629 Riders in the Sky 8:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC).

America’s favorite classic cowboy quartet is ready to saddle up and ride into Johnson County. JCCC.edu

26 Sunday Visit the Farm 9:00, Johnson Farms. Wagon ride to choose a pumpkin, jumping pillow, corn maze and special events on the weekends.

JohnsonFarms.net

featuring Legacy School of the Arts Saturday, December 6, 2014 12:00 - 2:00 P.M. Sunday, December 7, 2014 12:00 - 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. Purchase tickets at www.nutcrackerteaparty.org

Presented by

Family Fun Day 1:00, Kansas City Museum.

Discover the history behind Dios de los Muertos through arts and crafts. Free.

KansasCityMuseum.org Halloween Egg Hunt 3:00, Faulkner’s Ranch.

More than 3,000 black and orange candy filled eggs will be hidden around Faulkner’s Ranch, waiting for you to find them! $8. 816.761.1234 Boolievers Trunk or Treat 5:00, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Kids and parents are invited to make their way around our trunk or treat zone to enjoy free treats, games and fun!

Overland Park

farmers’ market Saturdays Until Nov. 22 8 a.m.-1 P.M.

Fairway’s Trail of Tricks & Treats 5:00, Peterson Park. Carnival games and activities, a parade and trick-or-treating. $3/person.

913.262.0350 Ben Sollee Concert 7:00, Polsky Theatre (JCCC).

This rock ‘n’ roll cellist fuses folk, bluegrass, jazz and rhythm and blues. JCCC.edu

EAT LOCAL

27 Monday Scarecrows in the Gardens Powell Gardens.

Scarecrows of every shape and size take their place in the Heartland Harvest Garden!

PowellGardens.org Toddler Takeover 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. Bring your little ones under 4 to run and play in the gym. $1. 816.784.6100

Presenting Sponsor

opkansas.org kcparent.com october 2014

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28 Tuesday

30 Thursday

Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000

All-You-Can-Play Day 10:00, Cool Crest. On Mondays and Thursdays get unlimited mini golf, two go-kart rides and 10 arcade tokens for only $10.99. CoolCrest.com

Story Time for Preschoolers 9:30, MCPL (Liberty Branch). Explore the first steps toward reading readiness for you and your preschooler (ages 3-5). Free. 816.781.9240 Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222

29 Wednesday Kindergarten Round Up Notre Dame de Sion. Families with students preparing for kindergarten won’t want to miss this program!

NDSion.edu

Spark Lab 11:00, Science City (Union Station).

Visit Science City and the newest exhibit, Spark Lab. Hands-on activity center to learn the invention process. UnionStation.org Hard Hat Tour 2:00, Kansas City Museum.

Take a hard hat tour of Corinthian Hall and see how it looks mid-renovation.

KansasCityMuseum.org

31 Friday Halloween Fun 10:00, Louisburg Cider Mill.

Wear your costume for $1 off ticket price plus lots of spooky fun. 1.913.837.5202

Pixie Skate 9:30, Skate City (Overland Park).

A program for ages 6 and under to learn how to skate safely and have fun. $5 includes skate rental and snack. 913.888.6668

Grand Opening Union Station. Celebrate 100 years of Union Station with the unveiling of new history exhibit. UnionStation.org

Farmers Market 2:00, Hy-Vee Parking Lot (Gladstone). Grab fresh vegetables, fruit and more for dinner tonight. Gladstone.MO.US

Story Time 11:00, Reader’s World Lee’s Summit.

Every Friday enjoy story time with a story, crafts and a snack. Free. 816.246.7323

Brookside Trick or Treat 4:00, Brookside Shopping District. Safe trick-or-treating experience at local shops. BrooksideKC.org Flashlight Fridays 5:00, Liberty Corn Maze. The corn maze is exciting anytime, but especially in the dark. Bring a flashlight and sense of direction. $8-$10. 816.781.9196 Halloween Costume Contest 5:00, Abby Road Farm. Stop by the farm for popcorn, door prizes, hayrides and just good family time! Free.

816.803.0036 Wonderspook 5:30, Wonderscope. Costume contest, music by Dino O’Dell, trick-or-treating, bounce house, haunted exhibit and more. $5-$10. 913.287.8888 Trick or Treat Boo-Springs 6:00, Vesper Hall.

Kids 10 and under can trick-or-treat and enjoy safe activities. 816.228.0137 Trunk or Treat 6:00, First Baptist Church. Trickor-treat in the parking lot, then join us inside for games, popcorn, inflatables and, of course, CANDY! 816.525.0700

Find TONS more Halloween activities at KCParent.com

psst... we’re busy whipping up a juicy new issue for

november • thanksgiving hacks • are kids on iPads too much? foster parents • •redefining stranger danger

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BIG Fall

Kids

Book Sale NEW LOCATION!

Thursday, Nov. 13 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 14 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 15 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Carmack Community Room @ Central Resource Library 9875 W. 87th St. Overland Park, KS 66212

Most items 25¢ to $1 • Some items specially priced

Friends Only Preview Wednesday, Nov. 12 4-8 p.m.

Library

FRIENDS

of the

Presented by Johnson County Library and Friends of the Johnson County Library.

Call (913) 492-4791 for more information.

www.jocolibrary.org/friends

We Welcome your children to our Warm, fun environment, Where every child is treated With personalized care.

Dentistry for infants, children, teens and all those with special needs

• Comprehensive pediatric dental care including orthodontics • Low radiation digital x-rays • Individualized oral health education

Dr. John T. Fales, Jr.

13496 S. Arapaho Drive • Olathe, KS 66062 913.782.2207 • 913.489.0028 Fax

www.KIDZDENTIST.com

find us on facebook kcparent.com october 2014

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kcparent.com october 2014

It costs an average of $12,000 to raise a baby in their first year.

Surprisingly, an Allstate Agent can help.

The good hands are doing more than ever before.

SM

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Save an average of $3,000 OFF MSRP on new cars.

So it’s even easier to get that minivan or SUV for less.

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NEW

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Your agent can even help you save 20% or more on protection for your most precious cargo.

40 Kansas City area Allstate Agents

Source: 2012 USDA Report. Offers open to all. Savings vary off MSRP. Car seat discount limited to certain models; savings vary. Safe Driving Bonus Check feature is optional; subject to terms and conditions.

Insurance subject to terms, conditions and availability. © 2014 Allstate Insurance Co. kcparent.com october 2014

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Fall Into Fun at the Kansas City Zoo! Hoots and Howls

Oct. 4 & 5

Sponsored by Ford Motor Company

11th Annual Zoo Run Oct. 5 Hoots and Howls Oct. 11 & 12, Oct. 18 & 19 Sponsored by Ford Motor Company

Brew at the Zoo & Wine Too

Oct. 18

(21 and Over)

Boo at the Zoo

Oct. 25 & 26

Sponsored by Ford Motor Company

Great Pumpkin Smash Nov. 1 Nikita’s Birthday Party Nov. 15 Holiday Wild Dec. 6

kansascityzoo.org | 816.595.1234

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The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.