KC Parent Magazine October 2017

FREE | October 2017 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

14+ PAGES OF

fabulous fall fun! pumpkin patch guide festivals and fairs autumn craft projects

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Why not walk to school?

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

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to

International Walk to School Day is Wednesday, October 4.

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

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WHEN YOU JOIN THE Y, you’re committing to more than simply becoming healthier. You’re supporting the values and programs that strengthen your community. At the Y, children learn what they can achieve, families spend quality time together, and we all build relationships that deepen our sense of belonging.

Joining is now easier than ever. Become a member online at KansasCityYMCA.org/ Join.

Y SWIM LESSONS

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Y MEMBERS RECEIVE 50% OFF LESSONS!

Y MEMBERS RECEIVE FREE BITTY SPORTS FOR AGES 3-5!

Our lessons are about nurturing swimming skills and developing self-esteem in a positive environment.

When it comes to swimming and water safety, no one is trusted more than the Y.

Y Sports help kids develop important life lessons in a fun and engaging environment.

Kids learn positive competition, fair play and the value of participation over winning.

OUR MISSION The YMCA of Greater Kansas City, founded on Christian principles, is a charitable organization with an inclusive environment committed to enriching the quality of family, spiritual, social, mental and physical well-being. A UNITED WAY AGENCY

KansasCityYMCA.org

OCTOBER 2017

IN EVERY ISSUE 12 Teacher Talk

FALL FUN GUIDE, PG. 38

16 Healthy Kids 17 Word from Dad 39 Craft Corner 43 Media Mix

FEATURES

SPECIAL SECTIONS 22 Party Guide 38 Fall Fun Guide 52 Calendar of Events

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24

40

Better Bedtimes

Checkups

Characters

Ideas for smoother bedtimes in your home

Tips for a tear-free visit to the doctor

Costume-themed outings in KC all month long

Our cover features Grady and Sutton from Overland Park.

Cover and select interior photos by KiaBondurant.com.

FREE | October 2017 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

ON THE COVER

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14+ PAGES OF

fabulous fall fun!

Quick Click Fixes

14

pumpkin patch guide

Fall Fun Guide

38

festivals and fairs

Autumn Crafts

39

Festivals and Fairs

46

Pumpkin Patch Guide

48

autumn craft projects

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QUICK CLICK FIXES

for busy parents

Foster parents needed!

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

All kinds of people can qualify to foster a child. Whether you are single or married, own or rent your home, have children already or don’t, work full-time or stay home, you may be eligible.

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

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

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

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

kcparent.com october 2017

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EDITOR’SLETTER OCTOBER 2017

Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com Advertising Sales Darrell Dean Advertising@KCParent.com Digital Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Event Calendar Susan Lynn Calendar@KCParent.com Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com Local Contributing Writers

Mailing Address 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS Y

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FOODIE CULTURE VIBRANT, ECLECTIC

CITY DISTRICTS pumpkin patch guide festivals and fairs

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maternity

OCTOBER- DECEMBER 2017 | KCPARENT.COM

everything pregnancy!

FINDING KC’S

MORNING SICKNESS LABOR & DELIVERY

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Margaret Sarver, Editor

baby& 15

fall/winter 2017-18

KC B A B

kansas city’s #1 travel guide since 2010

G A Z I NE MA

FREE | October 2017 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

HIGH-RISK NEEDS

BIGGER & BETTER:

WHAT’S NEW IN KC

autumn craft projects

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QUICK CLICK FIXES

for busy parents

500+ ADVENTURES AROUND KANSAS CITY

+ LIFE AFTER A NICU STAY

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

Member of:

LOCAL CONTENT

Kim Antisdel (Liberty), Bill Bartlett (Belton), Melissa Bellach (Overland Park), Allison Gibeson (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Jessica Heine (Olathe), Christa Melnyk Hines (Olathe), Karen Johnson (Olathe), Megan Kapple (Kansas City), Brandon Lewis (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Kerrie McLoughlin (Overland Park) Katie Newell (Shawnee), Jessica Samuel (Kansas City)

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Happy fall days, Kansas City!

Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com

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HAVING A BABY SOON? Check out the Labor & Delivery Guide at KCParent.com.

Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com

.com

M

y younger has never been a fan of visiting the doctor. I know most kids don’t look forward to an appointment with the doctor, but she has a real fear of shots and needles. And, as luck would have it, she’s my one with allergies that require yearly blood draws. She’s older now and can tolerate it, but when she was younger, I tried every trick in the book to get her to relax. I believe in having kids be prepared, so we’d talk about what to expect, and I’d give her a little prick so she’d know what it would feel like. I promised treats after. I told her to shout the silliest, funniest word she could think of when the needle stick occurred. I brought along her favorite blanket and surprised her with it directly before the draw. I held up my fingers and told her to blow them out as soon as she felt the stick. I tried it all. Does your kiddo dread a doctor visit? Sarah Lyons has some great tips for less-stress doctor visits on pg. 24.

October is here, and that means pumpkins!

Pumpkin patches, pumpkin foods, pumpkin candles and, my fave, warm pumpkin spice latte on a cool fall morn. Our Fall Fun Guide, both here in print beginning on pg. 38 and online at KCParent.com, has all you need to make the most of fall traditions.

Did you hear the news? Our sister publication, KC Baby & Maternity, recently had a new addition! In the fall issue is a Labor & Delivery Guide, a great resource for all those expectant mamas out there. And it gets even better! Online, find photos, videos and so much more to aid in your search for the perfect place to deliver your bundle of joy!

Circulation verified by:

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

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

Postmaster, please send changes to KC Parent, 8691 W. 96th St, Ste 1B, Overland Park, KS 66212.

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KCPARENTWEBSITE

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

SEARCH KCPARENT.COM FOR MORE AFFORDABLE FALL FUN IDEAS: 1. Best of October 2. Trick or Treat Guide 3. Pumpkin Patch Guide

4. Popcorn Treats 5. Day Trip Ideas from KC 6. Camping in Missouri and Kansas

SPOTLIGHT

FALL BUCKET LIST For 50 great fall fun ideas all over KC for under $5, log onto KCParent.com!

GIVEAWAYS During the month of October, KC Parent is giving away 50 family 4-packs to your favorite pumpkin patches.

Head to KCParent.com and click “giveaways” for all the details!

great pumpkin giveaway!

Enter to win FREE PASSES to KC Pumpkin Patches & Fall Fun Attractions!

7. Fall Festival Guide 8. Leaf Peeping in KC

9. Kids Eat FREE 10. KC Going Places Guide with 500+ local attractions

4 MORE WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED

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For the newest releases to read to your child, log onto KCParent.com.

better bedtimes

a

ccording to the National Sleep Foundation, infants on up to adults all have their own varying amounts of sleep they need to be most effective. Recommended amounts for newborns to 2-month-olds are 12 to 18 hours of sleep; infants 4 to 11 months old need 12 to 15 hours. Toddlers 1 to 2 years old need 11 to 14 hours of sleep, while preschoolers 3 to 5 years old generally need 10 to 13 hours. Grade school 6- to 13-year-olds need nine to 11 hours of sleep each night, while those delightfully unpredictable (shall we say irrational?) teenagers need a full eight to 10 hours nightly. Finally, adults from age 18 on up need a good seven to nine hours of shut-eye.

Now that we know what we need, let’s face the harsh reality. This NEVER happens! In most of our cases, we’re lucky to get a quick power nap in. So with a little help from the foundation and a little test drive on my family, I found that these tricks work pretty well:

Watch what you eat and where you sleep.

While a quick stop for pizza may seem convenient, fast food may not be the best choice for your body and its functionality.

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The National Sleep Foundation warns that eating big or spicy meals within a few hours of bedtime can make for an uncomfortable belly and hinder sleep. So stick with a light snack if you’re getting close to bedtime. This rule goes for the big kids and the little ones!

Where you sleep also can affect the amount of sleep you get and how well you sleep. Comfortable mattresses and pillows are ideal, and room arrangement is important too. With little ones, it’s important to not have too much going on in the bedroom. Toys and lights are fun for playtime, but make sure they go away in a chest or a closet at night, especially before bed. For older children, teens and adults, electronics are the kryptonite. Completely removing them from eye’s view is what I found to be most effective. Out of sight, out of mind.

Exercise often.

Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, you’re doing your body a service! More movement means more blood flow. The more regulated your blood flow, the better your body operates. This is important for bedtime, because your body and your brain are naturally ready to rest. You won’t need Netflix or Hulu to fall asleep.

Strict scheduling.

If sleeping at night is difficult for you or your kids, try scheduling it! Avoid that midday nap and get the good stuff when it’s time. Set a time for “Lights Out.” Your body has a routine, and being strict about it helps you and your lifestyle remain consistent.

This practice works for kids too. If they know bedtime is at 7:00, you can hold each other accountable. From there, things will just fall into place.

And finally,

Take a step back…

Caffeine and sugar may feel great going down but can completely disrupt your body’s functionality. That burst of energy is not worth the crash later. Trust me. I understand the Monday struggle—just give decaf with minimal or no sugar a try instead of your normal dark roast. For children and young adults, try switching to sugar-free or organic lunch products. Your bodies, your brains and your new rest routine will be thankful for it!

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

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

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TEACHERTALK

parent-teacher

conference tips

The school year is underway. The first few months have passed by quickly, filled with new challenges, new friends and, best of all, new teachers. Parent-teacher conferences are quickly approaching, and you may be experiencing both excitement and—let’s be honest—a little bit of fear.

Conferences often invoke fear and anxiety in kids. They think their parents and their teachers together at the same table can only equal trouble for them. The funny thing is, conferences often can invoke those same feelings in us adults.

I speak firsthand when I say that teachers greatly look forward to the conversations that take place during conferences.

Incredible gains can happen regarding your child’s learning and development as a result of what is discussed at these tables. You are a team, working together for the best interest of your child. Keeping the conversation focused on the most important thing, your child’s education, is crucial.

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As you develop questions to ask, or specific areas to address with your child’s teacher, look back at your child’s classwork, as well as correspondence from his teacher regarding his progress. If you are curious about any particular areas of your child’s education, this is the time to ask! Don’t be afraid to voice a concern you might have, or even ask the teacher for specific ways to help your child in certain areas, both educationally and personally. If you are a parent of a high achieving child, you still should expect the teacher to give you ways to encourage and enrich your child’s learning. If your child has some struggles, you should receive details on how your child is doing and ways you can help support her learning. You should leave the conference with the necessary tools to help your child continue to grow.

Education is a partnership between students, teachers and parents. You all share the common goal of equipping the student

to do his very best, all while adequately preparing him for the future. While that may be the common goal, only you are the parent. You know your child better than anyone. Therefore, if you are concerned, don’t hesitate to express that to his teacher.

Parent-teacher conferences are the perfect avenue through which to approach these issues, and I assure you, if you share a concern in a respectful way, great things can happen! Remember to keep an open mind. If the teacher has a concern, be willing to listen to what she has to say.

Hearing something about your child with which you disagree can be hard, but be open to hearing what educators have to say. Most of all, don’t forget you all share that common goal of making your child’s learning experience more positive.

Parent-teacher conferences are designed to be a productive way to better your child’s education. When you think of it in those terms, it can, and should be, a very exciting time!

Brandon Lewis is an Innovation & Learning Coach for Liberty Public Schools. He and his wife, Jeni, live in Kansas City with their two children, Zoey and Ezra.

pro tip If you have a specific issue or situation you want to discuss in detail at your child’s conference, contact the teacher in advance and share the issue with her.

This not only grants her time to gather information and process it from her point of view, but also prevents the teacher from being caught off guard and the conference’s potentially becoming ineffective.

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k c i l c quick

s e x i f

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n older mom said to me recently, “You know, we managed just fine without all this technology years ago.”

And she’s right. Our moms and all the moms before them used pencils and paper to jot down reminders. House phones to schedule appointments. And the Sunday paper to look for ads and coupons. In some ways, our lives are easier today with all technology has to offer. In others, life is busier and more complicated than ever before—so thank goodness we have these apps to help us out! Here are a few favorites among local moms who say their lives are far easier to manage with the help of a little modern technology.

Cozi Immensely popular throughout the momcircuit, Cozi promises,

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“Bye-bye, chaos. Hello, Cozi.” The site describes this app as “the must-have organizer for families.” Cozi “helps coordinate and communicate everyone’s schedules and activities, track grocery lists, manage to-do lists, plan ahead for dinner and keep the whole family on the same page.”

Some features found on the Cozi app include the Family Calendar, where reminders can be set, agendas can be emailed and activities, meetings, school schedules, practices and games can be organized in one place. Cozi also offers To-Do Lists, which can be used to create a shared packing list, list of books to read or a chore list for kids, and Shopping Lists for the family to organize what groceries, school supplies or other items are needed. Finally, Cozi also includes a Recipes section—here you can store recipes, add ingredients to your shopping list and get dinner ideas for meal planning.

Online Grocery Shopping This is quite possibly the greatest thing to happen to moms and dads in the history of parenting. I think back to when I had a 2-year-old and a newborn in freezing January temperatures and I bundled them up, ready to head out to the grocery store, only to have the newborn and toddler poop through all three layers of clothing they had on. Oh, if only I’d had this option back then!

Thankfully for today’s parents, most stores are offering online shopping, and some even deliver.

Walmart and Hy-Vee are two local examples. Check out Grocery.Walmart.com, where you can order groceries and pick them up the same day for free! They’ll even load your car. Or visit HyVee.com and start adding items to your cart! They’ll deliver to

your house for free if you spend $100. If you are under $100, the fee is $4.95 for delivery and $2.95 for pickup.

Not a Hy-Vee or Walmart shopper?

Check your local grocery store! It may offer a similar service.

Amazon Prime I’m not sure how I functioned before Amazon Prime. Gone are the days of paying for shipping and waiting more than two days for my package to arrive. The $99 annual fee pays for itself by the end of the month we pay it. Between ordering school supplies, Christmas and birthday gifts, shopping in the Amazon pantry, watching Prime TV and movies, buying books and listening to podcasts, Amazon Prime is basically our life source.

And now you can shop with Alexa!

Just tell her to add an item to your cart and boom! It’s done. She’s a great household addition!

Life360 This app is popular especially among parents with teens. The site says, “Welcome to your new family circle: Part location, part communication, all awesome. Life360 keeps millions of families and close friends connected, no matter what chaos life throws their way.”

Life360 offers what they call “Complete Awareness Package.” With Life360, you won’t have to worry whether your child made it safely to her destination, as the app tells you where she is, as well as everyone else in your “private circle.” You also can message the whole group at once to save time if you need to tell your entire family something important.

ChoreMonster What?! An app to help my kids get their chores done? Sign me up! Parents

can create and schedule chores with point values, as well as add rewards their kids can purchase with points. ChoreMonster says, “Watch your kids willingly and enthusiastically do their chores, without the need of chore charts.”

Kids can sign into the ChoreMonster app, see their chores, review all the possible rewards they can get and how much they’ll need to save to get them.

ChoreMonster says kids will “suddenly find themselves wanting to do chores!”

Feed Baby, Baby Connect Both of these apps help moms chart when and how much they feed Baby and how often Baby has a diaper change. I would have loved an app like this when I brought my first baby home and was deliriously tired and confused.

With Feed Baby, moms can “track all the important aspects of a baby’s development really easily. It includes breast/bottle/solid feeding tracking, diaper changes, sleeping patterns, growth measurements and pumping sessions.”

Baby Connect is popular among parents and childcare providers.

According to the site, users can “track daily information about children: feeding, diapers, sleep, mood, activities, medicines, photos and more” and share that info with other authorized users throughout the day.

PlanToEat, Allrecipes.com Meal planning and grocery shopping are the bane of my existence.

Apps like this make the chore of feeding my family on a weekly basis less painful. PlanToEat lets you collect recipes from anywhere and save them directly into the app

and drag and drop recipes into your planner—plus it makes your grocery list for you. AllRecipes.com helps if you don’t know what to make but have a bunch of ingredients at home. You simply plug your ingredients in, and the app shoots you back a recipe with step-by-step instructions. You also can specify that you need a recipe that’s gluten-free, diabetic, vegetarian or low calorie.

Ibotta, Ebates, Groupon, Living Social Everyone I know likes saving money. These apps help you do just that.

Ibotta and Ebates give you coupon offers and cash-back rewards when you shop with them.

They tell you what items and stores are currently offering promotions. You shop and, like magic, you get cash!

Groupon and Living Social are favorites in our house. You can tailor the settings so the sites send you deals that match your interests. We love getting discounts on our favorite restaurants and local businesses! And we often have tried new places and discovered new parts of KC after purchasing a Groupon or Living Social deal that looked fun.

So go check out these parenting apps and make your life a little bit easier in the 21st century!

Olathe mom Karen Johnson has three kids, ages 8, 6 and 4. She writes at The21stCenturySAHM.com.

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HEALTHYKIDS

stress in kids:

Parents are often stressed and frazzled, but kids can be as well.

S

tress is a common discussion point among adults and something we experience on a regular basis—no surprise with everything we do and all the responsibilities we hold daily.

Less expected is the amount of stress many of our children feel. In small amounts, stress can be good and help children develop coping measures, but in excess, it can affect the way kids feel, act and think (MedlinePlus.gov).

Stress is the accumulation of demands placed upon us and our ability to deal with them. These demands can arise from both internal and external sources. Internally, kids from an early age can feel overwhelmed with the stress of expectations that they act and behave a certain way. They also can react to separation anxiety and social pressures to make friends and follow directions. Externally, kids can be upset by what they see and hear, whether that’s

something happening on the news, arguments or discussions they hear between their parents or what they think they know about what’s happening in their lives and the lives of others around them.

Finally, a child with an overly busy schedule may suffer from stress because he doesn’t have enough downtime to unwind and enjoy being a child (HealthyKids.org).

Kids manifest their stress in many ways. Oftentimes it comes out in poor behavior, such as moodiness, bullying or defying authority.

Stress also shows itself in poor sleep, stomachaches, trouble concentrating at school, headaches, clinginess or withdrawing from loved ones. Some children will want to talk about their concerns and others will hold everything inside. No matter which category your child falls into, being available for him and maintaining open communication is the best thing you can do (KidsHealth.org).

Other coping mechanisms include making sure your child is getting enough sleep and eating a well-balanced diet. Additionally, overscheduling can cause unnecessary stress, so managing schedules to allow downtime is important.

Solving all of your child’s problems for him throughout his lifetime is impossible and inappropriate. By teaching kids healthy coping mechanisms, you can help prepare them to manage any stressors in the future.

Jessica Heine is a labor and delivery nurse. She lives in Olathe with her family.

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

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sat near the fire the boys built. The chill of this moonless Halloween night kept us bundled, and we’d even put blankets on our lawn chairs to keep the cold from seeping through. When the fire snapped and crackled, I knew it was time.

“OK, guys, I have a story to share. Have you heard about the haunted chicken coop?”

They regarded me with blank looks, but I kept a straight face.

“One night, at the stroke of midnight, a farmer heard a commotion from his hen house. Thinking a fox was raiding his chickens, he charged to protect his flock, but when he got in, the coop was empty. All his chickens were outside, but they’d been hurled from the house by a force or forces unseen.”

I glanced at both boys. They stared at the fire, intent on my words.

“It kept happening, night after night, always at midnight, and nothing, neither latches nor locks, could prevent this nocturnal violence against his chickens. After a few weeks, the farmer knew he’d met his match, so he called an expert from the university.”

A branch popped and shot sparks out onto the ground.

“That night, the farmer and the expert hid in the bushes and waited, their eyes fixed on the chicken coop. At the stroke of midnight, it happened again. Locks snapped open, latches came loose, the doors flew wide and, one by one, the chickens were thrown bodily from the coop. When the last chicken had fluttered down, the expert spoke. ‘We’ll have to wait ’til daylight,’ he said.

“The next morning, they sat in the farmer’s kitchen and watched the sun rise over the ridgeline. The expert took a sip of coffee and said, ‘I have some bad news. I’m afraid you have a poultrygeist.’”

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17

a part of your teen’s driving experience.

Make it abundantly clear that when the car is in motion, the phone is in the glove box or back seat, out of reach. No exceptions.

Drive—pun intended—the point home that the moments before the car is in motion, your teen has the all clear to text you that she’s coming or going. But the moment the gear shift is in “D,” your teen’s hands are on the wheel with her eyes on the road.

Unfortunately, you probably will catch her breaking this rule at one point or another.

Make the consequence severe enough that she won’t repeat the offense again. It’s truly the difference between life and death.

It goes for you, too

HITTING THE ROAD: how to deal with a teen driver in the house Phones and texting are part of our world, but they should never, ever, be a part of your teen’s driving experience.

18

kcparent.com october 2017

Teens learn by example. If you’ve ever texted while driving, you can bet your driver’s license that your teen has seen you do it. Now is the time to establish that, yes, you have had moments of unsafe driving, and it isn’t any okay. Recommit now to yourself and your child that you will set a good example and put your phone away, too. This is not the time to pull the “do as I say, not as I do” card. In fact, ask your teen to police you on the rule as well and make the reward for her catching you a good one.

It gives both of you accountability.

Fender bender pro

ne of the best days of a teen’s life is simultaneously one of the worst for a parent: driver’s license day. It’s inevitable—Independence Day is here. While parents enjoy some benefits— no more back and forth to soccer practice!—the worry and anxiousness associated with a teen driver seemingly can outweigh the positives by a thousand to one.

But not to worry. We have some great tips for worried parents to help their teen successfully make the important transition from professional hitchhiker to defensive driver smoothly, seamlessly and, most importantly, safely.

According to DoSomething.org, one in five 16-year-old drivers will have an accident within their first year of driving. Prepare him now with a checklist of what to do if he’s in an accident. Remind him where the insurance and registration are and give tips on how to de-escalate a situation if the other driver should be aggressive. Most importantly, reiterate that if a fender bender were to happen after dark, it’s perfectly okay to stay in the car and contact the police (make sure he has the number saved in his phone). For peace of mind, consider getting roadside assistance from a company like AAA for flat tires. While you may have shown your teen how to change one, the chances that he will remember on the first go are less than stellar.

Eliminate distractions

Busted

Phones and texting are part of our world, but they should never, ever, be

Blue and red lights in the rearview mirror are an intimidating moment for even

O

the most accomplished driver. If your teen is pulled over, encourage him to remain calm, keep his hands on the wheel and treat the officer with respect, even if he feels the offense is innocuous. If a citation is given, don’t even think about paying the bill yourself. Your teen broke the law and must pay the consequences. Based on the offense’s severity, it might also be a good time to reevaluate whether he’s ready to hit the road again immediately, or whether it’s time to take the keys away. Driving is a privilege, and if your teen can’t show he’s ready for it, that privilege should be revoked.

Be firm, be consistent Having keys to a vehicle may feel like a very grown-up status, but your teen must remember that you control the car. Lay ground rules early (good grades, keeping up on chores) that will put her access to the car in check. Most importantly, you must adhere to a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to abusing privileges relative to the car. It’s up to you how severe you make penalties for things like texting and driving or eating and driving, but make sure you stick to your guns.

Your child must respect you, the road and everyone on it. The last thing you want is for your teen to be an unfortunate statistic.

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kcparent.com october 2017

19

mama needs a night out!

Have only 5 minutes to spare? Head to KCParent.com for 5-minute refreshers for Mom.

p

arenting is one of the most rewarding things in life. As moms, we give our all to our kids: our time, our love, our patience and our compassion. And while most of us wouldn’t change

a thing, all that giving can take its toll!

20

kcparent.com october 2017

“Some days, I’m not sure if I’m more emotionally exhausted or physically exhausted. As a mom, you really put your feelings on the back burner to take care of the kids and, after a while, that adds up and you need a break,” says Brenda Blake, Olathe mom. To help ease the pressure, many moms plan a moms night out.

These outings can include other moms or be solo ventures to help clear your head.

Recharging your mom batteries is the goal, and metro moms have helped us put together some ideas to get you out of the house!

If you are interested in fun for your whole group…

take a tour. Kansas City is full of venues that provide group tours. This is a great way to explore an interest and learn a little more about the city. If you are a caffeine lover, try a tour of the Roasterie.

Want to try an adult beverage tour?

Check out Boulevard Brewing Company or Kansas City Bier Company. “We love the Caffeine Crawl when it comes to KC. It is so much fun to try out the coffees at different places and experiment with new drinks,” says Kimberly Barnes, Kansas City, MO, mom. “If your friends are into coffee, it makes a terrific outing.” start a book club. If you love to read, sharing stories with friends can be a wonderful break from the everyday routine. Make a list with friends of the books you would like to read and set a timeline that works for everyone. In addition to looking forward to a night of great conversation, your friends might decide to add in treats and drinks for your book club meetings!

roll the dice. Bunco is a fantastic game for moms who want to have some fun with a large group. The game itself is generally played with 12 or more players, divided into groups of four, trying to score points while taking turns rolling three dice. Your group can decide to include prizes, snacks or drinks to liven up the occasion! Setting a regular schedule for games also gives you the benefit of scheduling your nights out in

advance to accommodate your family’s busy schedule. “Our Bunco nights are some of my favorites,” Amie Minor, Shawnee mom, says. “We can talk, enjoy some great treats and have a little healthy competition during the game. Such a good way to let off some steam and relax with your friends.”

yourself and learn something new.

From cooking or art classes, to church programs or going back to school, options to fit every budget and schedule abound. Think about your passions and make a choice that feeds your brain and your heart.

follow the music. Kansas City

mom, pampering can mean something different. For some, it means a great cup of coffee and a good book. For others, a massage and a pedicure. No matter whether your pleasure is trying an adultsonly restaurant or testing your limits in a new exercise class, pampering can lift your spirits and rejuvenate you to take on another day. “I had always been curious about rock climbing, but I’d never done it,” Tricia Alexander, Kansas City, KS, mom, says. “I decided to sign up for a class and challenge myself. As a mom, it has been great for getting some exercise, clearing my head and doing something just for me.”

is known for its music scene, and moms night out is the perfect time to take it in!

Check out your neighborhood restaurants and bars to see when they host live music nights or venture out and about in the city. From the Riot Room in Westport to the high-energy piano action at Howl at the Moon, some gems await you in every corner of the metro!

“

As a mom, you

really put your

feelings on the back burner to take care of the kids and, after a while, that adds up and you need a break.

”

If you prefer to spend some time solo…

volunteer. Finding an organization that speaks to your passions can give you a big boost in energy and selfworth. Signing up as a volunteer also gives you a regular schedule that will make it easier for your family to plan around your volunteer shifts. Need ideas of where to offer your time? Check out VolunteerMatch.org.

bend your brain. Learning can give moms new life! And there are lots of ways to bend your brain, challenge

pamper yourself. For each

take in kansas city. In our beautiful city, you can always find something to see. When you are sharing the outing with family or friends, the group may not always agree on where to go. Have you always wanted to take in a show at Starlight Theatre? Have you wondered about the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum? You’ll find adventures all over the metro with which you can fill many nights of exploring!

If you need any more reasons why a moms night out should be part of your regular schedule, science will back you up! According to a 2006 study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, U.S., men report 40 minutes more leisure time every day than women (in Italy, it’s an 80-minute spread). A similar study in 2005 found nearly 20 percent of working women take a vacation only once every two to five years.

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

kcparent.com kcparent.com october october2017 2017

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23

tips

for tear-free checkups

t

he average child will have nine well visits in his first two years of life and at least one checkup every year after. For kids who tend to worry and even fear going to the doctor, this can be overwhelming. Thankfully, parents can do a few things to calm the fears of kids who have an upcoming checkup.

discuss what will happen.

Prior to the appointment, talk to your child about what to expect. Be open and honest about what will happen at the appointment and why. “We talk about everything that may happen, good and scary,” says Sara Sinani, Olathe mom of three boys. “I feel it helps them prepare emotionally and keeps the image of the doctor as a helper rather than someone to be feared.” After sharing what to expect at the appointment, ask your child if he has any questions or concerns. Be honest and tell the truth so kids know what to expect—even about unpleasant things like shots.

“We encourage our kids to ask us, the nurses or doctors in order to get the info they need to feel comfortable,” Sinani says. The more information your child has, the more comfortable he will feel when the day of the checkup arrives.

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kcparent.com october 2017

role-play.

Playing doctor is not only fun for kids, but it’s also a great way for them to get more comfortable with the idea of visiting the doctor.

Tara Sayers, Olathe school nurse and mom of two, says, “I always buy kids doctor kits for their first birthdays.” She also suggests letting them touch the equipment themselves prior to someone else’s using it on them. Becky Asher, Olathe mom of triplet boys, suggests checking out library books about visiting the doctor or watching children’s videos like Daniel Tiger or Doc McStuffins that help kids learn what to expect from a doctor visit. Role-playing helps kids act out their fears and concerns, as well as become more comfortable with new situations.

come prepared.

When the day of the checkup arrives, try to be as prepared as possible. Pack items that will entertain your child in case you have to wait, such as books, small toys, coloring books and crayons, or a tablet if wi-fi is available at the doctor’s office. Include any comfort items that may help your child if he is nervous or upset and a cup of water. Check with the office to see whether snacks are allowed before bringing one.

Some offices to do not allow snacks because of the risk of allergies in other patients. You also might consider bringing pain medication, like Tylenol, to give after shots are administered. It’s best to wait until after the visit because an accurate temperature must be recorded prior to vaccines, and painkillers mask a fever if your child has one. Preparing yourself to be calm and supportive through the checkup is also important. Children can sense our fears and nervousness. When Mom and Dad are calm and comfortable, the child most likely will feel the same way.

plan a reward.

Prior to the visit, set up a reward, big or small, for your child and let him know what to expect. Having something to look forward to after the checkup can make even a reluctant child more willing to cooperate during his time with the doctor. Choose something that will motivate your child. Some ideas include a treat like ice cream, a candy bar or going out for lunch or a trip to the park, pool or an opportunity to invite a friend over to play. Some parents also may decide to purchase a small toy or book their child has had his eye on. Whatever you choose as a reward, explain to your child what it will be and how he will earn it. After the visit, tell him you are proud of his bravery and talk about how he felt during the appointment. When a child knows he can talk about his feelings honestly, he is usually more likely to discuss other fears in the future.

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

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

10 Children’s Books About Doctor Visits Books can help kids understand what to expect from an upcoming doctor visit and help them work through their fears. Check your local library for these titles to read with your child:

• A Visit to Dr. Duck by Rosemary Wells • How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen • Nervous Nellie: A Book for Children Who Worry

by Dr. Urmila Pai, MD

• Biscuit Visits the Doctor by Alyssa Satin Capucilli • The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor

by Stan and Jan Berenstain

• Corduroy Goes to the Doctor

by Don Freeman and Lisa McCue

• F roggy Goes to the Doctor by Jonathan London • Doctor Maisy by Lucy Cousins • George Visits the Doctor by Nicola Smee • Sarah and Duck Visit the Doctor

by Sarah Gomes Harris

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25

“M

of the dark

7

seven tips for overcoming fear of the dark

ommy, keep the hall light on,” my 6-year-old reminds me as I tuck his beloved blanket securely around his slender frame and lean over to kiss him good night.

I’ve plugged in a night-light in his room and another in the adjoining bathroom. The orange glow of the street lamp outside bounces off the wall over his bed. He already seems bathed in light, but I flip the hall light on anyway.

Just 10 minutes later, I’m rewarded with the sweet, even-keeled breathing of a child asleep.

I’m one of the lucky ones. According to Dr. Jane Sosland, a clinical child and adolescent psychologist at the University of Kansas Hospital, nearly 30 percent of children have sleep problems and, oftentimes, bedtime battles can last well past midnight.

Fear of the dark is a normal part of development and one of the most common childhood problems plaguing families of school-age children. Kids who are afraid of the dark take nearly an hour longer than others to fall asleep. Without a good night’s sleep, children can suffer behavior and mood issues and have trouble concentrating at school.

How can parents best support a frightened kiddo?

1

Discuss the fear

Listen carefully to your child, without playing into her fears, to see whether you can identify a trigger. Nighttime fear might be caused by a fairy tale before bed or even a stressful event during the school day.

“Maybe somebody was mean to them on the playground,” Sosland says. “It could also be there’s some separation anxiety that occurs during the day, as well as at night, in terms of being able to sleep by themselves.”

Other times, the fear won’t make much sense at all.

“Just by hearing what kids are saying, we help them feel heard and validated, which can help eliminate irrational fears,” explains Berkley James, a pediatric sleep consultant and owner of Sweet Slumber Solutions in Olathe.

2

Beware of frightening images

As kids wind down after a busy day and the quiet of the night sets in, they may begin

26

kcparent.com october 2017

to replay in their heads scary images they saw during the day in books, movies, video games or on the evening news. Pair those visuals with the strange nighttime creaks of the house and a shadow suddenly appearing to move across the wall, and you’ve got a wide-eyed kid at midnight.

Limit exposure to violent images and turn off the news when your youngster is around. According to a 2016 study published in Frontiers in Pediatrics, exposure to repeated images of terrorism in the media can negatively affect a child’s emotional health. “These almost live events can cause feelings of unsafety, hopelessness and helplessness, which are often externalized by conduct problems,” the researchers write.

But alarming images aren’t the only source of terror.

“These kids are quite imaginative. They imagine all sorts of things in the dark that aren’t there,” Sosland says.

Young children often can’t distinguish between fantasy and reality. If they imagine a monster in the closet, in their mind it must be there.

“Fears are not necessarily something that can be reasoned or rationalized, so reassuring them tends not to work because they just look for more and more reassurance,” says Sosland.

3

Switch on the light

If your kiddo only can fall asleep if her ceiling light is on, relax. Over time, dim the light. Gradually move toward the soft, warm glow of a lamp, then a closet light and, finally, a night light that is yellow or orange in color.

“Salt lamps are a great example of a soothing hue,” James says.

But avoid “bright or blue lights which stimulate the brain to produce cortisol, a wake-up hormone,” she says.

4

Work on breathing techniques

If your child already struggles with anxiety, teach him coping mechanisms during the day that you can employ at night

too. For example, have a younger child blow bubbles to calm down.

Teach older children deep belly breathing. Have them breathe in for five seconds and slowly breathe out as if they have a birthday candle in front of them.

“But you don’t want to blow it out. You just want the ‘flame’ to flicker,” Sosland advises.

5

Offer a transitional object

Comfort your youngster with a stuffed animal or a special blanket to help him sleep. If you’ve become your child’s favorite teddy bear, begin phasing out his reliance on you by getting up just as he’s falling asleep.

If he starts to protest, promise that you’ll check in on him in five minutes.

Nearly 30 percent of children have sleep problems and, oftentimes, bedtime battles can last well past midnight.

By letting them take some ownership in the organization and arrangement of their room, they will feel more comfortable in their sleep space.”

7

Stick with a bedtime routine

Take time to reminisce about happy events from the day. Listen to soothing music and put aside electronics. Read a calming, uplifting book together before bed. And help youngsters come up with a positive image they can picture as they’re drifting off to sleep, like playing with their favorite pet.

If your child’s nighttime anxiety continues to worsen, consult your family physician.

Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines is the mom of two boys. She finds that the spooky Halloween season can make nighttime’s shadows, creaks and groans even creepier. Christa is the author of Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

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

If he’s in the habit of snuggling up with you in your bed and you prefer independent sleeping arrangements, have him transition to a pallet next to your bed. Eventually, move his bed back down toward his own bedroom.

6

Set up a sleep-promoting environment

White noise, fans, sound machines and soft background music can push back the deafening silence of the night. Also make sure your child’s bed is comfortable, the temperature in the room is cool and put away any distracting electronic devices.

“Have your child take some control of the environment,” James recommends.

“Place the night light where they like it, bring their special lovey to bed or even have a special blanket to ‘keep them safe.’

Facts About Fear of the Dark Fear of the dark usually begins around the age of 2 or 3.

Fear of the dark can continue into early adolescence.

Among 8 - to 12-year-olds, it’s the third most common and upsetting fear.

Source: Dr. Jane Sosland

kcparent.com october 2017

27

practicing

fire safety with the family

how to make sure your loved ones are prepared for an emergency

l

ee’s Summit mom Mia Prier and her husband have taught their three children where the family’s meeting place is in their yard in the event of a fire. The children know to go immediately to that spot without taking time to grab a pet or toy, and they know to stay in that spot until their parents or a firefighter instructs otherwise.

Given Prier’s husband is a firefighter, it makes sense fire safety is top-of-mind in their home. For everyone else, October is a good time to review fire safety basics, because Fire Prevention Week is this month.

First, having two ways out of every room is extremely important, says Jim Eden, assistant fire chief with the Lee’s Summit Fire Department. He says to make sure those exits are

28

kcparent.com october 2017

October is a good time to review fire safety basics, because Fire Prevention Week is this month. accessible to everyone. Additionally, make sure all locks and windows are openable from the inside.

If you can’t make it out of a bedroom because the door is hot, be sure to hang something noticeable out the window to indicate you are still in the room. Escape ladders are available to purchase if necessary. However, Eden says those are to be used only in the event of an actual emergency and not during a drill, as it’s easy to get injured when using them.

In addition to having an agreed-upon meeting location outside the home, Prier says letting children know what a firefighter is going to look like in the event of an emergency is important.

“Let children know firefighters might look scary in their bunker gear, but they are not scary,” she says. “They are there to help.”

To accomplish this, seek out opportunities for children to meet firefighters and see them in their bunker gear. This way, the kids will not be frightened by the sight of firefighters but will recognize them as people coming to bring them to safety.

Ultimately, Eden says to never go back inside a home that is burning. He understands how difficult this is as a parent, but by doing so you put yourself at risk, and a child might already have made his way out another exit.

Smoke alarms should be fewer than 10 years old, Eden says.

In new homes, according to Eden, all smoke alarms are wired into the home’s electric system, have battery backup and are interconnected. There needs to be an alarm on every level of the home, in every hallway and in every sleeping room. The detectors must be cleaned out and batteries changed once a year. Also make sure detectors have been tested by a reputable third party, such as Underwriters Laboratories.

Parents can begin talking to young children about fire by saying it can be a very useful tool under the right circumstances but extremely dangerous in other circumstances, Eden advises.

You can show a young child smoke from a candle to begin a discussion about smoke and its dangers. Additionally, Eden suggests making a game with the kids of how to get out of a room and even drawing out a fire safety plan.

In an actual emergency, people have little time. Eden says those rescued from fires almost always say they had no idea how quickly things changed during the fire and how quickly they weren’t able to find their way out.

Allison Gibeson is a freelance writer from Lee’s Summit.

how much do you know about fire? test your knowledge

• True/False It’s best to sleep with a

STUDY SKILLS

M AT H

• True/False Smoke and toxic gas kill

bedroom door open. False. While bedroom doors are often flimsy, they can act as a barrier and provide a few critical moments of protection S AT / AC T P R E P WRITING READING HOMEWORK in the event of an emergency.

• True/False Heat can be more

HELP

more people than flames. True. Fire uses up oxygen and produces smoke and deadly gases. Breathing small amounts of such gases can cause someone to fall into a deep sleep before the flames reach them.

• True/False. Fire is bright.

dangerous than flames. True.

False. While fire starts bright, it

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tips and tricks

to teach kids how to save money MONEY DOESN’T GROW ON TREES Most kids don’t have a clue where money comes from and what its value is, let alone how to manage it. Ignorance often breeds entitlement. If your children’s only experience with money is watching you withdraw it from the ATM, they may think money magically comes out of a machine at no cost to you. Children need to see, hear and learn firsthand the value of money. Begin by helping them discern the difference between needs and wants. Desiring something isn’t inherently bad, but putting wants ahead of needs is when a case of the gimmes gets out of hand.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT If discussing money matters with your children has you flustered, you’re not alone.

According to a recent Forbes study, more than 74 percent of parents are hesitant to talk about money with their kids. It’s been said that parents are more inclined to talk about the birds and the bees than they are about finances. Money doesn’t have to be taboo.

Seemingly innocent questions like “Are we rich?” are catalysts to conversation about your family values, hard work and long-term savings. Ask your kids good questions about money and, in turn, encourage them to think of good questions to ask you to keep financial conversations positive.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE According to financial guru Dave Ramsey, more than 90 percent of Americans buy things they can’t afford, while a whopping 76 percent live paycheck to paycheck. Is it any wonder so many parents avoid discussing money matters with their children? Little eyes are watching. Make sure your financial habits align with the values you desire to impart to the next generation.

MAKE A GAME OUT OF IT Who said learning how to make good financial choices has to be boring? Board games such as Monopoly and LIFE are excellent tools to teach wise spending and investing. Looking to teach savings through play? Check out Mass Mutual Financial Group’s free downloadable online game, Save! It helps kids discover the value of delayed gratification in a 3D fantasy world where players can earn virtual money while trying to avoid the lure of “iWannas”—impulse buys known better to kids by their real names: toys, candy and soda.

ALLOWANCE VS. COMMISSION The best way for kids to learn how to save money is to have their own. But if they’re simply given money each week in the form of an allowance, it deprives them of the opportunity to connect work with pay. Let your child earn a commission instead. By doing chores around the house—feeding the dog, taking out the trash or raking the leaves—kids quickly will realize that money can be earned and isn’t to be expected for simply existing.

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VISUALIZE SAVINGS The concept of saving initially can be very abstract for children. Encourage your children to set financial goals: Build a wish list, evaluate what’s really worth working toward and set a plan of attack. When kids start bringing in the dough, give them a fun place to put it. Piggy banks now come in a variety of sizes and styles, from character banks to ones with slots designated for spending, saving and giving. Better yet, use clear jars, such as Mason jars, so your child can see his money add up over time. Celebrate with him as the cash fills the jar!

MATCH CONTRIBUTIONS Many employees opt to use their company’s retirement plan when it promises to match contributions made. Your children may be decades away from cashing in on their 401k accounts, but it’s never too early to introduce them to the concept. Consider offering to match a percentage of what is saved, dollar for dollar. This comes in especially handy when kids are working toward an expensive, long-term financial goal, such as a computer, phone or car. Just make sure to state clearly how much you’re willing to contribute. A super-savvy saver can make a parent hustle to catch up.

SET UP A SAVINGS ACCOUNT Opening up a savings account is a natural next step to help a child receive the benefit of interest. Nothing is more rewarding than knowing money will grow as long as it’s not touched! Most banks offer free savings accounts to minors (and some offer breaks on fees to parents if the child’s account is set up at the same bank). Just make sure to check the fine print, as some institutions require a minimum account balance or monthly automatic deposits to avoid penalties.

TURN OFF THE TUBE Kids represent the most important demographic to the advertising industry because they not only hold their own purchasing power, but also have tremendous sway over their parents’ spending habits. Advertisements directed toward children have more than doubled over the past two decades. The average child between 2 and 11 years of age views more than 25,000 ads a year. Looking for a simple solution? Less screen time equals fewer marketing ploys.

LET THEM FAIL Letting kids handle their own money means they’ll learn through some trial and error. Stepping in when you see them making a costly mistake is tempting, but instead of bailing them out, let the mistake become a teachable moment. Kids will learn early on not to make the same mistakes twice.

Lauren Greenlee is a writer and a mom of three hailing from Olathe. kcparent.com october 2017

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why your clean kitchen sponge is still growing and spreading millions of germs

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e’ve been told microwaving or boiling our kitchen sponges gets rid of the germs growing in them. But a new study published in Science Reports says it’s not that simple.

An Incubator for Germs Think of kitchen sponges as hotspots for microbiology, researchers urge. The way we use sponges bears an uncanny resemblance to how a scientist uses a Petri dish to grow specimens.

As if following instructions from a textbook, we dampen the sponge with water, then add germs (wipe it across contaminated kitchen counters, appliances and dining room tables). Then we feed the germs nutrients (clean up meat juices, fruit and vegetable residues and spilled drinks). And finally, we leave it undisturbed at room temperature for a period of time. We repeat the process several times a day.

Scientists say our sponges serve as the perfect incubator for growing germs by the millions. In fact, studies show that kitchens play host to more microbes than toilets.

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Tips for Managing Kitchen Germs

Not only are our sponges serving as nurseries for germs, but as taxis as well. We wipe up a drip of chicken juice on the stovetop and transfer it to the countertop by using the same sponge to sop up water from a colander. Later we rest a serving spoon on the contaminated countertop while removing the casserole from the oven.

Between all the wiping and wringing, researchers say, we are recontaminating and cross-contaminating every surface in our kitchen with close relatives to bacteria that cause pneumonia and meningitis.

Some of the microbes can cause infections in people with weak immune systems and are responsible for making the laundry stink.

Follow these recommendations by the USDA and FoodSafety.gov to help reduce germs in the kitchen:

Use paper towels. Wipe up spills on counter surfaces with throwaway paper products. If you do use cloths, wash them frequently in the hot cycle of your washing machine.

Rinse and wring out dish cloths or sponges between uses. Never leave cloths in water in the sink,

Population Explosion of the Survivors In a most disturbing discovery, the study found that while cleaning or sanitizing sponges did temporarily reduce the microbiology, it didn’t kill all the germs, and the ones left behind actually increased significantly in population. Scientists speculate this may happen because when certain germs were destroyed, the remaining ones found more room and nutrients to spread out and fill in the empty cavities.

Researchers found bacteria could be packed in a single cubic centimeter of sponge at about the same density as seven times the number of people inhabiting the Earth. “Such bacterial densities are found only in feces,” says the write-up in Science magazine. The study recommends throwing out sponges once a week.

even soapy water. Let them dry completely between uses.

Use a dishwasher. Place sponges in the dishwasher on the longest and hottest cycle. Finish with the dry cycle.

Use dishwashers to sanitize as many kitchen tools as possible.

Microwave wet sponges. A sponge can be at least partially cleaned by wetting it and placing it in the microwave for two minutes. Let it cool before handling.

Throw it away. Pick up cheap throwaways at discount stores. After a week, recycle them as garage or shop rags before sending them to the trash can.

Karen Kight is working on shutting down her germ “bed and breakfast” by finding compost-able sponges which she intends to recycle weekly.

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33

teaching

character

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e all desire our children to be well mannered citizens with highly esteemed character traits, but where do children learn such things? How do we parents teach children how to behave nicely, use their manners and think of others before themselves?

Books have assisted me in teaching nearly all things to my children. We use books to teach our children their alphabet, numbers, colors, potty training and more, so it’s a great idea to find children’s books that can assist you with general or specific positive character traits. One of our favorite books is Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud and David Messing. After reading this book a few times and then returning to it periodically, I simply refer to the idea of filling others’ buckets, which can be a great reminder for my children to correct their behavior throughout the day.

Contained children also make a captive audience to learn different lessons. When they are younger, talk to them when you are out for a walk and they are sitting in the stroller, and at all ages, when they are in the car. “[In] everyday moments I try to be

Modeling positive character traits is a powerful way to teach your children how to be a good member of your community and world around you.

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conscious of instilling good character in my children,” says Meredith Barreth, Overland Park mother of three. “For example, I prep the kids before we go somewhere to eat that we will not be complaining but, rather, grateful for friendship and the food they provide. When I see my kids having trouble with something, I pull them aside and say to them, ‘Let’s try that again,’ or ‘Being honest takes courage, and I know that you can choose to be brave.’”

Author and speaker Jill Savage writes on her Facebook page, “They say with kids more is caught than taught. What they see us do is far more important than what we tell them to do. They follow our example and grow up to be more like us than we’d sometimes like them to be. They ‘catch’ our good and our bad.”

Modeling is always the best way for children to learn and usually the hardest for parents to be consistent with, because we are human too! Modeling positive character traits is a powerful way to teach your children how to be a good member of your community and world around you. “I think character development is so strongly built on modeling. When I get angry and yell, I really try to apologize and let them know that I’m still working on being the best me I can be, but sometimes I mess up,” says Barreth.

Tangible ways we have found in our family to model kindness is to pray for the safety of construction workers as we drive past, as well as whenever we hear emergency sirens.

Having visual and audio triggers is helpful to children and adults alike to stop and think about others. Our family has gone on “litter walks,” where we simply walk around our

neighborhood with a garbage bag to collect any litter we may find along the way. Gloves are a good idea to keep your family safe and to remind your children they shouldn’t pick up litter without asking an adult first. We haven’t done this in a while, but my 7-year-old was just telling me how she and her friend did this at recess one day at school last year. She learned that lesson just from doing a good deed with our family. Volunteering in any capacity is a wonderful tool to teach your children about citizenship, caring, respect, fairness, trustworthiness and responsibility— all six Character Counts pillars found on CharacterCounts.com.

A great way to serve the community as a family, even with little ones, is to sign up to be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army during their annual Christmas Red Kettle Campaign.

Many stores allow you to ring inside, and children enjoy ringing the bell and greeting customers. Another tangible way to encourage your children to think of others is to create a prayer jar filled with Popsicle sticks with different people’s names and topics on them.

We use this (ideally) each evening at the dinner table to choose what to pray for before we eat dinner. With multiple children, rules are helpful to teach fairness: Each chooses one stick per day or they alternate days to choose the stick from the jar.

Being rewarded for a job well done is appreciated by anyone, and children are no exception. Verbally praising your child for sharing, for holding the door open, for waiting his turn or saying please on his own is a great way to solidify your teaching and expectations of his behavior. If that’s not

entirely working on its own, a reward chart or other type of system can help. We have been utilizing a Kindness Jar for a couple of years now. We simply have a glass vase filled with three different colored pom-poms and three corresponding Mason jars for each of our children. When I witness them choosing to be kind, they get a pom-pom put in their jar.

When they reach 10 pom-poms, they get to go out for ice cream on their own with a parent.

Parents at Heritage Elementary School in Olathe have mentioned their students’ receiving “Caughtchas” as a reward system at the school. “The Caughtchas are a great reward system because they can save them up and turn them in for things like extra recess and reading a book to another class,” Heather Weber, Olathe mother of three, says.

“I believe it is all behavior based, where they get ‘caught’ being kind, helping a friend, being respectful, etc.”

As Barreth mentions above, taking a moment to pull aside your child when she is struggling is beneficial. Sure, it takes time to address behavioral issues, but explaining things to your child in the moment can help with correction and shows your child that her appropriate behavior is important to you.

Simply having a child sit out for a while, lose a privilege or apologize are all ways to reinforce good character traits in the next generation we’re responsible for raising.

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

SUGGESTED BOOKS TO HELP WITH TEACHING CHARACTER

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud and David Messing

Whoever You Are

by Mem Fox

A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon

The Paper Bag Princess

by Robert N. Munsch

Stellaluna

by Janelle Cannon

kcparent.com october 2017

35

too much tech? tweens and screen

L

ibby Boggs says her 10-year-old son Drake watches about four hours of television daily—two shows and a movie, plus another hour of video games on the X-box. If that number sounds high, it’s not. Drake’s techno-time actually clocks in several hours below average. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, kids ages 8-18 spend around 7.5 hours per day using entertainment media.

Boggs supervises Drake’s media time, but she still worries about the amount of time he spends plugged in. She’s right to be concerned. With young children jumping online at breathtaking speed—tweens’ and teens’ computer time has jumped 300 percent since 1999—millions of tweens and teens are now at risk for screen addictions,

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says Michael Osit, EdD, clinical psychologist and author of Generation Text: Raising Well Adjusted Kids in an Age of Instant Everything.

E-excess Increased access to technology makes it easy for kids to slide into damaging digital behaviors. Using the Internet just one hour per day—well below the daily average for American kids—reduces attention span and increases school difficulties, according to one study. And unhealthy digital habits can have serious consequences for tweens and teens, who can carry these addictive behaviors into adulthood.

Experts differ in their definition of screen addiction, but most agree that certain kids seem to have a higher risk.

Screen addictions, particularly video game addictions, are seen more often in boys than girls, says in Annette Rembold, MA, a licensed counselor in Seattle. Technology addicts share other traits as well: Multiple studies link screen overuse to low selfesteem, social isolation and impaired social skills.

Detecting screen overuse is fairly straightforward, says Daniel Sieberg, author of The Digital Diet: The 4-Step Plan to Break Your Tech Addiction and Regain Balance in Your Life. “Overuse of anything usually means that something else is suffering,” he notes.

In other words, if relationships with family members are fading, grades are plummeting or other hobbies are falling by the wayside, parents’ alarm bells should

media can serve as an important social platform that lets kids express themselves, feel included and showcase their talents.

“Social networking and role-playing games can have a social benefit, especially for inhibited kids who aren’t socially adept in person,” says Osit.

Techno-balance Simply yanking kids’ electronic access isn’t a workable long-term option for most families, so parents need to strike the right balance for tween screen use. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting kids’ screen time to two hours of “recreational” use per day, each family needs to define what flies in their household, says Rembold.

She encourages an open-door policy for screen use: Kids need to have the door open when using technology in their bedrooms. When kids turn in for the night, devices should power down, too. Bedroom electronics, including televisions and

smartphones, are linked to sleep problems in kids and teens.

Harsh parental mandates may spark rebellion instead of compliance, so ask tweens to contribute to the dialogue about screen use and set media limits together.

According to a study published in Journal of Adolescent Health, when parents and kids agree on screen time limitations, the rules are more likely to be effective.

Libby Boggs won’t be loosening up Drake’s media limits any time soon. A wellrounded life includes time for entertainment media along with lots of other pursuits, she says. “We want him to be creative and to be able to have fun in any situation—not just online or in front of a TV.”

Malia Jacobson is an award-winning health and parenting journalist and mom of three.

Her latest book is Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well Without Tears, Tricks, or Tirades.

SMART SCREEN USE FOR TWEENS

addiction starting ringing. Irritability and hostility are red flags for screen overuse, according to Osit. Addictions can also manifest in physical symptoms like eye strain, carpel tunnel syndrome, headaches and changes in weight.

Social savvy But parents shouldn’t necessarily ban all screens, even if they suspect screen overuse, says Rembold. Most kids need computers and Internet access to complete homework.

And digital devices have some cognitive benefits: Using video games and apps can build visual spatial skills, analytical thinking and executive functions.

Digital devices also keep kids plugged into the ever-changing tween social scene.

Used in the right circumstances, digital

Encourage balance with healthy, reasonable limits for tween screen time.

Choose people over devices.

Set a family value that human interaction trumps technology. Shelve your own smartphone or laptop during family time and encourage kids to use their devices on their own time, rather than during the time they share with others.

Structure an e-day.

Work toward a finite beginning and end to your child’s connectedness. Choose when and where kids can use technology—and when and where they need to unplug.

Set limits.

Nearly every device these days comes with parental controls that include passwords and timers to prevent overuse—take the time to look into them!

Find different ways to play.

Remember, in the absence of other attractive options, bored kids will default to using their devices. Find alternative fun things to do—don’t just cut out the digital stuff without offering another idea.

Trust your instincts.

If you think your child might be spending too much time on social networks, playing online games or endlessly texting, you’re likely right.

That little voice knows when it’s all become too much. Listen to it.

Source: Daniel Sieberg, author, The Digital Diet: The 4-Step Plan to Break Your Digital Addiction and Regain Balance in Your Life

kcparent.com october 2017

37

Fall Fun

table of contents 39 Craft Corner 40 Fall Characters 42 Black Bean Chili 43 Media Mix 44 Leaf Peeping 46 Fall Festivals 48 Pumpkin Patch Guide 51 Decorating Tips

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CRAFTCORNER

This craft is perfect for kids to make because very little trimming or cutting is needed.

Materials Needed:

• Orange and green yarn • Scissors • Twine

F

yarn pumpkins

or some easy fall decor that kids can make themselves, create some yarn pumpkins and tie them onto a garland. These yarn pumpkins are just like making pom-poms, but without the cutting! This craft is perfect for kids to make because very little trimming or cutting is needed. Create this fall garland and get it out year after year to add some autumn color to your home!

Step One: Begin wrapping a piece of orange yarn around two fingers. Wrap it around about 100 times.

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

Step Two: Carefully slip the Matisse Inspired Garlands

Painted Twig Bouquet

Spray-Dyed Canvas Bags

For TONS more great craft projects, log onto KCParent.com!

looped yarn off of your fingers.

Tie a 3-inch piece of green yarn around the center of the orange yarn and finish it in a tight knot.

Step Three: Tie the yarn pumpkins onto a long piece of twine to create a garland.

kcparent.com october 2017

39

create

costume-themed memories with your family this october

a

superhero, a dinosaur, a firefighter, a fairy tale character, a favorite profession—what to be this year? Costume choices are endless, but once you’ve chosen the perfect costume, it’s fun to enjoy the experience all month long.

You’ll find great costume-themed events all through October on KCParent.com’s calendar. For added fun, consider a themed family outing with your chosen costumes in mind.

Superheroes, Star Wars and Villains Wonder Woman, Spiderman, Superman, Batman, Captain America and Star Wars characters have always been popular, but they’ve experienced a resurgence in recent years. This year promises to be especially popular for favorite superheroes. Make more memories with these ideas: • Star Wars: Star Wars Reads Day, Oct. 14, 2:00–3:30, Liberty Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library (MyMCPL.org). A celebration of literacy with Jedi, Sith, Wookiees and all things Star Wars is coming to the library. Patrons are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Star Wars characters and enjoy two hours of reading, activities, trivia, raffles and more. Also, catch your favorite Star Wars characters at Hoots and Howls at the Zoo, Oct. 21–22.

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Hoots and Howls is packed with fun. Enjoy pedal tractors, hay maze, sing-alongs, hayrides, crafts and animal pumpkin smashing. Hoots and Howls is the first three weekends in October, with Mesner puppets the first weekend, Minions on the second weekend, and Star Wars during the third weekend.

• Favorite Characters: The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (ToyAndMiniatureMuseum.org) features exhibits on miniature dollhouses and toys enjoyed for years. Some of the favorite toys to discover in the museum include beloved superheroes and modern movie characters. Wonder Woman was a favorite to find during August’s farewell to summer day.

• Villains: BOO-TASTIC FUN!, Oct. 28–29, Crown Center (CrownCenter.com). Have your photo taken with the Wicked Queen from noon to 4:00 on Saturday and Sunday. Also, enjoy Halloween puppet shows at noon and 2:00.

Storybook Characters Favorite characters from classic books are a popular costume choice. Enjoy your favorite characters at these attractions: • The Wizard of Oz: From Dorothy to the Good Witch of the North and the Wicked Witch of the West, the characters from Oz have been local kid favorites for generations. Make a family

day trip to Wamego, approximately 90 minutes from Kansas City, for a visit to the Oz Museum (511 Lincoln, Wamego, KS, OzMuseum.com). The museum is a veritable collection of all things Oz, from costumes and props from the film, to collectible items straight from the books. The magic of the museum is enthralling for every Oz fan, young and old. The best time to visit Wamego is during OztoberFest, Oct. 6-8. Oztoberfest is an annual event drawing Oz-lovers from around the world to come enjoy live music, costume contests, food, arts and crafts and exclusive vendors.

• Whimsical Woods: On Oct. 7, head to Ernie Miller Nature Center (ErnieMiller.com) for this annual enchanted forest event for young children. Costumed storybook characters will delight and entertain audiences of all ages. Meet with the good fairy and forest friends. Live animals, stories and surprises will highlight childhood favorites. Reservations are required.

Halloween Classics Scary characters are Halloween classics. From mummies to zombies, these are just a few spooky character events to experience this October. You’ll find more on KCParent.com.

• Boo at the Zoo: Oct. 28–29, Kansas City Zoo (KansasCityZoo.org). Children will trick-or-treat the zoo while enjoying Halloween-themed activities and entertainment.

Wear your costume and join the animals for a day of not-sospooky activities.

Fall Fun

• Haunted Kansas: Oct. 21, Ernie Miller Nature Center (ErnieMiller.com). Register in advance for a legendary event for ages 8 and up. Characters from the past will share legends around the campfire. Expect a shiver down the spine and a mild case of goose bumps for those who dare enter the forest on this autumn evening.

• Mummies: Mummies of the World is the current special exhibit at Union Station (UnionStation.org).

The exhibit allows visitors a unique opportunity to come face to face with the largest exhibition of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled.

Peer into the lives of ancient people from every region of the world, including Europe, South America and Ancient Egypt and enjoy unprecedented insights into past cultures and civilizations.

• Frankenstein: Several MidContinent Public Library locations are hosting Frankenstein LIVE events in October. Register at MyMCPL.org. Dr. Frankenstein recounts his story, revealing the truth behind his creation and the irreversible horrors he unleashed in this unique adaptation by Hampstead Stage. You will ask, “Who is the real monster?”

• Zombies: Savvy teens are prepared for a zombie apocalypse.

This October, guests ages 10 and up are invited to the Zombie Haunted Attractions at Paradise Park (Paradise-Park.com).

It’s a zombie apocalypse at Paradise Park, and guests are asked to come to the rescue. The adventure begins as visitors take on the role of soldier in two laser tag game options. Explore the zombies’ secret hiding places and make your way down some creepy paths. Use laser weapons to put a final stop to these crazy zombies where they lurk.

• The Peanuts Gang: It isn’t October without a viewing of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!. This October, celebrate Snoopy and the Gang at Worlds of Fun (WorldsOfFun.com).

Every weekend in October, families enjoy the Great Pumpkin Fest. With special Halloween-themed fun for kids, courtesy of Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts Gang in Planet Snoopy, the entire family will have a great time. Fun includes Linus’ pumpkin patch, a hay bale maze, a costume contest, crafts, trick-or-treating and more.

Kristina Light loves October most of all. She’ll be blogging about autumn fun on KCParent.com all season long.

kcparent.com october 2017

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Fall Fun

Prepare your produce: Peel, trim and dice one large red onion and one green bell pepper. Thinly slice ½ cup of roasted red peppers. Mince one jalapeno and 6 cloves garlic. For a mild chili, remove seeds and ribs from jalapeno. For a bit more kick, leave the seeds and ribs intact.

Add all prepared produce to slow cooker.

Combine your seasonings and get your chili cooking: In a small bowl or ramekin, stir together all ingredients listed under “for the seasonings.” Sprinkle combined seasonings over meat and veggies. Add all remaining ingredients listed under “for the chili.” Stir well to combine.

I

festive halloween

quinoa and black bean chili

f you’re like most parents, you absolutely LOVE Halloween. What you probably don’t adore is the abundance of candy they consume—and the candy hangover they have the next day. This is our family’s solution, and we would love for it to become yours. Before we head out, we like to make a festive, yet still healthy, meal to line their bellies with nourishment. Packed with protein, antioxidant-rich vegetables, healing spices and complex carbohydrates, this slow cooker quinoa and black bean chili is a great way to ensure your kiddo has the best start to Halloween ever!

Start to finish: 8-10 hours, 30 minutes active

Ingredients (Serves 6-8): For the chili: 1 lb. ground beef 1 large red onion 1 green bell pepper 1/2 c. roasted red peppers (we buy them in a jar) 1 jalapeno 6 cloves garlic 3 c. prepared black beans (or two 15-oz. cans, rinsed and drained) 1 c. uncooked quinoa 2-1/2 c. organic chicken broth 28 oz. can diced tomatoes 2 T. extra virgin olive oil 1 T. raw honey 1 T. red wine vinegar

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For the seasoning: 1 T. chili powder 1 T. ground cumin 1 T. dried oregano 2 t. smoked paprika 1 bay leaf 1/2 t. sea salt 1/2 t. black pepper

For the “eyes”: 8 oz. Bocconicini (small fresh mozzarella balls, usually in the “fancy” cheese aisle) 6 oz. can sliced black olives, drained

Instructions: Brown your meat: Heat a suitable sized pan over medium heat for about five minutes. When hot, add ground meat to pan. Brown meat for about five minutes, stirring often, or until meat is no longer pink. Pour cooked meat into a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.

Add lid to slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours, whichever is more convenient for your family.

When dinner is ready to be served, transfer chili to an oven safe skillet.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While oven heats, nestle mozzarella balls and olives into chili as demonstrated above.

Place in a 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes, just until cheese starts to melt, but not dissolve.

Serve and enjoy!

Katie Newell is a culinary instructor with a passion for helping families find success in the kitchen. She is also a cookbook author and mama to two sweet girls, ages 8 and 9, that love to help her cook.

HealthnutFoodie.com.

hot tip:

Work ahead: If the thought of spending 20 minutes browning your meat and chopping veggies in the morning stresses you out, feel free to do all of your prep work the night before and store the crock of your slow cooker in the fridge overnight. The next morning, simply transfer the crock to your slow cooker and set your timer. A home cooked meal that doesn’t add extra stress in the morning. Winner, winner, slow cooker dinner!

MEDIAMIX

MONSTER MASH

new fall books focus on frights, family and friends

By McGeath Freeman

Mary McScary

By R. L. Stine

Big Sister, Little Monster

The Apprentice Witch

Illustrated by Marc Brown

By Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum

By James Nicol Best for: Ages 8-13

Best for: Ages 4-8

Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham Best for: Ages 4-8

Mary McScary is very scary. She can scare anyone and anything. She scares her dad at breakfast, her mom at lunch and she likes to scare dogs just for fun. The only person Mary has not been able to scare is her cousin Harry.

But Mary is determined that today is the day. Because Harry is coming over, Mary puts on her scariest, hairiest outfit and greets him at the door. Harry is not scared. She tries snakes, spiders and hungry hippos to no avail. When Mary thinks all is lost and she’ll never hear Harry scream, she has a wickedly scary idea. Mary kisses her cousin on the cheek. Maybe there is one thing Harry is afraid of after all.

Fans of R. L. Stine may expect this tale to be creepier than it is. But Stine hits the perfect tone for young children in Mary McScary, keeping her narrative closer to humor than horror.

Siblings can be monsters! Lucy’s little sister, Mia, gets in the way, takes her stuff without asking and causes a general nuisance every day. Then one day, Lucy becomes so frustrated with Mia that she tells her to go away—and she does. Lucy is finally alone. She enjoys the peace and quiet, but it doesn’t take long before Lucy begins noticing things are too quiet. She never expected Mia to vanish into a realm of real monsters, but when Lucy finds Mia, that is exactly where she is. The monsters want Mia to stay forever as their queen.

It’s then that Lucy discovers her own inner monster. Monsters or not, they should know better than to mess with sisters.

Rosenbaum acknowledges that siblings can get on each other’s nerves and fight, but through it all, they remain family. In the end, Lucy and Mia find the time to be best friends and cause a little monster mayhem of their own.

What’s good: Engaging illustrations and

What’s good: Fotheringham’s illustrations

humorous storytelling.

add energy that matches the rhythmic text.

What’s bad: Your expectations may let

What’s bad: The monsters are a little too

you down.

likeable.

Magic, friendship, bravery and bad guys. Arianwyn thinks her life is doomed when she fails her witch assessments and is relegated to be an apprentice in a remote town named Lull. But don’t let the name fool you; strange and exciting things are happening in the woods around Lull. The Apprentice Witch taps into the same human emotions of fear and helplessness we all feel as adolescents on the verge of adulthood. With genuine emotion as the foundation, character development, mystery-adventure and incredible creatures will keep readers turning the pages until the exciting end.

What’s good: Genuinely charming story that sweeps you up in the adventure.

What’s bad: Can’t help but be compared to Harry Potter’s magical universe.

kcparent.com october 2017

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leaf peeping in

KANSAS CITY Loose Park

A

h, fall is upon us! It’s a time for breaking out the woolly sweaters from the back of the closet, picking apples and pumpkins, sipping cups of hot, steamy cider and, perhaps most importantly, slowing down to take in nature’s beauty as the landscape performs its annual act of colorful artistry. Throughout October, brilliant hues of burnt orange, vibrant yellow, crimson and aubergine emerge as once-green leaves transform into a colorful cloak that adorns their earthen foundations. Fall foliage tends to be at the height of its beauty toward the end of the month, a perfect setting for family photos, nature walks and picnics. Check out these local landscapes, perfect for leaf peeping throughout the Kansas City area.

The Scout

O

NATURE BING

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kcparent.com october 2017

Download this Nature Bingo Card at KCParent.com next time your family is enjoying the great outdoors.

The Scout at Penn Valley Park.

Kansas City’s most iconic piece of art, The Scout ironically wasn’t even supposed to be here. The statue of a Sioux scout atop his trusty steed was passing through as part of a temporary exhibition in 1922.

Local residents fell in love, and they raised $15,000 to claim him for keeps. For more than a century, the famous Native American and his horse have rested atop a steep hill

in Penn Valley Park, overlooking the city’s downtown skyline. A visit to see The Scout provides the added bonus of a fabulous view, made even more spectacular by native foliage.

Swope Park. Kansas City’s metropolitan area ranks 27th largest in the nation and yet, to its credit, boasts one of the country’s largest urban parks. At 1,805 acres, Swope Park more than doubles New York City’s Central Park (a mere 843 acres) and attracts a staggering two million visitors annually.

Its namesake, philanthropist Thomas Hunton Swope, had the largest individual landholdings in the Kansas City area during the mid-1800s. In 1896, he donated the land to the city to be used as a public park. Swope Park teems with natural beauty, as well as a bustle of activity as it is home to the Kansas City Zoo, Starlight Theatre, the Kansas City Community Gardens and Lakeside Nature Center (plus standard park amenities like disc golf, soccer fields, a baseball diamond and numerous trails). Despite all that it houses, only a small portion of the park is developed. Much is heavily wooded, providing the perfect environment to explore this fall!

Loose Park. The third largest park in Kansas City, Loose Park is equally beautiful and historical. The 75-acre plot had a docile start as pastureland but later proved pivotal as a major site in the Battle of Westport, where an estimated 29,000 Confederate and Union soldiers advanced along its borders. It has since provided visitors a peaceful respite, initially as Kansas City Country Club’s first golf course and, from 1927 to the present day, as a city park. Loose Park may receive fanfare throughout the warmer seasons for its impressive rose garden and delightful sprayground, but it also is home to a diverse array of trees and soft meandering trails that curve with the landscape, making it an equally pleasing attraction during the autumn months.

Weston Bend State Park. No fall is complete without visiting KC’s darling bed and breakfast community, Weston. And no trip to Weston is complete without visiting its state park! Weston Bend State Park offers secluded picnic shelters, a 3-mile paved trail, a campground, as well as a lookout point with unparalleled views of the Missouri River. Marvel at the colorful combinations achieved by more than 20 varieties of trees, along with more than 169 varieties of birds that call them home.

Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Sprawling out over 300 acres of southern Johnson County, the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens leads the way as an educational, cultural and recreational resource for the greater Kansas City area. The arboretum dedicates more than 85 percent of its property to preserve and restore eight different ecosystems, providing unique and delightful sights in any season. Be on the lookout not only for vibrantly hued trees, but also fiery red persimmon and sumac. From sculpture gardens to hiking trails, a bird blind and children’s garden, the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens has something for everyone this fall...and beyond!

Indian Creek Trail. This 26-mile hiking and biking trail connects two states, two counties and four communities, making it one of Kansas City’s longest trails! Paralleling a creek bed and several woodland areas, the Indian Creek Trail has plenty of shade due to large canopies of trees that shelter its paths. Multiple parks and playgrounds grace the trail, sweetening the deal for the little ones in your crew.

Powell Gardens. From hosting the nation’s largest edible garden, the 12.5-acre Heartland Harvest Garden, to claiming the largest “living” wall within its Island Garden, Powell Gardens has made quite a name for itself both regionally and beyond!

Once a regional Boy Scout campground, this 640-acre oasis now touts multiple gardens and trails, as well as a pristine glass chapel set amongst the hills and a quaint trolley service that, for a mere dollar, will shuttle visitors throughout the grounds. A spectacularly breathtaking view is in store with every turn.

Lauren Greenlee claims fall as her favorite season and pumpkin pie spice her seasonal flavor of choice. She rakes leaves (and writes) from her Olathe home.

Fall Fun

GET YOUR CRAFT ON— NATURALLY!

• Make nature walk bracelets: Apply duct tape around your wrist like a bracelet, sticky side out. Stick every treasure you find to your bracelet. It’s ecofriendly fashion at its finest!

• Make leaf rubbings: Place leaves under a sheet of paper.

Rub a crayon sideways over the top and watch the imprint appear.

• Press leaves into modeling clay to make nature sculptures.

• Sandwich a leaf collection between two pieces of clear contact paper. Cut the edges clean with an Exacto knife.

Instant placemat!

• Mod Podge autumn leaves to the outside of a mason jar.

Place a battery-operated tea light inside and enjoy the warm earth-toned glow!

Powell Gardens kcparent.com october 2017

45

Fall Fun

Pumpkin Express Train Rides

October

Festivals in Kansas City:

Weekends in October. Call for reservations aboard the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad. BeltonRailroad.org. Trains depart at 12:30, 2:00 and 3:30. Kids under 3 FREE every day!

Call for more information: 816.331.0630.

Gladfest Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Gladstone, MO, GladstoneChamber.com/ gladfest. A carnival will be open all three days for kids of all ages.

Marketplace tents will be located just west of the community center and offer valuable contacts with local businesses and civic organizations. Arts and crafts vendors will be located west of city hall and south of the carnival.

Kansas City Renaissance Festival These are a few of our favorite fall festivals. You will find a complete guide to KC’s Fall Festivals on KCParent.com.

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kcparent.com october 2017

Weekends Sept. 2-Oct. 15, KCRenFest.com. Pay heed to the exploits of jousting knights on thundering steeds, roam the village shops for unique crafts, delight in comedy, music, magic and more on 20 stages of non-stop entertainment, and feast on delicious food and drinks from the far reaches of the globe!

There’s something for the whole family in the enchanted 16-acre village.

The Great Pumpkin Fest Weekends thru Oct. 29, Worlds of Fun, WorldsOfFun.com. Head to Worlds of Fun for the ultimate fall festival: the Great Pumpkin Fest! This family-friendly event is all treats and no tricks and features special Halloween-themed activities plus Peanuts-themed rides and attractions in Planet Snoopy!

KC Games for Good Oct. 7, National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial (100 W. 6th St., Kansas City, MO), KCGamesForGood.org. KC Games for Good is a one-day event to showcase—and celebrate—that sense of community service and civic pride for which both Kansas City and the Plaza Rotary Club are so well known.

Hoots and Howls at the Zoo First three weekends in October, Kansas City Zoo, KansasCityZoo. org. From 10:00 to 3:00, you can cruise around on a pedal tractor, navigate a hay bale maze, sing along with the interactive DJ and take a ride on the Scare-o-cel. Enjoy a hayride around the zoo and create a wild craft in the lobby. Zoo animals are joining in the fun by smashing pumpkins at scheduled times throughout the day.

Waterfire Kansas City Oct. 7, Country Club Plaza, CountryClubPlaza.com. The fragrance of aromatic wood smoke and flickering firelight of each brazier create a unique ambiance unlike anything else in Kansas City. Live vocals, dance and acrobatics will be performed by Quixotic, StoneLion Puppet Theatre, Rhythmic Flames, Kansas City Drum Tribe, Trio Forte and renowned operatic tenor Ben Gulley.

Missouri Town 1855 Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music Oct. 7-8, Missouri Town 1855. Skilled interpreters bring the antebellum living history site to life with the music, dance, games, crafts, and delicious foods of 1855. A full service food court will offer traditional festival culinary delights. Enjoy a fun-filled hay wagon ride with the entire family. Watch sorghum being harvested, ground and boiled to form exquisite syrup.

Weston Applefest Oct. 7-8, Main Street Weston, WestonMo.com. Visitors to Applefest are encouraged to come early on Saturday morning to enjoy Weston’s hometown parade along Main Street at 10:00. The Saturday parade will feature antique tractors, classic cars, fire trucks and bands. More than 60 art and craft booths will be along the downtown Main Street to peruse, and you’re also invited to browse the many unique Weston shops during your visit.

Capital City Jazz & Food Truck Festival Oct. 7, Kansas Avenue, Downtown Topeka, VisitTopeka.com. Come hungry and enjoy dozens of food truck options and great live jazz at this afternoon and evening event. With the Kansas State Capitol as a backdrop, you can’t go wrong.

Waterfire Kansas City

Summit Art Fest Oct. 6-8, Downtown Lee’s Summit, SummitArtFest.org. Music will fill the air as you wander from one artist’s booth to another. An interactive Kid’s Zone will be open for any budding artists to try their hand on an art project of their own. Food and beverages available for purchase throughout the weekend by various street vendors as well as local restaurants.

Lansing Fall Fest Oct. 14, Lansing, KS, Lansing.KS.us. Enjoy family fun in a great autumn setting. Live music, fall fun zone, local artists, food, beverages and much more. Pumpkin crafting offered as well.

Shawnee Indian Mission – Fall Festival Oct. 13-15, Shawnee Indian Mission, FairwayKansas.org. Including live musical performances from Folk Alliance International artists, outdoor vendor and artisan market, children’s games and crafts, living history and first person reenactors and food trucks!

Lenexa Chili Challenge Oct. 20-21, Old Town Lenexa, Lenexa.com. About 200 teams compete in our chili, salsa and hot wings contests in hopes of taking home the grand champion prize. Activities include musical entertainment both days, fireworks on Friday night, the Kids Kornbread Contest and Hot Pepper Eating Contest on Saturday.

Glow: A Jack-O’-Lantern Festival Oct 20-21, Powell Gardens, PowellGardens.org. This spooktacular annual festival features a 1-mile path of 750 expertly carved jack-o’lanterns. The weekend also offers fall hayrides, hands-on activities and food and beverage vendors. New this year: a carnivorous plant display, a Kids Corral and an After-Glow event for adults.

kcparent.com october 2017

47

pumpkin patch GUIDE map

I-435 I-435

1

An amazing adventure filled with twists and turns!

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

www.LibertyCornMaze.com

K-10

I-35

5 2 69 Hwy

169

3 2

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

I-470

71 Hwy 4

1 Carolyn’s Country Cousins 17607 NE 52nd St. Liberty, MO 816.781.9196 www.CarolynsCountryCousins.com 2 Johnson Farms & Pumpkin Patch 17701 Holmes Belton, MO 816.331.1067 www.JohnsonFarms.net

Fabulous Fun on the Farm!!

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

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

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kcparent.com october 2017

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

Cannot be combined with other offers.

3 Louisburg Cider Mill 14730 Hwy. 68 Louisburg, KS 913.837.5202 www.LouisburgCiderMill.com 4 Shuck’s 291 Hwy. & 203rd St. Pleasant Hill, MO 816.335.4014 www.ShucksMaze.com 5 Faulkner’s Pumpkin Farm 10600 Raytown Rd. Kansas City, MO 816.761.1234 www.FaulknersPumpkinFarm.com

10-Acre

Kids have fun on our Jump Pillow !

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

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

Amazing 10-Acre Aerial view from 400 feet.

Cider Mill Corn Maze • • • • • • • •

Check out KC Parent’s virtual

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

Monday — Thursday: 10 am to 5 pm Fridays & Saturdays: 10 am to 10 pm Sundays: 10 am to 6 pm

Pumpkin Patch Guide and Giveaway at KCParent.com.

Pumpkin Patch

14730 K68 Highway, Louisburg, KS 66053

Fridays & Saturdays: 7 pm to 10 pm Bring a flashlight & go through the maze IN THE DARK!

www.louisburgcidermill.com 913-837-5202

Come run or come watch!

fifth annual

KC Pumpkin Run 5K

20 Acre Cor

n Maze Incl

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

Admission:

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

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

uded in Adm

25,000 Garden

ON SEAS S PA S LE AB AVAIL

2 and under FREE Mon-Fri Sat-Sun

$11

$13

Adults 13-59 $9 Seniors 60+ $7

$11 $9

Kids 3-12

(includes jumping pillow)

ission

Mums in 84 Varie

ties

Small & Large Gr oup

Discounts

Birthday Party Pack

ages

U-Pick Pumpkin

s, Flowers and Ve

Lots of NEW ATTR ACTIONS Every Year

ALL PRICING INCLUDES TAX

ggies

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

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

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

Details at

kcpumpkinrun.com

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

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

kcparent.com october 2017

49

Fall Fun

making the most of your visit to the

P

umpkin Patches are fall amusement parks offering fun-filled attractions for the entire family! With pumpkin cannons, pony rides, pumpkin chomping dinosaurs, creative play areas, jumping pillows, corn cribs, train rides, corn mazes, ziplines, forts, petting zoos, inflatables, and of course... hayrides to pick the perfect pumpkin, a visit to the local pumpkin patch is a fall bucket list must! With so many local patches to choose from and so many activities to enjoy, how do you make the most of the fun?

what to wear:

• Pumpkin patches offer tons of fun photo ops! Consider fall-themed clothes for little ones.

• Pumpkin patches are basically working

farms. While they are clean, well maintained, and some paths are paved for visitors, there will be a lot of walking and that includes hay, gravel, fields, petting zoos and more. Closedtoed shoes (tennis shoes) are best.

pumpkin patch

• Wear comfy clothes keeping in mind the activities you’ll be enjoying like climbing on hay bales, playing on playgrounds, enjoying a hayride, exploring a patch for the perfect pumpkin, riding ponies and petting animals.

when to visit:

• Each patch offers special events

throughout the season. Check out KCParent.com for tips and visit each patch’s website to see the schedule for entertainers.

• Plan to spend two or more hours at a patch.

Most patches sell food. A few permit you to bring your own picnic, but most do not, so plan ahead. Be sure to remember your child’s appetite and rest needs for the most fun!

• Weekends offer more extras:

entertainers, more attractions open, special events, etc.

what to bring:

• A well charged phone or camera.

You’ll want to capture lots of great fall memories for the scrapbook.

• Pumpkin patch coupons from KCParent.com.

• Hand Sanitizer is available throughout most of the patches, but you may want to have some on hand.

• Bottled water and picnic (if allowed).

• Money for pumpkins (this is an

school or play group.

additional charge), food, extra attractions and any souvenirs or items purchased in gift shops.

time for groups, many patches offer discounts that day.

friends, the whole gang! This is a great outing for the entire family!

• Weekdays are great if you lead a Scout,

• Because Mondays are generally a slower

• Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins,

2017 CORN MAZE

291 Hwy and 203rd St Pleasant Hill, MO 64080

www.shucksmaze.com

Friday nights: 6:00-10:00 Saturday: 12:00-10:00 Sunday: 12:00-6:00

Opening Sat. Sept. 30th at 12:00 and Closing Oct. 29th at 6:00

$1 OFF admission Exp 10-29-17 cannot be used with other coupons

Corn Maze • Pumpkins • Barrel Train • Corn Cannon • Hay Mountain • Hayrides • Concessions • Laser Tag • Hay Jump

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kcparent.com october 2017

• Create your own pumpkin family!

You can buy a mini pumpkin to represent a baby in your family, a large one for a dad or mom and medium-size pumpkins for children.

Raid the craft drawer and let the kids go to town gluing on cut-out felt and yarn for clothing and hair, buttons and ribbon for additional decorations.

• Have a ball! My youngest son is in

kid-friendly

pumpkin decorating ideas

a

fter the candy and the dressing up, one of the best parts of Halloween is turning a pumpkin into something cool, crazy or scary.

The traditional way is to carve out a face or other neat design, but you can’t hand a kid a sharp knife. So how do you get little ones involved in the creation of their dream pumpkin?

olored markers are the perfect •C

way to draw on whatever you like.

Younger kids can scribble (or color in pictures you draw), while older kids can write words, draw cats, witches, whatever!

• B reak out some stencils, glitter,

sequins and glue to bedazzle any pumpkin. The pumpkin itself embodies Halloween, so stencils can be any shape or size. Why not make some glittery green pine trees or pink hearts on that nice orange canvas?

• For something completely different

but in keeping with the holiday, first have your child paint his pumpkin white. Then glue on some storebought black cobwebs (or create them using yarn). The final step is to attach some plastic spiders for a creepy, crawly pumpkin!

• Paint a pumpkin black and

decorate using white paint to make a witch’s face, a family of ghosts, a skeleton or just the word BOO!

• P aint a pumpkin gold or silver and let

love with any sport that involves a ball. I’m thinking he would be thrilled to help paint a pumpkin white like a baseball, then draw on some red stitching. You also can make a basketball or soccer ball out of a pumpkin—just don’t throw it!

ut out shapes from sponges, put •C

some washable paint in small bowls and let your little one have some stamping fun on a pumpkin.

your child have fun gluing on candy corn, jelly beans in assorted colors and other colorful candies. See if he can make a pattern or his initial on the pumpkin using these sweet treats.

• Now your child’s pumpkin can

match her costume! Mr. Potato Head pumpkin decorating kits are all the rage these days and can be found at practically any store that sells Halloween decorations. If you can’t locate any, check Amazon. com. Kits are sold in many different types, like witch, vampire, pirate,

Overland Park mom, Kerrie McLoughlin is a homeschooling writer mom of five who blogs about the controlled chaos at TheKerrieShow.com.

fireman, princess and more! An added bonus is that these kits are reusable, so they are friendly to the environment.

• A long the lines of Mr. Potato Head

is the wooden pumpkin decorating kit for the 5-and-up crowd. Mix and match the pieces for even more fun. This one looks like it would be a big hit at a Halloween party or an October birthday party. kcparent.com october 2017

51

october

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

CALENDAR

iLuminate at the Carlsen Center

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

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kcparent.com october 2017

create

enjoy

learn

watch

see

Each Saturday, Lakeshore Learning hosts Free Crafts for Kids at 11:00.

A different craft offered each week, all materials supplied.

LakeshoreLearning.com

Head to Downtown Lee’s Summit for the Summit Art Festival Oct. 6-8.

The festival features more than 90 local, regional and national artists.

SummitArtFest.org

On Oct. 8, head to the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures for Meet the Experts: Magic Lanterns. Learn about the history of fantastical devices.

816.235.8000

Be amazed by iLuminate Oct. 13 at Carlsen Center.

The group, from America’s Got Talent, brings a show based on the fusion of technology and dance.

JCCC.edu/theseries

The Folly Theater presents The Unknown Soldier Oct. 30, a poignant new work that explores themes of war, duty, courage and sacrifice.

FollyTheater.org

1 Sunday

2 Monday

KC Pumpkin Run 8:00, Johnson Farms.

Tackle the trails and conquer the corn maze! Sign up to run or just come to watch.

KCPumpkinRun.com

Moms Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park. Moms are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224

Ciderfest 8:30, Louisburg Cider Mill. Enjoy good old-fashioned apple cider fun.

Free admission; cost for some activities.

LouisburgCiderMill.com Opening Day 10:00, Faulkner’s Ranch. Opening day! We’re swinging open the gates for another exciting pumpkin season. FaulknersRanch.com The Fall Swing 10:00, KC Wine Co. Indie craft fair with 50+ handmade and vintage vendors. Kids crafts, pumpkins and more.

TheStrawberrySwing.com Halloween Votives 10:30, Ceramic Café.

Come create fun Halloween votives out of clay. Choose from a ghost, jack-o’-lantern or mummy. CeramicCafeKC.com Between the Lines 2:00, Spencer Theatre.

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

KCRep.org

Mummies of the World 10:00, Union Station.

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

UnionStation.org

Gardens of Myth Thru Oct, Powell Gardens.

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

PowellGardens.org

4 Wednesday International Walk to School Day Today is a great day to start walking to school with your child! WalkToSchool.com

Open Jump 4:00, Urban Air. A hypedup, healthy dose of jumping, climbing, swinging, crawling, flying and dunking.

UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Playgroup at FBC 9:00, First Baptist Church of Shawnee. A safe place for kids to run and play and for parents to enjoy coffee and conversation. Free. 913.226.9438

3 Tuesday

Animal Tales 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center.

A 30-minute program that includes stories, songs and a visit from an animal friend. $2.

913.764.7759

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

913.322.5550 We Shall Not Be Moved 9:45 & 11:45, the Coterie. The story of ordinary citizens who stand witness to a movement forming before their eyes. Ages 11+. TheCoterie.org Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com

Love, Live and Facing Mortality Noon, Lenexa City Hall. Bring lunch and meet New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy. 913.826.4600 Kid Reads: Evil Genius 5:30, MCPL (Parkville).

Read it, love it, share it. Experience a book like never before! Fourth through seventh grades.

Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

kcparent.com october 2017

53

TRAIN RIDES

At Home on the Range 7:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Enjoy a potluck and listen to Louise Hanson, who has a collection of more than 400 Kansas cookbooks. ShawneeTown.org John Cleese Live 7:30, Yardley Hall. Screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail followed by Q & A session with Cleese. JCCC.edu/theseries

5 Thursday JBF Consignment Sale Thru Saturday, Overland Park Convention Center. Shop for clothing, toys, gear and more! Big savings!

JBFSale.com

Train Rides Train Train Rides Pumpkin Express TrainTrain PumpkinFamily Express Food Train Grandparents DayIce Cream $8.50 $9.50

Family Story Time 9:30, Johnson County Library (Corinth). Listening to stories is a great way to spend time with your kids and help them develop a love of books. JoCoLibrary.org

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

The Dinosaur Show 10:00, Mesner Puppet Theater. Explore scientific theories that explain what was and what might have been. $10-$13.

MesnerPuppets.org

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

June - Aug pm (May – Oct) 7 pm Sat., 11 am Sat [June& -Sun, Aug2only] 7 pm

Kids under Kids threeunder FREE

Ticketsgogoononsale saleone onehour hourbefore before train train departure departure time.

Tickets

three FREE

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

502 Walnut • Belton, Missouri www.beltonrailroad.org 502 Walnut •Belton, Missouri• •816-331-0630 816-331-0630 •• www.beltonrailroad.org

Monday, October 30

The Unknown Soldier

Tuesday, January 16

SkippyJon Jones Snow What

Monday, January 29 Four Score and

Seven Years Ago

Monday, February 5 Charlotte’s Web

Monday, April 16

Chocolate Milk Por Favor

www.follytheater.org 816.474.4444 The Folly Kids’ Series is made possible through generous support from the Missouri Arts Council, ArtsKC, Oppenstein Brothers Foundation, Commerce Bank Trustee, Theater ROcKs, Theater League’s educational outreach program, R.A.Long Foundation, McDonnell Foundation, Hallmark Corporate Foundation, Sullivan Family Foundation, All Sponsors and Donors to the Folly Frolic Benefit Concert.

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

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

WornallMajors.org Mystery Craft for Preschoolers 1:00, Olathe Public Library. Bring your preschooler age 5 or younger to make a fun craft. Free. 913.971.6874 First Fridays 5:00, Crossroads Art District.

Galleries and shops remain open the first Friday of each month. KCCrossroads.org Summit Art Festival Thru Sunday, Downtown Lee’s Summit. A festival of fine arts that features more than 90 local, regional and national artists. SummitArtFest.org Independence Fire & Ice Today & tomorrow, Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. Premier barbecue competition in the Midwest .

SilversteinEyeCentersArena.com Flashlight Fridays 5:00, Liberty Corn Maze.

Bring a flashlight and your sense of direction to make your way through the maze.

LibertyCornMaze.com Trucktoberfest 6:00, TB Hanna Station Park (Raymore). Bring the family and enjoy food trucks and live music. Raymore.com

Storytelling Around the Campfire 6:30, Grinter Place. Enjoy storytelling, s’mores, hot cocoa and a tour of Grinter Place. $3. KSHS.org Public Stargazing 7:00, Warko Observatory.

Free Friday night public observing session.

Every clear Friday night to the end of October.

ASKC.org Sharks After Dark 8:00, Sea Life. Enjoy Sea Life in a whole new light as the lights are turned out. 816.471.4386

7 Saturday Scarecrow Festival 9:00, Shawnee City Hall.

Downtown merchants create and display scarecrows for viewing. Children’s activities and more. 913.742.6226 Fire House Bank 9:00, Home Depot. Build a cute coin bank with a fire station design. After it’s built, decorate it with paint and stickers.

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

KansasCityZoo.org Exploring Ceramics 10:00, Nerman Museum.

Students ages 8-11 learn about ceramic techniques and create a clay sculpture with a twist. Pre-reg at NermanMuseum.org.

Do you think you have conjunctivitis (pink eye)?

You and/or your child may be able to participate if you (or they): • have had pink eye symptoms (e.g. redness, watering/ discharge, or irritation) in at least one eye for no more than the past 3 days • are interested in taking part in a research study for up to 13 days • are willing to travel to the study center for appointments.

Qualified participants may receive the non-antibiotic investigational drug and study-related procedures and visits at no cost.

Health insurance is not required to participate.

To find out more, and to see if you qualify, call:

1-877-742-8931

www.PinkEyeResearchStudy.com CTM_Alt Patient Color Print Ad [V01 USA]

Fall Harvest Weekends in October, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Enjoy a different theme each weekend and help with the harvest.

Mahaffie.org Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music Today & tomorrow, Missouri Town 1855. Enjoy music, horse-drawn buggy rides, games, crafts and more. 816.503.4800

45th & Oak nelson-atkins.org

Emergency Preparedness Expo Today & tomorrow, Overland Park Convention Center.

Demos and workshops by experts and agencies. GamePlanExperts.com Free Admission Weekend Today & tomorrow, Overland Park Arboretum. Enjoy the gardens in fall with free admission this weekend.

OPABG.org Weston Applefest Today & tomorrow, Downtown Weston. Demonstrations, pony rides, carnival games, cider making and more.

WestonMo.com Fall Discovery Day 10:00, Westport Roanoke Community Center. Stop by to discover what KC Parks has to offer this fall and winter!

KCParks.org

ANNUAL

DAY OF THE DEA D CEL EBR ATIO N –FR EE– FESTIVAL | SUNDAY, NOV. 5 | 10–4 ALTAR ON VIEW OCT. 25–NOV. 5 kcparent.com october 2017

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The Dinosaur Show Oct. 3-22, Mesner Puppet Theater. Explore scientific theories that explain what was and what might have been. $10-$13. MesnerPuppets.org

Meyer Fest 10:00, St Peter’s Church.

Community event with a carnival, inflatables, entertainment, food trucks and more.

MeyerFestKC.com Fall on the Farm Noon, Watkins Mill State Park. Activities include sheep shearing, cider pressing, blacksmithing and more.

MoStateParks.com Harvest Moon American Indian Festival Noon, 31st & Troost. Dancers, performers, art booths, traditional food and more.

HarvestMoonKC.com KC Games for Good Noon, National WWI Museum and Liberty Memorial. Competitive games, kids scavenger hunt and more.

KCGamesForGood.org Whimsical Woods 1:00, Ernie Miller Nature Park. Costumed storybook characters will delight and entertain along the trail. $5-$7.

Must pre-reg at 913.764.7759.

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Folk Songs of Missouri & Kansas 2:00, Midwest Genealogy Center. Listen to the music of Under the Big Oak Tree and hear stories behind the music. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Jazz & Food Truck Festival 4:30, Downtown Topeka. Enjoy 20+ food trucks and great live jazz concert. VisitTopeka.com Waterfire 7:00, Country Club Plaza. A unique, multisensory experience of music, fire and water. Pop-up food and drink stands.

WaterFireKC.com

8 Sunday Farmers Market 8:00, the City Market. The market offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries, flowers and gift items from nearby farms. TheCityMarket.org

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 Meet the Experts: Magic Lanterns 2:00, the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures.

Learn about the history of magic lanterns and fantastical devices. 816.235.8000 Homefest KC 4:00, Colonial Church (OP). Family fall fest with petting zoo, hayride, food and more! ColonialKC.orb/homefest

9 Monday

11 Wednesday

Open Play 10:00, Jump City. Bring the kids to Jump City—where excitement and laughs are found daily! $8/child; parents are free.

JumpCityKC.com

Farmers Market 7:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit.

Shop for fresh produce, plants, baked goods, crafts and more. DowntownLS.org

Toddler Town 10:00, Roger T Sermon Community Center. Indoor playground for the younger set. Parents stay with children. $1.

816.325.7370

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

913.895.6350 Scout Month Thru Oct 31, Legoland. Scouts receive entry for $7 and $10 for adults throughout October. 816. 471,4386 Hoffman Prep Class Thru Dec 19, Hoffman International Model. This 10-week class covers visual poise, skin care, public speaking, dining etiquette and more. HoffmanModels.com Family Feast Day Pizza Shoppe. Get a single topping king pizza, two Shoppe house salads and an order of garlic cheese bread for only $19.99. PizzaShoppe.com

Literature to Life: The Kite Runner 10:00, Yardley Hall. Preshow discussion, performance of first half of best-selling novel, then a 30-minute post-show audience dialogue. JCCC.edu/theseries What’s for Dinner? 3:00, Burr Oak Woods.

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

12 Thursday

Pinkalicious: The Musical Thru Sunday, Lawrence Arts Center. Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes and that lands her in a mess! $10-$15. 785.843.2787 Fall Cemetery Tours 7:00, Olathe Memorial Cemetery. This year’s theme is World War I veterans. Dress for the weather and for walking! $6. 913.971.5226

13 Friday Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire.

Paint a pottery piece that goes along with a favorite story. Snack included. $13-$15. Pre-reg at 913.661.2529.

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

WornallMajors.org

Nature Story Time 10:00 & 11:00, George Owens Nature Park. A nature-focused story time and craft for children. 816.325.7115 Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com Boo-tifully Sculpted Scene 7:00, MCPL (Excelsior Springs). Work with tissue paper and Model Magic to create a fall scene. Free. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Fine Art Friday 1:00, Kemper Museum. Docentled interactive tour. Students examine objects through observation and discussion. Ages 6-12.

Free. KemperArt.org Scribble Workshop: Opposites 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. Toddler-adult art event that boosts early childhood creativity. $5.

Pre-reg at 816.784.6100.

ENTER TO WIN! KCParent.com is giving away

50 FAMILY 4-PACKS to all of your favorite pumpkin patches!

PLUS . . .

Find the Interactive Virtual Pumpkin Patch Guide at

KCParent.com

Guide Your Child to a Healthy Lifestyle

Gymnastics not only improves strength, balance, and coordination, but promotes commitment, discipline, social interaction and teamwork.

Plus... IT’S FUN!

Call us today for your free trial class &Metcalf

435 Gymnastics

913-766-8918

www.integrityop.com tumble@integrityop.com

kcparent.com october 2017

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Boo at the Zoo Oct. 28 & 29, Kansas City Zoo. Kids trick-or-treat the zoo, enjoy Halloween activities and entertainment. KansasCityZoo.org

Fall Festival Today & tomorrow, Shawnee Indian Mission. Fall festival featuring familyfriendly fun, crafts, entertainment and food.

913.262.0867 Weston Irish Fest Thru Sunday, Downtown Weston. Three-day festival that showcases great acts in Irish music. $5-$10.

WestonIrish.com Middle School Teen Night 7:00, Paradise Park. It’s a fright night with thrills and chills!

Hunt zombies and receive a $5 fun card and personal pizza. Paradise-Park.com Flashlight Friday 7:00, Sylvia Bailey Park (Lee’s Summit). Explore the 6-acre corn maze with just the light of a flashlight. $5.

LSParks.net iLuminate 8:00, Carlsen Center. From America’s Got Talent, show based on the fusion of technology and dance.

JCCC.edu/theseries

14 Saturday Great Pumpkin Run 9:00, Berkley Riverfront Park. Bring your running gear and take in the skyline before enjoying apple cider and tons of fall fun!

TheGreatPumpkinRun.com Kansas City Renaissance Festival Weekends thru Oct 15, Bonner Springs. Join the revelry for a one-of-a-kind experience and relive history the fun way! $13-$22. KCRenFest.com The Great Pumpkin Fest Thru Oct 29, Worlds of Fun. Halloween-themed activities plus Peanuts-themed rides and attractions in Planet Snoopy! WorldsOfFun.com Kids Fest 10:00, KCPT Studio Parking Lot. enjoy hands-on activities, music, Sesame Street characters and more! Events.KCPT.org Sugar Mound Arts & Crafts Festival Today & tomorrow, Linn County Fairgrounds. More than 650 booths of arts and crafts handmade by the exhibitors. 913.795.3003

Harvest Festival 10:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. An old-fashioned county fair with entertainment for all ages. 816.792.2655 Science & Tech Fest 10:00, 700-block of S. Kansas Avenue (Topeka). Hands-on activities and demonstrations line the street, plus food trucks and more. VisitTopeka.com Civil War Soldiers: A Day in the Life 10:00, Battle of Lexington Historic Site. A living history event, interact with the soldiers. 660.259.4654

kc pumpkin patches Carolyn’s Country Cousins Bring the entire family to our 50-acre u-pick pumpkin patch and farm. Open every day 10:00-7:00, Sept. 16th through Oct. 31st.

Families love taking an old-fashioned hayride to the field to pick their own pumpkins and riding our new Country Carousel! Weekends feature Uncle Lester’s pig races, live entertainment and great food. For more information visit us at www.CarolynsCountryCousins.com and follow us on Facebook.

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 your own from right off the vine.

Experience our giant jumping pillow, tunnel maze or 20-acre corn maze, all INCLUDED in your admission. Delicious food and friendly animals each time you visit! Plenty of parking and outdoor fun for all ages. www.JohnsonFarms.net, 816.331.1067, @johnsonfarmsMO

Louisburg Cider Mill and Country Store Store hours 8:00-6:00 (Mon.-Sat.), 9:00-6:00 (Sun.). Ciderfest: Sept. 23-24 & Sept. 30Oct. 1; live music, food and craft booths.

Watch as fresh cider is pressed and enjoy the delicious cider donuts! Fall family fun will be happening until Oct. 31. Enjoy the 10-acre corn maze, huge pumpkin patch, farm animals, children’s play area, jump pillow and more! 913.837.5202, www.LouisburgCiderMill.com

Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch Three 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, laser tag, concessions and field trips. www.ShucksMaze.com

KC Parent is giving away 50 FAMILY 4-PACKS to all of your favorite pumpkin patches!

PLUS find the Interactive Virtual Pumpkin Patch Guide at KCParent.com.

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Old-Fashioned Street Faire 10:00, Downtown Smithville. A fun-filled autumn day for the entire family! Art, crafts, entertainment, food and more! 816.215.8264 Heritage Craft Festival Today & tomorrow, historic Arrow Rock. Festival features lost-art crafts by costumed artisans, live music and more. ArrowRock.org Lansing Fall Festival 10:00, Angel Falls Trail.

Event features musical acts, craft vendors, pumpkin decorating and delicious food.

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

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

Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org Jack and the Beanstalk 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. Kraig Kensinger presents a family-friendly puppet show. $6/person.

Hazelle.org PorchfestKC Noon, Midtown. Midtown KC is filled with acoustic music of various styles, performed on front porches. Free. PorchFestKC.com

Saturday Night Feeder Saturdays thru Oct, 4:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. Watch the cats being fed. $5. 816.739.0363 Magic Woods 4:00, Lakeside Nature Center.

Watch skits, munch on popcorn and hot chocolate, make crafts, enjoy face painting and more $5. 816.513.8960 Car Cruise 5:00, Blue Springs. Head to downtown Blue Springs to view the latest innovations in car restoration. BlueSpringsGov.com Free Discovery Concert 7:00, Folly Theater.

Xavier Foley demonstrates the beauty and power of the bass. HJSeries.org

15 Sunday 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 The Dinosaur Show 2:00, Mesner Puppet Theater. Explore scientific theories that explain what was and what might have been. $10-$13.

MesnerPuppets.org Winterlude Series 7:00, Carlsen Center.

All-star group has joined forces to record and tour in 2017. Post-show meet-and-greet.

JCCC.edu/theseries

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day 7:00, JC Nichols Fountain. Luminaries and balloon release remembering babies.

SamsPond.org

16 Monday Pioneer Trails Adventure 9:00, Independence Square. Receive $5 off adult price of a covered wagon Full City History Tour when you mention KC Parent. 816.254.2466 Moms Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park. Moms are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 Open Play 10:00, Jump City. Bring the kids to Jump City—where excitement and laughs are found daily! $8/child; parents are free.

JumpCityKC.com Preschool Story Time 11:00, Johnson County Library (Oak Park). Stories, songs, fingerplays and movement activities. Ages 3-6.

JoCoLibrary.org

17 Tuesday Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park.

A special time for those 5 and under to enjoy access to the playground and trampoline attractions. $5-$10. 913.298.0626

kcparent.com october 2017

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october by the numbers

1864 8

Date that Fire Prevention Week begins. This year’s theme is “Every Second Counts: Plan Two Ways Out!”

5

World Teacher’s Day. Remember to thank your teacher today!

10-15 Meteors per hour that should be visible during the Orionid meteor shower Oct. 20-21.

More info at EarthSky.org.

Year the Battle of Westport was fought Oct. 21-23.

The battle took place in what is now Westport and Midtown Kansas City.

45.5 Percentage of Americans who included pumpkin carving in their October festivities last year, according to the National Retail Federation.

13

Date of the second occurrence this year of a Friday the 13th.

2.1

Billions of dollars spent on candy sales last October. The most popular?

Twizzlers were the top seller in Kansas, and Hershey’s Kisses took the lead in Missouri.

1872 5-21 October dates when the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts peak fall foliage for the Kansas City area.

In October of this year, “old” Kansas City, KS, was incorporated.

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

913.322.5550

GLOW: Jack-o’-Lantern Festival Today & tomorrow, Powell Gardens. More than 750 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns will light a path through the gardens. PowellGardens.org

Paranormal Investigation 5:30, 8:00 & 10:30, Missouri Town 1855. Search for spirits throughout the village. $10. Pre-reg at 816.229.8980.

We Shall Not Be Moved 9:45 & 11:45, the Coterie. The story of ordinary citizens who stand witness to a movement forming before their eyes. Ages 11+. TheCoterie.org

Lenexa Chili Challenge Today & tomorrow, Old Town Lenexa. Enjoy free samples for the public (while they last). Music and fireworks Friday.

Lenexa.com

Haunted Kansas 6:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Walk through the trails of Ernie Miller.

Characters share legends around a campfire. $5-$7/person. 913.764.7759

Happy Hour Concert 6:00, Kauffman Center.

Program includes Ginastera’s String Quartet No. 1 and Bruch’s Octet in B-flat Major. Free.

KCSymphony.org

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

EnglewoodStation.com

Fright Night 7:30, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Scares and frights at every turn throughout the log cabins, homes and wooded area. For ages 16+. 816.792.2655

18 Wednesday

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

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

Gardens of Myth Thru Oct, Powell Gardens.

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

PowellGardens.org

21 Saturday

22 Sunday Family Timber Challenge 8:30, Zip KC. This course is 2 miles long and is packed with fun and challenging obstacles for the whole family.

KCTimberChallenge.com

Playgroup at FBC 9:00, First Baptist Church of Shawnee. A safe place for kids to run and play and for parents to enjoy coffee and conversation. Free. 913.226.9438

Fall Harvest Weekends in October, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Enjoy a different theme each weekend and help with the harvest.

Mahaffie.org

Dogtober Fest 10:00, Kemper Outdoor Education Center. This is the perfect afternoon for dog lovers and their humans.

816.229.8980

All Hands on Math 2:00, MCPL (Colbern Branch). Hands-on workshop about number sequences. Ages 8 and up. Free. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Maple Leaf Festival Today & tomorrow, Baldwin City. Family fun that includes a parade, craft booths, kids zone and more.

MapleLeafFestival.com

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

816.751.1278

Footloose Thru Saturday, Shawnee Mission South High School. Enjoy the rockin’ rhythm of this musical, with new songs added! $10.

913.993.7671

Mother Earth News Fair Today & tomorrow, Kansas Expocentre. Demonstrations and lectures to educate and entertain.

MotherEarthNewsFair.com/Kansas

Día de los Muertos 1:00, Kansas City Museum.

Enjoy live music, puppets, make tissue flowers and get your face painted! 816.513.0720

19 Thursday

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

LakeshoreLearning.com

The Dinosaur Show 10:00, Mesner Puppet Theater. Explore scientific theories that explain what was and what might have been. $10-$13.

MesnerPuppets.org Click Clack Boo: A Tricky Treat 10:00, H & R Block City Stage. The clever, well-read cows, poultry and pigs create a fun party for Farmer Brown. $11. TYA.org Mummies of the World 10:00, Union Station.

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

UnionStation.org

20 Friday

Pumpkins & Mums Fall Festival Noon, Excelsior Springs. Festival fun includes artists, crafters, activities for the children and more.

VisitExcelsior.com Halloween Happening 2:00, Merriam Marketplace. Pre-Halloween party with costume contest, mini golf, inflatable and more.

913.322.5550 Pumpkins on Parade 4:30, Cave Springs. Stroll along trails aglow with hundreds of carved, lighted pumpkins. CaveSpring.org

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com

Halloween Campout 5:00, Watkins Woolen Mill State Park. Activities include the spookiest campsite contest, trick-or-treating and more.

Pre-reg at 877.422.6766.

Trick or Cache 4:30, Antioch Park. GPS units will be provided for this modern-day scavenger hunt for Halloween treats. $12-$14/person.

913.831.3359

Spooky Springs Halloween Bash 5:00, Adams Pointe Golf Club. A night of family fun including a hayride, bonfire and more. BlueSpringsGov.com

Halloween Extravaganza 2:00, Union Station.

Halloween fun includes face painting, costume contest, inflatables, cookie decorating and more! $9.

Hollywood Casino 400 2:00, Kansas Speedway.

Don’t miss the playoff race! Tickets start at $29 for kids and $64 for adults. KansasSpeedway.com American Rhapsody: The Gershwin Songbook 7:00, Carlsen Center. Revel in an evening of iconic American music. JCCC.edu/theseries

23 Monday Scout Month Thru Oct 31, Sea Life. Scouts receive entry for $7 and $10 for adult throughout October. 816. 471,4386 Open Play 10:00, Jump City. Bring the kids to Jump City—where excitement and laughs are found daily! $8/child; parents are free.

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

IntegrityOP.com kcparent.com october 2017

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Spookfest Oct. 28, Science City. Celebrate Halloween with Science City at this fun, kid friendly, evening event. Spooky science demos, eerie edibles and more! ScienceCity.com

24 Tuesday Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park.

A special time for those 5 and under to enjoy access to the playground and trampoline attractions. $5-$10. 913.298.0626 Mummies of the World 10:00, Union Station.

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

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

25 Wednesday Playgroup at FBC 9:00, First Baptist Church of Shawnee. A safe place for kids to run and play and for parents to enjoy coffee and conversation. Free. 913.226.9438

Fall Trout Program 2:30 (Kill Creek Park), 3:45 (Shawnee Mission Park). Thousands of pounds of trout stocked in the lakes.

JCPRD.com Read to a Dog 4:00, Johnson County Library (Leawood). Kids practice reading skills with a certified therapy dog as an audience. JoCoLibrary.org

26 Thursday Nature Story Time 10:00 & 11:00, George Owens Nature Park. A nature-focused story time and craft for children. 816.325.7115 Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com Enchanted Forest 5:30, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park (Lenexa). For one night the park is transformed into the Enchanted Forest. Free admission.

913.477.7100

Madagascar Thru Sunday, Bell Cultural Events Center. CYT presents your favorite crack-alackin’ friends as they find themselves on an unexpected journey. CYTKC.org

27 Friday Fish Tales 9:30, Olathe Community Center.

Water-themed stories and songs, stay for special mini me swim time. 913.971.8676

five ways to celebrate cookies in kc

October is National Cookie Month. Treat your kids to a delicious cookie treat at one of these local eateries: CLASSIC MADE-FROM-SCRATCH COOKIES McLain’s: 201 E. Gregory Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.523.9911, McLainsBakeryKC.com A Kansas City classic since 1945, McLain’s is a beloved neighborhood bakery with a loyal following. Most famous for its chocolate cup cookies, the bakery also wins hearts with other classic cookies, including chocolate chip, peanut butter, peanut butter + chocolate chip, Mountain Munch, double chocolate, snickerdoodle, sugar, sugar sprinkle, sugar w/ M&Ms, oatmeal raisin, red velvet, ice box and iced sugar cookies.

WARM-FROM-THE-OVEN COOKIES Insomnia Cookies: Two locations - 54 E. 14th St. & 505 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO, 877.632.6654, InsomniaCookies.com For those midnight sweet tooth cravings, Insomnia Cookies promises warm, fresh-baked cookies as late as 3:00 a.m. (they are open all day and into the wee hours of the morning)! They sell all the classics, as well as several specialty cookies. The melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness makes this a fun dessert shop to try for a late-night snack or afternoon treat after an outing in Downtown or Midtown KC. COOKIE MONSTER ICE CREAM Westport Ice Cream & Bakery: 4120 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 14, Kansas City, MO, 816.214.8887, IceCreamKC.com Everyone’s lovable Cookie Monster is the inspiration behind Westport Ice Cream & Bakery’s most popular ice cream flavor. The bright blue ice

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cream with cookie crumble mix-ins is a crowd favorite. Cookie fans also will love the made-from-scratch “better than grandma bakes” homemade cookies, a perfect ice cream complement or tasty treat on their own.

EDIBLE COOKIE DOUGH KC Cookie Dough Madness: 9928 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO, Facebook.com/comedoughyou Why ruin a perfectly good cookie by baking it? All children ask this question as they lick the cookie bowl clean. If you prefer the dough to the real deal, you’ve got to give KC Cookie Dough Madness a try.

Serving classics like chocolate chip, peanut butter and sugar cookie dough, as well as their own unique creations, this shop dishes up scoops of cookie dough to delighted customers.

COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES Betty Rae’s Ice Cream: 7140 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO, BettyRaes.com Partnering with Joe’s Kansas City this summer to create an out-ofthis-world signature Kansas City barbecue ice cream flavor, Betty Rae’s, one of the newer restaurants in the city, has established a reputation for creativity and deliciousness. In addition to their ice cream treats, they serve fantastic cookie ice cream sandwiches. With fresh-baked chocolate chip, double chocolate, green tea cookies, oatmeal cookies and other delicious flavors sandwiching Betty Rea’s homemade ice creams, this shop serves the best made-from-scratch cookie ice cream sandwiches in town!

Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire.

Paint a pottery piece that goes along with a favorite story. Snack included. $13-$15. Pre-reg at 913.661.2529.

Holiday Treasures Craft Festival 9:00, Shawnee Civic Center. Beat the crowds and pick up some unique, hand-crafted holiday gifts.

VistShawneeKS.com

Kid Safe Halloween 11:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Trick-or-treat door to door throughout the village.

ShoalCreekLivingHistoryMuseum.com

Halloween Party 6:00, Gymboree (Zona Rosa). Activities, craft, snack, parachute and, of course, bubbles! Ages: mobile-5. $20. Pre-reg at 816.505.3344.

Healthy Halloween Spooktacular! 9:00, Roeland Park Community Center. Visit the freaky photo booth, make creepy crafts and more. JCPRD.com

Alice in Howl-o-land 11:00, Macken Park.

Carnival games, pumpkin painting, bounce houses, a haunted hayride, a food truck and more. NKC.org

Family Overnight Camping 6:00, TimberRidge Adventure Center. Dinner, sunset hike, activities, breakfast and more! Tents for rent.

913.856.8849

Boo at the Zoo Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Kids trick-or-treat the zoo, enjoy Halloween activities and entertainment.

KansasCityZoo.org

Boo-Tastic Fun 1:00, Crown Center Shops. Get your picture taken with the Wicked Queen and enjoy puppet shows. Free admission.

CrownCenter.com

Public Stargazing 7:00, Warko Observatory.

Free Friday night public observing session.

Every clear Friday night to the end of October.

ASKC.org

Symmetry in Art 10:00, Nerman Museum.

Learn about artistic uses of shape and create a collage with geometric patterns. Ages 8-11.

NermanMuseum.org

SoPro Gaming Lock-in 8:00, SoPro Gaming. Pizza and soda provided. Play unlimited games during the evening. Pre-reg at SoProGaming.com.

28 Saturday Mildale Farm Fest 9:00, Mildale Farm. Explore the farm property and enjoy a number of fall activities. 913.826.2957

Halloween Parade 10:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Families and their dogs wear costumes and join in the parade! DowntownLS.org Trick-or-Treat Main Street 10:00, Blue Springs.

Downtown merchants open for trick-ortreating. Activities include games and crafts.

BlueSpringsGov.com

Trick-or-Treat off the Street 3:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Dress in costume and enjoy 1860s fall living history experiences. Mahaffie.org Trucks & Treats 3:00, Liberty Hospital. See fire truck, ambulance, construction equipment and much more and enjoy a trunk or treat!

LibertyHospital.org Spookfest 5:00, Science City. Celebrate Halloween with Science City at this fun, kid friendly, evening event. ScienceCity.com Family Fun Night 5:00, CW Parker Carousel Museum. Get a hot dog combo meal and unlimited rides on the carousel. $6.

CWParkerCarouselMuseum.org

Join us for Halloween Hoopla, Tricks and Treats with Magician Eric Vaughn, and other free family-friendly programs at a Mid-Continent Public Library branch near you!

Visit mymcpl.org/BOO for a complete list of programs and to register today! kcparent.com october 2017

63

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

The Great Pumpkin Fest 11:00, Worlds of Fun. Not-so-scary activities and fun catering to the little ones! Hay bale maze, creepy crafts and more! WorldsOfFun.com

Halloween Hoopla 10:00, MCPL (Lee’s Summit). Enjoy the Halloween season with all the excitement in a non-scary way. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Express Yourself 6:30, Nelson Atkins. Visit an exhibit and then create your own painting about line, shape, color and brushstroke. $40 adult/child pair. Pre-reg at 816.751.1278.

Trunk or Treat 4:00, St John’s UMC. Trickor-Treating for the kids, costume contest, games, crafts, door prizes, snacks and more!

StJohnsUMC.org

31 Tuesday

Haunted Swamp 6:30, Olathe Community Center. Pumpkin decorating, lifeguard trick-ortreating and open swim in the swamp. $10-$15.

Pre-reg at OlatheKS.org.

Trunk or Treat 4:30, Central United Methodist Church. Annual Halloween family celebration, all candy is peanut-free. ConnectAtCentral.com

International Observe the Moon Night 7:30, Ernie Miller. Observe the moon through a telescope, learn about lunar phases, make impact craters. 913.764.7759 Shatner’s World: We Just Live in It 8:00, Carlsen Center. Through anecdotes, songs, jokes and more, experience William Shatner’s world. JCCC.edu/theseries

29 Sunday Farmers Market 8:00, City Market. The market features a mix of dining, shopping and entertainment in an open air setting.

816.842.1271

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

913.322.5550

30 Monday

Click Clack Boo: A Tricky Treat 10:00, H & R Block City Stage. The clever, well-read cows, poultry and pigs create a fun party for Farmer Brown. $11. TYA.org

Pioneer Trails Adventure 9:00, Independence Square. Receive $5 off adult price of a covered wagon Full City History Tour when you mention KC Parent. 816.254.2466

Trick or Treat Street 4:00, Brookside Shopping District. Trick-or-treat at Brookside’s local shops.

BrooksideKC.org

Open Play 10:00, Jump City. Bring the kids to Jump City—where excitement and laughs are found daily! $8/child; parents are free.

JumpCityKC.com

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

The Unknown Soldier 9:45 & 11:30, Folly Theater. A poignant new work that explores themes of war, duty, courage, and sacrifice.

FollyTheater.org

Trunk or Treat 6:00, Coventry Estates Baptist Church. Come out for a safe alternative to trickor-treating. Free. MyCEBC.org

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

november A festive tea ...a magical ballet ... an amazing time!

Dec. 2& 3,2017

• thanksgiving hacks • improve listening skills • best dollar store buys

For information and tickets, visit nutcrackerteaparty.org

october 20171 64KCP-Print_r1.indd

kcparent.com

8/24/17 9:14 AM

Special Beginnings EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Quality Christian early care and education for over 25 years!

LENEXA Infants-School Age 10216 Pflumm Rd. 913.894.0131

PT or FT Schedule

School Age Care & Summer Camp Kindergarten thru 6th Grade Lenexa Location

M-F, 6 am to 6 pm NAC Accredited Infants to 12 years Developmental Curriculum

OLATHE Infants-Pre-K 14169 Murlen Rd. 913.393.2223

Starting at Infants

OVERLAND PARK Infants-Pre-K 8205 W. 108th Terr.

913.378.1075

specialbeginningsonline.com

! !

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G AT STARTIN

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From MOVIES to VIDEO GAMES, SPORTING EVENTS to CONCERTS, we transform your venue into a world-class cinema.

H Residential H College Campuses H Parks & Pools

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Outdoor Cinema • Special Events

913.424.9444 • Movies2U.com kcparent.com october 2017

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Look for Letters Everywhere

Have Fun with Books

Notice Print All Around You

Six Skills by Six Years

Take Time to Rhyme

Tell Stories About Everything

Talk, Talk, Talk

6 by 6 Ready to Read emphasizes the six early literacy skills parents and caregivers can help children develop before the age of six.

Learn more at jocolibrary.org/birth-to-six

Library

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te rea

• Ex

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Make Kansas City’s Science Center part of your fall plans!

ScienceCity.com

FIFTH ANNUAL

Spookfest S ci e nc e U n w rapp e d

October 28 5 - 8pm

• Spooky Science Demos & Activities • Creepy Critters & Eerie Edibles • Spooktacular Science Stage Show • Costume Contest • Community Clay Project with Belger Arts

Avoid the Line – Preorder Tickets Today!

ScienceCity.com

#ScienceCityKC

Explore

Kansas City Zoo

October 7 & 8 Hoots & Howls Sponsored by Ford

October 14 Brew at the Zoo & Wine Too (21+, registration required)

October 14 & 15 Hoots & Howls Sponsored by Ford

October 21 & 22 Hoots & Howls Sponsored by Ford

October 28 & 29 Boo at the Zoo Sponsored by Ford

November 4 & 5 Great Pumpkin Smash

Always a New Adventure!

Open Year Round Check online for more Zoomazing experiences!

kansascityzoo.org | 816.595.1234 | Open Daily The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.