KC Parent October 2023

COFFEE SHOP TOUR

PUMPKIN PATCHES

FALL FLAVORS

AUTUMN OUTINGS

ART OF A GOOD APOLOGY

BIRTHDAY PARTY GUIDE

For details and to enter, head to KCParent.com.

Iso enjoy the rhythm and beauty of fall. The start-of-school chaos has subsided, cooler temperatures have arrived, and routine ensues. Cooler weather and a myriad of activities invite us outdoors.

As a mom, I find the rhythm gives me freedom. I count on our schedule and then find pockets of time to capture fall favorites: apple picking and the homemade treats that follow, pumpkin patch adventures, leaf peeping and raking— and college football too! And I’ll do my best to take more pictures than my kids currently appreciate.

Great news for you! KCParent and KCParent.com have compiled a host of fabulous fall activities for you so you can schedule some autumn fun for your family. Check out our list of October festivals (p. 46), Pumpkin Patch Guide (p. 48) and calendar (p. 52)—and be sure to hop online for even more fall fun and to enter our Pumpkin Patch Giveaway and our Ringling Bros. Giveaway! Fall in Kansas City has so much to offer. Be sure to take advantage!

And, yes, make sure you plan a night out for yourself! Time away from the family and the demands is incredibly refreshing.

Julie Collett has some terrific ideas (p. 30), and Iris Enna has put together a roundup of Kansas City coffee shops for you (p. 60).

There’s so much to navigating parenthood! Whether we’re trying to help kids learn to get along (with siblings or strangers), realizing there’s value in owning a mistake but not being sure how to move forward, or just having a sense that something is awry with one of our children … we’re all learning along the way! I sure hope our pages bring you encouragement. You are not alone on this journey! Consider yourself hugged!

Revel in fall, Kansas City!

OCTOBER 2023

Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com

Associate Publisher Darrell Dean

Darrell@KCParent.com

Editor Lauri Clapper

Lauri@FamilyMediaGroup.com

Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com

Advertising Sales

Darrell Dean

Darrell@KCParent.com

Digital Media Manager

Kristina Light

Kristina@KCParent.com

Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com

Intern Iris Enna

Distribution

To be added to our distribution list, email Distribution@KCParent.com

Local Contributing Writers

Bill Bartlett (Kansas City), Hannah Berry (Kansas City), Julie Collett (Overland Park), Janelle Cumro-Sultzer (Manhattan), Iris Enna (Merriam), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Regan Lyons (St. Joseph), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Kerrie McLoughlin (Peculiar), Kailyn Rhinehart (Warrensburg), Joleen Sams (Shawnee), Hailey Saunders (Kansas City), Lyra Thompson (Bonner Springs)

Mailing Address

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Kansas City Parent Magazine is published 12 times a year by Family Media Group. It is distributed free of charge throughout the Kansas City area. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect KC Parent’s opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. Kansas City Parent Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. All photography and letters sent to KC Parent will be treated unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. KC Parent often includes websites that may be helpful to our readers. We verify each site prior to publication. However, content changes frequently. We encourage you to use caution and discretion when visiting a website.

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KC PARENT IS GIVING AWAY $2,100 IN TICKETS TO RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY

KCPARENT.COM

Even More Local Parenting Information, Articles, Events and Surprises

KC Parent’s Mega Fun Pumpkin Patch Giveaway!

This Autumn KC Parent Is Giving Away 50 + FAMILY 4-PACKS

To Your Favorite Pumpkin Patches

Follow us on Facebook for details and to enter: Facebook.com/KansasCityParent

SPOTLIGHT PUMPKIN FUN IN KC

The start of fall brings colorful foliage to Kansas City. Find pumpkin patches all over the metro and enter to win our Pumpkin Patch Giveaway at KCParent.com.

LABOR & DELIVERY GUIDE

Choosing the best hospital for the arrival of your baby is an important decision. Use the KCParent.com Labor & Delivery Hospital Guide to find the perfect location for you and your child.

1. Pumpkin Patch Guide & Giveaway

2. Fall Festival Guide

3. Best Caramel Apples in KC

4. Great Main Streets of the Midwest

5. Sensational Soups

6. Fall Glamping

7. Autumn Vacation Adventures

8. Autumn Bucket List

9. Coupons

10. Cozy Craft Ideas

DATES GOING LOCAL

Who doesn’t love tacos? Check out one of these great places to satisfy your sweetheart’s and your appetites!

KANSAS CITY TACO COMPANY

Kansas City Taco Company is a gem of a restaurant located in the River Market that doesn’t get the love and attention it deserves. We visited recently after having not been there for a few years, and we were pleased to see that they had expanded. And the food? Well, it was absolutely superb! He had the cowboy junkie burrito, which was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: mesquite pork and chorizo rolled in a large tortilla and deep fried, served over rice and topped with queso, spicy bacon pinto beans and pico. This is one big burrito—huge and hearty. And of course, my husband had no trouble putting it all away. Meanwhile, I was enjoying every bit of my street corn to start, followed up by one Thai chili shrimp taco and one roasted cauliflower taco. Both were bursting with amazing flavor. I just couldn’t get enough of them. All of KC Taco Company’s tacos are innovative, unique and full of flavor. You can’t go wrong with any of them. We highly recommend paying them a visit. They are closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly.

MISSION TACO

Another tasty taco place in KC is Mission Taco Joint. They have locations in the Crossroads, South Plaza and Leawood. Their West Coast style tacos are creative and nontraditional. On a recent visit, I ordered the mango habanero shrimp, the Yucatecan pork and the Baja fish. My husband got the hot fried chicken, the carne molida and the BLT (who wouldn’t love bacon on a taco?). All were outstanding. If you are going to the Crossroads location, note that it is all street parking, and if there are any big events going on in the area, you may have to park several blocks away. The South Plaza location has both street parking and garage parking (free with validation), so it is easier to navigate.

TACO NACO

Located in Downtown Overland Park and Westport, this taqueria is serving up some of Kansas City’s best tacos, nachos and margaritas. We recently tried here for the first time—and have already been back a second time. The tacos are artfully crafted and packed with flavor, not to mention ingredients. There is no skimping on the meat, veggies and other toppings. You definitely need lots of napkins for this meal because you will get it all over your hands—unless you just want to eat it with a fork. But where’s the fun in that? Even though this place is considered a fast casual restaurant, there is no need to feel rushed. We went with friends and sat around talking for quite a while. The atmosphere is fun and inviting with pops of color everywhere. In addition to being a restaurant, the establishment also has a small market that sells produce, salsas and other Mexican goods. On nice days, they have a patio that beckons you to come outdoors with your food. Taco Naco, though relatively new, ranks in my top three taco places in KC. And when you pay them a visit, you’ll see why. Be sure to try the brisket barbacoa taco. It is amazing!

Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives in the Northland with her husband. They love to explore Kansas City and try new restaurants and activities. Check out her Facebook page, Out & About in KC.

FOR MORE GREAT DATE NIGHT IDEAS, GO TO KCPARENT.COM!

With the long, sweltering months of summer behind them, many Kansas Citians are eager to spend more time enjoying the bright leaves and mild autumn air outdoors. While being active outside has a multitude of physical and mental health benefits, it is important to protect ourselves and our families from potential health risks.

Lyme disease is the most common of several tick-borne illnesses in the United States. Being aware of this disease, spotting the symptoms and understanding prevention measures will benefit those who spend time outside, whether it be the forest, the field or their own backyard.

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria that blacklegged ticks can transmit through a bite if they carry the disease. In Kansas and Missouri, the species of ticks include blacklegged ticks (deer ticks), dog ticks and lone star ticks. The species other than blacklegged may carry other diseases, but the same prevention measures apply to all.

Annually, approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are officially reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; however, many cases go unreported. It is estimated the actual number of Lyme infections is over 400,000 individuals per year. Lyme disease is most prevalent in the northeastern states, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Kansas and Missouri each have fewer than 50 officially reported cases each year. Nonetheless, it remains important to be aware and try to prevent tick bites.

A tick must be attached for at least 36 hours to transmit disease. This is not to say it is impossible to transmit disease when attached for less time. Essentially, the longer the tick is attached, the higher the chance of

LYME DISEASE

transmission. The severity of Lyme disease symptoms can vary from mild to severe and occur in three stages:

Early localized disease:

A characteristic bull’s-eye rash predominates in this stage. Some people may experience muscle or joint pain and mild flu-like symptoms. This stage occurs two to four weeks after exposure. It is important to know that even bites from uninfected ticks will be red and itchy. The bull’s-eye rash can be distinguished as it has a circular redness that grows larger over subsequent days and may develop a lighter colored center, resembling a bull’s-eye. This stage may not be experienced by everyone, and many will not recall having a tick bite at all.

Early disseminated disease:

This stage occurs weeks to months after exposure to an infected tick. There are numerous possible symptoms in this stage, and one or several may be experienced. Likely, several bull’s-eye rashes will appear. Other potential symptoms include nerve pain, muscle weakness, headache, fever, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Late Lyme disease:

This stage occurs months to years after exposure. The most common symptom of this stage is pain in one or several joints, most commonly the knee. Rarely, there can be more serious neurologic symptoms at this stage leading to mild memory or concentration difficulties.

The good news is that Lyme disease can be cured! A health care provider will consider your symptoms after a report of a tick bite or potential exposure. Many people can be treated for Lyme disease by symptoms alone,

but the definitive diagnosis requires a blood test. For higher-risk patients or those who live in areas with a high incidence of Lyme disease, treatment may be offered after the report of a tick attachment greater than 36 hours, even before symptoms occur.

The treatment for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses is a course of antibiotics. There are a small few who may not achieve relief of symptoms after treatment. These individuals may require more time to improve, additional antibiotics and/or a referral to a specialist.

Prevention is the best defense against Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses! If you are planning to spend time outdoors in a wooded or grassy area, take precautions. Although ticks are most active in the summer months, they may bite for most months of the year on warmer days.

Precautions:

• Choose light-colored clothing.

• Wear long sleeves and tuck pants into socks.

• Don a hat and tuck up long hair.

• Use insect repellent with tick coverage.

• Consider spraying clothing with repellent prior to wearing.

After exposure to potential tick habitats, check clothing and pets for ticks. Shower within two hours of being outdoor to rinse off ticks that are not yet attached and to check your body thoroughly. Common tick attachment locations include areas with hair, bending surfaces of body and anywhere clothing is snug to the skin like the belt line. If a tick is found attached, remove it promptly with clean tweezers by grabbing the tick as close to the skin as possible.

Remaining aware and diligent will help prevent Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses for you and your family. If you are feeling ill or have any concerns following a possible or confirmed tick exposure, make an appointment with your health care provider.

Hailey Saunders. APRN, MSN, FNP-C, is a family nurse practitioner and Kansas City native who is passionate about evidence based health education.

REFERENCES:

CDC.gov/lyme/index.html

IDSociety.org/practice-guideline/lyme-disease/#null

UpToDate.com/contents/epidemiology-of-lyme-disease UpToDate.com/contents/clinical-manifestationsof-lyme-disease-in-adults

Lyme disease is the most common of several tick-borne illnesses in the United States.

Olive is an almost three-year-old pit mix. We have had her for about 18 months. She is loving, affectionate and wicked smart. Her circle of trust is small but strong. She is great with other dogs, but strange people are a problem for her, especially men and tall women. I’m looking for suggestions for how to build her confidence around strangers. Her typical behavior with strangers is barking and then hiding. Sometimes she retreats to her crate and won’t come out until strangers leave the house. Thanks for any advice you can offer. We would love her to be more relaxed in these situations.

- Jacquie Gering

It sounds like Olive is shy and fearful of new people and needs additional time to acclimate to them. My advice is to be patient and ask others to completely ignore her until she is ready to engage with them. Have them avoid direct eye contact and forced engagement, like petting when she is not ready. At the shelter, we use the slow and low method of meeting shy and fearful dogs by squatting on the ground to make ourselves look smaller, with no fast movements and lots of patience. If they don’t want to interact, it’s okay. Ignore them and give them attention when they are ready for it. When they are ready,

have the person go slowly and pet under the chin, not on top of their head. If Olive starts to cower, bark, lunge, yawn, or growl, then she has mild to significant anxiety, and you should take it slower. For extreme cases, I recommend having an Animal Behaviorist work with you on behavior modification.

- Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

My older beagle scratches, not constantly, but often. Our vet suggested Benadryl, but it’s a battle to get her to take any pill. Is there any home remedy I can try? By the way, our other beagle, who was one of the 4,000 dogs rescued from the Envigo breeding facility and adopted from Great Plains SPCA, is doing well after almost a year with us.

- Jim Autry

Thank you for adopting from Great Plains SPCA! I consulted one of our vets for this question and Dr. Dickerson said there are medicated and hypoallergenic shampoos that you can purchase over the counter to see if they could help with her scratching. If those don’t work, there is an injectable option that you should be able to access through your vet if you’re unable to give her pills. For extreme allergies, you can get an allergy test done on your dog to find out exactly what her allergies are. – Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA and Dr. Dickerson, DVM.

I have a three-and-a-half-month-old Bernadoodle puppy. We live in an apartment and I am curious about the best way to potty train her. Thanks so much! - Shelley

I am a big fan of crate training and positive reinforcement, so I recommend purchasing a crate, training her to use the crate for when you aren’t able to supervise her, and rewarding her when she goes to the bathroom outside. Make sure you feed her at the same time every day to get her on a schedule so that you can predict when she will have to go. I like to pick one spot for potty breaks outside so dogs can associate that area with eliminating instead of outside play. Taking the puppy outside every one to two hours and rewarding her every time she goes potty will create good habits. I do not recommend scolding her in the home when she has an accident, as that can set her back. Some people will rub a dog’s nose in the carpet after they have urinated. Dog trainers have found that method to be ineffective and cause delays in potty training. It creates confusion because they don’t realize they are in trouble for having an accident in the home and associate it with the act of urinating, so puppies will hide when going to the bathroom.-

Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

Senior Director of Animal Behavior and Training at Great Plains SPCA. Ashley has

Flores,

than 16 years of experience in animal training and behavior.

Stadium Seat

I love being present at all the things my kiddos are involved in! However, sometimes cheering them on involves my commitment to a hard place to sit for hours on end. I love this lightweight stadium seat’s fabric, cushioning and shoulder strap for carrying. When I actually do sit down from cheering them on, it’s the comfiest spot in the stands! CascadeMountainTech.com

Play Together

Ever want to bring some fun to family life? I love the creativity as well as the intentional bent toward happiness, communication skills and increased emotional intelligence of the games and activities in this book. Most activities are screen-free and can be played in under 10 minutes using materials you already have on hand ... or just your imagination! Found at booksellers nationwide and online.

Sheets

These sheets won me over with their clean production, buttery softness and delicious color (we have linen). Yet the feature that has me singing their praises come morning is the elastic across the corners that keeps them completely wrapped around the mattress—and still in place when it’s time to make the bed. If you’re looking for a gift, I must rave about the impeccable way these come delivered; truly a treat from packaging to slumbering! PureParima.com

LOVE

5THINGS WE RIGHT NOW

Compiled by Lauri Clapper

Richard Scarry’s Big Busy Family Wall Calendar

I cannot be the only person who is still entertained by Cars and Trucks and Things That Go. (Have you found Gold Bug on every page?) I have struggled for years to organize our family on a written calendar, and yes, I do like it written and hung for all to see. This calendar is the perfect size for all that I want to include, and I love how it’s organized—not to mention I delight in seeing Richard Scarry’s characters on every page! Amazon.com

Sobela Ocean Aquarium

Get your tickets and reserve your space in line! This aquarium is fabulous! As we entered, my son exclaimed, “This is so cool!” Kid-friendly displays bring you face-toface with sea life—and give you a chance for hands-on exploration, too! We were mesmerized taking everything in. We loved the sea turtle named Tortellini, the seahorses and the sharks! Our community is so lucky to have this at our Kansas City Zoo! KansasCityZoo.org

HORSE TRADING

“I’ll give you five of these black-andorange toffees plus a chocolate sucker for two chocolate-peanut bars.”

My friends and I had looked forward to Halloween since the first of the month and planned our path like Genghis Khan conquering Asia. We bought or made our costumes while Halloween specials on TV whetted our anticipation.

Finally, the big day arrived, but we had to wait for sunset when the dark lured everyone outside. Free from parental oversight, we roamed block after block, collecting candy and memories in equal measure until our tired legs turned us homeward.

There are families who drop all the candy into a communal bowl, and all in the household, parents included, take what they want at will. Not in my home, where it was everyone for themselves. Besides, we had a reason to keep our loot separate. Our own miniature marketplace on the day after was always in the back of our minds.

We began bargaining the next day, following school, and I focused on my younger sisters, Terri and Judy, to whom I’d made my opening bid. Terri had her own proposal. “How about throwing in a popcorn ball, and I’ll give you three chocolatepeanut bars and a sweet-and-sour?

I squinted. “Add a candy apple, and it’s a deal”

Judy, the youngest and still a novice, caught on fast. “I’ll give you all my toffees for your chocolate nougats.”

I didn’t care for either, but wanted more. “Keep the black-and-oranges and give me your peanut bars.”

So it went, back and forth, until everyone was satisfied with their modified treasure. I’d read of fantastic offers and counteroffers at famous marketplaces throughout the world, but nothing held a candle to the fierce trading that took place at my dining room table on the first day of November.

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

BY PEGGY GISLER AND MARGE EBERTS

WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BULLYING

PARENTS: This month is National Bullying Prevention Month. This is a campaign that was started in 2006 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. The idea behind the campaign is to raise awareness about bullying and educate people about ways to prevent bullying. Your children’s schools may devote some time this month or throughout the school year to one of the many bullying prevention programs.

Unfortunately, the success rates of these programs are not outstanding. Overall, it appears that there is only a reduction of 18-19% in actual bullying in schools that have anti-bullying programs. However, some programs claim as high as a 70% reduction in bullying. On the other hand, one study indicates that schools that make peer intervention a large part of their bullying program may actually see an increase in bullying and make for worse outcomes for those being bullied. This is because when peers step in to stop bullying, it may make the victim feel powerless in handling the bully and make the victim seem even weaker to the bully.

The Definition of Bullying

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2015), bullying is “unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance” and is repeated over a period of time. Using power to bully may include physical strength or ridicule with intent to control or harm another. And as we all know, there is a newer form of bullying—cyberbullying. This includes sending, posting or sharing negative, harmful, false

or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else that causes embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.

Bullying Is Not a New Problem

Bullying has been around for centuries, from biblical times to the present, and it is seen in such literature as Lord of the Flies—which is required reading in many schools. Nevertheless, before the 1980s, bullying was not considered a serious problem but often part of the rites of passage for children. However, this changed in the 1990s after a string of massacres in schools and the media’s focus on relating these events to bullying. The unfortunate news is that school bullying behaviors seem to be increasing, possibly due to the recent advent of cyberbullying.

Bullying Statistics

Bullying statistics do vary with who is doing the research. Nevertheless, the picture is not pretty about bullying in schools. According to fairly recent statistics from PACER’s National Bullying Center, as many as one in five school children reports being bullied. And of this group, more girls than boys are bullied at school. Worst of all, 41% of those who were bullied think it would happen again. It is reassuring to note that 46% of those bullied have notified an adult at school about their being bullied.

The statistics about cyberbullying show a high number of students are bullied online. The most likely place is on

YouTube, followed by Snapchat, TikTok and Facebook, in that order. According to some bullying statistics, as many as 42% of students report being bullied online, and 35% say they have been threatened online.

The Legal Responsibility of Schools Concerning Bullying

Thanks to public awareness of the dangers of bullying, states have enacted laws about how school districts should address incidents of both bullying and cyberbullying. However, these laws do vary from state to state. The school districts can work with state agencies to ensure that their policies are up to date. Also, school districts are required by law to submit data on bullying to the U.S. Department of Education so it can be included in civil rights data collection surveys. Besides the legal obligations school districts have in decreasing bullying, failing to do so interferes greatly with student learning.

How Parents Can Handle Bullying

1. Know the signs your child is being bullied or is a bully; see StopBullying.gov.

2. Be aware that children do not tell parents about bullying or ask for help for many reasons.

3. Be aware of what the bullying policies at your children’s schools are.

4. Keep the lines of communication open with your children by talking with them every day about their experiences at school.

5. Teach your children from a young age how to be kind to others, to share and to empathize.

6. Teach them how to handle situations when someone is being mean to them.

7. Stress the importance of letting the school know about incidences of bullying—even anonymously.

8. Be sure to talk to them about appropriate online and digital behavior before they start interacting with others online.

9. Cyberbullying can largely be eliminated by eliminating social media accounts as well as reporting incidents to the online sites.

10. If bullying your children persists at school or cyberbullying as well, contact the appropriate school personnel.

11. If the school cannot resolve a bullying situation, it may be necessary to consult an attorney.

12. In extreme school bullying situations, it may be best to remove children from that school.

THE BEST MAC AND CHEESE ACROSS KC

Hockey season starts in October, and Kansas City’s own Mavericks mascots are the ever zany duo Mac and Cheeze! Enjoy all things mac and cheese with our roundup of the tastiest eateries serving the all-American comfort food in KC.

Mac and Cheeze Mascots: For hockey fans, you can book the KC Mavericks mascots Mac and Cheeze for any event! Website: KCMavericks.com/en/community/community-back-pages/appearance-requests

KC Mac N’ Co.: This Downtown Kansas City, Missouri, restaurant is all about making mac and cheese your main dish, not just a side. Almost every single dish you order here incorporates mac and cheese.

Address: 1111 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64105

Brown and Loe: Another Downtown KCMO restaurant, Brown and Loe also has popular mac and cheese dishes. A popular menu item is the smoked Gouda mac, which is often praised for its flavor and consistency. Address: 429 Walnut St., Kansas City, Mo. 64106

Lula Southern Cookhouse: This restaurant in the Crossroads is dedicated to Southern American comfort food. With items on the menu ranging from fried chicken to seafood, you have lots of options. Its mac and cheese dishes are loved by many customers. Address: 1617 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64108

Cheesy Street: Cheesy Street is a Kansas City area food truck known for “gourmet grilled cheese and loaded mac & cheese.” You can get a mac and cheese entree or order it as a side. Book this food truck for your next event or visit the website to see where they’re going to be next! CheesyStreetKC.fun

Coast to Coast Pub: This restaurant, owned by the Martin City Brewing Company, serves a lot of different styles of mac and cheese, including lobster mac and cowboy mac. Both of these dishes are popular choices. Besides macaroni and cheese, you can also choose from many seafood dishes.

Lyra Thompson is a born-and-raised Kansas girl with a passion for writing and all things local.

Child Development Center

“Where Your Child is Special”

Ages 2 weeks to 12 years

Child Development Center “Where Your Child Is Special”

6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Ages 2 weeks to 12 years

6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

10% OFF infant room for first year with new enrollment.

Child Development Center

“Where Your Child is Special”

Ages 2 weeks to 12 years 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Part-Time Preschool (Ages 3-5) 9:00-11:30 or 9:00-3:00

Mother’s Day Out (12 mos-3 years) 9:00-3:00

Two Convenient Locations: 127th & Antioch 913.681.2190 162nd & Metcalf Ave 913.681.2191

Two Convenient Locations: 127th & Antioch

913.681.2190

Family Owned and Operated Since 1990

162nd & Metcalf Ave 913.681.2191

Family Owned and Operated since 1990

weeworkshopchildcare.com

weeworkshopchildcare.com

Happy and Healthy: Explore the Great Outdoors

Crisp mornings and falling leaves practically beg us to come outside and play. Every parent who’s ever been cooped up indoors for a day or two with littles knows that kids need to spend time outdoors. Fall is the perfect time to explore all that KC has to offer. Getting outside promotes healthy growth and development and benefits everyone’s well-being!

Physical Development

Only about one in four children get the daily recommended amount of physical activity. For kids under 6, three hours are recommended, while those over 6 should get at least one hour. That may sound like a lot, especially for the toddlers and preschoolers in your life, but going outside is an easy way to encourage activity without stress.

Wide open spaces, playgrounds and natural elements invite exploration and fun. Kids play harder outside than in. Jumping, climbing and testing their abilities improve their overall motor skills. Our bodies also need sunshine to produce Vitamin D, which promotes healthy bone growth and immune system development. Finally, tired kids sleep better than those who don’t get enough activity throughout the day.

Mental Health

“I need to get some fresh air” has serious science to back up what most of us naturally experience. Step outside and take a few deep breaths. Most of the time, you’ll feel an almost immediate sense of refreshment and calm. Time spent outdoors is linked to decreased anxiety, depression, anger and aggressive behaviors. It’s also associated with improved impulse control. Kids who spend time in nature feel more connected to their surroundings.

Brain Builder

Giving kids a chance to explore the outdoors gives their natural curiosity and creativity time to shine. Allowing kids to experiment and see what happens builds critical thinking skills. Time spent throwing rocks in the lake, climbing over boulders and going down the slide a million times creates connections in their brains that can lead to a lifelong love for learning.

Long-Term Benefits

Kids who spend more time outdoors reap the benefits their entire life. Long-term studies show links between the amount of time outdoors and physical activity with lower rates of obesity, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Adults who developed an affinity for nature as kids are less likely to develop anxiety, depression and other significant mental health concerns.

It’s not all about your kids either! The benefits of fresh air and sunshine aren’t limited just to them. Time spent together outdoors builds your connections with your kids’ sense of well-being too!

Fall in Kansas City provides ample opportunities to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Visit the pumpkin patches, check out a new hiking trail or head over to one of KC’s best parks. Have some fun and improve your health at the same time!

Joleen Sams lives with her family in Shawnee. She’s a family nurse practitioner who has always loved taking care of kids and their families.

REFERENCES:

HealthyChildren.org: “Playing Outside: Why It’s Important for Kids”

HealthyChildren.org: “Encouraging Your Child to be Physically Active”

Jimenez, M. P., Deville, N. V., Elliott, E. G., Schiff, J. E., Wilt, G. E., Hart, J. E., & James, P. (2021). “Associations between nature exposure and health: A review of the evidence.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 no. 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094790

Six Ways to Navigate the Seasonal Sugar Overload

Our job as parents is to educate and inform our children about making healthy choices. It’s difficult to navigate the seasonal sugar overload. We want to demonstrate a good relationship with both food and celebration.

It’s the start of the holiday season. And with it come all the celebrations, parties and cookie decorating. The beginning of months of celebrations means being with those we love. It also means eating lots of good food—but we can’t forget the holiday season’s sugary sweets.

Consuming too much sugar has consequences. Unfortunately, children learn this firsthand. Sugar crashes, stomachaches, irritability or other symptoms can develop after sugar consumption. Our job as parents is to educate and inform our children about making healthy choices.

It’s difficult to navigate the seasonal sugar overload. We want to demonstrate a good relationship with both food and celebration. We don’t want our kids to miss out on the fun, but we don’t want to overwhelm them with too many sweets either. The sugar overload isn’t just limited to Halloween candy and Christmas cookies. Add in all the school goodies, desserts and special treats, and you’ve got one amped-up kiddo.

So how do we navigate the sugary goodness without squelching the fun?

Make a plan

Go in with a plan. Even if your plan is not to restrict sweets. For Halloween, you may decide to let your children eat as much candy as they want that night and the next day. But after that, they can only have one piece daily until it’s gone. Maybe you only let them eat the candy until Thanksgiving, and then it goes away. Perhaps during celebrations, your child can pick one or two sweets off the dessert table instead of five.

By going in with a plan, you eliminate the variables, set clear boundaries and lessen the sugar rush.

Communicate the plan

After making a plan, communicate it to your child. There’s nothing worse than a fit based on a misunderstanding in the middle of a holiday party. Reassure your children they’re allowed to have sweets but must follow the plan—only have a certain amount or eat their food first, for instance.

You’re always free to alter the plan. After all, you’re the parent. But your children will probably be more cooperative with the plan when they know beforehand. No one likes to be blindsided—even children. This is especially true when kids are older and more willing and able to understand the scenario.

Take first things first

One of the most important aspects of eating well is drinking ample water. By drinking plenty of water before consuming sweets, your child is more likely to avoid a sugar crash or dehydration. Make sure your child eats something filling and nutritious before consuming sugar too. Keep high-protein snacks on hand during these sugary months to help mitigate the sugar crash, keep their bellies full of quality nutrition and ward off headaches.

Consider alternatives

If you’re wanting to fully omit sugar during the holidays, consider alternatives ahead of time. Bring your own dessert or snacks to the celebrations and involve your children in getting or making them. Ask their opinions. This will highlight that they are still getting special things during the festivities and lessen the chance of their feeling left out.

If you’re the one doing the baking, try finding sugar substitutions. With a little research, you’ll find simple, often affordable, substitutions.

In place of sugar, try:

• Honey

• Maple syrup

• Dates

• Monkfruit

• Coconut palm sugar

• Applesauce

Set an example

We parents are our children’s first example for eating and nutrition. We want to consider how we talk about the food and treats we consume. Labeling food or treats as “good” and “bad” can alter our children’s views in the long term. Our children don’t naturally know that eating candy for breakfast, lunch and dinner can make a body feel rotten. They need to see

It’s all about balance

Regardless of how you choose to approach the sugary conundrum of the holidays, try leaning on balance. Too much or too little is exhausting. Too much sugar can cause many negative symptoms. But trying to monitor or control every single ounce of sugar your child consumes over the course of several months is stressful and restrictive.

Throwing yourself toward either extreme can have negative mental and physical long-term consequences for you and your children. Balance is difficult to achieve, but it’s something we must strive for when it comes to navigating sugar overload.

So make a plan, talk it out, be an example. And remember, holidays are about having fun and creating memories—no matter how you and your family choose to approach sugar!

solutions to sticky situations

You’re in public, and your child makes an embarrassing comment to someone. She picks her nose while you are eating at a restaurant. He shares an embarrassing story about you. Every parent has been there—and, most of the time, other parents understand the ups and downs of parenting and are willing to be patient, help out and excuse behaviors that seem impolite or embarrassing. Sticky situations with kids can be difficult to navigate, but there are a few things you can do to make the best of them.

Your child does something rude at a restaurant

You’re eating out, and your child does something gross or impolite like burping, picking her nose or throwing food. Place your hand on the child’s shoulder and quietly ask her to stop the behavior and explain that she’s being impolite. If you think her behavior is rooted in seeking attention and is somewhat tolerable, it may be appropriate to simply ignore it. However, if your child persists, it may be best to ask her to take a bathroom break. When you return to the table, try to find something

Sticky situations with kids can be difficult to navigate, but there are a few things you can do to make the best of them.

to distract your child. Some parents bring a tablet, coloring book or small toys to keep their child busy while waiting for food, but if you find yourself unprepared, you can play “I spy” or another guessing game to keep everyone occupied.

PRO PARENT TIP: Put together a “busy bag” that you can bring to restaurants. Include a few art supplies, small toys, books, magnet toys or fidgets to keep your child occupied while waiting. To keep your child’s interest, switch out the items often and only allow play with the contents when you are at a restaurant or other situation where quiet and patience are required.

Your child makes a rude comment to a stranger

This can be one of the most embarrassing situations for a parent. My cousin once went up to an elderly man and told him, “You are old and will die soon.” If your child makes a comment about someone’s appearance, it’s best to quickly apologize to the person he offended. If appropriate, have your child apologize to the person as well. Let your child know that it is never OK to make fun of someone’s appearance or comment on another’s race, weight or age. If you think your child is simply curious about something and not making the comment rudely, try to take the time, when appropriate, to explain the situation to your child. For example, if your child has a question about why someone is in a wheelchair, you could explain the person needs it to help move around.

PRO PARENT TIP: Let your child know that people come in all sizes, shapes, races and ages. Our differences are what makes us each special. Your child will follow your lead when it comes to accepting others. If you celebrate diversity, your kids will most likely do the same. Talk to your children about differences and let them know it’s OK to ask questions but never to make fun of others.

Your child has a potty accident in public

During the months of potty training, accidents are likely to happen. It’s best not to make a big production of it and clean it

up as quickly as possible. Try not to shame or embarrass your child, which can cause problems long term and even prolong potty training. Potty accidents always seem to happen in the most inconvenient times and places. Ideally, you have an extra change of clothes in your car or diaper bag, but if not, it’s OK to leave early or borrow clothes from someone if needed.

PRO PARENT TIP: Keep a stash of wipes and a full change of clothes in a Ziploc bag in your car. The bag can be used to bring home dirty clothes as well.

These sticky situations can be embarrassing, but the good news is they are common. All parents have a few embarrassing moments they can share about their parenting journey. Often in these instances, you may be able to use humor to distract from the situation or simply apologize and move on. If nothing else, you can wait until your kids are teenagers and share some of your own stories that might make them blush now that they are a little older.

What to Do in a Sticky Situation

Stay calm. If you get upset, it will only make the situation worse. Try to take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that you’re the adult in this situation.

Try to understand why your child is acting out. Is there something going on in his life that’s causing him stress? Is he feeling overwhelmed or frustrated? Once you understand the root of the problem, you can start to address it.

Your child shares embarrassing and private information about you

“My mom and dad kiss a lot. And I mean a lot!” was what one preschooler told me while I was teaching a Sunday school class. Another child told me how their dad snores and has stinky feet. Young kids usually don’t have much of a filter and are willing to share private and sometimes embarrassing information with teachers, friends and even complete strangers. In this situation, try to change the subject or turn the comment into a joke. “Well, we do have four kids,” was how the kissing couple responded after their child shared that information.

PRO PARENT TIP: When it’s the right time, you can talk to your kids about not sharing private information outside the family. In the moment, try to turn the moment into a joke. If you brush it off with a laugh, others are more likely to do so.

Set clear boundaries and expectations. Let your child know what you expect of her and what the consequences will be if she doesn’t meet your expectations. Be consistent with your discipline and follow through on your threats.

Be patient and understanding. It takes time for kids to learn and grow. Don’t expect them to change overnight. Be patient with them and keep working with them to improve their behavior.

Seek professional help if you need it. If you’re struggling to deal with your child’s behavior, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help. A therapist can provide you with support and guidance.

Sarah Lyons is a mom of six children, including 9-year-old triplets. She has survived many embarrassing parenting moments over the years. She lives in Olathe with her family.

These sticky situations can be embarrassing, but the good news is they are common. All parents have a few embarrassing moments they can share about their parenting journey.

apology THE ART OF THE

have you ever heard the expression, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry?” It might make for a good movie line, but it’s terrible life advice! Apologizing is actually a hallmark of a healthy relationship. If anything, love requires saying sorry—a lot—and that’s just the beginning of a good apology.

Learning how to make things right after a mistake can be hard at any age, but it can be particularly challenging for children. We parents want our children to understand that there’s nothing magical about the simple words, “I’m sorry.” What really matters is the heart behind those words. That’s why forcing kids to apologize when they’re not sorry falls short in teaching them how to reconcile relationships. At the end of the day, we want to teach them how to grow their emotional intelligence so they can see how their actions impact others. Here are some simple ways to break down the art of an apology.

Have Eyes to See How Others Are Feeling

A good apology requires seeing things from another’s perspective or, simply put, building empathy. Children have developmental limitations regarding their capacity to think beyond themselves. Toddlers, for example, are inherently selfpreserving and don’t make connections between their choices and how those choices affect others. Around 4, children begin to understand how their emotions impact the feelings of others. By 5, they can answer hypothetical questions such as, “How would you feel if someone stole your favorite toy?” And by 8, they’re able to conceptualize how people may have different feelings than their own, while tackling other complex situations where nuance is required. As children mature, their investment in relationships deepens, which enables them to make amends on their own.

This doesn’t mean that parents should wait until children are older to begin teaching empathy. In fact, the best way to model empathy is through responding with grace and compassion when kids are at their worst: tired, cranky and downright irritable. As we teach our children to see things beyond themselves, we’re laying the groundwork for why apologies are important in the first place.

Take Ownership

It’s not enough to acknowledge that our choices can impact others. To make amends, the next step in the art of apologizing is owning that action. Many times, people get lost in the weeds at this point. They may utter “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings,” but continue to offer justifications for what they perceive as a misunderstanding or mistake. A true apology, however, requires taking responsibility for that action. We must own what we do, regardless of whether it was purposeful or by accident. This can be incredibly hard for a multitude of reasons. After all, no one likes to admit when they’re wrong. It can feel embarrassing. There may be shame or

fear of repercussions. Or as Rachel Rifkin says in Today’s Parent, it can also be due to complicated emotions like cognitive dissonance, otherwise known as that awkward feeling you get when you try to hold two contradictory beliefs at once. For instance, a child may see himself as a good person, but also have an awareness that he did something wrong. How can that be rectified? He might justify that what he did wasn’t all that bad or attempt to rationalize why the other person deserved it.

This is where parents can be most helpful, offering guidance and not overreacting to their child’s mistakes. Skip the lecture and, instead, aim for questions that connect the child’s feelings to his actions, letting him discern how to make better choices in the future. As Ellen Goldsmith, a licensed clinical social worker, admonishes, “It’s always unwise to try to teach when we are angry or our children have difficulty hearing. We also can’t teach when we are embarrassed in front of others.”

Only after a child is calm and levelheaded should he begin the act of apologizing: acknowledging another’s hurt feelings while also demonstrating sincere remorse.

Make Things Right

Edwin Battistella, PhD, linguistics professor and author of Sorry About That: The Language of Public Apology, says that a good apology is multifaceted: It needs to name the harm done, be sincerely remorseful and repair the harm in some way. A simple guide for this is three sentence stems: I’m sorry for … , this is wrong because … , and in the future I will ….

A good example of this would be:

I’m sorry for taking your game without asking.

This is wrong because it belongs to you, and I didn’t get your permission.

In the future I will get your permission or find something else to play with.

Having a framework for building sincere apologies can be transformative when children learn that offering one is not a personal loss but a relational gain. Kids can find multiple ways to make amends for their mistakes, but a simple one is by asking what they can do to help. It can be incredibly gratifying having a demonstrable way to express sincere remorse.

A Few Caveats

This is all well and good if a child is willing to take ownership of her wrongdoing. But what if she’s adamant she did nothing wrong? It could be that she’s not accepting responsibility, but it might also be that she can’t see things from another point of view. That’s when it’s critical to get on the same page about what really happened to prevent future harm. Encourage your child to ask the offendee how that child felt and listen attentively so a different perspective is gained.

Conversely, some children are inclined to apologize for things that don’t warrant one. Overuse of an apology can diminish its value when it’s truly necessary. A good rule of thumb is to train children that they’re fully responsible for their attitudes and actions alone. When those cause hurt for others, it’s a good time to apologize. But they are not responsible for others’ attitudes and actions if they did nothing wrong. This understanding empowers children and protects them from being emotionally abused or manipulated.

Finally, an apology gives freedom to the victim to do with it what he will. Apologies may be accepted or denied, and sometimes that decision takes time. Reconciliation is a beautiful thing, but it can only be achieved if both parties want it. Ultimately, an apology frees us to move forward regardless of whether we’re forgiven. Apologies don’t make perfect people, but they show a commitment to honesty about our mistakes and a desire to do better in the future.

Lauren Greenlee is a boymom of four hailing from Olathe.

KC Parent’s party guide

• fresh ideas

• terrific themes

• great venues

Kansas City Zoo

Let the Kansas City Zoo host your child’s next birthday party. We guarantee a wild time for every guest! We are currently offering birthday party options on weekends. Zoo admission and rides wristbands are available as an add-on. You are welcome to provide your own décor, food, and activities. Visit www.KansasCityZoo.org/birthdays to join us for a celebration like no other! See display ad on pg. 27.

Movies2U

Roll out the red carpet and celebrate that special occasion with a movie! Round up the kids to watch their favorite movie on one of

our larger-than-life inflatable screens. Throw in our popcorn machine and the effect will be complete. The kids won’t forget it and you’ll love it as our professional staff takes care of every detail. One of our 4 differently sized screens is sure to fit your occasion and budget. See display ad on pg. 29. www.Movies2U.com

Princess at My Party

Have your child’s favorite character come to the birthday party! Choose from Raya, Elsa, Anna, Rapunzel, Moana, Elena, Ariel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Jasmine and Snow White. Also, inquire about our Super Girl, Wonder Woman or Bat Girl parties! Watch the magic

unfold as the children go on an adventure that includes a story, games, music, a makeover or face painting and a treasure hunt. See display ad on pg. 27. 816.830.4841. www.PrincessAtMyParty.com

Tick Tock Escape Room

At Tick Tock you’ll find exciting adventures filled with secret agents, eccentric billionaires, space travel and ancient Egyptian mysteries. Bring friends and family to experience our one-of-a-kind escape rooms. Then, you can celebrate your achievements in our party room. We design our rooms using cutting edge technology and innovative game design principles to ensure you’ll

have an unforgettable experience, only available in Overland Park. Book online or call for details. See display ad on pg. 26. www.TickTockEscapeRoom.com

Urban Air Adventure Park

Urban Air Adventure Parks in Lenexa and Overland Park continue to be voted Best Kids Birthday Party Place year after year. It’s the perfect place for indoor stress-free birthday parties for all ages. More than just a trampoline park, Urban Air has something for everyone. Let the kids fly through the park on our sky rider, take on our climbing walls, or reach new heights on our trampolines. Urban Air. Let ‘em fly. See display ad on pg. 28. www.UrbanAirLenexa.com, www.UrbanAirOverlandPark.com

SEVEN TIP S for saving on birthday gifts

idon’t know about you, but I always seem to be toting my kids to a birthday party. Buying all those gifts can be a real budget buster, and nobody wants to go into credit card debt trying to impress little kids (and their parents) with lavish gifts. Below are some thrifty tips to save hundreds of dollars every year on birthday party presents.

Check your budget. This will be harder for some of you than for others, but I promise if you stop worrying about what other people think, you automatically will save some serious cash. Focus on your own finances and spend only what you can afford.

Plan ahead.

Make a list of upcoming birthdays and parties and factor in several last-minute invitations to accommodate those you haven’t received yet. Computer-savvy mommas can set up a spreadsheet, but notebook paper also works just fine. If you have gifts ahead of time, you’re likely to spend less on a last-minute present.

Stock up.

Stocking up on gifts saves money on gas, because you aren’t running to the store every time you get a birthday party invitation. I also tend to spend more when my own kids are with me, helping me to pick out a present for their friend. It’s so comforting to know you have a stockpile of gifts in a big plastic tub somewhere for any birthday party invitation that may come your kid’s way. What to stock up on? Read on!

Know what a kid wants.

Some classic, frugal gift ideas for kids of different ages include stickers, crayons, sketch pads, baby dolls, Barbies, balls, puzzles, small cars, beads with string, lacing kits, Legos, tea sets, dinosaurs, Perler beads, DVDs and books.

Where to find deals.

Look at thrift stores, garage sales, consignment shops and Craigslist, because usually kids don’t care whether something is USED, as long as it is USEFUL to them. For new items, check back-to-school sales, sales after school has been in session a couple of weeks and going-out-of-business sales. There’s a large department store chain (hint: It has a bull’s-eye logo.) that has great $1 stocking stuffer-type items year-round.

Card trick.

I haven’t bought a greeting card for a child in 10 years, because they are expensive and just get thrown away or recycled. I used to make my own cards for kid parties, but then my own kids started wanting to do it. You can go old school and use construction paper, or have your kids make a card on the computer.

Wrap it up.

If you have gift bags lying around the house, use them up! I’ve been known to put birthday gifts in Christmas gift bags—year-round—and have never had a kid complain. Otherwise, you can wrap gifts in the Sunday comics section of the newspaper or have your kids decorate plain copy paper with markers, stickers and rubber stamps.

Kerrie McLoughlin lives in Peculiar, Missouri, and has a blast raising her five kids on a budget. For more frugal living ideas, head to TheKerrieShow.com.

MAMA NEEDS A NIGHT OUT!

Whether you are a stay-athome mom, work outside the home or live a combo of both, being a mom is hard work—really hard work! Of course, we love our children, but being in constant demand all day every day can be exhausting and draining. And I’m pretty sure by now we have all heard the phrase, “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” meaning that if you aren’t taking care of yourself and filling up your own life with things you enjoy, you can’t effectively help other people. Lisa Hemmen, an Overland Park mom of two, says, “Even though it can be difficult to find the time to get away, it is extremely important to do so. I find that even a little bit of time with my mom friend community helps me recharge and come back home with a renewed attitude and energy—at least for a little while!” Scope out these fun and unique KC ideas for your next moms night out.

Coffee mom

If you have some java loving friends, book a tour of the Roasterie in KC, which requires reservations at $5 apiece. Tours run at 10:00 and noon almost daily, although more options are available on Saturdays. Maybe a Roasterie tour isn’t your thing, but

you and your gals would love to hit a few coffee shops in the evening! Check out Pilgrim Coffee in Overland Park, Outta the Blue Cafe in Leawood or Rochester Brewing and Roasting Company in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. All are open until 9:00 or 10:00 in the evening. And though this year’s Caffeine Crawl has already happened, it’s never too early to start warming up for next year’s 2024 crawl!

Sports-loving mom

Fall and winter don’t have quite as many sporting events as spring and summer do, but you could surely find some moms up for a Chiefs game with a little pre-game tailgating or take a short jaunt to Lawrence for an epic KU basketball game! Sporting KC also offers public and private stadium tours. Public tours are available year round, Saturdays and Sundays; private tours require an online form be filled out for rates and availability.

Wine-loving mom

Are you and your tribe wine lovers? Look no further! Check out KC Wine Co’s festival and events calendar for some fun MNO activities that range from live music on Fridays and Saturdays to trivia and bingo events. Or pop into Tannin Wine Bar and Kitchen, located in the Crossroads district, where every Wednesday evening is Wine Club!

Bar-hopping mom

The Kansas City metro area is home to so many amazing restaurants and bars, and some new ones have come on the scene recently. Grab your friends for a fun night out at Olathe’s Tall Trellis Brew Co., Spring Hill’s Bull Creek Distillery or Downtown Overland Park’s Brew Lab. With each establishment’s hosting a variety of events, you are sure to find something exciting and lively for your next MNO.

Crafty mom

Are you and your mom tribe crafty gals? If so, your possibilities are nearly endless in the metro area for cool and unique MNO ideas! Check out Embers Candle Bar in Lee’s Summit where you all can choose your own containers and scents then pour your own candles! Creative Culture, a DIY studio and milkshake bar, also hosts drop in and create sessions on a first-come, first-served basis, or if you want to be sure you have space for your mom group, they offer private parties, too. Board and Brush, Pinot’s Palette and Paint, Glaze and Fire are a few other great spots for a little DIY crafting with your gals!

Active mom

Maybe your mom community loves being active or outdoors. You’re in luck! With places like Topgolf, Chicken N Pickle, RoKC and GoApe, you are sure to find something for your mom squad. But if none of those tickle your fancy, why not sign up for a 5K together? The anual Turkey Trot is scheduled for Nov. 23 … so dust off your sneakers and hit the pavement together!

Exploring mom

Feel like a little exploration around the city? Why not book a Trolley Tour around KC or, for an even more unique experience, bring along some snacks and drinks (no alcohol please) and reserve a pedal hopper

to cruise around Waldo or the Crossroads! Bear in mind you’ll need a little larger group for this experience, as the minimum number to ride is 10.

Shopping mom

Mark your calendar for Downtown OP’s next event: Dolly Sip & Shop on Oct. 19! You can browse through unique and charming shops such as the Pretty Posy, Ensemble, Ten Thousand Villages and Unique Finds. Follow @downtownop on Instagram to find out about more events! The Painted Tree is another great shopping option for you and your mom community to check out. You are sure to have fun and find something for everyone!

Cooking mom

For classes and events that involve learning something new in the kitchen, check out the Culinary Center of Kansas City or Taste Buds Kitchen in Leawood. Enjoy the fun and fearless art of making French macarons with Kate Smith Soirée’s handson baking classes. Decorate cookies with friends in your own kitchen! CR Confections (CRConfections.com), a local cookie company owned by Cameo Robinson, offers cookie decorating classes online.

Julie Collett can write about MNO all she wants … but can’t actually remember the last time she had one! Now she is armed with plenty of ideas and no excuses!

Time off you think?! Let’s just say you’ve earned it! According to Salary.com, moms hold about 20 different positions (such as bookkeeper, kitchen manager, logistics analyst and so on) and work on average 106 hours per week.

This means moms are putting in about 15-hour workdays, seven days a week!

I find that even a little bit of time with my mom friend community helps me recharge and come back home with a renewed attitude and energy.

Eight Ways to Squash Sibling Rivalry

“You can’t choose your family ….” I’m sure you’ve heard this quote a myriad of times for a host of different reasons. If only we could choose, things would be different, right? If you have more than one child in your family, then you are no stranger to sibling rivalry. Children don’t get to choose their siblings, and when you have these little mixtures of personalities under one roof, you are bound to have some conflicts. Though sibling rivalry is common and naturally occurs in families, it also leads to competition, conflicts, strained relationships and even stressful home environments. Parents can play a vital role, however, in managing sibling rivalry by encouraging empathy, understanding and cooperation. Let’s take a look at eight ways to help squash the sibling rivalry in your household … although it is never going to vanish completely!

Be a positive role model

Children watch us all the time, even when we think they don’t! As parents, we are the primary role models, meaning we have a huge influence over their behaviors and how they treat others. Children see how we talk to, interact with and love our spouse, family members and friends. Whether we realize it or not, children are learning valuable lessons about how to have healthy relationships and even healthy conflict from witnessing our interactions with others.

Encourage individuality

Try to recognize each child for who he or she is, for unique sets of characteristics and abilities. Find ways for your children to express themselves in a safe way, pursue their passions and explore interests and talents. When children feel valued and respected for who they are, they are less likely to feel resentment toward siblings. Also, avoid comparing your children to one another, a practice that’s a breeding ground for negativity, jealousy and resentment.

“As parents, we do our best to see them as individuals and to support their strengths without comparison. We respect and honor their individuality,” shares Amber Schrage, Olathe mom of two.

One-on-one time

Rae Ann McDaniel, Olathe mom of two, says, “I believe sibling rivalry often happens when kids are competing for attention from their parents. We try to take each kid on their own for special days that just focus on them individually.”

One-on-one time doesn’t always have to involve leaving the house or spending money. The time spent can simply be 10 minutes and doesn’t have to be extravagant. Try to focus on doing something your child enjoys … read a book together, play a game, have a snack and chat at the table, or cook dinner together.

“Avoid comparing your children to one another, a practice that’s a breeding ground for negativity, jealousy and resentment.”

Foster sibling relationships

Instead of pitting your children against each other, encourage them to collaborate and work together. Perhaps this could look like planning a meal or cooking together, playing a collaborative game or working on chores as a team. Recognizing and encouraging cooperation instead of competition promotes and strengthens a positive bond.

Praise and recognize the good

A quote by author Jen Sincero has stuck with me over the years: “What you focus on you create more of.” In other words, if you focus on the negative, you are bound to get more of it. However, if you focus on the positive, you are going to get more of that! So look for ways to compliment your children. Catch them being kind, working together or getting along well, then let them know!

Teach skills to get along

Children don’t naturally know how to manage and resolve conflict. Teach them to express themselves in a calm and clear manner, to actively listen to the perspective of others, and to handle disagreements in a variety of ways. By giving your children the proper tools, you empower them to handle disagreements appropriately. On the same note, don’t always step in to help your child handle sibling disagreements. Stay nearby to jump in if needed (if verbal or physical aggression is present, for example), but let them put into play the tools you’ve taught!

Set clear boundaries and expectations

Have clear rules in place that apply to everyone in the household, no matter age or gender. Keep consequences fair and consistent; however, remind your child that fair isn’t

necessarily equal. Consequences and rewards should be tailored to each individual’s needs. So while you will always strive to keep things fair, they may not always look the same. According to MindfulLittleMinds.com, avoid telling children you love them equally because this doesn’t help them feel special. Rather, show them that you love them uniquely.

Encourage mutual respect

Help your children understand the benefit of respecting each other’s personal space, belongings and opinions. Put value on kind words and actions. When people feel respected, they are less likely to lash out or be hostile. On the flip side, know that it is OK for siblings to disagree and not like each other all the time. It is OK for them to have negative feelings about each other. You can acknowledge and listen to their feelings and encourage a healthy expression of emotions.

Remember, sibling rivalry happens for many reasons, and several factors influence it as well—things like age differences, gender, personality differences, birth order, family dynamics and the list could go on. Squashing sibling rivalry takes a concerted effort on the parenting end. It takes creating a home environment that is nurturing, loving, mutually respectful and cooperative. It takes modeling, practicing, encouraging and still more modeling … and practicing. But the end result will feel worth all the time and energy. By adding in some of these tips, you can begin your pathway to more harmony between siblings!

Julie Collett has been married to her husband, JC, for 15 years. Together they have four children who engage in plenty of sibling rivalry daily!

“Children don’t naturally know how to manage and resolve conflict. Teach them to express themselves in a calm and clear manner.”

TIME FLIES

Easy Time-Savers for Parents

TIME. We all need more of it. After a full workday, cooking dinner, evening activities, homework, baths and bedtime, you easily can feel as though you need more than 24 hours to accomplish everything. Try out these time-savers to reclaim a little more time in your day and make parenting a bit simpler.

Prepare for mornings the night before

Before your kids go to bed, make sure everything is prepared for the next morning. I go to bed knowing all the lunches are packed, backpacks are ready to go, and permission slips are signed. I also like to help my kids pick out their outfit for the next day and have it sitting out ready for them to put on in the morning. This takes the argument about what they want to wear out of the equation and makes for a much smoother morning.

Delegate chores

With so much to do and so little time, your delegating chores to the entire family can really take a weight off your shoulders. Task each child with daily and weekly chores. Simple tasks like making their bed, feeding the dog and wiping down the kitchen counters can shave so much time off your to-do list!

Pack the car

Our family is always on the go, which means we always need to pack the car for the next activity. Instead of packing for each outing, I keep my car fully stocked with everything we could possibly need. I have a tote with a first-aid kit, bug spray, sunscreen, a towel, baby wipes, Pull-Ups, lawn chairs, an umbrella, stadium chair, jackets and a blanket. This saves prep time and lightens my mental load when leaving the house, because I know we are prepared for whatever might come our way.

Give everything a home

If yours is anything like my family, your kids (and maybe spouse) are always losing something. My daughter can never find her glasses, my husband loses track of his car keys, and my youngest always seems to lose one shoe. To combat this, I try to give everything in our house a home. For example, my daughters have a place to put their backpacks, jackets and shoes when they get home. My husband has a specified place to put his car keys, wallet and sunglasses. This saves us time looking for where something might have been placed by someone else.

Leftover night

Was it a rough day and you just don’t have it in you to cook a meal? That’s OK. Make it a leftover night. Everyone can choose their favorite leftovers from the fridge. This could be last night’s dinner heated up, a bowl of cereal, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a frozen pizza. Anything in the kitchen is game. I love leftover night, because it cleans out the fridge and it ensures we eat leftovers instead of wasting them.

Carpool

With so many extracurricular activities during the school year, sometimes it can feel like you’re spending your entire evening chauffeuring kids around town. Carpooling is a great way to save time.

Find a fellow family involved in the same activities and offer to take their children one week, and they will take yours the next. Or you can take drop off, and they can take the pickup time. This is especially helpful when you have multiple children who need to be different places at the same time.

Kill two birds with one stone

Look for moments in your day where you can complete more than one task at a time. While your kids play in the bath, take the opportunity to tidy up the bathroom while you keep an eye on them. If you have

to cook a healthy meal. To prepare for our busy season, I like to cook double batches of our favorite meals. I make one batch for dinner and freeze a batch for later. This takes no extra cooking time and will gradually build up a nice freezer stash. Freezer meals make quick and easy weeknight fare. My favorite meals to freeze are meals I can dump into the crockpot so dinner is ready when we get home. You can also freeze individual servings of breakfast burritos and sandwiches that can be microwaved and eaten on the go.

a long drive to gymnastics, have the kids take their homework to do on the way. A few other examples would be binging your favorite show while you get in a run on the treadmill or cleaning out the garage while the kids are playing outside.

Use grocery pickup

One of my least favorite errands is grocery shopping, especially with my kids in tow. Grocery pickup and delivery have been a game changer for me. This frees up so much time for me to get other things done. On my phone, I keep a running list of things we need. Then when I’m ready to order, I hit submit and my groceries are ready for pickup within just a few hours. During especially hard times, I’ve had my groceries delivered to my doorstep. There was an extra fee, but it was worth it for me to have the extra time in my day.

Stash freezer meals

Fall is the busiest time of year for our family. We normally have activities every night of the week, which makes it hard

Create a family command station

Organization is the key to saving time. A family command station is a great way to keep everyone on the same page. Ours is in a central location on our wall and includes a calendar, school lunch menus, party invitations, doctor appointment reminders and any other paperwork we might need quick access to. If kids have a question about the upcoming week, they can check the command station without asking Mom or Dad.

Invest in a robot vacuum

One of my favorite time-savers is our robot vacuum. It’s set on a timer and vacuums our home every day. We love coming home to a freshly vacuumed house, and I love the feeling of knowing that’s one thing checked off my to-do list.

Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband, Cale, and daughters, Atley, 9, and Ensley, 3, in St. Joseph.

With so much to do and so little time, your delegating chores to the entire family can really take a weight off your shoulders. Task each child with daily and weekly chores.

SOMETHINGSEEMS OFF W

hen you have a child, it’s said you develop a sixth sense that you didn’t have before: mom gut. Though it’s not an actual organ, scientists can back up that parental intuition actually holds a connection between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract, hence its name. Mom gut can intuit when something is off socially, emotionally, academically or physically with a child.

Much remains to be discovered about mom gut. But what we do know is that oftentimes it can be one of the biggest blessings a mom can offer to her child’s well-being. Two Kansas City moms take time here to share how their mom gut helped them, their child and, ultimately, others as well.

EMILY HUNT

Emily Hunt had a front row seat to assess her first grade daughter Raelee’s academic progress since lockdowns had required online learning from home. It was during end-of-year testing that Hunt noticed that something was off.

“Raelee’s reading was incredibly slow and belabored,” Hunt says. “She finished testing absolutely exhausted.”

Hunt’s concerns were validated by Raelee’s teacher who had equal concerns. A meeting was set up with the school’s resource teacher to try to unpack what the challenge might be. Unfortunately, the resource teacher didn’t have an answer for why Raelee was struggling the way she was. Her challenges didn’t fit the mold of a diagnosis available. Bewildered, Hunt spoke with the school principal to get an IEP for second grade.

Summertime came and, with it, opportunity to process options. It was then that Hunt decided to try something altogether different: homeschooling. She also had Raelee’s eyes assessed at two different eye centers. Both specialists agreed she needed glasses, asserting that Raelee’s eyes were not teaming. When Hunt pressed about whether vision therapy would be worth pursuing, she was told glasses alone would eventually fix the problem. But as time went on, glasses didn’t provide the promised results.

“As a mom, you know when something isn’t right. You hit a point where you start getting angry at your child. But what I quickly learned was that I needed to equip Raelee with tools she didn’t have in her toolbox,” Hunt says.

During this time, Hunt bumped into an old friend whose children had recently undergone vision therapy. As the director of education for a local Sylvan Learning Center, Hunt had worked with students who were undergoing vision therapy, but she personally didn’t know what was involved in the process. So it was through this positive encounter that Hunt felt compelled to pursue an evaluation.

Her mom gut proved to be spot-on. Raelee was assessed, and the results were overwhelmingly clear: She had been compensating for her limitations in ways that hid how serious her challenges were. She immediately began therapy, meeting with a specialist once a week and continuing on this homework five times a week for 15-20 minutes a day.

Emily Hunt and her daughter Raelee

“It was a gut punch to see how badly Raelee needed vision therapy when I was told she didn’t,” Hunt notes.

Now, Raelee is a precocious fourth grader who enjoys riding horses, playing with friends and electing to read for pleasure. On the other side of vision therapy, Raelee is academically thriving. But Hunt’s work is only beginning.

As she quickly discovered, one in four children are misdiagnosed when they are struggling with unidentified vision

issues. These issues compound when left unresolved, resulting in behavioral issues and even dropping out of school.

“It’s my desire to let other people know what I now know,” Hunt asserts. She hopes to help local schools and resource teachers become more informed about vision therapy so that others can receive the same care as Raelee did.

“Be an advocate for your child,” Hunt encourages other moms. “You know them better than anyone else.”

SARAH MICHALAK

For Gardner mom of five Sarah Michalak, reading a Google article about King Tut proved to be life-altering.

“My kids were studying ancient history, so the piece seemed timely,” Michalak said. “But when I read that King Tut had a condition known as Marfan Syndrome, I quickly became curious.”

A cursory internet search for symptoms revealed that her twin 4-year-olds, William and Asher, had an overwhelming number of the signs. The boys were very skinny as babies and had gut issues and flat feet. They also couldn’t maintain stamina. While playing basketball at 6, they would tire out before the game was half done.

“I didn’t realize they were all connected issues until discovering that Marfan explained them all,” Michalak said.

Although their pediatrician was not well-informed about Marfan (the condition only affects one in 5,000 people), he concurred with Michalak’s concerns, referring their family to Children’s Mercy for an official diagnosis. That visit brought with it a flood of emotions, as Michalak felt relief wash over her—but also a wave of heavy grief.

Marfan Syndrome runs on a spectrum. In the 1940s, the average lifespan of an individual with Marfan was 37. Nowadays,

the average lifespan is about 70. The primary challenges include enlarged hearts (and accompanying heart attacks), severe scoliosis and issues with connective tissue. For the Michalak boys, ongoing monitoring through their lifetime will be a given, and multiple surgeries are possible.

“Marfan individuals can lead happy, healthy lives,” Michalak notes. “We could be grieved by all the things William and Asher can’t do, but a diagnosis has helped us to hone in to all the positive things they are capable of.”

Since strenuous sports pose a risk, the boys have instead taken golf lessons and learned to play pickleball. Their family purchased Silver Dollar City annual passes, so the boys could experience roller coasters while they were still able. And they are pursuing music lessons to develop skills they can maintain with age.

Michalak’s mom gut not only served the twins, it’s also served her extended family. “We’ve been able to inform our families to have genetic testing done. My husband’s family has individuals that have similar symptoms without a diagnosis,” she says. By bringing Marfan to light, it’s her hope to save extended family from serious consequences.

Sarah Michalak with her twins, William and Asher

Lauren Greenlee is an Olathe boy mom. She’s thankful for her mom gut, which has been helpful in identifying a gamut of issues, from food allergies to learning disabilities.

FAMILY FIRE SAFETY TIPS

• Keep matches, lighters and other ignitable substances in a secured location out of your child’s reach. Only use lighters with childresistant features.

• Buy flameless candles. These contain a light bulb rather than an open flame, so if your child knocks it off the table, there is no problem.

• Smoke alarms are a must on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Be sure to check them by pushing the test button and replace those batteries once a year.

• Show your children what the smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.

With safety tactics engaged, develop a fire escape plan for your family. You can make the process a party—pop popcorn and encourage each family member to come up with ideas. For example, ask your son what the best way to leave the house is … is it down the stairs or out the window? Let each youngster help identify two ways to escape from any room of your home. Make sure the family picks a place to meet up outside too.

Then practice your fire escape several times a year at different times of the day. Tell the kids, “Don’t hide, go outside!” Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside—and make sure everyone knows how to dial 911.

Parents have different ideas about how to introduce the idea of an emergency to their children. As with many serious subjects, lighthearted conversations often work best for that initial introduction—and fire safety is one of those topics. One approach to take is as you teach your children that the stove is hot so they shouldn’t touch it, also explain that a fire in the fireplace is hot. So is a bonfire where you roast marshmallows, and if that fire happens in your house, it will be hot too.

Making them aware is a first step. Next comes taking steps to minimize fire risk in your home and teaching children to avoid starting a fire. The U.S. Fire Administration warns of a grim figure: 300 people are killed and $280 million in property is destroyed each year as the result of children playing with fire. Here are some valuable tips to tamp down on fire danger:

Another critical step is to make sure children understand they must get out and stay out and wait for firefighters. Help them understand that even if a family member, pet or special teddy bear is still inside, they must not run into a burning house.

Use quick-release devices on barred windows and doors, as security bars without them can trap you inside. Practice opening windows and pushing the screen out. Another thing I actually did with my own kiddos was to buy escape ladders for their sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Teach kids how to use them, then store the collapsible ladders near the windows.

A bit of preparation can ensure your family will be ready if fire strikes.

Show your children how to check doors to see whether they are hot, and if they are, how to find another way out. Fire safety for children includes having them find a towel or other cloth to use for handling, touching or grabbing items to avoid burns, and use the towel or cloth to protect their faces and cover their mouths. If both ways out of the room are blocked, kids should get as low as possible on their tummies, near the bed. That is where firefighters will look for them. Remember to practice the stop, drop and roll move with your kids too!

A house or apartment fire is a frightening and disorienting thing. Have children practice feeling their way out of the home in the dark or with their eyes closed. You can turn this into a game. One at a time, blindfold your children and ask them to feel their way to a certain area. Set up an obstacle course and you provide

clues and help along the way. When they reach a designated endpoint, they’ll find a special treat awaiting. This can simply be having a picnic outside!

Another fun idea is to sing fire escape songs to reinforce the need to get out of a burning building. For example, sing these words to the tune of “Frere Jacques”: There’s a fire! There’s a fire! Must get out! Must get out! Stay away from fire! Stay away from fire! It is hot. It is hot.

Or be creative and choose your child’s favorite song, such as one from Cars, Blue’s Clues or Toy Story. Come up with the song and new lyrics together!

Consider incorporating Alexa into the mix by asking for Pedro’s Fire Safety Challenge. This fun and engaging interactive game created by the Red Cross for kids ages 4 to 8 teaches age-appropriate skills for handling a home fire emergency

and other stressful situations. Pedro the penguin guides children through a set of activities and topics, including home fire safety, coping skills and good old-fashioned penguin fun. At the end of the challenge, children earn a fire safety badge.

Remember, you are your child’s best teacher, and your little ones will remember what you say when you repeat it and assure them their home is the safest space for them to grow up. Don’t frighten them, just prepare them.

An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.

Sources: RedCross.org, VeryWellFamily.com.

Fall FUN GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

41 yarn-wrapped pumpkins

42 frighteningly fun treats

43 october trivia

44 iconic autumn

46 october festivals

47 pumpkin patch tips

48 kc pumpkin patches

51 pumpkin patch giveaway

Yarn-Wrapped Pumpkins

This fun little craft project is perfect to do with little hands indoors on a cold fall day! It’s easy to make super small or super large decorations!

SUPPLIES:

• Old cardboard

• Pencil

• Scissors

• Tape

• Orange, brown and green yarn

DIRECTIONS:

Step one: Freehand draw a pumpkin on the cardboard.

Step two: Cut out the pumpkin.

Step three: Tape a piece of the brown yarn to the back and wrap the stem. Weave the end of your yarn into the just-wrapped yarn to hold it in place.

Step four: Repeat for the leaf.

Step five: Repeat for the pumpkin.

Step six: Hang or place on the mantel to enjoy!

Janelle Cumro-Sultzer lives in Manhattan, Kansas, with her husband, three children, two dogs, eight fish and a frog. Janelle is the owner of Flint Hills Mediation LLC and loves to focus on learning through play and getting messy with crafts.

Frighteningly Fun Treats

Everyone enjoys coming face to face with a spooky snack! Relish this masterpiece made with the help of Once Again’s organic, no-stir peanut butter, which brings roasted nutty flavor to ghoulishly good snacks. Made with simple ingredients (peanuts, salt and a touch of sugar and oil—nothing scary here!), this tasty, wholesome spread is certified organic, gluten-free, vegan, kosher and part of the brand’s Honest in Trade sustainability program.

Once Again Spider Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened

3/4 c. Once Again Organic Creamy Peanut Butter, No Salt

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 1/2 t. vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 1/3 c. all-purpose flour

3/4 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

24 round chocolate truffles

1/4 c. Once Again Organic Hazelnut Spread

48 candy eyes

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

2. Blend softened butter and peanut butter in mixer until smooth. Add in the brown and granulated sugars until smooth. Finally, add in the vanilla and egg. Beat until smooth.

3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

4. Slowly pour in the flour mixture to the mixer. Mix until well combined.

5. Shape into small balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place on the baking sheet. At this point, you can either refrigerate the dough to bake later or bake the cookies now.

6. Bake cookies for 8 minutes. Remove cookies and, using a small spoon, indent the middle of the cookie where the truffle will be placed once finished. Once indentations are made, place back in your oven for 2 minutes or until golden brown.

7. Let the cookies cool completely.

8. Once the cookies are cooled, place the Once Again Organic Hazelnut Spread in a Ziploc bag and cut the corner to frost the cookies.

9. Place a small amount of the spread in the middle of the cookie and then place a truffle on top to bind it to the cookie itself. Please note: If the cookies are still warm, the chocolate will melt and things will get messy.

10. Once all the truffles are placed, add your spider legs with the chocolaty spread. Last, place a small dot of spread on the truffles to attach the candy eyes.

OCTOBER KC TRIVIA

1

“____  ____  ____. Be Aware. Fires Can Happen Anywhere.” This is the slogan for Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 8-14, teaching the three basic but essential steps to reduce the likelihood of a fire and escape if one occurs. What are the three words?

A) Stop. Drop. Roll. B) Don’t. Yell. Fire.

C) Look. Listen. Learn. D) Safety. First. Always.

2 According to TheCandyStore.com, what is the most popular Halloween candy in Kansas?

A) Snickers

B) Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

C) Skittles

D) M&M’s

3 According to TheCandyStore.com, what is the most popular Halloween candy in Missouri?

A) Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

B) Tootsie Rolls

C) Milky Way

D) Circus Peanut

4 The Battle of Westport, sometimes referred to as the “Gettysburg of the West,” was fought on Oct. 23 of what year?

A) 1864 B) 1858 C) 1860 D) 1862

5 Celebrate fall with Snoopy and the gang at Worlds of Fun on weekends in October. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown debuted on Oct. 27 of this year:

A) 1966

B) 1970

C) 1972

D) 1958

6

The Coterie presents Electric Poe at Union Cemetery Oct. 19-Nov. 5, showcasing three pieces by famed poet Edgar Allan Poe, including “The Cask of Amontillado.” In this poem, a man takes revenge on a friend by:

A) decapitating him

B) entombing him within a stone wall in the catacombs

C) poisoning him with arsenic

D) framing him in a murder

6 B) entombing him within a stone wall in the catacombs

C) Look. Listen. Learn. 2 D) M&M’s 3 C) Milky Way

KEY:

1

ANSWER

AN ICONIC AUTUMN

Celebrate fall’s most recognizable icons with tasty treats and memorable outings.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins are a truly North American food. The oldest seeds were found in Mexico, dating back to between 7000 and 5500 B.C. According to WhatsCookingAmerica.net, the name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for “large melon,” which is pepon. The French changed pepon into pompon, the English morphed pompon to pumpion, and American colonists worked pumpion into pumpkin.

Fall Flavor: From the first day of school through Christmas, every restaurant in town seems to find inspiration in the autumn classic, offering everything from a pumpkin spice latte to pumpkin pancakes. As much as we enjoy the variety of delightful fall treats, a classic pumpkin pie will always be our favorite. Our favorite local pie shop is Upper Crust Bakery in historic Overland Park. Known for madefrom-scratch pies, Upper Crust  serves a fabulous rendition of the seasonal favorite. They also make an amazing caramel apple pie and pecan pie to tempt the tastebuds with even more fall faves.

Fall Fun: Kansas City is home to several amazing pumpkin patches, each with its own variety of attractions. Jumping pillows, corn mazes, pony rides, petting zoos, photo ops, train rides, giant slides, corn pits, character meet-and-greets, live entertainment and other fall fun await at our local patches. You’ll find the best patches in the metro in our Pumpkin Patch Guide on KCParent.com.

Spooky Stories

This year marks the 205th anniversary of the first publication of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The story of a young scientist who creates a monster as part of a science experiment has captured imaginations for centuries. The monster in the book is often referred to as a creature, while it is the scientist who is known as Frankenstein. However, in modern culture, the term Frankenstein is often used to refer to the monster himself.

Weston Orchard and Vineyard

Fall Flavor: At Annedore’s Fine Chocolates (locations: Annedores.com), the small shop known for packing big flavor into decadent chocolates, you can celebrate fall with their one-of-a-kind treats, including Frankenstein French macarons and solid chocolate Frankenstein treats.

Fall Fun: Oct. 19-Nov. 5, the Coterie brings Electric Poe back to Union Cemetery, showcasing three newly adapted Poe works. The work of Edgar Allen Poe, literature’s master of the macabre, is so perfectly suited for an autumn performance in a cemetery, and we are thrilled that Coterie brings this tradition back to Kansas City this fall. The setting, the material, the performers, the costumes ... it’s all so idyllic for a brisk October play. Treat yourself and your family this Halloween to superb acting accompanied by atmospheric underscoring in front of Union Cemetery’s holding vault, built in 1857 in Kansas City’s oldest public graveyard. Tickets available at TheCoterie.org.

Jack-o’-Lanterns

Did you know that the original jacko’-lanterns were carved out of turnips and potatoes? When the Irish brought the tradition to America, the vegetables were replaced with the pumpkin, and jack-o’lanterns as we now know them came to be.

Fall Flavor: Beginning in mid-October, Papa Murphy’s sells jack-o’-lantern shaped pizzas. The take-and-bake pizzas are a hit with kids and perfect for a family movie night enjoying classics like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, The Wizard of Oz and E.T

Fall Fun: Did you know that jack-o’-lanterns can even turn into pumpkin cars? On the last Saturday in October, Westbrooke

Church (9777 Antioch, Overland Park) hosts a Great Pumpkin Derby. This is a fun-filled creative race where handcrafted pumpkin race cars compete in a side-byside derby. Prizes are awarded for the top race cars and best designs. Spectators and racers are invited to cheer on their favorite pumpkin race cars, enjoy a hot dog lunch, yard games, face painting and more! Register to race or plan to attend; info at WestbrookeChurch.org.

Maple Leaves

Watching the leaves change is a highlight of a Midwestern autumn. You can track the best time to enjoy fall foliage with this resource from the Missouri Department of Conservation: Nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/fall-colors.

Fall Flavor: Trader Joe’s offers a variety of delicious fall treats throughout October, but the maple leaf cookies are one of our favorites for a quick dessert to enjoy on a fall picnic. The sandwich cookies are maple leaf shaped with maple filling.

Fall Fun: Pack a picnic, take a hike and enjoy the fall foliage. Our family’s favorite local trails include:

• Burr Oak Woods Conservation Center: In addition to a beautiful nature center with hands-on exhibits, the area is home to miles of beautiful trails for walking or bicycling.

• Cave Spring Nature Center: This is a small nature center with historic exhibits and beautiful scenic walking trails.

• Ernie Miller Nature Center: This center offers children’s activities and programs, as well as live animal displays and the chance to participate in hands-on activities and explore nature trails.

• F.L. Schlagle Nature Library: This year-round interactive library, nature center and nature trail offer scientific, educational, cultural, informational and recreational opportunities.

• George Owens Nature Park: Enjoy a small nature center, programs for children, fishing dock and trails.

• Shawnee Mission Park: John Barkley Plaza at the entrance offers parking and a shaded meet-up spot. In the park you’ll find a fishing dock and extensive trails.

• Lakeside Nature Center: See falcons, owls, eagles, toads and exhibits. The nature center also features a gravel trail for walking and exploring.

• Parkville Nature Sanctuary: Wildlife preserve and education site featuring hiking trails.

Kristina Light loves fall most of all. Visit KCParent.com where she blogs about fall fun in Kansas City all season long.

Great Pumpkin Derby at Westbrooke Church

Parkville Nature Sanctuary

OCTOBER festivals ACROSS KANSAS CITY

KC Oktoberfest Oct. 6-7, Crown Center. KC Oktoberfest is a twoday festival at Crown Center celebrating Bavarian-style bier, food and entertainment. It is Kansas City’s largest traditional Oktoberfest. KCOktoberfest.com

Weston Applefest Oct. 7-8, Weston. Applefest brings together apples, fall crafts, fall foods, music and activities for kids and adults alike. Come stir some apple butter, grab some apple dumplings, stock up on fall decor and enjoy the perfect fall weather at this free festival rich in tradition. WestonMo.com/applefest2023

OzToberfest Oct. 7, Wamego, Kansas. Enjoy a variety of activities including our Oz costume contest, Toto look-alike contest, an indoor/ outdoor Oz market, classic car show, Wizard’s Beer & Wine Garden, Munchkinland, Auntie Em’s Boutique, Munchkin Junction and many more Oz-some activities. VisitWamego.com/events/oztoberfest-2023

Dark Forest Oct. 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29, Powell Gardens. Presented in partnership with Quixotic, this immersive, multimedia walk-through installation in the woods is a grand way for Powell Gardens to usher in fall. As the dark lush veils of nightfall sweep solemnly across an eerie Midwest sky, Dark Forest invites you to journey through a magical and mysterious wooded landscape. PowellGardens.org

Fall Day at Fireflies Farm Oct. 21, Fireflies Farm, Paola, Kansas. Enjoy lawn games, vendors, food, music, photo opportunities, crafts, pumpkin painting and demonstrations. Facebook.com/FirefliesFarmKC

Miami County Fall Farm Tour Oct. 21-22, Miami County Farms. There are approximately 13 farms on the tour this year, and guests can experience farm life. Many of the farms will be selling products made from goat’s milk, beautiful items made from alpaca fiber, pecans, fruit and more. ADayOnTheFarmInKansas.com

Maple Leaf Festival Oct. 21-22, Baldwin City, Kansas. With more than 300 craft exhibits, quilt shows and displays, performing arts, music, unique food items and activities for the family, the Maple Leaf Festival is the biggest fall family event in the area and provides an opportunity for local nonprofit organizations to raise funds. MapleLeafFestival.com

Dogtober Fest Oct. 22, Kemper Outdoor Education Center. Explore more than 75 booths featuring everything from pet photos and pet supplies to pet sitters and rescue. Register at MakeYourDayHere.com.

Boo at the Zoo Oct. 28, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Celebrate Halloween with a not-so-scary, safe trick-or-treating experience. Bring the kiddos in their family-friendly costumes and join the fun. Enjoy fun fall activities for the whole family, including a pumpkin toss, photo ops and more! KansasCityZoo.org

Find the complete Fall Festival Guide on KCParent.com.

Fall Day at Fireflies Farm

Boo at the Zoo

10 TIPS

GREAT TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH

Local pumpkin patches are open for the season mid-September through Halloween. Follow these tips to have the best experience at the patch.

1. Use our Pumpkin Patch Guide to get the inside scoop on all the local patches. Use our tips to choose the best patches to visit this season.

2. Dress for the weather. Remember sunscreen, bug spray and appropriate layers. Later in the season, it may be chilly early or late in the day but may warm up as the sun shines in the afternoon.

3. Wear comfy shoes for playing on a farm. Tennis shoes, rubber boots or farm boots work well.

4. Come rested. Plan your visit around nap times.

5. Plan to spend a half to a full day. Weekdays are less crowded and more relaxed, making this the ideal time to visit with young children. Weekends are bustling and can be an extra special time to visit with friends and relatives. Bring grandparents along for the fun!

6. Check the patch’s calendar of activities featured in our Pumpkin Patch Guide for special events they may be hosting throughout the season, including live entertainment, special festivals or holiday-themed events for Grandparents Day, teacher appreciation, Halloween and more.

7. If you have a favorite attraction, for instance the jumping pillow, plan to hit it up first and last to make the start and end of your visit extra special.

8. Buy some goodies to enjoy at home! Cider donuts, pumpkin donuts and kettle corn are all great snacks to enjoy with a relaxing movie after a day at the patch.

9. Decide in advance whether you want to choose one big pumpkin for the family or a small one for each child. Having a plan can save a lot of stress when everyone is drawn to their choice of a perfect pumpkin.

10. Take lots of pumpkin photos!

kc pumpkin patches

Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch

Looking for a fabulous fall adventure? Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch is a must-visit fall destination! Enjoy dozens of attractions, including the historic country carousel, Little Bud’s Railroad, the petting barn, the Pumpkinator pumpkin cannon, Mega Slide and so much more! Enjoy a wagon ride into our u-pick pumpkin field, and savor refreshments including wine slushies, fresh kettle corn and our famous pumpkin donuts! Live entertainment as well as Uncle Lester’s Pig Races add to the fun during weekends! Carolyn’s is open five days a week, Thursday through Monday, Sept. 16-Oct. 30. Save when you purchase tickets online in advance. CarolynsPumpkinPatch.com

Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard

Enjoy a u-pick pumpkin patch, u-pick apple orchard, hayrack rides, apple cannons, rat racers, bouncing pillow, low ropes course with zip line, kids corn maze, vintage carousel, petting zoo and more! After picking and playing, savor kettle corn, caramel apples, donuts, apple cider slushies and other treats. Open daily. Military, senior and Weston resident discounts. Follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/Weston-Orchard-and-Vineyard. 816.640.4013, WestonOrchard.com

Johnson Farms

Johnson Farms is a real farm in the country, yet close to your home. Ride a wagon out to the u-pick pumpkin patch or apple orchard. The u-pick veggie patch and u-cut sunflower and zinnia field are nearby.

Experience our giant jumping pillows, giant tunnel maze, authentic fire truck, barnyard arcade and animal corral. Pay one admission to enjoy the farm; pay extra for anything you harvest, snack on or seasonal items in our retail store. Discount pricing available online. JohnsonFarms.net, @JohnsonFarmsMO

Louisburg Cider Mill

Watch as fresh cider is pressed in our 120-year-old barn and enjoy the delicious cider donuts! Live music every weekend, with extended hours every Friday and Saturday. Explore our 10-acre corn maze; hunt for the perfect pumpkin; enjoy a wagon ride, farm animals, children’s play area and jump pillow; and slide down Sunflower Hill. A trip is not complete without visiting the Country Store and the Lost Trail Soda trailer! Check for amenities and special events online. LouisburgCiderMill.com

Red Barn Ranch

Make the day memorable on our working farm just south of KC. Red Barn Ranch is a local family-owned and -operated farm that offers a charming country fall experience. Enjoy your day picking pumpkins, exploring our nature trail, riding and swinging. Come get lost in the corn maze or wander in the petting farm area. Our farm is full of photo opportunities. Enjoy all kinds of seasonal treats. Weekends include live music. Open through Oct. 30. More information online: RedBarnRanch.farm.

pumpkin patch guide

1 Carolyn’s Country Cousins 17607 NE 52nd St., Liberty 816.781.9196

CarolynsCountryCousins.com

2 Weston Orchard & Vineyard 18545 Co. Rd. H, Weston 402.209.4117

WestonOrchardAndVineyard.com

3 Johnson Farms & Pumpkin Patch 17701 Holmes, Belton 816.331.1067

JohnsonFarms.net

4 Red Barn Ranch 23111 S. Jefferson Pkwy., Harrisonville 816.258.1797

RedBarnRanch.farm

5 Louisburg Cider Mill 14730 Hwy. 68, Louisburg 913.837.5202

LouisburgCiderMill.com

KC Parent is giving away 50 FAMILY 4-PACKS to all of your favorite pumpkin patches! PLUS find our geo-based ONLINE PUMPKIN PATCH GUIDE. All the details are at KCParent.com.

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

celebrate

On Oct. 15, celebrate at Kansas City Jewish Culture Fest with musical performers, delicious kosher food, children’s activities, more than 60 talented artists and more. JewishCultureFest.org

watch

Join in the fun at Peppa Pig SingAlong Party! coming to the Midland on Oct. 27! Blow up those balloons and get the disco ball ready as you party along with Peppa. AXS.com

create

Make your own pumpkin race car and compete in Westbrooke’s Great Pumpkin Derby on Oct. 28. Free event includes hot dog lunch, games and inflatables. WestbrookeChurch.org

see

A leaping orca, towering rocket and glowing DeLorean take you to whimsical worlds at Bricktionary: The Ultimate Lego A-Z, opening at Union Station on Oct. 28. UnionStation.org

play

Make fall memories all over Kansas City. Pumpkin picking, apple orchards, leaf peeping, hayrides and more fall fun awaits. Use our guide on KCParent.com.

Hoots & Howls at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

1 Sunday

Go to the Pumpkin Patch All day, local patches. Discover the best local pumpkin patches with rides, attractions and live entertainment in our guide on KCParent.com.

Scarecrow Run 5K 7:30, Linden Square. Run or walk through the Downtown Gladstone area in your favorite costume. Gladstone.mo.us/Recreation

Ciderfest 8:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. Craft and food vendors, along with pony rides and inflatables. Live music featured on the Lost Trail stage. LouisburgCiderMill.com

Interactive Learning In person or online, Truman Library. Civics for All of US is the new national civic education initiative from the Truman Presidential Library and Museum and the National Archives. Programs available for K-12. TrumanLibrary.gov

Cedar Cove: Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. See these epic animals and learn about their characteristics and behaviors! SaveOurSiberians.org

Gladfest 2023 Noon, Linden Square. A fall festival featuring crafts, carnival, parade, vendors and family fun. GladstoneChamber.com/Gladfest

Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition 11:00, Union Station. A world premiere exhibition brought to you by Marvel Entertainment. UnionStation.org

Justice at War Thru Oct. 15, 2:00, Coterie Theatre. Justice at War is a unique and interactive drama that brings to life a critical moment in U.S. history. TheCoterie.org

The Gazebo 2:30, Main Street Theater (Belton). A funny whodunit for the whole family. MainStreetTheaterBelton.com

GloWild Lantern Festival 6:00, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. GloWild features global landmarks as well as animals of the seven continents. KansasCityZoo.org

2 Monday

Sensory-Friendly Days 9:00, Johnson County Museum. This limited-occupancy session is designed for children with sensory processing differences. JCPRD.com

Play at the Patch 10:00, Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch. Enjoy dozens of family-fun attractions and activities, including a carousel, train, petting zoo and more. CarolynsPumpkinPatch.com

Splash with Me 10:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Let your little ones splash, play and build confidence in the water. Lenexa.com

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

3 Tuesday

Fall at the Orchard 9:00, Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard. Take a hayride to pick a pumpkin and apples. Bouncing pillow, outdoor games, ropes course, carousel and more. WestonOrchard.com

Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Merriam Community Center. Ride and slide, drive, pull or push your favorite Little Tikes vehicles. Merriam.org

Daniel O’Donnell 7:00, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The singer, based in Donegal, Ireland, is one of the most prolific on the U.K. charts. KauffmanCenter.org

4 Wednesday

Pumpkin Patch Fun 9:00, Johnson Farms. Enjoy a hayride, 40-acre pumpkin patch, 5,000tree apple orchard, playgrounds and fall fun. JohnsonFarms.net

Unicorn World

Oct.7, Kansas City Convention Center. Life-size animatronic unicorns, rides and a day of fun-filled unicorn activities for the whole family. TheUnicornWorld.com

Giggle Time Children’s Program 10:00, Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, A free, fun-filled time with StoneLion Puppet Theatre. OPKansas.org

Family Night 5:00, Lenexa Public Market. Bring the whole gang for free activities like a balloon artist and classic board games. LenexaPublicMarket.com

5 Thursday

Thursday Toddler Time at Ceramic Café 10:00, Ceramic Café. Toddlers (5 and under) paint one of the selected items for just $12. CeramicCafeKC.com

Lexington Art Show 3:00, The LEX Auditorium. Three-day juried art show in photography, mixed media, youth and other areas. VisitLexingtonMo.com

Operation Wildlife Presents: Going Batty 7:00, MCPL (Blue Springs North). Uncover the truth behind one of nature’s most misunderstood mammals. Register at MyMCPL.org.

6 Friday

Justice at War Thru Oct. 15, 9:45, Coterie Theatre. Justice at War is a unique and interactive drama that brings to life a critical moment in U.S. history. TheCoterie.org

Oktoberfest Art & Craft Show 10:00, John Knox Pavilion. More than 100 booths and a wide variety of products to enjoy. IBDPromotions.com

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Read a book, then kids paint a ceramic item that goes along with the story and finish with a snack. CeramicCafeKC.com

Olathe Arts Festival 1:00, Johnson County Square. Two-day festival celebrating the arts and creativity. Food and drink, live entertainment and family activities. OlatheKS.gov

The Log Cabin Festival 5:00, Harrisonville Square. Two-day event with carnival rides, food trucks and vendors. HarrisonvilleChamber.com/LogCabin

KC Oktoberfest 5:00, Crown Center. KC Okberfest is a two-day festival at Crown Center celebrating Bavarian-style bier, food and entertainment. KCOktoberfest.com

Cass County Sheriff’s Rodeo 5:30, North Park (Harrisonville, Mo.). Family-friendly event with food trucks, face painting, 4-H hosted petting zoo and more. CassMoSheriff.org/m/rodeo

Trucktoberfest 5:30, Raymore’s Recreation Park. Enjoy food trucks, live music and yard games at this annual family-friendly event. Raymore.com

Carpool Cinema 7:30, Wallace Park (Belton). Enjoy a movie under the stars! Movie tonight is The Haunted Mansion MoFamilyResource.org

7 Saturday

Harvest Fest at the Market 8:00, Enjoy live music while shopping for fresh produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, and more. The first 100 children will enjoy free pumpkin decorating with lots of fun stickers and jewels (don’t worry…no paint here!). DowntownLS.org

Unicorn World 9:00, Kansas City Convention Center. Life-size animatronic unicorns, rides and a day of fun-filled unicorn activities for the whole family. TheUnicornWorld.com

Wild West Octoberfest 9:00, Lexington, Mo. Western re-enactors, barbecue, vendors, crafts, activities and more. HistoricLexington.com

Kaw Valley Farm Tour 9:00, Kaw Valley Farms. Visit more than 30 farms, wineries and vineyards to see animals, vegetables and everything in between. $10/carload. KawValleyFarmTour.org

Jumperoo (toddler time) 9:00, Urban Air (Lenexa). Kids 7 and under and their guardians are invited to jump, bounce and crawl around safely. UrbanAirLenexa.com

Scarecrow Festival 9:00, Shawnee City Hall. A children-focused fall crafting event where you can decorate pumpkins and more. Shawnee-KS.com

Hoots & Howls: Star Wars Theme 9:30, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Guests will enjoy fun fall activities throughout the zoo for the whole family. KansasCityZoo.org

Weston Applefest 10:00, Weston. Enjoy apples, fall crafts, fall foods, a parade, music and activities for kids and adults alike. WestonMo.com

Festival of Arts, Crafts & Music 10:00, Missouri Town Living History Museum. Explore the sights and sounds of the harvest season at this twoday festival. MakeYourDayHere.com

Greater KC Japan Festival 10:00, Johnson County Community College. Experience traditional Japanese music, candy artist, food, exhibits and demonstrations. KCJapanFestival.org

Heartland Book Festival 10:00, Kansas City Public Library (Central Branch). Panel discussions featuring national and local authors, food trucks and more. HeartlandBookfest.org

South KC Block Party 10:00, Red Bridge Shopping Center. Join us for live entertainment, booths, carnival games and more. RedBridgeShoppingCenter.com

Belger Arts Fall Fest 11:00, Belger Glass Annex. Enjoy glassblowing demos, clay demos, kids activities, food, music and lots of fun for the entire family. BelgerArts.org

Fall Fest at Zona Rosa 11:00, Zona Rosa. Enjoy a petting zoo, bounce houses, live music, yard games and a pop-up shopping event. ZonaRosa.com

Hands-On History Noon, National WWI Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life in this program in which guests are invited to handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org

Kearney’s 12th Annual Oktoberfest Noon, Kearney Historic Museum. Activities include live music, local vendors, a kids carnival, games and more. KearneyEnrichment.org/Oktoberfest

Sugar Skull!

A Dia de Muertos Musical Adventure

Oct.19, Midwest Trust Center. Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure is a touring bilingual, bicultural musical celebrating Mexican heritage. JCCC.edu

1860s Campout 5:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. You’re invited to camp on Mahaffie’s historic grounds, 1860s-style! Mahaffie.org

Night at the Arboretum 5:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Bring your flashlights and be ready to gaze at the night sky while looking for the Draconids meteor shower. OPKansas.org

Pumpkins at the Park 6:00, Tanganyika. Experiences include escape rooms, haunted hayride, Forbidden Forest, show, mazes, laser tag, crafts, candy and more. TWPark.com

Public Viewings 7:30, Powell Observatory. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to see images from the Ruisinger telescope on a large screen. ASKC.org/observatories/powell-observatory

Night Bike Ride 9:00, Fieldhouse of Blue Springs. Come ride your decorated bicycle through the streets of Blue Springs on the annual Night Bike Ride. BlueSpringsGov.com

8 Sunday

Cedar Cove: Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. See these epic animals and learn about their characteristics and behaviors! SaveOurSiberians.org

Back to the ’50s Bowling Noon, Summit Lanes. Games, shoe rentals, hot dogs and sodas are just 50 cents each. SummitLanes.com/Specials

Historic Middle School Book Club 4:30, Alexander Majors Home. Middle schoolers from around Kansas City gather to discuss a historical fiction selection. WornallMajors.org

9 Monday

Pumpkin Patch Fun 9:00, Johnson Farms. Enjoy a hayride, 40-acre pumpkin patch, 5,000tree apple orchard, playgrounds and fall fun. JohnsonFarms.net

Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. This activity provides kids a place to run, ride and play while making new friends. Lenexa.com

Muddy Mondays 10:30, Ceramic Café. A clay expert will show you how to get started and guide you through the process of making a clay creation on the wheel. CeramicCafeKC.com

Falling leaves and crisp days mean family fun! A visit to Lexington offers so many possibilities. Special events. A premier pumpkin patch. Nearby orchards. Historic sites and museums. Shops featuring everything from antiques to seasonal décor. Plus restaurants, riverfront access and an equine facility. Memories are waiting to be made! Start planning yours, in Lexington.

10 Tuesday

Go to the Pumpkin Patch All day, local patches. Discover the best local pumpkin patches with rides, attractions and live entertainment in our guide on KCParent.com.

Chicken Little 10:00, Theatre for Young America. A wild, musical version of the fable about an excitable chicken who thinks the sky is falling. TYA.org

National Night Out: Merriam 5:00, Merriam Marketplace. Join Merriam police for a hot dog dinner, music and meet-and-greet with officers. Merriam.org

11 Wednesday

Fall at the Orchard 9:00, Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard. Take a hayride to pick a pumpkin and apples. Bouncing pillow, outdoor games, ropes course, carousel and more. WestonOrchard.com

Retro Story Time 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Preschoolers love stories and crafts from long ago, read by a special guest from the 1950s All-Electric House. JCPRD.com

Family Night 5:00, Lenexa Public Market. Bring the whole gang for free activities like a balloon artist and classic board games. LenexaPublicMarket.com

12 Thursday

Play at the Patch 10:00, Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch. Enjoy dozens of family-fun attractions and activities, including a carousel, train, petting zoo and more. CarolynsPumpkinPatch.com

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

Splash with Me 10:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Let your little ones splash, play and build confidence in the water. Lenexa.com

13 Friday

Cornucopia—KC’s Ultimate Fall Festival Thru Oct. 15, Kansas City Power & Light District. Three-day fall festival with music, carnival rides, crafts and more. PowerAndLightDistrict.com

Svensk Hyllningsfest 9:00, Lindsborg, Kan. Experience Little Sweden, U.S.A., at this two-day festival. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture with activities and events. SvenskHyllningsfest.org

Community Service Weekend 10:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. All teachers, firefighters, military, first responders, police, EMTs and medical workers receive $2 off. LouisburgCiderMill.com

Homeschool Day 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Homeschool families are invited to enjoy an interactive educational program. ShawneeTown.org

Ghost Light 4:00, Roanoke Park. This hybrid concert and ghost story event weaves together local storytellers and musicians to share fun tales. KCParks.org/event/ghost-light-2023

Haunted Orchard 4:00, Colonial Gardens. Unearth the chilling secrets of our haunted orchard, where every apple has a tale to tell. ColonialGardensKC.com

Pony Express Pumpkinfest 5:00, St. Joseph Museums. Three-day festival features rides, vendors and the lighting of a mountain of 500 hand-carved pumpkins. PonyExpress.org

Lenexa Chili Challenge 6:00, Old Town Lenexa. Two-day foodie festival heats up Friday night with live music and a fireworks show. On Saturday, feast on chili and more. Lenexa.com

Dark Forest 6:00, Powell Gardens. Presented in partnership with Quixotic, this is an immersive, multimedia walk-through installation in the woods. PowellGardens.org/Dark-Forest

Carpool Cinema 7:30, Wallace Park Belton. Enjoy a movie under the stars! Movie tonight is Elemental MoFamilyResource.org

Chicago Tap Theatre Unleash the Beats 8:00, Midwest Trust Center. Experience the quintessentially American dance form of tap in this innovative show. JCCC.edu

14 Saturday

International Lineman’s Rodeo & Expo 7:30, Overland Park Convention Center. Linemen compete in events based on traditional lineman tasks and skills. LinemansRodeoKC.com

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Lenexa). Kids 7 and under and their guardians are invited to jump, bounce and crawl around safely. UrbanAirLenexa.com

Second Saturday at Powell Gardens 9:00, Powell Gardens. Take advantage of extended hours and visit between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Enjoy fall fun this month. PowellGardens.org

Hoots & Howls: Fall Fun Theme 9:30, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Guests will enjoy fun fall activities throughout the zoo for the whole family. KansasCityZoo.org

Let’s Play 10:00, Union Station. Enjoy this new exhibit area designed for young learners 3 and under. Let your little ones explore safely through the Babyscape, Pretend Play, Ramps & Runs and Air Play areas. ScienceCity.UnionStation.org

Fall Sorghum Harvest and Chuckwagon Cookoff 10:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Learn about harvesting, processing and making sorghum into syrup. Mahaffie.org

55th Annual Arrow Rock Heritage Festival 10:00, Arrow Rock Historic Site. Two-day festival with artistic handcrafted items, re-enactments, living history and more. ArrowRock.org

Greenwood Fall Festival 10:00, Hitt Park. Car show, pie baking contest, cornhole tournament, vendors, haunted hayride and more. GreenwoodMo.com

Fall Festival 10:00, Shawnee Indian Mission. Local artists, vendors, bake sale, living history, performers, Haskell dancers, food trucks and more. ShawneeIndianMission.org

Turner Days 10:00, Turner Middle School. Shopping, vendors, live performances, games and more. TurnerDays.squarespace.com/festival

Kids Create Art: Día de los Muertos 11:00, MCPL (Red Bridge). Celebrate the Day of the Dead by creating artwork associated with this holiday. Register at MyMCPL.org.

JCPRD’s Whimsical Woods 1:00, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Register in advance for this enchanted forest with costumed characters, live animals and surprises. JCPRD.com

Halloween Family Night Out 5:00, Church of the Resurrection (Leawood). Halloween-themed evening of respite for parents of special needs. Resurrection.church

Pumpkins at the Park 6:00, Tanganyika. Experiences include escape rooms, haunted hayride, Forbidden Forest, show, mazes, laser tag, crafts, candy and more. TWPark.com

Zombie Forest Night at Family Farm 6:30, Louisburg Cider Mill. Dress up for a fun night of spooks and thrills as the zombies enter the corn maze. LouisburgCiderMill.com

Perfectionism: Cheers or Tears 7:00, TCH Stage & Studio at Oak Park Mall. Free lecture followed by dessert reception. CultureHouse.com

15 Sunday

Kansas City Jewish Culture Fest 11:00, Jewish Community Center. Features national musical performers, delicious kosher food, children’s activities, artists and more. JewishCultureFest.org

Let Music Reign! 2:00, St. James Catholic Church. Bring your family to experience the pomp and circumstance of traditional British choral music. LibertyCommunityChorus.org

Homefest 2:00, Colonial Presbyterian Church (Overland Park). Colonial is hosting a free, fun, fall festival with live music, games, inflatables and a hayride. ColonialKC.org

Trunk or Treat 4:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Gather treats and meet several of our animal ambassadors during this unique drive-thru event. LakesideNatureCenter.org

16 Monday

RoKC Play Lounge, 8:00, RoKC Olathe. Children 6 months to 6 years are invited to enjoy a session in the play lounge while parents rockwall climb. ClimbKC.com/Olathe

Play at the Patch 10:00, Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch. Enjoy dozens of family-fun attractions and activities, including a carousel, train, petting zoo and more. CarolynsPumpkinPatch.com

SIX-STOP TOUR: KANSAS CITY COFFEE SHOPS

Autumn is the season for beloved pumpkin spice coffees and warm drinks. This month’s six-stop features the top six coffee shops in Kansas City chosen by KC Parent intern, Iris Enna.

1. FILLING STATION

With three “coffee garage” locations featuring car and motor vehicle themes, Filling Station partnered with Messenger Coffee to create a “stellar coffee experience.” Along with coffee, they serve breakfast and lunch (Midtown), fresh pressed juice (Midtown and OP) and Ibis Bakery pastries (Midtown and OP). The Westport location has a drive-thru for coffee on the go.

2. CAUSE Cause Coffee in De Soto is located in an old house with wood floors, fireplace and kind baristas. The menu is beautifully unique, featuring peach thyme latte, strawberry sage latte and more. Cause is nonprofit and “exists to make a positive difference in developing nations through education, clean water wells, food and disaster relief … , orphan care, and more.”

3. MESSENGER Messenger Coffee is the queen of Kansas City coffee. Located in the heart of KC, the threestory café offers rooftop seating in the Crossroads. With three other local locations, Messenger is my go-to suggestion for out-of-town visitors because of the impact they have had on coffee in Kansas City.

4. SECOND BEST Second Best Coffee is located in Waldo and is an espresso-centric slow bar. They brew everything by the cup, so you can be assured that your coffee will be fresh. Their specialty drinks are carefully and consciously thought of and made with precision. I always enjoy my beverage in house because of the quality and experience the drink brings.

5. VESTED Vested Coffee has two locations: Vested Garment District Coffee (north Downtown Kansas City) and Vested Beacon Hill Coffee (in a 1950s Airstream camper by Hospital Hill). Vested Coffee offers a unique experience, as they are proud to serve Onyx Coffee Lab, voted one of the best coffee shops in the States by Food Network.

6. SWAY Sway Coffee Roasters is the newest coffee shop I have been to. It comes from the same people behind McLain’s Bakery and Markets. In 2022, they opened their flagship roasting space and cafe in Kansas City, Kansas, roasting their beans in house. I chose Sway Coffee Roaster because of the outstanding taste, shop design and the best vanilla cold brew!

High School Trivia Contest 6:00, Truman Library. Contest for students in 9-12th grades from Kansas and Missouri. Trivia theme is “1948”. Register online at TrumanLibrary.gov.

Ghosts and Goblins and Monsters and Such 6:00, MCPL (Antioch). Storyteller Joyce Slater weaves classic Halloween tales that will thrill and chill. Register at MyMCPL.org.

17 Tuesday

Chicken Little 10:00, Theatre for Young America. A wild, musical version of the fable about an excitable chicken who thinks the sky is falling. TYA.org

Time for Tots 10:30, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Sing songs, read books, explore art and make your own art. KemperArt.org

Kids Media Mix-Up 4:30, Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. Students will construct, paint and assemble projects. Albrecht-Kemper.org

18 Wednesday

Pumpkin Patch Fun 9:00, Johnson Farms. Enjoy a hayride, 40-acre pumpkin patch, 5,000tree apple orchard, playgrounds and fall fun. JohnsonFarms.net

All School Open House 9:00, The Barstow School. Preschool – Grade 12; Visit and apply for 2024-2025. BarstowSchool.org

GloWild Lantern Festival 6:00, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. GloWild features global landmarks as well as animals of the seven continents. KansasCityZoo.org

19 Thursday

Fall at the Orchard 9:00, Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard. Take a hayride to pick a pumpkin and apples. Bouncing pillow, outdoor games, ropes course, carousel and more. WestonOrchard.com

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Lenexa). Kids ages 7 and under and their guardians are invited to jump, bounce and crawl around safely. UrbanAirLenexa.com

Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure 10:00, Midwest Trust Center. Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure is a touring bilingual, bicultural musical celebrating Mexican heritage. JCCC.edu

Free Family Fun Night 5:00, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. Come explore a special place where children can create, discover and learn through play. KansasDiscovery.org

Electric Poe 6:30, Union Cemetery Park. Electric Poe returns to Union Cemetery to showcase three newly adapted Poe works. TheCoterie.org

20 Friday

Kids Day Out 8:00, Johnson County Museum. Discover history through hands-on activities and exploration of KidScape and museum exhibits. Register at JCPRD.com.

Spooky Trail Hunt 8:00, Stocksdale Park. Explore on your own and find 12 ghosts hiding along the trail. Prizes earned for completion through Oct. 31. LibertyMissouri.gov

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Read a book, then kids paint a ceramic item that goes along with the story and finish with a snack. CeramicCafeKC.com

GO FEED Mobile Pack 3:00, Kansas City area. Volunteer with the Global Orphan Project and Feed My Starving Children to feed those in need all weekend long. Give.FMSC.org

Haunted Orchard 4:00, Colonial Gardens. Unearth the chilling secrets of our haunted orchard, where every apple has a tale to tell. ColonialGardensKC.com

Glow Night 5:30, Colonial Presbyterian Church (Kansas City, Mo.). Free trunk or treat, jump for joy in the bouncy house, face paint and food. ColonialKC.org

Enchanted Forest 7:00, George Owens Nature Park. Be transported into the enchanted forest where characters come to life on your journey. GeorgeOwensNaturePark.org

Nobuntu 8:00, Midwest Trust Center. Nobuntu, the female a cappella quintet from Zimbabwe, has drawn international acclaim for their inventive performances. JCCC.edu

21 Saturday

Go to the Pumpkin Patch All day, local patches. Discover the best local pumpkin patches with rides, attractions and live entertainment in our guide on KCParent.com.

Truck or Treat 8:00, Lenexa Municipal Services Center. Come in your costume and enjoy a community truck or treat event for children. Lenexa.com/ Halloween

First Annual Fall Day at Fireflies Farm 9:00, Fireflies Farm (Paola, Kan.). Enjoy lawn games, vendors, food, music, photo opportunities, crafts, pumpkin painting and demonstrations. Facebook.com/FireFliesFarmKC

Hoots & Howls: Ghostbusters Theme 9:30, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Guests will enjoy fun fall activities throughout the zoo for the whole family. KansasCityZoo.org

Children’s Author Event: Kansas City Boo 10:00, Alexander Majors Home. Kids will love hearing spooky stories set in their own city. WornallMajors.org

Howl-o-ween: Grandview 10:00, Tails and Trails Dog Park. Bring your best friend out for a costume contest and best trick contest for a chance to win prizes. Grandview.org

Miami County Fall Farm Tour 10:00, Miami County Farms. Two-day event to tour approximately 13 farms with goats, alpacas, pecans and more. ADayOnTheFarmInKansas.com

Hands-On History Noon, National WWI Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life in this program in which guests are invited to handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org

Free Weekend Fun: Unfolding the Season 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Stop by the Fun Spot in the Bloch Lobby to pick up a DIY art kit related to art in the galleries. Nelson-Atkins.org

Boo & Brew ’23 3:00, Town Center Plaza. Live music, treats and thrills around every corner. Enjoy aerial performances, trick-or-treating, inflatable and more. TownCenterPlaza.com

10th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration 5:00, Kansas City Museum, Explore the history and cultural traditions of Mexico with live performances and food. KansasCityMuseum.org

Pumpkins at the Park 6:00, Tanganyika. Experiences include escape rooms, haunted hayride, Forbidden Forest, show, mazes, laser tag, crafts, candy and more. TWPark.com

Teen After-Hours: HalloTeen 6:00, MCPL (Red Bridge Branch). Once the lights go out, the library will transform into a haunted haven. Register at MyMCPL.org.

Electric Poe 6:30, Union Cemetery Park. Electric Poe returns to Union Cemetery to showcase three newly adapted Poe works. TheCoterie.org

Burning of the Scarecrow at the Family Farm 7:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. It will be a funfilled evening with live music, campfire, wagon rides and more! LouisburgCiderMill.com

Peppa Pig Sing-Along Party!

Oct. 27, the Midland. Dance, clap and sing with Peppa and her family along with Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe. AXS.com

22 Sunday

Cedar Cove: Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. See these epic animals and learn about their characteristics and behaviors! SaveOurSiberians.org

Dogtober Fest 10:00, Kemper Outdoor Education Center. Join more than 3,000 dogs and dog lovers for a doggone good time. MakeYourDayHere.com

Free Weekend Fun: Unfolding the Seasons

1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Stop by the Fun Spot in the Bloch Lobby to pick up a DIY art kit related to art in the galleries. Nelson-Atkins.org

Dark Forest 6:00, Powell Gardens. Presented in partnership with Quixotic, this is an immersive, multimedia walk-through installation in the woods. PowellGardens.org/Dark-Forest

23 Monday

Spooky Trail Hunt 9:00, Stocksdale Park. Explore on your own to find 12 ghosts hiding along the trail. Prizes earned for completion through Oct. 31. LibertyMissouri.gov

Play at the Patch 10:00, Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch. Enjoy dozens of family-fun attractions and activities including a carousel, train, petting zoo and more. CarolynsPumpkinPatch.com

Minería Symphony Orchestra of Mexico

7:00, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Widely regarded as a leading ensemble in Mexico, this group performs a concert for all ages. HJSeries.org

24 Tuesday

Fall at the Orchard 9:00, Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard. Take a hayride to pick a pumpkin and apples. Bouncing pillow, outdoor games, ropes course, carousel and more. WestonOrchard.com

Kids Media Mix-Up 4:30, Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. Put your imagination to work by using different mediums to create unique artwork. Albrecht-Kemper.org

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird 7:30, Music Hall. All rise for Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork. AmericanTheatreGuild.com

25 Wednesday

Pumpkin Patch Fun 9:00, Johnson Farms. Enjoy a hayride, 40-acre pumpkin patch, 5,000tree apple orchard, playgrounds and fall fun. JohnsonFarms.net

Preschool Story Time 9:30, Johnson County Library (Blue Valley). Story time with stories, songs, fingerplays and activities to encourage pre-reading skills. JoCoLibrary.org

Trunk or Treat: Grandview 5:30, The View. Safe, spooky fun at our trunk or treat. Wear your favorite costume and enjoy games and candy. Grandview.org

26 Thursday

Thursday Toddler Time at Ceramic Café 10:00, Ceramic Café. Toddlers 5 and under paint one of the selected items for just $12. CeramicCafeKC.com

Enchanted Forest 4:00, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Enjoy performances by puppets, musicians and singers along the trail around Rose’s Pond. Lenexa.com

Boo Bash 6:00, Celebration Park. Enjoy ghastly games and rides, spooktacular activities, lots of candy, prizes and a haunted walking trail. GardnerKansas.gov

Celebrating 38 Years in KC

Whether you’re a beginner dancer looking for your first leotard or a seasoned performer in need of a pointe shoe fitting, Dance Shoppe is your go-to dance store for the best selection of leotards, tights, shoes and accessories.

James and the Giant Peach, Jr. 7:00, Culture House at Oak Park Mall. The story follows James who inadvertently grows a giant peach and the adventure that follows. CultureHouse.com

27 Friday

Costume Weekend at Our Family Farm

8:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. Dress up in your Halloween costume and save $2 off admission this weekend. LouisburgCiderMill.com

Holiday Mart 9:00, Crown Center. Three-day event featuring high quality, unique and artisan vendors supporting local nonprofits. JLKC.org/events/holiday-mart

JCPRD JamBOOree 5:00, Shawnee Theatre in the Park. Join us for a BOO-tastic family night featuring Halloween-themed activities, thrills, chills and treats. JCPRD.com

Peppa Pig Sing-Along Party! 5:00, the Midland. Dance, clap and sing with Peppa and her family along with Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe. AXS.com

Friday Night Sound Frights 5:00, Lenexa Public Market. Enjoy a Free kid-friendly spooky concert and costume contest for the family. Lenexa.com/ Halloween

Halloween Scavenger Hunt 6:00, Wonders of Wildlife. Learn about creepy creatures, haunt the aquarium and trick-or-treat for yummy snacks and drinks. WondersOfWildlife.org

Dark Forest 6:00, Powell Gardens. Presented in partnership with Quixotic, this is an immersive, multimedia walk-through installation in the woods. PowellGardens.org/Dark-Forest

Downtown Spooktacular 6:30, Armstrong Park. Grab your broomstick and come out to have some tricks or treats. CityOfGrainValley.org

28 Saturday

2023 Graveyard 5K 9:00, Elmwood Cemetery. This race occurs entirely within cemetery, where many influential Kansas Citians have their final resting place. cli.re/46162-2023-graveyard-5k

36th Annual Fall Military Muster 9:00, Fort Osage. Soak in all the sights and sounds of a working 1810s Army post. MakeYourDayHere.com

Holiday Treasures Craft Festival 9:00, Shawnee Civic Centre. Beat the crowds this holiday season and pick up some unique, handcrafted holiday gifts. CityOfShawnee.org

Mildale Farm Fall Festival 2023 9:00, Mildale Farm. Enjoy fall activities during this free public event. Explore the 158-acre site on a hayride. JCPRD.com

Boo at the Zoo 9:30, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Enjoy fun fall activities for the whole family, including, a pumpkin toss, photo ops and more. KansasCityZoo.org

Halloween Party Ride 10:00, KC Northern Railroad. Halloween activities, trunk or treat, costume contest, candy and train rides. KCNRR.com

Bricktionary: The Ultimate Lego A-Z 10:00, Union Station. Composed of more than 150 custom-built Lego models, Bricktionary is inspired by simple letters and boundless imagination. UnionStation.org

Kid Safe Halloween 10:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Trick-or-treat door to door throughout Shoal Creek village. KCParks.org

Westbrooke’s Great Pumpkin Derby 11:00, Westbrooke Church. Pumpkin race cars compete in a side-by-side derby. Hot dog lunch, games and inflatables. WestbrookeChurch.org

Tricks & Treats Noon, Kansas City Power & Light District. Dress up the kids, furry friends or squad for some trick-or-treating fun! PowerAndLightDistrict.com

James and the Giant Peach, Jr. 2:00, Culture House at Oak Park Mall. The story follows James who inadvertently grows a giant peach and the adventure that follows. CultureHouse.com

Trunk or Treat 3:00, Resurrection Location Near You. A free spooky fun time for kids to enjoy decorated trunks, games, candy, and more! Resurrection.Church/Tot

Trick or Treat off the Street 3:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Dress in your Halloween costume and experience 1860s living history activities. Mahaffie.org

Haunted Orchard 4:00, Colonial Gardens. Unearth the chilling secrets of our haunted orchard, where every apple has a tale to tell. ColonialGardensKC.com

Spookfest at Science City 5:00, Union Station. Celebrate Halloween with a night of spooky science demos and activities, creepy critters and more. UnionStation.org

Historical Hauntings 6:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Enjoy trick-or-treating, tractor hayrides, farmstead house tours, photo ops and costume contests. ShawneeTown.org

Pumpkins at the Park 6:00, Tanganyika. Experiences include escape rooms, haunted hayride, Forbidden Forest, show, mazes, laser tag, crafts, candy and more. TWPark.com

Spooky Springs Family Fun Festival 6:00-8:00, Wilbur Young Park. Vendors pass out candy in along Spooky Trail. Pre-register to select and decorate a pumpkin of your own and to participate in the first ever Boo Springs Kids Zone. BlueSpringsGov.com

Haunted Cemetery Tour 6:00, Macphelah Cemetery (Lexington, Mo.). Meet some of Lexington’s visitors from the past with this tour. $10/ea. VisitLexingtonMo.com

29 Sunday

Cedar Cove: Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. See these epic animals and learn about their characteristics and behaviors! SaveOurSiberians.org

Art Garden KC 11:00, Berkley Riverfront Park. Enjoy great art, music and good vibes. More than 70 local artists and makers. ArtGardenKC.org

30 Monday

Go to the Pumpkin Patch All day, local patches. Discover the best local pumpkin patches with rides, attractions and live entertainment in our guide on KCParent.com.

Bricktionary: The Ultimate Lego A-Z 10:00, Union Station. Composed of more than 150 custom-built Lego models, Bricktionary is inspired by simple letters and boundless imagination. UnionStation.org

31 Tuesday

HALLOWEEN

PALS: Spooky Spiders 10:00, Wonders of Wildlife. Learn about spiders—from how they make their webs to what they eat. Crawl into their world and see why spiders are so beneficial. WondersOfWildlife.org

Brookside Trick or Treat Street 4:00, Brookside Shops. Stop by for a spell and enjoy a spooktacular, worry-free event as children collect treats. BrooksideKC.org