KC Parent magazine November 2022

Someone is accidentally injured every second

Parenting. I know it’s been labeled “the hardest job you’ll ever love” and that is so true! Wouldn’t it be nice when a baby is born to be handed a manual that tells you what to do in all situations that arise? Baby won’t sleep through the night? Page 52 has the answer! Potty training not going well? Check out page 101. Tween girls caught up in drama? Head to page 160!

And wouldn’t it also be nice if not only there were a manual, but if the parenting that worked for one child worked for all others? I’m still amazed at differences between my girls. Same parents, raised in the same home, yet two very distinct personalities. Because one-size-fits-all doesn’t apply to parenting, turn to pg. 32 for some tips on how to individualize your parenting. I guess the world would be boring if we were all the same!

Somehow the calendar has turned to November! The days just keep picking up speed and rolling along. As we enter November, I hope you find time to take some deep breaths and truly enjoy the holiday. Our Thanksgiving Fun Guide, starting on pg. 36, has some great info on how to be thankful for not only the larger blessings in our lives like our families and health, but the smaller things as well, like a warm cup of coffee on a cold morning. In addition, you’ll find ways to grow gratitude within your family, a cute craft and a gift guide for those wanting to get a jump on holiday shopping.

We’re thankful for you, loyal KC Parent readers, and your many years of continued support!

Thanksgiving!

Publisher

Michael Gimotty

Michael@KCParent.com

Associate Publisher

Darrell Dean

Darrell@KCParent.com

Editor

Margaret Sarver

Margaret@KCParent.com

Art Director

Kim Tappan Tappan Design

Kim@KCParent.com

Advertising Sales

Darrell Dean

Darrell@KCParent.com

Digital Media Manager

Kristina Light

Kristina@KCParent.com

Copy Editor

Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com

Intern Tori Sarver

Distribution

To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com

Local Contributing Writers

Kim Antisdel (Liberty), Bill Bartlett (Belton), Hannah Berry (Kansas City), Julie Collett (Kansas City), Janelle Cumro-Sultzer (Manhattan), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Kailyn Rhinehart (Warrensburg), Jessica Samuel (Kansas City), Tori Sarver (Lenexa)

Mailing Address

11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax

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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.

Postmaster, please send changes to KC Parent, 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213

Margaret Sarver, Editor

Keeping kids as healthy as possible is about more than ER visits and diagnosing rare diseases. We want to be there for your parenting questions, from the breakfast table to your biggest fears. Because when we partner together, we can clear new paths for every child’s potential. Learn more at childrensmercy.org/imagine.

Imagine the Potential

DATES WITH THEMES

Give thanks for these great date night ideas!

SANDWICH DAY

For National Sandwich Day on Nov. 3, why not forgo the national chains and visit a local sandwich shop instead? We recently did just that. King G in the Crossroads is part deli and part neighborhood bar. On a recent visit, I devoured the veggie banh mi, with roasted bell peppers, grilled heirloom carrots, jalapeno, cilantro, root veggie slaw, roasted garlic hummus and provolone on a butter bun. My husband had the turkey and Swiss topped with lettuce, balsamic pickled red onions, and mayo on Farm to Market Grains Galore bread. We both thoroughly enjoyed our sandwiches. Next time we go, I would like to try the PB&J with homemade mixed nut peanut butter and whiskeyinfused peach and apricot jam on toasted milk bread. A couple of other great local sandwich shops are the Italian Sausage Company and Bay Boys.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Small Business Saturday is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and it’s a perfect time to support local establishments. For a recent date, my husband and I started our day at Flapjacks ‘n More in Overland Park for some breakfast. We enjoyed talking with the owner and hearing about restaurant life—and the flapjacks are amazing! From there, we ventured out to Louisburg, KS, for some retail therapy at Louisburg Market Street. This 26,000-square-foot vendor boutique showcases antiques and vintage goods, furniture, clothes, home décor, lighting, architectural salvage and so much more. Plus, they offer free coffee, cookies and wine! Our next stop was Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery where we did a wine tasting and enjoyed the picturesque scenery. If you go, take time to walk among the vines or just sip on a glass of your favorite vino on their front patio. Before heading home, it’s always a good idea to stop at Louisburg Cider Mill for some of their delicious cider donuts.

PEANUT BUTTER MONTH

Peanut Butter Lovers Month is November, which is a great time to try out some peanut butter desserts around town. One of our favorite restaurants for date night is Trezo Mare. They have a delicious menu, including the chocolate bars on their dessert menu. Made up of a crunchy peanut butter base, chocolate mousse, caramel sauce and peanuts, it’s a good reason to blow your diet for the day. We also love a casual outing to Scola’s Italian Cookies, where a slice of their chocolate peanut butter cake can often be found in the self-serve case. They have amazing cookies, bread pudding and gelato, too. And for a nice splurge, we enjoy a fancy dinner out at Ocean Prime. Not only do they have an awesome selection of seafood dishes, but they have an amazing dessert menu that features peanut butter pie. We recommend getting your own piece because it’s just too good to share—but be sure to eat light beforehand!

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.

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

TALKING ABOUT MENOPAUSE

For as much discussion is devoted to things like puberty or a young girl’s getting her period, menopause, a huge part of a woman's life, is rarely talked about prior to its onset. Women may be in the dark when it comes to menopause despite its being a pivotal part of life. A woman is considered to have hit menopause only when going 12 consecutive months without having her period. In the years leading up to menopause, a woman is in what is known as perimenopause. This stage can last for several years. According to Alloy.com, the average age of a woman who has completed menopause is 51 but will be different for everyone who experiences it.

There’s not a single determining factor that signals women that they have begun perimenopause, but rather a set of symptoms that can be watched for. Symptoms can range anywhere from hot flashes to mood swings and are all brought on by changing and fluctuating hormone levels. Other symptoms, such as night sweating and vaginal dryness, can also be signs of perimenopause. To be sure your body is going through this intense change, at-home testing kits are available,

or your health care provider can provide professional testing.

There are many methods for treating and coping with symptoms of perimenopause. For some, hormone therapy or bioidentical hormones can be a safe and effective way to manage symptoms. Some studies do show that extended use of hormone therapy can lead to things like heart disease and breast cancer. If you do not think hormone therapy is right for you, acupuncture has been tested in relieving symptoms and can be a more natural way of managing irritations. Talking to your health care professional about different ways to cope with symptoms can be a huge relief for women during any stage of perimenopause or menopause.

Symptoms do not stop once menopause has officially ended. Rather, new symptoms may emerge. Even if there has been no change in diet or exercise, some women experience fat gain and loss of lean mass. Dry eyes and hair loss may also affect those who have just gone through and finished menopause. Staying in good overall health through exercise and a balanced diet is very important

when managing hormone and estrogen levels. For some women, the most overwhelming change that comes with menopause is a drastic change in mood or ability to regulate mood. This can be extremely overwhelming, especially when paired with many other symptoms like hot flashes or trouble sleeping. Checking in with friends or family going through menopause and encouraging them to seek professional help can be beneficial.

To break the stigmatism surrounding menopause, women need to become comfortable talking about and discussing menopause both with their doctors and also with people who can be a support system. To encourage this, women of all ages should be better informed about menopause and perimenopause, considering it is one of the biggest changes that their bodies will ever face!

Tori Sarver is an intern for KC Parent. She is studying strategic communication and business at CU Boulder.

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

Donate Blood

Ever since she was able, my older daughter has been donating blood. It started with a blood drive when she was in high school, and she continues to give. She asked me to join her, and I’ve been trying to go on the regular to make a donation. Lately I’ve been hearing about a blood shortage and part of me thought, “Are they saying that just to get people to donate?” But after my most recent donation, it took less than a week for my blood to go through the stages to be ready for patients (usually this takes several weeks), so I think this shortage is real! If you are able, consider donating! RedCross.org

Pumpkin Trio

If you are a regular reader of this column, you know I feature pumpkin items in October. But that doesn’t mean my love of pumpkin ends after October! To keep the pumpkin goodness going throughout November, treat yourself to a pumpkin trio from Walton Wood Farm. It features pumpkin spice pancake mix, pumpkin pie hot chocolate and Hello Pumpkin Hand Rescue. Yummy treats and smooth, silky skin? Yes, please! WaltonWoodFarm.com

Christmas Lights

Okay, you are going to laugh at me now that I’ve become “that” person … read on. Every year we take a night to drive around and see Christmas light displays. We started when the girls were young and continue the tradition to this day. Last year we brought our dog and oh. My. Gosh. He loved it and was mesmerized by the lights! He—and we— really enjoyed the drive-thru Holiday Light & Magic Experience. Bonus! You can win a pass for your family (please be sure to bring your doggo!) to see Holiday Light & Magic or Winter Magic display! Enter at KCParent.com!

LOVE

5THINGS WE RIGHT NOW

Compiled by Margaret Sarver

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament

Our Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments collected throughout the years. Treasured ones include those handmade by the girls during elementary school (every tree should have an ornament decorated with painted pasta!), ones my mom has needlepointed for us, along with those picked up on various trips. If you need a unique gift that will be used year after year, check out this year’s Crown Center mayor’s Christmas tree ornament. Made with wood from last year’s tree and decorated to commemorate 50 years of the mayor’s tree, it’s sure to be treasured by the recipient! CrownCenter.com

Wildgrain

I love all carbs, much to my waistline’s chagrin: bread, pasta, crackers, muffins, croissants … yum! However, I am not a baker, so I typically serve prepared breads. I was thrilled to learn about Wildgrain, a subscription service that delivers bake-from-frozen sourdough breads, fresh pastas and artisan pastries right to your home. The breads are ready in under an hour, while the pasta takes the same amount of time to prepare as dried—but it tastes so much better! With the holidays here, Wildgrain will help you have fresh baked goodies on your table without all the work! Wildgrain.com

Dr. John P. Roth, DDS Specialist in Pediatric

in

Dr. Hannah Loseke

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TASTY TREATS

KID-FRIENDLY RECIPES For Busy School Days

(Family Features)

A menu of filling, delicious recipes is just what your family needs to make each school day a successful educational adventure. Satisfying lunch and dinner ideas can give loved ones the fuel they need, while delicious desserts provide motivation for growing minds to get homework finished before enjoying a treat.

MAKE SCHOOL LUNCHES A BREEZE

There’s a lot to remember when sending your student off to school each morning, from backpacks and school supplies to last night’s homework. Don’t forget one of the key ingredients to a successful day: lunch.

These Cheeseburger Turnovers provide the energy little learners need to power through their afternoon lessons. One winning idea to make the week easier is to prep a full batch of these easily packable, kid-friendly handhelds Sunday night so you have lunch ready for each day.

To find more school day recipe inspiration, visit Culinary.net.

CHEESEBURGER TURNOVERS

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 c. onion, chopped

2 T. ketchup

1 T. mustard

1 can flaky biscuits

1 c. shredded cheese dill pickle slices, halved

1 egg, beaten

Heat oven to 375 F.

In large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is thoroughly cooked and onions are tender. Drain. Stir in ketchup and mustard.

Separate biscuit dough. On ungreased baking sheet, flatten biscuit dough to form 6-inch rounds.

Spoon beef mixture onto one side of flattened dough. Sprinkle with cheese.

Top with dill pickle half. Fold dough over filling. With fork tines, press dough edges to seal. Cut two slits in top of dough to release steam. Repeat with remaining dough, beef mixture, cheese and pickles.

Brush each turnover with egg wash.

Bake 18-22 minutes or until deep golden brown.

A PERFECT PASTA FOR SCHOOL NIGHTS

Weeknight meals are all about putting tasty dishes on the table in a short amount of time, so you can share precious moments together despite busy schedules.

In a matter of minutes, you can prepare this Lentil Bolognese with Veggie-Based Penne for a quick, yet flavorful, recipe that can be enjoyed by little ones and adults alike. Featuring Veggiecraft Farms Cauliflower Penne as its key ingredient, this family meal makes it easy to incorporate vegetables without sacrificing taste.

Visit VeggiecraftFarms.com for more information and family-friendly recipes.

LENTIL BOLOGNESE WITH VEGGIE-BASED PENNE

1 c. dry French green lentils or brown lentils

1 jar (24 oz.) marinara sauce

1/2 cup vegetable broth

1 box Veggiecraft Farms Cauliflower Penne

TOPPINGS: fresh basil Parmesan cheese red pepper flakes

Cook lentils according to package directions. Drain then return to pot and add marinara and vegetable broth. Stir well and simmer over low heat about 10 minutes.

Cook penne according to package directions.

Top cooked pasta with lentil Bolognese, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.

I have had my dog for seven years and every night he has slept in his bed which is in a wire crate with the door open. About a month ago, my husband got COVID, and I slept in the guest room. My dog slept with my husband in our room, but he stopped sleeping in his crate. He slept on the floor at the foot of the bed instead. Since then, he hasn’t gone back to his crate, even since I came back to our bedroom. Any thoughts on why he would make such a big change suddenly?

Tracy Lewandowski

–

Dogs are associative learners, which means they learn in patterns. Sounds like your pup developed a new pattern and is repeating that pattern. You can train him to sleep back in the crate if you wish, but I wouldn’t worry about it he seems content where he is. If you have issues getting him back in the crate, I recommend going back to the basics of crate training.

-Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

Sable is a chocolate lab who is almost 13 years old. Her fur is currently very dry which is not normal for her. She takes Omega-3 and fish oil supplements and has for years. Is this because of the time of year after shedding and before getting her winter coat? Is it age related? – Kathy Stull

Older dogs experience different types of skin changes as they get older so this could be related to age or weather. It sounds like you are giving Sable some excellent vitamins to help keep her coat shiny and healthy. Food can also play a part in dry and coarse hair, but if this is not normal for her, then keep an eye on it for the next six months and see what her hair does. Oatmeal baths, coconut oil, and herbal supplements can also help with dry and course fur.

– Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

I have a seven-year-old male tabby who has always eaten from a bowl with no problem. Recently he won’t eat out of a bowl. He will only eat off the bare floor or carpet. He has been to the veterinarian recently

and I was told cats will do what they want! (I AGREE 100%) I just thought it was weird – Tammy

It is a little strange to us, but I wouldn’t assume there is anything medically or behaviorally off with this new eating habit. A lot of cats prefer to eat off the floor and many cats will take food out of their bowl and place it on the floor before consuming it. The ancestors of our domestic kitties used their paws to hold down prey, so your tabby may be following an evolutionary instinct.

– Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

Elliot is a lovable lug who wants nothing more than a quiet home to relax in with his forever family. He is a Great Dane mix and has lots of love to give, almost 100 pounds worth to be exact! He loves playing fetch after he’s has played a round, he likes to settle in and relax for the rest of the day. He would do best with someone who is a homebody like himself or doesn’t mind bringing him along for the ride as he loves car rides. If this sounds like the pup for you, email foster@greatplainsspca.org about meeting this handsome hound.

Email askashley@greatplainsspca.org for a chance to have your pet question answered in KC Parent magazine. Animal expert, Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA, is the Senior Director of Animal Behavior and Training at Great Plains SPCA. Ashley has more than 16 years of experience in animal training and behavior.

Great Plains SPCA is an independent 501(c)(3) no kill shelter, with a 98% live release rate, GPSPCA provides lifesaving services for approximately 4,000 animals annually in the greater Kansas City area. As Kansas City’s premium family shelter, we continue to support the seven municipalities with which we are contracted, including Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Prairie Village, Shawnee, Bonner Springs, Lake Quivira and Johnson County Parks Department and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department.

D ining Around the World in KC

We’re fortunate to have an array of delicious cuisines from around the world available at nearby restaurants. These are a few we recommend.

Australia: Banksia Bakehouse BanksiaBakehouse.com

Banksia is named for an Australian shrub, and, fittingly, the restaurant atmosphere is like dining in a culinary greenhouse. With fresh plants decorating the walls and clean white fixtures, this is a relaxing place to sample some Australian cuisine. Cofounders Rob and Kate Joseph moved from their home in Sydney to Kansas City and wanted to bring a taste of home with them. Enjoy a variety of meat pies, sausage rolls, salads, sandwiches and desserts.

Ethiopia: Blue Nile Café BlueNileKC.com

Founded in 1995 by Daniel and Selam Fikru, Blue Nile has long been a beloved staple in the metro with its current location in the City Market. They serve watt, a thick Ethiopian stew, in a variety of combinations of vegetables and meats. You’ll also find a variety of tibs on the menu, a cross between stir-fry and stew. Their clear menu makes it easy to choose the combination you’ll enjoy. Selections include lamb, beef, chicken, potatoes, lentils, greens and a variety of vegetables.

Near Eastern (Persia, Turkey, Iran, Armenia): Clay & Fire ClayAndFireKC.com

Clay and Fire brings Near Eastern recipes to KC’s Westside using locally grown ingredients, serving up delicious kebabs, hummus, flatbread, pitas, soups, Turkish pizzas and entrees. Located in a transformed house in the Westside, the atmosphere is cozy and comforting—just like the food. The wood-fire baked cheesecakes and house-made bread puddings are perfect complements to the meal.

Germany: Werner’s WernersWurst.com

The local butcher shop and grocery is disappearing from the American landscape, but Werner’s preserves the memory with their delicious selection of European delicatessen menu items. You can buy groceries to take home or enjoy lunch at their counter or outside at the picnic table where they serve European-style sausages, sandwiches and schnitzel, as well as strudel.

El Salvador: El Salvadoreño 913.217.7233

Enjoy delicious Central American food from El Salvador at El Salvadoreño, a small restaurant boasting authentic Salvadoran food, including enchiladas, empanadas, plantains, tamales, pupusas, pastels and yucca frita. The colorful atmosphere and delicious food make this a favorite restaurant for local families.

Banksia Bakehouse

Everybody Loves Pumpkin Pie

“Hey, Dad, I have an idea.” Ian put down his tablet, looking more animated than usual.

“Yeah?” On the day before Thanksgiving, I rested after doing some prep work. Almost everything was ready. All I needed to do was bake dessert.

“Why don’t you let me bake the pumpykin pies?”

“When have you baked pumpkin pie?” I gave him an appraising glance. “When have you baked anything?”

“Aw, Dad, you know it’s easy. If you can bake a pie, I can.”

My recliner never felt more comfortable. “You have a lot of confidence in yourself.”

“I’ve got this, Dad. Simple. Besides, Mom says you work too hard. Let me give you a break.”

I’ve heeded too many siren songs throughout my life and should have known better, but this sounded so good. “Okay, Bub, use the pie shells in the freezer. But if you don’t have the pies ready by the time I get up … ”

The day passed, but Ian never baked. Every time I asked about it, he smiled at me. “Told you I got it.”

He wakes early, though, usually around 5:00. I went to sleep thinking of his words. “I got this, Dad.”

The next morning, I expected a furious round of baking to start the day, but a pleasant surprise awaited me when I came downstairs. The aroma of freshly-baked pumpkin in the kitchen and two pies on the cooling rack.

“Great job, Ian.”

He beamed at me. “I told you I had this.”

While preparing the feast, I opened the freezer for something and stopped short. The frozen pie shells were still there. On a hunch, I poked through the bin. Two collapsed frozen pumpkin pie boxes, slid down along the side where they wouldn’t be noticed. No wonder he’d been so nonchalant. The skunk.

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

Want More in Life?

Here’s a way to experience the joy of parenthood and help children

4,000 Kansas City area children are in crisis due to child abuse, neglect or other family challenges. The need for new foster and adoptive parents is greater than ever.

Whether you are single or married, own or rent your home, have children already or don’t, work full-time or stay home, you may qualify. We provide free training, 24/7 support, and monthly reimbursement to meet the child’s needs.

Contact us to learn more. (888) 655-5500 | www.kvckansas.org

BY PEGGY GISLER AND MARGE EBERTS

THE DILEMMA FACED BY PARENTS OF BRIGHT KINDERGARTNER

QUESTION: I have a young son who learns things rather easily. He began reading at 3, and now, at 5, he can add, subtract and multiply and understands fractions. He also can do his older cousin’s third-grade work. The local school placed him in kindergarten. Their policy is not to advance children until third grade and then for only one grade. He enjoyed kindergarten at first because he got to play and made new friends.

Recently, the class started to learn the alphabet and count to 10, and our son began to hate school because it was so boring. We asked the teacher if he could bring his own books to read while the other kids did what he already knew. She said that the books were not age appropriate.

We have now taken him out of school and let him learn at home. Next year, when he is 6, he will have to return to school. Can anything be done in public schools for an advanced learner, or do we need to consider homeschooling? – Perplexed

ANSWER: Parents of gifted children like your son have the responsibility of finding creative ways to keep learning interesting for their children. A failure to do so can result at times in gifted children’s becoming so bored with school that they actually become disinterested in learning. You need to become educated on all facets of giftedness. You can find abundant information by going online and searching for gifted organizations. One helpful site is the Davidson Institute (DavidsonGifted.org), as it has a list of gifted organizations that deal with different facets of giftedness, as well as their lists of resources. Our Dear Teacher website also has a list of organizations in the helpful websites section. Be sure also to investigate what organizations for the gifted are available at your local and state levels. They can give you the opportunity to

interact with the parents of other gifted children. Within your area, there will be other bright young children like your son. Become part of a gifted organization to learn of all the ways to give your son an education that matches his abilities.

Gifted students tend to stay advanced of their peers throughout their years in school unless they become bored and disinterested in learning. Do not consider your son’s time in kindergarten a complete negative—there were some benefits. Your son was learning socialization skills and acquiring some art and music skills. Many teachers would not have the attitude of this kindergarten teacher and would have set him loose on the computer and in books to provide a more challenging curriculum.

Finding the appropriate education for gifted children is always challenging. It has become more difficult in some communities that have eliminated gifted programs in favor of the same curriculum for all students in order to make education the same for everyone, no matter their ability level.

If your son continues in this local public school for first grade, he obviously will not be advanced several grades. You might want to look for a different public school or a private one that would let him do more challenging work in the classroom, skip him one or two grades, or let him take classes such as reading and math on a more advanced level while letting him remain in first grade for most of the day.

Homeschooling is a viable option if you have the family situation to do it. There are now a great number of exciting programs to choose from, so you would not necessarily have to develop a special curriculum for your son. Furthermore, homeschooling is no longer just an isolated at home experience. Homeschoolers can get together with other homeschoolers to offer an exciting curriculum on several levels. This is more like a school. Also, you could join other homeschoolers for field trips and special advanced classes.

THE BEST WAY TO STUDY FOR TESTS

QUESTION: My children have a lot of tests in middle and high school. What should they be doing to prepare for these tests? – Concerned Parent

ANSWER: The best way to study for any test is for students to use as many of their senses as they can. For example, they can write note cards, reread the note cards out loud or even study with a friend.

You may be surprised to know that change is good for studying. Researchers have discovered that instead of staying in just one spot, studying becomes more effective when learners actually change the study environment. So if your children are only studying in their rooms, suggest they consider moving to another room or even outdoors at times. In this way, they force their brains to make multiple associations with the same material. It enriches the material and slows down forgetting.

And, of course, students should take practice tests and quizzes. Doing so gives them practice in retrieving material, which seems to make recalling it on actual tests easier. In fact, the harder the trial test material is to remember, the harder it is to forget later. This is a strong argument for learners’ always completing study guide questions and textbook questions in preparation for a test.

© Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2022

CREATE A HOMEWORK STATION

Since studying in different locations can be helpful, consider stocking necessary homework supplies at a central location. That way, you and your child are prepared for any homework task, which lessens the chance of fizzling out of energy when you don't have a needed supply. A small rolling cart is a convenient way to store everything for easy access. Here's a short list of items to have on hand:

n Post-its, index cards, notepads, graph paper

n Markers, crayons, colored pencils, highlighters

n Extra pencils, and don't forget the pencil sharpener!

n Glue, tape and scissors

n Ruler and calculator

SILVER DOLLAR CITY

AN OLD TIME CHRISTMAS FEATURES A NEW PRODUCTION SHOW, BRILLIANT HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE

Bright lights line streets, buildings, pathways and trees during Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas, running Nov. 5 through Dec. 30. The 2022 season marks the debut of a new production show, Coming Home for Christmas, along with more than 6.5 million lights, an elaborate eight-story, animated Christmas tree, a light parade, holiday foods and more. Silver Dollar City shines brilliantly with so much entertainment that the park is the five-time reigning champion for Best Theme Park Holiday Event in America.

*

Throughout the streets of The City, carolers sing and stroll, while the centerpiece of Joy on Town Square, an eight-story Christmas tree, and

surrounding lights glow spectacularly. Even brighter is Christmas in Midtown, with its remarkable display of light tunnels, wreath portals, flying angels and special effects nine stories tall.

For thrill seekers, rides soar under

the Ozark Mountain starlight, with all the Christmas lights visible below. Craftsmen, in the Christmas spirit, create one-of-a-kind heirlooms, demonstrating glass blowing, wood carving, pottery and more.

The City’s stages offer more than 30 shows each day and night. Along with the longtime favorite production, A Dickens’ Christmas Carol, the new show, Coming Home for Christmas, features a live band and a cast of 14 singers and dancers presenting holiday music, stories and family traditions. Other productions include The Living Nativity and the Saloon Frontier Fa-La-La Follies. Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade winds through The City each evening with lighted floats, characters, dancers and performers. Guests aboard the Frisco Sing-Along Steam Train enjoy a Christmas story.

Throughout the streets of The City, carolers sing and stroll, while the centerpiece of Joy on Town Square, an eight-story Christmas tree, and surrounding lights glow spectacularly.

To add to the festivities, menus offer a variety of seasonal treats, including holiday dinner with smoked turkey, ham, prime rib and trimmings; specialty soups like potato leek; and Silver Dollar City’s Miner’s Beef

Stew. Plus, savor a variety of sweets such as hot chocolate and wassail, s’mores or warm apple pie with homemade cinnamon ice cream. Tasting Passports let guests sample their way through The City.

The two-month-long holiday event boasts some impressive statistics: 680 miles of lights, 1,000 decorated Christmas trees, 600 wreaths and more than three miles of garland and ribbon.

www.silverdollarcity.com

*By USA Today’s 10Best

TIMELESS HOBBIES

FOR KIDS TO EXPLORE

As you go about your day, you have so many ways to encourage your children’s learning through play, from setting the table and jumping rope to counting glass beads. My son played Mancala when we went to the Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs. It’s played by two players, each placing an equal number of glass beads in each of the pits on the game board. On a turn, a player removes all the beads in one pit and deposits them one at a time in the following pits, including one pit at each end of the board where the beads are “captured” by the player who controls that particular pit. At the end of the game, the player who captures the most beads wins.

My son actually beat the guy selling the games! He then gave him a certificate saying he beat the Mancala Man!

Another fun game is Texas Hold’em poker. We played that a lot, and my children got pretty good at it. It’s a simple game that encourages math skills and patience. You can find the rules online.

Another fun activity that builds math, coding, dexterity and mental agility? Tried-and-true Legos. Children spend hours building mazes and following directions. Many architects began their journey as little children sitting on the floor putting blocks and Legos together. This activity also limits screen time and builds confidence.

Sidewalk chalk is another simple activity that can be transformed into a learning game without your kiddos realizing it. Have them draw squares, then add letters to each one. (Numbers work, too.) As kids hop along the squares, help them learn to spell: the words dog, cat, fun, happy and more. Some artists draw incredible scenes with chalk, and your children can do the same. There is no wrong way to draw a flower or a sun or a dinosaur! The children in our neighborhood once drew pictures on each square of the sidewalk on our block. It took them all day, but they learned teamwork and that Popsicles are great on a hot summer day.

Playing sports, of course, gives children life lessons like nothing else. Baseball, football, soccer, swimming—all require counting, planning and listening. Working together is a valuable lesson everyone needs to learn, and when a coach explains a play, and all players must do their part, they learn to lean on each other. Memory skills come into play here, too, with coaches’ sending home playbooks to study and go over. When my son played football, the coach gave each player the loop from a chain. They wore it on their belt buckle or put it on their keychain. He was teaching them that all the loops make a strong chain. At the end of the school year, he had each player add his loop to a chain, showing they all were bound by time. My son is in his twenties now and still has the loop the coach gave each boy upon high school graduation. The intangible knowledge this coach put in each of the boys’ hearts is a forever part of their personalities.

Playing sports also hones important cognitive skills: focus, visual attention, visual tracking and fast decision-making. For instance, research shows that the most elite quarterbacks move their eyes more quickly to the most open receiver. Their visual attention allows them to quickly decide to throw the ball or keep it and run. They also hold their focus and attention on their target longer, using their visual tracking skills to give their brains more time to make the right decision.

Play from the past can be valuable, too. My father had an electric train his father gave him, and my sisters and I loved when he put it together and the metal cars rolled around that track. The added plus was when

Who knew knitting was so beneficial? Our grandparents knew, and many young people are taking up the hobby now to relax. My daughter even made me a scarf during her senior year of high school. Children learn mathematical skills from counting stitches and rows, adding stitches and working math of gauge. With any knit, kids strengthen skills of multiplying, adding, measuring and more. They’ll enjoy math without even knowing!

Problem solving is another skill crafters pick up, as knitting requires following instructions, reading and troubleshooting. Making and correcting mistakes in knitting helps children discover how a problem occurred and then how to fix it. This breaks the need for perfection. When you learn from an early age that it is about the journey not the destination, you become a happier adult. When your child creates an imperfect product and still loves it because she made it, her confidence level goes through the roof! Hand-eye coordination is required to knit, as is creativity as knitters choose what type of fiber and color and the type of garment they want to make.

Best of all, knitters learn patience. We all know the excitement we feel when finishing a project, and sharing this experience with your kids will result in a sense of patience—and a sense of achievement.

our dad talked about the history of trains and how he carried that big box with the tracks and cars around for years.

Building and designing train sets can actually teach children valuable lifelong problem-solving skills. A child must piece the tracks together in a way that allows the trains to run smoothly, he must learn to avoid obstacles to the tracks, such as an area rug or a chair leg, and he must assemble the tracks in such a way that the tracks connect at a

certain point. These skills are essential when a child is confronted with problems in life. He needs to have patience, foresight, ability to use trial-and-error and planning skills in order to succeed in school and in a future career.

Playing with trains and reading about trains also sparks a child’s creativity and imagination. There are endless ways to assemble train tracks, connect trains together, build cities around the tracks, reenact what the child has seen on a

television show or read in a book, and create a new world each time the child drags out the box of trains, tracks and accessories.

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: MathPlayground.com, GoodHousekeeping.com, PattyLyons.com

Building Great Smiles for Life!

IMPORTANT THINGS TO TEACH YOUR CHILD

“Money doesn’t grow on trees.” “Another day, another dollar.” “You get what you pay for.” “Money makes the world go ’round.”

These common sayings represent good lessons about money but can be confusing for kids. It’s important to teach our kids the value of money, how to save, spend wisely and practice financial responsibility. Simply saying, “We have to pinch our pennies,” or “That costs an arm and a leg,” is not going to help kids truly understand these complicated concepts. Here are some simple but important lessons to teach kids of any age about money.

Money has to be earned

Earning money is hard work, but this concept can be difficult to understand for children. You can start teaching your children about how money is earned by paying them for assigned chores. Some families may find giving an allowance helps children understand the concept of earning a “paycheck” or allowance and other families may assign a dollar amount for specific chores. Either way, you are showing your child that money is earned. “My kids have been getting an allowance since they were 4 years old,” says Sarah Brandt, Lee’s Summit mom of three. “I rarely buy extras, like toys and treats. All of that comes from their allowance. They budget and save better than I do.”

Budgeting

“Starting in first grade, we give half their age per week for allowance and allocate 10% for giving, 10% for saving and 80% to use as they wish,” says Joy Alsup, Olathe mom of four. “This frees me to say no to little things like candy or going places with friends because they can use their own money. They

have a choice and can ‘suffer’ going without if they have spent it all.” Alsup shares that after her children start their first job, they save 50% of each paycheck to give them a good start for spending money in college.

Candice Zimmers, Olathe mom of three, does something similar. “Any money that our children earn or receive is divided into four categories: tithe 10%, family tax 10%, any amount they choose for savings and the rest is money to spend or donate. We feel this gives them a sense of how to allocate their funds and has them realize that not all that they earn will be theirs when they receive a paycheck.”

Every family has different categories for savings, spending and other uses. The main goal is to help your children understand how to budget and save while giving them choices on how they spend their money. If they make a poor choice to spend all they have earned, they are forced to face the consequences. This

lesson is best learned when the stakes are lower, at a young age, than as an adult when the consequences can be life-altering.

Developing a realistic view of how much things cost

It’s hard for kids to understand the value of money when they don’t have a realistic understanding of how much things cost. While you’re running errands with your children, show them how much it costs to fill the car with gas, how much the grocery bill is and how to compare prices while shopping. Give your child $20 in cash and ask him to purchase the family lunch at the grocery store. This is a simple lesson that helps kids understand the cost of living. “I put the kids in charge of the family eating out money,” says Brandt. “You want to eat at McDonald’s tonight? Cool, but that means no pizza this weekend.” These comparisons and trade-offs give your child valuable lessons in the value of the dollar.

Easy Ways to Teach Kids About Money

• Assign chores and pay kids an allowance. Help them create a budget for spending.

• Set a savings goal, small at first, and let them go out and purchase the item when they’ve reach the goal.

• Teach kids to give to others.

• When your child receives a gift of money, explain that someone worked hard for the money and chose to give it freely.

• Take them shopping and allow them to help compare prices and options.

• Give kids cash and have them pay for items in the store themselves.

• Be careful about always using a credit card. Use cash to show children that money is exchanged for goods and services.

• Encourage your teen to get a part-time job.

• Set a good example by budgeting and spending carefully.

• Be open and honest about money and spending, and be willing to answer questions that come up.

ABOUT MONEY

Understanding banking

Investing, saving and navigating how banking works are great lessons to teach kids. If your children are preschool age, have them place money in a glass jar. This gives them a visual of the money they are earning, and they can watch it grow. Older kids may benefit from opening a bank account. “I opened a checking and savings account for my 11-year-old,” says Michelle Lyons, mom of three from Lavista, NE. “I asked for a check register so she can learn how to balance her account. I also got her a stack of deposit slips to learn how to do that as well. I explained to her the importance of not telling people her PIN, how to shut off her card if it is misplaced and the importance of saving.” Warn your kids about the dangers of credit card debt. The credit limit is often far higher than a young adult can handle, and the ease of swiping a card to pay for items they want or need is tempting. Interest rates are high, and the debt can quickly stack up. Talk with your teens and young adults about credit cards before they make mistakes that can cause problems long term.

The best ways you can teach your children about money are to give them real life experiences, allow them to start making decisions on their own at a young age and to lead by example. If you are a spender and buy items on impulse, they may develop these bad habits as well. If you are a saver and keep a careful budget, your kids will likely develop these healthy habits. If you and your partner often fight about money, this could cause your child to view money discussions in a negative context. Try to remain positive and help them understand that money is not always an enjoyable topic to talk about, but it is important and can help develop security and independence in the future.

Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer who lives with her family in Olathe.

Planning any event can be a job, but birthday parties take the cake, literally. So how do rock star parents plan showstopping shindigs and make it look so easy? Naturally they read articles like this one. Just keep reading and when it’s all over, you’re sure to be a pro.

TIP #1 – Ask your kid what he wants.

No one wants to come to a party he wasn’t personally invited to. So why create a party where the guest of honor isn’t included? Asking your kid what he wants in the party can really save you a lot of time, energy and money, as well as the headache. A combination of both open-ended and yes-or-no questions usually does the trick for me. For example, asking your kid his top three favorite cartoon characters may help you decide what life-size character costume to rent. Asking or even knowing your child’s favorite color can easily help you determine the color of decorations.

brother’s

a mutual friend)

to have a Toy Story

party for his little girl.

the children dressed as their favorite toy and had mini adventures. From toy rescue to story telling to cleanup, the kids had a ball. I mean they really got into it!

contraptions to pull

out of the

sandboxes and fainted in place when Dad yelled, “Quick, Mom’s coming!” Some of the parents had more fun than the kids. The best part—the plot twist—was that when the party was actually over, it wasn’t hard at all to get the kids involved in the cleanup. The parents made the chore fun, and it definitely felt like we were still playing the game.

SIDE BAR – With all the fun going on at the party, be sure to have a safety kit nearby. Children are accident prone, and a bump on the head or a cut on the knee can really kill the party vibe, so make sure to have a kit ready just in case.

TIP #3 – Divide and conquer.

Although we want to make sure we include everyone, division is not always a bad thing. Parents, when throwing any kind of party, have fun but establish boundaries. Establish where play areas are and where it’s best to have food and drinks. Not only will this help to avoid confusion, it will also help you stay organized. After all, we

don’t want the basketball to accidentally end up in the cake.

SIDE BAR – Food bars are a great way to break the unnecessary tension. Taco bars and dessert bars give your guests options and, in a weird way, force everyone to get comfortable. You’d be surprised what people share over food and drinks.

TIP #4 – It’s so hard to say goodbye …

Although parties can be fun, knowing when to call it quits is crucial to a happy ending. No one, and I do mean no one, wants to be the bearer of bad news. So my advice is to bring out party favors when you’re ready to wrap things up. Nothing says thanks for coming like a thank you card and a little something-something. Kids love grab bags. So, mix it up with small trinkets like finger cuffs, chips or even bouncy balls. Tailor the gifts to the guests and the theme, and I promise that awkward goodbye won’t be awkward at all.

TIP #5 – When in doubt, make a list.

It may sound like homework, but it can really save you time later. Make that list! The best part about making a list is that having one doesn’t leave you guessing, “What did I miss? What’s next? Who’s picking up the cake?” These questions can drive you nuts when you’re already in overdrive. To-do lists are a must when it comes to event planning and mapping out things. Lists make it easy for you to delegate tasks as well—another important strategy for a successful party.

Planning and executing a party your kid really wants shouldn’t become your next full-time job, but some strategic planning can make magic happen. Just take a deep breath, follow these tips and enjoy the experience. You and the birthday kid will shine!

Jessica Samuel lives in Kansas City and is a freelance writer and photographer.

INDIVIDUALIZED PARENTING

Parents with more than one child know how different children can be. In fact, I have always said my brother and I are as opposite as you can get and still come from the same gene pool! He was technologically savvy and an introvert, and I was artistic and social. It’s because of these very differences we find in all our own children, each one created so uniquely, that a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting doesn’t necessarily work. Read on to find out exactly what this means, why it’s helpful, and what it might look like in your family.

Individualized parenting, also called personalized parenting, simply means giving each of your children what he or she needs. In theory, this sounds quite basic. However, it does require parents to observe, get to know their children on a particularly deeper level and discover what makes them tick. One way you can do this is to find out your child’s love language, as this will help you relate and bond more with your child. The five love languages are words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, physical touch and acts of service. You can find a love language quiz at 5LoveLanguages.com/quizzes/lovelanguage. What you learn may not only take your parenting up a notch, but your marriage too! Kristi Brooks, Overland Park mom of two, shares, “Showing love to my daughter looks like lots of snuggles (physical touch), but for my son, is playing a game together (quality time). I think loving your child well looks like knowing how they are uniquely wired and finding creative ways to guide, encourage and meet them where they are.”

You may be wondering why tailoring your parenting to each of your children really matters. Because children are born with unique genetic makeups, they will each respond differently to parents, as well as discipline techniques. According to Forever Families (ForeverFamilies.BYU.edu), “The principle of individualized parenting is fundamental to all the other parenting principles. For example, the way a parent nurtures and shows love to a particular child should reflect the way they have discovered that child feels loved. The limits, consequences and degree of freedom parents give a child should depend on the child’s personality and maturity. For example, a defiant child who misbehaves might benefit from firmer punishment, while a sensitive child might need only a disapproving word. A daring, strong-willed child usually needs more rules to be kept safe and to learn self-control. A child who already controls his behavior might feel mistrusted if his parents lay down strict rules, leading to a need to rebel.”

Perhaps you are rolling your eyes, thinking this new approach is another item to add to your already never-ending to-do list … but, let me tell you, it’s not. You are already individualizing your parenting whether you realize it or not! ElementalMedium.com says, “It only requires that we pay attention to our children; that we recognize and embrace their differences; that we acknowledge that much of their behavior (especially the most frustrating part!) is a product

“Each child is born unique, with strengths, weaknesses, talents and tendencies that make him or her an individual. Because of this uniqueness, different children, even within the same family, respond to the same or similar parenting styles in different ways depending on their personalities and perceptions.”

of their biology, not a reflection of our parenting; and that we flexibly adapt our parenting to support each of our unique children.” In the same way teachers aim to individualize each child’s education based on different learning styles, so parents are individualizing based on their child’s temperament and personality differences. Brooks says, “The differences in my two kids are very apparent and have been since birth! My son is an intense, competitive, high-energy extrovert. My daughter is an artistic, gentle, peace-making introvert. I definitely have to consider their different temperaments when we consider how many activities to sign up for each season. I know my son thrives on a busy sports schedule, whereas my daughter needs her downtime. We let my son quit piano after two years, as it wasn’t a good fit for his level of energy and interests. Yet, we continue to keep my daughter in piano three years in, as she is naturally more musically gifted and patient.”

The differences in my two kids are very apparent and have been since birth! My son is an intense, competitive, high-energy extrovert. My daughter is an artistic, gentle, peace-making introvert.

Similarly, Anne Hays, Leawood mom of three, says, “Ever since I can remember, we’ve parented our three girls differently. Our oldest needed a bit more routine than her younger sisters. To this day it frustrates her if plans change or she doesn’t know what to expect. This seems to be the opposite for her younger siblings, who both need a little prompting to plan ahead and not wait until the last minute. We found that when our routine or plan changed for the day, we would communicate with our oldest that plans had changed and why. Sometimes, on vacation, one of us (usually my husband since he is wired the same way!) would stick with the plan, and the other would head off with the younger two. I don’t know whether it is good advice, but it worked for us!”

We all have had the experience throughout our parenting of something working for one child, but definitely not working for another one. Isn’t this part of what makes parenting such an adventure—albeit a frustrating one at times! As parents, we get to be detectives to figure out clues into our children’s innermost workings to help guide us on our parenting journey. And if you are worried about things not seeming fair in your household because children are treated differently, remember, fair isn’t necessarily equal. Fair is each child’s getting exactly what is needed.

Julie Collett is a mom to four children, ages 11, 9, 7 and 4, and continues to have plenty of practice to fine-tune her individualized parenting skills on a daily basis!

TEACHING KIDS TO SHAREa

Young children don’t need to be trained to be self-preserving. It’s innate for them. What isn’t natural, however, is sharing and taking into account other people’s feelings. Because parents desire to raise children that grow up to become kind and generous people, it’s important that moms and dads know what’s going on developmentally within their children. This way, they can temper their own expectations, as well as help foster an environment that teaches the art of kindness. Just as it would be foolish to expect a 3-month-old to walk or a 6-month-old to speak in full sentences, it’s also naive to assume that children have the capacity to think beyond themselves as toddlers and preschoolers. As renowned pediatrician Dr. Bill Sears notes, selfishness comes before the ability to share.

“The power to possess is a natural part of the child’s growing awareness. During the second and third years, as the child goes from oneness to separateness, this little person works to establish an identity separate from mother. ‘I do it myself!’ and ‘mine!’ scream the headlines in the toddler’s tabloid. In fact, ‘mine’ is one of the earliest words to come out of a toddler’s mouth.”

– Dr. Bill Sears

Young children intrinsically develop strong bonds to both people and things, which is a healthy part of forming emotional connections. In the first year, it might be Mommy they don’t want to separate from. When they’re 2, it may be a beloved stuffed animal they can’t bear to part with.

Sharing Means Empathy

At the heart of sharing is empathy: the ability to see something from someone else’s point of view. Most research indicates that children don’t have the capacity to be

empathetic until they are around the age of 6. Does this mean kids shouldn’t be taught to share until they’re school-aged? Not at all! It simply means that kids younger than this will share because they have been conditioned to do so. So don’t lose heart if your youngster isn’t jumping for joy at this new opportunity to look beyond himself. Keep this in mind: A 2-year-old will more than likely engage in parallel play, simply playing next to another child rather than with her. At that moment, a child cares simply about himself and his stuff. It’s not even on his radar to think about another child, let alone her thoughts or feelings. But with gentle training, an egocentric toddler can become a kindhearted preschooler, and as children begin to play more collaboratively over time, they begin to see the benefits of sharing.

Sharing Means Advocacy

All too often parents find themselves in the precarious role of the “sharing police.” Setting timers to swap toys, telling a child to give up a beloved possession to keep peace (or avoid another child’s

meltdown) or mediating in every case of gimme is not only exhausting but also counterproductive. Leading researcher on children’s social development Nancy Eisenberg says this is why: Children grow in generosity by having the opportunity to give to others and discovering how wonderful it feels. The rub? The experience can’t be made on behalf of the child. If we force children to share, it backfires as they leave the experience feeling resentful and even more possessive. It’s no surprise they’re less likely to be generous as a result. Sharing on a child’s behalf robs him of the opportunity to develop conflict resolution skills as well as learn how to delay gratification.

There’s a better approach to teaching how to share, and it starts with advocacy (both advocating for your child, and teaching your child how to advocate for herself). Here are seven ways to foster generosity:

1Point Out Good Examples. When you read a book or watch a movie together that showcases a character with a giving spirit, bring it up to reflect upon later. Don’t forget to keep your eyes out for real life examples, as well. “That was so kind of your daddy to save me the last piece of dessert!”

2Be a Good Example. More is always caught than taught. Drop a meal off for a sick friend, offer to pick up mail or mow the lawn when your neighbor is on vacation and leave a quarter in the cart for the next shopper at Aldi.

3Avoid Bad Examples. With so many good media and literature options available, there is no need to waste time with books or movies that showcase whining, sarcasm and disrespect in children as normative and expected. As the old adage goes, garbage in, garbage out. For comprehensive listings on familyfriendly programming, check out Common Sense Media or Plugged In for reviews.

4Include Your Child in Opportunities to Share. Sharing means giving of not just your possessions but also your time. Go caroling at the local nursing home or build an Operation Christmas Child box. Better yet, build a box for a child the same age as your own, allowing yours to pick out items at the store that he himself would want to receive. Bake cookies together with the intention of sharing at your next playdate, granting your child the role of handing out the cookies.

5Respect Your Child’s Space. Children with siblings have ample opportunities to practice sharing within their own home, be it picking out a movie to watch or game to play. One way to temper frustration between siblings is to clarify which toys and items are family items, meaning they’re open for all to play with, and which ones belong to an individual. Legos? Family item. Your 4-year-old’s beloved blanket? Individual item. In the same way, it’s helpful to prepare a child for upcoming playdates you host by allowing her to predetermine which items she is willing to share and which ones she would prefer to put away.

Let Them Say No. Sharing is about doing good for others, but it’s not about doing so at the expense of yourself. Inevitably, demanding children will exploit kindness. It’s important that you train your little one to stand up for himself if you see bullying take place. If your child doesn’t have the skills to put words to his actions, speak up for your child when another child steals from him: “I need that back. Jack isn’t done playing with it, but when he is, he’ll let you know!” you might say.

6

7Give Them an Alternative. Let’s be honest—when you’re on the receiving end of sharing, sometimes waiting your turn is hard! If your child is waiting to play with something a friend or sibling is using, help him figure out for himself another activity to do to pass the time until he receives the awaited item. And in the interim, don’t forget to cheer him on as you see virtues exemplified, such as patience and creativity.

Lauren Greenlee is an Olathe boymom of four, ranging in age from toddler to teenagers. She enjoys writing on a variety of topics, run-training and homeschooling.

Materials needed:

• One toilet paper roll per turkey

• Sticker or googly eyes (We chose stickers to easily add personalized touches to our turkeys, including a mustache and glasses!)

• Red pipe cleaner or red construction paper

• Yellow and brown construction paper

• Leaves (real or artificial) OR use the red, brown and yellow construction paper

• Brown paint

• Paintbrush

• Tape

• Scissors

turkey napkin holders

Want a fun and easy way to dress up your Thanksgiving table?

These cute little turkeys are quick and easy, and, as an added bonus, you can choose to personalize these turkeys for your Thanksgiving Day guests!

Step one: Pull any remaining toilet paper off toilet paper roll and paint toilet paper roll brown. Allow to completely dry.

Step two: While toilet paper roll is drying, cut out brown turkey legs and a yellow square for the mouth. Set aside.

Step three: If using a red pipe cleaner, roll pipe cleaner for the waddle. Leave an additional section of the red pipe cleaner to tape down under the mouth. Feel free to use red construction paper instead of the pipe cleaner.

Step four: If using leaves, tape together the stems of the leaves. We used three leaves. If using construction paper, cut out leaves or handprints.

Step five: Once turkey body is dry, tape on eyes, mouth, waddle, legs and leaves. If personalizing your turkey, add any additional details.

Step six: Roll up napkin and slide turkey over the center. Place your turkeys on your table when you’re ready for your Thanksgiving!

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

Growing Gratitude

Our children are loved and supported by so many people. Grandparents, friends, neighbors and teachers give their time, money and energy to be a part of the village that turns our littlest family members into the amazing people we know they are destined to be.

And though we encourage the use of “please” and “thank you” for good manners, teaching kids how to be truly grateful and thankful for what they’ve been given is a different proposition. Teaching empathy and understanding of others is integral to raising a child who is kind, thoughtful and, most importantly, self-aware.

So how do we instruct our children to grow in gratitude?

After all, small children and toddlers don’t naturally view gratitude as a high priority. Thankfully, the holiday season offers the ideal setting to focus on this subject. Use these months to focus on identifying opportunities to be grateful. Make it a family priority, then carry that momentum through the rest of the year.

Practice basic manners. The entry level for graciousness is manners. Teaching children to say “thank you” when they receive a gift or help from a friend is a must. Do not accept anything less than a clear, vocal expression of the phrase when it’s warranted. (This is a perfect situation

in which to encourage the art of eye contact, too.) If your children aren’t sure why they need to do this, take the time to explain. “Saying ‘thank you’ shows appreciation for what Sissie did for you. She helped you set the table, and you’re letting her know it felt so good to have her help.”

Be the example. You are a direct line of sight to the world for your children. If they consistently witness you whine, complain and scream in frustration when things go awry, rest assured they will duplicate that behavior in their own lives. They will grow to find the negative in all things—and that’s no way to grow up. The good news? A grateful person is almost always met with a smile, a friendly exchange and a lasting warmth for everyone involved. Changing your habits to be gracious and kind will make you and your children feel better. You will come to crave that feeling and share it with others. Everybody wins.

Start at home. It’s easy to be grateful when a stranger compliments your outfit or lets you cut in line at the grocery store. But what about being thankful that your partner makes your daily morning coffee without your asking? Or your oldest child helped you look for your car keys when you lost them this morning? At home, we tend to get lazy about voicing our appreciation for things that seem mundane. In reality, those daily acts of love and kindness deserve the most attention and appreciation. Act accordingly.

Support a charity—in person. Extra time is in short supply, so it’s tempting to write a check to support your favorite charity. (By the way, that’s awesome. Keep doing it!) But do your children see you giving back? Do they understand what it means to that charity to receive your support if your children don’t see any tangible action on your part? Probably not.

Let’s do better.

Bring your child along to a donation drop-off of clothes, food, electronics and toys at a local charity and let them help bring the items in. Seek out an elderly neighbor who needs help bringing in the morning paper or whose car needs a wash.

During the holiday season when greed and selfishness are at annual highs, consider adopting a local family in need. Read their story aloud to your children and let them choose and wrap the items that you give. When the time comes to meet the family and drop off the gifts, your children’s hearts will explode in the best way. They will witness gratefulness in the purest way, and it is impossible to forget.

Narrate your thankfulness. You already know kids are always listening. That’s why they figured out this year’s Christmas present is a trip to the beach. Capitalize on that free air time. Not sure how? Find a reason to be grateful and speak out loud about the who, what and why that make you grateful. “Ava, that man just held the door for me when I had full hands! He didn’t have to do that. I’m so thankful he helped me out so I didn’t drop anything! Thank you so much, sir!”

For younger children, consider playing the gratefulness game. Encourage little ones to identify three things in their life for which they are thankful. The initial response might be a lot of “I’m thankful for cookies!” Stick with it, though. Share your own thoughtful examples and you’ll be amazed how quickly you hear the same from them.

Find the good. We discussed speaking positive thoughts, but it’s just as effective to seek the positive. Find teachable moments in the most challenging of situations. Luggage lost at the airport? Remember, your kids are watching. Take a breath, curb the curse words and say something like, “I know the airline worked very hard to get our luggage here, but something must have gone wrong. Mistakes happen. Now we get to go on an adventure to find our suitcases. Let’s go!”

Though easier said than done, it can be done! Show your children that though it is difficult to be gracious in a difficult situation, it’s undeniably the best way to go. Not only are you teaching resilience, but also kindness and compassion. And who doesn’t need more of that in this world?

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

Three Quick Ways to Bolster Being Grateful, Starting Today:

1. Share at suppertime – Implement an “I’m Grateful for …” moment at every dinner, starting tonight. Everyone shares something they are thankful for as dinner begins.

2. Stop comparing – Rather than saying you wish you could afford to go to Disneyland for vacation, focus on how grateful you are the family was able to enjoy the lake this summer. Look at pictures together and let the memories roll!

3. Start a journal – For older kids, having gratefulness dinner convos may not be possible. As an alternate, buy a blank journal and set it near the front door or in a common space. Encourage your family to write a quick note about something they’re grateful for at any time. At the end of the week, read the journal out loud to each other. (Hint: You’ll have to do this first to encourage participation!)

GET ACTIVE with Snow and Ice Sports

Kansas City’s Outdoor Ice-Skating Rinks:

The season for the outdoor rinks is typically November through February or March. Please call for hours for each location.

Our Favorite Outdoor Ice Rinks

Crown Center Ice Terrace The Ice Terrace opens for the 2022 season Nov. 4 with FREE skating from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. The rink overlooks the mayor’s Christmas tree during the holiday season. Enjoy public skating daily. CrownCenter.com/IceTerrace.

The Rink at Zona Rosa Enjoy shopping from local and national retailers, dining at an eclectic mix of restaurant options and iceskating under the lights at Zona Rosa. ZonaRosa.com

Chicken N Pickle (Overland Park) Offering the most affordable daytime skate rates in town, Chicken N Pickle offers fun on their ice pond all season long. Check their calendar for family skates, character skates and holiday skate parties. ChickenNPickle.com/overland-park/ice-pond

Additional Outdoor Rinks:

Summit Ice 120 NE Chipman Rd., Lee’s Summit, 816.249.2600. Enjoy skating, pond hockey, curling, broomball and ice-skating lessons at this facility.

Linden Square Ice Rink 602 NE 70th St., Gladstone, 816.423.4200, Children 4 and under skate free at this affordable local rink. The Ice at Park Place 11549 Ash St., Leawood, 913.663.2070

Kansas City’s Indoor Ice-Skating Rinks Open Year-Round: Independence Community Ice Rink 19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Independence, 816.795.7577

Kansas City Ice Center and Pavilion 19900 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, 913.441.3033

Line Creek Community Center Ice Rink 5940 NW Waukomis Dr., Kansas City, MO, 816.513.0760

More Winter Sports: Head to Weston, MO, for skiing and snowboarding at Snow Creek Ski Resort (816.640.2200). Early winter, the facility offers snow skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing, and lessons for beginners. The most daring experience at Snow Creek is tubing at Tornado Alley. Slide down a 700-foot-long slope and then jump onto a special conveyor carpet “twister” for a ride back up!

If you’re more into spectator sports, catch an ice hockey game in Independence as you cheer for the Kansas City Mavericks. KCMavericks.com

Crown Center Ice Terrace

Giving ThanksFor the Small Things

It’s November, and likely the theme of giving thanks is forefront of your mind. When fall hits, it’s as if something in us switches. Maybe it’s the changing leaves or the crisp air, but, somehow, November fills us with gratitude.

It’s natural to be grateful for the bigger things: family, friends, health, and a roof over our heads. It feels easy to give thanks for those things. But what about the less-than-obvious blessings, the ones we may not always think of? These are the things not printed on catchy wooden decor signs. They may even be slightly silly or insignificant. Let’s remember to give thanks for all the small things that make our lives feel complete.

November and Thanksgiving aren’t just limited to giving thanks for larger areas of our lives, but for all things. So don’t forget the small ones!

Give Thanks for the Cozy Things

The softest duvet that feels like sleeping on a cloud. The first time you light a new candle. A bubble bath or a perfectly curated playlist. Curling up with a book in an oversized armchair as the sun streams through the window. A room lit only by a lamp or twinkle lights. A plate of warm comfort food on a cold day. A favorite movie you’ve seen a thousand times. Crisp, clean sheets. Cuddling with a pet. A quiet nursing session with a squishy babe in the middle of the night. Wrapping your hands around the season’s first hot chocolate.

We can be thankful for all the cozy things, for the things that add comfort, peace and joy to our lives. Whether they are physical objects or feelings, these things hold value. Without them, our world would be bleak. Without them, we would feel sad and lonely. They lift our moods and light up our lives. Although they may feel like small things, we are thankful for them and their place in our days.

Give Thanks for Things We Take for Granted

A good Wi-Fi connection. A drink at just the right temperature. Genuine compliments from a friend or stranger. Technology and the ability to FaceTime distant family members. Finding a good parking spot outside a crowded building. The perfect weather—or a dreary, rainy day for curling up inside. An entire night of restful sleep. Snuggles from your child who doesn’t usually snuggle anymore. Laughter. Good neighbors. Modern medicine. The changing of seasons. An hour of total, uninterrupted productivity. The group text we go to for advice. The ability to fully experience nature minutes from our front door (Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden, Powell Gardens).

Cultivating gratitude for the smaller things can be difficult sometimes. We take these things for granted, things right in front of our eyes or even in our neighborhood. They are always there for us to experience. These things are not always recited around our Thanksgiving tables, but they should be!

Give Thanks for Things That Improve Our Lives

Your robot vacuum. Programming your coffee maker to brew as you wake up. A cleaning service, grocery delivery or the ability to get packages to your front door in less than 48 hours (Yes, this mama is thankful for you, Amazon Prime). Coordinating calendar apps or reminders with your spouse. A treasured and trusted babysitter. Learning from our mistakes. A stranger’s kindness.

So many things—conveniences, services, extras— drastically improve our lives. We can be grateful! If we did not have access to these things, our lives would not function as smoothly as they do. We frequently overlook or rush past them. We deem them unnecessary or simply extra.

More often than not, we don’t appreciate just how valuable these unnecessary extras are. We are thankful for these little things that greatly improve our lives.

How to Give Thanks for the Small Things

We know we should give thanks, and now we know to give thanks for both the big and the small things. But how? How do we shift our mindset to be grateful for not just the larger things in life, but the smaller ones, too?

n Be present. It’s easy to bypass smaller moments of thanks when you’re not paying attention.

n Consciously practice gratitude. Whether it’s checking off giving of thanks each day on the calendar or starting first thing when you wake up, make it a priority

n Voice your thanksgiving. Sometimes, you truly need to say it out loud. Try saying it alone in the car, shower or anywhere!

n Notice things with all your senses to really experience them.

n Write it out. Try reflecting by journaling or making a list of at least three things each day.

n Check in with an accountability partner.

n Involve your children and the entire family in your practice.

n Surround yourself with like-minded, positive people. These are the people who will propel you toward gratitude!

Being thankful for all things, not just the big ones, improves our attitude. It actually changes the wiring in our brains and teaches us to be grateful for things we may otherwise overlook.

Channeling gratitude fine-tunes our responses. It allows us to be gracious and grateful, rather than frustrated or overwhelmed … at least most times. We busy parents may find it easy to slap a big metaphorical “thankful” sticker on all the major things in our lives and call it good. But let’s not forget the little things. In this season, let’s practice giving thanks for things we may have left out before. No matter how trivial or silly it may feel to do so, it can truly change not just our mindset, but the attitudes of those around us.

Giving thanks is an ongoing practice, something on which we can always improve and toward which we can strive. So this Thanksgiving, as you go around the table and share with your loved ones all the things you are grateful for, remember the little things, too. Because though it may seem trivial to give thanks for a self-brewing coffee maker or the ability to catch a perfectly timed sunrise, you absolutely can. And should!

Kailyn Rhinehart writes from Warrensburg, MO, where she could always be more grateful for the remarkable life she lives with her husband and two littles.

the BEST GIFTS for the holidays

BY ELENA EPSTEIN DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL PARENTING PRODUCT AWARDS

For more product reviews, visit NAPPAAwards.com.

BFF by Cry Babies

Superspace

A life-sized modular magnetic play space set that connects like magic. Kids can create almost any structure they dream up and then play in their innovations. Packs away into a small footprint. $299, ages 2-10, GetSuperspace.com

Bunny Hopkins Swing Collection

A unique handmade wooden disc swing for indoor or outdoor play. Created with sustainable materials and American-sourced maple wood. Vibrant natural and color stains create amazing underlying wooden grains patterns. $59-$99, ages 2-8, BunnyHopkinsToys.com

The collectible fashion dolls from Cry Babies. Six characters that come dressed in trendy outfits and strike various poses. Unbox the doll and discover seven surprise accessories. $19.99, ages 5-8, Amazon.com

BrainBolt Genius

The all-new, mind-melting memory game. Watch the lights flash across the 21 buttons and use your memory to recreate the pattern without missing a beat. Has five different levels and head-tohead and solo modes. $23.99, ages 7+, Amazon.com

Magna-Tiles Builder Called It!

An easy-to-learn game that is fast and fun for the whole family. Players must turn over their topmost card in the center at the same time and be the first to call out the biggest animal. Great for travel. $12.97, ages 5+, Amazon.com

Critter Creator Fossil Kit

Build, paint and fossilize 10 different little critters with airdry clay. The kit includes molds to create dragonflies, spiders, hornets, scorpions, lady bugs and more. $24.99, ages 7+, Crayola.com

Spidey & His Amazing Friends Web Spinning Hauler

Join Spidey, Ghost-Spider and Miles Morales as they chase down villains inside this fun car. As Spidey takes the wheel and Ghost and Miles operate two web dart launchers, users can spin the dial on the hauler’s rear to the correct symbol, emerging characters from the roof. $27.99, ages 3+, Target.com

T.A.P.E.S. Turn-based. Approximate. Proportion. Estimation. Showdown. A wild new family party game where players guess the size of objects in the room using 16 wacky units of measurement ranging from honeybees and apples to playing cards and squirrels. $29.99, ages 6+, Amazon.com

ZipLinx Triple Tower Blast

Load ’em! Link ’em! Launch ’em! Create high-flying, chainreaction fun. This set delivers a different eye-popping payoff to the classic domino run—launching pieces into the air up to three feet high! $39.99, ages 6+, ZipLinx.com

Switcheroo Coding Crew

Embark on challenge-solving rescue missions using a codable robot with three shells that transform into a police car, fire truck and construction vehicle. Race around the town’s puzzle piece board to learn coding concepts, logic, problem solving and critical thinking. $59.99, ages 4+, Amazon.com

Craft-tastic Nature – Make a Bug Hotel

Cool Maker Stitch ’N Style Fashion Studio

An all-in-one fashion studio that includes an innovative cartridge thread system and automatic sewing sensors to make sewing safe and easy. Customize your designs with unique prints that are magically applied with water. $34.99, ages 8+, SpinMaster.com

Give bugs and insects a place to rest and nest. Easily snap the wooden panels together and personalize it with fun waterproof hotel themed stickers. Fill it with leaves, stickers, flowers and other found objects from nature. Includes an identification guide booklet. $19.99, ages 4+, PlayMonster.com

Pokemon Flame & Flight Deluxe Charizard

Fully interactive with more than 30 unique lights, sounds and movement reactions. Flaps its wings and launches fire missiles from its mouth. $29.99, 8+, Jazwares.com

Create & Play Magnetic Monsters

A monstrously good time awaits as kids create one-of-a-kind monsters by mixing and matching magnetic heads, arms, torsos and more. All 20 parts turn a full 360 degrees to bring these monsters to life. $29.99, ages 3-8, LakeshoreLearning.com

Koosh Flix Stix

LeapFrog Magic Adventures Microscope

Young biologists can zoom in on flowers, animals, food, minerals and more using eight double-sided smart slides. Discover answers to curious questions: How do leaves change colors? What do plant cells look like? What is sand made of anyway? $89.99, ages 5+, LeapFrog.com

Plays like lacrosse—easy to flick, catch and hard to put down. Perfect for hours of outdoor fun. Families can test their skills and go head-to-head. Each set comes with two Flix Stix and one Koosh Ball. $24.99, ages 6+, PlayMonster.com

Explorer X

Perfect for aiding your child to transfer smoothly into riding a bike. Safety features include a frame pad, safe footrests and an adjustable seat that grows with your child. $99.99, ages 4-6, MoboCruiser.com

VTech DJ Beat Boxer

A pawsome new musical friend. Each interaction adds layers to the music, so you and DJ can create a new song together. Add in backbeats, harmonies or recordscratching sounds. You can even press DJ’s ear to record a quick phrase to drop into your song. $37.99, ages 3+, VTechKids.com

LeapFrog LeapPods Max

Beyond listening to music, hours of included activities take kids on an audio adventure. Includes a 14-page Adventure Passport for engaging soundscapes and animals sounds with detailed illustrations. Wirelessly connect to your own devices to listen to favorite music, podcasts and more. $49.99, ages 4+, LeapFrog.com

Shelly’s Pearl

Join the fun with your dive team as you swim around collecting shells to trade in. This early learning game helps young players achieve goals and practice strategy while building fine motor skills. $38, ages 4+, SimplyFun.com

Moody Moody Cars

In this unique and charming picture book, classic cars express a range of feelings, from excited to angry, to help kids learn about emotions. Enjoy the photos of cool cars or dive deeper into the engine of emotional understanding. $16.99, ages 4-8, EileenKennedyMoore.com

Kansas City’s Best Christmas Lights

Kansas City sparkles in holiday splendor with magnificent displays across the metro! These are our top picks for the best Christmas lights in KC!

Most displays operate from Thanksgiving through Christmas, from sunset (5:30) to 10:00; however, there are a few exceptions. Check websites to verify times.

Holiday Light and Magic near Legends Shopping Center: Holiday Light and Magic is a Christmas lights experience out by Legends Shopping Center. The familyfun holiday event is held nightly from mid-November to the new year. Don’t miss this opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime. HolidayLightAndMagic.com.

NEW LOCATION for Winter Magic: Kessler Park. Come one, come all, to Winter Magic, the most fantastic of drive-thru holiday events in Kansas City. Truly, a world of winter wonder awaits you! Wear your pajamas and bring your hot chocolate, if it pulls your sled. WinterMagicKC.com!

GloWild: Kansas City Zoo. See the zoo in a different light with a new, completely unique and immersive nighttime experience, GloWild. The lanterns will be spread throughout the topside of the zoo thru Dec. 11. Guests will walk a one-way pathway through the display. KansasCityZoo.org

Crown Center Mayor’s Christmas Tree: Crown Center Square. The 100-foot-tall tree is adorned with 7,200 lights.

Legendary Christmas: Legends Outlets Kansas City. Unique lighting display on a 45-foot holiday tree created by a world-renowned technology-driven holiday lights team, all synchronized to music. LegendsShopping.com

Festival of Lights: Powell Gardens. Festival-goers walk a mile-long path spread out over 25 acres through the gardens featuring a variety of immersive light displays. PowellGardens.org

Christmas in the Park: Longview Lake Park. Christmas in the Park features more than 500,000 lights, 175 animated figures and splashes of Christmas color. This enchanting drive-thru winter wonderland’s magic will delight the entire family.

Country Club Plaza Holiday Lights: Country Club Plaza. Take in the lights Thanksgiving through mid-January. Enjoy more than 80 miles of illuminated strings of bulbs.

Coming Home for Christmas: Silver Dollar City. Silver Dollar City shines brilliantly with more than 6.5 million lights, an eight-story animated Christmas tree, a light parade and more. SilverDollarCity.com

Alta Sciences Animated Lights: Alta Sciences. From mid-November through Christmas, the 175,000-LED light display is beautifully choreographed to music for an animated light show your children will love!

Sar-Ko-Aglow: Dec. 2-mid-January, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Take a nighttime stroll around Rose’s Pond to view the beautiful annual lights display in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park throughout the holiday season. Lenexa.com

FRESH-CUT CHRISTMAS TREES

Family Tree Nursery

FamilyTreeNursery.com

Family Tree Nursery has three locations across the metro. The garden centers are transformed into magical winter wonderlands lined with forests of decorated trees, lights, decorations and holiday gifts. Choose a fresh Christmas tree from a beautiful selection.

Colonial Gardens

27610 E Wyatt Rd., Blue Springs, MO, 816.229.1277

Colonial Gardens sells fresh Frasier firs during the holiday season. The nursery is transformed into a winter wonderland where you can enjoy photos with Santa and other holiday fun. Additionally, they sell fresh wreaths, boughs and garland, decorative embellishments and an array of poinsettias.

Bierman’s Christmas Tree Farm

2825 S. 63rd St., Kansas City, KS, 913.375.1317

Christmas picture cutout and heated barn with gift shop. Choose and cut Scotch and Austrian pines 5 to 10 feet tall. Precut white pines up to 9 feet are available, as are Fraser firs, Michigan Grand Firs and balsam firs up to 18 feet tall. Indoor restroom, Christmas egg hunt, fresh wreaths and garland, and hot chocolate.

Christmas Ranch Tree Farm

24818 NE 148th St., Excelsior Springs, MO, 816.630.5086

You may cut the tree, or farm staff will help. They provide saws and carts, and they shake, bale and drill the trees. They also provide twine and assistance in tying the tree to the top of your car. Enjoy the free hot chocolate, cider and cookies.

Evening Star Pines

9820 Evening Star Rd., Eudora, KS, 785.542.1634

Take a complimentary tractor-pulled sleigh ride and select from Scotch or white pine, white and Black Hill spruce in the field or precut Wisconsin Fraser firs. Enjoy free hot chocolate and candy canes. Purchase fresh wreaths and arrangements, locally made jams and jellies, and holiday items. Services include shaking, netting and loading or tie-down of tree to vehicle.

Fort Osage Farm

3022 N. Twyman Rd., Independence, 816.838.3707

Complimentary candy canes and coloring books for the little ones, hot spiced tea and cocoa. Trees include Scotch pine, white pine, Norway spruce and Virginia pine. The farm provides saws, shake, bagging and twine to tie the tree to your car.

Fulk Farm

23400 Hwy. 92, Platte City, MO, 816.225.8809

Precut and cut-your-own-trees available. Services provided free of charge include saws you may use to cut your tree, tree drilling, shaking and netting. On weekends, enjoy free wagon rides and coffee and hot chocolate. The gift shop offers handmade fresh pine wreaths and garland, as well as fir wreaths and roping, along with an assortment of gift items.

Hess Acres

24250 W. 83rd St., Lenexa, 913.484.5024

Local u-cut Christmas tree farm with Scotch pines in Johnson County.

Kennedy’s Country Farm

27102 Herring Rd., Greenwood, MO, 816.744.0386

Trees include Douglas firs, Canaan firs, blue spruce, Fraser firs and white firs. Services include free tree shaking and wrapping. Also savor free hot chocolate and cookies. Enjoy the warm gift shop after you find the perfect tree. New this year: Children will enjoy a scavenger hunt.

Midland Holiday Pines

18541 Midland Dr., Shawnee, 913.631.5095

Scotch and Austrian pines. Fraser and balsam firs, as well as white pines. Cut it down yourself, or their team will help you! They also offer precut trees. Enjoy cocoa and make family memories at this farm. They do provide shaking and netting of trees. Also enjoy a beautiful Nativity manger scene, apple cider, hot chocolate, candy canes and hayrides (if weather and tractor permit).

Pumpkins and Pines

20606 South SR 7, Pleasant Hill, MO, 816.540.3887

Enjoy a free hayride to the field and free hot chocolate (on weekends) and select one of 4,000 homegrown, hand-pruned field Christmas trees. This farm provides bow saws to cut your tree, or if you prefer, they can cut it for you. They also offer precut fir trees from Michigan. Trees on the farm include Scotch, red, Austrian and white pines. Precut Christmas trees include Fraser fir, Canaan fir, balsam fir, concolor fir and blue spruce. They shake the tree, bale it and attach it to your car for free. Santa visits on weekends (call ahead for schedule).

Reindeer Lane

19401 Fightmaster, Trimble, MO, 816.803.5853

Enjoy a complimentary hayride to the field to select Scotch pine or Eastern white pine trees. You may also choose precut Fraser fir Christmas trees. Enjoy free popcorn and hot chocolate. You may purchase fresh fir wreaths and garland and take photos with Santa on your visit.

Strawberry Hill Christmas Tree Farm 794 US-40, Lawrence, 785.331.4422

Scotch pines, Fraser firs and white pines. Enjoy complimentary cider, cookies, music and a hayride to the farm. They help load trees for customers.

Wilderson Tree Farm

14820 Parallel Rd., Basehor, KS, 913.724.1057

Choose and cut a Virginia pine, or select from precut Fraser firs, Scotch pines or white pines. Please note that this farm does not accept credit/debit cards. Only cash and checks at this time.

Kristina Light writes about Christmas in Kansas City and its many wonderful traditions all season long on KCParent.com.

TIPS

• Dress for the farm. Wear warm clothes and shoes.

• Many farms sell out by the first week of December, so go early if you want a fresh tree.

• Call ahead before you go for an up-to-date inventory. Many farms close for the season once they are sold out.

• Measure your space before you go. This includes doorways— you have to get the tree inside the house, after all. Trees in the field may appear to be a “reasonable” size, but once placed in your living room, they may be too large for your space. Get an idea in advance of the height and width you’re after. You might even bring a measuring tape with you.

• Many of these farms offer precut trees or cut-your-own. They will provide the tools to cut your own and great advice, too. Ask staff members for tips and help.

• Read the information below carefully and visit farm websites for information, including special events. Some require cash, others accept credit cards.

• Many farms will shake, flock and net your tree for you. Some will help tie it to the roof of your car, and others will provide twine so you can tie it yourself. These services are a big help.

• Bring hand sanitizer and wipes to help clean off fresh tree sap.

• Take photos!

see

Make plans this month to see GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo. Lanterns will line a one-way path through the zoo. The walk takes about 90 minutes. Tickets at KansasCityZoo.org.

celebrate

Visit Ceramic Café on Nov. 4-5 for a Birthday Celebration. Join to help us celebrate our 25th birthday! Fun activities and a giveaway! CeramicCafeKC.com

shop

Enjoy local vendors featuring home décor, jewelry, gifts & more at Holiday Bazaar on Nov. 1112 at Lake Quivira Clubhouse. Facebook.com/ lakequivira holidaybazaar

visit

On Nov. 23, visit the Johnson County Museum for Free Day! Visit the museum for free! Explore the KidScape exhibit along with other special exhibits. JCPRD.com

watch

The Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is Nov. 25 at Crown Center. Watch as the Christmas tree is lit up to kick off the holiday season.

CrownCenter.com

GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo

1 Tuesday

Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Merriam Community Center. Too chilly to play in the park? Ride, slide and play inside! Parents supervise children. Merriam.org/park

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

Discover Nature 2:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Go on an adventure to make amazing discoveries as you explore on a trail. Pre-reg at 816.228.3766

Kids Media Mix-Up 4:30, Albrecht-Kemper Museum. Put your imagination to work by using different mediums to create artwork. Ages 6-12. Pre-reg at Albrecht-Kemper.org.

Vienna Boys Choir 7:00, Kauffman Center. Group of child musicians performs everything from medieval to contemporary to experimental music. Tickets.KauffmanCenter.org

2 Wednesday

Open Gym 9:30, Kaw Prairie Community Church. Grab a coffee from the coffee shop and hang out with friends while your kiddos get their energy out! KawPrairie.org

Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller

Nature Center. Listen to a story and meet a special animal friend. Today’s theme: Whoo Goes There? Pre-reg at 913.826.2800.

Child and Parent Craft 3:30, Indian Creek Library. Drop in to complete a craft with your child. Ages kindergarten and younger, with caregiver. OlatheLibrary.org

Weekly Life on the Farm Tour 5:30, Colonial Gardens. Activities may include feeding the chickens, hugging an alpaca or holding a baby goat! ColonialGardensKC.com

3 Thursday

Maya: The Great Jaguar Rises 10:00, Union Station. Journey through the awe-inspiring Maya architecture and astonishing cultural accomplishments. UnionStation.org

Sensory Sensitive Story Time 10:00, MCPL (North Independence). Enjoy a story time that is a celebration of all children’s differing abilities. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Immersive King Tut 1:00, Lighthouse Art Space. Take a mythical journey though the Egyptian afterlife and experience Egypt like never before! Immersive-KingTut.com

GloWild 6:00, Kansas City Zoo. All-new event!

Lanterns will line a one-way path through the zoo. The journey will take about 90 minutes. Tickets at KansasCityZoo.org.

4 Friday

Opening Day 6:00-9:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace. KC’s only public outdoor rink opens for its 49th season. Enjoy free skating, coffee and hot chocolate. CrownCenter.com

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Overland Park). A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

KC Local Holiday Market 9:00, Thompson Barn. Shop from 60 local vendors. Sip coffee, win giveaways, enjoy holiday music and have fun. KCLocalCraftFair.com

Birthday Celebration Today & tomorrow, Ceramic Café. Join to help us celebrate our 25th birthday! Fun activities and a giveaway! CeramicCafeKC.com

Fall Harvest Holiday Art & Craft Show 10:00, the Pavilion at John Knox Village. Enjoy the talents of more than 90 artists of handmade art and crafts. IBDPromotions.com

Bonfire Bash 5:30, Meadowbrook Park. Nothing says fall like a bonfire! Enjoy nighttime geocaching, hot dogs over the fire, chips and smores. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

First Fridays 7:00, Crossroads Art District. Art galleries, retailers and other participating art venues of the Crossroads Art District showcase their art. KCCrossroads.org

5 Saturday

Food on the Missouri Frontier 9:00, Fort Osage. Learn firsthand how Fort Osage residents prepared and preserved food decades before refrigeration. MakeYourDayHere.com

Holiday Extravaganza 9:00, Belton High School. All your holiday shopping under one roof! Shop from more than 100 crafters and vendors. BeltonMoChamber.org

Kids Workshops across metro. Children will enjoy making a train ornament. HomeDepot.com/c/kids

Pop Art Portraits 10:00 or 2:00, Nerman Musem. Learn about graphic design in art and create a stylized self-portrait. Prereg at NermanMuseum.org.

Mother Nature Reads 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Little ones enjoy a nature-themed story time. LakesideNatureCenter.org/events

Veterans Day Parade 11:00, Main Street Belton. Join in honoring those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, those who served and those who continue to serve. BeltonParks.org

1860s Campout 5:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Cook on a woodstove, help with farm chores and relax around the evening campfire.

Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove. Explore Cedar Cove with an experienced guide. See these epic animals and learn about them. Tours start every half-hour. SaveOurSiberians.org

Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org

Winter Magic Thru Jan 1, 6:00, Historic Cliff Drive (Kessler Park). Drive through nearly one mile of a magical holiday light show experience. Purchase tickets at WinterMagicKC.com.

7 Monday

Sensory-Friendly Days 9:00, Johnson County Museum. Limited occupancy session for kids with sensory processing differences and autism spectrum disorders. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. Play items are available, including push toys, riding toys, balls and inflatables. Lenexa.com

Mom & Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. For just $3 per person, you get a game, shoe rental and drink on Mondays and Wednesdays. SummitLanes.com

Visit Sea Life 10:00, Sea Life Aquarium. Bring the kids to see the Doodle Reef, the touch pool, Stingray Bay and more! Purchase tickets online at VisitSeaLife.com.

Anime Night 6:30, Ceramic Café. Calling all anime fans! A fun event to paint a ramen bowl or make a fun planter or figurine out of clay! Pre-reg at CeramicCafeKC.com.

8 Tuesday

Circle Time 9:30, Olathe Public Library. Practice early literacy skills with stories, songs and action rhymes. Birth-2 years with an adult. Prereg at OlatheLibrary.org.

Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Merriam Community Center. Too cold to play in the park? Ride, slide and play inside! Parents supervise children. Merriam.org/park

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

Visit Legoland 10:00, Legoland Discovery Center. Take the kids to the ultimate indoor playground for the biggest fans of Lego. Purchase tickets at LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com.

Discover Nature 2:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Go on an adventure to make amazing discoveries as you explore on a trail. Pre-reg at 816.228.3766.

9 Wednesday

Open Gym 9:30, Kaw Prairie Community Church. Grab a coffee from the coffee shop and hang out with friends while your kiddos get their energy out! KawPrairie.org

Retro Story Time 10:00, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Hear a story from long ago read by a guest from the 1950s All-Electric House! Craft included. Pre-reg at 913.831.3359.

Veterans Day Celebration 11:00, Aspiria (Overland Park). Learn about military equipment, experience an A-10 flyover, listen to the American Legion Band and more. OPKansas.org

Weekly Life on the Farm Tour 5:30, Colonial Gardens. Activities may include feeding the chickens, hugging an alpaca or holding a baby goat! ColonialGardensKC.com

10 Thursday

Veterans Breakfast 8:30, Matt Ross Community Center. Celebrate Veterans Day early with a delicious pancake breakfast. Prereg at 913.826.2830.

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Lenexa). A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Little Critter’s Day Out 9:00, Ernie Miller. Kids enjoy three hours of fun and education while parents enjoy some personal time! Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson 10:00 & 1:00, Midwest Trust Center. Fantastic adventure based on the book by Bette Bao Lord. JCCC.edu/midwest-trust-center

kcparent.com

Holiday Season Opener Thru Sunday, Brookside Shops. Start the holiday season off with pop-up events, food and drink specials, music and giveaways. BrooksideKC.org

Veterans Celebration 4:00, Centerview (Raymore). Join us to celebrate veterans with refreshments and remarks from special guests. Raymore.com

Sugarplum Festival Thru Saturday, Albrecht Kemper Museum. Get a jump on your holiday shopping with this shopping event! Albrecht-Kemper.org

11 Friday

VETERANS DAY

Thank a veteran for his or her service.

Veterans Day Parade 9:30, Leavenworth Convention and Visitors Bureau. The oldest observance and the largest parade west of the Mississippi. LVVetsParade.com

Holiday Bazaar Today & tomorrow, Lake Quivira Clubhouse. Enjoy 40 local vendors featuring boutique home décor, jewelry, gifts and more! Facebook.com/lakequiviraholidaybazaar

La Traviata 7:30, Muriel Kauffman Theater. Date Night! The Lyric Opera presents this tragic love story of Violetta and her one true love, Alfredo. KCOpera.org

Coppélia Ballet 7:30, Folly Theater. Enjoy a charming and comedic ballet that’s been enchanting audiences for years. HADC.biz/ heart-of-america-youth-ballet

12 Saturday

Parkville Veterans Day 5K 8:00, English Landing Park. Sign up for the 5K or the virtual 5K and receive an event shirt and finisher’s medal! ParkvilleMO.gov

Salute to Veterans 9:00, Fort Osage. Experience cannon and musket firing to celebrate the brave men and women who have fought for our nation. MakeYourDayHere.com

Holiday Craft Fair 9:00, the View Community Center. Start holiday shopping at this holiday craft fair, featuring one-of-a-kind gifts. Grandview.org

Dot Designs 10:00 or 2:00, Nerman Museum. Learn about pointillism and create a dot painting using a paintbrush of your own design. Ages 5-7. Pre-reg at NermanMuseum.org.

Kids Club 10:00, Colonial Gardens. Kids enjoy fun activities while you shop at Colonial Gardens or savor a coffee at the Bean Counter. Pre-reg at ColonialGardensKC.com.

Legally Blonde – The Musical 4:00 or 8:00, Midwest Trust Center. Fabulously fun show is the ultimate Broadway tribute to girl power! JCCC.edu/midwest-trust-center

Legendary Lighting Ceremony 5:00, Legends Outlets. Annual tree lighting ceremony with entertainment and fun for the entire family! LegendsShopping.com

Open House and Tree Lighting 5:00, Weston, MO. Stroll the sidewalks and enjoy the freshly decorated windows, tree lighting and more! WestonMO.com

In Their Footsteps: A Lantern Walking Tour 6:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Celebrate Veterans Day with an immersive living history experience. ShawneeTown.org

City Center Live! 6:30, Lenexa City Hall. Grab a bite from a Public Market eatery and enjoy a live music performance. Lenexa.org

13 Sunday

Art Garden KC 11:00, Pendleton Heights Neighborhood. Weekly art fair with more than 60 vendors, food trucks, live music, kids activities and more! ArtGardenKC.business.site

Weekend Fun: On the Move 1:00, NelsonAtkins Museum of Art. Explore the exhibition and create a three-dimensional, working paper vase. Nelson-Atkins.org

Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org

14 Monday

Operation Christmas Child Collection Week Thru Nov 21, various locations. Pack your shoeboxes and drop off during the week to spread the Gospel. SamaritansPurse.org

Portraits in Courage Thru Dec 31, Truman Library. Special exhibit displays a collection of oil paintings by president George W Bush. TrumanLibraryInstitute.org

Open Gym 9:30, Kaw Prairie Community Church. Grab a coffee from the coffee shop and hang out with friends while your kiddos get their energy out! KawPrairie.org

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Nov.

Board Game Design 6:30, MCPL (Woodneath). Create your own boardgame and spinner from repurposed materials. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

15 Tuesday

Tots on Tuesday 10:30, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Sing songs, read books, make your own art and more. Pre-reg at KemperArt.org.

Discover Nature 2:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Go on an adventure to make amazing discoveries as you explore on a trail. Pre-reg at MDC.mo.gov/events.

Kids Media Mix-Up 4:30, Albrecht-Kemper Museum. Put your imagination to work by using different mediums to create artwork. Ages 6-12. Pre-reg at Albrecht-Kemper.org.

GloWild 6:00, Kansas City Zoo. All-new event! Lanterns will line a one-way path through the zoo. The journey will take about 90 minutes. Tickets at KansasCityZoo.org.

16 Wednesday

A Charlie Brown Christmas 10:00 & Noon, Coterie Theatre. The animated classic comes to life on stage, and a live jazz trio will play the original arrangements! TheCoterie.org

Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Listen to a story and meet a special animal friend. Today’s theme: Talking Turkey. Pre-reg at 913.826.2800.

Festival of Lights 4:00, Powell Gardens. Botanically-themed lighting displays that stretch along a mile-long walking path. PowellGardens.org

Weekly Life on the Farm Tour 5:30, Colonial Gardens. Activities may include feeding the chickens, hugging an alpaca or holding a baby goat! ColonialGardensKC.com

17 Thursday

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Lenexa). A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Best Little Arts & Crafts Show Thru Saturday, Roger T Sermon Community Center. Enjoy more than 100 vendors with original merchandise. VisitIndependence.com

Herp Days Noon, George Owens Nature Park. Meet one of the fantastic, cold-blooded creatures—snake, salamander or turtle. GeorgeOwensNaturePark.org

Christkindl at Moonlight Market 4:00, Shawnee City Hall. Shop local vendors, grab a bite to eat, meet Santa and Mrs Claus and much more! CityOfShawnee.org

Ararat Shrine Circus Thru Sunday, Cable Dahmer Arena. Partake in all the family fun of KC’s only three-ring circus. Facebook.com/AraratShrineCircus

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

18 Friday

Black Friday Deals Thru Nov 30, Backyard Specialists. Shop special deals for great savings on gifts the entire family will enjoy! BackyardSpecialists.com

Smokehouse Week 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Staff and local experts will be demonstrating life as a 1920s farm family preparing for winter. ShawneeTown.org

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Overland Park). A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl! UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Friends of the Library Book Sale Today & tomorrow, Indian Creek Library. Get some great deals! Adult, teen and children’s books, DVDs and more! OlatheLibrary.org

Local Life Today & tomorrow, downtown Overland Park. Explore locally owned businesses, activities and more. Head to DowntownOP.org for details about this month’s theme.

Journey to Judea Thru Sunday, Countryside Baptist Church. Interactive Christmas experience where you walk through narrative of the Bible. Pre-reg at JourneyToJudea.com.

Third Friday Art Walk 5:00, Englewood Station Arts District. Explore stores, tents, booths, and food trucks! See a huge variety of art, crafts and more! VisitIndependence.com

Electric Night Hike 5:30, Wildwood Outdoor Education Center. The trails will be lit with activities along the way. Snacks available for purchase. WildwoodCTR.org

Winter Magic Thru Jan 1, 6:00, Historic Cliff Drive (Kessler Park). Drive through nearly one mile of a magical holiday light show experience. Purchase tickets at WinterMagicKC.com.

Mayor’s Tree Lighting 6:00, City Hall (North Kansas City). Take a trip to Santa’s Wonderland, snack on treats and enjoy festive entertainment. NKC.org

Mayor’s Tree Lighting 6:30, downtown Lee’s Summit. Annual tree lighting festival with entertainment and fun to kick off the holiday season. DowntownLS.org

19 Saturday

Operation Christmas Child Collection Week Thru Nov 21, various locations. Pack your shoeboxes and drop off during the week to spread the Gospel. SamaritansPurse.org

Holiday Farmers Market 10:00, Lenexa Civic Campus. Stock up on all kinds of goodies to ensure a successful holiday season! Lenexa.com

Exploring Ceramics 10:00 or 2:00, Nerman Museum. Learn about sculptural ceramics and then create a clay sculpture with a twist. Pre-reg at NermanMuseum.org.

SIX-STOP TOUR: PLATTE COUNTY, MO

Inspire

1. EXPLORE HISTORY

Open at Zona Rosa through early January, the Immersive King Tut Experience invites visitors to embark on an unforgettable historical journey. The discovery of King Tut’s tomb a century ago has captured imaginations for generations. This immersive experience uses groundbreaking technology to take visitors on a mythical journey through the tomb and the legend of King Tut.

Immersive-KingTut.com

2. SHOP THE HOLIDAYS

Zona Rosa is the Northland’s premier retail, dining and entertainment destination—where shopping is fun, memories are made, and Kansas City traditions are celebrated. The layout is reminiscent of downtowns of the past, with individual storefronts evoking a sort of village feel. Zona Rosa is more than just a mall, it’s an open-air town center where the local community can gather.

ZonaRosa.com

3. PLAY WITH PENGUINS

Penguin Park is one of Kansas City’s oldest and most popular parks. Gigantic friendly animals are the centerpiece of the green space, where you can climb up through a kangaroo’s pocket, slide down the namesake penguin, explore an elephant playground and more. This creative park is consistently named one of the best in Kansas City.

4. GET YOUR GAME ON

With arcades, laser tag, bowling, billiards and an incredible indoor ropes course, Main Event is the ultimate kidfriendly attraction perfect on a cold winter’s day! Throughout the week they offer great specials, so you can stretch your dollar while having fun. A terrific menu means your family can enjoy dinner and fun together at this familyfriendly attraction.

MainEvent.com

5. CREATE ALOHA! ART

A visit to Hawaii Fluid Art is a colorful, fun way to express your creativity. This DIY shop offers art classes daily where patrons paint their own one-of-a-kind masterpieces using fluid art techniques. In addition to their trademark canvas classes, they also offer silk scarf marbling, resin classes, wood burning, jewelry making and more to inspire the inner artist in you.

HawaiiFluidArt.com

6. PLAY PICKLEBALL

Pickleball seems to be taking the world by storm. This trendy game became a fast fave thanks to its simplicity, familiarity and fun. Head to Chicken N Pickle in North KC where you can enjoy casual dining, pickleball courts, yard games and a super chill environment for a night out. During the holidays, they create a winter wonderland grown-up cocktail lounge (reservations required).

Downtown Holiday Open Houses 10:00, downtown Excelsior Springs, MO. Stroll the streets and discover treasures and eclectic specialty shops. VisitExcelsior.com

Holiday Craft Fair 10:00, Raymore Activity Center. Shop from local vendors for special holiday gifts and decor for loved ones—or treat yourself! Raymore.com

Little Acorns 10:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Join volunteer naturalists for a fantastic journey through magical places as they read books. Pre-reg at 816.759.7300.

Elf Factory 11:00, Excelsior Springs Community Center. Come enjoy the holiday with us while your little ones make crafts and ornaments. 816.656.2500

Lighting Ceremony 4:00, Zona Rosa. Annual lighting ceremony featuring the historic holiday crowns and majestic 55-foot-tall Christmas tree! ZonaRosa.com

An Evening with Nigella Lawson 8:00, Midwest Trust Center. Nigella Lawson recounts the people, food and recipes that have shaped her career. JCCC.edu/midwest-trust-center

A Christmas Carol 8:00, KC Repertory Theatre. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey and rediscover the true meaning of the holidays. KCRep.org

20 Sunday

Gobbler Grind 7:30, Corporate Woods. Race features three great distances to get you ready for the feast of all feasts: Thanksgiving! GobblerGrindMarathon.com

Farmers Market 9:00, the City Market. The market is open year-round and offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries and more. TheCityMarket.org

Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove. Explore Cedar Cove with an experienced guide. See these epic animals and learn about them. Tours start every half-hour. SaveOurSiberians.org

Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org

Trip the Light Fantastic Bike Ride 6:00, Frank White Jr Softball Complex. Bike ride through the hundreds of lighted, animated displays. JacksonGov.org

21 Monday

Kids Day Out 8:00, Johnson County Museum. Explore KidsScape and museum exhibits, play games, enjoy activities and more! Pre-reg at 913.715.2570.

Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. Play items are available, including push toys, riding toys, balls and inflatables. Lenexa.com

Mom & Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. For just $3 per person, you get a game, shoe rental and drink on Mondays and Wednesdays. SummitLanes.com

Toddler Time 10:00, Ceramic Café. On Mondays and Thursdays toddlers 5 and under can paint one selected item for just $12! CeramicCafeKC.com

Holiday Reflections Thru Jan 1, Union Station. Enjoy sky-reaching lights and decorated trees— plus a bigger-than-ever Rudy’s Wonderland. UnionStation.org

Holiday Lights & Magic Thru Jan 1, Near Legends Outlets. One-mile drive through the park with Santa, nutcrackers, snow globes and more! HolidayLightsAndMagic.com

kcparent.com

Thru Dec. 31, Coterie Theatre.

22 Tuesday

animated

and a

The Pout Pout Fish 9:45 & 11:30, Folly Theater. Turn the poutiest of frowns upside down in this new musical with puppets and live performers. FollyTheater.org

Lane of Lights 5:30, Lover’s Lane (Excelsior Springs, MO). Take in all of the displays and let the spirit of Christmas take you away! VisitExcelsior.com

Scuba Claus 6:00, Wonders of Wildlife Museum (Springfield, MO). Splashy lights, hot cocoa and a reading of Twas the Night Before Fishmas Tickets at WondersOfWildLife.org

23 Wednesday

Free Day 9:00, Johnson County Museum. Visit the museum for free! Explore the KidScape exhibit along with other special exhibits. JCPRD.com

Visit Legoland 10:00, Legoland Discovery Center. Take the kids to the ultimate indoor playground for the biggest fans of Lego. Purchase tickets at LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com.

Portraits in Courage Thru Dec 31, Truman Library. Special exhibit displays a collection of oil paintings by president George W Bush. TrumanLibraryInstitute.org

Christmas in the Sky 5:00, Longview Lake. Fireworks set to music kick off the season and are the opening to Christmas in the Park. Free. 816.503.4805

24 Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving

KC Parent Readers!

We are thankful for your 37 years of readership and support!

Thanksgiving Day Run & Walk 8:30, 86th Terrace & Ward Parkway. Kick off Thanksgiving Day with a morning run! WardParkwayThanksgivingDayRun.com

Gillham Road GobbleTrot 9:00, Pilgrim Chapel. A feel-good, family-friendly, holidayfun 5K run/walk enjoyed by thousands!

GillhamGobbleTrot.com

Thanksgiving Day 5K & Family Stroll 9:00, Aspiria. Join other families as they participate in a family 5K and stroll! ThanksgivingDayRun.com

93rd Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony 5:00, Country Club Plaza. Enjoy a holiday tradition like no other. CountryClubPlaza.com

25 Friday

Black Friday Deals Thru Nov 30, Backyard Specialists. Shop special deals for great savings on gifts the entire family will enjoy! BackyardSpecialists.com

Black Friday Shopping 9:00, Legends Outlets. Day includes shopping, prize giveaways, photo opportunities and holiday movie on the Lawn! LegendsShopping.com

Merry Market 10:00, the City Market. Enjoy festive shopping, food and drink. Shop from more than 75 local artists. TheCityMarket.org

Christmas Tours 10:00, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. Tour the historic mansion and enjoy the holiday decorations. BWEstate.net/upcoming-events

Victorian Jolly Christmas 10:00, Vaile Mansion. Tour the mansion and see the Christmas decorations. VaileMansion.org

1860s Living History Noon, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Take a stagecoach ride, see cookstove and blacksmith demonstrations and more. Mahaffie.org

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:30, Crown Center. The 100-foot-tall mayor’s Christmas tree is lit up to kick off the holiday season. CrownCenter.com

26 Saturday

Open House 8:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. Shop for unique gift items and enjoy tasty samples, festive music and more. LouisburgCiderMill.com

Small Business Saturday 10:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Shopping, giveaways and free tote bag! Support locally-owned businesses. DowntownLS.org

Holly Jolly Christmas 11:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. Enjoy a showcase of seasonal songs, routines and festive celebration. PuppetryArtsInstitute.org

A Charlie Brown Christmas 2:00 & 4:00, Coterie Theatre. The animated classic comes to life on stage, and a live jazz trio will play the original arrangements! TheCoterie.org

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 2:00, Theatre for Young America. One of the best Christmas stories ever—and one of the funniest. CityStage.UnionStation.org

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting 4:30, Main Street Belton. Parade, kids activities, snacks, a raffle, and of course, Santa! Belton.org

A Drummer Boy Christmas 7:00, T-Mobile Center. For King + Country performs beloved holiday classics as well as year-round favorites. ForKingAndCountry.com

27 Sunday

Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove. Explore Cedar Cove with an experienced guide. See these epic animals and learn about them. Tours start every half-hour. SaveOurSiberians.org

Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org

Festival of Lights 4:00, Powell Gardens. Botanically-themed lighting displays that stretch along a mile-long walking path. PowellGardens.org

28 Monday

Holiday Reflections Thru Jan 1, Union Station. Enjoy sky-reaching lights and decorated trees— plus a bigger-than-ever Rudy’s Wonderland. UnionStation.org

Story Time for Families 10:00, various branches (MCPL). Hear stories, sing songs, join in movement activities and create memories together. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Toddler Time 10:00, Ceramic Café. On Mondays and Thursdays toddlers 5 and under can paint one selected item for just $12! CeramicCafeKC.com

Lane of Lights 5:30, Lover’s Lane (Excelsior Springs, MO). Take in all of the displays and let the spirit of Christmas take you away! VisitExcelsior.com

Mayor’s Tree Lighting 7:00, Cornerstone Park (Gardner). Seasonal music, arrival of Santa, lighting of the park and more! GardnerKansas.gov

29 Tuesday

Santa’s Gingerbread Station Thru Dec 24, Crown Center. Santa Claus will welcome guests throughout the holiday season for visits, wish lists and photos. CrownCenter.com

Laser Holiday Magic 1:00 & 4:00, Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium. See a selection of holiday tunes brought to life with gorgeous laser choreography. UnionStation.org

Discover Nature 2:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Go on an adventure to make amazing discoveries as you explore on a trail. Pre-reg at MDC.mo.gov/events.

Kids Media Mix-Up 4:30, Albrecht-Kemper Museum. Put your imagination to work by using different mediums to create artwork. Ages 6-12. Pre-reg at Albrecht-Kemper.org.

Scuba Claus 6:00, Wonders of Wildlife Museum (Springfield, MO). Splashy lights, hot cocoa and a reading of Twas the Night Before Fishmas. Tickets at WondersOfWildLife.org

30 Wednesday

Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. Play items are available, including push toys, riding toys, balls and inflatables. Lenexa.com

Letters From Santa Thru Dec 15, Excelsior Springs Historical Museum. Drop off letters to Santa and receive an official response. Or, send him an email! VisitExcelsior.com

Open Gym 9:30, Kaw Prairie Community Church. Grab a coffee from the coffee shop and hang out with friends while your kiddos get their energy out! KawPrairie.org

Visit Sea Life 10:00, Sea Life Aquarium. Bring the kids to see the Doodle Reef, the touch pool, Stingray Bay and more! Purchase tickets online at VisitSeaLife.com.

Portraits in Courage Thru Dec 31, Truman Library. Special exhibit displays a collection of oil paintings by president George W Bush. TrumanLibraryInstitute.org

GloWild 6:00, Kansas City Zoo. All-new event! Lanterns will line a one-way path through the zoo. The journey will take about 90 minutes. Tickets at KansasCityZoo.org.

Winter Magic Thru Jan 1, 6:00, Historic Cliff Drive (Kessler Park). Drive through nearly one mile of a magical holiday light show experience. Purchase tickets at WinterMagicKC.com.

For TONS more holiday events, including lightings and Santa sightings, visit the calendar at KCPARENT.COM!