KC Parent December 2022

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Iknew there would be a lot of things to teach our girls. From potty training to how to hold a pencil to tying shoes, the list was long but expected. Many unexpected lessons, however, have popped up that I wasn’t prepared to teach them. One of those things was taking medicine. I don’t remember being taught any technique as a child, so it wasn’t on my radar that I’d one day have to teach them how to swallow a pill. But there we were, all those years ago, doing just that. I had them practice with candy, and they eventually got the hang of it. Somehow I taught them the opposite of what I do. Here at KC Parent, we’re here to help you with many different aspects of parenting, and in this issue, we’ve got a great article to aid you in teaching your kiddos to take medicine. Check it out on pg. 34.

KC Parent recently won BIG at the annual Parenting Media Association convention held this year in Denver. Head to pg.14 for all the details!

Ready or not, December is here and Christmas is coming! There is so much to do to prepare for the season, and Kansas City has a plethora of events to mark the occasion. Just thinking about all you have to accomplish in December may make your head spin, but I hope you are able to take some time—maybe even just an hour or two—to relax and enjoy one of the fun Christmas events. Some Sarver family faves include touring light displays and visiting Union Station and Crown Center. We also take a day each year to bake cookies. Enjoy old traditions or start a new one this year.

Wishing you the merriest of Christmases, Kansas City!

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), Regan Lyons (St. Joseph) Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Alicia Mock (Overland Park), Emily Morrison (Independence), Kailyn Rhinehart (Warrensburg), Tori Sarver (Lenexa)

Mailing Address

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

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

Merry Christmas from the staff at KC Parent!

KCPARENT.COM

SPOTLIGHT

KC’S BEST LIGHT DISPLAYS

Kansas City sparkles in holiday splendor with magnificent displays across the metro! Head to KCParent.com for our top picks for the best Christmas lights in KC!

LABOR & DELIVERY GUIDE

Choosing the best hospital for the arrival of your baby is an important decision. Use the KCParent.com Labor & Delivery Hospital Guide to find the perfect location for you and your child. 4 MORE

DATES WITH THEMES

It’s December! Are you ready to eat, drink and be merry? If so, check out one of these tasty dates!

NATIONAL SANGRIA DAY

National Sangria Day is Dec. 20, and to celebrate that, we visited three restaurants with sangria on the menu. First up was Zocalo on the Plaza, where they offer $5 red and white sangria for happy hour every day of the week. They also have an excellent selection of happy hour food, including mini tacos and jalapeño crab cakes. Next up was Brio, also on the Plaza. They have happy hour on weekdays until 7:00 and offer white peach and rosa sangria for $5. Pair it with their margherita flatbread for a great weeknight meal. And if you order the rosa sangria, be sure to squeeze the juice from the orange slice into it. It’s delicious that way. Our last stop was Trago Bar & Tapas, where they have happy hour every Tuesday through Saturday. They offer both a red and white sangria, with the white being one of my personal favorites in town.

NATIONAL PASTRY DAY

If there’s one thing my husband and I agree on when it comes to food, it’s pastries. We both have a major sweet tooth and love paying a visit to our local bakeries. So for National Pastry Day on Dec. 9, we went to two of our favorite bakeries to pick out some goodies to sample later at home. The first bakery was Ibis Bakery/Messenger Coffee in downtown KC, where we picked out an apple cheese danish and a blackberry cardamom financier. Our other bakery choice was Laughing Place in Gladstone, where we picked out a cinnamon roll, a slice of pumpkin roll, a blondie brownie and an almond chocolate chip scone. Back at home, we took turns sampling a quarter of each pastry. We thought this was a good date, and we enjoyed the wide variety. Plus, the total amount eaten was held in check because each pastry sample was only about two bites. We would definitely do this date again.

NATIONAL BARTENDER DAY

National Bartender Day is Dec. 2, and for that we decided on a date that allowed us to play bartender. Misc. KC is a taproom and event space in North Kansas City that holds themed classes several times a month, and we signed up for one. Our choice was a tiki cocktail class in which we learned how to make four tiki cocktails: royal Hawaiian, chi chi, milk maid and pineapple old fashioned. One of the actual bartenders at Misc. walked us through each step of the creation process, combining liquor (vodka, gin, tequila or rum) with juices, syrups, bitters, other liquors, garnishes and more to create the perfect cocktail. My favorite was the chi chi, which is basically a piña colada with vodka instead of rum. Yum! My husband loved the pineapple old fashioned.

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!

REDUCING SUGAR INTAKE

Awell-balanced diet is just what it sounds like, well-balanced. Making sure enough protein, healthy fats, vegetables and fruit are included is a good first step to creating a diet that provides ample amounts of nutrients. While it’s important to make sure that things are being included, it’s also important to make sure certain foods in a high quantity are avoided. Sugar is a sneaky substance that finds its way into more of our foods than not, and too much sugar can have lasting health impacts. During the holidays, sugary treats seem to tempt us every day. Notably, sugar in moderation is not at all bad, but consuming high quantities may have more effects than we can imagine.

Some studies have found that the average American consumes about 17 teaspoons of sugar per day. The World Health Organization suggests people should consume “no more than 5% of

their daily calories” from sugar. To follow that suggestion, we’d have to cut in half the 17 teaspoons a day. The tricky part about sugar is that it pops up in places we might not expect. For example, some of the most popular spaghetti sauce brands contain 10-12 grams of sugar per serving. Greek yogurt also often contains high amounts of added sugar. Cutting down on sugar will look different for everyone, but a good first step is making sure to eat a healthy breakfast. Doing so will help prevent sugar cravings throughout the rest of the day. A good breakfast like avocado toast both provides many nutrients and is generally low in sugar.

Along with eating a good breakfast, understanding the many different forms in which sugar may present itself is important. On some food labels, sugar appears as fructose, glucose, sucrose

or maltose, making it a bit harder to identify. Cutting out soda can also be a good first step in lowering sugar intake. Most cans of soda contain around 10 teaspoons of sugar, which accounts for over half a person’s average daily intake. Diet sodas are not much better, as they contain artificial sweeteners that have been proven to be harmful in different ways than real sugar. Swapping a daily soda with sparkling water or kombucha may be a good way to satisfy cravings while also lowering overall sugar consumption. Avoiding processed foods and relying more on fresh and natural ingredients is always a good way to move toward a well-balanced diet.

After all this talk about how to cut out sugar, it’s important to understand why exactly overconsumption of it is so bad for our bodies. The most obvious risk is weight gain, which may lead to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Less obvious risks present in ways you might not think to link to sugar. For some, too much sugar will mean decreased energy levels and a harder time balancing mood. It may also lead to things like tooth decay and acne that can be frustrating and expensive to deal with. Generally, overconsumption of sugar is negative, but taking small steps toward limiting consumption may be easier than you think and will have lasting health benefits.

Tori Sarver is an intern for KC Parent She is studying strategic communications with a business minor at CU Boulder.

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

Keeping kids as healthy as possible is about more than ER visits and diagnosing rare diseases. Our commitment to do more for kids is at the heart of everything we do. Because when we partner together, we can clear new paths for every child’s potential. Learn how you can help at childrensmercy.org/give.

Imagine the Potential

Phone Bypass

For a lot of years, I kept my phone downstairs at night. But then one child went off to college, and the other started driving, so I want to be able to be notified if a situation arises. I don’t want to check my phone or be bothered by it, though, throughout the night. Do Not Disturb bypass solves my dilemma. I am able to place my phone on Do Not Disturb but can allow notifications to come through if either girl texts or calls. It’s easy … go to the contact you want to put on bypass, click on “info” and then scroll down to text tone. Click there and you’re able to choose “emergency bypass on.” Voila! A little peace of mind at night.

Zum Kiss Lip Balm

It’s winter, and along with the cold weather, I typically contend with dry skin and chapped lips during the season. A few years back I was introduced to Zum Kiss lip balms, and they quickly became my favorite to help soothe dry lips. A friend recently gifted me a few, which is good, because I like to keep one in my purse, in the car, next to my bed—pretty much always within reach. To boost your December holiday spirit, be sure to pick up a stick of the peppermint. The candy cane scent puts me in the holiday mood! IndigoWild.com

Tacos

Who doesn’t love tacos? We in the Sarver home certainly love Mexican fare and often enjoy a taco dinner. We recently tried the new Tacos 4 Life in Overland Park (coming soon to Blue Springs), and we’ve added it to our short list of go-to places. Not only is the food yummy—and I love their combo options—but for every taco or entree sold, Tacos 4 Life donates 24 cents, which equals one meal packaged at MobilePack, to feed starving children in over 70 countries! Plus, they cater, which is perfect for the holiday season! A win-win-win! Tacos4Life.com

LOVE

5THINGS WE RIGHT NOW

Compiled by Margaret Sarver

2022

Awards

KC Parent belongs to Parenting Media Association (PMA), a national trade association of regional parenting media companies with magazines, websites and e-newsletters from across the United States. The group hosts an awards ceremony annually, and I’m thrilled to share that KCParent and KCParent.com picked up six prizes this year! As a matter of fact, this column was a winner! Part of why our team is so excited is that this year the competition groups were changed, putting KC in the category with the larger markets, including Chicago and Atlanta. We work hard each month to bring you an award-winning publication and website!

GloWild

Did you hear the news? GloWild has been extended at the Kansas City Zoo through Dec. 30. This is good news for those that haven’t been able to visit yet because you don’t want to miss this amazing walk-through display of lanterns. It’s also great news for those of you who have already been, because they’ve added some holiday lanterns to the display, so you’ll want to go again! The pictures don’t do it justice—it’s a very cool exhibit that is best seen in person. Make plans to attend! KansasCityZoo.org

We adopted a six-year-old rescue German Shepherd a year ago. Within a short period of time there developed a serious hate between her and our other female dog. There have been three or four serious fights between the two and no matter how hard we try, they still hate each other. The Shepherd “stalks” the other dog wherever she goes and growls when she comes near. “No” and “back off” commands work only temporarily. Sure wish we could get them to tolerate each other. – Connie

This is difficult to answer without meeting or knowing your pets, but sometimes pets are just not compatible, like some people. Other times, it could be related to food, humans, toys, or other triggers. I recommend working with a trainer to help identify the trigger so you can work on the behavior. Avoid aggressive situations and triggers if you can. Check out the Nothing in Life is Free Training online (it’s free) and follow up with your veterinarian and dog trainer. If you’re near Merriam, KS, we would be happy to help. Our email is behaviorteam@greatplainsspca.org.

-Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

I have a six-month-old kitten and I’ll be flying with her in December. She’s high energy and very vocal when she travels in the car with me. I put her carrier out and I’m letting her get used to hanging out in the carrier, but I’m concerned she’s going to be very loud on the flight.

I’ve read mixed things about giving meds to cats for travel. Are there other behavioral things I can do to prepare?

Or are there cats that would just be better off medicating? – Lauren

I recommend talking to your veterinarian about the safety of using sedatives for flying and if your kitten would be a good candidate for those medications. There are medications that your veterinarian could prescribe that are not sedatives but will reduce anxiety and should be discussed. As far as traveling, there are things you can do to make the travel easier for little one such as Feliway pheromone wipes to use in the kennel or Thundershirt swaddles made for felines.

– Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

My 23-month-old pit mix keeps chewing the carpet and the bed sheets. She does not chew anything else. She has tons of Nyla bones and hard rubber toys to chew on. She only does it when I’m in the bathtub or not at home. We don’t leave her out of her kennel when we are not there anymore. Help! – Jill Lee

Email

It sounds like your dog might be struggling with anxiety and is chewing on carpet and bed sheets to release stress. Your dog could have separation anxiety or isolation distress. Treatments for this range from desensitization and counter conditioning training to behavior medications to help ease stress for your pet. I recommend working with an Animal Behaviorist to get a better understanding and diagnosis. There are a lot of articles online about treatment as well. If you’re interested in an inhome consultation, please email us at behaviorteam@greatplainspca.org.

– Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

Guinness has the best ears in town, and they aren’t just for looks! He is an excellent listener and loves to please his people. He knows tons of commands, walks excellently on leash, and is kennel trained! He is living in a Foster home with his favorite volunteer and loves the luxurious life of an owned pet! His favorite things to do are ride in the golf cart, go through the drive thru at Wendy’s, and nap on the couch with his Foster mom. He is sensitive and bonds quickly to his people. Email foster@greatplainsspca.org for more information about Guinness.

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.

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.

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BY PEGGY GISLER AND MARGE EBERTS

COMMON REASONS FOR MISSPELLING WORDS

QUESTION: What are some of the reasons for the misspellings many students make? What are some ways to avoid them? – Good Speller

ANSWER: First of all, parents need to understand that spelling is not a simple skill for children to master. It is tough for a lot of children—and even some adults. Spelling involves thinking about how words sound and then translating the sounds into print. Reading, on the other hand, is just recognizing what is there—not that this is to imply that learning to read is easy. Nevertheless, most young children are far better readers than spellers.

There are three groups of children who are likely to have greater difficulties with learning to spell words. Dyslexics have problems isolating sounds in words and turning them into letters, and spelling is also difficult for those with dysgraphia, as they have physical problems writing or typing words. The last group of children are those with auditory processing problems.

When children first begin to spell words, they do not have down pat the needed spelling rules or the sounds of individual letters, especially short vowels. So they use just a few letters to spell a word. This early spelling, common with 5- and 6-year-old children, is called inventive spelling and is not the same issue as misspellings of older children and adults. If you are curious about the words that are commonly misspelled, just search online for lists. You will easily find the 100 most commonly misspelled words, as well as those most misspelled by grade level. Fortunately, 85% of all words follow sound-to-letter correspondence, and many others follow a few basic rules with few exceptions. The spelling of the remaining words simply will have to be memorized.

Once children have grasped the basics of spelling and have had serious spelling instruction, there are a number of situations in which they are likely to misspell words. Here is a list of the most common reasons children misspell words:

1. One of the most common of all is the use of homophones, words that are pronounced the same but mean different things depending on how they are spelled. Some common examples of these misspellings are to/two/too, you’re/your, they’re/their/there, are/our and it’s/its. It takes considerable instruction for children to learn to spell homophones correctly.

2. Another cause of spelling errors in the early grades, as well as in later grades—even high school—is the mispronunciation of words. This is especially true of unfamiliar words in textbooks.

3. Students may forget to double letters in words such as committee, embarrass and tomorrow.

4. Words may be written as one word when they are actually two (e.g., every day not everyday, thank you not thankyou, and all right not allright).

5. Students may not realize that some common words have silent consonants and, consequently, misspell them. Examples are caracter and enviroment

6. Though spelling does follow some rules, students may not have learned the exceptions to these rules, or there may be too many exceptions for a rule to have value.

7. In this day of doing so much schoolwork on the computer, misspellings also may simply be typing errors.

There are techniques to reduce children’s spelling errors. Begin by encouraging the use of spellcheck, so children become aware of the errors they are making. Next, have them make a list of their commonly misspelled words and study it to see whether there is a pattern to the words that are misspelled. If so, you’ve found the problem to address. Ideally, instruction on spelling these words correctly would be given by the teacher, and a few of these words added to the weekly spelling test. If not, parents can work on the list with their children.

© Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2022

SENSIBLE ENOUGH TO STAY HOME ALONE?

If the idea of leaving your child home alone for the first time conjures up scenes from the infamous Home Alone movie of the ’90s, don’t worry! For many, leaving children home alone is not only an “earned” convenience of sorts for parents, but also a rite of passage for children. Although Kansas does not have an official legal age for leaving a child home alone, the listed guideline is age 6. However, according to the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), “Young children from 0-6 years should not be left alone for even short periods of time. Children 6-9 years should be left for only short periods, depending on their level of maturity. Children 10 and above probably can be left for somewhat longer periods …” The National SAFEKIDS Campaign recommends no child under the age of 12 be left home alone.

Regardless of what age your family decides to leave your child home alone for the first time, consider some crucial things. Does your child know personal information, such as his full name, address, phone number and parents’ names? Does your child know household safety rules and basic first aid? Can your child use the phone to call you, a neighbor or 911?

A more extensive guide can be found at DCF.ks.gov/services. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it’s a helpful place to start.

Classes are also a great way to prepare your children for staying home alone. Check out local recreation centers in your area for in-person classes but know that online home alone safety courses are also offered. At KidproofSafety.com, you can register your child for a quick 27-minute course for only $32, which also includes a free parent guidebook. No matter what program or class you use, you’ll want your own set of household guidelines and rules in place, as well as clear expectations. “When my children were in grade school and I first left them home alone, we lived in a tight-knit cul-de-sac with many young families. I would not leave them alone for long: I would run to the grocery store or go for a jog. I made sure at least one adult neighbor was home and aware that my children would be home alone. My children treated this independence as a privilege, so they knew to always follow my rules of keeping the doors locked, staying indoors, having the phone accessible … and getting along!” says Polly, an Overland Park mom of two. Although guidelines and routines may vary from family to family, one thing seems to be common ground for everyone first leaving kids home alone: Begin with very small outings and work your way up. “I let my oldest stay home for the first

time when he was around 10-and-a-half. I started with about 15 minutes, while I ran a quick errand, then gradually worked up to longer periods,” says Kristen, an Overland Park mom of three. “This past summer, I started letting all three children stay home for an hour or hour-and-a-half while I ran errands, but always had my phone with me and stayed close by.”

Staying home alone is a milestone for your child and can be confidence building, but remember, what works for one family may not work for yours, and even what worked for your oldest may not work for your youngest. “The age at which we first leave our children home alone is a very personal decision that depends on the comfort level of both parent and child,” Polly reminds. Ultimately you know your child best, so stay away from comparing your situation to that of a friend or classmate. The important thing is not to push your child, but try when the time is right, ensure your child feels comfortable with the idea, and provide him with adequate training.

Julie Collett has not yet experienced this milestone with her four children but both dreads and looks forward to it!

“Father, why don’t we put up lights on the outside of our house?” James always came straight to the point whenever he had a question.

“We used to. Before you were born, Mom and I decorated the outside of our old home and made it look like a fairytale castle. By the first week in December, we had all the lights up and were oh so proud. But it didn’t last.”

“Why not? Did the lights break?”

“Nope. Mom and I had just gone to bed when the dogs started barking. I got up to see what was happening, and our lights were gone. Someone had stolen our decorations.”

“What? Why? How?”

I shrugged. “We’ll never know. It made us really mad, though. I mean, Christmas is a time of generosity, sharing and peace, and all we wanted to do was to share our joy of the season. When I told Mom, she called the police and said someone had stolen her Christmas spirit.”

“That’s funny.”

“The police dispatcher thought the same thing, but Mom was serious, and so was I. Since then, we’ve never put up Christmas decorations outside.”

“Oh.” James sighed. “I wish … ”

He didn’t finish his thought, so I spoke. “Tell you what. Let’s decorate your window from the inside. Ian’s, too.”

A few days later, the whole family stood across the street and admired the new trimmings. A string of colored lights around each window, an illuminated snowman, complete with a top hat, shone from James’ bedroom and some lighted snowflakes in Ian’s. The family tree stood below their rooms, clearly visible through the living room glass.

“What do you think, guys?”

“This looks good, Father.” James squinted and crossed his arms. “Nobody will be able to steal them.”

The lights gleamed in Ian’s eyes. “Cool.”

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

Chores for Tiny Tots

By setting realistic expectations and having a little extra patience, you’ll see your kids can do chores! And you can help them succeed in doing them.

Kids and Chores

When I was younger, I got a quarter to take the trash can to the curb. But it was more or less expected I clean my room and pick up my toys. Whether you toss kids a quarter or not, chores are important to a child’s development. They help kids along the way to developmental milestones and other benefits too. And believe it or not, kids as young as 2 years old can do chores!

Putting your kids to work on their own chores at an early age pays off in the long run—no matter how daunting it may feel to enforce the jobs at the time!

Benefits of Kids Doing Chores

Parents know it’s nice to have help around the house, but there are many other benefits to kids’ doing chores. Responsibility, following expectations and stewardship of their space are just some.

Chores have developmental benefits for children. They teach kids how to be independent, capable and confident. Chores improve time management. They also promote a sense of teamwork and encourage accountability. They can even help strengthen verbal and motor skills. Chores give kids an opportunity to ask questions. They also allow children to take ownership of a process, not just the result.

When kids begin to do chores from an early age, they are learning essential skills for later in life.

Chores teach children how to care for themselves, their families and their home. Doing chores greatly benefits children in other aspects of their life, too, setting them up for success outside of the home. And as silly as it may seem, beginning chores early encourages habits that carry through to college and even marriage. Teaching children the importance of responsibility comes in handy when they are asked to take care of a space outside the home, such as at school, daycare or activities.

How to Get Kids to Do Chores

Be Consistent

Consistency is important in every aspect of parenting, of course, but especially when implementing chores. Following through with what you ask, no matter the child’s age, is crucial. Use tools to create consistency. A chart, song, mnemonic device or visual aid is a concrete way to help children understand what’s being asked of them.

Start Young

Kids as young as 2 can do chores, but do focus on age-appropriate tasks. Because what a 5-year-old is capable of looks different than what a 2-year-old can do. However, each is completely capable of doing some kind of chore!

A 5-year-old may be able to empty the dishwasher, set the table and put away laundry to some extent. In the same way, 2-year-olds can pick up their toys and help pour water into the cat’s bowl. An older 3-year-old may be able to put away silverware but not glass plates. And that’s okay! Remember to stay within children’s developmental skills. Tailor the chores to your children, their ages and their abilities.

Create Cues

We adults tend to be automatic when it comes to things we need to get done. A lot of our days are riddled with subtle cues or triggers that cause us to do other actions. Children are no different. Tie cues to the chores they do. For example, each night after baths, your children throw dirty clothes in the hamper and hang up their towels. After they are dressed, they can set out clothing for the next day. The cue or signal for those chores is getting out of the bath.

With the chore attached to a signal or cue, your child will remember and then implement that chore with less resistance. Conscious actions create unconscious (positive!) habits. That’s the goal!

Use Modeling

We adults have accumulated years of knowledge and experience doing chores. Chores like rinsing off dishes may seem innate to us, but they are completely new to kids.

Use the model, “I do, you do, we do.” Modeling is important when teaching children, but especially in showing them how to complete chores. Scaffold—build on what they already know how to do with lots of examples, slow modeling and

patience. Then, don’t overcomplicate it. Focus on simple and concrete steps. Use visuals. A chart or actual examples from you will greatly help little ones understand what you’re asking.

Chores for Kids 5 and Under

Some chores need more adult assistance than others. Ultimately, you know your children best. Try giving them a little more independence than you normally would and edit any of your cringing. You are capable of empowering them with responsibility, but you also want to stay sane. There’s a happy medium in there somewhere, I promise!

Here are some reasonable chores kids 5 and under can manage:

Kids Can Do Chores

By setting realistic expectations and having a little extra patience, you’ll see your kids can do chores! And you can help them succeed in doing them.

Remember:

• Celebrate their effort, not the final result. It’s all about building their confidence.

• Model what you want them to do using the “I do, you do, we do” method.

• Start young, but modify what, where, when and how. You know your child best.

• Don’t be afraid to give them a bit of responsibility—they might surprise you!

• Take care of pets—fill their water or scoop food.

• Wipe baseboards with a baby wipe.

• Set the table.

• Make the bed.

• Get the mail.

• Take out the trash.

• Water plants.

• Pick up toys. They can also determine what to donate to local donation centers, the Salvation Army or area shelters.

• Help in the kitchen. Kids can set things up, pour, scoop, measure, etc.

• Empty the dishwasher/silverware.

• Dust.

• Clean out the car. Head to your local car wash and have your child help vacuum.

• Pick up leaves.

How they help inside the home is an indication of how equipped they will be outside it. Don’t be afraid to have a little fun or work toward a goal. Do they want a toy? They can work toward paying for it with chores around the house. They will feel a sense of accomplishment after working to buy it.

Kailyn Rhinehart writes from Warrensburg, MO. She lives with her husband and two small children, and everyone definitely sometimes pitches in on chores.

Chores have developmental benefits for children. They teach kids how to be independent, capable and confident. Chores improve time management. They also promote a sense of teamwork and encourage accountability.

What BIG Ears You Have!

Children’s becoming better listeners is a process, so don’t expect immediate change overnight.

How many times do I have to tell you to put your socks on? What did I just ask you to do?

Didn’t I say to be home by 5? If these phrases, and many other similar ones, sound vaguely familiar, you are not alone! Many people use the words hearing and listening interchangeably. However, these two words actually have completely different meanings. According to PsychologyToday. com, hearing is “a passive, physical act that requires one sense and has to do with the perception of sound, while listening revolves around actively paying attention to the words and sounds you hear to absorb their meaning and develop an emotional response.” Hearing is involuntary, like blinking, and happens whether you want it to or not. Listening is voluntary, and you can choose whether or not you want to do it. It is possible for your child (or spouse!) to hear your voice but not listen to what you are communicating. The good news is just because your child has poor listening skills, doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. Now, your spouse? I can’t help with that.

Model

As simple as it sounds, our children, no matter their age, learn a lot by watching us, so model appropriately what good, active listening looks like. This means, first and foremost, put down your device. Make eye contact and use body language that shows you are listening. Use words and comments that indicate interest and care as well. I am just as guilty as the next mom of muttering an absent-minded “uh-huh” or “oh, really” that couldn’t sound more uninterested. But it is important we listen to the little things, because one day, there will be big things.

Attention

Make sure you have your child’s attention before speaking to him. If you are trying to shout from the other room while the kids are watching TV or playing a game (guilty!), you can bet they aren’t listening to you. Say their names, have them look at you, and even get down on their level. Making physical contact with a hand on the shoulder or back is another great way to gently get their attention.

Voice

If you find listening is difficult for your child, try lowering your voice. Our natural tendency is to raise our voice to say it louder, but remember, your child hears you. Consider whispering to your child so she has to listen more closely. It might be a good idea to ask her to repeat what you have said, as well, to ensure understanding.

Timing

Timing can be everything. No one likes to be interrupted in the middle of an activity. Caroline Danda, licensed psychologist, says, “Help them find a stopping place in their activity before trying to give a direction.” This will help decrease frustration for both parties!

Play games

For younger children, games like Red Light, Green Light, Telephone and Simon Says are great listening activities. For older children, cooking together or playing a more complex version of Simon Says can help develop these skills too. And for any age child, reading together and chatting about the story or chapter will help improve listening skills.

Conversation

Have real conversations with your children. Conversations require active listening and are a great real world application. Dr. Danda shares, “The best conversations often happen in the context of shared activities, especially ones that are rhythmic in nature, such as shooting hoops, coloring or cooking, because they support calming the nervous system. Likewise, conversations about difficult or uncomfortable topics often go better without eye contact. These are the conversations that happen at bedtime, in the car while driving around or while doodling. Kids will be more engaged if you continue to validate and paraphrase what they say before adding on to the conversation.”

Children’s becoming better listeners is a process, so don’t expect immediate change overnight. But with patience, continued practice and good modeling, your child will be on the road to success!

Need more listening games?

For younger children …

n Try going on a sound scavenger hunt while you are out on a walk.

n Play varieties of music and have your child listen for certain instruments.

n Have your children close their eyes and “Guess My Sound” while you make sounds with different objects.

If you have older children …

n Do a blindfold obstacle course where they have to listen to a friend give them directions about where to go.

n Have a friend give short, simple directions while the other kids draw what they hear.

Julie Collett is a mom to four wonderful little humans who are always working to fine-tune their listening skills!

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When Parenting Styles Clash

Humans are tricky. Relationships are tricky. Families are tricky. Which means relationships with other humans in a family are indeed tricky, no matter how well you get along. Add on jointly parenting younger humans and it’s a lot!

Families are made in a variety of ways and face differing scenarios, sometimes with a supporting cast of characters. In a stereotypical family, you have two parents and one or more children that they will parent together. Ideally, child-rearing has been discussed before they welcome children into their home and they’re on the same page as far as values and beliefs. If you happen to be reading this magazine before having children of your own, be wise and discuss how you would like to parent with a serious partner because children really throw a wrench in things and need to be cared for constantly for a good part of their lives.

Discuss your own childhoods and what practices you would like to carry on, as well as what you would like to do differently. Which traditions matter to you? Where would you like to raise your children? Are you open to moving throughout their childhood? Do you wish to be closer to family or not? In an ideal world, how many children would you like and how far apart would you like them? Are you open to fostering or adoption? Will you both continue working? Will one of you stay home? Do you prefer an in-home daycare or a daycare center? Will you make believe with your children during holidays and such? Will you raise them in a faith? Early discussions give you a good place to start. Of course, once you’re in the parenting trenches, flexibility becomes a necessity and you may find the need to alter those early plans a bit.

Once that baby comes home, there’s no way of knowing how some decisions will matter more to one parent and not at all to another parent. This is because all parents were once children, in unique homes, who experienced family life and were modeled how a family works. We have to remember, too, that our parents were also flawed humans just doing the best that they could.

All this history affects how we naturally parent—or attempt to do it—for better or for worse. Here’s an example: You’re super sleep deprived and end up letting your children sleep in your bed, so you can get as much rest as possible, but maybe that isn’t in the cards for your partner. Same goes for insisting on a daily routine or championing more of a go-with-the-flow type of day. One parent may insist that Baby is fed solely organic foods while the other would like to be more cost-effective. Then come decisions like playdates at your child’s friend’s house and sleepovers, as well as playing outside alone, the ever-present use of screens and dating. So what happens when a topic or situation arises where you and your spouse do not agree but have to parent the same child?

A wise option is to find a time to discuss the issue in private. Listen to where each of you is coming from, why you may not be comfortable with one option and how you can both feel at ease moving forward. This could be an evening discussion after the kids are in bed or a quick step out of earshot from your kids before you get dinner on the

table, depending on the degree of difference in your opinions. Perhaps both of you write your own pro/con lists to compare. Compromise is the name of the game, so decide whether a decision matters to you more than your partner’s objection. Jess Chavez, mother of three, says, “We discuss it away from the kids and try to really hear each other’s sides or reasons, and then come to an agreement/compromise so we can present a united front to our kids.” This united front is key in parenting as a team, because children are smart and will discover whom to ask for certain things and whom to avoid.

Seeking outside counsel can be helpful, as well, if done in a caring way. Venting to your own family and friends about why you are right may not be the best course of action. Instead, bring the topic up for discussion while both of your friends are over or ask some friends via text and share and discuss with your partner. Parenting boards and Facebook groups can be helpful with advice and sharing different perspectives you may not have

considered, and most groups will let you ask anonymously.

In our family, most decisions seem to fall to me simply because of how our family is set up. I was a stay-at-home-mom, and even though I now work part time, my husband travels the majority of month, so I am the primary parent at home with our children. I value my husband’s input though and oftentimes call or text for advice or to discuss a topic. Having a family meeting in a calm matter to discuss family rules can be helpful to let everyone know what is expected in your home. It’s also important that both parents are up to date on what rules and guidelines the other is enforcing. For example, if a child earns the consequence from one parent of no screens for the rest of the week or no dessert that night, the other parent needs to know. Because if that other parent wasn’t present for the poor choice that earned your child a natural consequence, he or she won’t know the consequence was dished out. And children don’t seem to volunteer that kind

of information to an uninformed parent. If you keep your partner up to date, that other parent won’t unknowingly undermine you. On the flip side, be careful not undermine the other parent’s authority either, even if you don’t completely agree. Differences in opinion can be discussed but not flippantly ignored.

If a parenting topic comes up that you can’t seem to compromise on, give some thought to whether any past trauma in your life is influencing your reactions. You may need to seek professional help with overcoming those or being empathetic toward your partner. Sometimes, particular topics will matter more to one parent, and if you don’t feel strongly about it, it may be better to let your partner have the final say on that decision while you get a weightier vote on another issue. Another great idea is to take a parenting class together so you’re learning as a team. About 10 years ago, a local church hosted a weekly parenting class through Love and Logic. It was great, but

Compromise is the name of the game, so decide whether a decision matters to you more than your partner’s objection.

our kids were both under 2 years old, so my husband and I keep saying we need to retake that class now that they’re all much older. If you and your partner are readers, maybe you could buddy read a book to help facilitate discussion while learning about parenting together. There’s a plethora of parenting books to choose from. I’d advise asking your school, church, friends or librarian for recommendations.

Discussing the benefits of having differing styles can also be a great way to respect and honor both partners’ differences, according to an article on GoodTherapy.org. The article, “When Parents Clash: Managing Differences in Parenting Style,” goes on to say, “Explore how your parenting styles complement each other. For instance, a permissive parent may help an authoritarian parent be more affectionate. Meanwhile, an authoritarian parent may support a permissive parent in setting boundaries.” Having some discussions in front of your kids can be important to model how to have disagreements in a healthy way. In her article “How to Deal When Your Parenting Styles Clash” on TodaysParent.com, Katie Daley writes, “Having some conversations in front of your children can actually be helpful to show them how to resolve disagreements— but only if the conversation stays friendly. In case a contentious situation arises, Kyle Pruett, a clinical professor of child psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine and co-author of Partnership Parenting: How Men and Women Parent Differently—Why It Helps Your Kids and Can Strengthen Your Marriage, recommends agreeing on a signal that you need to discuss the issue later.”

Now, things can get a bit trickier when your family is blended or is living apart for a variety of reasons. Try to be on the same page for the benefit of your child, but if that’s not the reality, setting up your own boundaries and house rules and staying consistent will at least let your children know what to expect when they are with you. If there are bigger concerns that can’t be agreed upon, it may be best to get outside assistance through a custody lawyer or legal team.

Stephanie Loux is the mother to Layla, 12, Mason, 10, and Slade, 7.

Understanding Dyslexia and How to Help Kids

Children learn to read at their own pace, but if your child is struggling to make significant progress as compared to his peers, it may be possible he has a reading disability called dyslexia. According to MayoClinic.org, “Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how to relate to letters and words. Dyslexia affects areas of the brain that process language.”

Symptoms of dyslexia may include:

n Speech delay, trouble learning words, problems forming words correctly or reversing sounds or words that sound alike. “The first signs were the inability to recognize numbers and letters,” says Stephanie Eubanks, Olathe mom of three. “We would practice, play games, do puzzles, etc., and she would not retain any of it.”

n Reading well below the expected level for age, difficulty with spelling, difficulty reading aloud. “My son was unable to read at all, not even sight words like ‘the’ and ‘and’ in first grade and beyond, even though we read it over and over,” says Heather Reighard, Kansas City, KS, teacher and mom of two. “He was unable to do spelling tests even though we practiced and practiced.”

n Trouble remembering sequences or identifying rhyming words, reversing letters or numbers. “My son couldn’t do sight words, wrote pretty much everything backwards and was not meeting classroom expectations,” says Suzanne Pretti, mother of three from Overland Park. “He had always loved to be read to, but began to absolutely hate books while in kindergarten. We had him tested and diagnosed early, and he was able to make improvements quickly.”

n Spending an unusually long time completing tasks that include reading and writing or avoiding these activities.

“The common myth is that dyslexia is just turning letters around, but it’s so much more than that,” says Julie Lamb, mother of five. “My daughter was not seeing parts of sentences. Since she struggled with reading, it then had a huge domino effect on writing, math, etc.”

People who struggle with dyslexia have normal intelligence and can succeed in school and careers with proper tutoring and support. So how do you go about helping your child succeed?

At school:

n Ask for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan. In most states, schools are required to provide specialized support for kids diagnosed with dyslexia. Talk to your child’s teachers about setting up a

meeting with educators to help your child be successful at school. “Our son was given accommodations in the classroom, such as having things read to him and working with a special education teacher. He still struggles with writing, but we are so thankful for his progress,” says Pretti.

n Keep in contact with your child’s teacher. If parents and teachers work together, it is easier to support children through the challenges they may be facing when it comes to homework and school. Check in often with your child’s teachers and encourage them to reach out if the interventions put in place don’t seem to be helping your child achieve adequate growth.

n In some cases, private schools or homeschools that specialize in dyslexia are a great option. “Teachers and special education professionals confided in me that they didn’t know how to help my son. They suggested homeschooling and it has been a game changer,” says Reighard.

At home:

n Consider tutoring. Individual help from a tutor can really give your child a boost in reading skills because tutoring can be tailored to your child’s needs and learning style.

n Early intervention has been proven to help kids struggling with dyslexia. As soon as you notice a problem, talk to your child’s teachers and doctor.

n Encourage reading. Take turns reading aloud to your child, model good reading habits and add reading to everyday activities (cooking, games or instructions). Turn off electronics and add more reading time to your day.

Be supportive

n Encourage effort and be supportive of children as they work through challenges.

n Talk to them about what they are struggling with and discuss ideas that will help solve problems they may be facing.

n Join a support group or see a counselor. Having people around you that understand what you are going through

and offer support can be a big help as you learn how to support your child.

n Support learning at home. Provide a clean, organized and quiet place to study and offer help as needed.

If you think your child may have dyslexia, talk to your doctor about testing, resources and support. There is no single test that can determine whether your child has dyslexia. Your doctor may use a combination of questionnaires, medical history, psychological evaluations and academic testing to determine whether your child has dyslexia. Early intervention and a good partnership between parents and teachers are key to helping kids feel confident and successful in school and in future careers.

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

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

Source: MayoClinic.org/diseases-conditions/ dyslexia/symptoms-causes/syc-20353552

The starting

healthy

Dr. John P. Roth, DDS Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry Specialist in Orthodontics

Dr. Hannah Loseke Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry StartingPointDental.com

point for a

smile.

GOAL GETTER Help Kids Achieve Their Goals

Napoleon Hill once famously said, “A goal is a dream with a deadline.” For adults, goals are just part of the territory. After all, as people who have spent a great deal of time living our lives, we are acutely aware how precious time is. So, we set goals for ourselves to squeeze every last drop out of life we can. Vacation goals, fitness goals, educational goals, career goals and family goals. Those objectives become a central part of our existence as we continually reach for the next achievement.

But kids and goals? Eh, not so much.

Children don’t perceive time. They feel infinite. Days and years seemingly stretch on and on with no real importance or end. So what’s the point of a goal? The truth is, introducing the act of setting—and more importantly achieving—goals at a young age will set the stage for a more organized and self-aware life. Additionally, kids begin to learn accountability, dedication and reward all at the same time. Now that’s a setup for a pretty great future.

Keep it simple

For a small child, the word “goal” can mean a lot of things. Most associations involve a round black and white ball or a brown oblong-shaped ball. Take a few moments to fully explain that, at its heart, a goal is simply something you decide you want and must work hard to get by a specified time. Give examples: saving $20 for a new toy, keeping the bedroom clean for one week without help from Mom and Dad or learning to snow ski by the end of winter break. These goals can be wildly different from child to child based upon unique personalities and interests. The best part? What kids decide they want is a window directly into their brains, so open it up!

Identify different goal levels

Kids love new ideas and might need to be restrained from aiming too high at the beginning. Evaluate together what is possible now versus what may be defined as a dream or bucket list item. This generally comes down to what children can control versus what they cannot. Although a goal of going on a Disney cruise is admirable, a child cannot control vacation schedules and family financial capabilities. However, saving allowance money to see Disney on Ice? That’s attainable with dedication and hard work—and without the contribution of others.

Use checkpoints to stay on task

The novelty of a new idea can wane quickly. Your child might be super excited that her goal is to read an entire book in three weeks by reading a chapter per night, but soon enough, she wants to skip the nightly reading. Divide the book into four quarters with bookmarks to visibly mark progress and encourage her to keep going all the way through to the end!

Learn from the losses

The whole point of a goal is to reach for something challenging that requires an additional amount of action, restraint or focus on the goal-setter’s part. Those parameters mean the possibility of failure is present. If that happens, your child might be upset or get down on himself. Encourage him by sharing in the loss together. Look back at the action steps he took to meet his goal and discover where he fell short— and why. You may also help ease the disappointment by sharing an experience

when you missed your own goal and how you learned from it.

Though a missed goal might seem like a negative, rest assured it is vital for the growing process. If someone reaches every goal she sets, she simply isn’t aiming high enough. The process of taking the leap and missing occasionally is all part of learning more about yourself, your limits and your abilities.

Celebrate the wins

The best part of setting a high goal? Absolutely crushing it. When a child puts in the work and pushes through setbacks to achieve the goal, there’s nothing better. Whether the objective is in sports, academics or regular daily life, each one is important and motivates your child to aim even higher next time. And though you may give kids a push to stay on target, ultimately it’s their choice to stick to the plan and get the job done. And that’s pretty amazing.

Be sure to celebrate the victory, even if it’s a small one. The feeling of joy and pride in a job well done is cumulative and ultimately adds up to a better, more focused and

happier child—and, someday, adult. So keep setting goals with your child and reaching them together. Both of you will benefit and learn from each other now and hundreds of goals down the road.

Easy Goals Your Child Can Start Tonight

Activity-based

• Do 10 jumping jacks and 10 sit-ups before school or before bed for two weeks. Too easy? Bump it to 15. Keep adding on until you get to 50.

• Walk the dog three times this week without being reminded. Bonus: Feed the dog, too.

• Run around the block (with an adult) two times each week for one month. Add on a loop each week until you get to four times around the block, twice a week. Hint: Create a chart that shows the progress from week to week. Celebrate the wins for both of you!

Academia

• Choose a book (or books) to start today and finish in one week.

• Finish a school assignment early (minimum one day).

• Read a book not assigned by a teacher this week.

• Learn every spelling word on the weekly list this week and get an A+ on the spelling test.

Daily life

• Order from a restaurant without help from a parent three times in a row.

• Learn to cook a recipe this week and make the meal without help next week.

• Make school lunch for yourself the entire week without help.

• Save enough money or do enough chores to earn a begged-for toy.

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

reuse and birthdayrepurposedecor birthdays on a budget

All parents want their child’s birthday to be special, but the costs of throwing a party can really add up, especially if you have multiple children. Is it really possible to cut party costs without losing the fun and excitement that parents and kids alike have come to love? One way to cut down on costs is by purchasing birthday supplies that can be reused or repurposed year after year.

The easiest way to start saving on party decor is to stock up on items when they are on sale or clearance. Choose items that are not theme specific and select a variety of colors that are gender neutral. Basic birthday signs, party lanterns and photo backdrops can be reused again and again. You even can make your

own decor out of stronger materials like cardstock or cardboard or hit up the dollar store for streamers and signs that can be used repeatedly. As you collect a stash of items, store it someplace organized and easily accessible for when the next birthday arrives.

When purchasing items for the special day, you may find it wise to spend a little extra money on birthday items you know can be used many times over several years. Purchase games that can be used every year, like bingo, bean bag toss or yard games such as badminton. These games are fun for any party, and you’ll see a return on your investment quickly. Chalkboards for birthday signs, cake stands and punch bowls also can be purchased once and used for many parties.

Another fun way to get mileage from your money is buying dress-up items that can be used for a photo booth year after year, such as hats,

PARTY GUIDE

silly glasses, feather boas or masks. Kids of any age will have a great time posing in different costumes. Many of these items can be purchased at a dollar store, garage sales or may be lying around your house. Choose a basic birthday backdrop for your photo booth or use a plain sheet or tablecloth to keep things simple and affordable for your photo backdrop. A number of fun apps allow you to put in different backdrops if you use a green background. Photos taken in the photo booth can double as thank you cards for your guests.

Saving money on tableware is possible in a few different ways. Cloth tablecloths and plastic plates can be washed and used again. They will last for years after a one-time investment. If the thought of extra cleanup doesn’t appeal to you, try buying a giant roll of white butcher paper and unrolling it on the table as a tablecloth. Allow

kids to color right on the tablecloth during the party. When the festivities are over, simply roll up the paper and toss it. One roll of paper will last for years, and because of the neutral color, it can be used for many holidays and birthdays.

to make a festive wreath. Possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Once the party’s over, themespecific party decorations can be repurposed in many ways. Cards and invitations can be made into wall art, ornaments, gift tags or garland. Crepe paper and napkins can be made into confetti or garland. Old ribbons and balloons can be used

The key to saving money by reusing or repurposing party decor is to get creative. Scour the internet or Pinterest for ideas, shop smart by buying generic birthday items on sale or create your own decor from things you have around the house. Once you have your basic party decor, add small touches to help create a fun birthday theme. Try to find items you can use more than once. For example, animals from a Noah’s ark party could be reused for a zoo- or circus-themed party at a later date. A little creativity can make for a fun, affordable and environmentally conscious birthday party your child will love.

Olathe mom of six Sarah Lyons loves saving money on birthdays!

The easiest way to start saving on party decor is to stock up on items when they are on sale or clearance.

Count us in! Activities That Moms Love Just as Much as Kids Do

Who says Play-Doh is just for preschoolers? Construct the greatest dinosaur of your life with them. Put all your creative energy into building the coolest Lego structure you can muster. As a stay-at-home momma with a few years under my belt, I’ve learned to love the activities my kids and I do together. It’s second nature. Sign me up for a Disney+ and Play-Doh marathon any day.

Play-Doh

My son loves his sensory activities, so we’ve been incorporating those into our days since before he began school. Play-Doh has been his favorite since he was tiny, and now his sister joins in. Play-Doh is the perfect outlet for creative, imaginative play with simple tools. Oh, and it keeps Mom engaged as well.

Yoga

Roll out the yoga mat, turn on some meditation music and work on some deepbreathing and stretching exercises with your kiddos. It’s good for them and good for you, not to mention it can set a calm tone for the rest of the day. A win-win.

Nature Walks

If the kids suddenly need to stretch their legs, no big deal—Mom is up for the challenge. Take a stroll around the block or backyard, or run to the park. Get all the wiggles out as much as you can on the nicest days.

Naptime

Of course, who could argue with the perks of naptime? Resting our eyes is always a nice pastime. Or, while your tiny humans take a two-hour snooze, snuggle up next to them while you catch up on your favorite Netflix show, read a book or clear out your email inbox.

Living Room Dance Parties

My daughter lives for living room dance parties. She will dance to the same song on repeat. Play your favorite Spotify stations from your phone or Amazon Alexa device, clear some space on the floor and you’re good to go.

Snack Time

If naptime is a win-win, snack time is, too. Everyone needs a snack break, including moms. In fact, maybe Mom needs a coffee break while the kids enjoy their snack break. Try it after your epic living room dance party.

Puzzles

There’s something so soothing about putting together even the simplest of puzzles. Alphabet puzzles, Winnie the Pooh puzzles, farm puzzles. Give me all the puzzles.

Legos

Legos are fun because no matter what you build, your kids will probably be impressed. Or they’ll knock it down. Either way, it’s fun. Legos buy you hours of potential engagement.

Coloring

Just this evening, my kids and I became enthralled with a jungle animal-themed coloring book. It captured everyone’s attention for at least 30 minutes, which is a major mom win. I got really into coloring all the leaves green. It was very soothing.

Kinetic Sand

Speaking of soothing, kinetic sand is definitely one of the most soothing, calming activities. I love it just as much as my 7-year-old does. The best part is, you can throw it in almost any container with almost any combination of other toys and supplies, and the kids won’t get bored for at least 45 minutes.

Bubbles

Bubbles are my toddler’s favorite, and it’s always fun for a mama, too. I’ve had to learn to be quick because she gets extremely sad when they all pop. Great workout for Mom. We like the cheap, nontoxic bubble wands you can find at Target.

Singing in the Car

I probably know every word to any of the Super Simple Songs, but who’s keeping track? I’ve grown to love singing the fan-favorites from this channel to calm my fussy toddler or distract my antsy 7-year-old on the way to school.

Emily Morrison is a freelance writer, former copy editor, full-time mommy and Disney fanatic who lives in Independence with her husband, son, daughter and dog.

Liquids and Tablets and Pills, OH MY!

Children may see a pill or tablet as a foreign object.

There are ways to simply simplify the process.

Aspoonful of sugar truly helps the medicine go down in the most delightful way, according to Mary Poppins. And there’s some truth to her magical words. But medicine in real life can meet resistance from young patients, and for some kiddos, making the leap from liquid or chewable medication to pills or tablets can be even more challenging.

A great way to teach your child to swallow pills is by using candy. Begin with a small sprinkle, then move up to larger candies such as mini M&Ms, Tic Tacs or jelly beans. These are small enough to be used as a practice pill. Turn it into a game and simply set out the mini M&Ms along with a glass of water. Tell your child that each time he passes the bowl, he should swallow one mini M&M with a sip of water. The trick is to keep the tiny treat in his mouth long enough for the color to transfer to his tongue.

Some real pills have a protective coating around them, which means if you do not swallow the medication quickly enough, it will start dissolving in your mouth, making it harder and more unpleasant to swallow. Water helps lubricate and protect the throat, so it is easier and safer to swallow the pill. With practice, your child can master this habit. Do make sure your child sits up straight so there is no choking.

Another trick is to have your child hold her nose. Have her pretend she’s getting ready to go underwater in a swimming pool—she puts the pill in her mouth, grabs some water, holds

that nose, closes those eyes and swallows. This works because holding the nose stimulates the eustachian tube that affects swallowing. It also helps when the medication has a bad taste, as holding the nose restricts your sense of smell and thus your sense of taste.

Another way to make taking pills easier is to crush the pill into your child’s favorite food, such as applesauce, ice cream, gelatin, peanut butter, yogurt or icing on a cupcake. Eating food ensures that your child has some food in his stomach, which in turn protects his stomach lining from some medications.

A playful approach often helps hesitant children. You can pretend the throat and tongue are like a water slide and the pill is the rider. Your child’s job is to move the rider down the slide. Wheee! Remember, don’t force your child to practice taking pills at high pressure times, which increases stress levels. Practice should only last a few minutes at a time, with the goal of your little one’s feeling more confident at the end of each session. If your child is having trouble, go back down to a smaller item and start over.

Begin pill practice while your child is still on liquid medications. Moving to pills may actually be easier in the long run if you think about it. They are more portable and don’t need refrigeration. As in every learning activity, rewards go a long way. Stickers, a trip to the park or favorite restaurant, or allowing a bit of extra screen time are good ones. Always remind your child this is not a race and that he can take all the time he needs.

If your child is panicking or not feeling comfortable swallowing the larger candies, remember this is normal. The idea is to have her go back and practice again the next day, starting with the size she succeeded with the day before and working up from there. So each time she practices, she ends at a bigger size until she achieves the size of an actual pill. Taking pills is a natural part of modern life, and as children master the process, they’ll be more relaxed and more confident about tackling all kinds of new challenges.

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.

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

DID YOU KNOW?

Typically, children can begin swallowing pills around the age of 10; however, some children as young as 5 or 6 can learn to swallow pills.

To get started, your child should:

1. Swallow a sip of water or a favorite drink.

2. Place the smallest candy sprinkle on the middle of the tongue.

3. Take another sip of the drink.

4. Keep the head level.

5. Swallow the drink with the candy.

6. Take another sip to keep the candy moving.

Encourage your child to keep drinking if the candy does not go down in the first swallow. Children may need to practice many times with the same size candy before moving to the next size. Help children understand that it is normal for them to feel the “pill” in their throat. The more they practice, the easier it will become.

Sources: PsychologyToday.com, UKHealthCare.uky.edu, HealthBlog.UofMHealth.org

Sweets Made to Share

(Family Features)

Among the decorations, gifts and gatherings of loved ones, there’s perhaps nothing quite like family favorite foods that call to mind the joy of the holidays. Whether your loved ones relish building gingerbread houses or dining on an all-in feast, looking forward to annual traditions is part of what makes the season so special.

This year, you can add to the fun with a new annual activity by creating a delightful dessert with the help of little ones and adults alike. With an easy recipe like Peanut Butter Saltine Candy that calls for just a handful of ingredients, you can get the whole family involved in the kitchen.

Ask your little helpers to measure out ingredients while a grown-up prepares the pan and uses the stove. Once the base is finished baking, call the kids back to sprinkle chocolate chips and peanut butter chips over the top. After your candy creation is cooled, just break it into pieces meant to be shared with the entire family. An added benefit: All can enjoy the nutrient-rich flavor of peanuts, which rise to super food status by delivering 19 vitamins and minerals and 7 grams of protein per serving.

Find more holiday recipes at GaPeanuts.com.

Peanut Butter Saltine Candy

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray (butter flavor)

1 sleeve (4 oz.) regular saltine crackers

1/2 c. butter

3/4 c. creamy peanut butter

1 c. granulated sugar

2 c. milk chocolate chips

1/2 c. peanut butter chips

1/2 c. rough chopped, dry roasted peanuts

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line 10" x 15" x 1" pan with aluminum foil. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray then lay saltines flat in single layer on prepared pan. Set aside.

In heavy duty 1-quart saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, peanut butter and sugar.

Stir constantly until butter and sugar are melted, bringing mixture to boil. Boil 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour cooked mixture over saltines and bake 5 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over saltines. Let cool 3 minutes then spread melted chocolate completely over saltines.

Sprinkle peanut butter chips evenly over chocolate. Return pan to oven 1 minute to soften chips. Pull pointed tines of fork through softened peanut butter chips to partially cover chocolate. Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top, gently pressing into candy.

Let cool on rack about 15 minutes then place in freezer 3 minutes. Remove from freezer and break into pieces. Store in airtight container.

No.

It can sound so negative.

The word can feel especially stifling to tired parents of young children who are battling to keep their kids happy and their relationships positive.

But we shouldn’t be weary, worried or deceived about this important word when training our kids.

Saying no—particularly a no we feel strongly about and that we enforce if challenged or defied, with naturally unpleasant consequences if necessary—is one of the most valuable lessons about love and life we can teach our children at a very young age.

And in our culture today, where personal rights and entitlement seem to out-value honoring one another, the need to discuss respecting no is critically appropriate.

To be clear, before a child starts to obey the demands and expectations of parents, experiencing the consistent

unconditional love of a parent is the first and foremost foundation for healthy development. And just as critical to children is knowing they will be heard and acknowledged when they have feelings they need to share.

When children believe they are worthy of unconditional love and can safely express themselves, healthy, strong roots will be established. When you care about kids’ opinions and desires, and when they experience your empathy, their confidence and sense of self and well-being will spring forth, growing a healthy person both relationally and emotionally.

Naturally, loving parents want to—and should—give plenty of yeses and bless their children, granting the desires of their hearts often and when appropriate. You can’t grow to love others and receive love in meaningful, healthy ways if you question your own value and worth. Without that foundation, the ability to love oneself and others will become difficult.

YES TO THE NO" " SAYING

In addition to showing love by granting gifts and wishes to their children, wise parents grow confident and successful children by continually giving instructions on what is expected. If we merely say “No, no, no,” all day long, children feel ricocheted. Clear instructions for young children include phrases like this: Pet the cat gently, please. Use kind words. Walk inside the house. That chair is for sitting, not jumping. Sit in the middle of your seat with your knees under the kitchen table, please. Stop and look at Daddy when I am speaking to you, please.

So children need to learn and respect no with the continual understanding of what is expected, all while firmly planted in love. I remember how easy it was to love my own young children, but saying and sticking to my no was always so much harder! Yet the fruit of this parenting labor—namely, giving kids the regular opportunity to practice respectful acceptance and adherence to given boundaries—not only benefits them, but will also bless their relationships and the society they eventually enter.

Aside from the clear fact that loving guidance from parents and teachers keeps children safe and healthy, when children first learn to respect a firm no, they learn to love their neighbors as themselves.

Here’s why:

4Accepting and facing no’s diminishes entitlement and greed. It can stop fueling our desire for instant gratification. It makes way for growing in contentment, peace and patience—not to mention gratitude for the yeses we do have and greater celebration over the yeses still to come! Developing steadfast character, joy and strength and fostering gratefulness are truly what each of us need not only to weather the trials and uncertainties of our own lives, but to shine in a world that will always need love, light and hope.

5Respecting the no of others honors the personalities, property and even bodies of other people. This demonstrates love to the one setting the boundary. When we parents don’t enforce a no, we teach children that it’s okay to trample on others’ boundaries and that people don’t fully mean no when they say no.

On the critical flipside, children should also learn to communicate and advocate for their own boundaries. An authority does not have the right take advantage of or stomp on the boundaries of those weaker than they simply because they are in charge.

1

Learning to respect a no teaches humility and selflessness. It helps children know that other people’s interests and needs are as important as theirs. And, sometimes, they don’t even need to know the reason for the no.

How children are touched, who they would like to hug (or not), what they like to eat or which toys, clothing or colors they prefer or sport they’d like to try are simple ways children can communicate their own desires and boundaries. Of course, this doesn’t mean they get to choose candy and chips for every meal or to wear no coat when it’s 15 degrees.

2

In a school setting, when children are accustomed to responding respectfully to the rules and authorities in charge, teachers spend less time correcting behavior. This makes time and room for more learning, better listening and relationship building, less distraction and more fun.

Children must learn to make healthy choices from the wise options their parents are already setting before them. As this process of providing parent preselected choices continues to expand, kids should gradually be released to make their own choices and fly the nest that once nurtured them … at an appropriate age. Bottom line—no matter how frivolous or silly our boundaries may seem to others, we feel loved and honored when people humbly respect them.

3

Learning to happily reply to a no helps children cope with and be prepared for inevitable disappointments in a real world and understand that the world will eventually no longer revolve around them. Adults understand that living and working with self-centered or narcissistic people is not fun. Friendships and relationships thrive and produce more enjoyment when all parties give and receive in a selfless, cooperative manner.

Almost every egregious wrong or offense against humanity and every destroyed relationship can be traced back to someone’s not respecting the no, namely the boundaries, needs or desires, of another.

Alicia Mock is from Overland Park and has a colorful background with experience as a professional singer, actress, elementary teacher and homeschooling mom.

reindeer faces craft

midwestern towns during the holidays

tips to stay jolly

10 ways for kids to give back

ringing in the new year with kids

december fun calendar

Materials Needed:

• Paper plates—we used dessert plates

• Brown paint

• Paintbrush

• Brown construction paper

• Googly eyes (or black and white construction paper)

• Scissors

• Tape and/or glue

reindeer faces

Here is a cute little craft for kids to enjoy inside when the weather is cold outside and they need something new to do! Make one or make all of Santa’s crew!

Step one: Paint bottom side of paper plate brown. Allow to dry completely.

Step two: While plate is drying, cut out antlers and mouth. Set aside.

Step three: Once plate is dry, use tape to attach antlers to the back of the paper plate. Tape the mouth to the front of the paper plate.

Step four: Attach eyes onto the face.

Step five: Tape or glue red nose to center of mouth.

Step six: Allow to completely dry and then hang and enjoy for the holiday season!

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

For even more great craft ideas, log onto KCParent.com!

Flat Santa Yarn Wrapped Christmas Trees

Christmas Tree Countdown

MIDWESTERN TOWNS That Feel Like a Christmas Movie

By Kristina Light

Christmas movies often feature quaint towns with beautiful holiday decorations, strolling carolers and the magic of Christmas on every corner. We’re fortunate to have several towns with that Hallmark Christmas movie feeling less than a tank of gas away from Kansas City.

BRANSON, MISSOURI

Branson is famously decorated with millions of lights every holiday season. Silver Dollar City, the top attraction in Branson, hosts an Ozark Christmas with millions of lights, holiday shows, delicious Christmas delicacies, rides and more. In addition to Silver Dollar City, you’ll find holiday entertainment at Sight & Sound Theatre’s Miracle of Christmas, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and the Haygoods. ExploreBranson.com

PELLA, IOWA

Pella is beloved for its Tulip Time Festival every May, but Christmas is also magical in this quaint Dutch town. The most recognizable landmark in the town is the Vermeer Mill, a working 124-foot windmill from the Netherlands that is used to grind wheat. The historical museum features a Dutch village with a wooden shoemakers shop, grist mill, bakery, library and more. The first weekend in December, Pella hosts Kerstmarkt, an outdoor Christmas market featuring artisan vendors. Throughout the season, enjoy carriage rides, boutique shopping and visits with Sinterklaas. VisitPella.com

ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI

St. Charles is famous for its cobblestone streets, historical architecture near the Mississippi River and the yuletide nostalgia they share during their annual Christmas Traditions celebration. Visitors enjoy Victorian carolers, beautiful greenery decorating the historic district, delicious holiday foods, shopping and more all month long. DiscoverStCharles.com

LINDSBORG, KANSAS

Lindsborg celebrates its Swedish heritage year-round, but it is especially unique at Christmas during the Festival of St. Lucia. On the second weekend of December, the town celebrates with holiday music, a St. Lucia parade, the crowning of St. Lucia, and cookies and coffee. You may also visit the Old Mill Museum, many local shops and eateries, and historic sites. VisitLindsborg.com

Branson, Missouri

Tips for Staying

During the HolidaysJolly

Between the long shopping lists, piles of gifts to wrap and family gatherings to attend, the holidays can be the busiest and most stressful time of the year—but they should still be fun! Take advantage of these tips for staying jolly throughout the holiday season.

Spread Cheer

Nothing will make you feel jollier this holiday season than spreading Christmas cheer like the big man in red himself. “Jingling” your neighbors is a fun way to spread the holiday spirit throughout your neighborhood. Simply leave a small gift such as homemade candy or baked goods at your neighbor’s door with a note saying, “You’ve been jingled.” They’ll be encouraged to spread the joy themselves to other neighbors. Before you know it, the entire neighborhood will be just as jolly as you are. This also works great in the office with your coworkers.

Recruit Help

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. Do you have company coming over and you just can’t find the time to clean the house? Do yourself a favor and hire someone to help with your cleaning or make a chore list for the kids to complete while they’re on holiday break. Do you have a ton of baking to do? Ask your friends to come over for a baking party to help out! Does the idea of cooking the entire holiday meal on your own stress you out? Ask your family members to bring a dish!

Don’t Overcommit

When it comes to accepting invitations, don’t overcommit and spread yourself thin this holiday. Before the season begins, make a list of traditions and events that are most important to your family. Maybe Christmas Eve dinner is a must, but finding and cutting

down your own Christmas tree really isn’t as important to your family. Make sure your time-honored traditions take priority over other invitations, and never feel obligated to attend events you don’t want to.

Donate

Donating is a great way to help others in need while making room for the new toys Santa is sure to deliver. Keep your kids involved and explain that their toys will be going to children who might not have as many. Have your kids accompany you when you drop off the toys— they will feel a sense of accomplishment and thankfulness for what they have.

Take a Day Off

Take a day off to prep for the holidays without the kids. Create a huge to-do list and do your best to knock it all out before lunch. Then, enjoy the afternoon wrapping presents while drinking hot cocoa and listening to your favorite holiday tunes or watching a Christmas movie. You will feel much jollier when you have time to complete your tasks without distractions and with a little holiday fun mixed in.

Have Realistic Expectations

Parents tend to want everything perfect for their kids, and the holidays are no exception. Sometimes the pressure to make every moment memorable does nothing but cause tension. Have realistic expectations. It’s almost guaranteed something won’t go as planned, and that’s okay. Your holiday cookies will burn, someone won’t like a gift, and you will definitely forget to move that darn Elf on the Shelf, but more than likely, those little things will end up making your holiday season even more memorable. Remember, the holidays are about spending time with friends and family, and those are the two things that will make you the jolliest of all.

Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband, Cale, and daughters Atley, 8, and Ensley, 2, in St. Joseph, MO.

10 WAYS

FOR KIDS TO GIVE BACK DURING

THE HOLIDAYS

If there’s anything better than creating holiday magic for your children, it’s letting them in on what a gift it is to share that magic with others. Although many nonprofit organizations prefer financial donations, there are still several that will let you “get your hands dirty,” giving of your time and talents side by side with your children. Here are a few such organizations, as well as some other ways that you can give back to your community as a family.

1SEND CHRISTMAS CARDS TO THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY

The American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes program gives kids the opportunity to “give something that means something” by sending cards to active military veterans as well as their families. In previous years, there was a national Holiday Mail for Heroes Post Office Box to send cards to; however, the Red Cross is now offering community-based events for making, signing, sorting and delivering cards to fellow members of the community. If you would like to participate, contact your local American Red Cross chapter to receive information on how you and your family can help out.

2

SEND CARE PACKAGES TO THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY

Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude has been able to send more than 3.5 million care packages to deployed troops, active military, veterans and wounded heroes. You and your crew can help brighten someone’s day by building a care package. Volunteers can also participate in their Handmade with Love project, an opportunity to make a variety of helpful materials such as fleece blankets, cool ties and drawstring bags. All patterns are available on the Operation Gratitude website.

3 FIGHT HUNGER

Volunteering at a soup kitchen is a great way for teenagers and adults to make a difference in their community, but hot surfaces and sharp knives pose safety risks for young children. To help locally, visit City Union Mission’s webpage (CityUnionMission.org) to find a list of food items needed. Or simply sign up to volunteer for a two-hour shift at a Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) Mobile Pack event. With FMSC, children as young as 5 years old can volunteer side by side with their parents in packing rice, soy, dried vegetables and vitamins and minerals, that are then sealed, boxed and placed on pallets to be delivered to the neediest children around the world.

4

MICRO-VOLUNTEER

A lot of ground can be made by performing simple acts of kindness. Minnesota-based nonprofit Doing Good Together is an organization that came about in an effort to help make volunteering more accessible to young families. Their 30 Days of Kindness Challenge also lists a multitude of ways doing little things can make a big difference, such as drawing uplifting chalk messages at a park or handing out thank you’s to service industry workers such as trash removal providers and mail carriers.

6

GIVE THE GIFT OF ATHLETIC GEAR

Kids outgrow sports equipment quickly, but there’s no need to let all that gear collect dust in the garage. Instead, put it to good use by donating it to an organization such as Sports Gift that takes gently used sporting equipment and distributes it to needy children around the world.

5GIVE PRESENTS TO CHILDREN IN NEED

Toys for Tots. Since 1947, Marine Toys for Tots has been delivering new presents to those in need. Presently, the organization distributes an average of 18 million presents to 7 million children annually.

Angel Tree. Mary Kay Beard was on the FBI’s most wanted list. But during her time behind bars, not only did she have a change of heart but she discovered her life’s calling: ensuring that children of incarcerated parents received gifts at Christmastime. For more than 40 years, Prison Fellowship has provided more than 6 six million gifts. You too can help brighten the day of a child that might not receive a gift at Christmas otherwise.

Comfort Cases. Noting that most children entering the foster care system are given nothing but a trash bag to place their belongings in, Comfort Cases seeks to do one better by providing backpacks or suitcases full of helpful contents to children that would otherwise be without.

Operation Christmas Child. For more than 29 years, Samaritan’s Purse International Relief has mailed presents to children in need across the globe. For more information on drop-off sites, as well as package building tips, go to each organization’s website. Boxes are collected each November, but kids can start shopping now to build next year’s boxes!

7

ADOPT A SENIOR CITIZEN

The holidays can be a lonely time for elderly citizens that don’t have family nearby. Have your children hand out Christmas cards at a local senior citizen center or offer to host an aging neighbor for a holiday dinner.

8

MAKE GIFTS FOR THE PET SHELTER

Contact your local pet shelter and see how you can help them this Christmas season. Old sheets and blankets can spare a poor pup from having to sleep on a concrete floor. Toys can be made by simply braiding old socks or T-shirts together. And for a fun and simple project, consider making homemade dog treats.

9

SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS

Buddy the Elf wasn’t wrong when he quipped, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Teach your kids a handful of traditional carols and go door to door singing a few to get your neighborhood in the Christmas spirit!

DROP OFF TREATS FOR SERVICE INDUSTRY WORKERS

Emergencies don’t take a break for the holidays and, consequently, neither do service industry workers. Many police officers, firefighters, EMTs and nurses work away from their families on the holidays to care for those in crisis. Consider dropping off a plate of homemade goodies (or some catering if you’re not inclined to cook) at your local fire station or hospital to let those on duty know they are thought of this Christmas season. This gesture goes a long way in making those that work the holidays feel both seen and appreciated.

Lauren Greenlee is an Olathe freelance writing boymom who relishes the gift of giving back to her community during the Christmas season. Her family can be found volunteering with Feed My Starving Children and building shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child this holiday season.

Ringing in the New Year with Kids

How to plan a family-friendly NYE

Maybe your New Year’s Eve nights of wine-fueled festivities and shenanigans with the besties have been put on hold. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still ring in the new year with just as much pizazz—even with the “Baby Shark” remix playing in the background on repeat. And, hey, you might not even make it to midnight before crashing on the couch after completing your regular bedtime routine.

Looking for ways to spend a family-friendly New Year’s Eve? We’ve got you covered. From game-a-thons to scrapbooking to an epic bucket list, you’ll find at least one activity your family will want to try. Your kids will be your best party companions because every activity is an adventure to them. So put your party shoes on and get ready to make the best memories to end a great year.

Scrapbook the night away

Gather all the fun materials for scrapbooking: markers, stickers, glitter, glue, magazines to cut pages out of, printed photos, more stickers. Try to create a page that highlights your favorite events of the last year.

Pop a balloon every hour

Kids are very visual creatures, so popping a balloon every hour until midnight will help them with the final countdown.

Design an escape room at home

Make a treasure map of clues, dress everyone up in fun costumes, make fun sound effects, dim the lights, get out a fog machine (I mean, depending how big you want to go with this), and enjoy an evening of your very own homemade escape room adventure.

Photo booth

A classic photo booth could be the best way to document your fun night. Keep a box of silly costumes and props nearby and take the best selfies you can muster in between snacking and watching movies.

Brainstorm a bucket list for 2023

There’s nothing like an epic family bucket list to get you pumped for the next year. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

1. Take a train or subway.

2. Visit a destination restaurant.

3. Take a factory tour (examples: the Jelly Belly factory or a potato chip factory).

4. Take a museum tour—choose a handful of museums and try to visit one per week.

5. Attend sporting events.

6. Spend more time outside at parks, on hikes or biking, camping, fishing or taking an RV trip.

Outdoor movie projector

Snuggle up outside to watch movies with your loved ones if it’s not too cold. Be sure to bundle up, maybe next to a crackling fire pit. Bring your mugs of hot chocolate, a giant bowl of popcorn and even ingredients for s’mores. Movies2U.com is a great, local screen rental company.

Watch a slideshow of 2022

While the movie projector is all set up, why not watch a slideshow of your previous year?

Everyone will enjoy laughing or crying at their most embarrassing, most fun, most endearing moments. Start collecting fun photos from your family and friends.

Emily

Morrison is a freelance writer, former copy editor, full-time mommy and Disney fanatic who lives in Independence with her husband, son, daughter and dog.

DECEMBER FUN CALENDAR

DEC. 4

NATIONAL COOKIE DAY

McLain’s Bakery has been serving delicious baked goods, including cookies, to local customers since 1945. Famous for their chocolate cup cookies, they offer goodies that are a delicious way to celebrate National Cookie Day.

DEC. 9 CHRISTMAS CARD DAY

For more than 100 years, Hallmark Cards has called Kansas City home. Visit the Hallmark Visitors Center, where you can watch as cards are manufactured, enjoy the magic of Hall’s Christmas trees and more.

DEC. 20

GO CAROLING DAY

Gather some friends and go caroling. Visit neighbors, grandparents and friends and serenade them with your favorite Christmas carols and some goodies.

DEC. 21

CROSSWORD PUZZLE DAY

In 1913, the first crossword puzzle was published in the New York World. Purchase a crossword puzzle book at your local bookstore or, for the true enthusiast, buy the World’s Largest Crossword Puzzle, measuring 42.25 square feet with more than 91,000 squares and 24,000 clues from Amazon.com.

DEC. 12

NATIONAL HOT COCOA DAY

Christopher Elbow, the city’s most famous gourmet chocolatier, makes drinking chocolate in three flavors.

DEC. 24

NATIONAL EGG NOG DAY

Enjoy locally-made egg nog from Shatto Dairy Farm. Their concoction is frequently voted the best egg nog in Kansas City.

DEC. 14 NATIONAL MONKEY DAY

The Kansas City Zoo is open year-round. Treat the family to a winter outing and visit the monkeys and their animal pals at the zoo. While you’re there, check out FOTZ memberships— they make great Christmas gifts!

DEC. 27

MAKE CUTOUT SNOWFLAKES DAY

Make intricate paper snowflakes using classic instructions from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

A Nighttime Fairyland

Starting in September, workers begin installing thousands of lights. Then, in the middle of the night before Thanksgiving, they secretly test the lights to ensure every bulb is bright. On Thanksgiving night, the magic begins as Kansas City’s “nighttime fairyland,” as it was known in the 1930s, comes to life!

Three Classically KC Christmas Traditions

Kansas City’s landmark Country Club Plaza (CountryClubPlaza.com), opened in 1922, is perhaps most famous for its Christmas lights. The tradition began on Christmas Day 1925, when Charles Pitrat, the maintenance supervisor for the Nichols Company, decorated the Mill Creek Building with a single strand of lights and a few small trees. Every year, Pitrat added to the display, and now the Plaza boasts more than 80 miles of lights. You can enjoy the Country Club Plaza Christmas lights every evening Thanksgiving through mid-January.

By Kristina Light

Bah! Humbug!

When I’m enjoying A Christmas Carol at the KC Rep, a beloved KC tradition for more than 40 years, the theater magically becomes 1843 London, and the cast become the living embodiment of the characters they portray. Having read Dickens’ book almost every Advent for more than two

decades, I am always amazed and impressed at the ability of the Rep’s stars to bring the characters so accurately to life. Topping the list is Ebenezer Scrooge himself, portrayed by Gary Neal Johnson, who has pronounced, “Bah! Humbug!” for audiences in the star role for years. Make it a tradition for your family to enjoy this annual holiday performance. KCRep.org

Kansas City’s Own Fairy Princess

In 1935, Kline’s Department Store of downtown Kansas City celebrated the grand opening of their Toyland. Santa came to other stores. Kline’s wanted to do something original to attract visitors, so they introduced the Fairy Princess. For 25 cents, children visited the princess, telling her their Christmas wishes. Then she waved her magic wand, making a surprise gift appear! Over the years, gifts were presented sliding from chutes, appearing on revolving turntables, hiding in fairyland trees or in magically opening trunks. The tradition continued, at just 25 cents, until Kline’s closed in 1970. The Fairy Princess returned in 1987, when the Kansas City Museum brought her back for Christmas. You can visit the Fairy Princess on select weekends at the Kansas City Museum. KansasCityMuseum.org

Celebrating a Peanuts-style Christmas in KC

Since 1965, Americans have been watching A Charlie Brown Christmas with their families annually. The familiar Vince Guaraldi melodies, Charles M. Schulz’s beloved Peanuts kids catching snowflakes on their tongues, Snoopy’s decorated doghouse, the whole gang’s ice-skating, Charlie’s selecting the smallest tree, and the struggling pageant, all leading up to Linus’ cherished moment as he reflects on what Christmas is really about … the show is a quintessentially American Christmas tradition. This year, take a page from the Peanuts gang and celebrate A Charlie Brown Christmas in Kansas City.

Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Coterie

This show is going to run for a hundred years. ~ Ed Levitt, one of the Christmas special’s animators.

We are delighted that Coterie is bringing the beloved classic back to the stage this holiday season. The Coterie presents the show with beautiful sets and

costumes that feel as if they are lifted straight from the animated special and brought to life. The cast portrays the Peanuts gang wonderfully as Charlie Brown embarks on his journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. One of the highlights of the show is the fabulous musical rendition of “Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron.” Showing through Dec. 31: TheCoterie.org/performance/ Charlie-Brown-Christmas-2022.

Ice-Skate

Happiness is a new pair of ice skates.

One of the favorite scenes in the Charlie Brown film is the Peanuts gang enjoying a spin on the ice. During the holiday season, the Crown Center Ice Terrace, Kansas City’s original outdoor rink, plays Christmas music and offers a beautiful view of the mayor’s Christmas tree. They offer a concession stand that sells hot cocoa and other snacks to enjoy as well. CrownCenter.com/iceterrace

Hallmark and the Peanuts

It’s not what’s under the tree that counts—it’s whose around it.

~ Charlie Brown

Arnold Shapiro, a Hallmark employee in the 1950s and an avid Kansas City Star reader who loved the Peanuts comic strip, pitched an idea to J.C. Hall in 1959 that Hallmark work with Charles M. Schulz to develop greeting cards featuring the Peanuts characters. The cards were tested at Kansas City shops and soon became popular with customers. This began a decades-long relationship that continues between the two brands to this day. Hallmark still sells Peanuts greeting cards and features the characters on many of their Christmas ornaments and products. You will find these available at local Hallmark stores, including the flagship at Crown Center, and you can see many of these items on display at the Hallmark Visitors Center, one of KC’s beloved free attractions. On your visit, be sure to make a reservation to visit Kaleidoscope, a free hands-on art center in the Crown Center district, where kids can create their own cartoon characters and style them on greeting cards and other works of art. HallmarkKaleidoscope.com

Photo by Erin Stricker and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre. Peanuts © 2019 Peanuts Worldwide LLC. All Rights Reserved.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Visit a Christmas Tree Farm

I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all really. Maybe it just needs a little love. ~ Linus Van Pelt

Head to the tree farm or lot to choose your own Christmas tree, just like Charlie and Linus do. Are you partial to the small, unloved trees or are you looking for something more classic? Choose your own fresh Christmas tree at one of the area Christmas tree farms featured in our guide on KCParent.com.

Family Tree Nursery offers three area locations with beautiful trees, too, and additional holiday décor—including some inspired by the Peanuts Gang, all season long.

Love Your Own Snoopy

Did you know, I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown is another, lesser-known, Peanuts holiday special? Snoopy is my favorite dog of all time (yes, I know he’s animated). Do you want to invite a new pal into your family this holiday season? Great Plains SPCA is one of KC’s largest no-kill animal shelters. They facilitate pet adoptions and help find the perfect pet for families. Wayside Waifs is another local no-kill shelter with a commitment to finding homes for all adoptable pets. If you already have a beloved dog in your home, you may want to treat him to a special Christmas gift from one of these local dog bakeries: Three Dog Bakery, Brookside Barkery & Bath and Treats Unleashed.

Living Nativity Christmas Pageant

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:9-11) That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. ~Linus Van Pelt

Take Linus’ words to heart and experience a living Nativity. Search “Nativity” on the KCParent.com calendar to find one of many local live manger scene experiences. We especially recommend the Culture House’s A Child of Hope and Journey to Judea hosted by Countryside Church in Overland Park.

New-Fallen Snow

It’s too early. I never eat December snowflakes. I always wait until January. ~ Lucy Van Pelt

Eat fresh snow just like Linus does. For a real treat, make snow ice cream. Mix eight to 12 cups of fresh, white, new-fallen snow, one 10-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk and one teaspoon of vanilla. You may eat it immediately after mixing or freeze to enjoy later. Then, take the kids to one of the best sled hills in KC (all listed on KCParent.com), have snowball fights, play in the snow and make snow angels.

Kristina Light writes about Christmas in KC all season long on KCParent.com.

see

The Lyric Opera presents Amahl and the Night Visitors Dec. 2-4 and 9-11. Live singing, music and puppetry brings to life the story of three kings. KCOpera.org

visit

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

december

walk

Take in the lights at Sar-Ko-Aglow thru Jan. 16. Enjoy a nighttime stroll around Rose’s Pond to view the beautiful annual light display. Lenexa.com

celebrate

Start off the season with a Christmas Open House on Dec. 3 at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Enjoy the decorations, make an ornament and visit the historic house! Mahaffie.org

play

When school’s out sign the kids up for Kids Day Out at the Johnson County Museum. Explore KidsScape and exhibits, play games, enjoy activities and more! Pre-reg at 913.715.2570.

Santa’s Gingerbread Station at Crown Center

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 Women Thru Saturday, Culture House Stage & Studio. See this timeless, captivating story brought to life in a glorious musical. CultureHouse.com

Harvesters Food Donation Drive Thru Dec 7, National World War I Museum and Memorial. Donate nonperishable goods and receive BOGO admission. TheWorldWar.org

Christmas at Camp Thru Saturday, Youthfront Camp West. Interactive retelling of Nativity story, plus hot chocolate, music, crafts and more! Tickets at Youthfront.com.

Midwest GameFest Thru Sunday, Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center. A fourday tabletop hobby game convention. MidwestGamefest.org/kansascity

A Riverside Christmas 5:30, Riverside Welcome Plaza. Mayor’s tree lighting, Christmas scene photos, Santa, hot cocoa and more! RiversideMO.gov

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.

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting 6:00, View Community Center. Listen to Grandview C-4 elementary schools sing carols before lighting the tree. Grandview.org

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting 6:00, Armstrong Park (Grain Valley). A visit with Santa, hot chocolate and cookies, caroling and more! CityOfGrainValley.org

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting 6:00, Prairie Village Municipal Campus. Choirs, dancers, KC Wolf—and Santa flips the switch to light the tree. PrairieVillageFoundation.com

2 Friday

’Tis the Season Art & Craft Show Today & tomorrow, the Pavilion at John Knox Village. More than 100 booths of handcrafted gifts and décor. IBDPromotions.com

Amahl and the Night Visitors Thru Sunday, Michael and Ginger Frost Production Arts. See a unique telling of the first Christmas. KCOpera.org

Luminary Walk Today & tomorrow, Overland Park Arboretum. The arboretum transforms into a wonderland of candles, music and holiday fun. OPKansas.org

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

The Nativity Thru Sunday, Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. More than 40 puppets grace the stage for this biblical reenactment. NativityPuppets.org

Walk Through Bethlehem 4:00, Church of the Open Door. Live, interactive event, set in the village of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. Tickets at OpenDoorInfo.org/wtb.

Twilight Gala 5:00, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. Stroll at your leisure, enjoying complimentary light refreshments and live music. BWEstate.net

Sar-Ko Aglow 6:00, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Kick off your holiday festivities this year with the lighting of Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Santa, hot cocoa and more! Lenexa.com

Christmas on the River 6:00, Downtown Parkville. Holiday entertainment, family fun, dining, treats and holiday fireworks. ParkvilleMo.org

Mayor’s Tree Lighting 6:00, Downtown Raytown. Refreshments, hayrides, a winter wonderland, carolers and more! Raytown.mo.us

Mayor’s Tree Lighting & Christmas Tree Trail 6:00, TB Hanna Station. Enjoy refreshments, a visit with Santa and ice-skating as we light the mayor’s tree. Raymore.com

Christmas in the Courtyard 6:30, Merriam Community Center. Join for annual tradition of lighting of the mayor’s tree. Santa, live music and more! Merriam.org

Winter Market Today & tomorrow, ArtsKC Gallery Space. Shop for unique, locally made artwork and gifts from over 40 vendors ArtsKC.org

A Feeling of Norwegian Christmas 10:00, Midwest Trust Center. Explore musical traditions of the Christmas season with brass ensemble tenThing. JCCC.edu/midwest-trust-center

3 Saturday

Photos with Santa 8:00, Cornerstone Park. Santa Claus is coming to town! Come dressed in your favorite holiday outfit for a photo. Pre-reg at GardnerKansas.gov.

Breakfast with Santa 8:30 or 10:30, Ironwoods Park. Spend a morning with Santa and enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast. Pre-reg at Webtrac.Leawood.org.

Merry Little Christmas 9:00, Resurrection Leawood. Kick off Christmas with Santa, photo ops, fun games, meaningful craft and more! COR.org

Christmas Celebration 9:00, Missouri Town 1855. Warm up by the fire, help decorate, join the carolers and explore traditions of Christmases past. MakeYourDayHere.com

Breakfast with Santa 9:00, Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. Breakfast with Santa and special gingerbread house decorating workshop. Pre-reg at Albrecht-Kemper.org.

Small Mall 9:00, CW Parker Carousel Museum. Elves help kids shop for gifts, then enjoy a free carousel ride. Adults can shop and enjoy hot cocoa. FirstCityMuseumsLHMA.com

Kids Workshops 9:00, Home Depot locations across the metro. Children will enjoy making their own Santa’s Letter Mailbox. HomeDepot.com/c/kids

Meet Santa at the Zoo 9:30, Kansas City Zoo. Kids can write letters to Santa and then meet the jolly ol’ guy in person. KansasCityZoo.org

Santa Visits 10:00, Family Tree Nursery (Liberty). Santa visits and invites families to have photos taken with a beautiful backdrop. FamilyTreeNursery.com

Christmas Open House 10:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Enjoy the Heritage Center decorations, make an ornament and visit the historic house! Mahaffie.org

Textures in Clay 10:00 or 2:00, Nerman Museum. Learn about textures and create a relief sculpture tile out of clay. Ages 5-7. Pre-reg at NermanMuseum.org.

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

Print Your Own Gift Wrap 10:00, Scraps KC. Create personalized gift wrap! Stamp gift wrap, let it dry, then roll it up and take home. ScrapsKC.org

Winter Wonderland Craft Festival Today & tomorrow, Fuzzy Mutton Farms. Shopping, bounce house, feeding the sheep, food, outdoor movie and more! FuzzyMuttonFarms.com

Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade 11:00, Downtown Lawrence. Authentic horse-drawn carriages parade down Massachusetts Street. LawrenceChristmasParade.org

Holly Jolly Christmas 11:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. The residents of Puppet Land dazzle with their annual holiday variety show. PuppetryArtsInstitute.org

Holiday Homes Tour Noon, Downtown Excelsior Springs. Visit five residents’ homes that are graciously opened and stunningly decorated. Tickets at VisitExcelsior.com.

Winter Container Workshop 1:00, Colonial Gardens. Build a winter container full of Christmas greens and accessories. Pre-reg at ColonialGardensKC.com.

Story Time with Santa and Mrs Claus 2:00, MCPL (Red Bridge). Hear a story read by Santa. After, children may sit on Santa’s lap for photos. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Hometown Holidays 2:00, Downtown Liberty. Games and crafts for kids, Holiday Treats Tour and the annual mayor’s lighting ceremony. VisitLibertyMO.com

Living Nativity 2:00, Grace United Methodist. Live animals, s’mores, family Advent activities, photo booth, interactive singing and more. GraceUMC.church

A Kansas City Christmas Today & tomorrow, Lenexa Baptist Church. Enjoy Christmas music along with family photo opportunities. LenexaBaptist.com

4 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

Santa’s Wonderland Thru Dec 24, Bass Pro and Cabelas. Play games, write letters to the North Pole and visit Santa. Pre-reg for Santa visit and photo. BassPro.com

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

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

5 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

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

Candy Cane Hunt 10:30, Mill Creek Activity Center. Create a festive craft then go on the hunt for candy canes hidden around the facility. Pre-reg at 913.826.2950.

6 Tuesday

Holiday Bricktacular Thru Jan 1, Legoland Discovery Center. Celebrate the most wonderful time of year with a holiday family fun event! LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com

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

Cookies with Santa 3:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Enjoy cookies, cocoa and, of course, a meeting with Santa himself! Pre-reg at Mahaffie.org.

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting 5:30, Blue Springs City Hall. Enjoy entertainment from local schools, refreshments and a visit from Santa! BlueSpringsGov.com

7 Wednesday

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

Cirque du Wiener Dog 10:00 or 1:00, Midwest Trust Center. Inspired by traditional trick marionette variety acts, this show features puppets performing. JCCC.edu/midwest-trust-center

Photo by Don Ipock

Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Listen to a story and meet a special animal friend. Today’s theme: Mrs Claus. 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

Winter Solstice Torch-Lit Hike 5:00, George Owens Nature Park. Celebrate the change of seasons with this family favorite! GeorgeOwensNaturePark.org

8 Thursday

Outdoor Ice-Skating 10:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace. Bring the family to enjoy a day of skating at Kansas City’s original outdoor iceskating rink. CrownCenter.com

Christmas Tours 10:00, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. The estate is decked out in holiday splendor and decorated for Christmas. BWEstate.net/upcoming-events

Fairy Princess Thru Sunday, Kansas City Museum. Share holiday wishes with the Fairy Princess. Advance ticket purchase required. KansasCityMuseum.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

Lights! Camera! Christmas! Various times, Resurrection Leawood. Favorite Christmas movies brought to life in an evening of music and drama. Tickets at COR.org.

A Christmas Carol 7:00, Spencer Theatre. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey to discover the true meaning of the holidays. KCRep.org

9 Friday

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 10:00 & Noon, Theatre for Young America. One of the best Christmas stories ever—and one of the funniest. CityStage.UnionStation.org

Victorian Jolly Christmas 10:00, Vaile Mansion. Tour Vaile Mansion decorated in Victorian holiday splendor! VaileMansion.org/visit

Tuba Christmas Noon, Crown Center Square. Lunch hour concert to listen to the sounds of the season, tuba style! Bring your own lawn chair. CrownCenterChristmas.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

Naughty or Nice Games 6:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Enjoy an evening of fun holiday-themed activities featuring a special grumpy, green guest. Pre-reg at Lenexa.com/holidays

Jurassic World Live Tour! Thru Sunday, T-Mobile Center. See life-sized dinosaurs, with scale, speed and ferocity, operated by animatronics and performers. T-MobileCenter.com

Child of Hope Dec 9-11 and 16-17, TCH Olathe Studio. The richness and inspiration of Christmas and the Nativity story are brought to life. CultureHouse.com

Amahl and the Night Visitors Thru Sunday, Michael and Ginger Frost Production Arts. See a unique telling of the first Christmas. KCOpera.org

Luminary Walk Today & tomorrow, Overland Park Arboretum. The arboretum transforms into a wonderland of candles, music and holiday fun. OPKansas.org

Holiday Movie Night 7:00, Centerview (Raymore). Enjoy a free showing of Elf! Bring a comfy chair or blanket to snuggle in for this holiday favorite. Raymore.com

10 Saturday

Breakfast with Santa 8:00, Johnson County Fairgrounds. Enjoy all-you-can-eat breakfast, craft and professional photo with Santa. Pre-reg at GardnerKansas.gov.

Cirque du Wiener Dog 10:00 or 1:00, Midwest Trust Center. Inspired by traditional trick marionette variety acts, this show features puppets performing. JCCC.edu/midwest-trust-center

Santa Visits 10:00, Family Tree Nursery (Overland Park). Santa visits and invites families to have photos taken with a beautiful backdrop. FamilyTreeNursery.com

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.

Inman

A Very Merry Christmas 10:00, Alexander Majors Barn. A morning of holiday fun includes crafts, cookies, tours, photo opportunities and more. 816.444.1858

The Kansas City Santa Dash 10:00, Westport. The streets fill with holiday cheer as hundreds of Santas run the roads of KC! KCSantaDash.com

Christmas of the 1800s 10:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Enjoy living history programs celebrating a pioneer holiday. 816.792.2655

Photo by Roy

Breakfast with Santa 10:00, Chicken N Pickle (Overland Park). Enjoy some yummy brunch classics, get a photo opportunity with Santa and write him a letter. ChickenNPickle.com

Holly Jolly Christmas 11:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. The residents of Puppet Land dazzle with their annual holiday variety show. PuppetryArtsInstitute.org

Boughs of Natives 11:30 or 1:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Fashion a festive holiday swag or wreath to hang using native materials. Pre-reg at MDC.mo.gov.

Miniature Railroad Christmas Train Noon, KC Northern Railroad. A merry, festive event with a joyful family experience on every KCNRR ride. KCNRR.com

Photos and Cookies with Santa and Mrs Claus Noon, Atkins-Johnson Farm. Enjoy cider, cookies, and purchase a digital photo with Santa. AtkinsJohnsonFarm.com

Lanesfield School Christmas Concert 1:00, Lanesfield Historic Site. Write a letter to Santa with pen and ink, make crafts and hear a choir. JCPRD.com

Winter Wonderland 1:00, Parkville Nature Sanctuary. Using crafts and hiking-related activities, you’ll learn how wildlife survives the winter. ParkvilleMO.gov

Christmas Celebration 2:30, Country Club Christian Church. Enjoy photos, refreshments, crafts and a live Nativity with all the animals. CCCCKC.org

MNU Festival of Christmas Today & tomorrow, Bell Theater. The MNU Concert Band and MNU Choirs present a festival of Christmas carols. MNU.edu

Holiday Harmonies 3:00, Folly Theater. Two a cappella choruses will offer holiday musical favorites to enhance the spirit of the season. FollyTheater.org

CHRISTmas in the Barn 3:00, C Bar C LLC Horse Riding Lessons. Cowboy Santa, cookies, bareback pony rides and the Jesus story! Prereg by emailing cbarcridinglessons@gmail.com

Candlelight Tour 5:00, Fort Osage. Experience holidays in the early 19th century with a guided candlelight tour. Pre-reg at MakeYourDayHere.com.

Magical Night 5:00, Kearney Firehouse Community Center. Lighted Christmas parade followed by crafts, Santa, fireworks and more! KearneyFirehouse.org/kec

11 Sunday

Santa Visits 10:00, Family Tree Nursery (Shawnee). Santa visits and invites families to have photos taken with a beautiful backdrop. FamilyTreeNursery.com

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

American Girl Doll Tea 1:00, Wyeth-Tootle Mansion. Come dressed in your holiday best for the annual doll tea party at the mansion. Prereg at StJosephMuseum.org.

Ring in the Season 1:00, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Ring in the holidays with your favorite princess friends. Drinks, dessert and photos! KCPrincessParties.com

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

1. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

Every December, Liberty Star Farms presents a free outdoor pageant for the community. Local volunteers present a 20-minute show complete with local child actors and musicians and live animals telling the story of the Christ child’s birth. Hot cocoa is provided, and spectators have an opportunity to pet animals and take photos after the show. See the 2022 schedule at LibertyStarFarm.com.

SIX-STOP TOUR: LIBERTY, MO

EXPERIENCE AN IDYLLIC HOLIDAY IN LIBERTY

2. HOLIDAY GREENERY

Family Tree Nursery’s Liberty location is your go-to stop for fresh-cut greens, fresh wreaths, garland, bundles, swags and holiday containers perfect for festive decorating and gift-giving. We love to shop Family Tree’s selection of novelty poinsettias. They sell 5-inch poinsettias in a variety of colors and shapes that bring a creative touch to traditional Christmas displays.

FamilyTree Nursery.com

3. HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Shop local when you visit Historic Downtown Liberty where you’ll find a quaint Main Street atmosphere and more than 30 local shops, including clothing stores, toys, boutiques, antiques, bookstores and more. After shopping, grab lunch at one of the local restaurants where you can choose from Mexican, Italian, barbecue or café dining. HistoricDowntown Liberty.org

4. TEA TIME

Anna Marie’s Teas is a delightful tea shop located on the Downtown Liberty Square. You may shop for fragrant teas, tea wares and unique tea items. For something truly special, attend a themed tea party that celebrates the vintage social art of teatime inside a 100-year-old home. They host holiday and winter themed parties this time of year. AnnaTeaShop.com

5. PLAYTIME

The holidays can be stressful. A great place to release stress and play together as a family is Get Nerfed in Liberty. Get Nerfed is an indoor Nerf battle arena where you can attend an open play session or book an event. They supply the Nerf equipment and space, and your family competes in this one-ofa-kind face-off. GetNerfed.fun

6. GREAT AMERICANS

Liberty celebrates public art. The city’s Great Americans Project honors men and women in U.S. history. You’ll find life-sized bronze statues in the historic downtown that portray great figures in America’s past, including Mark Twain, Susan B. Anthony and George Washington.

In addition to displaying these works, Liberty hosts a rotating sculpture program with three new works exhibited annually.

LibertyMissouri.gov

Alpaca Christmas 4:30, YaYa’s Alpaca Farm. See the farm lit up for the holidays and end in the barn decked out with Christmas cheer! Pre-reg at YaYasAlpacaFarm.com.

12 Monday

Holiday Bricktacular Thru Jan 1, Legoland Discovery Center. Celebrate the most wonderful time of year with a holiday family fun event!

LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com

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

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

CeramicCafeKC.com

Santa’s Wonderland Thru Dec 24, Bass Pro and Cabelas. Play games, write letters to the North Pole and visit Santa. Pre-reg for Santa visit and photo. BassPro.com

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

VisitExcelsior.com

13 Tuesday

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

Cookies with Santa 3:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Enjoy cookies, cocoa and, of course, a meeting with Santa himself! Pre-reg at Mahaffie.org.

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

14 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.

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

15 Thursday

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

Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Thru Saturday, Union Station. See the festive, six-car holiday train with intricate displays. Pre-reg at UnionStation.org.

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

Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt 5:30, Cornerstone Park. Grab a flashlight and help search for candy canes hidden by Santa. Pre-reg at GardnerKansas.gov.

Holiday Concert 7:30, Atonement Lutheran Church. Holiday cheer will be heard when the Overland Park Civic Band presents a holiday concert. OPCivicBand.org

16 Friday

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

Candy Cane Hunt 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. Gather candy canes and enjoy snacks, story time and performance by Mr Stinky Feet. Ages 6 and under. Lenexa.com/holidays

Victorian Jolly Christmas 10:00, Vaile Mansion. Tour Vaile Mansion decorated in Victorian holiday splendor! VaileMansion.org/visit

Journey Through Bethlehem 6:30, Manna Fellowship. Step back in time and journey through Bethlehem in a guided walking tour. MannaKC.com/journey

Child of Hope Thru Saturday, TCH Olathe Studio. The richness and inspiration of Christmas and the Nativity story are brought to life. CultureHouse.com

A Christmas Carol 8:00, Spencer Theatre. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey to discover the true meaning of the holidays. KCRep.org

17 Saturday

Breakfast with Santa 8:00, the View Community Center. Have breakfast with Santa, sit on Santa’s lap and create holiday cheer by making crafts. Grandview.org

Santa Delivers Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Catch a glimpse of Santa as he delivers gifts to some of the animals on the top of the nice list this year. KansasCityZoo.org

Candy Cane Hunt 10:00, Armstrong Park (Grain Valley). Hunt for candy canes, crafts and hot chocolate. Dress for the weather. Pre-reg at CityOfGrainValley.org.

Around Since the Dinosaurs 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Dinosaur exhibits, opossum animal encounter and more! LakesideNatureCenter.org

Mrs Claus Tells All 11:00, MCPL (Blue Springs South). Hear about the time Santa got stuck in a chimney and learn Santa’s favorite cookie. Prereg at MyMCPL.org.

Santa Day 11:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. Come visit Jolly Ole St. Nick and tell him your Christmas wishes. LouisburgCiderMill.com

Stuff ’n’ Fluff Noon, Centerview (Raymore). Children will build their own reindeer, snowman, penguin or gingerbread puppy stuffed animal. Pre-reg at Raymore.com.

Olde World Christmas Noon, Strawberry Hill Museum. Enjoy seasonal activities and see the mansion adorned with decorations. Pre-reg at StrawberryHillMuseum.org.

Sounds of the Season 3:00, John Knox Pavilion. The Lee’s Summit Symphony presents a holiday concert. LSSymphony.org/tickets

Traveler’s Service 4:00, Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church. Hear the story of Mary and Joseph and travel out to the live Nativity and luminary walk. RHCKC.org

Christmas Concert 7:00, Knox Church. Join for a night of music with this year’s Christmas concert titled My Soul Magnifies the Lord. KnoxChurch.org

18 Sunday

Holiday Bricktacular Thru Jan 1, Legoland Discovery Center. Celebrate the most wonderful time of year with a holiday family fun event! LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com

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

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.

Living Nativity 6:00, First Baptist Church KCMO. The drive-through living Nativity is narrated with six scenes of actors and live animals. FBKCMO.net

19 Monday

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

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

20 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

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.

Santa’s Wonderland Thru Dec 24, Bass Pro and Cabelas. Play games, write letters to the North Pole and visit Santa. Pre-reg for Santa visit and photo. BassPro.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.

21 Wednesday

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

Family Holiday B-I-N-G-HO-HO-HO 11:30, Mill Creek Activity Center. A fun event for winter break! Pizza lunch served at 11:30, bingo to follow. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

22 Thursday

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.

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

Sar-Ko-Aglow Thru Jan 16, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Take a nighttime stroll around Rose’s Pond to view the beautiful annual light display. Lenexa.com

A Christmas Carol 2:00 & 8:00, Spencer Theatre. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey to discover the true meaning of the holidays. KCRep.org

23 Friday

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

A Charlie Brown Christmas 2:00, 4:00 & 7:00, Coterie Theatre. The animated classic comes to life on stage, and a live jazz trio plays the original arrangements! TheCoterie.org

Alpaca Christmas 4:30, YaYa’s Alpaca Farm. See the farm lit up for the holidays and end in the barn decked out with Christmas cheer! Pre-reg at YaYasAlpacaFarm.com.

24 Saturday Christmas Eve

Outdoor Ice-Skating 10:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace. Bring the family to enjoy a day of skating at Kansas City’s original outdoor iceskating rink. CrownCenter.com

Christmas Eve Services 3:00, 5:00 & 11:00, Lenexa Baptist Church. Start your Christmas celebration with a candlelight service. LenexaBaptist.com

25 Sunday

CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas from KC Parent ! Thanks to the Kansas City community for 37 years of readership and support!

26 Monday

Holiday Bricktacular Thru Jan 1, Legoland Discovery Center. Celebrate the most wonderful time of year with a holiday family fun event! LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com

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

27 Tuesday

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

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

Mrs Claus Tells All 6:00, MCPL (Buckner). Hear about the time Santa got stuck in a chimney and learn Santa’s favorite cookie. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

28 Wednesday

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

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.

29 Thursday

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

Christmas Tours 10:00, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. The estate is decked out in holiday splendor and decorated for Christmas. BWEstate.net/upcoming-events

30 Friday

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.

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

Glow Skate 7:00, TB Hanna Station. Enjoy music, hot chocolate, glow sticks, paint and games. All ages. Pre-reg at 816.322.2791 or Raymore.com.

31 Saturday

New Year’s Eve

We wish you a happy New Year, KC Parent readers!

Zoo Year’s Eve 9:30, Kansas City Zoo. Kick off the party early with a countdown to noon! Party hats, games, music and more! KansasCityZoo.org

Nature Art: Winter Wonderland 10:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Gather dried stems, leaves, berries, nuts and more to create a masterpiece! MDC.MO.gov

Countdown to New Year’s 11:00, MCPL (Red Bridge). A countdown to noon with games, STEAM activities and a balloon drop. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Noon Year’s Eve Noon, Science City. Welcome 2023 with family activities in a safe, kid-friendly environment. UnionStation.org

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