MOM-ING IS ENOUGH–AND SO ARE YOU!
A PLAZA DATE NIGHT
"If you buy only one holiday album this season, this is it." Christianity Today
“Melanie Penn dazzles with her musical gift.” Huffington Post
The Culture House School of Dance
Oh, December, you are a force to be reckoned with! My first-born arrived a week before Christmas many years ago, and life was forever changed. We were beginning to create our own family traditions, slowing down to savor the holidays through the eyes of a child and layering in a birthday celebration when the whole month felt chaotic.
This December, I invite you to sit with me for a few moments to take a fresh look at this month. Having tried – and more than once epically failed – at creating and embracing the magic of the season, I invited our staff and contributors to share their tried-and-true celebrations, their highlight reel, the things they simply must make happen in December. Perhaps something will resonate with you – whether to try or let go of! And let’s be honest, sometimes the best part of a season is letting go and allowing yourself to be enough. Thank you, Kim, for your insight in this regard (pg. 26).
As we share some of the best, I feel compelled to assure you if the worst happens, there’s grace to rebound when things go awry! Check out a living Nativity or production this season to explore the first Christmas story and its potential relevance to today. You can find great resources for this online at KCParent.com.
Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com
Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com
Editor Lauri Clapper Lauri@FamilyMediaGroup.com
Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design TappanDesign@Gmail.com
Advertising Sales
Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com
Digital Engagement Manager Halley Zitterkopf Halley@KCParent.com
Copy Editor Kelsey Beck Kelsey@KCParent.com
Intern
Iris Enna
Distribution
To be added to our distribution list, email Distribution@KCParent.com
Local Contributing Writers
Kim Antisdel (Liberty), Hannah Barry (Kansas City), William R. Bartlett (Kansas City), Kelsey Beck (Raytown), Allie Cole (Lenexa), Janelle Cumro-Sultzer (Manhattan), Adrienne Doring (Prairie Village), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Elizabeth Hammond (Overland Park), Regan Lyons (St. Joseph), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Kerrie McLoughlin (Peculiar), Alicia Mock (Overland Park), Kailyn Rhinehart (Warrensburg), Petra Tupy (Leawood)
Mailing Address
11937 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax
PARENT IS GIVING AWAY 2 FAMILY 4-PACKS WITH PIT PASSES TO MONSTER JAM (A $640 VALUE)!
For details and to enter, head to KCParent.com.
December provides a swirl of activities. As the pace quickens toward the big day and all that we do to celebrate the season, I always say, “Be sure to write it down and show up!” My greatest wish for you this season is to savor the moments of the season fully present.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year, Kansas City!
Lauri Clapper, Editor
2 KC’s sweet shop that started in Waldo in 1945 and recently added locations in NKC.
6 Location of Kansas City Ballet Nutcracker beloved holiday performance.
2. KC's sweet shop that started in Waldo in 1945 and recently added locations in NKC.
1 Photo Clue: This stunning walk-through holiday village transforms a historic Kansas City landmark. (2 words)
6. Location of Kansas City Ballet Nutcracker beloved holiday performance.
8 A mega holiday light spectacular in North Kansas City. (2 words)
8. A mega holiday light spectacular in North Kansas City. (2 words)
9 A crown-inspired light display in a northern shopping district. (2 words)
10 Serving Kansas City their famous gourmet popcorn since 1950 in an iconic Plaza tin.
9. A crown-inspired light display in a northern shopping district. (2 words)
3 The Fairy ______ arrives each holiday season at the Kansas City Museum.
1. This stunning walk-through holiday village transforms a historic Kansas City landmark. (2 words)
4 Site of Kansas City’s most iconic holiday display that flips on annually every Thanksgiving evening.
3. The Fairy arrives each holiday season at the Kansas City Museum. (2 words)
5 Name of OP Arboretum’s illuminated garden paths during the holidays.
4. Kansas City’s most iconic holiday display that flips on annually every Thanksgiving evening.
7 This tree towers over 100 feet at Crown Center each year.
10. Serving Kansas City their famous gourmet popcorn since 1950 in an iconic Plaza tin.
5. Name of OP Arboretum's illuminated garden paths during the holidays.
7. This tree towers over 100 feet at Crown Center each year.
For this month’s date night, head back to the Country Club Plaza for one (or more!) of these stellar options!
At Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, you get sushi served on a conveyor belt. When it opened in late 2023, my husband and I just knew we had to try it. Each plate of sushi is $3.25, and you can take as many plates as you want. You’ll also find nigiri, cheesecake and appetizers like edamame on the belt. You can use the monitor at your table to order drinks, soup, ramen and anything you want that doesn’t come by soon enough. The items you order will be delivered by separate conveyer belt, your waiter or a robot. My husband and I each had four plates of sushi, all delicious! (Pro tip: Be sure to download Kura’s app so you can use their waitlist. Also, check out the heated toilet seats and bidets in the bathrooms!)
Strang Chef Collective is a new-ish, two-level food hall located in the Cascade Hotel. It is home to four chef-driven restaurants: Forage (New American), Khai-Noy (Asian), Verde (Latin American) and Parma (Italian). There is also a bar on each level. The atmosphere is upscale and modern, but still manages to feel comfortable and unassuming. On our recent visit, we started by sharing spring rolls at Khai-Noy. Then I ordered the roasted papas (potato) tacos from Verde while my other half had KhaiNoy’s stir-fry. It was all delicious, but I absolutely loved the tacos. We look forward to trying other menu items on a future visit. (Note: We went on a Sunday for lunch and they weren’t too busy. However, I’m told they get quite crowded at other times, so keep that in mind when choosing the day and time of your visit.)
Made in KC is a local business with an online store, several neighborhood shops, a downtown cafe and bar, and marketplaces that are a combination of shop and cafe. Their flagship location on the Plaza features a wide range of goods from KC makers and artists, including apparel, gifts, alcohol, jewelry, cards, home décor and more. This location has a coffee shop with pastries, light breakfast and lunch items, ice cream and Brazilian truffles, plus a full-service bar. We like to grab something at the bar during happy hour then walk around the store to check out all the fun Kansas City-themed items. It’s a great start to a date night, and we rarely leave empty-handed!!
Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives in the Northland with her husband. They love to explore Kansas City and try new restaurants and activities. Check out her Facebook page, Out & About in KC.
BY PEGGY GISLER AND MARGE EBERTS
Considering only about 10% of the 50% of us who make resolutions succeed in accomplishing them, it makes one wonder if this is something that children need to do. Resolutions typically imply that there is something we need to do to improve ourselves because we are not quite good enough as we are. This might not be the message we want to give our children.
Instead, encourage your child to focus on a goal or two for the coming year. Working toward a goal can give children a feeling of accomplishment. Goals should be reasonable and not too broad. For example, while a child’s ultimate goal might be to become a better baseball player, it is far better to set a smaller goal of playing catch every Saturday morning to improve his baseball skills. Another trick is to mark on a calendar every time your child works on her goal. This gives children a visual picture of their progress.
A goal does not necessarily have to be focused on selfimprovement. Your child could make a bucket list of things he or she would like to try in the coming year, such as taking a special hike, doing something specific to improve the environment or taking dance lessons. The bucket list can be posted in a conspicuous spot so things can be crossed off when they are accomplished.
Half the school year will be over shortly. It is time to take stock and think about any changes you may need to make to help your child succeed. Consider the following:
• Do you need to chat with the teacher?
• Is the child participating in so many activities that they interfere with his or her schooling?
• For older children: Should they be enrolled in a more or less challenging class load?
• Does the family’s daily routine work, from homework to bedtime to mealtime?
PARENTS: With the holidays rapidly approaching, you may be contemplating giving books to your beginning readers. Though they may be attractive, you may want to think twice about giving your children books with a lot of engaging and colorful illustrations.
A project supported by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education discovered that children have an easier time focusing on the story and demonstrate better reading comprehension when reading books that include only relevant illustrations. When there are extraneous illustrations, the child’s gaze tends to shift away from the text.
Our Skinny Books, available in paper and on apps, have absolutely no illustrations. They are leading the way in improving the design of beginning reading materials. You can find them on our website.
PARENTS: Nothing is more important to academic success than good reading skills. Parents usually have a good idea if their child is having reading difficulties. If a parent had trouble learning to read, that’s a big indicator that a child might too.
Don’t sit back and wait for your children to pick up the necessary reading skills for their age. It’s far better to be proactive and find out if your child really needs some extra help. If you have a preschooler who is having trouble naming letters, can’t retell stories or has a limited vocabulary, it is not too early to seek help. If you suspect a problem, your preschooler can be evaluated for free through the “Child Find” program. Your school district will have information on how to get your child evaluated.
When a child starts elementary school and parents get an inkling of a reading problem from the child’s work, teacher comments or grades, it is time to talk to the reading teacher.
As a parent, you need to learn two things: (1) Is it a serious problem requiring testing and special help, or (2) can the problem be resolved with some extra help from the teacher or at home?
Serious problems require a diagnosis of a learning disability and special services from the school. However, this will not improve a child’s reading overnight. For lesser problems, you can visit our website and find “Improving Children’s Reading Skills with Techniques That Work at Home” in the Skill Builders section. This guide details the techniques that most reading experts consider to be effective and that can yield rapid improvement in reading skills.
Depending on the severity of a reading disability, outside help from a tutor or learning center can be helpful. Another avenue of help (which is usually free) is a college reading clinic.
©Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2024
’Tis the season for celebration, but do you know why you are celebrating? Unpack the mystery of Jesus, why his coming was hoped for and heralded and whether it is, in fact, relevant to life today. December is plenty busy, and in that context, this study gives us something to not only focus on but also to elevate our conversation. NotConsumed.com
The grandparents need this – photos from your phone to their frame, instantly! For example, if you’re in KC and the grandparents are in Pennsylvania, set them up with the frame, get the app on your phone and post photos straight from your phone to their frame! Worth every single penny! Enjoy sharing! AuraFrames.com
I enjoy all the things that shimmer and shine at the holidays. One of my favorites is packing the family (even the dog) into the car, pajamas optional, with blankets and hot cocoa at hand and holiday music on. We cruise the town to take in all the twinkle lighting up the dark night. Be sure to catch Holiday Reflections at Union Station, Jingle! at Legends Field and Winter Magic in KCK. Visit KCParent.com for light displays across the metro.
Compiled by Lauri Clapper
An absolute game changer! I love paper and lists, and I am tactile by nature. But my paper overwhelmed me! In reMarkable Paper Pro
I found something that allows me to replace my paper with something that still feels like paper. The device gives a limitless paper-like experience. I can write and read – and I’m not tempted by email or the internet. I love it. Oh, and their unboxing experience is top notch for gifting! reMarkable.com
Words fail to accurately articulate how darling this Santa sack is – and personalized, no less! Petit Paradis creates and prints each piece individually, with perfection in every detail. Celebrate milestones and create lasting memories with precious, one-ofa-kind products. I chose the Santa sack; they also personalize posters, clothing and other gifts! PetitParadisKids.com
JESSE JAMES BANK MUSEUM
103 N. Water St., Liberty | VisitClayMO.com
Visit the site of the first daytime, peacetime bank robbery in U.S. history, committed by the infamous Jesse James gang in 1866. The museum offers a look into the history of the robbery and Missouri life during that era. Visitors can also enjoy Liberty’s charming historic square with local cafes, boutiques and First Thursdays events featuring late-night shopping and entertainment.
C.W. PARKER CAROUSEL MUSEUM
320 S. Esplanade, Leavenworth | FirstCityMuseumsLHMA.org
Learn about the history of carousels while exploring vintage rides and artifacts. The museum creates a nostalgic experience by bringing the magic and craftsmanship of the early-20thcentury amusement industry to life. The highlight is a ride on a beautifully restored antique carousel.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF TOYS AND MINIATURES
5235 Oak St., KC, Mo. | ToyAndMiniatureMuseum.org
Here you’ll find the world’s largest collection of fine-scale miniatures and one of the biggest antique toy collections in the U.S. This nostalgic showcase of history and craftsmanship is a must-see for visitors of all ages.
THE RABBIT HOLE
919 E. 14th Ave., North KC, Mo. | RabbitHoleKC.org
The Rabbit hOle is a one-of-a-kind immersive museum dedicated to children’s literature. Step into the pages of beloved books through exhibits that bring stories to life. It’s a magical experience for children and book lovers of all ages.
HALLMARK VISITORS CENTER
2450 Grand Blvd., KC, Mo. | HallmarkVisitorsCenter.com
The interactive visitors center showcases Hallmark’s history and creative process. Exhibits celebrate Hallmark’s influence on American culture, from greeting cards to iconic holiday moments.
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, 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.
Another way to save on birthday expenses is to replace balloons with party lanterns. You can purchase these for about the same price as balloons, but instead of getting a one-time use, you can utilize them over and over again. By choosing a variety of neutral colors, you will save money and enjoy a very festive look.
Once the party’s over, theme-specific 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 to make a festive wreath. Possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
Both locations now open
Heritage Park: With a 40-acre lake, multiple trails and plenty of open spaces for outdoor activities, this park is a peaceful winter retreat. In the winter, the park’s trails are ideal for hiking or cross-country skiing when covered in snow. The large hills in the park make it a favorite spot for sledding during snowy days. JCPRD.com
Blue Springs Lake: Home to a vast 720acre lake, this park is a haven for water sports and outdoor adventures. The Lake Vista Trails, a 5-mile scenic loop, offer breathtaking views of the lake, along with bridges, hills and forested areas. In winter, the park becomes a serene escape for hiking on frosty trails or enjoying the quiet beauty of the snow-covered landscape. MakeYourDayHere.com
Stocksdale Park: While its trails provide a peaceful setting for winter walks and hikes, the park’s hills are popular for sledding. The park is also home to a large dog park, making it a great destination in Liberty for pet owners looking to enjoy outdoor activities during the colder months. LibertyMissouri.gov
Watkins Mill State Park: This park offers a peaceful, paved trail around its 100-acre lake, perfect for walking or biking. Guests can tour the antebellum-era historic home and woolen mill, which provide a glimpse into 19th-century life and a cozy, historical diversion from the cold during a winter hike. MoStateParks.com
Ernie Miller Nature Center: Children and families love visiting the nature center to see live animals and explore handson exhibits. The surrounding trails wind through the woods and near the creek, offering a variety of paths depending on how long you wish to hike. During winter, enjoy educational winter-themed programs or guided nature walks, and explore the serene, snow-blanketed woods. JCPRD.com
“Dad, come and look at what Snorri and Maggie did.” Ian stood before me with his arms crossed.
It didn’t take long for our two dogs to get used to the Christmas tree. By the time we’d boxed up all the unused decorations, they’d resumed running around the house in their rowdy and, sometimes, vicious play. This time, in addition to pulling out the tree skirt, one, or both, of them had rammed into the artificial tree and bent some branches.
Maggie Bea, a Boston Boxer, joined our family at two months of age the year before. Snorri Grongdoggerson, a pit bull terrier mix, came to us that year, a few months earlier when he approached Sandi one evening as she returned home from work. Both were a little over a year old that Christmas and loved their two favorite pastimes, playing with one another and sleeping.
“They’re just toddlers, Ian. They’ll settle down as they get older.”
James wasn’t so sure. “What are we going to do? Let them ruin our Christmas tree?”
“Easy, guys, it’s not as bad as you think.”
If we couldn’t wait for them to calm down as they matured, we’d simply make things puppy-proof, just as we had done when James and Ian were toddlers.
Sandi spoke up. “Maybe if we get it out of their way.”
The light bulb came on. “You’re a genius. We’ll get the little table out of the closet, set the legs to the lowest level, and put the tree on it. Since the bottom branches are broken, I’ll just remove them and cut our tree down to fit.”
On Christmas morning, James radiated peace and goodwill as he handed a treat to the Boston Boxer. “Merry Christmas, Maggie.”
Ian followed suit with another treat. “Here, Snorri. Merry Christmas.”
William R. Bartlett lives in Kansas City with his family.
“Life Skills Every Child Needs” is a seven-part series to help you raise happy and successful kids. Based on the book Mind in the Making by Ellen Galinsky, the series condenses years of research in children’s brain development and learning for your action as a parent or caregiver. Find more profoundly helpful resources at MindInTheMaking.org.
Have you ever wondered why some people are artists, writers or inventors? How is it that some people quickly understand the way a story works or the heart of a poem? At least part of the answer is that those persons are able to make connections between bits of information to build a broader understanding.
School teachers understand the importance of making connections. Those students able to find the connections between various pieces of information arrive at correct conclusions faster and also come up with a unique understanding. They’re good thinkers and often creative thinkers.
Very young children develop a sense of object. That is, they identify the things they see in their environment: toys, clothing, food items. They also develop a sense of space that is location and direction. And thirdly, they develop a number sense, the concept of the number of objects or how much of something. These basic skills later grow into understandings in physics, geometry and general mathematics. Combined with executive functions such as focus, communication and perspectivetaking, children make connections that lead to basic understanding and sometimes to unique, creative ways of thinking.
Making connections is at the heart of all learning. We determine what is the same and what is different. We sort things into categories and see the relationships between parts. Making connections goes beyond memorization to using the information to gain broader understanding. Real learning happens when we see connections between various facts, findings and concepts.
Learning to make connections involves remembering two or more “rules” at a time, such as sorting blue toys into one basket and red into another. Focus skills pave the way
for seeing and making connections. Making connections helps children understand their environment, how one thing relates to another. It helps them learn right and wrong and make good decisions.
Parents can support the development of making connections skills in many ways. Here are some of them.
• Include the arts in your child’s early learning years. Dance, music, drawing and drama have been shown to have a positive influence on cognitive learning. For example, taking music lessons can increase mathematical understanding.
• Follow your child’s unique interests and introduce him or her to that world. If he loves Star Wars, find books and information about space. If she loves seashells, find books and videos about the ocean.
• Teach your child that making mistakes is an essential part of learning. All great thinkers have tried many theories before coming to important conclusions. Too much focus on the “right answer” can stop children from thinking creatively.
• Purchase toys that promote open-ended play. Allow experimentation and don’t insist on the “right way” to play with them. Instead ask, “Where do you think that block should go? Can you find a shorter one?”
• Play games that require spatial language such as moving forward and back, up and down, near and far. “Take five steps forward and then turn around.” A sense of space is important to mathematical learning.
• Play games that build a sense of number and quantity. “How many doggies do you see? Can you show me five doggies and then one more?” Or, “There are three cookies.”
• Encourage early learning games that include sorting in many different ways: which one doesn’t belong, memory games, matching games, what is alike or different. Have your child build patterns and extend them.
• Allow flights of fancy where creative ideas and solutions are OK even if they don’t “work.” Making new and startling connections is the way inventions come into being.
• Encourage early writing skills that focus on creating interesting characters, settings and storylines. Allow the child to dictate stories while you write, and later allow for inventive spellings as unique stories are created. Encourage your children to change a story ending or add a character to a favorite, well-known story. Or have them write themselves into a favorite story.
Making connections is an important skill in all of learning. It’s especially important in reading comprehension skills. Whenever your children can find a similar character, setting or storyline or see differences between them, they’re making important connections that lead to broader understanding. Your efforts to encourage your child in this important skill will pay dividends all throughout life.
Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher and reading specialist. She is the author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun. She specializes in articles on education, family life and parenting. Find Jan at JanPierce.net
*Ellen Galinsky is the author of Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs, the book on which this series is based.
There are only so many minutes in the day, and somehow, they always seem to be filled. Whether you’re a working mom, stay-at-home mom or a hybrid of both, every second is accounted for with appointments, to-do lists and a neverending stream of laundry. (Seriously, where does it all come from?)
It’s easy to get lost in the feeling that we as moms are not doing enough. The house should be cleaner, our children should be at higher reading levels and we should really work out today so we can fit into those pre-baby jeans. ENOUGH. Stop the negative self-talk right this minute. Being a mom is hard. Super hard. Like, getting into Harvard without the benefit of looking like Reese Witherspoon hard. You don’t need to make it worse by cataloguing all of your faults on a daily basis. Here’s a list of stressors you can let go of today. You have our permission.
Did you know 87% of households have dishes in the sink at all times? OK, that’s a completely fabricated statistic, but there’s also no way it’s incorrect. Yes, it’s double the work to put dishes in the sink only to later put them in the dishwasher, but guess what? It happens. So don’t sweat it. Those dishes aren’t hurting anyone. And if it means you get a few extra seconds on the couch with your feet up to recover from a long day, more power to you.
Being a mom means having a lot of balls in the air. And sometimes, even if you’re the most organized person on earth, a bill slips through the cracks. Then when that dreaded “LATE NOTICE” arrives in the mail, your heart sinks and you cringe. You’ve failed. Yet again. Easy there, sister. Running a household in 2024 is incredibly time-consuming and there are way more bills than you ever thought possible: utilities, insurance, mortgage,
daycare, subscription services, groceries … the list is never-ending. Give yourself some grace and realize that it’s going to be all right. Forgive yourself, pay the $5 late charge and move on. (Pro tip: Delegate the responsibility for a few bills to your partner!)
I’ve never in my life walked into a home and examined the bottom of someone’s walls. Their medicine cabinet? Absolutely. But baseboards? Girl, please. If I’m in your home, I’m there to see you, not your housekeeping shortcomings. Let that anxiety go. Once or twice a year, consider hiring a company to give the bases a good scrubbing, or enlist your kids. They’re closer to the ground anyway.
I feel this might be controversial, as we must acknowledge that some people have allergies or general aversions to visible pet hair. My suggestion? If you’re having those people over, do a once-over gentle cleaning to set their minds at ease. That said, no one should ever apologize for a light sprinkling of pet hair in their home. Pets are family. They love us unconditionally and we love them right back. Hair is a part of the deal. While it’s not terribly sanitary to have every surface covered in dander, give yourself a break. It’s just a little love dusting.
Maybe it’s a junk drawer. Or your treadmill. Somewhere in your house there’s a spot where ALL THE THINGS go to be ignored. Don’t let it get you down. One day the chaos will die down and you’ll have time to clean it all up. It’s just not today—and that’s just fine.
It’s easy to become convinced that the mind that carried you through law school or got you into your first job right out of college is slowly slipping away. (I swear every time I hear the Paw Patrol theme, at least 10 brain cells die.) At this time in your life, you simply may not have the time to consume the works of Dostoevsky. That doesn’t mean you’re no longer smart or that you don’t have anything worthwhile to say. If you truly feel like the intellectual side of your brain is waning, consider listening to an audiobook while you drive back and forth to soccer practice, or
turn off Netflix a few minutes early and get into a page-turner. Consider enlisting your family members, too. Set aside a weeknight where everyone reads for 20 minutes— no exceptions. Mental strengthening is important, no matter your age.
COOKING
Those hundreds of saved TikTok recipes aren’t getting out of the interwebs tonight. Let go of the burden of being Gordon Ramsey. Frozen pizza it is!
You know her. The one who seemingly has all the friends, hosts all the parties and has the hookup for the salon with the best highlights. Let someone else be that person. You be you, and be OK with it.
Skinny jeans are out. Wide leg jeans are in. Cold shoulder tops are so yesterday. But now skinny jeans are back? The tornado of trends is a literal time and energy suck. Wear what you want. The people who matter won’t mind. And the people who mind? They don’t really matter.
When did we start worrying about our 5-year-old son’s football career? Take a breath, Mama. Kids’ brains are barely functional enough to take a proper shower, let alone understand the implications of future sports and music careers. Let the kids play while you sit down and enjoy that book we talked about earlier.
If you like it, great. If you don’t, fantastic. There’s not a homeowner’s association on earth that requires you to dress your house in red hearts for Valentine’s Day or twinkling lights for Christmas. If someone wants to form an opinion on your lack (or excess) of holiday dressing, they can help you pay the mortgage.
Kim Antisdel is a freelance writer and interior design sales rep for KC. She lives in Liberty with her husband, stepdaughters and son.
We gathered holiday traditions and recipes from our staff and writers as a way to celebrate the season!
Each holiday season, our family upholds the tradition of doing something for our community. One of our favorite ways to contribute is to make life a little better for those who might be having a challenging Christmas. Nowhere is that truer than at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Many kids and teens are spending their holiday undergoing tests or dealing with medical conditions that put a damper on the joy the season should bring. We go to the store, select super fun toys and games (kid-approved, of course!) and bring them in person to the hospital. Our favorite part is seeing the Children’s Mercy staff smile when the donations are delivered.
We love carving out time to experience Journey to Judea, a living nativity experience at Countryside Church in Overland Park. We brave whatever weather may come, invite some friends along, wander through history and finish the evening with Mexican food! It puts the coming of Christ-mas in perspective for our family. The staff is exceptionally gracious and accommodating, my kids love the cocoa and treats as we wait for our journey to begin, and the experience is delightful and insightful from start to finish.
One of our family’s favorite holiday traditions is making our way to the beautiful Union Station! I love piling in our vehicle, grabbing some local coffee at Parisi, then walking into the main hall and looking up at the beautifully preserved ceilings. Hearing visiting choirs or local pianists showcase their talent surrounded by greenery, lights and massive trees is a nostalgic and joyful experience. We usually wander over to Crown Center for the mayor’s Christmas tree, ice cream, Topsy’s popcorn and taffy from the Candy Barrel. Then we ride up the Westin elevators to take in the view of the city. Kansas City is a magical place for our family during the holiday season!
One of our family’s cherished Kansas City traditions is enjoying the dazzling Christmas lights. A favorite destination is Sar-Ko Aglow at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, where the walking trail winds around a picturesque pond, complete with a large bridge and an island sculpture. Each tree along the path glimmers with colorful lights.
The festively decorated old train car invites our kids to climb aboard and pretend to drive. We’ve even had the surprise joy of meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the park’s cozy gazebo! Some years, we carry steaming mugs of hot cocoa to sip as we stroll; other times, we save it for a warm treat after our chilly walk. Sar-Ko Aglow is a beautiful display that we look forward to every year.
I get sentimental every time I hear “Christmas in Kansas City” on the radio. There’s something about the homage to the Plaza lights that makes me want to see them for myself every year! Our family enjoys taking a stroll (and occasionally, a bedazzled horse-drawn carriage ride) around the Plaza once it’s decked out for the holidays. Occasionally we’ll eat out at one of the area’s fine restaurants, but regardless, we have to get hot chocolate. (My personal favorite is Christopher Elbow’s spiced noir drinking chocolate— the chilis warm your throat much like a hot toddy!) Afterward, we like to stream our favorite Christmas tunes while driving through Crown Center and by the historic Wornall House.
I love to take my girls to The Nutcracker by the KC Ballet. We all dress up, go to the show and then go out to dinner together.
Many of our contributors enjoy holiday lights outings. Favorite mentions include Crown Center (the Ice Terrace and the mayor’s Christmas tree), Union Station, the Luminary Walk at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Candy Cane Lane, the Plaza and Winter Magic. In fact, Adrienne Doring says, “Throughout the season, we take different routes to view neighborhoods suggested in KC Parent. Sometimes we even find some entrepreneurial children offering hot chocolate for sale!”
For the past 15 years, the Gimotty family has celebrated Christmas Eve by attending a candlelight service at Providence Community Church, a tradition that brings us together in reflection and joy. After the service, we gather around the table for a tasty meal of fondue, featuring two types of cheese – Michael prefers Emmental, while the rest of the family enjoys cheddar – and we always end with a rich chocolate fondue for dessert. To keep things simple and avoid the fuss of hot oil (it was a disaster one year), we usually serve meatballs on the side, making the evening both delicious and more stress-free.
Family traditions are worth the time and effort.
Our family is lucky in that we are usually in celebration mode from September to mid-January! Jewish holidays follow the lunisolar calendar (based on the cycles of both the sun and the moon) so they are not set on the same day every year. Hanukkah is usually celebrated sometime in November or December. Our extended families are Christian, so we get to celebrate Christmas too! While we don’t put up a tree in our home, we do have special Hanukkah traditions. We light the menorah for eight nights, and at least one night we have a big Hanukkah party where we eat special food, play dreidel and have a dance party. It’s a celebration we look forward to each year!
The only holiday tradition my family has is that we have no traditions. Food could be anything from classic turkey and mashed potatoes to lasagna to tacos. For years, I made pumpkin pie (my favorite holiday dessert) for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. Now I like to buy them from Costco because they are huge and cheap!
My husband and I have recently started traditions with his kids and their significant others, including buying everyone new holiday-themed socks and sharing a pajama brunch. Last year, my husband and I went on a cruise for Thanksgiving, and we’re doing the same thing this year. Does twice make it a tradition?
I start listening to Christmas music as soon as the weather chills, and definitely before Thanksgiving! Though we try to focus on Thanksgiving before everything gives way to Christmas, I simply cannot avoid it. Music so profoundly sets me up for the season. Favorite tunes resonate whether they’re classic carols, contemporary hymns or works of wit and whimsy. I absolutely adore The Snow Globes, a Kansas City-based band with a truly fun twist on holiday music. TheSnowGlobes.com
Every Christmas Eve our kids get to open two gifts. One is a box containing their matching holiday pajamas, a Christmas book and a sweet Christmas treat like a hot cocoa bomb or Christmas cookie. The second gift is their Christmas ornament. When we were dating, my husband and I started the tradition of buying a special ornament for each other every year. We have continued the tradition with our children. The ornament usually signifies something special that happened, an accomplishment or something the kids really enjoyed that year. This way, when they grow up and move out, they’ll have all of their ornaments with a memory from each year.
One of our most cherished traditions is our trip to Weston to eat barbecue and find a family ornament for the Christmas tree. While we’re there we seek out Father Christmas, who wanders the town in his long red velvet robe, ringing antique brass Christmas bells and posing for nostalgic photos in front of 100-year-old buildings. The drive through the winding roads and northern hills gives our family time to reconnect, anticipate all the shop windows decorated for Christmas and experience some Norman Rockwell charm, if just for an afternoon! After 23 years, this tradition never gets old!
We tell our children the story of Saint Nicholas (later nicknamed Santa Claus), who according to tradition would toss gold coins through windows or down chimneys to help the poor. Some of these landed in shoes or stockings left by the door or fireplace. Our family sets out our shoes the night before Christmas and wakes to find them filled with gold-wrapped chocolate coins, candy canes and other goodies.
Our family has only had one year where we didn’t go to Silver Dollar City during the Christmas season—and we promptly vowed we’d never skip it again! After all, it just isn’t Christmastime until you’ve beheld the six million lights strung across Main Street, smelled the scent of fresh cinnamon bread wafting through the air or heard old-time carols off in the distance. (Pro tip: Buy hand warmers in bulk at Costco for chilly days at the park.) The Broadway-style musical version of A Christmas Carol in the Opera House is the cherry on top! On our way to the park, we love adding to the experience by visiting Santa’s Wonderland at the flagship Bass Pro Shop in Springfield (it’s free and bigger than the stores in our neck of the woods). And our favorite drive-through light show is at Big Cedar Lodge.
A fancy glass elevates a favorite holiday drink— our family likes to toast with eggnog with a dash of nutmeg on top. Kids feel very special using champagne flutes!
CHEERS TO 2025!!
I love these cookies because the sugars get caramelized and the flavor is festive and perfect for the holidays. The only real requirement is an oven with a broiler element in the top. Depending how large I make them, my yield is 50–60 cookies, done in less than 20 minutes of baking time.
1. Set the oven rack about 12 inches below the broiler element, then turn the broiler to high.
2. I use the cookie recipe on the back of the Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels package as a starting point, with some tweaks to fit our family’s tastes. That being said, use your favorite recipe. Making broiled cookies is more a technique than a recipe.
3. Now it’s time to test your broiler. Imagine your baking sheet is divided into four squares. Place one cookie scoop in the center of each square, put it on the oven rack, and set a timer for four minutes. This is not the time to multitask. These four minutes will go incredibly fast, and it’s important to get the cookies out as soon as the timer sounds to keep them from burning. They cookies should be a mottled brown with the darker portions on the higher parts of the cookie. (If they come out black, the high broiler is too hot. Reset the broiler to low, wait for it to cool and repeat the test.) If the cookies lack the color mottling, leave the broiler on high and put them back in for another minute. Continue to experiment until you have the timing right.
4. Because broiling is hotter than baking, the cookies may seem underdone if you try to remove them from the cookie sheet too soon. Give them about five minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack for cooling.
This recipe must be amazing! It’s contributed by both Kelsey and Kerrie. It’s merged here with each of their tips
Kelsey shares, “Our family’s traditional Christmas treat is what we call Hello Dolly Bars. I believe most people know them as seven-layer bars, but we’ve tweaked the recipe to fit my dad’s picky palate (mainly by doubling the chocolate)!” Kerrie adds, “Everyone in our home loves theses Heavenly Bars (better cold!), and they are great for giving away.”
INGREDIENTS
1/2 c. butter
1-1/2 c. finely crushed graham crackers
1 14-oz. can (1-1/3 c.) sweetened condensed milk
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1 c. butterscotch chips (or substitute more chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or whatever you like)
1/2 c. flaked coconut (or more – if you like!)
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (nuts optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Melt butter or margarine and stir in crushed graham crackers.
2. Pat crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 baking pan.
3. Layer, in order, chocolate chips, coconut and walnuts.
4. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over all.
5. Bake at 350° for 20-30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool before cutting into bars.
We have been making—and sharing—peppermint bark since my kids were toddlers. Admittedly, spreading the chocolate is challenging, but the kids love breaking up the bark and packaging it to give away. It truly is an experience and a flavor of the season for us.
1 bag white candy melts
1 bag chocolate/cocoa candy melts
12 candy canes
2-1/2 t. peppermint extract (not oil)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Line flat pan or cookie sheet with aluminum foil (10x15 is the perfect size).
2. Heat chocolate candy melts in double boiler (follow instructions on package).
3. Add peppermint extract to melted chocolate.
4. Spread melted chocolate flat-ish across the foil-covered pan.
5. Put pan in fridge for 10 minutes to cool.
6. Melt white chocolate candy.
7. While the white chocolate is melting, smash 12 candy canes in a Ziploc bag.
8. Pour white chocolate over dark chocolate.
9. Sprinkle candy cane pieces over the chocolate and lightly press in.
10. Put in fridge to cool (30-plus minutes).
11. Break up the bark and enjoy.
When I (Susan) was growing up, my mom would make wassail every year and invite all the neighbors over for a Christmas open house. I continue to make wassail and invite our church family over. The aroma fills the whole house while it’s simmering. I have had it for 55 years now, and our kids have had it for 22 years!
INGREDIENTS
64 oz. cranberry juice cocktail
64 oz. water
1 can pineapple juice frozen concentrate
1 can apple juice frozen concentrate
1 can orange juice frozen concentrate
10 cinnamon sticks
16 oz. Red Hots
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine ingredients in a large pot.
2. Simmer at least 2–4 hours.
3. Dilute if too strong for your liking. You can refrigerate and reheat any leftovers.
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”
~ Charles Schultz
For the past 25 years, this cake has been a Christmas Eve tradition. I still have the tattered and stained pages of my 1998 issue of Southern Living magazine tucked away in my “favorites” corner of the dining room. I treasure this recipe, and I hope you do too!
1 18.25-oz. package white cake mix
3 egg whites
1-1/3 c. buttermilk
2 T. vegetable oil
1 9-oz. package (or 1-3/4 c.) yellow cake mix
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 large egg
1-1/2 T. cocoa powder
1/2 t. baking soda
2 T. red food coloring (liquid)
1 t. cider vinegar
Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8-oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 c. butter, softened
1 2-lb. package powdered sugar
2 t. peppermint extract
OR
3 16-oz. containers ready-to-spread cream cheese frosting
2 t. peppermint extract
Garnishes
6 5-inch green candy canes, broken
12 round peppermint candies
1. Beat the first four ingredients according to cake mix package instructions.
2. Beat yellow cake mix and the next six ingredients according to cake mix package instructions.
3. Spoon red batter alternately with white batter into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans. Swirl batter gently with a knife.
4. Bake at 350° for 20–25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
5. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes, then remove cakes from pans and cool on wire racks.
6. Make the peppermint cream cheese frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at low speed until smooth. Add peppermint extract, beating until blended. OR, for quick peppermint frosting, stir together ready-to-spread cream cheese frosting and peppermint extract.
7. Spread frosting between the layers and on top of the cake.
8. Garnish, if desired. Do not refrigerate after garnishing. Serve within 2 hours.
Tip: Cake may be chilled up to 2 days or frozen up to 1 month. If cake is frozen, thaw completely before garnishing to prevent crushed candy from running.
Recipe courtesy of Southern Living magazine
We serve this recipe with our Thanksgiving turkey and usually with our Christmas ham as well. We fondly call it “Pink Stuff.” It’s an (almost) guaranteed hit!
INGREDIENTS
16 oz. cranberries 1-1/2 c. sugar
1 small can crushed pineapple, drained 2 c. small marshmallows
1 c. pecans, chopped 1 pint whipping cream, whipped
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Grind cranberries in a food processor.
2. Add sugar to ground cranberries. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
3. The next day, add crushed pineapple, marshmallows and chopped pecans.
4. Fold in whipped cream.
Sausage Balls
The mere mention of these brings a smile to my family’s faces! Growing up, my sisters and I would wake before dawn on Christmas morning and wait until Mom placed holiday-themed Spode plates of these delicious treasures on the table. Only then would Dad begin handing out presents from beneath the tree. I continued this tradition with my children, and now they are continuing it with their own families!
INGREDIENTS
1 roll R.B. Rice sausage
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. Bisquick mix
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Mix sausage, cheese and Bisquick thoroughly and then roll into small balls.
2. Bake on greased rimmed cookie sheet at 350° for 30 minutes, or until browned.
3. Place balls on paper towels to drain any grease.
Tip: Make the sausage balls the day before, then store them in the fridge so you can just pop them in the oven Christmas morning!
Monkey Bread
When I was growing up, we made and ate Monkey Bread every Christmas Eve. It’s super easy to do with small kids, which I think is why my mom made it a tradition. Now I love making the bread and those memories with my own kids. The whole process feels kind of “messy” and silly, which is the most fun part!
INGREDIENTS
1 c. white sugar
2 t. ground cinnamon
3 12-oz. packages refrigerated biscuit dough
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 c. raisins (optional)
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 c. packed brown sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 9- or 10-inch tube or Bundt pan.
2. Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag. Cut biscuits into quarters. Shake 6 to 8 biscuit pieces in the sugar-cinnamon mix.
3. Arrange pieces in the bottom of the prepared pan. Continue until all biscuits are coated and placed in the pan. If using walnuts and raisins, arrange in and among the biscuit pieces as you go along.
4. Melt butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute, then pour over biscuits.
5. Bake for 35 minutes. Let bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate and let everyone pull it apart.
Recipe courtesy of AllRecipes.com
These are some of my favorite baked goods to enjoy and give to family and friends—the perfect combo of salty, sweet, crunchy and gooey! They are always a hit!
INGREDIENTS
20 mini pretzels
20 chocolate-covered caramel candies (such as Rolo)
20 pecan halves
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 300°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Arrange pretzels in a single layer on the prepared cookie sheet. Place one chocolate-covered caramel candy on top of each pretzel.
3. Bake until caramels soften, about 4 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and immediately press a pecan half into each warm caramel.
5. Cool completely before serving.
Recipe courtesy of AllRecipes.com
Cukroví (Linzer Cookies)
Growing up in the Czech Republic, some of my earliest Christmas memories consist of helping my grandma spread jam between these delicious buttery cookies. Since immigrating to the U.S., I’ve enjoyed sharing this tradition with my kids—it’s one way for me to show them the beautiful culture I grew up in.
1-1⁄2 c. all-purpose flour
1-1⁄4 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1⁄2 c. powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
1⁄2 t. vanilla paste (or vanilla extract)
1 t. fresh lemon zest
Strawberry jelly
Preheat the oven to 350°.
1. Mix the butter, sugar and salt until light and fluffy. (I usually use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, but any way works.)
2. Add the egg yolk and vanilla. Slowly add flour (if using a mixer, turn speed to low).
3. Divide the dough in half, shape into two logs and chill for at least 30 minutes (the longer the better).
4. On a floured surface, roll out one of the logs of dough into a disc about 1/8-inch thick.
5. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Gather the scrap dough, roll, and repeat. If at any time during this process the dough becomes sticky and difficult to work with, chill in the fridge for about 20 minutes, until firm. Add as much flour as needed.
7. Place cut cookies in refrigerator to chill.
8. While the first half of the cookies are chilling, roll out and cut more rounds from the remaining dough. Once you’ve transferred these to a parchment-lined baking sheet, use your smallest cookie cutter or the end of a round piping tip to make a peekaboo cutout in the center of each (so they look kind of like donuts). Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. (Note: Make sure you have an equal number of cookies with holes and regular cookies.)
9. Bake all the cookies 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to brown. Cool for 5 minutes on the pan, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
10. Once they’re cooled, place the cookies with holes in the middle on a baking sheet and sift powdered sugar over the top.
11. Turn the remaining cookies flat side up. Spoon 1/2 t. of strawberry jelly on each and lightly spread.
12. Top with the powdered-sugar-dusted cookies and enjoy.
Tip: Feel free to get creative with the filling! My kids also love making these with Nutella.
Before the Christmas season begins, I devote a single day to batch freezing cookie dough. I typically make enough dough balls for 5 dozen cookies of four to five different varieties. This has been such a gift to my sanity! Having dough that’s frozen and ready to bake provides space to do other things during the Christmas season. And unlike baking in bulk, this ensures that each batch is warm and fresh whenever you want a special treat. I love being able to offer a fresh assortment of cookies when we have friends, family or impromptu visitors at the door. And it’s fun to provide options so that each person can choose their own variety!
Get ready to experience Christmas like never before at JINGLE! Holiday Spectacular (https://www.jingleholiday.com) – Kansas City’s most exciting Christmas attraction. Located at Legends Field, this dazzling event invites you to celebrate the season in a new, old-fashioned way, blending the nostalgia of classic holiday traditions with modern-day thrills.
JINGLE! brings the stunning Christmas light displays made popular by Enchant and adored by millions of Americans back to Kansas City. “In 2024 there’s something for everyone to enjoy and we can’t wait to welcome folks back this holiday season,” said Mark McKee, CEO of JINGLE! “Tickets are limited so don’t wait – you won’t want to miss this!”
Immerse yourself in the magic of the season with live entertainment every night! Cheerful carolers spreading joy with their festive tunes with surprise guest visits throughout the season. Whether you’re looking for a memorable family outing, a romantic date night, or a fun experience with friends, JINGLE! has something for everyone.
Within JINGLE!, a world of Christmas wonder awaits revelers of all ages:
Winter Wonderland Light Maze – Wander through a maze of 4 million holiday lights that’s full of surprises and endless photo moments.
Glacier Slide Snow Tubing – Tube down real snow! It’s fun for all ages. Little ones can also enjoy the nearby Frosty Snow Zone.
Magic Forest Ice Skating Trail – Rent a pair of skates and take a glide with your loved ones through a magical lighted forest.
Artisan Village – Shop for holiday gifts from local artisans. Vendor applications are being accepted. JINGLE! Village / Food Truck Alley – Cozy up by warm fires and savor gourmet delights from an array of specialty food trucks.
The North Pole – Children can meet Santa in his workshop, delight in stories shared by Mrs. Claus, and create cherished holiday arts, crafts and keepsakes.
Pop-Up Christmas Bars – Enjoy three uniquely themed pop-up bars, including a holiday singalong piano bar.
VIP & Private Event Experiences – Suites and large tented spaces will be transformed into exclusive rooms for holiday parties and special events.
Live Entertainment – Get into the spirit with strolling Christmas carolers, handbell quartets and ice-skating demonstrations. Enjoy the JINGLE! house band, Frosty & The Snowballs, as well as musical groups sharing their talents.
Many local shops specialize in holiday treats with a rich heritage. Some favorites include:
Wally’s Pastry Shop is beloved for their chocolate houses at Christmastime. Master pastry chefs Wally Uhl and his son, Manfred, were trained in Europe, and they’ve been preparing their confections for Kansas Citians, including President Truman and other local celebrities, for decades. North Kansas City, 816.452.7535
Strawberry Hill Povitica makes handmade European sweet bread in an open kitchen where customers can watch as the bread is baked from scratch. Merriam, 800.634.1002
Dolce Bakery’s chocolate yule log cake is one of many favorite pastries at this shop, which also specializes in cookies, cakes and baked treats. Prairie Village, 913.236.4411
Frannie Frank’s Coffee Cakes is an award-winning coffee cake company in Kansas City, handcrafted from Frannie’s beloved recipe. They offer over 56 flavors, including gluten-free and dairy-free options. 913.738.6431
Laura Little’s makes beautiful chocolates, and they’ll even personalize them for your loved ones—but their fudge can’t be beat. Prairie Village, 913.722.2226
Cupcake A La Mode is a boutique-style cupcake café, serving at least 21 different flavors of fresh-baked gourmet cupcakes as well as a variety of signature blended coffees and teas. Kansas City, Mo., 816.960.1911
McLain’s started in Waldo in 1945 and is one of Kansas City’s oldest bakeries. A family-owned establishment baking fresh pastries, birthday and wedding cakes, bread, cookies and desserts! Multiple locations, McLainsKC.com
41 pair & share
42 potpourri packets
44 nappa gift awards
46 local gift guide
48 memberships
50 candy cane heart pops table of contents
By Alli Brydon Illustrated By Ashling Lindsay
This glittery, lyrical story emphasizes the spirit of the season, highlighting togetherness, unconditional care for one another and a unified journey of awe and purpose. A diverse collective of forest animals prepares to set aside all differences to join with wonder to welcome and observe the briefly visiting northern lights. Consider comparing the story to the preparation, love and charity of the holiday faith tradition of sojourners who looked to the star in the sky to find the Savior of all creation. Enchanting illustrations will leave young readers in awe. Similar to the shape of the sleigh in the story, cute rectangular containers offer a fun way to display this yummy magical snack. The variety of flavors and textures reminds little ones of the diversity of animals in the story.
Adult can assist with boiling the butter and brown sugar and following oven directions. Children can easily participate with drizzling, stirring, mixing and pouring various ingredients.
Ingredients
6 c. Crispix or Chex
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
6 c. popped popcorn
1/2 c. white chocolate chips
1 t. coconut oil
Holiday sprinkles (optional)
2 candy canes, crushed
1 c. cashews (or other favorite nuts)
1 c. yogurt-covered pretzels
1/2 c. M&M’S candies
1 c. dried cranberries
9 oz. candy cane Hershey’s Kisses
You can substitute your favorite nuts, seeds, cereal or dried fruit for any of these ingredients.
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325. Line a large baking sheet with foil and lightly coat it with nonstick cooking spray. Put the cereal into a large mixing bowl.
1. Put butter and brown sugar in a saucepan and place over medium high heat. Bring to a boil. Once it starts to boil, continue cooking for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
2. Immediately pour the mixture over the cereal and toss to coat. Spread onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove and stir, then bake for an additional 8 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool.
3. Meanwhile, spread the popcorn evenly onto a large sheet of parchment paper or aluminum foil.
4. Place white chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small microwaveable safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds, then stir well. Continue cooking in 15-second intervals until chocolate chips are melted and smooth.
5. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the popcorn, then immediately sprinkle with the crushed candy canes. Allow the chocolate to harden.
6. Add the cereal, popcorn, cashews, pretzels, M&M’S, cranberries and Hershey’s Kisses to a very large mixing bowl and toss together. Add holiday sprinkles to be reminiscent of the beautiful illustrations of the winter sky and sparkle of the northern lights portrayed in the story.
Alicia Mock operates Adventure Arts Academy for 3- to 5-year-olds from her home in Overland Park. Alicia offers one-on-one parent coaching and is a musical theater enthusiast, singer, writer and promoter of all things positive. She was recently widowed from her husband, Cary, with whom she shares four amazing, nearly flown children.
Love the smell of a warm, cozy home without the toxic chemicals? This simple recipe is perfect for making cute teacher gifts or stocking stuffers. Simmer ingredients on the stovetop or toss them in a slow cooker to release the Christmas aromas!
SUPPLIES:
• Plastic piping bag
• 1-2 whole mandarin oranges
• 2-4 whole cinnamon sticks
• 1 c. (about 20) fresh cranberries
• 1t. (about 10) cloves
• 1/2 t. nutmeg
• Optional: fresh rosemary
• Ribbon or string
• Name tag
DIRECTIONS:
Step one: Add mandarin orange(s), cinnamon sticks, cranberries, cloves and nutmeg to piping bag. Add rosemary if using.
Step two: Tie bag closed with ribbon/string and add name tags. Leave a tiny bit of room at the top to allow air to enter the bag.
Step three: Give away immediately; otherwise, store in the fridge.
For immediate home use, simply slice the mandarin oranges and toss all ingredients into a pot or slow cooker. Pour water over the ingredients and simmer on low. Simmer in the slow cooker for up to two days. At night, turn off the cooker and store the mixture in the fridge.
Janelle Cumro-Sultzer lives in Manhattan, Kansas, with her husband, three children (1, 3 and 5) and two senior dogs. Janelle is a homeschooling mom who enjoys writing in her spare time. Janelle loves to focus on learning through play and getting messy with crafts.
BY ELENA EPSTEIN DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL PARENTING PRODUCT AWARDS
PLAYMOBIL Large Pirate Ship
This floating ship is equipped with swiveling and large cannons and offers plenty of space for the adventurous pirate crew. Imaginative characters, numerous features and creepy sea monsters provide a fantastic backdrop for hours of creative play. $99.99, ages 4+, Playmobil.com
Slapzi
This fast-matching, card-slapping picture game will have everyone laughing. Includes 90 double-sided picture cards and 60 clue cards. $14.99, ages 8+, Walmart.com
My Fun Set
Early childhood learning is as easy as 1-2-3 with this threepiece set. Includes a wooden activity board, a sensorydeveloping cloth book and 30 colorful wooden blocks to encourage hands-on, mess-free fun. $79, ages 2+, SimplyFun.com
Guinness World Records 2025
Open the next chapter of record breaking. Filled with thousands of facts and feats for the whole family, this new edition celebrates Guinness World Records’ 70th anniversary. Learn how record breaking has changed over the years. $29.95, ages 8+, GuinnessWorldRecords.com
Sky Viper Nova FX Light Display Drone
Features one-touch stunts, advanced software and 24 bright and color-changing RGB LED lights to illuminate the night sky. $49.99, ages 12+, Amazon.com
Dog’s First Christmas Dog and Baby explore the delightful and puzzling ways their family prepares for Christmas. See these branches? They’re not for tugging. See this ball? It’s not for fetching. $9.99, ages 2-5, QuirkBooks.com
Build an epic castle playhouse. These jumbo building blocks are made of heavy-duty cardboard, so they’re lightweight, easy to assemble and hold together securely. $39.99, ages 3+, Amazon.com
Combines baking with learning through fun, educational activity kits. Each kit includes all the ingredients you need to make delicious recipes, along with hands-on activities that explore science, history and culture – perfect for a tasty learning adventure. $74.99, ages 3-12, BakitBox.com
A clay café in a box! Faux ice and translucent color strips, tons of cups and bowls, straws, glitter drizzle, paper punchout toppings, straws and foam beads are all packed into one small package. $22.99, ages 7+, Amazon.com
Share memories, pass down stories and unlock generational history. Once you’ve finished your story, record it in the included storybook so it’s never forgotten. $22.99, ages 4+, PennyCake.com
An indoor playground made of high-quality, hard beechwood. Compact yet spacious play gym facilitates physical and emotional development of children while playing. The gym can fit three to four kids, with a bearing capacity of 440 lbs. $780, ages 1.5-7 years, AVDAR.co
Children put the word puzzles together in the little houses, write words using the movable letters then practice writing them themselves with the pen provided. The game is inspired by the Montessori threeperiod method. $26.99, ages 3+, Amazon.com
Build three different models using a variety of colorful nuts, bolts and unique connectors. An open-ended construction experience with endless opportunities for customization and personalization. Great for both solo and group play. $39.95, ages 8+, TheOffBits.com
This Christmas, find the perfect gifts for your loved ones by shopping local!
Adopt a Wild Child from the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium—Give a meaningful gift by adopting a Wild Child from the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Your donation helps support the animals’ care by providing habitats, enrichment toys and food for the zoo’s wildlife. Each adoption level includes perks like a plush animal, an official adoption certificate and a framed photo of your chosen animal. KansasCityZoo.org
Toy Time at Crown Center—Visit Toy Time at Crown Center for an extensive selection of toys, perfect for kids of all ages. They offer a wide range of products, including the popular World’s Smallest games and action figures, which make excellent stocking stuffers. GoToyTime.com
Johnson County Museum Gift Shop—Step back in time with the retro toy selection at the Johnson County Museum Gift Shop. From balloon animal kits to kazoos and magic springs, the shop is filled with fun and nostalgic toys that will delight children and adults alike. It’s a great place to find unique gifts with a vintage flair. JoCoMuseum.org
Science City at Union Station—Science City has the perfect stocking stuffers for gamers and tech enthusiasts. They offer unique items like Tetris in a Tin, Bitzee the digital pet, neon signs and LED lights. Shop here for gifts that combine fun and learning. ScienceCity.UnionStation.org
Rainy Day Books—Visit Rainy Day Books in Fairway, for a variety of wonderful reads, including the Kansas City Chiefs ABCs and 1-2-3s board book. This book, featured in Patrick Mahomes’ Netflix documentary Quarterback, is a great way to teach kids numbers and letters while celebrating the Chiefs. RainyDayBooks.com
Union Station Disney Gift Shop
Explore the exclusive Disney Gift Shop at Union Station, part of Disney100: The Exhibition. Whether you’re searching for a keepsake to remember your visit or a special gift for a loved one, the Disney Gift Shop offers a variety of magical merchandise. UnionStation.org
Made in KC Stocking Stuffers—Visit one of Made in KC’s metro locations for a variety of stocking stuffers perfect for the holidays. Choose from unique items like the Plaza light bulb ornament, Merry Maker jewelry and locally designed stickers. With something for everyone, Made in KC is your go-to for local gifts. MadeInKC.co
2024 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament Celebrate the season with the 2024 mayor’s Christmas tree ornament, made from the wood of last year’s tree. This year’s ornament celebrates the first Hallmark Christmas Experience at Crown Center and benefits the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund. CrownCenter.com
Shop Local KC Gifts—Head to Shop Local KC at Crown Center or Brookside for handmade goods from your favorite local makers. Shop for unique items like creamed honey from Messner Bee Farm, Kansas City-themed candles from KCMOCO and barbecue kits from Kansas City Canning Company. It’s the perfect place to find locally crafted gifts. ShopLocalKC.com
Westside Storey—Head to Westside Storey for fun KCinspired accessories like pins and patches. Plus, they offer skyline prints from local artists, all featuring iconic Kansas City landmarks. It’s the perfect place to find quirky, local treasures. TheWestsideStorey.com
Duet Jewelry in the Crossroads Arts District
Discover chic and artsy jewelry pieces at Duet, a boutique shop in the Crossroads Arts District. Offering a curated selection of locally crafted and artist-driven products, Duet is the perfect place to find thoughtful, handcrafted gifts. Explore their unique collection of home décor and accessories for a memorable shopping experience. Shop-Duet.com
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Gift Shop—The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Gift Shop offers one-of-a-kind stocking stuffers like the glass Shuttlecock ornament, inspired by the iconic sculptures outside the museum. Browse a variety of Shuttlecock-themed items and other creative, art-inspired gifts. Nelson-Atkins.org
The Buck Stops Here Store at Truman Library—History buffs will love the selection of gifts at The Buck Stops Here Store, located at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum. Find unique items like a 3D White House puzzle, the Periodic Table of Presidents infographic and a Statue of Liberty bobblehead. Members enjoy a 10% discount on all purchases. TrumanLibrary.gov
Christopher Elbow Chocolates—Treat someone special to luxurious, handcrafted chocolates from Kansas City’s own Christopher Elbow Chocolates. Known for their artistic presentation and exquisite flavors, these chocolates make a perfect gift for any occasion. ElbowChocolates.com
KC Skyline Wooden Cutting Board—These locally crafted wooden charcuterie/cutting boards are engraved with landmarks like the Kauffman Center, the Western Auto building and more. They’re a functional yet stylish addition to any kitchen. CityScape-Design.com
Kansas City Candles—Bring the essence of Kansas City into any home with these scented candles inspired by landmarks like Union Station and the River Market. WaxmanCandles.com
Local Kansas City Coffee—Give the gift of locally roasted coffee with beans from Messenger Coffee Co. or The Roasterie. Both roasters are beloved in Kansas City for their high-quality blends and dedication to craft. MessengerCoffee.co or TheRoasterie.com
Chiefs Fans Starter Kit at The Best of Kansas City—Give the diehard Chiefs fan in your life a delicious gift with the Chiefs Fans Starter Kit from The Best of Kansas City at Crown Center. This kit is packed with gourmet snacks and tailgate essentials to satisfy game day cravings. It’s the ultimate treat for the ultimate fan. TheBestOfKansasCity.com
Charlie Hustle Chiefs Gear—Find Chiefs-themed tees, hoodies and more at Charlie Hustle’s Country Club Plaza store or any Made in KC locations. Don’t miss their iconic KC Heart Socks, available in various color combinations including red and gold—perfect for game day. CharlieHustle.com
EB and Co. Chiefs Jewelry—Support the Chiefs in style with fun and fashionable jewelry and accessories from EB and Co. Their collection includes rings, huggie hoops, scrunchies and more featuring #15 and #87 jerseys, plus playful Taylor and Travis pairings. It’s the perfect way to accessorize while cheering on the Chiefs. EBandCompany.com
These thoughtful local gifts are sure to make your holidays extra special, even for the impossible-to-buy-for person!
Kelsey Beck writes from Raytown, where she lives with her husband and son.
As the holiday season approaches, many of us start pondering the perfect gifts for our loved ones. Reflecting on my own childhood, I realize that some of my most cherished memories stem not from toys but from unforgettable experiences. I vividly remember the thrill of receiving tickets to see American Idol on tour at the T-Mobile Center when I was 13. Even earlier, I fondly recall the weekly trips to the local zoo thanks to a family membership gifted by my grandparents.
While toys can be exciting, the gifts that resonate most deeply are often those that create lasting memories. Experiences allow us to bond with family and friends, turning fleeting moments into cherished stories that last a lifetime. Gifts like family memberships to local attractions keep on giving throughout the year by providing opportunities for connection and adventure long after the holiday season has ended.
Numerous Kansas City attractions offer memberships that allow families to enjoy free admission, exclusive events and discounts at venues across the country. My friend asks the grandparents for a different membership each year so her family can explore all that Kansas City has to offer. Here are some great options to consider:
The Rabbit hOle This unique storybook-themed museum offers family, individual and teacher memberships that include bookstore discounts and invites to exclusive events. It’s Kansas City’s newest magical space where stories come to life, fostering a love for reading and creativity.
Wonderscope Members enjoy free admission and special programming, along with discounts at local businesses. Reciprocal arrangements with children’s museums across the nation are an added bonus, ensuring a fun-filled day of learning and exploration.
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium This membership offers various levels to cater to your family’s needs. You can choose basic admission or include unlimited rides—perfect for families with kids who enjoy the railroad train or the carousel! And rain or shine, the new Sobela Ocean Aquarium is a must-visit for all Kansas Citians!
Swim Lessons or Pool Passes Consider gifting a membership to your local indoor pool, like Lenexa Rec Center, or provide endless summer fun with outdoor pool passes for next year. Or give the gift of swim lessons at Goldfish or Emler—swim schools that teach necessary, lifelong skills for all ages.
Johnson County Museum This is another affordable membership— annual passes for a family of six costs only $60. This membership offers free admission, discounts on events and a 10% discount at the gift shop. Members also receive invites to special events and exhibit openings. The KidScape children’s museum located here is a favorite in our family.
SEA Life Aquarium/Legoland Memberships here vary based on availability, with basic options offering discounts and combo memberships allowing free entry to both attractions. These destinations provide immersive experiences that spark imagination and curiosity.
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead This membership is incredibly budget-friendly—an annual family pass is just $50. It offers hands-on experiences like petting farm animals, fishing, riding ponies and learning about agriculture, making it an ideal place for children to explore farm life.
The Culinary Center of KC Although this premier culinary center doesn’t sell memberships, they offer gift cards that can be used toward their range of 500 cooking classes that both adults and kids will enjoy.
The National WWI Museum and Memorial Members enjoy free admission and special events, with the option to purchase additional museum tickets for guests at half price. It provides a profound learning experience about history, making it a thoughtful gift that fosters appreciation for our past.
Science City This wonderful indoor venue is perfect for all seasons and offers members special events and discounted admission to ticketed exhibits. Memberships also allow for reciprocal entry at science museums across the country, making it an excellent option for families who enjoy traveling.
Powell Gardens A big perk to this membership is that it grants free admission to Powell Gardens’ annual events such as the Festival of Butterflies and the Festival of Lights. It also includes free or discounted access to many other gardens and arboretums across the nation.
Urban Air Trampoline Park With locations in Lenexa and Overland Park, Urban Air offers four different membership levels, ensuring something fun for everyone. Beyond trampolines, the park features a ropes course, climbing walls and a large indoor playground.
Overland Park Arboretum This 300-acre nature sanctuary in Overland Park features diverse landscapes, including gardens, woodlands and prairies. Plus, memberships have reciprocal benefits at other arboretums and gardens.
Live Performances Local theaters offer a variety of performances suitable for all ages. Season tickets often provide significant savings compared to single-show tickets. For families, The Coterie features shows tailored for children, while KCRep and Midwest Trust Center offers productions better suited for teens and adults.
Paint Your Own Pottery Although Ceramic Cafe doesn’t offer memberships, gift cards are available and sure to please any artistic family. Gift cards can be used toward their weekly Creative Story Time for kids, seasonal classes or just popping in to paint.
STEAM Classes or Summer Camps IDEA Space offers after-school STEAM classes that develop science, technology, engineering, arts and math skills. Or head to KCParent.com’s Summer Camp Guide and find dozens of enriching summer camps that would make the perfect holiday gift.
Sports Tickets It’s been quite a fall for Kansas City’s winning teams. Whether it’s the Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, Sporting KC, KC Mavericks or our newest team, KC Current, season tickets can make a thrilling gift for any sports enthusiast.
Animal Destinations Near Wichita, Kansas, Tanganyika Wildlife Park lets you swim with penguins or feed capybaras. The Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield, Missouri, has breathtaking exhibits showcasing the history of the Ozark region, Native American heritage and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Both provide memberships that will create memories all year long.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Memberships include free admission to featured exhibitions and complimentary parking. The Nelson is strollerfriendly and perfect for kids from tots to tweens! Spend a day immersed in art and culture, exploring everything from classical to contemporary works.
This list is just a starting point for your holiday shopping. For more local inspiration, check out KCParent.com, where you can discover even more unique attractions. This holiday season, let’s create memories that will last a lifetime by giving the gift of experiences.
Allie Cole, a Kansas City native, lives in Lenexa with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys exploring Kansas City, and as her daughter puts it, she loves doing a hundred fun things every place she goes!
How do you start teaching your children to cook? Start with simple steps: From a young age, they can help you pour and stir. When they’re ready for more independence, baking from boxed mixes is a great way to build confidence and enjoy the reward of a tasty treat.
When it’s time to move on to made-from-scratch recipes, check out The Ultimate Kids’ Baking Book by Tiffany Dahle. My oldest daughter, Monica, aspires to make every recipe in the book, and after four years, she’s about two-thirds of the way to her goal! Every recipe is a winner. From the winter holiday section of the book, she’s made donuts, gingerbread cookies, spritz cookies, reindeer munch, crinkle cookies, sticky pudding trifle parfaits and the candy cane heart pops featured here!
This recipe is an easy and fun way to include your children in making yummy gifts for family, friends or neighbors this holiday season.
Yield: 12 Pops
Ingredients
12 lollipop or cake pop sticks
24 mini candy canes
12-oz. package candy melts
Sprinkles (optional)
Directions
1. Lay a large piece of waxed or parchment paper on your counter. Set out the lollipop or cake pop sticks.
2. Pair up two mini candy canes to form each heart. Place a lollipop stick inside the bottom of each heart with the tips of the candy canes touching the stick.
3. In a microwave-safe bowl, add the candy melts. Heat on high for 30 seconds. Wear oven mitts to remove the bowl for stirring. Heat in 15-second sessions as needed to
get the candy to completely melt and stir smoothly. Really stir a lot each time; it will help the candy become smooth with the least amount of heat.
4. Carefully spoon the melted candy into each heart. Start with just a little and add more as needed to fill it. You might want to use a toothpick or the tip of your spoon to help push the candy filling all around inside the heart.
5. Give the candy filling 1 minute to begin to set and then add your sprinkles, if using, while it is still wet.
6. Let the hearts completely cool and then gently peel them away from the paper to serve.
Adrienne Doring lives in Prairie Village with her husband, Greg. They have five children from ages 4 to 15. They own Factory Direct Mattress of Overland Park, which can be found online at FDMattressOverlandPark.com.
Recipe courtesy of The Ultimate Kids’ Baking Book
It’s the final month to explore GloWild: Legends & Lore at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. See the massive, illuminated sculptures through Dec. 29. KansasCityZoo.org
A tradition since 1935, the Fairy Princess visits the Kansas City Museum Dec. 12 – 15. The magical experience puts smiles on children’s faces. KansasCity Museum.org
Delight in the dazzling spectacle of Winter Magic lights in NKC –a stunning 1-mile light show running every evening through Jan. 5. WinterMagicKC.com smile
Ice-skating, snow tubing, a light maze as well as music, cheer, and local artisans to be enjoyed at Jingle! at Legends Field. Nov. 22 – Dec. 31 JingleHoliday.com
Thru Dec. 28, Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey in A Christmas Carol at one of Kansas City’s beloved traditions: the KC Rep. KCRep.org
light up
Festival of Trees Thru Dec. 8, Maceli’s Banquet Hall. See more than 60 trees, 30 wreaths and gingerbread houses that will be sold by silent and live auction. OConnellChildrensShelter.org
Hallmark Christmas Experience Thru Dec. 22, Crown Center Square. An immersive experience with all the charm of a Hallmark movie town square. ExperienceHallmarkChristmas.com
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane Thru Dec. 31, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Experience the enchantment of the season at Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane! OPKansas.org
Home Alone Film and Live Orchestra 2:00, Kauffman Center. This adored comedy classic features a delightful score performed live. KCSymphony.org
Winter Magic 6:00, Northland KCMO. Welcome the holiday season with KC’s dazzling premier 1-mile light show at Winter Magic. WinterMagicKC.com
Elf Thru Dec. 5, Union Station. Enjoy a showing of the Christmas classic on the big screen! Tickets.UnionStation.org
Letters to Santa Thru Dec. 22, Merriam Community Center. Be sure to stop by the Merriam Community Center to mail your letters to Santa! Merriam.org
Sensory-Friendly Days 9:00, Johnson County Museum. This limited-occupancy session is for children and families with sensory processing differences. JCPRD.com
Baby Story Time 9:30, Blue Valley Library. Enjoy songs, rhymes and movement for your little ones ages 0-18 months. JoCoLibrary.com
Mornings with Mommy: Happy Birthday, Jesus! 10:00, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. Celebrate Jesus’ birthday at this festive event. MtOliveLutheranSchool.com
Shiver Me Paintbrush: A Pirate’s Adventure in Art Thru Dec. 7, Midwest Trust Center. Hop on board with First Mate Mâché and Captain Colorful. JCCC.edu
Free Admission Day at the Arboretum 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum. The first Tuesday of every month, admission to the arboretum is free. OPKansas.org
Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists. Plan a playdate for your children and their friends at the amazing showroom! BackyardSpecialists.com
Critter Feeding 2:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast every Tuesday and Friday. MDC.Mo.gov
Cookies with Santa 3:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Enjoy cookies, cocoa and, of course, a meeting with Santa himself! Mahaffie.org
Little Scientists 3:30, IDEA Space. Your little scientist can make a marshmallow catapult, beeswax candle and edible ocean. IDEASpaceKC.org
Christmas Tales 5:00, Bass Pro Shops, Olathe. Santa or Mrs. Claus will read Christmas stories to the families and take photos. Register at BassPro.com/Olathe.
Elf Thru Dec. 5, Union Station. Enjoy a showing of the Christmas classic on the big screen! Tickets.UnionStation.org
Thru Dec. 30, The Coterie.This beloved movie comes to the live stage as Nemo explores beyond his anemone home. TheCoterie.org
GloWild: Legends & Lore Thru Dec. 29, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Illuminated art and a visit with Santa, as well as free train and carousel rides. KansasCityZoo.org
Finding Nemo Select dates thru Dec. 30, The Coterie. The beloved 2003 Pixar movie comes to the live stage as Nemo explores beyond his anemone home. TheCoterie.org
Admission All-School Open House 9:00, The Barstow School. Meet faculty and staff and learn about the academic, artistic and athletic offerings. BarstowSchool.org
Tails, Tales and Trails 10:30, Prairie Oak Nature Center. Read a story, meet an animal and go for a short hike through the park! Leawood.org
Bedtime Stories for a Winter’s Night 6:30, Olathe Public Library. Enjoy an evening of bedtime stories. Pajamas and stuffed animal friends welcome! OlatheLibrary.org
Jingle! Thru Dec. 31, Legends Field. Enjoy the twisting ice-skating trail, go snow-tubing on real snow and wander through a festive holiday light path! JingleHoliday.com
Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park Overland Park. Children 7 and under and their parent/guardian can jump, bounce and crawl around safely. UrbanAirOP.com
Family Story Time 10:30, Oak Park Library. It’s a story time the whole family can enjoy with songs, finger plays and movement. JoCoLibrary.com
Birdhouse Holiday Village Craft 6:30, Powell Gardens. A children’s crafting night that includes story time, crafts and a snack. PowellGardens.org
Cookies with Santa 3:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. During Cookies with Santa, you and your group can enjoy cookies, cocoa and, of course, a meeting with Santa himself! Mahaffie.org
Rabbit hOle Family Night: American Wild performs Pezzettino 7:00, Rabbit hOle. Following the live performance, create art in the Tons of Fun Room! Tickets required. RabbitHoleKC.org
Nighttime baby and mama care. You’ll sleep all night long while I take care of everything. I have cared for 100’s of babies and high profile clientele in the Bay Area and LA.
The Kingdom of Grimm Select dates thru Dec. 15, Children’s Performing Theatre. Book, music and lyrics by Douglas Post. ChildrensPerformingTheatre.Weebly.com
Journey to Judea Thru Dec. 8, Countryside Church. Walk through the narrative of the Bible that leads us to the birth of Christ and reveals the significance of his coming. JourneyToJudea.com
Polar Express Thru Dec. 19, Union Station. Enjoy a showing of the Christmas classic on the big screen! Tickets.UnionStation.org
Parkville Holiday Wonder Walk Thru Jan. 3, English Landing Park. A spectacular event that will dazzle families with an enchanting display of festive lights. ParkvilleMo.org
Family Story Time 9:30, Lenexa City Center Library. Stories, songs, finger plays and movement activities foster pre-reading skills. Register. JoCoLibrary.com
Early Literacy Music and Movement 10:00, Blue Springs North Library. Develop early literacy skills through music, instrument play and big body movement. MyMCPL.org
’ Tis the Season Art & Craft Show 10:00, the Pavilion at John Knox Village. Explore 100 booths of handcrafted treasures. IBDPromotions.com
TubaChristmas Noon, Kauffman Center. Hear your favorite holiday carols performed by hundreds of local tuba and euphonium players. Free; Register at KCSymphony.org.
Club SciKidz Camp Jurassic 3:30, IDEA Space. Campers learn about dinosaurs, their habitats, rocks and fossils. IDEASpaceKC.org
Crafternoon for Kids 4:30, Indian Creek Library. Get creative with a fun after-school craft activity. Register. OlatheLibary.org
Christmas on the River 5:00, Downtown Parkville. Bring the family to Downtown Parkville and enjoy the festivities. ParkvilleMo.org
Holiday Lights & Festive Sights 5:30, Mission Market. See the mayor’s tree light up and enjoy s’mores and games while browsing Mission Market vendors. MissionKS.org
Christmas Fun at COR 6:00, Church of the Resurrection (Blue Springs and Overland Park locations). Enjoy a festive celebration featuring caroling, crafts and even Santa himself. Resurrection.Church
Candy Cane Quest 6:00, Heritage Park (Smithville). For this free event, Santa will be dropping over 6,000 candy canes. Bring a flashlight and bag! SmithvilleParksRec.com
Sar-Ko Aglow Lighting Ceremony 6:00, Sar-Ko-Par Trails. Enjoy one of Kansas City’s best holiday light displays, hot cocoa, the Dickens Carolers and visits with Santa. Lenexa.com
Mayor’s Tree Lighting 6:00, North Kansas City. Hear holiday jingles, see the lighting of the tree, eat festive treats and visit with Santa and his elves. NKC.org
Christmas in the Courtyard 6:30, Merriam Community Center. It’s that magical time of year when Mayor Bob Pape flips a switch, lights glow and Santa visits Merriam! Merriam.org
A Kansas City Christmas Thru Dec. 8, Lenexa Baptist Church. Featuring worship choir and orchestra, this event is a community favorite you don’t want to miss. LenexaBaptist.com
Nutcracker Tea Party Thru Dec. 8, Fiorella’s Event Center. Enjoy a one-hour version of The Nutcracker Ballet, along with a delightful tea party. ArtsAndRec-OP.org
MUSEUM HOURS
Monday - Saturday 9am - 4:30pm
Holiday Open House 8:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. It’s time for holiday shopping with free samples plus tasty cider and donuts. RSVP at LouisburgCiderMill.com.
Holiday Slime with Santa 8:00, Inspired Play Café (Overland Park). First come first served; online reservations recommended. InspiredPlayCafe.com
Breakfast with Santa 9:00, Fireflies Farm. Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast, snap photos with Santa and dive into festive games, crafts and awesome giveaways. FireFliesFarmKS.com
A Christmas Celebration 9:00, Missouri Town Living History Museum. Experience the holidays with the music, decor and foods of the mid1800s in rural Missouri. MakeYourDayHere.com
Yuletide Breakfast 9:00, Bass Pro Shops, Olathe. Gather for a festive breakfast with Santa and his helpers. Register at BassPro.com/Olathe.
Community Breakfast, Toy Giveaway and Santa Pictures 9:00, 18th & Vine. Community breakfast, toy giveaway and pictures with the Soul of Santa. TheSoulOfSanta.org
8788 Metcalf Ave
Overland Park, KS
JCPRD.com/Museum Museum
Become a foster parent to experience the joy of parenthood and help children in need.
Thousands of children in the Kansas City area are in crisis due to child abuse, neglect and other family challenges. These children need someone like you to care for them and their future.
People from all walks of life can become foster parents. Whether you’re single or married, own or rent your home, have kids or not, identify as LGBTQ+ or don’t, and work full-time or stay at home — you may qualify!
KVC will support you the whole way.
Breakfast with Santa 9:00, Merriam Marketplace. This morning is full of holiday fun, including a craft, games, pancake breakfast and, best of all, Santa! Merriam.org
Graham Cracker Cottages 9:30, Blue Valley and Gardner libraries. Have fun building your own gingerbread house with graham crackers! Register at JoCoLibrary.com.
Christmas Open House 10:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Enjoy the Heritage Center decorations, make an ornament and visit the historic Mahaffie House! Mahaffie.org
Santa Visits 10:00, Family Tree Nursery (Liberty). The store builds a beautifully unique backdrop that is perfect for capturing a memorable Christmas photo. FamilyTreeNusery.com
Children’s Story Time: The Perfect Christmas Tree 10:30, National WWI Museum and Memorial. Family-friendly craft and WWI holiday story reading. TheWorldWar.org
A Grinchy Cooking Class 10:00, the Culinary Center. Whip up Grinchy goodies of all kinds and tasty bites to recreate at home with your smallest Grinches. KCCulinary.com
Kids Christmas Musical 6:00, Church of the Resurrection (Leawood). Don’t miss a lively retelling of the greatest story ever told, featuring COR’s children’s choir. Resurrection.Church
Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade 11:00, Downtown Lawrence. Authentic horse-drawn carriages parading down Mass Street are the perfect way to kick off the holiday season. ExploreLawrence.com
A Kansas City Christmas 1:00 & 5:00, Lenexa Baptist Church. Featuring our choir and orchestra, Kansas City Christmas is a community favorite you don’t want to miss. LenexaBaptist.com
Liberty Hometown Holidays 2:00, Downtown Liberty. Stroll through downtown to enjoy holiday displays and get photos of Santa! Then stay for the tree lighting at 5:10. VisitLibertyMo.com
PJ Party Crawl 3:00, Zona Rosa. Wear your pajamas, create magical holiday memories through fun activities and celebrate the holidays together. ZonaRosa.com
Cowtown Old-Fashioned Christmas 4:00, Dickinson County Heritage Center. Tour the Historic Seelye Mansion and see more than 60 beautifully decorated Christmas trees. AbileneKansas.org
Winter Wonderland Select dates thru Dec. 21, Prairie Park Nature Center. See the magic and pet some merry ponies, llamas, goats and more. LawrenceKS.org
Walk to the Manger 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 (Overland Park) and (9:00 and 11:45 South KC), Colonial Presbyterian Church. Our annual Nativity musical celebrating the birth of Christ. ColonialKC.org
Jingle Bell Run Kansas City 8:00, Chicken N Pickle: Overland Park. Wear your favorite holiday gear for the original festive race. Events.Arthritis.org
Annual Small Mall 10:00, C.W. Parker Carousel Museum. This fun-filled event is for children 3 to 13 years old to do their own holiday shopping. FirstCityMuseumsLHMA.com
VolunTEEN Open House 1:00, Kansas City Zoo. Are you a teen passionate about animals and helping others? Consider joining the VolunTEEN program. KansasCityZoo.org
Holiday Magic on Broadway 3:00, Miami County. Complete with axe throwing, sleigh rides, a story walk and visits from Santa and the Grinch. LouisburgKansas.gov
Sonflower Ringers Christmas Concert 4:00, Church of the Resurrection (Leawood). Join us as the talented hand bell ringers share their wonderful gifts of music. Resurrection.Church
A Kansas City Christmas 5:00, Lenexa Baptist Church. Featuring our choir and orchestra, Kansas City Christmas is a community favorite you don’t want to miss. LenexaBaptist.com
Winter Magic Lights 6:00, Northland KCMO. Welcome the holiday season with KC’s dazzling, 1-mile premier light show at Winter Magic. WinterMagicKC.com
Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. Provides kids a place to run, ride and play while making new friends. Lenexa.com
Story Time for Families 9:30, North Oak Library. Hear stories, sing songs, join in movement activities and create memories together. MyMCPL.org
Movin’ and Groovin’ Rhyme Time 9:30 and 10:30, Lenexa City Center Library. Songs, classic rhymes and finger plays for 1- to 2-year-olds. Register at JoCoLibrary.com.
Cookies with Santa 3:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. During Cookies with Santa, you and your group can enjoy cookies, cocoa and, of course, a meeting with Santa himself! Mahaffie.org
Christ-Centered, Classical, Collaborative Education in Johnson County
• Grades K-4, and growing
• 6:1 student-teacher ratio
• Hybrid model: Two days on campus, three days at home
• Member of the Society for Classical Learning
Preview our robust curriculum and start the application process at an upcoming info meeting:
Sunday, January 5 | 12:30 pm
RSVP and learn more at knoxkc.org
KINGS ReJOYCE! 7:00, Kauffman Center. Join us for an extraordinary musical celebration this holiday season. HJSeries.org
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Aquarium Tour 10:00, Sea Life Kansas City. Featuring character meet-and-greets and themed photo opportunities. VisitSeaLife.com
Cookies with Santa 3:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. During Cookies with Santa, you and your group can enjoy cookies, cocoa and, of course, a meeting with Santa himself! Mahaffie.org
Little Scientists 3:30, IDEA Space. Your little scientist can make a marshmallow catapult, beeswax candle and edible ocean. IDEASpaceKC.org
Christmas Tales 5:00, Bass Pro Shops, Olathe. Santa or Mrs. Claus will read Christmas stories to the families and take photos. Register at BassPro.com/Olathe.
Acoustic Night at the Garrison 6:00, Corbin Theatre. Enjoy a night of relaxing acoustic music performed by local musicians. LibertyMissouri.Gov
Christmas with the Celts 7:30, Midwest Trust Center. Featuring a wonderful combination of timeless ancient Irish Christmas carols and lively Irish dance. JCCC.edu
Electric Glow 5:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the electric gardens in this low-key version of the luminary walk. OPKansas.org
Movie Night: A Christmas Carol 7:00, Aztec Shawnee Theater. Enjoy this iconic 1938 film version of Charles Dickens’ classic novel. ShawneeTown.org
12 Thursday
The Fairy Princess Thru Sunday, Kansas City Museum. A magical experience with gifts, treats and photos in an elegant setting. Timed tickets required. KansasCityMuseum.org
Illumination Thru Sunday, Church of the Resurrection (Leawood). This must-see event features the 120-voice choir and orchestra, Kansas City Dance Collective and more. Resurrection.church
GloWild: Legends & Lore Thru Dec. 29, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Illuminated art and a visit with Santa, as well as free train and carousel rides. KansasCityZoo.org
Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists. Plan a playdate for your children and their friends at the amazing showroom! BackyardSpecialists.com
Thursday Toddler Time at Ceramic Cafe 10:00, Ceramic Cafe. Toddlers 5 and under get to paint one of our selected items for just $12. CeramicCafeKC.com
Jingle! Thru Dec. 31, Legends Field. Enjoy the twisting ice-skating trail, go snow-tubing on real snow and wander through a festive holiday light path! JingleHoliday.com
Candy Cane Hunt 9:00, Lenexa Old Town Activity Center. Hunt for candy canes outside then come inside for milk and cookies, festive crafts, story time and more. Lenexa.com
Club SciKidz Camp Jurassic 4:30, IDEA Space. Kids learn about a variety of dinosaurs, rocks, minerals and fossils. IDEASpaceKC.org
Luminary Walk 5:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Enjoy illuminated garden paths, gnome and fairy villages, live music and photos with Santa. OPKansas.org
After Dark Candy Cane Hunt 6:00, North Kansas City Parks & Recreation Center. Join us for seasonal family fun. NKC.org
Naughty or Nice Games 6:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Story time, cookie “painting,” holiday crafts, grouchy games, a bounce house, snowball fights and more. Lenexa.com
The Nutcracker & the Mouse King 7:30, Midwest Trust Center. Owen/Cox Dance Group brings their highly unique, contemporary jazz adaptation of the classic show. JCCC.edu
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings 6:30 & 8:45, Gem Theater. Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multisensory musical experience. FeverUp.com
Graham Cracker Cottages 9:30 & 11:00, Central Resource and Monticello libraries. Have fun building your own gingerbread house with graham crackers! Register at JoCoLibrary.com
A Very Merry Morning 9:30, Lenexa Baptist Church. Celebrate the season exploring activity stations, including woodworking, ornaments, cookies, a photo op and live animals. LenexaBaptist.com
Merry Science Day in Science City 10:00, Science City. A festive day of science fun with holiday-themed special activities and readings of The Polar Express. ScienceCity.UnionStation.org
Santa Visits 10:00, Family Tree Nursery (Overland Park). The store builds a beautifully unique backdrop that is perfect for capturing a memorable Christmas photo. FamilyTreeNusery.com
Winter Fest 10:00, Olathe Public Library. Crafts, games, story times, caroling, trivia contests, photo ops and more. Special guests include live reindeer! OlatheLibrary.org
Holly Follies Puppet Show 11:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. This puppet show features a variety of Christmas characters, holiday tunes and jolly fun! PuppetryArtsInstitute.org
Santa Day 11:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. Visit jolly ole St. Nick and tell him your Christmas wishes. LouisburgCiderMill.com
Hands-On History 11:00, National WWI Museum and Memorial. Guests of all ages are invited to handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org
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. Enjoy complimentary donuts and hot chocolate, and pet animals and take photos after the show. See the 2024 schedule at LibertyStarFarm.com.
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
Shop local when you visit Historic Downtown Liberty where you’ll find a quaint Main Street atmosphere and more than 30 local shops, including the new Basement Books KC, toy and antique stores and boutiques. After shopping, grab lunch at one of the local restaurants where you can choose from Mexican, Italian, barbecue or café dining. HistoricDowntown Liberty.org
Anna Marie’s Teas is a delightful tea shop located on the Downtown Liberty Square. You may shop for fragrant teas, tea wares and an adorable tea Advent calendar. 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
Santa’s mailbox and a North Pole photo op will be set up next to the giant tree at City Hall on Dec. 2-20. Be sure to include a return address on your letter – Santa and his elves have been known to send a reply! You can visit Santa in person inside the Council Chambers on Dec. 7, 2:00-5:00. Also enjoy treats and live music, vote for storefront displays and see the mayor’s tree lighting at 5:10. VisitLibertyMo.com
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
Christmas Family Day Out 12:30, Church of the Resurrection (Leawood). Enjoy a festive celebration featuring caroling, games, crafts and even Santa himself. Resurrection.church
Winter Magic 6:00, Northland KCMO. Welcome the holiday season with KC’s dazzling 1-mile premier light show at Winter Magic. WinterMagicKC.com
Swimming in a Winter Wonderland 7:00, Blue Valley Activity Center. Get in the holiday spirit and swim with Santa in our winter wonderland! BlueValleyRec.org
Santa Visits 10:00, Family Tree Nursery (Shawnee). The store builds a beautifully unique backdrop that is perfect for capturing a memorable Christmas photo. FamilyTreeNusery.com
Brunch with Santa 10:00, Chicken N Pickle: Overland Park, NKC. A magical morning filled with holiday food and fun plus a visit from the big guy in red! ChickenNPickle.com
The Fairy Princess Noon, Kansas City Museum. A magical experience with gifts, treats and photos in an elegant setting. Timed tickets required. KansasCityMuseum.org
Ice-Skating Ice Terrace Noon, Crown Center Ice Terrace. Grab the family and skate at KC’s iconic ice terrace. CrownCenter.com
Tivoli Presents: White Christmas 2:00, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Enjoy a classic holiday comedy. Nelson-Atkins.org
Immanuel 2:00 and 6:00, Störling Dance Theater. Return to the manger for a musical retelling of the Christmas story, live in concert with Melanie Penn. CultureHouse.com
Carols & Cocoa 5:00, Church of the Resurrection (Lee’s Summit). Bring your favorite Christmas cookies to share while we enjoy hot cocoa and sing carols together. Resurrection.church
GloWild: Legends & Lore Thru Dec. 29, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Illuminated art and a visit with Santa, as well as free train and carousel rides. KansasCityZoo.org
Story Time for Families 9:30, North Oak Library. Hear stories, sing songs, join in movement activities and create memories together. MyMCPL.org
Muddy Mondays 10:00, Ceramic Café. A clay expert will show you how to get started and guide you through the process of making a clay creation on the wheel. CeramicCafeKC.com
TubaChristmas Noon, Kauffman Center. Hear your favorite holiday carols performed by hundreds of local tuba and euphonium players. Free; Register at KCSymphony.org.
Tuesday
Totally Tots 10:30, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Sing songs, read books, explore art and make your own art. KemperArt.org
Christmas Tales 5:00, Bass Pro Shops (Olathe). Santa or Mrs. Claus will read Christmas stories to the families and take photos. Register at BassPro.com/Olathe.
Electric Glow 5:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the electric gardens in this low-key version of the luminary walk. OPKansas.org
R.E.A.D to a Dog 5:30, Olathe Downtown Library. Read aloud to a friendly reading education assistance dog. Register at OlatheLibary.org.
Finding Nemo Select dates thru Dec. 30, The Coterie. The beloved 2003 Pixar movie comes to the live stage as Nemo explores beyond his anemone home. TheCoterie.org
Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. Provides kids a place to run, ride and play while making new friends. Lenexa.com
Thursday
Christmas Concert 6:00, Church of the Resurrection (Brookside). Take a pause during the busy season and reflect on the meaning of Christmas through music. Resurrection.church
Clay Pot Trees and Reindeer Craft 6:30, Powell Gardens. A children’s crafting night that includes story time, crafts and a snack. PowellGardens.org
The King’s Singers in Holiday Concert 7:00, Folly Theater. A special program filled with holiday joy! HJSeries.org
Holiday Concert: Overland Park Civic Band 7:30, Atonement Lutheran Church. Holiday cheer will be heard in this 2024 holiday concert. OPCivicBand.org
Snow Globe Creation with Santa 9:30 (Overland Park) & 11:00 (Merriam), Inspired Play Café. First come first served; online reservations recommended. InspiredPlayCafe.com
How the Grinch Stole Story Time 10:00, Lee’s Summit Library. Enjoy seeing the Grinch and taking photos with him at this holiday story time. Register at MyMCPL.org.
Story Time with Santa and Mrs. Claus 4:00, Raytown Library. Santa and Mrs. Claus are making a special trip to read a story at the library. Register at MyMCPL.org.
Third Friday Art Walk in Englewood 5:30, Englewood District. Enjoy monthly Third Friday Art Walks in the art district. EnglewoodArtsDistrict.net
Tivoli Presents: It’s a Wonderful Life 7:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Enjoy an evening with George Bailey in this classic holiday movie. Nelson-Atkins.org
Jingle! Thru Dec. 31, Legends Field. Enjoy the twisting ice-skating trail, go snow-tubing on real snow and wander through a festive holiday light path! JingleHoliday.com
KC Rep: A Christmas Carol Thru Dec. 28, Spencer Theatre. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey as one of Kansas City’s beloved traditions. KCRep.org
Breakfast with Santa 8:00, The View Community Center. Enjoy a festive breakfast with Santa, featuring Chris Cakes pancakes, a holiday craft and cheerful holiday music! Grandview.org
Photos + Play with Santa 8:00 (Overland Park) & 11:00 (Merriam), Inspired Play Café. First come first served; online reservations recommended. InspiredPlayCafe.com
Night at the Movies: Christmas Edition 6:30, Olathe Downtown Library. Join us at the Downtown Olathe Library for our Night at the Movies event! OlatheKS.gov
Finding Nemo Select dates thru Dec. 30, The Coterie. The beloved 2003 Pixar movie comes to the live stage as Nemo explores beyond his anemone home. TheCoterie.org
Holiday Choirs Select dates thru Dec. 31, Crown Center. Beautiful music fills the halls as nearly 100 Kansas City area community choirs perform. CrownCenterChristmas.com
Rabbit hOle Noon. Journey through a literacy wonderland celebrating an array of children’s books for the whole family to enjoy. RabbitHoleKC.org
Story Time with Santa and Mrs. Claus 2:00, Blue Springs Library. Santa and Mrs. Claus are making a special trip to read a story at the library. Register at MyMCPL.org.
Winter Magic Lights 6:00, Northland KCMO. Welcome the holiday season with KC’s dazzling premier 1-mile light show at Winter Magic. WinterMagicKC.com
Hokusai: Waves of Inspiration Thru Jan. 5, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. See one of the most famous Japanese artists in history. Nelson-Atkins.org
Cookie Decorating with Santa 8:30 (Overland Park) & 10:30 (Merriam), Inspired Play Café. First come first served; online reservations recommended. InspiredPlayCafe.com
Kids Camp: Swirly Reindeer 2:00, Painting with a Twist. Let their break be your break too! Send your kids to enjoy a seasonal painting class. PaintingWithATwist.com
Electric Glow 5:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the electric gardens in this low-key version of the luminary walk. OPKansas.org
Christmas Eve Eve at LBC 7:00, Lenexa Baptist Church. Join us for our treasured tradition celebrating the birth of our Christ through music and candlelight. LenexaBaptist.com
Christmas Eve at LBC 1:00, 3:00 & 5:00 Lenexa Baptist Church. Join us for our treasured tradition celebrating the birth of our Christ through music and candlelight. LenexaBaptist.com
Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village 10:00, Union Station. Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with brilliant sights and sounds at Kansas City’s historic home. UnionStation.org
Frozen in Concert 11:00, Kauffman Center. Watch the magic unfold on the big screen as the Kansas City Symphony performs the score live. KCSymphony.org
The Nutcracker Ballet 1:00, Kauffman Center, Kansas City. Experience the Kansas City Ballet’s enchanting performance of this holiday classic. KCBallet.org
Christmas Eve at Colonial 4:30, South KC Colonial Presbyterian. Celebrate the birth of our Jesus Christ with music, candlelight, communion and carols. ColonialKC.org
25 Wednesday
Merry Christmas, KC Parent readers! Thank you for 39 years of readership and support!
26 Thursday
Snowflake Salt Art 10:00, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. Use salt, water colors and chemistry to create beautiful snowflake art. KansasDiscovery.org
Play and Learn 5:00, Grandview Library. Enjoy a special preschool playtime designed to stimulate young minds and strengthen early literacy skills. Register at MyMCPL.org.
27 Friday
Cake Pop Snowman 10:30, Green Hills Library. Enjoy the yumminess and make your own very own cake pop snowman. Register at MyMCPL.org.
A Family New Year’s Party 11:00, Blue Springs North Library. Countdown to noon with games, STEAM activities and a balloon drop. Register at MyMCPL.org.
28 Saturday
Jumperoo 8:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park Overland Park. Children 7 and under and their parent/guardian can jump, bounce and crawl around safely. UrbanAirOP.com
Noon Year’s Eve Party 10:00, Merriam Community Center. Ring in the new year with themed games, snacks, sparkling drinks and a balloon drop at noon! Merriam.org
Seuss on the Loose 10:30, North Oak Library. Join storyteller Becky Everly as she uses stories and props to bring Dr. Seuss’s funny characters to life. Register at MyMCPL.org.
29 Sunday
Rabbit hOle Noon. Journey through a literacy wonderland celebrating an array of children’s books for the whole family to enjoy. RabbitHoleKC.org
Evergy Festival of Lights 5:00, Powell Gardens. Explore illuminated gardens with themed displays and holiday music at this botanical garden. PowellGardens.org
30 Monday
Snowflake Painting 10:00, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. Create your own winter wonderland painting with unconventional tools. KansasDiscovery.org
31 Tuesday
Happy New Year’s Eve, KC Parent readers! Here’s to 2025 as we celebrate our 40 TH ANNIVERSARY !
Wonder Eve 9:00, Wonderscope Museum. Includes crafts, face painting, balloon artists and a confetti celebration at noon. Wonderscope.org
Zoo Year’s Eve 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Roar in the new year at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium! KansasCityZoo.org
New Year’s Balloon Drop 10:30 (Overland Park) & 11:00 (Merriam), Inspired Play Café. First come first served; online reservations recommended. InspiredPlayCafe.com
Noon Year’s Eve Noon Science City. Enjoy a festive day of science fun with the whole family. ScienceCity.UnionStation.org
The Birth Place was carefully designed with you and your newborn in mind. That means cozy suites, queen beds, luxury amenities and a NICU where you can stay in the same room with your baby. It also means we’re going the extra mile to keep newborns and their families safe and healthy.
• Level II NICU, for babies needing extra care
• Skilled neonatal doctors and nurses
• Repeat winner of KC Parent’s “Favorite Place to Have a Baby”
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Part of The University of Kansas Health System
Neonatal nurse practitioners provide on-site support 24/7.
olathehealth.org/birthplace 913-791-4396
Enroll in Dance by FEBRUARY 1 and participate in SLEEPING BEAUTY!
Enroll in any theatre, dance, or art class and audition for our SPRING THEATRE SEASON!
Start private lessons with one of our AMAZING music school teachers!
create here. thrive everywhere.
Discover your own creativity in of our many different art school classes!
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Season!
