Being Savvy: Activities, things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Kansas City, KS

What's Living in the Midwest without a Corn Maze?

by Rita Arens

Well, I'm feeling autumnal now that we're safely away from Labor Day, and I like to celebrate my harvest season with a good corn maze. Fortunately for me, there's one in Liberty . This year the shape is in tribute to the Kansas City Zoo, and children under 4 are free! (Adults are $9, older kids are $7. ) The maze is cut with the aid of GPS, and bridges have been added so you can get up and ... Read more >

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Mini Vegetables: Fun for Everyone

by Rita Arens

This is the time of year that tiny squash and Indian corn and pumpkins and all manner of tiny fall flora and fauna start showing up outside Hy-Vee and Price Chopper. I don't know what it is about miniature food, but I have a deep-seated need to decorate with it. And it's so cheap! Try giving your preschooler a lesson in budgeting. Give him or her $3 and let your child carefully choose ... Read more >

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Apple Orchards: Yes, Please

by Rita Arens

Fall and apple orchards go together. Even though I'd usually choose just about any other fruit over a raw apple (I know, I'm weird), apple orchards suddenly turn me into an apple snob. And the smell of baked apples ... oh, dear, I'm getting distracted. Now that Stephenson's has closed, you have to make this a day trip. You can either try the Weston Red Barn Farm or head up to Platte City for ... Read more >

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Pumpkin Patches on the Missouri Side

by Rita Arens

The colors of fall combined with a huge pile of anything are enough to send a preschooler into nirvana. A stack of pumpkins five feet high? Plus the opportunity to maybe pet a goat? Katie, bar the door. Since I covered Kansas pumpkin patches last week while talking about hayrides (they tend to go together), here are some pumpkin patches on the Missouri side: Belton Pumpkin Patch, 3800 ... Read more >

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Raking Those Leaves

by Rita Arens

Our first house had four giant, mature trees and a row of tree-height hibiscus bushes. Our current house has three huge, mature trees. On average, we bag 40-60 large lawn bags every autumn. BUT NOT UNTIL WE JUMP IN THEM. We are no strangers to rakes at Chateau Travolta. The trees in Kansas City tend to drop at different times. If you've got them staggered, then you'll have a bit of time to ... Read more >

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Leaf Collections: Not Just for Geeks and Crafters

by Rita Arens

You know that huge park we have? Swope? Over there by the zoo and Starlight Theater? It has a lot of different types of trees in it. And it's really, really, big. I bet they would not mind if you collected a few samples. Really. Fall leaves are so beautiful, and it's really the only time of year I notice how many different types of trees we have in Kansas City. Taking up a little fall collection ... Read more >

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