Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in kansas city, KS

Eating on the run.

by Jenny Meade

April 27, 2009

I like to eat - but I've never been a great cook.  I don't really like to cook. (Now, baking? That's another story.) Plus I have a couple of picky eaters, so it just never seemed logical to waste time and energy on Food Network-worthy meals when nobody but me would even eat them. (They prefer white or yellow foods, no sauce.)  But for the sake of time and money, I've always tried to have a stash of basic that I could cook quickly that are cheap and easy and will be inhaled by my picky boys. We eat a lot of basic pasta dishes, raw carrots, and fresh fruit. They drink milk, and eat yogurt.  So, not too bad, overall.

But. BUT. This week marks the first time in our lives that we have so many activities to get to in the evenings that I have no idea how I'm going to cook a decent meal for my family even one night a week.  For the month of May, where we have soccer overlapping baseball and swimming lessons and scouts, I will be in the car driving, dropping off or picking up someone, from somewhere, 4 nights per week. 

I have no idea how this happened. I'm slackermommy, remember?  Dude, I'm in trouble.  So, I've started having conversations with my friends who have weathered this heavy activity stage, and received a couple of good suggestions.

• Uncrustables peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  I normally don't like to buy these, it pains me to spend that kind of money in pre-made pb&j sandwiches.  But one friend I have swears by them. Because they are frozen, you can take them with you the car, and as you pick up or drop off another kid, just throw 'em toward the back of the car as they thaw out.  I suppose if you had a lot of time on Sunday you could make a bunch of pb&j sandwiches and freeze them in baggies, and do the same thing.
• Yogurt smoothies. Right now Costco has Lifeway Kefir Smoothies in 8 packs.  Since my kids do like drinkable yogurts I know I can get these down them, and these babies have from 8-11 grams of protein per 8oz. bottle. Can't beat that for running into sports practice with some quick fuel.  You can do yogurt in cups with spoons, too, but those carry a bigger drop/spill risk. 
• Bananas. I'm a little weird about bananas, personally. They only have one good day as far as I'm concerned - the day there is no green left at the ends, and no brown spots have appeared.  I know, I birthed picky kids for a reason. But anyway, maybe your house is less picky, so then bananas are a great "perfect food." Bananas may have a minimal amount of protein, but they do have a good carb load and lots of potassium, which does help those little muscles.
• Chocolate milk smoothies. Slimfast makes powered smoothie mix in many flavors. I know, my kids aren't on a diet, but you don't have to view Slimfast as a diet item if it's used as a supplement instead of meal replacement.  If you add 8oz. of 2% milk to a scoop of Slimfast powder, you get 8 grams of protein and a good mix of vitamins and minerals, instead of just adding chocolate syrup. 

My plan to get through this month is to keep a cooler in the car, I think, stocked with water, fresh fruit, smoothies and pb&js. That way I can avoid the drive-thrus as much as possible. If I can ignore the cries and begging for Taco Bell/Pizza Hut coming from behind my seat, that is.

Top things to do in Kansas City with your kids.

by Jenny Meade

March 05, 2009

Over the past year, we've written a number of articles that offer ideas on the great things that Kansas City has to offer. Just to make it easier, here's a round-up of those posts, all wrapped up in one neat little package. Even though some things may be repeated, you'll get the idea. Enjoy!

 The ABC's of Kansas City

Top 5 things to do in KC when the sun shines 

 Room to Run 

The littlest Picasso

Battle of the Water Parks

Getting to know Kansas City: 5 ways to introduce your toddler to landmarks

And while it wasn't originally posted here, Kelli George wrote a fabulous column last year on 50 Things to do in Kansas City. Here's her thoughts (reprinted with permission):

By Kelli Oliver George of Rancid Raves.

I grew up just outside the Kansas City area, but even as a high-schooler, loved driving into the city for various events. When I moved to Kansas City after college, I was fortunate enough to be based in downtown Kansas City, Missouri and always had a variety of clients situated throughout the area. As such, I got to know the area like the back of my hand. Now that I stay home full-time with my children, I still love driving back into the city. I hope my children grow to love Kansas City as much as I do.

Also, did you notice how I managed to sneak the word "area" into the title? Anyone from Kansas City knows that to limit one's activities to Kansas City "proper" would mean missing out on some really awesome activities.

1. Visit the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. Built in memoriam for a police officer killed in the line of duty, the Farm is a special place to relax with your kids. You can walk the nature trail, sit in the butterfly garden, feed/pet the goats, take a hay ride, pan for gold and hook a live worm for fishing with a cane pole - just to name a few activities. This place is free, but I do throw a few bucks in the donation till.
2. Take a stroll through the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. While there, do this nature-themed scavenger hunt.
   
3. Watch a marble-making demonstration at the Moon Marble Factory in Bonner Springs, KS.
   
4. Dress up in your Halloween costumes and go trick-or-treating at the annual Boo at the Zoo event in the Kansas City Zoo. The people-watching potential is superb, the candy is just gravy. For extra kicks, dress up yourself! Is this where I admit I began attending this event before I even had children?
5. Even if you are not a baseball fan, there is nothing like attending a live, major league baseball game at the Kaufman stadium, home to the Kansas City Royals. If you are a baseball fan, then attending a Kansas City T-Bones baseball game is a must. The T-Bones team is a member of the Northern League and are an excellent chance for your child to see baseball up close and personal.
   
6. Adopt a duck in the Duck Derby on Brush Creak at the Plaza.
7. Visit the Natural History Museum in Lawrence, KS at the University of Kansas. The Panorama of North American plants and animals is simply stunning. It is the largest diorama of its kind in the world and features the flora and fauna of habitats from the Arctic tundra to the rainforest.
8. In May, attend the the PowWow at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS. The diverse student population represents members from federally recognize tribes from across the United States. It is difficult to describe how awe-inspiring it is to not only hear but to also feel the beat of the drums.
   
9. Visit the Lakeside Nature Center in Swope Park. This indoor nature center is a great activity for steamy and frigid days.
   
10. Do some "banking", go "grocery shopping", lob some golf balls, and do some "gardening" at Wonderscope, the Children's Museum of Kansas City.
    
11. Go to the Plaza Lighting Ceremony the night of Thanksgiving. Watching the lights come on is simply magical and is a sweet way to kick off the holiday season. It is definitely worth braving the insane throngs of people to see this happen in person at least once.
12. On a bright Saturday morning, head down to the City Market and do your grocery shopping at the Farmer's Market. While you are there, check out the Steamboat Arabia, a steamboat that sunk in the Missouri River in the mid 1800s and was re-discovered in the 1990s.
    
13. During the Christmas season at the Crown Center, watch the mayor's Christmas tree lighting, then go ice skating.
    
14. Visit the Union Station (the traveling exhibits change frequently.) The space is just gorgeous and is a great opportunity to share a bit of important Kansas City history with your child. Be sure to check out the supposed bullet holes from the 1933 Union Station Massacre, the event that prompted the US Congress to strengthen the powers of the FBI.
    
15. See a play at the Coterie Theater, "one of the best five theaters for young audiences in the U.S.", according to Time Magazine.
    
16. Attend a NASCAR race at the Kansas Speedway. Don't forget to bring earplugs.
    
17. Take a ride on a vintage train in Baldwin, KS on the Midland Railway.
    
    
    
18. In Brookside, savor some custard at Foo's Fabulous Custard, then head over to the Reading Reptile, an utterly delightful children's bookstore.
    
19. Have an old-fashioned chocolate soda at Murray's Ice Cream in Westport. Watch out for brain freeze.
    
20. Attend the Leavenworth County Fair in Tonganoxie, KS. A traditional country fair complete with demolition derby, 4H projects, smelly livestock, carnival games, cotton candy and dust. Lots and lots of dust.
    
21. Take a hike at the Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe, KS and let your child lead the way. The trails are (mostly) stroller-friendly and are great for toddlers. It's a great place to let your child run around and explore.
    
22. Hunt for butterflies at Powell Gardens, Kansas City's botanical gardens.
    
23. Visit the Harry Truman Presidential Library. If your kids protest that would be boring, insist it will good for building their characters. If that does not work, threaten to stick them in the car and drive them to Abilene, KS (a good 2.5 hours away) to visit Eisenhower's museum instead. While playing AM radio the entire way.
    
24. Explore Kansas City's history by touring the John Wornall house and the Bingham-Wagner estate.
25. Eat lunch at both the original Gates Barbecue and Arthur Bryant locations. Brace yourself for the verbal abuse at Gates, but it is worth the experience.
    
26. Attend the American Royal - one of the largest combined livestock, horse and rodeo shows in the nation. Definitely make time for the opening event, the Annual American Royal Barbecue. Billed as the "world series" in barbecue, it is a two-day love affair with barbecue that allows you to sample nearly 500 offerings.
    
27. Visit 18th and Vine and learn about Kansas City's distinguished history in jazz.
    
28. Attend the Jazz in the Woods Festival at Corporate Woods.
    
29. Visit the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop, the last remaining stagecoach stop on the historic Santa Fe Trail still open to the public.
30. Definitely, take your child to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. For serious - any event that states "Patrons are welcome to attend in costume." and that the venue is " Fifteen minutes and five hundred years from downtown Kansas City." is something you should attend.
    
31. The Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade, one of the largest St. Patrick's day parades in the country at 2 miles long with several hundred thousand spectators.
32. Check out the Kansas City Aviation Expo and Airshow.
33. See the Kansas City Roller Warriors, KC's premiere all-female roller derby league.
34. The Parkville Days Annual Riverfest - a day of jazz and blues in the historic downtown of Parkville.
35. Attend the Johnson County Old Settlers' Parade - an old-fashioned parade with off-tune marching bands, horses, cheerleaders, local politicians. The food theme is "If it ain't fried, it died" and no childhood is complete until one has had a Grange Pup, a bit of deep-fried hot dog heaven on a stick. Don't bother checking your cholesterol later.
    
    
    
36. Navigate the corn maze at the Pendleton Farm.
    
    
    
37. Attend the Kansas City Scottish Highland Games. Take the opportunity to discuss why kilts and beer together may or may not always be such a great idea.
    
38. See the Kansas City Ballet at Ballet in the Park.
39. Attend the Kansas City Irish Fest.
40. Take a stroll through the historic Rose Garden in Loose Park. Afterwards, cool off in the wading pool.
    
41. Visit the Kemper Art Museum - an easily accessible museum that won't overwhelm or tire out your kid. Resist the urge to plow your stroller into precious pieces of sculpture (not that I have done that, of course.) Afterwards, have a fancy lunch in the museum's cafe. After lunch, check out Kansas City's own Thomas Hart Benton at the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum. Then, go outside and let your kids run off some steam in the Kansas City Sculpture Park.
    
42. Explore the Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City.
    
43. Pick some berries at the Berry Patch.
44. Putt-putt around Smiley's miniature golf course in Lenexa - a Kansas City golfing institution for over 50 years.
    
45. Let your kids melt some crayons, cover themselves in glitter and glue their fingers together at Hallmark's Kaleidoscope.
46. Attend a live jazz session in the deck and gazebo area overlooking the vineyard or help out with fall harvest at the Holyfield Winery in Basehor, KS.
47. Pack a picnic dinner and head over to the Theatre in the Park in Shawnee Mission.
48. Get your Shakespeare Fix at at Southmoreland Park's Shakespeare Festival. Sure, your kid may not appreciate it, but at least you can say you tried.
    
49. Take a tour of the Kansas City fountains.
    
    
50. Sample one of the best buttermilk pasta salads ever and then enjoy a fresh chocolate-chip cookie at Browne's Market, a 120+ year old market currently ran by the 5th generation of Brownes.

(Mmmm, Foo's Frozen Custard....) Oh wait, where was I? 

There are of course, tons more things to do here in Kansas City. Feel free to leave your own favorites in the comments!

A Whole New Exercise Video Experience

by Rita Arens

August 19, 2008

If you're like me, you have a hard time fitting in workouts, especially when your children are conscious. Lately, I've been getting frustrated and doing workout DVDs with my daughter in the room. Surprise! She does them with me! At least part of them. My favorite part is when she attempts to do Pilates floor exercises with me, particularly the Pilates seal. To do the seal, you put your hands  Read more...

Battle of the Water Parks

by Rita Arens

June 13, 2008

Okay, I need some reader support here. Which water park is best for preschoolers? With a kid who's still working on putting her head under without freaking out, I haven't tried these out as a parent yet. Coco Key (weekend day pass - $25) Oceans of Fun (twilight pass for after 3 p.m. - $18, regularly $28) Aquatic Center at Tiffany Hills Park ($5 for preschoolers) What do you think?  Read more...

They're Just Getting So Big!

by Rita Arens

June 11, 2008

Is your preschooler outgrowing the baby room at Wonderscope? At a loss for what to do when the baby swings no longer hold any allure? It's time to start REALLY enjoying life. I remember when my daughter starting outgrowing the baby stuff, I wasn't sure how much she was physically able to take on. Turns out, a lot. First off, ditch that tricycle and buy your preschooler a tiny bike with  Read more...