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

Places to see outdoor art with your kids.

by Jenny Meade

August 04, 2009

 Sometimes, dragging your little ones through art installations at the museum seems utterly impossible, an exercise in futility that doesn't sound fun, even to the most adventurous parents.  But, you can always show them the art that isn't hidden away in museums - the stuff that's outside, for everyone to see.

This is apparently called a shuttlecock, at the Nelson-Atkins, although I would have called it a birdie. Huh.

Ooooh, giant spiders. What kid wouldn't love that? At the Kemper.

The mural of Lewis & Clark, located in the River Market. Photo by Rich Schmidt.  Check out his flickr stream - dude takes some pretty amazing pictures.

There's many more great places to see art sculptures around Kansas City that will really make your child's imagination fly. But I can't seem to find pictures, so I guess I'm going to have to make a trek around town, myself, with a camera. Stay tuned. 

Weekend Roundup.

by Jenny Meade

July 24, 2009

There's lots of fun in store for you and your kids this weekend. Here's some of our favorites. Enjoy!

• The musical Brigadoon at Leawood's Ironwood Park
• U  Bug Me! runs one more week at The Coterie Theatre
• Bounce at Martin City Melodrama (which isn't in Martin City anymore)
• Georgia's Chicken Run at Deanna Rose Farmstead
• Dino O'Dell at the Platte City Library
  
• Platte County Fair and Miami County Fair (it's that time of year!)

Stargazing with preschoolers.

by Jenny Meade

July 20, 2009

I think I mentioned before that I tend to be a bit obsessed with getting my kids to bed early, as part of a regularly scheduled bedtime routine. That said, sometimes I think it would be nice to stay up late and watch the stars pop out into the inky black sky, one by one by dozens.

This is a little hard to do in the summer, when it doesn't even get dark until after 9:30pm. It's much easier in the winter,  when dark falls closer to 5:30 or 6pm here in the Midwest. But then, of course, it's too cold to stand in the driveway watching the stars.

Better to visit the Planetarium.  

During the weekday mornings at the Kansas City Planetarium, not only can you share a glimpse of the stars with your little ones, you can watch a laser show while listening to the brilliantly fun sounds of Sergei Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf.

Now that's just the right speed for preschoolers. 

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

by Jenny Meade

May 21, 2009

I may have mentioned a time or twenty that this weekend is the KC Jiggle Jam. Mostly I'm so focused on it because A. It is pretty darn entertaining, and B. Really this weekend is all about things that young children just don't understand. It's about remembering those who have served to protect our country.  We tend to gloss over the real reason for this holiday sometimes, because the weather is usually so pretty and mild, and a long weekend is always a good time to gather with friends and family and fire up the grill.  And because, honestly, most of us just don't want to talk about tough stuff with our young kids. Either we don't know how, or we just don't want to jade them too early, maybe.

Depending on the age and maturity of your kids, there are a couple of places you could take them this weekend to get a glimpse into what the Memorial Day holiday is really about.  Here in Kansas City, we have a rich history of honoring our fallen heroes.  Here's a few:

• WWI museum at Liberty Memorial
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial - 43rd & Broadway off the Plaza
• Rosedale Memorial Arch -  1403 Southwest Blvd. Kansas City, KS
• Buffalo Soldier Monument - Grant & Stimson Aves. Fort Leavenworth, KS
• Korean War Memorial - 119th & Lowell, Overland Park, KS

Maybe none of these things are for you. That's okay. You can always go catch the Royals playing the Detroit Tigers Monday afternoon. And with 10,000 other people, stand and hold your hat over your heart while singing our National Anthem, and feel your chest swell as the jets thunder across the sky. 

There's honor in the little things. And maybe that's lesson enough for our kids. 

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!

Counting Around Kansas City.

by Jenn Meade

February 10, 2009

My third grader has been a math whiz from the very beginning. So much so that my husband and I joke that we don't even know where the math gene came from, because neither one of us has it. 

Even at a really young age, he was in love with numbers and math and science.  And I am telling you, we spent a lot of time at Science City because of it.  You can count bones and fossils at the DinoLab. You can count trains and people and buildings on the miniature train models.  You can count animals in the nature center, and golf balls on the putting range. You can even count the stars at the Planetarium.

There are so many ways to count and work with numbers there...well, your preschooler probably can't count that high. Yet.

Mommy? I'm Bored. Already.

by Rita Arens

June 17, 2008

The words we all dread. "I'm bored." Funny how early they master that, eh? Never fear. Get someone else to do what you've been doing all winter. For some reason, a new adult reading a book is so much more interesting than a parent reading a book. Maybe it's in the way they hold it up for everyone to see? For story times, check out Tales for Tiny Tykes at the Plaza branch of the Kansas City  Read more...