KCKidsFun

Next Tuesday is February 14th. That means this weekend kicks off  Valentine’s Day celebrations. Take time this weekend to get crafty with your little ones, and wrap your shoeboxes in red paper and start putting together those special Be Mine notes for your child’s classmates.  You might double check the school schedules, just to be safe. Some schools in Blue Valley, for instance, are hosting Valentines parties on Monday instead of Tuesday, due to early dismissal/teacher inservice schedules.

But there’s more to it than candy and hearts. There’s always a lot of fun activities around Kansas City with the kids. In fact, the fun starts on Thursday the 9th, when you can visit Story Time at Reading Reptile (Brookside, KCMO) – 11am – ages 3 to 7 – $3 includes craft and cupcake (reservations requested). This week’s theme of course: Valentine fun!

On Friday February 10th, Check out the Father-Daughter Valentine’s Dance at Matt Ross Community Center, Overland Park – 6:30pm to 8:30pm (registration required.) Or maybe the the Mother/Son – Father/Daughter Valentine’s Dance at Brush Creek Community Center (KCMO) is more your style. It runs 6pm to 8pm.

Not wanting to dress up? Also on Friday, check out Notable You! at Whole Foods Market, Metcalf 7401 W. 91st Street Overland Park, KS. 1-3pm – Decorate clipboards and attach thoughtful notes or Valentines. FREE, includes a snack, and designed for children ages 3-12 years old. Kids may join the fun in the café anytime during the events, unless otherwise noted.

On Saturday, dress way down and check out Naturally from the Heart – Burr Oak Woods Nature Center (Blue Springs, MO) – 10am to 11am where you can create special Valentines from all natural materials.
Family Fun Day at Johnson County Museum (Shawnee, KS) – 10am – Drop in and make handmade Valentines!

And finally, in case you’re too busy to hit a specific window of heart-shaped fun, there’s always  Valentine’s Day Fun at Paradise Park (Lee’s Summit). The Children’s Edutainment Center will feature a full week of Valentine’s themed fun. You can bake Valentine heart cookies in the interactive kitchen and create Valentine cards and fun flowers in the art studio. Share the fun with someone you love. It runs from Saturday, February 11th thru the 14th.

Looking for more? Check out our Events Calendar!

* image via  http://www.flickr.com/photos/hint-of-plum/ licensed with Creative Commons

Getting a little stir-crazy? It’s been a weird winter for weather here in Kansas City (three points for alliteration!)  One day it’s so freezing cold you don’t even want to get out of bed, and the next it’s nice enough to kick the kids outside to play in just a lightweight jacket. It’s hard to plan. This is why we all drive big cars with lots of storage – we need room for extra jackets, gloves, hats, water bottles and a soccer ball or two. Just in case.

Here’s some options for getting out of the house this weekend regardless of the temperature.

• Friday, January 27, 2012

  • Chinese New Year Celebration – Nelson-Atkins Museum(KCMO). 5-9 p.m. Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with performances and family-friendly activities throughout the Museum! Come ready to record your memories! Dress in authentic Chinese robes, “ride” our traditional rickshaw and pose with the Empress and Emperor or next to a dragon balloon sculpture, built by San Francisco performer Kat the Acrobat.
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, presented by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre
  • The Wrestling Season, January 24 – February 19 at The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1 (for 7th grade and up)
  • Missouri Mavericks vs. Quad City Mallards hockey, Independence Events Center
  • Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music at Sprint Center (KCMO)
  • Strega Nona, presented by Paul Mesner Puppets, 1006 E. Linwood, KCMO

• Saturday, January 28, 2012

  • Puppetry Arts Institute (Independence, MO) presents The Further Adventures of Jack’s Cow by puppeteer Anitra Steele (Two Frogs and a Turtle Puppet Co.) – Hand puppets continue the story of Jack & the Beanstalk’s cow. 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
  • Play with Clay! Saturday morning and afternoon children’s classes (ages 7-12) at Red Star Studios (January 14, 21, and 28). $75 for 3 classes. For more information, call us at 816-474-7316 or visit our website, www.redstarstudios.org
  • Kidsafe Awareness, noon-1:00pm (presented by Blue Valley Recreation) For ages 6-13. Kids develop safety awareness in a fun, friendly environment. Learn basic safety concepts and how to recognize and react to high-risk situations. Taught by a 25-year veteran of the Overland Park Police Department. Held at Blue Valley Karate.
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, presented by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre
  • The Wrestling Season, January 24 – February 19 at The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1 (for 7th grade and up)
  • Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music at Sprint Center (KCMO)
  • Strega Nona, presented by Paul Mesner Puppets, 1006 E. Linwood, KCMO

• Sunday, January 29, 2012

  • Kansas Day Celebration at Ernie Miller Nature Park (Olathe) – 2pm to 4pm. Celebrate all things Kansas on our statehood day! Can you name the Kansas Symbols? See some of the natural symbols live and in person. Have a piece of cake for the state’s birthday and be delighted by the stories from a pioneer. Participate in fun activities for all ages during this two-hour event and even join in a rousing chorus of Home on the Range! The cost of the program to be paid at the site is $5 per person including adults. For reservations and more information call (913) 764-7759. Reservations are required.
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, presented by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre
  • The Wrestling Season, January 24 – February 19 at The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1 (for 7th grade and up)
  • Kansas City Symphony presents Tchaikovsky Discovers America, part of the Family Series, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO
  • Missouri Mavericks vs. Quad City Mallards hockey, Independence Events Center
  • Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music at Sprint Center (KCMO)
  • Strega Nona, presented by Paul Mesner Puppets, 1006 E. Linwood, KCMO

If you’re kids are like mine, it’s not December unless we have at least two trips planned to Crown Center.  There’s so much to see, do, eat, watch and listen to…and it’s all perfectly “Kansas City”.  So what exactly is going on at Crown Center?  Here’s a rundown of all things Coterie, Santa, ice skating, singing, dancing and more!  Enjoy.

November 1 – December 31
Seussical
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. The plots of “Horton Hears a Who” and “Horton Hatches the Egg” are tunefully interwoven in this widely celebrated and critically acclaimed production. The Coterie was credited in The New York Times for originating this version “for all ages”… a true family classic!” Part of the Coterie’s Family Series. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org .

November 4 – March 18, 2012
Crown Center Ice Terrace
Crown Center Square. Kansas City’s only public outdoor ice skating rink is open for its 39th season of great skating fun. Regular admission is $6, or complimentary for those over age 60 and children age 4 and under. Skate rental is $3, or skaters may bring their own. Hours through January: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday & Saturday. Hours during February and March: noon to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; noon to 11 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday. 816-274-8411. (The rink is open until March 18, 2012.)

November 4 – December 24
The Marvelous Wonderettes
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Everyone wants the perfect prom night. But when the entertainment fails to show up for the 1958 Springfield High Prom, it’s up to The Wonderettes to come through, with such hits as “It’s My Party,” “Alleghany Moon,” “Dream Lover” and more. An unforgettable musical trip down memory lane for the whole family! 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com.

November 25 – December 31
Santa’s Crayola®Christmas Land
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Showplace. Children can play on super-sized Crayola® products, while waiting to tell Santa all their holiday wishes. Santa is in residence November 25 through December 24. The Crayola Christmas Land play area is open through December 31. No admission fee. Photos with Santa are available for a fee. Open during Crown Center Shops holiday hours. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Closed Christmas Day. 816-274-8444.

November 25 – December 31
Santa’s Gingerbread Village
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Three locomotives travel through a Santa’s gingerbread village in the North Pole, all created by the chefs at The Westin Crown Center hotel. See the reindeer stable, Santa’s sleigh garage, the elves’ dorm, a doll, rocking horse, and ball factory, and even Mr. & Mrs. Claus’ home. No admission fee. Open during Crown Center Shops holiday hours. Closed Christmas Day. 816-274-8444.

November 25 – January 5/ Family Fun Holiday Movies

Screenland Crown Center, Level 3. Screenland Crown Center offers a great family movie every Thursday through Sunday. The lineup: “The Smurfs” (November 25-27, December 1), “Zookeeper” (December 2-4 and 8), “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” (December 9-11 and 15), “Spy Kids 2″ (December 16-18 and 22), “The Polar Express” (December 23-25 and 29), “Dolphin Tale” (December 30-January 1 and January 8). Showtime is 2 p.m. $3 per person. Add a small popcorn and juicebox or small soft drink for just $2 more. 816-545-8034 orScreenland.com.

November 28 – December 16
Weekday Holiday Choirs
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Beautiful music fills the halls of Crown Center, as more than 130 area school, church and community choirs perform during weekday lunch hours and weekday evenings. No admission fee. 816-274-8444 orCrownCenter.com/choirs .

December 1-18
“A Spectacular Christmas Concert”
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3.  Presented by Musical Theater Heritage, their holiday offering will feature holiday songs from movies and musicals. Bring your family for a special holiday memory! Call 816-842-9999 or visit MTHKC.com for tickets.

December 3, 10, 17
Musical Fun For Kids
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Enjoy holiday music for kids and families on three Saturdays in December with The Doo Dads (December 3), Jim Cosgrove, aka Mr. Stinky Feet & The Hiccups (December 10) and Dino O’Dell and the Veloci Rappers (December 17).  Shows at noon and 2 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.