Kansas City’s first snowfall is here! Get out to the garage and clean up your sleds - then check out one of Kansas City’s best sledding hills. We’ve compiled a partial list but feel free to add your favorites in the Comments section below.

• “Suicide Hill” (KCMO) –56th and Brookside, Brookside Park
• Gillham Park (Kansas City, MO)
• Avila University (KCMO) - 119th and Wornall
• Water Works Park (Northland) - North Oak, just north of Burlington in North Kansas City - multiple hills here!
• William Jewell College (Liberty, MO)
• William Landahl Park Reserve (north side of park) (Blue Springs, MO)
• Ward Park (Blue Springs, MO) - SW 22nd St. off of 40 Highway
• High Grove Elementary School (Grandview, MO)
• Belvidere Park (Grandview, MO) - 6509 E. 147th
• Meadowmere Park (Grandview, MO) - 13610 Byars
• Glendale Elementary School, Lee’s Summit Road (Independence) - a good slope for smaller kids
• McCoy Park (Independence) - 24 Highway
• Hill across from Lea McKeighan Park (Lee’s Summit, MO) - 120 NE Chipman
• 119th & Kansas City Road (Olathe, KS)
• 137th and BlackBob (Olathe, KS) - just south of Lowe’s
• I-435 between Antioch and Metcalf (Overland Park, KS) by Cleveland Chiropractic College (formerly the Farmer’s Insurance building) - get there via College Blvd.
• Grace Church (Overland Park, KS) - 159th & Antioch
• Wyandotte County Lake Park (Kansas City, KS)
• Shawnee Mission Park (Lenexa/Shawnee, KS)
• Stump Park (Shawnee, KS) - 47th & Woodland

NOTE: Not all of these locations - though popular - are public property. It is always a good idea to seek permission before sledding on private property. Be careful and watch out for your kids! Sledding is super fun but can certainly be a bit dangerous.

Where are YOUR favorite sledding hills, KC Kids Fun readers?

Oh, the weather outside is frightful. So, let’s go swimming! Right?

Right! Why not mix it up a little this fall and winter around the Kansas City metro? There are a lot of great indoor pools and community centers with public swimming hours. You’ll want to double check their websites for up-to-date hours and fees - but what a great change of pace for you and for the kids as the days get shorter and much, much COLDER! (Our list is just pools open to the public - many communities, schools and fitness centers also have indoor pools but no open swim availability. If we’ve missed a local indoor pool that is open to the public for recreational swimming, let us know!)

Kansas City, MO

Gregg/Klice Community Center (Kansas City, MO)

The New Southeast Community Center (Kansas City, MO) - opening December 2008

Tony Aguirre Community Center (Kansas City, MO)

Northland

Liberty Community Center (Liberty, MO)

Gladstone Community Center (Gladstone, MO)

North Kansas City Community Center (North Kansas City, MO) - closed until first part of December for repairs

Park Hill Aquatic Center (Kansas City north, MO)

Platte County Community Center North (Platte City, MO)

Platte County Community Center South (Parkville, MO)

Eastern Jackson County, MO

Legacy Park Community Center (Lee’s Summit, MO)

Centennial Pool Plex (Blue Springs, MO)

CoCoKey Resort (eastern Jackson County, MO–KCMO) - day passes are available to the public

Henley Aquatic Center (Independence, MO)

Johnson County, KS

Matt Ross Community Center (Overland Park, KS)

Roeland Park Aquatic Center (Roeland Park, KS)

Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center (Mission, KS)

Blue Valley Recreation Aquatic Center (south Overland Park, KS)

Cass County, MO

Belton Community Center (Belton, MO) - new indoor pool opening soon!

Harrisonville Community Center (Harrisonville, MO)

Blue Springs

Blue Springs Family YMCA Learning Center 1300 SE Adams Dairy Parkway (Blue Springs)

Jaguar Preschool at Blue Springs South High School 1200 SE Adams Dairy Parkway (Blue Springs)

Kindercare Learning Centers 821 N. Woods Chapel Rd and 1404 SW Hwy 7 (Blue Springs)

Learning Ladder 301 SW Woods Chapel Rd. (Blue Springs) 816-229-9949

Liggett Trail Education Center in Blue Springs School District 3575 SW Liggett (Blue Springs) - special ed or Title I services

Little Angels Learning Center 1405 W. Main (Blue Springs)

Little Einsteins Learning Center 2300 SW Hwy 7 (Blue Springs) 816-220-7070

Montessori Children’s House 950 SW 37th St. (Blue Springs)

Montessori Day School 1505 NW Mock Ave. (Blue Springs)

Plaza Heights Christian Academy 1505 SW Clark Rd. (Blue Springs)

Son-shine Kids 430 NE Duncan Rd. (Blue Springs)

St. John LaLande Early Childhood Center 700 NW Range (Blue Springs)

Timothy Lutheran 425 NW RD Mize Rd (Blue Springs)

Grain Valley

Building Blocks Childcare and Preschool 557 RD Mize Rd. and 1321 W. AA Hwy.

Faith United Methodist MDO 1950 Eagles Pkwy (Grain Valley)

Grain Valley School District Early Childhood Special Education at Prairie Branch Elementary 2100 Dillingham Rd. (Grain Valley)

Independence

Apple Tree Christian Child Care 11029 E. 23rd St. (Independence) 816-254-0081

Benton Early Childhood 429 S. Leslie (Independence)

Bethel Baptist Preschool 2406 S. M-291 Hwy (Independence)

Blackburn Child and Family Learning Center 17302 E. RD Mize Rd. (Independence)

Bryant Child and Family Learning Center 827 W. College (Independence)

Christ UMC 14506 E. 39th St.

Christian Ott Early Education Center 1525 N. Noland Rd. (Independence)

Creative World #20 2641 Hub Drive (Independence)

Englewood Day Care and Preschool 10628 E. Winner Rd. (Independence) 816-254-8313

First Baptist Church 500 W. Truman Rd. (Independence)

Ft. Osage School District Early Childhood Center 18109 E. 12th St. (Independence)

Great Beginnings Preschool 2020 S. M-291 Hwy (Independence)

Hand in Hand Children’s Center 2901 M291 Frontage Rd. (Independence)

Hope Christian School 2425 S. Crysler (Independence) 816-254-9785

Independence School District Head Start at Hanthorn 1511 S. Kingshighway (Independence)

Kids Kastle Preschool 1701 E. 24 Hwy. (Independence) 816-461-5275

Mill Creek Child and Family Center 2601 N. Liberty (Independence)

Nativity of Mary School 10017 E. 36th Ter (Independence)

Randall Early Childhood Center 509 Jennings Rd. (Independence)

Rockwood Baptist Church PDO & Pre-K 10035 E. Westport Rd. (Independence)

Santa Fe Child Development 1301 S. Windsor (Independence)

Spring Branch Child Development 20404 E. Truman Rd. (Independence)

St. Mark’s Small Wonder Preschool 3736 S. Lee’s Summit Rd. (Independence)

St. Paul Lutheran 17200 E. 39th St. (Independence)

Stone Church 1012 W. Lexington Ave. (Independence)

Sunshine Center 18400 E. Salisbury Rd. (Independence)

Sycamore Hills Baptist 15200 E. 39th St. (Independence)

Sycamore Hills Child & Family Learning Center 15208 E. 39th (Independence)

Tri-City Christian Schools 4500 Little Blue Parkway

William Southern Early Childhood Education Center 4300 Phelps Rd. (Independence)

Lee’s Summit

Aldersgate UMC 350 SW St. Rte 150 (Lee’s Summit)

Appletree Academy 800 SW 150 Highway (Lee’s Summit) - inside Holy Spirit Catholic Church

Boone Preschool 407 SE Douglas (Lee’s Summit)

Community Christian 1450 SW Jefferson St. (Lee’s Summit)

Diversity Language Preschool 2425 NE Scruggs Rd. (Lee’s Summit) 916-525-3737

Evelyn Bliss Lewis Children’s Center 1613 SE 5th Terrace (Lee’s Summit)

Genesis Montessori Preschool 114 SE Douglas (Lee’s Summit)

Grace UMC 2400 E US Hwy 50 (Lee’s Summit)

Great Beginnings Lee’s Summit R-7 School District Early Childhood Center 905 NE Bluestem Dr. (Lee’s Summit)

International Children’s Academy 905 SE Douglas (Lee’s Summit)

Ivy League Preschool 1905 E. Langsford (Lee’s Summit)

Kiddie Korral 650 SE Bayberry Lane (Lee’s Summit)

Lakewood Montessori 951 NE Wildwood Dr. (Lee’s Summit)

Lavonna Peterson Early Childhood Schools 812 SW Forest Park Lane (Lee’s Summit)

Lee’s Summit Baptist Temple 2616 NW Chipman (Lee’s Summit)

Lee’s Summit United Methodist Children’s Day Out Preschool 114 SE Douglas (Lee’s Summit)

Little Lambs Preschool at Summit Woods Baptist Church 2501 SE Shenandoah Dr. (Lee’s Summit)

Longview Baptist 1300 SW Longview Rd. (Lee’s Summit)

Longview Chapel Parents Day Out/Preschool 850 SW Longview Rd. (Lee’s Summit)

Morgan’s Academy of Learning 244 NE Chipman Rd (Lee’s Summit) 816-246-2686

My Friend’s Preschool 1405 SE 7th Ct. (Lee’s Summit) 816-516-9324

Our Lady of Presentation ECC 130 NW Murray Rd (Lee’s Summit)

Primrose School of Lakewood 5021 NE Lakewood Way (Lee’s Summit)

Russell C. Flake Child Development Center - the Children’s Village at John Knox Village (Lee’s Summit)

St. Matthew Preschool 700 NE Chipman Rd (Lee’s Summit)

Stepping Stones Preschool and Parents Day Out at Lee’s Summit Christian Church 800 NE Tudor Rd. (Lee’s Summit)

Oak Grove

Country Links Learning Center 3014 S. Outer Belt Rd. (Oak Grove) 816-625-0132

Little Lambs Learning Center at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church 600 SE 12th St. (Oak Grove) 816-690-4020

Magic Kingdom 704 Salem St. (Oak Grove) 816-690-3933

Oak Grove School District Early Childhood Program 500 SE 17th St. (Oak Grove)

Oak Grove UMC 1501 Harding St. (Oak Grove)

Sunny Days Day Care and Preschool 508 E. 12th St. (Oak Grove) 816-690-3540

***Please let us know if there is a great preschool in Eastern Jackson County that we need to add to our listing! Submit it via our CONTACT FORM and we’ll get right on it! Thanks! ***

It’s October in Kansas City. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous so far. Brisk mornings, sunny afternoons. Maybe a little bit of rain here and there. The leaves are just beginning to turn.

What better time to get the kids outside! The Kansas City area has several fabulous nature centers with walking trails. We love the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens in south Overland Park. Stop in at the visitor’s center for a fun scavenger hunt list for the kids to take on your walk.

For an easy stroll, there is a paved path of decent length. I take the jogging stroller and throw the babies in, then walk and talk with my kindergartener and first grader. We look at spiders, try to spot turtles at the pond, talk about the sculptures scattered about. They invariably ask me all about the different plantings they see. The Arboretum also has non-paved, mulched walking trails through the woods. The walk is beautiful and full of things to see, especially for little eyes that like to spy critters and “perfect” leaves. And pushing the double stroller is a great cardio workout for me!

Other similar spots to check out around town include:

• Ernie Miller Park & Nature Center in Olathe - check their schedule for fun storytimes and exhibits at the Nature Center in addition to their gorgeous prairie walking trails

• Anita B. Gorman Discovery Conservation Center in Kansas City - just a hop, skip and a jump from the Plaza, Midtown and Brookside, can you believe it? The Discovery Center has FANTASTIC Saturday programming for kids and it’s all usually FREE! This weekend: archery and frogs. Next weekend: bats and spiders!

• Burr Oaks Woods Conservation Nature Center in Blue Springs - four great trails to walk and super programs for kids and babies all month long

• Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary in Liberty - several walking trails (several are handicapped accessible) and wonderful kids’ programs and events - check their website for details on the Fairy Tale Forest later this month!

• Lakeside Nature Center in Kansas City - in Swope Park near the Zoo, check out Magic Woods this weekend or hike the trails with a naturalist

• Wilderness Science Center in south Overland Park - this nature preserve is owned by the Blue Valley School District. Located behind Blue River Elementary School and Blue Valley Middle School, its building is primarily intended for use by school groups but the trails are open to the public after school hours and on weekends. A lovely walk in the woods.

• Kemper Outdoor Education Center in Blue Springs - located in Fleming Park, you’ll find everything from fossils, reptile and wildlife displays, gardens, walking trails and more!

Many parks around town also have great walking trails if you’re not looking for the formal educational offerings of a nature center. Pack some water, some snacks and a kid or two or four and head to:

• Kill Creek Park, Olathe

• Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Lenexa

• Longview Lake Park, Kansas City

• Weston Bend State Park, Weston, MO

• George Owens Nature Park, Independence, MO

For more ideas:

• Bike and Hiking Trails

• Map of Kansas City metro trails and the proposed regional link system

For many families around the Kansas City metro, this is the last weekend of summer break! Yay! Boo! A mixture of both sentiments?!

Let’s make it a good one for you and the kids! Here are just a few of the great things going on this weekend for families in Kansas City:

Friday, August 15, 2008

• Check out a T-Bones game in Kansas City, Kansas! Kansas City T-Bones vs. Gary, CommunityAmerica Ballpark, KCKS. They also play Saturday and Sunday!

• Head to Brookside for Friday Night Films at Reading Reptile (Kansas City, MO) - all ages - 7pm - this week: The Little Prince

• Don’t miss the Ethnic Enrichment Festival, all weekend long at Swope Park, Kansas City, MO

• Also all weekend long is the Festival of Butterflies, Powell Gardens, Kingsville, MO (east of Lee’s Summit)

• Fiddler on the Roof, Starlight Theatre, Kansas City, MO, 8:30pm, Saturday and Sunday night too - check out our Special Offers tab for a buy one, get one free deal!

• Don’t miss the Street Flicks in Blue Springs, MO - sponsored by the Blue Springs Parks & Rec, these movies are shown at 12th & Main in downtown Blue Springs; kids’ activities start at 7:15 pm, movies start at dusk - this week: Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

• If you’re up for a little bit of a drive and a whole lot of FUN, check out the Missouri State Fair, Sedalia, MO - August 7 thru August 17 - 12 & under FREE every day; lot of free kids’ entertainment

• Take the kiddos over to the KU-Edwards Campus, 127th & Quivira, Overland Park for a Family Fun Fest - 5:30pm to 8pm - Jayhawk mascot & cheerleaders, bungee run and bounce house, kids’ activities, cheap food, free admission!

• If you’re north of the river, stop by the Gladstone Amphitheatre for a Back to School Bash with Magic Show - 6pm to 8pm - Gladstone, MO

• Stop in at the Plaza Branch of the the KC Library for Friday Night Family Fun - Kansas City Public Library- 7pm

• Woo Hoo! A real county fair! Leavenworth County Fair, Tonganoxie, KS - Friday night and Saturday!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

• MORE T-BONES! Kansas City T-Bones vs. Gary, CommunityAmerica Ballpark, KCKS

• Children’s Day at the Brookside Farmers Community Market, Kansas City, MO - fun activities and Dino O’Dell LIVE!

• Ethnic Enrichment Festival continues at Swope Park, Kansas City, MO

• Venture downtown WITH the kids! Sprint Family Fun Days - Power and Light District, downtown Kansas City, MO - 10am to 2pm - Radio Disney and lots of Kids’ activities!

• Mr. Stinky Feet at Ironwoods Park, 147th & Mission, Leawood, KS - 10am

• Be sure to check out Visitor Appreciation Day, National Frontier Trail Museum, Independence, MO - FREE wagon rides with admission! C’mon what kid doesn’t like a wagon ride?!

• The Goonies movie at Toy & Miniature Museum, Kansas City, MO - part of the Dangerous & Daring Exhibit for Kids, 1:30pm

• Try something and somewhere new this weekend! Try Nature Printmaking and I’m Hungry - Help Feed Me at Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, Kansas City, MO - 10am to 3pm

• If you’re in KCK/Wyandotte County, take the kids to “Zoo to You”, Kansas City Kansas Public Library, Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library, 10 to 11am - animals up close with KC Zoo personnel!

• How could something like this be anything but FUN? Aquafest, Cedar Lake Park, Olathe KS - water-themed activities, canoeing, fishing, water slide & games!; 11 am to 2 pm

• Missouri State Fair, Sedalia, MO - August 7 thru August 17 - 12 & under FREE every day; lot of free kids’ entertainment - you’ll have to wait until next year if you don’t take the family out THIS WEEKEND!

• Festival of Butterflies continues, Powell Gardens, Kingsville, MO (east of Lee’s Summit)

• Fiddler on the Roof, Starlight Theatre, Kansas City, MO, 8:30pm, thru August 17

• Wonderscope LIVE!, 5pm - 8pm, Legends at Village West, KCKS

• This one just makes me laugh thinking about it! I’d love to go just to watch all of the little girls singing along!!! Hannah Montana Tribute Act and Hilary Duff Tribute Act, Kearney Amphitheater, 7pm, Kearney, MO

• More Leavenworth County Fair, Tonganoxie, KS - August 12 thru August 16 - check out the parade on the 12!

MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM ON THE KC KIDS FUN EVENTS CALENDAR! Have a great weekend everyone!

Late summer in the Kansas City metro brings a wide variety of fairs and festivals - awesome activities to share with your kids! And guess what?! Believe it or not, late summer is approaching…

So, where and when can your kids get their fill of Tilt-A-Whirls, funnel cakes, ferris wheels, crafts, cotton candy and live music? Where can you find the BEST people watching all year?

Here’s where:

Miami County Fair, Paola, KS - July 19 thru July 26

Platte County Fair, Platte City, MO - July 23 thru July 26

Douglas County Fair, Lawrence, KS - July 30 thru August 2

Wyandotte County Fair, Kansas City, KS - July 31 thru August 4 - check out Bongo Barry, pig races, magic shows and stunt dog shows in addition to the carnival rides and games!

Johnson County Fair, Gardner, KS - August 4 thru August 9 - don’t miss the rodeo, Family Fun Night or the parade!

Missouri State Fair, Sedalia, MO - August 7 thru August 17 - 12 & under FREE every day; lot of free kids’ entertainment

Festival of Butterflies, Powell Gardens, Kingsville, MO - August 8 thru August 10 and August 15 thru August 17 - okay, so no ferris wheels or funnel cakes here…but really cool for you and the kids nonetheless!

Leavenworth County Fair, Tonganoxie, KS - August 12 thru August 16 - check out the parade on the 12!

Ethnic Enrichment Festival, Kansas City, MO - August 15 thru August 17

Lewis & Clark Trail Days, Buckner, MO - August 22nd and 23rd

Santa-Cali-Gon Days, Independence, MO - August 29 thru September 1 - TONS of fun for kids and adults alike. If you’ve never been, you should definitely try this one!

Kansas City Irish Fest, Kansas City, MO - August 29 thru August 31- awesome children’s area at this Crown Center event

Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Bonner Springs, KS - August 30 thru October 13

The 47th Annual Annunciation Greek Food Festival, Kansas City, MO - September 5 thru September 7

Old Settlers Days, Olathe, KS - September 4 thru September 6

Valley Fair Daze, Grain Valley, MO - September 5th and 6th

Kansas State Fair, Hutchinson, KS - September 5 thru September 14 - will you drive to Hutchinson to see Corbin Bleu (Chad from High School Musical) in concert?!

Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival, Blue Springs, MO - September 12 thru September 14

JUST ADDED:  FESTIVAL ON THE TRAILS, GARDNER, KS - September 12 thru September 14 (Wow!  Don’t miss Lee Ann Womack performing LIVE as well as pony rides, the Buckaroo Corral and kids’ entertainers!!)

Zona Rosa Art Festival, Kansas City north, MO - September 12 thru September 14 - check out Mr. Stinky Feet in concert on Saturday the 13th!

Jesse James Festival, Kearney, MO - September 12 thru September 21

Plaza Art Fair, Kansas City, MO - September 19 thru September 21 - spend some time at the Kids’ Art Workshop!

As you make your plans for the Fourth of July, you’ll want to reference our comprehensive listing of fireworks displays and celebrations, organized by city. There are lots to choose from, in every corner of the metro! Fireworks generally begin at dusk, which is around 9:30pm this time of year. Grab a few lawn chairs, load up the cooler, go heavy on the bug spray and ENJOY!  Wishing a Happy and SAFE Fourth of July to all of our readers.

KANSAS CITIES

Overland Park

• Star Spangled Spectacular at Corporate Woods (College Blvd at 69 Hwy.) An old-fashioned celebration kicking off at 4pm featuring activities and musical entertainment provided by Q104 Country followed by live band ‘Atlantic Express’ playing from 8:15-11pm!
• July 4th Extravaganza Block Party - Christ Church, 5500 W. 91st St. - music, inflatables, face painting, fire trucks and FIREWORKS at Meadowbrook Country Club - event is free, concessions for sale - event begins at 7 pm (parking at Hillcrest Covenant Church nearby)

Olathe

• Fourth of July–Celebrating Community at Great Mall of the Great Plains (151st Street and I-35). Featuring bike parade, clowns, magicians, childrens’ games as well as local and regional performers.

Leawood

• Celebrate 4th of July with Leawood! at the Leawood City Park, 10601 Lee Blvd. from 5-10pm.  Free admission, $5 activity bands for kids.  Activities include:  face painters, stilt walkers, live music and watermelon contests.

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FREE! This summer, that’s a great thing. With gas at $4.00 a gallon, you’ve got to take advantage of FREE wherever you can find it! One FREE activity to share with your kids around Kansas City this summer is MOVIES! There have been free outdoor movies offered in Kansas City for a long time (I’m looking at you, Crown Center) but this summer has seen an explosion in the number of different locations for free outdoor family movies.

Most of the movies are in parks or parking lots - so bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. Many locations have concessions - but not all of them. So, pack a few drinks and snacks for the crew before you go (my guess is that most of these spots prohibit alcohol for liability reasons).

Be sure to check out the website of each program for more information. Many of these showings have a free concert or kids’ activities going on before the show. Crown Center even has fireworks!

Be sure to check out the KC Kids Fun Events Calendar in the toolbar at the top of the page for more great kid- and family-friendly events around Kansas City this summer!

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SUMMER SCHEDULE OF MOVIES!

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Readers–here it is–a listing of major KC-metro area pools, open to the public, and their locations! Pools should have all opened for the season over the weekend. (That’s no guarantee that the water is warm!!!) They are listed by city to make it as easy as possible to navigate. Many of the pools offer swimming lessons, as well. I’ve included the link to each city’s aquatics website…simply click on the city and you’ll see the corresponding aquatics page. These city-specific pages offer detailed information on lessons, pool hours and daily/season fees, if applicable. PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL IF I’VE FORGOTTEN YOUR FAVORITE POOL! I can easily add it to the list. Happy Swimming! And above all, be safe!!

Overland Park, KS and Leawood, KS

• Bluejacket, 101st and Bond, 913.327.5671
• Marty, 74th and Conser, 913.327.5672
• Roe, 104th and Roe, 913.327.5673
• Stonegate, 97th and Antioch, 913.327.5674
• TRAC, 119th and Lowell, 913.327.5675
• Young’s, 77th and Antioch, 913.327.5676
• Leawood Aquatic Center, 10601 Lee Blvd., 913.327.3977

Olathe, KS and Prairie Village, KS

• Black Bob Pool, 14570 W. 151st St., 913.764.9720
• Mill Creek Pool, 320 E. Poplar, 913.829.9811
• Frontier Pool, 15909 W. 127th St., 913.829.9730
• Oregon Trail Pool, 1800 W. Dennis, 913.829.9815
• City of Prairie Village Pool, 7711 Delmar, 913.642.6010

Lee’s Summit, MO

• Legacy Park Community Center, 901 NE Bluestem Drive, 816.969.1550
• Summit Waves, NE corner of Hwys 50 and 291 South, 816.969.1515

Kansas City, MO

• Brush Creek community center, 3801 Emmanuel Cleaver II Blvd., 816.784.4000 *JULY 22 PARTY*
• Line Creek community center, 5940 NW Waukomis Dr., 816.513.0760 *JUNE 10 PARTY*
• Budd Park, Budd Park Espl. & Denver Ave., 816.784.2600 *AUG 5 PARTY*
• Grove Park, 3031 E. Truman, 816.231.9568 *JUNE 24 PARTY*
• Swope Park, Swope Park- 67th and Lewis, 816.513.8915 *JULY 8 PARTY*
• Arbor Villa, 66th Terrace and Main St. (OPENS JUNE 10)
• Ashland, 23rd and Elmwood streets (OPENS JUNE 10)
• Gillham, 41st and Gillham streets (OPENS JUNE 10)
• West Terrace, 16th and Jarboe streets (OPENS JUNE 10)
• KCMO “Spraygrounds” - Douglas Park, 2632 Jarboe St. - Harmony Park, 10th Street and Agnes - Longview Park, 7101 Longview Road (Closed Mondays) - Loose Park, 52nd Terrace and Summit - Parade Park, The Paseo and Truman Road - Sunnyside Park, 8255 Summit (Closed Mondays)

Five of the above KCMO “major” swim complexes will host FREE SUMMER SWIM PARTIES ON SELECT TUESDAYS FROM 5-7 pm! These are presented by Children’s Mercy Family Health Partners, KCWE Channel 29 and the KC Parks and Recreation Department. For hours and additional information on classes and parties, call 816.513.7500.

Shawnee, KS

• Splash Cove at Jim Allen Aquatic Center, 5800 King, 913.631.7177
• Thomas A. Saetaert Aquatic Center, 13805 Johnson Drive, 913.631.0054

Lenexa, KS

• Ad Astra Pool, 83rd and Maurer, 913.492.SWIM
• Flat Rock Creek Pool, 103rd and Hauser, 913.888.3202
• Indian Trails Aquatic Center, 87th and Greenway Lane, 913.888.4659

Independence, MO and Blue Springs, MO

• Adventure Oasis Water Park, 23rd Street just west of 291 Hwy., 816.325.7843
• Water playgrounds to cool off: 24 Hwy/N. Delaware and 24th & Hardy streets
• Blue Springs Centennial Pool Plex, 2401 W. Ashton Drive, 816.228.0188

Liberty, MO

• Liberty Community Center, 1600 S. Withers Rd.
• Spraygrounds at: Ruth Moore Park, 401 N. Morse and City Park, 970 S. Highway 291

Gladstone, MO

• Municipal Pool, Central Park, 69th & North Holmes, 816.436.2200

KCI Area/Platte County, MO

• Park Hill Aquatic Center, 8152 N. Congress Ave., 816.741.7963
• Springs Aquatic Center at Tiffany Hills Park, 9700 N. Congress, 816.880.0733
• Riverside Municipal Pool, 4498 NW High Drive, 816.741.3993

KC, KS

• Parkwood Pool, 950 Quindaro Blvd, 913.551.0402
• Spray Parks to cool off: Eisenhower Park, 2901 N. 72nd St., and Pierson Park, 1800 S. 55th St.

Also, if you’re looking for a break from the sun, don’t forget about the newly-opened CoCoKey Resort, located in the Sheraton Kansas City Sports Complex! Day passes can be purchased if you aren’t planning on spending the night at the hotel. The same holds true for Great Wolf Lodge in KCK. When it’s just too hot outside, bring the waterpark IN!

I know, I know.  I said we were finished with the summer camp series.  But there has been such an interest in the camp offerings listed in the previous posts, I thought I’d go ahead and add a list of camps for kids with various special needs.  As always, if we’ve missed something great, please let us know by leaving a comment after this post or by emailing us (our email addresses are on the About Us page).

• Camp Encourage (held at Tall Creeks Conference Center in Linwood, KS) is tailored to children with autism, Asperger and related pervasive developmental disorders.  Peer models (children without an autism spectrum disorder) will also participate in the camp.
• Camp Hope (Claflin, KS - about 60 miles from Kansas City) is open for children from 7-18 who are in cancer treatment or in remission from cancer.  The camp is staffed by pediatric oncologists and nurses.  This is an overnight camp with all of the traditional camp activities.  A day camp is offered for kids ages 4-6.
• Camp MITIOG (Excelsior Springs, MO) is a camp for young people with spina bifida.  This year it runs from July 19-July 25.  All of the traditional camping activities are offered, with a one to one camper/counselor ratio and medical staff on-site.
• Camp Quality (Excelsior Springs, MO) is an overnight camp for children, ages 3- 17 with cancer.  Every child has an assigned adult ”companion” and an on-site oncology specialist is available for every camper.  Camp Quality is always looking for people over 18 who are willing to be camp companions - no medical training or experience is required.  Check out the website for an application.
• Children’s Therapy Group (Overland Park, KS) is a multi-disciplinary clinic specializing in sensory integration therapy.  This summer, they offer fine motor enhancement classes for preschoolers and kindergarteners, a handwriting class for ages 6-8, cursive writing for kids 7-10, Fun with Language for kids 3-9 who have problems with social, pragmatic and expressive language, sensory motor group for preschoolers, creative arts for kids 6-9 and water fun for kids with behavioral, learning and motor coordination problems.  CTG is located at 76th and Metcalf.
• Concerned Care, Inc. (North Kansas City, MO) hosts recreational sports, youth day camp and vocational day camp for young people with developmental disabilities.  Campers must be Clay County residents (due to funding issues).
• Girl Scouts Juliette Low Camp (Jackson County, MO) is held at Rotary Youth Camp at Lake Jacomo for girls with physical disabilities, ages 8-18.  Campers are encouraged to invite friends without disabilities to share the camp experience with them.  This is an overnight camp, lasting 6 nights.
• Horizon Academy (Roeland Park, KS) sponsors summer classes for kids with average or above average intelligence who are struggling with basic skills due to learning disabilities.  This summer, they offer a full summer school program, a reading clinic, a Type to Learn Keyboarding class and Cogmed Working Memory Training Computer Sessions for grades 1-12.
• H.O.R.S.E. (Helping Others Reach Success and Excellence)/Camp Round-Up (south Kansas City, MO) is a summer day camp for children ages -18 diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.  This is a horse and horseback riding centered day camp with other traditional camp activities as well.  H.O.R.S.E. offers many fun yet therapeutic services for children within the autism spectrum.
• Joshua Center Summer Camp (Kansas City, MO) is sponsoring a summer overnight camp at Lake Jacomo (Rotary Youth Club Camp) for 5 days/4 nights in June.  The camp is for 3rd to 8th graders with Tourette Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  Hurry!  Registration ends April 15th.

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