KCKidsFun

It’s time to bid farewell to 2011 and a big hello to 2012.  Time really does fly when you’re having fun…and we’ve had lots of fun this year!  Kansas City continues to shine and continues to add to its already stellar collection of family-friendly activities.  2011 saw the opening of The Kauffman Center for Performing Arts and the big announcements that Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium and Legoland were breaking ground for 2012 openings.  In addition, our local theatres, libraries, parks & recreation departments and local businesses didn’t disappoint!

We are thankful to our readers and grateful that you keep us on our toes. We truly appreciate the comments, feedback and pointers.We’d also like to thank our loyal advertisers– many have been with us from the beginning (2008!) and continue to have an active presence on the site.  As we say goodbye to 2011, here’s one last “weekend rundown” of activities. Get out and have fun with the kids!  The weather is going to be AMAZING!  And here’s to a wonderul, fun-filled, activity-filled 2012.  Cheers!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

• Blue Valley Rec Open Gym (south Overland Park) – 1:30pm to 4pm
• Gym & Swim with Blue Valley Rec (activity center in south OP) – for kids ages 5-12. Time is divided between the pool and the gymnastics center. Time for a change of clothes. Bring a snack. Attend the whole week or individual days. Monday-Thursday 12/26-12/29, 9am-12:30pm Individual day: $16residents/$20non-residents; All week: $50residents/$63non-residents
• Family Fun Holiday Movies at 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 12 p.m. $3 per person. Add a small popcorn and juicebox or small soft drink for just $2 more. 816-545-8034 orScreenland.com.

Friday, December 30, 2011

• Blue Valley Rec Open Gym (south Overland Park) – 1:30pm to 4pm
• Family Fun Holiday Movies at 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 12 p.m. $3 per person. Add a small popcorn and juicebox or small soft drink for just $2 more. 816-545-8034 orScreenland.com.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

• Blue Valley Rec Open Gym (south Overland Park) – 10am to 1pm
• New Year’s Eve at CoCo Key Water Resort, KCMO
• Family Fun Holiday Movies at 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 12 p.m. $3 per person. Add a small popcorn and juicebox or small soft drink for just $2 more. 816-545-8034 orScreenland.com.
• Wonder Eve at Wonderscope, Shawnee – 9am to 1pm – ring in the “noon” year!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

• Family Fun Holiday Movies at 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 12 p.m. $3 per person. Add a small popcorn and juicebox or small soft drink for just $2 more. 816-545-8034 orScreenland.com.

* image courtesy of ernst vikne / creative commons

In celebration of St. Valentine’s Day, we’ve rounded up a few activities from today’s calendar.  If you’re unable to head out on Monday the 14th…there are some other fun activities taking place throughout the week.  Then again, you could just call the “activity” going to school– are we actually going to shoot for a full 5-day school week?!?!?  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Pint Size Marvelous Manners Feb. 14 at 11:00 AM, Harris Park Community Center, for ages 2-5 years old. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Granny Oops! Learn about being kind and showing Love and Respect, through magic and storytelling. During the first hour Granny Oops will share valuable lessons about manners and the second hour will consist of free play in the gym.  816.969.1540

Valentine’s Day Luncheon at the Carousel Museum Feb. 14 at 11:30 AM, C.W. Parker Carousel Museum. Food, Fun and Carousel Rides!! Reservations required. 913.683.2434

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

• Manners Please at Blue Valley Rec – Children ages 3-6 will learn basic manners and common courtesies. Games and story time are designed to reinforce good manners. 10-11:30am at the Blue Valley Rec Activity Center, 6545 W. 151 St., Overland Park. For more info, call 913.685.6000 or go to www.bluevalleyrec.org.
• Animal Tales at Ernie Miller Nature Center (Olathe, KS) – stories, songs, and surprises geared to preschool children. This week come hear stories from Mother Goose. Meet a special animal friend every time. All children must be accompanied by an adult. This event is just $2 per person (including adults) for a 30 minute session and starts at 10:30 am. For more information, visit www.jcprd.com or call (913) 764-7759.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

• Preschool Science Adventure Club at the Zoo 11am in the Zoo Learning Center – The “new” preschool science hour is for ages 3-5 years old with an adult chaperone. All activities are age appropriate, informative, stimulating and fun. Each week we will highlight an animal or other topic with songs, stories, a brief science lesson and a craft. This week: Whales
• CYT presents Seven Brides for Seven Brothers – Rose Theater, Rockhurst High School (KCMO) – February 17 thru February 20

Friday, February 18, 2011

• Tots Open Swim at Blue Valley Rec – for ages newborn-6 years. Fridays from 10:30am-noon, 1/14-5/13 (not held on 3/18, 4/22 & 4/29). Children under five must be within arm’s reach of adult swimmer at all times. Blue Valley Recreation Activity Center, 6545 W. 151st St., Overland Park. For more information, call 913.685.6000 or visitwww.bluevalleyrec.org.
• “1/2-Day ARTrageous ART Workshop”: A 2 1/2 hour ART workshop at ARTrageous Creative Studio in south Prairie Village on the children’s day off school, grades 1-8. From 12:30 – 3:00 the children create a Collage/Acrylic Painting on Wrapped canvas of sports or recreation in the style of LeRoy Nieman. The cost per child is $20.00 to be paid on arrival that day. Pre-enrollment to Julie Flanagan at MissJulie@ARTrageousKC.com or call “Miss Julie” at 913-642-8122
• Happpy Birthday Kansas! Storytimes at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site – Fireside storytimes for preschoolers celebrating Kansas’s 150th birthday. 10-11 a.m. Includes a story, craft and activity based on a different Kansas theme each session. Admission is $3/child or register for all three sessions for $7. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Register at least one week prior to the session by calling (913) 971-5111 or email Mahaffie@olatheks.org. Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop is located at 1200 Kansas City Rd. in Olathe, KS. www.mahaffie.org
• CYT presents Seven Brides for Seven Brothers – Rose Theater, Rockhurst High School (KCMO) – February 17 thru February 20

Ongoing Activities:

• Bridge to Terabithia – The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Part of the Coterie’s Preteen Series. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org. January 18 – February 27
• Anansi, The Spiderman of Africa – Theatre for Young America at Union Station – February 2 – 19
• Under the Sea Exhibit at Crown Center – February 5 thru May 1

*image courtesy of karen horton / creative commons

It’s that time of year–when thoughts turn to getting outside and eating fresh, homegrown produce!  Starting this week, the metro’s many farmers markets will open for the season. These markets offer a great opportunity to meet and support local growers.  It also makes for a great “teaching moment” when you take the kids, let them pick out some fruits and vegetables, and chat with the farmer who actually puts the food on the table.  Back to basics!  Farmers market “season” is typically late-April through October, although some are open year-round.  Markets aren’t limited to just produce…many offer up baked goods and handmade crafts, too!  Don’t forget your reusable shopping bags!

Our 2010 list:

Kansas City, MO City Market

This market, the “granddaddy” of them all, is located in KC’s River Market area, on 5th Street in downtown KC.  There are close to 150 vendors represented here!  If you want it, you’re sure to find it here…fresh baked goods, fresh produce, handmade crafts, and even local plants, herbs and fresh-cut flowers.  This market is open year-round, but is especially vibrant during the spring and summer growing seasons.  Hours are 7am to 330 pm on Saturdays, 8am until 330pm on Sundays.

Brookside’s Farmer’s Community Market at Border Star Montessori School

Located in Brookside at 63rd and Wornall, this market features organic produce, free-range eggs, hormone-free meats and even some prepared foods. Weekly events include childrens’ events, cooking demonstrations and live music.  Saturdays only, from 8am until 1pm, or sellout.

39th Street Community Market (now known as the Westport Plaza Community Market)

Starting May 5, 2010, this market will be located to the northwest corner of Westport Road and Wyoming Street.  Every Wednesday from 430-730pm is when you’ll find lots of parking and fresh organic and sustainably grown produce.

Blue Valley Recreation Farmers’ Market (new in 2010!)

Open May 1 through Oct. 16, 2010.  Every Saturday, rain or shine!  Located at Blue Valley Rec Complex, east fields parking lot, 9701 W. 137th Street in Overland Park, KS.  Featuring fresh produce, honey, and more–all grown within 125 miles of Overland Park.

Downtown Overland Park, KS Farmers Market

Located in Downtown Overland Park near the Clock Tower Plaza (just west of Metcalf around 80th Street).  Saturdays from 630am until sellout, and Wednesdays from 730am until sellout.  You’ll also find locally baked bread, pies and handmade pasta–along with lots of fresh flowers and herbs!

Mission Farms Market/Leawood, KS

Mission Farms, just south of 103rd St. & Mission Rd., on Thurs. from 4-8:30pm. Featuring organic produce, including free-range meats and eggs, etc.

Shawnee, KS Farmers Market

Located in the City Hall’s parking lot at 11100 Johnson Drive.  Begins this Saturday!  Saturdays, 7am-4pm.  Check out the fresh-baked goods!

Olathe, KS

Join fellow ”locavores” in eating foods grown within a 100-mile radius of where you live…this market features only produce and flowers grown in or around KC.  Located at downtown Olathe, 200 E. Santa Fe (135th Street).  Hours are 8am until sellout on Saturdays (starts this weekend) and 3pm until sellout on Wednesdays, June through September.

Paola, KS

Just 20 min south of Overland Park!  Saturday evenings 6-9pm on the historic Park Square. There are also free family concerts in the square during the market. Afterwards, be sure to check-out the Midway Drive-in Theatre nearby.. G and PG movies start at dusk.

KC Organics and Naturals Organic-Only Market

Only Organic, Fair Trade and Recycled here!  Natural specialty meats, produce, honey, edible flowers, artisan breads and more. Located at Minor Park in south KCMO, which is at about 112th Street, just east of Holmes.  8am to 1230pm on Saturdays.  ALSO– now featuring a 2nd location!  Wednesdays, from 10am-2pm at Leawood’s Barkley Square/Park Place (117th and Nall Ave.)

Parkville, MO Market

Local farmers sell produce and plants in Parkville’s downtown at English Landing Park.  3-6pm on Wednesdays, and 6am until sellout on Saturdays.

Briarcliff Farmers’ Market

Opening May 6, 2010 in Briarcliff Village (Hwy 169 and Briarcliff Pkwy, just 5 min north of downtown KC.)  Thursdays, 3-7pm until September 30, 2010.

Zona Rosa Farmers Market

Tuesdays from 4-8pm are when you’ll find this Northland gem.  Located at Zona Rosa shopping district (I-29N and Barry Road), you’ll find fresh-made baked goods, produce, crafts and honey.  Doesn’t begin until June 2010 and runs through September.

Liberty, MO

Liberty Farmers Market on the Historic Courthouse Square operates from 7am to noon on Saturdays from May through October. On Wednesdays, the market moves to the Crowley’s Furniture/Perkins parking lot (where it is also known as the “Crowley’s Furniture Farmers Market”)  Shop 7am until noon (or until sellout) on Wednesdays.  Located at M-291 and M-152 in Liberty.

Independence, MO

Located between Liberty and Main streets at Truman Road.  Open Saturdays May-October, with Wednesdays starting in June.  5am until 1pm on both days.  Features crafts, too!

Blue Springs, MO

Located at 11th and Main in Blue Springs, this market is on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Lee’s Summit, MO

I think that this one wins the prize for closing out the farmers market season…you can shop here through NOVEMBER!!! In downtown Lee’s Summit at Douglas and 2nd streets.  Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7am til sellout.

UPDATED TO ADD (thanks readers!):

Merriam Farmers Market – Saturdays, May thru mid-October

Spring Hill Farmer’s Market – Saturdays, 7:30am to 12pm – May 8 thru September 25, 2010

BADSEED Market (KCMO) – Fridays, 4pm to 9pm, May thru mid-November

So, there you have it!  Did I leave your favorite out??  If so–shoot me an email!  ENJOY!

*image courtesy of masslive.com