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

WINTER BREAK. It’s coming like a freight train (and for some, it’s already here!)  It always seems to start out great, then the boredom sets in.  And the inevitable fighting begins.  What’s a family to do?  Is there anything to do that doesn’t involve a video game?!?!?   And that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?

Here are some free, cheap or relatively inexpensive ideas for things to do with the kids that you might want to consider:

You’ll want to begin your search by heading over to www.visitkc.com.  This site is chock-full of great DEALS–especially the 2-for-1 “Season of Magic” printable coupons to many of the city’s greatest attractions!  Attractions include Paradise Park, CoCo Key Water Resort and Powell Gardens.

1. Swimming at indoor pools - lots of community centers have open swim during break for a daily fee of $3 to $7 – some of these pools are really neat with a water park feel – some of the less expensive ones include Park Hill Aquatic Center, Blue Springs and the KCMO Community Centers. We’ve got a fairly extensive list of indoor pools to check out.  Or you can check out your local YMCA for indoor pools, workout facilities and more!

2. Check out some of Kansas City’s museums with cheap or free admission – the Puppetry Arts Institute, the Johnson County Museum of History (with the new Kidscape exhibit), the National World War I Museum, the Toy & Miniature Museum, The Money Museum at the Federal Reserve (for older kids) and the art museums (Kemper, Nelson & Nerman). Some of these have free admission – others will cost you a few bucks a person (with lower admission prices for the little ones).

3. Kaleidoscope at Crown Center – FREE Family Art Sessions almost every day of winter break

4. Visit Moon Marble Company in Bonner Springs for free glass marble making demonstrations

5. Open Gyms - most are for the preschool crowd but there will certainly be some open to the school-aged kids over break – check our list of Open Gyms – prices range from $1 to $10 for several hours of fabulous, exhausting play!

6. We’ve written about ice skating in Kansas City–outdoor rinks can be found in Leawood at Park Place as well as at Crown Center in downtown KC.  The next few weeks will be perfect for enjoying KC’s outdoor rinks!

7. And don’t forget your local library! Many have fun holiday programming – there are regularly scheduled storytimes, craft sessions and holiday performances – or just hang out there for an afternoon for a change of scenery! Many library activities are listed in the KC Kids Fun Events Calendar.

8. Some of the local parks and recreation departments are also offering winter break camps and activities. For example, Blue Valley Rec is offering basketball camps, open gyms and art classes. I’m sure others are doing the same.

So, if Christmas has broken the bank – don’t despair. There are still great things to do with the kids that won’t involve the television, the computer or video games! Have a fantastic break!

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.