KCKidsFun

It’s April 1, and that means it’s April Fool’s Day.  But to thousands of families in the metro (and from out of town, too!) it means Opening Day at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead.

Located at 13800 Switzer and open since 1978, the Farmstead is so many things.  It’s part petting zoo (over 200 animals, including peacocks, goats, pigs, pygmy goats, rabbits and geese) and part living history lesson.  There are beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, clearly marked with species names. There is a one-room schoolhouse, a dairy barn with cows and calves, and old-fashioned bank, a hands-on mining exhibit and LOTS more to do!

Wagon rides, fishing at the pond, pony rides and playground equipment help wear little ones out.  You can easily spend a full day here.  There are even two new attractions for the 2011 season! Alex & Emily’s Ice Cream Parlor features hand-dipped ice cream treats. Next door, you’ll find Vic’s General Store.

Modeled after the Conser General Store that originally operated in this area, the new general store features historically correct interior fixtures and finishes. In addition to being a replica of an actual early 1900s general store, the facility will also feature an area of nostalgic items for sale.

The Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 1 to Oct. 31. Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Farmstead is open until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is an admission fee on weekends– but Mondays through Thursdays, it is FREE! Friday through Sunday, it’s $2 per person; 1 and under are free.  Believe me, this is the best money you’ll spend for a day outside with your kids!

Lots of fun on tap for Kansas Citians and their families!  This picture comes to us from Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead (Overland Park, KS) and they are hosting their annual Apple Fest on Saturday, Sept 18, 2010 from 11am until 3pm.  $2 admission gets you old-fashioned fun. There will be homemade kettle corn, applesauce and apple cider, live music, square dancing and crafts!  Fall is here!  This Saturday is shaping up to be HUGE day for outdoor festivals and fall activities– and the weather is going to be fabulous! Get out and have some fun.  Check out our Events Calendar for additional ideas!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

• Child Care Limited Pediatrics is proud to partner with the Leawood Police department to sponsor a fast, fun, and FREE self defense class at Church of the Nazerene (11811 State Line Road Kansas City, MO). Check out www.childcarelimited.com for details!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

• Animal Tales at Ernie Miller Nature Center, Olathe, KS – 10:30am to 11am – ages 2 to 6 – stories, songs and more
• Storytelling by Jo Ho at the Johnson County Museum, Shawnee, KS – 10am to 11am

Friday, September 17, 2010

• Kansas State Fair, Hutchinson, KS – September 10 thru September 19 – Selena Gomez closes the Fair on the 19th!
• My Gym at 133rd & Antioch in Overland Park is hosting a FREE Back to School Bash Open House! Friday Sept. 17 from 3:30- 7 and Saturday the 18th from 9-2. Bring your friends to join the fun with songs, dances, gymnastics, games, puppet shows, raffles, and more!
• Great Midwest Balloon Fest 2010 – 167th & Antioch, south Overland Park – hot air balloons, food, activities, Kids’ Korner, entertainment – September 17-19
• Jesse James Festival, Kearney, MO – September 10 thru September 19
• Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival, Blue Springs, MO – September 17 thru September 19
• Zona Rosa Art Festival, Kansas City north, MO – September 17 thru September 19
• Friday Night Family Fun – Kansas City Public Library, Plaza Branch – 7pm – this week: St. Louis kid rocker Babaloo and his one-man musical comedy act (RSVP requested)

Saturday, September 18, 2010

• Kansas City Zoo’s Run for the Polar Bears – a great run through the Zoo, either a 4 mile course or a 1 mile course, for a great cause!
• My Gym at 133rd & Antioch in Overland Park is hosting a FREE Back to School Bash Open House! Friday Sept. 17 from 3:30- 7 and Saturday the 18th from 9-2. Bring your friends to join the fun with songs, dances, gymnastics, games, puppet shows, raffles, and more!
• Great Midwest Balloon Fest 2010 – 167th & Antioch, south Overland Park – hot air balloons, food, activities, Kids’ Korner, entertainment – September 17-19
• Open House at Savanahland Educational Park, Pleasant Hill, MO – 10am to 3pm
• Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art Classes: Contemporary Creations, Johnson County Community College – Each week is a different topic. Pre-registration required: call 913-469-2323 or visit www.jccc.edu/youth to enroll online. This week’s topic: Architecture in Art (ages 8-11): Learn about buildings in art and create a miniature monument of your own with foam board.
• Scavenger Saturdays at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, KCMO – FREE!
• Monarch Mania Special Event at Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, KCMO – anytime between 10am and 2:30pm
• Apple Fest at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, Overland Park, KS – 11am to 3pm
• Kansas State Fair, Hutchinson, KS – September 10 thru September 19 – Selena Gomez closes the Fair on the 19th!
• Jesse James Festival, Kearney, MO – September 10 thru September 19
• Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival, Blue Springs, MO – September 17 thru September 19
• Zona Rosa Art Festival, Kansas City north, MO – September 17 thru September 19
• Ernie Miller Nature Center 25th Birthday Free Celebration, Olathe, KS -Bring the family or scout group and help us celebrate the Nature Center’s 25th birthday! For years this has been a place for the young and young-at-heart to make memories, enjoy nature and have fun. Visit different stations for stories, animal presentations, crafts and more. This 2 hour event starts at 1:00 pm and is free! Call (913) 764-7759 for more information
• Meet Curious George at the Oak Park Mall Barnes & Noble – 11am – Storytime about Curious George and his adventures. Enjoy photo opportunities with Curious George following storytime!
• Shawnee Town Craft Fair – Featuring more than 100 artisans and vendors featuring pottery, jewelry, weaving, woodwork, baked goods and more! Great for holiday gifts. A fund raiser for Museum programs and services. Shawnee Town Museum, 11501 W 57th St, Shawnee KS 66203 (free parking adjacent to the Visitor Center) – 9am-4pm
• Family, Fun and Games Event – 4pm to 6pm -Oak Park Mall Barnes & Noble. Test out the latest and greatest board games, or join our scavenger hunt. Participate in a Sudoku challenge, or test-drive a NOOK. We offer something fun for everyone!
• Waterfire 2010 – Brush Creek on the Country Club Plaza, KCMO – dusk to midnight – amazing art installation piece involving music, water and fire – food, music and dancing complete the experience

Sunday, September 19, 2010

• Whole Foods Market’s 30th Birthday Bash – 1-4pm – Dino O’Dell will be there to entertain the kids, performing at 1 :00 & 2:30pm! Cupcake decorating, and Arte Children Studio will provide an art activity for the kids! Sampling throughout the store and Birthday cake for everyone! Balloon Artist and Face Painting too! Whole Foods Market, 6621 w. 119th street, Overland Park
• Great Midwest Balloon Fest 2010 – 167th & Antioch, south Overland Park – hot air balloons, food, activities, Kids’ Korner, entertainment – September 17-19
• Jesse James Festival, Kearney, MO – September 10 thru September 19
• Zona Rosa Art Festival, Kansas City north, MO – September 17 thru September 19
• Kansas State Fair, Hutchinson, KS – September 10 thru September 19 – Selena Gomez closes the Fair on the 19th!
• Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival, Blue Springs, MO – September 17 thru September 19

It’s springtime in Kansas City…and that means that one of the metro’s jewels will be opening!  Overland Park’s Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead will open on Thursday, April 1, 2010.

Located in south Overland Park at 138th and Switzer, the Farmstead has nearly 200 farm animals within its 12 acres.  There are also beautiful gardens, carefully tended to by the Master Gardeners/Johnson County Extension.  In addition, there is a dairy barn, chicken coops, pony rides, wagon rides, a mining exhibit and much more!  New this year is an old-time bank and ice cream parlor.

There is a concession stand where you can buy brown bag lunches or snacks; and many picnic tables and swings to stop, rest your legs and eat!  When we go, I always take a handful of quarters for the goat and fish feed.  The Farmstead has done a great job of placing handwashing stations around the property but I always have a stash of wet wipes with me, too!  There’s a playground there, as well.

Admission to this wonderful attraction has been in the news throughout the past year.  Admission has always been free, which is amazing considering how neat the park is. The Overland Park City Council approved a $2 admission fee, to be charged Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Admission will still be free for children under 1. And families can buy season passes – $35 for Overland Park residents; $50 for non-residents.  This is an effort to reign in attendance, which has soared to 5000-6000 on weekend days.

The Farmstead operates April 1 through October 1, 9am-5pm, with some holidays and special event hours. How do YOU feel about the new weekend admission charge?  Will this have an impact on how many times or when you visit?  Let us know!