KCKidsFun

We  wrapped up the Halloween costume-creation process last night, just in time for today’s classroom parties. I was cutting an old t-shirt to make into a “kung fu headband” at about 10pm last night. But everyone got out the door with costumes in hand this morning. So, it’s all good.

What will you be doing this weekend? There’s a lot to choose from in Kansas City this Halloween!

Here are a few ideas:

Friday, October 30, 2009

• Night of the Living Farm, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, Overland Park, KS – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Presale $7.00 per person; $8.00 at the gate; children under 1 free. Old-fashioned lanterns and carved pumpkins lead you through pathways of graves and ghouls. There will be games, music and dancing, scary and non-scaryhayrides, candy and much more!
• Midland Railway’s Haunted Train, Baldwin City, KS – 6:30pm, 8pm and 9:30pm
• The Doo-Dads LIVE! at the Record Bar, 1020 Westport Rd., KCMO – 6pm to 8pm
• Friday Night Ghost Tours on the Square – Independence (MO) Square – covered wagon ride with ghost tours and historical stops – 7, 8, 9 and 10pm

Saturday, October 31, 2009

• Spooktacular Halloween Party at Culinary Center of Kansas City (Overland Park) – 10am – $65/parent-child team
• Mildale Farm Fall Fest, Edgerton, KS – 10am to 3pm – hayrides, nature walks, pumpkins, cider, fishing and more!
• Kids Club Halloween Event, Whole Foods, 91st & Metcalf, OPKS – 10am to 12pm – costume parade, goodie bags, decorate a cookie, face painting, balloon artistry – FREE!
• Trick or Treat at the City Market (KCMO) – 10am to 2pm
• Big Brown Bats, Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center (KCMO) – 10am to 3pm – FREE! – learn about bats, make a bat hat, build a bat house!
• Spooktacular Halloween at Zona Rosa (Northland) – 10am to 12pm – join KidZone and Radio Disney for this not-so-scary Halloween party!
• Spook-ZOO-tacular Fun at the Kansas City Zoo! – 10am to 3pm – costumes, snacks, magicians, ghost stories and Radio Disney!
• Halloween at the Legends, KCKS – 12:30pm to 3:30pm – costumes, trick or treating, DJ, bounce house, games, activities and more!
• Night of the Living Farm, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, Overland Park, KS – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Presale $7.00 per person; $8.00 at the gate; children under 1 free. Old-fashioned lanterns and carved pumpkins lead you through pathways of graves and ghouls. There will be games, music and dancing, scary and non-scary hayrides, candy and much more!
• The Great Pumpkin in downtown Overland Park – pumpkin patch, seasonal products, live music, games, crafts -  3pm to 6pm
• Trick or Treat Trail, Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty, Overland Park, KS – 3pm to 6pm – FREE – pumpkin patch, “apple orchard”, candy, crafts, games and more!!
• Culinary Center of Kansas City’s Haunted Kitchen – walk-in event (no reservations) – hands-on treat-making and more – 3pm to 6pm
• Trick or Treating on the Square and Halloween Parade – Independence Square, Independence, MO – 1:30 to 3pm, trick or treating; 3pm, parade
• Justin Roberts LIVE at the Record Bar, Westport Rd., KCMO – 12pm – with special appearance by Mr. Stinky Feet!
• Valley View United Methodist trunk or treat, 8412 W. 95th St. OPKS. 4pm to 5:30pm
• Winnwood Baptist Church trunk or treat, Kansas City North – 6pm to 8pm
• Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church trunk or treat, 114 SE Douglas, Lee’s Summit. 6:30-8:30pm
• Belvidere Heights Baptist Church trunk or treat, 15109 White Avenue, Grandview, MO. 6 to 8pm
• Kansas City Baptist Temple trunk or treat, Raytown, MO – 3pm to 5pm
• Red Bridge Christian Church trunk or treat, south KCMO – 6pm to 8pm
• New Hope Church trunk or treat, Kansas City North – 6pm to 8pm – with games, bounce house and more!

Have a safe and FUN Halloween everyone!!

Confession time. Halloween is NOT my favorite holiday.

I know, I know! Everyone else LOVES Halloween. And I do a decent job of faking it for my kiddos. We decorate. We work hard on costumes. We buy too much candy.

It does seem like the entire city is excited about Halloween though. TONS of stuff going on for the whole family around Kansas City over the next few weeks – all related to the spooky All Hallow’s Eve…(including a bunch of Trunk or Treat options for you!)

So, mark your calendars and get some good use out of those costumes!!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

• Pumpkins in the Park – Roberts Park, Independence, MO – 4:30pm to 6pm – pumpkin decorating and storytelling – FREE!

Friday, October 23, 2009

• Night of the Living Farm, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, Overland Park, KS – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Presale $7.00 per person; $8.00 at the gate; children under 1 free. Old-fashioned lanterns and carved pumpkins lead you through pathways of graves and ghouls. There will be games, music and dancing, scary and non-scary hayrides, candy and much more!
• Midland Railway’s Haunted Train, Baldwin City, KS – 6:30pm, 8pm and 9:30pm
• Friday Night Ghost Tours on the Square – Independence (MO) Square – covered wagon ride with ghost tours and historical stops – 7, 8, 9 and 10pm
• Church of the Ascension trunk or treat, 127th and Grant, Overland Park, KS 6:30 pm
• Leawood Freaky Fall Fest, Leawood City Park – 5pm to 9pm
• Fairy Tale Forest, Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary, Liberty, MO – 5:30pm to 8pm – non-scary Halloween fun for all ages!
• Enchanted Forest, George Owens Nature Park, Independence – 7pm to 9pm – designed for families with kids 3 to 9
• Spirits of the Past, Missouri Town 1855, Lee’s Summit, MO – ghost stories, hayrides and trick-or-treating through 19th century buildings – 6pm to 9pm – ADVANCED RESERVATIONS ONLY!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

• Night of the Living Farm, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, Overland Park, KS – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Presale $7.00 per person; $8.00 at the gate; children under 1 free. Old-fashioned lanterns and carved pumpkins lead you through pathways of graves and ghouls. There will be games, music and dancing, scary and non-scaryhayrides, candy and much more!
• Midland Railway’s Haunted Train, Baldwin City, KS – 6:30pm, 8pm and 9:30pm
• Trail of Treats, Woods Chapel Church, Lee’s Summit, MO – 5 to 6pm
• Trick or Treat OFF the Street, Mahaffie Farmstead, Olathe, KS – 5:30pm to 8:30pm
• Enchanted Forest, George Owens Nature Park, Independence – 7pm to 9pm – designed for families with kids 3 to 9
• Mystic Pumpkin Festival, Englewood Station Business District, Independence (Winner & Sterling Rds.) – begins at 4:30pm – pumpkins, the Doo-Dads, haunted fire truck rides and more!
• Fairy Tale Forest, Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary, Liberty, MO – 5:30pm to 8pm – non-scary Halloween fun for all ages!
• Spirits of the Past, Missouri Town 1855, Lee’s Summit, MO – ghost stories, hayrides and trick-or-treating through 19th century buildings – 6pm to 9pm – ADVANCED RESERVATIONS ONLY!
• Boo at the Zoo! Kansas City Zoo – all day – trick or treating and Halloween-themed activities!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

• Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church trunk or treat, 11100 College Blvd, OPKS, 3:30pm to 5pm
• Platte Woods UMC trunk or treat, Platte Woods, MO – 4pm to 6pm
• Visitation School trunk or treat, KCMO – 5pm to 6:30pm
• Boo at the Zoo! Kansas City Zoo – all day – trick or treating and Halloween-themed activities!
• Fairy Tale Forest, Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary, Liberty, MO – 5:30pm to 8pm – non-scary Halloween fun for all ages!
• Pre-Halloween Bash hosted by Robichaud Photography and Jonni’s Dance Academy, Eastbrook Plaza, 1839 NW Vivion Rd (Northland) – 1pm to 4pm – FREE trick or treating, games, crafts – professional portraits in Halloween setting for $10

Monday, October 26, 2009

• Ray-Pec Trunk or Treat, Ray-Pec High School, Peculiar, MO – 6pm to 8pm

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

• Pumpkins in the Park – Cler-Mont Park, Independence, MO – 4:30pm to 6pm – pumpkin decorating and storytelling – FREE!
• City of Riverside Trunk or Treat, Riverside (MO) Community Center – 7pm to 8pm

Thursday, October 29, 2009

• Midland Railway’s Haunted Train, Baldwin City, KS – 6:30pm, 8pm and 9:30pm
• Trunk or Treat, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 9555 N. Oak, KCMO – 6:30 to 8pm

Friday, October 30, 2009

• Night of the Living Farm, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, Overland Park, KS – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Presale $7.00 per person; $8.00 at the gate; children under 1 free. Old-fashioned lanterns and carved pumpkins lead you through pathways of graves and ghouls. There will be games, music and dancing, scary and non-scaryhayrides, candy and much more!
• Midland Railway’s Haunted Train, Baldwin City, KS – 6:30pm, 8pm and 9:30pm
• The Doo-Dads LIVE! at the Record Bar, 1020 Westport Rd., KCMO – 6pm to 8pm
• Friday Night Ghost Tours on the Square – Independence (MO) Square – covered wagon ride with ghost tours and historical stops – 7, 8, 9 and 10pm

Saturday, October 31, 2009

• Spooktacular Halloween Party at Culinary Center of Kansas City (Overland Park) – 10am – $65/parent-child team
• Mildale Farm Fall Fest, Edgerton, KS – 10am to 3pm – hayrides, nature walks, pumpkins, cider, fishing and more!
• Kids Club Halloween Event, Whole Foods, 91st & Metcalf, OPKS – 10am to 12pm – costume parade, goodie bags, decorate a cookie, face painting, balloon artistry – FREE!
• Spooktacular Halloween at Zona Rosa (Northland) – 10am to 12pm – join KidZone and Radio Disney for this not-so-scary Halloween party!
• Spook-ZOO-tacular Fun at the Kansas City Zoo! – 10am to 3pm – costumes, snacks, magicians, ghost stories and Radio Disney!
• Halloween at the Legends, KCKS – 12:30pm to 3:30pm – costumes, trick or treating, DJ, bounce house, games, activities and more!
• Night of the Living Farm, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, Overland Park, KS – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Presale $7.00 per person; $8.00 at the gate; children under 1 free. Old-fashioned lanterns and carved pumpkins lead you through pathways of graves and ghouls. There will be games, music and dancing, scary and non-scary hayrides, candy and much more!
• The Great Pumpkin in downtown Overland Park – pumpkin patch, seasonal products, live music, games, crafts -  3pm to 6pm
• Trick or Treat Trail, Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty, Overland Park, KS – 3pm to 6pm – FREE – pumpkin patch, “apple orchard”, candy, crafts, games and more!!
• Culinary Center of Kansas City’s Haunted Kitchen – walk-in event (no reservations) – hands-on treat-making and more – 3pm to 6pm
• Trick or Treating on the Square and Halloween Parade – Independence Square, Independence, MO – 1:30 to 3pm, trick or treating; 3pm, parade
• Justin Roberts LIVE at the Record Bar, Westport Rd., KCMO – 12pm – with special appearance by Mr. Stinky Feet!
• Valley View United Methodist trunk or treat, 8412 W. 95th St. OPKS. 4pm to 5:30pm
• Winnwood Baptist Church trunk or treat, Kansas City North – 6pm to 8pm
• Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church trunk or treat, 114 SE Douglas, Lee’s Summit. 6:30-8:30pm
• Belvidere Heights Baptist Church trunk or treat, 15109 White Avenue, Grandview, MO. 6 to 8pm
• Kansas City Baptist Temple trunk or treat, Raytown, MO – 3pm to 5pm
• Red Bridge Christian Church trunk or treat, south KCMO – 6pm to 8pm
• New Hope Church trunk or treat, Kansas City North – 6pm to 8pm – with games, bounce house and more!

And don’t forget to check out our Pumpkin Patch Directory!!

It’s that time…oh yes, the much beloved or much dreaded search for Halloween costumes is on. Admit it moms and dads – you either LOVE Halloween or you HATE Halloween. KC Kids Fun has given you a list of pumpkin patches and apple orchards– and now we’re moving on to costumes.  With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year–chances are good that you are either throwing some sort of party, have been invited to one, or are just planning on doing it up with your own family.  We’ve got some suggestions for you!

Of course, there’s always Target, WalMart and the seasonal Halloween costume shops at the malls and strip centers. But if you’re looking for something more, something different – and you’re not a whiz at the sewing machine – we’ve got a few suggestions for places to check out.

Thrift Stores

Thrift stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army and 2nd Chance (City Union Mission) are a treasure trove of interesting, inspiring and funky clothing which could easily turn into your child’s favorite Halloween costume ever. And you are bound to find something awesome to wear to the adults-only costume party that you’ve been dreading. The best part about thrift store finds? Cheap!

Costume Shops

Sure you can run into Party City and Party America and find a quick costume for your little ones – but there are a lot of places around town to find some a little more unique than what you’ll find at the discount and party stores. The strangely-named Have Guns Will Rent costume shop in Kansas City, Kansas has costumes available for purchase and more elaborate costumes for rent. Costumes and More in North Kansas City also has some interesting selections – including a great variety of historic period costumes. If you REALLY want to go all out, peruse the thousands of costumes available for rent at Kansas City Costume Company. This is the place where stage productions go for costumes – you’re bound to find something fabulous!

My Favorites

My two favorite spots in Kansas City for costume-hunting are Dottie Mae’s at 83rd and Wornall and U.S. Toy at 103rd-ish and State Line. Dottie Mae’s has been around for quite a while and is truly an experience. Not a shop for your littlest goblins but your older elementary, middle school and high schoolers are bound to find lots of fun things to choose from. You and your spouse will find some ridiculously fun options here too.  They have great 60’s and 70’s retro-looking items and tons of accessories to make your look complete.

U.S. Toy has costumes for all ages, wigs, make up and accessories galore. While they have a dedicated costume shop which is great, I often find more for costumes in the party/carnival section of the store. Tiaras, magic wands, fancy gloves, silly hats, swords, bandanas and more can be found – and usually relatively inexpensively.  In addition, you can find everything you need to host a Halloween party.  Invitations, favors, decorations, party and paper goods, it’s all here!  I just picked up a huge plastic, black cauldron and am using it to hold the candy that I’ll be handing out on Halloween.  I also found some cute twig brooms which are on my front porch.

On the Internet

If you dread the stores, there are TONS of online costume options. Many sites have sales and/or shipping deals right about now – but don’t delay! Some of our favorite online spots for costumes are:

• Amazon.com Costume Shop

• Shop BuyCostumes.com

• Costume SuperCenter

• Shop.NickJr.com! – featuring Halloween costumes like Dora, Diego, Blue’s Clues, Backyardigans and SpongeBob–20% off now.

• The Children’s Place has some super cute costumes – especially for babies–40% off now.