KCKidsFun

Next Tuesday is February 14th. That means this weekend kicks off  Valentine’s Day celebrations. Take time this weekend to get crafty with your little ones, and wrap your shoeboxes in red paper and start putting together those special Be Mine notes for your child’s classmates.  You might double check the school schedules, just to be safe. Some schools in Blue Valley, for instance, are hosting Valentines parties on Monday instead of Tuesday, due to early dismissal/teacher inservice schedules.

But there’s more to it than candy and hearts. There’s always a lot of fun activities around Kansas City with the kids. In fact, the fun starts on Thursday the 9th, when you can visit Story Time at Reading Reptile (Brookside, KCMO) – 11am – ages 3 to 7 – $3 includes craft and cupcake (reservations requested). This week’s theme of course: Valentine fun!

On Friday February 10th, Check out the Father-Daughter Valentine’s Dance at Matt Ross Community Center, Overland Park – 6:30pm to 8:30pm (registration required.) Or maybe the the Mother/Son – Father/Daughter Valentine’s Dance at Brush Creek Community Center (KCMO) is more your style. It runs 6pm to 8pm.

Not wanting to dress up? Also on Friday, check out Notable You! at Whole Foods Market, Metcalf 7401 W. 91st Street Overland Park, KS. 1-3pm – Decorate clipboards and attach thoughtful notes or Valentines. FREE, includes a snack, and designed for children ages 3-12 years old. Kids may join the fun in the café anytime during the events, unless otherwise noted.

On Saturday, dress way down and check out Naturally from the Heart – Burr Oak Woods Nature Center (Blue Springs, MO) – 10am to 11am where you can create special Valentines from all natural materials.
Family Fun Day at Johnson County Museum (Shawnee, KS) – 10am – Drop in and make handmade Valentines!

And finally, in case you’re too busy to hit a specific window of heart-shaped fun, there’s always  Valentine’s Day Fun at Paradise Park (Lee’s Summit). The Children’s Edutainment Center will feature a full week of Valentine’s themed fun. You can bake Valentine heart cookies in the interactive kitchen and create Valentine cards and fun flowers in the art studio. Share the fun with someone you love. It runs from Saturday, February 11th thru the 14th.

Looking for more? Check out our Events Calendar!

* image via  http://www.flickr.com/photos/hint-of-plum/ licensed with Creative Commons

It’s that time of year…preschool enrollment time!  It’s hard to believe that it’s time to register your little ones for Fall 2012 preschool classes.  Many area preschools have already started the enrollment process for current families and will open up to the public within the next week.  Typically, priority enrollment is given to current families, church members, alumni and then the general public.

KC Kids Fun has compiled an extensive and very useful directory of preschools around the Kansas City metro area. We’ve got a separate list for each of the following areas:

• Kansas City, MO -south of the river (including Grandview & Raytown)

• Northland – Clay and Platte Counties, MO

• Johnson County, KS

• Eastern Jackson County, MO (Lee’s Summit, Independence, Blue Springs, Oak Grove, Grain Valley)

• Cass County, MO (Belton, Harrisonville, Raymore, Peculiar)

• Wyandotte & Leavenworth Counties, KS

If we’ve missed a good one (or if you find a broken link or closed facility amongst our list), please let us know in the comments section. Thanks for your help.  It takes a village to keep this updated and current!!

Good luck! We hope everyone finds a great preschool/parents day out program for their child!

KC Kids Fun provides its readers with contact information for the listed preschools. We make every effort to supply you with up-to-date information, but we cannot guarantee each school’s capabilities. All information listed on preschools is subject to change without notice.Because selecting a preschool for your child is a personal decision, you should visit the schools to determine which you and your family feel is best for your child and your circumstances.

Getting a little stir-crazy? It’s been a weird winter for weather here in Kansas City (three points for alliteration!)  One day it’s so freezing cold you don’t even want to get out of bed, and the next it’s nice enough to kick the kids outside to play in just a lightweight jacket. It’s hard to plan. This is why we all drive big cars with lots of storage – we need room for extra jackets, gloves, hats, water bottles and a soccer ball or two. Just in case.

Here’s some options for getting out of the house this weekend regardless of the temperature.

• Friday, January 27, 2012

  • Chinese New Year Celebration – Nelson-Atkins Museum(KCMO). 5-9 p.m. Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with performances and family-friendly activities throughout the Museum! Come ready to record your memories! Dress in authentic Chinese robes, “ride” our traditional rickshaw and pose with the Empress and Emperor or next to a dragon balloon sculpture, built by San Francisco performer Kat the Acrobat.
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, presented by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre
  • The Wrestling Season, January 24 – February 19 at The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1 (for 7th grade and up)
  • Missouri Mavericks vs. Quad City Mallards hockey, Independence Events Center
  • Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music at Sprint Center (KCMO)
  • Strega Nona, presented by Paul Mesner Puppets, 1006 E. Linwood, KCMO

• Saturday, January 28, 2012

  • Puppetry Arts Institute (Independence, MO) presents The Further Adventures of Jack’s Cow by puppeteer Anitra Steele (Two Frogs and a Turtle Puppet Co.) – Hand puppets continue the story of Jack & the Beanstalk’s cow. 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
  • Play with Clay! Saturday morning and afternoon children’s classes (ages 7-12) at Red Star Studios (January 14, 21, and 28). $75 for 3 classes. For more information, call us at 816-474-7316 or visit our website, www.redstarstudios.org
  • Kidsafe Awareness, noon-1:00pm (presented by Blue Valley Recreation) For ages 6-13. Kids develop safety awareness in a fun, friendly environment. Learn basic safety concepts and how to recognize and react to high-risk situations. Taught by a 25-year veteran of the Overland Park Police Department. Held at Blue Valley Karate.
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, presented by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre
  • The Wrestling Season, January 24 – February 19 at The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1 (for 7th grade and up)
  • Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music at Sprint Center (KCMO)
  • Strega Nona, presented by Paul Mesner Puppets, 1006 E. Linwood, KCMO

• Sunday, January 29, 2012

  • Kansas Day Celebration at Ernie Miller Nature Park (Olathe) – 2pm to 4pm. Celebrate all things Kansas on our statehood day! Can you name the Kansas Symbols? See some of the natural symbols live and in person. Have a piece of cake for the state’s birthday and be delighted by the stories from a pioneer. Participate in fun activities for all ages during this two-hour event and even join in a rousing chorus of Home on the Range! The cost of the program to be paid at the site is $5 per person including adults. For reservations and more information call (913) 764-7759. Reservations are required.
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, presented by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre
  • The Wrestling Season, January 24 – February 19 at The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1 (for 7th grade and up)
  • Kansas City Symphony presents Tchaikovsky Discovers America, part of the Family Series, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO
  • Missouri Mavericks vs. Quad City Mallards hockey, Independence Events Center
  • Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music at Sprint Center (KCMO)
  • Strega Nona, presented by Paul Mesner Puppets, 1006 E. Linwood, KCMO