KCKidsFun

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is something that many families look forward to each summer.  Typically kids go for several hours a day for one week, kids enjoy being with their friends, playing games and even learning a thing or two–all in a safe environment.  Most VBS camps are very reasonable, at $20-$40 for the week.  Many churches even offer assistance or scholarships.

This is also a great opportunity for you to check out our extensive Preschool Directory! It’s not too late to get a spot in a fall preschool and we have links to many programs.  And, since we’re on the topic of Directories…now that it’s May…are you ready for summer?  There’s still time to get your kid(s) enrolled in a summer camp or class.  We have added lots of camps to the list since we published theSummer Camp Directory 2011 in March, so even if you’ve looked it over, it wouldn’t hurt to give it another go!  If your church or place of worship conducts a summer camp or bible school–let us know!  We’ll gladly include it if we’ve missed it!

KCMO VBS programs

• Calvary Lutheran Church, 12411 Wornall Rd. KCMO
• Colonial Presbyterian Church, 95th and Wornall Rd. KCMO
• Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway, KCMO
• One Spirit United Methodist Church, 7900 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO
• St. John’s United Methodist Church, 6900 Ward Parkway, KCMO
• St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 9420 James A Reed Rd., KCMO

Johnson County, KS programs

• Old Missions UMC, 5519 State Park Rd., Fairway
• King of Kings Lutheran, 306 E Madison, Gardner
• Church of the Resurrection (COR), 13720 Roe, Leawood
• Lord of Life Lutheran, 3105 W. 135th St., Leawood
• Lenexa UMC, 9138 Caenan Lake Rd., Lenexa
• Salem Lutheran Church, 9143 Haskins, Lenexa
• St. Paul’s UMC, 7740 Lackman, Lenexa
• Westside Family Church, 8500 Woodsonia, Lenexa
• Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal, 6630 Nall, Mission
• Advent Lutheran, 11800 W. 151st, Olathe
• Aldersgate UMC, 151st and Black Bob, Olathe
• Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 13145 S. Black Bob, Olathe
• First Baptist Church of Olathe, 22024 E. 151st St., Olathe
• Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 16000 W. 143rd, Olathe
• Redeemer Lutheran, 920 Alta Lane, Olathe
• Bethany Lutheran, 9101 Lamar, Overland Park
• Colonial Presbyterian, 12501 W. 137th St. Overland Park
• First Family Church, 7700 W. 143rd., Overland Park
• Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park
• Grace Covenant Presbyterian, 11100 College Blvd, Overland Park
• Heritage UMC, 12850 Quivira, Overland Park
• Knox Presbyterian, 9595 W. 95th St., Overland Park
• Legacy Christian Church, 10150 Antioch, Overland Park
• Rolling Hills Presbyterian, 9300 Nall , Overland Park
• Grace Fellowship Church, 10201 W. 127th St., Overland Park
• Presbyterian Church of Stanley, 148th and Antioch, Overland Park
• Valley View UMC, 8412 W. 95th St., Overland Park
• Overland Park Church of Christ, 119th and Pflumm, Overland Park
• Nall Avenue Baptist Church, 6701 Nall, Overland Park
• Asbury UMC, Prairie Village
• Hope Lutheran Church, 6308 Quivira, Shawnee
• Shawnee Presbyterian Church, 6837 Nieman, Shawnee
• Shawnee United Methodist Church, 10700 Johnson Drive, Shawnee
• Trinity Lutheran Church, 7740 Hedge Lane, Shawnee

Northland programs

• Barry Christian Church, 1500 NW Barry Rd., KCMO
• Highlands Community of Christ, N. Platte Purchase Drive, off Barry Road, KCMO
• Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church, 7600 NW Barry Rd., KCMO
• St. Therese Parish, 7207 NW Hwy 9, KCMO
• Chandler Baptist Church, 11401 Hwy 33, Liberty, MO
• Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 1600 N 291 Hwy, Liberty, MO
• Platte Woods Church, 7310 NW Prairie View, Platte Woods, MO
• Liberty United Methodist Church, 1001 Sunset, Liberty, MO
• Harvest Church International Outreach, 4300 N. Corrington Ave., Kansas City, MO

Cass County, MO programs

• Crossroads United Methodist Church, 700 Quik Trip Way, Belton, MO
• First Baptist Church, 810 S. Cedar, Belton, MO
• Peculiar United Methodist Church, 20521 S. School Rd.

Kansas City, KS and Leavenworth programs

• Holy Name Catholic Church, 16 South Iowa, KCK
• Living Water United Methodist Church, 3001 N. 115th St, KCK
• Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, 4153 Rainbow Blvd, KCK
• Wallula Christian Church, 23785 139th Street, Leavenworth

Eastern Jackson County, MO programs

• Timothy Lutheran Church, 425 NW RD Mize Rd., Blue Springs
• St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 4746 S. Lee’s Summit Rd., Independence
• The Stone Church, 1012 W. Lexington, Independence
• Sycamore Hills Baptist Church, 15200 E. 39th Street, Independence
• Grace UMC, 2400 SE 50 Hwy, Lee’s Summit
• Lee’s Summit Baptist Temple, 2614 NW Chipman Rd., Lee’s Summit
• Lee’s Summit UMC, 114 SE Douglas, Lee’s Summit
• Summit Woods Baptist Church, 2501 SE Shenandoah Dr., Lee’s Summit
• Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church, 130 NW Murray Rd., Lee’s Summit
• St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 700 NE Chipman, Lee’s Summit
• New Summit Church, 1800 NE Independence Ave, Lee’s Summit

*image courtesy of gospelgifs.com

Memorial Day has come and gone. School is out. My kids are already telling me they’re bored (usually in a ploy to try to get me to let them play video games for hours on end…). The beginning of summer also means another thing in Kansas City though!

The FREE summer movie season is upon us! The list is a bit shorter this year than in years past but there are plenty of great movies and great venues!

Many of these showings often involve kid-related activities prior to the show itself. For you newbies, most of these flicks are shown in parks or parking lots and begin at dusk, so be sure to spray everyone down with bug spray! Also, you’ll want to bring a lawn chair(s) and/or blankets. Lastly, you will want to bring along snacks and drinks. Many locations will sell concessions, or have nearby shops willing to sell you something, but not all have food options.

Our list of  Kansas City’s free summer movies is below. And we’ll be adding to it as schedules get fleshed out over the next few weeks! (Neither outdoor nor technically free, we also wanted to share a great $1 movie deal offered at Zona Rosa’s Studio Movie Grill. They have a kid-friendly movie playing each Monday thru Thursday at 11am for $1/child and $2/adult – check the schedule for specific films and dates!)

And be sure to check out the KC Kids Fun Events Calendar in the toolbar at the top of the page for more great kid- and family-friendly events around Kansas City this summer!

Friday, June 4, 2010 – Oak Grove’s Webb Park – “Monsters vs. Aliens”

Saturday, June 5, 2010 – Briarcliff Village- “Shrek”; Kearney Amphitheater – “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

Tuesday, June 8 – Legends 14, KCK – “Doogal” and “Monsters vs. Aliens” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Wednesday, June 9 – Legends 14, KCK – “Doogal” and “Monsters vs. Aliens” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Thursday, June 10 – Independence Square, Liberty & Maple – “Up”

Saturday, June 12 – Briarcliff Village – “City Slickers”

Tuesday, June 15 – Legends 14, KCK – “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and “Hotel for Dogs” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Wednesday, June 16 – Legends 14, KCK – “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and “Hotel for Dogs” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Thursday, June 17 – Independence Square, Liberty & Maple – “Toy Story 2″

Friday, June 18 – Gladstone Amphitheatre’s Movies in the Park - “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

Saturday, June 19 – Briarcliff Village- “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”

Friday, June 19 Kansas City Central Library’s rooftop- “Near Dark” (note: rated “R”) and Blue Springs MO Street Flicks, 12th and Main- Spiderwick Chronicles

Tuesday, June 22- Legends 14, KCK – “Kitt Kittredge” and “Imagine That” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Wednesday, June 23- Legends 14, KCK – “Kitt Kittredge” and “Imagine That” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Thursday, June 24 – Independence Square, Liberty & Maple – “Willy Wonka (original)”

Friday, June 25 – City Market (KCMO) – “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”; Street Flicks in Blue Springs – movie TBA

Saturday, June 26 – Briarcliff Village- “The Muppet Movie”; Kearney Amphitheater – “Where the Wild Things Are”

Tuesday, June 29- Legends 14, KCK – “Charlotte’s Web” and “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Wednesday, June 30- Legends 14, KCK – “Charlotte’s Web” and “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Thursday, July 1 - Independence Square, Liberty & Maple – The Doo-Dads perform from 6:30 to 8:30, followed by “Kung Fu Panda”

Saturday, July 3 – Briarcliff Village- “Raiders of the Lost Ark”

Friday, July 2 – Crown Center- “Pretty in Pink” (maybe not a movie to take the kiddos to!)

Tuesday, July 6- Legends 14, KCK – “The Wizard of Oz” and “Planet 51″ (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Wednesday, July 7 – Legends 14, KCK – “The Wizard of Oz” and “Planet 51″ (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Thursday, July 8 - Independence Square, Liberty & Maple – BaliRoot performs from 6:30 to 8:30, followed by “Alvin and the Chipmunks”

Friday, July 9 – Crown Center – “Jurassic Park”; Hyde Park Children’s Film Festival – concert by Fast Johnny Ricker at 7:30pm and “Where the Wild Things Are” at 8:30pm

Saturday, July 10 - Briarcliff Village – “The Polar Express”

Tuesday, July 13- Legends 14, KCK – “Curious George” and “Aliens in the Attic” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Wednesday, July 14 – Legends 14, KCK – “Curious George” and “Aliens in the Attic” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Thursday, July 15 - Independence Square, Liberty & Maple – Four Fried Chickens and a Coke performs from 6:30 to 7:30, followed by a dance group, followed by “The Princess and the Frog”

Friday, July 16 – Crown Center – “Hairspray”; Street Flicks in Blue Springs – movie TBA; Hyde Park Children’s Film Festival – concert by Bob Walkenhorst and Jeff Porter at 7:30pm and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at 8:30pm

Saturday, July 17 – Briarcliff Village- “Ghostbusters”

Tuesday, July 20- Legends 14, KCK – “March of the Penguins” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks 2″ (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Wednesday, July 21 – Legends 14, KCK – “March of the Penguins” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks 2″ (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Thursday, July 22 - Independence Square, Liberty & Maple – “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

Friday, July 23 – Crown Center – “Julie & Julia” (not a kid movie); Gladstone Amphitheatre’s Movies in the Park - “Planet 51″; Hyde Park Children’s Film Festival – concert by Danny Cox at 7:30pm and “Coraline” at 8:30pm

Saturday, July 24 – Briarcliff Village – “Free Willy”

Friday July 24 Prairie Village Shops – “E.T.”; Hyde Park (36th & Gillham, KCMO) – “Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull” and Blue Springs MO Street Flicks, 12th & Main – “Madagascar 2″

Tuesday, July 27- Legends 14, KCK – “Polar Express” and “Tooth Fairy” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Wednesday, July 28 – Legends 14, KCK – “Polar Express” and “Tooth Fairy” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends at Village West every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)

Thursday, July 29 - Independence Square, Liberty & Maple -  “Babe”

Friday, July 30 – Crown Center – “Groundhog Day”; City Market (KCMO) – “The Birds” (not necessarily a flick for kids!); Hyde Park Children’s Film Festival – concert by Sara Swenson at 7:30pm and “The Karate Kid (original)” at 8:30pm

Saturday, July 31 - Briarcliff Village – “Back to the Future”

Thursday, August 5 - Independence Square, Liberty & Maple – “Monsters Inc.”

Friday, Aug 6 - Crown Center – “Ocean’s Eleven” (not a small kid movie); Oak Grove’s Webb Park – movie TBA; Merriam Aquatic Center’s Dive-In Theatre – “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

Saturday, Aug 7 – Briarcliff Village – “Curious George”

Thursday, August 12 - Independence Square, Liberty & Maple – “Mighty Ducks 2″

Friday, Aug 13 – Crown Center – “Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone”; Leawood’s Amphitheater at Ironwoods Park – “Goonies”

Saturday, Aug 14 – Briarcliff Village – “Men in Black”

Thursday, August 19 - Independence Square, Liberty & Maple – “Field of Dreams”

Saturday, Aug 21 – Briarcliff Village – “Enchanted”; Kearney Amphitheater – Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Friday, Aug 27 – City Market (KCMO) – “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (not exactly a movie for the little ones…)

Saturday, Aug 28 – Briarcliff Village – “Finding Nemo”

Saturday, Sept 11 – Raytown/Colman Park - movie TBA

Readers–here it is–a listing of major KC-metro area pools, open to the public, and their locations! Pools will generally open for the season next Saturday, May 29, 2010–the start of Memorial Weekend. (That’s no guarantee that the water is warm!!!) They are listed by city to make it as easy as possible to navigate. Many of the pools offer swimming lessons, as well. I’ve included the link to each city’s aquatics website…simply click on the city and you’ll see the corresponding aquatics page. These city-specific pages offer detailed information on lessons, pool hours and daily/season fees, if applicable. PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL IF I’VE FORGOTTEN YOUR FAVORITE POOL! I can easily add it to the list. Happy Swimming! And above all, be safe!!

Overland Park, KS and Leawood, KS

• Bluejacket, 101st and Bond, 913.327.5671
• Marty, 74th and Conser, 913.327.5672
• Roe, 104th and Roe, 913.327.5673
• Stonegate, 97th and Antioch, 913.327.5674
• TRAC, 119th and Lowell, 913.327.5675
• Young’s, 77th and Antioch, 913.327.5676
• Leawood Aquatic Center, 10601 Lee Blvd., 913.327.3977

Olathe, KS and Prairie Village, KS

• Black Bob Pool, 14570 W. 151st St., 913.764.9720
• Mill Creek Pool, 320 E. Poplar, 913.829.9811
• Frontier Pool, 15909 W. 127th St., 913.829.9730
• Oregon Trail Pool, 1800 W. Dennis, 913.829.9815
• City of Prairie Village Pool, 7711 Delmar, 913.642.6010

Lee’s Summit, MO

• Legacy Park Community Center, 901 NE Bluestem Drive, 816.969.1550
• Summit Waves, NE corner of Hwys 50 and 291 South, 816.969.1515

Kansas City, MO

• Brush Creek community center, 3801 Emmanuel Cleaver II Blvd., 816.784.4000
• Budd Park, Budd Park Espl. & Denver Ave., 816.784.2600
• Grove Park, 3031 E. Truman, 816.231.9568
• Swope Park, Swope Park- 67th and Lewis, 816.513.8915
• Southeast Community Center, 4201 E. 63rd, 816.513.7500
• Arbor Villa, 66th Terrace and Main St.  - opens June 8, 2010
• Ashland, 23rd and Elmwood streets  - opens June 8
• Gillham, 41st and Gillham streets – opens June 8
• West Terrace, 16th and Jarboe streets  - opens June 8
• KCMO “Spraygrounds” - Douglas Park, 2632 Jarboe St. - Harmony Park, 10th Street and Agnes - Longview Park, 7101 Longview Road (Closed Mondays) - Loose Park, 52nd Terrace and Summit - Parade Park, The Paseo and Truman Road - Sunnyside Park, 8255 Summit (Closed Mondays)
• Golden Oaks Park sprayground, East of Antioch at approx. 47th Street in the Northland
• Garrison Community Center, 4th and Forest at Columbus Park

For hours and additional information on classes and parties, call 816.513.7500.

Shawnee, KS

• Splash Cove at Jim Allen Aquatic Center, 5800 King, 913.631.7177
• Thomas A. Saetaert Aquatic Center, 13805 Johnson Drive, 913.631.0054

Lenexa, KS

• Ad Astra Pool, 83rd and Maurer, 913.492.SWIM
• Flat Rock Creek Pool, 103rd and Hauser, 913.888.3202
• Indian Trails Aquatic Center, 87th and Greenway Lane, 913.888.4659

Independence, MO and Blue Springs, MO

• Adventure Oasis Water Park, 23rd Street just west of 291 Hwy., 816.325.7843
• Water playgrounds to cool off: 24 Hwy/N. Delaware and 24th & Hardy streets
• Blue Springs Centennial Pool Plex, 2401 W. Ashton Drive, 816.228.0188

Liberty, MO

• Liberty Community Center, 1600 S. Withers Rd.
• Spraygrounds at: Ruth Moore Park, 401 N. Morse and City Park, 970 S. Highway 291

Gladstone, MO

• Municipal Pool, Central Park, 69th & North Holmes, 816.436.2200

KCI Area/Platte County, MO

• Park Hill Aquatic Center, 8152 N. Congress Ave., 816.741.7963
• Springs Aquatic Center at Tiffany Hills Park, 9700 N. Congress, 816.880.0733
• Riverside Municipal Pool, 4498 NW High Drive, 816.741.3993

KC, KS

• Parkwood Pool, 950 Quindaro Blvd, 913.551.0402
• Spray Parks to cool off: Eisenhower Park, 2901 N. 72nd St., and Pierson Park, 1800 S. 55th St.

Also, if you’re looking for a break from the sun, don’t forget about the newly-opened ($750 million) Schlitterbahn Vacation Village in KCK, located near Village West,   and CoCoKey Resort, located in the Sheraton Kansas City Sports Complex!  The same holds true forGreat Wolf Lodge in KCK. When it’s just too hot outside, bring the waterpark IN!

*image courtesy of Pool & Spa Master