KCKidsFun

It’s that time!  And we are ready for it…cooler weather (thumbs up for sweatshirt and shorts days!) and much lower humidity.  This weather ushers in the ever-popular Pumpkin Patch/Fruit Orchard season in and around Kansas City.

If I’ve overlooked your favorite pumpkin patch or orchard…please leave a comment and we’ll get it added.  Also – if you operate one of these businesses and would like to purchase a Sponsored Listing (affording you prime, top-of-list placement along with a graphic) please contact me at kiran@kckidsfun.com.  It’s just that easy!

Sponsored Listings

Faulkner’s Pumpkin Farm Faulkner’s Ranch huge Pumpkin Season Celebration Sept. 30th -Oct. 31st, 2011.  10am – 6pm daily.  Family Play Area admission just $7.00 per person plus tax.  Quality fall family fun, pumpkins galore and fall decor.  New group hayride package, birthday parties, and playdates. Click here for more details!  Sat. Oct. 1- Sun. Oct. 2 – Grandparents Weekend, Sun. Oct. 8 and Sun. Oct. 9 Faulkner’s Ranch Pony Show 1pm – 1:30pm, Sun. Oct. 9 Girl Scout Pumpkin Science Lab (reservation required), Sun. Oct 16th Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove @1pm.  Every Monday in Oct: Fall Playdates 10:30am.  Appearing every Sat. and Sun. in Oct:
1pm – 5pm – Sheriff Terry and 11am – 1pm – Reggie Gray Magic

KC Pumpkin Patch (Gardner, KS) – TONS of fun things to do (and they have pumpkins!)  This place has so much to see and do–general admission gets you into the petting zoo, haunted barn, hay bale maze, zip line on weekends, and more! They will even host birthday parties and school field trips.

General Listings

Northland:

Alldredge Orchards (Platte City) – apples, pumpkins, playground and more!

Blue Valley Recreation: 19th Annual Family Fall Festival. Saturday 10/15, 1-4pm at the Rec Complex, 9701 W. 137th St., OPKS.  Ages 9 and under. Games, face painting, petting zoo, huge kites, horse-drawn hayrides, clowns, moonwalk, & refreshments! First 500 registered receive a pumpkin and a treat bucket. $5; non residents: $6. Register by calling 913.685.6000 or online.

Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze (Liberty, MO) – pumpkins, hayrides, train and many other activities

Looper Farms (Holt, MO – just north of Clay County on I-35) – u-pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, trainrides

Pumpkins, Etc. (Platte City, MO) – pumpkins, mums, haystacks and fall decor

Red Barn Farm (Weston, MO) – pumpkins, animals, hayrides and corn maze

Schweizer’s Orchard (St. Joseph, MO) – pick your own apples and pumpkins!

Vaughn Orchard, 816-386-2900 (Weston, MO) – pick your own apples and pumpkins

KCMO:

Faulkner’s Pumpkin Farm (Kansas City, MO – south of I-470) – a TON of family-friendly fun!

7th Annual Pumpkin Patch for DeLaSalle School – Oct. 1, 2011, 10am-2pm, Brookside Park (56th St at Brookside Blvd, KCMO)  features pumpkins, ponies, inflatables and music!  Admission is free with donation suggested  for pumpkins.

Cass County, MO (just south of KCMO):

The Berry Patch (just south of Leawood & Martin City) – UPick blackberries available until the first hard fall freeze.

Dunn’s Cider Mill (Belton, MO) – cider and donuts!

Johnson Farms (Belton, MO) – you pick pumpkins, playground, animals and more!

Pumpkins & Pines (Pleasant Hill, MO) – tons of varieties of pumpkins!

Shuck’s Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch (Pleasant Hill, MO) – HUGE cornfield maze, pumpkins and variety of activities

Johnson County, KS:

Wagon Wheel Orchard (Gardner, KS) – fall apples and pears… no peaches 2011.  But be sure to check the picking report!

Miami County, KS (just south of Johnson County, KS):

Louisburg Cider Mill and Country Store (Louisburg, KS) – cider, donuts and fun activities!

Louisburg Corn Maze (Louisburg, KS) – doesn’t appear to be open for fall 2011

Powell Pumpkin Patch (Louisburg, KS) – you pick pumpkins, playground, hayrides, corn maze

Douglas County, KS (just west of Johnson County, KS):

Pendleton’s Country Market (Lawrence, KS) – pick your own pumpkins and more

Schaakes Pumpkin Patch (Lawrence, KS) – you pick pumpkins, hayrides, mazes, animals

Eastern Jackson County, MO:

Sibley Orchards (Sibley, Jackson County, MO) – apples, pumpkins, hayrides & cider!

Wyandotte County, KS:

Kerby Farm Pumpkin Patch (Bonner Springs, KS) – pumpkins, corn maze, hayrides

Our friends over at VisitKC.com put together a terrific Google Map showing most of these locations:

View Fall Pumpkin Patches and Apple Orchards in a larger map

(And if you haven’t checked out VisitKC.com, what are you waiting for?! It’s a terrific resource for locals and visitors alike.)

* image of Jim Cosgrove courtesy of KC Pumpkin Patch

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

It’s that time of year–when thoughts turn to getting outside and eating fresh, homegrown produce!  Starting this week, the metro’s many farmers markets will open for the season. These markets offer a great opportunity to meet and support local growers.  It also makes for a great “teaching moment” when you take the kids, let them pick out some fruits and vegetables, and chat with the farmer who actually puts the food on the table.  Back to basics!  Farmers market “season” is typically late-April through October, although some are open year-round.  Markets aren’t limited to just produce…many offer up baked goods and handmade crafts, too!  Don’t forget your reusable shopping bags!

Our 2010 list:

Kansas City, MO City Market

This market, the “granddaddy” of them all, is located in KC’s River Market area, on 5th Street in downtown KC.  There are close to 150 vendors represented here!  If you want it, you’re sure to find it here…fresh baked goods, fresh produce, handmade crafts, and even local plants, herbs and fresh-cut flowers.  This market is open year-round, but is especially vibrant during the spring and summer growing seasons.  Hours are 7am to 330 pm on Saturdays, 8am until 330pm on Sundays.

Brookside’s Farmer’s Community Market at Border Star Montessori School

Located in Brookside at 63rd and Wornall, this market features organic produce, free-range eggs, hormone-free meats and even some prepared foods. Weekly events include childrens’ events, cooking demonstrations and live music.  Saturdays only, from 8am until 1pm, or sellout.

39th Street Community Market (now known as the Westport Plaza Community Market)

Starting May 5, 2010, this market will be located to the northwest corner of Westport Road and Wyoming Street.  Every Wednesday from 430-730pm is when you’ll find lots of parking and fresh organic and sustainably grown produce.

Blue Valley Recreation Farmers’ Market (new in 2010!)

Open May 1 through Oct. 16, 2010.  Every Saturday, rain or shine!  Located at Blue Valley Rec Complex, east fields parking lot, 9701 W. 137th Street in Overland Park, KS.  Featuring fresh produce, honey, and more–all grown within 125 miles of Overland Park.

Downtown Overland Park, KS Farmers Market

Located in Downtown Overland Park near the Clock Tower Plaza (just west of Metcalf around 80th Street).  Saturdays from 630am until sellout, and Wednesdays from 730am until sellout.  You’ll also find locally baked bread, pies and handmade pasta–along with lots of fresh flowers and herbs!

Mission Farms Market/Leawood, KS

Mission Farms, just south of 103rd St. & Mission Rd., on Thurs. from 4-8:30pm. Featuring organic produce, including free-range meats and eggs, etc.

Shawnee, KS Farmers Market

Located in the City Hall’s parking lot at 11100 Johnson Drive.  Begins this Saturday!  Saturdays, 7am-4pm.  Check out the fresh-baked goods!

Olathe, KS

Join fellow ”locavores” in eating foods grown within a 100-mile radius of where you live…this market features only produce and flowers grown in or around KC.  Located at downtown Olathe, 200 E. Santa Fe (135th Street).  Hours are 8am until sellout on Saturdays (starts this weekend) and 3pm until sellout on Wednesdays, June through September.

Paola, KS

Just 20 min south of Overland Park!  Saturday evenings 6-9pm on the historic Park Square. There are also free family concerts in the square during the market. Afterwards, be sure to check-out the Midway Drive-in Theatre nearby.. G and PG movies start at dusk.

KC Organics and Naturals Organic-Only Market

Only Organic, Fair Trade and Recycled here!  Natural specialty meats, produce, honey, edible flowers, artisan breads and more. Located at Minor Park in south KCMO, which is at about 112th Street, just east of Holmes.  8am to 1230pm on Saturdays.  ALSO– now featuring a 2nd location!  Wednesdays, from 10am-2pm at Leawood’s Barkley Square/Park Place (117th and Nall Ave.)

Parkville, MO Market

Local farmers sell produce and plants in Parkville’s downtown at English Landing Park.  3-6pm on Wednesdays, and 6am until sellout on Saturdays.

Briarcliff Farmers’ Market

Opening May 6, 2010 in Briarcliff Village (Hwy 169 and Briarcliff Pkwy, just 5 min north of downtown KC.)  Thursdays, 3-7pm until September 30, 2010.

Zona Rosa Farmers Market

Tuesdays from 4-8pm are when you’ll find this Northland gem.  Located at Zona Rosa shopping district (I-29N and Barry Road), you’ll find fresh-made baked goods, produce, crafts and honey.  Doesn’t begin until June 2010 and runs through September.

Liberty, MO

Liberty Farmers Market on the Historic Courthouse Square operates from 7am to noon on Saturdays from May through October. On Wednesdays, the market moves to the Crowley’s Furniture/Perkins parking lot (where it is also known as the “Crowley’s Furniture Farmers Market”)  Shop 7am until noon (or until sellout) on Wednesdays.  Located at M-291 and M-152 in Liberty.

Independence, MO

Located between Liberty and Main streets at Truman Road.  Open Saturdays May-October, with Wednesdays starting in June.  5am until 1pm on both days.  Features crafts, too!

Blue Springs, MO

Located at 11th and Main in Blue Springs, this market is on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Lee’s Summit, MO

I think that this one wins the prize for closing out the farmers market season…you can shop here through NOVEMBER!!! In downtown Lee’s Summit at Douglas and 2nd streets.  Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7am til sellout.

UPDATED TO ADD (thanks readers!):

Merriam Farmers Market – Saturdays, May thru mid-October

Spring Hill Farmer’s Market – Saturdays, 7:30am to 12pm – May 8 thru September 25, 2010

BADSEED Market (KCMO) – Fridays, 4pm to 9pm, May thru mid-November

So, there you have it!  Did I leave your favorite out??  If so–shoot me an email!  ENJOY!

*image courtesy of masslive.com