KCKidsFun

One of the most popular searches on our site continues to be “indoor swimming pools”–and now is a great time for us to share our list!!  Swimming is great exercise for the whole family, and many indoor pools have special holiday hours.  It won’t be long now before the kiddos are on winter break and by about Day 4, you’ll be looking for things to keep everyone busy and off the video games!

Our list is just pools open to the public – many communities, schools and fitness centers also have indoor pools but no open swim availability.  And, you’ll want to visit their websites before heading out.  Schedules typically vary during holiday break.  Fees are also listed.  Check out our list, and if we’ve left anything off, please pass it our way.  Suit up!

Kansas City, MO

Gregg/Klice Community Center (Kansas City, MO)

The New Southeast Community Center (Kansas City, MO)

Tony Aguirre Community Center (Kansas City, MO)

Northland

Liberty Community Center (Liberty, MO)

Gladstone Community Center (Gladstone, MO)

North Kansas City Community Center (North Kansas City, MO)

Park Hill Aquatic Center (Kansas City north, MO)

Platte County Community Center North (Platte City, MO)

Platte County Community Center South (Parkville, MO)

Eastern Jackson County, MO

Legacy Park Community Center (Lee’s Summit, MO)

Centennial Pool Plex (Blue Springs, MO)

CoCoKey Resort (eastern Jackson County, MO–KCMO) - day passes are available to the public

Henley Aquatic Center (Independence, MO)

Johnson County, KS

Matt Ross Community Center (Overland Park, KS)

Roeland Park Aquatic Center (Roeland Park, KS)

Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center (Mission, KS)

Blue Valley Recreation Aquatic Center (south Overland Park, KS)

Cass County, MO

Belton Community Center (Belton, MO)

Harrisonville Community Center (Harrisonville, MO)

Thanksgiving is in 2 days and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…perhaps decorating your home and putting up a tree is in store for you this weekend.   We thought we’d make the tree-searching easier for you if a real tree is what you’re after.  I stumbled onto a great site belonging to The National Christmas Tree Association. Yes, there really is such a thing! The site is very useful–simply enter your ZIP code in the green “Find My Tree Now” box on the left to see a listing of tree farms/lots and how far they are from your home.

Please be sure to call ahead to check hours of operation, especially to the listings without websites. It seems like we lose a few more tree farms to development every year – we don’t want you to venture out just to find that the old Christmas tree farm is now a subdivision!  If I’ve missed anything–send the info my way and I’ll gladly include it.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, Kids Fun readers!  I am especially thankful for my family’s health and happiness–and for our newest family member.  It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly 10 months since my husband and I brought her home!

KANSAS TREE FARMS

Bishop’s Pine Crest Tree Farms – hay rides, Santa visits. FREE: Tiny-Tot train ride; hot chocolate; cookies; coffee.
13259 166th Street, Linwood, KS, 66052 (THIS IS IN WYANDOTTE COUNTY, JUST A BIT WEST OF K-7 BETWEEN K-10 AND I-70)
Phone: 913-441-8811 or 913-441-3605
Email: mrbishop@sky.net

D & G Christmas Tree Farm - Cut your own and precut Christmas trees
Hwy 69 & 247th Street, Louisburg, KS, 66053 (just south of Johnson County)
Phone: 913-837-2387
Email: tree1@micoks.net

Long Branch Christmas Tree Ranch                                                                              25990 W. 77th Street Shawnee, KS 913-441-5990

Midland Holiday Pines -winter hay rides, winter wagon rides
18541 Midland Drive, Shawnee, KS 66218 (one mile west of 435 at Midland)
Phone: 913-631-5095
Email: jwegs1@aol.com

Tomahawk Pines Christmas Tree Farm
6575 West 183rd Street, Stilwell, KS, 66085
Phone: 913-681-2312
Email: thebeilers@aol.com

Bierman’s Christmas Tree Farm & Pumpkin Patch - Santa, sleigh rides
2825 S 63rd Street, Kansas City, KS 66106 (just north of Merriam)
Phone: 913-375-1317

Evening Star Pines - Christmas trees
9820 Evening Star Road, Eudora, KS, 66025 (off of K-10, just west of Johnson County)
Phone: 785-542-1634
Email: criscc_esp@msn.com

Green Forest Tree Farm- Free Coffee & Hayrides, Free Gifts for Kids, Santa’s sleigh and 14′ chain saw sculptured deer sculpture by local artist
292 North 2100 Road, Lecompton, KS, 66050 (between Lawrence and Topeka)
Phone: 785-887-6645
Email: tryan@faic2.com

Strawberry Hill Christmas Tree Farm – hay rides, free hot spiced cider, cookies and hay rides.
794 US 40, Lawrence, KS, 66049
Phone: 785-841-0916 or Fax: 785-841-2266
Email: info@strawberryhillchristmas.com

Baker Christmas Tree Farm - Christmas trees- you choose and you cut
17277 Springdale Road, Leavenworth, KS, 66048
Phone: 913-651-3829
Email: acb1040@hotmail.com

Wilderson Tree Farm - We offer FREE coffee, hot chocolate and candy canes, as well as hay rides.
14820 Parallel Road, Basehor, KS, 66007 (not too far west of the Legends and the Kansas Speedway)
Phone: 913-724-1057 or 913-724-3788

MISSOURI TREE FARMS

Fort Osage Christmas -
3022 N. Twyman Road, Independence, MO 64058

Mrs. Claus appears beginning Thanksgiving weekend, she reads holiday stories to the kiddies at the top of the hour on Saturday and Sunday. Bonfire to warm your soul; Hot Chocolate and Candy Canes and Coloring books; all complimentary.
Phone: 816-650-3516
Email: kimjluke@embarqmail.com

Santa’s Tree Farm
1051 NE Todd George Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO, 64086
Phone: 816-524-2190

Reindeer Lane -
19401 Fightmaster, Trimble, MO, 64492 (up near Smithville Lake)
Phone: 816-628-3253
Email: xmas@reindeerlane.biz

Christmas Ranch Tree Farm – U-Choose and Cut your own Christmas trees
24818 N.E. 148th, Excelsior Springs, MO, 64024
Phone: 816-630-5086
Email: roy.freeman2@GTE.net or chafeman@cmh.edu

Schmitt Tree Farms - Living rooted trees, U-Choose and Cut your own Christmas trees
1018 N. Morse, Liberty, MO, 64068
Phone: 816-781-5790

Schmitt Tree Farms/Santa’s Forest – many varieties and large trees available plus SANTA!
2806 SE 209th St, Holt, MO (north of Liberty)
Phone: 816-320-2248

Fulk Farms - U-Choose and Cut your own Christmas trees, Wagon rides and gift shop available.
26905 Hwy 92, Platte City, MO, 64079 (just north of the airport)
Phone: 816-858-2467

Pine Grove Tree Farm - choose and cut your own white pine Christmas tree
27102 East Herring Rd., Greenwood, MO 64034 (just southeast of Lee’s Summit)
Phone: 816-524-5797
Email: cbkeith57@netzero.com

Pumpkins & Pines – hayrides, choose your own Scotch or White pine to cut, Christmas store and hot chocolate!
20606 South SR 7, Pleasant Hill, MO (between Lee’s Summit and Harrisonville)
Phone: (816) 540-3887

We thought we’d share some information on what could make for a really fun day or weekend!  Did you know that Independence, MO is known as the “Queen City of the Trails?” It’s where 3 pioneer routes, all leading west, began.  In case you need to brush up on your US history–those routes are the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails.

You can learn more about traders and pioneers crossing the plains and their brave families at the National Frontier Trails Museum, located at 318 W. Pacific in Independence.  And, even better, the museum is presenting a number of special programs tied to a Christmas Theme this year.  You can start by signing up for this Saturday’s (Nov. 14, 2009) Corn Husk Doll Workshop, where participants will make one-of-a-kind gifts.  On December 5, 2009, the museum will feature a Laura Ingalls Wilder re-enactor, who will share memories of her childhood Christmas celebrations on the prairie.  In addition, covered wagon rides are included with paid admission on Dec. 5!  December 12 showcases our early Christmas symbols and traditions (”In Search of Christmas Past”) and you can learn how the early explorers marked the holidays on December 19 in the presentation “Lewis and Clark Celebrate Christmas.”

The museum store will offer discounted frontier and pioneer-themed presents from Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas Eve!  Every Saturday before Christmas will feature live music, Father Christmas visits, cider and cookies!  How much fun!  Hours are 9am-430pm M-Sat and 1230-430pm Sundays.  Cost is $5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 ages 6-17, and under 6 gets in FREE!

As if on cue, Kansas City’s own Coterie Theatre does it again!  “Little House on the Prairie” began November 3 and runs through December 29, 2009.  You’ll remember that the beloved Ingalls family sells their home, leaves the Big Woods of Wisconsin and heads west in their covered wagon.  They end up in Indian Territory, near Independence, KS.  The Coterie’s performance recounts the chapters of the book, Little House on the Prairie. Two fiddles, a guitar and lots of singing make for wonderful period music!

Ticket prices vary, as there are individual prices, discounted holiday pricing, group discounts, and the ever-popular TARGET Saturdays–featuring a FREE ticket with purchase!  (Some restrictions apply, see website for all ticketing prices and details.)

TEASER ALERT!!!  Don’t think we’re going to let the opportunity pass for another family-friendly ticket giveaway!  Stay tuned and keep watching…this one’s going to be on Facebook again!  And it’s going to be soon!