KCKidsFun

With my family’s purse strings pulled tighter than ever, the tendency will be to do it all at a big-box retailer this holiday season.  But, Kansas City has so many unique merchants and I think it’s important now, more than ever, to support them.   SHOP LOCAL, if at all possible, I say!  The metro has so many neat, one-of-a-kind, locally-owned stores brimming with interesting gifts. Why not visit a few and put together a unique gift this year? We’ve got some suggestions to make it easy on you.

• Reading Reptile create a Books Basket or treat a lucky kid to a Thursday Story Time at Reading Reptile followed by “select any book you’d like…and it’s yours!”—what a neat gift!

• A Train-Themed gift: The Learning Tree (Leawood, KS and Prairie Village, KS) has some wonderful trains and train gifts. Thomas the Tank Engine is there of course, but so are lots of other choices. Include a certificate for a special meal at Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant at the Crown Center Shops, or head to the new location across the state line in Shawnee, KS (just west of I-435 on Shawnee Mission Parkway) . What kid wouldn’t love to have her meal delivered tableside by a train?

• Unleash your child’s inner mad scientist! HMS Beagle is a wonderful store in Parkville, MO–”The Ultimate Science Store” according to their website.  You can introduce your child to science through a number of neat gifts from the basic chemistry set to a fantastic telescope.  They even have a science club with meetings for K-8th graders!  For the little ones–an easy introduction to science can be found by taking a trip toWonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City in Shawnee, KS, featuring arts and sciences exhibits for kids ages 10 and under.

• GO RETRO! Moon Marble gift shop, located in Bonner Springs’ Moon Marble Company, has some great toys and games that have withstood the test of time…remember Pick-Up Sticks, Chinese Jumpropes and the wooden paddle with the red rubber ball attached?  Find all of these and more!

• Enrollment in a class at one of the metro’s parks and recreation offices or community centers is a gift that will last weeks and even months! Your little one can try something new like a beginner’s martial arts class, a dance or ballet class or even try something exotic like fencing! What a great way to spend the winter months. Try Blue Valley Recreation or any of the parks and rec departments listed in our Classes directory!

• Don’t Forget the Music – How about guitar (or other musical instrument) lessons at the School of Rock (North Kansas City), the Toon Shop (Prairie Village, Lee’s Summit or Overland Park) or the Music House (Overland Park)?

• Stop by Laura Little’s Candies in Prairie Village or Topsy’s Popcorn(multiple locations) for sweet treats for stockings

• Shop Etsy Local for unique, handmade items created by talented Kansas Citians like Kate Williams (crayon holders and pinafores), three red trees (terribly cute sock dogs) and Becky Kelly (very sweet paintings and prints for a nursery or little one’s room).

There’s another place you might want to check out– because uniquely Kansas City traditions are being resurrected with each year!  Zona Rosa is a shopping district in North Kansas City at I-29 and Barry Road.  KC’s holiday past comes to life as the 2000-lb crowns are hoisted into place–near-exact replicas of the crowns that decked the streets of downtown KC for over 20 years!  You’ll also find the “Fairy Princess”.  She first appeared in the Kline’s toy department in 1936!  New this year is the return of the “Ice Igloo”.  Modeled from the original Kansas City Museum igloo, a new, more spacious one has been constructed so the younger generation can make holiday memories of their own.

Let us know if you discover something fun and different to do with your family–we’d love to spread the word!  Believe me, this site will be buzzing over Christmas vacation with parents looking for things to do with their kiddos!!!

Around here, we’ve always operated under the assumption that there are 100 days in summer.  We know each and every word to Phineas and Ferb’s theme song, which waxes on about the “104 Days of Summer Vacation.”  Imagine my son’s horror when we decided to open the calendar and actually count the days–weekends included–and discovered that there were only 86 days of summer vacation!!  GASP! School pictures are to be taken on August 10.

A while back, I posted a sweet “to-do” list of summer activites in the McKinney household.  I don’t know how they are faring over there, but the Rosses haven’t done so well.  We’ve logged a few days at the pool, but it seems like we’ve had a wetter summer than usual.  We were fortunate enough to send our son to Outdoor Eduation Laboratory’s day camp for a week.  That was a real highlight.  And baseball.  Lots of baseball!

That being said, the Rosses have a busy few weeks ahead of them!!  Here are a few of our “summer wishes”–straight from the refrigerator door.

• Catch a T-Bones game at Community America Ballpark.  We try to see one game each summer and always love it.  We love how you can park your car (for free) and be in your seat in under 5 minutes.  It’s awesome!  Throw in a healthy dose of fun promotions and you’ve got a fun family night.
• Kansas City Zoo- I can’t even believe we haven’t made it to the zoo yet.  I know that my daughter has never seen anything like that–didn’t recall seeing a zoo in close proximity to her orphanage in India–so she’d really enjoy it.  Gotta get there next week.  Kate beat me to it–check out her blog post from earlier!
• Worlds of Fun–I really like Worlds of Fun but I’m seeing that this will morph into a boys-only outing this summer to check out the new Prowler.  I have no interest in carting a 2-year-old around the park in the heat.  Does this make me mean or insensitive?  Only smart, if you ask me!
• Moon Marble in Bonner Springs, KS–I really like Moon Marble.  I think my son has been twice and it’s one of those places you can keep going back to.  In fact, I think “the Moon” was one of the very first places I blogged about. The marble-making demonstrations are very cool and hold the kids’ attention because there is FIRE involved!! We have to go back this summer.
• Farmers Markets–I regularly shop the markets myself and have been visiting several different ones throughout the metro.  But I haven’t taken the kids yet this summer.  I read in all the “foodie mags” what a neat experience it is to take the kids, introduce them to the farmers, allow them to choose vegetables and then prepare a veggie-centered dinner as a family.  Am I completely delusional for thinking that this could happen?!?  It sounds slightly too Beaver-Cleaver to actually be pulled off.  I don’t know who would be most turned-off by the vegetable-heavy dinner:  my husband or my kids.  Stay tuned.
• Miniature Golf–there are so many places around town to play and we haven’t visited one yet.  Kind of embarrassing.  I’d like to head over to Lee’s Summit’s Paradise Park one evening and do two or three activities, including mini golf and bumper cars!
• My mom picked up a flier on the new Adventure Oasis water park in Independence, MO.  It looks really cool!  And it’s not expensive.  Daily admission is $22/family of four for Independence residents and $25 for non-residents.  There are water slides, a lazy river, climbing wall, lap pool, sun deck…you  name it!  Call 816-325-SWIM for info.

Until we get it together and start crossing things off the list…we may just have to resort to sleeping (camping) in the tent (see above picture).  Now THAT says summer!

The closer we get to summer, the more fun activities there are for kids around Kansas City.  Here’s a quick run-down so that you can plan your weekend!

Tons of fun for kids and grown-ups at the Brookside Art Annual all weekend long! Starting on Friday, May 2 and running thru Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4, this one is a family friendly annual art fair. More info at www.brooksidekc.org.

M&I Movie Night @ Briarcliff Village, Thursday, May 1, 2008 (tonight) at dusk – this is a new weekly event at Briarcliff Village in the Northland.  They’ll be showing  movies between Trezo Mare and Nell Hill’s.  Bring your lawnchairs and blankets.  This week’s movie is Toy Story.  Next week, The Incredibles.

Grand Opening of the new Front Entry Plaza at the Kansas City Zoo, Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Go check out the new river otter exhibit and more!  Details at www.kansascityzoo.org. 

Marble Days at Moon Marble Company, Bonner Springs, KS, May 3, 2008.  This is a fundraiser for the Bonner Springs community.  The event is FREE and runs from 10-3.  Activities range from marble inventions, marble art and games to an old-fashioned marble shoot and “The Running of the Pinkys.”  For more info check out their website at  www.marbledays.com.

Take a peek at the cool racers at the Kansas City Soap Box Derby – Spring Rally.  It happens May 3 & 4 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 4600 Eastern Ave.  Bring your lawn chairs and look for more info at www.kcsbd.com. 

It may not exactly seem like a fun kid time but the new Leawood shopping center Park Place is holding its grand opening this weekend.  Park Place is located just north of Town Center Plaza on Nall.  There will be story time, door prizes, tea party, games, face painting and Dino O’Dell at the new Learning Tree location, May 3.  Check the website for more details parkplaceleawood.com.

Check out the Doo-Dads in concert at the old Glenwood Theater at 95th & Metcalf in Overland Park KS.  The show is on Saturday, May 3 at 11 a.m.  Come on moms!  You know you’re dying to relive the good ole days at the Glenwood!  Details at  www.thedoodads.com.

There is all kinds of fun to be had in the old Independence Square this Saturday for the Truman Birthday Celebration.  $1.00 admission all day to: Bingham-Waggoner Estate, 1859 Jail & Marshal’s Home, National Frontier Trails Museum, Puppetry Arts Institute, Truman Home,Truman Library and Museum, and Vaile Mansion. Free admission to: Community of Christ Temple & Auditorium, and Mormon Visitors Center.  Donations accepted at the Chicago & Alton Depot. Don’t miss the Tractor Cruise and trolley and covered wagon rides.  It all goes down on Saturday, May 3.  Check the website at  www.visitindependence.com.

An old fashioned Sheep Shearing at Missouri Town 1855 at Fleming Park in Lee’s Summit, MO is happening this Saturday, May 3 from 9am-4:30pm.  Details at the Missouri Town 1855 info page on the Jackson County website.

Celebrate May Day at the historic Lanesfield School in Edgerton, KS on Sunday, May 4 from 1 to 4 p.m.  There will be crafts, music and refreshments.  It’s all FREE!  Look for more info at www.jocomuseum.org.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta to benefit the Guadalupe Centers’ programs will take place May 3 & 4 at 1015 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez, Kansas City, MO.  Saturday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.  There will be music, mariachi, kids’ rides, food, games, dancers and art.  Check out www.guadalupecenters.org for more information. 

A really cool Kids’ Fishing Derby is going on at Lake Jacomo on Saturday morning.  Everything happens at Old Beach at Lake Jacomo on Saturday, May 3 from 8:30am-11am.  Registration is required at 8:30.  Call (816) 503-4860 or email Kemper@jacksongov.org for more info.

Continuing Events:

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, Theatre for Young America, now thru May 17, Union Station, City Stage

Worlds of Fun, open weekends now, open daily beginning May 10

Larry the Cat in Space–Kid-friendly cartoon planetarium show. 10:30a, 1:30p and 4:30p on Mondays and Saturdays, 1:30p and 4:30p on Tuesdays through Fridays and Sundays. Union Station, Gottlieb Planetarium.

The Coterie Theatre at Crown Center presents Sideways Stories from Wayside School, runs through May 18

Beanstalk Blues, Martin City Jr. Children’s Theatre, closes May 11