KCKidsFun

It’s time to bid farewell to 2011 and a big hello to 2012.  Time really does fly when you’re having fun…and we’ve had lots of fun this year!  Kansas City continues to shine and continues to add to its already stellar collection of family-friendly activities.  2011 saw the opening of The Kauffman Center for Performing Arts and the big announcements that Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium and Legoland were breaking ground for 2012 openings.  In addition, our local theatres, libraries, parks & recreation departments and local businesses didn’t disappoint!

We are thankful to our readers and grateful that you keep us on our toes. We truly appreciate the comments, feedback and pointers.We’d also like to thank our loyal advertisers– many have been with us from the beginning (2008!) and continue to have an active presence on the site.  As we say goodbye to 2011, here’s one last “weekend rundown” of activities. Get out and have fun with the kids!  The weather is going to be AMAZING!  And here’s to a wonderul, fun-filled, activity-filled 2012.  Cheers!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

• Blue Valley Rec Open Gym (south Overland Park) – 1:30pm to 4pm
• Gym & Swim with Blue Valley Rec (activity center in south OP) – for kids ages 5-12. Time is divided between the pool and the gymnastics center. Time for a change of clothes. Bring a snack. Attend the whole week or individual days. Monday-Thursday 12/26-12/29, 9am-12:30pm Individual day: $16residents/$20non-residents; All week: $50residents/$63non-residents
• Family Fun Holiday Movies at Screenland Crown Center, Level 3. Screenland Crown Center offers a great family movie every Thursday through Sunday. The lineup: “The Smurfs” (November 25-27, December 1), “Zookeeper” (December 2-4 and 8), “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” (December 9-11 and 15), “Spy Kids 2″ (December 16-18 and 22), “The Polar Express” (December 23-25 and 29), “Dolphin Tale” (December 30-January 1 and January 8). Showtime is 12 p.m. $3 per person. Add a small popcorn and juicebox or small soft drink for just $2 more. 816-545-8034 orScreenland.com.

Friday, December 30, 2011

• Blue Valley Rec Open Gym (south Overland Park) – 1:30pm to 4pm
• Family Fun Holiday Movies at Screenland Crown Center, Level 3. Screenland Crown Center offers a great family movie every Thursday through Sunday. The lineup: “The Smurfs” (November 25-27, December 1), “Zookeeper” (December 2-4 and 8), “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” (December 9-11 and 15), “Spy Kids 2″ (December 16-18 and 22), “The Polar Express” (December 23-25 and 29), “Dolphin Tale” (December 30-January 1 and January 8). Showtime is 12 p.m. $3 per person. Add a small popcorn and juicebox or small soft drink for just $2 more. 816-545-8034 orScreenland.com.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

• Blue Valley Rec Open Gym (south Overland Park) – 10am to 1pm
• New Year’s Eve at CoCo Key Water Resort, KCMO
• Family Fun Holiday Movies at Screenland Crown Center, Level 3. Screenland Crown Center offers a great family movie every Thursday through Sunday. The lineup: “The Smurfs” (November 25-27, December 1), “Zookeeper” (December 2-4 and 8), “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” (December 9-11 and 15), “Spy Kids 2″ (December 16-18 and 22), “The Polar Express” (December 23-25 and 29), “Dolphin Tale” (December 30-January 1 and January 8). Showtime is 12 p.m. $3 per person. Add a small popcorn and juicebox or small soft drink for just $2 more. 816-545-8034 orScreenland.com.
• Wonder Eve at Wonderscope, Shawnee – 9am to 1pm – ring in the “noon” year!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

• Family Fun Holiday Movies at Screenland Crown Center, Level 3. Screenland Crown Center offers a great family movie every Thursday through Sunday. The lineup: “The Smurfs” (November 25-27, December 1), “Zookeeper” (December 2-4 and 8), “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” (December 9-11 and 15), “Spy Kids 2″ (December 16-18 and 22), “The Polar Express” (December 23-25 and 29), “Dolphin Tale” (December 30-January 1 and January 8). Showtime is 12 p.m. $3 per person. Add a small popcorn and juicebox or small soft drink for just $2 more. 816-545-8034 orScreenland.com.

* image courtesy of ernst vikne / creative commons

We’ve gotten a break from the heat and it’s perfect for grabbing a picnic blanket and taking in a movie with your family. There are several free options all around the metro, from Independence to Kansas City North (Briarcliff Village) to Crown Center’s popular Friday Night Flicks series.  Crown Center’s Screenland also runs discounted family movies throughout the summer.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

• Free Moonlight Movies on Independence Square, Liberty & Maple – “Field of Dreams”;
• Screenland Crown Center Family Fun Summer Movies – “Megamind” (1 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. $3 tickets, plus $2 for a popcorn/juicebox combo)

Friday, July 8, 2011

• Friday Night Flicks at Crown Center Square. Bring your blanket and lawn chairs, sit under the stars and see “Tootsie”. No admission fee. will be available. Movies begin at approximately 9 p.m.
• Hyde Park Children’s Film Festival – concert by Bob Walkenhorst & Jeff Porter at 7:30pm and “How to Train Your Dragon” at 8:30pm;
• Screenland Crown Center Family Fun Summer Movies – “Megamind” (1 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. $3 tickets, plus $2 for a popcorn/juicebox combo)

Saturday, July 9, 2011

• Screenland Crown Center Family Fun Summer Movies – “Megamind” (1 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. $3 tickets, plus $2 for a popcorn/juicebox combo)
• Briarcliff Village Outdoor Movies- “Little Giants” at dusk

Sunday, July 10, 2011

• Screenland Crown Center Family Fun Summer Movies – “Megamind” (1 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. $3 tickets, plus $2 for a popcorn/juicebox combo)

Live in south Johnson County?  Head downtown for some fun at Crown Center or City Market.  Live in eastern Jackson County?  Give Briarcliff Village a try.  You’ll find a Farmer’s Market there, and even Saturday Night Movies! We’ve written about the Truman Trolley in Independence, and so many of the area libraries have fun activities on tap.  You see, there’s lots to do in Kansas City, it doesn’t always have to be the pool!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

• Every Tuesday 6/7-8/9 in Barkley Square at Park Place, the Barstow School presents their Summer Kids Club! We’ll offer two 30-minute classes perfect for kids ages 3-10. Your child will love our unique activities, like Lego Madness, Farm Fun, Ultimate Recess Games, Cupcake Decorating and more! Classes are held at 10am and 11am and are $5 per child. Advance registration required atwww.barstowschool.org.
• Story Hour at Reading Reptile in Brookside – 11am – ages 3 to 7 – RSVP please ($2 per child for story and craft). This week: Stamping Fun
• Legends 14, KCK – “Madagascar 2” and “Ramona & Beezus” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends Outlets every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)
• Workshop at Reading Reptile in Brookside – 1pm – RSVP required. $10 per person. This week: Papier Mache
• Popsicles in the Park - 6:30 pm – Popsicles, Puppets and Dinosaur O’Dell with the T-Rex All-Stars, Country Club Park, 2930 S. Norton Ave, Independence, MO – Free and Open to the Public
• Storytime at Antioch Library, 8700 Shawnee Mission Parkway – 10:15am

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

• Every Wednesday 6/8-8/10 in Barkley Square at Park Place in Leawood, kids gardening classes are back! Classes are 30-minutes each, held at 10am and 11am. Your kids will love playing in the dirt and learning about plants, bugs, and soil all summer long. Come every week! Children ages 3-10 are always welcome and classes are $5 per child. Storytime is free and takes place at 10:30am. Advance registration required, and be sure to check our newly added Tuesday Summer Kids Club too!
• Plaza Branch Kansas City Public Library – “Yogi Bear” at 2pm
• Waldo Branch Kansas City Public Library – Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs at 2pm
• Legends 14, KCK – “Madagascar 2” and “Ramona & Beezus” (these are indoors at the movie theater at the Legends Outlets every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am)
• Workshop at Reading Reptile in Brookside – 1pm – RSVP required. $10 per person. This week: Papier Mache
• Museum Kids Summer Drop-Ins at the Kansas City Museum – Wednesdays and Fridays in June from 10am to 2pm – Drop in with your Museum Kids for games, music, stories and arts-and-crafts. Different historical themes will keep Museum Kids entertained and (don’t tell them!) they just might learn something.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

• Mahaffie Family Fun Nights – Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm is open 6-8 p.m. Thursday nights in June and July with free admission. Enjoy a variety of historic-themed activities each week. Special activities like stagecoach rides are $2/person. Kansas Farming – June 23; Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm, 1200 Kansas City Rd., Olathe, www.mahaffie.org, (913) 971-5111
• Independence Square, Liberty & Maple – “Cars”
• Screenland Crown Center Family Fun Summer Movies – “How to Train Your Dragon” (1 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. $3 tickets, plus $2 for a popcorn/juicebox combo)
• Story Hour at Reading Reptile in Brookside – 11am – ages 3 to 7 – RSVP please ($2 per child for story and craft). This week: Stamping Fun
• Thursday Night Summer Concert Series at Park Place Leawood! Join us for our FREE family-friendly concerts every Thursday night 6/2-8/11 in Barkley Square from 6-8PM. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets and grab a bite from Ingredient or a treat from Paciugo or Cupcake A La Mode. Shops are open late on Thursdays too! This week: Separated at Birth

Friday, June 24, 2011

• Johnson County Museum Summer Arts Program, Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Runs through the summer June 3rd-July 29th, 2011. Drop-in program for kids 4-8 years old; registration not required. Weekly themes will introduce kids to art processes and fun! Parents must stay with children. DRESS FOR MESS! Fee: $3 per child, $2 for Museum Members
• Workshop at Reading Reptile in Brookside – 1pm – RSVP required. $10 per person. This week: Papier Mache
• Elms Movies on the Lawn, Excelsior Springs, MO – Twilight: Eclipse – 9:00 PM. $1 gate fee. Concessions are available. No coolers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Street Flicks in Blue Springs – “Karate Kid”
• The Doo-Dads at the Record Bar, KCMO – 6pm to 8pm – great kids menu! (Kids get in free, moms/dads $5)
• Screenland Crown Center Family Fun Summer Movies – “How to Train Your Dragon” (1 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. $3 tickets, plus $2 for a popcorn/juicebox combo)
• 28th Annual Waterfest, Excelsior Springs, MO – June 24 thru June 26
• Museum Kids Summer Drop-Ins at the Kansas City Museum – Wednesdays and Fridays in June from 10am to 2pm – Drop in with your Museum Kids for games, music, stories and arts-and-crafts. Different historical themes will keep Museum Kids entertained and (don’t tell them!) they just might learn something.
• Snakes Alive at Ernie Miller Park, Olathe, KS – entertainment and education for the whole family – 7pm; $2.50 per person (2 and under are free)
• Theatre in the Park, Shawnee Mission Park – box office opens at 6:30pm; gates open at 7:30pm; show starts at 8:30pm – Les Miserables – School Edition – June 24-26 and July 1-3