KCKidsFun

Have we got something fun to tell you about!  Best part, it’s FREE!!!!!  Our valued advertising partner, Paradise Park (Lee’s Summit, MO) tells us that they have never done anything like this before.  Children’s Mercy Hospital’s STAR Power Program and Kohl’s have teamed up to offer a completely free day at Paradise Park on May 22 from noon until 5 p.m. You heard that right!

Everyone who visits Paradise Park that day will receive a wristband for unlimited free attractions.  No strings attached– just a FREE day of play, open to the public.  Does it get any better than that?

Paradise Park is conveniently located off I-470/M-291 and Colbern Road exit in Lee’s Summit, MO.  They feature a wonderful “Children’s Edutainment Center” along with miniature golf, go-karts, a foam factory, bumper cars, a rock wall…it’s all there!   And it’s all included on May 22– on an UNLIMITED basis.  Maze (outdoor) NEW!, Miniature Golf (outdoor), Go Karts (outdoor), Batting Cages (outdoor), Junior Go Karts (outdoor), Sand Volleyball (outdoor), Bumper Cars (indoor), Rock Climbing Wall (indoor) *This attraction has a trained staff person assigned at ALL times), Foam Factory (indoor), Children’s Edutainment Center and Adventure Play Garden (great for toddlers through age 9 years).

In addition, healthy activities will be around every corner: fruit and veggie kabobs, relaxation exercises and more!

*Parents/guardians must sign Waiver of Liability prior to being issued Max Pak Unlimited wristbands. For parents/guardians not attending with child, you can download the waiver.

There’s lots going on in the next few days…particularly on Saturday – the day before Easter!  If you’ve got family or friends in town for the holiday weekend, there are activities listed for Saturday from ALL corners of the metro!  KCK, Overland Park, Lee’s Summit, Kansas City North, you name it. Especially fun…the Easter parade at Zona Rosa and the Easter Bunny at Crown Center!  Have fun!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

• American Girl Party at Leawood Town Center’s Barnes & Noble – 7pm
• “1/2-Day ARTrageous ART Workshop”: A 2 1/2 hour ART workshop at ARTrageous Creative Studio in south Prairie Village on the children’s day off school, grades 1-8. From 12:30 – 3:00 the Children will explore the history of Ukranian Eggs and create their own decorated eggs in this style using new coloring and patterning techniques. The cost per child is $20.00 to be paid on arrival that day. Pre-enrollment to Julie Flanagan at MissJulie@ARTrageousKC.com or call “Miss Julie” at 913-642-8122

Friday, April 22, 2011

• FREE Admission to Powell Gardens on Earth Day -Powell Gardens honors our home planet with free admission on this day. For a bonus, children can make a free, ready-to-plant eco-pot filled with dirt and seeds from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Open Gym for all ages – Blue Valley Recreation Activity Center, South Overland Park – Kids 5 & under must be accompanied and supervised by an adult; parents of kids 6 six years and above must wait in the lobby. Daily fee or punch card accepted. Friday 1/7-5/27, 3-6pm. Saturday 1/8-5/28, 3:30-5pm.
• “1/2-Day ARTrageous ART Workshop”: A 2 1/2 hour ART workshop at ARTrageous Creative Studio in south Prairie Village on the children’s day off school, grades 1-8. From 12:30 – 3:00 the Children will explore the history of Ukranian Eggs and create their own decorated eggs in this style using new coloring and patterning techniques. The cost per child is $20.00 to be paid on arrival that day. Pre-enrollment to Julie Flanagan at MissJulie@ARTrageousKC.com or call “Miss Julie” at 913-642-8122
• The Easter Bunny visits Crown Center, Shops Atrium, Level 1. A professional photographer will be taking pictures for a fee and visitors are welcome to bring their cameras. Noon to 4 p.m. No admission fee. (April 16-17, 22-23)
• Spot the Dog (costumed character) comes to Zona Rosa’s Barnes & Noble to meet the kids and pose for pictures – 11am

Saturday, April 23, 2011

• Ollie’s Egg Hunt at Paradise Park – Lee’s Summit – egg hunts begin at 10:30 and 1:30
• Legends Outlets Kansas City 3rd annual Easter Family Fun Day, noon – 3:00 p.m. This FREE event is for the entire family, featuring the Easter Bunny, fun activities and games, and chances to win valuable prizes including Legends Outlets gift cards and Schlitterbahn Waterpark tickets
• Zona Rosa’s Easter Parade – starts at 11am (Kansas City North)
• Grand Opening of the new Overland Park Yogurtini at 119th & Metcalf, on Saturday, April 23rd, from 4-8pm
• KidSafe seminar – KC Premier Martial Arts & Fitness, Riverside MO (Northland) – followed by the 1st Annual KCPMA Easter Egg Hunt!!!! Everyone welcome, FREE EVENT!!
• Open Gym for all ages – Blue Valley Recreation Activity Center, South Overland Park – Kids 5 & under must be accompanied and supervised by an adult; parents of kids 6 six years and above must wait in the lobby. Daily fee or punch card accepted. Friday 1/7-5/27, 3-6pm. Saturday 1/8-5/28, 3:30-5pm.
• Easter Egg Hunt at One Spirit Methodist Church, 7900 Blue Ridge Blvd. KCMO – 10:45 a.m. – Children ages 2-10 and their parents
  are invited for a free activity featuring a short video explaining the Easter story, an Easter Egg Hunt and take-home treats.
• The Easter Bunny visits Crown Center, Shops Atrium, Level 1. A professional photographer will be taking pictures for a fee and visitors are welcome to bring their cameras. Noon to 4 p.m. No admission fee. (April 16-17, 22-23)
• Easter in Independence at Bingham Middle School. Sponsored by Life Connection Church and other community sponsors. 100,000 eggs to hunt by age group. Thousands turn out each year!
• Spot the Dog (costumed character) comes to Zona Rosa’s Barnes & Noble to meet the kids and pose for pictures – 11am

Sunday, April 24, 2011

HAPPY EASTER!!

So, here’s a suggestion for a fun Saturday.  Something a little out of the ordinary, perhaps.  Wake up early and head downtown to The City Market. This market starts rocking at 6am!  The Farmers’ Market really gets fun in mid-May…but it’s open year-round.  In season right now? Asparagus, spinach, lettuce, onions and peas.

The City Market isn’t JUST vegetables…there are several dining options and you can buy fresh flowers, unique gifts and specialty grocery items. Because I am eternally addicted to carbs, my pick for good eats would be Bloom Baking Co.  Fresh baked breads, flaky pastry and croissants, tarts, cupcakes and cookies are just a few of the treats you’ll find here. Saturdays at the Market = cultural melting pot.  FUN!

From downtown, jump on I-70 and head east to I-470.  Go south/west on 470 to the Colbern Road exit until you reach Paradise Park!  A neat way to welcome Spring and Easter awaits you.  One of our advertising partners, Paradise Park in Lee’s Summit, MO, is hosting “Ollie’s Egg Hunt” this Saturday!

In case you didn’t know, “Ollie” is an otter, and he is the official mascot of Paradise Park.  All Paradise Park guests with a paid admission to the children’s edutainment center on Saturday, April 16, 2011 and again on Saturday, April 23, 2011 can hunt for eggs with Ollie the Otter in the Outdoor Adventure Play Garden. The egg hunts take place at 10:30 a.m.& 1:30 p.m. and the day will be filled with games and prizes.

I just checked the weather forecast for Saturday, and it’s supposed to be nice!  A perfect day to spend outside with the whole family.