KC Parent Magazine March 2020

FREE | March 2020 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

KC’S #1

CAMP GUIDE! 75+ great

camps featured

SPRING BREAK travel tips and staycation ideas

HELPING KIDS MAKE

GOOD

DECISIONS

LOVE WILL PROTECT THESE MOMENTS.

When Brylynn was born, her kidneys didn’t work. Then her liver stopped functioning too. Using advanced surgical procedures, Children’s Mercy performed a combined kidney and liver transplant when she was just two years old. It’s how love drives lifesaving expertise to give families more moments just like this. See Brylynn’s story at childrensmercy.org/lovewill.

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MARCH 2020

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 Craft Corner 12 Mojo for Moms SUMMER CAMP GUIDE, PGS. 24-41

14 Date Night 16 Tasty Treats 17 Word from Dad

SPECIAL SECTIONS

FEATURES

24 Camp Guide 46 Party Guide 54 Calendar of Events

10

42

52

Shamrock Windsock

Encouraging Words

Spring Getaways

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Find a list of all the things you are doing RIGHT.

Spring break is a great time to travel as a family.

with a cute and easy craft.

Our cover features Channing from Overland Park.

Photo by Melissa Rieke Photography.

MelissaRiekePhotography.com FREE | March 2020 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

KC’S #1

CAMP GUIDE!

ON THE COVER Camp Guide Making Good Decisions Travel Tips Spring Break Getaways

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24 48 50 52

75+ great

camps featured

SPRING BREAK travel tips and staycation ideas

HELPING KIDS MAKE

GOOD

DECISIONS

Safe beginnings We know the safety of you and your child is your biggest concern when having a baby. It’s ours, too. At AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, we exceed strict national standards for the health of moms and babies. And by caring for 5,000 families each year, our experience ensuring the safest delivery possible is clear. We’re here to do everything in our power to empower you on your journey to parenthood.

AdventHealthKC.com/BirthCenter AdventHealth Shawnee Mission earned Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care Certification by The Joint Commission.

Birth Center

EDITOR’SLETTER MARCH 2020

T

Happy March, Kansas City!

Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com Advertising Sales Debbie Clark Debbie@KCParent.com Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Digital Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Event Calendar Susan Lynn Calendar@KCParent.com Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com Local Contributing Writers Bill Bartlett (Belton), Melissa Bellach (Overland Park), Hannah Berry (Kansas City), Wendy Connelly (Overland Park), Janelle Cumro-Sultzer (Overland Park), Allison Gibeson (Lee’s Summit), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Amy Hundley (Olathe), Gina Klein (Kansas City), Christa Melnyk Hines (Olathe), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Emily Morrison (Independence), Jessica Samuel (Kansas City)

Mailing Address 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS FREE | March 2020 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

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Margaret Sarver, Editor

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HELPING KIDS MAKE

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UNFORGETTABLE ATTRACTIONS

JANUARY- MARCH 2020 | KCPARENT.COM

BENEFITS OF

baby talk

maternity

before THE BABY tips for planning

PREGNANCY

SPRING BREAK travel tips and staycation ideas

ONE DAY IN KC CUSTOM ITINERARIES

GET YOUR ART ON LOCAL ART DISTRICTS

calming

STRATEGIES for toddlers

AS SEEN ON TV DELICIOUS DINING

ARE YOU SMARTER THAN THE

AVERAGE MOM?

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LOCAL CONTENT

.com

his month brings a milestone birthday. I’ve been reflecting on the past decade as I prepare to enter the next and taking stock of where I am and where I thought I’d be. The past 10 years have brought many expected and unexpected events. During my 40s I was thick in parenting mode, which I expected.

My dad passed during my 40s, which I didn’t expect. The girls became teens, which I expected, but I didn’t expect the high school years to go so quickly! In a few short years I’ll be an empty nester!

My mom has said as she grew older that her wish on each birthday was that she could choose one of her children and spend the day with that child at whatever age she wanted. For example, if she chose me, she could spend the day with me when I was 5. She would stay the same age, she just wanted to enjoy one more day with each of us at different ages. How nice would that be? My wish would be to go back and relive certain days. I’d love to go back and have one more day with my dad. We wouldn’t have to do anything special—I just miss him. I would enjoy spending a day with brother Bud when we were young before there were more siblings. I wish I could do again the day I met Ty. Two of my best days were the days the girls were born, and I would love to enjoy those one more time.

The list of days I’d like to relive is long. I consider that a great life: to have had so many moments that I’d like to do one more time. My hope for the next 50 years is for many more of those days.

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Kansas City Parent Magazine is published 12 times a year by Family Media Group. It is distributed free of charge throughout the Kansas City area. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect KC Parent’s opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. Kansas City Parent Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

All photography and letters sent to KC Parent will be treated unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. KC Parent often includes websites that may be helpful to our readers. We verify each site prior to publication. However, content changes frequently. We encourage you to use caution and discretion when visiting a website.

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KCPARENTWEBSITE

KCPARENT.COM Even More Local Parenting Information, Articles, Events and Surprises

SEARCH KCPARENT.COM FOR MORE AFFORDABLE SPRING FUN IDEAS: 1. Best of March 2. Complete Calendar of Events

PLANNING SPRING BREAK FOR KIDS IN KC? SPRING BREAK GUIDE at KCParent.com

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people used it last year!

SPOTLIGHT

3. St. Patrick’s Day Fun

4. Best Parks in KC 5. Kids Eat FREE Guide 6. Best Indoor Play Venues

SPRING BREAK Plan an amazing and unforgettable spring break staycation with the Spring Break Guide at KCParent.com. So many activities to enjoy throughout the week!

7. Party Guide 8. Virtual Camp Guide

LABOR & DELIVERY GUIDE Choosing the best hospital for the arrival of your baby is an important decision. Use the KCParent.com Labor & Delivery Hospital Guide to find the perfect location for you and your child.

4 MORE WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED

9. Easter Egg Hunts 10. KC Going Places Guide

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/KansasCityParent Repin us on Pinterest // Follow us on Twitter @KCParent // Subscribe to our FREE e-newsletter at KCParent.com

CRAFTCORNER

shamrock windsocks Happy St. Patrick’s Day! These shamrock windsocks are a fun way to get little fingers messy! Lots of opportunities to allow a young mind to be creative!

Step one: Pour green paint into paint dish.

Step two: On white paper, use fingers to paint four-leaf clover leaves.

Step three: Paint on stems of clovers with the paintbrush.

Step four: While paint is drying, cut ribbons into various lengths.

Step five: Once paint has dried, turn paper over and tape ribbons to the bottom edge of paper.

Step six: With the four-leaf clovers facing out, roll paper into a circle and tape closed.

Step seven: To make the hanger, tape ribbon to the inside of the base.

Step eight: Curl bottoms of ribbon if you want.

Step nine: Hang and enjoy!

Janelle Cumro-Sultzer lives in Overland Park with her husband, son and two dogs. Janelle is a former health care executive director and is a mediator in Kansas, helping families in conflict. Janelle loves to focus on learning through play and getting messy with crafts.

Shamrock Suncatcher

Rainbow Sprinkle Slime

Cupcake Liner Wreath

For TONS more great craft projects, log onto KCParent.com!

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List of supplies:

• White paper • Green paint • Paintbrush • Paint dish • Ribbon – green and white • Tape • Scissors

MOJOFORMOMS mōjō: 1. influence, especially magic power 2. mom joy

The three identity thieves of moms As moms, we often struggle with our identities. Many of us have lost a sense of who we are in the midst of raising kids. We tend to neglect ourselves and abandon things we love as we nurture everyone around us, prioritizing their hobbies and dreams above our own. Some of us, holding arguably the most important and rewarding but least rewarded job—motherhood—feel we’re not enough and don’t measure up to some evasive ideal of success or worthiness. And few of us believe we’re living intentional, purpose-filled lives. We need to become aware of the thieves that undermine our confidence and take back who we are: noble, life-shaping, world-changing moms.

IDENTITY THEFT #1 Our identity vs. kids’ accomplishments

IDENTITY THEFT #2 Lack of external rewards

IDENTITY THEFT #3 Not giving ourselves the gift of time

Very often as parents, we measure ourselves by our children’s behavior and accomplishments and assume others do, too. It’s why we cringe when our kids throw public tantrums.

It’s also the reason we brag about our kids’ glowing report cards, varsity status in sports, and why our bumper stickers don’t just stop at “proud parent,” but tag on why our kid is such a big deal. Attaching our identity to our children’s failures and successes is not only unfair to us (some kids excel in spite of even abusive or neglectful parents; others struggle despite having wonderful, deliberate parents), but this identity confusion is terribly unfair to them. We need to disentangle our identities.

In society, we tend to equate external rewards and accomplishments with worth and chase after them in order to prove our worth to others. It’s one very twisted way of measuring our significance, to be sure, but that doesn’t negate the fact that most humans want to feel recognized and appreciated, not least when they work hard. I can think of few jobs as demanding as being a committed parent, and despite rare glimpses of gratitude on Mother’s Day, ours is a largely thankless job. There’s no trophy, bonus, promotion or corner office attached to mothering. As moms, we need to reward ourselves, appreciate the gravity of everyday moments, and question society’s ideas about what constitutes a significant, successful and purposeful life.

Only second to love, time is the most precious gift we can give our children, but we sometimes forget we need time for ourselves, too. As moms, meeting our own needs can feel selfish, even though it’s the most selfless thing we can do for our families. Why? Because our kids don’t benefit from our time and presence when we’re constantly frazzled, stressed and overwhelmed. Taking time for ourselves and engaging in activities we love—alone time at a local café, a daily walk to our fave song mix, brunching with friends—fills us with joy, and this joy overflows into the lives of everyone in our orbit. Our kids deserve joyful moms.

We deserve to be them. When we give ourselves the gift of time, we regift it to our kids in the form of a joyful presence.

Wendy Connelly, M.Div., is a podcaster (MoJo For Moms podcast), life coach and mother of two from Overland Park.

You can find Wendy’s latest podcasts, TV appearances, retreats and more at MoJoForMoms.com.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

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Service learning is an integral part of Notre Dame de Sion Grade School’s mission. Rachel Mahlik, campus minister and service director for the school, describes service learning as “a student experience in the community of practical hands-on learning addressing a community need that ties into the curriculum and is followed by reflection.” Experiences occur at each grade level throughout the school year, culminating in an all-school day of service in the spring. In addition to filling a need in the community, Mahlik says, service learning builds self-confidence and helps students learn more about themselves and their world.

This year’s service learning program is designed around the theme of “Corporal Works of Mercy.” These mandates found in the Gospel strive to meet the physical human needs of those close at hand. Sion works with community partners all over Kansas City whose mission is meeting one of these needs. Younger grades make a difference through food or clothing drives or by making kits that can be delivered to those in need.

Older students go out in the community to the partner agency and work on projects after learning about the vision of the site. Community partners include Uplift, ScrapsKC, Don Bosco Senior Center, Della Lamb Early Childhood, Cultivate KC, Giving the Basics, St. Monica’s Food Pantry and others.

Not only do students get invaluable hands-on experiences, but the school also strives to tie service learning into the larger academic experience. Students learn about the reasons for—not just the symptoms of—societal problems. Through speakers, research, and problem-based learning, students move through a cycle of practical learning to find out root causes and propose solutions. For example, this past October the theme was “give drink to the thirsty.” Students learned about clean water scarcity around the world and then tried building water filters. The water department came and taught about water-run-off issues so students could see the environmental needs of being good water stewards at a city and residential level. The students then visited Uplift, which tries to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness in part by providing bottles of clean water.

The service learning program at Notre Dame de Sion Grade School is an extension of our mission and vision. We want students to become socially responsible leaders and to discover and develop their unique gifts.

We strive to educate the whole child. Often in service learning, students can develop their interpersonal skills and hone their awareness of others’ experiences. Students build their intrapersonal skills as they reflect on their own feelings, of joy or pride or helplessness, after service learning.

We want students to become empathetic and understand the realities around them and recognize how they can use their hands, minds and hearts to change lives and be changed by the people in need around them.

Service learning empowers even Sion’s youngest students to make an impact in their community.

To learn more about Notre Dame de Sion Grade School, visit NDSion.edu.

DATES WITH LETTER F

DATENIGHT

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It’s time for a date! This month’s roundup is brought to you by the letter F! FITNESS FUN An unconventional date idea is to train for and run a 5K together. Back in 2016, my husband and I did the Couch to 5K program and then ran a night race together in July. Since then, we have done several other races together.

While he prefers to keep his mileage to 3 and under (a 5K or less), I have gone on to do as much as a half marathon, which is 13 miles. Running together is a great time to just get caught up on each other’s lives, enjoy the outdoors and do something good for your body. Running with a partner can also help you stay motivated and accountable, and it keeps you from getting bored.

So why not find a fun or meaningful 5K to do together this year? Some races raise money and awareness for a specific health condition. Others are more fun-oriented, celebrating chocolate, wine, whiskey or a holiday.

FRED ROGERS As a child growing up in the 80s, I spent many hours watching Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood on PBS. So when I heard several months ago that Tom Hanks would be playing him in a movie, I was very excited! On a beautiful sunny Sunday, we headed to Alamo Drafthouse downtown for lunch and a movie.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a true story about Fred Rogers, but it’s even more about journalist Tom Junod and the unlikely friendship that develops between the two. It’s a story about kindness and forgiveness and becoming better people. It’s a different kind of movie for sure, but very good, and eating lunch during the show was a lot of fun. The food was quite tasty considering we were at a movie theater, but we wouldn’t recommend getting a full meal, as eating in the dark is tricky. We definitely will return another time and stick with easy-to-eat finger foods or snacks.

FRESHWATER We recently tried a new-to-us restaurant called Freshwater, a quaint and cozy place located on Southwest Trafficway. Freshwater opened in April 2017 but was destroyed by a fatal car crash just two months later. They were forced to close for eight months but then reopened in the same spot. Their menu, which changes often based on available ingredients, features small plates, plates to share and large plates, as well as dessert. They also have a 10-course tasting menu. Everything we tried was delicious, including the walleye, crawfish hushpuppies and sweet potato fondue. I also had one of the best salads I’ve ever had at a restaurant. The service was attentive but not overbearing, and even with the place full, we had no problem talking.

We also really enjoyed the intimate setting. The price point of the menu items makes this place one to reserve for a special occasion.

Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives with her husband in Kansas City.

They enjoy regular date nights and love trying new restaurants and activities.

FOR GREAT DATE NIGHT IDEAS STARTING WITH A-E, HEAD TO KCPARENT.COM!

TASTYTREATS

eat right, bite by bite Open wide because March is National Nutrition Month! The annual education month focuses on the importance of making knowledgeable food choices and developing key health and wellness habits. With 2020’s theme of “Eat Right, Bite by Bite” in mind, follow these nutrition tips to see your family’s health improve with every chew.

Eating a healthy and nutritious diet can easily seem overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start.

A good place to begin is with the MyPlate dietary guidelines, set forth by the USDA. Meals and snacks that follow these guidelines will help provide the fuel and food your kids need.

fruits and vegetables These natural nutritious gems provide megadoses of vitamins and minerals needed for growth and maintenance.

Aim to get 1-2 cups of fruit and 1-3 cups of veggies per day.

HOW? Serve a glass of 100 percent fruit juice at breakfast and keep a bowl of bananas, apples or clementines on the kitchen counter for a quick snack. Individual containers of applesauce, mixed fruit and raisins are easy to carry and pack in a lunch. Opt to bake and cook with fruit. For instance, add bananas to pancake batter or top ice cream with mixed fruit. Now, on to those veggies. Sauté spinach, tomatoes and onions to serve in a breakfast omelet.

Incorporate grated carrots, cherry tomatoes and slices of avocado in a green salad. Or offer cucumbers, celery sticks, bell peppers with nut butter and crackers for an afternoon snack.

whole grains Grains provide an excellent source of fiber and B vitamins needed for energy. Depending on age, gender and activity levels, your kiddos require three to eight servings of grains a day.

HOW? Offer whole-wheat toast at breakfast and use whole-wheat bread for making sandwiches.

Try brown rice and wholewheat pasta for side dishes and dinners. You can experiment with grains, too. Deb, a Lenexa mom of three boys under the age of 14, says, “I use whole wheat flour when making waffles and cookies, and my kids love them!” Finally, snacks can be as simple as offering popcorn or whole-grain crackers and cheese.

protein

dairy

Your child needs strength and fuel to grow, so, depending on your child’s health needs, a good rule of thumb is to include three to eight servings of protein per day.

Kids need their bones, muscles and tendons in good condition, and having two to three servings of dairy each day will help meet their calcium and vitamin D needs.

HOW? Variety here is key.

Think chicken, beef, fish, turkey and vegetarian options such as tofu and beans. Start with an egg a day. Hard boil eggs in advance for the week to add in at breakfast, pack in lunches, or for a strong and mighty snack.

When making sandwiches, choose lean roast beef and ham. Veggie or salmon burgers for dinner are a great opportunity to increase your child’s taste buds. For more plantbased options, try tofu scrambles at breakfast, hummus with pita bread for a snack, bean enchiladas at lunch and chili with beans for dinner.

HOW? Simply offer milk or soymilk at all meals and snacks. Breakfast can be as easy as oatmeal or cereal with milk and adding a cup of yogurt.

Simple snacks are a cup of creamy yogurt, cottage cheese or a few string cheese sticks. Add flavor to wraps at lunch with shredded cheese or top off creamy pasta dinner dishes with melted cheese.

Dessert can be delicious with a yogurt-filled smoothie.

Amy Hundley is a registered dietitian nutritionist, licensed in both Kansas and Missouri, and a published freelance nutrition writer.

She is currently practicing as a clinical RD and has been a resident of Olathe since early childhood.

Sources: EatRight.org, USDA

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WORDFROMDAD

SPRING TRAINING

DID YOU KNOW? NEARLY 1 IN 4 COLLEGE STUDENTS IDENTIFY AS NON-DRINKERS.

“H

ey, Bill.” Bob’s voice rang down the stairs.

“Grab your glove. We’re all going down to the school and play ball.”

I looked out the window. Gray, but dry. Green grass, but no leaves on the trees. Jacket weather for sure, but there wasn’t any wind. I grabbed my glove and ran up the stairs.

Ten minutes later, I joined a dozen other kids, swarming over a ball field while we chose teams. My enthusiasm always exceeded my skill and everyone knew it, so I was the last one chosen. But, I yearned for a chance to prove myself.

Where? On the pitcher’s mound, of course, with my success visible to everyone.

I turned to my team captain. “Hey, Buzz, can I pitch?”

Older and a natural athlete, he could afford to be generous. “Sure.” He tossed me the ball.

Such a gentle throw. Underhanded. Barely a foot over my head. I kept my eyes on the ball, my hand out for the easy catch. But, the ball went toward my face and my hand with the glove never moved.

The hardball landed on my upper lip, splitting it open and sending blood into my mouth along with searing pain.

I screamed and my friends helped me stumble toward the water fountain where I drenched the cut with enough cold water to discourage most of the bleeding. Bob walked me home while I sniffled as my lip swelled.

Mom made sure I wasn’t seriously hurt and gave me a cup of tomato soup, because warmth, as we thought in those days, was supposed to promote healing.

A few hours later, my friend, Brad, called. “Hi, Bill. Feel like playing a little catch?”

“Um…” My swollen lip made it difficult for me to talk.

“Maybe something inside. How about some chess?”

THE REALITY IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU THINK. Know the facts.

Stay true to yourself and act responsibly.

SOURCE: NATIONAL COLLEGE HEALTH ASSESSMENT, FALL 2016 FINDINGS. AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH ASSOCIATION. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2018 Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, MO

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

Anheuser-Busch: AB CSR

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17

dawdling

say goodbye to

M

y husband and I recently told our 6-year-old son he needed to clean off his Lego table because it was getting a little out of control.

Yet let’s face the hard truth: Who really likes sorting out tiny Legos into plastic bins according to like type? Not me. No spoiler alert to say our son hadn’t made any progress when we came back to check on him.

Fun task or not—whether it’s cleaning off the Lego table, doing homework or getting ready in the morning—teaching kids to stop dawdling and learn the life skill to maintain their focus and productivity is quite a task.

So how do we speed them up when they have slowed down?

“Sometimes [dawdling] has to do with a child’s need for autonomy or to have control over their environment,” says Kerri Gray, a local mom, marriage and family therapist, and Love and Logic instructor.

Gray says when you tell a strong-willed child to hurry up, he will often do the exact opposite and slow down. Instead of simply telling the child to speed up, she has more success in providing children with choices.

For example, if you are at the park and need to leave within 10 minutes, instead of simply telling the child it is time to go, ask him if he’d like to leave right then or in 10 minutes. Both options work for you and involve leaving within the necessary time frame, but having the option gives the child a sense of being in control.

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The key is giving the child a choice of two things, both of which are acceptable to you. Gray says it is helpful to try to share control as much as possible with the child in a way that doesn’t create a problem for you as the parent.

Sometimes, the task the child is procrastinating might simply not be fun. After all, we adults don’t always like cleaning our rooms either.

“Kids tend to drag their feet and procrastinate for similar reasons we as adults do,” Gray says.

In cases like cleaning off our son’s Lego table, Gray suggests helping the child break down the task into more manageable and fun steps. Children don’t always know how to do that on their own.

In retrospect, we could have first told our son to take everything off the table that wasn’t a Lego and put those items away.

After that, we could have given him a short break for a few minutes to do something fun. Next, we could have had him put all the Legos in a pile and open up all his Lego bins followed by another short break. Finally, he could have come back and actually sorted all the Legos into the respective bins.

In the end, when children learn how to speed up completing daily tasks, they will have more time to play and enjoy the more interesting aspects of each day.

Allison Gibeson is a writer and mom from Lee’s Summit.

Getting it done on time Consider these tips to help with hassle-free productivity in your home.

Provide options.

Is your child procrastinating writing thank you cards? Instead of saying, “Go write the thank you cards,” try, “Would you like to write the thank you to your grandma or best friend first?”

Break down complicated tasks into manageable steps.

Cleaning up a messy room can be overwhelming. Instead of “Go clean your room,” try starting with, “Bring all the dirty clothes to the laundry room.”

Don’t always assume they know how to complete the task.

A child might not know all the steps to get ready for school in the morning. To remedy this, take pictures of the child completing each step and post in a prominent place.

Let them learn from natural consequences.

Being late to or missing a fun activity altogether because kids haven’t completed daily life tasks might be the best tool to help increase their speed.

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Goddard Systems, Inc. program is AdvancED accredited. © Goddard Systems, Inc. 2020

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19

helping kids conquer fears

W

onderful creativity and imagination fill a child’s mind. “Some days, I can hardly keep up with the games of let’s pretend. We are monsters, we are princesses, we are playing family.

Their minds move so fast and they have so many ideas,” says Gaye Wayne, Shawnee mom.

But fear can creep into these exciting bouts of imagination. It is common for children to be afraid, especially of the unknown. Many youngsters develop a fear of the dark, a fear of being alone or even a fear of new people.

Many parents worry whether their children’s fears are normal. They’re concerned about their child’s ability to overcome those fears and often worry that fears will translate into timid behaviors later in life. Whether kids tremble at the suspicion of monsters under the bed or in the face of new green vegetables on their dinner plates, parents can successfully help young children navigate the waters of fear. Here are a few reminders for when the fear feels overwhelming: Be patient. Some fears are a result of an actual experience that was upsetting for a child, while others come from their imaginations. Either way, a considerable amount of time may be required for a child to overcome a particular fear. The key to a

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child’s overcoming a fear is for it to be the right time for the child. “We did everything to help our daughter get over her fear of the dark,” Debbie Stokes, Overland Park mom, says. “It felt like she would never feel safe at night. Then, after it seemed we had tried everything, one night, she just fell asleep. And it hasn’t been a big deal since then. I think she just had to work through her fears and outgrow it on her own.” Be patient and understanding; offer support and safety. When your child is ready, the fear will be a thing of the past.

Lead by example. Our kids watch everything we do. “It is amazing how much I notice about my kids that they picked up from my husband and me,” says Allison Wallace, Olathe mom.

“Some of it good, some not as good. But it just really makes me realize how much they pay attention!” Having fears as an adult is perfectly acceptable, but it is essential for us parents to demonstrate healthy ways to deal with those fears.

Show your children that, even if things are frightening, trying is valuable.

Emphasize the importance of trying again when things don’t go your way and emphasize to kids that there’s no shame in admitting they are frightened.

Give them control. One element that can increase the feeling of fear in children is a lack of control. “When my

son feels like he doesn’t have a choice, it can be a lot tougher to convince him to try things. He wants to have a choice, just like adults,” says Robyn Bennington, Kansas City, MO, mom.

Although choices aren’t always possible, you usually can inject options into most situations. For example, if your child is afraid of the dark and you want to encourage sleeping with the light off, give the choice of adding a night light or sleeping with the closet light on. That allows your child to feel some control of the situation while you still turn out the main lights.

If your child’s fear seems overwhelming, you may want to discuss it with your pediatrician. Some warning signs include:

• Extreme fear or a fear that seems inappropriate for age.

• Fear that leads to self-harm.

• Fear that causes physical symptoms, such as stomachaches or headaches.

Fear that prevents your child from age-appropriate activity.

•

Melissa Bellach is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three living in Overland Park.

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A Walk in the Park…

March 30 is Take a Walk in the Park Day. We love the wide variety of scenic places to enjoy in Kansas City. Whether you like wooded trails, waterways or something a bit more urban, Kansas City’s parks offer something for everyone. These are a few of our favorite places to take a walk.

Black Hoof Park 9053 Monticello Rd., Lenexa This 231-acre park is best known for its 35-acre, deep-water Lake Lenexa, the centerpiece of which is the unique dam and spillway, a true engineering and artistic masterpiece. Surrounding the lake, you may explore miles of trails through open grass and wooded areas.

Berkley Riverfront Park 1892 River Front Dr., Kansas City, MO For historic views of the Missouri Riverbank and downtown Kansas City, the Berkley Riverfront Park is the place to go. The greenspace offers 2 miles of paved trails to enjoy beautiful views of downtown.

If you’d prefer to ride, there are bike lockers and racks, and a nearby B-cycle rental station located at Third & Grand Boulevard.

Antioch Park 6501 Antioch Rd., Merriam The 44-acre park features two fishing lakes, beautiful walking paths around and across the lakes, a rose garden and amazing play spaces. The park is

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perhaps best known for its Dodge Town-themed play space. Children enjoy pretend play in the historic Wild West-styled village with a post office, general store and bank, making it a great place for pretend and hide and seek.

Parkville Nature Sanctuary 8888 Clark Ave., Parkville The scenic 3-mile loop trail through the woods features a beautiful waterfall, a shelter for picnics and natural terrain to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. The park is near downtown Parkville, making it a great day trip stop.

Loose Park 51st & Wornall, Kansas City, MO The 75-acre park features a playground with a sand pit and small rock wall, a beautiful pond, fields perfect for tossing the old football, Frisbee, or playing tag. Visitors also enjoy paved trails and an exquisite rose garden. The beauty of the park with the tree-lined walkways, pond, bridges and landscaping has made it a favorite for generations of Kansas Citians.

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Special Advertising Section

Camp Invention

KC Parent’s

Camp Guide

Accelerated Schools Accelerated Schools of Overland Park offers two summer programs from June 8 through July 24. High school students can earn credit for courses such as math, science, English, Spanish, art and social studies.

Students entering 4 to 8 grade can attend the Academics & Arts Summer Camp, focusing on individualized academic tutoring as well as creative expression. Call 913.341.6666 for further information. See display ad on pg. 30. www.AcceleratedSchoolsOP.org

Summer at Pembroke Hill

Imaginations will soar this summer in the all-new Camp Invention® program, Elevate!

Campers in grades K-6 will spark their creativity and build collaboration skills while controlling their very own flight simulation robot, protecting Earth’s ecosystems, designing the ultimate sports complex and learning the value of their ideas! Local educators will lead fun, hands-on STEM activities inspiring children to ask questions, overcome obstacles and be confident in their innovative ideas. Visit www.invent.org/camp or call 800.968.4332 to register. Use promo code LOCAL25 to save $25 (expires 3/31) or LOCAL15 to save $15 (expires 5/12). See display ad on pg. 38.

Camp Wood YMCA Your overnight Y camp in the Flint Hills.

Trusted by KC families for 100 years, our classic summer camp experience includes archery, canoeing, horseback riding and more. Specialty camps like skateboarding, KANSAS CITY YOUNG AUDIENCES

Sing, Dance, Act, Make, &Play!

Summertime at Come play with CLAY this summer at Ceramic Cafe. Check out our summer camps specializing in Clay and Glass Fusing.

MULTIMEDIA CAMPS AVAILABLE FOR YOUNGER KIDS! 9510 Nall | Overland Park, KS 913.383.0222

CeramicCafeKC.com

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kcparent.com march 2020

SUMMER AT PEMBROKE HILL NOW ENROLLING! OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS AGES 2- 18

www.pembrokehill.org

CAMPS and CLASSES start in JUNE • ages 4 - 13 Ask about Scholarships and Payment plans!

cooking, leadership and equestrian camps are also available. Our ACA-accredited programs help campers build character, learn skills and make friends—all within a safe, caring environment. Our motto is Be You, Be Adventurous and Belong at Camp Wood YMCA. Register at www.campwood.org.

Join us Sunday, April 29 and Saturday, May 9, 1-5 pm for a free Open House. See display ad on pg. 40.

Ceramic Café Ceramic Cafe’s summer program provides instructions on a variety of ceramic art techniques including hand-building with clay, ceramic painting and glass fusing. We offer themed camps for younger kids that feature a taste of each artistic medium.

Older artists can dive deeper with the focus of their choice: clay or glass. They’ll get a chance to really explore, develop better understanding, and create within one of the special mediums. Extensive clay and glass camps for ages 8-11 and 12+. “Creative

Kids” themed camps for kids aged 5-7. One day workshops also offered. See display ad on pg. 24. www.CeramicCafeKC.com

Code Ninjas Spark your child’s inner ninja and transform their love of technology and video games into a new skill with Code Ninjas summer camps! Our curriculum-based camps include MinecraftTM, Robotics, Drones, RobloxTM, Python, and Scratch, along with fun team building STEM activities and games. At Code Ninjas they can explore technology, develop new skills, and have a great time with friends in a safe environment. It’s an unforgettably fun learning experience! See display ad on pg. 26. www.kidscode1.com/camps

The Coterie Acts Theatre Classes and Camps The Coterie offers classes for kids entering grades K-12 at five sites: The Plaza (Pembroke Hill), Overland Park (MillerMarley), Lee’s Summit (MCC Longview),

Liberty (Liberty Community Center), and in the Northland. Half-day and full-day classes led by professional, trained teaching artists include creative drama, acting, and audition skills. 2020 Summer Performance Camps will be held at Pembroke, Longview, and Liberty. See display ad on pg. 15. Visit www.TheCoterie.org.

Crème de la Crème – Summer Camp Blast off with Camp Crème for a new adventure every week! Campers ages 6-12 enjoy weekly themes which include 2-3 offsite field trips, on-site water park, exciting S.T.E.A.M. activities, sports, creative arts, Chef It Up cooking experiences and more.

Camps are offered May 26 -August 7 from 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM. It’s truly Out of This WorldTM. Year-round programming for Infants – School Age. To enroll, visit www.cremedelacreme.com or call 913.439.5242. See display ad on pg. 30.

kcparent.com march 2020

25

CAMPGUIDE The Culture House Spend your summer at The Culture House!

Shows/workshops include dance, theatre, music and art taught by professionally trained adults. “THE BOYFRIEND” (1320), “MOANA JR” (10-13), “DOCTOR DOLITTLE JR” (6-11), Music of Trolls, Into the Unknown, Music of Moana, Improv Comedy, Show Choir Camp, Songs of Matilda, Music of Mulan, Instrumental Music, Paint-o-rama, Art Explorers, Drawing, Clay Creations, Prince & Princess Ballet, Itty Bitty Ballerina, Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet & more! Openings limited! See display ad on pg. 27. 913.393.3141. Enroll online: www.CultureHouse.com

Dance Expressions Dance Expression’s summer programs are fun and exciting! DE offers a 6-week dance and tumbling program, dance intensives,

26

kcparent.com march 2020

and themed-based day camps. Spending the summer with DE will get children active and engaged! Dance Expressions summer programs are for new students to explore the art of dance and tumbling, or a great way to keep veteran students engaged in their style of choice; ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary or tumbling. DE has fantastic options for ages 2.5-18. See display ad on pg. 34. www.DEStudios.com

Family Tree NurseryHorticulture Camp Calling all 8-12 year olds for our Annual Summer Horticulture Camp! Grow your mind, cultivate a new friend, and dig in the garden for 3 fun-filled days at Family Tree Nursery. Explore amazing plants, eat yummy snacks, take home a cool t-shirt, and play interactive games with leaders and peers. Camps run Tuesday, July 7-Thursday,

July 9. Morning and afternoon sessions are available. See display ad on page 3. www.FamilyTreeNursery.com

Genesis Mighty Camps At Mighty Camps, we create an enriching summer camp experience for kids ages 5–12 packed with active, fun-filled days that your child will be stoked to be a part of! Sport workshops, field trips, STEAM programming, improv classes, swimming, and character programming fill our days at Mighty Camp. Avoid a long, boring summer at home and join the Mighty Camp family in 2020! Register today: 913.210.1775.

Locations: Ridgeview & Overland Park, St. Joseph & Topeka SW. See display ad on pg. 41. www.genesishealthclubs.com/camps

Continued on page 30

CAMPGUIDE

which camp is best for your child?

1) How often do I want to have my child occupied/entertained over break? a. The majority of break. b. About 50 percent of break. c. Occasionally. d. Maybe a couple of times.

7) I would like my child to improve athletically over break. a. Strongly agree. b. Agree. c. Somewhat agree. d. Not really.

2) Does my child need to work on anything specific over break? a. Yes. b. Part-time help would be helpful. c. Some refreshers here and there would be great. d. Not really.

8) I would like my child to improve artistically over break. a. Strongly agree. b. Agree. c. Somewhat agree. d. Not really.

3) How do I feel about overnight camp? a. I think it’s a great rite of passage! b. I think a few nights would be fun! c. I think a couple nights may be okay. d. I’m not quite ready for that yet.

9) I would like my children to be with their friends over break. a. Strongly agree. b. Agree. c. Somewhat agree d. Not really.

4) I think it’s important to keep up with academics over break. a. Absolutely! b. Mostly. c. Somewhat. d. Let them enjoy their childhood vacation!

5) I would like my children to focus on one of their interests. a. Strongly agree. b. Agree. c. Somewhat agree. d. Neutral.

6) I would like my child to stay active over break. a. Strongly agree. b. Agree. c. Somewhat agree. d. Neutral.

10) I would like my child to gain more independence this year.

a. Strongly agree. b. Agree.

c. Somewhat agree.

d. Not really.

11) How far away am I comfortable sending my child?

a. If the camp is worth it, we’ll go!

b. Maybe half a day’s drive.

c. An hour away.

d. It needs to be within 30 minutes.

12) How much is cost a factor?

a. It’s not a factor.

b. Not much.

c. A little bit.

d. A lot.

Mostly A’s Sounds like you’re ready for your kiddo to enjoy all there is to experience at a long-term summer camp, even overnight! Chances are you experienced and loved summer camp as a child (or wished you could have) and want your child to have that experience too! Camp can provide kids with life skills, socialization, and keep them active and learning in a different way over the summer.

Mostly B’s Sounds like you’re ready to have your children experience some various day camps according to their interests. Maybe they will fine tune their drawing skills or come home the best free throw shooter for the team! Selecting a few different camps can help kids focus on one area at a time and maybe be with different friends throughout the summer.

Mostly C’s Sounds like you’re ready to get your feet wet with some shorter camps throughout the summer as they are available and work into your schedule. These can give the kids something to look forward to and you a break from entertaining them 24/7, but you’ll have room in your schedule for a relaxed summer vacation.

Mostly D’s Sounds like you’re not quite ready to start in on summer camps, or perhaps they don’t seem that important or worth it to you. Maybe you’re able to be home with them and enjoy doing a summer bucket list and spending time with them before they head back to school. Perhaps a week or two at some local vacation Bible schools is a reasonable way to fulfill any camplike experience you feel your kids need.

Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 9, Mason, 8, and Slade, 4, and has been known to send her kids to numerous VBS camps throughout the summer and has finally reached that magical time when all three can go at the same time!

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ENROLL FOR SUMMER NOW WITH OUR PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AGES 2-18 Classes and camps are designed to provide your child with excellent ballet training and superior attention from our professional teachers, all while having fun.

Photography: Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios

BOLENDER CENTER 500 W. Pershing Kansas City, MO 64108

Nall Ave.

I-3 5

Broadway

Photography by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios.

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS!

Union Station

Pershing

94th Terr.

JOHNSON COUNTY 5359 W. 94th Terr.

Prairie Village, KS 66207

W. 95th St.

SPACE IS LIMITED — ENROLL TODAY! 816.931.2299 | KCBALLET.ORG/SCHOOL kcparent.com march 2020

29

CAMPGUIDE J Camp

33,105

unique visitors to the virtual camp guide in 2019

104,000

readers each issue of KC Parent Magazine

DID YOU KNOW? KCParent.com has a NEW Geo-based, searchable Camp Guide with maps, descriptions, photos and videos.

With these stats, it’s easy to see how KC Parent has camps covered!

J Camp, Play Hard. Camp Harder! Youth entering 1st through 8th grade can experience 13 Premier and Specialty Camps, providing variety all summer long. Unique camp activities for children ages 2 – 5 years are offered through our Child Development Center (CDC). Campers of all ages will learn new skills in a structured, recreational, and educational environment while enjoying the arts, sports, STEM, swimming, and more. Conveniently located at 117th and Nall, our unparalleled facilities include two on-site pools! Open to everyone, The Jewish Community Center’s Camp IS summer. See display ad on pg. 39. www.JCampKC.org

Johnson County Museum Johnson County Museum summer camps offer the chance to explore history! Young historians interact with museum exhibits and explore areas off limits to the public

CAMP CRÈME JOIN US FOR: FUN FIELD TRIPS, ON-SITE WATER PARK, S.T.E.A.M ACTIVITIES, OUTDOOR SPORTS & MUCH MORE!

$249/WEEK 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM

Johnson County Park & Recreation District From Outdoor Discovery to Just for Fun, we offer over 80 different and well-supervised camp programs conveniently located throughout Johnson County. Dedicated to providing activities that promote emotional, intellectual and physical health, our summer fun choices include nature and science, preschool enrichment, art, sports,

Enroll Now

MAY 26TH- AUGUST 7TH | FOR CAMPERS ~6 THROUGH 12 YEARS

NEW THEME EACH WEEK

in History Geek Camp (ages 10-14). We will travel to an historic site for more fun! KidScape Summer Adventures (kids entering 1st grade through age 9) explore JOCO Museum and KidScape! Discover history through crafts and projects inspired by our exhibits. New activities and explorations each week! Open Art Studio for before and after care, and Museum members receive a 20% discount. See display ad on pg. 35. www.JCPRD.com/museum

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING Call Today to Experience the Crème Difference!

At ASOP, we focus on being a compassionate school with a positive Growth Mindset approach to help students take ownership of their learning.

Summer programs will be held from June 8 through July 24, 2020. High School students in grades 9-12 can complete up to 1.5 credits in subjects including math, science, social studies, English, Spanish and art. All courses are accredited by the State of Kansas and North Central Association, a branch of Cognia. Middle school students, grades 4-8, can attend the Academic and Arts Camp, focusing on individualized academic tutoring as well as creative expression. All programs are from 9 am until 1 pm, Monday through Friday.

The Accelerated Schools of Overland Park 10713 Barkley St., Overland Park, KS Call or visit our website: 913-341-6666 www.AcceleratedSchoolsOP.org

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kcparent.com march 2020

computers, leadership development, music, theatre, and dance. The options include both indoor and outdoor programs, and full- and partial-day schedules are available.

For details, call 913.831.3359 or visit www.JCPRD.COM/camps. See display ad on pg. 25.

Kansas City Ballet Kansas City Ballet School Summer Programs include once-a-week classes and four-day ballet camps for ages 2-7.

Camps include Frozen, Little Mermaid, and Storybook Ballet. Additional courses and workshops available for ages 8-22.

Classes begin June 1st. Enroll now to guarantee placement. Two convenient locations: Downtown and Johnson County. See display ad on pg. 29. Visit www.kcballet.org/kc-ballet-school/ or call 816.931.2299.

Get creative at the Nerman Museum!

Classes (ages 5-14) combine engaging, interactive tours with unique studio projects.

& Safari Day Campsthe Zoo! Summer Camps at For kids ages 4–15

Join us for Zoo-mazing fun and animal adventures on your days off from school and during the summer too!

Visit kansascityzoo.org/camp for more details!

OPEN DAILY | kansascityzoo.org | 816.595.1234

The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Confidence, leadership, and academic

Paintball, rappelling, and more!

For ages 8-18.

camps for boys. New! Sports camp (boys) and band/choir camp (co-ed).

Located in mid-Missouri.

MMA

M I S S O U R I M I L I TA RY A C A D E M Y

Tuesdays-Fridays, June 4-July 31 10 a.m.–noon or 2–4 p.m.

Preregistration is required.

913-469-2323 • nermanmuseum.org

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art Johnson County Community College

Hang with us this summer! missourimilitaryacademy.org/summer

kcparent.com march 2020

31

CAMPGUIDE Kansas City School of Music

Kansas City Young Audiences

Kansas City School of Music, the premier music school for children and teenagers in the Kansas City area, offers summer camps in piano, guitar, violin, viola, cello, voice, musical theater, music theory, jazz theory, chamber music, keyboard ensembles, and worship music. All camps meet Monday through Friday for three hours each day. Morning and afternoon camps are available. Private lessons are also offered in the summer. Visit www.kansascityschoolofmusic.com or call 913.888.2444. See display ad on pg. 33.

Sing, Dance, Act, Create, and Play! Kansas City Young Audiences offers children performing and visual arts classes, camps, and private instruction at their creative space on Main Street. Spring Break Camps will be held March 16-20. Summer Camps begin in June.

Scholarships are available. 816.531.4022. See display ad on pg. 24. www.KCYA.org

week includes exclusive zoo tours, animal encounters/shows, science experiments, games, and crafts. Half day camps for ages 4-5, full day for ages 5-15. COST: 1/2 day: $125, full day: $260, Before/Aftercare (3:30pm-5:30pm): $15. 10% discount for FOTZ Members. Check out single day camp options the week of 4th of July. See display ad on pg. 31. www.KansasCityZoo. org/programs/day-camps

Kansas City Zoo Make your summer a little wilder with Summer Break Camp. Camp runs May 26 through August 14. Learn the inside scoop about the Zoo’s creatures. A typical

KC Parks and Recreation Get ready for 10 weeks of fun with KC Parks Summer Enrichment Camp! This year’s camp includes great field trips to Science Continued on page 34

82,000

104,000

unique visitors monthly to KCParent.com

readers each issue of KC Parent Magazine

DID YOU KNOW? KCParent.com has a NEW Geo-based, searchable Party Guide with maps, descriptions, photos and videos.

With these stats, it’s easy to see how KC Parent has parties covered!

June 8 – August 14, 2020

Join us for summer camp at one of our 6 KC Parks & Recreation community centers.

7:30 a.m. Ͳ 5:30 p.m. • Monday Ͳ Friday • Ages 6 Ͳ 13 Day Camp: $80/week* • Sports Camp: $120/week* Hillcrest • Kansas City North • Southeast • Tony Aguirre Westport Roanoke • Line CreekͲSports Camp

KCPARKS.ORG

*20% discount if paid in full by May 1. Financial assistance available.

Sports camp held only at Line Creek.

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kcparent.com march 2020

Summer Camp for All Ages

Beginner Piano • Disney Keyboard Ensemble • Cello and Chamber Music Violin/Viola and Chamber Music • Music Theory • Jazz Theory • Worship Music Beginner Guitar • Guitar Chords • Junior Voice • Voice • Musical Theatre SINCE 1997

12201 W. 87th St. Pkwy, Lenexa, KS 66215 • 16010 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66085 913-888-2444 • www.KansasCitySchoolOfMusic.com

s p m a C r e Summ T!

EST ONE YE B E H T R E SUMM our MAKE THIS p for one of ild u Sign your ch grams today! exciting pro

• Engaging activities and hands-on learning • Great camaraderie with fun, collaborative exercises • Skill-building for more impact in the classroom SYLVAN LEARNING OF KANSAS CITY, NORTH 8409 N Main St Kansas City, Missouri 64155

(816) 468-7900 • WWW.KANSASCITYSYLVAN.COM kcparent.com march 2020

33

CAMPGUIDE City and Worlds of Fun. Campers will also enjoy weekly swimming lessons, guest speakers, art projects, sports and more! At the end of the summer, we’ll bring all the camps together for a giant cook-off and Olympic festival. Specialty sports camps are also available. Visit www.KCParks.org for details. See display ad on pg. 32

MCC College for Kids MCC’s College for Kids offers enrichment opportunities for kids and teens ages 5-16 in a fun and safe environment where they enjoy educational and hands-on learning activities.

Classes are designed to engage youth in new experiences, develop new interests, teach meaningful skills and excite students about learning. College for Kids is available on all Campuses. New this year: Lunch care options, Early and Late drop off, and All Day options.

Register at www.mcckc.edu/collegeforkids.

See display ad on pg. 37.

Missouri Military Academy Summer Camps Build confidence, learn to lead, and have fun! For boys, choose Confidence or Leadership Camp for experiences such as paint ball, rappelling and obstacle courses to build teamwork and leadership skills.

Summer Academy focuses on academic support, plus fun, outdoor activities. New in 2020—All Sports Camp and Band and Choir Camp (co-ed). See display ad on pg. 31.

MissouriMilitaryAcademy.org/summer

Nerman Museum Early Explorations classes (ages 5-7) and Contemporary Creations classes (ages 8-11)

Have a blast at Youthfront Camp! day camps • overnight camps • grades 1-12 splash parks • ropes courses • faith-building activities

youthfront.com/summercamp

34

kcparent.com march 2020

are interactive art learning experiences.

Students learn directly from JCCC’s diverse permanent collection and temporary

exhibitions in the Nerman Museum. After exploring selected works of art, students create original works of art in the studio classroom. Classes are offered Tues.-Fri., June 4-July 31, with individual sessions from 10AM-noon or 2PM-4PM. Register at www.nermanmuseum.org or call 913.469.2323. See display ad on pg. 31.

Oakhill Day School Ready for a fully charged summer? Oakhill Fully Charged is designed to feel like a vacation every day. Our flexible weekly themed day camps for campers age two years old - Middle School are high energy combining play and creativity! Embark on a journey of what summer should be through field trips, camp-wide water balloon fights, trips to the pool, and more from our fantastic crew of Fully Charged counselors! Enroll online: www.oakhilldayschool.org/summer.

See display ad on pg. 39.

Oakwood Country Club For 100 years, Oakwood Country Club has been a charming and vital institution in our community. Oakwood has helped create many happy memories in our community, and they look forward to many more in the years to come. This summer kids can create memories at

summer S

2020 KID CAMP

0TH – JULY 1 12 T S 1 E N JU • AGES 3 M P 3 M 9A EK OF P WE N O CA M 2 9 T H N JU E -FRIDAY O M NDAY

Oakwood’s Summer Camp, June 1-July 10.

To sign up, or to inquire about discounts, contact Mark Maroon, General Manager, at mark@oakwoodcountryclub.org or call 816.761.5501, ext. 102. See display ad pg. 35.

Summer at Barstow Choose your adventure from more than 500 offerings at Kansas City’s best summer camp program! Campers ages 3-14 love Summer at Barstow’s action-packed experiences Continued on page 38

Daily Activities include

Professional Tennis Lessons – 1 hour daily Professional Golf Lessons – 1 hour daily Professional Swim Lessons – 1 hour daily Nutritious Lunch Morning & Afternoon Snack

Other Creative & Fun Activities including...

Sand Volleyball, Archery, Art, Fort Building, Drama, Pickle Ball, Gardening, Hiking, Fishing, Cup Stacking and more!

To sign up, or to inquire about discounts, contact Mark Maroon, General Manager, by email at

mark@oakwoodcountryclub.org or call 816-761-5501, ext. 102 kcparent.com march 2020

35

CAMPGUIDE

p m a c r e m m u s f o s t i f eight bene

w

ith the school year quickly concluding and summer right around the corner, camp and camp choices are probably all over the place. How can parents be sure camp is the best solution for both themselves and their kids? Why is summer camp a better alternative than summer school?

Both are great questions. Read further and find some great benefits of sending your child to summer camp.

No technology!

Being away at summer camp provides

Camp builds confidence.

Camp gives your child the opportunity

a tantrum if you just give them the tablet.

Camp forces—I mean allows—your child to be active! Swimming, hiking, archery,

your children the opportunity to be

to be an independent individual. Camp

one with nature. Being away at summer

teaches youngsters they can do anything,

camp also gives kids the independence

and the experience builds a sense of

they need. With cell phones turned off,

solidarity that school simply does not.

no service post nearby and, in most

The pressure to get the best grade and

cases, limited access to the internet,

succeed enough to get the highest

your children can really experience life

paying job is not part of camp, so truly,

think outside the box. Activities aside from

unplugged. Not to mention your data bills

the ability to succeed comes naturally.

the physical include things like arts and

will probably slim down!

Kids don’t have to be successes at camp

crafts, team building, trust exercises, critical

to be successful at camp.

thinking and even building things with the

Camp builds social skills.

Most camps are divided by age groups. With a little planned grouping,

canoeing, fishing—there are plenty of things to do. Real activities!

They can be creative.

Camp activities also can help your child

resources around you, like bird houses. Did

It’s easier to be physical.

Most children in today’s society find

I mention campfire stories and s’mores are always fun to make and share?

your children with be able to bond and

more joy with their phone in their hands

build everlasting friendships with other

and in their isolated rooms with the

kids their own age. Camps have daily

Netflix and Wifi passcodes than they do

programing that gives children the

outside on a beautiful spring day with a

camp is the push for growth. Camp

opportunity to team build, make friends,

jump rope in hand. The harsh reality of

encourages kids to get out of their

learn new things and create wonderful

that statement is that we parents allow it

comfort zones. Camp also, believe it or

memories.

to happen. Sometimes it’s easier to avoid

not, cultivates growth mentally, physically,

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kcparent.com march 2020

Camp cultivates growth.

One of the biggest takeaways from

One of the biggest takeaways from camp is the push for growth.

Camp encourages kids to get out of their comfort zones. emotionally and spiritually. It even

themselves and how they want to be

summer camp, your kids can learn lifelong

benefits financially. As the parent,

treated. Most importantly, it teaches

skills that really set them apart from the

you invest in your kids’ experience at

them how to treat others.

average. The reality of summer camp

camp, and while they’re gone to camp, you may reap savings on school fees,

is that it can impart skills kids wouldn’t

Camp imparts lifelong skills.

activities and food. Food especially.

Campers learn self-reflection, self-esteem and self-respect.

At its longest, the duration of your

otherwise learn—and they’ll have fun actually experiencing it.

child’s camp adventure is 90 days, 12 weeks, three months or one season.

Summer camp is a huge step, and

Let’s give this a little perspective. In

including your child in the decision is

one year there are 365 days, 52 weeks

essential. Summer camp is rich with

what summer camp can bring, summer

and four seasons. A regular school

benefits, and if these payoffs haven’t

camp above all teaches children the

year pulls, at most, three of those

convinced you, I’m sure the s’mores will!

importance of self-reflection. Camp

seasons toward core in-class learning

Run that by your offspring and see who

gives kids new challenges to think about

techniques. Three of those seasons

packs first, them or you.

and conquer daily. Camp also teaches

your child is learning, or at least being

children how important self-esteem is.

taught, the same exact information as

It helps them build confidence within

the child sitting in the next chair over.

Jessica Samuel lives in Kansas City and is

themselves, shape how they treat

In this small amount of time devoted to

a freelance writer and photographer.

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kcparent.com march 2020

39

7 questions to ask when looking for overnight camp

Summer Camp?

Already? It’ll be here before you know it, and believe it or not, it’s not too soon to begin researching what overnight camp(s) your child may want to participate in this year. It’s not as easy as just signing up, though. At least, it shouldn’t be. As a parent, you’ll want to make sure your child will be happy and well cared for in someone else’s charge. In order for this to happen, be sure to do your research ahead of time and ask questions before you hand over your money—or child. Here are some

important things to ask to ensure you find the perfect camp.

1

Is my child ready for overnight camp?

How does your child do at sleepovers with friends? Is he excited about the idea of going away? If your child has reasonable social skills and relates well with others, she will do well at camp.

Once you’re sure your child is ready, look at the basic requirements. Some camps are open to all kids, while others require certain skills or have other

admissions criteria. Math, science and technology camps, in particular, may have prerequisites.

2

How long has the camp been in operation?

Be aware that state licensing requirements vary widely, and in many cases are minimal. Great news if the camp is accredited by the American Camp Association, but remember that some programs are too new or small to get ACA accreditation. And if the camp isn’t the right match for your child’s personality, even an accredited one can be a thumbs-down.

Camp Wood YMCA BeYou. You Be Be BeAdventurous Adventurous Belong Belong Your overnight Y camp in the Flint Hills. From trail rides through the prairie to campouts under the stars, Camp Wood YMCA offers your child the classic summer camp experience you’ve been searching for. Trusted by Kansas City families for over 100 years, we are the only ACA-accredited overnight YMCA Camp in Kansas.

www.campwood.org 620.273.8641 40

kcparent.com march 2020

3

What is the camp philosophy?

What kind of experience do you want your child to have? Will your child get to work in a group, collaborate with other kids and/ or learn how to work with a team? Find out how much flexibility the children will have in making their own schedules, how many activities are available and how much unstructured social time there will be. Only you know what your child will need.

4

What are the qualifications of the director and staff?

Some camps employ high school or college students, while others require college degrees and more experience. Both are fine, but make sure the staff is engaged and interested in interacting with the kids. As for the director, it’s important to know how long that person has been directing the camp and what his or her background is.

The leader-to-child ratio varies depending on the type of camp. ACA accreditation requirements range from 1:5 for overnight

campers who are 4 and 5 years old, to 1:12 for day campers ages 15 to 17.

5

What are their safety procedures?

Make sure the camp does background checks on all employees, has EMTs nearby, staff trained in CPR and first aid and lifeguards if there will be swimming. If transportation is involved, ask about the training and licensing of drivers, how often vehicles are inspected, etc.

6

What is their approach to conflicts that may arise?

Too much unstructured time can sometimes lead to conflicts between campers. Ask the camp director directly how they deal with situations like this, and make sure you’re comfortable with it.

7

What do others say about the camp?

Learn more about the reputation of the camp by checking these three things: its return rate, accreditation status and references. If it’s a good camp, people come back. Ask the director for references. Check out the camp website and online reviews, and you may even visit the physical site.

Happy camping!

Gina Klein is a homeschool mom and author who resides with her two daughters and husband in Kansas City.

Online enrollment open now! | mightycamps.campmanagement.com/info kcparent.com march 2020

41

what i’m doing

O

right

n a cold, dreary morning I found myself in one of those mom funks. You know, the moments when your kids won’t eat any food you offer, and you know you’ve maxed out their screen time for the day. You’re sweeping up dog food they dumped out for the third time. They’re running circles around your kitchen island because you left your iced coffee within reach.

It’s easy for the off days to make you question all of your parenting tactics. And once you start down that path, you get lost in critiquing yourself. At least, that’s what I do. I struggle with solid routines, I’ve given in to unhealthy foods, I’ve bargained instead of saying no to avoid a meltdown, and I’m not always consistent.

But along with all the things I think I do wrong, I must be doing something right. For four whole years, I’ve managed to keep my child healthy and out of danger (even though he licks everything). He’s also pretty cute. I made a list of what (I think) I’m nailing when it comes to parenting, because we all need a boost once in a while. I challenge you to do the same.

what i think i’m doing right: 1. I always keep snacks on hand.

2. If my son is having a meltdown, I sincerely empathize and try to find the source of his frustration or what he is trying to communicate.

3. I keep a change of clothes, extra jacket, a blanket, baby wipes and trash bags in the car for emergencies—you never know!

4. I try to think of fun activities to fill his day since I currently stay at home with him. This can be tricky.

5. I try to incorporate sensory-friendly activities into our mornings.

6. I offer healthy foods at mealtimes (even if he won’t eat them).

7. I’m usually patient.

8. I check to make sure there’s nothing in his mouth that he could choke on before he falls asleep. You know kids—they put EVERYTHING in their mouths.

9. I send him to preschool with his favorite stuffed animal friend.

1 0. One time he drew on the wall, so I signed his name and dated it, because toddler art knows no boundaries.

11. We take deep breaths together.

1 2. I know every song from the Trolls soundtrack (not a parenting requirement, but something I take pride in).

1 3. I hold him and wipe his forehead with a washcloth when he’s throwing up.

14. We go to the pediatrician. We take vitamins. We sing “Baby Shark.”

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kcparent.com march 2020

The truth is, all moms are doing so many right things even when they feel they’re failing. I bet your list would be even longer than this one. A few area moms shared their positive parenting skills, too. Whether it’s that you tell your kids you love them every day, teach them a new skill or comfort them when they’re sick, chances are, you’re doing great.

Let our family take care of your family!

“I’m working on teaching our kids about budgeting and finance,” says Hannah Smith, mom of three. Smith recently purchased a book called How to Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even if You Aren’t) and filled with age-appropriate lessons ranging from investing to saving to budgeting. It’s an important skill she wants to share with them.

Tabitha Anderson, mom of two, showers her sons with unconditional love every day. “I do know that I am giving my boys the most love that I possibly can, whether that be extra kisses, telling them I love them a million times over or special snuggles,” she says.

Kariann Noland believes hugs are the best medicine. “When my children are having a hard time, angry or frustrated, I offer them a hug. It is amazing how fast a hug fixes a problem.”

Megan Haahr is nailing this whole parenting gig as well. “I think everyone doubts themselves sometimes, but when my boys tell each other that they love each other, I figure I have to be doing something right,” she says.

Jennifer Parker, mom of one, sums up parenting life well. “I think one of the things I do right is that when things get stressful and overwhelming, when I feel like work is consuming my family time, when I drop my kiddo off at daycare for 10 hours a day, when I start to feel guilty for literally anything, I tell myself that I’m doing the best I can. My kid is happy and loved, and that’s what matters.”

The next time you feel like your mom skills are lacking, take a breath and reflect on all the positive ways you’ve influenced your babies this week. You’re doing it right.

Emily Morrison is a freelance writer, former copy editor, full-time mommy and Disney fanatic who lives in Independence with her husband, 4-year-old son and two dogs.

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Building stronger families and stronger bonds

Five keys to improving your relationships with the ones you love most

W

e would all love for the relationship we have with our families to grow stronger and deeper with passing time. It seems like a reasonable goal, but it doesn’t just happen on its own. You might have found some of your past efforts didn’t work out so well, or perhaps you don’t know how to go about giving your family dynamic a boost.

Jeremy Brownlee, a father of four who is also the family pastor at Abundant Life Church in Lee’s Summit, suggests five concepts to help create stronger family bonds.

Dedicate intentional time “We live in a time when most of us multitask so frequently, but you can’t multitask parenting well,” Brownlee says.

“Parenting bonds require intentional time.”

Brownlee says making a difference doesn’t require long periods of time. He suggests you can start by scheduling various

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kcparent.com march 2020

sessions of five uninterrupted minutes with your children, and it can be something as simple as walking to the mailbox without distractions. From there, the intentional time can grow.

When local mom Tamra Hoffman and her husband attended a family camp last summer with their two girls, they began to realize the importance of having more intentional time together in order to build a stronger family bond.

“We realized that it’s not just enough to be together, but we need to be intentional with the time and listen to one another, especially us as the parents,” Hoffman says. “We need to be better examples of compassion and understanding for our girls.”

As a result, Hoffman has worked to reduce the amount of screen time in her home and is seeking to spend one-on-one time with each of her daughters. One way she is accomplishing this is by allowing her older daughter to explore cooking in their kitchen.

Create unique experiences Family activities and experiences don’t have to be extravagant or expensive to be meaningful. Brownlee says important experiences can be as simple as serving Popsicles on a fancy tray or having a fast-food picnic. The goal is simply to do something outside the normal pattern of life for your family. It’s these times that your kids will remember and treasure.

Focus on effective communication Our children might not communicate in the same manner we do, and we need to learn how our children best express themselves.

Just like anyone, some children are extroverts and clearly state exactly what they are thinking. Others aren’t initially as vocal with their thoughts and opinions, and it might take some digging on your part to get them to open up. When children communicate differently than you, it requires you to learn to appreciate how they are trying to tell you what’s on their mind.

Seek to achieve understanding In addition to sometimes assuming our kids will communicate in the same way as we do, we also sometimes conclude they will act and think in the same way we do.

In reality, most members of every family think and act differently at times. This often requires asking questions about our children’s thoughts and feelings in order to understand what motivates them. Once you have discovered their perspective, it will give you greater insight into why your children act in certain ways, which in turn can help address problem behaviors when necessary.

Love with sacrifice We can say we love our families, but it’s more meaningful when we take action to prove it to them.

“Outward expression of service to one another drives a deeper bond into our family units,” Brownlee says.

Intentionally performing acts of service, whether large or small, for members of your family is bound to result in increased

appreciation of your relationships. Again, it doesn’t have to be extravagant. Go out of the way to serve your children a special meal at home or help them build something they would like to make. Encourage your children to serve by helping with chores or by giving up something they want to do one evening in order to support a sibling at a concert or event that day.

Of course, in order to accomplish these things and achieve a stronger family bond, we must prioritize our families in the busyness of life and be sure we are placing the value on them that they deserve. That often involves slowing down.

“The biggest problem of struggle is how busy we are culturally,” Brownlee says.

“When everything is important, nothing is important.”

As you seek to dedicate more time, create unique experiences, focus on effective communication, seek to achieve understanding and love with sacrifice, Brownlee also encourages families to seek the value in each member of the family and

build on it. When that happens, everyone in the family will feel stronger and able to contribute more to the world because of the encouragement of the family.

Simple, fun and full of experience Creating unique experiences is a key to stronger families, and here are a few ideas to create meaningful memories.

• Take a drive and explore a new place that isn’t too far from home.

• Cook a unique meal together.

• Go for a hike or bike ride.

• Pack a picnic and find a special place outdoors to enjoy it.

• Make up a family game.

Allison Gibeson is a Lee’s Summit writer and mom, and her favorite way to create unique experiences with her family is to explore new places together.

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helping kids learn to make

e

good decisions

ver looked at your child in bewilderment and asked, “What were you thinking?!” Then you know that kids, especially teens, can make some profoundly poor decisions.

Luckily, we can help them learn smart decision-making skills and manage mistakes— without helicoptering their every move.

Blame biology. “Understand that your kids aren’t just being stupid and emotional about things. The adolescent brain is very uneven. Some parts of the brain are very adult in their structure and function while other parts are very immature,” says pediatric psychologist Stephen Lassen, Ph.D., University of Kansas Health System.

The prefrontal cortex of the brain, which handles decision-making, isn’t fully developed until around the age of 25. Given the number of decisions kids must make as they move into early adulthood—

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kcparent.com march 2020

college, career, relationships—this “makes for a challenging environment for parents,” Lassen says.

While we can’t manipulate biology, we can take steps to nurture thoughtful, independent decision-making.

Give choices from an early age. Prime the decision-making pump beginning in toddlerhood. Offer your child simple choices that you can live with: Would you like to wear the red shirt or the yellow shirt? Would you like to take a bath before or after dinner?

“Giving options like that not only helps them start to think through decisions, make decisions and accept consequences of those decisions, but it also sends the message that kids can do it, which tends to build selfconfidence,” Lassen says.

Offer age-appropriate decisions. You know best what decisions your child is ready for based on past history, development and

personality. But in general, experts say that teens are ready to choose their own friends, their after-school activities, clothing and hairstyles, and the type of summer job they’d like to get.

“Those are totally appropriate decisions for teens to make that don’t have an impact on their safety or potential for significant long-term consequences,” says pediatric psychologist Christina Low Kapalu, Ph.D., Department of Developmental and Behavioral Sciences at Children’s Mercy.

“When decisions do involve their safety or potential for significant long-term consequences, that’s when we want to involve parents’ input.”

Low Kapalu also recommends involving teens in their health care decision-making.

They should be part of the conversation with their health care providers, like participating with you in scheduling their appointments and asking questions about treatment options and side effects.

“If they can’t do that by the time they’re 18, they’re going to really struggle to access medical care,” Low Kapalu says.

Create a supportive framework. Think of how scaffolding supports buildings that are under construction. As the building becomes more secure and able to stand on its own, we remove pieces of the scaffolding.

In the same vein, “scaffolding is gradually removed as kids demonstrate mastery of different skills and the decisionmaking process,” Lassen says. “We’re not directly making all of the decisions for them, but the scaffolding—the structure— is around them to help them grow into this skill of making decisions in a safe, monitored way.”

Establish ground rules. With each new freedom, clearly explain your expectations with the understanding that privileges can be pulled back again.

“It’s a process. The research really shows that authoritative parenting style, which is just setting limits and enforcing the clear limits with lots of warmth and engagement, serves us well in the teenage years,” says therapist Julie Gettings, Kansas City Center for Anxiety Treatment. “If they make a poor decision or if we’ve given them too much freedom, then sometimes we have to pull the rope back a little bit.”

Offer permission with parameters.

“Kids will come to us with a request and we immediately want to say, ‘no, you can’t do that.’ But take a step back, pause and think about ‘what can I be okay with within that request?’” Gettings advises.

For example, maybe your 14-year-old wants to go to the mall with friends. Instead of dismissing the idea, determine who they plan to go with and which adults will handle pickup and drop-off. Set expectations: “I expect you to answer your phone when I call you while you’re there” or “I expect you to check in with me periodically while you are there.”

And, reinforce the positive by consistently praising the wise choices your child makes.

Build confidence. For kids who experience anxiety around decision-making, give them multiple opportunities to make small decisions and praise them for simply making a choice even if you aren’t a fan of the decision. Avoid causing them to second-guess by saying things like, “Are you sure you want to do that?” which can breed further uncertainty.

“The more decisions you make, the more comfortable you are with things maybe not

working out perfectly, maybe even failing,” Lassen says. “But life goes on and as kids repeat that, they come to see that making a bad decision is not the end of the world. And in fact, it can really teach us a lot.”

Wait to be needed. Resist swooping in and rescuing your child from the consequences of their poor decisions. For example, if they forgot their science homework, they’ll have to face the consequence.

“Rushing in too quickly sends the message to kids that they can’t do it, and it tends to push kids away from parents. It promotes dependence, which is the opposite of what we’re trying for as parents,” Lassen says. “We want our kids to be happy and do well, but so much of being a healthy, well-functioning adult is learning from difficult experiences where decisions didn’t go well.”

Reflect on decisions. We all make decisions that we later regret. “Stress to your child that you love them even if you don’t like their decision,” Low Kapalu says.

Rather than harshly interrogating or criticizing your kids, facilitate a thoughtful, logical discussion, which will help them

feel safe coming to you when they make mistakes.

“Unfortunately, we can’t always see our blind spots and teens are no different,” Low Kapalu says. “They may not be aware of their inability to see the long-term consequences or be able to identify all of the possible outcomes because they don’t have the life experience that their parents do.”

Christa Melnyk Hines is a nationally published writer. She lives in Olathe with her husband and their two sons, whose decisions sometimes leave her scratching her head.

DECISION REFLECTIONS

• What are/were my options?

• Pros/cons?

• Do/did I need additional information?

• Which option did I choose? Why? • Given another chance, would I choose differently?

*Remind your teen that drug and alcohol use impairs good judgement.

kcparent.com march 2020

49

CONSIDER TAKING A MULTIGENERATIONAL TRIP THIS YEAR!

New perspectives from grandparents, aunts and uncles will enrich your children’s lives and create lasting bonds for all involved.

W

e all love those photos of our children with us and our parents, or with our sisters and brothers, which are aunts and uncles to our kiddos. It’s fun to see how much we all look alike and who has Grandma’s chin or Grandpa’s nose.

When you take a multigenerational trip together, you will not only have plenty of photos, but memories embedded in everyone’s soul, young and old. Ultimately, these trips bring family members together. This, if you think about it, is better than the traditional scenario of one family member hosting everybody at her home.

Family travel allows everyone to escape that stress of being the host and helps keep the focus on quality time together. Everyone gets to experience the travel in their own way and share unique perspectives with each other.

A true win-win is the built-in babysitter feature of multigenerational travel. When grandparents live far away, or even if they are close and busy schedules keep them away from their grandchildren, they are thrilled to babysit while you have a date night, go scuba diving or just take a walk. Your children will get special time with their beloved grandparents, and you parents will get treasured alone time. Plus, they are truly great caregivers.

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Because they are free from the daily task of parenting, they are inherently soft and kind, with all the time in the world to share with those little humans. And sharing of family history contributes to a sense of grounding and belonging for grandchildren. In our fast-paced and often disconnected world, this belonging will be increasingly important to staying grounded and realistic.

Having different ages participate in the same vacation activity provides new perspectives for everyone. The way your children see an adventure will be enhanced by the way their grandparents or aunt or uncle see it. Different generations can share alternative viewpoints. And with grandparents and relatives being fitter and healthier these days, everyone can visit dream destinations.

Sharing a trip can also stretch your vacation dollars when you combine accommodation costs or use bulk bookings. More people together can mean combined savings. Do make sure you discuss costs and who will pay for what in the beginning of your planning stages. Your university student sister might not have the same budget as you, nor may a parent on a pension. Clear and open communication can help everyone avoid uncomfortable moments or friction. On that note, with all of you getting together for meals,

sleeping arrangements and riding in cars and planes, set boundaries when it comes to communication. Make sure to establish these early on and be flexible with one another.

Consider what the energy level is for everyone each day. For example, who needs a nap and who does not? Younger children will need rest, as do older folks. Keep this in mind so people can plan.

Maybe Grandma needs to sleep at the same time as your 3-year-old and everyone else goes out during that time.

Provide a little privacy for everyone if it is needed. If this is your first foray into traveling together, consider an Airbnb, Vrbo or HomeAway vacation rental home with separate rooms to rest in, or book separate hotel rooms. When you decide to go on a multigenerational trip, a travel agent can be a good source of tips. Many destinations, from ranches to seaside paradises, cater to every age—even the family dog!

An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.

VACATIONS

Multigenerational travel is one of the industry’s fastest growing and hottest trends, and it’s showing no sign of slowing down anytime soon! A retired, healthier— sometimes wealthier—baby boomer generation of grandparents has led to the rapid popularity of multigenerational travel.

According to the Virtuoso Luxe Report, which forecasts travel trends, multigenerational travel was the 2018 top travel trend. Forbes relates that connecting with family through travel was one of 2018’s must-have experiences, which will undoubtedly continue to increase.

Previous research by AARP on multigenerational travel found that 98 percent of travelers who took trips together were highly satisfied, and 85 percent were planning on taking another one in the next 12 months. The benefits to this type of travel are multifaceted. Your perception of traveling with grandparents and family will change for the better!

KCParent.com has TONS of great ideas for your next family vacation!

SOUTH DAKOTA

VISTA VERDE RANCH

DISNEY CRUISE

WISCONSIN DELLS

HAWAII

TAOS

WASHINGTON DC

CHICAGO

Sources: WorldOfTravelsWithKids.com, BabyQuip.com

FIND REVIEWS, PHOTOS, TIPS AND MORE!

Getaways

TWO SPRING BREAK FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

BY KRISTINA LIGHT

Spring break is a great time to travel together as a family. It’s also a great time for a family reunion to invite grandparents or cousins along.

These are two favorite trips grandparents, parents and kids will enjoy experiencing and remembering.

a m a Alab E BEACH,

ORANG E BEACH …

GO TO TH

USS ALABAMA USSAlabama.com Half- to Full-Day Excursion

The Gulf of Mexico is the shortest drive to the ocean for Kansas Citians, and in one long day of driving (or two days) the views and family fun are worth the trek!

A self-guided tour of the WWII-era battleship tells the story of the ship and the crew who lived aboard her. Visitors are able to explore every deck of the 680-foot-long vessel, from living quarters where servicemen slept, ate, groomed and even enjoyed ice cream, to necessities like medical rooms, laundry, sewing, mail, and shoe repair. You also can explore ship operations and warfare history. In addition to the battleship, the museum is home to the WWII submarine USS Drum and an aircraft pavilion. This museum is a great stop en route to the Gulf from Kansas City.

GULF COAST ZOO AlabamaGulfCoastZoo.com Half- to Full-Day Excursion We visited this remarkable zoo on our Gulf Shores trip, and the entire family fell in love with the animals. The standout experience at this zoo is their offering of animal encounters. Families may purchase encounters affordably to tour animal exhibits and interact with them.

Sloths, lemurs, kangaroos and other animals participate in encounters. We participated in the lemur encounter, and it was a highlight of our trip.

Learning about and experiencing the animals in a memorable way is the specialty at this zoo, where you can feed giraffes, watch an alligator feeding swamp show, participate in keeper chats, and learn more about the animals up close and personal.

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NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM NavalAviationMuseum.org Half- to Full-Day Excursion The 350,000-square-foot museum offers free admission and houses more than 150 aircraft from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

Guides offer tours throughout the day telling the history of the aircraft.

A can’t-miss experience is the Virtual Flight Deck, where visitors experience the sights, sounds and sensations of standing on the deck of an aircraft carrier. For a fun photo-op, visitors may sit inside Blue Angel cockpit trainers! Additional fees are charged for simulators and IMAX films.

DOLPHINS DOWN UNDER DolphinsDownUnder.net 1.5-Hour Tour My girls love dolphins, so we took a tour of the Gulf aboard a glass-bottomed boat with Dolphins Down Under. The tour guides educate visitors on the habits of dolphins and help your group watch as the amazing mammals swim and play in their natural habitat. Children get a chance to help pilot the boat on the tour, making this a great family outing.

s a x Te T GO TO

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For families looking for big memories, a trip to Texas is a great getaway! Our family enjoyed an amazing time in the Fort Worth and Dallas areas.

EPIC WATERS EpicWatersGP.com Full-Day Excursion FORT WORTH ZOO FortWorthZoo.org Half- to Full-Day Excursion

FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS FortWorthStockyards.org Full-Day Excursion For a celebration of the state’s rich Western heritage, a day exploring the Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District is a must. Home to the famous longhorn steer, the Cowtown Coliseum, steakhouses, authentic Mexican dining, Western wear shops, souvenir shops, saloons, Billy Bob’s Texas—the world’s largest honkytonk—the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and other entertainment, this scenic district is a family favorite.

Don’t miss the signature event in the district: the twice-daily longhorn cattle drive (FortWorthHerd.com).

Our favorite cowboy experiences, however, were the shows at Cowtown Coliseum (CowtownColiseum.com).

At the rodeo, watch bull riding, tie down roping, team roping, barrel racing, bronc riding and break away roping.

The Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked the fourth best zoo in America by USA Today. The standout favorites were the flamingoes, bears, tigers and zebras. The Texas Wild! area of the zoo was a great place to learn more about the state. This area features a Wild West-style village with a shooting gallery, ice cream shop, animal exhibits, a hands-on museum and a 4D theater presentation on Texas weather and the environment.

BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING’S WESTERN CURRENCY FACILITY MoneyFactory.gov Half-Day Excursion Learn how U.S. currency is printed on a free audio tour along an elevated walkway overlooking the machines and staff who print bank notes.

After the tour, explore two floors of interactive displays sharing history and information about printing money, how counterfeits are caught, how money is preserved and more.

Grand Prairie is about half an hour from Fort Worth and, in true Texas fashion, offers big fun as home to Texas’ largest indoor waterpark. This park, which opened in 2018, is home to 12 incredible waterslides, a lazy river, a FlowRider surf experience, a splash pad and dump bucket for little ones, delicious food and an indoor arcade. Epic Waters lives up to its name as home to the Lasso Loop, America’s tallest indoor aqualoop body slide and the Yellow Jacket Drop, an enclosed water slide.

PEROT MUSEUM PerotMuseum.org Half- to Full-Day Excursion Displays on engineering feature robotics and hands-on exhibits to create your own bridges, towers and designs; exhibits on nature include skeletons, animal displays and geology. The Gems and Minerals Hall houses exquisite samples from around the world, including a show-stopping 5-foot-tall purple geode. Tip: Science City Kansas City members enjoy free admission to this museum.

FOR MORE GREAT SITES TO SEE IN THE AREA AND TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP, VISIT KCPARENT.COM. kcparent.com march 2020

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THE KCPARENT.COM CALENDAR FEATURES OVER 1,000 EVENTS EACH MONTH!

CALENDAR

Spring Open House at Family Tree Nursery

No part of this calendar may be reproduced in print or web format.

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The Coterie presents Puffs! through March 22. See the story of a boy wizard as the sorting hat this time assigns us to the house of Puffs.

TheCoterie.org

Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice presents Dance the Mouse House March 8 at Olathe South High School.

Enjoy a Disney sneak peek show!

MillerMarley.com

Bring the family to the Big 12 Women’s Championship March 12-15 at Municipal Auditorium. The tournament offers thrills and family fun!

SportKC.org/big12wbb

All aboard for fun! On March 14, three new learning exhibits open in Science City. Bring the younger set to the grand opening to learn and play!

UnionStation.org

Head to the Spring Open House at Family Tree Nursery March 21-22 (Overland Park).

Enjoy display gardens, in-store specials, kids activities and more!

FamilyTreeNursery.com

1 Sunday Farmers Market 9:00, the City Market. The market is open year-round and offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries and more. TheCityMarket.org PJ Masks 10:00, Sea Life Aquarium. Help stop the marine mayhem! The nighttime villains are wreaking havoc in the ocean!

VisitSeaLife.com/kansas-city Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org Puffs! 2:00, the Coterie. For seven years, a boy wizard went to a certain school of magic. In this story, the sorting hat assigns us to the house of Puffs. TheCoterie.org

Indoor Play Park 9:00, New Century Fieldhouse. Hop, skip and jump through obstacles, bounce and kick balls, build with blocks and more! 913.826.2850 Parents Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park. Parents are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224

3 Tuesday Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. So many choices and so much fun! Parents supervise children.

Merriam.org/park Girl Scout Cookie Construction Thru March 23, Crown Center Shops. See one-of-a-kind displays made entirely of empty Girl Scout cookie boxes. 816.274.8444

2 Monday

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com

Happy Birthday, Dr Seuss! Take time to read some of your favorite Dr Seuss stories today.

Search “Seuss” on KCParent.com for Seussian inspiration!

Two-for-One Tuesdays 5:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace. After 5:00, pay one full-price admission and receive a second for free. CrownCenter.com

Splash with Me 10:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Kids can swim, play and become more confident in the water at the kiddie pool. 913.477.7100

Teens Draw Caricatures 7:00, MCPL (Liberty).

Learn to draw funny cartoon portraits of your friends and family. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

4 Wednesday Children’s Corner 10:00, Tomahawk Ridge Community Center. Bring the little ones for a fun, free morning of music, storytelling or performances. 913.327.6643 Fairy Tale Village 10:00, Crown Center.

Classic children’s tales come to life. Discover a world of make-believe around every corner.

CrownCenter.com Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Listen to a story and meet a special animal friend. Today’s theme: furry friends. 913.826.2800 Critter Feeding 3:00, Burr Oak Woods. Discover what’s for dinner as you watch the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy a feast.

816.228.3766 Homework Help 4:00, Johnson County Library (Central Resource). Drop by the library and get help from a homework coach. JoCoLibrary.org Family Night 4:00, Lenexa Public Market.

Get a bite to eat and hang out! Enjoy rotating activities like a balloon artist, specialty vendors and more. 913.477.7516

SPRING INTO ACTION / SPRING BREAK SPECTACULAR / MARCH 16 − 20 | 10:30PM − 3:30PM (Theater) MARCH 23 − 27 | 10:30AM − 3:30PM (STEM) Join us weekdays (except Tuesdays) for drop-in workshops during spring break that are designed for all ages and fun for the entire family.

In celebration of T/m’s Parlor Performances exhibit, create your own portable shadow puppet theater from March 16-20.

Then gear up for our May 2020 STEM toys exhibit by trying your hand at engineering challenges from March 23-27.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF TOYS AND MINIATURES OPEN WED – MON 10AM – 4PM (CLOSED TUES) 5235 OAK STREET, KANSAS CITY, MO 64112 816.235.8000 TOYANDMINIATUREMUSEUM.ORG kcparent.com march 2020

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Museum Free Day March 19, Johnson County Museum. Spring break fun! Enjoy the museum with your family for FREE today! JCPRD.com/Museum

5 Thursday Genghis Khan: Bringing the Legend to Life Thru April 24, Union Station. World-class exhibition that explores the world’s greatest conqueror. UnionStation.org Toddler Time 2.0 9:30, Blue Springs Fieldhouse.

Play inside the fieldhouse on mats, scooters, slides, a bounce house and more. $2-$3.

BlueSpringsGov.com Moms Group 9:30, Indian Heights United Methodist Church. While kids play, moms enjoy coffee, support and friendship. Free. 913.649.9040 Majors House 2020 Opening 1:00, Alexander Majors Home. Join the first self-guided tour of 2020! Tours are just $5/person. WornallMajors.org

6 Friday Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air. A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl!

UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

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Spring Open House Today & tomorrow, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Merchants will feature new items for spring.

Enter to win a shopping spree!

DowntownLS.org Open Studio 10:00, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Get creative! A guided project is available, but you are the artist.

Drop-in program. JCPRD.com Preschool Dance Party 10:30, Olathe Public Library. Come shake, shimmy and dance up a storm with favorite children’s songs.

OlatheLibrary.org

7 Saturday

Major League Improv 7:00, Comedy City. A comedy sporting event where everything is based on suggestions from the audience. $9$13. 816.842.2744

National Day of Unplugging 8:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Guests will be invited to put smartphones in sleeping bags and explore nature. OPKansas.org

Stuart Little 7:30, Blue Springs City Theatre. See the endearing classic about a mouse named Stuart Little. BlueSpringsCityTheatre.com

Binoculars Workshop 9:00, Home Depot. With help from parents and store associates, children will create a pair of binoculars. HomeDepot.com

Fort Osage Craft and Vendor Fair 9:00, Fort Osage High School. Shop from more than 75 crafters and vendors. Live auction as well.

816.650.7063 Photo Scavenger Hunt 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Pick up your clue sheet and try to match our photo clues to their locations in the zoo.

KansasCityZoo.org Early Explorations 10:00 or 2:00, Nerman Museum. Learn about Pointillism and make a dot painting. Ages 5-7. Pre-reg at NermanMuseum.org.

The Eastern Bluebird of Missouri 10:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Learn to identify, foster and monitor Missouri’s state bird!

816.759.7300 Spring Craft Show 10:00, Raymore Activity Center. Shop for local products at the second annual Spring Craft Show! 816.322.2791 Hands-On History 11:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life.

Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org Winter Concert 3:30, Olathe East High School.

Enjoy a winter concert featuring the Olathe East orchestra. YouthSymphonyKC.org

W

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Child Development Center ORKSHOP “Where Your Child is Special”

2 weeks to 12 years ChildAges Development Center 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

“Where Your Child Is Special”

Ages 2 weeks to 12 years 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

10% OFF infant room for Two Convenient Locations: Child Development nd & enrollment.

MetcalfCenter Ave 127th &year Antioch first with162 new “Where Your Child is Special” 913.681.2191 913.681.2190 2 weeks to 12 since years FamilyAges Owned and Operated Part-Time Preschool (Ages 1990 3-5) 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

9:00-11:30 or 9:00-3:00 weeworkshopchildcare.com Mother’s Day Out (12 mos-3 years) 9:00-3:00

Two Convenient Locations: 127th & Antioch

162nd & Metcalf Ave

913.681.2190 Two Convenient913.681.2191 Locations:

162nd &and Metcalf Ave 127th & Antioch Family Owned 913.681.2191 913.681.2190 Operated Since 1990 Family Owned and Operated since 1990 weeworkshopchildcare.com weeworkshopchildcare.com kcparent.com march 2020

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Drum Tao 2020 March 20 & 21, Carlsen Center. Explosive, large-scale Japanese drumming, precise choreography and more! JCCC.edu/CarlsenCenter

Danú 8:00, Carlsen Center. Travel on a musical journey to Ireland! A memorable concert experience, just in time for St Patrick’s Day! JCCC.edu/CarlsenCenter

Dance the Mouse House 3:00 & 7:00, Olathe South Performing Arts Center.

Miller Marley dancers perform KC’s Disney sneak peek! MillerMarley.org

8 Sunday

9 Monday

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS

Parents Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park.

Parents are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224

Birdhouse Building Workshop 1:00, Kemper Outdoor Education Center. Build your very own wooden bluebird house. Pre-reg at 816.229.8980.

Fairy Tale Village 10:00, Crown Center.

Classic children’s tales come to life. Discover a world of make-believe around every corner.

CrownCenter.com

Meet the Experts 2:00, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Award-winning writer Bruce Goldfarb will discuss his new book. Prereg at 816.235.8000.

10 Tuesday

Girl Scouts Tea with the League of Women Voters 2:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment.

Pre-reg at ShawneeTown.org.

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com For the Love of Birds 6:30, MCPL (Red Bridge).

Meet birds from around the world and learn why rain forests they live in are important to us.

Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Conservation Families 6:30, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Use hands-on activities to discover this hidden world in the portable cave.

Pre-reg at 816.228.3766.

11 Wednesday Tour Sion Grade School Today & tomorrow, 8:30, Notre Dame de Sion. Schedule a tour time to learn about all Sion has to offer!

NDSion.edu/admissions

Tuesday, March 31

USA to Z

Wednesday, April 15

DOG MAN THE MUSICAL

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Open House 9:00, the Barstow School. Tour the campus, speak with students, faculty, division heads and more! Pre-reg at BarstowSchool.org/open-house-rsvp.

Culture After Dark 5:30, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Date night! Enjoy a variety of cultural and creative learning opportunities.

913.826.2787

Family Bingo Night 6:00, Roeland Park Community Center. Kick off spring break with the family by playing B-I-N-G-O! Pre-reg at 913.826.3160.

Retro Story Time 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Enjoy a story from long ago read by a special guest, plus a craft activity is included!

Pre-reg at 913.831.3359.

13 Friday

Night Owl Jump 8:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park (Overland Park). Special deal! $16.99 for access to all attractions for two hours.

UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

Olathe Live! 10:00, Olathe Community Center.

Sing, dance and play in the band during this high-energy, interactive show. 913.971.8563

12 Thursday Big 12 Women’s Championship Thru Sunday, Municipal Auditorium. The Big 12 Women’s Championship offers thrills and family fun!

SportKC.org/big12wbb Genghis Khan: Bringing the Legend to Life Thru April 24, Union Station. World-class exhibition that explores the world’s greatest conqueror. UnionStation.org

14 Saturday

Dino O’Dell 10:00, Johnson County Museum.

Dino’s interactive songs and tall tales stir the imagination and inspire curiosity.

JCPRD.com/museum

Shamrock Shake-Up 7:00, Gladstone Community Center. An indoor triathlon for everyone from beginners to advanced athletes.

Pre-reg at 816.423.4200.

Queen Nefertari: Eternal Egypt Thru March 29, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Exhibition shows works that present the richness of life in ancient Egypt. Nelson-Atkins.org

Mahaffie Munchie Challenge 9:30, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Make 1860s recipes using unique ingredients on a wood-burning cookstove. Mahaffie.org

Scribble Workshop 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. A child/parent art event with a different theme each month. Dress for mess! 816.513.7741

Grand Opening 10:00, Science City. Three new early learning exhibits open today at Science City! UnionStation.org

Youth Night 5:00 & 7:30, Municipal Auditorium.

Gather your team or your crew and secure discounted tickets for the Women’s Big 12 Championship! SportKC.org/big12wbb

St Patrick’s Day Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. See animals enjoy festive enrichment items and get your picture taken with a leprechaun. KansasCityZoo.org

E ATAT T H E G A r ag e . c o m

Toddle Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring little ones 9 months through 5 years to play on the large assortment of toys. $2. BonnerSprings.org

Puffs! 10:00, Noon & 7:00, the Coterie. A boy wizard went to a certain school of magic. In this story, the sorting hat assigns us to the house of Puffs. TheCoterie.org

free bomb pops for kids games for the whole family

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SIX-STOP TOUR

TREASURE AWAITS IN LEE’S SUMMIT 1. HUNT FOR GOLD

2. SHOP FOR TREASURES

3. PLAY TOGETHER

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Downtown Lee’s Summit’s annual Emerald Isle Parade on March 14 with floats, Irish dancers, musicians and more. Children will enjoy the Pot o’ Gold Coin Hunt, and parents love the pub crawl.

Wear your favorite green outfit and celebrate St. Pat’s with family and friends.

Downtown Lee’s Summit is one of our favorite local shopping districts. Support small businesses and find treasures during their Spring Sidewalk Sale the first weekend of March.

Merchants will feature new items for spring 2020, and customers can also enter to win a downtown shopping spree!

DowntownLS.org

Paradise Park (Paradise-Park.com) is one of our favorite places to enjoy arcades, rock wall climbing, bumper cars, mini-golf, laser tag, escape rooms and more family fun! Every week the Discovery Center offers educational themed activities for little ones. The entire family will enjoy special savings throughout spring break week!

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4. GO RETRO Arcade Alley (ArcadeAlley.com) is a retro arcade in Lee’s Summit with ’80s- and ’90s-style classic arcade games that include pinball machines, Nintendo and ATARI classics, and fun video games you grew up playing.

Guests purchase a wristband for unlimited play. They offer special familyfriendly hours and adults-only hours and serve delicious burgers and salads.

5. ENJOY FRESH AIR

6. INDULGE IN A SWEET TREAT

Celebrate the beginning of spring with a visit to one of Lee’s Summit’s fantastic parks. Lea McKeighan Park is known for its incredible ropes play areas and zip line.

Lowenstein Park offers a beautiful playground, nature trail and butterfly garden. Bryan C. Pottberg Park features a firefighterthemed playground.

Discover more great parks at CityOfLS.net.

A longtime staple in Downtown Lee’s Summit, Poppy’s (PoppysIceCream.com) is known for homemade ice cream, oldfashioned charm and friendly service.

This is the perfect place to enjoy a classic treat with the kids. They even offer dairy-free ice cream for guests with allergies!

Bunny Arrival 10:30, Independence Center. Yard games abound to welcome the bunny. DJ, prizes, giveaways and more!

ShopIndependenceCenter.com

Spring Break Ceramics Camp 9:00, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. From handbuilding to wheel-throwing, explore clay.

Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

Critter Feeding 3:00, Burr Oak Woods. Discover what’s for dinner as you watch the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy a feast.

816.228.3766

Snake Saturday Festival and Parade 10:00, North Kansas City. Family fun area with pony rides, petting zoo, airbrush tattoos and more!

Parade at 11:00. SnakeSaturday.com

Mt Gilead School Day 10:00, Mt Gilead Historic School & Church. Historic interpretation of selected theme, craft and games. $10. Pre-reg at 816.736.8500.

Family Night 4:00, Lenexa Public Market.

Get a bite to eat and hang out! Enjoy rotating activities like a balloon artist, specialty vendors and more. 913.477.7516

Emerald Isle St Patrick’s Day Parade Noon, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Annual parade featuring floats, Irish dancers, musicians and more. DowntownLS.org

Spring Fling Fun 10:00, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Park staff entertain guests with a special program at 10:00 during the break.

913.826.2800

19 Thursday

Signs of Spring Hike 1:00, George Owens Nature Park. Hike at a casual pace and explore emerging wildflowers and nesting hawks.

816.325.7115

Spring Break Spectacular 10:30, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Join during spring break for fun drop-in activities.

816.235.8000

Brookside St Patrick’s Day Warm-Up Parade 2:00, Brookside. Family fun event! Parade starts at 65th & Wornall. BrooksideKC.org

Spring Art Studio Thru Friday, Mill Creek Activity Center. Design and create various two-dimensional works of art! Pre-reg at 913.826.2950.

St Patrick’s Day Parade 5:00, Memorial Park (Belton). Community parade celebrating St Patrick’s Day. Belton.org Major League Improv 7:00, Comedy City. A comedy sporting event where everything is based on suggestions from the audience. $9-$13. 816.842.2744

15 Sunday Arbor Day Poster Contest Thru March 21, Overland Park Arboretum. Come and make a poster with us, or bring one from home.

KansasForests.org St Patrick’s Day Parade 1:00, Downtown Shawnee. Cheer for all the great parade entries and enjoy the variety of activities.

CityOfShawnee.org Children’s Literature Festival Thru Tuesday, University of Central Missouri. Authors and illustrators present to kids and adults. clf.UCMO.edu St Patrick’s Parade 2:00, Martin City. Parade features a mix of floats, dance teams, schools, businesses, car clubs and more. MartinCity.org Winterlude 7:00, Carlsen Center. See performance by trumpet player Nate Nall, featured on the 12th Street Jump program.

JCCC.edu/CarlsenCenter

16 Monday Spring Break Camp Thru Friday, Code Ninjas.

Enroll for Minecraft Modders, where you’ll learn how to make custom content for Minecraft.

KidsCode1.com/camp

17 Tuesday ST. PATRICK’S DAY Shortest and Smallest St Patrick’s Day Parade 9:00, Downtown Blue Springs. The parade route begins on Main and goes across the street. BlueSpringsGov.com Spring Break Cookie Decorating 10:00, Olathe Public Library. Cookies and frosting and sprinkles, oh my! Stop by to decorate cookies.

OlatheLibrary.org St Patrick’s Day Parade 11:00, along Broadway (Kansas City, MO). Come see one of the largest parades in the nation. KCIrishParade.com Leavenworth St Patrick’s Day Parade Noon, Fourth & Walnut. Celebrate all things Irish with the parade. LVIrish.com St Patrick’s Parade & Festival 1:00, Downtown Lawrence. Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a parade and festival!

LawrenceStPatricksDayParade.com

18 Wednesday Spring Break Family Fun 10:00, Union Station.

Spring break fun for the entire family! Visit Science City, the planetarium, Genghis Khan exhibit and more! UnionStation.org Fairy Tale Village 10:00, Crown Center.

Classic children’s tales come to life. Discover a world of make-believe around every corner.

CrownCenter.com

Museum Free Day 9:00, Johnson County Museum. Spring break fun! Enjoy the museum with your family for FREE today!

JCPRD.com/Museum Moms Group 9:30, Indian Heights United Methodist Church. While kids play, moms enjoy coffee, support and friendship. Free.

913.649.9040 Puffs! 10:00 & Noon, the Coterie. A boy wizard went to a certain school of magic. In this story, the sorting hat assigns us to the house of Puffs.

TheCoterie.org PJ Masks 10:00, Sea Life Aquarium. Help stop the marine mayhem! The nighttime villains are wreaking havoc in the ocean!

VisitSeaLife.com/kansas-city Playdate Thursdays 11:00, Independence Center. Each playdate includes a craft and reading from Mid-Continent Public Library.

Free. 816.795.8602 Quartet San Francisco 7:30, Carlsen Center.

Spend the evening with three-time Grammynominated Quartet San Francisco.

JCCC.edu/CarlsenCenter

20 Friday Early Education Preview Day 8:30, Summit Christian Academy. Be our guest and see all that SCA has to offer your child!

Summit-Christian-Academy.org Raspberry Spring Expo Today & tomorrow, the Pavilion at John Knox Village. Handcrafted goods by local artists, along with home décor, lawn and garden ideas. 816.463.3319 Open Studio 10:00, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Get creative! A guided project is available, but you are the artist. Drop-in program. JCPRD.com Junior Jaunts 10:15, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Bring your baby in a stroller or carrier and enjoy an adult-focused, baby-friendly mini museum tour. Nelson-Atkins.org kcparent.com march 2020

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Royals Day March 28-29, Kansas City Zoo. See the animals enjoy enrichment items like t-shirts, cups and rally towels and get a photo with Sluggerrr. KansasCityZoo.org

Fine Art Friday 1:00, Kemper Museum.

Interactive experiences in the galleries encourage students to examine art. Includes tour with docent. KemperArt.org

Mother Nature Reads 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Children hear a story, make a craft and often see a wildlife interpretation. LakesideNatureCenter.org

Drum Tao 2020 Today & tomorrow, Carlsen Center. Explosive, large-scale Japanese drumming, precise choreography and more!

JCCC.edu/CarlsenCenter

Hands-On History 11:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life. Handle Great War artifacts.

TheWorldWar.org

21 Saturday

Planting for Pollinators 11:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Learn how to increase the number of pollinators in your area. ShawneeTown.org

Free Weekend at the Arboretum Today & tomorrow, Overland Park Arboretum. Come and enjoy the Overland Park Arboretum for free!

OPKansas.org

Jack’s Beanstalk Adventure 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. Follow Jack on his classic fairy tale adventure. PuppetryArtsInstitute.org

Spring Open House Today & tomorrow, Family Tree Nursery (Overland Park). Enjoy display gardens and in-store specials. Food trucks, kids activities and more! FamilyTreeNursery.com

Saturday Night Feeder Saturdays, 2:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. Watch the cats being fed, weather permitting. $6-$8. 816.739.0363

Little Acorns 10:00 or 1:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Join volunteer naturalists as they read select books and make a craft.

MDC.mo.gov

The Amazing Family Race 4:00, Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse. Work as a team to complete puzzles, challenges and more. Pre-reg at 913.831.3359.

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22 Sunday Farmers Market 9:00, the City Market. The market is open year-round and offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries and more. TheCityMarket.org Girl Scout Cookie Construction Thru March 23, Crown Center Shops. See one-of-a-kind displays made entirely of empty Girl Scout cookie boxes. 816.274.8444

Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org

23 Monday Indoor Play Park 9:00, New Century Fieldhouse. Hop, skip and jump through obstacles, bounce and kick balls, build with blocks and more! 913.826.2850 Parents Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park.

Parents are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 Splash with Me 10:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Kids can swim, play and become more confident in the water at the kiddie pool. 913.477.7100 Spring Break Spectacular 10:30, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Join during spring break for fun drop-in activities.

816.235.8000

24 Tuesday Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. So many choices and so much fun! Parents supervise children.

Merriam.org/park

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live 6:30, Kauffman Center. This show is filled with music, dancing and wonderful surprises!

KauffmanCenter.org

25 Wednesday Genghis Khan: Bringing the Legend to Life Thru April 24, Union Station. World-class exhibition that explores the world’s greatest conqueror. UnionStation.org

Tech-Free Family Night 6:30, MCPL (Blue Springs South). Put down the phones, tablets and iPads and enjoy books, crafts, games and snacks. MyMCPL.org

26 Thursday Toddle Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring little ones 9 months through 5 years to play on the large assortment of toys. $2.

BonnerSprings.org Insects: The Butterfly Olympics 1:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Enjoy an indoor obstacle course and craft. Pre-reg at 816.228.3766.

Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Listen to a story and meet a special animal friend. Today’s theme: snake surprise. 913.826.2800

Road Trip Adventures Thru March 29, Sprint Center. Hit the road with Mickey Mouse and his pals for a high-octane ride in Disney on Ice. DisneyOnIce.com

Critter Feeding 3:00, Burr Oak Woods. Discover what’s for dinner as you watch the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy a feast.

816.228.3766

27 Friday

Homework Help 4:00, Johnson County Library (Central Resource). Drop by the library and get help from a homework coach.

JoCoLibrary.org

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air. A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl!

UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com Tummy Time 9:30, Indian Creek Library. Try different tummy time stations for Baby with this much-needed developmental activity.

OlatheLibrary.org

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Easter Egg Dive 6:00, the View (Grandview).

Race against others to gather as many eggs as possible in hopes of finding the special egg!

Pre-reg at 816.316.4888.

Friday Food Fest 6:00, Recreation Park (Raymore). Bring on spring with food trucks, live music and family fun at the park!

816.322.2791

28 Saturday Royals Day Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. See the animals enjoy enrichment items like t-shirts, cups and rally towels, and get a photo with Sluggerrr. KansasCityZoo.org Princess Day 10:00, Fairway City Hall. Enjoy activities with princesses, including dancing, singing, making royal crafts and more. Pre-reg at 913.262.0350.

Spring Fling Mart 2020 10:00, Blue Springs South High School. Shop for products that range from apparel and accessories to food and more. 816.224.1315 Hands-On History 11:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life. Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org

Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt 11:00, Fellowship Church (Greenwood). Egg hunts, music, contests and more! FCFamily.org Skate Park Anniversary Noon, Pleasant Valley Skate Park. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pleasant Valley Flow. KCParks.org Snow White Dancing Tea Party 1:00, MillerMarley School of Dance. Tea party for children ages 3-7 years old. Pre-reg at 913.492.0004.

Major League Improv 7:00, Comedy City. A comedy sporting event where everything is based on suggestions from the audience. $9-$13. 816.842.2744

29 Sunday Farmers Market 9:00, the City Market. The market is open year-round and offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries and more. TheCityMarket.org

30 Monday Parents Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park.

Parents are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 Fairy Tale Village 10:00, Crown Center.

Classic children’s tales come to life. Discover a world of make-believe around every corner.

CrownCenter.com

31 Tuesday USA to Z 9:45 & 11:30, Folly Theater. Join Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam as they take audiences on a journey through America. FollyTheater.org Teens at the Library 4:00, MCPL (Colbern Road). Teens, it’s your time to hang at the library. Discover what we’ve planned just for you. MCPL.org

Bunny Photos Noon, Independence Center.

Hop along for your photo with the Easter Bunny on the lower level. ShopIndependenceCenter.com Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org

For a list of Easter egg hunts and bunny sightings all over KC, visit KCParent.com!

Are you tired of the grind?

Ladies, join us for a 1-day seminar and learn to find the grace to deal with difficult situations and the courage to find your divine purpose.

FEATURING:

SARA HAGERTY

In the midst of pain and perplexity, God met Sara when life came to a grinding halt. Author of three books, Sara lives with her husband and their children in Kansas City where she loves long runs on country roads, reading through her overly ambitious book stack, and an early morning mug of chai tea. SaraHagerty.net

SATURDAY, APRIL 18TH

10:00 - 3:00 McAlister’s Catered Lunch Provided $40. Register at SovGraceKC.org and click EVENTS

PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY CHURCH

10113 Lenexa Drive, Lenexa, KS 66215 913.488.7776

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MAR. 20–21

APR. 2

DRUM TAO 2020

The Reminders

Back by popular demand!

Athletic bodies and contemporary costumes combine with explosive, largescale Japanese drumming, precise choreography and innovative visuals.

A rare and remarkable musical duo seamlessly blends soulful sounds and roots music with insightful messages and thoughtful lyrics, creating a global musical experience.

APR. 24

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo Manly feet go en pointe with ballet and modern dance standards. This all-male troupe will delight and amuse with its faithful renditions of Swan Lake, Paquita, Les Sylphides and more.

E N D L E S S VA R I E T Y, M AT C H L E S S TA L E N T !

Tickets start at $25! Build a season package of 5 SHOWS (or more) and save 10%.

jccc.edu/CarlsenCenter | 913-469-4445 FREE PARKING | WINE & BEER AVAILABLE | NO ONLINE FEES

The 31st Annual Jazzoo

A Toast to Tusks June 5, 2020 7:30pm–Midnight Proceeds from the event feed the Zoo’s 1,700 animals for the year, and provide funds for the Zoo’s education programs.

For tickets and more information, visit JazzooKC.org

Go Wild

Kansas City Zoo Open Year Round

March 7 & 8 Photo Scavenger Hunt March 14 & 15 St. Patrick’s Day at the Zoo March 28 & 29 Royals Weekend March 28 & 29 Humboldt Penguin March

Check online for more Zoomazing experiences!

kansascityzoo.org | 816.595.1234 | Open Daily The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.