KC Parent Magazine July 2018

FREE | July 2018 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

summer g uide un f

4 DARING ADVENTURES 4 FAVORITE FAIRS AND FESTIVALS 4 FRUITY SUMMERTIME RECIPES 4 PLAYDATES JUST FOR MOM

SUMMER CAMPS HURRY! ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT. ENROLL TODAY!

DANCE MUSIC THEATRE ART

2018 WINNER

family faves

Try SONGS OF MATILDA or IMPROV CAMP or BROADWAY NOW! musical theatre camp.

Little ones will love our LA PETITE PRINCESS and ME AND MY DOLLY dance camp or performing in WINNIE THE POOH. There is GIRL POWER MUSIC WORKSHOP, MARIMBA and MUSIC THEORY. Have an artist? Enroll them in DRAWING, PAINTING or ROBLOX ART camp.

To enroll in these summer workshops and so many more, visit CULTUREHOUSE.COM

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Free family fun! Toddler to Teen Tuesdays in July, noon–2pm.

Live music, food trucks and a free outdoor movie under the stars.

Free exhibit with trivia and activities featuring our 50 great states.

816-274-8444 | 2450 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64108 | CrownCenter.com |

For our first trick:

Fast ER wait times It’s a magical feeling when your kids get patched up without a long ER wait. And the best part is that our hospitals exceed the national benchmark for treating pediatric emergencies.* At our hospitals, it’s not a magic trick, it’s reality.

Learn more at KCkidsER.com.

Text “ER” to 32222** to view current average ER wait times in your area.

ER CARE FOR KIDS & ADULTS Belton Belton Regional Medical Center I-49 (Hwy 71) & Hwy 58

Kansas City Research Medical Center Hwy 71 & Meyer Blvd.

Independence Centerpoint Medical Center 39th St. & Little Blue Pkwy

ER of Brookside Rockhill Rd. & Holmes Rd.

Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit Medical Center Northeast of Hwy 50 & Todd George Rd. Lexington Lafayette Regional Health Center 15th St. & State St.

Olathe ER of Olathe East of Black Bob Rd. on 135th St. Overland Park Menorah Medical Center 119th St. & Nall Ave.

Overland Park Regional Medical Center • Main ER • Dedicated Pediatric ER I-435 & Quivira Rd. Shawnee ER of Shawnee West of I-35 on Shawnee Mission Pkwy

* According to National Pediatric Readiness ** Message and data rates may apply. For more information visit texterhelp.com.

ER wait times are approximate and provided for informational purposes only. If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

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JULY

2018

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 Media Mix 27 Word from Dad

SUMMER FUN GUIDE, PG. 34

35 Craft Corner

SPECIAL SECTIONS 18 Party Guide

FEATURES

34 Summer Fun Guide 52 Calendar of Events

12

28

46

Screen Time

Setting Goals

Staying Cool

Tips for cutting down on kids’ screen time

Importance of stay-athome moms’ setting goals

Wet and wild ways to stay cool during summer heat Our cover features Julia from Louisburg. Cover and select interior photos by KiaBondurant.com.

FREE | July 2018 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

ON THE COVER

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kcparent.com july 2018

Festivals and Fairs

40

Summertime Fruit Recipes

44

Playdates for Moms

48

Daring KC Adventures

50

summer f un guide

4 DARING ADVENTURES 4 FAVORITE FAIRS AND FESTIVALS 4 FRUITY SUMMERTIME RECIPES 4 PLAYDATES JUST FOR MOM

Non-stop summer fun

CLOSER THAN YOU THINK Hot summer days call for cool summer fun, food and fashion for the whole family. Shop Crazy 8, Carter’s/OshKosh and Justice for serious summer and back-to-school style.

LegendsShopping.com | Follow us

EDITOR’SLETTER JULY 2018

KC Parent is giving away tickets to see the

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 Darrell Dean Advertising@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 CONTENT

Local Contributing Writers Bill Bartlett (Belton), Allison Gibeson (Lee’s Summit), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Christa Melnyk Hines (Olathe), Amy Hundley (Olathe), Megan Kapple (Kansas City), Sara Keenan (Kansas City), Gina Klein (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Regan Lyons (St. Joseph), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Kerrie McLoughlin (Peculiar)

Mailing Address 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS FREE | July 2018 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

kansas city’s #1 travel guide since 2010

baby&

spring/summer 2018

kcgoingplaces.com

maternity

JULY- SEPTEMBER 2018 | KCPARENT.COM

BETTER THAN EVER

the

WHAT’S NEW IN KC

FARM-TO-TABLE DINING FEAST ON TASTY LOCAL DISHES

NATURAL WONDERS

preparing siblings

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

choose your doctor issue

for a new addition

TIPS FOR

summer f un guide

4 DARING ADVENTURES 4 FAVORITE FAIRS AND FESTIVALS 4 FRUITY SUMMERTIME RECIPES 4 PLAYDATES JUST FOR MOM

budgeting

after baby arrives

517

WAYS TO EXPLORE KANSAS CITY

OMG, I’M PREGNANT! NOW WHAT?!?

.com

S

ummer is in full swing! So much fun to be had in my most beloved season! One activity I especially enjoy during the summer is blueberry picking.

Our digital media manager, Kristina Light, got me on it several years ago. At the time, I’d never picked a single berry and didn’t really love blueberries.

After one time picking, I was hooked. The freshly picked berries taste so much better than those purchased at the store, and filling up a bucket full of juicy, ripe berries is such a pleasant way to spend the morning. These days, the girls are typically too busy to join in, and I go by myself! For picking patches, recipes and more, head to KCParent.com. Though you’ll find me outside as often as possible during the summertime, one place you won’t find me is camping in the great outdoors.

But many people love to camp and enjoy a family camping trip. Judy Goppert has some great tips for planning a camping vacay on pg. 38. And, our summer fun guide, starting on pg. 34, is full to the brim of terrific summer fun ideas!

One thing to try to cut down on during the summer (and really anytime) is the amount of time kids spend in front of screens. I still receive plenty of groans when I announce a tech-free or low-screen day in our home, but I think it’s so important to get a break from and to cut down on screen time consumption. Olathe mom Sarah Lyons has some super easy ways to cut down on screen time on pg. 12.

We recently held our 15th Family Faves contest.

Thanks to everyone who nominated and voted for your favorite local businesses! We’re thrilled to announce the winners on pg. 32.

Facebook.com/KansasCityParent Pinterest.com/KCParent @KCParent

Happy Summer, KC!

Member of:

Circulation verified by:

WIZARD OF OZ at Providence Medical Center Amphitheater!

Head to KCParent.com and enter for your chance to win!

Margaret Sarver, Editor

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.

Postmaster, please send changes to KC Parent, 8691 W. 96th St, Ste 1B, Overland Park, KS 66212

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kcparent.com july 2018

KCPARENT.COM

KCParent.com Even More Local Parenting Information, Articles, Events and Giveaways

SEARCH KCPARENT.COM FOR MORE AFFORDABLE FUN IDEAS: 1. Cool Summer Nights 2. Best Burgers 3. Free & Cheap Movie Guide

4. KC Water Fun Guide 5. Great Giveaways 6. 4th of July Fireworks

SPOTLIGHT

SUMMER BUCKET LIST KC is cool all the time, but especially summertime! Enjoy the best of summer with our MEGA FUN Bucket List found at KCParent.com.

Expecting?

7. Coupons for Local Attractions 8. Berry Picking

HOSPITAL LABOR & DELIVERY GUIDE Check out the Virtual Hospital Labor & Delivery Guide at KCParent.com to search hospitals by location, NICU level, classes and more.

Use KC Parent’s virtual Hospital Labor & Delivery Guide to choose

the best medical care for Mother and Baby.

9. FREE Summer Activities 10. KC Adventure Guide

4 MORE WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED

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

kcparent.com july 2018

9

MEDIAMIX

summer campfire stories stories about ghosts, werewolves and adventures hit the shelves this summer

By McGeath Freeman

Misunderstood Shark

Evil Emperor Penguin Strikes Back

By Ame Dyckman

A Werewolf Named Oliver James

Illustrated by Scott Magoon

By Nicholas John Frith

Best for: Ages 7-10

Best for: Ages 3-6

Best for: Ages 4-8

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water… Everyone has heard that saying a time or two. Maybe Bob hasn’t. Bob, the octopus, films a live show from the ocean floor. During one day of filming, Shark appears onscreen and tries to eat a small orange fish. Was Shark caught in the act or did we just misunderstand his actions? Shark claims he was just trying to show the fish his new tooth. Shark claims all of his bad press is just a big misunderstanding.

Dyckman and Magoon bring the characters to life with vibrant color and laugh-out-loud humor. Add playful typography and this tale zips along, keeping young readers happy when reading alone or in a group setting.

What’s good: Filled with humor even young children can understand.

What’s bad: Little children may be upset by how Shark’s natural instinct affects the ending.

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Oliver James is a boy in a diverse community of friends. One night after band practice, he is waiting for the bus with his friends under the full moon. All of a sudden, nobody is around and the bus drives by without stopping. When Oliver looks at his refection he sees a werewolf.

This turns out to be a fun adventure for Oliver James, as he runs through the community pulling pranks and chasing people. The vibrant and energetic illustrations add humor to the already enjoyable content. This is a fun campfire story for younger children.

By Laura Ellen Anderson

The not-too-evil Emperor Penguin wants to take over the world. Number 8 is his bumbling and loveable henchman. Think Captain Underpants, crossed with Despicable Me, crossed with Penguins of Madagascar and you should have a good idea what this graphic novel is like. Cheerfully bright and energetic, Evil Emperor Penguin Strikes Back will have readers turning the pages and looking for more. The goofy humor, including occasional potty jokes, make this book a big hit with young readers. If they want more, go back and read the first book in this series, Evil Emperor Penguin.

What’s good: Stylish illustrations filled

What’s good: Fun, bright and

with humor.

energetic.

What’s bad: Questionable choice in making the character that terrorizes his community have dark skin.

What’s bad: Tried and true formula might get a little boring for avid readers.

Dentistry That Will Make Kids

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Here For Your Family’s Health,

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Make an online reservation today at CentraCareKC.com.

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11

Could you go without screens for a week? Find ideas on how to take a digital detox at KCParent.com.

Set a good example When attempting to limit screen time for your kids, take a look at how much time you spend on screens yourself. Good or bad, our kids learn from our actions and we can set a good example about when it’s appropriate to look at our phone and when it’s time to focus on other things.

Earn it “Screen time checklists need to be completed before kids get their devices,” says Anna Schuster, Olathe mom of five. Many parents find a helpful strategy is to give kids a checklist of items to complete before they are allowed to use their screens. This may include school work, chores, instrument practice or reading time.

Host a playdate One way to cut down on time for screens is to host a no-electronics playdate. With friends over, kids can occupy themselves playing and socializing with their pals.

Get cooking Distract your kids from electronics by keeping them busy in the kitchen. They can help cook and bake and have fun sampling the things they have made themselves.

Explore the city Visit the Kansas City Zoo, Deanna Rose, Union Station, the pool, local parks or the Plaza with your kids. If they are busy exploring our great city, they won’t even miss their screens.

easy ways to cut kids’

T

SCREEN TIME

ablets, smartphones, television and video games play a major role in our daily lives. Technology can be a positive thing, but when it dominates our kids’ free time, we have to begin limiting it. With these easy tips, even reluctant kids may not notice they are cutting down the time they spend with technology.

Step outside The easiest way to cut down on screen time is to play outside. Kids can ride bikes, use sidewalk chalk, take a walk, play catch or play in the sprinkler. When kids are preoccupied outdoors, they are less likely to think about TV or video games.

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Set limits Set clear boundaries for your kids when it comes to electronics. Olathe mom of three Amy Cameron says, “Zero screen time is allowed in the morning before school.” Many other parents don’t allow any phones or television during meals. Setting limits on how much screen time is allowed and at what times of day is a good strategy.

Join extracurricular activities Kids who are busy with sports or the arts have less time to play on electronics because they spend their time practicing and at games and performances.

Do a project Come up with a family project for the day to keep the kids screen-free. This could be a big chore like cleaning up the backyard or something fun like an art project or science experiments.

Play a game Declare a family game day and choose a few board games to play together. You also could try an outdoor game like hopscotch, foursquare or kickball, or break into teams and have a water balloon fight.

Filling our time with screens comes easily because they are enjoyable and take little effort. However, a little bit of planning for some other activities to distract us from our phones and tablets pays off. You’ll create great memories your kids will remember far longer than the video games they’ve played.

Mom of six Sarah Lyons lives in Olathe with her family.

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Take a virtual tour and meet our Doctors Who Deliver.

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NAVIGATING THE

I

s your tween or teen in the popular crowd at school?

As a parent, do you consider being popular an important goal for your child?

Although we all want our kids to have friends and be well liked, pushing them to hang out with specific friends or groups of friends isn’t always the answer. As parents, we have a direct influence on our child’s popularity from the time they’re babies. Not only can our own experiences with popularity dictate how and what we teach our children about social interactions, but genetics also play a role. If you or your spouse are naturally comfortable in social situations, chances are your children are, too, which can make moving up the popularity ladder much easier. However, not everyone is socially comfortable, so making friends with some of the more outgoing kids may not be that easy. This, in turn, puts the quieter bunch farther down the ladder.

The desire to be popular tends to occur as early as elementary school and reaches its peak during adolescence. What you learn at age 14 about who you are and how the world works will affect how you act later in life. The type of popularity that takes us back to the middle school pecking order is related to status, or a person’s visibility, dominance and influence on others.

Unfortunately, one of the quickest ways to gain attention from peers is for kids to act in ways that are aggressive, dominant and powerful. This is how status is formed.

Another type of popularity simply reflects a person’s likability. This is the very first form of popularity that kids experience. Children are always drawn to peers who treat others with respect, who know how to share and cooperate and who make others feel good about themselves.

However, once middle school hits, everything changes.

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Something happens in our brains, and the oxytocin and dopamine take charge. Oxytocin promotes a need to connect and bond with others, while dopamine activates the brain’s pleasure center, providing the high people feel from drugs. In other words, kids get addicted to any type of attention from their peers.

According to researchers, two groups of teens are most at risk for long-term consequences related to their social status. The first is those who experience repeated rejection from their peers. Teens who experience rejection in high school naturally will expect rejection as adults as well.

High-status popularity, though, also carries long-term risk factors with it. Teens whose popularity is grounded solely in status will grow up believing that showing aggression toward others is how to get what they want. They repeat the same patterns from high school. One study followed teens for more than a decade after high school, and the findings showed kids who had the highest status grew up more likely to suffer from relationship problems, addictions, anxiety and depression.

Teens who are less popular but highly likable in high school, however, tend to fare much better in the long run. Likability reflects how much people genuinely want to spend time with us and think we’re kind, friendly and trustworthy. The likable teens grow up having better quality relationships with friends and romantic partners.

They’re more successful in their careers and make more money. Research even has shown that the likable bunch also grow up to become better parents and have more well-adjusted children of their own.

A growing body of research says that it’s not the number of friends you have that is important. Simply having intimate friendships brings about long-term

POPULARITY TRAP benefits, such as higher self-esteem and lower levels of anxiety and depression. In fact, skills needed to be popular can be at odds with those needed for friendship, such as trust and support. Having one or two good friends is enough to protect against loneliness, and it can boost selfesteem as well as increase academic engagement. When students feel a sense of belonging, they don’t have to worry as much about what’s going on socially in the classroom and can focus on their school work instead.

We parents can find it tempting to dismiss our tween/ teen children’s concerns about popularity. We must remember they’re working on figuring out who they are outside of the home, so peer status truly matters to them.

Although not all kids can or want to become popular, they do all need to figure out how they will handle peer status. An important role parents can play is the voice for authenticity, compassion and genuine friendship. How? By asking a lot of good questions that encourage kids to think about values, such as: Is she a good friend?

How does he make you feel?

What do you think the kind thing to do is?

Does she talk nicely about others and treat them well?

Remind your child, too, that popularity and friendship are not at all the same. Popularity is political and about rank. Friendship is personal and about relationship.

Popularity is much more casual, while friendship is a lot more caring.

Giving our children a social experience other than school is also important. Finding avenues outside of school is great for those teens who may be struggling in the brick

and mortar. Help them see all the facets of who they are in a way that’s not tied to school. Are they good at soccer?

Basketball? Dance? Gymnastics? Nurture those interests, and they can lead to some wonderful social connections.

Teaching our kids to spend time learning how to be empathetic, good listeners, likable, caring and connected with others will help them develop good friendships that are genuine and long-lasting. And in the end, our children will learn just how much better off they were not being the most popular teen in school.

Kansas City mom and author Gina Klein found that having a handful of close friends in middle school and high school was the best thing for her. She loves the bonds they formed with each other, and she’s happy to say that they’re all still friends today!

Being the popular kid always comes with costs.

Here are a few you may want to discuss with your child: • Being popular requires pleasing. If you want certain people to keep liking you, you must strive to be nice to them.

• Popularity brings pressure. If you want to belong, you must conform. In other words, you must be like, act like and believe like other members of your group.

• Popularity isn’t always popular. Some people may admire you, but others will envy you, get jealous and want to bring you down.

kcparent.com july 2018

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SPONSORED CONTENT

K

what to buy (and what NOT to buy) for kids at a thrift store

ids grow fast! Shoes you bought just a couple of months ago are snug, and the jeans you got at the start of the season must have shrunk in the wash.

Clothing growing kids is hard to stay on top of and can get expensive. Help your wallet keep up by shopping at a thrift store. They are a great place to buy gently used clothing and shoes, plus they are also a great resource for books, games, movies and toys. Your local Goodwill store is a great spot to find items for kids of all ages.

When thrift store shopping, here are a few tips: n

Shop frequently! Inventory changes daily at thrift stores. You’ll find something new every time you visit.

n

Buy today; it won’t be there tomorrow! Because inventory is changing, if you see a nice coat in the summer that would be a good fit, buy it now and store it away until needed. Keep a list on your phone of items you’ve purchased and stored and items to look out for.

n

Shop off season. As a season ends, people clean out closets and donate. That means at the end of summer, you’ll find a lot of summer pieces for sale. Be prepared to buy in advance to save big.

Although clothes, toys, books and shoes are all great purchases, you should avoid purchasing some things at a thrift store. Due to safety concerns

over cribs, car seats and other baby items, Goodwill will not carry these items, and parents should not buy them at any thrift stores.

Continue the cycle by donating your thrift store finds after your kids have outgrown them. By shopping at and donating to a Goodwill store, you’re not only saving money, but also giving back to the community.

When you shop or donate to Goodwill, sales fund employment programs and services, where local job seekers get the skills and confidence they need to find gainful employment.

To find a donation center near you, visit MoKanGoodwill.org.

Bargain shopping is anything but basic.

Shopping at Goodwill funds programs and services that empower people with different abilities to earn and keep employment. 100% of revenue stays local to support KC! Find the closest Goodwill to shop & donate at MoKanGoodwill.org.

GOOD GOES FURTHER.

TM

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kcparent.com july 2018

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Caring Adults Needed Foster parenting is one of the best ways to help children in crisis In the Kansas City area, there are 4,000 children and teens who have experienced abuse, neglect or other family challenges.

Foster parenting provides a child with a safe, loving environment.

It will also enrich your life with joy and meaning. People from all kinds of life situations can qualify!

We’ll guide you every step of the way by providing: • Free training and ongoing support available 24/7 • A sense of community with other foster parents who share your passion • Assistance finding local resources • A fun weekend away at our Resource Family Conference, which provides a fantastic learning experience for parents and children • And of course, monthly reimbursement to meet the child’s needs plus assistance with back-to-school supplies and holiday gifts.

Contact us to learn more. (888) 655-5500 | www.kvckansas.org We offer FREE training classes and support you every step of the way. kcparent.com july 2018

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party guide

the no-gift birthday party

C

hances are your kid will attend dozens of birthday parties over the course of the next few years. At even $10 a pop for a gift, that can really add up. Now

think of all the gifts that come into your own home for birthdays and other holidays. Picture at least half of that stuff eventually going into a landfill or to charity. Talk about a bunch of wasted money! So I’m proposing a radical idea: the no-gift birthday party. You’ll have a lot less cleanup, and the other parents just might thank you. Try it just once and see what you think!

Here are some ideas:

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Instead of giving your child a birthday gift or even a party, consider giving an experience. Ideas include a trip

to an indoor or outdoor amusement park, the zoo or water park.

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For very young children, consider giving just one fun gift from you and ask everyone else to gift money for a savings account. I know my babies were too young to care about gifts, but they sure are proud of the money they already have saved for their future.

3

Ask guests to bring canned goods for a local food bank to the party. After cake, depending on the ages of the

kids, caravan to the food bank so the kids and adults can help out for a couple of hours.

4

Cook up some fun at a place where kids can cook.

5

Have a party at a cool place like a nature center and ask for donations. Jaime Perreca, mom of four, says, “More

Businesses like this often offer birthday parties where kids can make their own pizzas or decorate their own little cakes.

parents are saying ‘no gifts, please’ or are doing a donation thing. We went to a party last month at a nature center and were asked to donate money. Most families put in $10-20. The nature center was SO happy to have our donation.”

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Go to a shop where the kids can paint their own pottery creation, which is super fun. Then have cake

7

Throw a party with an animal theme. Shari Fresorger,

8

Ask guests to bring an item from home or even a new book or toy for charity. Your child will get a kick out of

and ice cream bars. mom of Hunter, says, “We have done two no-gift parties because my son has a December birthday. [At the first] we did animal-themed Christmas ornaments, and gifts were donated to the local animal shelter. The second party, I ended up with a large SUV packed with supplies for the animal shelter. Lots of large bags of dog food, blankets, toys and even checks to be donated in my son’s name.”

taking donations to a local center that helps those in need.

If you do it right, nobody will be thinking about presents at all.

They’ll be too busy having fun!

Kerrie McLoughlin is the mom of five. Check out her adventures at TheKerrieShow.com.

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for your guide to throwing an unforgettable party in kc! kcparent.com july 2018

21

s r g n e da OF VAPING

Many manufacturers are putting whatever they want in (the solutions), including potentially harmful chemicals.

J

ust as cigarette smoking drops to its lowest level in years, e-cigarette use, a.k.a. “vaping,” is exploding among middle and high school students. Teens may blow off the trend as harmless, but experts think otherwise.

“It’s important to understand that this is a drug delivery system.

In some ways, calling it ‘vaping’ almost makes it sound benign and not dangerous,” says medical toxicologist Dr. Stephen Thornton, an emergency room physician and medical director of the University of Kansas Health System Poison Control Center.

What are e-cigarettes? Initially marketed as smoking cessation devices, e-cigarettes are electronic nicotine delivery systems that use lithium-ion battery operated devices to heat up and vaporize a flavored, liquid solution called e-juice. The user then inhales the vaporized solution.

What’s in the e-juice? The e-juice usually contains nicotine extract, which is mixed with propylene glycol (typically used in inhalers), and flavorings, like mint, Fruit Loops, gummy bears and passion fruit.

Because solutions currently aren’t regulated by the FDA, buyers have no way of knowing how much nicotine is in a product, including those that claim to contain zero nicotine.

“Right now many manufacturers are putting whatever they want in it, including potentially harmful chemicals,” says Jamie Katz, prevention coordinator, Johnson County Mental Health.

What are the risks? Chemicals found in e-cigarette vapor include aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein and acetone); diacetyl, a highly toxic chemical linked to lung disease; volatile organic compounds found in car exhaust; and heavy metals like nickel, lead and chromium.

“Unfortunately, we still need more time to know exactly what kind of short- or long-term problems you’re going to get from

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exposure to these chemicals,” Thornton says. “Some products are probably safe if you eat or drink them, but once you start inhaling them into the lungs and you start vaporizing them, it changes the dynamics.”

In the short term, users may be more prone to viral infections in the lungs and asthmatic types of reactions. Hospitals are also treating more people with traumatic injuries related to the devices’ exploding in their faces or in their pockets.

“I don’t think people appreciate how much power is in the devices in order to get the heat that vaporizes the solution,” Thornton says. “If you think about it, you’re holding up a grenade to your face, and if it goes off, that’s going to be a very bad story.”

What’s the appeal? According to Katz, kids think vaping is cool, healthier than smoking cigarettes and a stress reliever.

Leaving no odors other than a light, fruity scent, e-cigarettes are easy to conceal in a pocket or purse. They often resemble pens or USB flash drives, like JUUL, which is especially popular among kids.

Then, there’s the celebrity effect. “An adolescent sees celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Katherine Heigl using these products openly in public and there’s that diminished sense that it’s a harmful product,” says Kevin Kufeldt, program manager, Adolescent Center for Treatment, Johnson County Mental Health.

Vape “cloud chasing” competitions featured online, in which people blow clouds and do tricks with e-cigarettes, add to the attraction.

Creating a new generation of addicts? Tantalizing candy flavored solutions and labels like Unicorn Milk, Cotton Candy and Zombie Juice target e-cig users, and many experts believe that e-cig marketers are specifically targeting kids.

“I doubt there’s a 45-year-old guy out there who says, ‘Man, I really need to have my spearmint bubble gum vape today,’” Thornton says.

A JUUL pod contains 59 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid, which the manufacturer says is equivalent to the amount of nicotine in a pack of cigarettes.

“On a milligram per milligram basis, nicotine is 10 times more potent than heroin,” Kufeldt says. “Kids will tell me they think they actually smoke more with e-cigarettes than with a traditional cigarette because they can use more often throughout the day.”

Research suggests that teens who vape are more likely to smoke cigarettes later. Many users also vape substances like synthetic cannabinoids, fentanyl, Xanax and marijuana.

Talk to your kids. Promote a healthy lifestyle, discuss the harmful effects of addictive substances on the body and talk about healthier ways to manage stress.

“Parents can influence their kids’ decision to vape,” Katz says. “Talk to your children about your expectations and why you don’t want them to use e-cigarettes. You can expect them to live tobacco free.”

Christa Melnyk Hines is a nationally published freelance journalist and author. She resides in Olathe with her husband and two sons. Her latest book is Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.

Globally, which two drugs claim the most lives?

A. Heroin B. Opium C. Alcohol D. Nicotine

Answers: C and D

What is the average age kids first try addictive substances?

A. 16 B. 13 C. 8 D. 12

Answer: D

The legal age to purchase e-cigs is 21.

How are kids obtaining the products?

A. Friends B. Online C. Parents D. All of the above

Answer: D

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23

parenting by the numbers Sometimes when you’re parenting you just don’t have all the answers, and nothing makes sense and things don’t add up. Here I present to you some parenting word problems, and I’m curious to see your answers. No cheating off the parent next to you! Come up with your own solutions, please.

Mom spends $123 at Aldi, $132 at Price Chopper and $21 at Hy-Vee on grocery shopping for two weeks of eating. How much faster did the grocery shopping get done without children?

If the household runs the dishwasher twice a day and the washing machine once a day for one month straight, how many hours will Mom have to work to make money for a maid service? How old will the kids be when they will clean the house while Mom eats her bon bons in the tub?

Calculate the distance between your house and the nearest Starbucks. The nearest book store. The nearest chocolate shop. Now figure how much it will cost for Uber to take you to all three.

Better yet, when will Starbucks join Ubereats?

If two kids raise their hands to go here and three raise their hands to go there, how many tears are shed by the ones who do not get to go where they want?

Mom spent five hours scraping wallpaper in the kitchen. She spent two hours washing and sanding one wall in the same kitchen. How long will it be before she stops procrastinating putting on the spackle? When she DOES spackle the joint, how badly will she mess it up, and how long will it take her husband to fix it?

A stroller travels at a speed of 2 mph when it is empty. How fast does it travel when it is holding the sixth child (a.k.a. the Toshiba laptop) and backpack with a cell phone in it? With how much force did it hit the park lake last week?

Why in the world is there not a brake on the stroller? (don’t worry; no kids were in the stroller!)

If X, Y and Z activities are all going on at the same time in the same week, each week, calculate the trajectory of exactly when and where Mom will lose her mind.

If a vacuum cleaner is around 70 decibels, and you have to vacuum four times a week to make your house look halfway decent because you have twin toddlers running around with crackers all day long, how long will you have to save to hire a maid service? Bonus: Calculate the shock and horror on the face of said maid when he/she arrives.

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The kids made $35 at a recent garage sale during two days of the adults’ doing hard work and sitting around waiting for customers.

The adults made about $25.

Why do we keep having garage sales?

Kerrie McLoughlin is a homeschooling mom of five who just moved from Overland Park to 8 acres in Peculiar, MO, and writes about it at TheKerrieShow.com.

SUMMER2018

kcparent.com july 2018

25

tips to support a

spirited child

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Managed well, intensity allows spirited children a depth and delight of emotion rarely experienced by others.

orried your child’s Academy Award-worthy outbursts might earn her the tiara for neighborhood drama queen? Both boys and girls go through phases where they struggle with controlling their emotions.

Mindful parenting techniques can help a child who is emotionally intense by nature learn boundaries without repressing her feisty personality.

In her book Raising Your Spirited Child, author Mary Sheedy Kurcinka says intensity “is the invisible punch that makes every response of the spirited child immediate and strong. Managed well, intensity allows spirited children a depth and delight of emotion rarely experienced by others.”

Find happy mediums. An overly-sensitive child may imagine worst-case scenarios or inflate situations with friends. Point out when she may be overreacting to a situation. Also, make her aware when her fears aren’t realized. “You were so upset and worried about the math test, but because of your hard work and persistence, you aced it.”

Artful exuberance. The performing arts provide an appropriate outlet for dramatic children to exercise their expressive personalities. And relax if your child wants to wear yellow leggings and a bright blue, polka-dotted sweater paired with purple snow boots. As long as she makes choices with respect to your family’s values and the school dress code, her non-conformist fashion sense is a harmless outlet for her creativity.

Playful expression. Create space each day for your child to engage in unstructured activities that he enjoys, like building with Legos, coloring, painting, Minecraft or making up games and stories. Through play, he can decompress, engage his imagination and process feelings.

Teach resilience. Acknowledge your child’s feelings but avoid overreacting.

Listen, empathize and ask your child how she could solve the problem. If there’s no real solution, rather than feeding the drama by over-sympathizing with your child, calmly respond “Oh well. That happens sometimes.”

Soothing time alone. A calendar crammed with too many activities and playdates can set up any child for meltdowns. Set aside 30 minutes or more of quiet time during the day for reading, playing alone or engaging in a creative endeavor.

If your child has trouble starting off on a project on his own, put together an “Imagination Bucket” filled with art supplies, textured materials like play-dough, pipe cleaners, puffy stickers or ribbons.

Tap positive media. Read books, watch movies and TV shows and attend live performances together that feature children who may be dramatic in nature but don’t act like divas. Check out Olivia by Ian Falconer, a popular young children’s book series about a pig with a penchant for drama. Bahar recommends Disney films that “encourage the innocence of life” such as Miracle on 34th Street, E.T. and Fantasia.

Accept your child’s individuality. Understand that your child may just need to process his or her feelings in a more intense way.

“Keep tissues on hand and don’t shame them for using them,” says one mom of a dramatic 10-year-old. “Don’t let other people shame them either. Accept more frequent tears as part of who they are, and crying won’t become problematic. My daughter always feels better after she cries. She processes her feelings faster than anyone I know!”

Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two exuberant, sometimes melodramatic, boys. Christa and her family reside in Olathe.

WORDFROMDAD

t

sheet lightning

wo things struck me about the air conditioning of my youth: expensive and rare. With air conditioning beyond our means, we used electric fans or outdoor air to escape the heat. After my parents had finished their evening chores, they’d head outside and relax in the comfort of the cool evening on our patio.

When the TV showed nothing that kept my interest, I fled the house and joined my parents, where I sat quietly and listened in the dark.

Mom spoke of the summer heat when she was young in the Kansas City West Bottoms. Entire families abandoned their homes for the night. At dusk, they carried their bedding and climbed the hill to Penn Valley Park. Once there, they enjoyed a good night’s sleep in the gentle breezes that tickled the hilltop.

Sometimes, they’d talk about The War. Dad lied about his age to get into the service and went swimming twice when his ship was shot out from under him. He carried scars, both physical and mental, but held no animosity toward the Japanese people.

I saw a flash cover the horizon and turned to Mom. “What was that?”

“Sheet lightning.” Her voice carried, soft and gentle. “Sometimes, you can see it in the summer.”

Beginning that night, the phenomenon captivated me. No sounds, no rumble of distant thunder, just a flash of light, barely visible along the horizon.

Years later, the Air Force taught me that this wasn’t some peculiar type of lightning.

Rather, it was a gift from Colorado where thunderstorms grew in the Rocky Mountains, then headed east to drop their burden of rain onto the dry Kansas prairie.

Without the sun’s heat to fuel them, they’d peter out and die long before they reached us, but we still received their greeting. Sheet lightning.

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William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family. kcparent.com july 2018

27

setting goals AS A SAHM ARE YOU A NEW STAY-AT-HOME MOM? HEAD TO KCPARENT.COM FOR TIPS ON SURVIVING THE FIRST YEAR AS A SAHM.

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kcparent.com july 2018

t

he life of a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) is a fortunate stage of life.

We are able to stay home and take care of our littles and see them 24/7.

However, as all kinds of parents know, becoming a parent tends to change your identity in a very big way. As a SAHM, once you get into a rhythm of caring for the little people you’re home with, things can become a bit tedious—maybe even feel a bit like Groundhog Day over and over again. This is where goal setting can be a wonderful thing to help you fight for your own identity in the midst of parenthood in general, but especially being a SAHM.

Goals can help to add some rhyme, reason and organization to your days. Jen Armstrong, mother of two, says, “I like to set goals, and this year I did a vision board of sorts at the start of 2018. I reflected on each of my roles (mom, wife, homemaker, teacher, etc.) and wrote out my goals. I posted this in a place I can take a peek at every day.”

One set of goals could be directed at being the best mother you can be while you’re in this season. Examples could be to make time to actually play with your children for a set amount of time each day.

You could strive to do a learning activity or craft each day together. Another goal might be to feed your children healthy foods and make homemade meals as frequently as possible. Perhaps, if you’re like me, you’ve looked into the Orange Rhino Challenge at TheOrangeRhino.com, where you set a goal to not yell at your kids as much. I have been known to keep a tally on my bathroom mirror for how many days I haven’t yelled at my kids. Once my husband even challenged me, and I earned a fun cash reward!

Other helpful goals for SAHMs are directed more at self-care, which honestly is great for all parents to consider. Goals may include to get eight hours of sleep every night instead of burning the candle on both ends, as many of us do. You could have a hydration goal, trying to drink 64 ounces of water each day or simply replacing one drink with water during the day. That heads into nutrition, so perhaps you set a goal to eat less sugar and more produce or track your calories using an app such as MyFitnessPal. Along with hydration and nutrition, perhaps you will set some fitness goals for yourself. Maybe you finally will join a gym, commit to walking each night with your family or a neighbor friend or bravely sign up for a race you’ve never done before. I had a group of friends do a 30-day push-up challenge with me where we kept each other accountable via text each day. Meredith Barreth, Overland Park mother of three, says, “For many years I didn’t have goals.

It was like survival mode, but then I had an awakening. I started setting goals and meaning it. I started asking myself what I wanted my life to truly look like and identify areas I needed to grow in. Putting action

behind that and surrounding myself with others that are being intentional too has made all the difference.”

Other goals may be more relationally focused. Perhaps you’ll set a goal to go on a date with your spouse twice a month, and maybe that means setting a monthly budget to ensure it happens. Perhaps you will make a goal to get together with friends more frequently or simply stay in touch more on the phone. Another goal could be getting back into attending church or joining a small group to connect with others in your stage of life.

Sometimes, we need a new challenge.

Another goal could be trying a new hobby or taking a new class for fun at the local community college. You could join or start a book club or set a personal reading challenge for yourself to read 30 books this year. Maybe you finally organize all of your digital photos and create books for your family. You might attempt one new recipe each week or create and stick to a cleaning schedule. Cleaning schedules help me when I’m feeling overwhelmed by housework,

W

prompting me to do just a couple of tasks each day rather than everything all at once. Another idea could be to simply get up in the morning before your kids and get dressed and ready for the day to feel more like yourself and possibly be more productive.

As Jessica Howard, Normal, IL, mother of eight, says, “Setting goals gives us a chance to be proud of ourselves, like a silent pat on the back, and it feels good to know you accomplished something, no matter how small the goal. A mama with a newborn might have the simple goal of getting a five-minute shower. A mama of many (talking about myself here) might have a goal to stay fit and make time for herself by going to the gym. A mama with kids getting ready to leave the nest for kindergarten might have a goal of going back to school herself. I like having both daily goals and long-term goals.”

Lori Tate, Bloomington, IL, mother of three, agrees with Howard and adds, “I also set my goals to be easily attainable when I have babies and I’m in the no-sleep,

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Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 8, Mason, 6, and Slade, 3, and enjoys challenging herself to new goals each year. You can read more at LettersFromTheLouxes.com.

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constantly-nursing-a-baby stage. I find I need small successes then. Once they get a little older, my goals evolve.”

We all know we have days when we rejoice the kids are still alive and everyone has made it to bedtime. Missy Landis, Olathe mother of two, says, “I try and set goals as a way of being proactive and planning ahead. It also gives me something to work towards to have a sense of accomplishment, as there are days when just having gotten in the shower and completing a load of laundry make me feel good.”

At the end of the day, goal setting helps with identity and having more to talk about to other adults than what your baby does all day. Meeting goals makes me feel more interesting, and I want my kids to know who their mom is and what she enjoys other than just caring for them.

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things i’ve learned from

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living abroad as a family

e’re moving to Germany for a year.” As we dropped this news on family, friends and coworkers last fall, the reactions fell into a pattern. First, there was shock. The logistical challenge of packing, renting our house out, traveling to Europe, finding schools and a house, etc. was the first thing everyone thought of. And, admittedly, when we were first presented with the job opportunity that is allowing us to do this, it was overwhelming for us, too. But, after that shock wore off, most people’s next statement was, “Wow! I would love to be able to do that!”

The idea of a family “gap year” is exciting and romantic; of course it sounds fun to travel the world as a family and see what it’s like to live in a different nation. But what’s it like in reality? We are only four months into our year, but so far it’s been everything we’d hoped for and more—with plenty of practical and life lessons. Here are a few of the most important things we’ve learned so far:

It’s worth it. You all know this already, but Europe is simply amazing. Having the ability to drive for an hour and be in another nation, speaking another language and wandering through history is not something I will ever tire of. Showing our kids these beautiful and important sights in person is something for which we are truly grateful

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and we are making the most of this time.

We know how lucky we are and we’re not squandering this opportunity!

Humility is required. I am a person who likes to plan out everything carefully, always know what’s going on and figure things out for myself. Living in another nation has cured me of that. You simply must go with the flow, wander into the unfamiliar without a plan and learn to ask for help. Even a trip to the grocery store can be humiliating when you can’t read the signage, speak to the cashier or understand how the shopping carts work. But if you take the time to ask for help, you most often will be greeted with a friendly word and a smile.

Make an effort to fit in. Trying out

a different way of life is part of the reason we came here, so learning German, eating German foods and attending German events is required. Sometimes putting ourselves out there and trying to use the language and enjoy local customs is hard. I just had a conversation in German with our landlord and accidentally ended it with, “You’re welcome!” where a “Thank you!” or “Have a nice day!” would have been appropriate. But, I could tell that she appreciated that I was trying to speak German to her when at first I could do nothing but gesture or depend on Google Translate.

We have more in common than not. While we travel Europe and experience so many new and different things, one thing that stands out to me is that we all have more in common than you think. Yes, we speak different languages, enjoy different foods and spend time differently, but in the end, we are all humans trying to enjoy life with people we love. And that looks very much the same at the end of the day. Our kids often play with other kids who don’t speak English because soccer is soccer (or futball is futball!), and kids are kids. I am glad my children get to see the world is a big place that seems so different, but really we are all part of one big family.

We can learn from other cultures.

I am trying to absorb the little things about Germany and the other nations we visit so I can carry them with me when we return home. Some of my favorite customs that I want to bring home include the Danish art of hygge (which is pronounced “hoo-gah” and is an appreciation of all things cozy), the French custom of lingering in a cafe over a cup of coffee or glass of wine, the German appreciation for a long walk in the woods (volksmarch) and love of festivals, and the Italian love for a long leisurely meal. See a theme here? In my experience, life moves a bit slower here, which gives you time to enjoy

it and appreciate the things around you and the people you are sharing them with.

It’s important to celebrate everything. When every day is an

adventure (challenge), you must celebrate every victory, even (especially) the small ones! I can’t tell you how many times we’ve used the words “We did it!” with a high five here. Figure out how to plug in your hair dryer? You did it! Remember to bring money for the toilets on a road trip? We did it! Learn how to order coffee? I did it!

Successful trip to Ikea? We did it!! Talk to a German neighbor? Yep, we did it!

Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. We knew we’d miss

our friends, we knew we’d miss our family.

But we really didn’t know how much until we were here for a few months. And the list of things we miss grows longer by the day. Sometimes we long for little things like shopping at Target, Betty Rae’s Ice Cream, free water at restaurants and reliable phone service. And often we talk of the big things we miss, like our friends and family, our neighborhood, the kids’ school, Royals

baseball...we just miss so much about Kansas City. And thankfully we know we’re going to be back after a year, so it’s not so painful. But I find acknowledging the homesickness— both mine and the kids’—is important. It’s okay to be sad and miss your friends. It’s okay to have a little cry sometimes. For each thing we miss, we try to think of something that we’ve discovered or experienced here that we will miss when we’re back in KC, and then it doesn’t hurt so much.

Kids are resilient. While our children are learning about history, language and culture, they are also learning life lessons that will last. The reality of moving to another nation is that not every moment is sunshine and rainbows. A family will feel a lot of discomfort, boredom, uncertainty and confusion. We make mistakes on a regular basis. Homesickness is very real and can hit you out of nowhere. We all miss our friends and struggle with forming new relationships. But through it all, we are learning. Learning that randomly pointing to something on a menu can lead to a new favorite food. That taking a wrong turn can

lead to a beautiful view. That being bored can lead to trying new activities or making new friends. And learning to appreciate how far a kind word or a smile goes when you need it. And finally, learning that we can do hard things and that taking a risk leads to great rewards.

You can do it! I think my friend from Nebraska, Staci Cunningham, who is living in Stockholm with her husband and kids for 10 months, says it best: “Lots of my friends have said, ‘I could never do that!’ But the truth is, if the job opportunity presents itself, anyone COULD do this. Different personality types will struggle with different stresses in taking their families abroad, but it’s totally doable. You take it one step at a time, and in the end, despite a lot of stress along the way, you’ve given your family a tremendous experience that was totally worth it!”

Sara Keenan is loving life with her family in Germany, but at the end of 2018 she will click her heels and say, “There’s no place like Brookside!”

kcparent.com july 2018

31

KC PARENT FAMILY 2018 WINNER

family faves After tabulating thousands of votes, we are pleased to announce each business that has been chosen as a KC Parent Family Favorite 2018!

Winners are listed in alphabetical order. There are multiple winners in each category.

MEDICAL CATEGORIES Favorite OB/GYN Practice Johnson County OB/GYN Specialists in Women’s Care Women’s Health Associates

Favorite Pediatrician Practice Pediatric Care North Premier Pediatrics Priority Care Pediatrics

Favorite Dental Practice Jenkins & LeBlanc Pediatric Dental Specialists Starting Point Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Favorite Orthodontist Burleson Orthodontics Fry Orthodontic Specialists Hansen Orthodontic Specialists

Favorite Place to Have a Baby-MO Centerpoint Medical Center Saint Luke’s North Hospital-Barry Road

Favorite Place to Have a Baby-KS Olathe Medical Center Overland Park Regional Medical Center

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kcparent.com july 2018

Favorite Emergency Room/Urgent Care Centra Care-Shawnee Mission Urgent Care Children’s Mercy Hospital OPRMC Pediatric ER

KANSAS CITY AREA ATTRACTIONS Favorite Animal Attraction Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead Kansas City Zoo Sea Life Aquarium

Favorite Garden and/or Nature Center Kauffman Memorial Garden Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Powell Gardens

Favorite Museum National Museum of Toys and Miniatures National World War I Museum and Memorial Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Favorite Live Show The Coterie Johnson County Community College Carlsen Center Starlight Theatre

Favorite Festivals & Fairs Celebration at the Station Jazzoo Old Shawnee Days

FAVORITES 2018 Favorite FREE Attraction

Favorite Gymnastics

Crown Center Seasonal Exhibits KC Streetcar Mahaffie Summer Family Nights

The Gage Center Integrity Gymnastics McCracken Gymnastics and Swim School

Best-Kept Secret

Favorite Drama/Theater

Berkley Riverfront Park Richard Petty Driving Experience Shoal Creek Living History Museum

Christian Youth Theatre The Culture House Kansas City Young Audiences

Favorite NEW Place in KC

Favorite Educational Enrichment

Lenexa Public Market Variety KC Exploration Play Weston Orchard & Vineyard

Code Ninjas Mathnasium Sylvan Learning Centers

Favorite Outdoor Family Destination

Favorite Martial Arts

Kansas City Zoo Theatre in the Park Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun

AKKA Karate Kids 2 Leaders Martial Arts Tiger Rock Martial Arts

Favorite Indoor Family Destination

Favorite Swim Lessons

Legoland Discovery Center/Sea Life Paradise Park Science City

Emler Swim School Jewish Community Center Midwest Aquatics Swim & Scuba

Favorite Place to have a Birthday Party Paint, Glaze & Fire Paradise Park Urban Air

Favorite Party That Comes to You Movies2U Princess at My Party Sister Act Face Painting

Favorite Shopping District Legends Outlets Oak Park Mall Summit Fair

Favorite Moms Night Out Ceramic Café Holy-Field Winery West Bottoms

FAMILY DINING Favorite Pizza Place Minsky’s Pie Five Spin Pizza

Favorite Kid-Friendly Restaurant BRGR Fritz’s Zaxby’s

Favorite Ice Cream/Frozen Treat Shop Betty Rae’s Ice Cream Freezing Moo Sheridan’s

Favorite Grocery Store

PROGRAMS & CLASSES

Hen House Hy-Vee Price Chopper

Favorite Dance

Favorite Date Night

The Culture House Kansas City Ballet School Miller Marley

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Blade & Timber The Roasterie

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GUIDE table of contents 35 craft corner 36 ice cream 38 camping vacation 40 july festivals 41 summer nights 42 wizard of oz 44 summertime fruits 46 wet, wild & fun 48 playdates for mom 50 adventure in kc

CRAFTCORNER This is such a fun twist on sidewalk chalk for those long summer days!

Materials Needed:

• 3/4 c. flour • 1 c. water • 1 T. dish soap

sidewalk chalk popsicles

• washable paint

o

n hot and humid days, finding outdoor activities for kids to burn off some energy can be difficult. These sidewalk chalk Popsicles are great because kids can help with the process of making them and then will love playing with the chalk as it melts in the hot sun.

This is such a fun twist on sidewalk chalk for those long summer days!

Step One:

Mix the flour, water and dish soap together in a bowl.

Step Two: Separate the mixture into three separate bowls.

Step Three: Add a few tablespoons of washable paint to each bowl to create different colors.

Step Four: Pour the mixture into Popsicle molds and let it freeze for a few hours.

Step Five: After it is frozen, run some hot water over the Popsicle mold to make removing the sidewalk chalk easier.

Note: These popsicles are NOT edible.

Megan Kapple is a blogger from Kansas City, MO, where she lives with her husband and four children. She loves anything DIY and crafty and blogs about her adventures at HomemadeGinger.com.

Faux Flower Canvas

Sented Cloud Dough

DIY Fourth of July Garland

For TONS more great craft projects, log onto KCParent.com! kcparent.com july 2018

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i scream, you scream, we all scream for

ICE CREAM!

n

othing satisfies better than an ice cream cone after a long, hot day. Cool off this summer with these sweet treats from our favorite ice cream shops in Kansas City!

Freezing Moo 11885 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS 66214 4535 W. 119th St., Leawod, KS 66209 6936 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS 66223 Freezing Moo is not your typical ice cream shop. They offer handmade ice cream rolls, an East Asian method of ice cream production. The rolls are made with milk and poured over an ice grill. Bring the kids to watch their dream dessert being made especially for them. Kids love when they write their names inside the rolls using the syrup of their choice. Finally, they will get to finish their creation off with a choice from three of the shop’s delicious toppings. The best part for parents about Freezing Moo is the absence of chemicals and preservatives in the ice cream, so you can feel good knowing you’re treating your children to natural, handmade ice cream!

Betty Rae’s 7140 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO 64114 Opening Soon: 412 Delaware St., Kansas City, MO 64105 You won’t want to miss a stop at Betty Rae’s this summer, selected by TripAdvisor as one of the top 50 “Ice Cream Shops Worth Traveling For” in 2017. This ice cream shop, owned by a husband and wife team, offers 24 house-made ice cream flavors crafted from farm-fresh ingredients. Your kids will love trying a scoop of their many flavors that range from traditional strawberry, chocolate and vanilla bean to one-of-a-kind creations like root bear, cereal milk, razz blue, banana split and strawberry rhubarb crisp. The menu also features ice cream sandwiches, sundaes and floats that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. They even offer boozey floats for adult customers, which would make this a fun stop during date night.

Glace Artisan Ice Cream 4960 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64112 Glace Artisan Ice Cream is made from hormone-free Midwest milk and all natural ingredients. But the best part about Glace? Their creative signature flavors! Try a scoop of goat cheese and honey, cream cheese, earl grey tea, crème brulee and many more. They create new flavors every week, so you’ll always find something new to try. You can even bring the fun home by purchasing their pints at several grocery stores in Kansas City.

Make Your Own Looking for a fun activity for the kids this summer? Make your own ice cream at home!

Don’t worry—you don’t need an ice cream machine. All you need is 1 cup of milk, 1-1/2 tablespoons of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 2-3 cups of ice, 1/3 cup of kosher or coarse salt, 1 quart-sized Ziplock bag and 1 gallon-sized freezer bag.

Instructions:

• Mix the milk, sugar and vanilla in the small Ziplock bag. Seal the bag tightly. Make sure no air is trapped inside the bag.

• Mix the ice and salt in the gallon-sized freezer bag.

• Put the small Ziplock bag inside the large freezer bag and seal tightly. You may want to double bag it to prevent it from leaking.

• Here’s the fun part! Shake the bag for 5-10 minutes. Let the kids make a fun game out of it.

Play a game of hot potato with the bag, have a dance party while shaking the bag or play Simon says and have the kids shake the bag in different ways (in the right hand, above the head, down low).

• The liquid inside the smaller bag will begin to harden. Shake the bag until the ice cream mixture has the consistency you want.

• Open the bag and enjoy your homemade ice cream! The kids can eat the ice cream straight out of the bag, or you can scoop it into a bowl. Don’t forget to add all of your favorite toppings!

Regan Lyons is a freelance writer who lives in St. Joseph with her husband and 4-year-old daughter.

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summer calls for

S’MORES for dinner!

W

hatever your idea of camping, those hours outdoors make your family time more adventurous and delicious. Whether in your own backyard, in a boat, in an RV or a tent in the woods, building a fire and being together is the best way to unplug.

You don’t have to be the outdoorsy type to enjoy outdoors. Packing a bag and cooler with the right supplies is the key to relaxation. You can get lighters to light the campfire, wood logs are for sale at your grocery store, and RVs are truly the un-campy way to camp—a sort of rolling home away from home. Kids will enjoy a tent, which you can find at Wal-Mart, in all shapes and sizes. This time on the sleeping bag is perfect for a flashlight and a book or for coloring and snacking together.

A variety of local lakes offer campgrounds, complete with restrooms and showers, where your family can fish and swim. Depending on whether you will be camping in a tent or RV, you can find a location that suits you. Check websites and call ahead to make sure you will be comfortable.

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“I definitely have a passion for the great outdoors and truly love seeing kiddos learn to love and enjoy being outside,” says Renee Kon Dobbins, a local, very youthful grandmother, who enjoys horseback riding with friends and family in many natural locales around Kansas City and including little ones in the adventure. “I have a deep respect, loving compassion and heart full of enjoyment for the great outdoors and everything within it. It seems every time I step out of the house and into nature I am given gifts from above. Nature presents in such a beautiful gentle spirit,” she says.

“When I am on a float trip, I search the rock banks for rocks that will represent something special in my heart. I found rocks that look like dogs and have dog prints on the first float trip we took our beautiful black lab on, and so many other objects that are so important to me. I love feathers and have found many on my property, from turkey feathers, hawk feathers, beautiful blue bird feathers, even a cardinal feather. I find nests blown down from atop tree limbs during heavy winds.

Never pick one out of a tree. It must be a gift!

I have even found whole Terrapin shells.”

We can follow Kon Dobbins’ lead and make every outdoor adventure memorable.

Tamara Stagg Wise is another local outdoors-loving gal, and she and her hubby, grown children and friends often trek in their fifth-wheel camper to spots both nearby and around the United States. They also camp at the Kansas Speedway campground, and she prepares a spread of creative delights that are sure to please all the racing fans in her crew.

“I always cook hamburger meat with seasoning before I go. It’s difficult to drain off grease when you’re camping,” she advises.

“We cook soups and stews on the fire in an 8-gallon stock pot. It’s best to soap the outside of the pot with Dawn dish soap. The black from the fire will come right off. We do shrimp boils in a 16-gallon stock pot with a strainer in it. We also do Philly cheesesteaks in foil packs on the grill. You simply open them when they are cooked and add cheese to the top. Another idea is to take bananas and cut the skin, leaving them in. Sprinkle with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows and crushed-up graham crackers. Make a foil boat for them to sit in and grill them until the chips and marshmallows are melting.”

Since the age of cowboys and homesteaders, people have been cooking in tin foil or pots over an open fire. For a novice, the task may seem difficult, but it’s actually incredibly simple. Personalize your meals to your family’s taste. For example, if you have a meat-andpotatoes hubby, place hamburger seasoned to your liking with slices of potato in a foil packet and grill over the fire. Or, for veggie lovers, place cut-up ears of corn, red potatoes, green and red peppers, sliced squash, carrots and zucchini in a foil packet, seasoned at will, and heat over the fire. Adding hot dog slices, sausage slices and steak slices are all ideas for these foil packets.

Imagination. We all have it. Tap into yours this summer and take it outdoors. The memories will be worth lots more than TV shows or text messages!

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

super campfire meal ideas: Campfire Macaroni and Cheese. Prepare macaroni noodles; place in foil containers. Bring along Velveeta cheese and milk. When you arrive, slice half the Velveeta cheese into chunks and mix in with the noodles.

Mix in about ¼-cup of milk for each container. Cook over fire until boiling.

Shredded Rotisserie Chicken with barbecue sauce. Pour in a foil container before you head on your trip. Tip: Put any foil containers in large plastic bags in your cooler so they don’t get wet. Heat and eat.

Campfire Fruit Snacks are creative healthy snacks. Simply place sliced pineapple, apple slices and orange slices in the center of a plate, then stack stick pretzels around the fruit. It looks like a campfire.

Jiffy Pop Popcorn. It pops great over an open fire!

Wrap hotdogs in crescent roll dough and place a slice of cheese inside, then cook on foil or on a stick over the fire.

Campfire Cones are sweet surprises. Bring ice cream cones, then fill them with broken chocolate bars, banana slices and marshmallows.

Wrap them up in foil, then heat them over a campfire or grill until they are all melty.

Amped Up S’Mores. Try taking along flavored marshmallows, like key lime flavor. Then use Hershey’s Cookies & Cream chocolate bars on those graham crackers.

Sources: Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons, Come Together Kids, Chelsea’s Messy Apron.

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july FESTIVALS in kansas city Wyandotte County Fair July 10-14, Wyandotte County Fairgrounds, 13700 Polfer Rd., Kansas City, KS. Live entertainment, contests, carnival, 4-H showcase and more. WyCoFair.com

Platte County Fair July 18-21, Platte County Fairgrounds, Platte City, MO. Old-fashioned county fair: games, rides, carnival, food, music and more!

PlatteCountyFair.com Amelia Earhart Festival July 20-21, Downtown Atchison, KS. Enjoy music, food and crafts fair, starfilled outdoor concert, children’s activities, carnival, awards and honors, and the Concert in the Sky fireworks show. VisitAtchison.com Kansas City’s Big Picnic July 22, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., Kansas City, MO. Enjoy art activities, live music, food trucks and games throughout the Big Picnic.

Pack your own picnic or grab dinner from an on-site food truck!

Nelson-Atkins.org

Rock & Food Trucks Festival: July 28, Downtown Topeka, 9th & Kansas Avenue. Choose tasty eats from food trucks before claiming a spot in front of some of your favorite, or soon-tobe-favorite, bands in Downtown Topeka, KS. VisitTopeka.com Johnson County Fair July 29-Aug. 4, Johnson County Fairgrounds, Gardner, KS. Dog show, youth rodeo, carnival, concerts, goat milking, police and fire demonstrations, bull blast, barrel racing, parade and demolition derby. JoCoKansasFair.com

The Great Car Show July 29, National World War I Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Dr., Kansas City, MO. Live music, ride-alongs, food trucks, educational displays and hundreds of classic cars. TheGreatCarShow.com

Douglas County Fair July 30-Aug. 4, Douglas County Fairgrounds, Lawrence, KS. Petting zoo, pony rides, demolition derby, tractor show, live concerts, turtle races, carnival, tractor pull and more. DGCountyFair.com

Head to KCParent.com for a complete list of summer festivals!

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MONDAY

SUMMER NIGHTS Family fun doesn’t have to end at dinnertime. These are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy a cool summer night!

Buck Day Bowling Bowl for $1/person and $1/shoe rental at Aaron’s Family Entertainment Center in Belton from 3:00 to 9:00. AaronsFEC.com

Monday Night Madness at Main Event Three metro locations. Save BIG with Monday Night Madness for as little as $10.95!

MainEvent.com/funspecials

Happy Hour at Paradise Park From 3:00 to 6:00 Monday through Thursday, bring the family in to enjoy some fun around the park. Deals include $1 off appetizers, $1 off drinks and half-price Max Pak Adventure (a $16.50 value!). Paradise-Park.com

TUESDAY Popsicles in the Park At various Independence parks. Enjoy crafts, live entertainment and free Popsicles at local parks through July. ci.Independence.mo.us

WEDNESDAY Family Skate Night Family of four skates for $15, or $4.25 individual price, at Landmark Skate in Lee’s Summit. Landmark2Skate.com

THURSDAY Moonlight Movies At 9:00 at Independence Square, the movies are projected onto the side of the Pharaoh Theater, through August.

FreeMoonlightMovies.com

SUNDAY Music in the Park: Blue Springs Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors with free, live musical entertainment at Rotary Park from 6:00 to 8:00 every Sunday through August.

BlueSpringsGov.com/1455/Musicin-the-Park-Summer-Concert-Series

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art The museum is open until 9:00 on Thursdays and Fridays, and admission is FREE! Visitors also will enjoy permanent exhibits from around the world. Families will especially enjoy the FUN Spot, located in Bloch Lobby, where visitors and families learn what activities are available for them that day to maximize their fun. Nelson-Atkins.org

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop Family Fun Nights

Experience history-themed activities for a new experience every Thursday evening through July. FREE admission!

Some activities require an extra fee.

Mahaffie.org

FRIDAY FREE Concerts: Grandview FREE night of fun and games at the Grandview Amphitheater every Friday through August. Enjoy yard games such as over-sized Jenga, bean bags and more.

Grandview.org/play/parks-recreation

Weekender at Crown Center Cap off your work week with top local bands and favorite food trucks. Finish the evening with a famous flick under the stars at Crown Center Square.

CrownCenter.com

Sounds on the Square Enjoy family-friendly concerts at Linden Square in Gladstone. Patrons are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. You also may bring in outside food and nonalcoholic beverages. LindenSquare.info

SATURDAY Powell Observatory This gem is open to the public Saturday nights through October and for special astronomical events. Public programs include an educational presentation on an interesting astronomy topic, a tour of the night sky and viewing through the telescopes. ASKC.org/observatories/ powell-observatory

You’ll find MORE outdoor movies, concerts and events on our calendar on KCParent.com.

kcparent.com july 2018

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The Wizard of Oz Comes to Kansas This Summer

t

his August, the yellow brick road winds through Kansas City, KS, with the opening of the first ever live, theatrical production at Providence Medical Center Amphitheater (formerly Sandstone). Although typically a venue for musical acts, the amphitheater transforms to the Emerald City and welcomes Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, the Wicked Witch and many other favorites! As someone who attends a lot of concerts, I’ve been pleasantly surprised my last few visits to Providence Medical Center Amphitheater—it’s a nice setting for a family night out. Make your plans to bring the family for a night of summer fun and entertainment under the stars.

tickets Tickets for The Wizard of Oz start at $20 and are on sale at WizardOfOzKC.com and through Ticketmaster. Children 12 and under get in for half price. Check out the 4 for $40 Oz Fun Pack, which includes lawn seating for four. Convenient parking is only $5 per car in the VIP lot just east of the amphitheater off State Avenue, minutes from Village West and the shops and restaurants at the Legends Outlet Mall.

it’s toto!

The role of Dorothy’s furry companion, Toto, is played by Prudence.

She was adopted from the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City and loves short walks around the block, belly rubs, napping (with the occasional snore) and giving very stinky kisses.

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performances The show runs Aug. 1-5, with nightly performances at 8:00.

Each evening, the amphitheater opens at 6:30 for families who want to picnic before the show. Food and beverages will be available from vendors throughout Providence Amphitheater.

Outside food is not permitted in the amphitheater.

fun before the show Before the show, go back in time to 1903 Kansas and meet Dorothy, Auntie Em and their friends at Ag Hall of Fame’s “Oz Comes to Kansas.” Located next to Providence Amphitheater, the Ag Hall of Fame gives you the chance to learn about farm life, pet real farm animals, tour the “No Place Like Home” farm home, explore the “Oz-mazing” Maize corn maze, ride the train and spend the day with Dorothy before heading to the show.

While at Farm Town USA, visit the Hall of Fame Museum for a special exhibit of Wizard of Oz memorabilia from around the world and Mesner Puppet Theater’s own version of The Wizard of Oz, live on stage in the museum’s auditorium.

Tickets for the Ag Hall of Fame’s “Oz Comes to Kansas” event are $8 for adults and $4 for children. The venue is open Thursday, Aug. 2, 2:00-6:00; Friday & Saturday, Aug. 3-4, 10:00-6:00; and Sunday, Aug. 5, Noon-6:00.

kids in the show Variety the Children’s Charity of Greater Kansas City provides children with developmental disabilities adaptive equipment and opportunities for activity and inclusion. Joining the cast will be children from the Kansas City area, including five Variety KC Kids, Connor Bickle, Aubrey May, Cole WoodMcKeown, Layna Talbot and Drake Donahue. In the show, the Variety kids are part of the ensemble. You’ll see them as Munchkins, Ozians and perhaps even a Winkie.

meet the cast Chelcie Abercrombie stars as Dorothy, alongside longtime area radio and television personality Dick Wilson, who plays Professor Marvel and the Wizard. A graduate of Stephens College in Columbia, MO, Abercrombie joins The Wizard of Oz cast fresh from stand-out performances with Musical Theatre Heritage. Wilson spent more than four decades as a popular radio show host on stations like KY102 and Oldies 95, along with numerous television, stage and personal appearances.

Dorothy gets to Oz thanks to the help of her three newfound friends: Scarecrow (Jordan Fox), Tin Man (Brian McKinley) and Cowardly Lion (Robert Hingula). Fox and Hingula have graced Kansas City and regional stages in many featured musical theater roles, while McKinley comes to KC from St. Louis, where he is a member of that city’s prestigious Black Repertory Theater Company.

win tickets KC Parent is giving away 30 tickets to Wizard of Oz! Head to KCParent.com and click on “Giveaways” for your chance to win tickets to see Dorothy and the gang!

the production For the first time ever, actual scenes from the famous MGM motion picture will be incorporated into a live production of the famous musical. Scenes from the movie will play on a giant LED wall behind the actors.

Munchkinland, the Emerald City, poppy fields and the witch’s castle will all come alive at Providence Amphitheater this summer in this state-of-the-art production.

Licensed for use in the production of The Wizard of Oz at Providence Amphitheater by Warner Brothers Theatricals.

Lenexa mom Margaret Sarver has loved the Wizard of Oz since childhood when she would direct her siblings and cousins in her own version of the show. She’s excited to take her family to the production at Providence Amphitheater this August! kcparent.com july 2018

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SIZZLING summertime fruits

S

corching summertime heat doesn’t have to leave your kids feeling beat from thirst. Though most parents naturally point kids to fluids to keep hydrated, think beyond. In fact, think tropically—to the exotic world of fruits. Have your kids stock up on these nutritious and hydrating fruits all summer long.

wondrous watermelon Health benefits: The ultimate summertime refreshing treat, watermelon contains 92 percent water, making it the most hydrating fruit. Besides being a great source of hydration, watermelon contains vitamin A, beneficial for your kids’ skin health, because it helps create and repair skin cells.

Serve as: Simply slice watermelon wedges for an afternoon snack, dice to top fresh garden salads or cut up chunks to add to frozen smoothies.

Interesting fact: Did you know Americans eat an average of 17 pounds of watermelon each year?

Fun summertime tip: Have a good old-fashioned seed spitting contest.

Do proceed with caution with young children, as the seeds could be a potential choking hazard.

magical mangoes Health benefits: Mangoes are loaded with vitamin C, a key nutrient that helps

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wounds heal, such as your child’s cuts and scrapes. Furthermore, vitamin C promotes healthy gums and keeps your kid’s immune system strong.

Serve as: For a quick snack, munch on dried mango chunks. For a naturally sweet and exotic afternoon treat, take the advice of Steve, Overland Park father of two: Serve mango slices with a pinch of sea salt and a squirt of lime. Lastly, add to black beans for a side dish and serve with tortilla chips.

Interesting fact: Did you know that just half a cup of sliced mangoes provides more than two-thirds of the vitamin C children under 13 need per day?

powerful pineapple Health benefits: Pineapple is packed with manganese, a nutrient that makes collagen, a tough fibrous protein that helps build connective tissues like bones, skin and cartilage. All these are important elements for those growing bodies! This tropical fruit also contains bromelain, a dietary enzyme that eases swelling and inflammation, two side effects of all your kiddo’s busy summertime activities.

Serve as: For a tropical punch, simply drink a cup of juice, top to yogurt mixed with granola for a wholesome snack or add to milkshakes.

Interesting fact: Did you know that contrary to popular belief, a leaf that comes off easily doesn’t guarantee that the fruit is ripe or ready to eat?

watermelon popsicle recipe Ingredients: 2 c. watermelon (chopped) 2 t. lemon juice Sugar or honey to taste Small paper cups Popsicle sticks Directions: Cut the watermelon, remove the rind and chop the fruit into pieces.

Blend pieces with sugar and lemon juice in a blender.

Strain the mix with a strainer to remove seeds, then pour the mixture into paper cups.

Insert the Popsicle sticks straight in when the pops are partially frozen.

Freeze and enjoy!

With these summertime fruit treats, your kids can keep thirst at bay.

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: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Prevention

family fun at

L

BIG CEDAR

ocated in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, overlooking Table Rock Lake, Big Cedar Lodge is the perfect place to make lasting memories with your family. This remote haven of natural beauty is just a short drive away and offers countless adventures, delicious dining options and inviting accommodations.

During the day, you and your family can enjoy fun-filled activities like an electric cart tour through the Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail or a round of underwaterthemed bowling at Fun Mountain, a 50,000-square-foot adventure center. Cool down with numerous water activities at two full-service marinas, multiple pools and even a beach. With three legendary golf courses, a shooting academy and countless fishing opportunities, Big Cedar Lodge is a dream destination for all types of sport-loving men and women. If you’re looking for a relaxing retreat, the 18,000-square-foot Cedar Creek Spa is sure to leave you feeling refreshed.

You won’t want to miss the many spectacular dining options, each offering stunning views of the Ozarks. In the evenings, settle into the rustic luxury of unique accommodations, ranging from a room in a hilltop lodge overlooking the property to your own private cabin complete with kitchenette, deck with grill and real wood-burning fireplace.

Visit the website at BigCedar.com to learn more about this Ozarks gem.

fun facts: n Recognized as a Top 15 Family Resort in the World by Travel and Leisure magazine. n Located right on Table Rock Lake with two full-service marinas and countless lake activities. n Fun Mountain is a new 50,000-squarefoot activity center with underwaterthemed bowling, NASCAR-inspired go-carts, an arcade, laser tag, dining and more.

n Enjoy Dogwood Canyon, a 10,000acre nature park with numerous activities. n Complimentary activities, as well as seasonal activities, take advantage of the beautiful Ozarks outdoors. n On your way to or from Big Cedar, stop by another member of the Bass Pro Shops family, Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, recently voted “America’s Best Aquarium.” Visit WondersOfWildlife.org.

Purchasing a playset is a big decision.

Woodplay playsets are built with superior materials and craftsmanship compared to other playsets.

The playsets are available with different deck heights, accessories and lots of configurations.

FREE

local installation on a VULY THUNDER XL or a JUMBO SQUARE SPRING TRAMPOLINE NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS

2227 E. Kansas City Rd. Olathe, KS 66061

913-307-6023

Visit our outdoor showroom

www.backyard-specialists.com kcparent.com july 2018

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WILD, WET

and lots of fun! keep cool with plenty of creative ways without going to the pool

l

ee’s Summit mom Laura Megan has discovered a homemade slip-and-slide is an excellent way to entertain kids in the backyard on hot summer days. Rebecca Shipley, another Lee’s Summit mom, has found her son simply loves helping wash the car.

When the temperatures rise, having creative ways such as these to stay cool while playing in the yard is essential. From slip-and-slides and car washes to water balloons and water guns, you need only a few supplies to get wet and make memories.

Megan has created the slip-and-slide in her backyard on several occasions using a heavy blue tarp or a plastic sheet and baby oil. She weighs it down with cinder blocks, runs the sprinkler, grabs some inner tubes, and the kids are prepared for some slippery sliding.

“It was something different, something bigger than your typical store-bought slipand-slide,” Megan says. “You could make it to where you have races.”

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Such races are possible as this type of slip-and-slide is wide enough to allow more than one person to slide at a time. Laura notes adding the oil is important because many tarps can have a texture to them.

When it’s all set up, the slide can be fun for kids of all ages.

Shipley says her 3-year-old son always wanted to help her husband wash his car, so eventually they gave him his own sponge.

He started scrubbing the car, cooling himself down with water in the process. He took the idea a bit farther and has begun to bring out other toys to wash as well. Shipley says he even has begun helping water the plants—and all these activities are an opportunity for them to be outside together as a family while getting a little wet.

If the kids want to make some money and take the car wash concept a little farther, they can establish their own car wash to service the neighborhood. The kids will make some money, have fun and get wet in the process.

No discussion of water-related summer fun is complete without a mention of the classic water balloon. Backyard water balloon wars are always a hit (quite literally), no matter how you play them.

Although crazy and chaotic throwing of

balloons is serious fun, you can organize the fun a bit more and play a game of water balloon baseball.

If you are up for a very messy activity, consider putting some food coloring in the water balloons. Everyone can wear white clothes and see how colorful their t-shirts become during the water balloon war. The resulting outfit provides a unique memento of the game. If you want color but more contained mess, consider freezing ice cubes dyed with food coloring and painting an old t-shirt with them.

Once you’ve added a bit of color to your fun, you may be ready to move on to water guns. Randomly soaking friends and siblings is a staple of summer fun, but also consider using the water guns for a full-scale organized backyard game. Set up targets to shoot at and barriers to hide behind. The one who remains driest wins.

Running through the sprinkler is a classic way to get wet, and you can make a sprinkler a number of ways if you don’t already have one. One way is to poke holes in a pool noodle and attach a hose to the end. Drilling holes in PVC pipes and hooking up a hose is another way to fashion a homemade sprinkler.

For younger kids, a water table in the backyard can provide hours of entertainment.

Include some ocean-themed toys and toddlers pretend they are at the beach.

Painting the deck with water is another simple activity that can keep a young child entertained for a long period of time.

An inflatable water slide is a crowdpleaser sure to draw the attention of all the neighborhood kids. Although the cost involved in buying a water inflatable is large, consider making it a group effort. If a batch of neighborhood families goes together to purchase the slide and considers it a community toy, everyone gets in on the fun.

If you have exhausted all the more creative ideas or just need the most basic water fun, remember that any slide can be made into a water slide as long as you have a hose. Most of the time, all kids want is to just get wet and exert some energy.

Allison Gibeson is a Lee’s Summit mom and writer who is looking forward to some water balloon fights this summer.

ZAXBY’S DAYS ®

PLANNING YOUR WEEK JUST GOT

easier!

Monday Zax Kidz Night

Wednesday Family Night

99¢ Zax Kidz Meals with adult meal purchase from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Four $5.99 Meals for $22.99 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

®

Limit two Zax Kidz Meals per adult meal purchase.

Thursday Nibbler Day

Tuesday Spirit Night

99¢ Nibblerz™ all day.

On scheduled fundraiser nights, 10% of all proceeds will support a local organization!

Sunday Bulletin Day

Inquire inside for more details.

Bring your bulletin in for 10% off your entire order.

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F av

famil y fave ER s a K F rie

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AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS ONLY:

12195 S. Strang Line Rd. • Olathe • (913) 747-4277 9500 W. 135th St. • Overland Park • (913) 538-4131

Limited time only. Offers not valid at any other locations. © 2017 Zaxby’s Franchising LLC “Zaxby’s,” “Zax Kidz” and “Nibblerz” are trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising LLC. Each Zaxby’s restaurant is independently owned and operated under a license agreement with Zaxby’s Franchising LLC.

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r

SUMMER FUN

•G U I D E•

ten playdates for moms

S

ummer’s here! That means it’s not only time to schedule playdates for your kids, but it’s also a great time to schedule some playdates with

your mom friends. With school out of session and many extracurriculars on summer break, long and lazy summer days are the perfect excuse to unwind while catching up with your BFFs. Looking for some inspiration to get you going? We’ve got you covered. Here are 10 playdates for moms.

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1

book club

Sometimes the best way to unwind is to stay close to home (or better yet, at home!) and take in a good read. Find a few friends with similar tastes in books and take some time to discuss a common read. Or better yet, invite friends with broad tastes in books to do a book swap, sharing your favorite books with one another in an effort to expand your horizons and try new things.

2

brunch

I’ve found one of the sweetest retreats with a group of moms can occur over Saturday morning brunch.

For starters, a morning out doesn’t impact family plans in the evening. And in most cases, it gives kids the chance to sleep in and hang out with Dad, all while Mom gets to recharge her batteries with the girls. If you have a favorite spot, hit it weekly and try a new item until you’ve had the whole menu.

Looking for variety? Try a new brunch stop each time until you find the one with the hollandaise sauce that speaks your name.

3

downtown discoveries

Downtown KC has gained national attention for its vibrant art scene, tantalizing array of restaurants, eclectic shops and esteemed museums (both Forbes Magazine and Huffington Post list it among the top metropolitans in the nation).

Girl time is the perfect excuse to explore the districts that make KC exciting and unlike any other. Hop aboard the KC Streetcar and check out the River Market district, where you’ll find one of the Midwest’s largest and oldest open air farmers markets alongside a slew of ethnic restaurants bringing classic cuisine from the farthest corners of the world to one centralized location. Or consider visiting the bustling Crossroads district, where First Fridays afford guests the opportunity to take in art galleries, live music, unique finds from more than 30

shops and eateries ranging from hip food trucks to trendy restaurants. Looking for a way to wind down after it all? Check out the Green Lady Lounge, where you can take in the sound of the city: live Kansas City jazz.

4

fitness fun

For some women, exercise is enjoyable. For others, it’s work.

But by and large, most agree exercising alongside friends is more fun. Try that hot yoga class together. Join a Crossfit team. Or sign up for a 5K and train side by side. By working out together, you not only invest in your own health but you also encourage one another to meet new goals, all while making memories along the way.

5

moms night out

Research whether one of your favorite attractions or restaurants has a ladies night special. Those special discounts can make otherwise expensive activities fit the bill. My favorite ladies night deal can be found at the Melting Pot on the Plaza on Mondays, where guests can indulge in a decadent fondue trio known as the Crave Combo for a great price.

6

showtime

7

serving side by side

Get lost in a good storyline, whether it be through a musical, concert or movie. Starlight and the Music Hall offer Broadway-style shows, or you can take in a good chick flick on the big screen.

And don’t forget to check out local theater and concerts—many local communities offer free summer concert series.

One of the best ways to grow in friendship is to serve alongside one another.

Perhaps you already do this through PTA or church functions, but opportunities abound throughout the summer. A couple ideas are to plant a community garden or volunteer for a local VBS program.

8

swap shop

9

take a tour

For many moms, spring cleaning can extend into the summertime, and a top priority is decluttering. But organizing a garage sale (or simply taking a heap of donations to Goodwill) can be a hassle. Skip that step and call your girlfriends together for a free swap shop evening. Set a limit on how many items each guest can bring or even choose a theme, whether it be shoes, kids clothes, books, toys, home decor, etc. In doing so, you can get rid of unwanted items and gain a few new desirable ones all for free and in good company.

Where else can you watch a Harley-Davidson motorcycle be built from scratch in less than an hour or sip your way through coffee and craft beer tours?

Here in KC, many local companies, such as the Roasterie and Boulevard Brewing Company, offer guided tours where guests can find out more about products manufactured in their hometown and enjoyed around the world.

10

wine tastings

One of the hallmark characteristics of a good moms event is doing something out of the ordinary. Ditch the yoga pants for high heels and the juice boxes for a good wine tasting. Here in KC, we have a phenomenal selection of wineries to choose from (more than 100, in fact). So if tastings are your thing, consider it an ongoing summer challenge to visit a different one every couple of weeks and, as a group, rate your favorites. If wine is not your cup of tea (or if you’re pregnant and it’s temporarily off the menu), consider joining in just for the hors d’oeuvres (after all, who can turn down a good charcuterie board or tapas?).

Lauren Greenlee is an Olathe freelance writer, as well as the social coordinator for moms events through a local Classical Conversations community. She can be found participating in book club and brunching her way through the summer with her besties.

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SUMMER FUN

•G U I D E•

experience an

ADVENTURE in kansas city this summer h

ave you ever wanted to experience an unforgettable adventure? This summer, experience a thrill soaring to new heights, plunging to new depths and traveling at incredible speeds. Next time you start to say, “I always wanted to try…” go ahead and try it! Then enjoy reliving the memories only an adventure can provide.

have you ever wanted to…..? go on an african safari...

Spend the night at the Kansas City Zoo (KansasCityZoo.org) during one of their overnights.

In the summer, you can spend a wild night camping in Africa. Overnight guests experience a nighttime adventure, including a guided tour and night hike, hands-on activities, an animal encounter and the campout must: s’mores! Overnights include breakfast and keeper chats.

You provide your own tent and sleeping bag, and the zoo provides the fun. Tip: For an indoor adventure, check out their penguin and polar bear overnights.

50

defy gravity…

get a bird’s-eye view of the city…

Take the Sky Bike challenge at Science City at Union Station (UnionStation.org). Visitors are invited to pedal a bicycle suspended on a high-wire 30 feet above the ground. The experiment is thrilling and educational. You’ll experience firsthand the relationship between counterweights and balance as your center of gravity keeps you safe riding across the highwire. This attraction is included with admission to Science City, where many fun-filled adventures await.

The Liberty Memorial Tower looms 217 feet in the sky, and 268 feet above the North Lawn with a spectacular view overlooking Downtown Kansas City. You can take a trip to the top with a ride in an elevator, followed by 45 steps to the observation deck. When you visit the National WWI Museum and Memorial (TheWorldWar.org), a visit to the top is included with admission to the museum. Within the museum walls below, lies one of the best historic sites in the Midwest. With tremendous state-of-the-art exhibits telling the story of World War I and, more importantly, the soldiers and civilians of the era—their sacrifices, their journeys—this is one of Kansas City’s most important attractions. The museum provides a free family gallery guidebook including a map of the galleries, games, puzzles, question and answer sections for various exhibits and a scavenger hunt to complete throughout the galleries.

kcparent.com july 2018

ride in a race car…

The Richard Petty Driving Experience (800.237.3889, DrivePetty.com) at Kansas Speedway (KansasSpeedway.com, 913.328.3300) lets fans ride shotgun at speeds of up to 165 mph or get behind the wheel and drive a 600-horsepower NASCAR race car for eight to 18 laps.

Even teens can get in on the action! Youths ages 14 to 19 have the opportunity to receive a complimentary three-lap high speed ride-along when accompanied by an adult.

take a 200-foot plunge…

Kansas City’s own Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun (816.454.4545, WorldsOfFun.com) are two theme parks enjoyed for the price of one ticket. Worlds of Fun is a roller coaster enthusiast’s dream park! It’s home to seven world-class roller coasters, including one of the tallest, longest and fastest roller coasters in the world, the Mamba, with a first drop of 205 feet! The Patriot is a giant inverted coaster that carries the daring through four inversions at a top speed of 65 mph.

The extremely daring can pay an extra fee to experience the Ripcord, a Sky Coaster attraction that sends riders in a free-fall pendulum motion from 180 feet in the air at speeds of up to 80 mph. At Oceans of Fun, enjoy a huge water park with waterslides, rapids, an 800-foot rapids river and a wave pool.

zip line over a mile at up to 50 mph…

solve a mystery…

Zip KC in Bonner Springs (ZipKC.com) offers a variety of adventures on nine zip lines totaling over a mile and racing up to 50 mph. You can enjoy the 143-acre park with a 300-foot elevation change. They offer a variety of zip line tours with up to five zip lines and a mix of hiking and zip lining for an unbelievable and unforgettable adventure. For the truly daring, participate in the Night Flight, touring through the five lines of the Tower Tour at night, starting at sundown. The tour includes glow sticks, lasers and head lamps. With music and laser beams, this is a one-of-a-kind zip line adventure. You’ll find even more zip lines on KCParent.com when you search our Going Places Guide.

Tick Tock Escape Games (913.396.9144, TickTockEscapeGames. com) hosts groups to take on the escape room challenge. For the uninitiated, escape rooms are an interactive game where teams of friends are locked into a small room for an hour while they solve puzzles and clues to unlock the room. The rooms typically include props and a series of puzzles, each unlocking the next until you escape in an hour or less. If you fail, the staff releases your team and takes a photo wishing you the best next time.

Teams work together to solve puzzles, unlocking doors, turning dials, moving objects and deciphering clues to break out of the escape room in time. You’ll find even more escape rooms on KCParent.com when you search our Going Places Guide.

play with glass…

You know our local paint-your-own pottery shops as a fun family outing where you make your own masterpiece, but did you know that our local shops also offer glass fusing workshops? Ceramic Cafe (9510 Nall, Overland Park, KS, 913.383.0222, CeramicCafeKC.com) and Paint, Glaze & Fire (12683 Metcalf, Overland Park, 913.661.2529, PaintGlazeAndFire.net) both offer glass fusing during walk-in studio hours or special classes.

Glass fusing involves layering multiple pieces of colored glass to create a design. The pieces are fired in a kiln producing beautiful tiles, bowls, jewelry and other works of art. You’ll find even more creative places on KCParent.com when you search our Going Places Guide.

climb the wall…

Choose one of these rock wall climbing adventures: APEX Climbing Gym (APEXClimbingGym.com), home to a 7,000-square-foot climbing wall with slabs, overhangs, arches and corners, is challenging. The truly daring tackle the challenge of the Warped Wall and Ninja Warrior-inspired obstacles. Cave Bouldering Gym (TheCaveBouldering.com) is an indoor rock climbing gym 10 stories underground in downtown Kansas City. With 3,800 square feet of terrain, the gym features boulder obstacles and challenges for every level of climber. IBEX Gym (ClimbIBEX.com) offers a 33-foot-tall wall with a variety of challenges for climbers. You’ll find even more rock walls on KCParent.com when you search our Going Places Guide.

Kristina Light’s family is always up for an adventure and they count overnights at the Kansas City Zoo as some of their favorite memories.

kcparent.com july 2018

51

july

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

Snow Zoo at the Kansas City Zoo

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

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kcparent.com july 2018

CALENDAR

ride

watch

play

enjoy

see

Fridays in July ride the Ice Cream Train at the Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad. Enjoy a train ride and an ice cream treat.

A great summer evening!

BeltonRailroad.org

Come see Newsies July 7-29 at the White Theatre.

The Coterie and the White Theatre at the J present the first locally-produced performance of Newsies.

TheJKC.org

Berlin enjoys an icy paradise, and more animals cool off with refreshing icy treats at Snow Zoo July 14 & 15 at the Kansas City Zoo. KansasCityZoo.org

Kansas City’s BIG Picnic is on July 22 at the NelsonAtkins. A fun-filled evening with food trucks, live music, art activities, lawn games and more.

Nelson-Atkins.org

Head to the Great Car Show July 29 at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. View cars, enjoy music, ride-alongs, food trucks and more.

TheGreatCarShow.com

1 Sunday God & Country 9:30 & 11:00, Lenexa Baptist Church. Celebration service to pray for our nation and salute those who serve.

LenexaBaptist.com Red, White & Zoo 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Active and retired military individuals receive free admission today, tomorrow and July 4.

KansasCityZoo.org art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages! 816.751.127

Open Play 10:00, Jump City. Bring the kids to Jump City—where excitement and laughs are found daily! $8/child; parents are free.

JumpCityKC.com

Legacy Blast 5:00, Legacy Park. Enjoy a funfilled event with concessions, free face-painting, balloon artists, bounce houses and fireworks.

CityofLS.net

Balloon Twisting Fun 6:30, MCPL (Excelsior Springs). Be amazed by the twisting talents of a balloon artist and receive a piece of balloon art.

Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Liberty 4th Fest 6:00, Fountain Bluff Sports Complex (Liberty). Celebrate the United States with food, live music, fireworks and more!

Liberty4thFest.com

US Air Force Band of Mid-America “Shades of Blue” 7:00, Mulberry Lake. Enjoy a free, live patriotic concert! BriarcliffTrails.com

Fireworks in Kearney 7:30, Kearney Amphitheatre. Concert at 7:30 followed by fireworks at 9:30. Free inflatables for kids.

KearneyAmphitheater.com

3 Tuesday

Music in the Park 6:00, Rotary Park (Blue Springs). Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors with free, live musical entertainment.

BlueSpringsGov.com

Go Dog Go! 10:00, MTH Theater (Crown Center).

It’s an all-out dog party in this colorful, hilarious adaptation of PD Eastman’s beloved book.

MesnerPuppets.org

2 Monday

Summer Kids Series 10:00, B & B Theatres.

Family-friendly movies for only $3/person Tuesdays through Thursdays. This week: The Peanuts Movie. BBTheatres.com

Moms Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park. Moms are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 Purchase Tickets The Wizard of Oz comes to the Providence Medical Center Amphitheater Aug 1-5. Purchase your tickets today.

WizardOfOzKC.com

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

Independence Day Fireworks 8:00, St Agnes Athletic Field. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for an Independence Day celebration!

WestwoodKS.org

4 Wednesday Village Fest 7:30, 77th & Mission (Prairie Village).

Pancake breakfast, craft center, kids parade, inflatables, live music and more! PVKansas.com Independence Day 9:00 Deanna Rose Farmstead. Children bring decorated bikes and ride in the parade. Enjoy old-fashioned games and activities. DRFarmstead.org

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Time Travelers Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Shawnee Town 1929. Enjoy farm activities, crafts, gardening and more. ShawneeTown.org

Independence Day 9:00, Missouri Town 1855.

Patriotic speeches, children’s games, period cooking, dancing, militia marches and more!

816.503.4860

Fourth of July in Weston 10:30, Downtown Weston. A parade, games, music, military recognition and more!

WestonMO.com

Military Days 10:00, Worlds of Fun. Veterans receive complimentary admission on July 4.

WorldsOfFun.com

Fourth of July Fireworks 3:30, Celebration Park (Gardner). This year’s celebration includes live music, bounce houses and food vendors. GardnerKansas.gov

Lenexa Community Days Parade 10:00, Old Town Lenexa. Gather along the parade route and watch floats, bands, antique cars and more.

Free. 913.477.7100

KC Riverfest 4:00, Berkley Riverfront Park. The premier Independence Day celebration in the region is situated along the beautiful Missouri riverfront. KCRiverfest.com

Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival 10:00, Reynolds Lodge (Topeka). Live music throughout the day followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

VisitTopeka.com

Star Spangled Spectacular 5:00, Corporate Woods Founders Park. Live music, food trucks and a fireworks performance. OPKansas.org

Fourth of July Celebration 10:00, Downtown Parkville. Carnival rides, lots of food, fun, games, shopping, music and, of course, a fabulous fireworks finale. ParkvilleMO.org

Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks 6:00, Stilwell Elementary School. Decorate bikes, golf carts or build a float and register to be in the parade.

StilwellCommunity.org

Red, White & Blue Springs 6:30, Blue Springs High School. Enjoy a live music show and then stay for a fireworks display. BlueSpringsGov.com Independence Day Celebration 7:00, Oak Grove Park (Gladstone). Concert, presentation of colors and a magnificent fireworks display.

Gladstone.mo.us Platte City Fireworks Display 9:00, Platte Ridge Park. Shuttle bus starts at 8:00, with fireworks beginning around 9:00. VisitPlatte.com

little Adventures

BIG fun this summer at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures JUNE 27 / JUNE 30 SPLENDID CERAMICS Mold and paint a tiny plate and pie.

JULY 25 / JULY 28 TINY TABLES Build a miniature table.

JULY 5 / JULY 7 MARVELOUS MARBLES Craft a keychain or necklace.

AUGUST 1 / AUGUST 4 MARBLE MAZE MANIA Construct a unique maze.

JULY 11 / JULY 14 MINIATURE ROOM SETTINGS Decorate a tin with tiny furniture.

AUGUST 8 / AUGUST 11 SURPRISE PROGRAM Discover a new, exciting program.

JULY 18 / JULY 21 SUPERHERO ADVENTURES Make an epic action figure.

AUGUST 18 / FREE ADMISSION FAREWELL TO SUMMER Travel through time to solve T/m’s newest scavenger hunt.

OPEN DAILY: 10 AM – 4PM, CLOSED TUESDAYS

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5235 OAK STREET K ANSAS CIT Y, MO 64112

816.235.8000

TOYANDMINIATUREMUSEUM.ORG

5 Thursday Big Backyard Thru Oct 21, Powell Gardens. A larger-than-life exhibition featuring backyard items. PowellGardens.org Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists.

Kids will enjoy our outdoor playsets that are available for open play. $2/cash. 913.307.6023 Time Travelers 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929.

Living history comes to life in this family oriented program. Farm activities, crafts, gardening and more. ShawneeTown.org Marvelous Marbles 10:30, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Try your hand at “knuckling down” and then create a marble keychain or necklace. 816.235.8000 1860s Independence Day Celebration 6:00, Mahaffie. Take a stagecoach ride, see what is cooking on the cookstove, watch a parade and fireworks. Mahaffie.org Pour Your Ceramic 6:00, Southeast Community Center. Learn to pour ceramic molds from start to finish. Pick your mold, pour, paint and glaze! $20-$40. 816.513.0640

Moonlight Movies 9:00, outside Pharaoh Cinema. See Paddington projected on the side of the theater. Concessions available.

FreeMoonlightMovies.com

Animal Clues 7:00, Ernie Miller. Every Friday, bring the family for a fun and educational experience. Tonight’s theme: animal clues. $3/ person. 913.764.7759

6 Friday

Ice Cream Train 7:00, Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad. Enjoy a train ride and an ice cream treat. A great summer evening!

BeltonRailroad.org

Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire.

Paint a pottery piece that goes along with a favorite story. Snack included. $13-$15. Pre-reg at 913.661.2529.

Goosebumps—Phantom of the Auditorium: The Musical 11:00, 1:00 & 7:00, the Coterie. A cartoony mystery musical based on the series from RL Stine. TheCoterie.org First Fridays 5:00, Crossroads Arts District.

Galleries and shops remain open the first Friday of each month. KCCrossroads.org Celebrate Olathe 6:00, Olathe Community Center. Touch a truck, eat food from vendors and take in music by Liverpool and the M80s.

OlatheKS.org WeekEnder 6:00, Crown Center Square. Enjoy top local bands and favorite food trucks, then watch a flick under the stars. Free admission.

CrownCenter.com

MARK YOUR

CALENDARS

First Friday Movie Series 7:30, Summit Fair.

Enjoy activities and a movie under the stars!

SummitFairShopping.com Into the Woods Thru July 14, Theatre in the Park. Everyone’s favorite storybook characters are brought together in a timeless, yet relevant, piece. TheatreInThePark.org Oklahoma! Thru Sunday, Gladstone Amphitheatre. See Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first collaboration, set in a Western Indian Territory. GladstoneTIP.com

7 Saturday First Saturdays at Shoal Creek 9:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Reenactors bring the village to life with historical demonstrations. 816.792.2655

August

3rd, 4th, 5th

First Friday Movie Series July 6 - Grease August 3 - Enchanted September 7 - Billy Madison October 5 - Nightmare Before Christmas

Movies are shown in the public parking lot behind DSW. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets!

For more information, visit:

www.summitfairshopping.com

@summitfair

840 NW Blue Parkway Lee’s Summit, MO 64086 816.607.5420 kcparent.com july 2018

55

Free Crafts for Kids 9:00, Home Depot. You and your child build a fishing game and customize with paint and stickers. HomeDepot.com Mother Nature Reads 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Children listen to a story, make a craft and often see a wildlife interpretation. Free.

816.513.8960 Experiential History Program 10:00, National Frontier Trails Museum. First-person interpreters bring history to life. 816.325.7575 Hands-On History 11:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life. Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org Saturday Feeder 4:00, Cedar Cove. Come to see the public feedings of the cats, weather permitting. $5-$7. SaveOurSiberians.org

8 Sunday Dinosaurs Revealed 10:00, Union Station. Take a hands-on trek that brings you face to face with 26 life-size dinosaurs. UnionStation.org KC Northern Train Rides Noon, Line Creek Park. Ride restored trains around a half-mile track in the park. $.75/ride. KCNRR.com Music in the Park 6:00, Rotary Park (Blue Springs). Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors with free, live musical entertainment.

BlueSpringsGov.com

9 Monday Countryside VBS: Lost in Time Thru Friday, Countryside Church. Travel through time to search for God’s amazing promise!

CSide.org/vbs

Presented by The Culture House Summer Broadway Theatre

July 20th at 7:00pm July 21st at 1:00pm and 7:00pm July 22nd at 2:00pm Yardley Hall (in the Carlsen Center at JCCC) www.culturehouse.com 913.393.3141 The Hunchback of Notre Dame is presented through special arrangements with Music Theatre International (MTI). www.MTIShows.com

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Trivial Pursuit: A 50-State Adventure Thru Sept 3, Crown Center. Take a trek across the USA and enjoy an activity for every state.

CrownCenter.com Open Play 10:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park.

Bring the kids to run, play and jump. Enjoy a little sweat with a lot of bounce! 913.298.0626 Zax Kidz Night 5:00, Zaxby’s (Olathe & Overland Park). Zax Kidz meal only 99 cents with purchase of adult meal. Zaxbys.com

10 Tuesday Toddle Time 9:00, Matt Ross Community Center. Open playtime with an array of toys, including blocks, balls and puzzles. $1-$2.

913.895.6350

Spring Hill Rocks 10:00, Jo Co Library (Spring Hill). Paint rocks to leave throughout the community for others to find. Bring rocks; paint provided. JoCoLibrary.org

22 45th & Oak

Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists.

Kids will enjoy our outdoor playsets that are available for open play. $2/cash. 913.307.6023 Cass County Fair Thru July 15, Cass County Fairgrounds. Youth livestock shows, demolition derby, carnival, pet shows and more!

CassCountyFairMO.com Wyandotte County Fair Thru July 14, Wyandotte County Fairgrounds. Enjoy carnival rides, food, games, entertainment and activities for all ages! WyCoFair.com Popsicles in the Park 6:30, Santa Fe Park (Independence). Enjoy free frozen treats, live children’s entertainment and special activities.

816.325.7115 Live Music at Grinter Jamboree 7:00, Grinter Place. Enjoy food, beverages and great live music! $5. 913.481.3527 Movies in the Park 8:30, Theatre in the Park.

Gates open at 7:30. See Despicable Me 3 under the stars. TheatreInThePark.org

nelson-atkins.org Bring your own picnic or purchase food truck fare, and enjoy an afternoon of FREE activities & entertainment.

11 Wednesday

TRAIN RIDES

Toddler Time 10:00, Sky Zone. A time for little ones to bounce under the supervision of their parents and without interference from the big kids. SkyZone.com Story Time in the Park 10:00, Happy Rock Park. Visit a new park and explore books, music, activities and more in an outdoor setting.

MyMCPL.org Miniature Room Settings 10:30, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Explore miniature room settings then decorate your own miniature room. 816.235.8000 Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com Newsies 7:30, White Theatre. The Coterie and the White Theatre at the J join forces to create Kansas City’s first locally-produced performance of Newsies. TheJKC.org City Band Concert 8:00, South Park (Lawrence).

The Lawrence City Band presents annual concert series throughout the summer.

LawrenceKS.org/lprd

TrainDayRides Ice Cream Train Train Rides Ice Cream Train Family Food Pumpkin Express Train Train Grandparents $8.50 $9.50 $10.00 $12.00

$10.00 ofSaturday the 8th, 15th 22nd September 11,Depart one grandparent Regular Trains Regular Trains Depart EveryRides Every Friday,in October weekends 2ndFriday of theand month Sat (May - Oct) - Aug Sat &FREE Sun,with 2 pma[May -Sun, Oct]2 pm 12:30, 2:00 3:30 June - Aug, Trains depart atJune rides paid& child’s admission!

Juneand- Aug 7 pm Sat., 11 am [June -Closed Aug Sundays only] in July and Aug 7 pm 7 pm Sat, 11 am (June - Aug only)

Kids under three FREE

Charters •• Field Trips or Birthday Parties, plan by appointment.

Field Trips or Birthday Parties, plan by appointment.

Charters

Tickets sale one one hour hourbefore beforetrain traindeparture departuretime. time.

Tickets go go on on sale

Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad Co.

502 Walnut •Belton, Missouri • 816-331-0630 • www.beltonrailroad.org kcparent.com july 2018

57

Family Fun Nights Thursdays, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Late night fun on Thursdays.

Tonight’s theme is cowboys. Free admission. Mahaffie.org

12 Thursday Go Dog Go! 10:00 & 1:00, MTH Theater (Crown Center). It’s an all-out dog party in this colorful, hilarious adaption of PD Eastman’s beloved book. MesnerPuppets.org

Family Fun Nights 6:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Late night fun on Thursdays. Tonight’s theme is cowboys. Free admission. Mahaffie.org

13 Friday

Time Travelers 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929.

Living history comes to life in this familyoriented program. Farm activities, crafts, gardening and more. ShawneeTown.org

Summer Book Sale Thru Sunday, Lawrence Public Library. All titles are priced $2 and under, so stock your shelves on the cheap!

LPLFriends.org

GeoKids 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum.

A brief classroom presentation on maps, directions and using a compass with a treasure hunt. Pre-reg at OPABG.org.

The Teddy Bear Picnic 11:00, Roanoke Park.

Pack a picnic, bring a blanket and grab your favorite teddy bear for an afternoon of fun.

816.513.7660

Magic of the Gathering Club 4:00, Teen Commons (Olathe). Join gamers in grades 6-12 to play this popular card game. 913.971.6874

Friday in the Park 11:30, Macken Park. Enjoy live music in the park over the lunch hour.

Today’s band: 5 Star Jazz Band. NKC.org

Comedy City 7:00, the Culture House Stage & Studio (Oak Park Mall). See five of the funniest improvisers create hilarious sketches.

CultureHouse.com

Want to Foster or Adopt? Thru Oct 1, KVC Ottawa. Classes designed to prepare you to care for a child and provide you with supportive skills. KVCKansas.org

Fine Art Friday 1:00, Kemper Museum.

Interactive experiences in the museum’s gallery to encourage students to examine objects.

KemperArt.org

Middle School Teen Night 7:00, Paradise Park. For $20 get unlimited play on a variety of adventure attractions, a $5 fun card and a personal pizza. Paradise-Park.com

Summer Movie Night 6:00, Oak Park Mall.

Festivities begin at 6:00, and the movie starts at 7:00. Free. TheNewOakParkMall.com

Join Us!

AUGUST 2ND

OPEN HOUSE 6 -8 PM

Preschool through High School

PM

• Hear from our Head of School and Principals.

• Learn about our programs for grades K-12.

• Presentation begins at the South campus (6826 Lackman Rd.). Tours of both campuses available after the presentation.

We deliver strong Academics rooted in Biblical truth and displayed with excellence in Fine Arts, Athletics, Character, and Leadership opportunities. MCA is raising students in a safe, nurturing environment who are confident in their faith.

Discover MCA

58

kcparent.com july 2018

mca-eagles.org

6826 Lackman Rd. • Shawnee, KS 66217 • 913-631-0637

Sounds on the Square 7:00, Linden Square.

Bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a family-friendly concert. Picnics allowed.

LindenSquare.info

Story Time 1:30, Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary. Hear a naturalist read a tale about an animal, then make a craft. Pre-reg at 816.781.8698.

14 Saturday

Train Rides 2:00, Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad. Enjoy an old-fashioned train ride on Saturday afternoons. 816.331.0630

Antique & Craft Fair 9:00, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. The 31st annual fair offers unique arts and crafts. BWEstate.net/events Children’s Garden Day 9:00, Atkins-Johnson Farm. Children’s crafts, activities, recipes, demonstrations and each child receives seed starter kit. Free. 816.423.4107 Snow Zoo Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Berlin enjoys an icy paradise, and more animals cool off with refreshing icy treats.

KansasCityZoo.org Reptile Day 10:00, Science City. Amphibians, reptiles and birds—oh, my! Learn all about these creatures with special activities.

UnionStation.org Trivial Pursuit: A 50-State Adventure Thru Sept 3, Crown Center. Take a trek across the USA and enjoy an activity for every state.

CrownCenter.com

Wild West Show 2:00, Midwest Genealogy Center. Join two alleged outlaws as they talk about their noted exploits in earlier times. Free.

816.252.7228 Saturday Feeder 4:00, Cedar Cove. Come to see the public feedings of the cats, weather permitting. $5-$7. SaveOurSiberians.org Second Saturdays 4:00, Downtown Weston.

Stroll into unique gift shops and galleries for late night shopping and in-store specials.

WestonMO.com

15 Sunday Farmers Market 8:00, the City Market. The market offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries, flowers and gift items from nearby farms. TheCityMarket.org KC Northern Train Rides Noon, Line Creek Park. Ride restored trains around a half-mile track in the park. $.75/ride. KCNRR.com art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages!

816.751.1278 Goosebumps—Phantom of the Auditorium: The Musical 2:00, the Coterie. A cartoony mystery musical based on the series from RL Stine. TheCoterie.org

16 Monday

Raytown Live 6:00, Greenspace in Town Center. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a family-friendly concert with neighbors and friends. Raytown.live

Summer Fun Photos Bondurant Studios.

Schedule your summer themed photos.

Price includes social media image.

BondurantStudios.com

Summer Lights Tour 7:00, Providence Medical Center Amphitheater. Compassion International brings Jeremy Camp, Matthew West and others.

SummerLightsTour.com

The Spoon Man Various times and branches, MCPL. Watch the Spoon Man play percussion with two ordinary spoons. Join in on his singalong. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

MOVIE NIGHT FEATURING

CARS

At Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead PRESENTED BY

7/31/18

THURSDAY, JULY 19 DOORS OPEN AT 7:30 P.M. MOVIE BEGINS AT DUSK

1200 Kansas City Road Olathe, Kansas 913.971.5111

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and join us for Movie Night at the Farmstead.

Come early and create your own box car!

Activities vary by season Wild West Days September 24 & 25 Visit www.mahaffie.org

kcparent.com july 2018

59

what’s your

JULY KC IQ?

test your local smarts with this quiz 1. Annually, Kansas Citians celebrate summer with a Big Picnic (July 22 this year), complete with puppet shows, bubbles, food trucks and live entertainment at this local attraction:

2. H ow many blueberries are in one cup of fresh berries?

A) Swope Park

B) Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

C) Shawnee Mission Park

D) D eanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

3. Each year, Downtown Merriam

A) 50-55 B) 100-105 C) 85-90 D) 65-70

displays its patriotic pride as Flags 4 Freedom organizers place this number of U.S. flags at the Merriam Marketplace, Irene B. French Community Center and along Merriam and Johnson drives:

A) 1,500

B) 1,000

C) 1,776

D) 2,000

5. The average American

4. J uly 24, 1897, is the birth date of this famous

consumes this much ice cream annually:

woman from Kansas:

A) Carrie Nation

C) Stroud’s D) Peachtree Buffet

ANSWER KEY:

B) Niecie’s

1) B : N elson-Atkins Museum of Art

A) RC’s

2) D: 65 –70

chicken in KC the longest?

D) 3 gallons

3) A: 1,500

6. W hich of these restaurants has been serving fried

C) 48 pints

4) D: Amelia Earhart

D) Amelia Earhart

B) 2 gallons

5) C: 48 pints

C) Dorothy Gale

A) 30 pints

: Stroud’s 6) C

B) Mamie Eisenhower

Free Family Movie 2:00, Olathe Downtown Library. Join us for a free family movie, Coco. No registration is necessary, but space is limited.

OlatheLibrary.org

Want to Foster or Adopt? Thru Oct 4, KVC Olathe. Classes designed to prepare you to care for a child and provide you with supportive skills. KVCKansas.org

Jamaican Jam 7:00, Legacy Park Amphitheater.

Enjoy a free trip to the islands without leaving Lee’s Summit! Three great reggae bands perform! CityOfLS.net

Shipwrecked: Vacation Bible School Thru Friday, Woods Chapel Church. At Shipwrecked, kids discover that Jesus rescues them!

WoodsChapelChurch.org

Moo-vie at the Farmstead 7:30, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy Cars on the lawn at the farmstead! Free. 913.634.7165

Olathe Live! 7:00, Frontier Park. Enjoy live music from Landslide (Fleetwood Mac tribute) with special guest Synchronicity (Police tribute).

Free. OlatheKS.org

Flick ‘n Float 8:00. Gardner Aquatic Center. A relaxing movie night with friends and family!

Float around while watching The Little Mermaid!

GardnerKansas.gov

21 Saturday

17 Tuesday Purchase Tickets The Wizard of Oz comes to the Providence Medical Center Amphitheater Aug 1-5. Purchase your tickets today.

WizardOfOzKC.com Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists.

Kids will enjoy our outdoor playsets that are available for open play. $2 cash. 913.307.6023 Open Play 10:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park.

Bring the kids to run, play and jump. Enjoy a little sweat with a lot of bounce! 913.298.0626

20 Friday Junior Jaunts 10:15, Nelson-Atkins. Bring your baby in a stroller or carrier for an adult-focused yet infant-friendly tour. Nelson-Atkins.org Food Truck Friday 11:00, Union Cemetery. Enjoy a tasty and affordable lunch in downtown’s most peaceful park space. KCParks.org

Summer Kids Series 10:00, B & B Theatres.

Family-friendly movies for only $3/person Tuesdays through Thursdays. This week: Penguins of Madagascar. BBTheatres.com

Amelia Earhart Festival Today & tomorrow, Atchison, KS. A downtown music, food and crafts fair, carnival and more. VisitAtchison.com

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

Third Friday Art Walk 5:30, Englewood Station Arts District. Tour the art galleries. View live performances and artists on the sidewalks.

EnglewoodStation.com

18 Wednesday Big Backyard Thru Oct 21, Powell Gardens.

A larger-than-life exhibition featuring backyard items. PowellGardens.org Storyteller: Priscilla Howe 10:00, Central Resource Library. Expect toe-tapping, giggles, snorts, guffaws, chuckles and a rollicking good time! JoCoLibrary.org Toddler Time 10:00, Sky Zone. A time for little ones to bounce under the supervision of their parents and without interference from the big kids. SkyZone.com Platte County Fair Thru July 21, Platte County Fairgrounds. Annual event since 1863 includes petting zoo, live music, a carnival and more.

PlatteCountyFair.com

19 Thursday Open Play 10:00, Jump City. Bring the kids to Jump City—where excitement and laughs are found daily! $8/child; parents are free.

JumpCityKC.com

Rockin’ Party in Your Park 6:30, Quail Creek Park. Games, face painting, an inflatable, light dinner and tunes from area musicians.

913.322.5550 Comedy City 7:00, the Culture House Stage & Studio (Oak Park Mall). See five of the funniest improvisers create hilarious sketches.

CultureHouse.com Ice Cream Train 7:00, Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad. Enjoy a train ride and an ice cream treat. A great summer evening!

BeltonRailroad.org The Addams Family Thru July 28, Theatre in the Park. An original story featuring those familiar and wacky Addams family members.

TheatreInThePark.org The Hunchback of Notre Dame Thru Sunday, Yardley Hall. Culture House performs show based on the Victor Hugo novel with songs from the Disney feature. CultureHouse.com Kidzbop Live 7:00, Starlight Theatre. The ultimate family concert experience. Popular songs sung by kids for kids. KCStarlight.com

Lost Trail Days 9:00, 10:00 or 11:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. Tour includes viewing of soda production run, samples and more! Free; prereg at 913837.5202.

Sidewalk Sale 10:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit.

Take advantage of great summer savings and see all that downtown merchants have to offer!

DowntownLS.org Harlem Globetrotters Experience Today & tomorrow, Worlds of Fun. Guests of all ages will be entertained by the Globetrotters’ skills!

WorldsOfFun.com Making Magic with Marty 10:00, Oak Park Library. Interactive, fun workshop where kids will learn four magic tricks to show family and friends. JoCoLibrary.org Scavenger Saturdays 10:00, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Follow the clues on this “ART-tastic” adventure! 816.753.5784 Superhero Adventures 10:30, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Discover early action figures then make your own superhero.

816.235.8000 Puppets on Strings 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. Take a seat for a troupe of lively marionettes in a cabaret of music and flair!

PuppetryArtsInstitute.org Miami County Fair Thru July 28, Paola. Youth rodeo, carnival, races, parade, bike derby, horse show, pancake breakfast, concerts and more.

MiamiCountyKansasFair.com Ice Cream Social 2:00, Shawnee Town 1929.

Churn of the Century does the churning with a 1922 Stover hit-and-miss engine. Free.

ShawneeTown.org Family Fun & Fit Day 5:00, Grove Park. Enjoy a challenge course, softball or kickball games, fitness dances, demonstrations and more. Free.

KCParks.org

kcparent.com july 2018

61

Rock & Food Trucks Festival July 28, Downtown Topeka. Choose tasty eats from food trucks before claiming a spot in front of some of live music. VisitTopeka.com

22 Sunday

23 Monday

Shark Week Thru Sunday, Sea Life Aquarium.

Say hello to the four species of shark and learn the ins and outs of these sleek predators.

816.471.4386

Moms Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park. Moms are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224

KC Northern Train Rides Noon, Line Creek Park. Ride restored trains around a half-mile track in the park. $.75/ride. KCNRR.com

Fire Dog 10:00 (Independence) & 2:00 (North Oak), MCPL. Join the kids rock band Fire Dog for a musical adventure. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org/events.

Newsies 2:00, White Theatre. The Coterie and the White Theatre at the J join forces to create Kansas City’s first locally-produced performance of Newsies. TheJKC.org Kansas City’s BIG Picnic 4:00, Nelson-Atkins.

A fun-filled evening with food trucks, live music, art activities, lawn games and more.

Nelson-Atkins.org Music in the Park 6:00, Rotary Park (Blue Springs). Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors with free, live musical entertainment.

BlueSpringsGov.com

TV Channel

19.4 or check your cable provider

62

kcparent.com july 2018

Trivial Pursuit: A 50-State Adventure Thru Sept 3, Crown Center. Take a trek across the USA and enjoy an activity for every state.

CrownCenter.com Open Play 10:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park.

Bring the kids to run, play and jump. Enjoy a little sweat with a lot of bounce! 913.298.0626 Zax Kidz Night 5:00, Zaxby’s (Olathe & Overland Park). Zax Kidz meal only 99 cents with purchase of adult meal. Zaxbys.com

Live Stream kcptkids.org

24 Tuesday Toddle Time 9:00, Matt Ross Community Center. Open playtime with an array of toys, including blocks, balls and puzzles. $1-$2.

913.895.6350 Parent Practicum 9:00, Westside Church of the Nazarene. Classical, Christian three-day conference for parents. Free.

ClassicalConversations.com

Interactive Games kcptkids.org

Leavenworth County Fair Thru July 28, Leavenworth County Fairgrounds. Games, contests, pony rides, derbies and more.

LeavenworthCountyFair.com

Want to Foster or Adopt? Thru Sept 27, KVC Kansas City. Classes designed to prepare you to care for a child and provide you with supportive skills. KVCKansas.org

Summer Teen Bash 7:00, Black Bob Park & Black Bob Bay. A night for middle schoolers presented by Olathe CTC. Free with school supply donation. 913.971.5345

Popsicles in the Park 6:30, Fairmount Park.

Live music, entertainment, crafts and Popsicles.

Tonight: music by Dino O’Dell. 816.325.7843

Jammin’ on the Green 7:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Vine Street Rumble Jazz Orchestra will be back to jam. Light refreshments provided.

ShawneeTown.org

27 Friday

Movies in the Park 8:30, Theatre in the Park.

Gates open at 7:30. See The Land Before Time under the stars. $1. TheatreInThePark.org

25 Wednesday Farmers Market 7:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Shop for a variety of fresh produce, plants, meat, baked goods, crafts and more.

DowntownLS.org Dinosaurs Revealed 10:00, Union Station. Take a hands-on trek that brings you face to face with 26 life-size dinosaurs. UnionStation.org Toddler Time 10:00, Sky Zone. A time for little ones to bounce under the supervision of their parents and without interference from the big kids. SkyZone.com Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com

Open Play 10:00, Jump City. Bring the kids to Jump City—where excitement and laughs are found daily! $8/child; parents are free.

JumpCityKC.com

26 Thursday Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists.

Kids will enjoy our outdoor playsets that are available for open play. $2/cash. 913.307.6023 Time Travelers 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929.

Living history comes to life in this family oriented program. Farm activities, crafts, gardening and more. ShawneeTown.org

Festival of Butterflies Thru Sun, Powell Gardens. See hundreds of colorful, free-flying butterflies and much more during the signature festival. 816.697.2600 Fourth Friday Art Walk 5:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. A variety of activities, including art receptions and music in Howard Station Park.

DowntownLS.org

Open Play 10:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park.

Bring the kids to run, play and jump. Enjoy a little sweat with a lot of bounce! 913.298.0626 Family Fun Nights 6:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Late night fun on Thursdays.

Tonight’s Theme: science, 1860s style. Free admission. Mahaffie.org

WeekEnder 6:00, Crown Center Square. Enjoy top local bands and favorite food trucks, then watch a flick under the stars. Free admission.

CrownCenter.com Ice Cream Train 7:00, Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad. Enjoy a train ride and an ice cream treat. A great summer evening!

BeltonRailroad.org

ENROLL NOW Photography: Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios

WITH OUR PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AGES 2-18 ENHANCE POISE, FOCUS AND RHYTHM WITH THE REGION’S MOST RESPECTED PROGRAM FOR ASPIRING DANCERS

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS!

• AUGUS T

2 5 , 2018 •

FREE DANCE CLASSES FREE LOCAL & WORLD DANCE PERFORMANCES

BOLENDER CENTER 500 W. Pershing Kansas City, MO 64108

Nall Ave.

I-3 5

KC DANCE DAY

Broadway

DON’T MISS

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 july 2018

63

Rock & Food Trucks Festival 3:30, Downtown Topeka. Choose tasty eats from food trucks before claiming a spot in front of some of live music. VisitTopeka.com

Into the Woods Jr Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Young Audiences. KCYA brings this cockeyed fairy tale to life. $5/person, lap children free. KCYA.org

28 Saturday

Saturday Feeder 4:00, Cedar Cove. Come to see the public feedings of the cats, weather permitting. $5-$7. SaveOurSiberians.org

Georgia’s Chicken Run 7:30, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Lace up those shoes, because it’s time for Georgia’s Annual Chicken Fun Run/Walk. OPKansas.org

Illusionist Andy Gross 7:00, Legacy Park Amphitheater. See one of the hottest standup comics, magicians and ventriloquists working today. CityOfLS.net

Fun in the Sun Kids Fest 9:00, Linden Square.

A day of entertainment, live music and lots of games and activities for the entire family.

LindenSquare.info Species Spotlight 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. On the fourth Saturday, the zoo shines a spotlight on an amazing animal. Today’s animals: sharks.

KansasCityZoo.org Hot Air Balloon Day 10:00, Science City. Enjoy lots of fun and activities with today’s theme of hot air balloons. UnionStation.org Hands-On History 11:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life. Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org

art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages! 816.751.127

30 Monday Moms Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park. Moms are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 Purchase Tickets The Wizard of Oz comes to the Providence Medical Center Amphitheater Aug 1-5. Purchase your tickets today.

WizardOfOzKC.com

Community Orchestra 8:00, Lenexa Commons.

Bring a lawn chair, grab refreshments from the Lenexa Public Market and enjoy a great show.

913.477.7100

Douglas County Fair Thru Aug 4, Lawrence.

Petting zoo, concerts, turtle races, carnival, tractor pull and more! DGCountyFair.com

29 Sunday

31 Tuesday

The Great Car Show 9:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. Music, ridealongs, food trucks, demonstrations and more.

TheGreatCarShow.com

Trivial Pursuit: A 50-State Adventure Thru Sept 3, Crown Center. Take a trek across the USA and enjoy an activity for every state.

CrownCenter.com

Johnson County Fair Thru Aug 4, Johnson County Fairgrounds. Dog show, youth rodeo, carnival, concerts, goat milking and more.

JoCoKansasFair.com

Harry Potter Pottery Night 6:30, Ceramic Café.

Paint one-of-a-kind ceramic wands for each wizard and enjoy plenty of wizard snacks! 16+.

Pre-reg at 913.383.0222.

SEE A FULL LISTING OF EVENTS AT

MOSTATEFAIR.COM PLAN YOUR VISIT TODAY!

36314-july-18-kc-parent.indd july 2018 64

kcparent.com

1

6/13/2018 3:50:35 PM

Take a short drive to the Ozarks for a getaway your family will never forget. From a cave exploration to an afternoon on the lake, Big Cedar has countless opportunities to connect with the great outdoors. In the evenings, share your favorite moments from the day as you dine in one of six restaurants across the property.

Call or visit the website to plan your getaway today!

866.966.5620 BIGCEDAR.COM

your prehistoric journey begins july 3

BUY EXHIBITION TICKETS NOW

U NION S TATION.ORG

“Favorite Family-Friendly Attraction” Visitors’ Choice Awards – Visit KC

Plan Your Visit Today

ScienceCity.com #ScienceCityKC

Explore

Kansas City Zoo

July 1–4 Red White & Zoo July 14 & 15 Zootastik Learning Fest— All About Zookeepers July 14 & 15 SnowZoo July 21 FOTZ Member Breakfast July 28 KU Day at the Zoo July 28 & 29 Species Spotlight— Sharks & Rays July 28 & 29 Penguin March

NOW OPEN!

STINGRAY BAY

–STINGRAY & SHARK TOUCH TANK– 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.