KC Parent Magazine October 2016

FREE | October 2016 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

ALL OVER KC 10 PAGES OF

Let it Go! 7 things to

stop

worrying about

fantastic fall fun APPLES & PUMPKINS

DIY FACE PAINTING

BENEFITS OF A TUTOR FOR YOUR

CHILD

FOLIAGE & FESTIVALS BEST EVER

PUMPKIN PATCH GIVEAWAY DETAILS PG. 9

physicians

lee’s

summit

group

Lee’s Summit Physicians 1425 N.W. Blue Parkway Lee’s Summit, Missouri 816.524.5600 LSPhysicians.com

We offer pediatric walk-in urgent care seven days a week, medical advice by phone, after-hours on-call physicians and online scheduling!

Raintree Pediatrics 995 SW 34th St. Lee’s Summit, Missouri 816.525.4700 Raintree-Pediatrics.com Blue Springs Pediatrics 1600 NW South Outer Road Blue Springs, Missouri 816.554.6520 BlueSpringsPediatric.com

Sallie L. Veenstra, MD Barbara S. Trites, MD Lisa B. Fletcher, MD Deann E. DeWitt, MD Allison C. Henschel, MD Sarah J. Gladstone, MD Bryan L. Phillips, MD Daniel E. Gershon, DO Veronica Manka, MD Jeffrey P. Yannette, MD Jennifer M. Sauer, MD Ashley Campbell, DO

Urgent Care Blue Parkway office Mon-Thur 8:00 am - 7:00 pm Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Sat-Sun 8:00 -11:00 am Blue Springs & Raintree Mon-Fri 8:00 am -11:00 am

Danielle Leivian, MD Robin Dawson, MD Cynthia M. Dean, DO Anne Parkin-Cohen, MD Lauren Lee, C-PNP Kelly R. Fritz, C-PNP Julie Kirkpatrick, C-PNP Camille Lucitto, C-PNP Sarah Dedrick, C-PNP

Scheduled appointments Mon-Fri 10:00 -12:00 pm & 1:00 - 4:00 pm Free Prenatal Consults Mon-Fri 10:00 -12:00 pm & 1:00 - 4:00 pm

trust.

healthcare you can 2

kcparent.com october 2016

Angela Stott, C-PNP Kimberly McNerney, C-PNP Tiffany Vitt, C-PNP

mysterious green goblin green from gobblin’ too many sweets A trip to the ER is no treat. But our kidfriendly ERs are not so scary. We have 10 ERs throughout the Kansas City area that can take care of your little goblin’s most ghoulish ouchies.

Visit hcamidwest.com/halloween to view our average ER wait times, and to learn tips on safe pumpkin carving, trick-ortreating and candy eating.

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.

ER of Brookside Independence Rockhill Rd. & Holmes Rd. Centerpoint Medical Center 39th St. & Little Blue Pkwy

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 OverlandCenter Park Regional Medical Medical CenterRd. I-435 & Quivira I-435 & Quivira NOW OPEN – Rd. Now with a dedicated Dedicated Pediatric ER Pediatric ER Shawnee ER of Shawnee West of I-35 on Shawnee Mission Pkwy 2866 A

* 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.

Here For Your Family’s Health, On and Off the Field.

Overland Park (135th & Grandview) Lenexa (91st & Quivira) Olathe (119th & Blackbob) NOW OPEN Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m. • Sat. & Sun., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

CentraCareKC.com There’s never a good time to be sick or injured. That’s why when it comes to the health of your family, it’s important to have quick access to health care you can trust. Introducing Centra Care Shawnee Mission Urgent Care. Just walk in or make an online reservation at CentraCareKC.com to see a Board-certified, Centra Care doctor.

· Open seven days a week · On-site X-rays and prescriptions · Most insurance plans accepted

YMCA EARLY LEARNING Learn. Grow. Thrive.

MISSOURI

KANSAS

Maple Woods YMCA Early Learning Center

Highlands Elementary Preschool

3100 NE 83rd Street, Suite 1501-B Kansas City, MO 64119 816.468.8780 Ages 2-5

Children’s Center Campus YMCA Early Learning Center 3101 Main Street Kansas City, MO 64111 816.931.1347 Ages 6 weeks to 5 years

We provide a nurturing environment where kids feel safe and supported while learning, growing, making friends and preparing for the world of kindergarten.

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kcparent.com october 2016

Schedule a tour and learn more at LearnAtTheY.org

6200 Roe Ave Mission, KS 66205 913.831.2895 Ages 3-5

Santa Fe Trail Elementary Preschool 7100 Lamar Overland Park, KS 66204 913.722.5716 Ages 3-5

Olathe Family YMCA Early Learning Center 21400 W 153rd Street Olathe, KS 66061 913.390.7802 Ages 6 weeks to 5 years

OUR MISSION The YMCA of Greater Kansas City, founded on Christian principles, is a charitable organization with an inclusive environment committed to enriching the quality of family, spiritual, social, mental and physical well-being.

A UNITED WAY AGENCY

LEARN MORE

OCT

2016

DEPARTMENTS

FALL FUN IN KANSAS CITY, PG. 40-49

12

Media Mix

15

Word from Dad

18

Healthy Kids

19

Faith & Family

43

Craft Corner

SPECIAL SECTIONS FEATURES

12

24

43

Fall Titles

Ready, Set Swipe! Garlands

New books help kids learn about the past.

Tips to teach your kids how to use credit.

Create a festive fall leaf decoration.

34

Party Guide

44

Pumpkin Patch Guide

50

Calendar of Events

Our cover features Avery from Olathe.

Cover and select interior photos by KiaBondurant.com.

FREE | October 2016 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

ON THE COVER

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kcparent.com october 2016

Things to Stop Worrying About

22

Benefits of Tutoring

28

Apples & Pumpkins

40

Foliage & Festivals

42

Pumpkin Patches

44

DIY Face Painting

49

aLL oVer KC 10 paGes oF

Let it Go! 7 things to

stop

worryinG about

fantastic fall fun appLes & puMpKins Diy FaCe paintinG

beneFits oF A tUtoR FoR YoUR

CHiLD

FoLiaGe & FestiVaLs best eVer

puMpKin patCH GiVeaway DetaiLs pG. 9

ceL

20 raTi

Years

Since 1996

With over 65 teaching artists, we teach ALL levels, recreational to professional, and ALL ages, preschool through adult, in our 20,000-square-foot modern facility.

nG

Dance Music TheaTre arT

eB

From playing a baby mouse eight years ago to being the lead in Cinderella in 2016, Briana James studied dance and theater at The Culture House for a decade and earned a substantial scholarship to attend Oklahoma City University’s prestigious dance program.

Enrolling Now: Dance, Music, Theatre & Art Classes!

117th and Black Bob in Olathe, KS 913.393.3141 • CultureHouse.com

EDITOR’SLETTER

F

Enter to win

50 family 4-packs to all your favorite Pumpkin Patches!

See details on pg. 9.

Enjoy the fall, KC!

Margaret Sarver, Editor

OCTOBER 2016 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 Electronic 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), Melissa Bellach (Overland Park), Karah Chapman (Kansas City), Tisha Foley (Belton), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Jessica Heine (Olathe), Rebecca Ishum (Lee’s Summit), Karen Johnson (Olathe), Megan Kapple (Kansas City), Gina Klein (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Kerrie McLoughlin (Overland Park), Jena Meyerpeter (Lenexa), Jessica Samuel (Kansas City)

Mailing Address 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS kansas city’s #1 travel guide since 2010

FREE | October 2016 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

fall/winter 2016-17

baby&

FREE Oct-Dec 2016 KCParent.com Since 2002

maternity

What Makes aLL oVer KC 10 paGes oF

Let it Go! 7 things to

stop

worryinG about

fantastic fall fun appLes & puMpKins Diy FaCe paintinG

beneFits oF A tUtoR FoR YoUR

CHiLD

FoLiaGe & FestiVaLs

the

NICU

Kc cOOL? 500+ WaYS

IssUe

tO eXPerIeNce It

Streetcar

NICU know-how for parents

Scavenger Hunt MeGa-FUN

Kc BucKet LISt

+

life lessons :

FaVOrIte FeStS UNIQUe SOUVeNIrS

surviving

baby’s first year

TIps

best eVer

to nurture the nesting instinct

puMpKin patCH GiVeaway DetaiLs pG. 9

The BesT Fall FUN

for lIttle oNes

.com

all is in full swing in Kansas City!

What I love best about the season is pumpkin treats, and what I dislike most about fall (apart from allergies) is the fact that winter follows. If we could go from fall straight into spring, I would like it a whole lot more. If your calendar isn’t already filled to the brim with activities, it will be after reading this issue! From pumpkin patches to fall festivals and much more, we’ve got you covered on great ways to make the most of the season!

My girls were just 5 and 2 when I started working for KC Parent 10 years ago. Throughout the years, their photos have appeared in different issues, and I often make mention of them right here, in my letter. The first thing they do each month when we receive our print copies is look through to see whether they’ve been included. It has been brought to my attention that my younger is trailing in mentions, and I must rectify that! My Ally (who is now in middle school!), celebrates her 12th birthday this month. She is full of life, full of energy and full of love. She brings much joy to our family, and I wish her the happiest of birthdays!

It may have been several years ago, but I still can remember the toddler meltdown days in our home. I imagine many of you remember as well—and that many of you are currently in that season of life. Overland Park mom Melissa Bellach offers tips for dealing with the dreaded toddler meltdown on pg. 32. And once those toddlers get older and enter school, they sometimes need extra help with homework (like how I segued there?).

Find out the benefits tutoring can offer your child on pg. 28.

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

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Circulation verified by:

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 october 2016

KCPARENTONLINE

KCParent.com

Even More Local Parenting Information, Articles, Events and Surprises

Search KCParent.com for OUR TOP 10 LISTS OF fun ideas: 1. Halloween Guide 2. Leaf Peeping 3. 50 under $5 for Fall Fun 4. October Festivals 5. Camping in Missouri and Kansas 6. Tips for the Pumpkin Patch 7. Popcorn Treats 8. Giveaways

Spotlight

9. Calendar

FALL BUCKET LIST

10. Coupons

For 50 ideas for fall fun, all under $5, head to KCParent.com.

KCPARENT.COM IS THE PLACE FOR FREE STUFF!

KCKC Parent’s Parent’s

Birthday Party Great Pumpkin PatchBonanza!

Giveaway!

During the month October, KC is giving away during theofmonth ofParent September,

KC50 Parent is giving away over family 4-Packs

$3,000

to your favorite pumpkin patches!

follow us on facebook for details and to enter facebook.com/kansascityParent in birthday parties!

enter tO WIn One OF 10 Great BIrtHDaY PartIes FrOM tHe VenUes BeLOW: Family Orchard & Berry Farm ®

CIDER MILL SINCE 1977

#kcParentcontest to EntEr, LoG onto KCParEnt.CoM #KCParEntContESt kcparent.com october 2016

9

forming friendships

from toddler to teen

A

toddlers and preschoolers s parents, we want our kids to make good friends, friends with whom they have fun and in whom they

can confide. Of course, not all kids are social butterflies. So how do you encourage friendships at every stage of the game, from toddler to teen? Read on to learn!

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kcparent.com october 2016

I envy the easy way in which the tiny crowd makes friends. They can plop down next to any random kid at a park, daycare or preschool, start chatting and…BAM!…they are instant pals. Taking your child places and providing chances for him to be around other kids are what it takes for him to make new friends during this special time.

Playdates, for instance, are a great way for toddlers and preschoolers to try out their social skills. Alyssa Ast, mom of four, says, “Finding parents that have children close in age to yours is a good place to start. Take your children to the park and search these parents out. Strike up a conversation to see whether your families share similarities. If so, set up a playdate

in a public area until you become comfortable enough with one another to meet at each other’s houses.”

Never underestimate the power of play! “By taking turns and sharing through activity and play, [children] are beginning to build friendships. It is important to help a child learn this through built-in fun and play-oriented activities that promote taking turns, sharing and caring about their new friends,” says Anna Marie Evans, licensed teacher of Dr. Steven Stosny’s parenting class Compassionate Parenting (CompassionPower.com). “Having children learn these at a young age helps them build a foundation for successful relationships as they mature into adults.”

It may seem a little early to be thinking ahead to friendships during the teen years, but don’t forget that your child is watching you and how you interact with him and with others (friends, family, your spouse or partner) right now. “Whatever the parents give at earlier ages will come home to roost with teenagers. Be there for them as they’re 3 and 8 and 10, and they’ll be halfway normal at 16,” says Victoria Solsberry, LCSW of Arlington, a psychiatric social worker and author of Adoption for Singles.

elementary age kids If your child attends school, making friends should be easy with so many kids to choose from. Other ways for your child to make friends at this age include groups like Cub Scouts or Girl Scouts, sports (organized through the school or through a parks and recreation department) or clubs where your child can meet kids who share similar interests. If you homeschool, you’ll likely find many groups in your city where you can attend events and where your child can make friends.

When your child reaches elementary school age, you’ll want to make sure you are still modeling what makes a friend, because she’ll learn a lot from how she sees you interact with your spouse, family, coworkers and friends and how you work out disagreements.

Talking about what makes a friend (e.g., a friend is someone who doesn’t tease you or try to hurt you; someone who doesn’t talk badly about you behind your back or online; someone who comes to your birthday parties, listens to you, shares his things, offers to have you over to his house or do things with him, etc.) is important too.

As with the toddler and preschooler period, parents are the ones who model friendships. Ask “what if ” questions like, “What if a third kid wants to play with you and your friend?” because you want your child to think about how to treat existing and new friends. Talk to your children about sharing, teasing and playing fair; play board games with them; teach them not to get physical or retaliate.

Your kids are looking to you to help them with building friendships. According to Rosemary Burton, vice president of education for Minnieland Private Day School, “The kids who are socially popular are the ones who are able to look at feelings and perspectives from other points of view and are not always

worried just about what they are thinking and feeling. To sustain friendships, parents should be working on emotional competence and concentrating not just on the feelings of themselves, but also of other people.”

While getting to know your child’s school friends by having them over often is important, it’s also helpful for kids to have friends in their own neighborhood that they can visit easily and spend large amounts of time with. Rachel Elvin, mom of three, says, “It’s great that my kids have friends who live in our neighborhood.

After getting to know the parents, we now just let our sons walk across the street or ride their bikes a block up to hang out at their friend’s house.”

tweens and teens

Drama rules during the tween and teen years, and you have the added challenge of helping your child learn how to deal with strong peer pressure along the lines of music, drugs, sex, drinking, how to dress, how to act and more. This season of parenting can make chasing after a marker-wielding toddler seem like a piece of cake.

Victoria Solsberry, LCSW, says, “Teenagers who have received the love and support that they need at earlier ages will stay connected to their parents and at least consider their opinions.”

Make sure you pay attention to who your child is hanging out with.

Get to know his friends by inviting them over and being the Mom Taxi. And talk to your child about things like making good choices, how to get out of sticky situations, what a “good” friend looks like and how you expect to know where he is at all times.

Teach your child some ways to make friends, including listening to others, smiling at people, keeping the gossip and cattiness to a minimum, talking to people first, being herself, trying to have a good time, inviting someone new to sit with her at lunch. Other ideas include trying out for a school play, participating in a sport, joining a club at school, attending church youth group activities, going to summer camp and so on.

What if your child is hanging out with some kids you don’t approve of? Tweens and teens are like ships that need a lot of steering in the murky waters of hormones and peer pressure. Ellen Jones, mom of five (including twin 14-year-old boys), says, “When my kids want to hang out with kids that have questionable behavior, we encourage the friends to play at our house so we can monitor what goes on. Then we treat them like we treat our kids and correct their behavior. If they don’t like it, they leave.”

The friendship groundwork you lay when your child is just a toddler impacts how she’ll handle friendships when she’s a teenager and beyond. Teach her how to get along with other kids her age (and of other ages) so she can hold onto friends and make new ones throughout her life.

Overland Park mom Kerrie McLoughlin, a seasoned mom of five, blogs at TheKerrieShow.com. kcparent.com october 2016

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MEDIAMIX

life & times

from history to fiction, new titles help us learn from the past

By McGeath Freeman

Rise of the House of Culligan

By Adam Goldman Illustrated by: Tami Boyce Best for: Ages 7-11 A book that touches on the importance of our elderly and the history they can share with our youth, combined with a strong anti-bullying message, sounds like a great idea. Goldman’s first children’s book offers a valiant attempt to bring these two important subjects together. The story is endearing and believable. Tami Boyce engages readers with a deft use of color and charm. The warm illustrations are enough to encourage you to continue turning the pages.

While the message is important, it may be lost on some readers. The text is wordy, making it a difficult read-aloud book for any story time. Caught between a picture book and an early reader chapter book, the text gets dragged down by difficult phrasing such as “he felt awful about succumbing to the malevolent peer pressure,” and meanders through descriptive passages that would best be left to the illustrations to express.

This book, however, offers important messages about bullying and the place our elderly have in society. It also will be an introduction for many to the Stand for the Silent organization. To learn more about the organization and this book, visit RiseOfTheHouseOfCulligan.com.

What’s good: Great anti-bullying message and charming illustrations.

What’s bad: The text is far too long and contains some awkward phrasing.

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kcparent.com october 2016

Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

By J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne

By Jen Bryant Illustrated by: Boris Kulikov Best for: Ages 5-10

Name the greatest inventions in history. The Gutenberg press, the computer and the phone—inventions of communication—likely would all be on the list. Braille should probably be on the list as well. But more fascinating than the Braille alphabet is the story behind it.

Bryant’s second book about Louis Braille follows the same basic telling of his middle grade biography. In this case, the action and relevant plot points are condensed, and Kulikov’s illustrations help us see the transformation and longing in Braille’s life. From the childhood accident in his father’s workshop that caused an infection and blindness, to Braille’s trying times at the Royal School for the Blind, we see cold darkness buffeted by Braille’s bright and enthusiastic hope.

Six Dots is an excellent addition to classroom shelves and a wonderful read-aloud when students need to learn a lesson on determination and overcoming obstacles.

What’s good: The Q & A in the

endnotes is perfect for classroom study.

What’s bad: There is no actual Braille

on the pages of the book.

Best for: Ages 9-14

By now most Harry Potter fans probably have read this sequel to the seven previous books. This new story begins where the end of Deathly Hallows left off: 19 years later as Albus Severus Potter begins his Hogwarts journey. It quickly progresses from year to year, bringing all of our favorite characters back into play, setting up new characters and building the strained father-son relationship that lies at the heart of this chapter.

It’s a time travel extravaganza with plenty of action, but Rowling’s deft storytelling and knowledge of her characters seems to be lost. While some young readers will have issues digging into the story because of the format (stage play script), the flat and somewhat simplistic versions of our favorite characters will leave others feeling cheated. Don’t get me wrong—Cursed Child is a fun jump back into the wizarding world with a good idea at its core.

Unfortunately, it seems Tiffany and Thorne had a bigger hand in writing this story than did Rowling. For me it was glorified fan fiction: fun but lacking.

What’s good: It’s the wizarding world of Harry Potter.

What’s bad: Simplified characters and

script format.

CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-18

ENROLL TODAY! Photography: Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios

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13

tasty pizza in kansas city For National Pizza Month, take a night off from making dinner and enjoy a slice from one of KC’s many pizza places!

Minsky’s (Minskys.com) Minsky’s has been serving gourmet pizza in Kansas City since 1976.

Minsky’s serves fresh pizzas on hand-rolled dough with generous portions of fresh ingredients.

Waldo Pizza (WaldoPizza.net) Waldo Pizza is one of Kansas City’s best loved restaurants.

Whether you’re craving traditional hand-tossed pizza, St. Louis style pizza, or even vegan pizza, Waldo’s fresh-baked pizza is delicious and affordable.

D’Bronx Deli and Pizzeria (DBronxKC.com.) If you love New York style pizza, this is the place! You can even buy a pizza to take home after a day of play at Crown Center, Union Station and Kaleidoscope.

Spin! Neapolitan Pizza (SpinPizza.com) Spin! Neapolitan Pizza is known for gourmet specialty pizza. If you’d love a little bit of Italy right in your own backyard, this is the place. With modern, fun decor and pizza prepared right before your eyes, Spin is both fun and delish!

Pizza Shoppe (PizzaShoppe.com) Pizza Shoppe is a classic family restaurant with scrumptious pizza and salads. Moms love the “Pink Stuff,” Pizza Shoppe’s signature creamy garlic salad dressing, and kids love the cheesy garlic bread and dessert pizza!

Pie Five Pizza Co. (PieFivePizza.com) From hand-cut veggies to four different crust options, you can feel good about what you’re eating at Pie Five. Pizza made the right way, just for you!

Dewey’s Pizza (DeweysPizza.com) Hand-tossed artisan pizzas made with quality, fresh ingredients, Dewey’s is one of the newest on the KC pizza scene. With a large window that looks into the kitchen, kids will LOVE watching as their pizza is made!

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kcparent.com october 2016

WORDFROMDAD

Halloween Prank

“C’mon, guys! We can do this.”

James and Ian kept their interest on their tablets and didn’t pull out their earplugs, but I wouldn’t give up. I plucked their earbuds and waited for their irritation to subside.

“Even though you’re too old to trick-ortreat, we can still have fun. Anybody up for a prank?”

“A prank?” James seemed mildly curious, but Ian chafed to get back to his tablet.

“A joke that you play on people. For Halloween, it’s usually something scary.”

Ian rolled his eyes. “Can I have my earbuds back?”

“Um…no. Thank you.” James turned to his tablet.

I’d counted on this reaction. I had everything I needed. Even a ruse.

For stage one, we built a straw man from my old clothes, boots and a burlap head, then sat him out front, facing the driveway.

The ruse was in place.

The boys ignored him and I could scarcely restrain my glee.

On Halloween night, I had Sandi take the boys out to buy some candy. As quickly as I could, I took our decoration out back, disassembled him, and pulled on his clothes.

I even stuffed straw into the cuffs and under the cap. Then, I went out to the front to sit.

Sandi pulled into the driveway almost immediately and turned off the car. James and Ian climbed out, but I waited until they were both on the sidewalk.

“Aarrrgh.” I jumped from the chair.

“AARGH!” “Aaah!” James ran back to Mom. Ian’s eyes and mouth opened wide.

“What the…” He ran back to the car.

Sandi smiled. “Hi, sweetie.”

I pulled off my cap and burlap face. After a quick kiss to Sandi, I turned to the boys.

“Now, this,” I flourished the cap and burlap face, “is what I mean by a Halloween prank.”

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

GYMNASTICS Where Kids Can Be Kids! Recreational gymnastics for all ages!

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Dance Shoppe Celebrating 30 Years in KC Whether you’re a beginner dancer looking for your first leotard or a seasoned performer in need of a pointe shoe fitting, Dance Shoppe is your go-to dance store for the best selection of leotards, tights, shoes and accessories.

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512 NW ENglEWooD RD. | KaNSaS City, Mo 64118 DaNCEShoppEiNC.NEt | (816) 455-1995 kcparent.com october 2016

15

where to Go

Taking a walk around your neighborhood or at your local park is an excellent idea, but if you want to visit a KC attraction instead, here are a few suggestions.

Ernie Miller Nature Center (ErnieMiller.com)

Located in northwest Olathe, Ernie Miller is the perfect place for a family to take a leisurely nature walk. The grounds are large enough to escape the noise of suburbia but small enough for young children to walk a quarter-mile, spotting various animals and plants as they explore.

Overland Park Arboretum (ArtsAndRec-OP.org/arboretum)

The arboretum is a well-known and well-loved location for Kansas Citians who enjoy long walks among lush and beautifully manicured gardens. The arboretum also is vast, and visitors easily can spend a day walking its trails.

Powell Gardens (PowellGardens.org)

If you are willing to go outside the boundaries of KC a bit, head over to Kingsville, MO, where you can spend an entire day touring the many attractions at Powell Gardens. Most notable is its 12-acre Harvest Garden, through which visitors can learn about the farm-to-table process of cultivation.

what to do

i

t a k e a Walk!

n the hustle and bustle of schoolwork and extracurricular activities in today’s world, the simple joys of fresh air and exercise often seem to get lost. Here are a few ways to jump-start your family on your next

walk—whether it be in your neighborhood or up a mountain. Come on, let’s take a walk!

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kcparent.com october 2016

Simply taking a walk with no plan attached is a perfect family activity. But if you are looking to add some extra fun or adventure, you can try the following ideas on your walk.

Scavenger Hunt/Nature Bingo: Bring a list or bingo card (download at KCParent.com) with either words or images of objects in nature. Your children can hunt for pinecones, birds, fallen leaves, nuts, etc.

Nature Bracelets: Another fun activity is to attach a loose-fitting duct tape bracelet to your child’s wrist (sticky side out). He then can attach “nature” to his bracelet as he finds items on the ground. (This is a good time to remind your children to avoid disturbing nature—only pick up items on the ground; do not pull leaves, berries, etc., off of plants.)

Nature Bags: Recycle a small paper bag

to hold nature items found on the ground, such as nuts and leaves. Your kids then can save their findings for a craft or collage, or to inspect under a microscope or with a magnifying glass at home.

Kids Lead the Way: Let your kids take

turns deciding which way to go next as you approach each turn or fork in the road. (This is a great way to make a neighborhood walk more of an adventure too!)

Play Games: Games such as I Spy, 20 Questions or Name That Tune are a fun addition to any walk!

Snacks and Hydration: Bring a backpack

with water and healthy lunches or snacks.

Stop on a rock or open grassy area when you need a rest.

why It’s Important

Taking a walk means your family is getting fresh air, exercising and finding time to talk without distractions. This is a great opportunity to connect with your kids. If you want to be extra prepared, have some questions in mind before setting out, such as:

• What are you most excited about in school?

•W hat is your favorite thing about the earth?

•W hat is your favorite thing about

NATURE BINGO

yourself?

• I f you could go anywhere, where would you go?

• I f you could meet anyone, who would it be?

You also can use your walk as a chance to talk about the importance of exercise and how the human body works. Some sample questions might be:

• Which muscles are we working? (heart, legs, lungs)

• H ow do our legs move? (By the muscle

that is connected to bones and joints, with blood flowing, etc.)

• H ow many steps will it take you to walk

to that tree? Why do you take more steps than I do? (Because my legs are longer since I am taller.)

Now it’s time to grab your family and head outside and take a walk!

Why not walk to school?

If you’ve ever considered walking to school with your child — now’s a great time to start. Walk for fitness or walk for fun!

Download this Nature Bingo Card at KCParent.com.

Olathe mom Karen Johnson has three children, ages 6, 4 and 2. She writes at The21stCenturySAHM.com.

to

International Walk to School Day is Wednesday, October 5.

Find more information and register your school at walktoschoolkc.com.

kcparent.com october 2016

17

HEALTHYKIDS

t

onsils are located at the back of the throat, and their role is to act as a filter and trap germs that could enter the airway and cause infections. They also produce antibodies that fight infection.

Ironically, sometimes the tonsils become infected by bacteria or viruses, then swell and become inflamed. This condition is known as tonsillitis (WebMD.com).

In a child too young to effectively describe how he feels, signs of tonsillitis may include drooling because of painful or difficult swallowing, refusing to eat and being fussy. Tonsillitis is most common in children between preschool age and mid-teenage years. Common signs and symptoms include red, swollen tonsils, white patches on the tonsils, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, swollen lymph nodes, bad breath, headache and a scratchy, muffled or throaty voice (MayoClinic.org).

If a child is showing any of these signs, give the doctor a call.

tonsillitis At the doctor appointment, the physician will determine the best course of treatment based on the cause of tonsillitis. One of the most common causes is strep throat, and the doctor often will order a rapid strep test or throat swab culture. A blood test also can be used to test for a bacterial infection; however, a viral infection will not show up on any test. If the test reveals bacteria, the physician may prescribe antibiotics.

No matter the throat pain’s cause, parents can take some steps to help their child feel better. Make sure your youngster gets

enough rest, drinks warm or very cold fluids to soothe the throat and eats smooth food. Gargling with warm salt water or taking over-the-counter pain relievers are other good options (WebMD.com).

Tonsils play an important role in the immune system, and leaving them in place is best, if possible. Occasionally, tonsillitis becomes recurrent or persistent, or the tonsils cause airway obstruction or difficulty eating. If this is the case, removing them may be necessary.

The procedure, called a tonsillectomy (WebMD.com), usually is done on an outpatient basis, which means your child should be able to go home the day of the surgery. Complete recovery usually takes seven to 14 days.

Jessica Heine is a labor and delivery nurse.

She lives in Olathe.

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

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FAITH&FAMILY

raising up responsibility

Entitled. A word that gives me parenting

hives, but not for the reason you’d think.

I’m just over media sources and researchers painting it over our kids with a wide, sweeping brush. Entitlement is not the primary issue; limited or absent personal responsibility is. It’s easier (and sells more articles) to point at problematic, shocking behaviors in youth than it is to talk about doable, practical solutions that can be implemented from home at your kitchen sink.

Truth is, if you’re a follower of Jesus, you should be the most entitled person you know: peace, hope, love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, joy, family, community, purpose and eternity, for starters. Being God’s kids comes with blessing. Psalm 103 says God crowns, forgives, fills, redeems and loves us unfailingly. Verse 11 says, “For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.” If that’s you, you’re entitled to live loved. With those blessings and gifts comes great responsibility (any Spider Man fans out there?).

Luke 16:10: If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

The question is not whether our kids are entitled, but where is their entitlement rooted and does it match their degree of responsibility? Luke 16:10 talks about this very reality: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.

But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”

Our kids can be held accountable for age-appropriate responsibilities starting at home. If our kids’ sense of entitlement (hello, attitude!) begins to outweigh their responsibilities, it’s our red flag to reevaluate expectations and change those expectations or increase or reinforce responsibilities.

We won’t read a lot of headlines or newsfeeds about solutions to entitlement because they’re not all that glamorous, and

positive results can take months or years. It’s called parenting. It’s making our kids finish seemingly minor chores through groans and tears. It’s removing objects of entitlement or distraction (goodbye, iPad, in our house) for whatever time it takes for personal responsibility to shape up, and it’s called showing respect and love to others because we feel entitled to it in our own relationships.

My kids are entitled, and I’m okay with that as long as their entitlement is grounded in who Jesus is and who they are because of Him. They, like I, will stumble through this world’s faulty entitlements and realize (hopefully without too much heartache) that God is our only guarantee. If that means I have to make them restack spoons in a drawer the right way for 10 years, hold them responsible for a heart-felt “I’m sorry” to their sister and remind them to pray like God’s listening 567 times, then I will do just that.

You can read more from KCP’s Faith & Family columnist Jena Meyerpeter at UnravelGrace.com

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the shy child

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hey cling to your legs and stay on your hip while others run, play and discover their surroundings. It’s a new place with new people, and you are the center of comfort for your shy child.

Natalie, Kansas City mother of a 4-yearold and 9-year-old, is all too familiar with this scene. “My son, 4, is always attached to my hip. He doesn’t run off when we are in public, and neither he nor his sister, 9, will open up to people until they trust them,” she says.

While this may seem like a burden, Natalie sees it positively. “Because my children are more shy, they are closer to me emotionally. I don’t have to worry about them running away or getting lost when we are out in public.”

Kansas City area licensed marriage and family therapist Leah K. Krieger, MS-LMFT, also counts a child’s closeness

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as a benefit of his shy nature. “When people are shy, they are more cautious and do not rush into situations and will likely be more observant of their surroundings,” Krieger says. “They are good listeners and usually have appropriate classroom behavior.”

Natalie has observed the awareness and appropriate behavior skills in her daughter through her ability to connect more easily with younger children and adults. “My daughter is not shy with kids who are younger than she and some adults,” Natalie says. “Younger children tend to flock to her, which also helps her to show her ability to engage.”

While there are many positive factors to a child’s being shy, helping her develop positive social relationships can take some effort and energy. “My children only have a few close friends, and they won’t answer questions even when they know the answers because they are scared,” Natalie says. “They are scared to try new things and they aren’t able to play with groups out of fear.”

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When people are shy, they are more cautious and do not rush into situations and will likely be more observant of their surroundings.

Krieger acknowledges fear is a core part of a child’s externalized shyness.

“Remembering that shyness is rooted in fear, you would want to approach shy children with the same regard as any other type of fear,” she says. “We want to be gentle, reassuring and present with them while they process the given situation. Give them nudges to approach the situation and encouragement that everything is okay.

Be careful to not push them too quickly, allowing them to adjust to the situation at their own pace.”

Taking things slow and modeling positive interactions within a safe structure is helpful when Natalie helps her children adjust to a new group or setting. “With my daughter, I encourage her to be herself yet be open-minded to meet to people. When we meet new people, I introduce her to

new kids and stay with her until she feels comfortable,” Natalie says. “She also likes to observe the person while she is with me and, after watching how the person interacts, she will start to engage with them while staying close to me. When I can, I will also tell her ahead of time who they are and what I know about them so she can feel informed.”

According to Krieger, being gentle and reassuring, taking things slowly and not pushing children’s limits too quickly all can be helpful. Checking in with your child and making sure he is doing okay throughout a new experience or new situation is a good option too.

While shy children may not engage in large social interactions and would prefer a tight-knit group of purposefully selected people, make sure your child is still engaging with her circle.

EAS INTRODUCTOR

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A natural tendency toward shyness is nothing to worry about, and your child may just need more coaching or prompting to engage. Real social isolation is where your child doesn’t want to play with kids he has been comfortable with before, avoids activities he enjoyed before and goes beyond his own baseline or natural level of shyness.

Parents may consider how quickly their child’s behavior changed and whether or not the withdrawal applies to all or only some situations. If you are concerned your child is isolating himself rather than exhibiting generally shy behavior, consult with your pediatrician or a mental health professional.

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21

Go:

let it Sometimes taking a break can help lessen your worry. Visit KCParent.com for 5-minute refreshers for moms and dads.

seven

things to stop worrying about

W

orrying. It’s something all parents do. I am guilty of it, especially when I lie awake at 3:00 a.m., with the silence of the house ringing in my ears. I worry about what I forgot to do, what I need to do, what I should have done and what I already did.

Parenthood is hard. There is always something to be done, someone who needs assistance and

multiple things to worry about. The list is endless but may include everything from feeding your kids healthy foods, to your child’s friendships and what others think about your choices. Some worries are valid, but many are not worth the time and effort. What if we could learn to let them go?

22

kcparent.com october 2016

personal expectations Before I became a parent, I had high expectations for myself as a mother. I had things I wanted to do and things I declared I would never do. After my first child was born, I quickly realized that I would change my perspective on most pre-child declarations. “Let go of the idea that you will be the perfect parent, because it won’t happen,” says twin mother Aly Ridgeley of Kansas City. When parents accept that they are doing the best they can at that moment for their kids, they will be able to cross this worry off their list.

guilt Do you worry that you don’t spend enough time with your child? Do you feel guilty you were not able to breastfeed your child or that you missed a soccer game?

Do you feel bad you forgot to remind your son to grab his lunch on the way out the door? The guilt of these things and more can weigh heavily on a parent, but you have permission to let it go. It is okay if you miss a game or a school party. We all have to make choices, and sometimes those choices cause unnecessary guilt. Once a decision is made, move forward and let go of the feelings of guilt. They will only rob you of enjoying the present.

outward appearances A tidy, perfectly decorated home. An amazing wardrobe. All-organic, homecooked meals. The perfect marriage. Smart, athletic, creative children—and a partridge in a pear tree. We want it all and we want it to be perfect, or at least appear that way.

This picture is lovely but it is not a realistic, reachable goal. It is easy to get caught up in what our family looks like to others.

Whether your children wear perfectly coordinating outfits does not matter. Is your child dressed in weather appropriate clothing? Great. Does it match? It’s your lucky day. Social media puts so much pressure on us to keep up with what we believe others are doing. I have a secret for you: Pinterest is not real life, and what is

posted on Facebook is typically the best of what is going on in reality. Embrace the fact that no one is perfect and nobody’s expecting you to be.

what if’s Parents often worry about things that haven’t even happened yet. What if he gets sick? What if she falls and gets hurt? What if I forget something important? What if he doesn’t make the team? What if ’s are not worth the energy they use. Acknowledge they are unnecessary and decide not to waste time on them. Face the problems in front of you rather than worrying about issues that do not exist.

comparisons “Don’t compare yourself to other parents. Your family is unique. Your circumstances are unique. It would be like comparing apples and oranges,” says Lacey Rodriguez of Leavenworth. “Do the best you can for your family and forget the rest.” Comparing yourself to other parents is never a good idea. Your parenting style for your children will always be different from others, but that doesn’t mean it is bad.

Another pitfall is comparing your children to their siblings or other children their age.

Each child has his own unique personality and will develop at his own rate. If you feel your concerns are valid, consult your child’s doctor for peace of mind.

mistakes Every parent makes mistakes, and spending time worrying about what should have been done differently is all too easy.

The past cannot be changed, and although not easy to do, we must let go of things we cannot change. We can learn from our mistakes and continue to do our best in the future. Parents have permission to let go of past mistakes and teach their children to do the same.

control I am a recovering control freak. With each child we added to our family, I was

worn down a little more. When our triplets arrived, it finally dawned on me that I am not in control. Once I realized (and accepted) this fact, a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Yes, my husband and I are still in charge of the household, but I cannot control what happens in life. It’s a roller coaster: Instead of trying to steer, throw your arms up in the air and enjoy the ride.

Learning to let go of these worries usually leads to feelings of relief.

Remember that each family is unique and each parent handles situations differently.

When you do, you will find it easier to relax and enjoy your family more.

Sarah Lyons is a mom of six. She lives in Olathe.

Don’t Let Go:

six things parents should hold onto Parenthood changes you, and while it’s freeing to let go of unnecessary worry, there are some things parents should still hold onto.

• Interests and hobbies

• Your relationship with your significant other

• Maintaining a

healthy diet and exercise routine

• Friendships • Encouragement of others

• Who you are outside of your role as parents

kcparent.com october 2016

23

ready, set, swipe! teaching kids about credit

By Kerrie Chafin

W

e all have it. None of us want it. Credit and debt are a reality for many of us. Whether we have it or are avoiding it like the plague, it’s time to sit down with our children to teach them the in’s and out’s (and all the icky in between’s) of using credit.

Part of preparing your child to learn about credit is to prepare yourself. You don’t need to be a financial expert, but you should know the basics about how credit cards work, including common fees and interest and how credit cards can affect credit scores.

The first step is to start early. Money is something that needs to be up for open discussion. There is absolutely nothing wrong with living on a budget, even a very tight one. Talk to your kids about budgets and what it takes to stay in budget. Using

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allowances to help them learn to earn and save money will get them ready to learn about credit.

Once your kids have a good handle on basic cold, hard cash, move them onto an actual checking account so they can learn the banking basics. Let them start with the checks and learn how to balance the checkbook before giving them their first piece of actual plastic.

When your child is ready for the debit card, it’s also time to talk about credit.

Even though the debit card is not a credit card, it will be their first introduction to easily spending potentially large amounts of money in one simple swipe. This is great practice for the real deal. Just make sure that when you set the account up, you tell the bank not to authorize any charges that will result in an overdraft of the account. This will save both you and your child from very expensive hassles later on.

Here are a few key talking points to bring up with your child.

If you have good credit, get a credit report and show your kids what you did right. Tell them the steps you take to pay off your credit cards. If you have poor credit, whip out that credit report and tell the cautionary tale. Show them what not taking care of your credit can do.

1. Credit is not free money. It can sure feel like it when you are standing in line with the item you want so badly staring at you enticingly. All you have to do is make one simple swipe and it’s all yours. This is where talking about interest comes in. If he cannot pay for it within the month, he will be charged interest, which means the item is actually more expensive than the sticker price.

Do you feel your child is ready for her own credit card? The first instinct may be to run out and buy a pre-paid credit card. Resist! These cards are so full of fees they’re just not worth it.

Instead, find a card with a low credit limit and cosign for them. This way if they do make the mistake of spending too much, it won’t be disastrous for either of you.

Credit can be a good thing. It helps us pay for things that we would normally be unable to afford such as homes, cars and college. Take every step you can to set your child up for a smart financial future.

2. Keep track of your charges.

Emphasize that keeping track of what you spend and where is important. Kids (teens especially) tend to have selective memories when it comes to money. Give them a small ledger or an app on their phone that will allow them to track any charges and spending.

3. Use yourself as an example.

Good credit or bad, your own credit report and credit card statements are a wealth of knowledge for your kids.

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Five Strategies

P

to Improve Your Child’s Memory Skills

erhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of parenthood is having to give instructions….again. And again.

And again. Sometimes I find myself giving the same instructions three or four times in a row, my kids seeming simply to have forgotten what they were asked to do.

do with your kids! Amp up the memory skill benefits by reading a page and then asking questions about what you just read.

As you do this, your kids will start to realize subconsciously that paying attention to information in the moment makes it easier to recall later.

So how can we help our kids remember not only directions at home, but also what they are taught in school? Start by putting some of these simple strategies into place to encourage good memory skills, no matter what is asked of your children!

Strategy 3: Attach a scent to

Strategy 1: Start with one-step directions and build from there. When kids are given a chance to slowly stretch their memory skills, they will have more success in the future. Brittany Gash, a special needs Pre-K teacher from Raymore, suggests starting by giving one-step directions: “Please pick up your Legos.” As kids get used to following those simple instructions, begin adding additional steps. “Please pick up your Legos, then pick up your stuffed animals and then make your bed.”

Strategy 2: Read and ask questions.

Reading is one of the best activities you can

26

kcparent.com october 2016

a project, idea or set of instructions.

Certain aromas such as rosemary, sage or peppermint may be used to help kids focus and remember the information they have been given, according to several studies.

Grab a diffuser and some therapeutic-grade essential oils and try diffusing the aroma into the air as kids do homework or every time you instruct them to do something specific (like clean their rooms). The aroma will help them focus on the task, remember the directions, and also eventually will become connected in their brain to that particular activity or set of information.

Practicing the art of remembering things will help kids develop more independence and confidence over time as they become more comfortable with their recall ability.

Strategy 5: Offer brain breaks.

Remember that growing minds need breaks so that they don’t get too overwhelmed!

Help your children learn new information, review it and then let them take a brain break. When you come back, review it again to see how much they recall. Remember that while repetition is your best friend, so are brain breaks. They play well together, which means your children can grow their memory skills and keep from stressing out at the same time.

The best thing we can bring to the table as parents is patience, room for our kids to grow into their new skills and the understanding that someday they probably will use those skills against us.

Strategy 4: Practice makes perfect!

Spend some time helping your child review and embrace new ideas or skills with the understanding that repetition can be a very helpful way to learn. Then allow some time for those new memory skills to set in.

Rebecca Ishum lives with her husband, Sean, and their 5-year-old quadruplets in Belton, MO. New skills are always being learned and practiced at their house! Read about their adventures at ABeautifulRuckus.com

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27

TUTORING

the benefits of

October brings parent teacher conferences.

For tips for a successful conference, visit KCParent.com.

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kcparent.com october 2016

Y

ou know your child like no one else. You know his strengths and his weaknesses. You also can tell when it’s time to reach out for help.

Many people assume that tutoring is just for students who are slipping through the cracks, but as Christine Fee of Sylvan Learning notes, tutoring services may benefit a child for many reasons. “Many times students are missing skills or have gaps,” Fee says. “When students are getting good grades but do poorly on

tests, tutors can help provide students with tools to master skills. Maybe those students need help with study skills, including note taking, time management and test taking strategies. Approximately one-third of our students [at Sylvan] are enrichment students looking to improve their skill set.”

Tutoring services abound in many forms, from educational therapy to online tutoring, private tutoring to learning center programs. Just how do you go about finding

what works best for your child? Fee recommends parents look for a certified tutor or academic coach who can provide a 360-degree academic assessment to determine a student’s true needs and skill gaps, while offering an adaptive learning program. Likewise, high schoolers looking to prepare for the SAT and ACT should seek a tutor who offers a comprehensive college prep program. A simple online search can showcase what is available in your area, while parent referrals will provide testimony to how effective each one is.

Many parents and students may assume the moment tutoring services begin, grades immediately will begin to rise.

Not only is that expectation unrealistic, it overlooks the primary benefit of tutoring: training a child how to learn and be a more independent thinker. Despite what the adage states, practice does not make perfect. Practice, instead, makes permanent. If a student has long-ingrained

even harsh to a student who’s not used to it. Remind your child that a tutor’s critique comes from a place of concern for his best interest and, if taken in consideration, will help him grow. On the flip side, instant feedback means that students also may ask as many questions as they have. This instant feedback between tutor and student offers a unique resource that can help a child reach his full academic potential.

The terms tutoring and academic coaching are sometimes used interchangeably. But what’s the difference?

In many cases, it’s purely a matter of marketing. But at its basis, academic coaching focuses more on strategies for motivation, focus and organization, whereas tutoring focuses more on concrete academic skills that need improvement.

In either event, both skills can be taught interchangeably and, consequently, an instructor can be referred to both as tutor and coach. Many students, particularly in

with everyone involved in his education.

Tutors can complement your child’s classroom learning opportunities but will not innately know what your child’s syllabus is. Make sure to be in communication with your child’s teacher in order to help the tutor build a customized lesson plan that will prepare him most effectively for upcoming material within the classroom, as well as tests or quizzes.

“First and foremost, consistency of attendance is critical, especially if a child is trying to catch up in a subject,” states Sabrina Denny, center director for The Tutoring Center. She adds, “Committing to attend all scheduled tutoring sessions helps a student obtain the frequency needed to master new concepts and continue building on previously learned material. Second, it is important to maintain open lines of communication between parents and tutors so that any areas of concern can quickly be addressed.” Ask away! Engaging in beneficial

Tutoring eventually will lead to better grades, but don’t expect overnight results. poor habits or has struggled with an academic area for a long time, the process of building improved study habits takes time. Tutoring eventually will lead to better grades, but don’t expect overnight results.

What a student can expect immediately is feedback. Unlike a classroom teacher, tutors, with their undivided attention on one student, instantly can identify when a student is having a hard time grasping a concept or making a series of mistakes. This input may seem surprising, off-putting or

middle school and above, may view being tutored as a sign of weakness on their part.

Viewing a tutor as an academic coach can ease that perception, as the act of being coached, much like in athletics, focuses constructively on becoming stronger, better and more adept.

Your child may be the one under the instruction of a tutor, but you still play a valuable role in the process. An engaged parent seeks not only to encourage his child but ensures there is clear communication

communication with your child’s tutor, as well as your child and his classroom teacher, will ensure your child makes the most of every learning opportunity afforded him.

Moreover, one of the biggest lessons your child will glean from your involvement in his tutoring process is that success comes from hard work, perseverance and curiosity.

Mom of three Lauren Greenlee writes from her Olathe home.

Your Child Might Need a Tutor For… Remediation and maintenance. He needs more time, drill and practice on foundational concepts than the classroom is able to provide.

Support. She expresses anxiety, stress and anger toward school and/or her academic performance.

Test prep. He does well on homework but doesn’t perform well on tests over the same material.

Enrichment. She appears to be bored and restless with current school work as a result of not being challenged enough.

kcparent.com october 2016

29

the importance of

consistency in parenting

a

sk all of the disciplinary experts out there what the most important thing is in parenting, and you’ll most likely get the same response: Being consistent. As the saying goes, “Consistency is key.” And it truly is.

Consistency in the home allows a child to know what to expect. It shows a child just how far he can go and what the consequences will be if he chooses to cross the line. When there’s consistency in the home, children see their parents as predictable and reliable. They know exactly how their parents will react in any situation because it’s how they’ve always reacted. They don’t wonder what the consequence will be because it’s always the same consequence. For instance, if Ernie doesn’t set the table, he won’t be able to watch TV after dinner. If this rule is reinforced, Ernie will know what will happen if he doesn’t set the table every night.

When parents are inconsistent, their children will feel unsure, insecure and confused. Sometimes they may get punished when they don’t make their bed, but other times they may not. Changing the rules or applying them erratically is not fair and definitely not an effective way for

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kcparent.com october 2016

your kids to learn the rules. When parents are consistent, their child will think more about his behavior.

How can you incorporate consistency in your home? Here are some great tips from the experts.

go slow

If you try to tackle everything at once, you’ll be too overwhelmed to stick with it. So focus on just one or two discipline challenges with special diligence. Whether it’s whining, backtalk or temper tantrums, be on top of the behavior every single time.

Never give in and never reward your child for it.

give it time

Put yourself in your child’s shoes. She’s used to your not minding whether her bed is made every morning, but now you’ve added a consequence. It can be confusing for her at first, but no worries. Change can and will happen, just not always at the pace you’d like.

remind yourself

Leave yourself notes such as “Don’t argue” or “Don’t give in to whining.” It may seem silly, but it can really help.

Put them where you’ll see them during your day.

time it right

Don’t attempt a crash course in manners right before a birthday party or the start of school. You’ll have better success if you choose a time that’s more stable and predictable. Everyone needs time, structure and no extra stress to practice consistency—especially you.

expect resistance

No matter how consistent you are, your child will challenge you. Or he may respond well right away, only to fall back into old habits. Don’t worry, though.

This is normal. Once you accept these temporary regressions, they’ll be less frustrating, allowing you to stay on track.

don’t try to go it alone

Once you commit to a consistency plan, you’ll need backup. Your partner needs to be on track with the plan, as do any caregivers. You also may solicit your child’s grandparents, coaches and teachers to help reinforce your efforts to stop problem behaviors.

be careful with wiggle room

Accidental inconsistency (when you’re too busy or preoccupied to enforce a rule) sends the message that it isn’t important to

you, which encourages your child to ignore it too. But intentional inconsistency (when you let your child know in advance that you choose to make an exception) actually can strengthen a rule. For instance: “Since you’ll be with Grandma Jill this week, you can skip cleaning your room until next week.”

Remember, being consistent means working together with your partner as a team. Talk with each other about your parenting styles and come up with a plan you both will support. The simpler, the better. Don’t allow room for confusion or inconsistency. Write down your plan so you have it in front of you at all times.

Try making a list answering the following questions:

• What time is bedtime?

• What time is bath/shower time?

• What time is homework time?

• What are the rewards?

• What are the consequences?

Once you have these written down on a piece of paper, don’t run immediately to your children and tell them the new household rules. It’s a mistake to make a big announcement and then not follow through. Instead, begin implementing them. When you do this, expect resistance.

Younger children may have tantrums, and older children may argue and slam doors.

Though it may not seem like it, your new techniques are working. Your child may push back, but keep to your plan. Once you’ve instituted the new laws in your home, then you may sit down and talk with your children about the changes.

In addition to the list of household rules, creating a list of rules for situations when you’re out in public is a good idea.

Keep the list somewhere handy, such as on your smart phone.

Being consistent is difficult in today’s world of distractions; however, it’s not impossible. Start each day vowing to be

consistent. Read through your list first thing in the morning and establish a signal between you and your partner for when you notice you’re not being consistent.

(For example, if he sees inconsistency in you, he can touch the tip of his nose or tug on his earlobe.)

Kansas City mom and author Gina Klein knows the struggle to stay consistent is real.

She and her husband struggle at times, but gentle reminders to work together on it make it a lot easier for the entire family.

Remember the 3 Cs. calm, consistency and caring Make them your daily mantra.

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the

Do’s and Don’ts

of handling your toddler’s public meltdowns Harris, Kansas City, KS, mom says.

“Once I figured out that their behavior was usually driven by their being hungry or tired, I figured out how to do errands at times that work best for us.”

have a plan of action. You and your spouse should discuss and decide on the limits you want to set and your family’s rules as far as meltdowns go.

There are many ways to approach a child who is losing control emotionally, and many families feel differently about what is appropriate for them. If you and your spouse establish a plan, you will be prepared when faced with the worst.

focus on your child. Being distracted

f

or parents, few things are as frustrating and few things make us feel as helpless as facing a complete toddler meltdown in public. “The first time my daughter had a meltdown at Wal-Mart, I was so embarrassed! I was caught off guard and was so worried about what everyone thought. I probably didn’t handle it very well,” says Amy Meier, Olathe mom.

Metro parents weigh in, offering some tricks of the trade to use next time you find yourself facing a public meltdown:

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kcparent.com october 2016

prevent what you can. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

This phrase has never been as true as when applied to parenting toddlers. Simple things like working around your child’s schedule can help increase your chances of avoiding a meltdown. Offering a healthy snack or a special toy that is saved for outings also can provide sanity-saving distractions. “I just know that I can’t take my kids to run errands during naptime or mealtime. They don’t handle it well,” Beth

by strangers at the store or the fact that you are running late is easy, but the best way to handle a meltdown is to give your child your complete focus. “When I’m distracted, it takes forever to resolve the situation. If I just focus on my son and handle what needs to be handled, we can both move on a lot faster,” Kristi Boden, Kansas City, MO, mom says. “If I keep trying to split my focus, we are just in for a mess.”

don’t judge. When you or your child is having a moment of struggle, it feels terrible to have people pile on. Be sure to remember the tough moments you have faced and offer grace and encouragement to other parents in their time of need. “A nice smile from another mom when I’m dealing with a tough parenting moment makes all the difference,” Melanie Watkins, Overland Park mom, says. “When you are trying to handle things the best way you

can, and other people are rolling their eyes or criticizing you so you can hear them, it just makes the whole situation harder.”

be willing to walk away. When faced with a meltdown, you often don’t get a perfect resolution. Sometimes you have to give up on the shopping trip and take a tired, fussy child home for a nap.

Sometimes you have to stop whatever you are doing and provide some comfort to a child who is struggling to control his or her emotions. And sometimes you have to walk away from certain behaviors to teach a lesson.

Melissa Bellach is a freelance writer and mom of two living in Overland Park.

Being distracted by strangers at the store or the fact that you are running late is easy, but the best way to handle a meltdown is to give your child your complete

The Do’s and Don’ts of Preventing a Meltdown DO

DO Try to work within your child’s schedule.

DO Use kind language as frequently as possible to address your child’s needs, feelings and behaviors.

DO Connect and make eye contact with your child.

Frequently, meltdowns can be thwarted by allowing your child to feel safe when his emotions run out of control.

DON’T

DON’T Try to squeeze in one additional errand or activity if you know your child is approaching naptime.

DON’T Engage in a verbal argument.

DON’T Escalate the situation through negative physical reactions.

DON’T Worry that you are alone in facing your parenting struggles!

DO Offer your child choices to allow him to regain some sense of control.

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et’s face it: Birthday parties are fun, but the stress and cost of planning and throwing them can be overwhelming for parents. One solution is to have a joint birthday party for siblings, cousins or friends who have close birthdays. Joint parties are great for kids who have many of the same friends and can reduce the workload for parents.

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ages Kids who are several years apart might not fare well with a combined party; separate interests and friends might hinder planning a party that pleases everyone. Keep in mind that the older the children, the more guests they can handle. Young kids tend to get overwhelmed easily, so having a joint party for 4-year-olds and inviting 30 guests will probably result in overstimulation for the kids (and parents, too!).

budget If you are collaborating with another parent, make sure you have a similar budget in mind. Planning a simple party with a couple of games and cake, while the other parent wants to bring in ponies and clowns, will invite trouble. Make a budget and stick with it, regardless of whether you are the sole party planner for your own kids or teaming up with another family.

theme One theme or separate themes?

That depends on the birthday kids’ preferences and possibly gender.

Theresa, a Belton mom, has one party for her twin 8-year-old sons and 5-yearold son so her out-of-town family has to travel only once. “I create separate themed invitations with the same date/time and I customize the

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location A neutral location, such as a bowling alley, petting zoo or park will ensure that one family is not doing all the prep work and cleanup. Throwing a bash somewhere besides your own home also eliminates the stress of feeling that everything must be spotless before guests arrive.

Of course, if the birthday kids are siblings and you have the space and patience to host a party in your home, go for it!

cake Most parents who have planned double birthday celebrations recommend separate smaller cakes.

That way, each child can have a hand in choosing the design and

flavor and can have his or her own candles to blow out. Singing Happy Birthday to each birthday kid will also make everyone feel special.

gifts Some parents are hesitant to throw joint birthday parties because they don’t want guests to feel obligated to buy gifts for both kids, particularly if the kids have separate friends who may know only the child who invited them. However, parents who have experience with double parties tend to agree that giving a gift only to the child who invited you is appropriate.

Tisha Foley and her husband have separate birthday parties for their kids, but often have one big cookout to celebrate all the adults in their family who have summer birthdays! They live in Belton.

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taming

MOUNT laundry

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One day after school, I handed my son a heaping basket of clothes to put away, and he said, “I just put laundry away yesterday! Why is there always more?” I chuckled to myself as he reluctantly carried the basket to his room.

How many times have I asked the same silly question as I faced the pile of dirty clothes?

I can’t make it disappear, but here are some tips to tame “Mount Laundry.”

make it a family affair The laundry load can be lightened if everyone pitches in. “My husband and I have a deal worked out. I do all the washing, drying and folding. He then puts everything away,” says Katlyn Purkapile, Grandview.

Kids also can get involved. “My best tip is to teach your children how to do laundry as early as possible,” says Overland Park mom Jessi Cole. “They put most of their clothes away by themselves and they fold and switch loads.” When family members share the laundry responsibilities, it goes quickly and doesn’t fall on one person’s shoulders.

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a central location and have family members sort their clothes as they take them off each day. When one of the baskets is full, simply dump it into the washer without having to take the time to sort through dirty clothes.

or not to sort Some families have eliminated the sorting step altogether. Sara Sinani, mother of three, skips sorting her children’s clothes. “I wash all my kids’ clothes without sorting,” she says.

“Each kid has his own basket. That way I can keep their socks separated.” Angela Leever of Olathe uses the same method. “Every kid has a hamper in their own room, and I wash everyone’s things separately. It goes from their own basket to washer, dryer and I put it right back in their room.” Sorting the laundry into piles based on color, then back into stacks for each family member takes a lot of time.

By implementing this method, families can eliminate the frustration of making sure things are returned to the proper owner and shorten the time they spend handling the laundry.

assign laundry days Some families prefer to set aside one to two laundry days a week, like Julie Keller,

Overland Park mom of three. Keller says, “I do three big loads and fold them as soon as they are dry. I try to get it done on Friday so my weekend isn’t spent in the laundry room.” Larger families may benefit from doing a load or two every day, like mother of seven Krystal Laws. “Two loads of laundry each day is much easier than 10 in one day.”

The key is to choose which method works for your family and stick to it. Having a set laundry day (or days) frees up time for other chores or more enjoyable pastimes.

seek a sock solution Where do all the socks go? Sherrie Hoffman of Hiawatha may have found a solution. “I put a name on a zippered lingerie bag, and each person puts his or her socks in that until I do a load. I only have to match the pairs that are in the sack when the laundry is done.”

wear it again While it may sound simple, only wash clothing when it is dirty. Reuse towels and wear pajamas more than once. Jeans and sweaters often can be worn several times before washing. These small changes can

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get a head start Put a load in the washer before bed. When you wake in the morning, move the clothes to the dryer and start another load. When the dryer is done, fold and put away laundry and move clothes from washer to dryer. The faster it moves, the sooner it will be done.

go commercial Michelle Hupp has a tip for when laundry gets really behind: “If I’m really overwhelmed, I go to the laundromat and do it all at once.” Take advantage of the commercial sized washers and dryers and use several machines at the same time. You will be able to do multiple loads in the time it would take to do one at home.

The challenge of taming “Mount Laundry” will never go away, but with these tips you should be able to stay on top of it rather than buried beneath it.

Sarah Lyons is a mom of six. She lives in Olathe.

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kansas city’s

fall-themed favorites Hwy. 68, Louisburg, KS, 913.837.5202, LouisburgCiderMill.com). Visitors watch as apples are washed and made into cider, and the delicious drink is bottled. Then some of the cider is used to make Louisburg’s famous apple cider donuts. The mill’s pumpkin patch, corn maze and the annual Louisburg CiderFest are also visitor favorites.

Attend Apple Fest the second weekend of October. The Weston

Apple Fest features everything apple. From homemade apple dumplings to an oldfashioned parade and apple themed crafts, the day celebrates everything autumn. In addition to the festival, take a hike or a scenic bike ride at Weston Bend State Park.

Follow your excursion with exploration of the boutiques and museums in Weston, including lunch at O’Malley’s Irish Pub and a visit to the Weston Red Barn Farm.

a

pples, pumpkins, hayrides and fall foliage are just a few fragrant, festive traditions that add to Kansas City’s autumn makeover. Enjoy some of them with your family.

apples Autumn and apples—the two go hand in hand. Enjoy the best apple themed fun in KC with these ideas.

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kcparent.com october 2016

Treat the kids to giant caramel apples from Sweet Caroline’s (7723 W.

151st St., Overland Park, KS, 913.495.9993, SweetCarolines.co), one of the most decadent shops in the metro. With large delicious apples, Sweet Caroline’s serves up many flavors and combinations of coatings for the fruit that are almost too pretty to eat!

Watch the making of cider and donuts. Nothing says autumn quite like

a nice glass of apple cider or a warm cider donut! You can observe the process at the Louisburg Cider Mill (14730

Enjoy fall fun in the Northland.

Go apple picking at Schweizer Orchards in St. Joseph or Alldredge Orchards in Platte City. These local u-pick orchards offer more than a dozen varieties of apples. Round out the day with a visit to the Patee House Museum, the Pony Express Museum or the Jesse James Home. For more local apple orchards, read our KC Apple Picking Guide on KCParent.com.

Eat Levee High Apple Pie. If you’re traveling through Missouri, one of the state’s landmark restaurants is the Blue Owl in Kimmswick (118 Market St., 636.464.3900), famous for their home cookin’ and Levee High Apple Pie. The pie, made famous as one of Oprah’s favorite things, is made with 18 Golden Delicious apples, piled 9 inches high and weighing in at a whopping 10 pounds! Can’t make it to Kimmswick? No worries. You can order the pie online at TheBlueOwl.com.

pumpkins October is pumpkin season in Kansas City, and our local attractions know how to make pumpkin season great.

Ride the Pumpkin Express. On weekends in October, the Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad (BeltonRailroad.org) offers Pumpkin Express rides aboard a 1920 passenger coach that traveled more than one million miles before being retired in 1984.

The engine is a 1950s diesel locomotive that travels through Old Towne Belton on a 5-mile, 45-minute round trip, with a stop at the pumpkin patch where children select a favorite pumpkin to purchase.

Walk through 700 glowing jack-o’lanterns. Attend GLOW Jack-O-Lantern

Festival, Oct. 14-15, at Powell Gardens (1609 NW US Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO, 816.697.2600, PowellGardens.org). The annual event is a spellbinding Halloween

experience where you walk a 1-mile trail through the gardens lit by more than 700 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns. Costumed characters, hayrides, pumpkin painting and more family fun round out the festival as a fall favorite.

Pick the perfect pumpkin at the perfect patch. Kansas City’s pumpkin patches are all one-of-a-kind, each with a unique theme and special attractions. Giant jumping pillows, petting zoos, pumpkin chomping dinosaurs, tractor rides, pumpkin cannons, live entertainment and corn mazes are just a few of the fun attractions designed with the entire family in mind. Visit our KC Pumpkin Patch Guide on KCParent.com for tips for each local patch.

Experience the Great Pumpkin Fest. For more than 42 years, Worlds of Fun

has sought to thrill visitors. This October on weekends, families can enjoy daytime fun with a visit to the Great Pumpkin Fest, an uproariously delightful event sure to please the whole family! Families enjoy fall activities, a petting zoo and trick-or-treating alongside the whole Peanuts gang within Planet Snoopy!

Attend Hoots & Howls or Boo at the Zoo. The Kansas City Zoo

(KansasCityZoo.org) gets in the spirit with special events every weekend in October. Hoots and Howls (first three weekends in October) includes rides on a pedal tractor, navigating a hay bale maze and having your face painted like your favorite animal. The animals even play with pumpkins at scheduled times throughout the day. Oct. 29-30, enjoy Boo at the Zoo, with trick-or-treating for kids and more Halloween fun.

Bonus: Enjoy a pumpkin pie concrete

Powell Gardens

KC Parent is giving away 50 family 4-Packs to your favorite pumpkin patches this month.

Follow us on Facebook for details!

at Sheridan’s (Find a location near you: SheridansFrozenCustard.com). Leave it to Sheridan’s to take a slice of pumpkin pie, blend it into their yummy custard, and serve up a holiday treat that’s hard to resist! Search Pumpkin Treats on KCParent.com for more delicious seasonal favorites. kcparent.com october 2016

41

American Royal Barbeque

f

rom apples to pumpkins, crafts to carnivals, ethnic festivals and more, celebrate autumn at one of Kansas City’s fall festivals. You’ll find a complete guide on KCParent.com.

Autumn in the Ozarks

fall foliage and the great outdoors Autumn is especially beautiful in the Midwest, and these are some of our favorite ways to enjoy fall’s splendor.

Go camping! Missouri and Kansas state parks are especially beautiful in the fall when the autumn leaves start to change. Camp at Lake of the Ozarks State Park, then enjoy nearby castle ruins at Ha Ha Tonka. Or plan ahead and make reservations for a Halloween campout on Oct. 22 at Watkin’s Mill State Park or Elk City State Park, where the rangers plan special themed activities for the entire family.

Go chasin’ waterfalls. Pack a picnic and explore Waterfall Park (4501 S. Bass Dr., Independence, MO, 816.325.7375). The 18-acre park, near Bass Pro Shops, is nestled in a wooded area overlooking a lake and waterfalls and features a fantastic playground, small rock wall, small lake, walking trails, picnic tables and the scenic backdrop of a waterfall. After playing at the park, treat the family to some miniature golf at Cool Crest (10735 US 40 Hwy., Independence, MO, 816.358.0088). Discover more Midwest waterfalls with our guide on KCParent.com.

Visit The Scout at Penn Valley Park. Kansas City’s most iconic piece of art,

The Scout ironically wasn’t even supposed to be here. The statue of a Sioux scout atop his trusty steed was passing through as part of a temporary exhibition in 1922.

Local residents fell in love, and they raised $15,000 to claim him for keeps. A visit to see The Scout provides the added bonus of a fabulous view, made even more spectacular by native foliage.

Go on a driving tour to enjoy

Missouri’s most vibrant fall leaves—and don’t forget the camera! Visit MDC.mo.gov/ discover-nature/outdoor-recreation/ driving-tours/fall-colors for a leaf map recommending the best places for the best views.

Feed bison. Visit the Native Hoofed

Animal Enclosure (8010 E. Park Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO, 816.229.8980) at Fleming Park, where you can watch white-tailed deer, elk and bison eat and play. Then enjoy a walk or hike on one of the many trails in Fleming Park with beautiful woods and views of Lake Jacomo.

Kristina Light loves autumn most of all and enjoys apple cider donuts, fall festivals and visits to local pumpkin patches with her daughters.

NATURE BING

O

Download this Nature Bingo Card at KCParent.com next time you family is enjoying the great outdoors.

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kcparent.com october 2016

october festivals

Missouri Town 1855 Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music Oct. 1-2, Missouri Town 1855 in Lee’s Summit, MO, MakeYourDayHere.com/213/MissouriTown-1855. Celebrate the arrival of fall at Missouri Town 1855! Enjoy 1850s music and dance, horse-drawn buggy rides, hot spiced cider, children’s games, period arts and crafts and fun-filled hayrides.

KC Japan Festival Oct. 1, Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS, KCJapanFestival.org. Each year, the festival introduces and educates more than 4,000 visitors on the culture of Japan with food and crafts, live performances and classes and demonstrations.

Summit Art Fest Oct. 7-9, Downtown Lee’s Summit, MO, SummitArtFest.org. The Summit Art Festival is a three-day outdoor, high quality fine art event. The cultural arts are thriving in Downtown Lee’s Summit yearround, and this weekend visual arts mix with three days of live music, ballet, theater groups and yoga on the streets.

Día de los Muertos Oct. 23, Kansas City Museum, KansasCityMuseum.org. Enjoy live music by Mundo Nouvo and puppetry by StoneLion Puppet Theatre. Decorate sugar skulls, make tissue flowers, sample traditional Día de los Muertos bread from Panaderia de las Americas and contribute to a community altar installation.

American Royal World Series of Barbecue Oct. 26-30, Kansas Speedway, AmericanRoyal.com. The American Royal is pleased to announce that the 2016 World Series of Barbecue—the world’s largest barbecue competition—will be the finale of the competitive barbecue season for hundreds of elite teams on the barbecue circuit.

CRAFTCORNER All you need are a few simple supplies and some creativity to whip up one of these festive garlands.

matisse inspired garlands Make a colorful fall garland inspired by the artist Henri Matisse! Kids of all ages will love this simple project and can hang their garlands to enjoy all season long. All you need are a few simple supplies and some creativity to whip up one of these festive garlands.

Materials Needed:

• Images of collages

by Matisse • Construction paper • Scissors • String • Paint

Step One: Find some images of

Step Three: Use contrasting colors

collages by Matisse on the computer and look at them with your child. Study his interesting shapes and colors and discuss them.

of paint to add lines and patterns to some of the shapes.

Step Two: Cut Matisse-style shapes and leaves out of the construction paper.

Step Four: Punch holes in the construction paper and thread string through each shape to form your garland. Hang and enjoy!

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

kcparent.com october 2016

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10-ACRE

Pumpkin Patch

14730 K68 Highway, Louisburg, KS 66053 Kids have fun on our Jump Pillow !

CIDER MILL

®

Pumpkin Patch & Maze Open Sept.16 thru Oct. 31

SINCE 1977

Country Store Open Year Round Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 6 pm Sunday: 9 am to 6 pm

PUMPKIN PATCH

GUIDE

www.louisburgcidermill.com 913-837-5202

Amazing 10-Acre

map

Ghost of the Corn Maze • NEW Tricycle Track • NEW Spider Web Climber • Farm Animals • Hill Slide • Wagon Rides

I-435

• Jump Pillow • Play Area • Live Music & Bonfire on Selected Evenings

K-10

Monday — Thursday: 10 am to 5 pm Friday & Saturday: 10 am to 10 pm Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm

5

Friday & Saturday: 7 pm to 10 pm — Bring a flashlight & go through the maze IN THE DARK!

I-435

Aerial view from 400 feet.

Open Sept.17-Oct. 31 10:00am-7:00pm 7 days a week

I-35

169

7

1

3 2

69 Hwy

I-470

71 Hwy 6

4 2

Fabulous Fun on the Farm!!

• Scheduled school tours • Old-fashioned pig races , entertainment & music on weekends • Little Bud’s Railroad: Kansas City’s only farm train • Old-fashioned tractor wagon rides • Pumpkin donuts, fudge & home cooking • Traditional farm animals • Rocks and mining • 60 acres u-pick pump kin field

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kcparent.com october 2016

Bring in this ad & receive $1 off single admission.

Cannot be combined with other offers.

1 Carolyn’s Country Cousins

17607 NE 52nd St., Liberty, MO 816.781.9196 www.CarolynsCountryCousins.com

Family Orchard & Berry Farm

2 Johnson Farms & Pumpkin Patch 17701 Holmes, Belton, MO 816.331.1067 www.JohnsonFarms.net

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AT GIERINGERSORCHARd

3 Faulkner’s Pumpkin Farm

10600 Raytown Rd. Kansas City, MO 816.761.1234 www.FaulknersPumpkinFarm.com

• U-Pick Pumpkins • Interactive Corn Maze • Pumpkin Jump • Sunflower Field • Hay Mountain • Hay Rides • Corn Pit • Fall Activities

4 Louisburg Cider Mill

14730 Hwy. 68, Louisburg, KS 913.837.5202 www.LouisburgCiderMill.com

5 Gieringer’s Family Orchard & Berry Farm 39675 W 183rd St., Edgerton, KS 913.893.9626 www.GieringersOrchard.com

6 Shuck’s

291 Hwy. & 203rd St. Pleasant Hill, MO 816.335.4014 www.ShucksMaze.com

7 Deanna Rose Pumpkin Hollow

13800 Switzer Rd., Overland Park, KS 913.897.2360 www.OPKansas.org

See complete pumpkin descriptions on pg. 54.

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays September 23rd – October 30th

913.893.9626

GieringersOrchard.com

•

SAVE $1.00

Bring this ad in for $1.00 off of regular price of one single general admission to Gieringers Orchard during fall hours. Not good for school tours. Cannot be combined with other offers.

GOOd 9/23/16–10/30/16

Come run or come watch!

fourth annual

KC Pumpkin Run 5K

20 Acre Cor

n Maze Incl

17701 Holmes Road, Belton MO Mon.- Fri. 12 to 6 PM • Sat.-Sun. 9am to 6pm www.johnsonfarms.net • 816.331.1067

Admission:

All participants will receive a race shirt, custom bib, pumpkin and will compete for age group and overall prizes.

After the 5K will be the Kids Fun Run for ages 8 and under!

uded in Adm

16,000 Garden

ing Openy! a D ay d Satur 24 t p e S

2 and under FREE

Mon-Fri Sat-Sun

$11

$13

Adults 13-59 $9 Seniors 60+ $7

$11 $9

Kids 3-12

(includes jumping pillow)

ission

Mums in 70 Varie

ties

Small & Large Gr oup

Discounts

Birthday Party Pack

ages

U-Pick Pumpkin

s, Flowers and Ve

Lots of NEW ATTR ACTIONS Every Year

ALL PRICING INCLUDES TAx

ggies

Our farm is “stroller friendly” having pavement throughout to every amenity.

Sunday Oct. 2nd at 8:00am Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins 17701 Holmes Rd., Belton, MO 64012

Details at kcpumpkinrun.com

$10 Off family SEaSON PaSS fOR UP TO 6 PEOPlE* $5 Off family 4 PaCK SEaSON PaSS* OR (REGUlaR PRiCE $100) (REGUlaR PRiCE $65) *maX 2 aDUlTS PER PaSS

* See website for details about our Special Discounts. No other discounts may be applied. Pass and offer expires 10/31/16

kcparent.com october 2016

45

I

t’s fall again! Now we all know the weather’s changing, we’re a little older and keeping it fresh—especially with pumpkins—can be challenging. So how can we do it? The theme is the same year after year. The colors don’t change much, and family, well…they’re family. So what’s the trick? Well, we have a few! Not only can you look forward to the holidays soon to come but, after reading this article, you can look forward to decorating for those holidays too!

no carve If your children (whether they be big ones or little ones) are not quite there when it comes to handling sharp objects, break out the paint! Characters from the Disney and Pixar family films Monsters Inc., Ninja Turtles, Minions and Frozen are all popular and are all easy to paint on round objects like pumpkins. The characters not only add color to a not-so-popular porch, but they’ll

fun with a

291 Hwy and 203rd St Pleasant Hill, MO 64080

www.shucksmaze.com

2016 Corn Maze

Friday nights: 6:00-10:00 Saturday: 12:00-10:00 Sunday: 12:00-6:00

open: Sept. 24th thru oct. 30

$1 OFF admission Exp 10-31-16 cannot be used with other coupons

Corn Maze • Pumpkins • Barrel Train • Corn Cannon • Hay Mountain • Hayrides • Concessions • Laser Tag • Hay Jump

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kcparent.com october 2016

also add conversation to family gatherings.

If you’re really clever, you can get the most out of one pumpkin by putting a new face on each side. Don’t quite know where to start? Searching pumpkin ideas on Pinterest is an awesome way to begin.

smells like heaven…

If you’re not really into the look of making pumpkins pop, you always can try your luck with aroma. Every local store you can think of is sure to sell a seasonal pumpkin spiced pleasure. If you can’t narrow it down to one favorite, try this in your wax burner: 3 T. coconut oil 3 T. pumpkin pie spice ½ t. cinnamon The recipe is simple, quick and beyond inexpensive, so everyone can enjoy it—and you don’t have to feel bad for taking credit for it!

the way to his heart…

have fun, pumpkin!

Is through his stomach! We’ve all heard that the way to make any man happy is to feed him. But let’s face it, the way to make whole families happy is to make sure their tummies are happy. When it comes to cooking and keeping your sanity, remember to keep it simple. Good food doesn’t necessarily mean hours of slaving in the kitchen with one pot and two wooden spoons. It also doesn’t mean you’ll have high blood pressure and have to resort to an extreme diet after the holidays. There are thousands of quick-fix delicious meals that curb and cut even the largest appetites, are budget friendly and, most importantly, are healthy! If you’re still not sure, LaurensLatest.com has a pumpkin pecan cobbler that will knock your socks off.

With all the hype of the holidays, it’s easy to forget the focus: FAMILY! Making sure everyone is happy is a difficult job, but one made just for you. With that in mind, just remember to keep smiling and have fun yourself! You’re the life of the party, pumpkin, and don’t let anyone forget it!

So with that great responsibility, just make sure you take it one day at a time or one season, whichever helps you sleep better at night—and always, always, always have a pumpkin handy!

Jessica Samuel is a native of St. Louis and a current Kansas City resident. She is a grad student, photographer and journalist.

KC Parent is giving away 50 family 4-packs to all of your favorite pumpkin patches! Details on pg. 9.

Oct. 1–31

OPEN

12

Top 10 Reasons KC Parents Prefer Faulkner’s Ranch Pumpkin Season Many More New Reasons to Visit!

An amazing adventure filled with twists and turns!

Open Fri., Sat. and Sun. Sept 9 – Oct 30 Located between Liberty and Independence, MO off Highway 210

www.LibertyCornMaze.com

12.

11.

10. Hand-picked staff that are friendly, courteous, and well informed 9. Superior amenities like sidewalks, clean indoor restrooms, changing stations 8. Top quality pumpkins, gourds, squash, and fall decor 7. Enjoy a different fun, fall theme each weekend in October

To view the complete list visit www.faulknersranch.com

Happy Hours!

Join us Monday–Thursday from 3pm–CLOSE (6pm) Half Price Admission — $5 per person plus tax includes the hayride, petting farm, field maze and more!

(816) 761-5055 | 10600 Raytown Road

In Kansas City, just 1/4 mile south of 470 on Raytown Rd. kcparent.com october 2016

47

From Easy Art to a Sweet Treat (Family Features)

S

pooky, silly or symbolic, carved pumpkins are an essential ingredient to any Halloween celebration. This year, scare up some special fun for your party with a wicked watermelon carving, instead— but don’t stop there.

After crafting your watermelon into an artful mummy, take advantage of the healthy, immune system supporting qualities of the lycopene

leader among fresh produce. At 92 percent water, as well as an excellent source of vitamins A and C, watermelon is a hydrating post-art snack.

Carving a creative design into a watermelon is a simple way to kick off the festivities and requires only a handful of common tools.

Add a twinkling candle to make a fantastically frightful centerpiece. Or fill it with a fresh fruit salad or salsas

for a more functional, practical approach.

To take advantage of all a watermelon has to offer—outside of the fun carving—try frosted, frozen watermelon balls. This fun, simple recipe makes it easy to incorporate a healthy snack after all your hard work carving up a Halloween masterpiece.

Find more recipes, carving patterns and inspiration at Watermelon.org.

frosted, frozen watermelon balls Servings: 35-40 1 small watermelon 1 package (3 oz.) watermelon or other red flavor gelatin dessert

mummy Supplies and Tools:

• Oval or round seedless watermelon • Cutting board • Kitchen knife • Small bowl • Dry erase marker • Paring knife • Melon baller, fluted or regular • Scoop • Assorted peelers • Cheesecloth • Straight pin • Battery-operated candle or light • Candy eyeballs or blueberries Wash watermelon under cool running water and pat dry.

On cutting board, place watermelon on its side and use kitchen knife to cut off 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch from bottom (end opposite stem), being careful not to cut too deep into white part of rind.

Cut 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch from stem end to create opening large enough to fit small bowl.

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Using dry erase marker, draw eyes, nose and mouth, along with wavy slits around carving to let more light flow through. Use paring knife to cut out design, being sure to cut through to red fruit.

Use fluted or regular melon baller to hollow out inside of watermelon.

Use scoop to remove excess watermelon.

Peel green rind off outside of watermelon. (Tip: Different peelers work well for different parts of the watermelon, depending on how flat or round the melon is.)

Wrap thin strips of cheesecloth around mummy carving and secure with straight pin, if needed.

Put battery-operated candle or light into carving. Fit small bowl into top of carving and trim away excess rind to make bowl fit securely. Fill bowl with melon balls and attach candy or blueberries to make eyes.

Using melon baller, scoop out 35-40 small watermelon balls. Place on paper towels and set aside.

Pour gelatin into shallow bowl. Oneby-one, gently drop watermelon balls into bowl, roll around, take out and place on plate covered with paper towel. Repeat until all gelatin is used.

Place plate of frosted watermelon balls in freezer. Allow at least 2 hours to make sure they are completely frozen.

Remove from freezer and let sit a few minutes before eating.

Note: To serve with toothpicks, place toothpicks in before freezing to aid in serving.

Pumpkin beginner’s guide STEP-BY-STEP Guide

FOUNDATION

With a wet brush and orange paint, draw two big round shapes around the eyes for a pumpkin-shaped mask.

Make sure these two shapes meet and cover the nose. Fill the shape with orange paint and a wet sponge.

COLOR-IN

Then with a small brush and black paint, outline the pumpkin leaving a small space in the middle of the face for the stalk. Add three curved lines to the bottom of each side of the pumpkin and a triangle on the tip of the nose.

DETAILS

With a small brush and green paint, draw a shape above the top of the nose for the pumpkin stalk.

Snazaroo offers great face paints for all occasions! For more great ideas and to order, visit Snazaroo.com.

GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH GIVEAWAY During the month of October KC Parent is giving away

50 Family 4-Packs

September 30 - October 31

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. –– Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. –– Saturday - Sunday

Join us for the 18th annual Pumpkin Hollow, consistently rated as one of the top five pumpkin patches in the area! $8 - General Admission $7 Friends of the Farmstead members (limit of 7 tickets)

to your favorite pumpkin patches!

Follow us on Facebook for details and to enter Facebook.com//KansasCityParent

PURCHASE TICKETS AT THE FARMSTEAD. Additional $2/person Farmstead admission fee applies.

Presented by

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead 13800 Switzer Road • Overland Park, KS 66221

Benefiting friends of the

BLUE VALLEY

COMING SOON 159th & 69 Hwy. In Overland Park

drfarmstead.org

farmstead part of the arts & recreation foundation of overland park

kcparent.com october 2016

49

october

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

CALENDAR

Nerman Museum

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

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kcparent.com october 2016

create

play

watch

celebrate

party

Saturdays at the Nerman Museum kids tour the museum and then create a hands-on project with the Contemporary Creations and Early Explorations classes.

JCCC.edu/youth

On Oct. 1 take the family to KC Games for Good on the south lawn of the Liberty Memorial.

Enjoy Kansas City Kite Club, Sluggerrr, face painting and more.

KCGamesForGood.org

The Culture House presents Honk!

Oct. 20-22 at the Polsky Theatre (JCCC). Come see a heartwarming celebration of being different.

CultureHouse.com

Get in the Halloween sprit at the Monster Mash on Oct. 28 at the Olathe Family YMCA. Treats, games, haunted house, zombie Zumba mazes and more!

KansasCityYMCA.org

Head to Kansas Speedway Oct. 29 for the Cowtown Family Fun Fest.

Tons of family fun including face painters, crafts, petting zoo, rides, inflatables and more!

AmericanRoyal.com

1 Saturday Scarecrow Festival 9:00, Shawnee City Hall. Downtown merchants create and display scarecrows for viewing. Children’s activities, as well.

913.742.6226

RELEASE

YOUR

Ladies Midwest Wellness Event 9:00, Blue Valley Baptist Church.

Find hope for your wellness journey. $25 includes lunch. Pre-reg at FirstPlace4Health.com/events.

inner

First Saturdays at Shoal Creek 9:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Reenactors bring the village to life with skits, skirmishes and demonstrations. 816.792.2655

KID

Kaw Valley Farm Tour 9:00, farms along the Kaw River Valley. A selfguided tour of 32 farms. Visit with farmers and enjoy activities for kids. $10/car. 785.979.8142 Hoots and Howls Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Head out to the zoo for some spooky, not scary, activities and entertainment.

KansasCityZoo.org Designs in Clay 10:00, Nerman Museum (JCCC). Learn about artistic design and create a clay plate with your own embellishments in the studio classroom. JCCC.edu/youth Fall Harvest Weekends in October Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Enjoy a different theme each weekend and help with the harvest. Mahaffie.org Kansas City Renaissance Festival Thru Oct 16, Bonner Springs. Join the revelry for a one-of-a-kind experience and relive history the fun way! $11-$22. KCRenFest.com Petite Performances 10:00 & 11:00, Kauffman Center. KC Symphony presents interactive musical activities for little listeners.

KCSymphony.org Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music 10:00, Missouri Town 1855. Enjoy 1850s music and dance, horse-drawn buggy rides, games, crafts and more. 816.503.4800 Harvest Celebration & Antique Tractor Show Today & tomorrow, Powell Gardens. Features John Deere tractors, farm machinery, trucks and more! PowellGardens.org

37th AMERICAN ROYAL

WORLD SERIES OF BARBECUE®

Cowtown Family

FUN FEST Bring the whole family for fun, hands-on activities and entertainment at the American Royal Cowtown Family Fun Fest, during the world’s largest barbecue competition!

Weston Applefest Today & tomorrow, Downtown Weston.

Demonstrations, pony rides, carnival games, cider making and more.

WestonMo.com

• Free activities with grounds admission

KC Games for Good Noon, South Lawn Liberty Memorial. Free family festival with the Kansas City Kite Club, Sluggerrr and KC Wolf, face painting and more. KCGamesForGood.org

• Petting zoo and pony rides

Harvest Moon Festival Noon, Anita B Gorman Center. Street fair featuring live entertainment, arts, crafts and storytelling. 816.759.7300

• Kids entertainment, including Mr. Stinky Feet

OCT. 29

• Kids pedal tractor pull

FAMILY 4-PACK

• Face painting, air brush tattoos and more!

available at the gate TICKETS AT

AmericanRoyal.com

May the Forest Be with You Noon, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. See Han Solo, Princess Leia and Darth Vader and discover what trees do on this planet! 816.228.3766 Meet Curious George 1:00, Paradise Park. George visits Paradise Park and brings some of his friends along with him. KCPT.org

KANSAS SPEEDWAY

COWTOWN FAMILY FUN FEST PRESENTED BY

BARBECUE PRESENTED BY

AMERICAN ROYAL PRESENTED BY

AMERICAN ROYAL // IMPACTING THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE kcparent.com october 2016

51

International Walk to School Day Oct. 5. Today is a great day to start walking to school with your child!

WalkToSchool.com

Fall Fest 1:00, Horizon Academy. Carnival-style games, face painting, a fun run, a goat petting zoo and more! Horizon-Academy.org

Blessing of the Animals 4:00, Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. Come with your pets for our annual community blessing of the animals. Free. 816.474.8260

Waterfire 7:00, Country Club Plaza. A unique, multisensory experience of music, fire and water. Rain date Oct 2. WaterFireKC.com

3 Monday

2 Sunday

Indoor Play Park 9:00, New Century Fieldhouse. Hop, skip, jump, build with blocks, bounce balls, run and have a blast!

913.826.3024

KC Pumpkin Run 8:00, Johnson Farms.

Tackle the trails and conquer the corn maze! Sign up to run or just come to watch.

KCPumpkinRun.com Jurassic Garden Thru Oct 3, Powell Gardens.

See accurate dinosaur replicas lurking in natural settings, participate in a dino dig and more!

PowellGardens.org Tchaikovsky’s Fourth 2:00, Kauffman Center. The Kansas City Symphony opening weekend concerts feature Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony. KCSymphony.org

Body Worlds & the Cycle of Life Thru Oct 23, Union Station. A world-class exhibition revealing the human body’s transformation through time. UnionStation.org Token Mondays 10:00, Cool Crest. For only $15 you can enjoy 100 tokens—no coupon required. CoolCrest.com Open Gym Noon, 360 Gymnastics. A great opportunity for kids to run, play, explore and burn off energy! $3-$5. KC360Gym.com

4 Tuesday Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. Kids, drive your favorite vehicle, jump in the bounce house or pretend in the kitchen. $2. 913.322.5550 Story Time 10:00, Kansas City Public Library (Central Library). A fun time for all ages to talk, sing, read, write and play. Free.

816.701.3407

If They’ve Got Homework,

You’ve Got Help!

If you live or work in Clay, Jackson, or Platte County and have a Mid-Continent Public Library card, you can start using FREE online resources for elementary, middle, and high school students today.

Visit mymcpl.org/homework

Access Insight

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kcparent.com october 2016

iFLY Kids Club 6:00, iFly. Tuesdays receive coaching and a 5-minute block. Must have previously flown. $69.95. For details and to pre-reg, call 913.305.4359.

5 Wednesday International Walk to School Day Today is a great day to start walking to school with your child! WalkToSchool.com Pay to Play 10:00, Rainbow Play Systems.

Open playtime on the play sets. Only $5 for two hours of play! SwingsetsKansas.com Animal Tales 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. A 30-minute program that includes stories, songs and a visit from an animal friend. $2. 913.764.7759 Power Hour 1:00, Little Monkey Bizness.

Arrive between 1:00 and 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays and admission is just $6 plus tax! 913.631.7000 What’s for Dinner? 3:30, Burr Oak Woods.

Watch on Wednesdays and Saturdays as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

6 Thursday The Nine Who Dared: Courage in Little Rock 9:45 & 11:45, the Coterie. Interactive drama in which the audience participates in defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement.

TheCoterie.org Jack-o’-Lantern Tales for Little Ones 10:00, MCPL (Colbern Branch). Not-so-scary tales about pumpkins, gourds and goblins. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6.

IntegrityOP.com Teacher Preview Night 4:00, Legoland & Sea Life. Learn about special rates for school field trips, in addition to school and preschool programs! Pre-reg at 816.556.3234.

7 Friday Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park.

A special time for those 5 and under to enjoy access to the playground and trampoline attractions. $10/child; parents are free.

800.960.4778

Weston Irish Fest Thru Sunday, O’Malley’s Pub and Courtyard. Three-day festival that showcases great acts in Irish music. $5-$10.

WestonIrish.com Summit Art Festival Thru Sunday, Downtown Lee’s Summit. A festival of fine arts that features more than 90 local, regional and national artists. SummitArtFest.org First Fridays 5:00, Crossroads Art District.

Galleries and shops remain open the first Friday of each month. KCCrossroads.org Tween Night 6:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire. A night of pizza, painting and pottery with friends!

Enjoy pizza, drink, pottery and supplies for $25.

PaintGlazeAndFire.net Elvis Costello 7:00, JCCC (Yardley Hall).

Costello sings his best-known songs and the hits of tomorrow in an intimate setting.

JCCC.edu/theseries Tour of Gymnastics Champions 7:00, Sprint Center. See Olympic gold medalists perform!

SprintCenter.com A Midsummer Night’s Dream Thru Oct 16, Kauffman Center. This hit ballet includes the full company, along with 50 Kansas City Ballet School students. KCBallet.org

WICHITA GRAND OPERA LA BOHÉME

by Giacomo Puccini An Opera in Four Acts Sung in Italian with English supertitles

8 P.M. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 2016 – 2017 PERFORMING ARTS SERIES

Experience the opera that inspired the musical Rent.

Puccini’s magical music will fascinate and move you.

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

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The Great Pumpkin Fest Weekends thru Oct. 30, Worlds of Fun. Not-so-scary activities and fun catering to the little ones! Hay bale maze, creepy crafts and more! WorldsOfFun.com

8 Saturday GeoArboretum 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Brief classroom presentation followed by a search for two geocaches.

913.685.3604 Lansing Fall Festival 10:00, Angel Falls Trail.

Event features the State Line Drive Band, craft vendors, story time, pumpkin decorating and delicious food. Lansing.ks.us Heritage Craft Festival Today & tomorrow, historic Arrow Rock. Festival features lost-art crafts by costumed artisans, live music and more. ArrowRock.org Meyer Fest Today & tomorrow, St Peter’s Church. Community event with a carnival, inflatables, entertainment, food trucks and more. MeyerFestKC.com Harvest Festival 10:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. An old-fashioned county fair with entertainment for all ages. 816.792.2655

Sugar Mound Arts & Crafts Festival Today & tomorrow, Linn County Fairgrounds. More than 650 booths of arts and crafts handmade by the exhibitors. 913.795.3003 Fall Festival Today & tomorrow, Shawnee Indian Mission. Fall festival featuring familyfriendly fun, crafts, entertainment and food.

913.262.0867 The Great Pumpkin Fest 11:00, Worlds of Fun. Not-so-scary activities and fun catering to the little ones! Hay bale maze, creepy crafts and more! WorldsOfFun.com Sprint Family Fun Days 11:00, KC Power & Light District. Bring your family out to Sprint Family Fun Days. Today’s theme is Fall Festival.

PowerAndLightDistrict.com PorchfestKC Noon, Valentine Neighborhood.

The Valentine neighborhood is filled with acoustic music of various styles, performed on front porches. Free. PorchFestKC.com

Pumpkin Express Train 12:30, 2:00 & 3:30, Belton, Grandview & Kansas City RR. Take a train ride out to a field to choose a pumpkin.

BeltonRailroad.org Whimsical Woods 1:00, Ernie Miller Nature Park. Enjoy a walk on the trail. Costumed storybook characters will delight and entertain. $5-$7. 913.764.7759 Saturday Night Feeder Saturdays thru Oct, 4:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. Watch the cats being fed. $5. 816.739.0363

kc pumpkin patches Carolyn’s Country Cousins Bring the entire family to our 50-acre U-pick pumpkin patch and farm. Open 10:00-7:00, Sept. 17-Oct. 31. Families love taking an old-fashioned hayride to the field to pick their own pumpkins and visiting our animals at the petting barn!

Weekends feature Uncle Lester’s pig races, live entertainment and great food. For more information, call 816.781.9196 or visit us at www.CarolynsCountryCousins.com.

Johnson Farms At Johnson Farms, you’ll be in the country, but close to home. Take a wagon ride out to the pumpkin or vegetable patch and pick your own from right off the vine. Experience our giant jumping pillow, tunnel maze or 20-acre corn maze, all INCLUDED in your admission. Delicious food and friendly animals each time you visit! Plenty of parking and outdoor fun for all ages. www.JohnsonFarms.net. 816.331.1067 @johnsonfarmsMO

Louisburg Cider Mill and Country Store Store hours 8:00-6:00 (Mon.-Sat.), 9:00-6:00 (Sun.) Ciderfest: Sept. 24-25 & Oct. 1-2; live music, food and­craft booths.

Watch as fresh cider is pressed and enjoy the delicious cider donuts! Fall family fun will be happening until October 31st.

Enjoy the 10-acre Ghost of the Corn Maze, huge pumpkin patch, farm animals, children’s play area, jump pillow and more! 913.837.5202. www.LouisburgCiderMill.com

Gieringers’s Family Orchard & Berry Farm

We’re growing! For years, families have come for u-pick strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and peaches. This fall, come to the farm and enjoy our new fall season.

Guide your way through our Farmers Feed Families interactive corn maze, play in thousands of bushels of corn, jump on the huge pumpkin pad, slide down the combine, grab some u-pick pumpkins or just enjoy a fall day. www.GieringersOrchard.com

Faulkner’s Ranch-Pumpkin Season!

Oct. 1-31, 10:00-6:00 daily. Special events on weekends.

Visit www.FaulknersRanch.com for all of the attractions and upcoming events. Clean, quality, interactive fun at Faulkner’s Ranch. 816.761.5055

Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

Three mazes located within one, with different levels of difficulty. Barrel train ride, corn crib—it’s a large sandbox, only it’s filled with corn. Hay mountains, tractor-pulled hayrides, laser tag, concessions and field trips. ShucksMaze.com

Deanna Rose-Pumpkin Hollow

Join us for the 18th annual Pumpkin Hollow, take a horsedrawn hayride through the woods, ending at Pumpkin Hollow. All inclusive in the ticket price. Children can hop aboard the Pumpkin Hollow Express, get lost in the corn maze, slide down a hay pyramid and choose a pumpkin to take home. www.DRFarmstead.org

KC Parent is giving away 50 family 4-packs to all of your favorite pumpkin patches! Details on pg. 9.

PLUS find our geo-based online Pumpkin Patch Guide at KCParent.com.

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Magic Woods 4:00, Lakeside Nature Center.

Watch skits, munch on popcorn and hot chocolate, make crafts, enjoy face painting and more $5. 816.513.8960 Second Saturdays 4:00, Downtown Weston.

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

WestonMO.com

45th & Oak nelson-atkins.org

Jazz & Food Truck Festival 4:30, Downtown Topeka. Enjoy dozens of food trucks and great live jazz. VisitTopeka.com Public Stargazing 6:30, Powell Observatory.

An educational talk on astronomy, a tour of the night sky and viewing through the telescopes, weather permitting. ASKC.org

Train Rides $10.00

Regular Trains Depart Sat & Sun, 2 pm (May – Oct.)

Pumpkin Express Train

MESNER PUPPET THEATER GEORGIE AND THE NOISY GHOST

NATIVITY

A shy, friendly ghost has a big surprise during his vacation

A spiritual journey with life-size puppets

Weekends of Oct. 8th, 15th and 22nd Trains Depart at 12:30, 2:00 & 3:30

Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad Co. 502 Walnut • Belton, Missouri 816-331-0630 • www.beltonrailroad.org Tickets go on sale one hour before train departure time

HOLA!Oct.

SONGS Nativity OF THE SEASON

feb. 22 mar. 12

$10.00

NOV. 9-20

Kids under three FREE

2016-2017 SEASON

DEC. 12-23

TRAIN RIDES

FESTIVAL | SUNDAY, NOV. 6 | 10–4 ALTAR ON VIEW OCT. 27–NOV. 6

19-30

A comic, cultural adventure through Georgie and the Noisy Latin America

Ghost

Nov. 9-20 Hola!

Dec. 2-4

Raise your voice to holiday favorites Dec. 12-23

Songs of the Seasons Feb. 22-March 12, 2017 The Cat Came Back

THE CAT CAME BACK

Even outer space30-April won’t deter8,this clever March 2017 creature A Funny Thing Happened

on the Way to the Death Star (suggested for adults and kids 12+)

MesnerPuppets.org | Performances partially funded from our generous supporters

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY 816.235.6222 | Season Tickets Available TO THE DEATH STAR

mar. 30 April 8

Farmers Market 8:00, City Market. The market features a mix of dining, shopping and entertainment in an open air setting.

816.842.1271

DAY OF THE DEA D CEL EBR ATIO N –FR EE–

OCT. 19-30

9 Sunday

ANNUAL

DEC. 2-4

Störling Dance Presents Faure Requiem 8:00, St Michael the Archangel. See this timeless work will come to life in new ways. $25.

StorlingDance.org

(Suggested for adults and kids 12 and older)

Performances partially funded from our generous supporters

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Kansas City Renaissance Festival Thru Oct 16, Bonner Springs. Join the revelry for a one-of-akind experience and relive history the fun way! $11-$22. KCRenFest.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 Basetrack Live 7:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC).

Overland Park. An extraordinary work of documentary theater that portrays the impact of war. JCCC.edu/theseries

December 3 & 4,2016

10 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

A festive tea ... a magical ballet ... an amazing time!

For information and tickets, visit

www.nutcrackerteaparty.org

Body Worlds & the Cycle of Life Thru Oct 23, Union Station. A world-class exhibition revealing the human body’s transformation through time. UnionStation.org 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

KCP-Print.indd 1

9/12/16 12:41 PM

THE CULTURE HOUSE PRESENTS

Pay to Play 10:00, Rainbow Play Systems. Open playtime on the play sets. Only $5 for two hours of play! SwingsetsKansas.com

11 Tuesday Babes in the Woods 10:00, Burr Oak Woods.

Hike out with your little one to the Bethany Falls Trail to play and take pictures. Pre-reg at 816.228.3766.

Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222 Grand Opening 11:00, Main Event (Olathe).

Family fun includes 100 video and interactive games, bowling, a gravity ropes obstacle course and more! MainEvent.com Kids Book Group: The Book Masters 4:30, MCPL (Excelsior Springs). Chat about great books and share ideas for other great reads.

Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

12 Wednesday Farmers Market 7:00, Downtown Overland Park. Shop for fresh produce, flowers and more.

Free. 913.642.2222

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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 Family Story Time 10:00, Jo Co Library (Shawnee Branch). Enjoy stories, songs, finger plays and movement activities. Free.

JoCoLibrary.org Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com Free Symphony Happy Hour Concert 6:00, Kauffman Center. A one-hour program of chamber music that will add joy to the middle of the week. Free tickets at KCSymphony.org.

13 Thursday Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000 Nature Story Time 10:00 & 11:00, George Owens Nature Park. Explore the outdoors, make crafts and listen to great stories.

816.325.7115 Great Pumpkin Run 5:30, Berkley Riverfront Park. Bring your running gear and take in the skyline before enjoying apple cider and tons of fall fun! TheGreatPumpkinRun.com Fall Cemetery Tours Thru Saturday, Olathe Memorial Cemetery. Learn more about early Olathe history. Ages 5+. $6. 913.971.5226 Major League Improv 7:30, ComedyCity.

A comedy sporting event with everything decided upon by the audience. $9-$13.

816.842.2744 Aladdin Jr Thru Sunday, Goppert Theatre (Avila University). Journey to a land in a faraway place and discover a whole new world. CYTKC.org

14 Friday Playwear Sale Today & tomorrow, Children’s Orchard (Olathe). Save 50% off entire stock of playwear clothing (pink tickets). 913.780.6600 Home School Day 10:00 or 12:30, Shawnee Town 1929. Please call the museum office at 913.248.2360 to register your family.

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.

913.661.2529

Nov. 16

Apr. 3

BEN FRANKLIN & HIS KITE

SOLVE IT CYRUS!

Jan. 31 I HAVE A DREAM

Mar. 7

Apr. 17

THE RAINBOW FISH

www.follytheater.org

TEACHER FROM THE BLACK LAGOON & OTHER STORIES

816.474.4444

The Folly Kids’ Series is made possible through generous support from the Missouri Arts Council, ArtsKC, Oppenstein Brothers Foundation, Commerce Bank Trustee, Theater ROcKs, Theater League’s educational outreach program, R.A.Long Foundation, McDonnell Foundation, Hallmark Corporate Foundation, Sullivan Family Foundation, All Sponsors and Donors to the Folly Frolic Benefit Concert.

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Boo at the Zoo Oct. 29 & 30, Kansas City Zoo. Kids trick-or-treat the zoo, enjoy Halloween activities and entertainment. KansasCityZoo.org

Study Skills Seminar 5:00, the Tutoring Center.

Kids in grades 6-12 will learn valuable study skills. Pizza and drinks provided. Pre-reg at 816.781.0000.

The Shanghai Acrobats 7:00, Lied Center. A mindblowing contortion and impressive acrobatics, juggling and spinning performance. Lied.KU.edu

GLOW Jack-o’-Lantern Festival Today & tomorrow, Powell Gardens. More than 700 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns will light a path through the gardens. PowellGardens.org

ARCA Night Race 7:30, Kansas Speedway.

Don’t miss NASCAR qualifying and the ARCA race under the lights. KansasSpeedway.com

Lenexa Chili Challenge Today & tomorrow, Old Town Lenexa. Enjoy free samples for the public (while they last). Live music and fireworks Friday. Lenexa.com Howloween III 6:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Kids will have a howling good time exploring nature stations like Track or Treat, the Bone Yard and more. 816.759.7300 Not-So-Scary Halloween Show 6:30, Plaza Library. Put on your Halloween costume and join in the fun with Dino O’Dell. KCLibrary.org

W!MotionPEN! E O N

& W rce t NO o F ibi h Ex

15 Saturday Heritage Days Festival Today & tomorrow, Warsaw. A two-day festival celebrating and honoring both the historical and modern-day crafts. WelcomeToWarsaw.com Maple Leaf Festival Today & tomorrow, Baldwin City. Family fun that includes a parade, craft booths, kids zone and more.

MapleLeafFestival.com

Spookfest Halloween Hot Spot

at Union Station

October 29, 5-8pm

Huge New Exhibits & Open Year-Round

• Maker Magic in the Maker Studio • Creepy Critters in the Nature Center • Eerie Edibles in the Test Kitchen • Spooky Science Demos • Spooktacular Science Stage Shows

• Fun, hands-on activities for the whole family • Educator-led workshops & demos • New science-themed activities every month

Avoid the Line – Preorder Tickets Today!

ScienceCity.com

Members Visit for FREE!

ScienceCity.com

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Scavenger Saturdays 10:00, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Follow the clues on this “ARTtastic” adventure! 816.753.5784

FOURTH ANNUAL

Kansas City’s Science Center

Spend a few hours or an entire day at Kansas City’s Science Center!

Science & Tech Fest 10:00, Downtown Topeka.

Hands-on activities, demonstrations, food trucks, and more! VisitTopeka.org

Fall Scout Day 10:00 or 1:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. 1860s hands-on living history activities that meet some Scout program requirements. Mahaffie.org

Internationally Awarded

Space Out Saturday 10:00, Cosmosphere. Family day at the Cosmosphere with lots of great free programming for kids. Cosmo.org

Proud to be a

Smithsonian Affiliate Smithsonian Affiliate

International Lineman’s Rodeo 10:00, National Agricultural Hall of Fame. Linemen from all over the world compete in a variety of tasks. AgHallOfFame.com Cheetah Run 10:30, Kansas City Zoo. Watch the fastest animals on earth race around a track at top speed. KansasCityZoo.org Pirate Palooza 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. Ahoy! Come watch a fun musical pirate adventure puppet show. $6. Hazelle.org Open Gym 12:30, Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics.

Run, jump and play in the foam pit, rope swings and more. EliteGymSwim.com HOWLoween Pooch Parade 1:00, Waggin’ Trail Dog Park (NE 32nd & Swift). Costume contest, vendors, treats, door prizes!

KCParks.org Halloween History Howl 2:00, Wyandotte County Historical Museum. Face painting, hayrides, magic show, pumpkin painting and more. 913.721.1078 Wine Walk on Delaware 5:00, Delaware Street (River Market). Date night! Wine tasting hosted by a mix of Delaware Street establishments. $15. WineWalkOnDelaware.com

Fall Classic 7:00, Lee’s Summit High School.

Lee’s Summit Symphony presents a fall classic concert. LSSymphony.org Wichita Grand Opera La Bohème 8:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC). Puccini’s unforgettable tale of love, youth and tragic loss. JCCC.edu/theseries

16 Sunday Sunday Funday 9:00, Topgolf. Don’t give up on the weekend just yet! Enjoy brunch and games at Topgolf. Topgolf.com Dogtober Fest 10:00, Kemper Outdoor Education Center. This is the perfect afternoon for dog lovers and their humans.

MakeYourDayHere.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 Hollywood Casino 400 1:15, Kansas Speedway.

Don’t miss the fifth race in the chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. KansasSpeedway.com Will Matthews B-3 Organ Project 7:00, Polsky Theatre (JCCC). Two-time Grammy-winning guitarist Will Matthews performs his B-3 Organ Project. JCCC.edu/theseries

17 Monday Body Worlds & the Cycle of Life Thru Oct 23, Union Station. A world-class exhibition revealing the human body’s transformation through time. UnionStation.org Token Mondays 10:00, Cool Crest. For only $15 you can enjoy 100 tokens—no coupon required. CoolCrest.com Open Gym Noon, 360 Gymnastics. A great opportunity for kids to run, play, explore and burn off energy! $3-$5. KC360Gym.com Power Hour 1:00, Little Monkey Bizness.

Arrive between 1:00 and 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays and admission is just $6 plus tax!

913.631.7000

18 Tuesday Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. Kids, drive your favorite vehicle, jump in the bounce house or pretend in the kitchen. $2. 913.322.5550 Story Time 10:00, Kansas City Public Library (Central Library). A fun time for all ages to talk, sing, read, write and play. Free. 816.701.3407

Register your 3–5 year old online for a FREE Pre-K Pass and get unlimited visits in 2017.

Plus, they’ll receive one free visit to the Great Pumpkin Fest in 2016. For more information or to get yours today at www.worldsoffun.com. Restrictions apply. Available online only.

©2016 Peanuts Worldwide LLC, peanuts.com ©2016 Cedar Fair, L.P. WF17-014

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october by the numbers

5-21 14

October date of National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work Day.

2,185 The size, in pounds, of the largest pumpkin ever grown in North America— as of 2015.

October dates when the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts peak fall foliage.

1814 Year of Alexander Majors’ birth on Oct. 4. Majors, a successful overland freighter on the Santa Fe Trail, built a noteworthy home in Kansas City and, in 1860, helped found the Pony Express.

12th Street along which Kansas City’s last operating cable car ran its final route on Oct. 13, 1913, ending 30 years as the city’s mode of public transportation.

20 million Pounds of candy corn purchased annually in the United States.

36

Years of the American Royal Barbecue, this year being held at Kansas Speedway Oct. 26-30.

$74

Average amount per person spent by 157 million Americans on Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation.

7

Game seven, held on Oct. 27, 1985, resulted in the Kansas City Royals’ first World Series championship, over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Tots on Tuesday 11:00, Kemper Museum. Bring in your preschooler for a fun and fashionable get-together every third Tuesday. 816.753.5784 iFLY Kids Club 6:00, iFly. Tuesdays receive coaching and a 5-minute block. Must have previously flown. $69.95. For details and to prereg, call 913.305.4359.

19 Wednesday Georgie and the Noisy Ghost 10:00, Mesner Puppet Studio. Based on the book by Robert Bright, this children’s classic tells the story of a shy, friendly ghost. MesnerPuppets.org Storyteller Jo Ho 10:00, Mill Creek Activity Center. Join Jo and her not-so-scary scarecrows for a lively story time to learn about autumn and harvest time. $2. 913.715.2575 Visit Science City 10:00, Science City (Union Station). New exhibits, hands-on activities for the entire family, workshops, demonstrations and more! UnionStation.org Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type 10:00, Extreme Screen Theater. The hilarious story of disgruntled farm animals who want to improve their accommodations. TYA.org What’s for Dinner? 3:30, Burr Oak Woods.

Watch on Wednesdays and Saturdays as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

20 Thursday Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com

Brick-or-Treat Thru Sunday, Legoland Discovery Center. Build pumpkins while wearing your Halloween costume and much more. LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com

Penguin March 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. The birds parade around the Helzberg Penguin Plaza, enjoying the fresh outdoor air.

KansasCityZoo.org

Third Friday Art Walk 5:30, Englewood Station Arts District. Tour the art galleries, view live performances and meet artists in front of shops.

EnglewoodStation.com

Pumpkins & Mums Fall Festival 10:00, Excelsior Springs. Festival fun includes artists, crafters, activities for the children and more.

VisitExcelsior.com

Trick or Cache 5:30, Antioch Park. GPS units will be provided for this modern-day scavenger hunt for Halloween treats. $12-$14/person.

913.831.3359

Howl-O-Ween 10:00, Tails and Trails Dog Park.

Costume and tricks contests. Prizes include some of your favorites and dog park passes!

Grandview.org

Fairy Tale Forest Thru Sunday, Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary. This non-scary Halloween event is sure to delight you and your little ones! $5-$8. NatureSanctuary.com

The Great Pumpkin Fest 11:00, Worlds of Fun. Not-so-scary activities and fun catering to the little ones! Hay bale maze, creepy crafts and more! WorldsOfFun.com

39th Street Art Walk 6:00, 39th Street District.

Every third Friday the merchants of 39th Street open their doors to local painters, musicians and more! 39thStreetWest.com

Jungle-o-ween 11:00, Macken Park (Festival Shelter). Pumpkin patch, hayride, carnival games, bounce house and more! NKC.org

Night of the Living Farm 6:00, Deanna Rose Farmstead. Activities include flashlight scavenger hunt, non-scary hayride, marshmallow roast and more! OPKansas.org Family Fun Night 6:30, Kansas City Public Library (Plaza Branch). Free weekly program with fun activities for the entire family.

KCLibrary.org An Evening with Garrison Keillor 8:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC). Come hear Keillor wax nostalgic about his home in Lake Wobegon, MN. JCCC.edu/theseries

Pumpkin Express Train 12:30, 2:00 & 3:30, Belton, Grandview & Kansas City RR. Take a train ride out to a field to choose a pumpkin.

BeltonRailroad.org Halloween Extravaganza 1:00, Municipal Auditorium. Halloween party includes costume contest, face painting, lots of candy and more! $9. 816.513.5000 Cemetery Tours 1:00, Big Shoal Cemetery (Gladstone). Enjoy a guided tour and refreshments as history comes alive. $10.

816.423.4107

22 Saturday

Trunk or Treat 3:00, Myron Scafe Building.

Enjoy yummy candy, a cake walk with prizes, large bounce houses and candy! 913.634.0205

Third Thursday 6:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Date night! Live music, free programs, art activities and more that showcase local talent.

Nelson-Atkins.org

Holiday Treasures Craft Festival 9:00, Shawnee Civic Centre. Beat the crowds this holiday season and pick up unique, handcrafted holiday gifts. 913.631.5200

Pumpkins on Parade 4:30, Cave Springs. Stroll along trails aglow with hundreds of carved, lighted pumpkins. CaveSpring.org

Honk! 7:00 Thru Saturday, Polsky Theatre (JCCC). Culture House presents a heartwarming celebration of being different that is sure to delight audiences of all ages. CultureHouse.com

Annual Fall Muster 9:00, Fort Osage. Annual reenactment that portrays events surrounding the prelude to the War of 1812. $3-$7.

816.503.4860

Halloween Campout 5:00, Watkins Woolen Mill State Park. Activities include the spookiest campsite contest, trick-or-treating and more.

Pre-reg at 877.422.6766.

21 Friday

Blue Springs Assembly Expo 9:00, Blue Springs Assembly. Come shop from more than 30 vendors and find that perfect gift.

BlueSpringsAssembly.org

Haunted Kansas 6:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Walk through the trails of Ernie Miller and listen to stories of long ago. Characters share legends around a campfire. $5-$7/person.

913.764.7759

Halloween at Sea Life Thru Sunday, Sea Life Aquarium. Watch the spooky spectacle of underwater pumpkin carving! VisitSeaLife.com Junior Jaunts 10:15, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Bring your baby in a stroller or carrier for an adult-focused, yet infant-friendly, tour.

Nelson-Atkins.org

Patterns in Print 10:00, Nerman Museum.

Investigate artistic use of lines and then incise foam plates for printing in the museum’s studio classroom. JCCC.edu/youth

Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 8:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC). Fusing high art and popular culture, this ensemble will reimagine the Beatles’ album. JCCC.edu/theseries

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Spookfest Oct. 29, 5:00, Science City (Union Station). Enjoy the fourth annual family fun Halloween event at Science City! ScienceCity.com

23 Sunday

24 Monday

Family Timber Challenge 9:00, Zip KC. The challenge is 2 miles long and is packed with fun and challenging obstacles for the whole family. 913.214.9478

Baby Story Time 9:30, Jo Co Library (Blue Valley Branch). A lap-sit program of songs, rhymes and movement for the very young. Free. JoCoLibrary.org

Sunday Funday 9:00, Topgolf. Don’t give up on the weekend just yet! Enjoy brunch and games at Topgolf. Topgolf.com

Token Mondays 10:00, Cool Crest. For only $15 you can enjoy 100 tokens—no coupon required. CoolCrest.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

Open Gym Noon, 360 Gymnastics. A great opportunity for kids to run, play, explore and burn off energy! $3-$5. KC360Gym.com

Día de los Muertos 1:00, Kansas City Museum.

Enjoy live music, puppets, make tissue flowers and get your face painted! 816.513.0720 Kansas City Symphony Classical Series 2:00, Kauffman Center. Michael Stern leads the Kansas City Symphony through Mozart’s Requiem. KCSymphony.org

25 Tuesday Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park.

A special time for those 5 and under to enjoy access to the playground and trampoline attractions. $10/child; parents are free.

800.960.4778

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 Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. Kids, drive your favorite vehicle, jump in the bounce house or pretend in the kitchen. $2. 913.322.5550 Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222

Join us for Halloween Hoopla, Jack-O-Lantern Tales, Things That Go Bump in the Library, and other free family-friendly programs at a Mid-Continent Public Library branch near you!

Visit mymcpl.org/BOO for a complete list of programs and to register today!

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Boo Bash 6:00, Celebration Park (Gardner).

An evening of ghastly games, spooktacular activities, candy, hayrack ride and more! $3.

GardnerKansas.gov

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type 10:00, Extreme Screen Theater. The hilarious story of disgruntled farm animals who want to improve their accommodations. TYA.org

Final Fridays 5:00, Lawrence. Event features hundreds of artists and performers in more than 30 locations. Free.

FinalFridaysLawrence.wordpress.com

26 Wednesday

Bone Rattlers and Spine Tinglers 4:00, MCPL (Dearborn). Storyteller Jo Ho serves up ghoulish tales. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Monster Mash 6:00, Olathe Family YMCA. Indoor Halloween event with treats, games, crafts, haunted house, zombie Zumba mazes and more! KansasCityYMCA.org

Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000 Georgie and the Noisy Ghost 10:00, Mesner Puppet Studio. Based on the book by Robert Bright, this children’s classic tells the story of a shy, friendly ghost. MesnerPuppets.org Pay to Play 10:00, Rainbow Play Systems. Open playtime on the play sets. Only $5 for two hours of play! SwingsetsKansas.com

Enchanted Forest 6:30, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park (Lenexa). For one night the park is transformed into the Enchanted Forest. Free admission.

913.477.7100 Major League Improv 7:30, ComedyCity.

A comedy sporting event with everything decided upon by the audience. $9-$13.

816.842.2744

27 Thursday

28 Friday

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

Fish Tales 9:30, Stagecoach Park (Olathe). A 30-minute story time that includes stories, songs and play. Free. 913. 971.8563

Best Pops in KC!

Family SciFest 6:30, Blue Ridge Bible Church.

Free hot dog dinner, cool science labs and carnival games. 816.353.8053

James & the Giant Peach Thru Sunday, Bell Cultural Events Center. Based on one of Roald Dahl’s stories, featuring a wickedly tuneful score. CYTKC.org

P

opcorn! This all-American snack is so popular we consume approximately 13 billion quarts every year. That’s 41 quarts per person, according to Popcorn.org! Most U.S. popcorn is grown in the Midwest, primarily Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri, with a few growers in Kansas as well. So, let’s celebrate with the best of Kansas City popcorn!

Custard’s Last Stand

Custard’s Last Stand is best known for its frozen custard concretes, but the proprietors have been making gourmet popcorn since 1989. They specialize in caramel, cinnamon and cheese. Visit locations at 308 SE 291 Hwy. in Lee’s Summit or 1950 NW 7 Hwy. in Blue Springs, or go to CustardsLastStand.com.

Laura Little’s Candies

Laura Little’s is famous for delicious candy made from scratch in copper kettles with wooden paddles, but folks often forget the store makes delicious popcorn as well! You can choose caramel, cheese, butter or cinnamon, all made at the store. Visit Laura Little’s Candies at 2100 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, 913.722.2226, or LauraLittleCandy.com.

Topsy’s Popcorn

For more than 50 years, Topsy’s has been serving delicious popcorn to Kansas Citians! The Plaza Christmas popcorn tin is a holiday tradition in many homes, tempting families to choose which is best: cheese, butter, caramel, pecan crisp, popcorn peanut, kettle corn or cinnamon! Topsy’s boasts more than 10 KC area locations. Visit TopsysPopcorn.com for more information.

New Moon Walk 7:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Enjoy stargazing, nighttime sights and sounds and educational activities for the whole family. OPABG.org Cuban Nights 8:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC). Direct from Havana! Celebrate the rich heritage of Cuba with the country’s greatest musicians.

JCCC.edu/theseries

29 Saturday Mildale Farm Fest 9:00, Mildale Farm. Explore the farm property and enjoy a number of fall activities. 913.826.2957 Boo at the Zoo Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Kids trick-or-treat the zoo, enjoy Halloween activities and entertainment.

KansasCityZoo.org

Velvet Crème Popcorn

Since 1937, the family-owned Velvet Crème Popcorn Company of Shawnee Mission has been serving popcorn that is “smooth like velvet and rich as creme.” Velvet Crème pops popcorn the old-fashioned way, in small batches by hand-operated, gasfired poppers. Flavors include traditional buttered, caramel, cheese and cinnamon or the more unique sour cream and onion! You can visit Velvet Crème’s store at 4710 Belinder Rd., in Westwood. Call 913.236.7742 for more information or visit VelvetCremePopcorn.com.

Road Trip: Tour a Popcorn Factory!

Schlaegel’s Homegrown Popcorn:

About two hours northwest of Kansas City, you’ll find Schlaegel’s in Whiting, KS. Gary and Marian Schlaegel started raising popcorn on their farm more than 30 years ago and now devote 10 acres of crop ground to yellow and white popcorn each year. Their popcorn business sells 30 flavors of popcorn!

You can take a free group tour of the popcorn company. Visitors learn how popcorn is grown, prepared and sold. Schlaegel’s is located at 31030 V Rd., Whiting, KS. Call 800.844.7494 to schedule a tour, or visit PopcornGifts.net!

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Kids in the Kitchen 9:30, Jo Co K-State Research and Extension. Learn how to make spooky gingerbread haunted houses! Pre-reg at 913.7157000.

Cowtown Family Fun Fest 10:00, Kansas Speedway. Enjoy music, face painters, balloon artists, crafts, petting zoo, pony rides, inflatable and more! $5-$20. AmericanRoyal.com Family Nature Hike 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Hike, learn and enjoy nature together.

Bring water, sunscreen and anything else you may need. 816.513.8960 Trick or Treat 10:00, Downtown Parkville.

Safe and fun Halloween trick-or-treating at participating shops and businesses.

ParkvilleMO.org Boo-tastic FUN! Today & tomorrow, Crown Center. Have your photo taken with the Wicked Queen and enjoy puppet shows.

CrownCenter.com Trick or Treat off the Street 4:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Dress in costume and enjoy 1860s fall living history experiences. Mahaffie.org Saturday Night Feeder Saturdays thru Oct, 4:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. Watch the cats being fed. $5. 816.739.0363

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Spookfest 5:00, Science City (Union Station).

Enjoy the fourth annual family fun Halloween event at Science City! ScienceCity.com Family Fun Night 5:00, CW Parker Carousel Museum. Get a hot dog combo meal and unlimited rides on the carousel. $6.

CWParkerCarouselMuseum.org Trunk or Treat! 5:00, Gashland Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Families will encounter mysteries to solve, play games, get candy and more! Gashland.org Historical Hauntings 6:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Tractor-drawn hayrides, trick-or-treating, costume contest, snacks at the Ghoul Café and more! $1.913.248.2360 Gingger Shankar 8:00, Polsky Theatre (JCCC).

See the only female in the world who has mastered the 10-string double violin.

JCCC.edu/theseries

30 Sunday Farmers Market 8:00, City Market. The market features a mix of dining, shopping and entertainment in an open air setting.

816.842.1271

The Great Pumpkin Fest 11:00, Worlds of Fun. Not-so-scary activities and fun catering to the little ones! Hay bale maze, creepy crafts and more! WorldsOfFun.com Family Pumpkin Fest 5:30, Colonial Presbyterian Church. Bring your pumpkin and carving tools; we provide hot dogs, s’mores and fun! RSVP at ColonialKC.org.

31 Monday Baby Story Time 9:30, Jo Co Library (Blue Valley Branch). A lap-sit program of songs, rhymes and movement for the very young.

Free. JoCoLibrary.org Token Mondays 10:00, Cool Crest. For only 15 you can enjoy 100 tokens—no coupon required. CoolCrest.com Open Gym Noon, 360 Gymnastics. A great opportunity for kids to run, play, explore and burn off energy! $3-$5. KC360Gym.com Trick or Treat Street 4:00, Brookside Shopping District. Trick-or-treat at Brookside’s local shops.

BrooksideKC.org/calendar

Find TONS more Halloween events at KCParent.com

SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND 8 P.M. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 PERFORMED BY ART OF TIME ENSEMBLE featuring Steven Page (former lead singer, The BareNaked Ladies) and Wesley Stace, aka John Wesley Harding Tickets on sale now!

jccc.edu/TheSeries | 913-469-4445 JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

NO ONLINE FEES | FREE PARKING | WINE & BEER AVAILABLE

2016 – 2017 PERFORMING ARTS SERIES

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Explore

Kansas City Zoo October 1 & 2 Hoots and Howls & Batman and Superman at the Zoo Sponsored by Ford

October 6 Family Science Night — Candy Chemistry October 8 & 9 Hoots and Howls & Minions at the Zoo

Koala Flats OPEN THROUGH NOVEMBER!

Sponsored by Ford

October 15 & 16 Hoots and Howls & Princesses at the Zoo Sponsored by Ford

October 15 Brew at the Zoo & Wine Too (*21 and over) October 22 & 23 Hoots and Howls & Star Wars at the Zoo Sponsored by Ford

October 29 & 30 Boo at the Zoo Sponsored by Ford

Always a New Adventure!

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.

The new Birth Place featuring a Level II NICU.

This changes everything.

Change is coming. It happens when you’re expecting a new member of your family. It happens when you choose to bring that little one into the world at Olathe Medical Center’s new Birth Place. Soon, you’ll relax in a suite built for families, with the added security of a new Level II NICU on standby.

Your new baby. Our new Birth Place. Change is good.

Arriving Spring 2017 - Secure webcam-enabled nurseries - Advanced, Level II NICU where you can stay overnight with your baby in the same room - 4-story obstetrics wing featuring luxury suites with queen beds, big enough to share Meet the Doctors Who Deliver at Olathe Medical Center.

Visit olathehealth.org/birthplace.

olathehealth.org/birthplace

The Birth Place