Weekend Family Fun - Fairy Tale Village at Crown Center

 Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk among the pages and characters of your favorite fairy tale books? Well, Crown Center is offering its newest free interactive exhibit and it's called Fairy Tale Village. This thrilling display features larger than life characters from such classics as Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and so many more! 

Last weekend we took advantage of a rainy Sunday afternoon and headed down to Crown Center for a little family fun. We stopped at Sea Life first and discovered some new aquatic exhibits. After that, it was lunch at Spin. Then we played inside Fairy Tale Village. I know that McKinley is getting a little too old for these exhibits, but he has a blast every time we go! He hit the ground running. Okay, not running because there is no running allowed inside the village. But he did scatter like wild fire to and fro throughout the figurative pages of these sweet tales. The little pigs house and a big bad wolf lodged in the chimney. Across bridges with scary ogres. Creeping along the mysterious forest only to find Little Red Robin Hood. And then finding her grandmother in the wardrobe! Inside Maleficent's castle. Finding the beanstalk to the giants hut. Being Pinocchio's puppet master. And taking a ride in Cinderella's coach! Well, sitting in the coach is more like it. 

I had an equal amount of fun just watching him play. It's always a nice change of pace when he's being imaginative versus immersed in video games or YouTube. Immersed in hands-on learning and play is always the better choice, no?

It's Friday which means it's the weekend! If you are looking for something new or fun to do this weekend, head on down! Fairy Tale Village is open until September 4th. Head here to get all the additional info!

XO,

Andrea

Summer Fun at Crown Center

Summer is here and it’s shaping up to be a good one! Are you looking for some fun things to do? On a family friendly budget? Or maybe have a little staycation in your home city? Well look no further than Crown Center for your summer fun!

The first thing you need is your Passport to Summer Fun! Register for free here then head to Crown Center’s customer service to pick up your passport. The passport offers a wide variety of missions to complete, and as you complete the two different levels, you can win one of two gift cards. Complete the entire passport mission and win both! The missions range in price from free to $$$. I got McKinley registered over the weekend and we knocked out two yesterday! 

The Showcase free exhibits are back! Who’s excited? We are!! These free, interactive, larger than life exhibits have always been one of our favorite things to do. This summer is an Under the Sea Adventure and McKinley and I had a preview yesterday morning. McKinley explored the sea creatures, sunken ship, submarine, hung out with a giant octopus, chilled with a mermaid, and became a scuba diver in a matter of minutes! The new lighting they added creates an underwater experience complete with swirls of deep blue “water”. Portholes, with mirrors inside, give a hide-and-seek aspect. And make sure you check out all the little nooks and crannies! You don’t want to miss any hiding spots with surprises inside! And make sure you get your passport stamped before you leave. You just earned a mission entry!

Another mission entry in your passport is the Weekender Event! Starting on the first Friday in July, this free(ish) fun runs every Friday during the month! Starting around 6:00, each Friday features a local band, food trucks, and a movie showing around 9:00. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and your own picnic (if you opt out of the food trucks) and let Crown Center provide the entertainment for the evening! Below are the dates and movies being shown throughout July.

July 9: The Greatest Showman, sing-along version; The Suburbans

July 16: Rudy, County Road 5

July 23: Spider-Man: Far from Home; The Zeros

July 30: The Princess Bride; The Accidental Moguls

Looking for some adult only time this summer? Maybe something with a little culture and Kansas City history? Then head to the free art exhibit featuring local artist Saul Steinburg. “Greetings, Saul Steinburg”, is presented by the Hallmark Art Collection. The exhibition features dozens of original mixed media drawings by Steinberg, as well as some historic products and correspondence right out of the Hallmark Archives. Mr. Steinberg was born in 1914 to a Jewish family in Romania and later fled Europe in 1941 to escape the persecution of Jews. He had a long partnership with Hallmark Cards, resulting in over 100 works for greeting cards, calendars, and gift products. Guess what? You had some time with friends, kid free, and you just earned another stamp on your mission to complete your Passport to Summer!

In addition to all the things listed, the way we knocked out a second stamp in McKinley’s passport yesterday, was by visiting Sea Life Kansas City! After you’ve explored the Under the Sea Adventures in Crown Center, walk across the street and see some sea creatures in real life! This aquarium features a 180-degree underwater tunnel with over 12 super cool exhibits. See sharks, rescue turtles, eels, and more. And get up close and personal with their touch pool, one of McKinley’s favorite things to do. Make sure you secure your tickets in advance! The aquarium sells out fast! Norwalk-ups are limited, unless you have a membership. And make sure you get your passport stamped in the Sea Turtle Rescue Center.

Doesn’t this sound like the best way to spend summer? I think so too! We have our Friday in July marked on the calendar. Had lunch from Fritz’s along the fountains yesterday and we’re on our way to getting our Grub Hub stamp! 

And we just grabbed tickets to The Coterie’s “Dragons Love Tacos” for later in July. Head over to Crown Center’s website to learn more and start marking your calendar for your Summer Fun at Crown Center!

XO,

Andrea

TKCM - Summer Bucket List

It may not officially be summer yet, but with school out, it marks the unofficial start of the season. Last weekend, we all put our heads together and came up with our family bucket list. Some things are tradition and some things are new. There's a little bit of everything we all want to do this summer and I think we can all learn something along the way.

Some of the new items that I'm super excited about are Art Course at the Nelson Atkins Museum, a KC Mural tour, the Federal Reserve Bank tour, and checking out the updated Train Garden at the Arboretum. Did you know the Arboretum is free on Tuesdays?! 

We've never been to Paradise Park, but we've heard great things. If you aren't aware, Paradise Park is located in Lee's Summit and offers family, corporate, and adult fun! There are go-karts, mini golf, bumper cars, and so much more! This could easily be an entire day, and evening, of summer fun! 

As with every summer, we will be making our way out East to visit family and McKinley has fallen in love with our annual traditions. We play Putt-Putt with Granddaddy, meet Meme and Great Aunt Myrtle in Bristol for lunch at the old Woolworth's and antiquing on State Street, and dining at the Dip Dog in Marion, VA. 

Our biggest bucket list item is our family trip to Disney World! We leave two weeks from today and we are so excited! Joel and I have been planning this trip since August and McKinley found out about the trip last Thursday! He's popping a balloon daily, his countdown, and I'm feverishly making lists of things to pack, things to get, things to do, and trying to enjoy the entire process!

It's been less than a week since we created the list, and since summer began in this house, and we've already checked three items off!! Per his request, McKinley wanted to head to the new renovated train exhibit at Union Station as soon as school was out, so we headed down last Friday. The space is bigger and I love that they've added old train signs to the wall. I will definitely post pics later! As we move through the list, I thought it would be fun to let McKinley check off the items. Fun stickers make everything more festive, right? 

 Some additional things on the list are the free exhibit inside Crown Center. Beginning June 8th, they will be bringing us Clifford the Big Red Dog and it looks like so much fun! We're planning to see Elephant and Piggie's We are in a Show at the Coterie. Powell Gardens has a new exhibit in conjunction with The Art of the Brick and the pieces look amazing!

What does your Summer Bucket List look like? I would love to hear what you guys plan to do around the city or around the country!

XO,

Andrea

My Guide to Free Summer Fun - Part One

If you are anything like me, you find yourself a month into summer and you're struggling with finding things to do that aren't a strain on the wallet! You've been on or are planning a family vacation, which can cost a dime or two, but the memories and time with family are totally worth it. In the meantime, you still need to get out of the house and do some things to keep you and your little one(s) busy! That's where I'm here to help.

There are so many fun things around the city that don't actually cost you a thing! And, I've created a few of my own things to do that McKinley thinks are registered Kansas City activities! This will be a series of things to do, because some we haven't done yet, but I thought I wanted to share some of the things we've been doing thus far.

Roe Park Splash Pad

We attended the splash pad last year on the day the city shut down. Turns out, there were some issues with the electrical work and some grounding copper that needed to be corrected. It was and it's officially up and running. A fun free water experience for itty bitty's and big ones, there are tons of different spray features and a fun filled playground just across the astro turf! And, just a little ways up from the playground is fun interactive space. A sandbox that's mostly mud from all the water babies at play, a fun cistern where you pump water down the wooden canal, and a little wood discovery area close by. Nice bathrooms and water fountains are additional features. As well as two covered picnic areas. My only complaint about the spray pad itself is the cement play area. Lots of slips, slides, and falls have taken place so just be careful. I insist that McKinley wear water shoes for a little extra grip. I wish it was a padded, but as long as there isn't a ton of running, everyone should be okay!

Overland Park Arboretum

We've been going to the Arboretum for years. It's a sweet getaway in the middle of the city. Filled with gorgeous views, beautiful flowers, covered walkways, and sprawling landscape, it's a must see. And, Tuesday's are a free day! We spent some time there yesterday and McKinley spent the majority of his time in the train garden. I know that comes at no surprise! We always call ahead to see if the trains will be running that day, it's volunteer based, because we've gone on a day where it wasn't running and the mood was rather somber. And when the volunteers are there, the caboose is open for exploration. You really must check it out.

The one thing we haven't done, and something I'm eager to explore, is the Enchanted Forest. What's in the Enchanted Forest? Well, there are homes of gnomes, fairies, elves, trolls, goblins, sprites and other magical woodland creatures on a woodland trail. And new this summer is the magnificent home of the lords and ladies of the Enchanted Forest royalty. Doesn't that sound like so much fun? Let me know if you get there before me!

Deanna Rose Farmstead

I don't think I have to tell you about our love for the Farmstead. We've been taking McKinley since he was one and we go all spring, summer, and fall long! Some of the staff know McKinley by name, if that tells you anything. We went just this week and spent roughly three hours just playing and exploring. McKinley is always the tour guide, this time he was the onsite farmer, and directs us through the farmstead. 

It used to be free during the week, but they have changed their admission prices. From 9:00-2:00 Monday through Thursday, it's $2 per person, kids under two are free. However, after 2:00 Monday through Thursday, the admission is free. We purchase the Friends of the Farmstead season pass and get in free all season long! It's $35 for Overland Park residents and $50 if you live outside OP. With your membership, you get:  

Free admission for your immediate family for one year
Two small drinks
Two pony rides (3 to 10 years old)
Two goat bottles
Two fishing rentals
$1 off Pumpkin Hollow admission (limit 7)
$1 off Night of the Living Farm admission (limit 7)  

Tomorrow night, they are offering free event at the Farmstead. It's a free movie night! Bring a blanket or lawn chair and watch Charlotte's Web with your family! Gates open at 7:30 and the movie starts at dusk!

Country Club Plaza Fountain Tour

This is my made up free activity that McKinley thinks is an actual KC tour! It started in 2014 when I needed to find more things for McKinley and I to do over the summer. At the time he was only three so our activities were limited. So on a hot summer day, we headed out to the Plaza for a fountain tour. We walked the Plaza, stopped at all the fountains along the way, took pictures, and threw pennies into almost all of them (I guess there is a cost if you decided to toss pennies in the fountain). It's a summer staple! We're planning our annual trip for next week! 

And while you're down that way, head over to the Kauffman Gardens. It's gorgeous, peaceful, and a sweet spot in the city.

This is just the beginning of my list of free summer activities. I've got a few more up my sleeve, some of which we haven't done before, and I'm excited to test them out and bring the results to you. What do you think of the ideas I brought to you today? How many of you have done these? Anything we should add to our list? I can't wait to hear them!

XO,

Andrea