Enchanting Excursions for Kansas City's Little Princesses
Little girls love princesses. They dream of flowing gowns, living in enchanted castles, and riding in Cinderella’s Carriage. With a little creativity, parents of princesses can make their daughters’ dreams come true.
This is our list of Enchanting Ideas your little Kansas City Princess will love!
- Ride in Cinderella’s Carriage on the Plaza (47th. and Pennsylvania, KCMO 816.531.1999 or 816.531.2673). What princess hasn’t dreamed of riding in Cinderella’s Carriage? In the evening, the carriages are lit creating an extra touch of magic. This is an especially enchanting experience at Christmas when the Plaza is decorated with 80 miles of lights!
- Make a Crown. Visit Kaleidoscope one of the best FREE family trips in KC (2500 Grand Blvd. KCMO. 816.274.8301). Princesses can make wands, tiaras, and royal treasures. One highlight of the trip is making your own jigsaw puzzle and watching it run through the press where the center piece is shaped like a Royal Crown.
- Explore a Castle. Make a Day Trip to Wichita to the Exploration Place (300 N. McLean Blvd, Wichita, KS. 316.263.3373). The Kids’ Explore Pavilion features a medieval castle. My daughter was enchanted with the hands-on exhibits as she pumped bellows, rode a “horse,” dressed as a princess, cooked in a fairytale kitchen, and explored the three-story palace.
- Visit Prince Charming. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak St, KCMO. 816.751.1ART) is a FREE family excursion. You will find princesses throughout the art collection, especially in the European section of the Galleries. My daughter makes a point to visit “Prince Charming,” the knight in shining armor, every time we visit the gallery.
- Explore an Enchanted Forest. This annual event is held at George Owens Nature Park (1601 S. Speck Rd., Independence, MO). Discover "real life" Storybook characters, movie characters, and fairy tale characters (even a few princesses) as you walk the candlelit trails. The adventure ends with an old fashioned hayride past the park's lakes and a light display to be enjoyed by all. October 16, 17, 23, & 24, 2009. 7-9 p.m. $3 per person. Call 816.325.7370 for more information.
- Enjoy a Fairytale Tea. All ye knights, fairies, and princesses of the realm, join us for a magical time of storytelling, tea, and fairytale crafts. Come dressed in costume. October 24, 2009 at 2PM at the Parkville Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library. Registration is required. Ages 4 and up. Call 816.741.4721 for information and registration.
- Watch a Classic Princess. This fall, CYT is putting on the live musical production of, “A Little Princess”. The story is based on the classic novel by Frances H. Burnett. It tells the tale of a young girl at a boarding school who is mistaken for a penniless orphan, when in fact she is much more. Fall 2009 Show times: Thursday, October 29th - 7:00 pm (Family Day - All ages $5.00 each, Oct 29 @ 7:00 pm only), Friday, October 30th - 7:00 pm, Saturday, October 31st - 1:00 pm, Saturday, October 31st - 4:00 pm at The Rose Theater at Rockhurst High School Tickets: Adults - $9, Children 12 & under - $8, Groups of 10 or more - $7, Tickets may be purchased at the door for $10 (based on availability. Call 913.681.3318 for more information or visit www.cytkc.org
- Enjoy a Princess Puppet Show with "The Frog Prince." This wonderful puppet presentation of the favorite fairytale updates the story as Wanda the Witch casts a spell on the handsome prince. November 21, 2009 at 11AM & 2PM at the Puppetry Arts Institute (11025 E. Winner Road, Independence, MO). $5/person. Call 816.833.9777 for information.
- Visit Kansas City’s Very Own Fairy Princess! In 1935, Klein’s Department Store in Downtown Kansas City celebrated the opening of their new toy department with a Fairy Princess who greeted customers at Christmas. Children would tell the Princess what they wanted for Christmas and she’d wave her magic wand as a surprise gift would slide down a chute for the happy children. The Princess was a Kansas City tradition at Klein’s until the store closed the 1970s. In 1987, the Kansas City Museum brought the tradition back to life and now young girls can visit the Princess through several fun events scheduled for Christmas 2009!
- • On November 28, enjoy Breakfast with the Fairy Princess at 8AM at Zona Rosa. Children are invited to meet the Fairy Princess during an enchanting breakfast and tell her their special holiday wishes. The event features holiday entertainment, a child-friendly breakfast menu, a special gift from the Fairy Princess, and a photo! Advance tickets are required and are available for purchase at Zona Rosa Guest Services beginning November 2nd. Call 816.587.8180 for information or visit www.zonarosa.com.
- • You can Visit the Fairy Princess at Zona Rosa in her winter wonderland scene, everyday November 21st (beginning after the holiday lighting ceremony) -December 3rd. Fairy Princess hours at Zona Rosa: Monday-Saturday Noon-8 p.m., Sunday Noon-6 p.m. The Fairy Princess will take breaks- Monday- Saturday 3:00-3:45 p.m. and Sunday 3:00-3:30 p.m.
- • Or, Visit the Fairy Princess in her Princess Pavilion at the KC Museum anytime from 10AM to 4PM Saturdays, December 6, 13 and 20. During the Museum’s restoration, the Fairy Princess is enthroned in her special Pavilion complete with special crafts and treats. Each child receives a special gift from the Princess. You may pay a visit to the Princess and get your own royal photograph for just $5. Call 816.483.8300 for more information or visit www.friendsofkansascitymuseum.org/news/events/fairyprincess.htm.