Fall & Winter Kansas City Traditions for Little Ones

‘Tis the season for traditions! Autumn makes for many scrapbook-worthy memories, like hayrides, pumpkins and fresh apples. On autumn’s heels can come a gentle Midwest snowfall, Christmas lights and melodies. Celebrate uniquely Kansas City moments with your little one with these local traditions.

Kick Off Autumn in KC with the American Royal

On Sept. 27, head downtown for one of the biggest, most celebrated and authentically Kansas City traditions of the year, the 89th annual American Royal Parade. The parade begins at 9:45 and travels north up Grand Boulevard from Pershing to Truman Road. Spectators enjoy watching floats, Kansas City’s best marching bands and drill teams, saddle clubs and antique cars. Share in the rich agricultural tradition of our region, celebrated for 115 years at the American Royal. (www.AmericanRoyal.com).

Early Autumn

An autumn tradition you’ll want to experience is a visit to the Louisburg Cider Mill (14730 Hwy. 68, 913.837.5202, www.LouisburgCiderMill.com). The delicious aroma of fresh made cider greets you at your first step on the property. Visitors watch as fresh cider is made from scratch at the cider mill every day. From start to finish: the apples are washed, pressed and processed, and finally bottled and made available for purchase. Inside the gift shop, visitors view as fresh apple cider donuts are made—be sure to enjoy a warm one before you leave! Tip: Call ahead and verify that they are making cider in the morning and that you will be there in time.

October Weekends

On weekends in October, the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad (www.BeltonRailroad.org) offers a seasonal treat with 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. Volunteers decorate the inside of the train with fall decorations, and music plays as you ride. Upon arrival at the patch, children select a favorite pumpkin to purchase ($3-$10, according to size), play fall-themed games (bean bag toss, ring toss, etc.) and earn prizes. The magic of the train is found in the heart of the volunteers. You'll meet the conductor (in costume) who greets guests and collects tickets, ladies in costume cheerfully greeting families, and volunteers with a passion for trains who maintain the track and trains. The engineer greets visitors after the trip and gives them a chance to board the engine and ask questions about the train, making the trip fun and educational. And not one worker receives pay—they all are motivated by their love for the kids and the joy of seeing the smiles on their faces!

Halloween Time

The Kansas City Zoo (www.KansasCityZoo.org) is the place to be for some Halloween fun at Hoots and Howls. On Saturdays and Sundays in October, you’ll enjoy spooky, not scary, activities and entertainment. Children ride pedal tractors, navigate a hay bale maze and help create a monster mural. Dance and sing at the Monster Mash Bash, then take a hayride around the zoo and have your picture taken with a costumed character. Don’t forget the camera! You’ll capture great snapshots of animals smashing pumpkins. Then, return for trick-or-treating at Boo at the Zoo, on Saturday, Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26, from 9:30 to 5:00, with Halloween-themed activities and entertainment.

The Night Before Thanksgiving

One of Kansas City’s newer holiday traditions is also a family favorite. Kick off Thanksgiving weekend on Wednesday night with Christmas in the Sky at Longview Lake (www.JacksonGov.org). Bring glow sticks for the kiddos, milk or hot cocoa in travel mugs, and play some holiday tunes. Christmas in the Sky festivities feature local celebrities, holiday stage productions and an amazing fireworks display, synchronized to your favorite holiday music.

Thanksgiving Evening

In September, workers begin installing thousands of lights. Then, in the middle of the night before Thanksgiving, they are secretly tested to ensure every bulb is bright. On Thanksgiving night, the magic begins as Kansas City’s “Nighttime Fairyland,” as it was known in the 1930s, comes to life! Kansas City’s landmark Country Club Plaza (www.CountryClubPlaza.com), opened in 1923, is perhaps most famous for its Christmas lights. The tradition began on Christmas Day, 1925, when Charles Pitrat, the maintenance supervisor for the Nichols Company, decorated the Mill Creek Building with a single strand of lights and a few small trees. Every year, Pitrat added to the display, and now the Plaza boasts more than 80 miles of lights. Celebrities including Harry Truman, George Brett, Disney characters, local mayors and even American Idol winner David Cook have flipped the switch after the countdown that leads to the Plaza lighting and a fireworks display over Brush Creek. You can enjoy the Country Club Plaza Christmas lights every evening through mid-January.

Christmastime

The Fairy Princess is a real, live genuine Kansas City Christmas tradition. In 1935, Kline’s Department Store of downtown Kansas City was celebrating the grand opening of their Toyland. Santa came to other stores; Kline’s wanted to do something original to attract visitors. So they introduced the Fairy Princess. For 25 cents, children visited the princess, telling her their Christmas wishes. Then, she waved her magic wand and a surprise gift would appear! Over the years, gifts were presented sliding from chutes, appearing on revolving turn tables, hiding in fairyland trees or magically opening trunks. The tradition continued, at just 25 cents, until Kline’s closed in 1970. The Fairy Princess returned in 1987 when the Kansas City Museum (www.KansasCityMuseum.org) brought her back for Christmas. You can visit “The Princess Pavilion” for a photo, princess activities and, of course, a “magically presented gift” for every child on weekends in December.

Kristina Light’s family looks forward to hosting friends for a Christmas in the Sky watch party every year!