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Seven Memorable Fall Traditions for KC Tots

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Autumn brings many fun traditions to start with your young family! These are a few of our all-time favorites:

Enjoy an Autumn Classic … Visit the Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin patches in the metro offer many wonderful family attractions. Corn mazes, trains, play spaces, hayrides, corn cribs, carousels, zip lines, rides, concerts, ponies and pumpkins are just some of the enticements Kansas City’s pumpkin patches offer visitors. Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch is one of the biggest patches in the metro and has been enjoyed by generations of families. Their famous pumpkin donuts, fabulous petting zoo, jumping pillows, train, pig races, carousel and fall fun play spaces create a carnival atmosphere the entire family loves. The Louisburg Cider Mill Patch offers good old-fashioned fall fun and watch-it-made self-guided tours of the cider mill to boot! Johnson Farms offers apple picking, giant jumping pillows and tons of fabulous play spaces. Fun Farm is home to a charming Keebler Village with delightful treehouses, a petting zoo and many fun fall attractions for all ages. Weston Orchard serves up scenic views, hayrides and a smaller, quaint atmosphere ideal for little ones. Be sure to check out the KC Pumpkin Patch Guide for tips on these and all the best patches in town. BONUS TIP: We’ll be giving away FREE pumpkin patch tickets on KCParent.com all season long! Enter our giveaways for a chance to win.

Spend a Day at the Zoo

We love visiting the Kansas City Zoo on a fall day when the air is crisp and the animals are playful. You’ll also find that crowds are smaller, as children are back in school. For families with infants and toddlers, this is a great time to enjoy all the zoo has to offer. The alligators and the Elephant Expedition are favorite attractions to check out this year. In addition to these, we still love the Discovery Barn, Australia, Polar Bear Passage, Helzberg Penguin Plaza, the Tropics and sea lions. The first four weekends in October at the Kansas City Zoo are filled with spooky fun during the annual Hoots and Howls, as well as Boo at the Zoo on Halloween weekend. Come in costume and celebrate with the entire family. Enjoy fall decorations, enrichment for the animals and fun for all. Visit KansasCityZoo.org for information.

Take a Family Photo in a Sunflower Field

Take a signature fall family photo at a local sunflower field. Four favorite fields: Eleanor's Sunflower Field (335 W. 189th St., Scranton, KS), Grinter Farms (24154 Stillwell Rd., Lawrence) Historic Pharis Farm (20611 EE Hwy., Liberty) and Russell Sunflower Patch (18220 Hwy. B, Richmond, MO). Follow the U-Pick Farm Guide on KCParent.com for blooming status. Each field observes special rules that you’ll find on their social media pages outlining the etiquette for visitors.

Inspire Your Tiny Artist

Paint, glitter, glue .... kids love to create their own works of art, but unbridled creativity can often make for unbearable messes at home. Consider a compromise and treat the kids to an outing to Ceramic Cafe where they can paint their own ceramic masterpieces. They'll be able to choose from piggy banks, plates, mugs, picture frames and many seasonal pieces as well. Another creative option is a visit to a Kansas City classic—Kaleidoscope, our own FREE art center for children. It's difficult to capture the magic of Kaleidoscope in words, but we tell readers that if Willy Wonka had designed an imaginative world where children could create their own masterpieces with a variety of supplies in a magical setting ... Kaleidoscope is what you would get! This year, Kaleidoscope underwent a major renovation and update, offering a fresh atmosphere for young ones. Best of all, Kaleidoscope offers FREE sessions all year. Simply make reservations online at HallmarkKaleidoscope.com.

Play in a Pint-Sized Village

For younger children, another great option is the Johnson County Museum. Their KidScape is a wonderful interactive hands-on, child-sized exhibit perfect for young children. Children time travel to different periods and communities from the region's past. They enjoy pretend play as they work on the farm, perform at the theater or the puppet show, teach in the school, deliver the mail, care for patients at the hospital and fry up some burgers at the diner.

Explore Science

Science City at Union Station is a favorite family-friendly attraction. Little ones especially love three experiential, hands-on exhibitions at Science City. Let’s Play! is designed especially for babies, crawlers and toddlers, with multiple sensory and role-playing activities. At Creative Corner, art meets science in a whole new way with cool interactive activities. And All Aboard celebrates Union Station’s rail history in a fun way for little ones. On your visit, consider catching a show at the planetarium (they frequently feature Sesame Street and Magic School Bus programs for younger audiences) or a presentation on the Extreme Screen.

An Autumn Hike

There’s no better time to enjoy a family hike than autumn when the leaves are in full fall color. For tiny tots, we love the trails at our local nature centers, many of which are paved and convenient for strollers. Before or after your hike, you can explore one of these local nature centers. Each one features free hands-on exhibits, animal displays and even educational programs and story times with the earliest learners in mind. Lakeside Nature Center is home to falcons, owls, eagles, toads, frogs, fish and insects. Burr Oak Woods Nature Center features fish tanks, turtles, bird watching, a giant indoor nature play area, walking trails and an outdoor discovery center. Ernie Miller Nature Center has paved trails through the woods; this a great place for a stroller walk. Anita Gorman Discovery Center features an amazing exhibit on Lewis and Clark and an outstanding outdoor classroom.

These are just a few of our favorite outings to enjoy in the fall as a family. We also love visiting our local parks and libraries and enjoying many of the great events on the KCParent.com calendar.

Kristina Light truly loves fall most of all. You will find more seasonal inspiration in her online articles on KCParent.com.

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