Winter Fun with Little Ones
Wintertime is slower and simpler for many families. When we ask readers how they love to spend winter with their little ones, the three favorite answers are:
- Stories
- Fun and Games
- Snow, snow, snow!
Beloved Stories
Cuddling up with a good book is a beloved cold-weather activity. These ideas bring the stories to life for little ones.
At Home with your Little One:
Local libraries offer weekly story time sessions specifically with little ones in mind. Reading aloud to little ones from the very beginning has been proven to aid in early literacy development and a lifelong love of reading. After story time, check out books to enjoy with your child at home. As your child grows up from baby to toddler, add in some fun activities to coordinate with the books you read. If you enjoyed Harold and the Purple Crayon,spend some time coloring after you read. If you read Green Eggs and Ham, make a surprise lunch of sliced ham and green scrambled eggs (add food coloring). When you read The Three Bears, use brown lunch sacks to make bear puppets. Many simple activities bring stories to life and allow you to create memories together.
Out & About with the Family:
For a fun outing, head to Crown Center, which is hosting a brand-new FREE exhibit for children titled “Fairy Tale Village” (Feb. 8-May 3). Visitors will experience classic fairy tales in an enchanted world where kids interact with characters from their favorite stories and rhymes. Favorites include activities inspired by Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and The Three Little Pigs. Children will meet the Ice Queen and watch as Pinocchio comes to life. In addition to the charming hands-on play areas, parents will find a reading area where they may share fairy-tale books with their children.
For Grown-Ups:
Movies are revisiting fairytales with a new twist for grown-ups in many upcoming or recently released films. Stream one of the remakes (Maleficent, Snow White and the Huntsman, Mirror, Mirror or others), or head to the local theater for a night out. Gretel and Hansel is set to release on Jan. 31 as a horror film inspired by the fairy tale. And Disney is releasing its newest live-action remake, Mulan, in March. The Ward Parkway AMC is one of our favorite local theaters and is right in the same shopping center as Charleston’s, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner before or after the show. Charleston’s makes outstanding firecracker shrimp, chicken piccata and the steaks. The waitstaff is known for top notch hospitality and exemplary service. This is a top pick date night option for new parents yearning for a grown-up meal and pleasant conversation.
Fun & Games
Winter is a favorite time to explore play. Enjoy toys and games in a new way.
At Home with Your Little One:
Fat Brain Toys in Overland Park is our favorite local toy store for open-ended toys and games that are fun and educational. Treat your little one to a new toy and enjoy it together this winter. Personalized name puzzles were a favorite in our family for all four of our little girls. The store offers a variety of simple toys for babies and toddlers and even sells screen-free activity kits for tactile, creative, educational playtime.
Out & About with the Family:
This winter, Independence Center opens the District Jungle, a brand new, family-friendly experience for all ages. Specifically for little ones is a soft play area with padded flooring and a cute jungle theme. They also offer high-end mini vehicles for visitors to use throughout the shopping center. If you’re visiting with family, older kids, teens and adults will enjoy the new climbing walls, ropes courses and Rollglider, an aerial ride combining the thrill of free falling and hang gliding into one. An arcade and new dining options are available for the entire family.
For Grown-Ups:
Hire a babysitter and plan a night out playing games. Pawn & Pint is a fun pub-style eatery with a vast collection of games for every interest. With hundreds of board games, card games, strategy games and dice games, the spot truly offers something for everyone. Simply pay the cover fee and you can play games all night long. Guests borrow games from the shelves lined with hundreds to choose from, then return them to start another. The menu features pub classics, making this a great casual night out.
Snow, Snow, Snow
Winter is often a season of snow in Kansas City. Here are a few ideas to enjoy winter’s wonderland.
At Home:
Bundle up and head outside to enjoy a bit of time in the snow with your little one. Take a few pictures of Baby’s first snowfall for the family scrapbook. After just a bit of time capturing snowy smiles and snuggles, head back inside and curl up with a warm blanket.
Out & About:
The Kansas City Zoo is open year-round, and the zoo’s resident polar bear and penguins love snow! You can enjoy both exhibits indoors (after a short walk with the stroller). Winter is one our favorite times to visit the zoo as it is less crowded and the animals are more playful. In addition to our snow-loving pals, the Tropics and Discovery Barn are additional indoor favorites on a cold day.
For Grown-Ups:
Head to a paint-your-own-masterpiece shop (you’ll find them all on KCParent.com in our Going Places section). They offer step-by-step painting instruction for beginners, and many of the selections on their winter calendars feature beautiful snowy scenes. This is a great parents night out to relax and explore your own creativity!
Kristina Light loves playing in the snow with her four daughters who know that snow-play is always followed by hot cocoa and a good book.