One Last Hurrah Before the First Bell Rings
Best Back-to-School Photos…When I Grow Up
Create an album for your child capturing not just the smiles of baby teeth, missing teeth, braces and grown up pearly whites… capture who they are! Take a photo of your child against a backdrop with the child on the far right of the backdrop (a sheet or solid wall is ideal). Then, using your favorite photo editing software, add text to the left of the image answering basic questions about your child: name, age, favorite color, favorite hobby, what they want to be when they grow up, favorite pet, nickname, favorite school subject, etc. Then, do this again next year, and the next… watch every year as your child’s dreams change from growing up to be a fire fighter, veterinarian, ballerina or movie star.
Back-to-School Shopping & Lunch… Just You & Me
Moms often find the task of school shopping to be a daunting chore, but it can be a great chance for one-on-one time with your child. Schedule dates with each child individually and go to lunch, buy that special outfit, get a new haircut and do something fun. Start the conversation now and keep it going all school year long with ongoing ice cream dates. To make it extra special, select a special restaurant for lunch—the perfect place for a treat! Some of our favorite restaurants for special occasions are:
- Shabby Hattie’s Tea Room (113 N. Main St., Parkville, MO, 816.587.1044). The menu includes a princess menu with pink lemonade for children. Little girls are offered tin tea sets to play with as they wait for their food. They also enjoy feather boas, necklaces and gloves to “dress up” for the occasion.
- Winstead’s (for locations: www.WinsteadsSteakburger.com/). The Kansas City landmark known for steakburgers and juke boxes is always fun. The greatest challenge, though, is whether or not you can finish a Skyscraper (the giant milkshake or ice cream soda meant to be shared)! Bring a camera for this family tradition.
- Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant (three locations: 2450 Grand Blvd., # 1, Kansas City, MO, 816.474.4004 ; 250 N. 18th St., Kansas City, KS, 913.281.2777; or 13803 W. 63rd St., Shawnee, KS, 913.375.1000). This casual restaurant is one your children will not forget! Model trains travel around the perimeter of the restaurant delivering burgers and fries to your table.
- T-Rex Café (1847 Village West Pkwy., Kansas City, KS, 913.334.8888). The restaurant features life-size dinosaurs and theatrical prehistoric settings. The dinosaurs “come to life” among the waterfalls, aquariums and ice caves.
Before the First Day for Elementary
What does your child enjoy most in this world—and can you make it come true? You will find many great theme ideas on www.KCParent.com, but a few of our favorites are especially fun in August!
- For many parents, back to school is a time to reminisce about their own childhoods. One of our favorite attractions in Kansas City to share childhood memories is the Toy & Miniature Museum (5235 Oak St., Kansas City, MO, 816.235.8000). Remember Raggedy Ann? Electric trains? Your first Barbie? Playing marbles? The magic of childhood comes to life as children and adults explore more than 30 rooms of toys and treasures. The museum is open year-round, but we especially love the annual Back-to-School Event with FREE admission, playing a terrific game of “I Spy,” making secret decoder badges and dancing with a live band (1:00-3:30). Mark your calendars to attend on Aug. 25 from 10:00 to 4:00 and enjoy the fun.
- Ride the rails with the Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad where your family can enjoy ice cream trains every Friday (816.331.0630) as part of the fun on the 5-mile, 45-minute round trip train ride.
- The Festival of Butterflies returns to Powell Gardens (Aug. 3-5, 10-12, PowellGardens.org),where the 2,500-square-foot conservatory is transformed into a butterfly house, filled to the brim with gorgeous blooms and hundreds of tropical butterflies.
Before the First Day for Tweens & Teens
It is important to make the most of your time with your children… teens and tweens often spend more time with peers than parents, but keeping communication open is important and having fun together is the best way to do just that!
- Make reservations to see a show at Comedy City in Westport (816.842.2744 or visit www.ComedyCity.cc/). Comedy City is a live improv comedy competition where members of the audience offer suggestions as two teams compete to earn your laughs! The All Ages Shows (7:30 on Friday and Saturday evenings) are clean (bad language isn’t allowed), funny and one-of-kind… you’ll never see the same show twice. The show is located in the Westport Flea Market, and the audience may order fresh-from-the-grill food to eat during the laughs.
- Compete in a game of laser tag at the Maze Craze (816.587.MAZE). The Maze Craze offers multiple levels of mazes, including the ultimate challenge: a high-tech arena with black lighting, fluorescent graphics and intriguing obstacles creating the ultimate laser tag backdrop.
- Enjoy dinner and a movie at AMC’s Fork & Screen, a one-of-a-kind experience where theatergoers enjoy personal recliners and seat-side service at the push of a button, and where a full menu of casual dining choices is offered. Kansas City boasts a Fork & Screen theater at 12075 S. Strang Line Rd., Olathe (guests 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult). Call 888.AMC.4FUN for showtimes.
Kristina Light still remembers enjoying sopapillas at Annie’s Santa Fe with her grandmother on their back-to-school shopping dates.