Best of April in Kansas City: 2014

April Showers bring May flowers... we hope! This April enjoy the grand opening of favorite attractions and exhibits, delightful shows, and spring festivals! 

Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead opening for the Season!

• When, Where, What: The Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead (13800 Switzer, Overland Park, KS) is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 1 to Oct. 31. During the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day), the Farmstead is open until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Admission is FREE Monday-Thursday, and $2/ea Friday-Sunday. 913.897.2360
• Why We LOVE It: The first sign of spring in Kansas City: the opening day at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. This is one of our family's FAVORITE outings in Kansas City! The children love feeding goats, watching horses, turkeys, prairie dogs, bison, and chickens. My girls LOVE taking pony rides, but they also offer wagon rides, mining, and fishing. Explore the Dairy Barn, pond, petting zoo, one-room country schoolhouse and the Indian Encampment. The children's butterfly garden is a great place to play or take a photo. Nothing says spring quite like a day at the farm!

Paul Mesner Puppet Shows

• Details: Paul Mesner Puppets April schedule features 2 shows! www.paulmesnerpuppets.org/calendar.html at two locations (Paul Mesner Studio 1006 Linwood Blvd Kansas City, MO. &  Glenwood Arts Theatre 9575 Metcalf Overland Park, KS.)
• The Comical Adventures of Mother Hubbard: April 1-12. Old Mother Hubbard loves her dog, and he loves her.  In this comic poem, written in 1805, Old Mother Hubbard is always looking out for her best friend and in return he is dancing and spinning and sitting and standing all to the delight of Old Mother Hubbard. In a quaint old cottage the comedy of a dog and his master opens and unfolds to delight and captivate the story of this good old lady and her funny dog.
• The Dinosaur Show: April 22 - May 10.  No bones about it – The Dinosaur Show will tickle your funny fossil and stimulate your imagination. Paul Mesner Puppets digs into the past to bring the dinosaurs to life, using hand, rod, shadow and body puppets in a prehistoric tale. The play explains scientific facts of how dinosaurs became extinct and includes a few whimsical and improbable theories. The cameo appearance of Dr. Dino Sawyer is sure to entertain with a fascinating look at what was and what might have been.
• Why We LOVE It: Paul Mesner Puppets presents creative and delightful shows enjoyed by generations of children in Kansas City. Now, they perform in two locations making it even easier for local families to enjoy imaginative entertainment.

Isabelle's Scavenger Hunt

• When, Where, What: Isabelle’s Scavenger Hunt April 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. FREE and open to the public for girls ages 8+ at the American Girl Store Oak Park Mall
• Why We LOVE It: Learn about Isabelle, our newest Girl of the Year! Your girl will go on a seek-and-find scavenger hunt throughout the store, collecting fun facts about Isabelle along the way. Plus, she’ll get a free American Girl poster at the end!

The Discovery of King Tut

• Details: Opening April 4 at Union Station (30 W. Pershing KC, MO.)
• Why We LOVE It: This never before assembled complete recreation of King Tut’s Tomb and Treasure is making its North American debut in Kansas City. In this breathtaking exhibition, you will learn about and walk in the footsteps of the 1922 discovery of the most significant ancient Egyptian archaeological site imaginable. Explore the tomb’s treasures as they were at the moment of discovery. Marvel at more than 1,000 brilliant objects, filling nearly 20,000 square feet. Listen as Howard Carter tells his story of mystery and adventure (audio tour included with every ticket purchase). 

School House Rock Live

• When, Where, What: School House Rock Live at The Coterie April 8- May 18.
• Why We LOVE It: We grew up loving "School House Rock" and as parents, we love the creativity The Coterie presents in their shows... this is going to be a winner! The award-winning musical teaches history, grammar, math, science, and government through clever, tuneful songs, instructing a whole new generation to “Unpack Your Adjectives” and meet up at “Conjunction Junction” to add some “Interjections!” Fun & educational - a win-win!

West Side Story

• Details: The Culture House presents West Side Story April 10-12
• Why We LOVE It:  The world's greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theatre's finest accomplishments. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City, as two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time. This April, The Culture House, brings this classic story to the stage for KC families. 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Stories

• Details: April 15 at The Folly Two showtimes: 10:00am and 11:30am. THE 10AM PERFORMANCE IS SOLD OUT. Tickets still remain for 11:30. Tickets $6/ea.
• Why We LOVE It:  The Folly Kid's Series is one of our favorites. With affordable tickets, a beautiful venue, and great shows... this next production is going to be good. The children’s classic featuring the beloved Hungry Caterpillar will visit the Folly along with an assortment of other favorite characters.  This triple-bill includes the wonderful story of THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR’s metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly; the fanciful account of LITTLE CLOUD’s travels through the sky, and the MIXED-UP CHAMELEON’s discovery of his own unique nature. These whimsical tales have enchanted several generations, and Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia’s acclaimed puppetry adaptation for the stage will teach, inspire and entertain.

Flights of Fancy

• Details:  MCC-Longview Flights of Fancy Kite Festival April 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m at MCC-Longview 500 SW Longview Rd. Lee's Summit, Mo.
• Why We LOVE It:  Every year, we pack a picnic, our favorite kites, and the camera for a day of fun on the lawn of Metropolitan Community College - Longview for the Flights of Fancy Festival. This free festival is open to the public and it is absolutely wonderful. Kite enthusiasts gather every year to fly their favorite kites. You'll see gigantic kites, stunt kites, Chinese kites, and fun kites... last year we loved Snoopy and his dog house. They even have a giant kite kids can climb through and the kites do a candy drop over the field. The festival is a wonderful way to enjoy Spring and it's such a relaxed, beautiful nice family tradition... we never miss it! 
• Bonus: Read our Tips for Flights of Fancy before you go!

Diavolo

• Details: Diavolo Apr. 25 & 26 at 8pm at Yardley Hall at the Johnson County Community College. 
• Why We LOVE It: The Performing Arts Series at JCCC consistently brings world-class entertainment that is thought-provoking, challenging, and unforgettable to Kansas City. This spring, enjoy Diavlo. Modern acrobatic dance ... Crash-and-burn choreography

• 14 stunning dancers, gymnasts, acrobats and athletes leap, fly and spin with power, modern elegance and a thrill of danger! Outrageous sets incorporate skate ramps, half-pipes and other large structures to flesh out acrobatic and abstract narratives of the absurdities of life and the struggle to maintain our humanity in an increasingly technological world.

Shop at Kansas City's Farmers' Markets!

• When, Where, What: Kansas City's Farmers' Markets start opening ALL Month long! With over 30 markets to choose from, ranging from small to large all across the metro, there is something for the locavore in all of us. Check out our Guide to Kansas City Farmers' Markets and read great tips for buying local farm fresh produce and discover a Farmers' Market near you.
• Why We LOVE It: We're fortunate to have so many terrific Farmers' Markets in Kansas City to choose from. If you want to eat organic, fresh, locally grown produce, or you are looking for plants for your own garden, or local honey, Amish baked goods, or even live animals... Kansas City's Farmers' Markets have it all! Several even boast live music and entertainment. This is an excellent family outing on a Spring Saturday... you have fun and finish a chore all at once!