All About Kansas City: August 13, 2009
All About KC is the newest feature on KCParent.com. You ask and we answer your questions about Kansas City! From Family Fun in KC, to Date Night ideas, to the Best Places to take out-of-town guests, to inside tips on local attractions and restaurants, we have the answers! Submit a question for All About KC here. Each week, a new column is featured in our eNewsletter!
This Week's Questions:
- Q: Why isn’t the new baby zebra at the Zoo black and white?
- Q. Last week, you offered ideas to celebrate the start of Kindergarten. I want to take my teens out for some fun before school starts. Ideas?
- Q. Where can we go in KC for non-crowded outings with toddlers beyond our neighborhood park?
Q: Mom, why isn’t the new baby zebra at the Zoo black and white? ~ Emily
A: Thanks to the Zoo, I now know the answer! The new Grant’s (Plains) Zebra was born at the Kansas City Zoo on July 8th, and he has brown stripes because Zebra foal are born with brown stripes that darken as they grow older. The Zoo is hosting a contest to name the new Zebra August 15 – Sept. 20! For details, click here.
Q: Last week, you offered ideas to celebrate the start of Kindergarten. I want to take my teens out for some fun before school starts. Ideas? ~ Jill
A. I’m not sure how much time or money you have to spend, so here are a Five Ideas. I hope one works!
Fun Out and About:
1) This weekend, Worlds of Fun is hosting Roller Coaster Mayhem! Teens love thrill rides and with the all new Prowler, they’d love a day at Kansas City’s amusement park.
2) For FREE, take them to Crown Center Friday Night for a FREE outdoor showing of Pirates of the Caribbean. Grab a pizza at D’Bronx and bring some sodas!
Fun Dining:
1) Genghis Khan at 39th and Bell. The Mongolian BBQ features a build your own buffet that is cooked right before your eyes. For the Mongolian BBQ novice, they have recipes recommended to suit your pallet from spicy to mild.
2) Joe’s Crab Shack (across the metro). The chain serves seafood with a super casual, super fun beach theme. The servers frequently break out in song and don’t be surprised if you’re lured into a rendition of YMCA.
3) Winstead’s (across the metro). The old-fashioned steakburgers and Ice Cream Sodas are a Kansas City tradition. Order a Skyscraper and snap a family photo for the scrapbook.
Q: I have two children under two. I want to take them on outings, but many places are really designed for older children. Also, so many popular places are crowded and it makes my children cranky. Where can we go in KC for non-crowded outings with toddlers beyond our neighborhood park? ~ Heather
A: I think a lot of moms can relate. I went through the same thing and I was very excited to have a full-fledged mobile, potty-trained, verbal preschooler this summer for “more grown up” outings!
Here are my three tips for successful field-trips with Toddlers:
- Take them when they are well-rested and well-fed. Schedule the outing around their peak energy levels and leave BEFORE they get cranky so everyone has happy memories upon departure.
- Try to visit on the least busy days. Call museums and petting zoos before departure to ask if they have a lot of field-trips scheduled and avoid visiting when the Day Cares and Schools are there. Some facilities have “no school field trip days” to give families a chance to visit without the crowd!
- Bring snacks, camera, a change of clothes/diapers for emergencies, and water.
Keeping in mind you asked for the least crowded, non-park outings, here are my Top Picks for FREE outings. Bonus, because they are FREE you don’t have to spend all day and can make several visits.
5 FREE Outings with Toddlers:
- Burr Oak Woods Nature Center (1401 NW Park Rd. Blue Springs, MO. 816.228.3766). Kansas City is blessed with MANY fantastic and free nature centers. For a complete guide to KC Nature Centers (they are rarely crowded), click here. However, my family loves Burr Oak Woods the best. Why? Burr Oak’s exhibits change, they have a terrific aquarium and animal exhibits (Lakeside Nature Center rivals Burr Oak’s animal exhibits, but they don’t have as many trails), and they offer beautiful paved trails for strollers! The property is wooded, so the shade makes a great picnic setting and it is beautiful in the autumn as the leaves change.
- The Overland Park Arboretum (8909 W. 179th St. Overland Park, KS. 913.685.3604). Beautiful gardens and trails make a great “grown up” outing for mom while giving young ones fresh air and exercise. The gardeners work hard so something fresh is always in bloom and with so many trails, you will find something new each time! My girls love the waterfalls, the wooded paths by the creek, and the blooming flowers.
- The Library. We love Story Time at our local library (for a complete Story Time schedules in KC, click here) and we frequently visit for special outings. Our favorite libraries for terrific children’s sections are the Central Library (14 W. 10th St. KCMO) and the Plaza Library (4801 Main St., KCMO).
- KidScape Exhibit at the Johnson County Museum (6305 Lackman Rd., Shawnee, KS. 913.715.2550). The KidScape Exhibit is free hands-on fun for toddlers and preschoolers. This miniature city includes dress up play, books, city hall, doctor’s office, and miniature golf.
- Fish Feeding. You can visit the local marinas at Longview Lake and Shawnee Mission Lake to feed the fish stale bread and crackers from home, or bring a few quarters and purchase fish food when you arrive. We keep life jackets in the van or put the girls in strollers to be sure they’re safe on the dock. Kids love to watch the “feeding frenzy” as they toss the treats into the water. For more animal outings, click here.