Best of August: 2013

It's time to bid a fond farewell to Summer, make plans for Back To School, and enjoy many wonderful family outings in KC! Don't miss these our Top Picks for August in Kansas City!

Festival of Butterflies

• When, Where, What: Annual Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens. August 2 - 4 & August 9 - 11 from 9am-6pm. Festival pricing: $12/adults, $10/seniors, $5/children 5-12, members/free. 816.697.2600. 
• Why We LOVE It: Our family makes it an annual tradition to attend Powell Gardens' Festival of Butterflies. Powell Gardens' signature festival returns for its 17th year including the return of scene-stealing stars from Costa Rica, including the sparkling Blue Morpho, the White Morpho, Stoplight Catone, and the "see through" butterfly called the Thick-tipped Greta or "Costa Rica Clearwing." These beauties join hundreds of other free-flying butterflies from tropical parts of the United States in the indoor butterfly conservatory. The festival also includes two outdoor butterfly breezeways aflutter with native species, children's activities, an interactive LEGO brick art exhibit and more. Walk through Butterfly habitats and discover hundreds of free-flying butterflies from the tropical United States and Costa Rica, two outdoor butterfly breezeways with native species, many themed hands-on children's activities, a nature photography exhibit and more. Visit the Powell Gardens website for more information.
• New This Year: Family Night: Evening with the Butterflies: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, August 3. This family-friendly event is a great way to explore the "night life" at Powell Gardens while enjoying the butterflies and moths that become active in the evening. Your family will enjoy learning about the Owls, a group of butterflies that fly at dusk, plus the mysterious and often overlooked cousin of the butterfly--the moth. The evening includes a serving of Tadley's Home-made Ice Cream!

Tax Free Back to School Shopping Weekend

• When, Where, What: August 2 - 4: Missouri's Tax Free Weekend for back-to-school supplies and clothing. Applies to the following items: Clothing under $100,   School supplies under $50, Computer software under $350, Computers/computer equipment under $3,500.
• BONUS EVENT: Back To School Tax Free Weekend At Children's Orchard (Aug. 2-4). Children’s Orchard will DOUBLE your sales tax savings. Yes, even in our Olathe, KS store. The MO state sales tax* holiday is ON. *MO state exclusions and rules will apply. (OLATHE • 11933 Strang Line Rd. • 913-780-6600. INDEPENDENCE • 4201 S. Noland Rd. • 816-373-4585)
• Why We LOVE It: Stock up on school supplies and clothes saving 6-8% during Tax Free Shopping.

Superhero Weekend at the Kansas City Zoo

• When, Where, What: August 3 & 4, Kansas City Zoo. Admission Applies. 816.513.5800 www.kansascityzoo.org
• Why We LOVE It: Toss the back to school blues away, and join us for Superhero Weekend at the Zoo! Toss the back to school blues away, and join us for Superhero Weekend at the Zoo! Marvel characters will on hand to meet and greet with guests. Bring your cameras and autograph books and meet the hottest superheroes in Kansas City!
• August 3- MARVEL's Spider-Man and MARVEL's Iron Man
• August 4- MARVEL's Captain America and MARVEL's Thor

• Graphic used with permission:  TM & copyright 2011 MARVEL. This advertisement is produced under MARVEL license. MARVEL Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America and Thor TM & © 2011 Marvel Entertainment, LLC and its subsidiaries. Licensed by Marvel Characters B.V. www.marvel.com. All rights reserved.

Great Midwest Balloon Fest

• When, Where, What: August 9 & 10, The U.S. Bank Great Midwest Balloon Fest at The Great Mall of the Great Plains, Interstate I-35 at Exit 215, Olathe, KS, a suburb of Kansas City. Parking: FREE, There are about 4500 parking places at the Great Mall of the Great Plains. There are also lots of other parking places at area businesses and on streets within walking distance of the festival…and they are all FREE. There is handicapped parking available near the entrance gates. TICKETS: Tickets will go on sale at all Kansas and Missouri Hy-Vee stores and for purchase online too. more info to come. Gate Prices: $15 adult; kids-6-12 $5 and children 5 and under-FREE. All Parking is free.

• Advance Ticket Prices (either at Hy-Vee or online): adults-$10; kids 6-12 $5 and children 5 and under-FREE. All tickets are good for each day of event. Balloon Competitions are free both Saturday and Sunday mornings at sunrise. There will also be FREE Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Parisi coffee available at the competitions—an incentive to get up early!

• VIP TICKETS may be purchased at the gate or online. The tickets are $35 per person. Friday night VIPs get free admission to the festival, Preferred VIP seating for concerts which are to be announced.
• Why We LOVE It: Hot air balloonists from all over the country converge on Kansas City to compete for fun and prizes. This family-oriented weekend will include balloon glows and competitions, music and more. Proceeds from this event will benefit four area charities:The U.S. Bank Great Midwest Balloon Fest is a Non-Profit Organization. The proceeds from this weekend long event will benefit the following charities: Harvesters - a community food bank and a certified member of Feeding America; The Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund, benefiting children and families (benefiting 14 area organizations for children at risk), and USO. The evening balloon glows are absolutely exquisite and our favorite part of the entire event. 

Family Fun at the Toy & Miniature Museum

• When, Where, What: Toy & Miniature Museum 5235 Oak Street Kansas City, MO. 816.333.9328 www.toyandminiaturemuseum.org. The Toy & Miniature Museum offers many great events all year, but two of our favorite are available in August! First, we love the Adventures in Learning Programs: Every Wednesday and Saturday (through August 17), the Museum will host tours, gallery talks, and workshops designed to explore different aspects of the collection. And, we make it an annual tradition to attend FREE Back to School Day on August 24 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Play an all-new I-Spy game that's fun for kids and adults alike. Explore 38 rooms and thousands of nostalgic toys and fascinating miniatures for a full day of family excitement and discovery! Admission is FREE, so all you need to bring is curiosity and a sense of adventure.!
• Why We LOVE It: The Toy and Miniature Museum is one of our favorite destinations! The museum, housed in the former Tureman Mansion, captures the imaginations of visitors young and old with its incredible collection of dollhouses, dolls, model trains, marbles and antique toys from around the world. Families will appreciate the special touches throughout the exhibits, including “touch me” buttons with working lights so you can see inside the tiniest of dollhouses, and step stools so little ones can see at their eye level. This is one destination loved by all generations and all ages—you’ll enjoy exploring childhood memories of years gone by through one of the most fun and magical museums in Kansas City! Read our Tips for the Best Day at the Toy & Miniature Museum.

Missouri State Fair

• When, Where, What: The Missouri State Fair, celebrating 111 years, is held annually in Sedalia. This year it is Aug.8-18. 1.800.422.3247 www.mostatefair.com. Read What's New at the Fair for the latest information!
• Why We LOVE It: The Missouri State Fair is fun for the whole family with a live circus under the Big Top, Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Shows, animal shows and programs, a carnival, concerts, rodeos, and more! The 11-day event will feature hundreds of free demonstrations and exhibits highlighting agriculture innovation, green initiatives and other timely consumer topics like couponing.
• Read our Tips for Family Fun at the Best Attractions at the Missouri State Fair.

Ethnic Enrichment Festival

• When, Where, What: Ethnic Enrichment Festival August 16-18 at Swope Park. Friday, August 16 6-10 p.m. Saturday, August 17 Noon-10 p.m. Sunday, August 18 Noon-6 p.m. $3/adults, Children 12 and under: Free, FREE Parking. 816.513.7553
• Why We LOVE It: Every year we visit the Ethnic Enrichment Festival for a burst of flavor and tradition around the world. Over 60 countries participate each year with booths showcasing food and crafts from each country, and live performances on stage with dance, music, martial arts, and skills demonstrations. You may purchase food from each country creating your own smorgasbord of flavor, sampling many dishes from many cultures. Visit the Ethnic Enrichment Festival website for more information.

Sprint Family Fun Days

• When, Where, What: The monthly Sprint Family Fun Series is back on the 2nd Saturday of each month! The entire event is FREE and open to the public! It begins at 11 AM in the KC Live Block of the Power & Light District and ends at 3 PM - Rain or Shine!
• Why We LOVE It: Bring your kiddos downtown for the Sprint Family Fun Days events the second Saturday of each month. Our next event is SAT. AUGUST 10, 2013, from 11 AM - 3 PM (Part of The 2013 Parrot Fest) Theme: Luau (Have Some Fun In The Sun). Free Entertainment Schedule: 11:15 am - The Doo Dads; 12:15 pm - Mr. Stinky Feet; 1:15 pm - The Doo Dads; 2:00 pm  - Radio Disney. Other activities* include: Water Inflatables and Slides, Bubbles, Sand Activities, Surf The Wave Slip N Slide, Glitter Tattoos, Face Painting, Water Balloon Games, Treasure Hunt, & more! *Fees may apply for premium activities. Tickets may be purchased at the Ticket Booth located on Walnut Street at 14th Street. Admission is free. All ages welcome.

Farmstead Safety Day

• When, Where, What: August 17 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. The checks are free; no appointment needed. $2 admission fee/1 & under free. 913.895.6390 www.opkansas.org/Events/Farmstead-Safety-Day
• Why We LOVE It: Hop aboard the fire truck, slide into the police cruiser or fly high at the LifeNet helicopter where, for a day, your son or daughter can imagine life as a firefighter, a police officer or a pilot. The Overland Park fire and police departments, the Kansas Highway Patrol, D.A.R.E., and other organizations will be on hand to teach children about safety and equipment.

KU Kickoff

• When, Where, What: Aug 16, 2013 6:00 pm until 10:00 pm KU Kickoff at Corinth Square 8221 Corinth Mall Prairie Village, KS. 
• Why We LOVE It: Join Kansas Athletics and the KU Alumni Association Friday, Aug. 16, for our annual KU Kickoff at Corinth Square.  Hear from football coach Charlie Weis, men’s basketball coach Bill Self and women’s basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson. Starting at 6pm, bring the kids for inflatable games, food, drinks and lots of fun KU giveaways. Stay late for live music by SELLOUT! From 8 to 10 p.m.

Still looking for more great family fun ideas in Kansas City? Check out our Kansas City Calendar of Events and Going Places in Kansas City on KCParent.com.