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The Messiest Outings in Kansas City

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   It's summer and for kids that means it's time to get messy! Whether playing in the dirt, digging for treasure, or creating concoctions for the family art gallery or lunch... messes are just a part of childhood. For moms, that can quickly become stressful. To conquer their need to create without wreaking havoc on your home, consider a family-friendly make-a-mess outing where your children can exert some creative energy and leave the mess behind!

 

Top 10 Make-a-Mess Outings Kansas City!

Things that go Splat!

Challenge your kids to a game of paintball at one of Kansas City's numerous paintball fields! Find a location near you on pg. 53 of KC Going Places. 

 

 

 

Messy Masterpieces!

Paint, glitter, glue.... kids love to create their own works of art but this can often make for unbearable messes at home. Consider a compromise and treat the kids to an outing at Paint, Glaze, and Fire (located at the south end of the Metcalf 127 Shopping Center. 913.661.CLAY) where they can paint their own ceramic masterpieces. They'll be able to choose from piggy banks to plates, mugs to picture frames, and many holiday pieces as well. Find many more paint-your-own pottery studios in KC on pg. 23 of KC Going Places Magazine. Another creative option is a visit to a Kansas City classic, Kaleidoscope our own FREE art center for children. It's difficult to capture the magic of Kaleidoscope in words, but we tell readers that if Willy Wonka had designed an imaginative world where children could create their own masterpieces with a variety of supplies in a magical setting... this is what you would get! Best of all, Kaleidoscope offers FREE walk-in sessions all year, simply check Kaleidoscope's Calendar for details. For younger children, another great option is the Johnson County Museum (6305 Lackman Road, Shawnee, KS. 913.715.25550) Summer Arts Program every Friday from June 3-July 29, 2011 from 10:00-Noon. This is a drop-in arts program for kids 4-8 years old, registration not required. Weekly themes introduce kids to art processes and fun! $3 per child, $2 for Museum Members. Parents must stay with children. While you're there, be sure to visit KidScape a delightful educational and hands-on exhibit for kids ages 3-9 (but our younger-than-3 children love it too!).  Read our review of KidScape here.

 

Wiggly Worms!

Fishing isn't just the stuff of old-fashioned lemonade commercials. For many families it is the cornerstone of summer memories. The best thing about this mess-making outing is that it can result in a healthy dinner if done right! Load up the rod and reel and grab a few worms (from the backyard or the local bait shop), and head out for a day of fishing and memory making. Read our guide to Missouri and Kansas Fishing spots to find the best fishing hole near you.

 

 

Funny Faces & Foam Factory!

Paradise Park (1021 NE Colbern Rd. Lees Summit, MO. 816.246.5224. http://www.Paradise-Park.com) is a 38,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor Family Entertainment Center and Children's Edutainment Center. The indoor Children's Edutainment Center features hands-on exhibits for younger children with theme-based play that is often messy, but always creative and educational! Your children may paint their own faces, play at the water table, create a masterpiece in the art center, or cook up a delicious treat in the kitchen. Older kids will enjoy the outdoor fun of  go-karts, miniature golf and batting cages! And the whole family will enjoy the indoor fun of bumper cars,a rock climbing wall and arcade. The highlight though, for my children, is the Foam Factory where you can fire foam balls at opponents with air-pressure guns and tubes for a chaotic, but fun experience!

 

 

 

Kids in the Kitchen!

Does your child dream of being the next Emeril or Rachael Ray? Are you a bit hesitant to turn them loose in your kitchen? Have no fear! Dream Dinners (119th & Metcalf. 913.491.6733) comes to the rescue with their Kids in the Kitchen workshops on Wednesdays (July 13 & August 10, 2011). Kansas City kids can cook up delicious selected kid-friendly entrees and enjoy additional activities. Use this KC Parent Dream Dinners ad to save $25 on your registration! Best of all, they'll bring home delicious and healthy meals the family will enjoy, all while learning great kitchen skills in a supervised environment where you aren't responsible for the clean up! If the Wednesday workshops don't work in your schedule, consider a parent-child date night where you'll work together to select healthy freezer meals to make and take just for your family. Visit Dream Dinners to learn more.

 

 

Dig in the Dirt!

What could be messier than good old fashioned "digging in the dirt"? Kids love to play in the dirt and now they can play while they're growing their very own garden!  Kansas City is home to several marvelous gardens, including Powell Gardens, the Overland Park Arboretum, and the Children's Beanstalk Garden. Each of these facilities offer botanical classes for budding junior gardeners. Whether you visit the gardens for a workshop or simply take a family trip, your kids will love discovering unfamiliar plants. At Powell Gardens you can look out from the top of a silo onto a quilt square garden full of wonderful edible plants and foods... many that may surprise you and the annual Butterfly Festival in August is a family tradition. The Monet Garden and Children's Gardens at the Overland Park Arboretum are wonderful for photography and a day of play. And, education abounds at the Beanstalk Children's Garden where special programs are designed with kids in mind.

 

 

The Berry Best!

Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries... these delicious summer treats are yours for the picking at Kansas City's Berry Patches! Take your city kids on a country fun outing where they'll enjoy picking fresh fruit right off the bush. We recommend wearing "it's okay if they get dirty" tennis shoes or rainboots and packing some bottled water and baby wipes for the trip as sticky stained fingers are inevitable, but worth it! Follow our guide to learn about the best berry patches in Kansas City and the ripening season for your favorite berries.

 

 

Beginning Builders!

Twice a month, kids can participate in the Lowes Build and Grow projects on 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 10am - noon. Kids complete a wooden project (kits provided) and earn a red apron and patch. Or,on the first Saturday of each month, try the Home Depot Kids Workshops for children ages 5-12 from 9am-Noon where children build a take-home project and receive an orange apron and an achievement pin. Both FREE programs provide the children with a kit to create their own project. Some projects include toolboxes, fire trucks, jewelry boxes, banks, planters, birdhouses, and picture frames. Children learn basic carpentry skills and leave with a sense of achievement and a completed project.

 

 

Sandcastles & Beach Bums!

What child hasn't dreamed of burying dad in the sand? What dad hasn't dreamed of burying his offspring in the sand? Create fun memories with your family when you spend a day at the beach picnicking, swimming and building sand castles.  Our local lakes are perfect for a low key day of play with sand toys, inflatable water toys and a picnic. Remember a waterproof camera to capture the splashes and smiles. For added fun, consider bringing a "treasure" from home (plastic toy for instance) and burying it in the sand for your young treasure hunters!

 

 

 

 

Ooey Gooey!

 

Chip's Chocolate Factory (in Crown Center -2nd Floor. 2450 Grand Ave., Suite 239, KC, MO. 816.421.0012 www.ChipsChocolateFactory.com) is a treat for the senses! From the delicious aroma of warm chocolate to the tasty samples, to the beautiful artistry of fudge makers preparing handmade confections in copper kettles and forming it on marble slabs, Chip’s is a delight for all ages. Kansas City Fudge was originally developed by the Chip’s team more than 27 years ago. With a vision for entertaining and educating, the shop was designed for live demonstrations, which are offered daily. Visitors also can schedule a private tour for groups for a full experience in “Chocology” with tastings and samples. Your children will sport chocolaty smiles and sticky fingers after a visit to Chip's, but the experience is unforgettable fun!

 

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.

 

Note: This list was compiled by the staff of KC Parent Magazine and may not be reproduced in print or online without permission. If you have an addition to this list, please email kristina@kcparent.com

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