Take Your Child on a Date
It can be difficult to juggle work, school, sports, classes, and extracurriculars and we often feel as though we're going from "one thing to the next" with little opportunity to spend time talking to our children and building that relationship. It is difficult to carve out one on one time with our children, especially when there are several children in one household.
We treat our girls to monthly "date nights" with Mom, Dad, or both - but one child per parent combination. The girls relish the time and we are able to enjoy activities that are more suited for one or the other child (by age and interest).
Ideas for Parent/Child Date Nights in Kansas City:
Enjoy a Show!
- Cheap Movies. The Noland Fashion Square Cinema shows movies for $2/ticket (40 Hwy and Noland. 816.478.2223).
- Children's Theater. The Coterie Theatre (in Crown Center) offers a FREE Ticket with purchase on Saturdays (deal sponsored by Target), with affordable children's shows all the time! Theatre for Young America (with shows at Union Station) performs live theater for children all year-round. CYT offers shows by kids for kids... their first show is usually discounted, but all shows are affordable. (See our guide to Kansas City Theaters for more ideas.)
- Comedy City. Comedy City is great fun for older kids especially! Enjoy a live family-friendly Improv Comedy Show that is appropriate for youth as well (we love the fact that no foul language is allowed). Recommended for children who are old enough to enjoy watching a family sitcom.
- Movies, Puppet Shows, and More at Reading Reptile. Reading Reptile (in Brookside) is one of Kansas City's best loved children's book stores. Watch their calendar for Friday Night Films, Puppet Shows, Book Signings, Story Time and special events.
- Planetarium and Extreme Screen Shows. Consider a show at Science City's Planetarium or Extreme Screen. You'll enjoy additional discounts with a Science City Membership.
- Special Programs (including Free Concerts, Puppet Shows, and More) at the Library Over the years, we've enjoyed free library classes with our girls learning everything from how to bake bread, to holiday crafts, to sign language. The Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Library offers free concerts, puppets shows, and family programs on Friday Nights. One year, the Mid-Continent Public Library presented a Fairytale Tea for little girls, and they've enjoyed Daddy/Daughter Valentine events as well.
- Kansas City Symphony Family Series. The Kansas City Symphony isn't just for adults! The Family Series is specially designed for children to enjoy familiar (and unfamiliar but wonderful) music with live performances with kids in mind.
Scavenger Hunts
- An Art Gallery Scavenger Hunt. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is FREE and open till 9pm on Thursday and Friday. Try our exclusive KCParent.com Nelson-Atkins Scavenger Hunt and reward your child with a Skyscraper at Winstead's upon completion.
- A Nature Center Scavenger Hunt. Lakeside Nature Center is one of our favorite nature centers in Kansas City. They provide a wonderful free scavenger hunt (ask at the information desk) and you'll enjoy seeing live animals up close! (Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Sunday, 11Am to 3 PM. Closed Monday)
- Mall Scavenger Hunt. See this great guide to learn How to host a Mall Scavenger Hunt.
Recreation
- Jump, Bounce, and Play! Paradise Park's Go-Karts, Foam Factory, and Children's EduTainment Center are fun for the whole family. Monkey Bizness occasionally offers late night open play (watch their calendars for schedules and deals). Be a kid for a day and simply PLAY!
- Go for a Long Walk / Bike Ride / Roller Blade. Between parks, gardens, and nature centers, Kansas City is rich with scenic places for outdoor fun. We love the Overland Park Arboretum, Ironwoods Park in Lenexa, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs, Leawood City Park, Waterfall Park in Independence, Ernie Miller Nature Center Trails in Olathe, Antioch Park, Loose Park in Kansas City, Longview Lake, and Kauffman Gardens near the Plaza. The book, Hiking Kansas City, is an excellent book for inspiration with maps and details for every location. See our guide to Nature in Kansas City for great locations.
- Rock Wall Climbing, Ice Skating, Bowling, Skating, Paintball, Go-Karts, Pedal Boats. See KCGoingPlaces.com for a FULL list. Watch for discounts and sign up to receive emails from your favorite places. For instance, AMF Bowling frequently offers 99cent bowling for email subscribers. All of the local Roller Skating rinks offer discount nights… i.e. B&D Skating has 50s Sunday nights – 50cent skate to 50s music. These change seasonally so be sure to call ahead. The Ice at Park Place, and the Crown Center Ice Terrace are the metro's two outdoor ice rinks, perfect for winter fun!
Misc. Favorites!
- Paint Your Own Pottery. See KCGoingPlaces.com for Paint Your Own Pottery listings. Sign up for emails and check calendars at locations for discounts.
- Children's Book Events. Rainy Day Books (Fairway, KS) hosts events with favorite children's authors. We enjoyed the Fancy Nancy Christmas Book reading and author signing last year. See the calendar at Rainy Day Books for details.
- Seasonal Events. Keep an eye on our Kansas City Event Calendar. In the summer, you'll discover free concerts, movies, and shows. For Valentines Day, many local venues offer Daddy/Daughter and Mother/Son events. In the winter, Breakfast with Santa, meeting the Kansas City Museum Fairy Princess, and other holiday events make the perfect parent/child date.
Additional Resources:
- KC Going Places
- Entertainment Book (use B1G1 Coupons for restaurants, movies, tickets, etc. Watch coupon details as some are only valid at certain times).
- Facebook (Follow restaurants, museums, and more, for coupons, giveaways, and news of deals. For instance, many local attractions offer great deals on certain days of the week and these are announced on Facebook.)
- Groupon.com, Restaurant.com, and DealBug.com (Buy coupons for great discounts).