All About Kansas City: February 11, 2010
All About KC is an exclusive 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. Read previous All About KC columns.
Questions Answered:
- Q: Where can I take a baby for fun in the Liberty area?
- Q. Where can I take my son for a Mother/Son Event?
I live near Liberty and it seems that all of the great activities both indoor and outdoor are all out south. Where can I take my baby who's under 1 (and crawling) to have a great time without traveling so far? ~Amanda
A: Amanda, I remember well the days at home with an under one-year-old. You adore your new baby, but most outings are geared for older children and mom still needs some social interaction. Rest assured, the opportunities grow exponentially with the passing of each birthday. Meanwhile, there are several great opportunities for you. When I was a new mom, the two best outings for us were storytime at the library and MOPS. I was able to make new friends and my daughter was participating in age appropriate activities on an ongoing basis.
Here are a few ideas for Baby Fun in Liberty:
- Baby Storytime at the Liberty Library (1000 Kent St. Liberty, MO 816.781.9240) Thursdays at 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM (9-18 months, registration required) Weekly storytime is a terrific place to make friends for baby AND mom! Children enjoy short, simple, one on one, story program of books, finger plays, and music. FREE. www.mcpl.lib.mo.us
- Fun Run (1919 Industrial Drive Liberty, MO 816.781.0386) Fun Run is an indoor inflatable center. For young children, they offer a large toddler area for children 3 years and under, only. Tiny customers, can play in the Tiny Tots room or enjoy the Children’s Imagination Village. www.funrun-4kids.com
- Gymboree Parkville (English Landing Center at 180 English Landing Dr., Ste. 240, Parkville, MO 816.505.3344). Gymboree offers Play & Learn, Music, and Art Classes for children your son’s age. Call for information.
- MOPS: Mothers of Preschoolers (Second Baptist Church in Liberty). MOPS is a mother’s group with classes for children while moms meet and fellowship together. For more information on this group, visit www.2bcliberty.org/mops
- Martha LaFite Thompson Nature Sanctuary (407 North Lafrenz Road Liberty, MO 816.781.8598). The nature center features animal and plant exhibits, hands-on activities and trails. They also offer special events through the year including animal feedings, storytimes, and preschool activities. www.naturesanctuary.com
I see a dozen or more different activities for Father/Daughter all the time. Is there anything out there especially planned for mother/son? Merriam used to have a mother/son event, but can't find any info on its status. My son is 5 and we live near Shawnee.~ Amy
A: You’re right Amy, there aren’t as many Mother/Son opportunities as there are for Fathers and Daughters. Perhaps your question will inspire more events. I did find a few Mother/Son events, but they are in April. I’m including that information for you and offering some ideas to ‘create your own Mom/Son date.’ Also, be sure to check our Valentine's Guide and President's Day Guide this weekend! (The Lowe's Build and Grow Workshop is a FAVORITE in our home and it's free!)
Upcoming Mother/Son Events:
- Mom & Son Date Night April 23, 6:30-8:30pm at the Blue Valley Activity Center. A fun-filled evening just for moms and sons! Enjoy organized activities in the gymnastics center and the indoor pool. The night includes games, snacks, beverages and door prizes. Fee is per couple ($25 resident/$31 non-resident); $15 per additional son. Grades K-5 only - sorry, no exceptions. www.bluevalleyrec.org 913.685.6000
- Mother-Son Spring Soiree April 30, 6-9pm at the Lee’s Summit Gamber Center. Attention mothers, stepmothers and grandmothers, start the Mother's Day weekend off right by celebrating the special day with your little one! The night will be packed with fun, food and music. Each child will be given a rose to present to mommy as a token of their appreciation. Ages: 3 - 12 yr. Registration is $20. www.lsmo.net
Create Your Own Mom/Son Date (Shawnee Area):
- Go for a Day of “Indoor Play” Check our guide for great Indoor Playplaces in Kansas City.
- Go Roller Skating (Skate World 9800 W. 62nd Terr. Merriam, KS 913.262.0711). Call for hours and rates, schedule varies. www.skateworldkc.com
- Go Ice Skating (The Ice at Park Place 11565 Ash St, Leawood, KS). The Ice is offering discounted ice skating admission and skate rental February 12-15! Skate for only $7! 913.663.2070 www.destinationparkplace.com
- Wonderscope Children's Museum (5700 King, Shawnee, KS 913.287.8888). Wonderscope is a hands-on Children's Museum perfect for preschoolers! Features include: Water play, golf ball "race tracks", miniature grocery store, art center, hands-on lego exhibit, and more. Wonderscope also offers special programs in conjunction with Gymboree, children's musicians, and Theater for Young America. www.wonderscope.org
- Johnson County Museum's KidScape Exhibit (6305 Lackman, Shawnee, KS 913.715.2550). This is a hands-on "miniature city" for preschoolers. Children can pretend to be doctors in the imaginary hospital, put on a show on the stage complete with costumes and props, miniature golf inside, build roads at the City Hall, or make crafts and play pretend. The exhibit is FREE and the museum provides special programs with children's concerts, story telling, and puppet shows throughout the winter as well! www.jocomuseum.org
- Search Going Places on KCParent.com Going Places is our database of museums, parks, indoor play, water fun and sites you can visit all across the metro!
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