Join us Saturday, April 25, as we celebrate World Penguin Day with hands-on activities to help you learn all about our feathered friends. Activities will be available 10 am-3 pm at Helzberg Penguin Plaza. Plus, you can watch a special Penguin March at 11 am!
World Penguin Day activities are included in the price of Zoo admission or membership.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Low Sensory Morning
We invite participants into the museum an hour before we open to the public in order to provide a quiet and low-stimulating environment where you can enjoy hands-on artmaking activities and art in the galleries. Visual resources, hand fidgets, a low sensory break room and other accommodations will be provided. This is an activity for families and care partners of children with autism or who have sensory sensitivities. *Please use Bloch Lobby & Bloch Plaza Entrances. Parking in the museum garage is $14. Museum members park FREE. For assistance, contact our box office at 816.751.1278 or email communityprograms@nelson-atkins.org.
StoneLion Puppet Theatre presents ‘1,000 Cranes and the Tree of Wishes’
School shows
Thursday, May 14 at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Friday, May 15 at 10 a.m.
School show tickets start at $5.
Public shows
Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m.
Public show tickets start at $10.
Imagine a world… “I am Root, the beginning of every story, but you, you are the middle and together we can find the end.” So says The Keeper of the Tree of Wishes. Journey along the “root” system with StoneLion Puppet Theatre as their intricate puppets bring to life real wishes gathered in our community and across the world.
This choose-your-own adventure featuring intricate puppets invites each audience to pick which cranes to let fly from the Tree of Wishes. No single performance will be the same – funny, touching, poignant and completely unique.
Wishes could be:
- What would happen if unicorns were real?
- What good is the smallest of us?
- What if your shoes could talk?
- What if the world was at peace?
At each performance, the audience will be shown how to make their hands into cranes to fly as the wishes are brought to life in interactive fun and to reinforce the idea that our actions can actually make a difference, especially as part of a community. Audience members are encouraged to leave their wish for the world to be added to the show.
MTC Kids Jam – Uncle Jumbo
Enjoy a free family concert with art activities, upbeat songs and dance-alongs for kids!
Grammy nominee Uncle Jumbo layers heartfelt lyrics with messages of positivity that inspire young minds to dream big and chase their passions. His concert performances include hits from his “Touch the Sky” and “Garden Groove” albums, with uplifting songs and dance-alongs that focus on connection, kindness, and well-being. Reservations recommended!
2026 Lenexa–Shawnee Music & Arts Festival
Get set for the 2026 KC Music & Arts Festival at Lenexa-Shawnee, September 5 at beautiful Theatre in the Park. Enjoy 8 straight hours of CMA, Grand Ole Opry, and Billboard Top 10 artists performing live, plus an Arts & Crafts Marketplace and the Heartland Food & Beverage Garden.
📅 September 5, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
See the exciting concert lineup and save with Advance Purchase Tickets here:
👉 https://kcmusicfestival.com/
Grinnin’ & Groovin’ – Mad Science ‘Up, Up & Away’
FREE summer entertainment for kids from Leawood Parks, Recreation & Arts!
Join Mad Science for ‘Up, Up & Away,’ a spellbinding special event for kids to learn about air and air pressure and watch awesome science experiments.
Free to attend – no registration required!