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10 Top Picks for September in Kansas City

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  September in Kansas City… autumn in Kansas City, Fall Festivals, Apple Season, the Circus and more!

 

10 Top Picks for September in Kansas City!

Pops in the Park

  • When, Where, What: September 4, 5:00 PM, Theatre in the Park.The parking lot opens at 4:30 p.m.; gates open at 5:00 p.m.; concert starts at 7:00 p.m. For more information contact our Registration Office at (913) 831-3359. Free. (913) 831.3359 www.jcprd.com

  • Why We LOVE It: Enjoy a night of wonderful music at a beautiful outdoor venue! The Theatre in the Park hosts JCPRD’s annual Labor Day weekend concert featuring The Kansas City Symphony! This free event celebrates great American music – from The Sound of Music, to the Music Man, to Star Wars and Superman! Bring your family and friends, plus blankets and lawn chairs to the park. There will also be an Instrument Petting Zoo beginning at 5:00 p.m. so youngsters can experience a pre-concert activity where trained musicians help them try their hands at a variety of orchestral instruments.

 

 

Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey: Zing Zang Zoom Circus

  • When, Where, What: September 8-12 at the Sprint Center.$12-85/ticket (varies according to seating). 816.931.3330www.ringling.com

  • Why We LOVE It: Attending the Circus is an annual family tradition! From the Downtown Parade as the animals arrive in Kansas City, to the live performance, there is something magical and captivating about the spectacular circus with animals, acrobats, clowns, and all your favorite Circus celebrities and performers.

 

 

Great Midwest Balloon Fest

  • When, Where, What: September 17-19, Merrill Farm in Overland Park. www.opkansas.org/Events/Great-Midwest-Balloon-Festival

  • Why We LOVE It: More than 50 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 The American Stroke Foundation, Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care and The Boys and Girls Club.The evening balloon glows are absolutely exquisite and our favorite part of the entire event. Read our Insider Tips for the Great Midwest Balloon Fest so your family makes the most of your experience.

 

 

Apple Fest at the Farmstead

  • When, Where, What: September 18, 11am-3pm. Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. For sponsorship information, contact 913-634-7165. $2 admission fee/1 & under free. 913.897.2360 www.opkansas.org/Things-to-See-And-Do/Deanna-Rose-Special-Events

  • Why We LOVE It: Apples and autumn… the two go hand and hand and the Farmstead knows how to celebrate the best of both at this event for the entire family. Enjoy fresh apple cider, kettle corn, apple sauce, old-fashioned fun with crafts, games and more.

 

 

Nickelodeon’s Story Time Live

  • When, Where, What: September 18-19, The Midland by AMC. 800.745.3000 www.nicklivetour.com

  • Why We LOVE It: Nickelodeon presents their newest, biggest, most exciting live show ever â’ STORYTIME LIVE! We can’t wait for this all new show, where children play along with favorite preschool pals live on stage. Leap into Fairytale Land with â”Dora the Explorer,â” journey through Filthingham with â”The Backyardigans,â” hop into Wonderland with â”Wonder Pets!,â” and join the Monkey Kingâ’s celebration with â”Ni Hao, Kai-lan.â” Hosted by Moose and Zee, Nickelodeonâ’s musical adventure, STORYTIME LIVE features four of the top-rated preschool shows on television today and is sure to be the hit live show you and your family have been waiting for!

 

 

Plaza Art Fair

  • When, Where, What: September 24-26, Country Club Plaza. www.countryclubplaza.com/Events/Plaza-Art-Fair

  • Why We LOVE It: The Plaza Art Fair has been a celebrated Kansas City tradition for 79 years, as the streets of the Country Club Plaza are transformed into a beautiful outdoor art gallery. My girls especially love the kids art workshops and interactive activities provided by local art galleries and children’s museums.

 

 

 

Louisburg Cider Mill’s Annual Ciderfest

  • When, Where, What: September 25 & 26, and October 2 & 3, Louisburg Cider Mill. 913.837.5202 www.louisburgcidermill.com/index.html

  • Why We LOVE It: Watch fresh cider making, enjoy hot apple cider donuts, and celebrate everything autumn at this annual festival. Handmade Crafts, Barbeque, Live Music, Old Fashioned Good Eats, Pumpkins and a lot of other Fun Activities for the whole family!

 

 

Apple Picking

  • When, Where, What: September is great for a family outing to pick fresh apples at local orchards! Check out our Apple Picking Guide to find a U-Pick Farm in near you!

  • Why We LOVE It: Our city kids love the country experience of apple picking! Feast on the flavors of fall and make family memories with a day at a local fruit farm! Best of all, when you pick your own apples, you’re enjoying a healthy treat for the entire family while supporting local businesses. 

 

 

American Royal Parade

  • When, Where, What: September 25, 10:00 AM, Downtown Kansas City. www.americanroyal.com

  • Why We LOVE It:Kick off Rodeo Season with the American Royal Parade. My girls especially enjoy the horses and live marching bands as Kansas City celebrates the rodeo! The Parade begins at Pershing St. and Grand Blvd. and ends at 14th and Main Streets at the Power & Light District.

 

 

Smithsonian FREE Museum Admission Day

  • When, Where, What: Visit the Smithsonian Magazine website to receive your free admission pass to Local Museums, good for Saturday, September 25 only. Smithsonian FREE Museum Day

  • Why We LOVE It: Kansas City is home to many wonderful museums… what could be better than exploring them for FREE? Free admission with printed coupon only. Participating Museums include: 

  • Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph

  • American Jazz Museum in Kansas City

  • Bingham-Waggoner Estate in Independence

  • Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence

  • Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City

  • National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence

  • National World War I Memorial Museum in Kansas City

  • Pony Express National Museum in St. Joseph

  • Puppetry Arts Institute in Independence

  • Remington Nature Center in St. Joseph

  • Robidoux Row Museum in St. Joseph

  • Toy and Miniature Museum in Kansas City

  • Vaile Mansion in Independence

  • Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City in Shawnee

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.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

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Kids love scavenger hunts and there are many ways to play. You can create teams (mom with the boys, dad with the girls), you can participate as an entire family, you can take photos of the items you find (try not to disturb nature), you can draw pictures of the items you find… however you play just have fun!

 

This is our Scavenger Hunt list for Fall in Kansas City (you’ll be able to find most of these items at our favorite parks for Fall Family Fun):

  • Acorn
  • Spider Web
  • Feather
  • Oak Leaf
  • Maple Leaf
  • Bark (on the ground, not on a tree)
  • Animal Tracks
  • Pill Bugs (we call them rolly pollies)
  • Squirrel Nest (look high in the trees)
  • Duck
  • Goose
  • Chipmunk
  • Fountain
  • Berries
  • Bush

Project 54

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    This summer 11 year old Kansas City kid, Payne Walker, was moved by the need for other children in our community to have equipment to exercise and play sports. Payne loves football, so his passion for the sport and the realized need that not every child is able to play and exercise as he is, compelled him to begin Project 54.

  Payne took his love for football, his love for kids in the community, and some creative ideas to form Project 54. He is working with TLC for Children and Families and to collect 54 (or more) footballs for area youth. Payne plays for the Blue Valley Northwest 5th grade Huskies and proudly wears #54. The desire to help others comes from deep inside of Payneâ’s Heart…Soul…and Mind.

   You can help Payne collect 54 (or more) footballs for local youth. Here’s how:

Participate in the 1st Annual Pigskin Pile-Up

Collecting New and â”Gentlyâ” Used Footballs For Underprivileged Children. TLC for Children and Families will be the recipient of all donations.

 

Drop Off Location:

MC Sports: 11310 W.135th Street, Overland Park, Kansas

Collection Dates:

During Regular Business Hours

  • Saturday, September 25
  • Sunday, September 26
  • Saturday ,October 2
  • Sunday, October 3

 For More Information:

Meet Children’s Author Doreen Cronin

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Beloved children’s author, Doreen Cronin is coming to Kansas City and KC Parent Magazine has the exclusive interview with the author.

On Tuesday, September 28 at 6:30pm, meet Doreen as she reads from her new book, Rescue Bunnies, a beautifully illustrated story featuring Newbie, a Rescue Bunny trainee, at the Plaza Library (4801 Main St.).  The event is co-sponsored by Rainy Day Books. Many of Cronin’s books will be available for sale, and she will sign copies purchased during the event. Admission is free. Call 816.701.3407 

 

Meet the Author: Doreen Cronin

KCP: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Doreen: My first grade teacher, Mrs. Cooper, told me I was a writer — and I believed her. I’ve been writing ever since.

KCP: How long does it take you to write a book?

Doreen: It really depends on the book! Click Clack Moo took about 20 minutes — but that was a one-time event! Most of the books take anywhere from 6 months to a year.

KCP: Families have been loving your books for years… we read “Click, Clack, Moo” “Duck for President” and many others often! Where do you find your inspiration?

Doreen: Most of them start like pieces of an idea — seeds, if you will. Then they grow over time until they are ripe for the picking. Ideas usually kick around in my head for awhile before I begin to actually write them down. After the first draft there can be anywhere from 30-100 re-writes.

KCP: What will readers most enjoy about your newest book? Do you work closely with the illustrator? How do you brainstorm for ideas together?

Doreen: I hope they see that Newbie is like every child — facing new challenges and adventures every single day. Kids have “newbie” moments all the time — first day in kindergarten, first time down the big slide, first time without training wheels, first recess with an absent best friend — and each new experience can be both scary and thrilling at the same time.

Authors and illustrators usually work separately and I think that’s important. That way we can each bring our own ideas to the story without getting in each other’s way! Scott Menchin’s illustrations are vibrant and wildly funny — and I fell in love with Newbie when I finally saw her for the first time!

KCP: What motivates you as a writer?

Doreen: I like things that make me laugh. My kids crack me up and I want to laugh with them every chance I get.

KCP: What would you like readers to experience/ leave with after reading your stories?

Doreen: I hope they laughed with their kids. I hope they ignored the phone, the dishes in the sink, and the dirty laundry for a few minutes and laughed.

KCP: Do you have tips for parents who read your books to their children?

Doreen: Make sure your kids see you read on your own, too. They are far too many days when I spend too much time on my computer, too much time checking the phone messages and emails. Kids need to see you read in order to value it themselves.

KCP: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Doreen: If I change a single word on a page I have to print the entire thing out and read it start to finish to see if it works. If I change it back — same thing.

KCP: When did you write your first book and what was it?

Doreen: I’m sure it was first grade — I wish I could remember it!

KCP: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Doreen: Run around in the park with my kids, drive down to the beach just to take a look at the ocean, catch up on the laundry and read, read, read.

KCP: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Doreen: I’ve written twelve and my favorite changes all the time. Right now its Rescue Bunnies because I think Newbie is so courageous and endearing.

KCP: What do you think makes a good story?

Doreen: Good stories come in a million different forms — any story that my kids want to hear again is a good story!

 

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