This season, make memories with your kids at these Kansas City attractions!
Winter Fun Guide
KC’s New Year’s Eve Guide
Bid farewell to 2022annaand Ring in 2023! Celebrate the New Year with fun for the entire family… you’ll find family-friendly parties and events across the metro as our favorite venues roll out the red carpet for YOU!
Note:annaThis guide was compiled by the staff ofannaKC Parent Magazineannaand may not be reproduced in print or online without permission. If you have additions to this guide, please emailannakristina@kcparent.com.
January KC Trivia
1. Of the four species of penguin at the Kansas City Zoo, which is the smallest as a full-grown adult? A) Gentoo B) Humboldtanna C) King D) Rockhopper
2. What is average snowfall in KC in January? A) 2.5 inches B) 6.3 inches C) 4.1 inches D) 1.6 inches
3. Kansas was admitted to the Union as the 34th state on Jan. 29 of what year? A) 1861 B) 1850 C) 1903 D) 1863
4. What is the location of Kansas City’s “Suicide Hill” sledding hill? A) 57th & Grand B) 63rd & Troost C) 56th & Brookside D) 51st & Wornall
5. How many bowls of cereal are consumed by the average American annually? A) 200 B) 100 C) 75 D) 150
6. What is America’s favorite soup? A) Broccoli cheddar B) Potato C) Chili D) Chicken noodleanna
7. Jan. 4 is National Spaghetti Day. Jasper’s has been KC’s favorite spot for spaghetti since ___? A) 1954 B) 1970 C) 1965 D) 1982
8. The second Wednesday in January is National Take the Stairs Day. The Liberty Memorial Tower has a 217-foot-high, open-air observation deck. To reach the top of the tower, guests ride an elevator and then climb how many steps? A) 22 B) 45 C) 18 D) 30
Answer Key:
- D: Rockhopper is smallest, with an average adult size of 41-46 cm and 5-6 pounds.
- C: 4.1 inches
- A: 1861
- C: 56th & Brookside
- B: 100
- D: Chicken noodle
- A: 1954
- B: 45
Winter Nature Walks
These are a few favorite ways to experience nature in the winter.
Before Your Winter Nature Walk
Your time outdoors will be more fun if you’re prepared. Consider the amount of time you expect to spend outdoors and prepare accordingly. If you’re taking a 15- to 30-minute walk in the neighborhood, a water bottle and basic winter layers will do. If you’re planning a longer nature walk or hike, you might want to bring snacks and really layer up. Some preparation tips:
- Make Trail Mix:annaMy girls love a trail mix bag. I set out favorite ingredients, and they make their own bag of goodies. Granola, mini pretzels, cereal, nuts, dried fruits, coconut, sesame seeds and even some limited sweet treats make a tasty snack to take along.
- Design Your Own Scavenger Hunt:annaLet each member of the family contribute to a hunt list, suggesting three to five things you should try to find on your walk. These can include animal prints, squirrels, birds, particular trees, pinecones, feathers, rocks, a creek, pond, nest and shapes in clouds. Let your kids brainstorm for other ideas.
- Bundle Up:annaI purchase inexpensive packs of hand warmers at the local box store and keep them in my van for our winter adventures. For longer walks, I have my kids wear layers, including cuddle duds (think modern long underwear under jeans) and their coats, hats and gloves. We always bring water bottles—remember sunglasses, too.
- Pack a First Aid Kit:annaI keep a complete kit in my van and a small kit to take in a backpack with basic bandages and such. For tips on building a family first aid kit, visit RedCross.org.
Where to Go
Some of our favorites include:
- Shawnee Mission Parkanna(JCPRD.com). The park features a 120-acre lake, mountain bike trails, hiking trails and paved nature trails. It is ideal for short walks or long hikes.
- Blue Springs Lakeanna(MakeYourDayHere.com). This park is home to a 720-acre lake. Their most scenic trails are the Lake Vista Trails, a 5-mile scenic loop around the lake with bridges, hills and woods.
- Watkins Mill State Parkanna(MoStateParks.com). The trail around the 100-acre lake is paved and ideal for walking or biking. The park is also home to an antebellum historic home and woolen mill you may tour.
- Ernie Miller Nature Centeranna(JCPRD.com). Visits to the nature center are always fun for children who enjoy seeing the animals and exploring the hands-on exhibits. There are numerous trails to enjoy around the nature center, through the woods and near the creek. You can easily choose shorter or longer routes according to your available time.
- Cave Spring Nature Centeranna(CaveSpring.org). The trails around the 39-acre park are known for the cave, the old hedge trees and the ruins of old pioneer shelters where you’ll find multiple chimneys, the only surviving landmarks of former homes.
Resolve to Get a Good Night’s Rest
Happy New Year! It’s that time of year again to make promises to yourself and others about ways to improve your lifestyle and routine. New Year’s resolutions can be drastic, like changing jobs, or they can be as simple as drinking more water on a daily basis. No matter your resolutions, improving your sleep schedule is guaranteed to help jump-start your quest toward many of your goals.
Although we often think of a bedtime routine as something for our kids, it’s important for adults as well. A consistent good night’s rest is essential for overall health, both mentally and physically. The National Sleep Foundation suggests that adults average between seven and nine hours of sleep per night to enjoy the full benefits of rest. On average, most people do not reach the number of suggested hours of sleep per night, leading to a number of issues such as increased anxiety and decreased productivity. For some people, an improved sleep schedule may mean getting to bed at an earlier hour to accommodate an early awakening.
Getting to bed at a reasonable time can be especially difficult for those who have a hard time falling asleep. Some tips and tricks to help fall asleep faster—and at a reasonable time—range anywhere from spending more time outside during the day to limiting time with technology before bed. Spending time outside in the sunlight can help to regulate your internal clock, especially if your body can receive some vitamin D in the morning. A conscious effort to limit the amount of media your brain is exposed to before bed can help minimize the time it takes to fall asleep and will make staying asleep easier. Swap out the games on your phone for reading a chapter of a book before bed to help unwind.anna
Cutting off caffeine after a certain time will also aid in getting a better night’s rest. For those going to bed on the earlier side, stopping caffeine intake by 2:00 in the afternoon can be beneficial, as the effects of caffeine last longer than most people realize. Swap out a regular coffee for a cup of decaf in the later hours of the day and steer clear of caffeinated soft drinks at dinnertime. Increasing exercise also aids in establishing a better sleep schedule because your body will be more dependent on rest and recovery. Along with stimulating the mind and body, exercise also helps to decrease levels of stress hormones, making it a bit easier to fall asleep at night.
It’s important to note that improving a sleep schedule takes time and effort, so don’t be discouraged if it does not happen instantly. Start by going to bed earlier in 10-minute increments until you reach your desired bedtime. And choose one activity to focus on. For example, during the first week of your new routine, put your phone down an hour before bedtime. In a few weeks, begin limiting caffeine, and so on. Consistency is key to getting into a good sleep routine.
Tori Sarver is an intern for KC Parent. She is studying strategic communications with a business minor at CU Boulder.
As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.