13 Things Every KC Kid Should Do Before Turning 13

1. Give back.

   Kansas City is a better place to live because of those who give back. There are many great places to volunteer your time. Harvesters collects food for families in need. Historic sites like Missouri Town and the John Wornall House offer volunteer programs for youth who love history. Wayside Waifs and Animal Haven offer great volunteer opportunities for animal lovers. Look for opportunities to serve at your place of worship. Choose something you’re passionate about and find ways to help others. Read "Giving Back to the Community in Kansas City" for ideas!

2. Discover your heritage.

   How much do you know about your family tree? The Midwest Genealogy Center is a free research facility through the Mid-Continent Public Library system. With thousands of resources and expert research librarians there to assist, you’ll discover new secrets about your ancestors. See www.MYMCPL.org/genealogy for more information.

3. Build bonds with your parents.

   Mom and Dad may not be into the coolest trends, but they’ll always be there for you--and now is the best time to start a family tradition of spending one-on-one time with them. Choose one night a month to do something with your parents (individually or together). Try new restaurants, go to the movie, go hiking or play paintball, paint your own pottery together. Great ideas abound at www.KCGoingPlaces.com. It doesn’t matter what you do, but spend the time. This is the most important relationship you’ll ever build.

4. Challenge yourself.

   Have you climbed a 50-foot building? Overcome an extreme obstacle course? If you love adventure and a challenge, you’ll love the Ironwoods Challenge Course. With climbing, obstacle courses, rappelling and more, this is an adventure you’ll never forget--and you’ll be stronger for it. See www.Leawood.org/parks/challengeprogram.aspx for more information.

5. Eat new foods.

   Now is the ideal time to expand your culinary tastes beyond pizza and fries. Kansas City offers a smorgasbord of ethnic restaurants (discover our Top Picks for Ethnic Dining in Kansas City). Try new restaurants and discover your favorite Indian curry, sushi, dumplings, or French pastry. Whatever you try, add to the experience by eating it correctly. Learn to use chopsticks (www.Wikihow.com/Eat-with-Chopsticks). Ask your server to teach you proper pronunciations. And don’t be afraid to try something new!

6. Be a kid while it’s still cool!

   Visit the Kansas City Zoo and enjoy some of the extras. Ride a camel, watch the elephants paint, take in the sea lion show and ride the carousel and train. Check out some of Kansas City’s coolest parks--from Penguin Park, to Frontier Park, to Antioch Park, to Waterfall Park--and just play (see our TOP PICKS for the Best Parks in Kansas City).
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   Know your KC faves!

   If you’re a true Kansas Citian at heart, it’s time to know what you love most about living here. Start by exploring KC’s fountains and choosing your favorite. Then, visit Worlds of Fun and ride every roller coaster till you know which one you love most. Watch the Royals and the Chiefs and root for your favorite player. Visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (it’s free and we have a fun Nelson-Atkins photo scavenger hunt). Discover your favorite masterpiece and learn all you can about it. Sip a Skyscraper at Winstead’s and know your favorite flavor. Listen to jazz at the American Jazz Museum and discover the best musicians. And, last but not least, sample a wide selection of KC Bar-B-Q sauces and know whether you prefer hot or really hot!

KC Mom Kristina Light’s favorite local waterworks is the Loose Park Fountain, she loves Jack Stack Bar-B-Q and Frank White will always be her favorite Royals player. Kristina’s favorites at the Nelson are too long to list, she still misses the Zambezi Zinger, there are no bad flavors at Winstead’s and no one can sing like Ida McBeth.