Life is full of firsts: first car, first date, first day of school. Many of the most special firsts are celebrated in the first years of life.
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First Birthday
If you’re looking for the perfect venue and entertainment for your little one’s birthday celebration, look no further than the Party Guide on KCParent.com. You’ll find great places to host parties, entertainers to add some fun and ideas to celebrate with.
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KidScape at Johnson County Museum
First Indoor Playdate
These adventures are perfect for getting the wiggles out and making new friends for Mom and Baby. The KidScape exhibit at the Johnson County Museum (8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 913.826.2787) is a wonderful interactive hands-on child-sized exhibit perfect for young children.
Crown Center hosts delightful exhibits for children throughout the year. These indoor exhibits on Level I are free and interactive. Through May 5, enjoy Journey to Oz. Families can tour the enchanting world of the Munchkins; follow Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City; sneak into the Wicked Witch’s castle and much more. Watch the calendar on KCParent.com for more details.
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First Great View of Their Hometown
Right in the heart of Kansas City, the new 6-acre Pennway Point family-friendly entertainment and experiential district boasts the 50-meter-tall KC Wheel with heated and cooled gondolas. This new gathering place is a vibrant addition to Downtown KC. KC Wheel and Pennway Point Putt miniature golf are open to the public, and additional attractions are coming soon. PennwayPoint.com
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First Swim Lesson
Little ones love to play in water. You can enroll your child in age-appropriate swimming lessons at your local YMCA, where parent-child classes are offered for the youngest swimmers. These sessions are a perfect introduction to pools and water fun.
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First Smiles
Keep those smiles healthy with a visit to a pediatric dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that babies visit the dentist by their first birthday. Parents are able to hold their little one during the exam and get great tips on the teething process and care of Baby’s teeth. The Smile Spot and LeBlanc & Associates are two local dentistry offices known for top-notch kid-friendly care and customer service. Your child is guaranteed to receive extra TLC at his first checkup.
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First Baseball Game
Take the family to a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium and cheer for the Royals. Infants do not require a ticket, but you may purchase Blue Crew kits with discounted tickets and souvenirs for children. Print off this certificate to commemorate your child’s first game at The K: MLB.com/royals/ballpark/first-game-certificate.
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First Park Day
Swing and slide at the park. Here are three of our favorites: Meadowbrook Park is home to 80 acres of green space featuring the Treeline Adventure destination playground, a pavilion, pickleball courts, fitness equipment, lakes and more. Antioch Park has several great play areas, including Old Dodge Town, a Wild West village. T.B. Hanna Station includes a new playground with a train theme and splash pad that is inclusive for children of all abilities. For more fabulous local parks, visit KCParent.com and click “Going Places” then search Parks to find the best park near you.
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First Cultural Experience
Cultivate that love for art at an early age with a visit to the stroller-friendly Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, where admission is always free. For added fun, check out our Nelson-Atkins scavenger hunt (KCParent.com). The kids will love it! Stop by the information desk where you’ll find useful guides and tours. Bring your baby in a stroller or front carrier and take a self-guided tour of the museum.
Nearby, enjoy the flowers at Kauffman Memorial Gardens. This free, small but exquisite garden is the perfect size for a toddler outing. Enjoy the conservatory where something is always in bloom and stroll the gardens and enjoy the fountain in the spring and summer.
First Hike
Meet animals on a nature walk at one of Kansas City’s local nature centers. Lakeside Nature Center is home to falcons, owls, eagles, toads, frogs, fish and insects. Burr Oak Woods Nature Center features fish tanks, turtles, bird watching, a giant indoor nature play area, walking trails and an outdoor discovery center. Ernie Miller Nature Center has paved trails through the woods, making this a great place for a stroller walk.
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Kansas City Zoo
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Kansas City Zoo
First Zoo Trip
When the sun is shining, head outside and visit the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, where you can watch sea turtles, lobsters, sharks, octopuses, jellyfish and a variety of fish. Throughout the zoo, enjoy penguins, sea lions, a polar bear, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, kangaroos and other beloved animals. Be sure to enjoy a carousel, train, boat or Sky Safari ride while you’re there!
First Trip to the Farmstead
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is one of the most affordable family outings in Kansas City. Children enjoy bottle-feeding baby goats, seeing cows, pigs, chickens and bunnies, playing on the playground, riding kid-sized tractors and enjoying the great outdoors. The park and petting zoo are the perfect outdoor field trip for little ones.
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Worlds of Fun: Planet Snoopy
Worlds of Fun: Planet Snoopy, Kansas City, MO
First Roller Coaster
When the sun is shining, take the family to Worlds of Fun, where your child will enjoy tyke-sized fun meeting the Peanuts gang and trying rides in Planet Snoopy, a themed section of the park with more than 20 rides and activities for little ones.
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Feeding Fish at Longview Lake
First Visit to the Lake
Feed the fish at Longview Lake Marina (9898 Longview Rd., Kansas City, Mo.). Take your little one out on the dock in his favorite life jacket, then head to the marina shop there to purchase affordable fish food. Children love watching the fish eat from the dock.
Or visit Shawnee Mission Park Marina or Lake Jacomo, where you can rent pontoon boats, paddle boats, kayaks and canoes (boats available vary with each lake) for a family excursion.
Kristina Light writes about fun things to do in KC year-round on KCParent.com.