Sailing on the Seven Seas, fighting sea monsters, buried treasure… the adventure, the mystery, the loot! Children love tales of Pirate adventures. This summer, take your Buccaneers on an adventure in Kansas City. Here are Eight Ideas your kids will love:
- Put a Little Argggggh in your life! Attend the workshop, “Pirates for Dummies” at the library. What happens when a jester decides to give up entertaining and join the pirates? Find out in this great new interactive show with Cornelius the Jester and Bess the Gypsy Bard. Full of comedy, action, romance and a little rap (that's all any show needs). Free, but registration is required. Available on the following dates:
• June 11, 10:30-11:30am: Parkville Mid-Continent Public Library (8815 Tom Watson Pkwy, Parkville, MO)
• July 2, 2-3pm: Blue Springs Mid-Continent Public Library (2220 South 7 Hwy. Blue Springs, MO)
• July 15, 10-11am: Liberty Mid-Continent Public Library (1000 Kent St. Liberty, MO) - Build a Pirate Ship! Your child will love building this cool Lowe's Pirate Ship! The first 50 kids to register and be present at the store at 10am will receive a kit, aprons and goggles. Offered at Lowe’s locations across the metro on June 27th from 10-11am. (www.lowesbuildandgrow.com)
- Play on a Pirate Ship! There are several parks in the metro with wonderful Pirate Ship themed playgrounds for kids. These are perfect settings for parties and everyday play!
•
Olathe's Frontier Park (15501 Indian Pkwy) is the home a Pirate Ship Playscape. This park is guaranteed to capture the imagination of your Little Buccaneers!
• Shawnee’s Listowel Park (71st and Quivira).This park is known as “Pirate’s Park” among neighborhood kids. The playground is set up in a Pirate Ship with a Captain’s wheel, flag and sails.
• Lee's Summit Missouri’s Williams-Grant Park (401 SE Howard Street) features a Pirate Ship Playground.
• Note this park is currently under remodel as of June, 2009. Kansas City Missouri’s Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park (27th Street and Gillham Road) features the re-created hull of a giant, wooden ship with a tattered sail and a crow's nest, threatened by a nearby sea monster (under repair as of Summer 2009).
- Watch Pirates on Stage!
• Treasure Island (June 23-July 3): Theater for Young America is putting on the production of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic, Treasure Island, from June 23-July 3. This exciting play starts at the Admiral Benbow Inn, where an old sea captain is given the black spot - a death mark - by pirates. Young Jim Hawkins finds the treasure map and soon sets sail for the mysterious Treasure Island. Manned by a crew of rowdy pirates, the ship becomes a scene of mutiny and conflict which spill out onto the island where Jim Hawkins proves his mettle. For tickets and show times, visit www.tya.org.
• Peter Pan (July 11-19): The Jewish Community is Center is taking families on a journey to Neverland with the family favorite, Peter Pan, from July 11-19. This magical story tells of the boy who never wants to grow up as he encounters the villainous pirate, Captain Hook, and his pirate crew. For tickets and show times, visit www.jcckc.org. - Watch Pirates on the Big Screen!
• Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: A Veggie Tales Movie. This animated film is a hysterical and wholesome tale for all ages. You can watch this film for only $2.50 (children under 3 are free) at Dickinson Theatres at 10am or 12:30pm. Available at the following locations: EastGlen 16 (June 1-4), Great Mall 16 (June 22-25), NorthGlen 14 (June 8-11), Palazzo 16 (July 20-23), WestGlen 18 (June 15-18).
• Pirates of the Caribbean. This live-action adventure tells the tale of Captain Jack Sparrow’s attempt to rescue the Governor’s daughter from pirate enemies. You can enjoy this film for FREE at Crown Center on August 14, 9-11pm. Bring your lawn chairs and pack a picnic as you enjoy this film under the Summer Sky! - Bury Treasure in the Sand! Pirates love at day at the Beach. Bring some gold coins and pirate booty (you can stock up inexpensively at U.S Toy 2008 W. 103rd Terrace, Leawood, KS) and let your kids create their own treasure maps and hunts.
• Blue Springs Lake (Jackson County Missouri, 816.503.4870, www.jacksongov.org keyword: beaches). Swimming admission: $3/ ages 15 and under, $5/ages 16 and up, Season Passes available. Open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend
• Longview Lake (Jackson County Missouri, 816.503.4870, www.jacksongov.org keyword: beaches). Swimming admission: $3/ ages 15 and under, $5/ages 16 and up, Season Passes available. Open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend
• Shawnee Mission Park Beach (Johnson County Kansas, 913.312.8847, http://www.jcprd.com/parks_facilities/shawnee_mission.cfm). Swimming admission; $3/ages 12 and under or adults over 50, $5/adults, plus 50cents for non-residents. Season Passes available. Open Memorial Day Weekend through mid-August.
• Kill Creek Park Beach (Johnson County Kansas, 913.312.8847, http://www.jcprd.com/parks_facilities/kill_creek.cfm). Swimming admission; $3/ages 12 and under or adults over 50, $5/adults, plus 50cents for non-residents. Season Passes available. Open end of May through mid-August.
• Smithville Lake Beach (Clay County Missouri, 816.407.3400, www.smithvillemo.org). Open Memorial Day through Labor Day from dawn to dusk. Fee required.
• Watkins Woolen Mill State Park Lake (Clay County Missouri, 816.580.3387, www.mostateparks.com). Open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. - Fight a Sea Monster and experience a Monsoon! Ride the Sea Dragon at Worlds of Fun or the Monsoon at Oceans or Worlds of Fun. Worlds of Fun is Kansas City’s outdoor theme park and Oceans of Fun is an outdoor water park adventure with water rides and attractions for all ages. (www.worldsoffun.com).