I come from a long line of age-gappers. My grandmother, mother and I all have had families of two older boys and a girl that came six years later. You would think I would have been prepared when my third bundle of joy came along. Instead, I panicked a little. Family togetherness is very important to us. What activities could we possibly find that would be equally as interesting and engaging to our 12-and-8-year-olds as our baby?
Luckily, the Kansas City Metro area is perfect for families like ours. If you are a fellow age-gapper, read on to find four of our family’s top picks for fun within the gap.
The Kansas City Zoo
One of my first postpartum errands was to run right out to the Kansas City Zoo to purchase a family membership. I am not one to commit long term, but my fear of commitment was eased by simple math. If you plan to go to the zoo with your family of five more than once in a year, this just makes sense. Our family chose the mid-level version (Gold for $115) that allows us to ride the train, tram and carousel without having to dig for change.
When you buy a membership, the pressure is off to hit the whole zoo in one day. Typically, our family will just go to one section per visit (Africa or Australia). One time we just went to watch the Wings of Wonder bird show and see a few nearby animals. There is even a play place for small children just outside the doors of the auditorium if your little one(s) get fidgety! Monica Brown, Gardner mom of two, says, “The kids and I went to the zoo with a friend who just turned 3. It's tricky to find things my kids (11 and 13) still enjoy that are in the "little kid" realm, so I was delighted that they enjoyed riding the Skyfari and walking the "wiggly" suspension bridge to see some African animals.”
Sea Life Aquarium (Crown Center Area)
You might be sensing a theme here. Our family LOVES animals, and if I have learned anything about life within the gap it is this: To entertain all, one must seek out eye candy. The aquarium has much to offer for all ages. The older kids love to read about the animals and try to outdo each other answering the quiz questions throughout the facility. Younger children enjoy watching the colorful sea animals in any one of the many tanks, domes and tunnels. Brenda Fuentez, Gardner age-gapper says, “My 12-year-old liked everything (about the aquarium), especially the starfish and sea anemones at the touch pool. My 7-year-old liked the octopus and going in the tube to see the fish.” Tickets are fairly reasonable, especially if you purchase them online ($11-$15 depending on age; 2 and under are free).
Brown reminds me that the general Crown Center area is appealing to the whole family. She says, “We are watching a friend's 4-year-old soon and plan to do Crown Center with everyone, including Kaleidoscope, the Crayola Store and Hallmark Visitor's Center. This area really does work for the age range. Also, interestingly enough, much of it can be done for free, including parking if you get it validated.”
Sky Zone
When my Shawnee students started telling me about this place that had wall-to-wall trampolines, I was intrigued. I decided to take the crew and check it out, not sure whether the toddler would be able to jump. Little ones were hopping all over the open play area, and she squirmed like crazy to join them! There is even a toddler time on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:00 for walkers up to age 6. Abigail Lynn, one of my sixth grade students, says, “My mom loves taking my little brothers to toddler time so she can get a break!”
The older kiddos had a blast in the dodge ball, basketball and foam pit areas. These areas were divided according to age and supervised well by staff. On our first visit, we went with a 30-minute jump pass for $9 each. The kids were still going strong after a half hour of play, so our next visit was for a full hour for $13. The kids were pretty pooped after that, so that was about right for our family.
Local Community Centers
My first boy was fairly quiet and able to entertain himself well. When my second—very busy—son came along, I searched desperately for inexpensive activities to match his activity level. Our local community center was (and is) my saving grace. For just $46 a month, our whole family has unlimited use of the pool, gym, playground and game room. At our center (Matt Ross Community Center in old Overland Park), you may also buy day passes for $7. Insider tip: At Matt Ross, you do not need to be a member to play on the indoor playground, and it is so much cleaner than the typical fast food restaurant version.
Other community centers like ours are popping up all over the Metro, so check with your community website to find one near you. It is comforting to know that even in the cold winter months, our family has somewhere to go and be active when cabin fever sets in!
My best advice for life within the gap is this: just get out there! Don’t be afraid to try new experiences. And for those times when it is too hard to bring the little one(s), no one will blame you for getting a sitter.
Courtney Moffitt is a teacher and Overland Park mother of three who has been known to get a sitter from time to time.