Winter Olympics: Family Style

While the Summer Olympics have a long-standing history dating back to 776 BC, the Winter Olympics are fairly new in comparison. The first Winter Games took place in Chamonix, France, in 1924, drawing some 10,000 spectators. This year, the international sporting event will host 116 medal events in 16 sports over the course of 16 days and will include the debut of ski mountaineering. Approximately 93 nations are set to participate, and it’s estimated over 2 million spectators will visit to take in the events firsthand. The Games and celebrations are set to take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

About Milan and Cortina

Milan and Cortina were officially selected to host the Games back in June 2019, beating out other top contender, Stockholm, Sweden. With ice events primarily taking place in Milan and snow events set to occur in Cortina, this marks the third Winter Olympics to be held in Italy, but the first to take place in two host cities. The Games aim to utilize preexisting venues from previous Italian Olympic Games, though a new 16,000-seat arena in Milan’s Santa Giulia district will host ice hockey. Covering over 8,500 square miles of Northern Italy, this is projected to be the most geographically expansive Winter Games to date.

About the Emblem

For the first time in Olympic history, the official Winter Games emblem was decided by popular vote. The winning logo, entitled “Logo Futura,” was announced March 2025 via livestream after earning over 74% of the 871,000 votes. Logo Futura hopes to invoke a sense of consciousness and integration. A single trace comprising the number 26 highlights that any small deed can make the world more sustainable for all.

About the Mascot

If Milano Cortina 2026 is divided between two cities, it’s only fitting that these Winter Games be represented by not one, but two mascots: a dynamic duo of stoats known as Tina (short for Cortina) and Milo (an homage to Milan). Tina, the light-coated stoat, is the face of the Winter Games, while Milo, her swarthier brother, represents the Paralympic Games. This sibling set embodies the Italian spirit of natural curiosity and love for the outdoors (but let’s be honest — they’re also just downright adorable!).

About the Motto

IT’s Your Vibe.

No, that’s not a typo — “IT” represents the host country, Italy. Officially unveiled in February 2025, “IT’s Your Vibe” embodies passion, energy and a connection between people and the Games. As a fluid concept, the motto morphs with each sporting event, such as, “IT’s figure skating — IT’s your vibe”.

Take an “Italian Road Trip” Around KC

Start at home with a morning activity:

Create Michelangelo ceiling “frescoes” on butcher paper taped under a table.
Build Roman arches out of sugar cubes or blocks.
Do the Leaning Tower of Pisa stack challenge — a playful STEM craft inspired by Italy’s famous landmark. Provide marshmallows or Play-Doh balls as “connectors.” Offer spaghetti noodles or toothpicks as “columns.” Have kids build a tower, then gently tilt it to recreate the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Add a fun challenge by seeing which tower can lean the farthest without falling.

Grab a quick lunch:

Bella Napoli Market (Brookside) — Cured meats, cheeses, Italian sodas, cookies.
Cosentino’s Downtown (Power & Light) — Surprisingly strong imported Italian section.

Head for an afternoon outing:

Union Station —With its grand Beaux-Arts architecture, it’s the closest KC gets to the Milano Centrale train station.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art —View the Renaissance and Baroque collections, then sit in the courtyard for an “Italian piazza” moment.
Take Italian cooking classes at The Culinary Center of Kansas City (Downtown Overland Park).

Go to dinner at one of these:

Avelluto’s (Mission) — Family-run and very authentic, with a loyal local following.
Cascone’s (Northland) — Serving authentic Italian cuisine in KC for over 70 years.
Cupini’s (Westport) — Fresh pasta and desserts.
Garozzo’s (Downtown KC and Overland Park) — A chicken spiedini icon.
Lidia’s Kansas City (Crossroads) — Upscale Northern Italian; famous pasta trio.
V’s Italiano Ristorante (Independence) — Serving old-world Italian food since 1963 — great for date nights.