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5 Free Must-Do Summer Activities in KC

Looking for fun and FREE ways to entertain your kids and family this summer season?  We've got you covered!  Here are our top 5 picks for FREE summer fun activities in Kansas City:

• FREE Summer Movie Kid Camp at Alamo Drafthouse | They'll be offering free summer movie screenings all season long where you can relax and unwind with the kids in air-conditioned bliss on a hot summer day.  Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis from the box office.  Who can resist a good flick and popcorn, right?
  
   
• FREE Youth Spark Camps for Kids at the Microsoft Store | Youth Spark Summer Camps begin in June and are designed for kids ages 8 - 13.  They are offered Monday - Friday for 2 housr a day and are available in a variety of topics like Digital Movie Madness, Digital Art Smart, Game Masters, Storyteller Studio, and more!  Also check out their Tech Tots Camp, an interactive experience designed for kids ages 2 - 5.
  
  
• FREE Admission to Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens on Tuesdays | Enjoy free admission to this outdoor Johnson County gem.  Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful views and landscaping the Arbortetum offers - a fantastic outdoor summer day.
  
   
• FREE Kansas City Area Spraygrounds | Kansas City is home to several great spraygrounds / spray parks that will give your kids a place to let loose and cool off.  We've highlighted Loose Park before, but there are also many other options to choose from in the area.  What's great about spraygrounds is you can pack a lunch and make an entire day of enjoying the great outdoors.
  
   
• FREE Back-to-School Day at Toy & Miniature Museum | What better way to close out your summer break than to take part in a fun day of exploring 38 rooms of nostalgic toys and miniatures?  This is excitement and discovery that the entire family can enjoy and admission is FREE!  Takes place on August 24th.

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Free Summer Flicks | Alamo Drafthouse Hosts Summer Kids Camp

Alamo Drafthouse just announced the launch of its annual Summer Kids Camp screenings, a series of films programmed specifically for families.  This will be a great alternative to the hot summer sun for Kansas City kids, as they'll be able to take in a movie with their families together in air-conditioned entertainment bliss!  Best of all, admission to all Summer Kids Camp films is 100% free!  Additionally, you will be able to use the H&R Block Parking Garage located at 13th and Main Street. The garage will be FREE OF CHARGE after 12pm on Saturday, and all day Sunday! The only time this garage will be closed is during Sprint Center Events.  Cosentino’s Parking Garage offers $2 parking on Saturdays and FREE PARKING on Sunday with validation from Alamo Drafthouse.

Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the lobby box office.  Customers are encouraged to arrive early to snag their tickets and enjoy custom family-friendly pre-shows full of eye-popping and laugh-inducing clips and shorts appropriate for all ages!  See below for the full Summer Kids Camp 2013 lineup.

JUNE

Muppets Take Manhattan

Speed Racer

Casper

Happy Feet

JULY

The Land Before Time

Bee Movie

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie

Stuart Little

Nancy Drew

AUGUST

Spy Kids

Monsters vs Aliens

Madagascar

Muppets in Space

Summer Kids Camp screenings are open to ages 3 and up. Please, no infants (instead, check for their special "Baby Day" screenings).  All children must be accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating is unavailable for these showtimes. A ticket must be picked up at the box office before entering the theater. Our regular “No Talking” policy is still in effect, so noisy families may be asked to leave. 

For the complete lineup and synopsis of Summer Kids Camp films screening, including upcoming showtimes, visit the Alamo Drafthouse Summer Kids Camp page here.  

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Giveaway | Passes to LEGO Brick Sculpture Exhibit at Powell Gardens

 

Photo credit: Powell Gardens

 

Kids and parents alike will enjoy and appreciate the new Nature Connects:  LEGO Brick Sculptures exhibit going on right now through September 29, 2013 at Powell Gardens in Kingsville, MO. 

This newest exhibit features over 500,000 LEGO bricks all perfectly built to display butterflies, birds, and even bison!  The work of Sean Kenney, one of only 13 LEGO Certified Professionals in worldwide, is on display and there are also other fun LEGO-themed activities, stories, performances, and more that will tie in with the brick-building fun.

Entrance to the exhibit is included with regular admission to Powell Gardens, which is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $4 for children ages 5-12.  There is also free parking.

Want to win FREE passes?

We're giving away family 4 packs of passes!  The passes to the exhibit are not valid during festival dates (July 3, August 2-4 & 9-11) but otherwise good any time from June 1 through September 29, 2013.  

To be entered to win, first subscribe to our free weekly e-news and then leave us a comment here about legos, Powell Gardens, or just about anything your heart desires!  TWO lucky winners will win a family 4-pack of passes to visit the exhibit.  Good luck!

>> Want more LEGO fun around town? >> LEGO® Fun in Kansas City

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LEGO® Fun in Kansas City

This summer, Kansas City has plenty to keep your little LEGO-loving kiddos busy and entertained.  Check out the great list {below} of events and activities we've rounded up and we'll be keeping updated throughout the summer.

• Nature Connects: LEGO Brick Sculputures
  @ Powell Gardens, 1609 NW US Highway 50, Kingsville, MO
  June 1 - September 29, 2013 | 500,000 LEGO® bricks, 27 amazing sculptures, and 14 incredible displays will give your kids an unforgettable experience!  Walk by an 8-foot tall hummingbird, admire a 7-foot rose, go nose-to-nose with a 5-foot butterfly and watch an oversized LEGO® koi leap from the pools of the Island Garden.  Inspired by nature and built from nearly half-a-million LEGO® pieces, this summer exhibit features 27 larger-than-life sculptures that represent the complex and amazing network that interconnects all living things on Earth.


• Insect Engineers Discovery Station
  @ Powell Gardens, 1609 NW US Highway 50, Kingsville, MO
  June 8-9, 2013; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Just as LEGO® bricks connect to form all kinds of creations, insects use amazing engineering skills to create the structures they call home. Learn how insects build hives and underground fortresses and make a mason bee hive to take home.  


• Father's Day Concert with Dino O'Dell
  @ Powell Gardens, 1609 NW US Highway 50, Kingsville, MO
  June 16, 2013; 1:30 p.m. | Connect with Dad during a day of fun at Powell Gardens. Tour the Nature Connects exhibit, build something together in the LEGO® building area and then enjoy one of Kansas City’s top children’s performers in concert. Plan for lunch in Café Thyme or bring a picnic to enjoy in the performance area. 

• Meet a Master Builder:  Family LEGO Night
  @ Powell Gardens, 1609 NW US Highway 50, Kingsville, MO
  June 21, 2013; 6 - 9 p.m. |Join LEGOLAND Discovery Center’s resident Master Builder Jeremiah Boeher for an evening of LEGO® fun in the Gardens. The evening includes fun with Radio Disney, self-guided tours of the Nature Connects exhibit, S’more stops and activities for the kids. Reservations required. 

• LEGO® Creation Nation Building Event at Oak Park Mall
  @ LEGO Store in Oak Park Mall, 11149 West 95th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66214
  June 21 - 23, 2013 | To celebrate the one year anniversary of the LEGO store at Oak Park Mall, children, adults and families are invited to help participate in building a large-scale map of the United States using LEGO® bricks. This three day building event entitled “LEGO Creation Nation” will take place at the Dillard’s South Court at Oak Park Mall on Friday, June 21 from 11am to 7pm, Saturday, June 22 from 10am to 6pm, and on Sunday, June 23 from 11am to 6pm and is great chance for kids and adults to use their imagination and build with other LEGO fans. Throughout the weekend there will be building competitions, free LEGO giveaways, raffles and the opportunity to create a large-scale model with hundreds of other builders. Everyone who participates will also receive a free LEGO Certificate of Achievement, while supplies last.

• Nest Knitting Discovery Station
  @ Powell Gardens, 1609 NW US Highway 50, Kingsville, MO
  June 22 - 23, 2013; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. |See how birds put their building skills to the test at this drop-in Discovery Station, open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Some birds use mud, some choose sticks and some even choose spider webs! Stop by to discover the skills involved in building bird nests and try your hand at making one yourself.

• LEGO Legends of Chima Weekend at Legoland Discovery Center
  @ 2475 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO
  June 22 - 23, 2013 | 
  Celebrate the newest LEGO Saga - The Legends of CHIMA.  Enjoy the 4D Cinema now featureing the amazing Legends of Chima. Special activities include 
  special appearances by Chima Warrior, Laval, CHIMA Speedorz Challenge and receive a special certificate and an awesome CHIMA poster! Building challenges and fun contests with a chance to win cool LEGO Chima prizes.

• LEGO Brick Building Challenge
  @ Powell Gardens, 1609 NW US Highway 50, Kingsville, MO
  June 29, 2013; 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. |Show us what you can build! Bring your own sculpture built from LEGO® bricks to the Gardens to compete for great prizes, including an annual pass to LEGOLAND® Discovery Center-Kansas City and more. No entry fee is required. Click here for entry forms and full details. Don’t miss a demonstration by Bricks for KIDZ from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.!
  
  
• LEGO Family Night
  @ Powell Gardens, 1609 NW US Highway 50, Kingsville, MO
  July 19, 2013; 6 - 9 p.m. | It’s an evening of LEGO® fun in the Gardens! Meet local LEGO® building enthusiasts and check out their creations; have fun with Radio Disney, take a self-guided tour of the Nature Connects exhibit and enjoy S’more stops and activities for the kids. See details and make reservations by clicking here.

• LEGO® Brick Mosaic Art Challenge Exhibition
  @ Powell Gardens, 1609 NW US Highway 50, Kingsville, MO
  August 2 - 11, 2013 | Combine your LEGO® bricks into creative, colorful mosaics with a butterfly or related theme in this new competition, with winners receiving great prizes and the chance to have their work displayed during the 2103 Festival of Butterflies. Find details at here.

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Giveaway | Thomas and Friends Day Out With Thomas at Midland Railway in Baldwin City, KS

Bring your preschoolers to take the ride of their lives! Seen on the pages of favorite storybooks, in playrooms, and on the television screen, Thomas the Tank Engine® is adored by little engineers everywhere. Now, Thomas the Tank Engine is pulling into the Mildand Railway station in Baldwin City, Kansas this May 31 - June 2, 2013 for a larger than life experience at Day Out With Thomas®: The GO GO Thomas Tour 2013.

Day Out with Thomas is a fun-filled and exciting way for children and adults to enter the world of Thomas & Friends®. Day Out With Thomas provides an opportunity for kids to take a ride with Thomas and have their pictures taken with Sir Topham Hatt, the controller of Thomas' railway. The tour provides a unique, interactive and memorable family experience at every station, offering a variety of entertaining activities that reflect the local flavor of each stop. Different forms of entertainment – from petting zoos, miniature golf, and bounce houses to face-painting and magic shows – make each Day Out With Thomas event special. In addition, every location has a Thomas & Friends Imagination Station where you can Build with Mega Bloks® and participate in other Thomas-themed activities including stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts & crafts, and a Thomas & Friends storytelling and video viewing area.

The tour will be in Baldwin City, KS at Midland Railway May 31 - June 2, 2013.  Click here to purchase tickets or get more info.

Win Tickets!

One lucky winner will receive a family 4-pack of tickets to attend on their day of choice!  To be entered, simply leave us a comment here on this blog post -- that's it! One winner will be chosen at random and notified via email on May 29, 2013.  You MUST comment using your email address, as it is the only way we can contact you if you are the winner.  Good luck!

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Giveaway | Big Splash Event at Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City

KC metro schools are almost out for summer break!  Start your season off with some great family fun at the Big Splash event at the Great Wolf Lodge benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater KC. You choose the date you want to swim, buy and print your day pass ($10-$20) and show up for a fun day at the waterpark!  All ticket sales come back to BBBS and this is the public's only chance to swim at the park without staying over night at the lodge.

Wanna win a family 4 pack of passes?  We're giving away a family 4 pack of passes to any remaining Big Splash day of your choice -- now through May 23!

Visit our Facebook page for all the details!

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The Fresh Beat Band LIVE in Kansas City - November 2013

They're BACK!  Get your little preschoolers ready to rock, roll, and boogie with Nickelodeon's ever-popular group, The Fresh Beat Band, who will be in Kansas City for the second time later this year in November!  The live concert comes to Kansas City November 16, 2013 at 5 p.m. at The Midland in Kansas City's Power & Light District.

 The Fresh Beat Band will be performing hits from seasons one, two and three of the live-action music series that teaches preschoolers about music appreciation and how to express their feelings through movement, song and instrumental music.  Fresh Beat Band party packages, which include a meet and greet with The Fresh Beat Band, will also be available for purchase.

Also, don't miss The Fresh Beat Band’s first-ever primetime concert special which will premiere on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 6 p.m. (Central) on Nick Jr. The 30-minute special gives viewers an all-access pass to The Fresh Beat Band concert with behind-the-scenes footage and more. Fans can watch an exclusive sneak peek of the concert special at www.nickjr.com.

Tickets for their live Kansas City concert go on sale this Friday April 20 at 10 a.m. at The Midland Box Office or by calling 1-888-929-7849.

We'll also have YOUR chance to win FREE tickets to the show! Just be sure and subscribe to our Weekly e-News (it's FREE!) so you won't miss our giveaway announcement!

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Giveaway | Peter Cottontail III at Kauffman Center for Performing Arts

The musical's namesake character, Peter Cottontail III, is training to become the next Easter Bunny since his grandfather is retiring. Peter has many challenges to overcome, but learns to rely on his friends and family for encouragement and help. The young bunny manages to escape from a trap set by hunters and foil a plot by opportunistic men to take over his friends' farmhouse. These adventures help him realize that he is mature enough to be the Easter Bunny after all. Audiences will be humming along to catchy songs like "Here Comes Peter Cottontail" and "The Secret of Springtime."

Four public performances are scheduled: Friday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, March 30 at 1:00, and 3:30; Sunday, March 31 at 2:00.  Tickets are on sale now from the Kauffman Center box office and while supplies last, you can save even more with a $20 discount when purchasing 4 tickets just by using the promo code: FAMILY.

Win Tickets!

We're thrilled to partner with our friends at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts to give one of YOU a family 4-pack of tickets to the show on Saturday March 30, 2013 at 1 p.m.!  To be entered into the random drawing, simply leave us a comment below.  To receive additional entries, click the "Like" button at the bottom of this post to like this on Facebook, THEN leave a separate comment telling us you did so.

Entry period runs through March 29th and winner will be notified via email and shared on our Facebook page.  Good luck!

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Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in Kansas City

Hot dog! The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is rolling into Kansas City today and will visit Price Choppers March 7-10, 2013.  Visitors to the Wienermobile will be able to take pictures, play fun games, and receive collectible Wiener Whistles. Below is the schedule of appearances. No cost for this event.

Thursday, March 7

10:00-1:00 at 500 N.E. Barry Road in Kansas City, MO
2:00-5:00 at 9717 N. Ash Avenue in Kansas City, MO

Friday, March 8 
10:00-1:00 at 109 North Cedar in Belton, MO
2:00-5:00 at 9107 N.W. 45 Highway in Parkville, MO

Saturday, March 9
10:00-1:00 at 7000 W. 75th Street in Overland Park, KS
2:00-5:00 at 8686 Antioch Road in Overland Park, KS

Sunday, March 10
10:00-1:00 at 1100 South 7 Highway in Blue Springs, MO
2:00-5:00 at 4201 S. Noland Road in Independence, MO

For more information, please visit www.mypricechopper.com.

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Giveaway: Disney On Ice Rockin' Ever After at Sprint Center

Get ready to rock out with some of the most magical idols of all in a musical showcase that features the hottest tunes and talent from across the kingdom in Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After!  Jam to a Scottish jig as a group of royal contenders from the latest Disney Pixar film, Brave, competes to win the heart of headstrong, sharp-shooting Merida, making her ice debut!

Experience a show-stopping performance as Sebastian breaks out of his shell for one night only to make waves with Ariel. A chorus of harmless hooligans from Tangled unleashes musical mayhem when they get a visit from the sassy and spirited Rapunzel and her charming ally Flynn. And, get your feet moving as the Beast and his castle’s enchanted entourage take center stage in a spectacular show for Belle. It will be a rockin’ remix of royalty when Disney On Ice brings this superstar line-up to Kansas City's Sprint Center!

 

Show Times:
Wed, Mar. 27 at 7:00 pm
Thu, Mar. 28 at 7:00 pm
Fri, Mar. 29 at 10:30 am and 7:00 pm
Sat, Mar. 30 at 11:00 am, 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Sun, Mar. 31 at 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm

Tickets:
Order your tickets online from the Sprint Center website.  Ticket prices range from $13 - $53.

WIN FREE TICKETS! - Enter below for your chance to win a Family 4 -pack of tickets to see Disney on Ice at the Sprint Center on either Wed. March 27 @ 7pm, Thurs. March 28 @ 7 pm, or Fri. March 29 @ 10:30am!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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