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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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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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2013 Summer Reading Programs in Kansas City Metro & Johnson County

If you're like many other Kansas City moms and dads, you've started thinking about how to keep kids reading this summer.  We're excited to bring you our 4th Annual KC Summer Reading Programs Guide!  We've compiled some great resources for you to start thinking about summer reading programs.  Many places have already begun making their program information available, and we've included details below.  Summer reading programs offer a great way to keep kids learning and reading throughout the summer as well as provide great incentives & prizes for them!  Happy reading!

Johnson County Public Library Summer Reading Program - May 20 - August 3, 2013.  Enjoy summer reading for all ages!  Pick up a reading log at any Johnson County Library location or download one online.  Earn virtual badges for reading and doing activities, record your reading time, track books you've read, win books, and MORE!

Olathe Public Library Summer Reading Program - May 22 - August 11, 2013.  This summer's reading program theme is Dig Into Reading!  We will be exploring the wonders beneath our feet—gardens, rocks, animals, fossils, caves, gnomes, and more!  The planned activities include special programs, puppet shows, storytimes, book discussion groups, free family movies, LEGO building, chess nights, crafts, a bookmark contest, Find Fido Fridays, and more.  We will once again be starting off the summer with our Summer Reading Kick-Off for the whole family.  This summer we will also be offering two big programs off-site at the Bell Cultural Events Center located on the MidAmerica Nazarene University campus.

All young readers (going into 5th grade and younger) are invited to pick up a summer reading folder at the library beginning Wednesday, May 22.  Folders will also be distributed throughout the summer and will be available at our Summer Reading Kick-Off on May 28 at Frontier Park.  Use the folder to keep track of all your summer reading.  Just for fun you may also collect colorful stickers for your folder each week throughout the summer.  Bring your folder back to the library between July 29 - August 11 to receive a free paperback book! 

Scholastic Summer Challenge - Help set a world record for summer reading!  Read, log minutes, win prizes!

iVillage & PBS Summer Reading Challenge - June 17 - July 12, 2013 - Get your kids reading this summer! Join our free 4-week program and starting June 17 you’ll get daily emails filled with:

• Literacy-building tips from the experts at Sprout
• Games and activities to help foster a love of reading
• Printables and crafts to share with your kids
• A daily chance to win great prizes

Half-Price Books 'Feed Your Brain' Summer Reading Program - Kids ages 14 and under can earn Bookworm Bucks for keeping their appetite for reading during this summer.  Download a Reading Log to keep track of books read.  Turn in your completed reading log at Half Price Books by July 7 or August 11 to receive your summer reading reward!  Do you think you’re a Top Reader this summer? We’ll award one top reader per month with a TOP READER prize, a $20 HPB Gift Card!  Join them for the Feed Your Brain kick off on June 2 at 2 pm for the Biggest Storytime of the Summer at Kansas City metro local Half Price Books locations.

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library "Dig Into" Summer Reading - June 1 - July 31, 2013.  Kids can keep track of reading all summer long and earn prizes.  Join them for the Summer Reading Kickoff Celebration on June 3, 2013.  Bring the family! Pick up your summer reading logs and enjoy face painting, refreshments, and a spectacular magic show from magician Eric Vaughn!

Kansas City Public Library Summer Reading Fun - Kids ages 12 and under can pick up a reading or sign-up online beginning June 1, 2013.  Reading logs can be used for keeping track of books read or listened to and redeemed for prizes.  Kids will earn a prize for every 3 hours of listening/reading.  Teens can also have fun with summer reading - they're invited to share personal opinions about the books they read via text, e-mail, or on a Summer Reading Review Form.  Based on the number of times they share about the books they've read, they'll earn rewards and can be entered into a drawing to win a netbook.  

Barnes & Noble's Imagination's Destination Summer Reading Program - Read and record any 8 books on a reading log and earn a FREE book! Program runs May 21, 2013 through September 3, 2013.  Barnes and Noble bookstores are located in Johnson County at Oak Park Mall in Overland Park, Town Center Plaza in Leawood, and in Kansas City, Missouri at the Country Club Plaza.  Other locations are at Independence Commons in Independence, Missouri and Zona Rosa in Kansas City, Missouri.

American Girl Read-a-Palooza Summer Reading Program - May 1 - August 26, 2013.  Visit them online to print learning guides and reading-related activities. Then, visit them in store at Oak Park Mall in Overland Park, Kansas for crafts and live events.  $1 of every printed book purchased will go to Save the Children's U.S. Literacy Program. 

Mid-Continent Public Library - May 23 - July 31, 2013.  Kids ages 5th grade and under may download a reading log online or pick one up at any MCPL branch.  Children ages 0-6 are invited to listen to 24 books in order to earn a free book.  Kids ages 6-11 may log their reading minutes and earn a free paperback for every 360 minutes read. Completed reading logs may be returned at any MCPL location between the program dates.  

Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program - Download a reading form and read any 6 books from the list between May 19 - August 17, 2013 to receive a free HOOT or CHOMP backpack (while supplies last).  Books-A-Million is located at the Legends Shopping in Kansas City, Kansas.

Shawnee Books and Toys - May 18 - August 18, 2013. Every child that completes the challenge earns a goodie bag and is entered in a drawing for 1 of 2 $25 gift certificates to Shawnee Books & Toys. Kids age 4-14 are eligible to enter.  Also plan to attend the Summer Reading Challenge event!  We will have local author Dave Witaker signing his book for middle graders "Otter & Arthur" a new spin on King Arthur as well as drawings for free books, and our Summer Reading Challenge Forms. 

Chuck E. Cheese's Reading Rewards - Children can track their reading progress by printing the Reading Rewards Chart online.  Track 2 weeks of reading each day and then bring in the completed log to participating locations.  Participants will be rewarded with 10 free tokens.   Valid at all Chuck E. Cheese locations in Olathe and Overland Park, Kansas and Independence and Kansas City, Missouri.

Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge - May 16 - Auguts 26, 2013.  Keep your kids reading all summer long with recommended lists of titles.  Join in for weekly storytime on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. throughout the summer and kids will receive a special prize for completing all the books on the reading list.  Locations are in Johnson County at Town Center Plaza in Leawood Kansas and in Missouri at the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri.

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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: 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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2012 Summer Reading Programs in Kansas City Metro & Johnson County

If you're like many other Kansas City moms and dads, you've started thinking about how to keep kids reading this summer.  We're excited to bring you our 3rd Annual KC Summer Reading Programs Guide!  We've compiled some great resources for you to start thinking about summer reading programs.  Many places have already begun making their program information available, and we've included details below.  Summer reading programs offer a great way to keep kids learning and reading throughout the summer as well as provide great incentives & prizes for them!  Happy reading!

Johnson County & Olathe Public Libarary Summer Reading Program - May 21 - August 4, 2012.  This year's theme, Dream Big, READ, will feature special programs, puppet shows, drop-in activities, storytimes, book discussion groups, free movies, chess nights, games, Spanish classes, craft programs, a drawing contest, Find Fido Fridays, and more.  All young readers (ages birth - teens) are invited to pick up a summer reading folder at the library beginning Monday May 21st, or download a reading log here.  Reading logs will also be distributed throughout the summer as needed.  Use the reading log to keep track of all your summer reading.  Summer Reading Kick-Off event is on on May 29 at Frontier Park.  Collect colorful stickers for your folder each week at the library.  You can pick out a prize paperback book at any Johnson County Library location between July 1 and August 4, thereafter at any library while supplies last or until August 11. Those returning their completed logs by August 4 are eligible to enter a drawing to be a “Star” on their own Read poster and win a family 4-pack of tickets to Science City.

Scholastic Summer Challenge - Help set a world record for summer reading!  The overall record set for 2011 among all schools was 64,213,141 minutes logged!  Read, log minutes, win prizes!

iVillage & PBS Summer Reading Challenge - Get your kids reading this summer! iVillage has teamed up with PBS KIDS Raising Readers to create a free 6-week program to help children discover the joys of reading. You'll receive:

•A daily email with fun activities to build reading skills
•Tricks and advice from your Challenge coach
•Great book suggestions for kids of all ages
•Tips from other parents taking the challenge
•A chance to win daily prizes

You can even download this app which will serve as a reading timer for your kids while you're on-the-go!

Register by clicking here to get started with the program which begins June 18, 2012.

Half-Price Books 'Feed Your Brain' Summer Reading Program - June 3 - July 31, 2012.  Kids ages 14 and under can earn back-to-school book bucks for keeping their appetite for reading during this summer.  Download a Reading Log to keep track of books read.  Turn in your completed reading log at Half Price Books July 8 – August 5 to receive your $5 Back-to-School Bucks summer reading reward!  Do you think you’re a Top Reader this summer? We’ll award one top reader per age group with a TOP READER prize, a $20 HPB Gift Card!  Join them for the Feed Your Brain kick off on June 3 at 2 pm for the Biggest Storytime of the Summer at Kansas City metro local Half Price Books locations.

Kansas City Public Library Summer Reading Fun - Children are invited to sign up in person or online to participate in this fun reading program, Dream Big @ Your Library, starting on June 1, 2012.  Read books and earn free paperback books!  Join the Summer Reading Kickoff Party on Friday June 1, 2012.

Barnes & Noble's Imagination's Destination Summer Reading Program - Read and record any 8 books on a reading log and earn a FREE book! Program runs May 22, 2012 through September 4, 2012.

American Girl Read-a-Palooza Summer Reading Program - Register your daughter to keep track of books she reads then turn in the reading journal for a FREE book! Program runs May 1, 2012 - September 3, 2012.

Kansas City Spring Break on the Cheap

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Spring break is upon us and we've got LOADS of family {and budget} friendly things to do in Kansas City with the kids!  Our calendar has complete listings, but here are just a few of our favorite ideas we've listed by day during the week of Monday, March 12 - Friday, March 16, 2012:

March 12, 2012

• Will for Kids @ Indian Creek Library
  
• Spring Fling Fun @ Ernie Miller Nature Center
  
• Storytime at The Learning Tree

March 13, 2012

• Animal Tales & Trails at Crown Center
  
• Book Club & Storytime at Pottery Barn Kids stores
  
• Spring Break Cookie Decorating for Kids

March 14, 2012

• Open Play at Leaping Lizards
  
• Storytime at Barnes & Noble Oak Park Mall
  
• Girl of the Year 2012 Scavenger Hunt

March 15, 2012

• Spring Break Living History Activities at Mahaffie
  
• "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" Show in Gardner

March 16, 2012

• Plaza Bunnies & Wonderland Animals on the Plaza
  
• Spring Arts Program at Johnson County Museum

 And, if you're looking for some fun ideas on staying budget-friendly this Spring Break, check out our exclusive segment on Fox 4 News Kansas City from earlier this week!

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Oak Park Mall to open new LEGO Store this Summer

As if we all weren't thrilled enough with the news of the metro's soon-to-be-open LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Overland Park shopping mecca Oak Park Mall, has now confirmed that a brand new LEGO Store will be opening there this Summer.

The new retail store will bring about plenty of family fun in the way of store events, a variety of product offerings, and lots of hands-on fun for the little people in your lives.  A few of the store's features will include:  the “Pick-a-Brick Wall,” an area where people can hand-pick bricks in various sizes and colors; the “Living Room,” which will serve as a play area; and a “Brand Ribbon” that will span the circumference of the store, and will showcase the company history, fun facts and LEGO model displays. The 2,763-square-foot store is expected to open on the lower level between JCPenney and Dillard’s.

Get ready to be LEGO-fied, Kansas City!  Are you excited?  I know many little boys and girls will be!

Photo credit:  LEGO.com

 

Animal Tales & Trails exhibit at Crown Center

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Beginning February 4, 2012 there's a wildly fun exhibit making its way to Crown Center.  Animal Tales & Trails is an interactive habitat that will give children the opportunity to learn about some of the most fascinating creatures.  The exhibit will be open from February 4 through April 29, 2012 in the Crown Center Shops showplace.  It will be a FREE attraction open during regular shop hours and will feature several interactive stations and a reading area. Kids will delight in swinging like monkeys, climbing into an "eagle's nest", sliding down a penguin slide and more.

What's even more exciting is that Crown Center is giving one lucky person the chance to win a private safari adventure party at the exhibit for up to 20 kids!  To register for the giveaway simply visit www.CrownCenter.com/Animal by March 1, 2012 to register. 

Photo credit: Crown Center

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