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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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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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Tractor Daze + Mud Run and 39th Annual Show N’ Shine Truck & Car Show at Ag Hall of Fame

 

Photo credit: Ag Hall of Fame

There are a couple of great summer fun events this month at The National Agricultural Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas. 
 
On July 14, 2012, bring the whole family out for "Tractor Daze and Mud Run" starting at 9 a.m. The rumble - rumble of an antique tractor kicks off a day full of family fun that doesn't end until the vroom – vroom of the last Mud Run competitor. From 9:00 am until 4:00 pm enjoy activities include an Antique & Classic Tractor Pull, Lawn Tractor Pull, Kiddie Pedal Pull, Miniature Train Rides, Milking Demonstration, Stagecoach Rides, FREE Blue Bell Ice Cream and Bounce House, Hay Rides, Farming Demonstrations, Working Antique Construction Equipment, Shawnee County Sheriff's Posse, Midwest Mustang & Burro Rescue, Blacksmith, Living History, and more! The Mud Run starts at 4:00pm.

Admission prices are as follows: Adults $10, $5 for children 4-16, under 4 and members free.

Photo credit: Ag Hall of Fame

Then, on July 28, 2012, you'll want to join in with muscle cars, classic trucks and more!  The 39th Annual Show N’ Shine Truck & Car Show will feature a variety of cars and trucks from antique roadsters to modern Trans Ams.  Special admission price of only $3 per person gets you into the show plus museum exhibits, living history, miniature train rides and more.

Interested in showing off your car or truck?  There will be Dash Plaques & Door Prizes, Top 60 and Best of Show.  Registration is $20 per vehicle from 8 am until 11 am.  This is sponsored by the Genuine Chevy GMC Truck Club of KC. Fun for all ages!

The National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame is located just northeast of I-70/K-7 interchange in Bonner Springs, Kansas, two miles west of the Kansas Speedway.  For more information call 913-721-1075 or visit them online at www.AgHallofFame.com.

About the Agricultural Hall of Fame

The National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame is a nonprofit 501(C)3 organization that was Chartered by congress to serve as the National museum of agriculture and to honor American Farmer.  The 164 acre museum complex features the Agricultural Hall of Fame, Museum of Farming, National Farmers’ Memorial, Poultry Museum, Educational Garden and FarmTown USA, an early 1900s farming community which includes a farmstead, one room school, railroad depot, blacksmith shop and more; a narrow gage miniature train takes visitors on rides around the town.  The Smith Event Barn, the Rural Electric Conference Theater, and the Ag Hall of Fame’s park-like grounds are available for corporate outings, receptions, seminars, and weddings.

Visit Jacob L. Loose Park Sprayground This Summer

With the recent announcement that Crown Center will no longer permit visitors to run through the fountains, many of you -- our readers and loyal followers -- are looking for a good alternative to help fill that void.

Jacob L. Loose Park is one of Kansas City's not-so-little gems!  This park is not only a historic park in the metro, but is quite large and has enough character to serve as a fun place to throw a frisbee around, take a walk, explore nature, and yes, even run through water!  It's home to a nice size sprayground that has been delighting KC kids for years!

Their spray park/sprayground is completely FREE and open to the public and offers kids fun spots to run through water, get squirted, and just enjoy some cool relief from the hot summer sun. There are several shelter area tables around the perimter of the spray park, however you may want to bring towels or blankets for seating and picnic time.  So gather up your swimsuites, towels, sunscreen, food, drinks, and snacks and make a day of fun for the entire family!

The spray park at Loose Park in Kansas City, MO is located at approximately 51st & Wornall on the West side off Summit Street, and is open May 28 through September 5, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is The park is closed on Wednesdays.

What are your favorite outdoor places to go in the summer? Join the conversation on our Facebook page here.

2012 Guide to FREE Summer Movies in Kansas City

Enjoy these free or low-cost summer movie programs that encourage and promote family time.  They'll keep your family entertained all season long!

 

Mulberry Lake @ Briarcliff Village
Enjoy movies every Saturday (June 2 - July 21, 2012) @ 8:45 p.m.
Bring blankets, dinner, snacks.

June 2 - Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
June 9 - Smokey and the Bandit
June 16 - Angels in the Outfield
June 23 - Despicable Me
June 30 - RV
(No movie 4th of July weekend)
July 14 - Cowboys and Aliens
July 21 - Wall-E

FREE Summer Movies Series @ Phoenix Theatres at Legends KC
Enjoy PG & G rated films every Tuesday & Wednesday in June & July at 10 a.m.  Doors open at 9 a.m. All ages & groups welcome!

June 5 & 6 - Rio / The Smurfs
June 12 & 13 - Ramona & Beezus / Rango
June 19 & 20 - Charlotte's Web / Puss In Boots
June 26 & 27 - Rugrats: The Movie / Kung Fu Panda
July 3 & 4 - Rugrats In Paris / Kung Fu Panda 2
July 10 & 11 - Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were Rabbit / How To Train Your Dragon
July 17 & 18 - Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked / Madagascar
July 24 & 25 - Dr. Suess' Horton Hears a Who / Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Moonlight Movies on the Independence Square
Shown every Thursday June 7 - August 9 at 9 p.m. under the warm summer sky.
Concession offerings are also available for purchase.

June 7 - Madagascar 2
June 14 - The Smurfs
June 21 - Cars 2
June 28 - Puss in Boots
July 5 - Kung Fu Panda 2
July 12 - Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs
July 19 - Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
July 26 - The Muppets
August 2 - Happy Feet 2
August 9 - The Adventures of Tintin

Screenland Family Fun Summer Movies
@ 2450 Grand Blvd., 3rd Floor, Kansas City, MO 64108
Enjoy family-friendly movies all summer long! Tickets are just $3 each.

 June 8 thru 21 - Shark Tale
June 22 thru July 5 - How To Train Your Dragon
July 6 thru 19 - Puss In Boots
July 20 thru August 2- Kung Fu Panda
August 3 thru 16 - Shrek

Webb Park's Movie Night in the Park
@ Webb Park, 1800 SE Oak Ridge Dr., Oak Grove, MO 64075
Bring the whole family out to enjoy an outdoor movie on the big screen. Bring blankets and chairs and head up to the park to settle in for a night under the stars! In case of bad weather, movie will be shown at the Civic Center. 

June 15 - Movie title TBA
August 10 - Movie title TBA

Gladstone Amphitheatre Movies in the Park
@ Oak Grove Park Amphitheatre, 7010 N. Holmes, Gladstone, MO 64118

June 15 - Cars 2
July 20 - Puss in Boots

Hyde Park Children's Film Festival
@ 36th & Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO
Bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy these FREE festivities:  movies, entertainment, and prizes!  Concerts at 7:30 p.m., movies at 8:30 p.m.

July 6 - Hugo
July 13 - Never Say Never
July 20 - Flight of the Navigator
July 27 - The Muppets

Movie Mania at Plaza Branch Library
@ Truman Forum - Plaza Branch Library, 4801 Main St., KC, MO
FREE, air-conditioned family-friendly movies at 2 p.m.!

June 13 - The Muppets
June 27 - The Adventures of Tintin
July 11 - Hop
July 25 - Dolphin Tale
August 8 - The Lorax

Family Night Dive-In Theater
@ Merriam Aquatic Center, 6040 Slater, Merriam, KS
Enjoy a fun family movie while floating in the pool beneath the stars!

August 3 - Kung Fu Panda 2

 

Kansas City Guide to Summer Festivals & Fairs in 2012

Downtown Olathe Arts Festival (FREE) - June 9-10, 2012
Historic Downtown Olathe, Park & Cherry St., Olathe, KS

St. Dionysious Greek Festival (FREE) - June 8-10, 2012
St. Dionysios Greek Orthodox Christian Church, 8100 W. 95th St, Overland Park, KS

Fiesta Filipina - June 9-10, 2012
Filipino Cultural Center, 9810 W. 79th St, Overland Park, KS

Festival on the Trails (FREE) - June 9, 2012
E Shawnee St & N Elm St., Gardner, KS 66030

Sugar Creek Slavic Festival - June 9, 2012
Mike Onka Memorial Building grounds
11520 E. Putnam in Sugar Creek

Crown Center Antique Festival (FREE) - June 9-10, 2012
Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108

Parkville Jazz, Blues and Fine Art River Jam (FREE) - June 15-16, 2012
Main St. & Hwy. 9 Parkville, MO 64152

Jazz in the Woods Festival (FREE) - June 15-16, 2012
Corporate Woods, College & Antioch Rd., Overland Park, KS

Family Fun Days Sports & Fun Fest (FREE) - June 16, 2012
Kansas City Power & Light District, 14th & Walnut Sts., Kansas City, MO 64106

Fiesta Kansas City - June 22-24, 2012
Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108

Booms & Blooms at Powell Gardens - June 30, 2012
1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO 64061

Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens - August 3-5, and 10-12, 2012
1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO 64061 

 

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.