Get tangled up in Disney’s 50 animated feature with Rapunzel and Flynn and enter the worlds of your other favorite Disney princesses –Tiana, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Mulan and of course, the one who started it all, Snow White.  Ahoy, Mateys!  Set sail with Peter Pan, the always-sassy Tinker Bell and the cantankerous Captain Hook and his pirate pals on an adventure beyond Never Land!  Trek the wilds of Africa with Simba, Nala, Pumbaa and Timon as they discover the true meaning of the ‘Circle of Life.’  Tick-Tock!  Tick-Tock!  Don’t be late to a very important date with Alice and the Mad Hatter as they march with the Queen of Hearts’ Army of Cards.  Relive magical moments in this ultimate Disney animation celebration coming to Kansas City!

Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove visits Kansas City from March 21 to March 25 for nine performances at Sprint Center.

Wednesday, March 21 7:00 pm

Thursday, March 22 7:00 pm

Friday, March 23 10:30 am & 7 pm

Saturday, March 24 1 :00 pm, 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Sunday, March 25 1:00 pm & 5 pm

Tickets for Disney on Ice presents Treasure Trove start at $13 and are available at the Sprint Center Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, or charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000. Opening tickets are family-friendly at $10. To learn more about Disney on Ice, visit the website, Facebook and YouTube.

We are thrilled to give TWO lucky Macaroni Kid readers a family four-pack of tickets to opening night, Wednesday March 21 at 7 p.m.  There are two entry requirements below and many options for submitting extra entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sign up as a new subscriber to win!

If you are a parent, grandparent or caregiver of kids, especially those 0-12, you need to know about Macaroni Kid for Johnson County!  This locally owned company is part of the national Macaroni Kid media brand with over 350 e-publications nationwide.  The concept is simple.  We provide a hyper-local e-publication of everything to do with kids in and around your neighborhood.   Every inexpensive and free child activity and family event in Johnson County, KS is listed for no charge.  Theater, music, arts and other cultural and live events which require advanced ticket purchase are also listed.

You can subscribe on line or in person by visiting one of our many community friends.  We would love for you to visit and support these local businesses! We will reward one lucky new subscriber who visits one of these locations to sign up with a $125 gift card to her/his favorite grocery store.

Monkey Bizness – “Where kids monkey around.” Offering open play, birthday parties, and special events. Located inside the Great Mall of the Great Plains,20080 W. 151st St, Olathe, KS 66061.

Debbie Howard’s Gym – “We want to teach the kids how to believe in themselves.” Offering gymnastics classes, open gyms, birthday and sports parties, and gym rentals. Located at 655 North Somerset Terrace, Olathe, KS 66062.

Stephanie’s Wonderland – “Every little girl should have a tutu or pettiskirt and be a princess for a day.” Find their amazing products at 115 N. Parker St, Olathe, KS 66061 (Wed-Sat), online, and also inside Mommy Shop (see below).

Mommy Shop – “Get the basics, stay unique.” 60+ vendors in one location offering unique items for maternity, gifts, infant, and children. Catering to moms with free gift wrapping, a play area for the little ones, and frequent in-store events.  Located at 14870 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66223.

Little Monkey Bizness – “Where little kids monkey around.” Offering open play, birthday parties and special events for crawling babies on up and a separate dining area with a full menu of snacks and beverages. Located at 12219 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee, KS 66216

Ceramics & Coffee House @ Paint, Glaze & Fire – Offering drop in ceramic painting, glass fusion, birthday parties, girls night out, special events, paint/story time, camps and a full service coffee bar and free Wi-Fi. Located at 12683 Metcalf Ave, at the south end of Metcalf 127 Shopping Center, Overland Park, KS 66213.

If you have a Johnson County, KS business and are interested in hosting our subscription box, please contact Gail at info@gailsscoop.com

With all the holiday festivities for the 4th of July we are a a few days late for this post. The great thing about Smart Mom University‘s Field Trip Friday themes is that you can enjoy them any day of the week!

We have really been enjoying our summer so far:

Week 1: Plants 8 places to explore plants in Johnson County

Week 2: Animals Favorite places to see animals in the KC metro

Week 3: Museums – kid-friendly museums in JoCo

Week 4: Letterboxing & Geocaching – navigating for hidden treasure

See weekly themes for the entire summer here.

Also, check out all the fun photos from around the globe on the Smart Mom University Facebook Page.

Sitting on the bleachers watching second grade baseball the other night I found myself having a conversation I have had before.  We want our kids to be good at what they do.  We feel the pain when our child strikes out or misses the catch.  I found myself saying familiar quotes: “kids develop at different speeds,” “not all kids are good at all sports,” it’s our job to expose them to different things to see what they are really passionate about.”

Most kids where we live play soccer, baseball, basketball and learn how to swim.  There are so many sports out there that kids have never seen.  The summer is a great time to either watch or try different sports through camps, classes are in your own backyard.  Here is our A-Z list to get your kids to try something new!

Archery

Badminton and Birdwatching

Chess

Darts and Diving

Equestrian

Fencing

Golf

Hot Air Ballooning

Ice Skating

Judo

Karate

Lacrosse and Letterboxing

Mountain Biking

Navigation (geocaching)

Off Road Vehicles (ATV)

Ping Pong (table tennis)

Quidditch – HA you can always read Harry Potter about a make-believe sport

Roller Skating

Skateboarding and Scuba Diving

Tennis

Ultimate Frisbee

Volleyball

Water Skiing

Xbox Sports

Yoga

Zip Lining

Many classes are offered through the various parks and rec departments.  Here are some links to program guides:

De Soto Parks & Rec

Gardner Parks & Rec

Johnson County Parks & Rec

Leawood Parks & Rec

Lenexa Parks & Rec

Merriam Parks & Rec

Olathe Parks & Rec

Shawnee Parks & Rec

Want to see other ideas.

Our friends at Smart Mom University came up with a wonderful concept this summer to host virtual Field Trip Fridays.  It is a great way to get out and explore new areas with your kids!

Here is what we have been up to:

Week 1: Plants 8 places to explore plants in Johnson County

Week 2: Animals Favorite places to see animals in the KC metro

Week 3: Museums - kid-friendly museums in JoCo

See weekly themes for the entire summer here.

Also, check out all the fun photos from around the globe on the Smart Mom University Facebook Page.

This week the theme is a treasure hunt with Letterboxing & Geocaching. We have never tried either one and are so excited to get out there.

So what are letterboxing and geocaching? 

Letterboxing is a 150 year-old game that combines navigational skills and rubber stamp artistry in an outdoor treasure hunt.  From Wikipedia “Letterboxingis an outdoor hobby that combines elements of orienteering, art, and puzzle solving. Letterboxers hide small, weatherproof boxes in publicly-accessible places (like parks) and distribute clues to finding the box in printed catalogs, on one of several web sites, or by word of mouth. Individual letterboxes usually contain a notebook and a rubber stamp. Finders make an imprint of the letterbox’s stamp, either on their personal notebook or on a postcard, and leave an impression of their personal stamp on the letterbox’s “visitors’ book” or “logbook” — as proof of having found the box and letting other letterboxers know who has visited. Many letterboxers keep careful track of their “find count”.

And Geocaching involves the participants use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to hide and seek containers, called “geocaches” or “caches”.

So how and where do we get started?

To get started, you’ll need a “trail name,” rubber stamp, pencil or pen, sketch book or journal, an ink pad (or brush markers), a simple compass, and clues. Go online to a letterboxing site to find a letterbox in your area, print the directions to the letterbox, bring your supplies and go!  For geocaching here is a great site.

You can also take a class:

1. In Overland Park, KS The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens has an upcoming Geo-Kids class on July 13, 2011.  Check out the details.

2. In Lenexa, KS there is a monthly geocaching club this summer for kids 9-15 years old at the Lenexa Community Center.  Read the story here

3. Johnson County Parks & Recis offering an Adventures in Geocaching class on July 9th at Stoll Park in Overland Park.  Read the details.

Have fun on your treasure hunt and don’t forget to post your photos on Facebook.

We have been having so much fun accompanying our friends from Smart Mom University on their virtual Field Trip Fridays taking place this summer from June 3 – August 5. It’s not too late to join us. It is a great way to get out, see something new and make memories with your kids. And if you can’t visit on a Friday, pick the day that works for you!

Last week we visited the Lazy H Ranch in Kansas City to learn about horses. We also came up with a fun list of places to visit.  Check out all the fun photos on the Smart Mom University Facebook Page.

This week the theme is MUSEUMS. See weekly themes for the entire summer here.

There are so many great museums in the Kansas City metro.  But we know moms sometimes just want to stay local. We have comprised our list of museums in Johnson County, Kansas.  These museums not only appeal to kids but they are also budget friendly. Pack a lunch and enjoy your outing!

ART:

1. Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. Located on the campus of Johnson County Community College at 12345 College Blvd. in Overland Park, KS.  This small scale museum has FREE admission. It is a great size to give young children a taste of the arts. The museum is open Tue, Wed, Thu and Sat from 10 am-5 pm, Fri from 10 am to 9 pm, and Sun 12-5 pm.  They also offer two-hour art classes for kids for only $15 ($10 for Friends of the museum).  See their website for details.

2. Kansas City Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art. Located at 5500 W. 123rd Street (inside Village Shalom) in Overland Park, KS. The gallery is FREE and open to the public Tue-Fri 11 am-4 pm and Sat-Sun 1-4 pm.

3. Irene B. French Community Center Gallery of Art. Located at 5701 Merriam Drive in Merriam, KS. Opened Mon-Thu 9 am-8 pm, Fri 9 am-4 pm, Sat 9 am-3 pm and Sun 2-4 pm. There is also a historic memorabilia room on the third floor. FREE.

HISTORY:

4. Johnson County Museum. Located at 6305 Lackman Road in Shawnee, KS. Summer  hours are Mon-Sat from 10 am-4:30 pm.  Little ones will love their interactive Kidscape exhibit.  On Fridays in the summer the museum offers a drop-in art program for kids 4-8 years old. It is from 10 am – noon and costs $3 per child.

5. Shawnee Town. Located at 11501 W. 57th Street in Shawnee, KS. Open Tue-Sat from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.  The Visitor’s Center Gift Shop is open Mon-Fri from 9 am-5 pm. Learn what it was like to live in Shawnee, Kansas in 1929.  Look at the farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, chicken coop, school house and more! $3 per adult and $1 per child.

6. Shawnee Indian Mission. Located at 3403 W. 53rd Street in Fairway, KS. This 12-acre national historic landmark is open Tue-Sat from 9 am-5 pm. $3 adults, $1 kids, under 5 is free.

7. Lanesfield School. Located at 18745 S. Dillie Road in Edgerton, KS. Open Fri-Sat from 1-5 pm. The Lanesfield School Historic Site is part of the Johnson County Museum.

8. Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Located at 1200 Kansas City Road in Olathe, KS.  Open Wed-Sat from 10 am-4 pm and Sun 12-4 pm. Visit the historic house, site grounds and Heritage Center.  Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-11. Olathe residents get $1 off admission.  Admission is free on their Family Fun Night scheduled for every Thursday from 6-8 pm through July 28th.  Check the website for details and other special events and camps.

9. Leglar Barn. Located at 14907 W. 87th Street Parkway in Lenexa, KS. Open Tue-Fri 10 am-4 pm and Sat-Sun 1-4 pm. Admission is FREE.  See the Leglar Barn Museum, Prairie Schooner, Sod House, Frisco Train Depot, Strang Line Waiting Station and the LHS Herb Garden.

10. Gardner Historical Museum. Located at 204 W. Main Street in Gardner, KS.  The museum is open Sat-Tue from 1-4 pm and Fri 4-7 pm. Admission is FREE.  Each room of the house is filled with artifacts to highlight Gardner’s early heritage.

11. The Ensor Park and Museum. Located at 18995 W. 183rd Street in Olathe, KS. This seasonal historic site is open weekends May, June, September and October on Sat-Sun from 1-5 pm. Marshal Ensor was a teacher in Olathe in the early 1900′s.  The 1890 farm home is filled with family furnishings and amateur radio equipment.

12. Historic Oxford Schoolhouse. Located within Ironwoods Park at 147th & Mission Road in Leawood. One of the oldest schools in Kansas.  Open Sat 11 am – 2 pm and Sun 1-4 pm. Visit the school and talk with a costumed docent. FREE admission.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM:
13. Wonderscope. Located at 5700 King Street in Shawnee, KS.  This interactive museum provides hours of fun. Summer hours are Mon-Sat 10am-5 pm and Sun 12-5 pm. Admission is $7 for ages 3 and up and $4 for 1-2 year old children. Check their website for concerts and other special events.

We are happy to be accompanying our friends from Smart Mom University on their virtual Field Trip Fridays taking place this summer from June 3 – August 5. It’s not too late to join us. It is a great way to get out, see something new and make memories with your kids.

Last week we checked out plants.  We came up with a great list of places to visit.  Check out all the fun photos on the Smart Mom University Facebook Page.

This week the theme is ANIMALS. See weekly themes for the entire summer here.

These are some of our  of our favorite places to see animals: Read the rest of this entry

School is out and we are gearing up for a fun summer. We will be joining our friends from Smart Mom University on their virtual Field Trip Fridays taking place from June 3 – August 5 and posting photos on Facebook.  We hope you join us! See their weekly themes here.

This week the theme is PLANTS.

Looking at plants can be as simple as taking a walk around a friend’s backyard or your local park.  If you want to go on a field trip we have listed six of our personal favorites in  Johnson County and the last two on the list are places we are looking forward to visiting.

1. Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Located at 8909 W. 179th Street in Overland Park the Arboretum offers trails through natural ecosystems, botanical gardens, including a children’s discovery garden, and an environmental education visitors center.  No plants or insects may be collected or removed from the Arboretum. It opens at 8 a.m. and is free! Restrooms are located inside the visitors center.

2. Deanna Rose Farmstead. Located at 137th Street and Switzer Road in Overland Park. If you have little ones this popular hot spot has a small discovery garden just their size. Spend the day and visit the petting zoo, one-room schoolhouse and Indian encampment, feed the baby goats, play on the playground and have a fun-filled day. The Farmstead opens at 9 a.m. and costs $2/person (over age 1) on Friday-Sunday. It is free Monday-Thursday.

3. Antioch Park. Located at 6501 Antioch Road in Merriam.  Antioch Park is an old park with mature trees, fishing ponds and walking paths.  There is a nice playground and the popular Dodge Town Play Area. Dodge Town is a group of small child-sized building structures that the kids love to run in and out of.  The restrooms are located not too far from Dodge Town.

4. Heritage Park. Located at 16050 Pflumm Road in Olathe.  This park has a beautiful lake that we just love to walk around.  Bring a picnic and sit under a nice tree and then visit one of the two playgrounds.

5. Ernie Miller Nature Center. Located at 909 N. Highway 7 in Olathe.  Ernie Miller offers a great walking/hiking outing for young families. There is prairie, meadow, forest and stream habitats to explore. Visit the gift shop for a trail map. The park opens at 9 a.m.  Restrooms are located inside the visitor center.

6. Prairie Oak Nature Center at Ironwoods Park. Located at 14701 Mission Road in Leawood. Stroll through the garden and take a walk on the two-mile walking trail.  After your walk check out the exhibits inside the Nature Center.  Have a snack at the picnic shelter which is conveniently located just steps from the playground and restrooms.

7. Sunflower Nature Park. Located at 103rd Street & Edgerton Road in De Soto.

8. Kill Creek Park. Located at 11670 Homestead Lane in Olathe.

Rainy day alternatives: Visit one of the many public libraries in Johnson County and take out some nature books.  Go online to Kansas Native Plants to look at photos and learn about plants native to our area.

Tips on what to bring: Magnifying glass for seeing up close, specimen bags for bringing home (where permitted) plant specimens, leaves and pine cones which are great for crafts, hand wipes or hand sanitizer, water and snacks.  Please be careful not to touch anything poisonous.  It definitely won’t be a fun field trip if you come home with poison ivy!

These are just some of our favorite spots to see trees and plants. Does your family have a favorite spot? Please comment here and let me know!