Summertime Fun!

It is hard to believe that summer is almost here! Here are some ideas to keep you busy while school is out.

Things to do Outside

• Ice Blocks– Freeze water with plastic toys in a clean milk carton (add food coloring optional) Allow child to use plastic hammer to chip ice to get the “goodies” out
• Wash the Dishes– Fill a plastic tub with water and have child wash plastic dishes outside. Provide soap, sponges, and towels to dry.
• Mining for Gold– Spray some small rocks with gold or silver paint and bury in your child’s sandbox or dirt in the yard. Using shovels, your child can dig for treasure.
• Transparent Painting– Hang a clear, plastic tablecloth to your fence and using washable tempera paints, your child can use the sheet as a canvas.
• Car Wash– Set up a car wash area for your child to wash their riding cars and tricycles using sponges and shallow dishes of soapy water
• Sheet Painting– With an old sheet and spray bottles full of colored water (liquid tempera paint works great), allow your child to spray paint their creations.
• Rock Collecting– Give your child empty egg cartons to hunt for rocks. Provide newspaper, small containers of water, washable tempera paint, and brushes for them to paint their rocks. (Parents can use clear nail polish as a top coat to make them shine)

Places to Visit

• The Regnier Family Wonderscope: https://wonderscope.org/
• Deanna Rose Farmstead: https://www.opkansas.org/recreation-fun/deanna-rose-childrens-farmstead/
• Overland Park Arboretum: https://www.opkansas.org/recreation-fun/arboretum-botanical-gardens/
• Kansas City Zoo: https://www.kansascityzoo.org/
• Farmers Markets: Overland Park, Olathe, Gardner, Spring Hill, City Market
• Gieringer’s Family Orchard and Berry Farm: https://goberryfarm.com/

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Favorite Parks

• Lake Olathe Park: https://www.olatheks.org/government/parks-recreation/parks-trails-bike-lanes/parks/lake-olathe-park
• Bull Creek Park: https://jcprd.com/facilities/facility/details/Big-Bull-Creek-Park-101
• Stilwell Community Park: https://www.jocogov.org/facility/stilwell-community-park
• Arbor Landing Park: https://www.olatheks.org/government/parks-recreation/parks-trails-bike-lanes/parks/arbor-landing-park
• Indian Creek Park (The Library Park): https://www.olathelibrary.org/Home/Components/News/News/2971/1040
• Aldersgate Preschool Playground 🙂

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Overland Park Arboretum – a great place for kids

A couple of weeks ago my son invited me to go to the Arboretum with him.  I hadn’t been there in quite a while but I was looking forward to seeing the beautiful flowers and walking the trails.

Well, I quickly realized I needed to write a blog post about this space.  I am grateful I brought my phone along so I could take pictures.

I did not get photos of the large pond that has flowers, bridges, large Koi fish, turtles and more.  So I am borrowing this one from the internet. Click on the picture to see additional photos of the gardens.

As adults we stood and watched the fish and turtles for a while so I can only imagine the appeal they would have for young children.

HERE is a link to their website so you can look around at what they have to offer.

As we headed west we quickly came upon the children’s area of the garden.  I first noticed the train garden.  What fun!

The tracks go overhead on a bridge, through a replica of old Overland Park downtown, through a country scene and even under the sidewalk with plexi-glass over it so you can see the train.  Evidently volunteers run the track and they weren’t there yet when we were so we didn’t get to see the trains moving.  I’d suggest you call the center to see when volunteers were planning to arrive on they day you are visiting.  I know this past Sunday they said the volunteers typically get there around 9:30.

The large caboose is one the children can peek into the windows to see what that looks like.

Nearby we saw the vine tunnel.  It wasn’t completely covered this year as I have seen it some previous years I’ve visited.  It still looks like fun!

A little further down the trail there was a natural play area.  While there weren’t any children playing I could visualize the fun a young one would have navigating the different structures.

We walked the concrete paths and then the trails through the woods.  All the trails are easy walks about a mile long so children should be able to navigate them watching for wildlife and water features.  It was hot and humid on the day we visited and I still enjoyed it.  I can imagine how delightful it would be on a beautiful upcoming fall day.

At the front entrance if you head straight onto a paved trail, there are lots of different international statues.  I can see the kids enjoying the hunt for the next statue.

I hope you all take some time to enjoy the arboretum.  It typically costs just $3.00 a person however on Tuesdays there is no charge.

I’d love to see any pictures of your kids having fun playing in this beautiful place.

 

UPDATE:

10-3-18  We received these pictures of some of our Aldersgate Preschool kids enjoying the Arboretum.  I love it!

Fun in the Sun . . . and in the church!

Aldersgate United Methodist Church is offering several fun programs for young families.  A connection with a community of faith is a positive base for children as they develop and mature.  These fun activities will give you a chance to experience Aldersgate through active play, Bible teaching and fun games.  I’m sure you will want to check one (or all) of these out.

VBS! (Vacation Bible School)

The theme this year is G FORCE:  God’s love in ACTION!

Join the fun July 13-17 (with a family night on the 17th)

6:00 – 8:15pm  There is a snack supper included.

Children ages 3 years old (and potty trained) through those just completing 5th grade.

Come explore God’s love in action through science, crafts, music and Bible adventures in which you will act out the Bible stories.

The whole family is invited to join in on the 17th.  The basics of a hotdog meal is provided however each family is asked to bring a side dish to share.  There will be family games and activities throughout the evening.  Children will also be sharing the songs they have learned through the week.

 

Fun in the Sun Playgroup!

Dr. Seuss and the Bible:  Experience how our childhood favorite stories relate to Bible stories and themes.

 

 

Children who’ve just completed fifth grade or younger, along with their families, are invited to the Fun in the Sun at Aldersgate for hands-on, age appropriate playgroups.  Come join in for stories, games, fellowship and much more. Join us for all or come for one or two. Playgroups will meet on the Aldersgate playground from 6:30 – 7:30pm on the following Wednesday evenings:

• June 10
• June 24
• July 8
• July 22
• August 5

Give the church office a call at 764-7560.  Carrie Lahmeyer would be glad to give you more details!

Summer’s Here – Have some fun!

It’s hot, muggy (well at least summer is supposed to be.) Are the kid the kids already bored and driving you buggy?  What to do?  We recently asked you for ideas and I’m sharing a few with you here.

Many of you have heard about the Summer Bucket List idea.  Don’t be daunted by it.  Simple ideas can liven up a dreary, long day.  Having the ideas in mind will help you make plans that much easier.  Thank you Gwen Luzader for sharing your family’s list from last summer!

Brianne Cunningham shared a few places and activities her family enjoys:

• Kaleidoscope’s free 40 min. sessions and then playing at Union Station and the toy store in Crown Center
• Deanna Rose (information here)
• OP Arboretum is free on Tuesday’s and is only $1-2 per person on all other days
• setting up a water park in your own yard with a kid pool, sprinkler, and a slip n slide
• going the Shawnee Mission Park man-made beach ($7 a person??)
• free outdoor movies at Crown Center in July (take your own cooler!) (information here)
• free morning movies at the theater at the Legends (information here)
• nature/neighborhood scavenger hunts (here’s a link to one)

We all get comfortable with what is nearby, including our parks, but it would be fun to try new ones.  Here are a few that would be fun for kids of all ages:

 

Antioch Park (about 69th Street and Antioch Rd)  This park has the neatest little town set up for the kids to play in.  The pond is a great size for walking around.  For the adventurous kids there are large “stepping stones” to cross one area.  There is also a good playground area.

 

Black Hoof Park (also known as Lake Lenexa – about 83rd Street and Woodland) This park has a great playground area right by the main entrance that would interest a wide variety of ages.  There are also a couple of other smaller playground areas located near the lake.  The walking trail is long but manageable for the more adventurous.  The walk (if you head north on the trail) doesn’t take too long to reach the dam.  Even my adult children found it interesting to see – especially soon after a rain.

Valley Park (4000 E. 123rd Terrace, Grandview, Missouri) This park looks amazing and Ms. Kari Guinn highly recommends it!  There are rope climbing structures, tube slides, musical instruments, swinging hammocks and more.  This one seems like it is worth the drive!  You can find out more information about it here.

And finally, thanks Megan Bray for sharing this link to a website full of fun ideas!

http://www.kcedventures.com/kids-activity-guide

 

Out and About in Johnson County

I remember often looking for some simple things to do with my young children.  It seemed that enjoying a short, child appropriate activity, would make the next few days flow even better.  I think both the kids and I needed just a little outside stimulation and a little change of pace.

Hopefully this short list of activities might give you some ideeas:

**September 21 – 23:  US Toy Sidewalk Sale. Up to 90% off toys and educational supplies.  http://www.kcparent.com/Calendar/index.php/name/US-Toy-Sidewalk-Sale/event/9112/

**September 24:  Pop’n Play @ 10:00am.  Johnson County Museum.  A drop in program with age appropriate activities for children 9 months too 3 years old.   913-715-2550

**September 25:  Pay for Play @ 10:00am.  Backyard Specialists.  Play on the equipment for a couple of hours.  $2.00.  913-307-6023

**September 25 @ 6:30pm:  Music in the Gardens.  Overland Park Arboretum.  Enjoy live entertainment as you walk the beautiful trails.  They also have a children’s area with a vine tunnel, etc.    http://www.opkansas.org/events/music-in-the-gardens-4/

**September 27 & 28:  Wild West Days:  Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm offers hand–on activities and fun for the whole family.http://www.olatheks.org/parksrec/wild-west-days-2014

**October 2:  Fall Festival at Aldersgate Preschool from 5-7pm.  Join the worship from 5-5:30pm, hot dog dinner, carnival type games with prizes and other fun activities.  Shop at the Aldersgate Pumpkin Patch.   Watch for more information about this soon!

I also encourage you to check out the Macaroni Kid website.  They offer a comprehensive list of ideas and activities throughout the Kansas City area.  http://overlandpark.macaronikid.com/

Enjoy some pictures from a previous Fall Festival!