Best of July in Kansas City: 2012

June 26, 2012

9:59 a.m.

Happy July Kansas City! Fireworks, Festivities, fabulous live productions and Summer Fun await at Kansas City's attractions!

4th of July Festivities

When, Where, What: Fireworks, Parades, Festivals, Picnics and Music! Kansas City knows how to celebrate Independence Day! Use our guide to 4th of July in Kansas City to discover wonderful Independence Day Traditions or revisit those that are familiar.
One of our FREE Day Time Faves: Flags For Freedom June 30-July 7, Merriam Marketplace (5740 Merriam Dr.). Celebrate America at this patriotic display of over 3,000 American Flags. Throughout the event, there will be special Concerts, Ceremonies, and Festivities throughout the event honoring the American Armed Services including free concerts every Friday night at 6:30pm. All events are family-friendly and FREE of charge. 913.384.5440 www.flags4freedom.org

Once Upon a Mattress at Coterie

When, Where, What: Coterie Theatre performances of Once Upon a Mattress thru August 5 at Coterie Theatre located on the First Floor of Crown Center (2450 Grand Boulevard KCMO). Individual tickets $10 for youth, students and seniors; $15 for adults; $9 for Season Ticket holders. Tickets may be purchased online at www.coterietheatre.org or by calling the Coterie box office (816) 474-6552 from 10 a.m. to 4 p. m. Monday through Friday.
Why We LOVE It: Coterie's family-friendly production, Once Upon a Mattress, is a summer Must See that will leave you laughing, singing, and smiling all the way home! Read our review of Once Upon a Mattress with tips to make the most of your experience!

Heart of America Shakespeare Festival

When, Where, What: thru July 15, enjoy two FREE Shakespearean plays: Antony and Cleopatra and Midsummer Night's Dream. The shows alternate each night. Shows at 8pm. No show July 4. More info at Heart of America Shakespeare Festival.
We We LOVE It: The Pre-Show Festival is almost as much fun as the show itself! Puppet shows, jugglers, musicians, and period performers set the tone for a magical evening of live theater and Shakespeare. Bring a picnic and a blanket and curl up for a night of culture in Kansas City. It's an annual tradition to pack a picnic and enjoy FREE Shakespeare in the park... this is a summer Must See!

Adventures in Learning: Toy & Miniature Museum

When, Where, What: Every Wednesday in July from 1-3:30pm at the Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City (5235 Oak Street Kansas City, MO. 816.235.8000). Visit the Toy & Miniature Museum website to learn about each week's theme. FREE with Museum Admission.
Why We LOVE It: Adventures in Learning are special programs every Wednesday. The Museum hosts tours, gallery talks, and workshops designed to explore different aspects of the collection. We especially love these programs as they simply make visits to one of our favorite places even better! The Toy and Miniature Museum housed in the former Tureman Mansion, captures the imaginations of visitors young and old with its incredible collection of dollhouses, dolls, model trains, marbles and antique toys from around the world. Families will appreciate the special touches throughout the exhibits, including “touch me” buttons with working lights so you can see inside the tiniest of dollhouses, and step stools so little ones can see at their eye level. This is one destination loved by all generations and all ages—you’ll enjoy exploring childhood memories of years gone by through one of the most fun and magical museums in Kansas City!

Mahaffie Family Fun Night

When, Where, What: Mahaffie Family Fun Night 6-8 PM every Thursday Night in July, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm (1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe, KS). FREE admission. Enjoy a variety of historic-themed activities each week. Special activities like stagecoach rides are $2/person. 913.971.5111 www.mahaffie.org
July Themes: July 5: Hit the Trails; July 12: Border War Showcase, July 19: 19th Century Chores, July 26: 19th Century Farming (Wheat Harvest)
Why We LOVE It: Mahaffie is hosting special programs on Thursday evenings from 6-8pm when the farm truly comes to life with hands-on history from the 1850s. Activities include free activities (for example: butter churning, planting seeds, tours of the home) and activities with a small fee (for example: Stagecoach rides, working in the Blacksmith Shop, Grinding Corn)and they vary with the theme each week. Our children were enthralled at the blacksmith shop where they made their own "S Hooks" last year and the stagecoach ride is a fun historic experience.
Bonus: Read our tips for the most fun at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop before you go.

Cedar Cove Saturday Night Feeders

When, Where, What: Every Saturday at 4 pm, through the end of October, Cedar Cove is hosting public feedings of the cats and remaining open until 5pm, weather permitting.
Why We LOVE It: We love summer day trips and Louisburg offers unique options on Saturday nights! Read our tips for the best Day Trip to Louisburg to plan a fun filled day!

The Doo Dads perform at Summer Sounds at Park Place

Okee Dokee Brothers at Park Place

When, Where, What: July 12 at Park Place Leawood, part of the Summer Sounds Concert Series every Thursday from 6:30 – 8:30 PM.
Why We LOVE It: Free Outdoor Summer Concerts are a Kansas City summer tradition and this summer, Park Place is featuring performers just for kids every second Thursday! Local musicians will take the stage to provide entertainment as guests can relax in Barkley Square. This year, guests can look forward to mixing up their music tastes with a variety of music genres including pop, world, ensemble, and children’s music. The second Thursday of the month is especially for children and will feature bands and acts catered to children’s musical taste.
Bonus: Read our tips for a fun-filled night at Summer Sounds at Park Place.

Fairy Houses & Forts - And an Enchanted Evening

When, Where, What: Powell Gardens (816.697.2600. 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50 Kingsville, MO.) exhibit Fairy Houses & Forts: An Enchanting Garden Adventure through Oct. 7.
Special Event: Enchanted - A Magical Evening in the Gardens July 13, 6-9pm. Twilight is magical at Powell Gardens! Join us for an enchanting evening with fun for all ages. Fun and Games with Radio Disney - Cool glow-in-the-dark fun, music, dancing and prize giveaways from 7 to 8 p.m. Make s'Mores over a bonfire. Enjoy appearances by woodland faeries from Midwest Mythicals.
Why We LOVE It: Enter a magical world of childhood fantasies come true during this imaginative exhibition. Regional designers have created large-scale fairy houses and fanciful forts to inspire, amuse and ignite an interest in exploring the great outdoors.From the mysterious structure on Skeleton Island to the hide-in-plain-sight fun of "Mirror-Mirror," the exhibition is a garden kingdom waiting to be discovered and the exhibition is included with regular Garden admission.
Bonus: Read our Review of Fairy Houses & Forts and learn how you can make your own creations!

Ponies and Pancakes

When, Where, What: Ponies and Pancakes is a family fun event that benefits the SIDS Resources. Bring the whole family out to the Ranch on Saturday July 21st from 9am to 12pm to enjoy a pancake breakfast and pony rides -- along with our petting farm animals, moonwalks, and ranch recreation activities. Visit Ponies for Pancakes for more information.
Why We LOVE It: No one throws a party like Faulkner's! One of our favorite family-friendly fun-filled venues, Faulkner's hosts unforgettable events the entire family LOVES and to top it off... this one supports a GREAT cause!

FREE Sprint Family Fun Days: Summer Beach Party

Sprint Family Fun Days

When, Where, What: July 21 from 11am-3pm at KC Power and Light District. Sprint Family Fun Days are offered on the 3rd Saturday of the Month May-Oct. July's theme is a Summer Beach Party with a concert performance by Mr. Stinky Feet!
Why We LOVE It: Live music, puppets, art... what's not to love? Rock n' Roll the day away with the entire family! Enjoy free activities and fun for the kids, live shows, and attractions. Best of all... it's all FREE!
Bonus: Read our tips for for the most fun at Sprint Family Fun Days.

Stomp with the Dinosaurs! and enjoy FREE Puppet Shows

When, Where, What: FREE hands-on children's exhibit, Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice™ at Crown Center, through Sept. 9. Open during Crown Center shopping hours. 816.274.8444
Why We LOVE It: Summer is great, but let's face it... it tends to get hot! What better way to cool off than with a FREE indoor air-conditioned excursion into the world of Fire and Ice at Crown Center's newest exhibit for children. Created by the Minnesota Children’s Museum, this interactive traveling exhibit transports visitors back in time to when the dinosaurs last roamed the earth. Encounter realistic, fully touchable dinosaurs, including a Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops. At the Big Dig, children unearth fossils and identify them in the Field Research Station. See a smoldering volcano, dinosaur puzzles, an “icy” slide and prehistoric cave. At the photo kiosk, visitors can take a photo with a dinosaur and email a digital postcard to family and friends. And, while you're there... be sure to follow our Tips for the BEST Day at Crown Center!
Bonus: Enjoy FREE Puppet Shows at Crown Center every Saturday in July!!! A Crown Center tradition continues with performances from the region's most exciting puppeteers. Scheduled to perform: Clement McCrae Puppets (July 7), StoneLion Puppet Theatre (July 14), Bob Kramer Marionettes of St. Louis (July 21) and Paul Mesner Puppets (July 28).

Addams Family and Peter Pan at Starlight

This summer Starlight offers two shows for Families...
Addams Family: July 3 - 8 at 8 p.m. When daughter Wednesday falls for a sweet, smart, 'normal' young man, the shoocking development turns The Addams Family downside up. Suitable for most audiences. Tip: Visit Starlight's info sheet for detailed information about the Addams Family production.
Peter Pan: July 24 - 29 at 8 p.m. Tony Award nominee Cathy Rigby takes flight in a in a bold new production of the family-favorite fairy tale Peter Pan. Suitable for all audiences. Tip: Visit Starlight's info sheet for detailed information about the Peter Pan production.

Wizard of Oz at the Culture House

When, Where, What: The Culture House presents The Wizard of Oz July 27th, 7:00 pm and July 28th, 2:00 and 7:00pm. Visit http://www.culturehouse.com/productions/oz.php for more information.
One of our FREE Day Time Faves: Kansas' most famous tale comes to the stage this summer in a family-friendly production courtesy of The Culture House. Little Dorothy Gale of Kansas, like so many girls her age, dreams of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away over the rainbow to another world. Come join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they travel the universe of Dorothy's imagination.