All news

Kaleidoscope

4/1/2009 6:12:14 PM

Kaleidoscope

2500 McGee St.

Kansas City, MO

816-274-8300

Hours of Operation: Call to schedule a time!

Cost: FREE!!

Taking my children to Kaleidoscope was a full circle moment for me. I remember my own Kindergarten class trip to this magical land of creativity and fun. I was thrilled to experience this special corner of the world through the eyes of my children. Kaleidoscope is packed full of discontinued, surplus and recycled materials from the manufacturing of Hallmark products. These materials become the tools for self-expression and countless hours of fun.

Many of activities that I remember from my class field trip are still used at Kaleidoscope today. Your children can design a crown and be a king or queen for the day, turn their original art work into a puzzle and express themselves with paints and crayons. Every square inch of this gift to children is packed with "jazzy junk" which is all that a child would ever need to be down right inspired. Ribbons, dots, stars, melted crayons and much more become the instruments of learning and growth through the creation of art. Prepare to spend some time here, the time will fly by and your kids will be begging to come back before you can get to the car!

Be sure to call ahead to make sure that Kaleidoscope can accommodate you on the day you are interested in visiting. It should come as no surprise that it is a very popular field trip and birthday party destination!

 

Hallmark Visitor's Center

2450 Grand Blvd.

Kansas City, MO

816.274.5745

Hours of Operation:    Monday - Thursday 9-5:00, Saturday 9:30 - 5:30

Closed holiday weekends Cost: FREE!!

 

While you are at Crown Center visiting Kaleidoscope you must tour the Hallmark Visitor's Center. Anyone with an interest in art will be inspired as they re-live the history of Hallmark from greeting cards to Keepsake ornaments, from tear-jerker movies and commercials to the Hallmark magazine. You could easily spend an entire afternoon on this self guided walking tour of their newly renovated Visitor's Center. Your children will be fascinated as they watch you make a signature Hallmark bow with the bow making machine, as it only takes a push of a button. Interact with Hallmark characters like Maxine, Andy and Revilo. A 15-minute movie helps you understand how the Hallmark artists and writers are inspired to create their art. You'll also enjoy an insider's peek into the world of Crayola and DaySpring. This would make a great outing for a scout troop or homeschool group!

The crown may be their logo for a reason, it really is a jewel of KC, be sure you don't miss this treasure.

by: Caroline Horton

filed under: Indoor Fun

tagged with:

Art Indoor Fun Activities for Kids Art Fun