Looking for Things to Do over Christmas

take them to Legends and walk around shopping and go to Cabelas and walk around.. look at the aquarium and the big room to the side with all the deer. it is really a cool store and my kids enjoy going there.

Take them to crown center and go ice skating. See if Kaleidoscope is open during that week.. they usually have free sessions to go through it and they can do a lot of hands on activities and it's usually free for the family time session. I know it's open during the summer but not sure about the winter months. Crown center usually has free events too and can check it out on their website.

Maybe plan a few hours at powerplay in Shawnee. They have a great pizza buffet and sometimes have specials if you buy the buffet you get one attraction free. Sign up for their emails and they will send you weekly specials.

Have a night and bake sugar cookies and make sure you have a ton of stuff to frost and decorate them with. kids usually love decorating them.

you only have them 5 days and will be surprised how quickly it will go and with Christmas in the midst of that I am sure they won't have time to get bored.

If they live in a country town they will be fascinated with your busy city life.. believe me there is a big difference. I know when my cousins come to visit they have a blast and think our world is so much different. We are very busy and on the go all the time and always invite them to join in our activities as most of them are at church and visitors are always welcome. They enjoy running around with us and think we wear them out so much that they are glad to get back to their simple life where they will need a few days to rest to recouperate from our crazy life and is quite an adventure for them. I do try to fit in a few fun things like shopping or taking them somewhere special or out to eat at a cool restaurant but truthfully they would be just as content sitting at our house talking and playing games.

If you really want somewhere fun to take them for a special memory. The Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park--you can buy one day passes for like 25.00 a person for the water park and swim all day long. If you don't want to spend that much maybe take them swimming to a local YMCA or indoor pool that is like 5-6.00 per person.

I would think a night at Longview in the lights, another night at the Plaza, and maybe 1 other event would be plenty for a 5 day stay.

Don't forget Science City if you are in the Crown Center/Union Station area. Also, have a burger at Fritz's in CC and a train will deliver your food.

If you are out and about, look for "Parent" magazine - they always have great ideas for things to do.

Have a great time with your family!!

we are starting a new tradition this year: putting together a Christmas puzzle.

My father passed away in October & we're struggling to find Peace....& Christmas will be a challenge, because he was so much a part of our lives. To fill our time & keep our hands busy, we're focusing on some new things....the puzzle included. It was <$10 at WalMart...& there were several Christmas themes to choose from. My family cannot resist stopping by the table & trying to fit a piece in.....so I'm hoping this will help focus some of our time.

As for that age gap, it's a challenge. Make sure each of the kids brings a goody bag of their fav treasures: for my 13 y.o., it's his DS!

Hi Dawn,

You could take them ice skating at Crown Center or go to Kalaidescope. I have family that comes in from Ohio and every year they go to Kalaidescope. There's also that Power Play in Overland Park. I haven't been there but have heard it is fun. I live in the Northland by the airport so I'm not sure exactly where it is. My kids like Dave & Busters at the Legends in KC,KS. We went to SD this summer and had a great summer vacation. It is beautiful up there. I hope you enjoy your time with your family and have a wonderful Christmas.-----J. C

You should take them to Union Station if either one is into trains. THere is a huge model train that runs in the lobby. My son who is 7 can stay and watch it for hours. Then you could go over to crown center to the Crayola store.

If they like to swim the Matt Ross communtiy center in OP has a wonderful pool with a slide and lazy river, It is open to the public and is $7 a person if not OP residents. It is located near Metcalf and 77th st. Another fun thing is the Penguin house it is located on Mur-len (Strang-line) and 130th st (take I-35 to Santa Fe go east to Mur-len go North it will be on the right) you can actually walk thru the yard, He has penguins every where.

Dawn-

I don't know anything to do where you are but here are ideas you can do anywhere!

1. Decorate sugar cookies
2. Drive around and see Christmas lights (do you have a place that really does it up?)
3. Ice skating outside (or inside)
4. Make a snowman (if you have snow)
5. Watch home videos
6. Let each sibling pick out a movie, popcorn, soda and candy and have a movie night
7. If you have friends that have children or siblings the same age as yours, have them over for a party
8. Go caroling!

How old are your siblings, and boys or girls?