The Swiss psychologist and philosopher Jean Piaget believed that children learn through play, through interactions, and experimenting.  It’s very fitting then, that the mission of the Wonderscope Children’s Museum is “sparking a lifelong love of learning through the power of play.”  I have always been a fan of hands-on learning and this place is full of it!!  Who said “green is not a creative color”? Well it wasn’t this place! Wonderscope Children’s Museum succeeds at providing tons of family fun! From the Artworks room where kids can get creative and even face paint, to an awesome interactive Lego exhibit that will have the kiddos exploring ocean life, Wonderscope excels!  The museum opened their doors in 1989 in Shawnee to kids from all around the Kansas City metro area who wanted to explore, experiment, build, and play; all the while developing science and inquiry skills, literacy skills, and most of all a love of learning.

Upon entering the old school building that is now the museum, there is a giant cage that houses two adorable guinea pigs, appropriately names Oreo and Teddy. These guys are a big hit with both the parents and the kids.  Every Saturday from noon to 1:00 is “animal chat” time and the kids can learn about their habitat, living environment as well as their favorites foods.

For parents with kids ages 6 months to 2 years there is a Small Wonders Exhibit especially for them!  One of the most popular exhibits at the Wonderscope Museum seemed to be the Farm to Market exhibit.  Dramatic play included: playing farm with a garden in which you can grow plastic veggies and then put them in a cart and check out with a cashier, eggs and chickens and much more.  The H2Oh room is another popular exhibit with water table fun.  Nothing in the rooms are off limits so the parents really have nothing to do but play or just watch their little ones have the time of their life.  It really was great fun and we would recommend this trip to a friend for sure. Be sure to check out their web site for more special events, announcements and offers:

www.Wonderscope.org

Submitted by By iFamilyKC Mom Squad member, Shari Jacobs

iFamilyKC is proud to announce SUPER WHY is coming to Kansas City at The Midland Theater in April! Be sure to visit www.iFamilyKC.com and Enter to WIN a family 4 pack of tickets!

Super WHY Live: You’ve Got the Power!

The Midland by AMC – Kansas City, MO

April 24 at 6:00pm

Tickets on sale Friday March 15 at 10am at www.midlandkc.com

Super WHY Live: You’ve Got the Power! is coming to Kansas City for the first time ever! Based on the top-rated, Emmy-nominated preschool TV series that airs on PBS KIDS everyday across the U.S., Super WHY Live brings entertainment and education together in a live show unlike any your family has seen before. It is sure to be unforgettable.

Super WHY Live was written by Super WHY creator Angela Santomero, with music by Jack Antonoff, of the Grammy-nominated band “fun.” The show is produced by S2BN Entertainment (Yo Gabba Gabba! Live, Spider-Man on Broadway, and Rock of Ages: The Musical) in association with Out of the Blue Enterprises.

Super WHY Live will stop in 26 cities across the U.S. in April and May, taking kids and parents on a live reading adventure traveling inside a book to find the answer to the question, “Who has the Greatest Super Power in the World?” The show is uplifting, entertaining, and educational. It features kids’ favorite literacy-powered super heroes: Alpha Pig with “Alphabet Power,” Wonder Red with “Word Power,” Princess Presto with “Spelling Power,” Super Why with the “Power to Read,” and their puppy pal Woofster.

Fans who want to sing along at the show can get a head start learning the music, as the soundtrack album, “Super WHY Live: You’ve Got the Power Soundtrack” from Razor & Tie is available now at iTunes, Amazon.com, and retailers nationwide.

For an extra special experience, You’ve Got the Power! Party Packages offer premium seats and a meet & greet with your favorite characters after the show.

Just a few of the nice things preview audiences have said:

• “It was good for the whole family. Our 5-year-old was mesmerized and excited all at the same time.”
• “My son absolutely loved the show! He said it was his favorite that we have ever seen live!”
• “My husband and I took our daughter and she didn’t take her eyes off the stage.”
• “Super Why Live was amazing!”
• “Very professional, colorful, highly inspirational!!! Loved it from beginning to end.”
• “Entertaining for kids and adults. Love the positive message of the show. Overall, it was spectacular!”
• “My 2.5 year old was so excited and so happy with the show. I’ve never seen him smile quite as brightly as he did while watching Super Why Live!”

For more information

Super Why Live on the web:  http://www.superwhylive.com

Super Why Live Promo on Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhvbLmS1Fwk

Yo Yo Club at the Discovery Center in Topeka

So much to see, do and learn in Topeka! What a great destination for a family day trip!

Topeka, KS, the capital city of Kansas, is the homeland for famous Topekans like Harry E. Gavitt, the spirit behind Gavitt’s Stock Exchange, which is one of the most exciting and popular games ever invented; Cyrus K. Holiday, one of the founders of Topeka; and Arthur Capper, the noted editor and politician. The city also gets little known facts: the home of the first million-dollar high school, the home of Margaret Hill McCarter, the home of Charles Sheldon who wrote In His Steps… The list can go on and on. Thus, it is not surprising to know that Topeka is one of Kiplinger’s 10 Best Cities for the next decade.

There are tons of fun things to do in Topeka, KS: If you are fond of libraries and museums, Combat Air Museum, Kansas Center for the Book and Old Prairie Town at Ward Meade Historic Site are there for you; If you would like to see animals, the renowned Topeka Zoo is your choice; Or if you are longing to see a Brian Regan show, Topeka Performing Arts Center is the place for you. See it now? Topeka, as Alissa Sheley says, is small enough to know everyone around you, but it is big enough to do fun things you can possibly imagine.

Now, we are delighted to share our recommended TOP 5 FUN EVENTS in Topeka with you and your family. Hope you can find the bright spot for a nice spring roadtrip!!

TOP 1— The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center

Website: http://www.kansasdiscovery.org/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_57835724015

The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center a center for children with exhibits for discovery and exploration! It’s a “hands-on” envirnment with focus on EDUCATION! There’s math, science, arts, creative thinking and gross motor skill activities for the kiddos.  The Center provides moms and dads with Birthday Parties & Private Events rooms, Field Trips, Exhibits and Discover Camps too!

Upcoming Fun Events for kids:

YO YO CLUB!

Begins this THURSDAY, MARCH 29

The Yo Yo Club will meet every Thursday afternoon for 6 weeks, at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. This is a great after school activity for children ages 5+ years or older. Read more about the event at http://www.kansasdiscovery.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=85

Read more about all of their upcoming events at http://www.kansasdiscovery.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=79

TOP 2— Topeka Zoological Park 

Website: http://topekazoo.org/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TopekaZoo

The Famous Topeka Zoo has been a favorite destination for kids and adults alike since the 1930s. Today, the Zoo features more than 380 animals amidst acres of native horticulture.

Upcoming Fun Events for kids:

Summer Camp Registration NOW OPEN!

Begins on this FRIDAY, MARCH 30

Giraffe Feeding, Bone Day for the big cats, Campout with Dad, and Drew @ the Zoo are waiting for your kids!! Read more about the events at http://topekazoo.org/

TOP 3— Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn 

Website: http://www.washburn.edu/main/mulvane/index.html

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MulvaneArtMuseum?sk=wall

At Mulvane Art Museum, you can see art of life because they believe art can change people’s lives. You not only gaze at pictures and works, you also get to know stories behind them.

Upcoming Fun Events for kids:

ArtLab Family Days (Free & Open to the Public)

Begins at APRIL 14, Saturday

Come to ArtLab to create artistic bird houses and feeders to shelter and feed your fine feathered friends! Read more about the event at http://www.washburn.edu/main/mulvane/files/FREE2012.pdf

TOP 4— Kansas State Capitol Building

Website: http://www.kansastravel.org/kansasstatecapitol.htm

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kansas-State-Capitol/105509059482760

Kansas State Capitol Building in Topeka, KS is the best FREE attraction in the Kansas State Capitol. The Capitol is open to visitors from 8 AM-5PM, Monday through Friday, with free tours conducted by the State Historical Society 4-6 times during the day.

*Special Note: The Kansas State Capitol dome tours have been suspended through June 2012 due to renovation. The rest parts of the building can still be visited.

TOP 5— Helen Hocker Center for the Performing Arts

Website: http://parks.snco.us/Facilities.aspx?Page=detail&RID=92

The Helen Hocker Center for the Performing Arts is an organization dedicated to enriching the cultural growth of Shawnee County community in Topeka, KS. They offer family entertainment, positive theater learning experiences in a friendly atmosphere.

Upcoming Fun Events for kids:

BathHouse Players

Begins on MAY 30, 10AM-3PM

The BathHouse Players need energetic and creative youth ages 14-18 with varied talents, who enjoy the arts and producing plays for young people. Read more about the event at http://parks.snco.us/Facilities.aspx?Page=detail&RID=92

Find an Art of Life in Topeka, KS!

Embrace a Life of Art in Topeka, KS!