Ages 6-8 | Museums, Theatre & Arts

Silver Tree Visual Arts

Silver Tree Visual Arts is a place where kids will explore REAL art! I love their motto -- "Not Crafts, Creative Thinking". Kids can enjoy weekly classes in painting, pottery or drawing; attend a creative workshop or explore a new art technique during a summer camp. Birthday parties and special seasonal events are also offered throughout the year!

Before Your Visit:

Check the schedule for dates/times of classes & events and be sure to register before your visit.

Classes are drop off so parents are welcome to stay in the lobby or return for pick up -- only kids are allowed in the studio.

Kids will be involved in hands-on art activities so dress accordingly!

Explore Art Classes & Events:

A variety of classes are offered including:

Drawing

Painting

Sculpture

Students will start learning about value, color theory and using contrast to create dynamic, interesting artwork. Kids will talk about perspective, art theory and learn how Master Artists such as Picasso and Monet became who they were.
Classes are kept small so the instructor can give more one on one with each student.
Kids will start exploring with different mediums and learn the proper ways to use them.
A Gallery is hosted at the end of each session so kids can show off their work to family & friends!

Special classes can be arranged for children with special needs, scout troops, homeschool groups & private lessons.
Summer Camps offer a variety of opportunities to explore new art techniques!

Birthday Parties

Parties are 1.5 hours and kids can choose their own project (Name canvas, Rainbow Loom) or create a custom party.
Silver Tree will provide the project, table coverings, forks, spoons, napkins & cups. You are welcome to bring any add'l decorations you would like.
Parties begin at $15/child (with a $100 min.) and can host up to 20 kids.
The Birthday child will receive their own t-shirt too!

Learn More about Art:

The Dot

A child who thinks she can't draw receives wise words from her teacher "just start with a mark and see where it takes you" in this wonderful story of encouragement and finding your inner creative!

Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists of All Ages

Tons of ideas for creating with all types of mediums.

Discover Art in Kansas City:

For more fun places to explore art around Kansas City, visit these locations:

Kids will enjoy explore more about Master Artists and seeing various types of artwork during a visit to the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art.

Kaleidoscope hosts free family art session throughout the year for creative kids!

Published in Ages 6-8 | Museums, Theatre & Arts

UMKC Kid's Club

The Conservatory at UMKC hosts The Kid's Club, a great first introduction to music and dance. Kids are able to hear a variety of music, learn about music theory and terminology, and experience some wonderful concerts and shows. Events are held four times per year, from 10 am - 11 am on a Saturday morning at the UMKC campus.

UMKC will not be offering the Kids Club sessions in 2013/2014. We will update our listing if they decide to restart the programs.

Before the Performance:

Read one of these great kids books about music and orchestras under out "Let's Make Music Together" recommendations.
Arrive early to get a good seat and see any pre-performance events.
Talk to your child about 'how to behave' at a show: when to be quiet, when to clap, staying seated so others can see, etc. Many of these shows are interactive so kids may be asked to get up and get involved!

This Season's Shows:

To Infinity and Beyond

October 13, 2012

Music from Pixar Movies and classic westerns with be shared, along with a live version of the score to a short film about the Hubble Space Telescope

Aesop's Fables (Dept. of Dance)

November 3, 2012

UMKC Daners will whirl they way through some of Aesop's greatest fables - “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “ The Boy who Cried Wolf,” and the “Ant and the Grasshopper.” Watch as they use dance, movement, and music to tell the story!

How The Camel Got His Hump

January 26, 2013

A fun operetta for young audiences, this performance will be based on Rudyard Kipling "Just So Story" and will feature singers, piano and percussion.

Children's Story Corner

February 23, 2013

Enjoy two mini-musical performances - the first is based on an original story about a girl who loves to dream. The second has kids visiting an imaginary land and will feature a brief chamber opera in three acts with projected shadow art. A wonderful combination of math and music!

Discover More about Classical Music:

Listen to music from a variety of composers online via the Dallas Symphony Organization.
Learn about and listen to the various instruments in an orchestra. Once you've learned about them, you can make your own tune with the 'composerizer'!
Check out a full symphony show by attending one of the family events at the Kansas City Symphony.

View UMKC Kid's Club in a larger map

Published in Ages 6-8 | Museums, Theatre & Arts

Theatre for Young America (TYA)

Theatre for Young America has been entertaining kids for more than 30 years. They offer a great first experience for children and their families wanting to attend a live theater production. Located in Union Station, TYA offers shows with both familiar storylines, along with some creative adaptations. The following shows are recommended for this age group --

Before the Show:

Read the book for the show you'll be seeing - ask your kids what they think they might see at the play.
Talk about theater etiquette - 'how should we behave at a play'. This is a great time to practice being considerate of others.
Remember to use the restroom if you need to so you don't miss any of the performance!

Explore the Performances:

Many of the TYA productions are based on children's books so we recommend reading the book before or after the show!

Charlotte's Web

March 3, 2015 - April 11, 2015

A classic tale of friendship between a young girl, her pig and all the animals of the barnyard! Kids will also enjoy the film adaption of Charlotte's Web (2006) which is a fun compare/contrast activity after seeing the play too.

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake

April 21, 2015 - May 16, 2015

Adapted from the hilarious book, follow along on this crazy adventure to see what happens if you if you do indeed decide to give a cat a cupcake!

The Princess and the Pea

June 9, 2015 - June 27, 2015

Will a girl shows up at a castle, will the royal family be able to tell if she's a true princess?

Discover More:

Talk to your kids about what they liked, how the play was different from the book, and who was their favorite actor.
Ask them if they have any questions - sometimes kids will ask things about noises backstage, lighting and sound.
The Coterie Theatre also has great kids' shows - check them out!

View Theatre for Young America in a larger map

Photo credit: Theatre for Young America

Published in Ages 6-8 | Museums, Theatre & Arts

Coterie Theatre

Do you have a drama queen at home? Or a child that loves to act things out? Take them to see a play at the Coterie, voted one of the "5 Best Kids Theaters" in the country by Time Magazine. Located in Crown Center, the Coterie has wonderful shows that will entertain everyone in the family. Recommendations for this season include:

Before You Go:

Talk to your kids about seating - kids have the option to sit on the floor at the Coterie, or sit in chairs with you. If they choose floor seats, make sure to discuss keeping hands and feet out of the aisles and staying seated so everyone around them can see.
Look at the playbill - talk to your kids about the actors and set.
Review theater etiquette -- be sure to keep your voices low if you have a question and stay seated so others can enjoy the performance.

Performances for 2014-2015:

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat

March 31, 2015 - May 17, 2015

So many antics to follow along with as The Cat, Thing 1 & Thing 2 entertain Sally and Dick for the day. Based on the much loved children's book!

A Year with Frog & Toad

June 16, 2015 - August 2, 2015

A musical adaptation of the book series -- learn how their friendship endures through all types of weather and seasons!

Discover More:

Theatre for Young America (TYA) is another great place to catch a kids' theatre show in Kansas City!

View Coterie Theatre in a larger map

Published in Ages 6-8 | Museums, Theatre & Arts

Paul Mesner Puppets

Come enjoy the story, the puppets and the laughs! You'll think the puppets at the Paul Mesner Puppet shows are actually alive - they have such great personalities. This season, the shows are all based on popular children's stories too! Highlights this season include:

Before the Show:

Make sure to read the book with your child - they may recognize some of the story during the show.
Ask kids what they think the puppets might look like and what types of puppets might be used in the show.
Get there early - these shows are very popular with school groups.

Discover Paul Mesner Puppets:

Go, Dog. Go!

Performances: November 2 - 27, 2011

The Nativity

Performances: December 9 - 11, 2011

Strega Nona

Performances: January 25 - February 19, 2012

Rapunzel

Performances: March 7 - April 1, 2012

The Stinky Cheese Man

Performances: June 6 - July 1, 2012

After the Show:

Talk to your kids about how the puppet show may have been similar or different from the story you read.
Ask kids what they liked about the show:
- which was their favorite character/puppet,
- what did they like about the set, and
- do they have any questions about how things were done.

Published in Ages 6-8 | Museums, Theatre & Arts

Kaleidoscope

Come and see what your kids can create at a fun & exciting hands-on art studio. At this FREE attraction, budding artists can explore and create while painting with hot wax, coloring a puzzle and making fun pieces of art.

Before Your Visit:

Check the calendar for the dates & times of Family and Individual Sessions. Adults & children can attend sessions together, or children ages 5+ can attend Individual Sessions.
Tickets are first come, first serve so plan to arrive early.
Kids will draw and paint so make sure they have on appropriate clothes.

Explore Kaleidoscope:

Art projects are changed at different times during the year. Some of the things you can enjoy include:

Enter the dark room & paint with hot-wax.
Use lights in the dark room to paint Kids can also 'paint' on the wall using lights.
Make your own puzzle by putting a drawing through the puzzle machine.
Use ribbon, stickers and die-cuts to create your own piece of art.
There are many cool places to explore so don't make sure to look around.

Learn More:

Create your own art online at the National Gallery of Art's Kids site.
If you kids enjoy exploring with art, try one of Ed Emberly's drawing books - fun and easy ways for kids to learn to draw:

View Kaleidoscope in a larger map

Published in Ages 6-8 | Museums, Theatre & Arts

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Walk through the sculpture garden, visit the gallery of Egyptian art and see a mummy, attend one of the family events, and have a snack at Roselle Court. There's a lot to explore at the Nelson-Atkins Museum.

Before Your Visit:

Ask your child to pick a common object (such as flowers, cars, books) and see how many pieces of art you view that includes this object.
Use one of the Family Guides to the galleries during your visit. This little booklet has some cool activities for kids to do during their visit.You can print them before you go or stop at the main desk to pick one up once you arrive.
Bring a sweater - the museum can be a little cool at times.
Make sure to get your tickets if you're going to visit one of the special exhibits.
Check the calendar for any tours or events you may want to attend.

Explore the Nelson-Atkins:

Sculpture park - view more than 30 sculptures in the outdoor park. You can download an audio tour and explore an interactive guide. The museum has nice audio content especially for kids.
Connect items with books - have your kids ever read a story about a mummy? Or one with knights in shining armor? The museum has a mummy, suits of armor and other cool items.
Go on a Mask Hunt - search the museum galleries for different types of masks (hint: check the American Indian, African & Contemporary art galleries)
Art from Around the World - explore items from Japan, China, Egypt, Greece, and many other countries.
Paintings - visit the American or European Galleries to view colorful works of art. Kids can look for familiar objects in the paintings, such as musical instruments, animals, etc.
Current exhibitions - the Museum's Chinese Art Gallery is now open with some wonderful models and statues that kids will enjoy.
Family weekends - check out the great family events held each month.
Rozzelle Court - during your visit, stop for a cookie or lunch in Rozzelle Court, and enjoy the view from the balcony.

Learn More:

Once home, pull out a map and identify the different countries based on what your kids saw at the museum.

Read a book about art:

James Mayhew authors the 'Katie' series, a group of books where Katie visits the museum and then ends up inside various works of art. "Katie Meets the Impressionists" introduces famous works of art from Money, Renoir and Degas.