Wondering how to entertain the kids in long winter months? Here are 10 KC area events
With the holidays behind us and spring break seemingly a distant oasis, you might be on the hunt for indoor activities to entertain your children in the coming weeks as the winter weather continues.
The good news is that there are plenty of options around Kansas City.
The highlight is the Coterie Theatre’s world-premiere production of “Just Ask!” Adapted from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s bestselling 2019 children’s book, “Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You,” the show will run Jan. 29-Feb. 23 at the Coterie’s theater in Crown Center. Sotomayor, who came to Kansas City last summer to work with the creative team, will return Jan. 30-Feb. 1.
“Just Ask!,” which focuses on young people with different abilities getting to know one another as they create a garden, will feature disabled actors as cast members as well as the What If Puppets. The Coterie also will present the show May 8 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., as part of the TYA/USA Festival and Conference.
Here are 10 possibilities for entertaining the kiddos over the next few weeks — perhaps as you wait for Disney on Ice running March 20-23 (perfect for most spring breaks) at the T-Mobile Center:
Winnie-the-Pooh Day
This celebration will include the story of a real World War I-era bear that inspired the fictional character as well as story-time performances by the Coterie and a screening of “Goodbye Christopher Robin.” 11 a.m. Jan. 18, National WWI Museum and Memorial (free with RSVP). theworldwar.org
‘Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!’
The Folly Kids Series brings the award-winning picture books of Mo Willems to life. 9:45 and 11:30 a.m. Jan. 22, Folly Theatre ($6; limited availability). follytheater.org
Lunar New Year Festival
In addition to live performances and demonstrations, this daylong event will feature traditional cuisine and educational activities in the Asian art galleries. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 26, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (free). nelson-atkins.org
‘Just Ask!’
The world-premiere musical based on Sotomayor’s book has music and lyrics by Omaha composer and musician Mark Kurtz. Opens 10 a.m. Jan. 29; runs through Feb. 23, Coterie ($14-$18). thecoterie.org
‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ in Concert
The 2001 movie plays on a big screen and the Kansas City Symphony performs John Williams’ score as part of its popular Film and Live Orchestra series. 7 p.m. Jan. 29-31, 2 p.m. Feb. 1, Kauffman Center ($110-$200; very limited availability). kcsymphony.org
‘George Washington Carver & Friends’
The scientist who invented thousands of uses for the peanut is the main character in a Folly Kids Series show that introduces students to legends from Black history. 9:45 and 11:30 a.m. Feb. 3, Folly Theatre ($6). follytheater.org
‘Hero: The Boy From Troy’
This musical about late congressman and civil rights hero John Lewis follows him as he meets Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Feb 19, Yardley Hall, Midwest Trust Center. ($5-$6) jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center
‘Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live’
The first live touring Fraggles show, a musical based on the Muppets creator’s characters, comes to Lawrence. 7 p.m. Feb. 20, Lied Center ($23-$40). lied.ku.edu
‘The Gruffalo’s Child’
Starlight Theatre’s indoor Performances for Young Audiences Series offers an adaptation of the beloved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 1, Starlight ($15). kcstarlight.com
‘Junie B. Jones — The Musical’
The Theatre for Young America production follows Junie on her first day in first grade. Opens 10 a.m. March 4; runs through April 12, City Stage, Union Station ($10-$12). tya.org
This story was originally published January 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
