Furry Christmas

SAT 12/20

“‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse” — or a kangaroo. That is, of course, because kangaroos and mice are not welcome in your living room. Instead, they’re stirring up holiday excitement over at the Kansas City Zoo, where you are invited to join them from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday from now until Christmas.Stop by the Red Barn for some crafting and a reading of Major Henry Livingston’s classic Christmas story of Mamma in her kerchief, Pop in his cap and the visitor who disrupted their long winter’s nap. Then, take the Santa Express to the Gundagai Theater, where (weather permitting) you can see kangaroos, wallabies and two actual reindeer, which, like Santa, are on loan from the North Pole. For information, call 816-513-5700.— Kelly Sue DeConnick

Festival

Oh, Jesus …

12/18-12/21

If you take your kids to the Ninth Annual Nativities Festival at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (416 West 12th Street), be sure to explain why they didn’t get frankincense from wise men. “Do you expect you’ll ever cure a leper? Walk on water? Tell clever parables about sheep and mustard seeds? No? Well, then I suggest you accept your relative lack of aromatherapy items.” The more than 300 nativity sets on display come from such faraway lands as Poland and El Salvador and are made from materials ranging from fabric to stones. For information, call 816-842-0416.— Gina Kaufmann

Control Freaks

ONGOING

Remote-controlled cars aren’t just for kids, and they never really were. Check out Real R/C Raceway on a Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday night for proof: full-grown men and women tinkering away on their radio-controlled cars and trucks. Real R/C Raceway (12019 East 47th Street, behind Blue Ridge Mall) has $10 races on select nights when the remote-control experts to race on the indoor dirt track. Things can get intense on race nights — that’s why the R/C track offers $5 practice sessions when races aren’t running. The store’s staffers recommend coming in Monday, Wednesday or Friday to test-drive your own remote-controlled vehicle of choice. The Real R/C Raceway’s shop sells parts, but it doesn’t rent remote-controlled cars, so bring your own. For details, call 816-358-0238.— Michael Vennard