Young Knaves
10/11-10/12
The first thing a kid thinks about upon hearing “Renaissance Festival” (just off Interstate 70 and Kansas Highway 7 in Bonner Springs; 800-373-0357) has to be turkey legs. It’s just us dirty-minded adults who think codpiece and guys in tights. Either way, this is the last weekend to indulge in Elizabethan fun. You’ll want to make sure the kids stay focused on the theme “Mists of Eire” — which includes such events as a kilt-rolling competition and a best-kilt contest — but the real attraction for accompanying adults should be the Mr. Renaissance Romance contest that’s held every day. The winner and runner-up at the end of the season will compete for the chance to be on the cover of a romance novel. “Zounds!” is really all we can say about such Fabiotasticness. Just don’t get so caught up in it all that you forget to take the kids on the rides.— Jen Chen
Great Pumpkin!
10/10-10/12
Halloween comes in a close second to Christmas for holiday most likely to set off a kid’s nervous energy. Thoughts of endless candy, light vandalism and haunted houses tend to blot out anything else during the weeks leading up to Halloween. Rather than fighting with their kids in an effort to force them to think about something else, parents are wearing them out with the Pony Express Museum’s Pumpkin Fest in St. Joseph (914 Pennsylvania Street). Festivities kick off Friday with fall fireworks in the form of the Lighting of the Great Pumpkin Mountain, a wall of 800 pumpkins wired to light up at the flip of a switch. Afterward, kids have all weekend to get their faces painted, ride ponies and take part in the costume parade. By the time the fest ends on Sunday, parents can count on at least one night of peace and quiet. Call 800-530-5930 for more details. — Christopher Sebela
Underwater theatre
10/12-10/18
The wildly successful Finding Nemo has inspired Theatre of the Imagination‘s latest round of performing-arts classes for kids ages six through fourteen. Starting October 12 at Congregation Beth Torah (6100 West 127th Street in Leawood) and October 18 at Countryside Christian Church (6101 Nall in Mission), the troupe conducts classes in drama, musical theater and something director Miles McMahon calls “movie star acting.” McMahon says the big finale will be a show called Finding Remo. “Remo is nongender-specific,” McMahon says. “There are parts for everybody.” Call 816-561-2787 for more information. — Steve Walker
