This post is written by Dr. Donna Thomas and sponsored by Pediatric Dental Specialists, PA.

As parents, we love watching our kids thrive on the field, court, or ice. We pack the water bottles, manage the schedules, and cheer the loudest. But there is one critical item we cannot afford to overlook: the mouth guard.

Most parents are surprised to learn that one third of kids experience dental injuries while engaging in sports activities. That’s not just a mere quick trip to the dentist — it can mean broken, chipped, or completely knocked-out permanent teeth (avulsion). Such injuries often lead to lifelong dental challenges, developing into costly treatments that can frequently be avoided.

Here’s Why Making Mouth Guards a Priority this Season is Essential

Dental injuries are not exclusive to just football or hockey! These injuries can occur in soccer, basketball, baseball, and even gymnastics or skateboarding.

• Most common injuries: Cracked/broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, and significant injuries to lips and tongue.
• Long-term costs: A single injured tooth can cost up to $20,000 over a person’s lifetime.
• The “60 Times” Rule: Athletes who forgo a mouth guard are 60 times more likely to suffer a dental trauma.

Why Mouth Guards Are a Game-Changer

A quality mouth guard acts as a shock absorber, distributing the impact of a fall or collision thereby safeguarding the teeth, gums and jaws. It can even reduce the risk of concussions by stabilizing the jaw.

Tips for Selecting the Best Mouth Guard

• Custom-Fitted (Best Option): Made by your dentist, custom mouth guards provide the best fit and protection. They are more comfortable, make it easier for kids to breathe and speak, and are ideal for active athletes.
• Boil-and-Bite (Great Alternative): These mouth guards can be softened in hot water and molded at home for a more personalized fit. They are a great over-the-counter option for growing children and teens.
• For Braces: If your child has braces, wearing a mouth guard is especially important. Mouth guards help protect the lips, cheeks, and brackets during sports or physical activity and can help reduce the risk of injuries affecting multiple teeth.

The Bottom Line

A fractured or knocked-out tooth can lead to discomfort, costly treatment, and long-term dental complications. Wearing a properly fitted mouth guard is one of the easiest ways to help protect your child’s smile.

Over-the-Counter Brands We Recommend

Shock Doctor – A popular option known for its durability, comfort, and wide variety of sizes for different ages and sports. Their mouth guards also offer good protection for children with braces.

Game On – The only over-the-counter mouth guard brand that is ADA-approved. We like this option because it is designed to provide a better fit, comfort, and protection while still being affordable and easy to purchase.

Your biggest challenge may be getting your youth to wear a mouth guard. Help them become the trendsetter or be the smart player and remember “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” So, parents, let’s work together to safeguard our little’s smile!

Pediatric Dental Specialists Tip

If a permanent tooth is ever knocked out, place it in cold milk or a tooth preservation solution and contact a dentist immediately — quick action can make all the difference.

If your child experiences a dental injury during sports or everyday activities, Pediatric Dental Specialists is here to help.  You can reach our team at 913-649-KIDS (5437), with four convenient locations throughout the Kansas City metro area. Please note established patients may be seen after hours for emergent dental needs.

Interested in learning more about our office? Visit dinokidsdds.com or follow us on Instagram (@dinokidsdds) and TikTok. We would love to see your child at their next visit soon at one of our four locations in the metro: North Kansas City, Leawood, Country Club Plaza and Lee’s Summit.

The post Protect Your Child’s Smile: Why Mouth Guards Are Essential for Youth Sports appeared first on Kansas City Mom Collective.

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You’re invited to celebrate the beginning of fall with Kansas City Mom Collective at Johnson Farms Plants & Pumpkins! Grab your friends, sisters, moms and neighbors, and enjoy this night out doing all the fall things on Sunday, September 13, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Every guest at Mums Night Out will be transported to the apple orchard on a private wagon ride where they can harvest apples in some of our favorite varieties like Honey Crisp, Gala, Fuji and more.

Meg from Green Goddess will walk us through building a fall pot and decorating your fall porch.

Fuse Candle Studio will host a mobile candle experience. Make-your-own fall candle station to keep your house smelling like fall!

Girly Pop will provide fun fall sodas with their fun beverage cart!

This event will be a fun night out with the ladies! Grab your ticket today, and join us in celebrating the best season of all!

Get Tickets!

Your ticket includes:

• A perfect night out with your girlfriends.
• A fun workshop on fall pots and porch decor ideas.
• Your choice of a potted mum.
• U-pick bag of apples, picked fresh from the orchard.
• A private hayride.
• Delicious bites featuring chili, a caramel apple bar and a Johnson Farm’s apple cider donut.
• A 15% discount on any purchases made in the Johnson Farms store that evening, including pumpkins, more mums and donuts to bring home to your family
• A 25% discount on a season pass to Johnson Farms to visit throughout the Fall
• A discount for your family to play at Johnson Farms on Sept. 13 while you take part in the event

Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins is a third-generation family owned business dedicated to providing a delightful fall experience. They offer a u-pick apple orchard, a u-cute sunflower and fall flower field, a pumpkin patch, and Kansas City’s largest garden mum crop.

The post You’re Invited To Mums Night Out At Johnson Farms appeared first on Kansas City Mom Collective.

Whether you’re Irish or just Irish for the day, you and your family are guaranteed to have an absolute blast taking in all that the Kansas City Irish Fest has to offer. So toss on some green, pack up the stroller, and get ready to have some fun at Kansas City Irish Fest, running September 4-6 at Crown Center.

Irish Fest location, tickets and parking

Kansas City Irish Fest takes over the entire outdoor areas of Crown Center and extends north on Grand into Washington Square Park.

Single-day tickets and weekend passes are available and it is recommended to purchase in advance, but tickets will be available at the gate if needed. Children 3-12 must purchase a child ticket. Children under 3 are free.

Your ticket will allow you to come and go as you please on the day of admission.

Emerald Club tickets allow you access to a private shaded space with lots of perks like drink tickets, private restroom trailers and more. Children 3-12 must purchase tickets for this.

Parking is available in the Crown Center garages and is free on the weekends. The entrance to Kansas City Irish Fest is also close to the Union Station bus stop and the Union Station Streetcar stop, if you’d prefer to park elsewhere and ride in.

Schedule

Friday, Sept 4., 5-11 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 31, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.*

*The festival opens up with Mass at 9:30 a.m. Entertainment begins at 11 a.m. Sunday

Activities for Kids

From the four entertainment stages to the bountiful food options, your kids will have a blast taking in the entire festival. But the crème de la crème for kids is the Children’s Area located in Washington Square Park. The Children’s Area is open each day of the fest from the opening of the day until 8 p.m. This year’s Children’s Area will include:

• Missouri Children’s Stage with your favorite Kansas City entertainers, including KC Bubble Parties, Dino O’Dell, Mr. Stinky Feet, Rockin Rob and more! Find the full children’s stage schedule here.
• Silent Disco for the entire family
• Scavenger Hunt and take and go craft coloring activity
• Amusement activities and inflatable obstacle courses
• Face Painting (extra fee)
• Bingo
• Balloon artists and magicians

Bathrooms

The festival grounds have plenty of portable restrooms around. In addition, your ticket allows you to come and go, so you can use the restrooms (including the family restrooms) inside Crown Center as well.

Stroller and wheelchair accessibility

Ramps are installed at the festival to allow accessibility to all levels of entertainment, including the stage and spaces on the level where the ice rink is located.

A majority of the festival grounds are on paved surfaces but you will find areas set up on grassy areas as well, such as the Children’s Area in the park.

No Cash Accepted

The Irish Fest is cashless so plan accordingly. You will need a debit card, credit card or digital wallet to purchase tickets, beverages or merchandise at the festival.

Mom Tips for Kansas City Irish Fest

• Diaper bags are allowed in but will be subject to search.
• You will definitely want to make a point to catch one of the fantastic Irish dance performances happening throughout the weekend. Your children will feel like they are Irish dancers the rest of the day!
• Bring empty refillable water bottles that you can fill with water. There will be two free water fill-up stations located on Grand Blvd and in Washington Square Park.
• If the temperatures are warm, take full advantage of popping into Crown Center to cool off.
• My favorite way to explore the Kansas City Irish Fest is to take my kids earlier in the day and then return with just grown-ups in the evening to soak in the amazing music and libations.
• Don’t forget sunscreen and reapplications!

The post Moms’ Guide to Kansas City Irish Fest appeared first on Kansas City Mom Collective.

Meet us at the park this fall! Let your kids enjoy the outdoors while you enjoy some coffee, treats from our park meet-up sponsor, Holistic Planning, and conversation with other local moms.

Whether you’re new to the Kansas City area or have lived here your whole life, we’d love to meet you in person! We have three park meet-ups planned for this fall:

• Friday, September 4 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Friday, October 9 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Friday, November 6 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Location: Meadowbrook Park in Prairie Village at the inclusive playground on the east side, near the entrance off Roe Avenue.

Details: The Kansas City Mom Collective team will have a table set up at each Park Meet-Up. We’ll have hot coffee or tea and lemonade depending on the weather. We look forward to enjoying many beautiful mornings at the park with you all this fall!

Your family is the reason you plan. Holistic Planning is a planning-first fiduciary firm in Westwood that helps you create more of life’s best moments and fewer money worries along the way. We start by understanding what you want for the people you love, then build the plan to match. Remarkably personal financial advice for a fuller life. See if we’re a fit at https://holisticplanning.com/kansascity/ 

The post Join us for Fall Park Meet-Ups at Meadowbrook appeared first on Kansas City Mom Collective.

Whether you’re trying to decide what to do this weekend or looking for ideas for fall break, this list of 101 things to do for fall in Kansas City will keep you busy all season long. Check out the second half of the list for free and inexpensive ideas.

1. Visit Johnson Farms to pick apples, find the perfect pumpkin, enjoy cider and donuts and

   

   have fun on the barrel train, jump pillows, and more. The farm is open daily 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. September 11 – November 1, closing at 6pm starting Oct 12 due to losing daylight. Don’t miss our Apple Picking Guide.

2. Strap on your capes and join us for Hanging with Heroes (free admission!), Sept. 19 at Zona Rosa’s Central Park.
3. Stroll through the Plaza Art Fair, Sept. 25-27.
4. Check out the Overland Park Fall Festival on Sept. 25 and 26.
5. Head to Crown Center to experience KC Oktoberfest, a celebration of craft brews, traditional European food, engaging games, activities and Bavarian-style entertainment, Oct. 2-3.
6. Take a road trip for fall break or Thanksgiving break.
7. Plan a couples or girls’ trip to Oktoberfest in Hermann, MO. 
8. Like getting spooked? Check out one of the spooky events going on in Kansas City!
9. Check out the GloWild lantern festival at the Kansas City Zoo, opening Sept. 11.

   

10. Visit a family friendly brewery and celebrate Oktoberfest.
11. Visit the Kansas City Renaissance Festival weekends through Oct. 18.
12. Visit Pumpkin Hollow at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. It’s a great mini pumpkin patch for toddlers and preschoolers.Fall is a blast at Worlds of Fun.
13. Experience Boo at the Zoo at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium on October 24 and 25.
14. Go to Tricks and Treats at Worlds of Fun or Haunt if that’s more your speed!
15. If you have a kid that loves trains, visit one of the best places for train lovers in Kansas City.
16. Try a new pizza place, donut shop, or ice cream parlor.
17. Stroll and shop through the newly expanded Farmers Market in Downtown Overland Park. It’s now indoor/outdoor and year round!
18. Visit the Louisburg Cider Mill for cider, donuts, and their 10 acre corn maze!
19. Attend Night of the Living Farm at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead October 16-17 and 23-24.
20. Make a boo basket to surprise your neighbors and friends.
21. Go apple picking and then make applesauce or a pie to enjoy.
22. See Ugly Duckling from Theatre for Young America from Oct. 6 – 17.
23. If you’re brave, visit the Haunted Houses in the West Bottoms!
24. Immerse yourself in Dark Forest, a walk-through experience in the woods at Powell Gardens with Quixotic.
25. Explore historic Weston, Missouri during Applefest, October 3-4, featuring a variety of apple delicacies, from dumplings and pies to cookies, all made by members of local churches.
26. Celebrate Día de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) Festival at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on Nov. 1.
27. Find a family friendly place to watch the Chiefs games this season!
28. Catch a Royals Game at Kauffman Stadium before the season is over! Sluggerr’s Birthday Party is on Sept. 6!
29. Learn about the history of Jesse James at the 55th Festival in Kearney, Sept. 12, 18-20.
30. Take a fall trip to one of these top family destinations in the Ozarks.
31. Make crafts and eat plants at the Children’s Beanstalk Garden Fall Festival on Sept. 26.
32. Visit a Kansas City pumpkin patch to find the perfect carving pumpkin.
33. Take a weekend trip to the infamous Vala’s Pumpkin Patch in Nebraska.
34. Host a Chiefs Watch Party with your friends.
35. Find the best, fresh apple cider in KC with our top picks.
36. Get family photos taken during the most gorgeous season in Kansas City!
37. Get a head start on holiday shopping at the Fall Chick Event at Town Center Plaza, Oct. 3-4.
38. Slide into fun at the new Slick City in Overland Park.
39. Check out Atlas 9, this new fully immersive experience has plenty to offer including a mystery to solve, tons of photo ops, and delicious food. Use code KCMOM to save 20% on tickets!
40. Have some fall fun at Bluhawk’s Hawktober Fest on Saturday, October 10, from 1-4 p.m. with a live band, food trucks, fire and aerial performances, inflatables, hayrides, and so much more for the entire family!
41. Experience Terra Luna at the Overland Park Arboretum, September 10-12 and 17-19.
42. Stock up on fall clothes and Christmas gifts at the Just Between Friends sales in September and November.
43. Let the kids play and get messy at Bubbles and Goo in the River Market.
44. Take a stroll across the Rock Island Bridge. On Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., shop the La Placita Farmers Market.
45. Enjoy a ballet performance of The Wizard of Oz with the Kansas City Ballet at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, October 15-26.
46. See a family friendly show on the Starlight Indoors Stage. The season begins October 24 with The Snowy Day and Other Stories.
47. Cheer on your favorite softball team during the University Fall Classic, October 10 and 17, at Legends. Watch Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Wichita State take the field against the KC Diamonds.
48. Learn about the rise and fall of The Berlin Wall at the exhibit at Union Station.
49. Dig to your heart’s content at Dinozaur or Dozer, both indoor themed sandbox play spaces.
50. Root for your favorite women’s soccer team the KC Current during their Fall games.
51. See one of your favorite musicians playing at the new Morton Amphitheatre.
52. Visit Weston Red Barn Farm, Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch, or Apple of My Eye Orchard for a fun fall day.

Free and Inexpensive Ideas

1. Visit Jack’s Hollow Haunted Drive-Thru in Gardner, KS. Make sure you sign up for a time slot before they book up!
2. Take your family on a fall hike.
3. Attend one of the MANY Trunk or Treat events around town.
4. Visit a new park. Check out our guide to the best parks for babies and toddlers.
5. Play a board game at Cardboard Cafe or Pawn and Pint.
6. On a rainy day check out the indoor play areas at Foundry Church and Kaw Prairie Church.
7. Visit Kaleidoscope to get your craft on.
8. Plan a family game night.
9. Check out a stack of fall and Halloween themed books at the library.
10. Go on a fall nature scavenger hunt at Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center or yourfavorite local park and see how many items you can find with your kids!
11. Camp out in the backyard (or living room) and make s’mores in the microwave.
12. Attend the Enchanted Forest at Sar Ko Par in Lenexa on October 29.
13. Visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Every weekend they offer free crafts for families from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
14. Challenge yourself with this list of 200+ Minute to Win It Games.
15. Build a blanket fort.
16. Make a sensory bin with things you already have like rice or beans and measuring cups. Throw in some fall leaves, acorns, and mini pumpkins.
17. Eat at Spin Pizza on a Sunday when kids eat free.
18. Find a few fall crafts on Pinterest and rope your family into creating something fun

    

    during a fall crafternoon.

19. Go through old family photos together.
20. Make a visit to the Money Museum.
21. Introduce your kids to a Halloween movie like Hocus Pocus or Casper.
22. Paint kindness rocks and hide them in a nearby park.
23. Check out the Hallmark Visitors Center.
24. Get a head start on wish lists for the holidays.
25. Attend Halloween Happenings in Merriam on October 17.
26. Visit the Native Hooved Animal Enclosure in Lee’s Summit.
27. Ride the KC Streetcar. Some fun free stops would be the model train gallery at Union Station and the Central Library.
28. Buy a few tiny gourds, decorate them like you would Easter eggs, and hide them around your house or yard for a game of “Gourd and Seek” with your kids.
29. Make a thankful tree during the month of November.
30. Enjoy these screen free indoor activities for toddlers.
31. Catch a free kids concert at Midwest Trust Center: Joanie Leeds on September 26 and Matt Heaton on October 24.
32. Check out the murals in the Crossroads district.
33. Attend the Mildale Farm Fall Festival on October 31.
34. Visit a state park in Missouri or Kansas.
35. Make and donate Happy Kits for Children’s Mercy.
36. Bake a fall treat like pumpkin bread and deliver to friends and neighbors.
37. Try one of these 20 baking soda experiments for kids.
38. Visit Scheels in Overland Park. They have $1 mini-bowling and ferris wheel rides as well as an indoor play area and a candy store.
39. Play Bingo at Boulevard Brewing or another local spot hosting Bingo.

    

40. Take turns taking fall family pictures with another family at one of these great fall photography spots.
41. Go on a family bike ride.
42. Challenge your family to a 30-minute costume contest. Take half an hour to scavenge the house for the best costume pieces and props, then compare your final ensembles.
43. Bake an apple pie or try your hand at homemade applesauce.
44. Visit the Olathe Arts Festival on Oct. 9-10 in downtown Olathe featuring local artists, musical performances, and fun art activities in the Kidtopia area!
45. Find and join a moms group!
46. Sign up to volunteer with your kids.
47. Reconnect with nature at Martha Lafite Nature Sanctuary. Admission is free, but a small donation is requested.
48. Admire the fall blooms at Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden.
49. Sports lovers will enjoy the free exhibit, Sport and Spectator, at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. Contemporary artists transform sports gear and equipment into works of art!
50. Check out more ideas for free and fun things to do this fall!

The post 101+ Things to Do This Fall in Kansas City appeared first on Kansas City Mom Collective.

Toss on your cape and join us Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Zona Rosa‘s Central Park as we become a force of good in our metropolis! We are thrilled to have Oakhill Day School as our title sponsor!

Our Superheroes

Our good friends at Planet Anime Kansas City and Just Us League know superheroes and many of their nearest and dearest friends will be joining us for this amazing event. Have your cameras ready for all the photos you’ll get of your little one with their favorite superheroes. It’ll be easy to find, just look for the adorable balloon installations from Balloonista!

Our Community Heroes

Good happens every day in our community around us thanks to those who take care of us. Come visit the KCMO Fire Department and the KCMO Police Department. Meet those who make a difference in our community and check out their awesome vehicles.

Become a Hero to Others

Kansas City is very lucky to have so many wonderful organizations that take care of the city’s children in many different ways. One of these amazing organizations is Feed Northland Kids. Feed Northland Kids works to provide our community’s children the nourishment they need to grow, learn and thrive.

We will honor this organizations’ amazing work through our contributions at Hanging With Heroes.

Remember, this event is FREE but please bring a box of granola, cereal or protein bars!

Super Fun All Morning Long

In addition to the awesome fun hosted by our sponsors, charities and superheroes, you’ll enjoy dancing in the park with music from DJ Miles, playing on the playground, and Bravo Italian Kitchen will be selling superhero fuel (coffee, cinnamon rolls, breakfast burritos, pizza, cookies and soft drinks). Make sure to squeeze the day with a fresh-squeezed lemonade with a fun twist – think candy, gummies, and even edible glitter from Moore Lemonade. Special for this event, try a Kryptonite (green apple lemonade) or a K-9 Cooler (watermelon lemonade)!

• Make a heroic craft with Oakhill Day School.
• Take a super picture with superhero or villain at the Fry Orthodontics photo booth and then spin the wheel to win a SUPER prize!
• Complete your hero training with an obstacle course from Smart Beginnings Early Learning Center.
• Defeat the “sugar bugs” in a corn hole toss with KC Dentistry 4 Kids.
• Create superhero masks with Northland Catholic Schools.
• Play “Villains Attack” with Sweet Tooth Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics.
• Color your super power and play Battle of the Heroes tic-tac-toe with Ascentist Healthcare.
• Meet the superheroes and enter to win a family four-pack of tickets to Planet Comicon March 27-29, 2026.
• Test your superhero strength and sample silver dollar pancakes and donut holes from IHOP 3778.
• And more activities from AT&T, Hero Martial Arts, Brain Balance Kansas City, Amazing Lash Studio and Restore Hyper Wellness.

Let this be your signal in the sky:: Don’t miss Hanging With Heroes!

Thank you to our Title Sponsor:

Thank you to our Superhero Photo Stop Sponsor:

Thank you to our site host:

Thank you to our heroes:

Food Vendors:

Balloons by:

The post You’re Invited! Hanging With Heroes in Kansas City appeared first on Kansas City Mom Collective.

DeSoto Days Festival

Live music, a parade and carnival highlight the weekend at DeSoto Days Festival. The carnival runs Thursday through Saturday. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Other highlights include food, beer garden, local vendors, kid zone, pie contest, beard and mustache contest and more!

Kansas City Irish Fest

Santa Cali Gon Days

Family Friendly Hiking

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