Things to Do in Gardner

Mother-daughter team Juli and Breanna, who just graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in metal smithing, share their love of artistic expression at Bee Creative Studio, where they invite guests to join them in painting pottery and fusing glass. Visitors browse the ranks of piggy banks, plates, and figurines of frogs and dragons before picking up paintbrushes or the end of their braids to dip in paint. Finished pieces stay at Bee Creative while the experts glaze and fire them, and their creators can pick them up in five to seven days.

Those who want to wear their art can paint designs that Bee Creative transfers onto T-shirts, baby’s onesies, or aprons for keeping clothes clean while cooking or performing mad, mad science. Or, guests can delve into the world of fused glass, layering colors for jewelry, plates, and sun catchers that the studio experts fire and ready for pickup in a week. In addition to its open studio hours, Bee Creative hosts parties for birthday celebrants and brides-to-be.

The YWCA is the largest women's multicultural organization in existence, encompassing some 125 million members in over 100 countries. The membership represents a diversity of culture and lifestyle that assembles in 300 local associations, including the YWCA of Topeka. The Topeka chapter, first instituted in 1887, lives out the YWCA mission of empowering women with locally focused programs and outreach initiatives ranging from fitness and wellness to youth services such as Girls on the Run of Topeka. A local council of Girls on the Run International, the Topeka organization often partners with the YWCA, using running to encourage girls in grades 3-8 to live lives of confidence, health, and togetherness.

With each bounce off the bongo trampoline, jumpers feel a sensation akin to walking on the moon. Though seemingly effortless, each bounce not only thrills participants but also gives them a thorough full-body workout. The trained staff at Bungee Zoom Entertainment LLC ensures that patrons are securely fastened into their harnesses before setting them free to jump and bounce with the assistance of a pair of bungee cords attached to metal standards. The cords attach securely to the harness and hoist jumpers up smoothly, offering great vantage points from which to spot a lost uncle. Bungee Zoom Entertainment LLC is located inside West Ridge Mall, which offers a variety of other diversions once patrons are all bounced out.