Guess what? They can tell when your kid has had too much screen time

From excitement to anxiety to sighs of relief, going back to school this year looks a little different for everyone. But, according to a survey by Learning Resources, more than ever, one of the most important things is active parent involvement. In order to get an idea of what that really means, we talked to school teachers across the country (many of whom are parents themselves) and gathered up their best back-to-school tips for parents to succeed throughout the school year.  

Back-to-School Tips for Parents About Attitude

Almost every teacher we talked to said something along these lines:

“Your children take on your attitudes, BE POSITIVE!” —Michele Jenkins, Fernley Elementary School 1st-grade teacher, Nevada

“School is fun! Remind your kids to be creative and take risks.”—Anonymous 

“It’s okay to cry on that first day, it can be emotional for parents, but try and wait until your kiddo gets to the classroom before you burst into tears.”—Anonymous

Related: 16 Things Parents Don’t Need to Worry About (According to Teachers)

Back-to-School Tips on How to Dress for Success

A boy reaches for his properly labeled water bottle before he goes back to school
Name Bubbles

Consider these ideas when finishing up your back-to-school shopping.

Label everything!”—Anonymous kindergarten teacher

“Dress them for the weather because we're going OUTSIDE!”—Teacher Tom

“Be aware, those cute shoes they get WILL get dirty while doing PE. Don’t tell them they can’t run in shoes you buy them for school use. They will run at school. Don’t punish them for dirty shoes; shoes get dirty when worn properly. Also, close-toed, non-dress shoes (athletic shoes) have the best support, so please make sure they wear a pair any time they have a day that includes recess or PE.” —Anonymous PE teacher

“If they come in tie shoes, they should know how to tie them themselves, or else come in velcro.”—Erin S.

“If you live in a climate with cold winters, get your kids used to taking on and off snow clothes, boots, etc., so they have a routine for doing so before winter and the end of the day. Practice on the weekend as cooler weather arrives and make a game of it by timing each child to see who can get cold-proofed fastest.”—Anonymous

Tips for the Early Morning Routine

iStock

Not surprisingly, a lot of teachers spoke about the importance of eating a healthy breakfast, being on time for school, and getting a decent night’s sleep. Here are a few other helpful tips:

“Don’t delay drop off for little ones. Give a big hug and kiss and get out the door. Lingering only leads to upset kids.”—Early elementary teacher

“For an easier beginning to the year, start routines like going to bed and waking up on time before school starts again, not the day of.”—Jared H.

And Brad B agrees: “Get their bedtime routine back in order before school starts. Lack of sleep affects so many things beyond drowsiness or lack of attention. I personally think it undermines our confidence."

“Go to the bathroom at home before school!”—Anonymous

“Routine in the morning is important to start the day positively. Pick out clothes the night before (or even the whole week before and put in boxes for each day if you have a diva girl like mine!).”—Anonymous

Teacher Tips for School Supplies

a mom buying school supplies after getting back to school tips from a teacher
Shutterstock

School supplies don’t just mean what you need for your own child. Consider what a classroom needs and grab an extra item or two when you can afford it. Don’t forget tissue during the winter cold and flu season!

Small tokens of appreciation throughout the year are a real pick-me-up! A pad of post-it notes, sharpies….teachers are easy to please, and it’s nice to let them know you notice their hard work. Also, read the weekly newsletter...please!” —Early elementary teacher, TX

“If there are specific things on the supply list (like particular brands), I promise the teacher isn’t trying to be difficult. They’ve probably learned from experience that that particular type works the best or lasts the longest.” —Nicole D., middle school math

“As teachers, we spend a great deal of our own money on supplies to make our classrooms a more creative learning environment for your child. So please, believe me when I say that every little bit helps our classroom; an extra ream of paper, a container of disinfecting wipes, paper towels, etc. It means so much, and I promise they will be put to good use.”—Holly R., autism teacher

“Make it a habit of asking a teacher if they need anything for the classroom or upcoming projects or holidays. Most teachers will be happy to give you a few inexpensive items they need that you could pick up at the grocery store.”—Anonymous

 

Related: 15 Cool Backpacks for Kids to Help Organize Their School Gear

Back-to-School Tips About Communication

teacher talking with student
iStock

When it comes to communicating with your teacher, whether it’s messaging during the day or at parent-teacher conferences, or even a requested meeting, consider these factors from a teacher’s point of view. One overarching theme? Teachers know and love your children, too!

“Parents, teacher, and students are all on the same team–parents need to be open to communication and should be open with teachers about student needs.”—Tori R., teacher

“Remember that teachers see your children in a totally different environment with a totally different set of kids at a totally different time than you do on a normal basis. It should be expected that we see behaviors, attitudes, and reactions that are different than what we have come to know. Be open to learning about your child in a unique setting to understand them better.”—Anonymous

“Please be on time for meetings. Our time is very limited.” —Janel M., middle school teacher

“Please don’t expect an email response within the hour. We are teaching 90 percent of the day and often have meetings to attend during our conference period and/or after school.” —Kristi W., elementary teacher

“If there is a conflict at school, notify the teacher. Listen to what your child has to say and encourage him/her to tell an adult at school. Do not bash the other student in front of your child. So many times, this is just a misunderstanding that has been blown out of proportion. Little ones learn how to problem solve with their peers and hearing their parents becoming angry and calling names shows them that that is the right way, which we know it is not. Listen to the details and then call the teacher!” —Anonymous

“Meet the Teacher night (before school starts) is NOT the appropriate time to verbally tell the teacher your child’s specific needs. ... put it in writing (an email is great). So much is going on that the teacher may not remember what you told her or even who your child is yet. You might introduce yourself and let them know to look for an email from you.” —Kristi W., elementary teacher

“Teachers spend a LOT of time on communication mediums and may only have 30 minutes of prep time during the day…so read/reread ALL the emails, updates and directions before you email/call the teacher (resourcefulness and responsibility — this is what we’re trying to teach your kids, too.).” —Katie, teacher and mom

“We are here to help your child. We want the best for them just as you do. Please give us the benefit of the doubt and the respect we deserve. We are not out to get your child. We aren’t telling you things because we are mean. We are telling you the truth about your child in the classroom. And no, they may not act like that at home, but they may act differently in a classroom setting. Believe us. Help us.” —Anonymous PreK teacher

“Be sure to check in on your child’s well-being socially, emotionally, and academically and ask for help if needed!” —Tiffiny Peterson, American Heritage Charter School 2nd-grade teacher, Idaho

Related: 25 Easy First-Day-of-School Picture Ideas

Tips for Parents About Homework

A father helps his son with homework
iStock

Every parent wants their kids to do well in school, and pretty much every child will groan about homework at some point. Here are some ideas for helping kids stay on track and keep up the good work.

Set aside time daily during the first month of school to help your child unpack/pack their backpack, go over assignments, organize supplies and binders, and chat about school. This helps you both ease in and allows your student to share concerns with you organically and as they arise.” —Anonymous 7th & 8th-grade teacher

“Sleep. They are better students with a solid night of sleep as opposed to those who stayed up all night studying.” —Kathleen, teacher

“The grade is never as important as the effort behind it.”—Katy D., teacher, and mom

“Teach your students to advocate for themselves... to ask for help and to pursue it until they receive it and understand the concept with which they are struggling. A helicopter parent can never be as effective as a student who is determined to learn and knows how to make it happen, regardless of their level of intelligence.” —Jeremy H., veteran elementary and middle school teacher

“Read, read, read to your child! Be sure to talk about the book. Ask questions about the characters and the problems they face, your child’s favorite part, etc. If your child is bilingual or learning English, reading to your child in your native language will not interfere with learning English in school, but will actually help develop their background knowledge and vocabulary acquisition in both languages!” —Anonymous

“Please limit screen time and take your kids either outside to play or engage with them in a board game, puzzle, helping with homework, having them help with dinner/dishes/ANYTHING! So many young kids I teach are turning into little zombies because they come home from school and just sit in front of video games. And remember, your child is NEVER too old to be read aloud to.” —Anonymous

“Even if you don’t agree with the common core or the amount of homework, you want your child to respect his/her teachers and the expectations.” —Anonymous

Advice About Volunteering

iStock

You might not be able to make every function or volunteer a ton of classroom hours, but just being there for your kids makes a big difference. 

“For many working parents, daytime events at the school or volunteering isn’t always an option, we get that, but even just one event per school year makes a lasting memory and positive reinforcement for your child. We provide a calendar at the beginning of each school year so parents can plan ahead.” —Anonymous

“Read and play games with your kiddos! There is nothing a teacher can do that takes the place of family time!” —Tess Brist, Marion School 3rd-grade teacher, Montana

"You don’t have to be perfect. Just show up."—Anonymous

Gentle Reminders: Teachers Are Humans, Too

a teacher and students hugging, she's offering back to school tips
iStock

Don’t forget that teachers, while they are modern-day superheroes in many ways, are also human with families of their own!

“I spend seven hours teaching 125 students each day for 9 months, each year. Please don’t judge me if we meet at the grocery store and I totally space on your and your child’s names.”—Betty R., 7th-grade science teacher

“Remember that the teacher can have 30 other children—be patient and start a positive relationship from the start.”—Tori R.

“Many teachers are parents as well. Please don’t think I am ignoring your 6 p.m. email because I don’t respond within an hour. I am spending time with my own child.” —Anonymous

Related: 4 Things Teachers Don’t Want to Hear About Your Kid (& 3 They Do)

The Seattle Chinatown-International District—affectionately known as “the C-ID” to locals—is a historic, cultural destination and a gastronomic mecca. It is also a wonderland for kids, filled with unique things to do including parks, curio and toy shops, plus the famous food that has nourished local families for decades. The Seattle Chinatown-International District is so user-friendly that’s it is easy to enjoy on a whim, but its historical complexity calls out for expert advice.

We were lucky to have Tyler Moriguchi—grandson of Fujimatsu and Sadako Moriguchi, founders of neighborhood anchor, Uwajimaya—guide us through the area’s most kid-friendly aspects. Moriguchi has been a part of this vital Seattle community his entire life. “The Chinatown-International District has always had a special place in my heart and connection to my family,“ he said. “It is a dynamic, vibrant neighborhood, and it’s been amazing to see it grow and evolve over the years.” If you’re ready for a new adventure, read on for the most kid-friendly places to eat, play and shop in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District.

Where to Play & Learn in the Chinatown-International District

Kids looking at chicken coop at Denny Woo Park in seattle chinatown international district
Natalie Compagno

Danny Woo Community Garden and Kobe Terrace
Imagine a park where the locals are also farming. Meet the community as they tend their chickens, grow their flowers, and farm vegetables. There is also a Children's Garden in which 265 K-12 children go through Interim's Seed-to-Plate program, focused on raising sustainable foods, promoting better nutritional choices and teaching children the science behind food production. Kobe Terrace, replete with Mt. Fuji cherry trees, is a must-visit, especially in spring.

620 S. Main St.
Seattle, WA 98104
Online: interimcda.org/danny-woo

Hing Hay Park
When it comes to this C-ID Seattle park, the name says it all. Hing Hay means "Celebrate Happiness Public Park." Bring your junior kung fu and karate practitioners for outdoor fun. Hing Hay Park is the spot to work on these and other martial arts or practice Tai Chi or gentle meditation. Enjoy a lunchtime serenade from the local musicians.

423 Maynard Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-684-4075
Online: seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/hing-hay-park

Nihonmachi Alley
Nihonmachi translates as "Japantown," one of the many names for the area. Learn about the inspirational local history with murals featuring four neighborhood businesses that continued courageously by families returning from World War II incarceration: Kokusai Theatre, Maneki Restaurant, Sagamiya Confectionary and Uwajimaya Grocers. You'll find Nihonmachi Alley on the north side of Jackson Street between 6th and Maynard Avenues.

Kids outside the Wing Luke Museum in seattle chinatown international district

Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and Wing Luke Museum is an invaluable source of Asian history, both local and abroad. More than a museum, it's an interactive part of the community. Check out their Chinatown Discovery Tour or Seasonal Food Tour for in-depth experiences. For exhibits, the kids will love A Dragon Lives Here, the continuation of their popular Bruce Lee series, focusing on his time in Seattle.

719 S. King St.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-623-5124
Online: wingluke.org

Seattle Kung Fu Club                
For 60 years the Seattle Kung Fu Club has been teaching local adults and children to develop "discipline for your health and to learn respect, not just how to fight.” Sign up for classes or stock up on supplies and gifts.

658 S. King St.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-624-3838
Online: seattlekungfuclub.com

Seattle Pinball Museum
Pinball wizards can play to their little heart's content at this C-ID marvel. One admission price unlocks over 50 machines dating back to the 1960s. Kiddos need to be least seven years old to play.

508 Maynard Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-623-0759
Online: seattlepinballmuseum.com

Where to Eat in the C-ID

Kids eating rice hot dogs in seattle chinatown international district
Greg Freitas

Uwajimaya
Start off your Chinatown-International District tour with a local legend. Uwajimaya provides 35,000 square feet of Asian specialties, with roots in the region since 1928. Grab regional delicacies for a picnic in the area, stock up on groceries for later or get a hot snack to go. For adventurous little eaters, take a world tour of Asian cuisine inside the brand new food court. The tinies will love Bean Fish—waffles shaped like fish, stuffed with savory or sweet goodness. Try the “K-Pop” with Roi Choi’s Kogi Korean BBQ Beef or “Elvis” with (of course) peanut butter and banana. Other wonders in the magical food hall include Dochi–crafted mochi donuts, Aloha Plates–Hawaiian plate lunches and Jardin Tea–warm, liquid happiness in a mug. Arrive hungry!

600 5th Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-624-6248
Online: uwajimaya.com

Chungchun Rice Hot Dog
Chungchun Rice Hot Dog sells the best dogs on sticks in Seattle. They serve to-go only, so take a number and stand in line patiently with the other dedicated patrons. Trust us, these Korean-style hot dogs are worth the wait. The kids will dig the bazillion flavors, including Cheddar, Volcano Dog and Original—which is chewy on the inside, crispy on the outside and everyone’s fave. The Sweet Potato, a sweet and salty treat with gooey cheese surrounded by yams is another cool twist. You can also add powdered sugar to just about anything. Just up the street, Hing Hay Park is the perfect place for the kids to enjoy their treats.

502 S. King St.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-682-1300

Panama Hotel and Tea House
If there is a historical epicenter to the Seattle Chinatown-International District, it's the Panama Hotel and Tea House, which received recognition in the novel Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford. The charming 1910 hotel still operates as a hotel and teahouse (with pastries and a full bar), and the assortment of international travelers lend an aura of intrigue. Echoes of the past still reverberate strongly in the antique rooms. Locals leaving for internment camps left their belongings behind in the basement, which visitors can view through a clear floor. Some of them never returned. Ask owner Jan Johnson about the National Historic Landmark's rich past. She restored the hotel to its previous condition before internment, giving a historical peek into pre-WWII Seattle and paying homage to the community.

605 S. Main St.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-223-9242
Online: panamahotelseattle.com

Three kids drinking boba tea in seattle chinatown international district
Natalie Compagno

Oasis Tea Zone
Go beyond boba at Oasis. Slurp Taiwanese-style hot, iced and blended bubble teas with oodles of flavors, from honeydew to chrysanthemum. Be prepared for a wait—the lines can be long to enjoy these tasty treats. Kids know this is the place for that perfect sweet drink. Make new friends with other boba fans or play pinball at the machines in the back.

519 6th Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-447-8098
Online: oasisteazone.com

Fuji Bakery
This Japanese artisan bakery provides hungry customers with the highest quality ingredients, many imported from around the world. The window shopping is amazing, and taking a bite is even better. Order the Azuki buttery brioche doughnut with organic red bean paste. You'll thank us later.

526 S. King St.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-623-4050
Online: fujibakeryinc.com

Tai Tung Restaurant
This is the part where you can teach the kids that not only did Bruce Lee have roots in Seattle, but also yes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar co-starred with him in a martial arts movie. You've arrived at Seattle's oldest Chinese restaurant and still one of the best. The food and atmosphere are throwbacks in the best possible way to the Chinese restaurants you might have enjoyed as a kid. Tai Tung has been serving regional dishes from the Middle Kingdom for over 75 years.

655 S. King St.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-622-7372
Online: taitungrestaurant.com

Can’t-Miss Shops

Kinokuniya bookstore interior in seattle chinatown international district
Kinokuniya

Kinokuniya Seattle
This must-visit Japanese bookstore is also located inside Uwajimaya. It's the place to stock up on art books, anime, magazines, K-POP CDs, Japanese stationary and a whole lot more. Find gifts for everyone for every occasion.

25 S. Weller St.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-587-2477
Online: usa.kinokuniya.com/stores-kinokuniya-seattle

Sairen
Beautiful dolls, jewelry from local designers, kimonos for kids, dim sum magnets, and interactive kids' toys from Hawai'i fill this stylish shop. Stop in to browse, but be prepared, you're kids will definitely find a few "must-haves" when you do.

600 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-588-6144
Online: shopsairen.com

Kobo
Next door to Sairen, Kobo at Higo is the place to find that perfect gift. The gallery-style mercantile is full of fine crafts, decorative items and jewelry, both from Japanese and local artists.

604 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-381-3000
Online: koboseattle.com

Daiso
Don't call it a dollar store; it's a 100-yen store. And it is stocked with thousands of Japanese, Chinese and Korean items, most of which cost about a dollar. Founded in 1977, Daiso now has over 5,000 locations worldwide.

710 6th Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-623-3312
Online: linktr.ee/daiso_usa

International Model Toys
Seventies flashback alert! Find puzzles, figures and Gundam mecha warriors galore at this family-owned modeling and hobby passion project.

524 S. King St.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-682-8534
Online: facebook.com/International-Model-Toys

RELATED STORIES:
18 Asian American-Owned Businesses & Non-Profits We Think You’ll Love
Your Family Guide to Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Seattle
Discover a Museum That Feels More Like an Arcade
Your Guide to Seattle’s Best Parks & Playgrounds
Our Big, Juicy Guide to Where Kids Eat Free (or Super Cheap)

There’s no time like the present to learn about our nation’s past.  Lucky for you, we know of a few places that are not only fascinating and rich in history, but a lot of them provide plenty of fun too. From a replica Oval Office to JFK’s kid-friendly presidential library, keep reading to discover the best places to learn about the president of the United States.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, VA

Wikimedia Commons

This just might be the place where your kids will say, “can’t we stay?” as there is so much to do in Mount Vernon. Step inside the first leader’s boots in the “Be Washington” interactive theater, visit the animals (including Ossabaw Island Hogs, Hog Island Sheep, Dominique Chickens and Red Devon Cattle), take the “Washington’s War” 20-minute 4D movie, enjoy lots of kids activities and crafts, cruise down the Potomac River or visit the Pioneer Farm just to name a few!

Good to know: The 4D movie is included with your admission and contains amazing effects like snow, fog, cannon shots and more to heighten the event. 

Online: mountvernon.org

Eisenhower Historic Site – Gettysburg, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Dwight Eisenhower’s farm is now a historical site, encompasses nearly 700 acres, and just happens to be located next to a sorta famous battle zone (Gettysburg, anyone?). The house itself is very much the same as it was when the 34th President called it home, right down to the cattle in the barn. Take a “kids-only” virtual tour before visiting the real-life site, and let the kids join a ranger for a walk through downtown Gettysburg exploring Ike's life and times in the community.

Good to know: Historians ages 7-12 can become a Secret Service Agent and experience what it was like to guard President Eisenhower.

Online: NPS/gov/eise

Kehinde Wiley's Obama Portrait at The National Portrait Gallery, Washington D.C.

Kehinde Wiley, Barack Obama, 2018, used by permission*

In February 2018 the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery unveiled paintings of our 44th president, Barack Obama, and former First Lady, Michelle Obama, painted by two of the country’s most dynamic contemporary artists, Kehinde Wiley (Barack Obama) and Amy Sherald (Michelle Obama). You'll find Wiley's verdant portrait of Obama's in the Hall of Presidents. If you haven't seen it, you won't miss it: he's set against a beautiful backdrop of greenery and symbolic flowers: African blue lilies (representing his father's birthplace of Kenya); jasmine for Hawaii—where Obama was born—and mums, which are the city flower of Chicago, where Obama began his career in politics (and met Michele). 

Online: npg.si.edu/national-portrait-gallery 

Colorado State Capitol – Denver, CO

Wikimedia Commons

On your next trip to Denver, throw a little art appreciation in with your real-life history lesson. Take a (free) tour of the impressive capitol building and head for the third floor, where you’ll find hand-painted portraits of every United States President. Afterward, take the 100 steps up into the dome to enjoy a 360-degree view of Denver and the nearby Rocky Mountains. Even your little geologist will be excited about a tour of this impressive building: the entire known supply of rose onyx (a rare stone found in a Colorado quarry) was used in the interior design.

Online: coloradocapitolart.colorado.gov

George W. Bush Presidential Center – Dallas TX

Wikimedia Commons

Dallas is home to more than one interesting presidential spot. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, located on the Southern Methodist University Campus, houses both the library and museum dedicated to the legacy of the United State’s 43rd Commander in Chief. Located on 23 acres (15 of which is an urban park dedicated to native plants of Texas), permanent museum exhibits include 43,000 gifts given to the President and First Lady while in office, a replica Oval Office, the Life in the White House Exhibit—kids will love learning about the First Pets—and Freedom Hall. Special exhibits are also impressive and have included topics ranging from Black History Month to the Bill of Rights. If you're in Dallas for the holidays, don't miss the annual Bush Family Christmas exhibit—it's a holiday tradition.

Online: georgebushlibrary.smu.edu

Theodore Roosevelt National Park – Medora, ND

Wikimedia Commons

When Teddy Roosevelt set foot in this stark and rugged region of North America in 1883, it forever changed his perspective (and later on, our country) on the conservation and preservation of wild spaces. You’ll want to head straight for the South Unit Visitor Center, near the town of Medora, which offers a museum filled with historical artifacts. The Maltese Cross Cabin, Roosevelt’s first ranch cabin, is right next door, and still contains items that belonged to the 26th President of the United States. Be sure to also check out Elkhorn Ranch Site, where he developed his passion and ideas regarding the importance of land conservation. Afterward, get your own kids excited about the National Park system by camping under the stars, exploring the miles of hiking trails and waterways, fishing, horseback riding and more.

Online: nps.gov/thro

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library – Simi Valley, CA

Wikimedia Commons

If helping to set the table for a White House state dinner, or acting beside the president in a movie doesn’t grab the attention of your little one, the impressive collection of NFL memorabilia and the inside of a REAL (yes, the entire plane!) Air Force One ought to do the trick. History buffs will want to sneak a peek at the section of the Berlin wall on permanent display.

Good to know: Pack a picnic for this one! There are nice tables on the outside grounds that offer up amazing views of the rolling California hills.

Online: reaganfoundation.org

The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln – Disneyland, CA

Disneyland Resort

So why you’re visiting the “happiest place on earth,” be sure to take a turn down Main Street U.S.A and head on over to hear the famous audio-animatronic give a speech by Lincoln. The presentation begins with a short film telling the story about the journey of Abraham Lincoln from his birth in a log cabin to the White House. Then, “Abraham” stands and speaks. Although originally created in 1964, this “Abraham” is newer where every detail is presented as realistically as possible. Even Lincoln’s own life mask was used to create his face.

Good to know: Your kids can get a secondary history lesson while aboard the Sailing Ship Columbia, a full-scale replica of a majestic ship from the 18th century.

Onlinedisneyland.disney.go.com

Monticello – Charlottesville, VA

Wikimedia Commons

I bet you’ve heard of Mount Vernon, but have you heard of Monticello? The homestead of Thomas Jefferson is down the road from Washington’s place (about two hours), but it’s a world away when it comes to tiny visitors. In the Griffin Discovery Room, kids will learn about what life was like in the early 1800s, create secret codes on a wheel cipher, and even try out a polygraph machine based on one once owned by the third President. Write with a quill in the Mountaintop Hands-on Activity Center, or play a good old-fashioned game of tag on the huge front lawn. For those who want to enjoy the surrounding area, the trail at Monticello is part of central Virginia’s largest park and is stroller-accessible.

Good to know: There are family-friendly tours offered for parents with kids ages 5-11 in tow.

Online: monticello.org

Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site and Grant’s Farm – St. Louis, MO

Wikimedia Commons

The historic site offers a Junior Ranger program for kiddos ages five and up. If your little adventurer tackles all the tasks, which includes activities throughout the house, exploring the museum, and visiting with park staff, she’ll be sworn in as a Junior Ranger complete with a special badge!

Grant’s Farm down the road is fun for everyone. Once partially farmed by Ulysses S. Grant before his stay in the White House, and then the ancestral home of the Busch family (yup, as in Bud Light), the tourist favorite is now styled as a 19th Century Bavarian farm complete with a tier Garten housing tortoises, wallabies, zebras, pony rides, a carousel and more.

Good to know: There’s still historical stuff on the property, including Hardscrabble Cabin, built by the 18th President himself.

Online: grantsfarm.com

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum – Boston, Ma

Wikimedia Commons

JFK is one of the country’s most loved and studied presidents, so it’s no surprise his museum is one of the coolest to visit, especially with kids. Enjoy permanent hands-on exhibits like Stranded at Sea, and Race for Space, travel the road to the White House with Kennedy on the 1960 campaign trail (virtually, of course) and check out the special events: puppet theatre, Irish dancing, music and more.

Good to know: The building itself isn’t too shabby, either. Designed by architect I.M.Pei and located on 10 acres, it offers up killer views of downtown Boston, picnic tables and lots of grass for little legs to run.

Online: JKFLibrary.org

Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and The Lincoln House – Springfield, Il

LoonyHiker via Flickr

Take a trip back in time as you explore the historic Lincoln neighborhood, learn about the underground railroad, and write about what it would be like to travel down the Mississippi River on a flatboat. At the Lincoln Museum, head for Mrs. Lincoln’s Attic, a hands-on area for kids of all ages. Little history buffs can try on Lincoln’s suit or Mary’s dress, put on the uniform of a Civil War soldier and rearrange the furniture in the Lincoln Home dollhouse.

Good to know: If you decide to hit up the Lincoln House, leave the strollers outside and be ready for a wait (up to two hours!) to tour this popular Prez pad.

Online: nps.gov/liho and Illinois.gov/alplm

The Muppets and The Hall of Presidents – Magic Kingdom, FL

DisneyWorld Resort

The larger and grander version of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is held at the Hall of Presidents found in Liberty Square where the president is joined on stage by every other U.S. president in history, including President Trump. The presentation begins with a short film about American history followed by Lincoln giving the Gettysburg address. If this all sounds too high-brow for your kids, warm them up with The Muppets Present ... Great Moments in American History by providing funny sketches and songs that are “mostly” correct. 

Good to know: When you hear the Town Crier calling, gather ‘round outside The Hall of Presidents and look up. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and The Great Gonzo will soon appear at the windows of the colonial facade to bring America’s stories to life as only they can.

Onlinedisneyworld.disney.go.com

Washington D.C.

Wikimedia Commons

No doubt, our nation’s capital is the top dog when it comes to cool spots to bone up on Presidential knowledge. From the Washington and Jefferson memorials to the White House, Lincoln's Cottage and the Capitol building itself, there’s no end to the adventure. For the absolute best of D.C. with kids, check out our insider’s guide here.

President William McKinley Library and Museum – Canton, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Not only are there kid-friendly special exhibits (currently vintage toys) at the President William McKinley Library & Museum, but thanks to the science-loving 25th President, there’s also Discovery World, featuring tons of stuff for the handsy set including a DIY tornado station and Ecology Island. The Hoover-Price Planetarium, also in the library, has a 65-seat theater that offers weekend galactic adventures perfect for kids ages 5 and up.

Good to know: Be sure to check out the animatronic President and First Lady while making the rounds through the library exhibits.

Online: Mckinleymuseum.org

The Hermitage - Nashville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage has the distinction of being one of the best Presidential Sites according to USA Today. Here you can explore the whole grounds including the mansion and exhibit gallery. Take part in the self-paced, self-guided audio tour of the gardens, grounds, the farmland formerly known as The Hermitage Plantation and other buildings. The “must-see” here is the “Andrew Jackson: Born for a Storm” interactive exhibit that focuses on three stages of Jackson’s life—living as an orphan, a general and finally the president.

Good to know: Upgrade your experience with the President’s Tour that includes an upgraded device that offers period images, maps of the property and an interactive timeline.

Online: thehermitage.com

Betsy Ross’ House - Philadelphia, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Visit the 300-year-old home of the woman who is known for sewing the first Stars & Stripes. While you can take the regular self-guided tour, spring for the extra $2 to take in the audio tour which has its own kids’ version that they can partake in solving 13 “history mysteries.” Then, meet Betsy herself in her upholstery shop. Kids can ask her just about anything, except maybe her age. That would be rude. Be sure to visit the newer exhibits too!

Good to know: Franklin Square’s mini golf and carousel are a fun option to tack on to your visit. 

Online: historicphiladelphia.org/betsy-ross-house

Adams National Historical Park – Quincy, MA

Wikimedia Commons

It’s two presidents for the price of one as Adams National Historical Park was home to both second president John Adams and 6th president, John Quincy Adams, were born. The site features both homes that they were born in as well as the separate Adams family home and the stone library which includes over 12,000 books owned by the family. Park your car and then ride the trolley to view each place.

Good to know: The park offers a special Junior Ranger activity book to help kids get more out of their visit. Complete the challenges during the tour and then return it to receive a badge and certificate commissioning your kid as a Junior Park Ranger.

Online: nps.gov/adam

Independence Hall - Philadelphia, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Imagine standing in the very same place where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. You can, and free too! A guided tour is given by National Park rangers which begins in the courtroom. Be sure to see George Washington’s “rising sun” chair in the Assembly Room and the actual stand used to sign the Declaration of Independence in the West Wing.

Good to know: Although free admission, tickets are required and can be picked up the morning you want to attend at the Independence Visitor Center first come, first served.

Online: visitphilly.com

The American Adventure – Epcot, FL

DisneyWorld Resort

Smack dab center of Epcot’s World Showcase sits The American Adventure, a 30-minute long multi-media presentation using various audio-animatronic characters, namely Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, telling a short presentation on America’s history. The show features 35 Audio-Animatronics figures retelling events like the landing of the Mayflower, the Boston Tea Party, the winter at Valley Forge, the penning of the Declaration of Independence, the Civil War, industrialization and the Great Depression and more. Along the way, you’ll also meet such luminaries as Susan B. Anthony, Alexander Graham Bell, Chief Joseph, Frederick Douglass, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Will Rogers and Teddy Roosevelt.

Good to know: While visiting the American Adventure Pavilion, take time to explore the new American Heritage Gallery and learn about traditional Native influences.

Onlinedisneyworld.disney.go.com

Mount Rushmore – Keystone, SD

South Dakota Department of Tourism

On the scale of national history and pride, when it comes to Mount Rushmore, it’s go big or go home. Stroll through the Avenue of Flags, and see one for every state, territory and province. There’s an audio tour, and the chance to hike the presidential trail that winds its way around the monument (FYI: not all of the trail is stroller accessible). There are information kiosks along the way, and be sure to have the kids get Junior Ranger passport stamps— the monument is part of the National Park Service.

Good to know: Don't forget to check out the Presidential Wax Museum down the road in Keystone!

Online: NPS.gove/moru

— Jeff Totey with Gabby Cullen


*KEHINDE WILEY,
Barack Obama, 2018
oil on canvas
92 1/4 x 65 3/4 in
© 2018 Kehinde Wiley
Courtesy: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
The National Portrait Gallery is grateful to the following lead donors for their support of the Obama portraits: Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg; Judith
Kern and Kent Whealy; Tommie L. Pegues and Donald A. Capoccia.Courtesy: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. The National Portrait Gallery is grateful to the following lead donors for their support of the Obama portraits: Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg; Judith Kern and Kent Whealy; Tommie L. Pegues and Donald A. Capoccia.

 

RELATED STORIES:

15 REAL (Not Fake) Presidential Facts

W Is for Washington: 8 Awesome Things About the First U.S. President

Don’t Call Him Abe: 10 Cool Things to Know About Abraham Lincoln

 

It’s easier than ever to support Asian-owned businesses online, thanks to a new initiative from Target. The retailer just announced a badge that identifies Asian-owned brands and they’re spotlighting these products online as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month continues.

Whether you’re looking for coconut chips or a new children’s book, you can find the badge in the “At A Glance” section of the product description. It accompanies two other badges that Target has released in the past year: a Black-owned business badge and a women-owned business badge. And it’s in line with the company’s mission to leverage change and shift power to communities, as noted in March on the Target Foundation page.

“We stand firmly against racism, racialized misogyny, and xenophobia in all forms. Through our existing approach in driving systems-level change, we are committed to centering equity and investing in Black, Indigenous, and Person of Color-led (BIPOC) organizations. As part of our commitment to action against hate, we are investing $250,000 in organizations led by Asian Americans, working to empower the Asian American community, addressing gender-based violence and xenophobia, and advancing justice.”

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Target

 

RELATED STORIES

Target Just Rolled Out a New Badge to Help Shoppers Identify Black-Owned Brands

Here’s How to Find All the Women-Owned Brands at Target

Target’s Good & Gather Expands with New Plant-Based Line

We’re all spending a little more time at home than usual and while technology most definitely can be a lifesaver, now is also a good time to instill important life skills in our kids, too. Teaching children to navigate the kitchen along with basic cooking and baking skills is not only useful, but fun! Keep scrolling to see how programs are offering little to no-cost ways to spend family time in the heart of the home.

CocuSocial

American Heritage Chocolate via Unsplash

CocuSocial is now offering virtual kids online cooking classes! All classes feature professional chefs and are centered around summer treats that include Creamsicles & Ice Pops, Easy Beachy Cupcakes, Rainbow Cake Pops, Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches and more! Classes start at $15 and are offered in real-time for a true in-class feel.

Teuko

Cristiano Pinto via Unsplash

Sick of trying to find new recipes the whole family will enjoy? Teuko takes the guesswork out of finding the best accessories, recipes and ideas for getting everyone to eat healthy! The free community shares amazing lunch ideas, easy how-to's and ways to make mealtime fun on the Teuko blog.

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse

Want to spend time in the kitchen but not sure where to start? Mr. Holmes Bakehouse has you covered! Get the help and ingredients you need to whip up a living starter for the rest of your life with the Bread Starter Kit. The $25 box comes with all the ingredients and instructions to make a White Country Loaf with the entire fam. Mr. Holmes Bakehouse also offers a Chocolate Chip Cookie kit which makes 16-24 cookies, and twenty percent of all sales will be given back to participating PTAs and schools. 

Food Literacy Center

Dan Gold via Unsplash

Nonprofit Food Literacy Center is committed to bringing families together through food. The organization is currently offering tools that will help kids and parents learn to cook together, that include recipes, worksheets and lesson plans.

 

Bake Bread with King Arthur Flour

Pexels

King Arthur wants kids to know how easy it is to bake bread! The company not only has an online tutorial perfect but a fun kids recipe booklet, too!

Delish Digital Cooking Classes

iStock

Join Delish's editorial director Joanna Saltz and her kids went live on Instagram every week day to share cook-along videos for the entire fam. You can catch all the videos on the Delish IGTV channel. 

America's Test Kitchen

America's Test Kitchen Kids via Instagram

Head to America’s Test Kitchen Kids where all resources are free! Families can check out recipes, activities and experiments, plus daily lesson plans and videos. Don't miss out on the huge collection of free recipes, and visit their social sites where they'll be answering home cook questions.

Raddish Kids

Raddish Kids

Families can visit Camp Raddish to access free content including an at-home cooking camp program, recipes your kids can make with pantry staples and additional learning extensions across science, geography, language arts, and more.

Kids Cook Real Food

iStock

Kids Cook Real Food is the perfect way to get your kiddos up to speed in the kitchen. You can join as a VIP member for $150 and get 45 cooking lessons, or join for 12 months for just $50! Designed to build skills and not just follow recipes, Kids Cook Real Food is the perfect online cooking class for kids.

Tia Mowry's Quick Fix

Tia Mowry via YouTube

Want to cook with a celeb? Tia Mowry's Quick Fix YouTube channel brings the family together with fun and easy recipes. Her channel is all about making quick work of life's daily dilemmas.

McCormick Flavor Maker App

McCormick

We love the McCormick Flavor Maker app as a way to get a little kitchen inspiration and involve kids in the cooking process. Through the app, users can source new recipes, watch cooking tutorials, access articles on the latest food trends and track all their grocery needs in one place. Users are additionally able to scan McCormick herbs, spices and flavors to build their own digital pantry and get instant access to tips, related recipes, ingredients and nutritional information. 

––Karly Wood

RELATED STORIES

110+ Online Learning Resources for Your Kids from Toddler to Teen

Your Kids Can Enjoy a One-of-a-Kind Learning Experience from Disney Imagineers

Slumberkins Offers Kids a Free Alpaca Book to Help Manage Stress

 

Fall is here and local museums around the Bay Area have started rolling out their lineup of exciting exhibits for the whole family. Immerse yourself in the world of Burning Man, take a trip to Japan and then learn all about your cells at these exhibits that kids will love. Scroll through our picks, then open up your calendars to block out some time to check them out!

Wild Child — Junior Center of Art & Science

Erin Lem

For an experience especially tailored to the littles (crawling through five years old), head to the Wild Child pop up exhibit at Junior Center of Art & Science in Oakland. This interactive exhibit encourages young minds to touch, climb, tinker and create.

The outdoor area features an immersive sculpture full of sensory surprises, while indoors you'll find two play rooms. One boasts a sweet portal tunnel (mom and dad, be prepared to crouch to enter!), ball pit, sticker wall and Hygge nook. Next door find a creative space (toward the back there's a separate shoe-free area just for babies and crawlers) with sensory, creative art projects led by staff, "artifacts" like typewriters and calculators, and a huge wire cage our own toddler was especially fond of exploring. Beyond free play, Wild Child also features baby and toddler classes on their calendar here

Good to know:

  • Depending on your child's attention span (and how crowded the place is) expect to spend anywhere from 2-3 hours exploring. 
  • Beyond the pop up, you can check out the other rooms in the Junior Center of Art & Science like the play house room, replete with a play kitchen, stuffed animals and trains, and the reptile room where your kiddo can peek at snakes and other creepy crawlies. 
  • Ample parking is available. The Center is located in the same area as Children's Fairyland. Sat & Sun. parking costs $5/day and Mon.-Fri. parking costs $2/first two hours or $10/day. 

Junior Center of Art & Science
Now through Feb, 23, 2020
558 Bellevue Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610
Online: wildchildplay.com

No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man – Oakland Museum of California

FoldHaus, Shrumen Lumen, 2016. Photo by Ron B

The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) will bring cutting-edge artwork, sculpture, and interactive installations from Burning Man, one of the most widely-celebrated and influential cultural events, to its galleries this fall. No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man will illuminate the event’s origins and its culture of experimentation, collaboration and creativity, which draws over 70,000 people to Nevada’s Black Rock Desert each year.

An adaptation of the original exhibition organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery in collaboration with Burning Man Project, No Spectators will take over OMCA’s Great Hall and beyond, going outside of the walls of the gallery with outdoor sculpture throughout the Museum’s public spaces, including an OMCA-commissioned 40-foot-tall outdoor temple by internationally-acclaimed sculptor David Best. A companion exhibition within the gallery, City of Dust: The Evolution of Burning Man, organized by the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, will trace Burning Man's origins from its countercultural roots in the San Francisco Bay Area to the world-famous city in the desert it is today.

Oakland Museum of California 
On exhibit October 12, 2019-February 16, 2020
Onlinemuseumca.org

Cells to Self - The Exploratorium

© Exploratorium, http://www.exploratorium.edu

The Exploratorium has just opened a new permanent exhibit collection entitled Cells to Self: Exploring the Life Inside You. Through more than 20 new experiences, this collection reveals the wondrous variety of human cells and the amazing things they’re doing in your body. See live heart cells beating in time with your own pulse, or find out which bacteria are living on your skin. Through living tissues, microscopes and digital models, you’ll discover how cells move and communicate. 

The Exploratorium
Opens October 3 (part of the permanent collection)
Online: exploratorium.edu

Hello from Japan! – Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose

Children's Museum of San Jose

Come visit Tokyo right here in San Jose and get an authentic peek into Japanese culture. Featuring a bustling modern city street inspired by Tokyo’s Harajuku district that bridges to a tranquil Shinto shrine, you’ll see the incredible contrast between modern kawaii aesthetics and traditional motifs and customs. The transition between the two show how the Japanese culture values history, a society where the past, present and future harmoniously coexist.

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose 
On exhibit through Feb. 5, 2020
Onlinecdm.org

Science + You - Bay Area Discovery Museum

Science You

All children are scientists and at the Bay Area Discovery Museum (BADM) they can look and act the part! In BADM's new traveling exhibit, Science + You, visitors get hands-on with the machinery, processes and technology used in real laboratories every day. Upon entering the exhibit, children wash their hands, wipe their feet and even walk through a pretend shower before donning their white lab coat, 

Bay Area Discovery Museum 
When: On exhibit through January 5
Onlinebayareadiscoverymuseum.org

Abracadabra! Magic in Peanuts - Charles Schulz Museum

Charles Schulz Museum

Charles Schulz loved sleight of hand and stage magic of all kinds. Learn firsthand how the cartoonist dabbled in magic and, like all things in his life, brought magic into the panels of Peanuts. See original comic strip art, animation cels, and a selection of the magic items that belonged to Schulz—no hocus pocus required.

Charles Schulz Museum
On exhibit through Jan. 19, 2020
Online: schulzmuseum.org

SOFT POWER – SFMOMA

Tanya Lukin Linklater with Liz Lott, The treaty is in the body, 2017; courtesy the artist and Winnipeg Art Gallery; © Tanya Lukin Linklater

The exhibition SOFT POWER is about the ways in which artists deploy art to explore their roles as citizens and social actors. Appropriated from the Reagan-era term used to describe how a country’s “soft” assets such as culture, political values, and foreign policies can be more influential than coercive or violent expressions of power, the title contemplates the potential of art and offers a provocation to the public to exert their own influence on the world. Presented on two floors of the museum, the exhibition features new commissions and recent works by twenty international artists. 

SFMOMA
On exhibit Oct. 26, 2019-Feb. 17, 2020
Onlinesfmoma.org

Survival Architecture and the Art of Resilience - Museum of Craft and Design

Museum of Craft and Design

This winter, the Museum of Craft and Design (MCD) will present two new, dynamic exhibitions exploring the ways that creative individuals are addressing issues of climate change. Survival Architecture and the Art of Resilience is a timely exhibition showcasing visionary architects and artists who have created artistically interpretive solutions and prototypes for emergency shelters in a climate-constrained world. Concurrently, the exhibition Linda Gass: and then this happened… will examine the human-made and natural water infrastructure affecting the greater Bay Area, considering present and future challenges with respect to climate change.

Museum of Craft and Design
Both exhibits will be available Dec. 19, 2019-May 3, 2020
Online: sfmcd.org

A Powerful Force: Working to End Homelessness Through Art - Walt Disney Family Museum

Untitled Pastel, Marker and Pencil on Newsprint Courtesy of Youth Spirit Artworks

The Walt Disney Family Museum's 2019 community access exhibition will be A Powerful Force: Working to End Homelessness Through Art. Featuring original artwork created by young people experiencing homelessness, the exhibition’s title was inspired by Walt Disney himself: “There is great comfort and inspiration in this feeling of close human relationships and its bearing on our mutual fortunes—a powerful force to overcome the tough breaks which are certain to come for most of us from time to time.”

A Powerful Force will feature artworks created by homeless youth with three greater San Francisco Bay Area partner organizations: Raphael House, Larkin Street Youth Services, and Youth Spirit Artworks. These nonprofit organizations help at-risk youth and their families achieve independence by providing career-building skills, educational programs and safe housing.

Walt Disney Family Museum 
On exhibit through Jan. 6, 2020
Onlinewaltdisney.org

Cointraptions: Classic Coin-Operated Machines - Museum of American Heritage

Dominic Alves via flickr

Travel back in time to the early 1900s to the 1950s when pennies, nickels and dimes were dropped into slots across the nation. Coin-operated machines were widely used in places of businesses such as general stores, toy stores, parlors, restaurants, bars, casinos and gas stops. See how businesses across America operated before the era of the credit card.

Museum of American Heritage
On exhibit through Feb. 16, 2020
Online: moah.org

—Kate Loweth

RELATED STORIES

Insider’s Guide to the Exploratorium

20 Totally-Free Museums in the Bay

The Ultimate Free Museum Days Guide

 

Do you know the extreme pain associated with stepping barefoot on a LEGO brick? Then you must be living with a little LEGO addict! Despite their sharp exteriors, LEGO bricks can offer kids many important skills from fine motor development to creative play skills. These places all over the Bay Area provide lots of LEGO love and ample building time. The best part? Those pesky little bricks stay all over their floors—not yours!

Photo credit: Mae Respicio

San Francisco

Built It! LEGO Club
Books and LEGOs? Could it get any better? The San Francisco Library has drop-in building sessions throughout the year at various branches including Ocean View and North Beach. They provide all the pieces—the kiddos just bring their imaginations.

Ocean View Branch
345 Randolph St.
San Francisco, Ca
415-355-5615

North Beach Branch
North Beach Meeting Room
850 Columbus Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
415-355-5626
Online: sfpl.org

Tech Know How
Sometimes the future engineers of America need just the slightest bit of guidance. Tech Know How provides that, and more. Their summer camps let littles as young as 5 learn about everything LEGO. The older ones (ages 14–18) can even volunteer as summer interns where they train to work in a classroom, have access to software and tech tools, and even receive a letter of completion (for extra brownie points on those college apps!).

Camp locations in San Francisco, the Peninsula, East Bay, and South Bay
Cost: Prices vary
Online: techknowhow.com

Marin

Marin County Free Library
What’s better than LEGOs?  Free LEGOs! The Novato branch library welcomes your engineers-in-training and provides all the parts, which means Duplos through LEGOs for youngsters 4–14.

Novato Branch
1720 Novato Blvd.
Novato, Ca
4–5:30 p.m. every first and third Wednesday of the month. No registration required.
415-897-1141
Online: marinlibrary.org

Play Well Activity Center
Buildings, birthdays, and babysitting—all rolled into one cool place!  Well, not actual babysitting per se, but with the way kids zone out (in a good way) on those plastic pieces, you know what we mean. Be sure to ask about their sibling discount.

216 Greenfield Ave.
San Anselmo, Ca
Summer Hours:10 a.m. to 6 p.m., every day
Drop-In Cost: $10/hour per child
415-460-5210
Online: play-well.org

Photo credit: Mae Respicio

Peninsula/South Bay

Build It Again with Bricks
This store has everything for your crazy little builders to go nuts: drop-ins, parties, camps, buying/selling and even photo mosaics. Yes, you too can turn your little’s school photo into an amazingly detailed LEGO portrait. Simply bring in a photo and their experts do the rest. (How cool is that?!)

398 Main St.
Los Altos, Ca
650-935-2166
Wednesday and Thursday, 12–6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Drop-In Cost: $15/hour
Online: builditagainwithbricks.com

LEGO Stores
Pick-a-Brick buffet?  Why yes, please!  These shops are pay per scoop, so check with each location for exact rates. Go crazy, South Bay residents!  They also offer monthly LEGO Club meetings where participants get to make and take home a mini model ($10/person fee).

341 Hillsdale Mall
San Mateo, Ca
Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
650-571-9020
Online: stores.lego.com

2855 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Santa Clara, Ca
Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
408-247-8071
Online: stores.lego.com

BrainVyne
BrainVyne takes unique LEGO fun and combines it with basic programming for kids in their popular spring and summer camps. Their Girl Power Robotics: WeDo program is a girl-only introduction into the LEGO Robotics WeDo program. Kids also love the combination of LEGO and Star Wars in another popular program. BrainVyne even offers LEGO birthday parties in their Palo Alto location (or another public location near you).

Camps located in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Evergreen, San Carlos, Santa Clara and Milpitas
Online: brainvyne.com

Wizbots Imagineering Programs
Combine LEGO Mindstorms with arts, crafts and low-tech building materials and STEM takes on a new meaning for young innovators (grades 2–8). They have everything from camps to parties to afterschool programs; check their website for individual Peninsula locations and programs. 

233 Highland Ave.
San Carlos, Ca
Online: wizbots.com

Photo credit: Karla Oliveira / Build it Again with Bricks

East Bay

Oakland Public Library Lego Mania Club
It’s brickmania at the Lakeview Branch, where kiddos build and explore with LEGO and Duplo. The littles will love this weekend precursor that takes place every 2nd Friday of the month.

Lakeview Branch
550 El Embarcadero
Oakland, Ca
510-238-7344
Online: oaklandlibrary.org

Play-Well Pleasanton Activity Center
The power of play is at work here with drop-in activity time for even the littlest of builders (starting at age 3 but with Duplo, natch). Activities focus on popular themes like Ninjaneering, Star Wars, and Flight, to name a few.

5737 Valley Ave.
Pleasanton, Ca
925-484-1547
Summer Hours: Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Drop-In Cost: Weekdays: $9/hour per child (all ages); 5-hour pass: $35
Online: play-well.org

Photo credit: Kate Loweth

Bricks 4 Kidz
Calling all LEGO lovers who also love Angry Birds and Minecraft! This center has not only drop-in hours, classes, camps, afterschool programs and birthday packages but they also have… (wait for it): Kids Night Out! You won’t feel so guilty about date night when you know how much fun they’re having.

3150 Balfour Rd.
Brentwood, Ca
925-684-4082
Drop-ins: Tues., 10 a.m.–noon; Wed., 4–6 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.–noon; Fri 4–6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.–noon
Cost: $5 per child
Kids Night Out every Friday from 6–10 p.m. ($25/child)
Online: bricks4kidz.com

BrickSpace
The owner of this Benicia gem combined a love of learning with a love of all things LEGO and out came BrickSpace! The littlest LEGO lovers will enjoy the preschool playtime especially their Curious Kids Love Science class which brings together LEGO fun and science experiments! After school and summer camp programs are available, as well as the ever-popular Parents Night Out program that’s offered the first Friday of the month.

946 Tyler St., Suite H
Benicia, Ca
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

621 First St.
Benicia, Ca
Hours: Monday through Thursday 1 – 5 p.m.; Friday 12 – 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Online: brickspacebenicia.net

Photo credit: Kate Loweth/Living LEGO-cy

More LEGO Fun

BayLUG
Join up with other Bay Area LEGO fans both young and old and become a member of BayLUG – the Bay Area LEGO Users’ Group. BayLUG has meetings where members can display their projects and the group also participates in various LEGO events around the area including Bricks By the Bay in August.

Little LEGO lovers will love the annual “Living LEGO-cy” show at the Museum of American Heritage in Palo Alto which takes place in December and January. You don’t have to be a member to attend this show (but members do get in free!).

Membership: $10/year for a child (with parent permission) or $20/family for the first year (fees are half after the first year)
Online: baylug.org

Did we leave out any of your favorites?  Where does your family like to go for a little LEGO action?

—Kate Loweth & Mae Respicio

You could be forgiven for thinking, if even briefly, that you were on the luscious Waterfall Trail in Prospect Park when you visit the newly-opened Brooklyn Bavarian Biergarten at Grand Prospect Hall in Park Slope. Situated a stone’s throw from a major underpass of the Prospect Expressway, the biergarten is a veritable oasis filled with leafy mature trees, fountains, a stream and yes, charming waterfalls. Also: beer. So much beer — plus lots of history, space and tasty treats, too! (Did we mention the stroller parking?)

photo: William and Cheryl deJong Lambert

A Place with a Past
This spot is the perfect setting for a beer garden, which explains why, some 125 years ago, that is exactly how the space was used. Such an outdoor space was part of Grand Prospect Hall when it was built in 1892, explained Catherine Hay, a manager at the biergarten. “Opening the biergarten today is a natural extension of the hall’s history and a tribute to the area’s past German American heritage,” she said.

Today, the landmarked hall is as famous for its homegrown, late-night commercials as it is for its illustrious history. (In addition to 14 turn-of-the-twentieth-century style ballrooms, there are three, old-time speakeasies, in one of which, legend has it, Al Capone received his characteristic facial scar in a barroom brawl.)

The Green Scene
The large patio is divided into sections and pathways by wrought-iron fences topped with bright, kelly green banisters. A long rectangular fountain with four dozen spouts separates the lower and upper patios in the front garden. A weathered memorial wall—dedicated in 1945 to local Polish Americans who served in World War II—divides the patio in half. Family members and friends still come to leave votive candles and flowers at the site.

A trail in the back of the garden leads to a stream and waterfall, and beyond that, an even larger waterwall. Picnic tables that can seat up to eight people comfortably are tucked among the trees and shrubs that line the path. Overall, the patio can accommodate 500 patrons, and the soon-to-open inside will make room for an additional 500.

photo: William and Cheryl deJong-Lambert

The Beer and Other Beverages
The beer menu offers a rotating selection of suds at $7 per pint. There are 26 taps with six German and eight New York State styles featured on a given day. Ms. Hay homebrews and runs beer events such as the Coney Island Homebrew Contest on the side, so you can be sure the selection is varied and inviting, ranging from traditional hefeweizens, pilsners, and schwarzbiers to local summer seasonals, IPAs, ales and porters. (The Reisdorf kölsch and hoppy wheat brews we sampled  were fresh and complex.) The Biergarten serves wine, too, locally-sourcing it from the Red Hook Winery, and a the bar is fully stocked to accommodate requests for cocktails.

The bar uses a ticket system that will be familiar to any parent who has attended or worked a school fundraiser. You first buy a batch of color-coded tickets for beer, juice, or whatever you’re imbibing near the cash register, and then give the bartender the number needed to fulfill your tab.

photo: Laura P. via Yelp

Eats Both Old Country and Nouveau Brooklyn
Given the proliferation of pretzel carts around New York City, we were skeptical when we saw not one but five pretzel options headlining menu. Well, they do pretzels really well, here. Do not leave without trying the truffle cheddar soft pretzel, complete with gherkins, pickled pearl onions, kraut, and two mustards—whole grain and a saucy yellow—on the side.

The four-sausage sampler was likewise delectable, and the kale salad featured roasted pears, walnuts and warm goat cheese croquettes with a breaded exterior so lightly crisp that it cracked before oozing warm cheese. We also indulged in a thick slice of German chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. It had an unexpected hint of licorice in the coconut frosting that, even more unexpectedly, our junior dining companions loved. Prices range from $6.50 for various pretzels to $18 for the sausage sampler.

photo: Cheryl and William de Jong-Lambert

Getting There
Take the R to Prospect Avenue and 4th Avenue and walk a block and a half east. You cannot miss the Grand Prospect Hall coming up on your left, just after 5th Avenue. (Note that Google Maps indicates that the D stops at Prospect Avenue, but it does not! If you make this mistake, get off at the next stop and transfer to the Manhattan-bound R.)

Also note: The Biergarten is 21 and over after 7 p.m. and no dogs are allowed. Gates open at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon on Saturday and Sunday.

Brooklyn Bavarian Biergarten
263 Prospect Ave.
Park Slope
718-788-0400
Online: brooklynbavarianbiergarten.com

Have you visited the Brooklyn Biergarten yet? Tell us about your trip in the comments below!

—Cheryl deJong-Lambert

 

These scrumptious peanut butter streusel topped muffins by American Heritage Cooking has us rethinking our to-go snack menu at home. Goodbye PB & Banana Toast, and make way for these light, fluffy, and moist banana muffins. Your lil’ sweethearts will get a kick out of the sweet, crumbly streusel topping. Check out the recipe below!

Ingredients:
½ cup unsalted butter, very, very soft but not melted
¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
½ cup Greek yogurt (I use Fage 2% because I think every other kind tastes funny…)
½ cup smooth peanut butter (I use Jiff in baking, if you use natural, please add 2 T more sugar)
5 large bananas (~2 ½ cups), very, very ripe
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon Saigon cinnamon

For the Streusel:
½ cup brown sugar, not packed
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup + 2 tablespoons peanut butter (smooth, preferably not Natural)

Method:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°. Line 15 standard muffin tins with liners (or spray if you must).

2. Make the streusel first: In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugars and cinnamon. Add the peanut butter and mix with a fork until crumbles form. The topping should hold together and “crumble” when squeezed in your hand. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.

3. Now for the muffins! In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, soda, and cinnamon; set aside.

4. In another medium bowl (if you have an immersion blender) or in the cup of a blender add the yogurt, bananas, peanut butter, and vanilla; process until smooth. Use an immersion blender if you have one because the clean up is much easier.

5. In a large bowl cream the sugar with the butter until light and fluffy using a hand mixer on medium speed. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add in the banana mixture all at once and incorporate with the hand mixer on medium speed.

6. Switch to a sturdy spatula and fold the dry ingredients into the wet, , scraping the bottom with each fold, until no large pockets of dry ingredients remain. Be careful not to over mix!

7. Fill each muffin tin almost all the way full using a large cookie scoop or the good, old-fashioned pour straight from the bowl method. Crumble a generous portion of the streusel topping onto each muffin, pressing down slightly. I like to squeeze it firmly in my hand first and then separate it slightly, keeping some large chunks, as I distribute it over the muffin’s surface.

8. Bake in preheated oven for 15-25 minutes, but I like to start checking after 10. My oven does what it wants and is unreliable at best, so I check early. That being said, I never open my oven door until the muffins have risen fully on top because if they are sunken in the middle, they aren’t done yet! I also bake the full pan of muffins first and let the other partial pan wait on the counter. No harm has ever come of the delay. In fact, the second batch will often bake up higher than the first contrary to popular belief.

9. Let cool 5 minutes in pans before removing to a wire rack to cool completely or be eaten.

Have you tried these amazing peanut butter banana muffins? Let us know in the Comments below! 

This recipe is brought to you by American Heritage Cooking, a delightful cooking blog with foodie creations that center around American history. Excited about discovering and testing heirloom recipes, heritage cooking and cupcakes? Visit American Heritage Cooking