Give your kids a totally awesome experience with our rad how-to guide
In hopes of encouraging more time spent outside instead of in front of a screen, we’ve cozied up to the concept that a classic ’80s summer à la Stranger Things (without that whole Upside Down thing, please) is just what the doctor ordered. Keep reading to see what you’ll need to make it happen—and guess what? This is going to be the Best. Summer. Ever.
1. Encourage round-the-clock wearing of swimsuits.
They’ll be pool or sprinkler-ready all day long, AND it works wonders on the laundry pile.
2. Replace their Nintendo Switch with an Etch-a-Sketch.
3. For the older set: Find the oldest playground equipment in town and leave your kids unsupervised to play for hours.
Tickle your tot’s funny bone with silly jokes Seattle kids (and parents) will totally get
Need a little levity in your life? These Seattle jokes for kids are a great way to kick your day off in the right direction. Scroll down for silly jokes, corny jokes, and quite a few rain jokes. Share them with your little ones to get the laughs rolling!
Kate Loweth
1. Can a kid jump higher than the Space Needle?
Of course! Because the Space Needle can’t jump.
2. What did the Giant Octopus under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge eat for lunch?
Fish and ships.
3. What do you call monkeys who live in Seattle?
Amazon Prime-ates.
4. What do you call three orcas in Elliott Bay?
A tripod.
5. Why is Santa thinking about moving to Seattle?
Because of all the rain, dear.
6. What do you call a week without rain in Seattle?
Summer.
7. What did the geoduck say to the clam?
Can you dig it?
8. How do you make a SeaFair pirate angry?
Take away the “p.”
9. Heard any good jokes about the Cascades?
Yes, they are hill areas.
10. Why can’t Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker play hide and seek?
Even during a regular year, the end of summer and beginning of fall marks a big transition for a lot of families. Back to school is a big shift with routine changes and social-emotional adjustments. But this year, the back-to-school transition feels especially big. Our kids have been through so many wild changes, uncomfortable adjustments and uncharted territory—and so have we!
Given the inequities in access to education that surfaced over the past year and a half, many parents are also worried their children have fallen behind their peers. Whether your family has dealt with online learning from home, hybrid classes, a pod set up, going to school in a mask or all of the above, you’ve been through a seemingly constant stream of changes and adjustments. As fall approaches, we know they (and you!) may have some extra back-to-school jitters this year. We’re here to help!
We believe two of the biggest supports for creating back-to-school stress relief are connection and routine.
Building Connections
We can teach our little ones that they are always held in a wide net of loving community connection, even when their loved ones are far away. As our kids embark on a new school year, reminders that they are always loved and supported no matter where they are empowers them to feel excited about creating relationships with new peers and teachers. This can greatly help to ease separation anxiety.
Talking with kids about upcoming changes and giving them a chance to get the details and ask questions is a great way to feel connected and soothe back-to-school stress. In these conversations we can help them remember that their Heart Family, just like Otter’s, is always with them. As we talk with them and help them prepare their backpacks and other items for school, we can remind them that our love and connection travels with them, too.
Roleplaying scenarios like walking out the door, getting on the bus, and entering the school or classroom can be a great way for parents to help kids feel ready, and if they know they’re not just carrying their lunch and school supplies but also the love of their family and community, they’ll feel that much more courageous and secure.
Fostering Routines
Being prepared and establishing routines gives us another way to support our kids as they get ready for the back-to-school transition. We can support our kids through their big transitions by giving them predictability in their home routines, such as having dinner together, packing up their backpack for the next day, and preparing for bed. Having routines at home also supports our kids in understanding and practicing routines at school, as well.
We encourage you to come up with a unique way of sending off your little one before their big day. This special goodbye ritual can be another part of the routines that you create together. Is it a fist bump and a silly face? A big squeeze and a nose nuzzle? Get creative and make it yours, together!
Many teachers agree that school readiness is mostly based on social-emotional skills and less so on academic skills. When our kids have the emotional support and skills to cope with big feelings and big changes, they are well prepared to learn at school.
To help with building connections and routine, Slumberkins has two stories that can help kids: The first is about Otter who helps teach our little ones that they are always loved and supported no matter where they are. This reassurance helps to ease separation anxiety. The second is Sloth’s story that helps children practice routines to calm their bodies and minds. By embracing structure with Sloth, our kids learn to take on new challenges and cope with new experiences.
We hope Otter and Sloth can help your family create some back-to-school stress relief through the power of connection and routine! Whatever fall brings for you, we hope to support you through this upcoming transition.
Kelly Oriard and Callie Christensen are co-founders of Slumberkins, a children's brand supporting social-emotional learning for children. Kelly has a dual master's degree in family therapy and school counseling, and Callie has a master's degree in teaching. Both are passionate about teaching children social-emotional skills to thrive in our modern world.
No matter how many parenting books or advice columns you read, it can be challenging to navigate emotions and stages and to know what is “normal” for our kids. That’s where this first-of-its-kind service, Little Otter, comes in! Little Otter is a virtual healthcare platform dedicated to kids and their family’s mental health and wellness. Developed by Dr. Helen Egger, previously Head of Child Psychiatry at NYU Langone and Duke University, and the top minds in early childhood mental health, their programs empower families to get back to what matters the most as soon as possible.
From anxiety to tantrums and everything in-between, Little Otter’s world-renowned clinicians are equipped to give you expert care right when you need it, from the convenience of your location—live, customized care, with the help of technology! Children’s mental health care is reimagined and easier than ever before to access with Little Otter, from the quality of care to accommodating the urgency and importance of early detection and counseling.
As parents, we know it truly does take a village. When you join the Little Otter family, their care team will assess the mental health of your kids and your family, develop an integrated care plan and track how you and your kids are doing throughout care. No appointments to travel to—their app makes it easy to connect with the right, qualified providers from your phone, anywhere. You also get access to a library of online content with advice and guidance developed by Dr. Helen Egger and all of their child mental health experts.
Getting started is super easy, even for busy parents. They’ve put together a 30-minute Family Mental Health and Wellness assessment for you based on their expertise so that they can get every detail—no worry is too big or small. Once you sign up, you'll get personalized reports and resources before your first appointment. From there you’ll be matched to a Care Lead and schedule your first appointment.
Explore
In addition to one-on-one appointments with their team of mental health professionals, you get access to Little Otter’s online resource library and “when to worry” guides. You'll receive personalized resources based on your Wellness Report to explore, as well as their whole wealth of knowledge on all things mental health for kids and families. You can even invite family members to be a part of the plan!
No need to book out time to schlep your family to an office—you'll connect with your Little Otter Care Lead in a video appointment to chat through your family's needs and your Wellness Report. During your meeting with your Care Lead, you'll get your suggested next steps and invite the right providers into your Care Team. Everything is done online and through video chat so it's incredibly convenient to stay on track with your family's mental health, stress-free.
Grow
Track your progress through their app and get 24/7 text communication with your Care Team. Whenever you need help or have a question, Little Otter Health has your back! You'll also get quarterly family wellness check-ups to make sure you're on the right track.
Their combination of expert clinicians and user-friendly digital platform are built to support your kids’ emotional and behavioral well-being (and yours!). Your first Little Otter appointment is $90, which includes: same-day appointment, daily text access, custom reports with measurable insights into your family's mental health, in-app assessments, digital resources created by experts, and three-month access to resources at Little Otter. Additional sessions with world-renowned clinicians are available as needed for an incremental charge.
If you, your child, or someone you know is in crisis, call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or reach out to the following national resources. You’re never alone.
Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center.
If embracing Star Wars style only on May the 4th isn’t enough for you, you’re not alone. Ever since Star Wars Day has come and gone, there are tons of new galaxy-inspired products hitting store shelves. From baby Yoda jammies and Mandalorian-inspired backpacks, there are plenty of ways to show your strength against the dark side! Keep scrolling to see our faves.
Columbia Outer Rim Collection
Columbia is back with another limited edition collection! The special lineup includes three styles for men, women and kids with prices ranging from $45 to $65. Each piece is packed with Star Wars iconic images and is perfect for summer adventures.
When it comes to stylish duds, Hanna Andersson has it in the bag. The brand's collection of PJ's for the whole fam and comfy shirts, dresses and more mean you'll be embracing the Force in total style.
May the Force be with your Amazon Echo Dot 4th Generation! Otterbox has just dropped a new Grogu Echo Dot Stand in its Made for Amazon Star Wars OtterBox Den Series and its available for pre-order starting May 4.
Head to amazon.com to pre-order, with shipping starting Jun. 10, 2021.
Hershel Mandalorian Collection
Herschel's second Star Wars collab has landed! The Mandalorian-inspired lineup features a Little America Backpack, Classic X-Large backpack, Little Herschel Pop Quiz Lunch Box and a Heritage Kids Backpack––all with legit Mando patterns and phrases.
This Grogu-approved tea is made with hibiscus, blueberries and organic monk fruit and comes in a collectable tin. It's a part of the Mandalorian Tea Collection and joins The Child Green Tea and Mysterious Black Tea.
Available at www.RepublicofTea.com and select specialty retailers across the country, $8.50
The Black Series Galaxy's Edge Captain Cardinal Electronic Helmet
Captain Cardinal served as Armitage Hux’s personal guard and now your kiddos can feel like the real deal. This wearable helmet has a voice distorter, adjustable fit, interior padding and everything you need to fit right into the galaxy.
It’s a boy—and another boy and a girl! First-time North American river otter parents Elva and Dragonroll just welcomed triplets at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin.
Montello, Fisher, and Lily made their grand debut Feb. 15. The zoo recently announced the birth on its Facebook and Instagram pages, noting that the river otter pups are currently hanging with their equally as adorable mama. Head to their social pages to see a photo of the adorable threesome!
According to the Henry Vilas Zoo, river otter moms have the sole responsibility of raising their newborn pups. This means the triplets won’t meet dad, Dragonroll, until they are around six to eight weeks old and can swim.
Zoo manager Johanna Soto told WMTV, “We are beyond excited to welcome these pups. Soto continued, “Triplets can be demanding, especially for a first-time mom, but Elva has been doing great and they have been growing at a very health rate from day one.”
While Dragonball is currently out and about at the Zoo, guests won;t get to glimpse the baby river otter awesomeness until sometime in late May.
Calling all critter-loving kiddos! If animal meet-and-greets are what you’re after, these just-for-families experiences should do the trick. Kids will learn lots as they watch crocodiles eat dinner, train landmine sensing rats and frolic with otters in the great outdoors. Here’s where to take your wild bunch.
If your kids have ever wondered how a snake eats without any hands, they’ll get their questions answered on this educational experience. It’s feeding time at the Reptile Zoo, and families are invited to book a front row seat to see slithering snakes, leaping lizards and cool crocodiles eat their dinner. Along with watching these reptiles chow down on dead rats, mice and fish, you’ll learn about the animals and have a chance to ask questions too. Plan on spending 90 minutes making the rounds. Call 425-971-0435 to reserve your spot.
Dates & Times: Fri., 6:30-8 p.m. Ages: All Cost: $25/person
Reptile Zoo 22715 U.S. 2 Monroe, WA 360-805-5300 Online:thereptilezoo.org
Heroes of Unusual Size
Katie Cotterill
You know about R.O.U.S.es. Now meet the HeroRATs (a.k.a African giant pouched rats) of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium at this hands-on experience that tests your training skills. These rats are known for their detective skills—they’re used to find buried landmines and sniff out tuberculosis. Now, you’ll have a chance to help them hone their skills as you walk them through a training exercise during a private 30-minute session. You hide. They seek. And hopefully earn a reward.
Good to know: Not super keen on rats? Try booking a private goat grooming session instead.
Meet an amazing animal ambassador from Woodland Park Zoo when you and the kids book this private animal experience for up to five people. Your group will have 20 minutes to get to know hawks, owls or pot bellied pigs at the Wildlife Theater. Or choose to spend time with an armadillo, kookaburra or porcupine (to name a few) at the Broadleaf Theater. (Reptile visits are an option too, but it’s got to be at least 65 degrees.) Which animal is on your can’t-wait-to-meet list?
Date & Time: Daily, except Weds., 1-3 p.m. Ages: All Cost: $300
Woodland Park Zoo 5500 Phinney Ave. N. Seattle, WA 206-548-2500 Online:zoo.org/meetandgreet
Ready for an otter-ly adorable meet and greet? Spend one-on-one-time with the playful otters at Debbie Dolittle’s petting zoo. It’s a year’s worth of cuteness packed into 30 minutes. Kids will have the chance to watch and play with the otters before moving on to the rest of the outdoor petting zoo, where they’ll find capybaras, kangaroos, sheep and other friendly animals. We suggest adding the $5 feeding cup when you book so you definitely get to interact with the animals when you visit.
Good to know: This experience runs through February 28, so grab your spot before it’s too late.
Dates & Times: Thurs.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Ages: 5 & up Cost: from $100
Debbie Dolittle Indoor Petting Zoo 120 138th St. S. Tacoma, WA 253-539-5011 Online:indoorpettingzoo.com
Eye-to-Eye Shark Dive
Ingrid Barrentine
You won’t need a bigger boat for this jaw-dropping experience. But you will need nerves of steel to cage dive with sand tiger sharks, black tip reef sharks and other creatures from the deep during this unbelievable underwater adventure. It’s a chance to see some of the ocean’s most elusive creatures up close. When you’re done, you’ll learn about sharks, the dangers they face and how to support their survival in the wild. Everything you need—from a dry suit all the way through to the keepsake video—is provided as part of the experience.
Ages: 8 & up Cost: $255/non-member household (up to 4 people); $210/member household
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium 5400 N. Pearl St. Tacoma, WA 253-404-3800 Online:pdza.org
If your kiddos have a soft spot for rescue animals, barnyard dance your way to Second Chance Ranch. Here, kids can pet and snuggle with friendly goats and adorable bunnies, or wander over to meet Amelia, the darling blind calf in her bright red barn. With four acres to roam and dozens of animals to interact with (meet the menagerie here), you and the kids will have lots to do during your two-hour visit. Don’t forget to bring cut carrots, sliced apples and lettuce snacks for your new farm friends!
Good to know: The Sammamish Animal Sanctuary is completely volunteer driven, and 100% of its donations are used to care for and feed the animals.
Dates & Times: Weds. & Tues., Fri.-Sun., times vary Ages: All Cost: Free, donations appreciated
Ready to take a Jeep safari journey Pacific Northwest style? Book a personal Keeper Tour with Northwest Trek. It’s a chance for families to drive the rarely used paths and go off-road around the 435-acre nature preserve in search of bison, moose, elk and other woodland dwellers. Along the way, your guide will dish out fun facts and figures about the animals you encounter, delivered directly to you through the wireless speaker in the back of the Jeep. It’s the 90-minute joy ride you’ve been looking for!
Good to know: Northwest Trek still offers their Wild Drive tours through the park.
Dates & Times: Fri.-Sun., 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Ages: 5 & up Cost: $400/household (up to 5 people)
Northwest Trek 11610 Trek Dr. E. Eatonville, WA 360-832-6117 Online:nwtrek.org
As the nation’s zoos and aquariums begin to reopen, you and the kids can still enjoy all your fave animals! From underwater creatures like sharks, sea jellies and puffins to majestic lions, giraffes and elephants, there are plenty of live cams streaming at this very moment. Keep scrolling to find easy ways to find out what your furry (and slippery) friends are up to!
Missing your favorite museums and monuments? For now, you’ll have to settle on visiting them virtually. Or you can flip open one these books that features our favorite local stomping ground, Washington, DC. Read on for 8 books that will inspire your next DMV adventure––post quarantine.
On The Loose in Washington, DC by Sage Stossel
Remember Where’s Waldo? Why not play where’s the wildlife? The animals from the National Zoo have taken themselves for a walk beyond the Smithsonian gates. Search each page for a missing animal; can you find the monkey at the Library of Congress? Bet you can’t spot the lion on the National Mall!
Washington, DC ABCs by Mr. Boddington’s Studio
A is for the Air and Space Museum. B is for Ben’s Chili Bowl. C is for Capitol Hill. Teach the alphabet with this delightfully illustrated book featured iconic DC landmarks. Preorder now (avail. June 22)!
Urban Animals of Washington, DC by Isabel Hill
Go on a zoofari right here in DC! This book explores animals hidden within the District’s architecture and monuments. With cute rhymes and black and white photographs, this paperbound romp through the DMV will inspire your next walk outdoors.
The Otter and the Owl go to Washington, DC, by Chris Collier Best buds, Owl and Otter, fly to DC to check out all the city has to offer. Visiting sights made famous by history, wise Owl tells Otter all about what happened and why each place is so special. Otter can’t help but be awed by the stories and people, who courageously fought for our country, passed laws, and strove for equality. Owl and Otter visit the usual suspects such as 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (Otter may or may not have been chased by the Secret Service!), the Washington Monument, Library of Congress, and even manage to hit a few off the beaten path places too! Kiddos will love flying around with Owl and Otter, while Mamas and Papas will love the history lessons Owl imparts to us all.
Good Night Washington, DC, by Adam Gamble Pint-sized fans of the Goodnight Our World books will love reading about what happens in their own backyards. Good Night Washington, DC explores the city from a child’s point of view by visiting everything from the Library of Congress, Springtime at the Tidal Basin (hello Yoshino Cherry Blossoms), dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, to making money at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and of course checking out the White House. Whether you’ve lived here for decades, or just moved here a few months ago, Good Night Washington, DC allows you to explore the city through your children’s eyes. Simple, beautiful and full of wonder.
Larry Gets Lost in Washington, DC, by John Skewes and Andrew Fox Uh Oh! Larry the pup is back and this time he’s lost in DC. Did he take the parkway instead of the beltway?! Help Larry find his owner, Pete by sniffing around the Capitol, nosing through Cherry Blossoms, and saluting President Lincoln. Not only does Larry go on an adventure through our capital city, but you can take your kiddos on a ride through time by teaching them facts (written within the story) about Arlington Cemetery, the Supreme Court, the founding of America and more. Larry might have gotten lost following the scent of treats, but your little ones will know the way to their favorite DC site after following this “tail”.
Washington, DC, History for Kids: The Making of a Capital City, with 21 Activities, by Richard Panchyk Older kiddos who fancy themselves history buffs should read this book stat. From the early 17th century (before DC was a twinkle in the founding fathers’ eyes) to the earthquake in 2011, Washington, DC, History for Kids: The Making of a Capital City tells the story of the District of Columbia through hands on fun including how to build a cornerstone (since there are quite a few residing around here), taking pictures of famous buildings, and visiting the Botanic Gardens. This book is perfect for at-home activities as well as helping with homework, collecting DC-centric items and even doodling some cartoon politicians.
Clifford Goes to Washington, by Norman Bridwell Miniature purists who can’t get enough of the big red dog will be delighted when Clifford bounds off fur adventures in the nation’s capital with his pal Riley. Not only does Clifford meet the First Lady, but he also gets to check out some of the best parts of DC. Clifford swims in the Potomac (ick!), visits Abraham Lincoln, gets tackled by the Secret Service (!), and even visits a protest…err demonstration. Don’t be surprised when your little ones vote Clifford for President come November! And, maybe you will too!
Taking beautiful photos of your kids with your phone—especially taking shots with the iPhone 11—has never been easier. But even if you have an older model phone or a non-Apple device, there are still tips and tricks you can use to get awesome images.
Hannah Harding, professional family photographer and family photo expert at Vices & Virtues in Photography, reminds parents out there trying to capture that perfect moment: Appreciate unplanned photos. “Posed photos have their place,” Hannah says, “but my heart lies with candid photos.”
1. Use burst mode. Whenever you’re taking any kind of action shot (think soccer games or bounce house fun), you can simply tap and hold your finger on the shutter button, and your iPhone will automatically activate the burst mode. Essentially, your phone takes a bunch of photos at one time, so that you can go back through them to pick the best in-motion shot and discard the others.
Tip: If your phone doesn’t have this featured (many Android phones do not, you can actually download an app that allows you do so (like Fast Burst Camera).
2. Take cool silhouette pics. Trust us, they’re easier than you might think. All you need is an interesting subject (shouldn’t be hard), then just shoot towards the light, which you’ll need to do when the sun is at the horizon. Your subject will appear dark and cool.
3. Phone a friend. When your photo needs extra light (but you know the flash will ruin the pic), grab a friend. Have her turn on the phone’s flashlight as your source of light. She can hold it towards one side of your subject to naturally mimic the sun as you take the shot. So. Pretty.
4. And speaking of friends….“If you can get another adult to help you in your shoots, get them to tell jokes and do silly things behind you off-camera.” says Harding. “You’re guaranteed to get some eye-sparkling smiles.”
photo: Amber Guetebier
5. Change the way you hold the phone. Most of us hold the phone upright and snap a picture of our kids, but changing the position of your phone can make a subtle-but-big difference. For example, flip the phone upside down—you can create angles this way and still easily reach the photo button to take your shot. Try holding the photo low to the ground and taking a pic of your kiddo from a different angle—you’ll get sky or pretty leaves in the background and add a sense of whimsy to the photo that screams #lifewithkids.
6. You don’t have to unlock your phone. You probably know this already but just in case … if your phone is locked, you can just swipe left to pull your camera up. No passcode or touch ID required (that’s how those selfies of your bestie got on your phone!).
7. It’s easier to lighten a dark photo than darken a photo that is too bright. If you’re faced with a situation where the lighting is too low, but adding a big overhead light or flash will ruin the photo, opt for darker. You can take a dark photo and lighten it (with photo editing apps for iPhone), but if your photo is too light, it’s hard to darken enough to make it worth keeping.
8. Your phone comes with focus. When you have your camera open, just tap the screen where you want your focus to be (a yellow box will indicate). Tap it again and it will allow you to adjust the exposure.
9. Use your apps wisely. Inexpensive apps like ProCamera ($4.99) cost a couple of bucks in the app store, but they can offer you a wide range of editing tools and filters beyond what comes on your phone. They also allow you to mess around with things like focus, set exposure based on your location and more. (Hello, high-school photography class skills, we knew you’d be handy one day!)
10. Protect your phone. If worrying you’re going to drop your phone or get it wet is holding you back from being more adventurous with your photos, invest in a good case like an Otter Box, and get playful! Setting the camera on a timer and putting it in a tree, for example, might give you cool shadows and capture the authentic movement of children at play. Letting the kids take some shots once in a while can round out your collection, too.
11. Use your earbuds to click the shutter. Did you know that youcan actually use the + volume button on your headphones to take a photo, which means you can move further away when taking shots … and if you have wireless earbuds you basically can take a timed photo without having to set the timer!
12. Consider composition before you click. Remember the rule of three: a good photo has three main focus points. That doesn’t mean it has to be three of the same thing in a row. Think of your photo as being divided into thirds, with each section having one thing of interest to the eye. 13. Move around. Unless your camera has amazing zoom function (hello, iPhone11 pro!) you may not get the shot you want as you see it with your naked eye. Instead of trying to get closer with the zoom function, just get closer. When you move closer to your subject you’ll also be able to snap the shot at whatever angle you’d like.
14. Don’t go overboard on filters, and put your filter on your phone BEFORE you take the photo. If you want to use a filter, try editing your photos in the Instagram app, where a double-tap on any filter allows you to adjust the amount. Also, if you don’t edit anything else, go into Instagram editing tools and mess with the contrast or structure. A little enhancing can create sharper lines and a better quality photo. You can also put a filter on before you take a photo to get a better idea of what it will do to the image. Just click on the little filter icon (3 circles, upper right-hand corner), and select before you snap.
15. Record and snap pics simultaneously. Sometimes (er, most of the time) you just can’t get your subject to sit still for a photo. That’s okay! While you are in video mode, you can also take photos. Here’s how: Switch to video mode and start filming. Simply tap the white shutter button to capture a photo while recording. Bonus: You can tell your subject you are recording (’cause you are!), and they’ll be less posey-posey for the shot.
16. Take a better (and easier) selfie. News flash: You can use your + volume button on the side of your phone to take a picture. Because how many hand cramps have you gotten from trying to wrap your fingers into a claw to press the screen button while holding the phone steady?
