13 Ways Families Can Explore Black History in Seattle

by Allison SutcliffeJanuary 25, 2022

Spontaneous city adventures are always a hit with kids. So why not pair an impromptu day out with a history lesson? If you’re looking for a hands-on way to celebrate Black History Month with kids in Seattle, you’ll find it at these local museums, theaters, monuments and playgrounds. We’ve got the spots, you make it count.

Northwest African American Museum

black-history-landmarks-monuments-seattle — Caprice F. via yelp

25 years in the making, NAAM opened its doors to the public in 2008. Since then, its staff has educated visitors on the experiences of African Americans in the Northwest through art, music, craft, literature and history exhibits. Even the building itself—the former Colman School—is an important landmark. It was the first Seattle school to admit Black students. Before the museum came to be, the Colman School was occupied by community activists, who ran a makeshift museum on the property, for eight years.

Good to know: Although the museum remains closed, families can stay connected to NAAM through a monthly virtual storytime, virtual exhibits and community programs like the recent MLK Day celebration.

2300 S. Massachusetts St.
Seattle, WA
206-518-6000
Online: naamnw.org

Jimi Hendrix Park

black-history-landmarks-monuments-sea — Eva M. via yelp

Just outside NAAM, families will find Jimi Hendrix Park, a wide-open space that includes grassy fields, paved pathways and art that honors the groundbreaking, Seattle-born musician. While the park is a great spot to spy Hendrix lyrics and enjoy a picnic, families should head to MoPOP to get the full story on Jimi and other important African American musicians with ties to Seattle.

2400 S. Massachusetts. St.
Seattle, WA
Online: seattle.gov

Contact High at MoPOP

seattle-black history landmarks museums — courtesy MoPOP

Speaking of important Black artists, you’ll see Salt-N-Pepa, Tupac, Queen Latifah and other musicians that both defined and created the Hip Hop genre at MoPOP’s latest exhibit, Contact High. Immerse yourself in over 170 intimate images chronicling a music revolution that started in the ‘70s and continues to push boundaries today. Race relations, fashion, politics and culture are all part of the movement. You’ll need tickets to see this fantastic exhibit on display through March 2023.

325 5th Ave. N.
Seattle, WA
207-770-2700
Online: mopop.org/contact-high

Lauren Halsey at SAM

seattle art museum, black history landmarks, black artists seattle — Natali Wiseman

While families can always find intriguing artwork by Black artists at the Seattle Art Museum, there's a new opening that should be on your list to see this month. LA-based artist, Lauren Halsey's solo exhibition just opened at the museum in early February, and it will be on display through July. Winner of the 2021 Gwendolyn Knight and Jacob Lawrence Prize, Halsey works to "address gentrification and disenfranchisement and celebrate Black culture" through her vibrant installations and sculptures. Pro tip: Free First Thursday is a great time to take the kids to see this exhibit.

1300 1st Ave.
Seattle, WA
Online: seattleartmuseum.org

The Black & Tan Collection at MOHAI

MOHAI is where you'll find this collection of oil paintings that highlight and honor the black musicians that influenced Seattle's early jazz scene. And there's a small window to see the show; it's only here February 19-21. After you take in the art and learn about the scene, bring the kids to King Street Station for a self-guided Green Book walking tour where the fam can learn about some of Seattle's vibrant Black-owned and Black-friendly businesses (including the Black & Tan Club) that operated in the area over a 40 year period.

860 Terry Ave. N.
Seattle, WA
Event details

Wa Na Wari

Wa Na Wari, or “our home,” opened its doors in 2019 as a hub for Black art and culture in the Central District. It's a place for community members and families to enjoy art exhibits, concerts, film screenings and more. The home it’s housed in has been owned by the same family for five generations, and turning it into an artists’ space has allowed the property to remain Black-owned amid Seattle’s rising housing costs. Visitors can stop by to see the current art exhibits at the house Fridays through Sundays without an appointment. Please remember to review the community agreements before exploring the space.

911 24th Ave.
Seattle, WA
Online: wanawari.org

First African Methodist Episcopal Church

The next time you’re in Capitol Hill, stop by Seattle’s first Black church—First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME). The church was established in 1886, and churchgoers held Sunday School at various members’ homes. It was designated a Seattle Landmark in 1984.

1522 14th Ave.
Seattle, WA

Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer

A play for older kids and parents (or maybe a date night?), Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer chronicles the life of a passionate American civil rights activist and hero—Fannie Lou Hamer. The story starts with her humble beginnings as the daughter of a Mississippi sharecropper and follows Fannie to co-founding the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and demanding recognition at the National Democratic Convention. It's a story of justice that will make audiences applaud.

Dates: Through Feb. 13, 2022

Seattle Rep
Bagley Wright Theater
155 Mercer St.
Seattle, WA
Event details

August Wilson Way Portal

After seeing Fannie, check out the August Wilson Way Portal, tucked in behind the Rep. The 12-foot high arch and red door pay tribute to the playwright, who lived out his final years in the Emerald City. Wilson staged many of his well-known plays, that chronicle the experiences of African Americans in each decade of the 20th century, at the Rep.

305 Harrison St.
Seattle, WA
Online: seattlecenter.com

Buffalo Soldiers Exhibit

Also at Seattle Center is the Buffalo Soldiers exhibit—on the second floor of the Armory (above the Bubble Tea shop). The timeline and photos on display tell the story of Black soldiers, part of a segregated army, stationed at Fort Lawson with the 25th infantry during WWI and WWII. The timeline illustrates the meaningful contributions the Buffalo Soldiers (and others) made to Seattle's evolution. It'll be on display through the end of this month.

305 Harrison St.
Seattle, WA
Event details

Seattle Parks & Playgrounds

Laurel Mercury/Seattle Parks and Recreation via flickr

You might not pay attention to the names of the city parks and playgrounds you frequent, but now is a good time to add a brief history lesson to your play time at one of several parks that honor African Americans who called Seattle home. Some of our faves are Alice Ball Park, named after Seattle-born chemist, Alice Ball, who developed a treatment for leprosy. Families can also head to Flo Ware Park (pictured), named after this community activist who fought for educational equity and organized Seattleites to join the Poor People’s March in Washington, D.C. in the '60s. Or tell your kids about Dr. Blache Lavizzo, the first African American pediatrician in Washington state and Medical Director of Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic. She started her practice in Seattle in 1956 and has a water feature and small park named after her.

Eagles Auditorium

If you’ve been to the ACT Theatre, you’ve visited the Eagles Auditorium and possibly not known it. Back in the day, Eagles Auditorium was one of the few places Martin Luther King spoke on his one and only trip to Seattle in November, 1961. Today, the building is known as Kreielsheimer Place, and it houses, in addition to apartments, the ACT’s five performance spaces on its ground floor. The next time you're there, look for the bust of Dr. King (outside the Allen Theatre) that commemorates his visit.

1416 7th Ave.
Seattle, WA
Online: acttheatre.org

Liberty Bank Building

By Kevin Scott, photo courtesy of Community Roots Housing

Pick up dinner from Communion in the Liberty Bank Building and learn about the first Black-owned bank in Seattle. The Liberty Bank opened in 1968 on 24th Ave. & E. Union Street. It was an important resource for African Americans who were denied loans from Seattle’s mainstream banks that followed redlining practices. The courtyard plaque can fill you in on the whole story.

2320 E. Union St.
Seattle, WA
Online: libertybankbuilding.org

—Allison Sutcliffe

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This Fun Learning App Helps Families Prevent Summer Slide

by Nora BuchholtzJuly 14, 2021

After an unusual school year (to say the least!) summer can’t come soon enough. And now, more than ever, parents are leaning on educational apps to tackle learning loss, aka the “summer + COVID slide.” Lingokids, an awesome playlearning™ app for children, recently released The State of Pandemic Learning: Sliding into Summer 2021, a report which surveyed parents of children ages 2-8. The data revealed some important stats:

86% of parents believe their child has missed out on learning certain skills this school year
85% reported that their child experienced distance or hybrid learning this year
91% reported supplementing learning at home
68% said they rely often on early learning apps

Any of this sound familiar? If you’re looking for safe screen time to keep kids for learning this summer, Lingokids will set your little ones up for a successful transition back to school in the fall, while having a ton of fun! Here’s how:

Get a seven-day free trial of the Lingokids app here!

It's More Than Learning… It's Playlearning™

From digging sandcastles to dreaming up whimsical games, kids naturally learn from play.
Lingokids’ playlearning™ method provides fresh digital experiences that make learning full of adventure and fun. When using the app, kids are more motivated, engaged, imaginative, and hold their concentration longer. Content helps kids discover a crucial set of skills that Lingokids refers to as the “4C’s”—communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. They’re encouraged to ask questions and find solutions, work together to achieve goals, and share their ideas with others.

The Content Is Top Quality

The app features almost 700 learning activities and songs developed by leading educational experts, as well as content in collaboration with Oxford University Press. Activities are designed to reinforce concepts already learned, introduce new topics, offer engaging ways to practice emerging skills and provide an outlet for creativity. They’re continuously developing new STEM games to help kids grasp math and science, too. There are no ads to contend with or distracting pop-up banners. Fun fact: The adorable characters were developed by the creator of the show Pocoyo!

It’s Screen Time You’ll Feel Good About

Newsflash: sometimes parents have things to do without their kids, amirite? Whether you’re catching up on work emails or that tackling your to-do list, parents have more peace of mind when their kids spend time building skills on this learning app, compared to other screen time options. Better yet, Lingokids’ mission is to break down educational barriers and create equal opportunities for all children. The company supports and collaborates with NGOs and global foundations like Save the Children, UNICEF, UNHCR and American Red Cross.

Get a seven-day free trial of the Lingokids app here!

Parents Can Be Part of the Adventures

While the kid-friendly navigation lets children easily play independently, the app encourages parents and children to learn together. Not only is this a great bonding experience, but your kids will be proud to show you what they’re up to. You can also enjoy their podcast, LingoListen, as well as the YouTube channel full of fun chants, songs and videos.

Check Progress in the Portal

When you sign up for Lingokids, you’ll have access to a portal displaying your child’s progress. Read through with weekly reports, curriculum overviews, an activity timeline, and helpful advice from the Parents Community.

Ready to give it a try? You can snag a seven-day free trial of the Lingokids app here!

Here’s How To Enter Gerber’s 2021 Spokesbaby Search

by Erica LoopMay 7, 2021

Gerber is looking for a new spokesbaby—and that’s not all! This year the beloved brand is adding an extra bonus for the winner. Along with the spokesbaby honor, the top pic pick will also become the Chief Growing Officer.

What exactly is a Chief Growing Officer? According to Gerber, the CGO will “Steer—whether by crawling, wobbling, walking, or running—Gerber’s Executive Committee with big kid decisions, eat tasty and nutritious baby food products, act as the adorable face of the company, and appear on Gerber’s social media channels and marketing campaigns throughout the year.”

photo courtesy of Gerber

Mohini Joshi, Gerber Vice President of Marketing, said in a press release, “As part of our mantra to do anything for baby, each year we strive to make Photo Search bigger and better. In honor of the program’s 11-year anniversary, we’re excited to give Gerber families something new and exciting.” Joshi added, “Our Chief Growing Officer’s adorable roles and responsibilities are sure to make Gerber’s 2021 Photo Search a year like NO other and provide executive leadership new inspiration to help babies thrive.”

To apply for the 2021 Photo Search and CGO position, submit your 0 to 48-month-old’s pic to Gerber through the brand’s submission portal from Apr. 27 to May 17!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Tatiana Syrikova via Pexels

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4 Ways to Be a Planet Saving Superhero Even during a Pandemic!

By Sandra Ann Harris

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

April 22, 2021

Photo: ECOlunchbox

During the pandemic, single-use items reigned supreme as families doubled down on sanitation to protect themselves from the virus. With a little planning, we can still be planet superheroes while keeping ourselves safe and protecting our planet against the massive deluge of pollution stemming from the needless use of disposable masks, gloves, wipes and other trashy plastic items.

Small things we do every day can make the planet a greener and cleaner place for people and animals today and for future generations. Check out these 4 easy actions to give a KA-POW! to plastic pollution during a pandemic.

1. Villain: Pitiful Plastic Polluter / Superhero Action: Pick it up
If you see a face mask fluttering by in a park, washed up in a gutter or lost in a parking lot, you can safely help dispose of it so it doesn’t wash into our waterways and pollute our planet. Blue face masks and many other face coverings are made from plastic textiles like polyester. They don’t biodegrade. Don’t touch the waste with your bare hands to protect yourself from potential viral contamination. Instead have on hand a reusable garden glove, kitchen glove, trash picking stick or something else to take it safely to the trash for disposal. Follow the same steps for any other trash you see lost in the environment! Plastic trash isn’t just ugly, it’s also dangerous to wildlife who commonly mistake garbage for food.

2. Villain: Gross Garbage Gyre / Superhero Action: Pack a litter-less lunch
It’s time to reboot your lunch! For many of us, school and work have been happening at home, so we’ve fallen out of the habit of packing food to go. Remember to prevent plastic pollution in the first place by reducing or eliminating it from your daily routine. A perfect place to start is lunchtime. Pack reusable containers that are designed to be easy to use and easy on the environment. Packing your own containers to school every day can prevent more than a thousand pieces of trash.

3. Villain: Trashy Takeout / Superhero Action: Refuse Single Use Takeout Items
When you purchase takeout, make sure you leave a note in the online ordering portal or with the telephone order taker specifying that you do not want any single-use extras packed with your meal. Say goodbye to making single-use plastic cutlery, single-serving ketchup and other condiment packets, and disposable napkins the new normal. You can go even further and ask restaurant managers to stop automatically including these single-use throw-aways with orders and provide them only upon customer request. Recommend biodegradable birch or bamboo utensils in lieu of throw-away plastic cutlery.

4. Villain: Ugly Online Orders / Superhero Action: Choose Plastic-Free Shipments
When shopping online, choose companies with planet-centric shipping practices that carbon offset shipments by packing all orders plastic-free (kraft tape instead of plastic, recycled dunnage paper instead of peanuts and plastic pillows, recyclable cardboard boxes instead of trashy padded plastic envelopes).

Insider Tip: If you’re buying from Amazon, go to amazon.com main search bar and enter keywords “Amazon Customer Service,” select chat, and request that you want your account flagged to receive plastic-free shipments. (Note: Requesting may or may not result in plastic-free shipments depending on your service area, but at least you’re sending a message to Amazon that you don’t want plastic waste in your shipments.) For other stores, add a customer note at checkout requesting a plastic-free, carbon offset shipment or send an email to the company.

For more tips, check out “Say Goodbye To Plastic: A Survival Guide For Plastic-Free Living” and help make plastic-free living a reality in your home.

Sandra Ann Harris

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Sandra Ann Harris is the author of "Say Goodbye To Plastic: A Survival Guide For Plastic-Free Living" and the founder of ECOlunchbox, a mission-based consumer products company. Her passion is protecting the oceans by reducing people's dependence on plastics. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.

Reality’s Edge: Seattle’s Newest (& Coolest) Place for Family Fun

by Jeff ToteyMarch 11, 2021

A new portal to a world of fun and adventure just opened in Tukwila. It’s called Reality’s Edge. Everything about this virtual reality experience is mysterious. Most people will walk by and not even notice that the portal is there. But it’s there all right—and just wait till you see what’s inside!

Dad Dreams

Reality’s Edge can be found at the Seattle Exchange compound in unit #671 under the business name Ong Innovations. The unassuming and stark office area serves as just a front for the wonders that lie beyond the back door. You see, once you go past that back door and enter the large white room, you’ll be leaving the world as you know it. Or at least when you put on your special virtual reality goggles you will.

While the concept of virtual reality isn’t exactly new, two Seattle dads, Sean Ong and Joshua Phillips, are on a mission to create the next level of entertainment that is both family-friendly and affordable. And frankly, during these COVID times, it is a great, safe place to bring the kids.

A Different Dimension

“Reality's Edge is a fun place for friends and family to experience virtual reality together,” says Sean. “We aim to lower the barriers to virtual experiences and bring family fun and forward-thinking education experiences to the masses.” Sean and Joshua have big plans for Reality’s Edge, but right now they are starting out small with virtual laser tag sessions for group sizes of two to five players. We got a chance to check it out, and it’s a win in our book. It’s laser tag as you know it, but in a different dimension.

Create Your Reality

Once the cordless goggles get put on, you’ll find yourself in a different landscape. It may be out in space or in a lush jungle. Turn around slightly and you might be surprised that you’re not alone. Five creatures, both human and inhuman, stand at the ready for a chance to serve as your avatar. This is how the other players will see you. From there, you play the game just as you would a physical game. You shoot lasers at the other players. If you get shot, you’ll retreat to the specially marked areas to recharge and then you go at it again. Special bonus features hang within reach, making you a force to be reckoned with.

Playing it Safe

As a parent, you may be wondering how is all of this safe? This is part of the experience that we really like. All of the equipment is cleaned and is sanitized after every session. During the games, each player has sort of a six-foot bubble around them while they play. If a player gets too close to another player, a warning flashes helping everyone to maintain safe social distancing practices.

During the games, players have to navigate around different virtual obstacles, but the physical walls of the room are very real. Run into one of them and you’ll be in a lot of hurt. Fortunately, the game puts up a barrier about two feet away from the actual walls to keep players from bumping their heads. Adults and older kids will pick up the technology right away, but even little ones (about five years old or so) will be able to understand how to play rather quickly. And being dads themselves, both Sean and Joshua know how to speak “kid” which is helpful getting young ones comfortable with this new experience.

The Next Chapter

This is just the beginning for Reality’s Edge. The owners hope to expand to offer other experiences like Winter Wonderland and a Virtual Science Museum (We got a preview of this and it will be really cool!). For now though, the place is open by appointment Monday-Saturday. Each half-hour session is $35 for up to five people during the week and $60 on Saturdays.

Want to do something totally different for a birthday or special event? They offer that too. Party packages are just $250 for 90 minutes, including an hour of VR time and 30 minutes for cake and refreshments. In fact, these guys are super flexible, so if you've got an idea, they will work with you.

Hours: Mon.-Sat., by appointment
Cost: $35/session, Mon.-Fri.; $60/session, Sat.
Ages: 5 & up

671 Strander Blvd.
Tukwila, WA 98188
833-664-8727
Online: realitysedgevr.com

—Jeff Totey, all photos courtesy Reality’s Edge

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It’s Autumn! Time to Fall in Love with Reading!

By Keira Pride

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

September 14, 2020

Photo: Stratford School

As the days begin to grow shorter and our children are staying inside more, now is the perfect time to fall in love with reading books! For as little as 20 minutes a day, children can take a break from their “virtual school day” and spend downtime reading. To help establish the reading habit, parents can model making the choice to read instead of being online. Let your child see you choose to spend time reading a book, magazine, or newspaper. By showing how much you value and thoroughly enjoy the quiet time reading brings, children will see firsthand that being off-line with a good book is time well spent.

It can’t be said often enough, reading to children while they are young helps lay a foundation upon which they will be much more likely to develop the habit of reading as they grow up. So, try to make reading a part of your families’ everyday routine to instill a love of reading at an early age!

Albert Einstein put it best: “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”

Here’s our go-to list of books to spark any child’s love of reading:

Grades Kinder to 2nd grade:

School’s First Day of School written by Adam Rex and Illustrated by Christian Robinson.
The first day of school brings a mixture of nervousness and excitement to everyone who is about to start the year; students wonder if they will make any friends, teachers hope they will start the year right, and parents hope their children will have fun learning. Perhaps there is someone else whom we have forgotten about—the school! School’s First Day of School gives us a very different perspective on those first day jitters, and by observing through the school’s eyes we get to see what makes it such a special place in our lives.

Fauja Singh Keeps Going : the True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a Marathon written by Simran Jeet Singh, Illustrated by Baljinder Kaur
After a life in India where he always strived to be stronger and better, Fauja Singh at the age of 81 moved to be with his family. It was in England that he discovered marathon running and began training. After some challenges, Singh became the oldest person (100!) to run a marathon. This is an inspiring story of an extraordinary man who has never stopped trying to become a better person. The illustrations are lovely—digitally created using drawings and collage pieces. These are exquisitely intricate and provide wonderful images of life in another culture. The book provides information on Singh, a wonderful photograph of him, and a list of his records. There is also a forward written by Singh to young readers.

Grades 3-4

Bo’s Magical New Friend – Unicorn Diaries Book One by Rebecca Elliott
This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. It tells the delightful tale of how Bo (short for Rainbow), makes friends with a new unicorn Sunny. A well-crafted book—each page is full of bright colorful pictures. Since this is a diary, it makes sense stylistically that the words are on lined pages, but it also makes it easier to read. The story is solid, with a little adventure and some light friend drama. This series is a companion to the very popular Owl Diaries by the same author.

The School is Alive! Eerie Elementary Series written by Jack Chabert and Illustrated by Sam Ricks
Children looking for an exciting and slightly spooky (perfect for Halloween) early chapter book and parent listeners hoping for more than the same old formulaic storyline might want to give this series a try. The plot revolves around the hall monitor, Sam, protecting the students from the evil school. He creates a team of students to help him. In this installment, which takes place during the class play, the stage and props come to life and try to swallow the students. This series keeps the reader’s attention because it has some laughs, some substance, and some thrills.

Grades 5-8

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
This “Rick Riordan Presents” book combines multiple African American tales and fables within an epic adventure. When Tristan Strong visits his grandparent’s house during the summer, his late friend’s journal is stolen from his room. While trying to regain the journal, Tristan accidentally opens a portal to MidPass, a place with burning seas, haunted bone ships, and iron monsters. To survive and make it back home Tristan must work together with characters who are part of African American Myths and legends, such as John Henry and Brer Rabbit. This book introduces African American folklore to a new generation all while the main character copes with the unexpected death of his best friend, and his most prized possession, the journal. This book is quite long (482 pages) and will keep readers on the edge of their seats, waiting for the sequel.

Genesis Begins Again by Alicia Williams
This Newbery Honor book tells the story of thirteen-year-old Genesis Anderson. With smooth and engrossing prose, debut novelist Alicia Williams takes readers through an emotional, painful, yet still hopeful adolescent journey. Along the way, she references accomplished black activists, athletes, artists, and, notably, musicians such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Etta James, all in a way that feels natural and appropriate. This book may bring readers to tears as they root for Genesis to finally have the acceptance she desires—but from herself rather than anyone else. This is a beautifully written novel about discovering who you are through those around you.

Keira Pride

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Keira Pride is the Head Librarian at Stratford School, the leading independent private school founded with a vision of creating a unique, multi-dimensional, educational foundation for children. As Stratford's Head Librarian, she manages the library services department across campuses throughout Northern and Southern California.

Wizards of the Coast Offers Free Content for Educators & Librarians

by Jennifer SwartvagherApril 26, 2020

Since you can’t get together with friends, some companies are coming up with ways to bring your favorite games to life digitally. Wizards of the Coast today announced that it will distribute 2,000 free digital enrichment kits with Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering resources to educators and librarians. The kits, including a “Legendary Bundle” to D&D Beyond that unlocks all current rules and adventure content and 30 Magic: The Gathering Arena digital codes which can be redeemed for three Ikoria booster packs, were designed to engage communities with virtual play while many are practicing social distancing.

Each kit will include a Legendary Bundle for D&D Beyond that unlocks access to all current rules and adventure content for D&D as well as a 15% discount on future D&D Beyond purchases and 30 Magic: The Gathering Arena digital codes, which can be redeemed for three Ikoria booster packs. The kits will also feature tips to help teachers and librarians engage their audiences in a virtual play environment.

Kits will be available upon request through the Wizards of the Coast customer service request portal to organizers over the age of 18 who are employed by or official volunteers at enrichment organizations, such as schools, libraries, community centers and scout troops, and represent the organization’s gaming programming.

D&D Beyond is a web tool and online repository for all officially published fifth edition D&D rules and adventures that provides players access to their characters and rules right at their fingertips. Magic: The Gathering Arena is the free-to-play digital version of Magic, and an exciting, feature-rich experience for anyone with a PC including tutorials to onboard players into the game and free starter decks.

“Right now, play, imagination and connection with the people you care about are more important than ever,” said Nathan Stewart, VP of the Dungeons & Dungeons Franchise. “With these resources, we want to give back to communities and make it as easy as possible for as many people to roll with advantage during this difficult time.”

Dungeons & Dragons offers additional resources on the Stay at Home, Play at Home portal, including new, free content released on a daily basis at 5p.m. PT, as well as tips and tricks for families and children to master remote play. Even more content is available on the DM’s Guild, a PDF web store containing thousands of D&D adventures and supplements for all editions of D&D, and the home to all official organized play content for the D&D Adventurers League.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Wizards of the Coast

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Check Out LA’s Central Library

by Erica GrotenApril 17, 2020

Libraries rock. They are beautiful, filled with things to do (books! story time! play spaces!) and are indoors, which is key in LA with these recurring heatwaves. So, clearly your local library is a regular stop. But if you need a change of scene and a destination date, head downtown to visit one of the most amazing libraries in the country. Brimming with history, a great Children’s Room, activities and events—if you haven’t been, you’re due for a visit.

photo credit: Sheila Thomson via Creative Commons

The Los Angeles Central Library was first established in 1872. Yes, back when Los Angeles was the little pueblo that could, it already had a library. It’s gone through a lot of growth and change, most recently in 2001 the library was renamed the Richard Riodan Central Library and had a few nips and tucks (because we are in LA). With 538,000 square feet and 8 floors, it houses more than six million items and happens to be one of the largest publicly funded library in the world. So next time anyone tells you LA is full of surfers and surface, you tell them about our library!

photo credit: Erica Groten

The library offers many WOW factors, so make “Look up!” your mantra throughout your visit. Besides the gazillion mosaic pieces located in the grand hall outside Children’s Literature, mouths will drop when viewing the globe light fixture.

Globe Light at Central Library Los Angeles

photo credit: Erica Groten

But, probably, you want to head straight to the kids books.

Entrance to Children Section Los Angeles Central Library

photo credit: Erica Groten

Kiddos and parents alike will have a tough time deciding what to look at first. There are so many choices, it’s like a Willy Wonka Factory of books. When your little reader finds a book that catches their fancy, they can sit down on one of the many seating choices.

Rest and read Los Angeles Public Library

photo credit: LWYang via Creative Commons

If you’ve got an ants-in-their pants toddler who isn’t ready to settle with a book, don’t fret. Ample play objects abound, like this kitchen set sitting in a sunny corner. Play hide and seek to see what you can find.

photo credit: Erica Groten

And when playtime gets old, you can plop the kiddos onto seats at story telling. Check out their Kid’s Portal for the latest events, story times, and activities.

photo credit: Erica Groten

When you’re ready to get back up and moving, it’s time to take in the sights. Take a walk around the library and have the kiddos point out all the art installations that are located everywhere. Look up, look down, look all around. You never know what you’ll find, or where you’ll find it.

Know Before You Go

Hours (as of May 3, 2021): Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., closed Sat.-Sun & closed holidays.

Eating: Maguire Gardens, centrally located and facing Flower St., offers outdoor-seating, a grass area for picnicking and fascinating fountains to check out.

Parking: Even though public parking is not available at the library, there are plenty of lots around downtown and metered parking on the street. The library has even negotiated a special rate at the 524 South Flower St. Garage, validation rates are available only when the library is open to the public. Get your validation from the library information desk on the first floor. Present a valid library card to receive the discount.

Potties: Potties abound throughout the library and many offer diaper changing stations.

The Richard Riordan Central Library
630 West 5th St.
DTLA

Online: lapl.org

-Erica Groten

Easy Ways to Stay Connected to Grandparents from a Distance

by Amber GuetebierApril 16, 2020

Not able to make that multigenerational family vacation happen this year? With COVID 19 on the rise and travel restrictions and recommendations changing daily, it’s no surprise to anyone that our elderly grandparent population may be most at risk. That doesn’t change the fact that kids will be disappointed. Here are some ways to help kids stay connected to their grandparents and other relatives when travel isn’t possible.

Create a Video Montage

Grandparents won't miss out on a thing when you use a service like Tribute.co to capture daily special moments. The platform is now being offered for free, and is a simple way to stay connected to loved ones from afar. Invite other family to submit videos through Tribute, then arrange the clips and add effects using the simple tools. When you're done, you'll get a high quality video to send to grandparents in jiffy.

Video Calls

From subscription services like Grandy, designed to help grandparents use technology to stay connected to their grandchildren, or the popular Amazon Echo or Facebook Portal, or just Skype, adding video to calls can help kids feel more connected to the person on the other end of the line. Grandparents can make silly faces, see artwork or read bedtime stories.

For babies and toddlers, consider meal time or snack time to make a video call. Wiggle worms tend to sit still while they’re eating, plus they are occupied and strapped in.

For older kids, prepare a couple of things they want to show and tell with grandparents. A few good jokes, an accomplishment at school.

Routine can be helpful. Having a set scheduled time to talk to G&G is great for some kids, as it gives them something to look forward to, but it’s not a necessity. Sometimes spontaneous calls are the most fun.

The calls don’t always have to be about the weather or school. You can use the time for “lessons” if your grandparent wants to show your kiddos how to bake, build, play piano or draw.

Play "I spy" with the grandparents. Or 20 questions.

Know when to wrap it up. If you’ve got a toddler this will be more obvious. For older kids, setting a time limit can help keep them engaged during the call.

Remind grandparents that there is sometimes a video delay and remind kids that grandparents might need a repeat or louder volume.

If the grandparents can’t do video calls for whatever reason, much of the above can apply to a phone call, i.e. telling jokes, reading stories, recalling something that happened that day in school. It’s always good to bear in mind that an abstract disembodied voice won't hold a toddler’s attention for very long, so prep the grandparents to tell a story or similar.

Create a community online.

The Tinybeans app is an easy and safe way to have a social network that is completely private and super easy to use. You can add grandparents to the account, they download the app, and can easily see any images you share. You can also print photo books and gifts in a snap via Chatbooks.

Play a game online that is kid and grandparent friendly, like Scrabble, Words with Friends or something similar where you take turns either in real time or at your own pace. Bonus if there’s a place for the Grands to leave little messages via chat.

Have the grands record themselves reading a book or buy a recordable book and have one of the grandparents (or both!) record it.

Cards & Letters

f your kiddos can make little cards and notes, sending something along for a special occasion or even just because, helps kids think about their grandparents in a positive way. Did your kid do their first masterpiece in colored pencil? Make a photocopy and drop it in an envelope. Kids don’t have to create custom art each time. Just sending something that shows progress and a child’s world view can be something to share (or talk about on the next video chat).

Start a story together. Have your parents start a paragraph or two of a story and mail it to your child. Your kids can add the next two paragraphs, and send back.

Send postcards from your hometown. It doesn’t always have to be a letter or package. Sometimes dropping a postcard from your favorite park or a place your kiddo loves with just a short-sweet note is a fast and easy way to let people know you care. Buy the pre-stamped kind or load up on postcards stamps to make it even easier to be spontaneous with your correspondence. Try Postcardly for taking it from online to in-hand.

—Amber Guetebier

featured image: iStock

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Where’s Waldo? He’s at Home! New Web Portal Offers Free Downloadable Fun for Families

by Jennifer SwartvagherApril 15, 2020

Where’s Waldo? He must be hiding somewhere at home. Candlewick has just launched a Where’s Waldo-themed web portal filled with activities for quarantining families as well as assets for educators and librarians to use and share.

The downloadable activity sheets, book information and videos will provide new and exciting home-based entertainment. Also, a #FindWaldoAtHome social media campaign will be launching this week as well. Follow Candlewick to see prompts for families to hide Waldo in various locations at home or doing common activities, and to share their photos on social channels.

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Featured photo: Candlewick Press

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