May. 7, 2013 at 9:42am
Become an Inventor!
Have you ever made or invented something that you thought of? I imagine that you have. Everything from making sandwiches to space travel happens because of inventiveness.
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May. 1, 2013 at 10:00amThis Spring... Rethink Dirt!Like dust bunnies under the couch, the evidence in favor of dirt is piling up! This once loathed enemy of the homemaker is now being embraced as a simple preventative for allergies, type 1 diabetes, and other immune diseases. Check out this article from The New York Times for just one of many arguments for bringing more dirt into our lives.
Read more → Apr. 25, 2013 at 11:00amShort Family VacationsIt seems like everyone’s schedules are so full these days, and I am guilty of this as much as anyone else! While it may be hard to set aside the never ending to-do list, taking a weekend every few months to do just that can leave the whole family more relaxed and ready to take on life.
Read more → Apr. 18, 2013 at 12:04pmHands-on HistoryEastside Farm LifeJoin Eastside Heritage Center on Thursday, April 18th from 5pm-8pm for more hands-on history fun! We will be featuring our brand new chicken coop complete with look-alike chickens and eggs. There also will be the corn shelling machine with grinders to make chicken feed.
Read more → Apr. 15, 2013 at 10:18amUsing Citizen Science to Engage Children in Nature PlayEngaging children in inquiry and nature play allows them to make early connections to the world around them and to help instill a sense of curiosity and wonder.1 Families play an important role in science education outside the learning in the classroom where only 5% of people’s science learning comes.2 Research has found that children, with the help of an adult, can make observations that are equal to and often be even better than scientists because of lack of assumptions and prior knowledge.3
Read more → Apr. 2, 2013 at 9:51amFavorite Children's BooksReading is an integral part of a child’s development. It improves a child’s vocabulary, helps develop their imagination, and teaches children about the world around them. Reading is not only enriching to child development, it is also fun! Children go on adventures when reading about an inspiring train engine or their favorite family of bears. As fun and education books may be, every child has their favorite book. Below are a few children’s books that are the favorites of some KidsQuest staff members.
Read more → Mar. 21, 2013 at 11:54amHands-on HistoryRemembering the Past, Looking to the Future: Personal Time CapsulesJoin Eastside Heritage Center on Thursday, March 21st from 5pm-8pm at KidsQuest Children’s Museum for some hands-on history fun! Remember the past and look to the future by making a personal time capsule using a traditional canning machine.
Read more → Mar. 20, 2013 at 2:15pmDads Meet-Up: Cardboard ContraptionsDads Meet-Up: Cardboard Contraptions series focuses on S.T.E.A.M (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) and fosters children’s imaginations, focusing them on problem solving and cooperative play. Children will also enhance their fine and gross motor skills. This class is beneficial in a child’s life because one-on-one time with a male figure will help their social and emotional development, while nurturing healthier relationships and ultimately helping your children become more compassionate individuals.
Read more → Mar. 18, 2013 at 2:22pmWhat is a kid kit?A kid kit is a staff led activity designed to increase staff and visitor engagement. These fun and educational activities allow our staff to explore a wide variety of important early learning concepts while using interesting tools and materials (and having a really good time).
KidsQuest staff tries to do at least three kid kits every day because we love getting the opportunity to interact with our visitors in fun and educational ways. Read more → Mar. 5, 2013 at 4:51pmBirthday Ideas from the ExploreStoreHere at KidsQuest, we are birthday experts. After all, we do host over 360 birthday parties every year! As the ExploreStore Coordinator I get to chat with patrons about some of the clever ways they use their purchases for birthday celebrations. Here are some of my favorites.
Read more → Feb. 22, 2013 at 1:03pmFamily Fun FitnessOne of the many benefits of being a child is that fitness is fun! For kids exercise can and should be synonymous with play. As a Museum Educator, I find that I get some of my best workouts right here at the museum while leading our visitors in activities. (StoryTime can be great cardio!) So, here are a few of my favorite movement games that you can try at home. There’s nothing like moving and grooving with some pint-size exercise partners to make working up a sweat, less like a chore and more like a party!
Read more → Feb. 7, 2013 at 2:28pmValentine's Day Arts & Crafts With NatureIt’s almost time for one of my favorite holidays, Valentine’s Day! Why do I love this often over-commercialized and over-sugared celebration? It’s a chance to pause, be thankful, and sincerely say “I love you” to all of the most important people in your life. Here are a few fun (and free!) ways to help your kids take a moment to say “I love you” to grandmas, daddies, big sisters, and all of those wonderful people that they have in their lives!
Read more → Feb. 5, 2013 at 10:25amA Child's Best Friend - Their Favorite Stuffed BuddyStuffed animals often provide children with a friend, co-conspirator, and secret-keeper extraordinaire. My own teddy bear still means a lot to me. Here is our favorite adventure together:
Read more → Jan. 28, 2013 at 10:28amTips and Tricks to Eating VegetablesAs the luster of the New Year starts to wear off, it can be nice to remind ourselves of the goals or resolutions we set, specifically the ones related to eating well, and eating well means eating our vegetables. Daily suggested serving sizes have changed over the years. The Harvard School of Public Health website has some great information on why, what, and the amount of vegetables you should be consuming daily. For kids, the 5 a day rule is a good guideline: 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day.
Read more → Jan. 24, 2013 at 3:02pmBecome a KQ VolunteerThroughout the museum, you can find adults exposing children to new experiences every day. Striving to teach empathy (taking turns), reinforcing cultural norms (tidying up after yourself), and supporting local non-profits (your entire visit!) are all important steps that caregivers can take to instill values in children. Just as our children learn from our examples, our young adults (or not-so-young-anymore-adults) learn from our nation’s leaders.
Read more → Jan. 3, 2013 at 2:25pmNew Goals for a New YearA new year means lots of New Year’s resolutions. While you’re setting goals for you and your family, the education department at KidsQuest Children’s Museum is also busy goal setting for 2013! Check out what you can look forward to in the coming year.
Read more → Dec. 20, 2012 at 10:18amHealthy Eating During the HolidaysHere at KidsQuest Children’s Museum, we celebrate the holidays like many families do – with lots of food! It seems that every day, one of our own staff or grateful parents provides the office with some type of yummy snack, from apples and oranges to cookies and cake. So when there are so many tasty temptations, how do you make sure your children continue to eat healthy over the holidays?
Read more → Dec. 11, 2012 at 1:51pmKeeping Warm in the Winter‘Tis the season for…icy rain and chilling winds! Here’s a delicious recipe for keeping both little and big bodies warm!
Read more → Dec. 6, 2012 at 10:53amChildren & TechnologyTechnology is all around us. Tablets, smart phones and computers are just some of the tools that are becoming common items in our homes. Items in our homes tend to end up in our children’s hands and the question then becomes, “How much technology is too much for our children?” This topic has continued resonate with parents and educators alike. What does this mean for children’s learning and development?
Read more → Nov. 21, 2012 at 10:33amThanksgiving Food Favorites!Thanksgiving is the ultimate holiday for children who love food (which is all children)! There are so many delicious servings on the table at one time; each child’s eyes grow three times their size as they put enough food on their plate for the entire family. Once they, somehow, gobble down their plate of food they know what their favorite part was and go back for more. Everyone has their favorite Thanksgiving Day food, and below are a few of KidsQuest staff’s favorites!
Read more → Nov. 7, 2012 at 11:12amRainy Day ActivitiesIs cold wet weather keeping you indoors? There’s tons of fun to be had in your home by rediscovering some of the “non-toys” in your home that make great….well….toys!
Read more → Oct. 31, 2012 at 9:41amHalloween TraditionsFamily traditions are a great way to get everyone together for some quality family time, and Halloween has some of the most fun traditions! Here are a few stories from the KidsQuest staff about their favorite Halloween activities…
Read more → Oct. 25, 2012 at 2:25pmSparking Your Child's CreativityThere are so many exciting opportunities for children to explore their creativity these days: painting class, art camp, after school engineering club, and more! With all the fun packed into those hectic schedules, sometimes there is one very important opportunity that gets forgotten, the chance for open-ended and child-directed artistic creation. So, what’s a parent to do?
Read more → Oct. 23, 2012 at 9:28amHalloween Costumes for KidsI have a Halloween confession…I’m a sucker for clever and pun-based costumes. Yes, those hordes of Tinkerbelles and Spidermen are cute, but when I see a kid holding an umbrella with stuffed cats and dogs pinned all over them, I can’t stop smiling. “It’s raining cats and dogs!” they say, and I just chuckle, because it’s just so punny! This year, why not step out of the store-bought costume box, and try one of these clever ideas for you or your kids!
Read more → Oct. 17, 2012 at 2:42pmFun Autumn ActivitiesI’ve been writing a lot lately about how the simplest activities are often the best. A walk in the crisp autumn air is one of my favorites. Strolling around your neighborhood can be one of the most educational, satisfying, and cheapest ways to explore fabulous fall! Plus, it’s a great way to get those bodies (both tiny and adult size) moving.
Read more → Aug. 30, 2012 at 10:49amBack to Basics: Why Everyday Activities are AwesomeWe did some amazing experiments at least week's Science Explorers Camp. We made a giant volcano erupt, mixed up a chemical reaction to blast off a rocket, observed real animal pelts, and explored everything from pipettes to petri dishes. However, one of my eager campers reminded me that sometimes the simplest experiences can teach us the best science lessons.
Read more → Aug. 10, 2012 at 1:36pmMake Your Own Gak!At KidsQuest, summer camp means science experiments, artistic creations, stories, games and, oh, so much museum fun. This week’s Animal Explorers Camp was no different, but when one of my campers commented: “I wish I had gak at my house,” I thought, why shouldn’t you? We love making gak in camp, both in big batches for our swimming sea creatures and in small individual cups for making gak monsters! So, here’s our favorite gak recipe. Now you can create some of the fun of KidsQuest summer camp at home!
Read more → Jul. 19, 2012 at 10:19amHow Music Affects ChildrenChildren have a natural love for music. They enjoy singing along to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and tweaking it to “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Music also plays a huge role in our culture. We hear music everywhere from restaurants to commercials, with different types of music serving different purposes.
Read more → Jul. 5, 2012 at 9:42amGet Your Kids MovingActive outdoor activities for allSeeing the summer sun shine always makes me want to get moving! Active summer fun such as kicking a ball around or running on the beach isn’t just great exercise. Activities like these help kids develop gross motor skills. Gross motor skills involve the large muscles of the body that let us do things like walk, sit upright, and throw a ball. Mastery of these skills won’t just make you fit. It will also assist in a lot of surprising ways. Did you know that a child’s ability to maintain upper body support will affect his ability to write? Or that children who are more confident in gross motor skills are more aware of personal space?
Read more → Jun. 28, 2012 at 10:24amSummer Break: Traveling With KidsTraveling with the whole family on summer vacation is a great way to freshen things up and spend some quality time together. However, it is no secret that kids can be difficult to travel with. Every family has their own vacation story of a sickly son on an airplane or disgruntled daughter on a road trip. Don’t become that family! There are easy tips and tricks to use that will make this summer vacation a stress-free fun time!
Read more → Jun. 14, 2012 at 9:34amFun Father’s Day Activities for the Whole FamilyA father’s time spent with their child is very important to the child's development and maturation. It helps children become compassionate individuals for the rest of their lives. Fathers also impact life lessons not learned in school. They are teachers without the apple, coaches without the whistle.
Read more → Jun. 1, 2012 at 3:31pmKidsQuest Staff Hard at Work...Playing!What’s roaring, buzzing, shaking, bouncing and oozing in the KidsQuest party room? The KidsQuest party staff!
Read more → May. 9, 2012 at 9:47am50 Great Experiences at KidsQuest50 ways to make KidsQuest Children's Museum even more fun!If it's your first time visiting KidsQuest you might be a bit overwhelmed and wondering: Where should I start? Or you may have been to KidsQuest dozens of times already, and are looking for fresh ideas and new ways to explore the museum. Either way, this list is for you. Below are 50 great things to experience one at a time, a couple each visit, or all at once (although you may be here for awhile!). Read more → Apr. 24, 2012 at 2:59pmFree Outdoor Activities for All AgesWho needs toys when you have nature to play with?Celebrate Earth Week by exploring the wonders of nature! Try some activities that are environmentally friendly, fun, and free. Don’t be afraid to get dirty as you get up close and personal with the great outdoors!
Read more → Apr. 11, 2012 at 9:25amWhy I Love NanoDaysAn expert tells us what exactly is so great about nanotechnology (and KidsQuest!)Children are often told they are too small to do or understand things, but children have an amazing power: they can show adults a different way of viewing the world. Nanoscience, the science of the small, is changing the way scientists and engineers view the world too. At this scale, the materials we see and use every day have vastly different properties. They can change color, become water resistant, or conduct electricity. Nanotechnology utilizes these new properties to create new products and improve materials we use every day like computers, electronics, medicine, cosmetics, and clothing.
Read more → Apr. 6, 2012 at 8:45amHands-on History: Eastside Farm LifeBellevue as a farming communityOne hundred years ago, the city we know as Bellevue was a farming community. There were a variety of crops grown including lettuce, squash, corn, strawberries, and even grapes. Spring was the beginning of the growing season as the days grew longer and warmer. It was also the time when baby chicks were hatched. Corn was dried and the kernels were removed and ground for feeding, as the chickens could not eat whole kernels.
Read more → Mar. 20, 2012 at 1:59pm10 Things To Do With Leftover Easter EggsEggs aren’t just for hiding!If having an egg hunt is one of the annual traditions at your house then you know what’s left over after the thrill of the hunt has waned…lots of plastic eggs. What do you do with all of those plastic ovoids? Use them for some fun science and art activities!
Read more → Mar. 8, 2012 at 12:00pmDads Meet-UpFinding a moms group can be hard...especially if you're a dad.A father’s time and presence in their child’s life is very important to their emotional development. All studies agree children need ‘dad time’ which helps children develop healthier friendships and become more compassionate individuals throughout their lives. A good opportunity to spend some quality one on one time with your child is at bedtime, by recounting the day’s events or reading a book together. This is a great way to connect and deepen your relationship.
Read more → Mar. 5, 2012 at 4:30pm3 Simple Ways to Get Your Child MovingDid you know that when your child is running around they are also learning? All that movement helps both sides of their brain connect. Try these fun and simple ways to encourage your child to get moving.
Read more → Feb. 23, 2012 at 1:23pmTaking Care of Your Child’s TeethMaking a Dental Health Plan for Your KidsWhen do I start flossing? How often should I brush? When should I start looking for a dentist? There is so much to think about when it comes to kids. Figuring out the appropriate health routines can be enough to drive you crazy. Below are the basics for making a dental health plan for your child so that you can get them started on the right path to strong, healthy teeth. Read more → Feb. 16, 2012 at 10:28amWhy I Love Members-Only EventsOn Monday, KidsQuest hosted its 3rd Annual Members-Only Valentine’s Party, and we had a blast. Thanks to our wildly inventive and wonderfully creative education department, there were some great themed activities including ooey gooey pink gak, glittery spin art, shaving cream hearts and a special Valentine’s Day “post office” where families could make and address their own Valentine’s Day cards.
Read more → Jan. 2, 2012 at 11:12amIt’s Raining, It’s PouringWhat to do indoorsIt’s raining, it’s pouring, and it’s time for some fun! Don’t let the weather get you down. Embrace it for a fun filled day of water exploration!
Read more → Nov. 17, 2011 at 11:49amKids & Art(It doesn’t have to be perfect)Most children love to paint. It is a time when they get to control their environment and master new skills. At first it is all about experimenting with the brush. How does the brush move over the paper? What marks does it make? Then the learning moves on to cause and effect. Holding the brush a certain way will create different lines. Mixing two colors will make a new color. What a great discovery! Sometimes children will simply mix all the paint colors together and it will look like nothing to an adult. This is them learning how to interpret art. They are experimenting and trying to figure out if what they do will always have the same effect.
Read more → Nov. 11, 2011 at 3:01pmGive a Little, Get a Lot in ReturnWhat have you done to prepare yourself for the food/family/present extravaganza that's fast approaching? Here's an even better question: what have you done for someone else this year?
Read more → Nov. 4, 2011 at 10:01amHands-on-HistoryEarly Settler LifeThink you know your history? What about the history of daily life for early Washington settlers - maybe not so much? Luckily Eastside Heritage Center will be at KidsQuest tonight for some hands-on learning. Read on to refresh your history knowledge and then join us tonight from 5-8pm!
Read more → Oct. 26, 2011 at 8:56amHalloween is Coming!Get ready with some spooky and kooky ideas from the KidsQuest staff...Leaves are dropping, grocery stores are filling up with candy, and horror movies are in full force at the theaters. Let's face it - Halloween is all but here. This year, the KidsQuest staff has put together some ideas for ways to celebrate the season with little ones, minus the sugar headache and horror stories. Read more → Oct. 19, 2011 at 11:51amQuestClub - Why science is so important!Science education sometimes takes a back seat with the push of reading and math being so strong, but science is a part of our daily life. Everything we do and deal with in life is science: cooking, playing ball, growing a garden, understanding how technologies work, watching a rain storm and more. Understanding science helps kids appreciate and relate to the world around them.
Read more → Aug. 5, 2011 at 10:42amWhere’s the Math? Everywhere!Great activities to keep math going all summer long! Learning math is not limited to the one-hour-a-day, five-days-a-week, nine-months-a-year school experience. Math is everywhere around us and we need to take advantage of that with our children. The more they see math in their everyday surroundings, the more comfortable they’ll be with it. Here is a list of things you can do to make math engaging and meaningful for your children. These activities barely scratch the surface of what you can do - you’re limited only by your imagination.Read more → Jul. 13, 2011 at 9:37amGet Paint-y in the Great Outdoors!Easy, messy, outdoor fun for the little artist in your lifeLove to paint with your kids but don’t love the mess? Summer provides the perfect opportunity for taking the fun outside. You can paint in your swim suit and hose yourself off when you’re done with your messy masterpiece! Read more → Jun. 24, 2011 at 1:14pmIt's Always Sunny at KidsQuestIt's finally summer!Summer is special here at KidsQuest, and a time when we get to do all sorts of things at the museum that we don't do during the school year. Here are some highlights:
Read more → Jun. 13, 2011 at 3:08pmAnimal EncountersDogs, cats, birds, oh my!Have you ever met a dog that speaks German? How about one that knows sign language? Join us for Animal Encounters Storytime, and you’ll get the chance!
Read more → May. 26, 2011 at 9:02amWrapping up another year of Discovery Tots......and looking forward to Summer Camp!We’ve just wrapped up another memorable year of our Discovery Tots classes! We witnessed a lot of exciting milestones, from “my first finger painting” to “my last class before kindergarten”. Lately, I’ve also seen a not so exciting milestone that lets me know classes really are ending. It’s the anxiety on a parent’s face as the scheduled activities end and they think, “What are we going to do all summer!?” Don’t Panic! Remember, fun and educational play activities don’t need to be complicated. You just need a little creativity! Here are some great ideas that you can enjoy with you children (some taken straight from our class curriculum). Read more → Apr. 27, 2011 at 11:15amRecycled Paper 3 Ways (+4 Ideas to Try at Home!)Shred, Rip, Tear, Splash! What’s that noise? That’s the sound of recycled paper preparations! Here at KidsQuest we are busily shredding newsprint in anticipation of Friday’s Family Adventures in Recycled Paper Making workshop! Below are some of the fun things we're planning:Read more → |