http://www.kidsquestmuseum.com/blog/ Latest blog entries from KidsQuest Museum en-us Tue, 21 May 2013 04:30:17 PDT Tue, 21 May 2013 04:30:17 PDT SiteCrafting, Inc. CMS https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/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. ... Tue, 07 May 2013 09:42:00 PDT https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/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. ... Wed, 01 May 2013 10:00:00 PDT https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/short-family-vacations/ It 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. ... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:00:00 PDT https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/hands-on-history-1/ Join 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.  ... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:04:00 PDT https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/citizen-science-to-engage-children/ Engaging 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 ... Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:18:00 PDT https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/favorite-childrens-books/ Reading 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.  ... Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:51:00 PDT https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/hands-on-history-2/ Join 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.   ... Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:54:00 PDT https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/dads-meet-up-cardboard-contraptions/ Dads 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. ... Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:15:00 PDT https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/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.  ... Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:22:00 PDT https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/birthday-ideas-explorestore-1/ Here 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. ... Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:51:00 PST https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/family-fun-fitness/ One 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! ... Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:03:00 PST https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/valentines-day-arts-crafts-nature/ It’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! ... Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:28:00 PST https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/childs-best-friend-favorite-stuffed/ Stuffed 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: ... Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:25:00 PST https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/tips-tricks-to-eating-vegetables-1/ As 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. ... Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:28:00 PST https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/kq-volunteer/ Throughout 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. ... Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:02:00 PST https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/new-goals-new-year/ A 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. ... Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:25:00 PST https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/healthy-eating-holidays/ Here 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? ... Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:18:00 PST https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/keeping-warm-in-winter/ ‘Tis the season for…icy rain and chilling winds! Here’s a delicious recipe for keeping both little and big bodies warm! ... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:51:00 PST https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/children-technology/ Technology 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? ... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:53:00 PST https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/thanksgiving-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! ... Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:33:00 PST https://kidsquestmuseum.org/blog/rainy-day-activities/ Is 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! ... Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:12:00 PST