The Compassion Experience in Snohomish - (Worth the trip!) - Interactive global experience exhibit with headphones provided for all - family friendly! - Monday, February 1st 2016 from 10am-5:40 (free online tix available, as well as, walk-ins) Highly recommend!

Image courtesy of The Compassion Experience

Went to this event today and wanted to share it because I thought it was a great experience and my 7 year old loved it too. I try to teach him about our global world and to have compassion for all others. 

This is a good event to attend and there are openings tomorrow online for free tickets and walk-ins as well.  :-)

For more info. go here.

MiniMaker Faire with crafts, storytime, speakers, robotics, demos, coding, hands-on activities and more at Barnes and Noble stores around the country - Saturday and Sunday - November 7th and 8th 2015 - Various locations, various times, various activities!

Check out the Science and Technology themed event happening at Barnes and Noble this weekend!

" Join us to see demonstrations and experience some of the latest products in 3D printing, robotics, coding, programming and more. "

For more info. go here. 

Seattle Children's Festival at Seattle Center - Today, Sunday, October 11th 2015 until 5pm

Northwest Folklife’s Seattle Children's Festival is a one-day, multi-cultural festival held on Seattle Center grounds, “Celebrating Our Big Neighborhood.”

No admission charge thanks to your donations!

The Seattle Children’s Festival brings together local communities that showcase and celebrate families of the Northwest, introducing children in attendance to new cultures and traditions through a variety of education and hands-on programs. Tons of live performances and interactive workshops are geared toward families and children of all ages.

For more info. go here.

Awesome Kids Day with bounce houses, The Not-Its performance, giveaways and more in Burien - Saturday, July 11th 2015 from 10am-2pm

First 500 kids to attend get a free bag filled with goodies!

" Super Awesome Kids Day is here! Why super? Because Awesome Kids Day has a Super Hero theme this year! Come out for the fun and learn all the ways you can be a super learner, super fit...and a super citizen! Finish off this fun, free day of bouncy houses, balloons, bubbles and joy with a performance by local kid rock band, The Not-Its! You're an Awesome Kid and this is YOUR day! "

For more info. go here.

KidsQuest Activation! = FREE science and technology based projects for kids at Westlake Park in Seattle - Mondays - Now through August 31st 2015 from 10am-12pm

Just discovered this!

KidsQuest Children's Museum will be in the park every Monday for a FREE Science and Technology based kids activity. 

10am to noon

June 29th Stomp Rockets

July 6th Color mixing

July 13th Catapults

July 27th Table Bubbles

Aug 3rd Connecting with circuits

Aug 10th GAK Monsters

Aug 17th Alka Seltzer rockets

Aug 24th Stomp Rockets

August 31st Catapults

For more info. go here.

FREE TICKETS TO SAMI'S Morning PLANETARIUM SHOWS and Evening Stargazes IN BELLEVUE - ALSO 1 SHOW FOR YOUNGER KIDS ages 5 and under on August 14th! - FREE TIX AVAILABLE TOMORROW STARTING AT NOON FOR The JULY 10TH MORNING SHOW! OTHER SHOWS TICKETS AVAILABLE 1 WEEK PRIOR - 2nd and 4th Fridays in July and August 2015 - Planetarium Shows at 10:30 AM and Stargazes at 9 PM

Grab FREE tickets and attend a SAMI's Free Community Planetarium Show! Don't forget they have 1 show as well for kids age 5 and under!! 

We attended the first one for the little ones and it was cute! Some facts at the beginning geared a little more toward grown-ups but then a cute planetarium show for the littles!

 So take the kids and join in at the Willard Geer Planetarium at Bellevue College to view "The Little Star that Could", "Wonders of the Universe", "New Horizons", and "The Secret Lives of Stars".

 "The Little Star that Could" showing on August 14th will be geared towards young children (ages 5 and under).  All other shows are not recommended for kids under the age of six. 

Upcoming Schedule:

This summer (July and August) we have a special planetarium show schedule. The tentative schedule for Summer 2015 is as follows, but may occasionally change:

Friday, July 10 – 10:30-11:15AM – “New Horizons” + Night Sky Narration

Friday, July 24 – 10:30-11:15AM –  “Wonders of the Universe” + Night Sky NarrationFriday, August 14 – 10:30-11:15AM – “The Little Star that Could” + Night Sky NarrationFriday, August 28 – 10:30-11:15AM – “The Secret Lives of Stars” + Night Sky Narration

Thursday, July 9 – 9:00PM – Stargaze on the Roof *weather dependent*

Thursday, July 16 – 9:00PM – Stargaze on the Roof *weather dependent*Thursday, July 23 – 9:00PM – Stargaze on the Roof *weather dependent*

Planetarium Shows -

Public Shows:

" Bellevue College’s Astronomy Department and the Science and Math Institute are pleased to sponsor free planetarium shows to the public TWO Fridays of each month. The Planetarium is a special domed-ceiling room (room B-244) where the nighttime sky is accurately produced. 

Admission is free for each show and stargaze, but reservations must be made in advance. Ticket reservations will begin starting at noon a week prior to the show/stargaze. Reservations can be made through Brown Paper Tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ with the search term “Bellevue Planetarium.”

For our morning summer shows, we will show a professionally produced full-dome video, as well as a live segment introducing the audience to that night’s sky. For a description of the videos, please click HERE. During the live segment, the presenter will point out the brightest stars and constellations so audience members can go home and stargaze from their own backyards. Each show will last approximately 45 minutes. Shows are not recommended for kids under the age of six, although all are welcome. Please note: we do ask all participants to be respectful of other participants.

For our evening summer stargazes, telescopes will be set up to view different astronomical objects in the sky. The stargaze will last until crowds die out, or 11:00PM, whichever comes first. Access to the stargaze is via the stairwell near room B-134 downstairs, or B-262 upstairs. Continue on up to the rooftop. If you need special assistance, please let us know in advance. Stargazes are intended for adults and mature children (the roof does not have a railing). Stargazes are weather permitting and clouds or haze could cancel the stargaze at any time. Please check on the status of any stargaze before coming, by visiting this site.

There is limited capacity to each show and stargaze. When you finalize your reservation on Brown Paper Tickets, you will receive a confirmation email. There is information in that email about cancelling your reservations in case you are unable to attend. We do not charge for these events, but we need your help to keep it that way – please follow the steps in the confirmation email to release your tickets if you cannot attend.

Parking is free in the parking garage after 3:00PM in all lots.  If you are driving to our morning shows, please park and pay in the metered lots (5th floor of the Parking Garage has metered lots and is close to B-244). "

Families on the other half of the room anticipating the start of the show overhead!

FYI - There is no late admission so please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early/NO food or drink is allowed in the planetarium.

For more info. call the BC Science Division at 425-564-2321 or go here.

For free tickets to the July 10th Show go here starting at noon on Friday, July 3rd 2015

The Super Magic Show presented by Louie Foxx at the Woodinville Library - Saturday, June 20th 2015 at 1pm

Take the kids to see a science magic show tomorrow!

" Discover how you can get your own super powers by using science or secret “magic” technology taken directly from characters in books and stories. "

For more info. go here.

Sustainamania with all things sustainable (!), a touch a truck and more in Bothell - Saturday, June 6th 2015 from 10am-3pm

Door Prizes at Entrance Booth

Touch a Truck

Eco Room opens

Wetland tours start

FREE BNB Summer Boutique Opens

Music at the Bay

Special Features:

FREE EVENT

FREE parking

Door Prizes

Kid's can play the "R you a Recycler Game" to win prizes

Recycling drop off/collection (see list of accepted items)

Wetland tours

Touch a Truck allows kids of all sizes and ages (even grown ups) to see Public Works equipment up close. You can even talk to staff about programs and services offered by Public Works

Planting for visitors of all ages (get a start to gardening by planting on site and seeing samples of things you can create)

For more info. go here.

4th Annual Open House with fun interactive, science activities presented by the Science Division at Bellevue College - Saturday, June 6th 2015 from 10am-2pm

Fun for the whole family, this marks the 4th year the Science Division at Bellevue College has opened its doors and invited the public to tour classrooms and engage in fun, FREE science and math activities and games.

Something for everyone, we will have:

• Microscope Exploration
• Anatomy and Physiology Activities
• Beetle Pulls
• Shark Tooth Excavation
• Games for kids
• Strategy games for teens

         
    ... And MUCH MORE!

For more info. go here.

Flipper Fest with educational exhibits, art activities for kids, a really cool raffle and more in West Seattle - Sunday, May 31st 2015 from 1-5pm

Highlights: 

Marine Life Exhibits

Environmental Exhibits

Art Activities for Kids

Raffle with some really cool prizes

20 foot by 12 foot Orca Inflatable for photo opps.

Raffle Prizes:

For more info. go here and here.

Global Citizen Day with an emphasis on girl power with lots of fun and interactive activities, guest speakers, special appearances by Sesame Street characters and more at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center in Seattle - Saturday, May 30th 2015 from 10am-3pm

" Explore what it means to be a global citizen, here and around the world at the first-ever Global Citizen Day – a FREE public event open to all – boys, girls, and families of all ages! 

Discover how women and girls are transforming the world, participate in hands-on activities and hear from inspiring leaders, creators, advocates, and problem solvers to spark ideas for positive change.

Global Citizen Day highlights:

• Appearances by Raya, the newest member of the Sesame Street family, and photo opportunities with Grover from Sesame Street Workshop

• Hands-on activities that explore how to keep moms and new babies healthy

• Youth empowerment selfie booth 

• Design your own global citizen puppet and t-shirt. 

• Check out the Visitor Center’s interactive exhibits

Plus get connected and meet these other fantastic organizations! 

Schedule: 

• 10:45 am: Inspirational Speaker Series: Camille McDorman - refugee worker, human rights advocate, law student

• 11:30 am: Raya

• 12 pm: Youth Speakers Series: Life Enrichment Group-Young Queens, Eastside GirlUp, Lake Washington Girls Middle School and Kids in Medicine

• 1 pm: Raya

Activities and organizations available 10-3: 

• Girl UP–Are you UP for the challenge millions of girls face every day in just getting water?

• Girls Can Do–How will you change the world in the future? Share your goal in our selfie booth. 

• Heifer International–Discover amazing women and girls working to transform their lives, and enjoy storytime with Flora and the Runaway Rooster. 

• Kids in Medicine–Get hands on with how to keep moms and babies healthy

• Northwest Girls Coalition–Match yourself up with incredible local organizations working with and for girls in our community.

• Project Girl Mentoring Program–What are your best qualities? Share them with the world at the affirmation station. 

• Sesame Workshop/ Sesame Street–Enjoy appearances by Raya at 11:30 and 1, and meet her friend Grover throughout the day. 

• UNICEF–Explore how simple it can be to save lives and stay healthy, take home many ideas to make a difference. 

• YWCA’s GirlsFirst–Find out about equity in education and sign up to help with the YWCA Schools Days donation drive all summer long. " 

Food for Purchase available from these great vendors during lunchtime: 

• Biscuit Box

• No Bones About It

• Seattle Pops 

• Street Treats

For more info. go here.

FREE TICKETS TO SAMI'S PLANETARIUM SHOWS IN BELLEVUE - ALSO 1 SHOW LEFT FOR YOUNGER KIDS! - FREE TIX AVAILABLE NOW FOR MAY 29TH EVENING SHOWS! OTHER SHOWS TICKETS AVAILABLE 1 WEEK PRIOR

Grab FREE tickets and attend a SAMI's Free Community Planetarium Show! Don't forget they have 1 show left as well for kids age 5 and under!! 

 

We attended the first one for the little ones and it was cute! Some facts at the beginning geared a little more toward grown-ups but then a cute planetarium show for the littles!

" Join us in the Willard Geer Planetarium at Bellevue College to view "The Little Star that Could", "Stars", "Black Holes", or "Violent Universe".

The 7:00pm show on June 12th will be geared towards young children (ages 5 and under).  All other shows are not recommended for kids under the age of six. "

Upcoming Schedule:

Friday, May 29 – 7:00PM and 8:30PM – “The Secret Lives of Stars” and “Violent Universe”

Friday, June 12 – 7:00PM “The Little Star that Could” (kid’s show) and “Wonders of the Universe”

                               8:30PM “New Horizons” and “Wonders of the Universe”

Friday, June 26 – 7:00PM and 8:30PM – “Stars” and “Black Holes”

Families on the other half of the room anticipating the start of the show overhead!

FYI - There is no late admission so please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early/NO food or drink is allowed in the planetarium.

For more info. go here.

Touch-a-Truck and Safety Fair in Mukilteo - Saturday, May 9th 2015 from 10am-1pm

A kid favorite is back...A Touch-a-Truck event!

" The Mukilteo Recreation Department has teamed up with the Mukilteo Police, Fire and Public Works Departments to create a day of fun and learning! Not only will kids have the chance to get in the biggest, coolest and fastest cars and trucks they see on the streets of Mukilteo, they will have the chance to learn about what to do in emergencies. This street fair promises to be not only fun but educational as well! "

For more info. go here.

15th Annual Backyard Wildlife Festival with all things nature and gardening plus a "The Bubbleman" performance at the Tukwila Community Center - Saturday, May 9th 2015 from 9am-3pm

 

" Join us as we celebrate wildlife, nature and gardening at the 15th Annual Backyard Wildlife Festival! This event features presentations from local experts including Sue Goetz and Marianne Binetti, along with a variety of educational exhibitors, arts & craft vendors and native plant sales. 

Don’t leave the kids at home... there is plenty to keep the entire family entertained at this event – so make sure you check out the Kids Garden Party area. "

2015 Event Day Schedule:

9:00am - 3:00pm - Arts and Crafts Marketplace, Educational Exhibitor Booths and Native Plant Sales 

9:30am - 3:00pm – Kids Garden Party: Arts, Crafts, and Garden Planting 

9:30am – Guided Bird Tour along the Duwamish River 

10:30am – Marianne Binetti, “Saving the World: Bee Happy! Projects and Plantings for Bee and Bird Pollinators” 

11:00am – Bubbleman Show 

11:30am - Sue Goetz - Top Ten Multi-Purpose Herbs 

12:30pm – Marianne Binetti, “Landscape Planning for the Birds and the Bees” 

1:30pm – Stacy Davison, “Incredible Edibles: Fantastic Flowers for Pollinators and People”

For more info. go here.

April Pools Day with free swimming, activities, water safety education and more at 6 locations in Seattle on Saturday, April 18th and one location Sunday, April 19th 2015 - Various Times

" Before you know it, we’ll be trading in April showers for blue skies and bathing suits. On Saturday, April 18, six of our pools are hosting FREE public swims. We’ll be teaching water and boating safety and will have fun activities for kids. Don’t miss this opportunity to teach your family how to enjoy summer safely. "

April Pool’s Day will focus on four main areas of water safety: 

Preventing open water drowning 

Lifejacket use and promotion 

Cold water awareness 

Basic water rescue for children 

Events and activities will vary by pool location. Please note that Helene Madison Pool will host its event on Sunday, April 19.

April 18th

Ballard Pool 12:30-2:20 p.m.

Meadowbrook Pool 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Medgar Evers Pool 12:30-2 p.m.

Queen Anne Pool 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Southwest Pool 10:30 a.m.-noon

Rainier Beach Pool 10:30 a.m.-noon

April 19th

Helene Madison Pool 3:30-5:30 p.m

For more info. go here.

For details, please call the individual pool. To see other April Pools Day events, click HERE.

"Outfoxed! And Other Opportunistic Creatures" - A ranger program at Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center (MSEEC) in Bellevue - Sunday, April 12th 2015 from 2-3pm

"Outfoxed! And Other Opportunistic Creatures"

" Many opportunistic animals have adapted to living in urban areas. Learn what these awesome creatures have that gives them the edge in a not-so-natural environment, and what we can do to help them to live natural and healthy lives. "

For more info. go here.

Scott Sampson, the Paleontologist/Host of "Dinosaur Train" presents: Connecting Kids to Nature in a Technological World at Town Hall in Seattle - Thursday, April 2nd at 7:30pm - Tickets available for $5 (+ 1.30 fee) online so "Less than a Double Latte" each!

This looks like a good one for us parents!

" In our increasingly digital age, children are spending less and less time playing outdoors–despite nature’s correlation to improved physical and emotional health. In How to Raise a Wild Child, Scott Sampson (host of beloved PBS show Dinosaur Train) lays out the importance of getting outside, and offers a step-by-step guide for parents and teachers to engage kids in nature. Sampson will explain why it’s crucial to strengthen a rich relationship with the environment at an early age, and explore the way this connection changes with age. He’ll even offer his suggestion for a somewhat unusual channel to get kids moving out the door–with technology. "

For more info. go here.

To buy tickets go here.

Free Parent and Child Gardening Classes - 3 week series - Fridays at 10am - at the Lake Hills Greenbelt Ranger Station in Bellevue - March 13th through 27th 2015 - Free but registration for each class required! Choose one or all!

What a fun activity to do with the kids and just in time for spring planting!

" Explore the world of gardening through hands-on experiences with soil, plants, and water. Discover the wonders of seeds, growing plants and plant care.   As we investigate the world of plants, parents and their children can also grow together. "

Schedule: (Attend one or all!)

March 13th: Plan and Prepare Your Garden. Course #90780

March 20th: Maintain Your Garden: Watering, Weeding, and Trellising.  Course #90954

March 27th: Attracting Pollinators and Determining Helpful Bugs. Course #90955

All Ages Welcome.  Cost is Free, Registration Required.  

For more info. call 425-452-6993 or go here and put each course # listed above in the activity code search box. 

Happy planting!

Candy Experiments 2 by Loralee Leavitt - An interactive science demo and book signing at University Bookstore in Bellevue - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28th 2015 at 11am

Check out this cool and fun free event!

" Following the success of Candy Experiments, kitchen scientist and Seattle-area mom Loralee Leavitt is back with more fun ways to destroy candy and learn basic science in the process. In Candy Experiments 2, Leavitt gives kids and parents 70 new candy experiments—like growing giant gummy worms and turning M&Ms into dazzling comets—to try themselves. Sound like fun? Join us for the chance to try out some of the most fun projects from the new book at this interactive science demonstration with Loralee Leavitt. "

For more info. go here.

Ranger Program: Creatures of the Night at Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue - Sunday, February 15th 2015 from 2-3pm

Learn all about the nocturnal animals in our area!

" At night when people go to sleep, the forest comes to life! Many nocturnal creatures make their home in the northwest and have amazing adaptations that allow them to succeed in a world with no light. Whether it's a group of bats, a silent owl, or even a sneaky raccoon, the world of darkness is a fascinating place! "

For more info. go here.