ParentMap November 2023 Issue

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Meet the ‘Internet’s Dad’ Get to know ‘Dad, How Do I?’ creator Rob Kenney

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Splash Report Over-the-top pools that make you feel like you’re on vacation

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | PA R E N T M A P. C O M

PNW INSIDE + OUT

INSIDE Find Our Annual Winter Family Adventure Guide

Giving Back Start the holiday season with a focus on community

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C ONTENTS

November 2023 PARENTMAP.COM

8

In Every Issue Staff Picks Play List

6 18

Local Resources Holiday Gift Guide Camps, Arts + Activites Schools + Preschools

12 20 32

Parenting

Feature

SEASONAL FUN

The Dad with 4.7 Million Kids 8 Get this know this local man who’s the “internet’s dad”

Must-Have Toys for Every Kid on Your List 13 These stand-out gifts make holiday shopping easier than ever ARTS + ACTIVITIES

Games to Keep Kids Busy on Thanksgiving 34 Give yourself plenty of time to prep the feast COMMUNITY

Neighborhood Spotlight: Mercer Island 31 Find new adventures in this tight-knit island community AGES + STAGES

The Healing Power of Music It turns the hard work of therapy into something playful

33

Family Fun OUT + ABOUT

November Play List 18 Everything you need to kickstart the holiday season

25 Splash Report Over-the-top pools that will make you feel like you’re on vacation

If you’ve ever listened to a breakup song on repeat, you know music can be therapeutic.

33

31

PNW INSIDE + OUT

Familye

Adventur 7 Scenic Winter Hikes to Get Everyone Outside Visit Poulsbo: This Charming Town Is Even Better in Winter Curious Roadside Attractions See on Your Winter Road Trip

to

Enchanting Trolls Lumber Into Town

WINTER 2023/24 | P

A R E N T M A P. C O M / A D V

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INSIDE: 2023/24 Winter Family Adventure Guide

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Have any memorable Thanksgiving Day fails?

DE AR R E ADER

Giving back doesn’t have to be complicated

NOVEMBER 2023, VOL. 20, NO. 11

PUBLISHER

Alayne Sulkin EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR Allison Sutcliffe

Originally I was going to write a very different note for this issue.

I was going to reflect on my days working in the construction industry shortly after college. About my coworkers whose skills still amaze me to this day. The things they could call forth from their imaginations and produce without much effort at all — it’s impressive to someone who can barely cobble together a Billy bookcase from Ikea.

But this is not that note.

Eating at Brown’s Chicken, thanks to an oven timer error

OUT + ABOUT EDITOR Nancy Chaney TRENDS AND ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Madison Miller ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kari Hanson CALENDAR EDITOR Julie Dodobara COPY EDITOR Sunny Parsons

Ordering pizza and watching a movie as kids … we loved it

CONTRIBUTORS Gemma Alexander, Amber Guetebier, Kali Sakai

DIGITAL MARKETING

This note is about giving back. Just like the issue says.

I was reminded today about how important this concept is and how simple it is to do it.

Giving back doesn’t need to be a grand gesture or expense. It doesn’t require a lot of time or even a lot of effort. Sometimes it’s as simple as calling a friend who’s hurting (yes, texting counts). It goes without saying there’s a lot ailing the world right now. I’m sure we all know someone who could use a call from a friend.

Here’s the pivot …

While giving back can be simple, there are also some people who go all out to do it. Our feature (p. 8) shines a light on one of those people. Rob Kenney is a “dad” to millions thanks to his YouTube channel, “Dad, How Do I?” where he teaches more than just life skills to his many followers.

EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST Devon Hammer SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Emily Feely

ADVERTISING SALES + PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS + ADVERTISING SALES Jessica Collet

Upon carving the turkey, discovering a large tumorlooking-thing

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Brown water dripping onto the turkey from an upstairs bathroom leak

DIGITAL ADVERTISING + MARKETING SPECIALIST Taryn Weiner PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Tamryn Nell

ART + PRODUCTION SENIOR DESIGNER Amy Chinn

ADMINISTRATION

Hosting as a first-time mom with a 10-week old — it didn’t go smoothly

BUSINESS MANAGER Carolyn Brendel OPERATIONS ASSISTANT Erika Widjaja

We also dive into pools in this issue (p. 25) because the rainy season is here to stay — for a few months anyway. These aren’t your average everyday lap pools. No. These splash spots come with all the bells and whistles that make them worthy destinations for families in search of a distraction from all the gray. Also on the docket is a look at the healing power of music (p. 33). And of course, our annual gift guide (p. 13) — a carefully curated, parent-picked list of this year’s top toys — is tucked in too. Trust me, it’ll make your holiday shopping easier than ever.

PARENTMAP EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

CONTACT INFORMATION

Benjamin Danielson, M.D. CLINICAL PROFESSOR, UW SCHOOL OF MEDICINE PRACTICING PHYSICIAN, UW MEDICINE

Advertising information 206-709-9026 or advertising@parentmap.com Fax 206-709-9031

Joan Duffell RETIRED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN

Calendar submissions calendar@parentmap.com

— Allison Sutcliffe, managing editor

Bea Kelleigh VICE PRESIDENT, DOVETAILING, LLC

John Gottman, Ph.D. THE GOTTMAN INSTITUTE PROFESSOR EMERITUS, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Laura Kastner, Ph.D. PSYCHIATRY + BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Yaffa Maritz, M.A. FOUNDER, LISTENING MOTHERS + COMMUNITY OF MINDFUL PARENTING

Editorial submissions editor@parentmap.com Distribution distribution@parentmap.com Administration 206-709-9026, parentmap.com Subscriptions subscriptions@parentmap.com Subscription rate 1 year: $12

Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MINDSIGHT INSTITUTE ParentMap is published monthly. PMB #190, 7683 S.E. 27th St., Mercer Island, WA 98040 | All rights reserved; reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. © ParentMap 2023 • printed in Oregon

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FE ATUR E

‘Hey, Kids!’

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How Do I?” YouTub e channel

How One Kent Dad Fills the Father Role for Millions Rob Kenney’s YouTube channel, ‘Dad, How Do I?’ reaches 4.7 million ‘kids’

By Madison Miller

“Hey, kids!” is how Rob Kenney welcomes the audience in every video on his “Dad, How Do I?” YouTube channel.

With his soft Mister Rogers–like smile and warm voice, Kenney creates simple, digestible 2- to 3-minute-long how-to videos teaching everyday life skills — how to tie a necktie, how to change a tire, how to shave — things that most kids would hope to learn from their own fathers.

“I came up with the name because I pictured one of my kids in the other room yelling, ‘Dad, how do I?’ and I’d run and fix it,” Kenney said.

Kenney launched his YouTube channel on April 2, 2020, just a few weeks after the COVID-19 pandemic-imposed lockdown went into effect.

The Kent resident naively anticipated maybe 30 or 40 views of his first video on how to tie a necktie. In a matter of weeks, Kenney’s video went viral.

He was surprised by its sudden popularity and blown away by the comments. The comments section overflowed with people sharing that they didn’t have a father figure to teach them skills like this, and thanking him for “being the internet’s dad.”

Kenney’s own father left his family when he was 14.

“I understand that vacancy and what that impact had on my life,” Kenney said. “I wanted to produce something that I could have used myself when I was younger.”

Kenney, now 59, had the idea for the channel years before the pandemic;

PA R E N T M A P / N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 / 9

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continued from page 9

however, he kept putting it off. His adult daughter encouraged him to start, saying that people would like to hear from a “normal dad” during a time when unrelatable celebrities were trying to comfort the masses.

Over the past three years, Kenney has expanded his channel beyond simple howtos. He now produces videos about money education, life philosophy and more. One of Kenney’s goals for his channel is to highlight the power of forgiveness. He regularly talks about his experiences and the freedom he gained by forgiving his father.

“It took me a long time to forgive my dad. I called it coughing up hairballs. I spent hours on the phone with my brother, coughing up hairballs dissolving, trying to let it go. But once I did, there was freedom for me waiting on the other side that I didn’t anticipate, because I thought I was letting my dad off the hook, but really, I was letting

AI and What to Do About It

myself off,” he said. “There’s a lot of people that have done a lot of bad things. We need to be able to forgive, move on and live our best life.”

He now has compassion for his father and understands his actions now that he himself is a father.

Because of his experiences, Kenney takes parenting seriously. It bothers him to see media figures like Homer Simpson and Al Bundy portrayed as dads.

“I think if you see that over and over again, pretty soon you think dads are just big buffoons. Being a dad is a great responsibility, and there are a lot of good dads out there, and there are a lot of good moms out there, too, and, sadly, I think people oftentimes live up to the expectations of them,” he said.

For Kenney, being a good parent consists of being patient and present. He acknowledges

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the privilege of being able to raise his kids with his wife and have a career in sales, which, he said, allows him to “see everything they ever did.” But for single parents or parents who have rigid schedules, he said, there are always opportunities to be present with the kids, even if it’s for small moments. Patience ties in with his channel. He said he would always try to get his kids involved in whatever he was working on. “If I needed to build a fence, I would get the kids to help me. It would slow down the process considerably, but I wanted to encourage them,” he said.

For parents, he encourages them to write a mission statement when their kids are little, advising that it would serve as a helpful way to keep them on track.

“And when times get tough, you can refer back to the mission statement. And you can adjust them, of course, but it’d be good to keep the same principles,” he said.

Personalized education for students via one-on-one instruction.

Despite his “internet dad” status, Kenney maintains that he’s just a normal dad who makes mistakes and doesn’t have all the answers. “Being a parent isn’t easy, and I hope I haven’t implied that. I know I’ve made mistakes and will probably make some more. I just want to help people in any way I can,” he said.

■

Madison Miller is ParentMap’s trends and engagement editor.

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Top Toys of 2023 for Every Kid on Your List

By Amber Guetebier

With the holiday season upon us, it can be a joyous time of year, a time for upholding traditions and making new ones. But when it comes to gift shopping for kids, sometimes the season can become a little overwhelming. You want a gift they’ll love, and you want one that will stand the test of time — and some rough play. The great news? 2023 does not disappoint, with plenty of outstanding toys that are durable, adorable and encourage creativity. We’ve gone through dozens upon dozens of toy catalogs, so you don’t have to, and the results are in: These are our top gifts of 2023 for kids, from babies to teens.

1/ My Woodland Friends squeaker set by Gund A soft plush play set that evokes forest foraging and woodland romps, it comes with four soft sensory toys: an acorn rattle, a crinkling snail, and squirrel and fox squeakers. They all come in a 7.5-inch soft mushroom house. Baby can practice putting toys in the house and store the little animals inside. There’s even a small handle at the top to take the set on the go.

Ages: 0 and up Cost: $24.95 2/ Bath-time slide set by Matchstick Monkey A toy for the bath that helps develop handeye coordination while also being adorable?

Yes, please! The little slide attaches to the bath rim or any smooth surface and can be angled in three different ways. Then drop the little animal rocks down the slide until they splash into the tub. Made from FDA-approved food-grade silicone and BPA-free PVC and PP materials.

Ages: 6 months and up Cost: $24.95

Mudpuppy Pizzasaurus Shaped Scratch & Sniff Puzzle

3/ “Bee: A Peek-Through Board Book”

by Britta Teckentrup A die-cut board book that takes children through the busy day of this beloved pollinator. With brightly colored illustrations, even the tiniest readers will discover how vital bees are.

Cutouts make the book a tactile experience as they travel from flower to hive.

Ages: 0–3 Cost: $9.76 4/ The Block Set from Lovevery A 70-piece collection of wood blocks in an array of colors, sizes and shapes, this set helps little ones build their spatial

My Woodland Friends squeaker set

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reasoning and problem-solving skills while having fun. A creative toy that allows children to explore stacking, sorting and creating, it’s built to last. Plus, it looks adorable on the shelf.

Ages: 18 months and up Cost: $90

The Block Set

5/ Magna-Tiles Downhill Duo You can’t really go wrong with Magna-Tiles.

This new 40-piece set won the Toy the Year Award for 2023, in part because of the creative way it boosts STEM skills for young kids. Kids can engineer elevated racing tracks and build vehicles to race on them.

Ages: 3 and up Cost: $69.99 6/ Color-sorting rainbow from Mirus Toys A Montessori toy that brings the colors of the rainbow to kids’ fingertips, the sorting rainbow improves fine motor skills, spatial

Casa Azul set

understanding, concentration and counting skills. The rainbow is made of maple wood, and the little balls are felted wool. Although younger children may benefit from this toy, the size of the felted balls can present a choking hazard. For this reason, the toy is recommended for ages 3 and older. These toys are made to order, so we suggest ordering early to ensure delivery before the holidays.

Ages: 3 and up Cost: $64.95 7/ Connetix 92-piece ball run pack For limitless play, this 92-piece set allows kids to make an epic ball run by stacking and connecting the magnetic pieces. The colorful set features 36 connecting squares and clear, fluted tubes so kids can watch one of the six rainbow wooden balls (in

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cluded in the set) as they zoom down the slides. There are also S-bend tubes, a split tube and special-effect stair soundscape tubes.

Ages: 3 and up Cost: $109 8/ Yoto Mini The Yoto Mini is a portable, screen-free way to let kids listen to audiobooks, music, activities and educational audio. Kids use physical cards to play audio files. It even plays sleep sounds and white noise, and can be used as an “okay to wake” alarm.

Use it as a Bluetooth speaker or connect to Bluetooth headphones. The audio cards are purchased separately.

Ages: 3–12 Cost: $69.99

LO CAL R ES O UR C ES / GI F T GUI D E

9/ Little Partners 2-in-1 Folding Learn ’N Slide with climber A standalone, double-sided balance trainer brings active play to any room or backyard. It has half-moon hand and foot grips on one side and a smooth surface for climbing on the other. The beautiful natural wood design is a welcome change from big plastic toys.

Featuring a two-in-one design lock for safe play, it also folds up for easy storage. Holds as much as 150 pounds.

Ages: 2–6 Cost: $229 10/ Super Smalls Magic Power Potion necklace kit This creative kit lets children mix up a potion and then turn it into a necklace.The set includes eight ingredients, a booklet with five different potion recipes, a funnel to make pouring easier, and four potion bottles, so they can make necklaces for their besties, too.

Ages: 3 and up Cost: $45

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11/ Casa Azul set from Follies A buildable playhouse inspired by Frida Kahlo’s iconic home, this set includes 25 pieces. Mix and match, and build to create a variety of pieces, including a little kitchen, an artist’s easel and a tiny house. The pieces are made of nontoxic, BPA-free, phthalates-free, lightweight recyclable expanded plastic, which rinses clean.

Ages: 4 and up Cost: $179 12/ LeapFrog Magic Adventures telescope With its 110x magnification, kids can use this digital telescope to zoom in on the night sky or the world around them. There’s also a little 2.4-inch screen to view more than 100 NASA videos and play a variety of space-inspired games.

Ages: 5 and up Cost: $99

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13/ Taco vs Burrito card game Invented by a 7-year-old, this card game is equal parts entertainment and strategy as you compete with other players to stack your taco (or burrito) with a variety of ingredients, from gross to delicious.

Players can steal i ngredients, instigate food fights and stop plays. It takes only 15 minutes to play, so it’s the perfect response to “Will you play with me?”

Ages: 6 and up Cost: $19.99 14/ Tech Deck 25th Anniversary 8-Pack Yes, Tech Deck has been around for 25 years (feeling old yet?), and this eightboard set includes graphics from some of the biggest skate brands. Use the sticker packs to customize each fingerboard. It also includes a limited-edition silver Tech Deck Dude.

Ages: 6 and up Cost: $24.99 15/ Gund Rainbow Round Pusheen Squisheen An ombre pastel plushy that is utterly huggable, this 11-inch-round plush toy is made of pillow-soft fabric and looks like a plump little cat, complete with smile, paws and tail.

Your kids won’t be able to stop squeezing it (and neither will you).

Ages: 8 and up Cost: $35

17/ Mattel Barbie Dream Boat play set The Barbie craze continues, but if the Barbie Dream House is too big for your space or your budget, this adorable set has more than 20 pieces, including pool, slide and a dolphin.

Ages: 3 and up Cost: $58.99 18/ Mudpuppy Pizzasaurus Shaped Scratch & Sniff Puzzle A 48-piece mini puzzle features a pizzasaurus: a creature with a dinosaur head and a pizza body. The body even has the scratch-andsniff scent of cheesy pizza. It’s just weird enough that your kids will love it.

Ages: 8 and up Cost: $8.99 19/ Virtual Reality Oceans! gift set from Abacus Brands Kids can immerse themselves in the aquatic world with this set, which includes virtual-reality goggles, a 96-page interactive book and scratch-art supplies to make their own ocean animal art. Explore the ocean on a submarine dive and watch as jellyfish, whales, dolphins and other creatures swim along.

Ages: 8 and up Cost: $59.99 20/ Woom Original bike Designed with kids in mind, these bikes are ultralightweight and ergonomically adjusted for easy handling by kids. The tires have

Mudpuppy Andy Warhol Soup Can

extra grip, and the handlebar brakes are made so that kids can apply them without excessive pressure. This year, Woom is debuting a range of limited-edition bike colors, including “atomic neon” and “cosmic blurple.” The bikes are made for children as young as 18 months and as old as age 14.

Ages: 18 months–14 years Cost: starting at $249 21/ Mudpuppy Andy Warhol Soup Can crayons and sharpener You’re never too old for crayons, and this sophisticated kit looks great in any study space. The can includes 18 extra-thick crayons with Warhol-inspired names and a small crayon sharpener that fits inside.

Ages: 8 and up Cost: $19.99

16/ Time Jumpers from SimplyFun Just launched in October, this riveting new board game takes you back in time to witness some of the greatest moments of the 20th century. Players move around the category portal collecting cards from different categories, all while learning about inventions, achievements and events. Now you really can party like it’s 1999.

Ages: 8 and up Cost: $38

Woom Original

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22/ Thames & Kosmos Hydraulic Boxing Bots Build two boxing robots, then challenge a friend to a hydraulic-robot battle. This clever kit helps kids build engineering skills and learn about the physics, design and components of hydraulic mechanisms.

Includes a scoreboard.

Ages: 10 and up Cost: $49.94 23/ Galison “Foraged” 1,000-piece puzzle Fungi are all the rage, and this complex puzzle will bring your teens hours of enjoyment, or build it together as a family. The puzzle imagery was created by photographer Sherrie Sanville, aka Shroom Mama. When complete, the puzzle measures 27 by 20 inches.

Ages: 10 and up Cost: $17.99 24/ Lego Insect Collection Older kids can still get a lot out of playing with Lego bricks. This amazing new set

display aspect will look great in their room.

Ages: 12 and up Cost: $79.99

Lego Insect Collection

includes 1,111 pieces to make three different insects: a blue morpho butterfly, with adjustable wings and a buildable flower, complete with a honey bee; a Hercules beetle, with attachable wings and horns; and a fully posable Chinese mantis with a seven-spotted ladybug.

Lego recommends 18 years and older for these kits, but tweens and teens will enjoy building these with you (or maybe without you). The increased challenge will keep their attention, and the cool

ARTS AT THE ARMORY

25/ DreamController game controller designs Customize controllers for Xbox One, Xbox Elite, Nintendo Switch and Oculus Quest 2 with designs that include popular gaming characters, patterns and an array of options, such as rainbows, honeycomb, plants and flowers.

Ages: 9 and up Cost: prices vary

■

Editor’s note: Prices were current at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Amber Guetebier is a freelance writer and editor and a mother with a penchant for pirates, plants and books, not necessarily in that order. Visit her at writhingink.com.

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November Play List All the events you need to kickstart the holiday season

By Julie Dodobara

Check out many more happenings online at parentmap.com/calendar.

By now you’ve fully embraced everything pumpkin spice.

That’s a good thing, because with so many holiday happenings starting soon, you’ll want to savor every moment of it. November brings a variety of cultural fests and family-friendly productions, opportunities to get outdoors and the return of holiday light displays at the end of the month. So, say yes to another grande pumpkin-flavored drink to fuel your efforts, then gather your family and get out there.

� Join your favorite Disney characters from “Frozen” and “Encanto” as they take you on a magical adventure with songs and skating in the latest Disney on Ice show. Sing along to all your favorites, Nov. 2–5 at the Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett. Tickets start at $35.

� Your family can be salmon heroes! Gather the whole crew and join experts from the Environmental Science Center at Renton’s Liberty Park to learn how to protect our region’s beloved fish. Observe migrating salmon, train to be salmon scientists and more. Saturday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m.–noon. Free.

� Create your own haiku poetry and draw calligraphy characters as you learn about Japan’s unique forms of art at Bunka no Hi, a free Japanese Culture Day fest. Also enjoy karate demos, taiko drumming and storytelling. The annual fest takes place at Seattle’s Japanese Cultural & Community Center, Saturday, Nov. 4, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Free.

� Attention, wizards, witches and muggles! Head to downtown Bellevue for a first-ofits-kind immersive Harry Potter experience making its West Coast debut Nov. 10 at The Shops at The Bravern. “Harry Potter: Magic at Play” invites fans of all ages to explore the fantastical wizarding world through interactive, handsDía de los Muertos at the Tacoma Art Museum

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� Bring your family to experience the colorful traditions of Día de los Muertos, a festival celebrating the lives of departed loved ones. The Tacoma Art Museum invites all to view and contribute to community ofrendas (offerings) as part of its annual commemoration on Sunday, Nov. 5. Free.

Highlighted Events for November

Starts Nov. 10 | Various dates

Nov. 14 | Tuesday

Starts Nov. 24 | Daily

“Harry Potter: Magic at Play”

ParentEd Talk: The Future Is Now: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of AI and What to Do About It

Zoolights

The Shops at The Bravern

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Online

on activities. Prebook your timed-entry tickets. Prices start at $29 for adults; $22.50 ages 3–9; ages 2 and younger are free.

� Woodland Park Zoo’s larger-than-life WildLanterns lighted lantern display is back with enchanting new designs and themed zones, as well as returning fan favorites. Book your timed-entry tickets beforehand for dates beginning Friday, Nov. 10, and note that tiered pricing is in effect, based on peak times. Tickets cost $29.95– $36.95 for adults and teens ages 13 and older; $25.95–$31.95 for kids ages 3–12; tots ages 2 and younger enter free. � Honor our country’s veter-

ans and active-duty military personnel at Auburn’s annual parade, one of the largest in the U.S., now in its 58th year.

Nab your viewing spot along East Main Street in downtown Auburn. Saturday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. Free.

� Don’t miss the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy one of our picturesque state or national parks on Veterans Day. Entrance is free to honor those who have served in our armed forces. Saturday, Nov. 11. � Enjoy the traditions of Diwali, India’s joyful festival of lights, with music, dance, martial arts, cooking demonstrations and more. Part of Seattle Center’s Festál series, this free celebration takes place on Saturday, Nov. 11, noon–6 p.m.

� Join Parentmap for our next ParentEd talk, which welcomes Christine Rosen, Ph.D., to share her insights on the impacts of emerging generative AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, and learn how to help children safely navigate its potential and its pitfalls. Preregister and then tune in Tuesday, Nov. 14, 1–2 p.m. Pay what you can, $0–$15.

Recording will be available for registrants. � Kids (and grown-ups) of all ages will delight in Seattle Children’s Theatre’s electrified holiday show, “A Very Electric Christmas,” featuring electroluminescent characters that light up the stage, and a soundtrack of timeless holiday hits. Follow our hero, Max — a lost young bird who is trying to reunite with his family — on his magical North Pole adventures. The show runs on select dates Nov. 16–Dec. 31. Tickets start at $20.

found in German towns, this market offers visitors colorful décor, authentic food, gifts and festive entertainment. Prebook your timeslot (and stay as long as you want) for dates starting Nov. 24 at Seattle Center, $12–$20, ages 6 and under are free. Early bird discounts are available until Thursday, Nov. 23.

“A Very Electric Christmas” at the Seattle Children’s Theatre

tunnels, take selfies with vibrant butterfly wings and hunt for animals like the giant Pacific octopus. Book your timedentry tickets, $12–$16, for this show, opening Friday, Nov. 24.

� Hop on the carousel, grab a mulled wine and embrace old-world holiday charm at the Seattle Christmas Market, the newest addition to the local holiday scene. Modeled after traditional Christmas markets

� Garden d’Lights at Bellevue Botanical Garden, another favorite light display for families, features whimsical animal, flower and bird shapes — at an affordable price. Book your tickets to enjoy this display featuring more than half a million lights. Opens Saturday, Nov. 25. Tickets $8; children ages 10 and younger free. This year, discounted $5 entry is available during the display’s first two weeks.

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Julie Dodobara is ParentMap’s calendar editor.

� For a feast of the senses, visit the Gingerbread Village, the annual display of expertly crafted gingerbread creations that benefits a good cause.

This delightful holiday tradition is on view at the Sheraton Grand Seattle daily starting Nov. 21; a $5 donation per person is recommended and benefits JDRF and research cures for type 1 diabetes. � Become immersed in a winter wonderland of Zoolights, composed of more than 800,000 colored lights spread across Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium grounds. Walk through brilliantly illuminated

Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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LO CAL R ES O UR CES / CAM P S : ARTS + ACT I V I T IES

Quick and Easy Games to Keep Kids Busy on Thanksgiving Six ideas to give yourself plenty of time to prep the feast

By Allison Sutcliffe When you’re a parent, Thanksgiving is about taking the day off, gathering with friends and family, watching the big game and, of course, cooking everyone’s favorite dishes and taking hours to do it. It’s a time to luxuriate in the comforts of home and having the time to actually cook things. If you’re a kid … let’s just say there’s a lot of downtime. But there doesn’t have to be.

Pull out these easy activities and give the kids something to do while they’re waiting for the turkey to be served.

1/ Pumpkin ring toss: Give a seasonal twist to this classic carnival game. Set up a grid or pattern using small hula hoops or connected glow sticks, each with a different point value. Then have kids toss small decorative pumpkins through the hoops to see how many points they can rack up.

Highest score wins something special, like extra whipped cream on their pumpkin pie.

2/ Grateful interviews: For many folks, gathering for Thanksgiving means hosting lots and lots of family members and friends, many of whom you only see a few times a year, if you’re lucky. This game gives kids the chance to get to know guests by sending them around to ask

everyone what they’re grateful for this year. Record answers using pen and paper or bring it into the digital age by using a tablet or smartphone to take a video.

Share everyone’s thoughts via a cute video or on a hand-drawn poster before dinner.

3/ Pin the feather on the turkey: Always a classic, it’s hard to go wrong with a pinthe-tail-on-anything game when you need to occupy kids. You know the drill on this one. Hang a large turkey on a door or wall and give kids colorful feather cutouts with double-sided tape. Blindfold each player, give them a spin and set them off to see if they can put the feather anywhere near the right spot.

4/ Harvest craft station: Mini cornucopias are at the heart of this easy art project, which kids of any age can do. Set out construction paper precut in the shape of cornucopias and an assortment of small, colorful craft materials: beads, feathers, stickers, googly eyes and anything else that suits the season. Kids will have a blast decorating their cornucopias with autumnthemed flair, and their artwork may come in handy if extra table decorations are needed.

5/ Pumpkin hunt: The genius of this game is that kids can set it up themselves and play it over and over again. Decorative pumpkins are hidden — in the yard, in the cupboards, pretty much anywhere parents deem is within the boundaries. Then the kids head out to find them. The kid who collects the most pumpkins then sets out to hide them all over again. See how many rounds they can play before the first course is served.

6/ Thankful story station: What’s better than sitting down with a good book while everyone else is busy watching the game or cooking? Set out books focused on the theme of “thanks,” such as Todd Parr’s “The Thankful Book” or “Gratitude Is My Superpower” by Alicia Ortego, and give kids a comfy space in which to read them. This activity will definitely give kids something to talk about at the dinner table.

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Allison Sutcliffe is ParentMap’s managing editor.

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9 can’t-miss talks for parents ParentMap’s ParentEd Talks series continues with a tremendous lineup of expert speakers who will help boost your parenting IQ. Topics include tips for raising technology-savvy kids in a screen-obsessed world; deepening connection with our partners and children; fostering the key traits and habits that are predictors of children’s success and good health — and much more.

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Upcoming ParentEd Talks ParentEd Talks with host, Laura Kastner, Ph.D. ParentMap is honored to present Laura Kastner, Ph.D., as the host of its 2023–2024 ParentEd Talks series. Kastner is the author of a number of parenting books, including the acclaimed “Getting to Calm” series, and a clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington.

NOVEMBER 2023 The Future Is Now: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of AI and What to Do About It | Nov. 14, 2023 Christine Rosen, Ph.D., a leading expert on the intersection of technology and education, will share her insights on the groundbreaking — and disruptive — impacts of emerging generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT, illuminating the ways parents and educators can help children safely navigate the positive potentials and possible pitfalls of AI.

DECEMBER 2023 Unplug and Rewire: Raising Screen-Savvy Kids in the Tech Era | Dec. 6, 2023 Joe Clement and Matt Miles are veteran teachers who have witnessed firsthand how damaging technology overuse and misuse has been to our kids. In this energizing talk, they will outline the challenges of raising screen-savvy kids and provide practical strategies for promoting well-balanced technology habits.

JANUARY 2024 Brave Listening: The Secret to Safeguarding Your Child’s Mental Health | Jan. 10 2024 In this essential talk, suicide risk assessment expert Stacey Freedenthal, Ph.D., LISW, will guide parents through the sensitive and challenging topic of supporting their child’s mental health. Among the powerful strategies Freedenthal will outline is brave listening, which not only helps our children feel seen, heard and supported, but can literally be the difference between life and death.

Nurturing the Healing Power of Play for Ourselves and for Our Children | Jan. 23, 2024 Amelia Bachleda, Ph.D., and Marley Jarvis, Ph.D., child development specialists from the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, will join Mike Browne, senior director of Community Engagement for Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington, for an engaging conversation about the brain science of play and the critical role of play in our lives.

FEBRUARY 2024 Conscious: Curious, Connected Discipline Strategies for Happier, Healthier Kids | Feb. 6, 2024 Parenting expert and Sproutable cofounder Julietta Skoog, Ed.S., will share her conscious discipline playbook in this talk that compassionately translates research, child development expertise and Positive Discipline principles into everyday parenting solutions that have helped countless families discover greater joy, connection and calm.

MARCH 2024 With Conviction: What Formerly Incarcerated Leaders Can Teach Parents About Raising Changemakers | March 27, 2024 In this thought-provoking talk, Freedom Project executive director David Heppard and T.E.A.C.H. (Taking Education and Creating History) founder Kimonti Carter will decode the systems that shape the ways we see ourselves and others, reflecting on the wisdom they gained from their experience of incarceration and subsequent leadership working toward criminal justice and prison reform.

APRIL 2024 Stronger Together: A New Model for Modern Marriage | April 16, 2024 Nate and Kaley Klemp, two of the most respected voices in the field of modern relationships, will impart key insights of their 80/80 marriage model, which is based on the concept of “radical generosity.” Learn game-changing strategies for redesigning the structure of your partnership based on practices and principles that will result in shared success and lasting satisfaction.

MAY 2024 What’s Love Got to Do With It? The Power of Nurturing Yourself First | May 1, 2024 To best nurture others, we must expand our capacity to nurture ourselves. In this can’t-miss talk, veteran mindful self-compassion facilitators Blair Carleton and Yaffa Maritz, LMHC, will teach caregivers how to cultivate a habit of restorative self-compassion, equipping them with powerful techniques for developing greater self-awareness, self-reflection, self-care and emotional resilience.

JUNE 2024 Calm and Connected: Coaching Coping Skills in Your Children | June 5, 2024 Mental health counselor and author Janine Halloran, LMHC, will draw on her decades of experience working with children and families to impart practical and effective strategies to help kids and teens develop the coping, self-regulation and social skills they need to manage stress, reduce anxiety and manage other common mental health challenges.

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Out + About

North Shore Lagoon at McMenamins Anderson School

Over-the-Top Indoor Pools That Make You Feel Like You’re on Vacation

river and water vortex; and a 25-yard-long lap pool with a diving board. You’ll also find a sauna and hot tub on-site.

Enjoy everything from lazy rivers and a tiki bar to a water vortex

Pool tips: Reservations are not required for public swim sessions, so it’s first come, first served. Admission to each session starts selling 15 minutes prior to each swim time, so arrive with some time to spare, especially on weekends.

By Kali Sakai

Swimming in the Northwest is a year-round family activity that heats up indoors as the weather cools down. Local Seattle-area indoor pools offer “splash-tastic” fun for babies, tots, bigger kids and grown-ups alike. We are lucky to have pools around the region that feature amenities and events that are sure to delight swimmers and keep them active all year. So, the next time you need to change up your winter activity routine, check out one of the area’s top indoor pools — they’ll make you feel as though it’s summertime, no matter what the season.

Seattle Parks and Recreation Pool Highlight: Rainier Beach Offerings: A gem of Seattle Parks and Recreation, this location has two indoor pools: a leisure pool featuring a giant spiral slide, a lazy

For little ones: There’s a shallow splash area with spray features, dumping buckets and gradual entry.

Water temp: 93 degrees (leisure pool), 85 degrees (lap pool), 102 degrees (family hot tub)

Note: Children younger than 18 must be accompanied in the pool by a responsible adult. Children younger than 6 years of age or under 48 inches in height must be directly supervised in the water by an adult who is within an arm’s length at all times.

North Shore Lagoon at McMenamins Anderson School, Bothell Offerings: Located at the McMenamins Anderson School complex in downtown Bothell, this full-size saltwater pool doesn’t have slides, diving boards or other excitement, just plenty of very warm, shallow water; pool toys; and a killer schedule. It’s open long hours every day of the year, 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday–Thursday, and 9 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday, with one-hour open-swim times throughout the day.

Water temp: 88–90 degrees

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Pool tips: The pool is open to the public for one-hour sessions starting every hour on the hour. Arrive up to 30 minutes early to get your wristband. The busiest times at the pool are 5–7 p.m., Monday–Thursday, during swim lessons; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Children’s life vests and puddle jumpers are available to use at the pool for free.

After your swim: Get snacks and drinks at Nui Nui, the tiki-themed North Shore Lagoon restaurant above the pool. Or check out one of the other restaurants with indoor and outdoor dining options (or the movie theater) on the unique 5-acre premises.

Pool deals: Bothell residents swim free with ID. Note: Depths range from shallow (4.5 feet) to shallower (around 2.5 feet). Kids ages 5 and younger must have an adult in the water with them. Swim lessons for ages 3 and older are also offered at this pool.

Lynnwood Recreation Center Offerings: This super-popular pool features waterslides, sprayers, a lazy river, diving boards, a wobbly walkway, a swirl pool and fountains. Just remember, the sprayers can be a little intense for

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Lynnwood Recreation Center. Photo courtesy of Snohomish County Kids Activities

very young ones. There are also two hot tubs: one that’s perfect for families and one that’s for adults only, at a higher temperature.

Plus, there’s a lap pool and a warm-water wellness pool. The rec

center also offers swim lessons for all ages.

For little ones: During Beach Swim times, only the shallow play area is open; water is up to 2 feet deep.

Arrive Curious.

Leave Inspired.

Water temp: 85 degrees (recreation pool), 93 degrees (wellness pool), 83 degrees (lap pool), 98 degrees (family hot tub) Pool tips: Preregistration is now required for open and recreation swims, with an exception for annual pass holders, who are guaranteed entry and don’t need advance registration. Register by phone 425-670-5732 or online. You may also call as far as two weeks in advance to book a swim time, but you’ll have to make an account with the city of Lynnwood first.

Pool deals: If you plan to go to the pool often, invest in an annual pass. It grants visitors use of all the recreation center amenities in addition to priority entry for open swimming. Save by purchasing a 10-visit pass.

Note: Children younger than 6 must be accompanied by an adult or teen in the water at all times. The adult or teen (13 years or older) must be actively supervising the child who is younger than 6 years from inside the water.

Kids have to be at least 48 inches in height to go down the tube slide and 40 inches tall for the body slide.

Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion Offerings: This epic warm-water pool features a lazy river, water basketball hoops, inner tubes, geysers, flotation rings and pool toys. Also, there’s a hot tub and sauna located a short distance from the pool. This pool also offers a variety of swim lessons for children, including a parent-and-tot class.

For little ones: The large leisure pool ranges from 6 inches to 3 feet deep, with spray features and pool toys designed for children 6 and younger. Life jackets are available for all ages.

Water temp: 87–88 degrees Pool tips: The line for the recreation swim forms about 15 minutes before the session begins. Leisure pool swim times are recommended for younger kids, and recreation swim times are better for older ones. Adults must be in the pool and within arm’s reach of children younger than 4 at all times.

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Pool deals: You can purchase an 11-visit pass, a month pass or an annual pass at a discounted rate.

Note: Children younger than 4 years of age must be accompanied in the pool by an adult; adults should be within arm’s reach of all young children.

People’s Pool

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People’s Pool, Tacoma Offerings: Tacoma’s newest pool boasts an indoor spray pad, a small lazy river (no inner tubes), floating pads for walk-on-water play and poolside basketball hoops. It also offers swim lessons, but be sure to register early.

Lessons are priced by number of sessions and age.

Private pool rentals are also available on select days.

For little ones: This pool features a separate Tot Zone spray pad with geysers, for kids who want to have some water fun outside of the pool.

Water temp: 85 degrees Pool tips: Adults must accompany children younger than 7 and/or under 42 inches in height in the water.

Pool deals: Ages 18 and younger swim free at all Metro Parks pools. Sign up for the community center pass online.

Note: Children younger than 4 years of age must be accompanied in the pool by an adult; adults should be within arm’s reach of all young children. All kids ages 7–10 are required to take a swim test.

Federal Way Community Center Pool, Federal Way Offerings: Federal Way’s newly renovated leisure pool is now open. Be one of the first people to visit the updated pool, which has a two-story waterslide, an inner-tube lazy river with a whirlpool feature, and a

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Covington Aquatic Center, Covington Offerings: This South Sound aquatic destination features a diving board, 31-foot water slide, huge inflatable octopus, floating magic carpet, rope swing, water basketball and pool toys. You’ll find a variety of swim sessions on offer: recreation, family and parent-tot, plus private and semiprivate swim lessons for all ages, as well as private party rentals. Swim times vary, so it’s best to check the schedule online before planning your trip to the pool.

For little ones: Tiptoe across the foam floating magic carpet and play with toys in the shallow end.

Water temp: 85 degrees

Federal Way Community Center Pool

spa. Private, semiprivate, group and teen programs are offered for all levels. In addition, there are rec swims, parent-tot swims and private pool rentals.

For little ones: Little swimmers will love the 2-foot-deep area with an interactive aquatic play structure and water sprayers.

Water temp: 86 degrees Pool tips: A day pass to the pool buys you access to the entire facility. The best bet for young children is the parent-tot swim in the leisure pool during the school year.

As the schedule changes, check online for

current times. Parents need to be in the water with kids younger than 7, and for the big slide, kids must be at least 4 feet tall.

Pool deals: Purchase a one-day pass to the community center, which allows you to use the basketball courts, swimming pools, walking/running track, fitness area and participation in any group fitness/aquatics classes. Monthly and annual passes are also available with discounted rates for Federal Way residents.

Note: All those under the age of 18 must have an adult in the water with them.

Pool tips: There are often special public swims on school early-dismissal days or vacation days. The center offers special events like the “Spooky Swim” and the “Hollydaze Float In,” for which details can be found on the pool registration webpage (search “spooky” or “hollydaze” to register). The inflatable octopus is in the water on weekends during public swims, and the magic carpet is available during weekday public swims.

Pool deals: Family discounts, 10-visit discount cards and memberships are available (though not required).

■

Kali Sakai is a Seattle-based freelance writer and blogger. As a native Washingtonian and multi-ethnic, shark-loving tech geek, you can find more of her stories and observations on evidentlyblog.com.

See p. 21

Parent smarter, not harder!

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Neighborhood Spotlight Mercer Island A tight-knit island community just minutes away from Seattle

By Madison Miller

Deane’s Children’s Park

Lake Washington

crawl all over the creature, sliding off the dragon’s tail, and climbing across its back and into its belly through its mouth or side openings. Head to Luther Burbank Park for a one-stop spot for fun. It has the island’s largest playground, a public swimming beach, a dog park, an amphitheater, tennis courts, trails and more. Have some indoor fun at Island Books, the island’s popular independent bookstore. Don’t miss the kids’ section, which includes a cute playhouse and a collection of typewriters.

Luther Burbank Park. Photo by JiaYing Grygiel

Island Books

The Vibe Just a few minutes away from bustling Seattle is tight-knit, community-oriented Mercer Island. Home to approximately 25,000 residents, Mercer Island is connected by the Interstate 90 bridge to Seattle and Bellevue. Despite its small footprint, Mercer Island has more than 475 acres of parks and open space, including three public beaches and more than 50

miles of hiking trails. For those yearning for an urban atmosphere, Mercer Island also hosts a robust downtown center filled with trendy restaurants and high-end retailers.

Play on Parks, beaches and playgrounds, oh my!

Go dragon hunting at Deane’s Children’s Park. The sculpture and nearby playground are popular among kids because they can

Eats + Treats Satisfy your chocolate cravings at Oh! Chocolate. In addition to making perfect artisan chocolates, this shop also offers chocolate-making classes for kids and adults. Island Treats is well worth a visit just to try the Super S’more. Don’t forget to sample Street Treats’ delicious and customizable ice cream sandwiches, ice cream scoops and baked goods.

■

Madison Miller is ParentMap’s trends and engagement editor.

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Ages + Stages The Healing Power of Music Music can turn the hard work of therapy into something playful and creative

By Gemma Alexander If you’ve ever listened to a breakup song on repeat, you know music can be therapeutic.

It helps us to communicate, process our emotions and even form social bonds with people who share our taste. But music can be more than a dose of self-help, it can actually be a clinical form of therapy.

“Music therapy is a way to work on nonmusical goals using music,” says Kristin Schneider, a certified music therapist who was program manager of music therapy and early childhood at Music Works Northwest for six years. “The whole goal of music therapy is to do this hard work in a way that feels playful and creative and fun.”

The work of music therapy With its approach tailored to the individual patient, music therapy is commonly applied toward developmental goals with neurodivergent youths. Music therapy goals include improving fine and gross motor skills, impulse control, self-advocacy, communication, team building and leadership skills. It is used to treat children who are experiencing developmental delays because of illnesses that have kept them in the hospital or otherwise interfered with normal experiences and stimulation. Music therapy is also helpful for children dealing with anxiety about surgeries and other frightening medical procedures.

“Depending on what the goals are, we can do instrument play, singing, musical games, musical stories, pretend play using instruments and materials in the room, dancing — it can go a lot of different directions,”

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says Schneider. A child may play musical games on the piano to improve fine motor skills. A patient experiencing muscle weakness or partial paralysis can practice drumming to strengthen the weak side of their body. Or a music therapist might play music as a distraction to reduce a child’s pain perception during a blood draw.

Tanesha Ross is a certified music therapist at Seattle Children’s Hospital and a neurologic music therapy fellow who specializes in the way music affects the brain.

“When you’re listening to a song and you start to tap your foot without realizing it, that’s called entrainment. If someone’s mobility is impaired, having a steady rhythmic stimulus can actually assist their motor function because we start to entrain. If I’ve got a metronome going or a song with a beat that matches the rhythm a patient needs, their motor cortex starts to kick in, entraining to that stimulus, and they start to move their body more fluidly without thinking about it so much,” says Ross.

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Besides encouraging rhythmic movement in physical rehabilitation, music can affect our heart rate. Just as athletes play fast-paced music to pump themselves up for competition, a music therapist can play music while gradually slowing the tempo to calm an anxious child.

Therapy vs. instruction Whether families approach music therapy with a specific goal in mind or simply with curiosity about how it can be helpful, the therapeutic approach is always personalized to the specific child’s needs. Patients can stop music therapy after accomplishing a single goal. But because it can be a lot more fun than other types of therapy, many families continue using music therapy to progress through a series of more challenging goals or even take on different types of goals. “There’s always something new to work on,” says Schneider. But music therapy, even when it looks like a music lesson, is not about learning to play an instrument.

“There is no wrong way for your child to explore music. A lot of

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times parents want to guide their children in therapy sessions, but really, it’s about the process and about them finding their own way. Really stepping back and seeing what the child comes up with, that exploration in and of itself is developmentally appropriate and helpful. We don’t want to stifle that creativity,” says Ross.

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Even when a therapy session is organized like a music lesson, musical knowledge is a secondary gain. For example, therapeutic music lessons help a therapist build rapport with kids and teens through music before addressing depression and anxiety using more traditional talk therapy.

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Sometimes music therapy does lead to a passion for music. At Music Works, patients who develop an interest in music can shift from therapy to adapted music lessons. Even in adapted music lessons, there are usually nonmusical goals, such as focusing attention or improving memory. When a patient’s goals become musical, they move on to become music students with a teacher instead of a therapist.

Accessing music therapy At Seattle Children’s, music therapy is part of the creative arts therapies (CATS) group in the Child Life Department. It is offered one-on-one to all inpatients, often by referral “if the occupational, speech or physical therapist thinks that the underlying musical

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elements can optimize the work that they’re doing,” says Ross.

But parents of Seattle Children’s patients can also request music therapy, and outside of the hospital, most music therapy is initiated through self-referral.

“If their child has any interest in music, or learns through music, then music therapy could be a great fit. For example, if you have a child who does not communicate verbally but likes to sing, or they dance whenever they hear music,” suggests Schneider.

Ross agrees, saying, “We want that motivational piece to be there.” Especially with very young children, music can be a motivator to overcome the defiance children may display in other therapeutic modalities. But if a child is not particularly interested in music, the therapy will not be as effective.

Music Works most commonly works with kids, teens and adults with autism, Down syndrome or learning disabilities through private, weekly sessions. An exception is when music therapy is specifically designed to help young people learn to function in a group. The group therapy program is not meant to teach neurotypical social skills, but uses music to provide an avenue for self-discovery. “They’re learning about ‘What do I need in order to feel comfortable in a group?’ ‘How can I self-advocate?’ ‘What

are my sensory needs when I’m with so many people?’” explains Schneider.

Unfortunately, health insurance does not always cover music therapy, and rarely allows for direct billing. But a bill recently passed in Washington state may make it easier to get reimbursed for music therapy in the future. Once the law takes effect in 2025, it will be illegal to offer music therapy services without a state license. Until then, any musician or therapist can claim to offer music therapy.

Qualified music therapists will be board certified. Certification requires a bachelor’s degree with much of the same coursework as a music major as well as additional coursework in anatomy, psychology and special education. Graduates must then gain 1,200 hours of clinical experience through an internship before becoming eligible to take the certification exam. You can find board-certified music therapists on the website of the American Music Therapy Association.

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Seattle-based freelance writer Gemma Alexander focuses on the intersection of parenting and the arts. When she’s not writing for ParentMap, she blogs at gemmadeealexander.com and tweets @gemmadeetweet.

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