ParentMap December 2024 Issue by ParentMap

December 2024

Parenting

Family Fun

Photo by Kathryn Mueller

When my son was little, I gave our dog a bone from the pet store. He asked what it was and I replied, “A bone.” His eyes got huge and he asked, “From a person?!”

My 3-year-old daughter’s latest response when I ask her to do something is, “That’s impossible, honey.”

When I was five months pregnant, my 3-year-old commented: “Mommy, your tummy is almost as big as Daddy’s!”

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR

Allison Sutcliffe

SENIOR EDITOR

Kristin Leong

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kari Hanson

FAMILY FUN EDITOR

Meredith Charaba

CALENDAR EDITOR

Julie Dodobara

COPY EDITOR

Sunny Parsons

CONTRIBUTORS

Gemma Alexander, Nancy Schatz Alton, Allison Holm, Vicky McDonald, Lindsay Zelinksi

DIGITAL MARKETING

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Lindsey Carter

EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Devon Hammer

SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Brooke Collins

ADVERTISING SALES + PARTNERSHIPS

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY

PARTNERSHIPS + ADVERTISING SALES

Jessica Collet

SENIOR ADVERTISING AND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER

Ida Wicklund

EVENTS + COMMUNITY

PARTNERSHIPS SPECIALIST

Brenna McCown

CLIENT SERVICES + DESIGN COORDINATOR

Angela Goodwin

ADVERTISING CLIENT SERVICES SPECIALIST

Mallory Dehbod

DIGITAL ADVERTISING + MARKETING SPECIALIST

Taryn Weiner

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Tamryn Nell

ART + PRODUCTION

SENIOR DESIGNER Amy Chinn

ADMINISTRATION

BUSINESS MANAGER Carolyn Brendel

OPERATIONS ASSISTANT Erika Widjaja

When my son was 6 he informed me that “puking is backwards pooping.”

When my son was about 4, he would declare, “My throat is dusty!” when he was thirsty. When my daughter was 4 she said, “Your eyes are rootbeer flavored,” describing my husband’s hazel eyes.

When my son was 3 or 4, he told a mom at the playground that it was his birthday and that he woke up to a room full of balloons. The mom asked if they said happy birthday, to which he replied, “Silly, balloons don’t talk!”

When my son was a toddler and we told him we were going to visit Santa he asked, “Are we going to his home or his office?” — Allison Sutcliffe, managing editor

DECEMBER 2024, VOL. 21, NO. 12

PUBLISHER Alayne Sulkin

PARENTMAP EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

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

Joan Duffell RETIRED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN

John Gottman, Ph.D. THE GOTTMAN INSTITUTE PROFESSOR EMERITUS, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Laura Kastner, Ph.D. PSYCHIATRY + BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Bea Kelleigh VICE PRESIDENT, DOVETAILING, LLC

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

Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MINDSIGHT INSTITUTE

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The Current

Gold bug discovered just in time for the holidays

Hold onto your magnifying glasses, nerds. Paleontologists have just uncovered fossils of a dazzling 450-million-year-old bug species, Lomankus edgecombei. Glittering with a natural coat of fool’s gold, these eyeless distant cousins of scorpions once scuttled along the dark ocean floor in what is now upstate New York. No word yet if these sparkly creatures ever ventured to the northwest.

In the name of science (and adorable foot kicks), researchers strapped colorful mobiles to babies’ feet and tracked every wiggle with 3D motion capture. According to new findings from Florida Atlantic University, artificial intelligence showed that babies’ foot movements varied significantly as their processing skills evolved through engaging with the world — one pudgy little trotter at a time.

The Emerald City is rich with bros

If you’re looking for dudes in Seattle, you’re in luck. According to census data, there are roughly 102 men per every 100 women in the Seattle metro area. The Census Bureau’s most recent American Community Survey didn’t cite these as explanations, but my guess is that the influx of bros has something to do with the proliferation of local tech companies, and the ability to find a fish nearby to take a picture with for Tinder.

More baby Hollys are on the way

Thinking of naming your December baby Holly? You’re in good company. According to Nameberry, the festive name is rising in popularity, but still relatively rare.

Last year, Holly was the 450th most popular girl’s name in the U.S., down from its peak in 1983, when it squeezed into the top 50, coming in at number 48.

By Kristin Leong, M.Ed.

Let’s hear it for citrus season

It’s officially the most important time of the year — grocery stores are now stocked with gleaming globes of sweet and sour. Pro-tip: Skip the Cuties this year, and go straight for the giant Sumo oranges. These oversized Japanese imports with their distinctive top knots are actually a hybrid of navel oranges, pomelos and mandarins. The price point is higher than the Florida fruits you’re used to, but so is the sweetness and ease of peeling. Enjoy!

Special education spending gaps in Washington

Recent analysis by the Washington State Standard reveals major inequities in how much our state’s school districts spend per special education student. At the low end, the Goldendale School District in Klickitat County invests just $8,708 per child. Holding down the opposite end of the spending spectrum, Bellevue spends $33,056 per child. According to Marguerite Roza, director of Georgetown’s Edunomics Lab, special education budgets haven’t historically received the same scrutiny as other school expenses until now.

The newly opened Redmond Senior & Community Center is a state-of-the-art facility that hosts a range of recreation activities and classes for everyone in your household. Our new Family Pass provides countless opportunities for all the ways you play.

Included in the pass: Kids Zone Access

Indoor Play

Unlimited Drop-In Activities Fitness Zone Access

Each pass provides access for two adults and all minors under the age of 18 in the household.

Cherish the Season

Whether they’re passed down or new, traditions play an important role in creating memories

By Gemma Alexander

When the holidays roll around each year, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the extra items on our to-do lists. No matter how much we remind ourselves that social media is a reel of highlights, those Instagram feeds filled with images of Martha Stewart–caliber festivities can make you feel like you’re not doing enough. But if you take a step back from the doomscrolling, you may be surprised to realize how much your own simple, unphotogenic traditions really mean to your family.

Why traditions matter

Traditions are not as much a part of life as they used to be, and to a certain extent, that’s a good thing. We have a lot more freedom when every aspect of life is not fossilized by prescribed traditions. But when they’re done right, instead of burdensome requirements, traditions are a source of joy and belonging. Most of us cling to some traditions from childhood, even when — and sometimes especially when — our own lives have taken us far from the community and culture of our roots. Traditions serve a multitude of important functions. They can support our mental health, in part by helping to form our identities as members of a group — whether that’s religious, cultural or simply familial — and strengthen our bonds with others in that group. Traditions maintain continuity and offer predictability in a chaotic world. They can even form a sort of tangible memory that preserves personal history.

“We have a holiday tradition of getting a new ornament for whatever has been most important for her that year,” says Cessalee Stovall-Smith, who moved with her now 5-year-old daughter from Australia to work at Seattle Children’s Theatre a year ago. “Last year she got a hot dog ornament because she’s very into hot dogs now that we’re in America.”

What is a tradition?

By one definition, tradition is the passing down of customs, beliefs

or rituals from one generation to another. Religious traditions are fundamental to many people’s lives, and even in secular families, the holidays can seem like one big, extended ritual. These types of traditions are often deeply meaningful. But traditions can just as easily be things that emerge organically and become meaningful simply through repetition.

Kevin Malgesini, managing director of Seattle Children’s Theatre, and his husband began an annual friend-group camping trip many years before becoming parents. Their 3-year-old son, Harris, is already invested in the tradition. Last summer, his best friends’ families joined the group and months later, when his preschool teacher talked about camping, Harris proudly piped up, “I go camping!”

“It’s been fun to see how much he owns it,” says Malgesini.

While ethnicity and religion are still major factors, our concept of community has expanded, and our found families influence our traditions, too. Patricia Andre-Edgar, communications and marketing director at PEPS, identified two annual traditions that are important to her Asian American family: the Lunar New Year and schultüte, a tradition that Andre-Edgar learned about from her German colleague at PEPS.

“Even though my family has no German roots, I just thought it was so fun and creative, and just a really interesting thing to do that seemed so refreshing. So, I introduced it to my family when they started school five years ago, and now if I didn’t do it, my kids would notice. They look forward to it every year,” she says.

FEATURE CHERISH THE SEASON

continued from page 11

When I was in high school, I was invited to join my Swedish friend’s family for Saint Lucia’s Day. I loved it so much that, to this day, my family officially launches the Christmas season by baking and decorating on Dec. 13. When I asked my 15-year-old which of our family traditions they valued most, they answered, “I really like how we always bake cookies when we decorate the tree.”

Thanksgiving turkeys don’t bring joy to vegetarians, and lapsed Catholics aren’t likely to feel uplifted at midnight mass.

Celebrate your traditions

Some families have more traditions than others. The best balance between consistency and novelty depends on your family’s temperament. But even if you’re a family full of innovators, you probably have more traditions than you realize. Innovation itself can be a tradition. Maybe you always visit someplace new for your annual vacation, or try new recipes every Sunday. What things would your kids be upset about if you changed them or gave them up? When it comes to celebrating traditions, the key word is “celebrate.”

“My family has a tiny pumpkin patch, so Pumpkin Hollow is a big family celebration. [For] Harris’ very first Pumpkin Hollow, we carved a pumpkin and put him in it,” says Malgesini. We follow our traditions because they bring us joy.

Hold them lightly

Our values change over time and across generations, so as important as it is to cherish our traditions, we also need to hold them lightly. Thanksgiving turkeys don’t bring joy to vegetarians, and lapsed Catholics aren’t likely to feel uplifted at midnight mass. Traditions can cease to bring joy or have meaning; often they simply become impractical.

When Smith-Stovall left Australia, Christmas had to change for her daughter.

“It was really difficult to explain to her that instead of a hot, 100-degree day and going swimming with her cousins, we were bundling up and going to visit my parents in Indiana.”

Traditions can and should evolve as we do.

Seattle mom Jacqui Gilroy grew up making linked chains out of red and green construction paper to count down the days until Christmas. When her son Wyatt was a toddler, she started helping

him do the same. The tradition leveled up like a Pokémon when the artist mother of one of his closest friends started creating Christmas villages, little houses that serve as an Advent calendar, in which you can hide little treats and trinkets. Now 9, Wyatt is obsessed with decorating their new and improved Advent calendar.

“Every year, we deck it out with the fake snow, twinkle lights and little trees, so it has the magical vibe,” says Gilroy.

Celebrating the rituals that have meaning for your family strengthens personal identity and reinforces family values — even if they take forms your grandparents could never have imagined. Both Smith-Stovall and Malgesini say that morning affirmations with Snoop Dogg have become an important daily ritual for their families. ■

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.

LOCAL RESOURCES /

Christmas Village Advent Calendar. Photo courtesy of pokidots.com

Give the Gift of Experience With These Action-Packed Presents

By Allison Holm

’Tis the season for festive lights, holiday cheer and, for many kids, extra-long wish lists. Beyond the typical kid-centered purchases parents make every day, the holidays can often put even more strain on our collective wallets. When all is said and done, what’s left to show for it, besides endless piles of torn wrapping paper, are toys that all too often get overlooked.

In the spirit of creating meaningful memories this holiday, we’ve rounded up more than 25 experiences that will surely inspire, thrill and excite your little ones for this year and, we hope, many years to come.

If your kid loves animals

Seeing lions, tigers and bears has stood the test of time when it comes to classic kid entertainment. Surprise your animal lover with a zoo membership or an aquarium pass. For roughly the cost of a few medium-size Lego sets, you can purchase a customizable annual pass to Woodland Park Zoo for your family and visit as often as your little zoologist desires.

For South Sound families, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s 29 acres are home to captivating zoo animals from around the world, the spectacular Pacific Seas

Aquarium and a playground that’s hard to beat. Combo memberships include admission to its sister zoo, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville. This uniquely Northwest park features an area where animals roam freely, allowing visitors close-up views of elk, bison, moose and other critters as they take the narrated Discovery Tram Tour. Animal keeper chats and the awesome Kids’ Trek playground are other highlights.

Cougar-crazy kids will love a trip to Issaquah’s Cougar Mountain Zoo, where they can see the big cats along with wolves, wallabies and other creatures.

If your kid loves the great outdoors

Take advantage of Washington’s diverse beauty and surprise your family with an outdoor-themed experience. Grab a gift box and fill it with a Washington State Parks Discover Pass, a pair of kid’s hiking

Museum of Illusions

Photo by Kathryn Mueller

Photo courtesy of Woodland Park Zoo

continued from page 15

books and binoculars for your aspiring ranger.

Go the extra mile and reserve a campsite. Orcas Island’s Moran State Park and Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles are summer spots that can’t be beat, or grab your warmest gear and plan an off-season trip. Settle in to watch storms while nestled in a yurt at Cape Disappointment State Park. Also, nearby Warm Beach Camp hosts the amazing Lights of Christmas show.

If your kid loves learning new things

There’s nothing quite like visiting a nearby museum when it comes to edutainment —

that stealthy combination of learning and fun that’s surprisingly engaging for kids of all ages. The holidays are a great time to start (or renew) a yearly family museum membership.

Currently, the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) has an “Almost Live” retrospective that’s just as entertaining for kids as it is for parents. The Museum of Flight’s recently opened “Home Beyond Earth” exhibit is truly out of this world: It allows visitors to explore what it would be like to live in space. Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion made a splash when it opened this summer, and a family membership gives everyone ample opportunity to get to know the new space. Dino-loving kids will

dig a membership to Seattle’s Burke Museum, and Pacific Science Center is always a hit with curious kids.

Museums that center on whimsy and play, such as Museum of Illusions in Seattle, will surely put a smile on your kid’s face when a visit is wrapped up with a bow. And parents can’t go wrong with a local children’s museum membership. It’s always in season.

If your kid loves adventure

For kids who can’t get enough action, thrill them with an adrenaline rush. Catch some air and skydive with the pros at iFly Indoor Skydiving. Try it once or sign up for flight school for one-on-one coaching.

Cape Disappointment

“Home Beyond Earth”

Photo courtesy of The Museum of Flight

Photo courtesy of Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

continued from page 16

Teach them the ropes and take your thrill seekers rock climbing. Edgeworks Climbing + Fitness offers climbing classes for mini rockers (kids as young as 5) at its Bellevue, Seattle and Tacoma locations. Vertical World’s classes start kids at an even younger age, with Parent + Me classes for kids as young as 2. Both will keep even the most energetic of kids on their toes.

If the zip lines at the neighborhood park have lost their luster, check out Canopy Tours NW on Camano Island. Family-owned and -operated, it provides family-friendly forest adventures via six zip lines. High

Trek Adventures in Everett, with its ropes course and zip lines, is another thrilling option to consider.

If your kid loves sports

For sports-loving kids, a ticket to watch the pros play is an excellent gift. And with so many professional teams to choose from in the Greater Seattle area, you can almost always find a team worth watching. Tickets to watch big-name teams such as the Seahawks, Kraken, Storm, Mariners, Reign and Sounders always count as a win.

Families can also get creative with tickets to watch the Seattle Tempest or Seattle Cascades play Ultimate Frisbee, the Everett AquaSox or Tacoma Rainiers play baseball, the Seattle Seawolves play rugby, or the Huskies or Cougars play any sport you can think of.

If your kid loves spending time with you

Since you can’t gift-wrap your undivided attention, set aside time to try new things with your child — it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Inspire your child’s inner chef with

Photo courtesy of seawolves.rugby

More ideas!

a cooking class. Both FrogLegs Cooking School and PCC offer hands-on classes that kids and parents can take together. Who knows? Maybe they’ll even make you dinner one of these days.

Create art together at spots such as Pratt Fine Arts Center and Squirrelly Workshop. No matter what medium you choose, sitting side by side while you paint, sculpt or fuse glass is guaranteed to create lasting memories. Or just head down to Tinkertopia in Tacoma to play in its Tinkerspace during individual building

tinker time; reservations are needed.

Challenge your family to puzzle their way out of a local escape room. Although many are too challenging for the littlest youngsters, older kids, tweens and teens will rise to the challenge — how can they not when they get to show off how smart they are!

If your kid loves shows

Get your Ticketmaster account ready, because there are some fantastic familyfriendly shows coming through Seattle in the next few months, including “Mary Poppins” at the 5th Avenue Theatre (through Dec. 26), “Back to the Future” at The Paramount Theatre (Dec. 10–22) and Seattle Children’s Theater’s production of “The Snow Queen” (through Jan. 5, 2025) — and that’s just the tip of the theater iceberg. Sing along with “The Sound of Music” Jan. 11–12, 2025 at the 5th Ave or get down with “Six” May 6–11, 2025 at the Paramount.

When it comes to giving experiences, the sky is the limit — and that includes presentation! There’s no need to limit yourself to sticking a gift card in an envelope and calling it good. Get creative!

Wrap a new baseball glove together with a pair of Mariners tickets, or tuck a cookingclass registration form into a ready-to-fill recipe box. A small toy plane goes well

with a Museum of Flight membership, and a Seattle guidebook is the perfect companion for any of these gifts.

When all is said and done, your littles will be delighted to have something to open, and even more excited to create special memories through a meaningful and intentional experience. ■

Allison has enjoyed writing for various publications and companies over the years, and currently lives on Camano Island with her three kids and husband. She loves farmers markets, coffee shops, bookstores crammed with used books and spending as much time as she can in her absolute favorite place: the San Juan Islands.

Gift the Books Kids Want to Read

A good book is the gift that keeps on giving — especially for young readers. The stories we read in childhood can build early literacy skills, shape social and emotional development, and foster a lifelong love of reading. To help you pick the perfect read, we compiled a list of the most popular kids’ books at Sno-Isle Libraries in 2024.

Gift books for kids and tweens that flew off our shelves this year!

FICTION FOR AGES 4-8

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!

Written & Illustrated by Mo Willems

The pigeon really, really wants to drive Santa’s sleigh. Then he learns how the sleigh flies — and starts to reconsider. Will the pigeon be left out in the cold, or make his holiday dreams come true?

The Big Cheese

Written by Jory John & Illustrated by Pete Oswald

When the annual Cheese-cathlon comes around, the Big Cheese is prepared to win, as always. But what happens when the quiet new kid, Wedge Wedgeman, comes out on top? Can a slice of humility show the Big Cheese that winning isn’t everything?

Pete the Cat Saves Up

Written & Illustrated by Kimberly and James Dean

Pete the Cat desperately wants a Sharkbot toy, but he doesn't have enough money in his piggy bank. He takes on odd jobs, from shoveling snow to selling lemonade, and saves every penny. Will Pete earn enough money to reach his goal?

The Scarlet Shedder

Written & Illustrated by Dav Pilkey

FICTION FOR AGES 8-12

Beloved superhero Dog Man got sprayed by a skunk! Tomato juice solves the stink, but turns Dog Man red, forcing him into exile. When a never-before-seen villain unleashes an army of A.I. robots, who will step up to protect the city?

No Brainer

Written & Illustrated by Jeff Kinney

When the town threatens to close his crumbling middle school, Greg Heffley isn’t too broken up about it — until he learns he’ll be separated from his best friend. Can Greg and his classmates save their school before it's shuttered for good?

Claudia and the Bad Joke

Written & Illustrated by Arley Nopra

Based on the book by Ann M. Martin

Claudia’s new baby-sitting charge, Betsy, is a big practical joker. It’s all fun and games — until Claudia breaks her leg because of Betsy’s joke. Now Claudia’s threatening to quit the Baby-sitters Club, and Kristy wants to teach Betsy a lesson. The joke war is on!

Connect with library staff for customized book and movie suggestions. Unwrap adventure at your library all year long!

The answers you need, from experts you trust

Let’s face it — parenting is tough, especially without a manual to guide you through every twist and turn. That’s where ParentEd Talks come in. ParentMap is excited to offer a transformative series of parent education webinars, designed to provide the guidance you need to support your child’s development. Turn

Jonathan Haidt, Ph.D., author of “The Anxious Generation”

2024–2025 Speaker Lineup

Q&A hosted by Laura Kastner, Ph.D.

ParentMap is honored to present Laura Kastner as the series host. Kastner is the author of numerous parenting books, including the acclaimed “Getting to Calm” series, and a clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington. Kastner will lead each speaker through a live audience Q&A, addressing your most challenging parenting questions.

All in a Day’s Play: Boosting Brain Power Through Play

Dec. 4, 2024

Beloved, Seattle-based educator Teacher Tom imparts insights learned throughout his decades-long career working with preschoolers. Learn his unique approach to child-led, play-based learning, and how you can foster a similar relationship and environment with the children in your life to help them learn and grow.

Navigating Neurodiversity: Strength-Based Support for ADHD Kids

Jan. 16, 2025

Renowned pediatric psychiatrist Dr. Edward Hallowell shares decades of experience and personal insights about the unique gifts of ADHD and other atypical learners. Learn how to nurture your child’s strengths and empower their sense of self-awareness and confidence.

Confident Conversations: Guiding Kids Through Puberty and Adolescence

Feb. 5, 2025

Trusted experts Julie Metzger, RN, and Peter Metzger, M.D. offer confidence-boosting approaches to challenging conversations for parents and kids about puberty, body changes, sex and other growing-up topics.

The Lost Art of Civility: Raising Respectful Kids

Feb. 25, 2025

Authors Robert B. Brooks and Sam Goldstein share powerful insights on one surprising solution to the lost art of civility. Learn how to promote empathy and encourage constructive dialogue at home, school and beyond.

Harmony at Home: Successfully Navigating Parent-Child Differences

March 20, 2025

Esteemed pediatric psychologist and parenting coach Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart shares practical strategies for building a strong parent-child connection, while supporting your child’s individuality and embracing their differences.

From Chaos to Calm: Compassionate Discipline for Spirited Kids

April 1, 2025

Experienced parenting coach and “Raising Lions” author Joe Newman offers valuable insights on how to transform distracted and defiant children into kids who are motivated, respectful and attentive. Newman explores the deeper purposes behind conflict and what parents can do to spark change and work toward a calmer home.

Let Go and Let Grow: Raising Confident, Independent Children

May 6, 2025

Author and Let Grow founder Lenore Skenazy shares her personal journey raising confident, independent kids and the growing movement to resist the pressures to be a hyper-involved parent in favor of a more laissez-faire approach to supporting children’s creativity, independence and growth.

Nurturing Resilience: Essential Coping Skills for Kids

June 5, 2025

Author and licensed mental health professional Janine Halloran offers parenting approaches to help kids learn to cope with the daily challenges of life, develop resilience and thrive. *All talk times listed in Pacific Time (PT)

John and Nancy Sabol

Seattle Children’s is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2024-2025 ParentEd Talks series.

Seattle Children’s is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2023–2024 ParentEd Talks series

Keep your family safe and healthy

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Wreath Making with

Hand-Crafted Gift Making

Tinkering in the MakeSpace

Noon Year’s Eve Party & Countdown, Dec. 31

“We have been to a *lot* of children’s museums. So don’t take it lightly when I say that @handsonchildrensmuseum in Olympia, WA is our favorite . . . With so many interactive exhibits, we always want to stay and play for hours!” – Instagram post from Portland, OR

Books With Art at Heart

By Gemma Alexander

One of my kids lives for art. The other shudders at the thought of art class. But I encourage them both to explore the arts in as many different formats and ways as possible. That’s because research has found connections between arts education, emotional intelligence and academic success — students who receive arts education are more likely to go to college. Fiction offers one more avenue for exposing kids to the arts. Here are my recommendations for books with art heart.

“Hey, Wall,” by Susan Verde and John Parra Ángel brings his neighbors together to create a community art project that transforms a blank wall into something as vibrant as the lives that surround it.

“Emily’s Blue Period,” by Cathleen Daly and Lisa Brown Emily is going through a blue period, like her favorite artist Picasso. Her parents have separated, and shuttling between two houses makes for some complicated feelings. But she learns to combine elements of her two homes into something beautiful.

“Grandma in Blue With Red Hat,” by Scott Menchin and Harry Bliss

When a little boy learns about the qualities of great art — beauty, rarity, distinctiveness — in a Saturday art class at the museum, he realizes that his beloved grandmother is a work of art.

“Drawn Together,” by Minh Lê and Dan Santat

An American boy visits his Thai grandfather in this bilingual book. They struggle to communicate until they discover a shared language in art.

“The First Rule of Punk,” by Celia C. Perez

At her old school, 12-year-old Malú felt like the only Latina. In her new one, she is the only punk rocker. Malú’s efforts to form a punk band for the school talent show help her figure out how to be both Mexican and punk.

“The Poet X,” by Elizabeth Acevedo Dominican-American teen Xiomara Batista gets all the wrong kind of attention. So, she pours out all of her angst in her poetry notebook. ■

Raising Great Kids

Never Argue in Front of the Kids

For their kids’ sake, parents should keep their arguments out of earshot

By Nancy Schatz Alton

I argued with a world-renowned marriage expert about arguing. I couldn’t help it! All of me disagreed with John Gottman, Ph.D., when he told me, “Do not ever fight in front of kids.”

I told him, “That’s impossible! If I include that idea in my article, parents will stop reading because it will make them feel bad about all of the times they have fought in front of their children!”

Children have this magical way of thinking where they take responsibility for things. It’s crazy, but if the parents are fighting, they think it’s really their fault.

Understandable, he replied, but “it’s still important to know that you should rededicate yourselves to not doing this.”

Gulp.

For those who don’t already know his work, Gottman is a noted therapist and author who is known for his famed couples’ retreats through The Gottman Institute, which he co-founded with his wife, Julie Gottman, Ph.D.

Based on his experience, Gottman believes parents shouldn’t argue within earshot of their children. Among the evidence that shows why that’s important, Gottman cites research from Notre Dame University psychologist E. Mark Cummings. One of Cummings’ studies on the subject of arguing — and he’s done many — found that kindergartners whose parents had harsh and frequent fights

were more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety and behavior issues by the time they were in seventh grade.

Freaked out? Me, too! Which is why I asked my teenager if she agrees with Gottman about parents never fighting in front of kids. Her reply: “No! How am I going to learn from you if I never hear you argue and make up? Besides, you’re human.”

RAISING GREAT KIDS

continued from page 29

That comforts me, but I still see Gottman’s point. Hoping he’d help me learn how to avoid (or, at least, limit) arguments with my husband in front of our children, I called him up. Here’s what he had to say.

Okay, I know fighting in front of my kids isn’t good, but how bad is it, really?

When parents are fighting, it’s physiologically traumatic for kids. Their blood pressure increases — even in very young babies. If you play a recording to a child of two adults fighting — even when the adults are not their own parents — for a child, even that has a [negative] effect. Parents fighting really results in them having a lot of anxiety. Countless clients of mine have memories of parents fighting. It really is an early trauma.

Children have this magical way of thinking where they take responsibility for things. It’s crazy, but if the parents are fighting, they think it’s really their fault.

Teens are more able to handle parents arguing. They can understand you can hate your friend one day and love your friend the next day.

How do your children’s ages play into this?

5th through 12th Grade

I have a “Star Trek” theory [for this]. The show’s three main characters represent different phases of childhood development. Dr. McCoy is totally emotional and impulsive, jumping through time warps to save people. This represents early childhood. If someone takes something from a child, they say, “That’s mine! I want it back! That hurts!”

Spock isn’t totally unemotional; he had a human mother and a Vulcan father. He knows emotions, but is almost purely rational. This developmental stage starts at age 8 to 11. During this stage, kids act like they had an emotion appendectomy: “Go ahead and take that.

Children become aware that there is a power hierar-

During the third stage, kids are much more like Captain what adolescence is all about: understanding your

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RAISING GREAT KIDS

continued from page 30

limitations and all of your various selves. Teens are more able to handle parents arguing. They can understand you can hate your friend one day and love your friend the next day.

So, it’s okay to fight in front of teens?

No, but you certainly can take Cummings’ recommendation to role-play an argument that you have already resolved so you can regulate the emotion. Teens can benefit from seeing a role-play of a couple calmly, respectfully and logically working out an issue they have already resolved. Then they can see you arguing and coming to an agreement. You want to make the demonstration pretty mild.

Very early in the argument, say, “This isn’t going quite the way I would like it to go” and physically move yourselves.

Any suggestions on where to argue if you shouldn’t do it in front of the kids?

It’s not that you shouldn’t argue; you should argue out of acoustic range of the children. Very early in the argument, say, “This isn’t going quite the way I would like it to go” and physically move yourselves. Go to a park or some place other than the house so there is acoustic shielding from the children.

If parents do fight in front of their kids, is there a way they can make up later that helps address some of this trauma?

Cummings’ research showed that kids want to see a kiss and a hug when parents make up; the more kissing and hugging, the better. Up until age 11, children don’t understand the verbal making up; there has got to be a hug and a kiss, too. Physically make up in front of them. Say, “We were angry at each other and we’ve talked about it, and everything is fine now.” ■

Nancy Schatz Alton is the co-author of two holistic health-care guides, “The Healthy Back Book” and “The Healthy Knees Book.” She’s the writer/editor at University Prep. She also writes poetry and reads incessantly. Nancy lives in east Ballard/lower Phinney Ridge with her husband, a teen and their Havanese dog.

Simple Ways to Support Your School’s Library

By Lindsay Zielinski

School libraries are more than four walls with shelves and books. They provide launching points for self-driven inquiry and research. School libraries are hubs of learning, the heart of their school, the center of media and all educational resources: yes, books, but much more. More important than the resources, however, is the person who can show you how to best use them: the school librarian. As a parent who is also an educator and librarian, here are three things I wish parents would do to advocate for school libraries.

1/ Get to know your school’s library. Introduce yourself to your school’s librarian and get to know the library itself. By knowing a bit about how the library functions and by getting to know your librarian, you’ll be better prepared to advocate for them. Ask your child for their perspective on their school library, too. What do they like about the library? What don’t they like?

2/ Organize your information. Take what you learn from your school’s librarian and compare it to other schools in the district or area.

3/ Take action. If you think there could be improvements made to your child’s school library, speak up! Consider meeting with your parent association or similar group and share what you’ve found. You might meet with your school’s administrators to ask how they use their school library to support literacy, or how they view the library fitting into their school or district mission statement. You might even decide to write to your school’s administration, write an op-ed for a local paper or even run for your school board. Even better, you might decide to start a parent committee with the sole purpose of supporting your school’s library.

5th through 12th Grade

Book Buzz

The Wonder of Winter

One of the best things about parenting is getting to see the world through a child’s eyes, and no season stands to benefit more from childish wonder than winter. Where parents see commuting in the rain and shoveling sidewalks, children see puddles for splashing and a chance to build snowmen. And those early sunsets just mean more time for snuggling up with a warm drink and reading Ezra Jack Keats’ “The Snowy Day” together. But winter is long — you’re going to need more than one fantastic book. Here are some of the best books for celebrating winter as a season of wonder.

“Christmas Time The Snow Queen” by Miles Kelly is not a new release, but it is the edition that will be featured at the National Nordic Museum’s story time on Dec. 5. The reading ties in nicely with the new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” on stage now through Jan. 5 at Seattle Children’s Theatre. $6.97, ages 3–6.

“It Bears Repeating” by renowned throat singer Tanya Tagaq is a counting book that introduces young readers to Inuit culture. It showcases the Inuktitut language together with the beauty of the Arctic as it’s enjoyed by the polar bears who fill its pages. $17.99, ages 3–7.

“Oh! So This Is Snow!” by Candice Jeremie tells a story of discovery when two sisters move from their tropical island home to a new country and experience their first snowfall. $15, ages 4–8.

“Alice in a Winter Wonderland” by Jan Brett transports the English classic “Alice in Wonderland” to the Alaskan tundra, where Lewis Carroll’s characters are reimagined as native species. $19.99, ages 4–8.

“In the Winter” by Lauren Kukla celebrates the gentle beauty of winter, exploring a variety of cold winter landscapes and seasonal activities that emphasize the warmth of human connection. $19.99, ages 4–8.

“David Atherton’s Christmas Cookbook for Kids,” by the 2019 winner of ”The Great British

Baking Show,” emphasizes that cooking is a type of giving and offers gift-worthy treats and seasonal recipes, such as a Christmas sweater–shaped pizza and a mini gingerbread village. $18.99, ages 5–9.

“Raven Gets Tricked” by Andrea Fritz uses traditional storytelling techniques and art to share the culture and language of the Coast Salish peoples. In this book, the little deer is tired of the raven’s tricks and plans a trick of his own that will keep both animals fed through the winter. $21.95, ages 6–8.

“Gnome and Rat: First Snow!” by Lauren Stohler continues the early-reader graphic novel series following the adventures of sausage-loving Gnome and pragmatic Rat, as a snowstorm threatens to make the pair late to the Nest Fest celebration — by distracting them with snow play. $10.99, ages 6–9.

“Winter Things: How to Draw Books for Kids, with Christmas Trees, Elves, Wreaths, Gifts, and Santa Claus” by Alli Koch is a simple how-to workbook for kids who are just learning to draw. Large, perforated pages and easy instructions make each drawing project achievable and fun. $14.95, ages 7–12.

“Lost at Windy River: A True Story of Survival” by Trina Rathgeber tells the story of a 13-year-old Indigenous girl in 1944 who survived a blizzard alone in the wilderness using what her culture taught her about living off the land. $19.95, ages 9–12. ■

By Gemma Alexander

12 Ways to Spread Kindness This Winter

By Vicky McDonald

As parents, we’re always searching for meaningful ways to teach our kids the importance of empathy and compassion. And when it comes to spreading joy, little kids are experts at creating cards and dreaming up thoughtful ideas, especially for family and friends. But there is a whole community of people out there who could also benefit from a kind and thoughtful gesture every day of the year.

Take a moment to think about all the people in your neighborhood and consider trying out some of these ideas to bring a moment of joy to their day.

1/ Donate food to a Little Free Pantry or Little Free Library in your neighborhood.

2/ Make a crafty booklet filled with kindness coupons.

3/ Organize a charity drive for your favorite local organization.

4/ Offer to help neighbors with a simple gesture — walk the dog, clean up the yard or carry groceries for them.

Support your favorite local businesses, an especially easy task during the winter holidays.

6/ Leave out snacks for delivery drivers.

7/ Show local heroes (like firefighters, police officers or teachers) that they’re the real superheroes with a fresh-baked batch of cookies.

8/ Clean up hiking paths in the area during a local trail work party.

9/ Feed the birds because winter can be especially hard on them.

10/ Help out at a community garden at places such as The Bellevue Urban Garden (tBUG) or Danny Woo Community Garden.

11/ Write positive chalk messages on the sidewalk in your neighborhood.

12/ Organize a neighborhood potluck. What better way to get to know your neighbors? ■

When not working, former ParentMap digital editor Vicky McDonald can be found running after her two kids in France.

Out + About

The Future of Food Is Here

Who can resist the allure or robotic servers and conveyor-belt sushi?

By Meredith Charaba

Before I became a parent, one of my favorite Seattle activities was going out to eat. Trying new restaurants, meeting friends for a dinner out, grabbing a bite between errands — these experiences always brought me joy. I wasn’t sure what to expect when it came to taking my young daughter to a restaurant, but then we braved the conveyor-belt sushi spot near our house. Tech elements saved the day; here are a few more futuristic spots for families to try.

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar Robots, a sushi conveyor belt and prizes — Kura Sushi has it all. One of the main benefits of eating at sushi conveyor-belt restaurants with kids is that there’s no waiting for food once you’re at the table.

Each plate on the belt is $3.85, making it easy to budget. And when you’re done with each plate, slide it into the tableside slot. After 15 plates, you get a prize!

Bellevue location: 266 116th Ave. N.E., Bellevue Tacoma location: 4502 S. Steele St., Suite 162A, Tacoma

Sushi Hana

My daughter spotted the robot rolling through Sushi Hana before we even opened the door. And indeed, it looped around the restaurant many times during our visit, dropping off water, plates and

utensils before whistling a tune as it navigated back to the kitchen.

Sushi Hana uses a sushi monorail system — the first in Washington state. We ordered our rolls from the tablet at our table and watched as the monorail car pulled up to our table, straight from the kitchen.

Lynnwood location: 18500 33rd Ave. W., Suite A, Lynnwood

Bothell location: 2020 Maltby Rd., Suite 2, Bothell

Haidilao

Haidilao, a Chinese hot pot chain with an extensive menu, has locations in both Seattle and Bellevue. Order from the tablet at your table; there’s a variety of broths, veggies, meats and other delights. A robot brings your choices to the table, where you cook the ingredients in a simmering broth. Head to the sauce, snack and fruit bar (for an additional charge), where you can add different flavors to your meal and pick a dessert.

Little ones, rejoice! The restaurant has dino nuggets, treats and toys for kids. Order the dancing noodles for a full performance that involves stretching and twirling the noodle dough.

Seattle location: 600 Pine St., Suite 355, Seattle

Bellevue location: 188 106th Ave. N.E., Suite 210, Bellevue

Bai Tong Thai Street Cafe

Walk across the rainbow crosswalks on vibrant Capitol Hill to dine at this Thai restaurant, tucked on the corner of East Pike Street and 12th Avenue. A robot will likely bring one or two of your entrées, while friendly staff handle the rest. My daughter loved the pad thai noodles, almost as much as she loved seeing the robot bring her plate straight to the table.

Location: 1121 E. Pike St., Seattle

Tengu Japanese Restaurant

One of my favorite traditions is eating a meal out with the family before we see a movie. Tengu Japanese Restaurant is next to the Regal movie theater at Northgate, making it easy to grab a quick lunch or dinner before your movie begins. There are a couple of booths in the restaurant that are ideal for family seating, and the conveyor belt is always stocked with familiar favorites and new dishes to try.

Location: 311 N.E. Thornton Pl., Seattle

Belt Sushi & Roll

This family-owned restaurant is tucked into a shopping center that includes Costco, Target and Starbucks, making it my go-to lunch spot on a day of errands. Whether you sit in a family-friendly booth or at the counter, you’ll have easy access to the conveyor belt. Plates range in price from $2.50 to $8.50, using a color-coded system.

continued from page 39 (Orange plates, for example, are the least expensive.)

Location: 16822 Twin Lakes Ave., #101, Marysville

Sushi Me

The wide variety on Sushi Me’s menu will appeal to any palate. Appetizers include agedashi tofu, coconut shrimp, gyoza and crispy rice. You’ll also spot familiar favorites like California rolls, and specialty rolls like baked lobster. You can nab your choices off the restaurant’s conveyor belt as they float by, or order from the menu. The menu goes beyond sushi with ramen, udon and donbu.

Location: 1299 156th Ave. N.E., Suite 145, Bellevue

Sushi Zone

Sushi Zone has something I have not seen before: a double-decker conveyor belt. The top belt delivers sushi rolls and cold menu items, while the bottom is for warm food. Signs introduce each set of plates, so you know what you’re grabbing from the belt. Or, you can order from the menu. Enjoy the gorgeous artwork, inviting atmosphere and delicious food with the family.

Location: 10024 Main St., Bothell

Sushi Omiya

Fun murals on the walls at Sushi Omiya incorporate lucky cats, fish, lanterns and colorful scenes, adding to the visual display of sushi parading by on the restaurant’s conveyor belt. You can expect a wide variety of rolls here, from simple to specialty, alongside appetizers, salads and soups. With plate prices ranging from $2 to $5, this is another budget-friendly spot for families.

Location: 100 Andover Park W., Suite 160, Tukwila

Artly Coffee

Need a caffeine boost after lunch? Head to Artly Coffee, where robotic baristas steam milk, pull shots of espresso and compliment your drink choice. Order on one of the cafe’s tablets then watch as your name lights up in front of the robot in charge of making your drinks.

The kids menu includes delights like iced strawberry milk (my daughter’s choice), while the espresso menu includes iced Americanos, boba lattes and more.

Pike Place location: 101 Stewart St., Suite 102, Seattle Hill7 location: 1099 Stewart St., Suite 102, Seattle ■

Meredith Charaba is ParentMap’s family fun editor.

Neighborhood Spotlight: Downtown Bellevue

By Kristin Leong, M.Ed.

From a twinkling garden to treats like eggnog macarons, the Eastside makes for a festive holiday trip

THE VIBE

With a population that has nearly doubled since the 1990s, Bellevue is now a dynamic city that reflects a vibrant blend of cultures, languages and backgrounds, making this city an attractive destination for families.

PLAY AND EXPLORE

Downtown Bellevue is at its most enchanting during the festive winter season, and there’s no better place to feel the holiday magic than on Snowflake Lane. Every evening along Bellevue Way, starting at 7 p.m., “snow” falls from the sky and holiday characters frolic on the street while light shows and music float over the dazzled crowds — all free to enjoy.

After you’ve marveled at Snowflake Lane’s magic, the Bellevue Botanical Garden’s Garden d’Lights is the perfect next stop. Starting on Nov. 30 this year, this holiday tradition features more than a half million twinkling lights shaped into the whimsical forms of plants, flowers and animals. Wandering through the glittering landscape, both kids and grown-ups will be amazed at the vibrant color displays.

For another classic winter family outing, rent a pair of skates and twirl around at the Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink, which is open from Nov. 15 through Jan. 12.

EATS + TREATS

Bellevue is packed with family-friendly dining spots that cater to all tastes. A local breakfast favorite, Chace’s Pancake Corral has been an Eastside family staple since the 1950s. Expect to wait a bit if you go on the weekend.

For lunch or dinner, family-owned Cielo Cocina Mexicana offers Jalisco-inspired dishes such as tacos pastor and seasonal paella. It has a great kids menu that includes mini versions of the classics. ■

Kristin Leong is ParentMap’s senior editor.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 TO JANUARY 1, 2025 CLOSED DEC. 24 & 25

WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY MUSEUM TICKETS: WWW.MODELTRAINFESTIVAL.ORG

December Play List

December is sure to be a flurry of memory-making family time

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

By Julie Dodobara

The merriest month of the year has arrived! December is sure to be a flurry of activity with holiday happenings and the winter school break, so plan ahead to make it a month to remember. May we suggest a toe-tapping live show, seasonal ice rink or frosty festival? Let’s finish out the year with a bang!

� Lace up a pair of skates and hit the ice rink! No matter where you live in the Puget Sound area, you won’t have to look far to find a seasonal ice skating rink for your family’s enjoyment. An Eastside favorite, the Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink is the region’s largest. Olympia’s Oly on Ice is back for gliding and spinning in downtown Isthmus Park. Folks farther north can skate among the more than 7 million twinkling lights adorning Quil Ceda Village’s Tulalip Lights & Ice, or just say hi to Santa and Mrs. Claus and nosh on delicious holiday goodies. Dates run well into the new year with admission ranging from $5 to $25, including skate rental. Check individual locations for details.

� Visit Auburn’s White River Valley Museum for holiday fun on a special Family Day and explore traditions from around the world, Saturday, Dec. 14, noon–2 p.m. While you’re there, don’t forget to visit the Festival of Trees, a fairy-tale forest of beautiful holiday trees decorated by local artists, on display through Sunday, Jan. 5. Free.

� Stroum Jewish Community Center welcomes kids for hands-on Hanukkah activities during several Eastside community events, such as Redmond Lights and Bellevue Botanical Garden’s Garden d’Lights. Stop by to spin a dreidel, craft a toy menorah and more on select dates through Dec. 15. Activities are free.

� Seattle Children’s Theatre offers a fresh take on the classic and dramatic Hans Christian Andersen tale “The Snow Queen,” performed in the newly renovated Charlotte Martin Theatre. In a story set in a frigid world of ice and snow, young Gerda rescues her friend from the Snow Queen’s palace in this tale of human connection, belonging and courage. Recommended for ages 6 and older. Multiple showtimes on select dates Nov. 27–Jan. 5. $20–$50.

� Stop by Seattle Center for a big dose of free festive fun during Winterfest. The Armory will feature a delightful model train and surrounding holiday village display, as well as an impressive lineup of 19 weekend

Highlighted Events for December

Dec. 24 | Daily

Snowflake Lane

Bellevue

stage performances. Outside, the center’s campus will be lit with twinkling lights after dark. Winterfest runs daily through Dec. 31 (except Dec. 25), culminating with the Space Needle fireworks show on New Year’s Eve. Free.

� Hold on to your snow hats! Snowflake Lane, Bellevue’s spectacle of the spectacular for the young and young at heart, is back! Grab a spot on the sidewalk near Bellevue Square to see the nightly “snow” fall, and watch drummers and dancers perform along the parade route. This over-the-top event is a must-see, at least once. Daily through Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. Free.

� Earlier this year came the sad news that the Bellevue Arts Museum, an Eastside institution, would be closing its doors. Fortunately, the museum has regrouped and will be hosting special events, such as the inaugural BAM Holiday Arts Fair. Running Thursday–Sunday, 4–8 p.m. through Dec. 22, this holiday version of the summer staple Bellevue Arts Fair offers shoppers one-of-a-kind gifts and supports local artists.

� A Seattle Men’s Chorus holiday show always promises to be a rollicking good time, and kids are sure to adore the costumes, music and ensuing hilarity. With kids in mind, the chorus also has scheduled a special one-hour performance of a kids’ version of this year’s “Ho Ho Ho” holiday show, making it easy to share the fun with the whole family. Which-

Dec. 4 | Wednesday

ParentEd Talks: “All in a Day’s Play: Boosting Brain Power Through Play”

Online ParentEd Talks event

ever show you choose, you can expect dancing, sing-alongs and lots of holiday spirit. Select dates, Dec. 1–21, with shows at Benaroya Hall, Seattle; Pantages Theater, Tacoma; and Everett Civic Auditorium, Everett. $10–$104.

� Visit Dasher and Dancer, real-life reindeer, at Cougar Mountain Zoo during the Issaquah Reindeer Festival. Kids can also meet with Santa, feed the whole antlered team and sit for story time with an elf. Daily Dec. 1–30 (except Dec. 24–25). Note: Santa heads back to the North Pole Dec. 26, but the rest of the fun continues. Tickets cost $18–$21 and include zoo admission.

� Join ParentMap for our next ParentEd Talks event, Wednesday, Dec. 4, when we welcome local author Teacher Tom. This Seattle-based childhood educator will share his insights on child-led, playbased learning, which he has amassed through decades of teaching preschoolers. Join our webinar live 7–8 p.m. on Wednesday or receive the recording to watch anytime. $10 or $50 for the entire 12-talk series. Members of partner schools join for free.

� A magical Winter Wonderland comes to the lowlands courtesy of the Children’s Museum of Skagit County, complete with real snow, live reindeer and visits with Santa. For those who prefer to stay warm and dry, there are indoor activities, including simulated skiing and snowboarding, snow science

and curling. It’s fun for the whole family (adults and teens, too) and it’s free, so head to Burlington Plaza Dec. 6–8. Museum entrance is separate admission.

� Get ready for a rrr-oaring good time on a journey back to the middle Triassic and late Cretaceous eras at Jurassic Quest. Dino fans can walk among more than 80 life-size dinosaurs in this interactive prehistoric experience at the Washington State Fair’s Events Center. Friday–Sunday, Dec. 13–15. $22–$36 per person; additional charge for rides.

� Treat your family to a Broadway musical right here in town at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre with the awardwinning musical “Back to the Future,” a time-traveling tale for the whole family. The original film’s creators have adapted the story as a Broadway musical with a mix of classic hit songs from the film and new music. Recommended for ages

Dec. 21 | Saturday

Seattle Men’s Chorus’ “Ho Ho Ho” Holiday Show for Kids

Benaroya Hall, Seattle

6 and older. Dec. 10–22. Tickets $40–$145.

� Pacific Bonsai Museum hosts an enchanting light display to illuminate the darkest time of the year. As holiday music plays in the background, stroll among twinkling bonsai before or after sipping free hot chocolate during Winter Bonsai Solstice, Saturday, Dec. 14, 4–7 p.m. Free; suggested donation $12 for adults.

� We could all use a hand tackling that oversize holiday to-do list. It’s science to the rescue! Get the kids to help by dropping in at the WET Science Center for its free Holiday Factory science workshop. There they can build a Rube Goldberg chain-reaction machine to help with tasks such as baking, decorating or wrapping gifts. Saturday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. ■

Julie Dodobara is ParentMap’s calendar editor.