ParentMap Summer Family Adventure Guide 2020

SUMMER 2020

’cause parenting is a trip!

EAT / PLAY / VACAY with kids

Family

Adventure

• Bring on the Beach!

15 Local Lakes for Beachy Fun • Ride the Long-Distance Rails • 5 Kid-Friendly Hikes in the Issaquah Alps • 10 Fun Ideas for Your Backyard Campout • 5 Unique Ways to Break the Quarantine Monotony

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KCLS ALL-AGES SUMMER READING CHALLENGE • June 1-August 31

KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

FOUNDATION

contents

FAMILY ADVENTURE SEATTLE + NORTHWEST

8

Ride the Rails

14

Bring on the Beach!

20

Cool Virtual Camps

22

SUMMER 2020

GUIDE

28

Hike the ‘Alps’

Backyard Campout!

The ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of summer Planning our kids’ summer break poses a whole new level of difficulty this year, as we continue to navigate a global health crisis. With so many unknowns related to Gov. Inslee’s “Safe Start” phased reopening plan (coronavirus.wa.gov), most of us parents are still in hide-and-watch mode.

But that doesn’t mean your family’s summer bucket list has to have a hole in it — especially not when there is so much sand to dig! From home-based adventures (10 Fun Ideas for Your Backyard Campout, p.

28) to nature fixes along nearby hiking trails (5 Kid-Friendly Hikes in the Issaquah Alps, p. 22) and sunny days by the water (Bring on the Beach, p.

14), ParentMap has got your back.

And because we’re dreaming of healthier climes and times ahead, we present a fabulous family train trip planner (Ride the Long-Distance Rails, p. 8). We also offer for your reading distraction: affordable virtual summer camps (p. 20), tips for making screen time count

(p. 41), books to get your kids active in — and for — the environment (p. 31), and expert advice for how to protect your child from online exploitation (p. 35).

Wishing you a very stimulating and safe summer!

— Patty Lindley, ParentMap managing editor Note: Before visiting any suggested destination, please check its website to determine current access and operating status, and, once there, adhere to all recommendations related to safe social distancing practices.

ParentMap is a multimedia company (parentmap.com) providing trusted, innovative and award-winning content that supports and inspires families. Sign up for newsletters with the week’s top family activities and news at parentmap.com/enews.

COVER PHOTO: XAVIER MOUTON/UNSPLASH

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FAMILY ADVENTURE GUIDE SUMMER 2020 PUBLISHER/CEO Alayne Sulkin EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR Patty Lindley OUT + ABOUT EDITOR Nancy Chaney DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Vicky McDonald DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Nicole Persun

@ParentMap OUT + ABOUT EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Devon Hammer COPY EDITOR Sunny Parsons CONTRIBUTORS Gemma Alexander, Nancy Chaney, Tiffany Doerr Guerzon, Allison Holm, Elisa Murray ART + PRODUCTION SENIOR DESIGNER Amy Chinn ADVERTISING SALES + PARTNERSHIPS SENIOR MANAGER, ADVERTISING SALES Ida Wicklund ADVERTISING PARTNERSHIP MANAGER Jen Dine AD OPERATIONS MANAGER Elisa Taylor

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All rights reserved; reproduction in whole or part without permission prohibited. © ParentMap 2020 • Printed in Oregon

parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 5

it starts with you(th)

What Service Means to Me

By Cameron Davis

I

didn’t always notice it or realize it as such, but service has always been a part of my life. I asked my mom how she encouraged a commitment to service in my sister Carolyn and me, and she said she always made it a point to align our service activities around 1) our interests; and 2) what we could understand.

When we were very young, we loved baking Christmas cookies, so we’d bake extra batches and take them to our elderly neighbors who didn’t get as much company during the holidays. This was an act of service, homegrown; but still, service. We would grumble at first because we’d have to leave our presents, but by the third year, when our neighbors realized we were coming back, they had presents waiting for us. Now it’s one of our favorite traditions, and it taught us something about the joy of service and how when you give, you get something back. It’s not always tangible what you get back, but our neighbors’ returned generosity made an impression on us.

As we got older and started begging for a dog, my mom made it clear we weren’t getting one, but challenged us to channel our love of dogs in a new way. Together, we planned a fundraising drive at the dog park for PAWS (paws.org) — it was so fun to go to the pet store and buy dog treats. We set up our tent at the dog park and waited — owners were excited to have treats and water for their dogs, and we got to pet and play with what seemed like a million dogs. I don’t recall how much money we raised, but I remember how proud we were when we went to the post office to get a money order

and send the funds to PAWS, and the certificate we got in the mail acknowledging our efforts. I also remember how much work it is to be a dog owner and how I realized I wasn’t quite ready for that.

These early efforts were about aligning our service to the things we loved.

In elementary school, my mother looked for issues we could understand, and we volunteered at a homeless shelter. We were shocked to see people like us who didn’t have a home or food. We went shopping to buy what we would want in our lunches and supplies for crafts that we enjoyed, and every Sunday we returned — we even made friends. We could understand hunger and boredom, and we wanted to do what we could to help make that different for kids like us. I understand now that this experience was the beginning of my understanding of the importance of making a local impact.

As pre-teens, we went global — but, again, the introduction was simple. What?! There are places in the world where when you turn on the faucet the kids don’t get clean water? They have

6 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

to walk for miles to get water? Why do the girls have to do it? We were outraged!

But, wait! If we set up a lemonade stand and raise $85, we can provide water and a toilet for a child for life? Let’s do it! So, we spent the summer selling lemonade — every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we put up our stand with the goal of making $85 a day.

My mother (I see now, ever the planner) had us developing our 30-second pitches so that we knew what to say to “customers” (she taught us that word, too). As other neighborhood kids came along, they could help with fetching supplies; but you couldn’t get on the stand serving lemonade until you had your 30-second pitch down.

In mid-summer, we weren’t always so crazy about setting up our stand; but my mother reminded us that kids around the world weren’t always crazy about walking to get water, but they had to so their families could survive … and that we needed to live up to our commitment. So, we opened that stand for three days a week for five weeks that summer.

That lemonade stand got us noticed and me

an invitation to join the Water1st International Youth Middle School Board (water1st.org). I’ve served on the youth board for six years.

We’ve attended the Carry 5 and Bike for Water events for years now.

I am proud to have led my family in raising more than $10,000 for Water1st during my time on the board.

As a teen, when I became more aware of issues impacting people of color and began to struggle with what it means to be a Black man in this country, my mom got a job at the Northwest African American Museum (naamnw.org), where I then became a volunteer and a youth curator. I found out my grandfather had an intense love for Jimi Hendrix, so my time as a youth curator working on the “Bold as Love” exhibit was fun and rich in family connection. We didn’t know then that my grandfather wasn’t well, so I appreciate so much having had the time to bond with him around Jimi Hendrix before he passed away. My time at NAAM taught me so much about the importance of being in community and the strength that comes from community.

I’ve traveled to Peru (in eighth grade with the Evergreen School) and China (in tenth grade with Lakeside School) as part of my schools’ Global Service Learning programs. These early travel experiences have helped me be prepared for global experiences.

As I reflect on my service, I realize how much planning and thought my mom put into developing our service-mindedness. I always felt like I was making choices — there wasn’t a choice about whether or not we would be involved in community service, as this was a requirement in our house; but I did get to choose what kind of service I would get involved in. I am grateful that she led me to so many different and important opportunities. My service keeps me grounded in what’s important and it has developed my gratitude and my understanding that I have so much already. ■ Cameron Davis is a 16-year-old student attending Lakeside School.

Sponsored by:

WE THE FUTURE Young Leaders of Social Change Visit online

At the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, we believe all lives have equal value. We are impatient optimists working to reduce inequity. Explore interactive exhibits and find ways you can take action at the Gates Foundation Discovery Center, discovergates.org

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Clockwise from top left: Young Leader: Amanda Nguyen, Artist: Shepard Fairey; Young Leader: Leah the Activist, Artist: Rommy Torrico; Young Leader: Ismael Nazario, Artist: Munk One; Young Leader: Amanda Gorman, Artist: Kate Deciccio

parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 7

Ride the Long-Distance Rails:

All Aboard for a Family Train Trip

8 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

ride the rails

Train travel is time travel and the ultimate family adventure, as long as you leave your impatience behind

By Elisa Murray

O

shared (gulp) dining and restroom spaces. But nce upon a time, many years ago when we do get to that point again, I’m here to in mid-February 2020, when tell you that a rail trip might be the answer to people still traveled without your family’s vacation hopes and dreams. washing their hands every 15 First, you can travel long distances without seconds, my family arrived at the elegant King getting behind a steering wheel or stepping Street Station in downtown Seattle with three foot in the claustrophobic metal bullet known overnight bags, three backpacks, one duffel, as an airplane. And if you invest in a sleeper two long ski bags, a million books and one car, your family will have your own space for Nintendo Switch. We checked many of those the duration of the journey. Even if you stick bags at no extra cost, and at precisely 3:20 to economical coach, the ample leg room p.m., we boarded Amtrak’s storied Empire and ability to move around make it a much Builder (amtrak.com) on its daily rail service more comfortable journey than traveling to Chicago. Guided by a capped attendant, by air. Second, you will have eons of family we made our way to the back of a car and to a togetherness, for games, reading, knitting and compartment that was to be our abode for the simply gawking at the scenery. Because Wi-Fi is next 15 hours. sporadic, much of this time will, by necessity, It was not spacious, but it was all ours, a be spent unplugged. In other words, you will 45-square-foot space that spanned the width not only be traveling across space, but also back of the car and was furnished with one couchin time. like seat, two chairs, a foldout table, a shallow Which brings me to my next point: As you closet and one poorly placed outlet. At bedtime, likely know, our country’s passenger rail system an attendant would “prepare our beds” by is not high-speed, high-tech or particularly converting the seating to foldout bunks for efficient. Many routes, such as the Los Angeles– sleeping (one full-size, three twins) — plenty bound Coast Starlight, are particularly big enough for two large adults and one infamous for delays. So, your family will also 10-year-old boy. get to practice those critical travel skills of We dropped our bags, pulled back the blue adaptability and flexibility. On a train, the window curtains and settled in for sunset views journey really is the destination. of Puget Sound before the train took a right It’s also a greener choice. Traveling by rail is turn and headed east for the Cascades, where, near the tiny town of Berne, it would Saint Susana Train Tunnel pass through the Cascade Tunnel. Our destination: the fabled ski town of Whitefish, Montana, just outside Glacier National Park.

At the time of this writing, no one is talking about traveling anywhere, especially when — as with train travel — it involves long periods of togetherness, time, and parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 9

ride the rails All Aboard for a Family Train Trip continued from page 9 more climate-friendly, per person, than driving or flying. And while our passenger rail system might not compare to that of Europe, the transit networks in destination cities are becoming increasingly robust, which makes it easier to do the whole vacation car-free. Here are some longdistance routes to try. (For quick trip ideas, see the Small Destinations, Big Fun sidebar.)

Empire Builder to Montana and beyond Booking a sleeper car to Whitefish, Montana, is the perfect introductory long-distance rail trip for families. After boarding the Empire Builder, we had an excellent dinner at around 6:30 p.m. in the dining car; if you’ve booked a “sleeping car” ticket, as it’s called, meals are included (though not alcohol), which means that in our case, we could order the Angus steak, the root beer and the Bundt cake without worrying about extra costs. After dinner, we read for an hour or so, and then fell asleep after chatting cozily for a while across our inches-apart beds. (Our son slept like a rock; we did not, but it was still miles better than plane sleep. We also found that insomnia to the tune of a train’s rocking is almost lovely.)

We arrived at Whitefish at around 8 a.m. and were shuttled to our hotel — the Grouse Mountain Lodge (glacierparkcollection.com) — which offered an affordable two-night ski-and-stay package that included lift tickets. Staff (unbelievably) checked us in right away, bused us to The Big Mountain (skiwhitefish.com), and we were skiing under blue skies by 10:30 a.m. During our two-night, three-day stay, the lodge’s shuttle — which made regular trips to the Rail travel in mountain and the historic town the time of the of Whitefish — made it easy to be coronavirus without a car.

At press time, In the summer, you might head American and Canadian one more stop east to the historic rail systems had train depot at East Glacier; the temporarily suspended depot is just outside Glacier some services on some National Park and open from midof these routes, and spring to mid-fall only. Book a stay had made a number of at one of the park’s historic lodges changes to service and (usparklodging.com) and take one sanitation practices. of the famous red “jammer” buses Check websites and to your destination; keep your eyes travel destinations to peeled for moose and grizzly bears. see what restrictions Another idea: Take the Empire might still be in place.

Builder all the way to Chicago — an 10 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

Colorado River

additional 30-odd hours of rail time — and then fly back.

Coast Starlight to San Francisco The dreamy-sounding Coast Starlight train runs from Seattle to Los Angeles, passing through the Central Cascades, by Mount Shasta and along the Pacific Coast. Traveling to Portland makes a perfect half-day trip, no sleeping car required, but if you’re up for a 20-hour journey, head to San Francisco. You can visit the second-level Sightseer Lounge, with its panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows (bonus: there’s a café on the first level). If you’re the inquisitive sort, National Park rangers will be on hand to point out the sights as you pass. The train doesn’t stop in San Francisco itself — you’ll disembark in either Emeryville or Oakland — but you can easily take a shuttle into the city. Or, go all the way to Los Angeles, a full 35 hours of rad rail relaxation.

California Zephyr from San Francisco to Denver What’s the most scenic route on the Amtrak network? According to many, it’s the California Zephyr, a double-decker Superliner train that leaves daily from Emeryville, California, bound for Chicago. The 30-hour, 939mile trip to Denver will give you a front-row seat to some of the most glorious scenery in the United States, including the Sierra Nevada and Donner Pass, Utah’s mesas and buttes, and the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountains. Whether you leave from Emeryville or Denver (both morning departures), the trains are timed to deliver jaw-dropping views.

From Vancouver to Jasper or Banff There are two distinct ways to rail from Vancouver, British Columbia, to the stunning region around Jasper and Banff national parks. The economic way is to book a Via Rail ticket (viarail.ca) on the Canadian, an elegant 1950s continued on page 13

Small Destinations, Big Fun You don’t have to spend days on board to please your favorite train fanatics. They’ll be just as happy with these day or overnight destinations — no sleeper car required.

Portland. Experienced train travelers cite Portland — a four-hour trip from Seattle

by Amtrak — as an ideal choice for an introductory weekend trip. Explore the city by its numerous transit options and leave plenty of time for wandering.

Fairhaven/Bellingham. An easy two-hour rail trip from Seattle, with coastline views much of the way, historic Fairhaven is another great getaway. Check into a Fairhaven hotel or an Airbnb, and hike the 2-mile-long South Bay Trail to downtown Bellingham, where you can browse the Saturday farmers market (bellinghamfarmers.org), one of the state’s largest, and hit Mallard Ice Cream (mallardicecream.com), a beloved Bellingham institution. Bring bikes on board for more adventures.

Centralia. For an even quicker dose of rail Vancouver, B.C. The four-hour rail journey fun, take Amtrak to Centralia (a one-and-ato what is arguably the Northwest’s most half-hour trip from Seattle) and spend some Portland exciting city is a little more complicated time at the Olympic Club (mcmenamins.com). because of customs, but it’s worth it. Downtown This historic hotel was bought and restored by the is a quick SkyTrain trip from the Amtrak station, and the McMenamins chain, and it sits just off the train tracks. city is dense, exceptionally international and very well During your visit, you can take in a family movie, eat at the served by transit. Consider staying near Stanley Park. pub, browse downtown Centralia’s antique shops and stay overnight or return the same day.

BLAKE ISLAND EXCURSIONS CULTURE

|

NATURE

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ADVENTURE ArgosyCruises.com

Featuring Evergreen Excursion

parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 11

ride the rails All Aboard for a Family Train Trip Top Tips for Sleeper-Car Success If you’re taking a long-distance train trip, a “sleeping car,” as it’s officially called, is vastly preferable to traveling in coach class. And while it’s substantially more expensive than coach (from three to four times the price), there are plenty of ways to rationalize the cost. If you’re traveling overnight, count it as a hotel night.

With kids’ train tickets discounted 50 percent, it can be cheaper than air travel. Plus, meals are included. (The round-trip tally for our rail trip to Montana was about $1,000 for three of us.)

The best sleeper-car choice for families is usually a “family bedroom suite,” available on Superliners. You can squeeze five people into the three bunk-style beds (which fold out for sleeping) and a sofa that converts to a bed. One downside: It does not have its own bathroom; you have to walk down the hall. If your party is larger, consider the option of a two-bedroom suite, which does have a bathroom.

Here are a few more tips we learned on our side of the tracks.

Check it. Arrive early at the station and check all the baggage you won’t need on the trip. There are no surcharges for extra baggage. You can bring carry-on luggage into your compartment, and leave bags on luggage racks outside. Keep valuables close, though, because you can lock

12 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

your sleeper car from the inside but not the outside.

Bring a booster. Amtrak occasionally substitutes a bus for a train, and though it will alert you ahead of time, if you have little ones, consider bringing a booster or car seat, just in case.

Pillow talk. The beds are like cots, narrow and a bit hard, but not uncomfortable, and the one thin blanket we had for each of us was surprisingly warm. But amenities such as a sleep mask, ear plugs, a small travel pillow and perhaps an extra blanket will help increase your chances of catching restful z’s, so pack those, too. Slippers are also a good call.

Light it up. The lighting in our car was better for some beds than others.

Bringing reading lights and a night light will pave the way for a peaceful evening.

Plan for snacks. In case of an inconvenient mealtime (our return breakfast was scheduled from 5:30 to 7 a.m.) or delays, make sure you have snacks and water bottles on hand.

Check the train details to find out if there’s a café car that offers snacks at alternative times.

Don’t count on Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi access is sporadic at best. Pack a very long cord for your phone; the placement of the electrical outlets is not ideal.

Get your small talk on. While we had many hours to nurture our introverted natures in our sleeping car, a surprisingly enjoyable part of our Montana trip was chatting with

other diners in the second-level dining car, which had the best views on our Empire Builder train. Each table seats four, and you will be seated with others if your party is not exactly that number. We met a young man railing it to Florida to help out his ailing mother, and a retired couple headed to see the northern lights in Alaska with a grandson exactly my son’s age; we also enjoyed hearing stories from the conductor who wandered by. If meeting strangers isn’t your thing, it’s easy to dine and dash.

The grit factor. A bonus of a sleeping car, in our new world, is that you are separated from the sneezes of strangers. However, don’t expect luxury. Our car felt reasonably clean but well-used and outdated, and the restroom down the hall was a bit ripe by the end of the journey. Speaking of viruses, Amtrak does say it’s cleaning more frequently, but I say you can never have enough disinfectant wipes.

Embrace delays. Memorize this mantra: Leave your sense of urgency behind, you’ll be fine. In our case, a delay was a blessing. On our return trip from Montana, which left Whitefish at 9 p.m., the train was delayed for three hours near Spokane because of an engine problem. The lovely result was that we had a later breakfast time and stunning views — of the red rocks around Yakima, the Columbia River and the snowy Cascades — that we would have otherwise chugged by in the dark.

Rocky Mountaineer train traveling through the Rocky Mountains

continued from page 10 train that leaves Vancouver every afternoon for a five-day transcontinental journey, making a stop in Jasper 19 hours into the trip. You can choose from economy class or several classes of sleeper accommodations. The hitch is that much of the rail journey will be in the dark.

Or, you can decide it’s bucket-list time and book a package on the Rocky Mountaineer (rockymountaineer.com), one of the most storied rail journeys in the world. This seasonal railway — it runs from midApril until mid-October and only travels in the daylight to afford Rail savings spectacular views to passengers — offers several packages, which Amtrak offers everyday start at $1,300 per person for a discounts, including two-day, one-night journey. The half-price tickets for “Passage to the West” route, children ages 2–12 as from Vancouver to Kamloops well as discounts for (where you’ll spend the night) seniors and veterans. and on to Banff, travels through You can also save by spiral train tunnels and across the booking far in advance.

Continental Divide. Breakfast, Check amtrak.com for lunch and an abundant coffee/tea/ information on flash snack service are included, as well sales, or sign up for its as the stay in Kamloops. ■ e-newsletter for earlier notice. If you have plans Elisa Murray is a Seattle-based for an epic, aroundfreelance writer and editor of the the-country journey, guidebook “52 Seattle Adventures look into the USA or With Kids” California rail pass. (parentmap.com/52adventures).

Bring The Tooth Fairy Experience Home!

The Tooth Fairy is on a mission to teach children about the importance of healthy smiles! That’s why she is offering FREE downloadable educational resources to parents and teachers, including: Fun dental health worksheets & coloring sheets Engaging educational & storybook reading videos Easy-to-follow lesson plans for home use Materials are dentist- and teacher-reviewed, kid-tested and endorsed by the School Nurse Organization of Washington.

Visit TheToothFairyExperience.com

Do your kids love hearing from the Tooth Fairy?

Receive fun content by subscribing to our quarterly Grin & Grow e-newsletter at TheToothFairyExperience.com.

Follow the Tooth Fairy’s adventures on Facebook and Instagram @ToothFairyWA parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 13

beaches

Bring on the Beach!

15 kid-friendly beaches for swimming and wading around Seattle, the Eastside and South Sound

By Allison Holm

Editor’s note: Washington state is following a phased reopening plan to resume

TARA SPICER

Brackett’s Landing

business, recreational and social activities. Some public facilities and amenities at these area beaches may remain closed. Before visiting a destination, please check its website to determine current access and operating status, and adhere to all recommendations related to safe social distancing practices. Learn more about Gov. Inslee’s “Safe Start” approach to reopening at coronavirus.wa.gov.

I

t’s tough to beat a summer day at a favorite beach: watching the kids sprint toward sand and water, followed by hours of swimming, wading, building sandcastles and hunting for treasures. In honor of beach magic, we’re spotlighting 15 terrific local beaches that are all-stars, for gloriously different reasons.

Brackett’s Landing/Marina Beach Park, Edmonds • edmondswa.gov Find it: Brackett’s Landing is at Main Street and Railroad Avenue; Marina Beach is located at 470 Admiral Way S. in Edmonds.

Just a short walk from charming downtown Edmonds is a waterfront area worthy of hours of exploration. Brackett’s Landing, with north and south sections divided by the ferry dock, features a paved walkway that leads to a jetty. In addition to playing on the beach and cruising the path, kids can peer through a large telescope, watch the ferries come and go, and observe scuba divers at one of the busiest underwater dive parks on the West Coast. Walk (or ride a scooter) down the pedestrian path to Marina Beach Park, a great place to picnic and explore marine life.

14 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

Good to know: Parking fills up quickly in the summer, so you may end up parking in the downtown shopping area and walking a few blocks.

There are restrooms as well as an outdoor shower for rinsing off sand.

Jetty Island, Everett • everettwa.gov Find it: The ferry to Jetty Island leaves from the 10th Street Boat Launch and Marine Park on the Everett waterfront.

Puget Sound’s rocky shores teem with crawly critters and thriving tide pools, but when summer arrives, you want to sink your toes into some sand. Trade in your boots for flip-flops and head to Jetty Island, one of the region’s hidden gems. Located just five minutes by boat from the Everett waterfront, Jetty Island features more than 2 miles of sandy beach and warm, shallow water that appears to go on forever.

The island is accessible only by boat, and from July 5 through Labor Day; the City of Everett partners with the Port of Everett to offer a free passenger ferry, but there is a suggested donation of $2 per adult and $1 per child; parking is $3 per car.

Pick up boarding passes at the boat launch kiosk. Return passes are

available on the island (we recommend grabbing your return passes early!). While the ferry is free, a per-person donation is requested; such donations help keep the ferry and the island’s programs running.

Good to know: Groups of eight or more and Everett residents may reserve their spot on the ferry up to two days in advance. On hot summer days, this can make a world of difference.

Juanita Beach Park, Kirkland • kirklandwa.gov Find it: 9703 N.E. Juanita Dr., Kirkland Lake Washington’s Juanita Beach Park is a true gem. A healthy strip

of soft, white sand welcomes shovel-toting tots and sun-seeking parents alike. The water is very shallow, so kids can wade out a bit without parents worrying about hidden drop-offs, and the large wrap-around dock shelters the swimming area from the rest of the bay.

Take a stroll (or scooter ride) on the footpath through the small marsh section, with its wooden bridges and resident blue herons, or rent a stand-up paddleboard for an hour or two. Another plus is the big playground next to the beach.

Good to know: There are a few picnic tables, but if you’re planning lunch, pack a blanket, as most of the tables may be taken. Across the parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 15

beaches Bring on the Beach! continued from page 15 street, Spud Fish & Chips (spudfishandchips.com) is available for food orders and pickup.

Idylwood Park, Redmond • redmond.gov Find it: 3650 W. Lake Sammamish Pkwy. N.E., Redmond A flat, sandy beach and crystal clear water make this Lake Sammamish location a winner for swimming and sand play. The roped-off swimming area is shallow, with a very gradual slope, so kiddos can wade and splash to their hearts’ content. A wide lawn and an awesome playground with a smaller area for younger kids are great for after-beach play. Picnic shelters provide shade, and there’s a full bathhouse, complete with restrooms and showers.

Good to know: Come early on sunny days (especially weekends); the fairly small parking lot fills up quickly, leaving the options of an overflow lot about half a block away or side-street parking. Lifeguards are on duty throughout the summer.

Meydenbauer Bay Park, Bellevue • bellevuewa.gov Find it: 9899 Lake Washington Blvd. N.E., Bellevue This gem of a beach reopened in spectacular fashion in 2019, after undergoing renovations that include a curvilinear pedestrian pier, a beach house with restrooms and showers, a picnic area, a play structure and more! Meydenbauer Bay Park’s big grassy area, play structure and pint-size beach prove perfect for little ones looking to cool off on hot days. The view of Meydenbauer Bay is lovely, and the serene park is a nice place for a picnic. The water is clear and relatively shallow, so toddlers are able to stand and splash around.

Good to know: There’s a relatively small parking lot halfway down the tree-lined drive to the beach, and the lot may fill up on weekends, so visitors might need to find street parking (although the 99th Street parking lot and marina entrance were improved in the recent restoration project). Shade is lacking, so be sure to bring a beach umbrella. REI offers canoe and kayak rentals (rei.com/rentals) Wednesday–Sunday through Labor Day, then on weekends through September. Learn more about this stunning park at parentmap.com/meydenbauer.

Waverly Beach Park, Kirkland • kirklandwa.gov Find it: 633 Waverly Way, Kirkland Past Kirkland’s Heritage Park and down a steep little drive lies Waverly Beach, a neighborhood treasure. The small, 3-acre park offers 16 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

a playground and a picnic shelter, as well as plenty of grass and a nice shoreline. This park’s small beach and good-size, sheltered swimming area are perfect for little ones. Have a plan B destination in mind when you head out, because on hot days it can get a bit crowded with families taking full advantage of this pristine piece of waterfront. The surrounding trees are large enough to offer some shade.

Good to know: There are restroom facilities on-site. The two small parking lots (a lower one and an upper one) are rarely maxed out.

Lifeguards are on duty at scheduled times, and there’s a shave ice and hot dog stand open during summer.

O.O. Denny Park, Kirkland • kirklandwa.gov Find it: 12032 Holmes Point Dr. N.E., Kirkland For a change of pace (and size), head to the northeastern shores of Lake Washington, where you’ll find the pocket-size beach at O.O. Denny Park. When the kids need a break from playing in the water, they can hit the playground. Across the street, you’ll find wonderful hiking trails that will take you along Denny Creek, through patches of oldgrowth forest, past an old salmon ladder and across little footbridges.

Good to know: There are no lifeguards or roped-off swimming areas, and in some places the drop-off is steep, so keep young children within arm’s reach. The parking lot tends to fill up quickly on hot days.

Carkeek Park, Seattle • seattle.gov Find it: 950 N.W. Carkeek Park Rd., Seattle Venture down the curving, tree-canopied Carkeek Park Road in northwest Seattle and you’ll end up at one of the most magnificent beaches — and parks — in the city, with its 220 acres of nature trails, wetlands, beach and panoramic views. There’s a salmon-themed playground, Piper Orchard (with fruit and nut trees) and Pipers Creek, an urban stream where you can still see salmon fighting their way home in the fall.

To get to the beach from the park area, you’ll have to cross an overpass above the railroad tracks — terrific for photos, though the view may induce vertigo. The beach is wide and sandy along some stretches, and when the tide goes out, the beachcombing is excellent.

Good to know: There are different parking lots, but only one lot is directly across from the beach, and it can fill up quickly. Continue to the lower meadow to find more parking. Don’t miss the salmon slide!

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Me-Kwa-Mooks Park, West Seattle • seattle.gov Find it: 4503 Beach Dr. S.W., Seattle One mile south of the popular Alki Beach and directly across from the Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook in West Seattle lies a smaller and lesser-known gem. Me-Kwa-Mooks (meaning “shaped like a bear’s head”) is a rocky haven for crabs, starfish, sea slugs, sea cucumbers and anyone who takes an interest in such marine creatures.

The erosion of clay and sand has created a series of tide pools; currently, a sea wall running the length of the beach protects the upper beach from further erosion. During low tide, kids can become mini marine biologists. Be sure to wear shoes or sandals!

Good to know: Picnic tables can be found on the lawn at the park entry on Beach Drive Southwest between Southwest Genesee and Southwest Oregon streets. Park on the street.

Seward Park, Seattle • seattle.gov Find it: 5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle This 300-acre park, which occupies all of Bailey Peninsula in southeast Seattle, offers a mini escape from the city. The beach boasts a large lawn and full-service facilities, plus a swimming raft and on-duty lifeguards. The 2.4-mile paved path that loops around the peninsula is a

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beaches Bring on the Beach! continued from page 17 favorite among runners and families.

The other side of the peninsula offers “beyond the beach” fun, from an art studio to a huge, nature-themed playground and hiking trails that meander through old-growth forests, perfect for kids just getting their hiking legs. Don’t miss the Audubon Center, which features wonderful and affordable programs for kids (and adults), from beginning birding to popular nighttime Owl Prowls. (While the center and its programs may not yet be reopened at the time of publication, it has compiled a “birdy care package” of resources for safe birding and wildlife observation at audubon.org/joy-of-birds.)

Good to know: There are several large parking lots near the beach and play areas. Full facilities are available, but check the website before going to see if they will be accessible.

Seahurst Park, Burien • burienwa.gov Find it: 1600 S.W. Seahurst Park Rd., Burien Burien’s 178-acre Seahurst Park may not have the best beach for sunbathing, but it’s perfect for discovering Puget Sound’s abundant sea life!

From starfish to sea cucumbers, this rocky, tide-pool-rich marine reserve grants little scientists an opportunity to explore more than a mile of shoreline — especially during low tide. When kids tire of searching for crabs and shells, take them to wander the wooded trails above. Picnic shelters and tables are available, as well as barbecue grills and a playground.

Good to know: There are restrooms on-site. Parking in the upper lot involves a long walk downhill to the beach. Visit cute downtown Burien after a beach trip; among its features are a fun Thursday farmers market and a fountain for water play in Town Square Park.

Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, Renton • rentonwa.gov Find it: 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Renton At Lake Washington’s southern tip, you’ll find Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, a huge, sandy beach that has fun written all over it. The designated swimming area is bordered by a walkway; the large, grassy lawn is a perfect spot for spreading picnic blankets; and there’s a large playground. Picnic shelters are available to rent.

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CAMPS + ACTIVITIES

horseshoe pits and the little fishing dock. Bring your binoculars; there’s a little walkway to the west of the beach that leads to Bird Island.

Good to know: Lifeguards are on duty at posted times in summer.

Come early to find a parking spot.

Owen Beach, Tacoma • metroparkstacoma.org Find it: 5605 N. Owen Beach Rd., Tacoma Point Defiance Park’s Owen Beach is a must-do in the South Sound area.

Along with gorgeous views of Vashon Island and incoming ferries, this beach features wonderful opportunities for exploring marine life on low-tide days.

Keep an eye out for Explore the Shore days, when naturalists from Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (pdza.org) lead low-tide beach walks.

Up for more adventure? Rent a kayak or look for seals or sea lions (just don’t disturb them). Or visit Point Defiance Park’s newest treasure, Dune Peninsula (parentmap.com/dune), or an old favorite, such as the Japanese Garden.

Good to know: Parking is ample, and handicapped parking is available.

A concession stand is open during the peak season.

Dash Point State Park, Federal Way • parks.state.wa.us Find it: 5700 S.W. Dash Point Rd., Federal Way When the tide goes out at Dash Point State Park, the beach seems to go on forever. With the park’s 3,301 feet of shoreline, kids can run, splash, swim and dig for hours. There are also 11 miles of hiking trails and a popular campground, so you could make a getaway out of it.

Book campsites early, though, especially for a weekend.

Good to know: Restrooms are located close to the beach. Since it’s a state park, you’ll need a Discover Pass to park ($35 annual, $11.50 for a day pass; discoverpass.wa.gov). On weekend days, plan to arrive early.

Saltwater State Park, Des Moines • parks.state.wa.us Find it: 25205 Eighth Pl. S., Des Moines Another camping park, Saltwater State Park offers 1,445 feet of sparkling saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound and is the only state park to feature an artificial reef. There’s a sandy swimming beach in the southwest corner, a network of forest hiking trails and plenty of tide pools. Kids will enjoy the telescope, the beach playground and abundant logs for practicing balancing skills. Despite its proximity to Dash Point, Saltwater is often less crowded.

Good to know: Restrooms are available on-site, and the campsites include fire grills and picnic tables. You’ll need a Discover Pass to park ($35 annual, $11.50 for a day pass; discoverpass.wa.gov). ■ A Seattle girl born and raised, freelance writer Allison Holm spent her “early years” satisfying her wanderlust and now lives in Kirkland with her husband and three children. parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 19

CAMPS + ACTIVITIES

Virtual Camps to Keep Kids Busy at Home All Summer Seattle-area parents are used to meticulously planning their kids’ summer early. But this year, the pandemic has thrown everything up in the air. At press time, it’s still unclear when, or if, in-person summer camps will be allowed this year. Many of our usual options have been canceled, while other camp providers are waiting to decide.

Fortunately, some organizations have gotten a jump start on designing fun options for virtual summer camps. Check out these options to keep your kids active and engaged.

Coding with Kids • codingwithkids.com Coding with Kids jumped right into online camps, with offerings up and running shortly after schools closed in March. For the summer, it has weekly camps in Minecraft modding, Python, app development, C# and more. Camps last from one to three hours per day and serve coders ages 5 and older. Prices vary, but expect to pay around $200 for most camps. iD Tech • idtech.com This company’s online computer skills courses serve kids ages 7 and older of all skill levels, with some girls-only options. Most iD Tech courses cost $499, and include subjects such as Minecraft, Scratch and Roblox, as well as 3-D modeling and animation. Camps offer live instruction, peer collaboration and a maximum of five students per instructor.

DigiPen Academy • academy.digipen.edu Taught in real time, DigiPen Academy’s online summer programs offer elementary, middle and high school students more than 40 course options. Programs vary from weeklong, 90-minute daily art classes for younger students to monthlong, six-hour daily high school courses in game development and sound design. Prices vary by program, ranging from $165 to $2,425.

Stone Soup Theatre • stonesouptheatre.org Pending state policy, Stone Soup Theatre’s Summerstage program will take place in person or online, serving aspiring thespians ages 5–16. If the program goes digital, camps will run half days on Zoom with a combination

of group activities and independent, at-home exercises.

Weeklong camps cost $375.

Village Theatre • villagetheatre.org Village Theatre’s Kidstage, for participants pre-K to age 20, will build off its spring trial of virtual classes, with themes such as “Frozen,” “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter” for younger kids, while teens can take skills-based classes in technical theater, acting for the camera and songwriting. More than 30 classes will be held from June 6 to July 24 via Zoom. After July 27, camps may be held in person at both the Issaquah and Everett locations if restrictions are lifted by the state. Camp tuition runs from $85 to $580, and financial assistance is available.

Studio East • studio-east.org Studio East offers one- and two-week performing arts summer camps for kids 4–19 and of all skill levels. Through at least July 17, camps will be conducted online with a combination of interactive Zoom conferencing and at-home independent activities. A final performance will be recorded, edited and shared with families. Later camps may be held in person. Online camps cost $125–$485, and scholarships are available.

Coyote Central • coyotecentral.org Coyote Central will offer a wide variety of creative classes for kids ages 10–15 via Zoom.

Classes include filmmaking, fashion, dance, writing, drawing, photography, cooking, magic performance and much more. Class costs are pay-what-works-for-you, ranging from $0 to $210.

Seattle Children’s Theatre • sct.org Seattle Children’s Theatre is reimagining its summer program for kids ages 3 and a half to 18 with new online versions of its creative drama classes, from improv to the art of drag to Shakespeare. Meeting for up to three hours daily, classes will be small to keep things interactive, and many classes will include

20 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

individual activities to be performed away from the screen. Courses cost $110–$250, and financial aid is available.

Pratt Fine Arts Center • pratt.org Pratt’s previously planned summer programming has been transformed into ‘online art camps’ and ‘online art weeks.’

Organizers are attempting to maintain the Pratt experience with hands-on learning, personal step-by-step mentorship and livestreamed classes. Programs are tailored to serve youths ages 5–12 and teens 13–19. Costs for weeklong virtual camps start at $220.

Kong Academy • kongacademy.org Kong Academy will offer two very different virtual camps this summer. Dungeons & Dragons Camp, for ages 9–13, will fill kids’ afternoons with connection and storytelling through this virtual version of the game.

Living Room Ninja Camp, for ages 6–12, will fill kids’ mornings with physical activity through basic parkour movements, such as jumping, vaulting, balancing and rolling, in their own indoor obstacle course. Both camps cost $195.

Skyhawks Sports Academy • skyhawks.com Skyhawks Sports Academy knows that virtual offerings can never fully replace in-person sports camps. But unusual times call for unusual solutions, and this year it is offering online skills camps for soccer, basketball, general physical activity, STEM sports, and even chess and esports. Kids ages 3–12 can learn game rules and build physical skills in exercises specifically designed to be practiced at home or in the back yard. Weeklong camps will run from 45 minutes to two and a half hours daily and cost $45–$119.

— Gemma Alexander

CAMPS + ACTIVITIES

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Editor’s note: At press time, state parks were open for day-use recreation only.

Before you go, check the Washington State Parks website (parks.state.wa.us) for current status and guidelines for responsible recreation in the outdoors.

22 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

take a hike

Kid-Friendly Hikes in the Issaquah Alps Explore the nearby woods on choose-your-own-adventure family hikes for any age

By Tiffany Doerr Guerzon

I TIFFANY DOERR GUERZON

f getting outside more with the kids remains on your bucket list this summer, we’ve rounded up five kidfriendly hikes in the Issaquah area suitable for beginners through teens! Two of the fun trails are perfect starter hikes — each offering a story to read along the way in the form of storyboards. For a bit more of a trek, the Talus Rock Trail on Tiger Mountain will impress even your teens when they see the glacial erratics at the top! (Glacial erratics are humongous boulders.)

You’ll see that several of the hikes are addons to other hikes, so you can choose a distance that suits your crew and their enthusiasm for Talus Rock Trail

exploring in the woods on any given day.

Get out there and investigate our local “Alps”!

uPretzel Tree Trail at Squak

Mountain State Park Find it: 201430 S.E. May Valley Rd., Issaquah, WA 98027 The short, sweet Pretzel Tree Trail is a fun .3-mile loop in Squak Mountain State Park.

It’s perfect for introducing tots to nature, stretching your legs or getting warmed up for a longer hike. The trail features storyboards detailing the adventures of Field Mouse as he searches for the Pretzel Tree. Along the way, he meets other forest creatures and learns about how they fit into the local ecosystem.

Squak Mountain State Park has a good parking lot: Note that you’ll need a Discover Pass to park there ($35 annual, $11.50 for a day pass; discoverpass.wa.gov). If you don’t have a pass, there are pay stations near the pit-toilet restrooms.

Leashed dogs are welcome on this trail.

Enter the trail at the rear of the parking lot (opposite the restrooms). Walk along until you

parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 23

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Pretzel Tree Trail story plaque

see a road. Cross the street and find the sign for the Pretzel Tree Trail.

Take the trail straight ahead to read the story in the correct order. This path is mostly flat and really pretty. Along with the storyboards you will see hanging moss, nurse logs, ferns and maybe even a few wildflowers.

You can also hear the babbling creek that is nearby and lots of birdsong.

The tree canopy keeps the temperature cool even on sunny days.

The story is fun to read and keeps even older kids going as they move ahead to read the next part of the tale. Near the end, look for the trail’s namesake, the Pretzel Tree: two tree trunks that grew together, twisting around each other like a pretzel. I didn’t actually find the tree all that impressive, but it’s worth checking out. The loop ends right back where you started, and the kids may want to walk it again, as there is a lot to see.

Short add-on hike to a bridge For a short add-on to the Pretzel Tree Trail, find a sign that reads “May Valley Loop, Central Peak and Mountainside Drive” a few feet down from where you exited the loop. Take this trail up the hill until you reach a wooden bridge, about a third of a mile in. The bridge spans a stream that cascades over some rocks, making a little waterfall. After you check out the waterfall, just turn around and head back down. If you do both little hikes, the total distance is 1.2 miles. There are picnic tables in the parking lot area where you can rest up and have a snack.

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Swamp Monster Trail at Tiger Mountain

Find it: Begin this hike at Tiger Mountain’s High Point Way trailhead; to reach it, take exit 20 off I-90, turn south onto 270th Avenue Southeast, then turn right onto Southeast 79th Street. A Discover Pass is required to park in the lot (see parking notes below).

The Swamp Monster Trail is a great, flat storybook trail with signs

telling a story titled “Zoe and the Swamp Monster.” The tale details a girl’s encounters with trail monsters, but don’t worry, you won’t see any monsters or swamps on this tot-friendly hike!

Near the parking lot at the High Point Way trailhead, there is a detailed map on a kiosk. It’s not a bad idea to take a picture of the map with your phone if you don’t have a paper map with you. From the kiosk, follow the trail straight ahead to a clearing that has a restroom and several trail signs. Follow the “Swamp Trail” sign pointing right.

To get to the Swamp Trail, cross a road and come to a wooden horsebarrier fence (low sections of wooden fence placed in a zig-zag pattern), and you will soon find the first part of Zoe’s story on a large red board.

Read the first part of the story here, then continue on as you read all seven boards. The path is mostly flat and easy to navigate with small children. The Swamp Monster Trail is about a half-mile each way. When you come to the next horse barrier, you are at the end. Turn around and head back for a 1-mile round trip, or continue on to the Big Tree Trail.

Parking notes: The road to the trailhead ends at a gate. This gate is closed at dusk, so be sure to park outside the gate. There is a small roadside lot and street parking, which can be used if you don’t have a Discover Pass (or if the main lot is full). If you park there, take the small trail starting at the roadside parking lot up the hill for a half-mile to the trailhead.

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Tiger Mountain Find it: This trail is an add-on to the Swamp Monster Trail, accessed from the High Point Way trailhead on Tiger Mountain.

The Big Tree Trail is a connector trail and an easy add-on to Swamp Monster. The “Big Tree” is just that — a huge Douglas fir that is thought to be one of the oldest and largest trees on Tiger Mountain. It is estimated to be many hundreds of years old.

To get to Big Tree Trail: At the end of the Swamp Monster Trail, continue through the wood barrier, cross through an open clearing and walk under some power lines.

Reenter the forest and then follow the path, which has some gentle, rolling hills, until you come to the Big Tree. The tree is fenced off, and there is a bench to sit on and information about the tree on a plaque.

Because you can’t get too close, it is a little hard to grasp its size, but its circumference measures 24 feet and the first branch is 75 feet off

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take a hike 5 Kid-Friendly Hikes continued from page 25 the ground. Wow! Turn around and retrace your steps to the Swamp Monster Trail and back to the main trailhead for a total distance trekked of about 2 miles.

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are in the correct spot if you see a telephone pole with the numbers 219531,170783 on the right a few feet in. Keep on this trail until you come to a sign for the Wetlands Trail and the Wetlands Connector. Stay right to take the Wetlands Trail.

You will soon catch glimpses of Round Lake through the foliage and eventually will come to a clearing with a bench. This is a perfect spot to pause, take a water break and observe Round Lake.

When you are ready, continue on until you see the Bus Trail sign.

Go left and walk a few hundred feet to see the rusted-out remains of an old bus. This bus has been there for ages, and there’s speculation that loggers may have converted it into a field kitchen, but who knows? You can walk right up to the bus, but caution kids not to climb or play on it, as it has sharp, rusty edges.

TIFFANY DOERR GUERZON

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Find it: This trail is an add-on to the Swamp Monster and Big Tree trails, accessed from the High Point Way trailhead.

If your crew is up for a little more exploration, terrific add-on trails take you by a pretty lake and an abandoned bus. There is quite a web of trails in this area. Be sure to pay close attention to your route.

From the Big Tree, continue on until you come to a T. Here, you will see the Brink Trail sign on your right. Turn left on the Brink Trail.

Pass under a power line and come to a spot where you can go three ways. You will see the Adventure Trail sign straight ahead of you.

Facing the Adventure Trail sign, take the trail on your left that goes uphill. At the top of the hill, you will see a trail on your right, which is not marked with a sign; it is the Wetlands Trail. You will know you

When you are done checking out the bus, backtrack to the sign and head north. This will take you to the Around the Lake Trail; take a right turn there. On this path, you will get nice views of Tradition Lake; be sure to stop at the viewing deck. As you head back, look for the in-ground plaques that display animal footprints. You will exit at the Forest Trail, cross the road and then walk straight back to the trailhead where you began.

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Talus Rock at Tiger Mountain

Find it: Begin this hike at Tiger Mountain’s High Point Way trailhead; reach it by taking exit 20 off I-90, turn south onto 270th Avenue Southeast, then turn right onto Southeast 79th Street. A Discover Pass is required to park in the lot.

The Talus Rock hike is a bit harder because of the elevation gain, but seeing the huge rocks at the top of the trail is totally worth it. The Talus rocks are a collection of boulders, called glacial erratics, that drifted to Tiger Mountain during previous ice ages. Now these giants are home to lots of plant life, and there are even small cave-like gaps that have formed where the rocks are close together.

Near the parking lot at the trailhead, there is a detailed map at a kiosk.

Again, it may be a good idea to take a picture of the map with your phone if you don’t have a paper map with you. From there, take the trail straight ahead to a clearing that has a restroom and several trail signs.

Begin this hike on the trail called West Tiger 3. It starts out easy on a wide, gravel path, but then starts going up, up, up. You will gain almost FAS20_tacoma_nature_puget_sound_1-4.indd 600 feet over the first mile — it’s a leg burner! Keep going until you see the Talus Rock Trail sign on your right. The sign is just a few feet in.

The Talus Rock Trail is much narrower and composed of dirt instead of gravel. We crossed a couple of wet areas in which there were logs to walk on and a wood bridge in one spot. There is a pretty place where the water cascades over a rock fall, forming a little waterfall. When you see the waterfall, you are almost there!

Once you reach the rocks, prepare to be amazed. They are huge! There is a series of steps on the right that leads to a semi-flat area that’s good for taking a break or taking in the view. On the left, a trail goes up and around to the top level of the rocks. There are wood barriers in a few spots, so be careful.

This area is really fun to explore, but use caution as there are multiple steep drop-offs, especially on the top level. There are also caves in between, created where the rocks meet. I read that there have been bat colonies observed in the caves in the past. I wouldn’t recommend going inside the caves or going past any of the wood barriers, for safety’s sake.

Once you’ve had enough of the big rocks, simply turn around and go back the way you came for a 3.5-mile round-trip hike. ■

Tiffany Doerr Guerzon is a freelance writer, the mother of three children and the author of “Save Money on Groceries by Going Back to Basics.”

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SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS

10 Fun Ideas for Your Backyard Campout When and as Washington campgrounds open up, Seattle-area families will be more than ready for the change of scenery and the big dose of nature that camping provides. But you don’t have to wait; re-create some of the best aspects of camping (and skip a few of the less savory ones) with our list of ideas for an awesome at-home family campout.

1. First, you need your shelter. If your family are regular campers, you can just pitch your tent in the yard. If you don’t have a tent and still want to sleep outside, get creative and string a cord between a tree and a fence post. Drape some sheets over it and pin the edges to the ground with toothpicks or slim stakes. (Note: This will leave holes in your sheets.) Or rig up a tepee with broom handles and a sheet. A tarp or thick picnic blanket on the ground will give you a dry surface.

2. Don’t fancy the idea of sleeping outdoors? For your camp-in, pitch a small tent right in the living room or in your basement. No tent? Build a cozy fort with blankets, sheets and tons of pillows. Clothespins work well to secure all your corners and seams.

(Or check out some really cool ready-made fort kits at parentmap.com/forts.)

3. Cozy beds required! For kids to sleep, all they need is a sleeping bag and a camping pad. But here’s where (nearly?) middleaged parental bodies are going to love the at-home campout. Drag out your memory foam mattress topper or the air bed you use for guests. Your fave flannel sheets will do nicely, plus all the covers you want. And you can gather up every pillow in the house and not worry about stuffing them all in the car.

Ahhhh …

4. Set the camping mood with a backyard firepit or chiminea, if you have one. A hibachi also works — because you know we’re getting to the s’mores in a sec. No firepit? Turn off all the lights inside and outside your house and hang up some string lights, or gather around a lantern or some candles. Of course, with any type of fire or candles, you’ll need a

grown-up eye on them at all times.

5. Cookout time. For an authentic camping experience, get out your camp stove or fire up your grill.

If you’re the ambitious sort, try a genius campfire meal (parentmap.com/camp-meals) for your backyard dinner. Or grill up some tasty burgers (parentmap.com/burgers) — it’s grilling that gets the dads cooking, am I right? For a lowfuss dinner, break out the hot dogs and grill them, or just boil them on the stove inside.

6. Did someone say dessert? It’s really why we’re doing all this. Set your s’more over your firepit or hibachi grill, or just melt (and grow!) your marshmallows briefly in the microwave. And how good is it you can pop inside and easily wash all the sticky hands and mouths? When you’re ready to go beyond the traditional s’more, try elevating your campfire dessert with these sweet cook-over-a-fire recipes (parentmap.com/camp-desserts).

7. Game time. You’re never going to get the kids to sleep without burning off the sugar bomb they just ingested. Convince your crew to leave all the devices inside and play some oldschool games. You could try a no-equipment game, such as charades, red light/green light or Simon says. Larger families could try sardines (a twist on hide-and-seek) or Mother, may I? For lawn games, try kid-safe lawn darts or croquet.

For very young kids, swish out the bubbles for a popping-good time.

8. After games, it’s time for music or stories. My husband likes to play guitar by the campfire. Do you have a musician in the family? Or see if you can get the troops singing in a family sing-along. It might be fun to teach

28 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

the kids classic folk songs, such as “This Land Is Your Land” or “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.” Or sing whatever you know — belt out the Beyoncé if that’s what you like. Ghost stories are fun for older kids; you could look one up beforehand if you don’t know any.

9. For families with older kids, cozy up for an outdoor movie. You could watch together on a device in your tent, or set up the big screen following tips from our DIY outdoor movie guide (parentmap.com/movie-in). After your movie or stories, have everyone zip inside to brush their teeth and for a final bathroom break, then snuggle up to sleep.

10. Good morning! First things first: Run inside and get the coffee maker going. Then, if you’re feeling ambitious, fire up the camp stove for pancakes or oatmeal. Or there’s nothing wrong with a buffet of cereal, fruit and milk grabbed from the kitchen.

You know, I generally like camping and being in the woods, sleeping outside in our state’s beautiful places. But not needing to make reservations nine months ahead, skipping packing the car and battling traffic or ferry lines, and having the comforts of home 10 yards away? I think I could become a backyard-camping convert.

Nancy Chaney is ParentMap’s Out + About editor.

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parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 29 5/13/20 4:23 PM

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Only two hours from Seattle, Semiahmoo is the perfect place to experience the moments with your kids that you live for. And with award-winning golf, casual seaside dining, and endless beach activities, you can try something new, too.

Visit Semiahmoo.com or call 360.318.2000.

30 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

climate

Books to Get Your Kids Active in — and for — the Environment

By Gemma Alexander

W

hatever our summer plans may have been a few months ago, it turns out that most of us will be sticking pretty close to home. Fortunately, the Pacific Northwest in summertime is hard to beat. And if you’re worried that your kids didn’t learn as much in four months of homebased education as they would have at school, nature is a wonderful summer school teacher.

In fact, direct observation of nature can be more reliable than books. Children’s books are especially prone to include inaccuracies, such as presenting images of spouting whales (whales breathe air, not water, from blowholes) and slugs with eyestalks (they don’t have eyes). We couldn’t fact-check everything in the following books, but we’ve rounded up some generally reliable resources for teaching kids about the natural world — and protecting it.

As you share these books with your children, ask them questions about what they are reading. Questioning the details is one of the first steps to building media literacy. And

if they start to question why humans are doing so much damage, so much the better. That’s the first step to conservation.

“National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide” by National Geographic Kids Washington state has several national parks that kids may have enjoyed in the past and will be able to visit again soon. While pandemic closures are temporary, parks are subject to permanent degradation from mining and fossil fuel drilling — and national monuments could lose protection entirely. For now, kids can learn about the parks and how to camp and hike responsibly so that they don’t damage wild areas when they visit them. They can also write to their congressional representatives to tell them how important it is to protect public lands. Learning how to contact elected officials on issues they care about is a valuable lesson kids can use for life.

“National Geographic Readers: Sea Otters”

by Laura Marsh Featuring vivid photographs and presented in language simple enough for early readers to understand, this title helps kids learn more about these charismatic mammals. Hunted to near extinction for their fur in the early 20th century, our local northern sea otters (found in Washington, Alaska and British Columbia) now have healthy populations, but the southern sea otters are still considered threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Until it’s safe to visit in person again, kids can view Seattle Aquarium’s otter cams and browse its website (seattleaquarium.org) for more information about sea otters and other animals that live in our northwestern waters.

When you are out exploring again, look for otters along the Olympic Peninsula’s western coast at sites like La Push, Rialto Beach and Ruby Beach, and on the Strait of Juan de Fuca

parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 31

climate Books to Get Your Kids Active in — and for — the Environment continued from page 31 at Shipwreck Point and Snow Creek.

The biggest human threat to sea otters are oil spills. Children who are concerned about this and other environmental impacts from oil can connect (digitally for now) with the local chapter of #FridaysForFuture (Facebook, “Fridays For Future Seattle”).

“Salmon Forest” by David Suzuki and Sarah Ellis During a fictionalized walk in the forest, young Kate learns from her biologist father about the life cycle of the salmon and how it is linked to every part of the forest. This book, cowritten by noted environmentalist David Suzuki, also introduces native peoples’ sustainable approach to living with and using the forest. After reading “Salmon Forest,” you and your child can brainstorm ways to make your own back yard more salmonfriendly. Then you can get out in the garden together and follow some of Snohomish County’s salmon-friendly gardening advice (snohomiscountywa.gov).

“Come Back, Salmon” by Molly Cone Two books on the same list about a fish may seem like a lot. But the salmon is as important to the ecology and traditional cultures of the Pacific Northwest as the buffalo were to the Midwest.

For anyone who doesn’t believe that kids can make a difference, this book describes how the students of Jackson Elementary School in Everett cleaned up a nearby stream, stocked it with salmon and worked to preserve it as an unpolluted place where the salmon could return to spawn.

Work parties may be on hold for now, but several organizations throughout the Puget Sound region welcome families to restoration parties where volunteers plant native species, pull invasive plants, pick up trash and maintain trails. Use Google to find an organization near you, then keep an eye on its website for post-quarantine projects.

In the meantime, pick up trash whenever you are out walking with your kids and pay a virtual visit to the Ballard Locks fish ladder (youtu.be/vIljhyr70SE).

“Rising Seas: Flooding, Climate Change and Our New World” by Keltie Thomas This 2019 Silver Birch Award nonfiction nominee does not present information specific to the Pacific Northwest, but the effects of climate change — including rising sea levels — are still relevant to us. Written for

32 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

upper elementary students, “Rising Seas” uses vivid illustrations of coastal areas based on actual sea-rise predictions. Alone, these images could be considered sensationalistic, but the scary facts are paired with a closing section presenting 10 steps readers of all ages can take to combat climate change.

“Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem” by Jude Isabella Introducing the concept of a trophic cascade, “Bringing Back the Wolves” traces what happened when wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. Washington state is also home to wolves, where their recovery presents the usual conflicts between natural ecology and human economic activity.

Few wolves have been spotted west of the Cascades, but families should still learn the basics of safe hiking in wolf habitats and

other rules for coexisting with wild predators (conservationnw.org). When it reopens, visit Wolf Haven (wolfhaven.org). In the meantime, consider becoming a member of Wolf Haven or “adopting” one of its wolves.

“Garden of the Spirit Bear: Life in the Great Northern Rainforest” by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent British Columbia’s Kermode black bears, also called spirit bears because some of them are born with white fur, are extremely rare. But they live in a habitat that is remarkably similar to the old-growth forests of Washington state, which are also home to black bears. With watercolor illustrations, this book for middleschool students provides basic information

about the structure of old-growth forests, tracks the bears’ activities to demonstrate the relationships among forest species, and touches on the threat of logging and conservationists’ efforts to protect the forest.

Learn how to hike and camp safely in bear country (wta.org) — which is most of western Washington. In fact, backyard bear sightings are surprisingly common in the suburbs. Visit the Woodland Park Zoo’s Coexisting with Carnivores webpage (zoo.org/coexisting) to learn how to be a good neighbor to bears and to participate in citizen science about bears and other carnivores.

“The 7 Things You Absolutely Have to Know About Banana Slugs” by Jarad Petroske The Pacific Northwest is (in)famous slug territory. You can probably find slugs in your

yard any time you look, but the first thing you have to know about banana slugs is that they are the only slug species native to our region!

You might have to hike into the woods to find a banana slug, so pair this book with “Slugs” by Anthony Fredericks to learn more about the slugs in your yard. Then you can try to convince your kid to help out with pest control in the garden by picking out the invasive slugs. ■ 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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SPONSORED CONTENT

JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS ARE CREATING MODELS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING AND BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS When Gov. Inslee’s March 12 announcement prompted school closures across Washington state, local Jewish day schools were already prepared for distance learning. By that day, Seattle Jewish Community School, along with other Jewish day schools in the Seattle area, had soft-launched their remote learning program, seeking feedback from students, parents and teachers and getting everyone up to speed.

“It was like I had hired 12 brand new teachers despite the decades of seniority and experience they had,” says Head of School Ron Waldman. “In this format, all bets are off.

None of our educators had ever been trained for this type of teaching and learning, and not all children can easily adapt to continuous learning.”

Even though they’ve had their challenges, Seattle Jewish Community School — along with Northwest Yeshiva High School, Jewish Day School and Seattle Hebrew Academy — are making it work, teaching students important lessons and forging strong communities at the same time.

It started with surveying everyone’s needs. On their first day, NYHS held an orientation for distance learning, where all classes met for 15 minutes each and there was a check-in to make sure students had access to technology. They also conducted troubleshooting with teachers so that the following day regular classes could start. Schools are continuing to seek feedback throughout this crisis. According to Waldman, SJCS is sending out surveys at least once a week, while JDS is adjusting practices as they go.

“We have made revisions to our remote learning schedule and instruction along the way, based on feedback from families,” says JDS Head of School Vivian Scheidt. “Our teachers have reached out individually to each family to get their input on how their child is doing with remote learning.”

The schools, which already participated in a tech cohort Community of Practice led by Dr. David Wicks, Seattle Pacific University’s chair of Digital Education Leadership, also made sure they had the right tools to conduct classes, including Zoom, Edpuzzle, Google Meet, Kahoot!, 34 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

Camtasia, Screencast-O-Matic and Seesaw. Since traditional teaching won’t work on these platforms, NYHS Head of School Jason Feld says they’ve encouraged teachers to come up with exciting new methods.

“The charge to the faculty was to be brave in experimentation and to really let learning objectives drive the technology, not the other way around.” Teachers at NYHS have drawn on what they learned during Seattle’s 2019 “Snowmaggedon,” such as using flipped instruction, a blended learning strategy that allows the students to see the material before the class and then dive deeply into it with their classmates during school hours. “That experience really did serve us quite well in preparation for this year,” says Feld.

As schools try out different modalities for remote learning, they are discovering the value of using a variety of formats, including full class groups, small groups and individualized meetings, as well as instructional goal reassessment. “Beyond the objectives of getting through a syllabus and finals, we are finding that instruction has become learner-centric, with students increasingly driving their learning and building community in a more thoughtful and intentionally deeper way.

This has really been the silver lining of distance learning,” says Feld.

SHA Head of School Rivy Poupko Kletenik emphasizes that learning is the focus, but community building and engagement are vital as well. SHA has organized a drive-by food drive and held virtual events for Jewish holidays and days of remembrance. Each of the schools is engaging with people inside and outside of their school community by hosting open virtual classes, celebrations and commemorations.

“Our Jewish day school partners have been doing an incredible job making sure students stay connected and continue receiving exemplary academic instruction in these unprecedented times,” says Connie Kanter, CEO of the Samis Foundation, an organization that provides grants to support K–12 Jewish education in Washington state and initiatives in Israel. Samis supports scholarships, tech education, special needs and professional development for seven Jewish day schools in the Seattle area. The foundation has put a particular emphasis on supporting the schools’ technology needs for the past decade. “We hope other educators in the public and private sectors can benefit from our schools’ models.”

While schools and families are taking this tough situation one day at a time, 10 years from now, some are optimistic that students will look back at this moment with reflection. “I hope that they will remember this as a time of personal growth, and as a time where a lot of what we talk about in our day-to-day learning of grit, resilience, kindness and community was tested in a real way during this crisis,” says Feld. “My hope is that instead of feeling isolated, they will have some meaningful memories.”

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ages + stages

How to Talk With Kids About Personal Safety and Sexual Abuse A Committee for Children campaign teaches parents how to talk with their children about online abuse

By Gemma Alexander

M

ost parents, especially those of younger children, try to limit their kids’ screen time.

But an unexpected side effect of the pandemic is the scramble to enhance kids’ access to digital resources. And once your first-grader knows how to set up their own Zoom meetings, there’s no closing Pandora’s electronic box. Now parents need to start teaching their kids about online safety much sooner than they may have planned. In fact, the FBI has even released a warning to parents that school closures present an increased risk for online exploitation. The Committee for Children (cfchildren.org) has developed resources to help parents navigate the murky waters of online safety education.

Online is real life If your child’s sudden plunge into the deep end of digital education has you feeling unprepared, take heart.

“Our understanding from the research is that it’s important for parents to have open communication with kids,” says Tia Kim, Ph.D. Kim is the vice president of education, research

and impact at the Committee for Children, a global social and emotional learning nonprofit with roots in child protection.

Research has shown that the most effective online safety efforts dovetail with regular safety education. Having frank and frequent conversations with your children and teaching your kids about body safety and boundaries are the basis for safety in both the physical world and online.

Notice risks and red flags Overall, child sex abuse impacts 1 in 20 boys and 1 in 4 girls. A recent study of Americans between ages 10 and 18 found that from 2 to 3 percent had received unwanted solicitations online.

There are some sketchy apps out there, and Zoom bombing is a real thing. But 90 percent of sexually abused children know their abuser.

“Parents tend to think of creepy strangers [as abusers],” says Kim, “but many of the interactions that happen online start offline first, then move into the digital space.”

Abusers often use technology as a tool to build trust with kids who are vulnerable in terms of wanting flattery or attention. Some

red flags to watch for in kids include secretive behavior, withdrawal from family life and angry outbursts or nightmares.

“Those are behaviors that you might see with any high-stress situation,” says Kim. So, how can parents distinguish online exploitation from COVID-19 anxiety?

Have a ‘Hot Chocolate Talk’ “That’s why it’s really important to have conversations and build rapport with your kids from an early age. Because then, hopefully, they are more able to come talk to you about any situation that’s creating stress for them,” says Kim. But for many parents, it’s not so easy to bring up uncomfortable subjects. And a lot of us put off conversations we know we should be having.

“Parents just don’t know what to say or how to start. So, we created the Hot Chocolate Talk campaign,” says Kim. “We named it the ‘Hot Chocolate Talk’ because we wanted to connote imagery of a comfortable or cozy situation, to hopefully make the conversation easier.”

Hot Chocolate Talk’s free downloadable resources offer conversation guides for each age group, presenting word-for-word

parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 35

ages + stages How to Talk With Kids About Personal Safety and Sexual Abuse continued from page 35 messages that parents can use. Parents might sit their kids down for a chat with a cup of cocoa, but they can also find quick moments in daily life — such as when setting up an account on a new digital platform or checking in after an online class session — to bring these messages into a conversation.

Overcome resistance “I don’t think it’s ever too late to start [the conversation]. It’s about teaching your kids how to make the right decisions and understand healthy relationships,” says Kim. “And I think it’s important that you have these conversations often and not just once.”

If your kids aren’t used to talking about these things with you, they may be resistant at first.

“Keep trying,” says Kim. “Start the conversation, ask questions and be an active listener. Kids really differ in their communication styles. Some kids want to talk a lot and some kids don’t. It’s important to not get angry and just show that you are willing to talk to them and listen.”

Establish digital ground rules The most important thing is to make sure your kids feel safe talking to you. But it’s still a good idea to set digital ground rules.

“Every family has different safety rules. It’s really important to define what your online rules are,” says Kim. Help your kids understand what sort of activity is appropriate for each platform — what’s okay on Snapchat is different from what is okay in the chat function of their chemistry class. But regardless of what kind of parental controls and privacy settings you have in place, teach kids to consider everything they do online as public and permanent.

And what if your kids do experience something inappropriate online?

“I think of the three R’s: recognize, refuse and report. Those are the things that we should be teaching our kids to do,” says Kim. ■ 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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Resources for Talking With Kids About Personal Safety and Sexual Abuse

Our family looking after yours.

Hot Chocolate Talk How-To Find overall guidelines for initiating Hot Chocolate Talks, guides for age-specific talking points and information about why these talks are valuable at cfchildren.org.

National Child Abuse Hotline Access resources and information about abuse, or call the free hotline to contact trained counselors who can help with reporting abuse.

Web: childhelp.org Toll-free: 1-800-4-A-CHILD TDD: 1-800-2-A-CHILD BOOKS “The Safe Child Book: A Commonsense Approach to Protecting Children and Teaching Children to Protect Themselves” by Sherryll Kerns Kraizer “The Safe Child Book” gives parents effective and nonthreatening techniques for teaching children how to protect themselves, with chapters on abuse, bullying, staying safe online and choosing child-care providers.

“Out of Harm’s Way: A Parent’s Guide to Protecting Young Children from Sexual Abuse” by Sandy K. Wurtele This 30-page booklet is an excellent starting point for gathering information about how to prevent child sexual abuse.

“Off Limits: A Parent’s Guide to Keeping Kids Safe from Sexual Abuse” by Sandy K. Wurtele and Feather Berkower This title presents 32 safety tips for how parents, communities and children themselves can prevent child sexual abuse.

“Trauma-Proofing Your Kids: A Parents’ Guide for Instilling Confidence, Joy and Resilience”

by Peter A. Levine and Maggie Kline This guide explores how to build resiliency in children and how to restore it in children who have suffered a traumatic experience.

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When you stay, you give. parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 37

Discover fun things to do in Redmond this summer!

Parks and Trails

Boasting 47 parks, 1,351 acres of land and 59 miles of public trails, Redmond is a beautiful place to explore.

Summer Camps

Join us for one or more of our many summer camp options! redmond.gov/Register

Pop Up Play Days July 17, 31, August 14, Downtown Park Enjoy family-friendly games, jumbo legos, activities and fun in the park.

Big Truck Day August 21, Farrel-McWhirter Park Notice of nondiscrimination is available at redmond.gov/TitleVI. ҁ᲌ٞ‫ڢ‬ӕЩϬө‫ڑ‬ϢԮ֬redmond.gov/TitleVI ϾߑႯ El aviso contra la discriminación está disponible en redmond. gov/TitleVI.

Get up close and personal with trucks, tractors, construction equipment, and other unique vehicles. (Registration and fee required).

Derby Days 80th Anniversary Special July 10-11 Redmond Municipal Campus

So Bazaar Hindsight August 13 & 20 Downtown Park

Rockin’ on the River Outdoor Concerts July 17, 24, 31, August 6

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Hands-On Exhibits Special Events

Memberships Parties & Field Trips

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40 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

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family media

3 Steps to Improving the Quality of Your Kid’s Screen Time

By Michelle Acaley

I

n a matter of weeks, my 5-yearold daughter went from having no experience with video calls to becoming our family’s go-to expert.

The other day, I overheard her explaining to her teacher, “You have to mute everybody to make the echo stop.” I’m impressed but not surprised.

We’re quickly adapting to this new normal.

Working remotely, we’re continuing to fulfill our job functions while leaning on technology to jump over any hurdles. As parents, we’re trying to do the same for our kids, helping them retain as much of their pre-pandemic normalcy as possible while they continue to grow. It’s not an easy task, and I’ll admit that what’s helped us the most during this time are digital devices. Screens are my two daughters’ best friends right now.

At first, this realization worried me. A recent study in the U.K. found that children using screens for more than seven hours a day are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression than kids whose

daily screen time is five hours or less. Can we even keep track of our kids’ screen time anymore? I’m not the only one with these kinds of anxious thoughts. Recent research conducted by the Pew Research Center shows that two-thirds of parents are concerned about their teens’ screen time — and this was before COVID-19. Now, we’re playing a different game entirely. As we think about screen time as it relates to parenting during the quarantine, it’s time we reconsider our approach.

The most important thing for your kid right now is that their current day-to-day routine resembles their pre-pandemic routine — as much as it can, anyway. To keep business as usual, working parents should adapt their parenting style and use screens more. I don’t mean let your kids binge-watch shows and play Fortnite all day. But the amount of screen time isn’t necessarily a problem; it’s the kind of screen time that matters most. If you’re ensuring that screen time is active, you’ll be able to worry less about your child’s screen time and focus more

on working from home — and crushing it.

Here’s how to get started: 1. Focus on results.

Since the quarantine began, Sunday nights are for lesson planning. I go through the emails my daughters get from their teachers, I look for activity ideas on social media, and I use an online document to block out my daughters’ schedules. Setting up a structure like this helps my husband and me keep the kids engaged and entertained while we’re busy at work. It also prevents us from needing to hunt YouTube channels for a link while chaos breaks out behind us. Every event on the kids’ calendars should have a tangible outcome, and if it doesn’t, the activity gets nixed.

To keep your kid busy throughout the day, I recommend making a schedule like this.

Before every activity, you should define the expected outcome of your kid’s screen usage.

Ask yourself: What do I want my child to

parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 41

family media 3 Steps to Improving the Quality of Your Kid’s Screen Time continued from page 41 gain from this screen time? Whether it is video-calling a classmate to socialize with them or watching YouTube to learn a new skill, active screen time results in something gained. If there’s no outcome — think infinite scrolling on Instagram — then it’s very likely passive screen time. In which case, you should avoid it.

Doing this will help you rest — or rather, work — easy, knowing your kid is benefiting from active screen time.

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2. Experiment with new flavors.

Once you’ve found an active screen-time activity that your kid is passionate about, you may feel like you’ve cracked the case. For example, I’m convinced that my daughter will be the next Frida Kahlo, given how much time she’s spending with her favorite drawing app.

While I’m loving the results, we’re making efforts to balance her screen time across other academic disciplines, such as science, technology and mathematics.

As parents, we should constantly bring new activities that encourage our children to develop new skills.

Here are some of my recent favorites: l Strategy games like Minecraft

wMake sure that your kid is in the driver’s seat. If they’re only watching the game, then that is passive screen time, unless they’re learning how to do something new in the game. l Online tutorials like cooking or dance classes

wAfter your kid watches a video, encourage them to get up and put what they saw into practice! This helps them retain that knowledge better. l Computer programming

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42 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

wThere are plenty of ways for kids to learn how to code these days, from online classes to playing games that use robots, so experiment with different methods until you find the one that works best.

My daughter may be an artist when she’s older; she might also be a programmer. Regardless of the path she chooses, she’s developing the skills needed for both.

3. Make it physical and fun.

Make sure your kids’ screen time isn’t just active, but physical, too. If your kid begins developing a sedentary lifestyle during the quarantine, that’s a habit that’s hard to break. To avoid the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle for kids, moms can merge active screen time with hands-on play and reap the benefits of both. For every two sessions involving active screen time without physical movement, include a session that gets your kid up and moving.

That means my daughters are practicing yoga while I’m in a Using screens is the only meeting. Or it means we’re creating a silly way that working parents dance and uploading it can maintain pre-pandemic to TikTok before lunch. normalcy in their kids’ lives, These kinds of activities help my daughters and that’s totally all right. think outside the box, stay active and have fun while flexing their minds.

That’s what play-based learning is in a nutshell. Play-based learning is all about using educational activities to encourage your kids to explore their imagination. Screens can facilitate their creative expression and should be used whenever appropriate.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org) recommends limiting kids’ screen time to one hour every day for kids ages 2–5. In the new normal, forget about it. Using screens is the only way that working parents can maintain pre-pandemic normalcy in their kids’ lives, and that’s totally all right.

Of course, we already know what happens when we let our kids watch television all day: They become zombies. But when we provide them with the right kind of screen time — active screen time — there’s a different outcome, and it’s so much fun to watch!

Whenever I make screen time active and my kids are chatting with their peers or learning a new skill from an online tool, they’re just as engaged as if the person on the other screen were there in the same room. Kids are already adjusting to learning virtually, so for them, there’s nothing new under the sun. It’s just a different way of doing things. ■

Visit Hibulb Cultural Center online for videos, stories and more learning opportunities that introduce you to the people of the Tulalip Tribes.

Michelle Acaley is the senior director of education program management at Sphero, a leading ed tech company dedicated to inspiring the creators of tomorrow using STEAM-based educational tools. parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 43

Land some

quality

time

The yummiest blueberries ever!

Here’s what you’ll find: • Plenty of THE BEST certified organic blueberries • No crowds • Your own patch of blueberry heaven Our membership format makes our fantastic healthy blues more accessible to our members and fosters a relxed picking atmosphere.

U-Pick Organic Blueberries by Membership 3-4 week season starting July-ish Join now and don’t miss a minute!

All details at bluedogfarm.com

Grab a rod, reel, & your kids to fish for trout

The start of a skill that lasts a lifetime

Kids up to 14 fish free but don’t forget to buy a license for yourself!

FAS20_blue_dog_farm_1-4.indd 1

5/27/20 10:27 A

FREE

SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS AND TEENS!

Bring healthy food home together Visit wdfw.wa.gov for info on stocked lakes across the state 44 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

Text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 or call 1-866-348-6479

parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 45

summer play 5 Fun Ideas for Breaking the Monotony of Quarantine Living Being at home during the pandemic can become monotonous as the days blend together. Shake up your routine by having a party at home with the family and doing something creative — or just different — together.

1 Host an outdoor party Getting outdoors is good for the soul, especially when you’ve been stuck inside. Watch a movie outside with a DIY silver screen; check out our outdoor movie ideas at parentmap.com/movie-in.

Sick of screen time? Burn up kid energy by playing some oldfashioned outdoor games (parentmap.com/party-games) as a fam. Make any dice game hugely fun by playing it outside with giant wooden dice.

Or get the wiggles out playing Mini Frisbee.

Top off the night by relaxing around a campfire with s’mores. Check out Life Is a Party’s great idea for a s’mores charcuterie board (lifeisaparty.ca). Or try making Nutmeg Nanny’s s’mores popcorn (nutmegnanny.com) or the s’mores snack mix from Like Mother, Like Daughter (lmld.org).

2 Plan an outstanding family game night Host an epic family game night, complete with fun snacks, great games and a trophy.

First, choose board games based on your kids’ ages and interests (parentmap.com/board-games). Then, to add a little more excitement, create your own trophy, like the impressive one featured on the I Don’t Have Time for That blog (idonthavetimeforthat.com).

If you really don’t have time for that sort of crafting, you can, of course, purchase a trophy online. Whatever you do, be sure to take pics with the trophy to immortalize the win!

Good snacks make for even more fun. Bake a batch of dice cookies using Frugal Coupon Living’s recipe (frugalcouponliving.com). Or take a slice on personal pizzas from The BakerMama (thebakermama.com), who has lots of ideas for a create-your-own-slice pizza night.

3 Be a good sport The Olympics may have been canceled for this summer, but you can hold your own games in the great outdoors (i.e., your own back yard). Kristie, author of the blog Our Kerrazy Adventure (ourkerrazyadventure.com), shows you how to host an inexpensive, no-passport-required sporting event at home, covering everything from discus with a Frisbee to printable markers and score sheets. Create your own event lineup by consulting 46 • Family Adventure Guide • parentmap.com

ParentMap’s list of outdoor games (parentmap.com/party-games). You could even head to your neighborhood park if you need more space than you have at home.

Serve themed snacks, such as Stasty’s (stasty.com) Olympic torch cupcakes.

And, of course, don’t forget the medals (search “Olympic style medal” on Amazon.com), and be sure to take lots of photos of all the action.

4 Get your boogie on Roll up the rug and put on your dancin’ shoes for a living-room dance party! First, choose a theme. Hold a ’50s-style sock hop where everyone wears funny socks and does the hand jive; go disco with a mirror ball and dance the hustle; or gyrate to full-on rock ’n’ roll. Make sure you have a great playlist ready before you get the party started, so no one has to stop the fun to search for songs.

Motivate the kids to get up and boogie with the selection of fun dance games found on Mom Junction (momjunction.com).

When they need a break from jumping around, pull out a karaoke microphone that lights up as you sing (search “BONAOK” on Amazon.com).

All that dancing and singing will make everyone hungry and thirsty, so whip up a bunch of Scholastic’s microphone cake pops (scholastic.com) and stir up a three-ingredient sparkling strawberry lemonade using Julie’s Eats and Treats’ easy recipe (julieseatsandtreats.com).

5 Play in the dark Older kids who aren’t super excited about backyard games might just be up for games that are played outside in the dark. Grab a few flashlights or headlamps and head outside to play one or more of the games suggested by Happy Mothering (happy-mothering.com). Or head over to Amazon.com to purchase an illuminated Capture the Flag set (search “Capture the Flag Redux”), a lighted kickball (search “Light Up Kickball”) or a cornhole lighting kit (search “LED Cornhole Board”).

Any game is more exciting in the dark. When everyone has worn themselves out, turn off the flashlights and take a rest by gazing at the stars. ■ Tiffany Doerr Guerzon is a freelance writer, the mother of three children and the author of “Save Money on Groceries by Going Back to Basics.”

parentmap.com

advertisers Anacortes Chamber of Commerce.....................................18

Summer 2020 will go down in history as the “Year of the Backyard Oasis”!

Argosy Cruises..............................11 Big EQ Farm ..................................21 Blue Dog Farm..............................44

Find dozens of ideas for safe fun under the summer sun at

parentmap.com

CareWorks.....................................25 WHAT KATIE ATE

Fire up the ol’ grill!

There’s nothing like a burger fresh off the flames. Whether you like classic beef, a salmon patty or a vegetarian option, mouthwatering flavors abound in our roundup of the 12 best backyard burger recipes for summer. parentmap.com/burgers

Create your own home water park Kiddie pools are so 20th century. We’ve got eight cool DIY ideas for creating your own water world, from sprinklers and ice excavations to refreshing ideas for water guns, super sponge balls and more. The best part? Admission is free! parentmap.com/waterpark

You’re playgrounded!

Turn your back yard into the ultimate personal family “playborhood” with affordable outdoor toys that will keep the kids entertained all summer, from giant bubbles and kickball croquet to spectacular swings, a seesaw for all seasons and more. parentmap.com/playgrounded

Let obstacles get in your way It’s going to be a summer of ins and outs.

Keep your crew active and entertained with unique indoor and outdoor challenges for little ninja warriors of all ages. parentmap.com/obstacle

Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture..........................21 Children’s Museum of Skagit County............................................40 City of Redmond - Parks and Rec and Events....................... 38, 39 Crossroads Shopping Center....45 Delta Dental............................ 13, 42 Gates Foundation Visitor Center.........................................7, 27 Hibulb Cultural Center................43 K12 Child Nutrition......................44 Kids Co............................................19

Make some beat-the-heat treats

Kids Klub Child Development Centers...........................................29

Dessert, anyone? No need to don the mask for the ice cream truck when you’ve got homemade summer treats already chillin’ in the freezer. parentmap.com/summer-treats

Lacey Parks & Recreation Dept.26

Make art with abandon

Pierce County Fair........................24

Have your kids take their art outside, where cleanup is as simple as turning on your garden hose. Take your pick of eight of the messiest art projects we could find. parentmap.com/messy-art

King County Library System.........4 Natural Dentistry Group.............33 Nobel Learning.............................36.

Pierce County Library System...17 Sammamish Montessori School.............................................29 Seattle Mind Counseling.............24 Seattle Voice Academy................21 Semiahmoo Resort......................30

The adventure continues …

Sleeping Lady................................37

While the rest of the world makes New Year’s resolutions, Northwest families make summer resolutions. Snag a copy of “52 Adventures With Kids” and the sun will never go down on another boring day again. parentmap.com/52adventures

Stanfords Restaurant .................48 State of Washington Department of Commerce................................25 Tacoma Nature Center........ 17, 27 The Samis Foundation................34 Tillamook Coast / Rockaway Beach............................................2, 3 Traxx Indoor Raceway.................26 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife....................................44

parentmap.com • Family Adventure Guide • 47