Seattle's Child "Our Home is Your Home Issue" May/June 2022 by seattleschild

ROMP

Seattle tree walks

CHOMP

A taste trip through Africa

SHOP

The wonder of wood toys FREE

MAY/JUNE 2022

YOUR GUIDE TO A KID FRIENDLY CITY

our

HOME is your HOME Families help & host refugees

INSID

PAGE

Party Guide

22 R S E AT T L E SC HILD.C O M

EXPLORE EAT PLAY SHOP Enjoy a day at the

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>>Contents Seattle’sChild

May/June 2022 // Issue 493

3 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

SNOQUALMIE

KIRKLAND

RENTON

We offer a variety of options for Ages 4 to 18

LEARN TO SKATE ages 4+

LEARN TO PLAY ages 4+

WHAT PARENTS ARE TALKING ABOUT....... 5 HOW TO RAISE AN ANTIRACIST.................... 7 DAD NEXT DOOR................ 9 GUIDE TO SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES...... 11 ROMP..........................................15 CHOMP......................................17 SHOP..........................................19 TOOLBOX................................21 FEATURE OUR HOME IS YOUR HOME....................22 PARTY GUIDE.......................28 p.19

BIRTHDAY PARTIES all ages

SKATING CAMPS ages 4+

PUBLIC SKATING

HOCKEY CAMPS

PARTY GUIDE

GU ID

ages 4+

all ages

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Your guide to

vendors venues experiences + More

p.28 TTL ESC

SEA online at resources Find more

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ECT ORI

„ Find us online at seattleschild.com

www.SnoKingIceArenas.com 4

HIL D.C

May/Ju n e 20 2 2

Cover photo by JOSHUA HUSTON

Don’t miss these stories on seattleschild.com

Seattle’s Child poetry contest winners

Hey kids! Could you power your house by riding a trike?

Book review: “Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change”

»What Parents

„ Find more local news for families on seattleschild.com

Are Talking About Education, health, development and more

Linda Rabadi Fair and her two children will stay with public schools.

Why we choose to stay How one family has faced a tough education choice by L I N D A R A B A D I F A I R photo by J O S H U A H U S T O N

It has been a difficult two years for families, full of pivots caused by a pandemic that highlighted the cracks in our existing, tenuous support systems. Now we’re seeing how a lot of Seattle families decided to navigate these unprecedented times – by leaving our public school system. I understand this choice. I contemplated it myself. In so many ways, my family was secure

throughout the pandemic. My husband and I both kept our jobs, our kids were good students without special needs. We had housing and internet connection. We were able to follow the instructions to implement remote schooling. And yet, it was hard — very, very, very hard. Our lives had an underlying tone of suspended animation. One thousand small frustrations took so much joy from our everyday life. Comforting sad and exhausted children who couldn’t handle one more asynchronous lesson. Countless schedule consults. Working early in the morning and very

late at night to advance projects that were paused during school hours. The isolation and burnout and, eventually, the loss of hope that school would ever return to in-person. Because for many months, it didn’t feel like we were going back. The school board showed no sense of urgency. The teachers union opposed returning to classrooms, even after vaccines were available. The district seemed only to focus on improving virtual school. No local government official was pushing to return kids to classrooms. Meanwhile, private schools were in-person or CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

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Seattle’sChild May/June 2022 // Issue 493

“Seattle is my town. I know this city inside and out… or so I thought until I had kids.” Seattle’s Child is your guide to getting to know your city all over again. Finding things to do, places to eat, and how to get around — it’s a whole new ballgame with kids in tow. We’re interested in how parents make homes in a space-challenged urban environment, how families create community, and what parents are really talking about. Seattle’s Child reflects real Washington families and their broad range of parenting experiences. ANN BERGMAN Publisher, Founder abergman@seattleschild.com JASMIN THANKACHEN Associate Publisher jasmin@seattleschild.com KATHRYN HOLLOWAY Art Director CHERYL MURFIN Managing Editor cheryl@seattleschild.com JULIE HANSON Website Editor and Copy Editor jhanson@seattleschild.com ROSE WILLIAMSON Proofer JOSHUA HUSTON Photographer JEFF LEE, MD DR. SUSANNA BLOCK Columnist KATIE ANTHONY HALLIE GOLDEN BRETT HAMIL LINDA RABADI FAIR LAURA MURRAY JASMIN THANKACHEN CORINNE WHITING Contributors ADVERTISING AMBER ELBON Ad Production Manager amber@seattleschild.com JULANN HILL Senior Account Manager julann@seattleschild.com 206-724-2453

Seattle’sChild Seattle’s Child has provided useful information to parents since 1979. In addition to our magazine, look for our special themed publications — FamilyPages, School and SummerTime — distributed free throughout the Puget Sound area. Seattle’s Child is published every other month.

ONLINE seattleschild.com Facebook facebook.com/seattleschild Twitter @SeaChildMag Instagram @seattleschildmag MAIL c/o Postal Plus 1211 E. Denny Way, Seattle, WA 98112 VOICE 206-441-0191 TO ADVERTISE advertise@seattleschild.com MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION distribution@seattleschild.com STORY IDEAS editor@seattleschild.com CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS calendar@seattleschild.com Deadline is first of the month, one month prior to publication. Include date, time, cost, appropriate ages, address, contact information and description.

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May/Ju ne 2 0 22

«What Parents Are Talking About CONTINUED

soon returning to it. The Seattle Seahawks played to packed stadiums and bars and gyms were open. I could take my kids to an arcade, but not to a classroom. It quickly felt like a case of the haves versus the have-nots, and I was angry. District data shows I was not alone in that anger. Families with financial means were enrolling in private schools. Those unable to spend $25,000+ per child per year on private school were moving to places with re-opened schools and more affordable living. Families with the privilege of time were independently homeschooling. I contemplated each of these options at great length. Ultimately, my family decided to stay with public schools. After many family discussions, we realized we simply didn’t want to give up on our beloved public elementary school and school community. We cherished our teachers, who had gone above and beyond in making virtual school as positive as possible. Leaving those relationships would be another loss in a time that was full of losses for children. And, above all else, we believed in the importance and power of public education. My own parents moved to the U.S. just a few years before I was born. They learned English alongside my older siblings through their local elementary school and today my siblings and I all have advanced degrees. This is what public education can do – transform lives. But if families with the ability to volunteer, resources to donate and language skills to advocate all left our school system, what would happen? After months of critical conversations about equity, our local public school system was taking part in the largest educational

inequity of our time – requiring public school students to remain in the subpar virtual learning environment, while students who could afford private school were going back to in-person learning. If we truly believed that all kids deserve the same opportunities, could we just leave a system that was specifically designed to help level the playing field and provide a great education for all kids, regardless of their background? So, instead of leaving, we spoke up. It was a hard thing to do at the time as parents in public forums were quick to judge others who vocalized the need to return to in-person learning. Still, parents across the city used their voices to advocate for a return to classrooms. It was a joyous day to see our kids in the classrooms after so many months at home. Hearing my kids excitedly share their school stories made the advocacy emails and phone calls and Seattle Public Schools board meetings worth it. Today, more than 24 months after the first COVID-19 lockdown, it is clear that kids did not fare well in the virtual environment. It will take time to make up for learning loss and negative impacts to youth mental health. Public school enrollment losses will mean budget cuts and reduction in service. No one knows how that translates to next school year. We need to continue advocating at both state and local levels to ensure that all kids get the education they deserve. That is now more important than ever. In the months ahead, my family and the broader education arena in our region will continue to see how this plays out. But today, as we walk to school and join the school community that cares about us, we are very glad we stayed. ABOUT THE WRITER

Linda Rabadi Fair is Director of Individual Giving for Seattle Art Museum. She lives with her family in Seattle.

haʔɬ adsɬčil welcome

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi to Speak at Seattle’s Town Hall in June by C H E R Y L M U R F I N

How do you raise a human to be antiracist in a world full of racism? Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s new book “How to Raise an Antiracist” is a powerful place to start. It will hit bookstore shelves June 14. Dr. Kendi will speak on the topic at 7:30 p.m. on June 23rd at Town Hall Seattle. (Seattle’s Child is proud to be the media sponsor of this event.) Part memoir, all parenting guide, Kendi’s newest book takes many thoughts and approaches outlined in the author’s best-selling 2019 book “How to be an Antiracist’’ as well as new insights gained from his own parenting experiences and lays them out as a set of tools for parents and caregivers determined to end racism in the next generation. The book offers an antiracist action plan for raising kids who understand and refuse to perpetuate the institutions, systems and policies that preserve and advance racism. One of the key tools? Talking to kids about race. Far more than undoing racism, Kendi stresses that teaching kids to be “colorblind” leads to their denying it exists. As he has said in other forums, Kendi believes denial is the heartbeat of racism. He advises caregivers to listen to children’s feelings about race without judgment or hostility — and to use questions that engage critical thinking in frequent discussions about race. For example, a caregiver might ask “Why do you think there are so few people of

color in this neighborhood?” Such discussions, Kendi suggests, should start in early childhood. In each chapter Kendi tackles a different aspect of racism, offering his own experiences from childhood to parenthood as illustration. He goes on to reframe those experiences to support a groundwork for change laid out in previous works: “Racism is a powerful collection of racist policies that lead to racial inequity and are substantiated by racist ideas,” Kendi has written. “Antiracism is a powerful collection of antiracist policies that lead to racial equity and are substantiated by antiracist ideas.” Dr. Kendi teaches at Boston University and is the founding director of the university’s Center for Antiracist Research. He’s the author of several highly acclaimed books including the National Book Award-winning “Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America,” “How to Be an Antiracist,” “Antiracist Baby” (a board book), and “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You”, co-authored by Jason Reynolds.

Discover the

history and culture

of the Tulalip Tribes HibulbCulturalCenter.org 6410 23rd Ave NE Tulalip, WA 98271 360-716-2600

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi “How to Raise an AntiRacist” Sponsored by Seattle's Child 3June 23, 7:30 pm in the Great Hall and Town Hall Seattle. 3Tickets go on sale on April 27. 3Learn more at townhallseattle.org/ event/dr-ibram-x-kendi/

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C E G The water makes

Your Friend with

for great memories

a Boat

H HI

Beat the summer rush and scan to book your cruise! ©Cindy Richey Photography (left, middle)

Choose your start time, then stay and play! Find out about classes, family events and summer camps on our website!

Curiosity CORNER Help the climber make it to the cloud basket!*

The Climber at KidsQuest Children’s Museum

Love of learning starts here. kidsquestmuseum.org *FOR AN EXTRA CHALLENGE... 8

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May/Ju n e 20 2 2

TRY SOLVING WITH YOUR EYES INSTEAD OF A PENCIL!

Keep on playing!

„ Read all of Jeff Lee’s columns on seattleschild.com

»DadNextDoor

A little encouragement from across the fence by J E F F L E E , M D

EXPLORE YOUR WATERFRONT

Pants on Fire As kids get older, they don’t stop fibbing; but then neither do we. Once, when we were out camping, I was tidying up our campsite when I noticed that one of our spare tent cords, used as an extra tether when there’s a stiff wind, had been neatly cut into four pieces, tied in a knot, and left lying in the dirt. The intent wasn’t clear, but the likely culprit was. I found Pippa, who was five at the time, and told her we needed to talk. I led her away from the rest of our group to have our conversation. My intent was to keep from shaming her in public, but I think the walk only made her more apprehensive. I’m not sure if she knew what I wanted to talk about, but she could tell it wasn’t good. I showed her the pieces of cord. “What do you know about these?” It took a few seconds for her to recognize them, then her gaze dropped to her feet. “Nothing,” she said, nearly inaudible. “Are you sure?” I asked. “It’s a rope we use to tie down the tent and keep it safe in a storm. Someone cut it to pieces. Did you do that?” She shook her head. At this point, I let the silence hang over us for a while, figuring she’d fess up if I gave her some time, but she just stood there. After a minute, I tried a different approach. “You know, I’m not mad. Whoever

cut it up probably didn’t know what it was for. I just want to solve the mystery. And I want to make sure they know not to do anything else to our camping gear unless they ask first.” By now, the weight of her guilt was pressing down on her shoulders — you could see her getting smaller. Tears welled up in her eyes and she started to sniffle and tremble, but still, she said nothing. I had started this convinced that I was about to teach her an important life lesson about accepting responsibility and telling the truth, but now we were stuck. She was backed into a corner, trapped between her guilt and her pride. In the end, I cracked first. “Okay,” I said. “If you figure out who did it, let them know they made a mistake, and tell them to ask first, next time. Would you do that for me?” She nodded, and the tears started to flow in earnest. I gave her a big hug, and we walked back to our campsite together. As often happens in parenting, I ended up with more questions than answers. Did I let her get away with telling a lie? I guess so. But did she really get away with it? She certainly felt bad about what she did. Did I want her to feel bad? Was I making too big a deal about a spare piece of string? Or was there some kind of principle at stake? Did I manage to make my

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DINOFEST

«DadNextDoor CONTINUED

SUNDAY, JUNE 5 Burke Museum

Advance tickets required: burkemuseum.org/dinofest

point without shaming her, or did I shame her anyway? Did I really make my point at all? What was my point, anyway? I learned with my two older kids that none of this gets easier with time. As they get older, they don’t stop fibbing, they just get good at it. The smarter they are, the better they are at lying, and the less likely they are to admit it, even if they’re caught red-handed. Sometimes, when I need a little perspective, I remember all the times I lied to my own parents. Of course, I never thought of it as lying, exactly. I was stretching the truth. I was failing to mention things. I was protecting my privacy. I was gaming the system. Or maybe I just didn’t want to hear their lecture. And what about now? In anonymous surveys, adults admit to lying an average of once or twice a day. I’d say I’m right in that range. Sure, they’re mostly lies of convenience, or politeness, or to spare someone’s feelings. Harmless . . . at least if you ask me. I don’t want to be a moral nihilist here. Honesty is a real virtue, and lies come in all shapes and sizes — some big enough to do a lot of harm. But before I get too high and mighty with my kids about their complicated dance with the truth, I should probably take a good, hard look at my own.

Your guide to a kidfriendly city

delivererd to you inbox ABOUT OUR COLUMNIST

Jeff Lee lives and writes in Seattle, WA. Or does he?

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SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES IN THE PUGET SOUND AREA

SUMMER CAMPS & CLASSES

»Summer

CHECK OUT THESE SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES AROUND THE PUGET SOUND

ial Spec sing rti Adve tion e S c

SUMMER CAMPS & CLASSES American Dance Institute Ages 5-19 8001 Greenwood Ave. N, Seattle 98103 206-783-0755 adiseattle@americandanceinstitute.com americandanceinstitute.com

Week-long camps include half- and full-day offerings – Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern Dance, Hip-Hop, Flamenco and Irish Dance – at four convenient locations in Greenwood, Magnolia, Shoreline and Wedgwood.

The Evergreen School Ages 3-14, Grades PS-9 15201 Meridian Ave. N, Shoreline 98133 206-957-1594 summerprogram@evergreenschool.org evergreenschool.org/summer-program/overview

Our program helps students embrace the natural environment, fosters artistic abilities and provides many opportunities for healthy recreation and socialization. We offer sports camps, fine arts classes, performing arts classes, outdoor recreation, day camps and more! Our class/camp sizes remain small and offer personal attention and greater focus on student health and safety. Join us this summer!

Gage Academy of Art Online and In-Person Ages 6-18

1501 10th Ave. E, #101, Seattle 98105 206-323-4243, info@gageacademy.org gageacademy.org

S H U TTE RSTOCK

FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE

At Gage Academy of Art, we strive to ensure children and teens have a fun, safe and creative learning environment to help them make the most of their summer. With our roster of top-notch youth instructors, we offer both in-person and online camps to fit your family’s needs. From traditional painting and drawing to digital storytelling and character creation, your child will have the opportunity to thrive in a Gage summer camp!

Girls Rock Math Grades 1-6 606 Maynard Ave. S, #102, Seattle 98104 206-408-8078, camp@girlsrockmathematics.com girlsrockmathematics.com FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE

Girls Rock Math is an arts-based math camp focused on empowering girls in STEAM subjects. Our hands-on themes capture the imagination, ignite deeper mathematical thinking and help campers feel confident in their capabilities. As part of a community where “Girl Power” rules, our campers develop leadership skills, make friends, take on challenges and learn together in a meaningful way. In addition to camps for grades 1 to 6, Girls Rock Math offers a Leadership Program for grades 7 to 12.

Hugo House Summer Scribes Camps Grades 5-12 1634 11th Ave. Seattle 98122 206-322-7030, welcome@hugohouse.org hugohouse.org/youth-programs/youth/

Scribes Summer Camps at Hugo House provide young writers the opportunity to participate in week-long, all- or half-day workshops. Writers focus on, dig deep into and nurture their “inner writers”. With online and in-person camps exploring creative writing, graphic novels and comics, screenwriting, poetry and more, Hugo House has the perfect camp for every young writer out there!

Little Medical School Seattle Ages 4-16 Locations in Redmond, Bellevue and Sammamish 650-450-0067, seattle@littlemedicalschool.com littlemedicalschool.com/seattle

Inspiring Health Awareness! Little Medical School® Seattle brings medicine, science, and the importance of health to children in an entertaining, exciting, and fun way. Our programs aim to inspire children to aspire for careers in healthcare through demonstrations, crafts, and games, kids

S p e c ia l Adve r t is ing S e c t io n

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Preschool—8th grade Learning & Enrichment Outdoor Education Performing Arts Fine Arts Sports Day Camps

summertime fun!

SUMMER CAMPS & CLASSES

June 20 – August 12

Find registration information online:

www.evergreenschool.org

SeattlesChild_2-16 Villa Ventures.pdf

2/16/22

4:44 PM

carpentry • gardening • coding • dance • survival skills • cooking • forest games • and more!

Mer Camps at Villa Aca dem 2 Sum y 202

YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS

In partnership with

registrationst opens February 21

CMY

Summer@thevilla.org

thevilla.org/summer 12

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S peci a l Adverti si n g S ecti o n

With our roster of top-notch youth instructors, we offer both in-person and online camps to fit your family’s needs. From traditional painting and drawing to digital storytelling and character creation, your child will have the opportunity to thrive in a Gage Summer Camp!

learn how the body and organs work, how to use instruments that real doctors use, and even tie knots like a real surgeon. Sign up today for this unique STEM educational experience!

Morningside Academy

SUMMER CAMPS & CLASSES

Summer School Grades 2-9

901 Lenora St., Seattle 98121 206-709-9500, info@morningsideacademy.org morningsideacademy.org

Morningside Academy’s internationally acclaimed program allows students to catch up, build up and get ahead. Our research-based curriculum and highly trained teachers lead to exceptional gains. We offer a 1:12 teacher/student ratio and daily report cards, and place students by skill level instead of by age or grade. We teach reasoning, problem solving, learning skills and organizational skills. Academics focus on foundation skills. Content classes and project-based learning are introduced as students advance through the program.

Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center Ages 7-11 10819 Carnation-Duvall Road NE, Carnation 98014 425-788-1134, education@oxbow.org oxbow.org/education/summercamp FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE

A summer outdoors – playing, laughing, learning and getting messy – can motivate kids to engage with their environment in new ways, unplug from technology and connect with nature. Oxbow Summer Farm Camp offers creative ways to explore environmental connections through engaging educational activities and child-led creative play on a real-life farm!

play. inspire. EMPOWER. A STEM based curriculum to encourage and brighten little minds in Seattle.

Inspiring Health Awareness

littlemedicalschool.com/seattle

RSM Grades K-12 Locations in Bellevue, Factoria, Redmond 425-616-3511, bellevue@russianschool.com redmond@russianschool.com, factoria@russianschool.com russianschool.com

RSM is an award-winning, after-school math program. Recently named “among the top schools in the world” by the Johns Hopkins CTY, we help children of all levels excel in mathematics. At RSM, we believe all children are capable of developing a solid foundation in math, if taught correctly. Math empowers the mind for independent thought. Whether it’s excelling on a test, getting into a top university or succeeding in any career, math is what gets you there.

Summer Camp Smiles

Samena Swim & Recreation Club Ages 3-16 15231 Lake Hills Blvd., Bellevue 98007 425-746-1160, info@samena.com samena.com

Kids stay active and engaged all summer long at Samena camps, including Preschool Camp, Swim & Tennis Camp, Vanapalooza, Field Trips, Junior Counselors, Junior Lifeguard Camp, Swimming Every Day and much more!

Villa Ventures Summer Camp Ages 4-14

'Great Ballet Stories' Summer camp participants

5001 NE 50th St., Seattle 98105 206-524-8885, ehodgson@thevilla.org thevilla.org/summer

Villa Ventures Summer Camps offers high-quality, engaging outdoor and indoor camps designed for curious and creative minds. Explore our 31-acre campus featuring forests and gardens, a state-of-the-art athletic field and a historic school building with art studios and science labs. There are activities for everyone – carpentry, coding, forest games and more!

Studiosin:Greenwood, Wedgwood,Magnolia,Shoreline S p e c ia l Adve r t is ing S e c t io n

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SUMMER CAMPS & CLASSES

Morningside Academy SUMMER SCHOOL

Foundation Grades 2-8

Middle School Grades 6-9

206.709.9500 901 Lenora St, Seattle www.morningsideacademy.org

ADVANCE IN MATH this Summer RSM is an award-winning, afterschool math enrichment program. We use the rigorous study of mathematics as a vehicle to develop our students’ math fluency, intellect, and character, empowering

In-person and Online Courses are Available

them for life. Students can choose from a variety of K-12 courses

Summer Classes Now Enrolling!

that will be taught during our 6 week summer session.

June 27th – August 5th 3 Locations in WA MathSchool.com

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Bellevue

(425) 518-6114

S peci a l Adverti si n g S ecti o n

Factoria

(425) 230-6452

Redmond

(425) 616-3511

„ Subscribe to the Romp newsletter seattleschild.com/newsletter

Right under your nose!

Take the stairs! Walk up and down, zig-zag back and forth, step up and over and down and under. Seattle is home to more than 650 public stairways, all ready to be explored, some leading to magical places, others little-known passages between city streets in quiet neighborhoods. Take a heart-pumping walk and climb to promote whole family exercise – not to mention a good night’s sleep for kids and parents. Check out stairway walks on the Seattle’s Child website. — Jasmin Thankachen

3seattleschild.com/5-seattle-stair-walks-that-are-funand-worth-the-work-with-kids

»Romp Things to do with kids

5 things to do

5 Boats You’ll Want to Float 1 Zip on over to Vashon Island or West Seattle aboard the King County Water Taxi at Pier 50 on the Seattle Waterfront. At $5.75 per ride (free for kids 5 and under), it’s an inexpensive way to sail away. kingcounty.gov/depts/ transportation/watertaxi/west-seattle.aspx

2 Wanna wow the young boat lover in your family? Visit the massive cruise ships that dock at Smith Cove and Pier 66 at Bell Harbor throughout the summer. Challenge: How many windows can you count?

3 Cool off with ice cream and other treats on the Seattle Water Tours Ice cream Sail. You’re certain to feel the breeze on this 45-minute trip around Lake Union. Bonus: Pups are welcome aboard and frozen treats are available for them too! seattlewatertours.com/ ice-cream-cruises

STA I RWAY: COU RTE SY OF @ SE N SA P L AYRE N TA L S BOATS : COU RTE SY O F TH E CE N TE R FOR WOO DE N BOATS

The O’Neill family takes a self-guided tree walk through Ravenna.

Seattle tree walks Birds, bugs and history galore by L A U R A M U R R A Y / photo by J O S H U A H U S T O N

From winter hibernation to spring blossoms and fall foliage, trees in Seattle are fascinating to watch, season after season. They bring shade and fresh air and they beautify city parks and busy streets. The city’s Trees for Seattle program helps educate and

engage the community in tree stewardship and appreciation by offering a series of self-guided “tree walks” all over the city. Many are family-friendly, including a stroll in Ravenna that’s all about trees and birds. Other tree walks offered by the program include a scavenger hunt for trees at the zoo and a

pairing of trees with art at the Olympic Sculpture Park. Other walks highlight the history of unique trees and some integrate play areas along the way. Trees for Seattle offers easyto-follow directions with maps on both their app and website. We used the app (find it at seattle.gov/trees/get-involved/treewalks) to enjoy the colorful and stroller-friendly Ravenna Tree CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

Row, row, row your... peapod? The Center for Wooden Boats offers families the opportunity to cruise around in a wooden boat (called a peapod) on Lake Union for an hour, at no cost. Spots fill fast. Great for beginners. cwb.org/free-programs

5 Get ready for some swashbuckling adventure aboard the Emerald City Pirates Family Treasure Cruise. Arrrr matey! emeraldcitypirates.com/ family-treasure-cruise/ — Jasmin Thankachen

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«Romp CONTINUED

Walk with Birds. Here’s where we went and what we found along the way: Firs, feathers and fun Within a few flat blocks in this North Seattle neighborhood it became clear how the variety of spectacular trees growing here support abundant bird life — the trees provide everything from refuge and nesting to food for the finely feathered. The Giant Sequoia (stop 1 on the app tour) is indeed giant at 50 feet and is a favorite of chickadees, sparrows and finches. It’s also one of seven trees on the tour that produces what amounts to a buffet for birds: that is, seed-filled cones. More wildlife to be found Continuing on the tour, we came to the Strawberry Tree (located at stop 4). During the fall it bears bright red and orange fruits that the app tells us taste like figs. Later on the walk we passed by a Black Locust (stop 7), Pacific Madrone (stop 18) and Mountain Ash (stop 21), each of which offers berry-like fruits at different times of the year for jays, robins and cedar waxwings.

We strolled past a Northern Red Oak (stop 14), a favorite of the red-breasted nuthatch, and a row of Shumard Oaks (stop 15). These oaks provide not only meaty acorns but a perfect place for birds to roost. In addition, many of these trees attract a bounty of insects such as wood-boring beetle larvae and tree-dwelling caterpillars. Insects are, in turn, a primary food for birds. Silk and paper Throughout the tour, we discovered numerous other interesting tree varieties. We stopped at a Mimosa “Silk Tree” (stop 3) and a Northern Catalpa (stop 11) whose vibrant summer flowers entice hummingbirds, the only bird in the world that can fly backwards. We also learned about a Weeping Birch (stop 9), a Paper Birch (stop 10), a Pacific Madrone (stop 18) and a Paperbark Maple (stop 22) with their mesmerizing peeling barks. Legends in these leaves Trees mean different things to different cultures. When we arrived at the Western Red Cedar (stop 5), the app offered a fascinating Salish story about this mighty evergreen. Known as the “tree of life” due to its many uses to Indigenous people. The legend proffered by the app states that the

Heritage Trees Throughout Seattle, the city recognizes certain trees for their unique qualities, including size, age and cultural or historical significance. Several Trees for Seattle walks include such “heritage trees.” Check out the Heritage Tree Tour on the Trees for Seattle app. Curious to see if there’s a heritage tree near you? Explore the city’s Seattle Tree Inventory map. Find it at seattle.gov; search “Heritage tree program.”

Great Spirit would turn a generous man into a Western Red Cedar to honor him for all he had done. Another Indigenous legend, while not stated in the app, is wellknown about the Douglas Fir (stop 13). This one tells the tale of the fir’s fire-resistant trunk offering refuge to mice escaping a forest fire. By looking closely, you can spot tiny “mouse tails” peeking out of the tree’s cones. Our walk ended at a Katsura Tree (stop 23), marked by beautiful heart-shaped leaves. While birds only use this tree for perching, it does attract pollinators and can smell like cotton candy in the fall. The walk also ends near Ravenna Park playground – the perfect end for kids who didn’t get all their wiggles out along this amazing walk.

Escape from Seattle! Surrounded by towering trees, mountain views and its sparkling namesake waterway, Lake Quinault Lodge is a rustic retreat you don’t want to miss. Built in 1926 and located in the Olympic National Forest, the resort is equipped with comfortable rooms and the area is rife with family-friendly hiking and activities. Step outside for an easy walk around the lake, play horseshoe on the large lawn or rent a boat to sail the lake. End your day with a dip in an indoor heated pool. Don’t miss local attractions like nearby waterfalls, historic homesteads and the world’s largest Spruce tree. 345 S Shore Road, Quinault, WA 98575

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LODG E : COU RTE SY O F L A KE Q U I N AU LT LOD GE

Lake Quinault Lodge

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Back in Town

Summer Meals for all Kids No child should go hungry just because school is out. That’s why each summer the city of Seattle and Seattle Public Schools, like other cities and school districts in the Puget Sound region, make sure no child has to. Between the end of school in June and the end of August, Seattle’s Summer Food Service Program will provide up to 36,422 breakfasts, 113,756 lunches and 74,194 snacks to children up to 18 years old. Meals will be distributed at parks and other locations around the city. To find sites in your neighborhood, text the word “Food” to 877-877, call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1 (866) 3486479) or email the program at SFSP@seattle.gov.

»Chomp

Pot Pie Factory founder Logan Niles.

Cheap eats

Pot Pie Factory

Kid-friendly comfort food

Eating with kids

Curt Small and his daughter Olivia, 16, enjoy the rituals at Marrakesh in downtown Seattle.

P OT PI ES : COU RTE SY OF P OT P I E FACTORY

A Taste Trip Through Africa Local eateries serve up beloved dishes from the continent’s north, south, east and west regions. by C O R I N N E W H I T I N G / photos by J O S H U A H U S T O N

Finding fare from world-away Africa is easy in the Puget Sound where the East African population (currently around 40,000) is quickly expanding. In fact, about

55,000 East Africans and 78,000 immigrants from the African continent now call Washington State home. Tukwila’s Spice Bridge, a food hall operated by nonprofit

Global to Local, allows diners to connect with a tapestry of tastes in a light-filled space. The hall is colored by the poetry display “Stories of Arrival” created by refugee students from Foster High School. As part of the Food Innovation Network, this food business incubator helps south King County women of color and CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

Logan Niles began selling pot pies in January 2017 as a side gig for extra income. “I soon realized just how much people love a good pot pie,” she says. These days, Pot Pie Factory delights busy families with goods (available via delivery or West Seattle pick-up) that are fully cooked and flash frozen, making them easy to reheat. Youngsters cherish making individual selections, “that special feeling you get when you know it’s just for you — this golden little pie.” Niles’ favorite is the Thai Curry Seafood, but the Classic Chicken is the clear winner among both kids and adults. The newer breakfast pot pies are a hit, too. “We truly have become a yummy melting pot here in the United States,” Niles says. “Pot pies are a delicious way to express that vast diversity. We have so much in common and food is such a beautiful, loving way to realize that while discovering new flavors and cultures.” — Corinne Whiting

3potpiefactory.co/

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immigrants launch and develop their businesses. Currently four vendors are serving up African tastes at this location: Beef stew and chicken mayo are top kid hits at Taste of Congo, as are deep-fried beignets (mikate in Congolese) for dessert. Afella Jollof Catering focuses on Senegambian food — dishes from Senegal and Gambia that enjoy a shared culture and cuisine. Blackstar Kebab offers authentic Ghanaian food on-thego; think kebabs (chicken, beef, lamb) and vegetarian options served from a roving food truck. Kids Combo includes smaller, spiceless portions of chicken kebab with jollof rice and sweet red plantains. Further north in Seattle’s Central District, Cafe Selam (“Cafe Peace” in Amharic) prepares Ethiopian cuisine with a Middle Eastern twist in a fam-

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The CousCous Marrakesh from Marrakesh.

ily-friendly environment. Kids will especially love getting their hands on the housemade injera (spongy bread). Whereas these smaller eateries offer simple decor, others create a robust visual escape, too. At Marrakesh in downtown Seattle, diners are instantly whisked away to a Moroccan-style tent. Billowy fabric hanging from the ceiling helps create the worlds-away ambiance, as do the low-lit walls covered in red, blue and gray Moroccan rugs, goatskin poufs and lounging

couches, plus short tables with intricate wood inlay. Then there are the table rituals — like the invitation to eat your five-course meal with fingers versus utensils. The belly dancer adds even more allure. Seattle dad Curt Small found Marrakesh to be a unique parent-teen date spot, during a recent special outing with 16-year-old daughter Olivia. “It was like a short trip away from the mundanity of the weekend, a magic door leading away from the gray streets of Seattle,” Small says. It proved

a great way to introduce his daughter to another world culture, too. “The food was amazing,” Olivia says. “The waiter poured water into our hands and had us wash them before dinner and (that) made me curious about the customs in Morocco and if that is something they do [during dinner].” A Stadium High School (Tacoma) student, Olivia says that the dramatic after-dinner tea pour and belly dancer added to the evening’s “genuine and authentic” feel. She thought it was a wonderful introduction to this north African country. Both dad and daughter were impressed by the dinnertime dancer, but realized they have homework to do before visiting again. “I kind of didn’t know how to show her the support for her dance,’’ says Olivia. “I wasn’t sure if it was rude to clap or to stand up while she was dancing.” Added Curt Small, “I realized I know nothing about that tradition — something to look up later!”

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Duck Runner:

Q&A

Does your family have an end of school ritual? Cynthia LaRowe VP/chief brand officer for PEMCO and mom to 8-year-old Nico

I always get some graduation-related decorations and completely blanket the house. For the last day itself there are always cards, usually a stuffie and a lunch or some special ice cream out. Then we often take the next week off, visiting my dad in Spokane.

»Shop Lively + locally made

A classic toy trip down memory lane The first time my grandfather rolled Duckie across the floor in front of my 3-year-old feet lo those 52 years ago, I was smitten. Duckie flapped the ground with rubber feet as Grandpa quacked. For days I pushed the toy’s extended handle everywhere I went. Years later, my own kids loved Duckie just as too, almost as much as our pet cat. Such a simple toy brought decades of joy. Imagine my delight in finding Duck Runner at Seattle’s Pacific Northwest Shop. Handmade by Fall City-based Deep Forest Woodworks, the Duck Runner push toy is a throwback — and an invitation — to simple memories and simpler times.

Learn geography and practice fine motor skills with the wood continent boards from Mirus Toys.

CON TI N E TN B OAR DS : COU RTE SY OF A M Y P ORTRA I T STU DI O D U CK: COU RTE SY O F DE E P FORE ST WO ODWORKS

Things we love

— Cheryl Mufrin

The Wonder of Wood Toys Washington toymakers help turn on imagination by K A T I E A N T H O N Y

When parents reach for wooden toys, they are in fact helping their children engage in an important “work.” That is, the developmental work of play. “With flashing, plastic toys,

kids are passive observers, not active participants,” says Suba Jagannathan, mother, toymaker and the owner of Mirus Toys in Vancouver. Conversely, simple wooden toys, Suba believes, tap a child’s

Ages 2 and older $39 Duckrunner.com Available in Seattle at Pacificnorth westshop.com

imagination the way plastic, electronic toys often don’t: “Their imaginations are really awesome. If we give them the stories, they can repeat them, but if we give them the opportunity, they will make up stories, and surprise us over and over again.” A study out of Eastern Connecticut State University supports Suba’s belief; when it comes CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

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to encouraging problem-solving, creativity and positive social interactions, simpler toys are better. According to the authors of the 10-year Toys that Inspire Mindful Play and Nurture Imagination (TIMPANI) study, “A simple wooden cash register in our study inspired children to engage in lots of conversations related to buying and selling—but a plastic cash register that produced sounds when buttons were pushed mostly inspired children to just push the buttons repeatedly.” Suba, a former computational biologist, bought a used scroll saw while expecting her first child, wanting to create toys that were safe, creative and STEM-focused. She believes beautifully made wooden toys preserve the magic of childhood. Redmond toymaker Dale Thompson agrees: “If you’re going to make a wooden toy work, you’ve got to turn on your imagination,” he says. Thompson is a founding member of Wooden Toys for Charity, a group of retired craftspeople who build wooden trucks, doll beds, and block sets for non-profit organizations. “My father made a box of wooden

Washington wooden toymakers Tom’s Woodshop, Silverdale, WA

Mirus Toys, Vancouver, WA

Produces sturdy, long-lasting trucks, ferry boats, and rocking horses. 3www.tomswoodshop.me/

A team of women woodworkers builds Montessori-style toys. Bestsellers include a beehive puzzle and a beautiful perpetual calendar. 3www.mirustoys.com/

Northwest Alpine Woodworks, Marysville, WA Known for tow trucks, cranes, and train sets. 3www.etsy.com/market/nw_alpine

Manzanita Kids, Seattle, WA Custom name puzzles, teethers, and other imaginative-play toys from American hardwoods. 3www.manzanitakids.com/ blocks,” he recalls. “No fancy paint, just cut out on the saw and sanded a little on the corners. By the time they came to my kids, those blocks were worn, scratched and smooth from small hands rubbing them around on the floor.” Dale adds: “When I ask my kids what they remember about being little, they all remember that box of blocks.” In addition to being more durable than plastic toys, well-made wooden toys are often safer and more sustainable than plastic. Numerous studies have found that children can absorb harmful chemicals like phthalates, which disrupt normal hormone

Autumn Creek Custom Toy, Clear Lake, WA Heirloom-quality pretend-play toys from tool sets to kitchen items. 3www.etsy.com/shop/Autumn CreekCustomToy

development, from exposure to plastics. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, “The toy industry is the most plastic-intensive industry in the world.” Suba recommends high-quality hardwood over plywood or reclaimed wood. “Some wood is heavily treated for outside use with pesticides and other chemicals,” Suba says. Also, paint on toys that may enter a child’s mouth should be in compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act. Mirus Toys sources their wood from American-grown maple and hickory, and tests all paints to be well within the safety guidelines for toys.

Things we love

Yohana is like a dream come true. Because name a parent among us who hasn’t, at some point, wished for a personal assistant (PA)? Seattle mother of four and former University of Washington professor Yoky Matsuoka has answered that call. In March, Matsuoka launched Yohana, an app that matches parents with designated personal assistants to help them manage scaturient tasks and to-dos. How does the cost of the app measure up? The average rate for PA services is $55/hour. Yohana’s $149 subscription covers “unlimited” PA support. Via chat, the app links parents to an actual human PA ready to help them check off their lists – things like booking kids classes, scheduling appointments and more. 3yohana.com

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A P P : COU RTE SY OF YO H A N A

Yohana: A parent’s personal assistant

»ToolBox

What every parent needs to have on hand

Cultivating Resilience Meet a man who models resilience and shares his strategies for goal-setting and more

P H OTO CO U RT ESY OF KA I S E R P E RM A N E N TE

by D R . S U S A N N A B L O C K of K A I S E R P E R M A N E N T E

Resilience is on my mind these days. While there continues to be distressing international news, we are also seeing examples of great strength and resilience every day. Stress can come in many forms. It is naïve to think we can protect our kids from every stress and upsetting situation. The question is, how can we help our kids develop the tools they need to navigate the challenges life will inevitably throw their way? How can we build resilience? The way we think about stress and what we choose to do about it can affect how we are impacted. It also affects our mental, emotional and physical health. This month, I had the opportunity to talk with an outstanding young man with the fantastic mantra, “We can do hard things.” In all honesty, this is exactly what I want to hear right now. Morgan is 32 years old and was born extremely premature (at 25 weeks, while a full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks). While he has had a lifetime of health challenges, surgeries and hospitalizations, Morgan describes them as “unwanted visitors” that do not define him. His parents taught him at an early age to “control the things he can and not try to control the things he can’t.” He takes that to heart. I asked Morgan to share how he approaches stress: Set goals: Morgan is actively doing physical therapy and occupational therapy because his goal is to have a more independent lifestyle. That’s not just about physical strength: Setting goals can help give you the vision, mettle and strength to keep moving forward.

For Morgan (last name withheld for privacy), a love of sports is one way to cope with the stresses and challenges of daily life.

Stay busy: Morgan is a great example of staying busy in positive ways. He attends online classes at the Alyssa Burnett Center for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum at Seattle Children’s, works in a retirement home, and has a deep passion for sports and ham radio. When your life is

filled with activities that interest you, there is less energy for stress and more support to cope with it. Find your distraction: Take a break when you need it. Morgan is working on finding distractions to go to if he feels overwhelmed or stressed. If things feel too much, he puts

his earbuds on and focuses on the music. (Which, I might add, is exactly what I do.) Control what you can control: Morgan shared that he learned this from an early age. There are some things, because of his health challenges, that he cannot control. He described learning to focus his energy on controlling what he can and doing the best he can do every day. Take things one day at a time: Such great advice. Sometimes it’s just better to break projects down and take a little bit every day. It also supports getting to your goals, staying busy, and distracting yourself instead of worrying about future “what ifs.” Have a mantra: Morgan’s mantra is, “We can do hard things.” He says he uses it every day when he’s about to start a new hard thing. Reminding yourself that you can do it and giving yourself the confidence to try can be a big shift toward being more resilient. Of course, life will always have its ups and downs and some true challenges for all of us. Giving your kids (and yourself) the tools for tackling challenges as they come can help us weather the storms and enjoy the sunshine when it comes around again. “We can do hard things” celebrates our resiliency, determination and courage in the everyday. ABOUT OUR COLUMNIST

Dr. Susanna Block, MD, MPH, is a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente in Seattle and lives with her family in Queen Anne.

The Sammamish Montessori School In Redmond

Call 425-883-3271 for a tour.

in g N o w E n r o ll

• Child-centered, joyful atmosphere with strong academic focus • Experienced, Montessori-certified teachers • Preschool, kindergarten, and STEAM Enrichment • Family owned and operated since 1977 • Summer, before & after school programs • Prep Program, (starting ages 2 1/2-3)

www.sammamishmontessori.com • 425-883-3271 Ma y /Jun e 2 0 2 2

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Toddlers

without borders

our

HOME is your HOME Puget Sound families step up to host and help refugees by H A L L I E G O L D E N A N D CHERYL MURFIN photos by J O S H U A H U S T O N

here are many reasons people leave their homeland to move to the United States. But few are more compelling than one’s life depending on political asylum or one’s country being engulfed in war. Since the completion of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan last August, nearly 3,000 Afghan refugees have resettled in the Puget Sound area, many of them targets of the Taliban now in power in Afghanistan. And, according to The Seattle Times’ analysis of data from the U.S. Department of State, we can expect another flood of refugees if the U.S. Congress grants humanitarian parole status to refugees displaced by Russia’s assault on Ukraine. In fact, Washington state has received thousands of Ukrainian refugees over the past 12 years, making it a welcoming destination for those who have fled the country since the start of the war in February. It becomes the job of resettlement organizations like World Relief Seattle, based in Kent, and Lutheran Community Services Northwest in Tacoma to secure temporary housing for refugees arriving at Sea-Tac International Airport until a more permanent situation can be arranged. But, it is volunteer families throughout the region who make fleeing families feel at home here. By providing a temporary landing place in their homes, mother-in-laws and Airbnb accommodations, local families are not only helping refugees navigate their new world, they are establishing lasting friendships across cultures. We talked to refugee families and the volunteer families hosting them. What we heard were stories of connection and hope that celebrated all.

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Four parents, two kids, one big hope for lifelong friendship story by H A L L I E G O L D E N

Two-year-olds Hugo and Kamil have a fairly typical friendship in the Montlake neighborhood of Seattle. The pair like to excitedly race toward each other, one might give the other a light shove and then they settle in to play with their beloved Hot Wheels cars. But unlike many budding friendships among toddlers, these toddlers are from different countries and speak different languages. They were introduced in February after Kamil and his parents escaped Ukraine and eventually made it to the U.S., where they are being hosted by Hugo’s family. “I think the children do not even think about the fact that they are from different countries,” Viktor Chepras, Kamil’s father, wrote through WhatsApp messaging. “They have fun in the place.” For four years, Chepras and his wife, Natalia Chepras, tried to immigrate to the U.S., after facing what he describes as religious oppression. They ended up getting out just as Russia invaded their Hugo and Kamil, both two-years-old, play basketball with Viktor Chepras.

homeland. Through the humanitarian organization World Relief, they were connected with Ariel Dodson and her husband, Brad, who opened the studio apartment in their basement to the young Ukrainian family. Dodson says that, growing up, her family hosted many exchange students, and in 2015 she spent two years helping refugees in the Czech Republic. When she and her husband were able to find a house with an apartment, she says they knew it would be dedicated to hosting refugees. “We saw a need and we felt like God was telling us to meet this need, because He gave us the means to do so,” says Dodson. She attended a day-long training session on hosting refugees offered by World Relief. Dodson and her husband were background checked and the organization toured their home. A few months later, after learning they would be hosting the Chepras, Dodson consulted her close friend, who is Ukrainian and a cashier at a European food market, about the types of foods to buy for the family. She selected such staples as cucumbers and tomatoes, along with Borscht and dumplings from the region. CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 >

“ If we can,

we have to to”

Queen Anne family gets as much from the refugee hosting experience as they give sto r y by C H E R Y L M U R F I N

If there is one thing parents Bethany Brosky and Jake Millan want to teach their three children, it is to live their values. Offering a comfortable landing space to newly arrived refugees is one way this Queen Anne family is doing just that. It’s an action that teaches their kids not only to help others in need but to take responsibility for one’s actions – even if those actions are taken by one’s government in a country 7,000 miles away. Brosky felt an “overwhelming guilt” when the U.S. pulled out of Afghanistan after 20 years of military presence, potentially stranding helpers to the American military and others likely to be targeted by the Taliban. “I thought, if we can, we have to contribute in a positive way to helping them,” Brosky says. When the refugee resettlement program at World Relief sent out a call for hosts — people willing to provide temporary housing to some of the roughly 3,000 refugees expected to arrive in the Puget Sound area — Brosky felt compelled to respond. The small apartment space above the family’s garage was empty. It didn’t take much to convince Millan to use the space to serve others.

Six-year-old Chance Millan, his mother Bethany Brosky and sister Noa (3 months) visit with former Afghan house guest Zak.

Their first guest, Zak, arrived last fall and stayed two months as resettlement officials worked out permanent housing. Brosky and Millan have been so impressed with World Relief’s non-sectarian relief efforts they have also signed up to provide very short-term (often just a few days) shelter to detainees released from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s facility in Tacoma. ICE detainees are often sent out the door of the detention center with no money or shelter, and sometimes poor or no English skills. A couple days of shelter allows them to make connections for a more permanent plan. Brosky and Millan have two young sons, Chance (age 6) and Guss (age 3). They welcomed their daughter Noa into the family in March. The family’s over-the-garage accommodation is framed through the large bay windows of their kitchen, dining room and living room, its entry about 10 feet from their back door. They see their guests. Their guests see them. But rather than being worried about family safety with strangers on the premises, Millan and Brosky say they are more concerned about how their guests are feeling and getting by as strangers in this strange land. They trust the refugee vetting process and have been humbled by the gratitude and tenderness of their guests. More importantly, they say hosting is a choice with two-way benefit. “I very much think it has enriched our lives in ways that I had not anticipated,” Brosky says. “Especially in opening up the world, truly, to our children.” For example,

6-year-old Chance’s awareness of the world now includes a place called Afghanistan and Afghani food prepared by Zak. “It’s part of how he’s interpreting the world now.” The family, in turn, introduced Zak to Thanksgiving and Christmas at Jake’s parents’ home. Not to mention the basics of living in a Pacific Northwest city – including how to separate waste into trash, recycle and compost. “It is very, very different from what we had in Afghanistan,” says Zak. “I am going to live here for the rest of my life and I need to know these things.” Further, Brosky says of the exchange, “Meeting Zak very much shifted my opinion about what we did in Afghanistan, and I am grateful for that.” She learned from him that America’s pull-out of Afghanistan was part of a bigger story: decades-long U.S. military presence in his home country allowed thousands of girls to gain education and him to go to college. Inspired by Brosky and Millan, Zak plans to pay it forward by assisting others. And, as the possibility of an inflow of Ukrainian refugees grows, Brosky and Millan plan to keep their door open. “If we can help people along their journey, I think that is a pretty amazing thing,” Brosky says. “We might not get to know them that well if it’s a short stay, but just being able to be part of the process to help them reunite or connect with people where they can land longer term feels good.”

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Their brother’s

keepers

Tukwila teens work to bring their brother safely to U.S. sto r y by H A L L I E G O L D E N

Two years after teenage sisters Moqadas and Sadaf Rehimi fled Afghanistan with their mother to start a new life in Tukwila, Washington, they have taken on a new life-changing challenge: Helping their beloved brother and his wife join them in the Pacific Northwest. “When we go into school, we are just thinking about my brother,” says Moqadas, 16, who interprets for the family. “We are just working hard. When he come here, my shoulder going down… I just relax.” The sisters entered the U.S. through a Special Immigrant Visa along with their mother, Mahboba Rehimi, after her job as a security guard for the U.S. embassy in Kabul made them potential Taliban targets. Their brother, Sohrab Sonil, 27, stayed behind.

« Toddlers without

borders

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

She also laid out toys and books with lots of pictures in the apartment. “When they got to our house, Russia had already invaded,” says Dodson. “So they defi-

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The Rehimi sisters, Moqadas (right) and Sadaf (left) are trying to get their brother to the U.S.

Last summer, the Taliban took control of the country. Sonil, who also worked at the embassy as a security guard, traveled every night with his wife to the airport to try to flee. But, Moqadas explains, the huge crowds kept them on the ground. The couple have since fled to Pakistan. But Moqadas says her brother and sisterin-law are still in danger and aren’t able to work because they don’t have a work permit. They are trying to get into the U.S. via humanitarian parole. Moqadas, whose father died when she was one year old, says her brother has filled that role for her. “He’s like a father for our family too,” she says. She and Sadaf, both juniors in high school, have been busy learning English while working toward college. Moqadas hopes to be a lawyer, Sadaf, 17, a nurse. After school, they spend their time working at McDonald’s in order to make money to send to their brother. Last summer, after learning about state government in school, they decided to drive

with their mother to Olympia to advocate for their brother’s case. Although the capitol building was largely empty, they found a security guard who explained who their congressman was and how to get in touch. The moment Moqadas was back home, she called U.S. Rep. Adam Smith’s office. She says she soon received an email from the congressman offering his help. She and Sadaf have also joined advocates pushing for the passage of the Afghan Adjustment Act, which could help people who come to America via humanitarian parole to get permanent residency and citizenship. Moqadas says the Tukwila family has been able to talk twice a week to the couple in Pakistan. But the two years they’ve spent cut off from Sonil and his wife has been very difficult for the family. “For my mom it is difficult because we are just alone,” says Moqadas. “Other people, they are living with husband, wife, family, their kids. They are like a family… And now we need my brother here.”

nitely miraculously escaped.” The families have since become very close, sharing meals together or going to the park most days. Their young boys mimic each other’s languages, with Kamil saying “bye bye” and Hugo saying the phrase in Russian, “poka-poka.” (The Chepras family speaks

Russian and Ukrainian). Dodson says Hugo may initially be sad when the family finds their own home, but she doesn’t think that will be the end of their relationship: “We honestly don’t think that they’ll be out of our life. We feel like they’ve become friends.”

Our Home is Your Home

“Standing by our own feet” Olympia couple hosts Afghan family of seven sto r y by H A L L I E G O L D E N

When Mohammad Mahis arrived in front of a two-story home just outside Olympia last winter, with his wife, teenage brother and four young daughters, he says he finally felt like he could relax. The family had been traveling for weeks, first squeezing onto a military plane without any belongings with hundreds of others to escape Afghanistan, where the Taliban had taken control. They then flew to Germany, followed by Washington, D.C. and on to a military base in New Mexico. While there, Mahis, a former translator for the U.S. Army in his homeland, worked out a plan for the family to settle in Washington State, where his former supervisor lives and would be able to assist the family in their transition. The social services organization Lutheran Community Services Northwest found a couple willing to host their large family until more permanent housing could be arranged. It was late on a Friday morning in December when all seven of them stepped into Kaisa and Darian Lightfoot’s home. The family found the entire daylight basement made up

The Mahis family, (left to right) Zuhal, Mastoorah, Nabi, Mursal, Mohammad, Tamkin and Frohar, outside their house in Lacey.

for them, including a crib, car seats, a stroller and a high chair. Mahis says he remembers the Lightfoots playing with his children, between the ages of 2 and 8, and taking the family to the grocery store. “We didn’t feel we are immigrants, we felt like we are guests,” says Mahis. “And so this [was] kind of like our home.” The two families quickly fell into a routine. In the early evenings, the Lightfoots would help the children and Mahis’s wife, Mastoorah Mahis, learn the English alphabet and basic phrases. They then would all come together for dinner, which Mastoorah Mahis typically cooked. Sometimes it was such Afghani foods as the rice dish Pulao or the stuffed pastry Sambosa, while other times it was the pizza and enchiladas the Lightfoots introduced to the family. And then, later in the evenings, the families would sit down to discuss their different cultures. Kaisa Lightfoot says she was struck by

how open-minded the Mahis family was, especially when it came to the fact that the Lightfoots are gay. “Anytime they would introduce us to somebody else, they would say, ‘This is Kaisa and Darian and they’re such a great couple,’” says Kaisa Lightfoot. “Just so open-minded, so loving.” When Mahis’ brother turned 18 soon after the family arrived, the Lightfoots threw his first-ever birthday party. They surprised him with a cake and showered the whole family with clothes and gift cards donated from their friends and neighbors. In February, the family was able to move into their own house in Lacey. But the two families have stayed connected, sharing meals at each other’s home every week. Mohammad Mahis says he will never forget how much the Lightfoots helped his family: “Now we are standing by our own feet. But still, we think without them we were nothing.”

An exchange sister’s

helping hand

Family works to bring ‘little sister’ and her son back to the PNW story by H A L L I E G O L D E N

Heather Roberts (middle), fiancé Kevin, and daughter Amelia with pictures of Roberts’ “little sister” Anna Mazuryk.

Sixteen years ago, Heather Roberts’ parents hosted a high school girl from Ukraine. This spring, with Russian troops suddenly attacking the country, Roberts began pushing to get her student exchange “little sister” Anna Mazuryk, 31, and Mazuryk’s 6-year-old son Mark away from their war-torn homeland and here to Roberts’ Snoqualmie home. CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 >

Ma y /Jun e 2 0 2 2

S E AT T L E ’ S C H I L D

It’s so much more than a gift! Washington State Heirloom Birth Certificate A portion of the proceeds from each birth certificate benefits the Children’s Trust Fund of Washington, administered by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families Strengthening Families Program. • This official birth certificate is personally signed by the Governor and State Registrar. • Certificate is 8 1/2 x 11 and includes the name, date and place of birth, as well as the name and birthplace of the parent(s). • Frameable keepsake. • For each $45 purchase of an Heirloom Birth Certificate, $20 is tax deductible. To find out more information on Children’s Trust and child abuse prevention in Washington State visit: www.dcyf.wa.gov/about/governmentcommunity/community-engagement or visit the Department of Health to order your own Heirloom Birth Certificate. DCYF FS_0010 (09-19)

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Saturdays & Sundays June - September 4 miles north of Carnation, WA Call for map & brochure: 425.788.8624 www.camlann.org Sponsored by Camlann Medieval Association

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

May/Ju n e 20 2 2

« An exchange sister’s

helping hand

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

“We want her here because we can help her here,” Roberts says. “If something happens to her husband, if something happens to her parents, she’s going to need some emotional support.” Every morning and evening, the exchange siblings talk by video conferencing or messenger. First it was about Mazuryk, her son and husband getting from Kiev to her parents’ home in western Ukraine. And then, as the situation continued to deteriorate, the conversation turned to the family traveling to Poland, a notion that Roberts says terrified Mazuryk. Roberts, who is a diving coach, says at that point she switched into “coach Heather mode.” She encouraged her friend through Facebook messenger: “You can do this. You came all the way to America as a 15-year-old...as a child, basically. If you can do that, you can do this.” On March 3, Mazuryk and her son made it to Kraków, in southern Poland where they were able to stay with Roberts’ family friends. “I’m very lucky that I had a chance to go to another place and stay here where I am,” Mazuryk said via Facebook messaging. “We are safe and we are very lucky. But I feel so bad about those people who couldn’t leave.” Mazuryk has been told American Embassy appointments won’t be available until at least fall. And even if she gets an appointment, there’s no guarantee she will be granted a visa to get to the Pacific Northwest home Roberts shares with her fiancé and daughters Ellie (15) and Amelia (15). Still, Roberts, whose own family has roots in a part of Poland that is now Ukraine, remains hopeful. She’s cleared out a room in her home for Mazuryk and her son and has plans to buy a car-shaped bed for the boy. A GoFundMe campaign Roberts started has raised more than $4,500. And she shows her own teens pictures of Mazuryk and her son to help them navigate what is happening in Ukraine. She puts it simply, she says: “Helping Anna, that’s our way to help make a little difference in the world.” And, Roberts points out, sisters stick together: “She’s my little sister. She doesn’t need to be blood to be family.”

How to Raise an Antiracist DR. IBRAM X. KENDI

June 23

7:30 PM at THE GREAT HALL

OF TOWN HALL SEATTLE

Tickets on sale now! Purchase online at townhallseattle.org

Pub Date

June 14 (One World)

“Written with the fierce devotion of a parent who demands a safer world for his child, our most trusted voice on antiracism reveals the critical role of parents, caregivers, and teachers in fostering either racist or antiracist attitudes in all children. ” —Julie Lythcott-Haims New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult

GUIDE

Your gu ide

vendors venues experien c + More es

Find more resources online at SEATTLESCHILD.COM/DIRECTORIES

Join the party! Subscribe to our free newsletters and we’ll keep you informed about all the latest and greatest places to go with kids in the Puget Sound area! » seattleschild.com/subscribe

„ For even more local reseources go to seattleschild.com/directories

»Party!

American Dance Institute Ages 2.5-99 8001 Greenwood Ave. N, Seattle 98103 206-783-0755, adiseattle@americandanceinstitute.com

americandanceinstitute.com

You r gu ide to kid-fr i e ndl y ce l e brat i ons a ro u n d t h e P u g e t S o u n d

Speci Adver al tisi Sectio ng n

American Dance Institute offers excellence in dance instruction in classes that are non-competitive, invigorating and fun! Everyone is welcome and no snootiness allowed. There are six dance studios in Seattle and Shoreline, including Magnolia, Greenwood, Wedgwood and Shoreline. We teach adults, teens, kids and toddlers how to dance: ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern, tap, Irish, K-pop and flamenco.

Animal Encounters Mobile Petting Zoo and Animal Shows All ages Mobile party 425-647-6499, info@animalencounters.com

animalencounters.com

Love animals? Looking for entertaining and educational options for your party? Choose from our hands-on animal encounters and your guests will interact with fascinating creatures while learning interesting facts. Or host our mobile petting zoo- we’ll provide a great variety of animals for your guests to meet including familiar barnyard favorites and fascinating exotics.

Arena Sports Ages 3-13 Locations in Mill Creek, Redmond, Seattle and Issaquah info@arenasports.net

arenasports.net/birthday-parties

COV E R: I STO CK

It’s time to celebrate!

Planning a birthday, family gathering or fun event with friends? Check out these party places that help entertain your guests and take care of all the little details. Make your event a special day to remember.

Arena Sports is a family-run business focused on family fun. We offer year-round soccer leagues and classes for people of all abilities. We have super-cool indoor inflatable FunZones, awesome camps, rockin’ birthday parties, a family entertainment center and a whole lot more!

Airhouse Adventure Park Ages 3-18 1101 Outlet Collection Way, #1275, Auburn 98002 253-943-6770

Creative Dance Center

auburn.theairhouse.com

Ages 1-99

Airhouse Adventure Park is a premiere indoor adventure park offering dynamic play on 13 amazing attractions and fun for the entire family. Key attractions include a ninja course, racing ziplines, trampoline games and rock-climbing wall. Airhouse specializes in providing the ultimate hassle-free birthday parties for kids.

12577 Densmore Ave. N, Seattle 98133 206-363-7281, info@creativedance.org

creativedance.org

Celebrate a birthday in a unique way with the Creative Dance Center. Enjoy a dance class that celebrates self-expression and creativity, in our studio or over Zoom. Learn the BrainDance, dance to great music, and explore dance concepts such as Level, Energy and Speed. Fun for all ages!

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Crossroads Bellevue 15600 NE 8th St., Bellevue 98008 425-644-1111, info@crossroadsbellevue.com

crossroadsbellevue.com

Plan your next party at Crossroads Bellevue! Pick up a sweet treat from Cold Stone Ice Cream or cakes from New York Cupcakes. Fill your cart with streamers and balloons at Party City to decorate at home. Not in the mood to plan everything yourself? Head over to Snip-Its Salon, Creatively Yours Ceramic Studio, Edgeworks Climbing, The Studio Fine Art Classes, or WiggleWorks Kids for unique experiences that your friends and family will remember.

Emerald City Pirates All ages 3635 36th Ave. W, Seattle 98199 301-481-1889, ahoy@emeraldcitypirates.com

emeraldcitypirates.com

Swashbucklers of all ages are invited to join our band of merry pirates aboard Queen Anne’s Revenge for a fully interactive pirate experience cruising the waters of Lake Union. We search for treasure and adventure, play games, and learn to talk like pirates. Fire the ship’s water cannons as we defend the honor of Queen Anne’s Revenge. Reserve now for an exciting and interactive pirate experience that is fun for all ages!

Funtastic Playtorium Ages 1-10 4077 Factoria Mall SE, Bellevue 98006 425-623-0034

funtasticplaytorium.com

Kids 10 and younger can enjoy hours of untethered delight as they romp, run, jump, slide and tumble their way through our indoor play area and obstacle courses. Whether you’re looking for a fun activity or you’re interested in booking our indoor playground for your child’s birthday party, Funtastic Playtorium is the premier indoor play place for kids!

Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve All ages 6410 23rd Ave NE, Tulalip 98271 360-716-2600, info@hibulbculturalcenter.org

hibulbculturalcenter.org

Guided tours, interactive demonstrations, group rates and private rentals are available.

KidsQuest Children’s Museum Ages Newborn-10 1116 108th Ave. NE, Bellevue 98004 425-637-8100, info@kidsquestmuseum.org

kidsquestmuseum.org

Celebrate birthdays and other special occasions with more than 25 interactive exhibits, plus our friendly staff. Rent the entire space or just a party room; either way, KidsQuest will help

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

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S peci a l Adverti si n g S ecti o n

HOURLY PASSES

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Airhouse Adventure Park is an exciting indoor adventure park offering 13 unique attractions that are fun for the entire family. Airhouse specializes in providing the ultimate birthday parties for kids with full park access , laser tag game, pizza, drinks, grip socks and your own party corral. Grab your family and experience the best Adventure Park in the Seattle Metro.

auburn.theairhouse.com

Book your passage today emeraldcitypirates.com

Join us for fun and adventure on the only pirate ship experience of its kind on the entire West Coast!

you through the planning process, so you’re guaranteed a fabulous celebration. STEAM-themed, add-on activities are available to boost any party over the top!

Kraken Community Iceplex Ages 3 and older

Enjoy a fully interactive and immersive cruise with music, a treasure hunt, water cannon battle and more!

10601 5th Ave NE, Seattle 98125 206-279-7770

krakencommunityiceplex.com Kraken Community Iceplex is the official training facility of the Seattle Kraken and ice-sports hub of Seattle. Not only does it house the Kraken’s headquarters and official practice rink, it is also a community-oriented facility for adult and youth hockey, figure skating, leagues, events and more.

The Painted Palace All ages

Party packages include dress-up outfits, party favors, choice of styling and even a special gift for the birthday boy or girl

Party themes include

1813 130th Ave. NE, Suite #210 Bellevue 98005 425-889-5100, info@paintedpalaceparties.com

paintedpalaceparties.com

The Painted Palace specializes in private parties and public events, held at our palace or yours. Join us for “paint and sip,” character events, crafting, tea parties and more. Invite us to attend or help plan your next special party for a magical event you won’t forget!

Pump It Up Ages 2-17 11605 NE 116th St., Kirkland 98034 18027 Highway 99, Suite J, Lynnwood 98037 425-774-2297, manager@pumpitupwa.com

pumpitupparty.com

Pump It Up is the premier indoor destination for every occasion: birthdays, field trips, open jump, play groups, camps, team parties, fundraisers and more! All our parties are 100% private and feature giant inflatables and other fun attractions to keep all the kids engaged and excited. We also offer fun party experiences like Glow and Bubble Blast that you won’t find at other venues, and our monthly Family Jump Nights are always popular. Hope to see you soon!

Rock Solid Science Grades K-5 Mobile service out of Edmonds 206-715-2556, info@rocksolidscience.com

rocksolidscience.com

Rock Solid Science offers fun hands-on geology programs for kids. Students explore rock properties and take a close look at a variety of rocks and minerals. Educational programs and parties are mobile -- the field trip comes to you!

Seattle Glassblowing Studio Ages 5+

15600 NE 8th St. F-4, Bellevue 425-429-2570 Visit online local.snipits.com/bellevue-wa 32

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2227 5th Avenue, Seattle 98121 206-448-2181, info@seattleglassblowing.com

seattleglassblowing.com

Reserve an Ice Skating Party! Items included in all parties: Public Skate Admission Skate Rental Private Room/Area Rental (depending on package selection) Tablecloth Balloon Bouquet (total 6) Goodie Bags 1 Case of Coke Products (depending on package selection)

AVAILABLE AT ALL 3 LOCATIONS

KIRKLAND

RENTON

SNOQUALMIE

Book Online www.SnoKingIceArenas.com Questions? email parties@snokingice.com

S p e c ia l Adve r t is ing S e c t io n

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Celebrate your child’s next birthday at

‘Where fun never ends for kids’ 425.623.0034 ALWAYS OPEN FOR WALK-IN PLAYTIME!

Our Locations:

FACTORIA MALL, Bellevue ALDERWOOD MALL, Lynnwood TACOMA MALL, Tacoma

www.funtasticplaytorium.com

Kirkland - 425.820.2297 Lynnwood - 425.774.2297 34

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Make molten memories with a glassblowing experience. Seattle Glassblowing Studio invites you to go hands-on in our hot shop to experience the art of glass blowing. Event options available for ages 5+ and groups up to 35. Give our hot shop and its disco ball a spin!

Seattle Paint Party All ages Mobile party service 206-579-9544

seattlepaintparty.com Mobile art workshops include painting, tie-dye and designing clothing. We set up a creative space in your private venue or home and bring all the materials to make a piece of art!

Birthday Dance Parties! Celebrate a birthday in a unique way!

Enjoy a dance class with your friends, led by one of our talented teachers. Creativity and fun for all ages!

In-Studio or Virtual over Zoom Party Room Available after Class

Book now! creativedance.org

Snip-Its: Haircuts for Kids 15600 NE 8th St., F-4, Bellevue 98008 425-429-2570

local.snipits.com/bellevue-wa We’ll make your next birthday the best party ever. We provide dress-up outfits, party favors, a choice of styling -- even a special gift for the birthday boy or girl. If you have a special request, just ask one of our party planners. Party packages include a choice of a glamour party, spa day, a trip to Hollywood or a rock star party. Book now!

Sno-King Ice Arenas All ages Located in Kirkland, Renton and Snoqualmie 425-425-8750, office@snokingice.com

snokingicearenas.com

Sno-King Ice Arenas are ice-sports community recreation facilities offering programs for ages 3 and older, including Learn to Skate, Learn to Play, birthday parties, public skating, group parties and youth and adult hockey leagues. Come skate at any one of our three locations today!

Traxx Racing

CA K E , I C E C R E A M, DECO R AT I ON S & G I FTS

PA R T Y LO CAT I ON S

425- 957-0333 | COLDSTONECREAMERY.COM

425-747-2280 | CREATIVELYYOURSBELLEVUE.COM

425-644-3100 | JOANN.COM

Ages 6-18 4329 Chennault Beach Rd., Mukilteo 98275 425-493-8729, info@traxxracing.com

traxxracing.com

The thrill of racing for all ages! Go-kart parties are available for ages 6 through 18, with specially-designed “kids karts” for ages 6 through 10 and “fast karts” for ages 11 through 18. Race equipment, safety instruction and use of a party room are all included with our unique party packages.

425-283-5445 | NEWYORKCUPCAKES.COM

425-459-1683 | PARTYCITY.COM 425-429-2570 | SNIPITS.COM

425-865-0282 | QFC.COM

Vertex Arena Ages 3 and older

425-747-1221 | MICHAELS.COM

425-643-2058 | BELLEVUESTUDIO.COM

10700 231st Way NE, Suite 100, Redmond 98053 425-728-7298, RSVP@vertexarena.com

vertexarena.com

At Vertex Arena, bounce on trampolines, be a warrior on our ninja course, win (or lose) at Nerf/archery tag, field dodgeball or duke it out on the

425-641-2186 | WIGGLEWORKSKIDS.COM

425-643-8427 | TRUDYSHALLMARK.COM

15600 NE 8TH · BELLEVUE, WA 98008 · 425.644.1111 VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE AT CROSSROADSBELLEVUE.COM

S p e c ia l Adve r t is ing S e c t io n

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Discover the history and culture of the Tulalip Tribes Our interactive displays introduce you to the legacy of the Tulalip people by giving you a historic perspective of the bands

GE E RTulalip AL ITribes. N FO RMATI O N that make upNthe

For everyone’s protection, we are enforcing COVID-19 safety measures including: Group Tours and Rentals

6 ft.

Face mask or covering is required

Adhere to social distancing guidelines

The Hibulb Cultural Center is approximately 23,000 square feet with a 50-acre natural history preserve. The interactive cultural center features a main exhibit, temporary exhibit, two classrooms, longhouse, library and gift Reschedule research Reschedule shop. We can customize your visit if you your visit if your rental package or a household you’ve recentlyto help make your event a member has traveled outside success! been sick the country

Located less than a mile west of I-5 Exit 199 6410 23rd Ave NE, Tulalip, WA 98271 www.hibulbculturalcenter.org • 360-716-2600

HOURS Tue – Fri 10 AM – 5 PM Sat & Sun 12 PM – 5 PM Mon Closed

battle-beam! Complete with arcade, games, pinball, restaurant and full bar, Vertex Arena is the perfect venue for birthday parties, social gatherings, family-friendly and team-building events.

Calling all party animals! Book a mobile petting zoo or animal show for your next party

Index

Airhouse Adventure Park................... 30 American Dance Institute .................. 30 Animal Encounters ............................... 30 Arena Sports ............................................ 30 Creative Dance Center ......................... 30 Crossroads Bellevue .............................. 31 Emerald City Pirates.............................. 31 Funtastic Playtorium ............................ 31 Hibulb Cultural Center ......................... 31 KidsQuest Children’s Museum .......... 31 Kraken Community Iceplex ................32 The Painted Palace .................................32 Pump It Up .................................................32 Rock Solid Science..................................32 Seattle Glassblowing Studio ...............32 Seattle Paint Party..................................35 Snip-Its: Haircuts for Kids...................35 Sno-King Ice Arenas ..............................35 Traxx Racing ............................................35 Vertex Arena .............................................35

ts Kids Kar10

for ages

Meet exotic animals or barnyard favorites!

1/6V PAINTED PALACE PARTIES

AnimalEncounters.com 425-647-6499

UNIQUE, INDOOR BIRTHDAY PARTY FUN!

ts FasgteKs a11r and up!

for a

TraxxRacing.com

Explore the magic of minerals with fun lab experiences that will spark learning and discovery for all ages. Our programs and parties are mobile - the field trip comes to you!

ROCKSOLIDSCIENCE.COM

Located in Mukilteo just 20 mins. N. of Seattle and Bellevue

425-493-8729

ROCKS • MINERALS • FOSSILS BIRTHDAY PARTIES • SUMMER CAMPS STEM ENRICHMENT

S p e c ia l Adve r t is ing S e c t io n

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Celebrate with us! KidsQuest Children’s Museum offers a joyful space for hosting a birthday party or celebration.

Your birthday party package includes a dedicated staff host and access to all 25 innovative STEAM exhibits KidsQuest has to offer!

Learn more at: kidsquestmuseum.org/parties-events

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

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S peci a l Adverti si n g S ecti on

A DANCE Birthday Party!

A fun, exciting dance class & birthday party ien for your loved one and all their ffr friends.

Studios udios in Greenwood, Wedgwood, Wedgwoo Magnolia & Shoreline S p e c ia l Adve r t is ing S e c t io n

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Vertex ren V

ir & Battle sports | event & social hub

Birthday Parties Team Building Corporate Events Groups Schools & Churches

Non-Profits Special Occasions Battlefield Rental Nerf, Arrow Tag & Dodgeball

Full Facility Rental up to 550

VERTEXARENA.COM | 425.728.7298 | 10700 231ST WAY NE, REDMOND, WA

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