December 2017 by ParentMap

’cause

parenting is a trip!

PRESCHOOL

Previews

There’s one in your area! See p. 39

Winter!

FESTIVE FUN FOR EVERY FAMILY

Gift Guide Your December guide to Seattlearea arts for the whole family 31

HOW WE SURVIVE THE HOLIDAYS TOGETHER

Families share their best tips 40

5 WAYS TO SET RESOLUTIONS THAT STICK

Start the new year on the right foot 45

DECEMBER 2017

DON’T MISS THESE SHOWS

Give back with this holiday shopping list 26

K I T C H E N S + P R OV I S I O N S + TA P S

Be merry under the sparkling lights of our historic downtown.

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Saturdays, 10am-3pm Nov 18, Dec 2, 9 & 16

Live Entertainment

Full line-up at Edmonds Center for the Arts all holiday season!

Tree Lighting

Saturday, Nov 25, 3:30 pm

Free Holiday Movie

Friday, Dec 8 Cartoons, 4pm; “Elf,” 6pm

Free Holiday Trolley Saturdays, 11am-6pm Dec 2, 9, 16 and 23

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6 PARENTMAP.COM Go beyond print

6 PLAY LIST

December is a good month to . . .

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Dear Religion, Pics or it didn’t happen

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A mother’s changing relationship with religion

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40 AGES + STAGES: 0–18

Your Holiday Survival Guide, From Parents Like You A list you’ll actually want to check twice

45 CUT THIS OUT

Start The New Year On The Right Foot

46 SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW

Meet Allen Rickert A well-known local toy seller talks about the future of play

Feature

14 A NEW WAY TO HOLIDAY

How Seattle’s atheists celebrate the holidays without religion

Out + About

24 D ECEMBER CALENDAR

What to do around the Sound

26 G IFT GUIDE

20 Gifts That Give Back Use that holiday shopping list to do a little good with these 20 gift ideas

31 H OLIDAY ARTS

Let It Show! December Arts Guide for Seattle-area Families Celebrate the season with these familyfriendly holiday shows

Advertising Sections

16–17 A rts + Activities 27–29 G ift Guide 30–34 F aith-Based Schools 35 F oreign Language 38–39 N WAIS Schools 43–45 S chools + Preschools

parentmap.com • December 2017 • 5

play list

navigate great stuff daily!

Can’t we skip the birthday gifts already? As a mom celebrates her son’s first birthday, she can’t help but wonder: “Can’t we just skip all the gifts?” parentmap.com/first-birthday

Volunteering: Make it happen

COURTESY SLEEPING LADY RESORT

We’re always talking about volunteering as a family but how do we make it a reality? These no-nonsense tips

December

is a great month to . . . 1 BE DAZZLED BY HOLIDAY l

from people on the ground give us the boost we need

LIGHTS

this holiday season: parentmap.com/volunteering

COTTON TREE INTERIORS

Here’s a bright idea: Track down the best holiday light displays in greater Seattle. parentmap.com/lights

Babymoons, ahoy!

Indulge in a pre-baby getaway with these Northwest trips. We’ve got ideas, from romantic to educational (plus, a few suggestions if Junior’s already arrived): parentmap.com/babymoon

2 VISIT A DINO l

Take your dinosaur fanatic to these top spots for some prehistoric entertainment. parentmap.com/dinos 3 GO FOR HAPPY l

HOUR

Bunk it

Make bunk beds work whatever your space with these creative DIY ideas (even if your kids’ room may not be as tidy as the pics). We call top bunk.

Can I even afford to have another baby?

Indulge in some holiday cheer with these familyfriendly dining out options. parentmap.com/happy-hour

Whether you’re planning your first

4 FIND HOLIDAY MAGIC ON l

If only they came with a check, right? or welcoming your fourth, this list

parentmap.com/bunk-beds

of practical financial tips will mean meaningful change (get it?): parentmap.com/finances

A BUDGET

Celebrating doesn’t have to be expensive! Make the most of the season without blowing your budget with this handy list of local fun. parentmap.com/holiday-budget 5 GLIDE ON THE ICE l

Strap on those skates and go for a twirl. But first, read these tips on how to teach the kids how to skate. parentmap.com/ice-skate

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December 2017, Vol. 15, No. 12 PUBLISHER/EDITOR Alayne Sulkin

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y 2017 holiday card seen here, is being sent to both my atheist and religious friends living in the Seattle area. As you’ll read in our feature (p. 14), we rank at the top of the charts for nonreligious families. Giving them a voice was our goal with this month’s feature. But I’ll admit, I struggled with the topic. My worry upon reading the story: Without traditional religion, how can we make sure to educate our children about the centuries of Golden Rule values that are so often rooted in religious teachings? Reading our feature made me ponder — once again — where I stand on this and other religious questions. While I’m deeply fascinated by my family’s Jewish origins and our history filled with the tragedy of pogroms and the Holocaust, I also adore the endless joy of celebrating holidays However your in all their myriad forms, and not just the family celebrates, religious ones. There is one Jewish tradition that I do may you only particularly love: breaking a glass under the know joy. chuppah, or wedding canopy. For those who don’t know, this tradition is meant to remind us of the world’s great catastrophes even on a joyous day. It’s a collective moment of bittersweet learning and inspiration that deepens the meaning of our lives. Finding that meaning, however you do, is what matters most. From generation to generation, we must teach our children not just how but why it’s so important to treat others with respect, understanding and love. We must show them why it’s meaningful to treat others as you yourself would want to be treated. This doesn’t require a belief in God. It does require a belief in humanity. With that, I wish you a holiday season filled with goodness, kindness and compassion. However your family celebrates, may you only know joy.

“ ”

CONTRIBUTORS Leah Abraham, Gemma Alexander, Nancy Schatz Alton, Will Austin, Jessica Graham,

Malia Jacobson, Kate Missine

PARENTMAP.COM DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

Lindsey Carter

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THE GOTTMAN INSTITUTE PROFESSOR EMERITUS, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

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all about baby Find Your Village Being a new parent can be really ALLI ARNOLD

Notes

isolating, but baby, we’ve got your back. Sign up for our weekly eNews for the best in outings advice ’cause parenting is a trip! parentmap.com/enews

fruit fly dads and the survival

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“If you have the means and the desire to buy your infant gifts, go for

glasses. Cheers!” — Christina K., Tacoma

it! If not, more power to you! Why can’t we leave these choices up

“Do less, not more.” — Sherry J., Seattle 10 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

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voice

A Season for Oranges A mother’s changing relationship with religion By Kate Missine

or most Americans, the holidays smell like spices and gingerbread cookies. For me, it smells like mandarin oranges. I was born in what was then the Soviet Union. In a country of bread lines, a mandarin orange in the middle of the harsh Russian winter was a treat, saved for a kid’s most thrilling night of the year. Wrapped in gold foil, oranges appeared on the tree to be discovered on New Year’s morning. Decades later, the scent still floods me with memories of those joyful mornings and of the New Year, the only winter holiday for my generation of Soviet kids. In theory, there was Orthodox Christmas. But a few devout followers aside, the holiday, along with religion itself, had ceased to exist in the USSR, dismantled by the Communist Party’s anti-religious regime. Instead, New Year’s became the designated day of family dinners, ornamented trees and Grandpa Frost, aka Russian Santa. I grew up as an atheist — not by any conscious choice, but by osmosis. When I was 7, that all changed. My family landed in Israel, courtesy of my mother’s Jewish roots. Here, having no religion wasn’t an option. The country

shut down on Saturdays (the Jewish holy day), wheat products were nowhere to be found during the week of Passover and I realized the hard way how decidedly non-kosher my school lunch of a bologna sandwich on buttered bread was. Any mention of Christmas or New Year’s was also strictly taboo. The Jewish calendar had Hanukkah and its own New Year; everything else was not to be spoken of. Even plus signs in my math class were converted to upside-down Ts so as not to resemble the cross. Now I found my New Year’s presents quietly left under a vase of cut fir branches that we threw some tinsel on. Timidly, we lit candles on Hanukkah, and ate matzah and dipped apples in honey on Rosh Hashanah. My mom recalled the Shabbats and gefilte fish of her Jewish grandmother. Many of my friends, immigrant kids like myself, enthusiastically embraced this new culture. I, meanwhile, felt mostly uncomfortable — my inherent skepticism trapped beneath the fear of judgement. After five years, we moved again; this time to Canada. I remember visiting a Canadian supermarket and seeing the international food aisles. Here were the familiar matzahs and Israeli grape juice next to a display of Easter eggs and ingredients with Chinese characters on the label. It looked like freedom. I realized that no one cared what I bought. No one judged what I celebrated, what I ate, or what I did or didn’t believe. After years of spiritual force-feeding, the choice was finally mine alone. Twenty years later, my mother still lights Hanukkah candles. I do not. While I have created new traditions with my own family, none carry any flavor of religion. I do believe: I believe in being a good person and in doing good. These are the beliefs I try to instill in my boys. In our home, the holidays now mean both traditional North American Christmas and a Russian-style New Year’s. But neither one is about God. They’re about excited little feet pounding down the stairs, old family jokes, and visits from Santa and his Russian cousin. They’re about mandarin oranges. ■

Any mention of Christmas or New Year’s was strictly taboo.

Kate Missine is a lifestyle writer, food lover and a girly girl raising two little boys. She lived in various places up and down the West Coast before settling in beautiful Sammamish with her family. 12 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

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feature

A New Way to Holiday

How Seattle’s atheists celebrate the holidays without religion By Malia Jacobson

eorge Juillerat of Edmonds is an atheist who loves Christmas — and he’s hardly alone. During Seattle’s dark December, you might see him shuttling his 8-year-old son to Christmas parties, carrying a hot dish into a holiday potluck or picking out the perfect tree. His family’s holiday mer-riment includes presents, parties and family. But tales of baby Jesus in a manger or traditional trappings of Advent? Not so much. Nationwide, nearly a quarter of Americans aren’t affiliated with any religious practice; the total (which includes atheists, agnostics and those who identify as “nothing in particular”) is up 6.7 percent since 2007, according to the Pew Research Center. Meanwhile, the number of Catholics and Protestants — the most widely practiced religions in America — continues to fall, a trend since the 1980s. The number of those without a religious affiliation is even higher locally. Seattle is home to one of the country’s largest nonreligious populations, followed closely by San Francisco and Boston. Thirty-seven

continued on page 18 14 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

parentmap.com • December 2017 • 15

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Hands-On Activities to Spread Holiday Cheer While these gift ideas are geared toward Christmas, families of all traditions and beliefs will find something to love on this DIY gift list. From handmade crayons that teach your kids the ABCs to hand-dipped beeswax candles, these ideas show that a good gift isn’t about the pricetag but the heart behind it. We particularly love the combo pack of a gourmet caramel apple (so fun to make!) and hot chocolate for the perfect pre-winter break teacher’s gift. It’s quick, easy and sure to be an instant favorite among friends, family and classmates alike!

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parentmap.com • December 2017 • 17

feature A New Way to Holiday

Based on the book by A.A. Milne Adapted by Kristin Sergel

continued from page 15

Nov. 24 - Dec. 23, 2017

percent of Seattleites report no spiritual affiliation. LIVE THEATER FOR ALL AGES! Even those who do practice a certain faith buck national 612 4TH AVE E. DOWNTOWN OLYMPIA trends; Seattle’s religious population has fewer practicing Christians than Mother’s Helpers Inc. other major metropolitan areas and nearly double the rate of people 5_careworks_1-16.indd 1 6/1/15 1117_olympia_family_theater_1-16.indd 10:14 PM 1 10/11/17 12:25 PM adhering to non-Christian faiths. • Childcare • New baby care • More adults eschewing faith communities means more kids are growing • Light housekeeping • up without the rituals of religion, from regular weekend services to first Pick up and drop oﬀ at school Communions to church camps — rituals not likely to be mourned by kids and activities who’ve never experienced them. But what about traditionally religious CHE SEHYUN PHOTOGRAPHY holidays with undeniable kid appeal, like Christmas and Hanukkah? Can Tiered Pay Rate parents who opt out of organized religion create a meaningful, memorable Connecting parents to build a loving levels 1, 2 & 3 holiday season for their children without compromising core beliefs? community of families of color (We are The answer is yes, say local families. We talked with several about JOIN our FOCS Parent Groups, aﬀordable!) building festive, meaningful holiday traditions without a faith-based monthly events and resource sharing narrative — and about rolling religious ceremony into secular celebrations Register and Info at focseattle.com 206-962-0244 to keep family traditions strong.

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18 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

11/18/17 4:32 PMThe

Stepping outside the faith

share of religiously unaffiliated Americans is growing faster than any church’s roster, with formerly religious adults increasingly opting out. Many of today’s atheists and agnostics were brought up following a faith (18 percent of U.S. adults). Such was the case for Gitit Banai of Redmond. Banai was a parent of three when she decided that the Jewish faith of her youth no longer fit. She felt like an atheist, she says, and decided to start identifying as one and discussing the choice with her kids. “The negative views that come with [the word ‘atheists’] will only shift if more people admit to being atheists,” she says of her choice to become an active volunteer with Seattle Atheists, a local nonprofit group of nonbelievers. As for Juillerat, he says he grew up as a “casual Christian” but didn’t feel connected to the faith, particularly after becoming a parent. “It wasn’t until the birth of my son that I became concerned about the many harms caused by false beliefs,” says Juillerat, who serves as vice president of Seattle Atheists. “I looked for ways to help people transition away from religion.” Those harms? While some studies show that religion can benefit childhood development, increasing pro-social behavior like self-control and interpersonal skills, other findings show that a religious upbringing can have unintended effects on a child. A recent study showed religion can predict teen birth rates, even when controlling for factors like income, and research from the University of Chicago found that children raised with religion tend to share less than those from non-religious homes. One 2015 study published in Science found that nonreligious kids were no less moral than their religious counterparts. In fact, they were often more so.

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Awards

Inclusive holiday traditions

The idea behind local agnostic and atheist holiday celebrations is to build tradition around shared values that include rather than exclude. Like many atheists and agnostic groups, Seattle Atheists embraces winter solstice (this year’s is on Thursday, Dec. 21) as a winter holiday with historical and cultural meanings. While some members may celebrate certain religious holidays as family traditions, the group doesn’t observe them.

continued on page 22

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Solstice parties offer a low-key alternative to the commercialism of Christmas, whether you belong to a faith tradition or not. Here’s how to get one going:

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• Ancient celebrations centered around light and warmth. A fireplace or a backyard fire pit make a good focus for your celebration.

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Connect your family to a world of learning and discovery!

• Clove-studded oranges, or pomanders, are fragrant symbols of Yule. Create them by poking whole cloves into whole oranges in any pattern of your choosing. They should stay fragrant into the new year.

Be the first to hear about KCTS9 KIDS events. Visit the studio and choose a toy from our Treasure Chest!

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parentmap.com/bgg 20 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

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parentmap.com • December 2017 • 21 11/10/17 11:37 AM

feature ,cause parenting is a trip!

season’s readings A New Way to Holiday continued from page 19 Together with Humanists of Washington and University Unitarian Humanists, Seattle Atheists has organized a winter solstice celebration for most Decembers, says Lisa. Minus the religion part, that gathering doesn’t look so different from a holiday celebration you’d see at a house of worship, she adds. An active Seattle Atheists member and volunteer, Banai says, “Solstice and our other winter holiday parties give us an opportunity to bring community together, check in on friends and they usually include socializing, present exchanges and lots of food.” Atheist communities might also celebrate Yule and New Year’s, along with newer, less traditional holidays. Some hold festive spaghetti potlucks to celebrate the winter holiday of the Pastafarian anti-creationism social movement. You may have spotted the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the group’s “deity,” on everything from T-shirts to bumper stickers. “We celebrate the Pastafarian holiday every year at our home, and open this event to the local atheist community,” says Gitit’s husband Yossi. “We’ve been doing that for several years now and this was a great opportunity to meet new friends and eat good food.” Although local atheist groups don’t usually mark the big Dec. 25 holiday, its members don’t necessarily skip it. “Christmas is huge for kids in the U.S. and who would want to deny a kid all that fun?” says Juillerat. “We do the full-blown holiday celebration with all the foods and decorations, just not the baby Jesus and actually trying to convince the child that Santa really is real. The anticipation and excitement of Christmas morning is still there 22 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

without the exercise in credulity.” Others go for personal rituals. Tacoma mom of three Shannon Edwards doesn’t identify with any religion and doesn’t attend services at Christmas, but she decorates a tree and exchanges gifts with family. Her favorite tradition, though, is baking gingerbread cookies on Christmas Eve and taking them to neighbors. The holidays are about investing time in your community, whatever that means to you, she says. “It’s a way to stay connected to the neighborhood during the long winter months.” Some atheist families want to blend religious holiday customs into their secular celebrations, to connect kids to family traditions practiced in previous generations. Gitit and Yossi want their children to understand the religious and cultural significance of Jewish holiday traditions, even if they don’t practice the faith themselves. The family repeats a kiddush, a traditional Jewish blessing often recited in Hebrew, during Shabbat dinner or Passover Seder, says Yossi. “Our kids know that when we celebrate a religious holiday or perform what others perceive as a religious ceremony, it’s not because we believe in God or because it’s our religious duty, but because

it’s our family tradition.” Religious customs can become part of a family tradition not centered around a belief in God, he adds. “We talk about the fact that we don’t share these beliefs, and therefore don’t follow these traditions and customs as religious people do. The traditions and customs we follow are a choice we make because they’re part of our heritage” Juillerat doesn’t attend church with his son, but religion is a frequent topic of discussion — particularly around the holidays. Religion is inescapable, he says, and many of his son’s peers believe in God. So he and his son talk about gospel and mythology and how religion helps “fill in the blanks in the running story that people like to weave for themselves about their life and why things happen,” he says. But for them, holidays are about family, not faith. This refusal to dress the holidays in dogma means they can appreciate their annual Christmas celebrations for what they are: sparkly seasonal soirees meant to bring comfort and joy. ■ *Name has been changed.

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parentmap.com/ parentmap-books parentmap.com • December 2017 • 23

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

PICKS

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY

Zoolights, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, through Jan. 1

JESSICA MORGAN

Gingerbread House workshops at Pierce County libraries, Dec. 2–16

OONA COPPERHILL

december

METRO PARKS TACOMA

Redmond Town Center carousel, through Jan. 1 Jingle Bell Run, Dec. 24

SEATTLE PARKS & RECREATION

Hands-On Hanukkah, Dec. 3

Gingerbread Village. Marvel at giant, Seattle-themed confections. Daily through Jan. 1. FREE; donations to the JDRF Northwest Chapter appreciated. City Centre (new location), Seattle. sheratonseattle.com Snowflake Lane. It’s a nightly holiday parade with lights, drummers, dancers and more. Daily through Dec. 24, 7 p.m. FREE. Bellevue Way and N.E. 8th St., Bellevue. snowflakelane.com

Winterfest Train and Village. Study the massive display; control trains during special hours with $2 suggested donation. Daily through Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 25). FREE. Seattle Center Armory. seattlecenter.com Elves and the Shoemaker. Olympia Family Theater offers preschoolers the perfect introduction to live theater with short, fun, morning shows. Dec. 4–10. $5. Ages 0–5 with caregiver. Olympia. olyft.org

Story Time with Santa. Get comfy and listen to some books read by the big guy in the red suit and feel free to snap a photo. 11 a.m. FREE. Ages 3–7 with caregiver. University Bookstore, Mill Creek. ubookstore.com Gingerbread House Workshop. Build and decorate your own gingerbread house; supplies provided. 2–6 p.m. FREE; preregister. All ages; under 6 with adult. South Hill Pierce County Library, Puyallup (check online for more workshops Dec. 2–16). piercecountylibrary.org

Skansie Interpretive Center. Stop by to explore exhibits and partake in hands-on science activities plus touch the critters in the touch tanks. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. FREE. Gig Harbor. harborwildwatch.org Holiday in the Park. Celebrate the season with a luminaria walk, choirs singing, cookies, cocoa and crafts for kids. 6–8 p.m. FREE. Volunteer Park, Seattle. volunteerparktrust.org

Black Santa Visit. Visit the Northwest African American Museum to chat and get photos with Black Santa. Saturday–Sunday, Dec. 2–3, 9–10; noon–4 p.m. Photo packages $15 and up. Seattle. naamnw.org The Nutcracker. Enjoy a special one-hour Nutcracker ballet performance fashioned especially for families with young children. Saturday–Sunday, Dec. 9–10, 11 a.m. $18–$28. (See website for other dates and venues). Auburn Performing Arts Center. evergreencityballet.org

Diving Santa. Snap a photo with underwater Santa while visiting marine residents of the aquarium. Saturday–Monday through Dec. 24, noon and 3 p.m. (noon only on Dec. 24). Included with admission. Seattle Aquarium. seattleaquarium.org Garden d’Lights. Plant and critter shapes created from over half a million lights sparkle and amaze. Daily through Dec. 31, 4:30–9 p.m. $5; ages 10 and under free (check online for free admission nights). Bellevue Botanical Garden. gardendlights.org

Redmond Town Center Skating Rink. No ice needed at this nifty synthetic skating rink, outdoors but under cover. Daily through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 25). $7 includes skate rental. Ages 3 and up. Redmond Town Center. redmondtowncenter.com Meet Live Reindeer. Stop by for holiday shopping, lights and to visit two of Santa’s reindeer pals. Daily through Dec. 24. FREE. Country Village, Bothell. countryvillage.com

Story Hour at the Conservatory. Listen to “Fox’s Garden” by Princesse Camcam and make a snowflake craft. 11 a.m. Suggested donation $3. Ages 3–8. W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, Tacoma. seymourconservatory.org Pacific Place Snow Show. Pause your holiday hustle and bustle to marvel at the indoor snow flurries flying at this downtown mall. Two shows daily through Dec. 24. FREE. Pacific Place, Seattle. pacificplaceseattle.com

Magic Season Ice Arena. Go for a spin in this open-air rink back at Bellevue Downtown Park this year; check website for Stroller Skate Thursdays and other special sessions. Daily through Jan. 8. $10–$14; skate rental included. Bellevue. bellevuedowntown.com SAM Lights. Find wonder in the park filled with luminaria, music, art activities and more. 6–9 p.m. FREE. Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle. seattleartmuseum.org

Mercer Slough Night Walk. Learn all about nocturnal animals in the lab, then bundle up for a guided night walk. 7–9 p.m. $15; preregister. Ages 6 and up with adult. Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center, Bellevue. pacificsciencecenter.org Ivar’s Clam Lights. Stroll a one-mile path with thousands of lights decorating trees and shrubs in fanciful shapes. Daily through Jan. 1, 5–9 p.m. FREE. Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, Renton. rentonwa.gov

Santa’s Landing Party. Greet Santa and Mrs. Claus’s airplane, then boogie down with Caspar Babypants. Santa arrives at 9:45 a.m.; Caspar plays at 2 p.m. Included with admission. Museum of Flight, Tukwila. museumofflight.org Hollydaze Float-in Movie. Catch a classic holiday family movie from the vantage point of the pool. Saturday, Dec. 2, 9, 16; 8–10 p.m. $9–$11.25. Covington Aquatic Center. covingtonwa.gov

Center Ice Spectacle. Marvel as teams of ice carvers create sparkling sculptures accompanied by music and fire performances. Noon–6 p.m. FREE. Seattle Center. seattlecenter.com Solstice Walk for Families. Join an LED candle-lit walk, especially for families with young children, to mark the shortest days of the year. Sunday–Monday, Dec. 17–18, 4:30 p.m. $5–$17; ages 5 and under free; preregister. Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island. bloedelreserve.org

Holiday Train and Carousel. Take a spin on these seasonal delights. Daily through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 25). $4 for train; $4 suggested donation (cash/check only) for carousel. Redmond Town Center. redmondtowncenter.com Christmas Ship Viewing. See the lighted parade of ships and hear the Pacific Sound Chorus tonight, departing Kirkland City Dock at 7 p.m., with stops at Juanita Beach Park (7:20 p.m.) and Tracy Owen Park (8:25 p.m.). FREE. nwboatinfo.com

KlezKidz. Enjoy this lively, intergenerational ensemble playing an eclectic sampling of Jewish music, plus learn some new dance moves. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Seattle Center Armory. seattlecenter.com The Lights of Christmas. See a million lights illuminating Warm Beach Camp, plus listen to live music and partake in kids’ activities. Select dates Dec. 1–30, 5–10 p.m. $12–$16; ages 3 and under free. Stanwood. thelightsofchristmas.com

Toddler Tales & Trails. Kids and caregivers enjoy story time then venture out into the winter woods. 10–11 a.m. $2. Ages 2–5 with caregiver. Seward Park Audubon Center, Seattle. sewardpark.audubon.org Issaquah Reindeer Festival. Meet Santa, try out his sleigh, feed his reindeer and enjoy story time with an elf. Daily Dec. 1–23, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. $10.50–$14.50; under age 2 free. Cougar Mountain Zoo, Issaquah. cougarmountainzoo.org

A Charlie Brown Christmas. Learn the true meaning of Christmas along with Charlie Brown and friends in this holiday story for all ages. Select dates through Dec. 27. $15–$25. Taproot Theatre, Seattle. taproottheatre.org Lantern Light Festival. Celebrate Chinese culture with amazing performances, huge, hand-crafted lanterns, delectable cuisine and much more. Select dates through Jan. 7. Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup. lanternlightfestival.com

Zoolights. Revel in the dazzling light creations — hammerhead sharks, a polar bear family and more. Daily through Jan. 1, 5–9 p.m. (closed Dec. 24). $8.50–$10; ages 2 and under free. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma. pdza.org/zoolights Disney’s Newsies. Broadway-worthy singing and dancing make this a crowd-pleasing show. Select dates through Dec. 31 and Jan. 5–28 in Everett. $43–$82. Ages 8 and up. Francis J. Guadette Theatre, Issaquah. villagetheatre.org

Reindeer Festival. Penultimate day to meet real-live Dasher and Blitzen, check out the model train and holiday displays. Daily through Dec. 24. FREE. Swansons Nursery, Seattle. swansonsnursery.com Get Crafty: Gingerbread Houses. Little architects have the opportunity to craft a sweet masterpiece. 1–3 p.m. $8 materials fee. Ages 4–10. Bellevue Arts Museum. bellevuearts.org

Fiddler on the Roof Sing Along. Sing your heart out with Tevye and his family during this screening of the beloved 1971 movie. Chinese food buffet included. 11 a.m. $24–$25. All ages. SIFF Cinema at Uptown, Seattle. siff.net Teddy Bear Suite. Check out the bears’ fanciful hotel room, a downtown holiday tradition. Daily through Dec. 26, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. FREE; donations encouraged for Seattle Children’s Hospital. Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle. fairmont.com/seattle

Model Train Festival. Take in an eye-popping array of model trains. Dec. 22–Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 24–25), 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $11–$14; ages 5 and under free. Washington State History Museum, Tacoma. washingtonhistory.org Festivals of Light. Explore winter holidays such as Kwanzaa, Loi Krathong, Las Posadas and more. Daily through early Jan. (closed Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1). Included with admission. Ages 3–10 with families. Seattle. thechildrensmuseum.org

Toddler Time. Join your toddler and Environmental Science Center naturalists in seasonal nature activities. 10:30–11:30 a.m. FREE; preregistration required. Ages 2–4 with families. Seahurst Park, Burien. envsciencecenter.org Fantasy Lights. Load everyone into the car for this 2-mile drive lined with sparkling light displays. Daily through Jan. 1, 5:30–9 p.m. $14/car; half-price nights listed on website. Spanaway Park. co.pierce.wa.us

Winter Fishtival. Dive into local marine life with hands-on activities and special talks. Dec. 26–Jan. 1. Included with admission. Seattle Aquarium. seattleaquarium.org Frozen Fountain Ice Skating Rink. Enjoy this festive, pop-up ice rink in Tacoma before it melts away. Daily through Jan. 1. $9–$12.50 with skate rental. Point Ruston Grand Plaza, Tacoma. pointruston.com

Tots Welcoming Shabbat. All are welcome to share singing, prayer, challah and juice in a joyful environment. Fridays 11:15 a.m.–noon. FREE. Ages 0–5 with caregiver. Temple B’Nai Torah, Bellevue. templebnaitorah.org ONGOING EVENT NANDA: Acrobaticalist Ninja Theater. It’s all in the name! Catch this lively troop of comedic daredevils for FREE as part of the Winterfest entertainment series.12:30–1:30 p.m. Seattle Center Armory. seattlecenter.com

Winter Wildland. Northwest Trek’s resident animals enjoy special winter-time enrichments such as fruit, ornament treats and snowmen. Friday–Saturday, Dec. 29–30, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Included with admission. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Eatonville. nwtrek.org Kindiependent Kids Rock Series. Rock out with popular kindie band Recess Monkey at this concert series just for families. Select Saturdays through March, 10:30 a.m. $15/family. Mount Baker Community Clubhouse, Seattle. mountbaker.org

First Night Tacoma. Tacoma’s awesome, all-ages New Year’s Eve street party features a parade and live music. 6 p.m.–midnight. Outdoor activities FREE. firstnighttacoma.org

2 19th Century Christmas. Get a taste of an old-fashioned, gadget-free holiday with stories, music, crafts and more. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $8–$10; ages 3 and under free. Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, Tacoma. metroparkstacoma.org Redmond Lights. Celebrate a diversity of holiday traditions with the lighting of City Hall, a luminary walk and live entertainment. 4–8 p.m. FREE. City Hall, Redmond. redmondlights.com

24 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

1 Giving Marketplace. Shop for gifts from socially conscious organizations, plus make your own gifts. Friday–Saturday, Dec. 1–2, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free entry; items for purchase. Gates Foundation Discovery Center, Seattle. gatesvc.org The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition. Bundle up and listen to dozens of festive caroling teams compete on downtown streets. 6–8:30 p.m. FREE; donations encouraged to Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank. Seattle. pikemarketseniorcenter.org

SATURDAY

Piper’s Creek Annual Salmon Watching. Last weekend Salmon Stewards are on hand to talk about the life cycle of our signature Northwest fish. (Note: salmon appear daily). Saturday–Sunday, Dec. 2–3, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. FREE. Carkeek Park, Seattle. kingcounty.gov/salmon Hands-On Hanukkah. Families of all backgrounds welcome to celebrate at two locations with crafts, photos, face painting, prizes and more. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Northgate Mall, Seattle and Crossroads Bellevue. sjcc.org

Jingle Bell Run. Festive family run/walk with costume contest. 10 a.m. or noon. $10–$20. All ages. Wright Park, Tacoma. metroparkstacoma.org

Green Lake Pathway of Lights, Dec. 9

FRIDAY

Winter Wonderland. Play in real snow trucked in from Mount Baker, then warmup inside with games, bounce houses, face painting and more. Friday–Sunday, Dec. 8–10. FREE. Cascade Mall, Burlington. skagitchildrensmuseum.net Kruckeberg Solstice Stroll. Wander the trails of this hidden garden awash in sparkling lights. Friday–Saturday, Dec. 8–9, 4:30–8:30 p.m. $10 suggested donation. Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, Shoreline. kruckeberg.org

Santa Visit. Santa and Mrs. Claus cruise in for photos in a 1906 Cadillac, plus kids receive a free slot car voucher for the speed zone. Saturday–Sunday, Dec. 9–10, 16–17, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Included with admission. LeMay – America’s Car Museum, Tacoma. americascarmuseum.org Green Lake Pathway of Lights. Stroll the path around Green Lake, beautifully lit with luminaria. 4:30–7:30 p.m. FREE; food drive donations requested. Green Lake Park, Seattle. facebook.com/greenlakepathwayoflights

parentmap.com • December 2017 • 25

After school • Homeschool Summer camps

Ages 8 and up Shoreline

Give Back

COURTESY GOODBYE MALARIA

Group Sewing Lessons

20 Gifts That

Makes a great gift!

cityvacandsew.com/ classes.htm 206-542-3266

Use that holiday shopping list to do a little good

By Nancy Schatz Alton

Go PLAY Activity Cards Fun Activities for Literacy & Learning

“There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System,” $9.99

Little wolf hat, $24 As cozy as it is cute, this knitted hat is perfect for your little wolf. Made in Uganda as part of the Krochet Kids line, the hat is signed by its maker. Editor’s note: Join ParentMap on a year-long conversation to explore how families and schools can nurture empathy, mindfulness and kindness. parentmap.com/raisingkind Sponsored by the Community of Mindful Parenting

26 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

Mashozi teddy bear, $37 These brightly colored teddy bears, handcrafted in Cape Town, South Africa, are named Mashozi, which means “the woman who wears the pants” (a tribute to the late wife of malaria-prevention advocacy leader Kingsley Holgate). Each bear supports Goodbye Malaria, an initiative started by African entrepreneurs to fight one of the continent’s most deadly diseases.

Everest the Penguin, $48–$68 Purchasing this cuddle+kind doll provides 10 meals for children in need. Plus, all of the dolls from this familyowned company are hand-knit by female artisans in Peru. This one’s cuddly, kind and perfect for the newest addition to your gift-giving circle.

Ages 7–10 United By Blue bike trail T-shirt, $22 Founded in 2010 to “preserve the place where we play,” United By Blue removes a pound of trash from our world’s waterways for every product they sell. Cooler

Arrows of Friendship charm bangle, $38 Jeweler Alex and Ani donates 20 percent of this charm’s purchase price to Best Buddies International, which works with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. The intersection of two arrows symbolizes friendship; the whole thing screams “new favorite bracelet.”

5 Boys whistle, $58 Created to call attention to the reality of child soldiers in the Congo, this whistle aids efforts to support those affected by war. It’s brass with a tarnished copper coating and white enamel paint, and it’s perfect for your young explorer.

COURTESY CUDDLE+KIND

Tish Rabe’s updated, best-selling book starring the Cat in the Hat will take young readers on a trip through our solar system. And gift givers will feel good knowing that a percentage of proceeds support Seattle’s Pacific Science Center and its out-of-thisworld exhibits.

It’s easy to imagine this stylish T-shirt becoming a beloved favorite for your young animal lover. Bonus: A portion of the sales of every product, both online and in person at the Woodland Park Zoo’s ZooStores, supports the zoo’s conservation efforts at home and abroad.

yet: Instead of writing donation checks, it directly sponsors company-organized cleanups. You’ll find its gear — including this sporty T-shirt — in more than 400 outlets nationwide.

Fair-trade soccer ball, $45

Afghan women hand-stitch these soccer balls, providing sustaining work for their communities and a quality gift for your child. The “Doves in Flight” pattern adds extra wow in the colors of the Afghan flag.

Kane Darth Vader backpack, $95 Use the force and make a difference: For every State bag purchased, the company hand-delivers a backpack packed with tools to an American child in need. >>

10/16/17 2:56 PM

Mom & Dad

COURTESY ALEX AND ANI

Ages 0–6

Red panda T-shirt from Woodland Park Zoo, $24.99

COURTESY WOODLAND PARK ZOO

e’ve scoured the internet for the very best holiday gifts — with a twist. All of these gift ideas support a cause, whether that’s feeding hungry kids or fighting pollution by crafting goods from old fishing nets. Whatever your chosen cause, we know this: Giving feels good, but giving gifts that give back feels even better.

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t DOWNHILL & X-C SKIING • SNOWBOARDING • ICE SKATING • HIKING

Prices are approximate and will vary by retailer. Gifts are organized by category, and then by age.

ALL SPORTS INVENTORY Ski Gear Galore Trade-ins Welcome

QUALITY USED

SPORTING GOODS

Great Winter Gear for Kids, Moms, Dads, and Grandparents

Buy • Sell • Trade 1001 NE Boat Street, Seattle Next to Recycled Cycles

206.325. BASE 2ndbaseseattle.com

g BIKING • SLEDDING • SNOW SHOEING • CLIMBING • WARM CLOTHES

gift guide

www.outsidetheboxcreation.com

Come join the fun and jump into dancing! Classes offered for ages 18 months – Adult Mini Me, Creative Movement, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Ballet, Pointe, Musical Theater and Tap

GIVE THEM A GIFT THEY’LL ENJOY EVERY MONTH! Art project boxes delivered monthly.

www.gttadance.com • 425-861-5454

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©Anthony Floyd

11/15/17 9:06 AM

ALL SPORTS INVENTORY

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11/2/17 4:11 PM

! E E R F I T’S

Christmas Carnival December 9 & 16 Hours: 1pm to 6pm

Fun for the whole family! This indoor event features pictures with Santa, games, snacks, espresso cart, & much more! Dining Hall 4114 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE Bellevue, Wa 98008 (425) 746-9110 parentmap.com • December 2017 • 27

LifeStraw personal water filter, $19.95

Sseko “Be Brave” card set, $12

Love Your Melon beanie, $35 Keep your middle schooler warm while fighting pediatric cancer with this cozy beanie from Love Your Melon. The organization’s goal is to give a hat to every child battling cancer in America; it also supports pediatric cancer nonprofits.

Largest Selection of Toys in Seattle

Open since 1987

Keeping Healthy Play Alive

Ages 14–18 Bureo Frisbee, $12

Joggo bag, $44

This Frisbee used to be a fishing net! California-based Bureo turns what could be harmful waste (used fishing nets from Chile) into cool recycled products. The company’s most well-known item: a 27-inch skateboard.

This hip unisex messenger bag is perfect for your active teen. It’s

The Home T Washington Home Hoodie, $65

got a padded slot for a laptop and is even washable. Plus, 10 percent of sale proceeds go toward providing education opportunities to refugees.

Vibes earplugs, $23.99 Protect your concertloving teen’s hearing and enhance their live-music experience with these high-tech earplugs. Each purchased pair helps fund projects that provide hearing aids and resources for people with hearing loss.

Show some local love with this comfy hoodie (aka your teen’s new favorite piece of clothing). A portion of profits supports multiple sclerosis research, which means your teen can feel as good as they look. ■

Nancy Schatz Alton is a Seattle-based freelance writer, editor and creative writing teacher. She blogs about poetry, parenting and unanswerable questions at withinthewords.com.

Innovative and educational toys, games, arts & crafts, science, puzzles, dolls, trains and books from around the world.

Art Classes and Birthday Parties www.snapdoodletoys.com Snapdoodle Kenmore • Redmond SnapdoodleToys Toys • • Kenmore • 425.408.0021

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When you buy a pair of school-bus yellow and blue striped socks, Conscious Step donates two schoolbooks through partner and literacy nonprofit Room to Read. Other Conscious Step socks champion other causes, including disaster relief and HIV research.

COURTESY BUREO

Buy this hardtop pencil case and Yoobi donates a product of its own to a U.S. classroom in need. This spirit of giving is even in its name; Yoobi (pronounced “you-be”) stands for “one for you, one for me.”

Conscious Step socks, $14.95

COURTESY JOGGO

COURTESY YOOBI

Yoobi pencil case, $12.99

For your outdoorsy kid, consider one of these personal water filters. It adds a new level to hiking, backpacking, camping and general emergency preparedness. Plus its purchase, like any LifeStraw product, provides a child in a developing country with clean, safe drinking water for one school year.

Adorn your key with one of 13 words, including “courage” and “love.” The resulting gift is both a beautiful piece of hardware and an act of support for people transitioning out of homelessness.

COURTESY VIBES

Slip a helpful manifesto into your tween’s pocket while supporting an ethical fashion label with these stylish notecards. Sseko employs 50 women in Uganda, has enabled 60 women to go to college and may be your tween’s new favorite brand.

Classic key necklace, $42

COURTESY THE HOME T

Ages 11–13

COURTESY CONSCIOUS STEP

20 Gifts That Give Back

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COURTESY THE GIVING KEYS

gift guide

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parentmap.com • December 2017 • 29

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Celebrate the season with these family-friendly holiday shows By Gemma Alexander

hether it’s an elegant ballet, uplifting music or holiday comedy gold, these shows are shared memories that only require one thing: Show up.

NOTE: Shows with regular adult ticket prices of $15 or less are marked BARGAIN.

Musicals, plays and holiday classics A Christmas Carol

Ebenezer Scrooge journeys from humbug to human thanks to three spirit guides. This richly textured play brings the full spirit of the book, as well as the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come to life on the stage. Through Dec. 17. $26. All ages. Lakewood Playhouse, Lakewood.

Join Us for an Open House January 9, 2018 | 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. www.forestridge.org 30 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

A Christmas Carol

This is ACT’s annual production of Dickens’ classic holiday tale of the curmudgeonly businessman who requires the intervention of spectral guides to understand the true meaning of Christmas. Note: This includes somewhat scary characters; consider the age and sensitivity of kids you take to this show. Through Dec. 28. $37–$90. Ages 5

MICHAEL BRUNK

and older; no babes in arms. ACT — A Contemporary Theatre, Seattle.

Christmas Carol Junior

BARGAIN Join us for story time at the North Pole as Mrs. Claus and her kittens bring the story of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge to life in this original adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The ghosts are all portrayed by the zaniest cats in Santa’s workshop. Dec. 3–17. $12. Ages 5–12 with families (Sunday shows are all ages). SecondStory Repertory, Redmond.

Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn

The West Coast premiere of the Broadway hit “Holiday Inn” is inspired by the Oscar-winning film featuring 20 songs written by Irving Berlin. Jim leaves show business to settle down on a farm in Connecticut — but he finds the simple life is not as simple as he thought. >> parentmap.com • December 2017 • 31

Faith-Based Schools

out + about COURTESY PARAMOUNT THEATRE

Is Faith-Based Education Best for Your Child?

December Arts Guide

Some parents ponder sending their children to faith-based schools because of their own religious practices, while other parents research these schools in an effort to explore every option available. Often this second group is surprised to find faith-based schools at the top of their choice list for education.

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continued from page 31 Through Dec. 31. $29–$101. Ages 4 and older; no babes in arms. The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle.

The parents who send their children to faith-based school do so for many reasons, says Seattle education consultant Anoo Padte:

Campus Tours Available. Words Can’t Describe It. A Visit Will. Thursdays at 9:00 am RSVP admissions@jds.org

Elf the Musical

• They seek a spiritual grounding for their children alongside the academic.

“Elf the Musical” is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan raised by North Pole elves. Misfit Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities lead him to New York City to find his birth father — who’s on the Naughty List. Can Buddy help his father — and New York — remember the true meaning of Christmas? Dec. 5–10. $30–$95. Paramount Theatre, Seattle.

• They want academics to be informed by the religious or spiritual beliefs of a school. • They want a more-affordable private education: A faithbased school can cost 25 to 50 percent less than other independent schools.

Scrooge, the Musical “Scrooge, the Musical” by Leslie Bricusse is closely adapted from the music and screenplay of the 1970 musical film “Scrooge,” which follows the plot of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Dec. 8–17. $13–$21. Auburn Avenue Theater, Auburn.

• They seek community with other families who share their faith, coming together for celebrations, rituals and ceremonies. To read more from a mom who picked a faith-based education, visit parentmap.com/faith. — Nancy Schatz Alton

Annie

BARGAIN Heavier Than Air Family Theatre presents the rags-to-riches adventure of the little girl whose pluck and positivity lead to a Christmas dream come true in one of the world’s best-loved musicals. Dec. 15–21. $12–$14. Ages 6 and older; no babes in arms. Green River College, Auburn.

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Miracle on 34th Street the Musical

BARGAIN Is Macy’s Santa real or just a hire? Including classics such as “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” this show for the whole family will delight both young and old. This play us-es child performers and is one hour and 45 minutes in length. Dec. 8–17. $10 shows on Dec. 9 and 15. $12–$15. All ages. Bellevue Youth Theatre – Crossroads, Bellevue.

Christian • College Prep Preschool through Grade 12 V I S I T B E A R C R E E K . O R G

32 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

11/17/17 3:48 PM

Christmastown: A Holiday Noir

In this film-noir-inspired holiday thriller, hardboiled detective Nick Holiday investigates the truth about Big Red. A glamorous elf, a usedChristmas-tree salesman, a muckraking reporter and a quick-thinking cab driver round out this nontraditional holiday mystery. Dec. 8–24. $17– $34. Seattle Public Theater, Bathhouse Theater at Green Lake, Seattle.

It’s a Wonderful Life

tion & Tui ance on t tati sis As spor ble n a Tra Avail

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Faithfully adapted from Frank Capra’s beloved film, the musical follows George Bailey’s life in Bedford Falls as he discovers what the world would be like if he had never been born. Featuring a beautiful contemporary score. Through Dec. 16. $15–$25. Ages 3 And older. ManeStage Theatre Company at Sumner Performing Arts Center, Sumner.

Comic romps

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Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Try a new holiday classic with the stage adaptation of this beloved children’s tale. Mr. and Mrs. Popper are an ordinary English couple until some unexpected guests come to stay! Through Jan. 15. $22–$40. Ages 3 and older. Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle. >>

For more information, visit www.jrmpreschool.org or contact Shannon Solomon, Early Childhood Education Director, at 425.559.2571 or ssolomon@tdhs-nw.org.

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FOREIGN

out + about COURTESY BATHHOUSE THEATER AT GREEN LAKE

December Arts Guide continued from page 32

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

BARGAIN The staid traditional Christmas pageant at the local church gets an injection of new “talent,” and comic mayhem is the result, in this delightful comedy adapted from the best-selling young adult book. Features a few favorite Christmas carols and a lot of laughs. Dec. 16–24. $10. All ages. Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Tacoma.

Beauty and the Beast

In a beloved annual tradition, Centerstage turns a well-known fairy tale on its head with English panto twists. Expect corny songs and a few surprises. Through Dec. 21. $12–$35. Ages 5 and older. Centerstage Theatre, Federal Way.

’Twas the Night...

Belly laughs are in order as the classic Christmas Eve poem is spun to comical new heights — with surprise twists every year — as the Big family awaits the arrival of St. Nick. Through Dec. 17. $20. Ages 4 and older. Studio East, Kirkland.

The Elves & the Toymakers

In its annual holiday show, StoryBook Theater presents the heartwarming holiday tale of two generous elves who help out a desperate toy maker and his wife, just in the nick of time. Dec. 2–19. $18. Ages 3–10 with families. Venues in Renton, Seattle, Shoreline and Kirkland.

The Flight Before Christmas

Can a group of travelers stuck at the airport on Christmas Eve maintain their Christmas spirit? Find out in this heartwarming new holiday show about finding your way home and the family we discover for ourselves. Dec. 1–24. $17–$34. All ages. Seattle Public Theater, Bathhouse Theater at Green Lake, Seattle.

BARGAIN The old shoemaker hasn’t had many customers lately, but his kindness to someone in need leads to a few surprises in the workshop. Who is creating these surprises? Olympic Family Theater’s Let’s Play series offers short, dynamic, interactive shows suitable for all ages. Giggles guaranteed. Dec. 4–10. $5, children younger than 2 free. Olympia Family Theater, Olympia.

Holiday Classics Series

A group of carolers learn the fractured fairy tales behind each of the gifts sung in the song. Tell-ing the stories of the spirit of a mother reincarnated as a partridge, a soldier reunited with his true love, six geese desperately trying to avoid the roasting pan, a kick line of milk maids, and others, this production keeps Christmas spirited. This is not your mother’s “12 Days of Christ-mas,” but one Auntie Mame would adore. Dec. 8–23. $22–$25. Ages 13 and older. Renton Civic Theatre, Renton.

BARGAIN For the first three weekends in December, put family movie night on the big screen with SIFF’s holiday classics series. See “Edward Scissorhands” (Dec. 1–3), “Home Alone” (Dec. 8–10) and “Die Hard” or “Scrooged” (Dec. 15–17). $9–$14. SIFF Film Center, Seattle.

The Stardust Christmas Enchantment

At the Stardust Club in lower Manhattan in 1960, the gang celebrates the election of John F. Kennedy to the White House and the sense that America has entered a new age. However, mysterious events involving myth and magic draw them into circumstances only the spirit of Christmas can untangle. Period music, dance and comedy for all ages. Through Dec. 21. $25–$48. State Theater, Olympia. >>

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34 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

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A Caring Community Play-Based Curriculum Multicultural Experience

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This musical based on the beloved television special follows Charlie Brown as his anti-commercial funk is relieved when Linus helps him find the true meaning of Christmas. Appropri-ate for all ages, with special sensory-friendly performances on Dec. 2 and 9. Through Dec. 27. $15–$25. Taproot Theatre, Seattle.

SCHOOLS

A Global Perspective

Learn more about our core values

A Charlie Brown Christmas

The Elves & the Shoemaker

LANGUAGE

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Are you looking for a preschool community that encourages a multicultural mix of backgrounds, experiences and ideas? A classroom that has the perfect balance between play and structure? At FISW, your child is welcomed into a nurturing environment. Teachers encourage childrens’ natural curiosity, inspiring them to question and examine the world around them. Learning is both engaging and challenging. Students acquire fundamental skills that prepare them to be lifetime learners in French and English.

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Advice on Raising Bilingual Kids From a Parent Who’s Doing It

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4/20/17 10:14 AM

For me, teaching my son my native but mostly forgotten language of Chinese came down to a matter of money. I’m not musical and I’m not athletic, so the one skill I could give my baby for free is a second language. So, we learned together.

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He didn’t judge me as I slowly sounded out the words; he only cared that it was his mother’s voice. We learned new vocabulary words, per his interests: “street sweeper,” “cherry picker,” “snow plow.” And over these past few years, he and I have become fluent speakers.

Middle School & High School December 6

That said, there are a few things I wish I would have known including how to better involve my husband, who doesn’t speak Chinese, and how to clue friends in on the fact that we’re bilingual.

Middle School January 10 Coed, Grades 6 -12 eastsidecatholic.org

Chinese has been our daily MO for my 6-year-old’s entire life. I’m in too deep to drop the second language, which is why, together, my son and I are teaching the language to his 2-year-old brother. To hear more about this newest adventure, visit parentmap.com/bilingual. — JiaYing Grygiel

French Immersion School of Washington 4211 W. Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE, Bellevue, WA 98008 parentmap.com • December 2017 • 35

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December Arts Guide continued from page 34

Leapin’ ‘Nutcrackers’ and more dance George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker Celebrate the 125th birthday of “The Nutcracker” with the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s staging of Russian dancer and choreographer George Balanchine’s classic 1952 version of the ballet. Ian Falconer, creator of the kids’ book character Olivia the Pig, designed the fanciful sets. Through Dec. 28. $26–$190. McCaw Hall, Seattle.

The Nutcracker by Evergreen City Ballet

A period production of the classic ballet features magical sets and costumes. Select one-hour shows for young children, which take place at each venue. Through Dec. 17. $18–$36. Venues in Bellevue, Auburn and Renton. COURTESY EVERGREEN CITY BALLET

The Nutcracker by Emerald Ballet Theatre

This North Sound ballet company presents a full-length performance featuring brandnew sets, gorgeous costumes, professional and youth performers, and live performances by the Rainier Symphony Ballet Orchestra. Dec. 2–10. $20–$43. Northshore Performing Arts Center, Bothell.

The Nutcracker by Ballet Northwest

A South Sound tradition for more than three decades, the production this year will feature all-new sets for the Snow and Land of Sweets scenes. More than 200 dancers are part of Clara and her Nutcracker’s magical journey. Dec. 8–17. $14–$33. Washington Center Main Stage, Olympia.

Orchestras, singers and choirs Sing-Along With Santa!

BARGAIN Santa and the Tacoma Musical Playhouse elves will kick off the holiday season with favorite holiday carols, live accompaniment and a special story time read by St. Nick himself. After the sing-along, children can meet Santa and give him their holiday wishes, with profes-sional photography. Dec. 2. $10. All ages. Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Tacoma.

Seattle Men’s Chorus: A Sassy Brassy Holiday

Sometimes traditional Christmas carols can start to feel, well, tired. Trust the Seattle Men’s Cho-rus to infuse the classics with the warmth of brass and a pinch of sass! The program features a soaring gospel arrangement of “Joy to the World,” the cheeky and cheerful “A Super Gay Christmas,” and a down and dirty Dixie version of “Let It Snow.” Dec. 10–23. $34–$84. Benaroya Hall, Seattle. (Also Dec. 9 at Rialto Theater, Tacoma; and Dec. 16 at Historic Everett Theatre, Everett.)

The Coats’ Holiday Extraordinaire — Shine On!

S TICKETG GOIN ! FAST

The Coats’ holiday show is an all-ages evening filled with laughter, joy and love. The quartet displays an awe-inspiring vocal range, performing catchy music that even gets Santa dancing! Dec. 15–17. $42.50. Benaroya Hall, Seattle. >>

The Gift of Dance

BARGAIN Kaleidoscope Dance Company presents its family-friendly holiday performance featur-ing dancers ages 7–16, who helped choreograph this showcase of imaginative modern dance. Dec. 3. $6–$10. Shorewood Performing Arts Center, Shoreline.

Nutcracker Sweets

This popular, one-hour Nutcracker by ARC Dance caters to young audiences and showcases the talents of student dancers, alongside youth and professional company dancers. It always sells out, so get tickets soon. Dec. 8–10. $15–$25. Venues in Seattle and Shoreline.

The Nutcracker & The Tale of the Hard Nut

The Nutcracker by Olympic Ballet Theatre

Olympic Ballet Theatre presents its annual, full-length performance of the holiday favorite, this year featuring new Act One sets in honor of the ballet’s 125th birthday. Abridged performances on Dec. 8 and 14 are perfect for younger viewers. Dec. 8–17. $25–$48. Venues in Everett and Edmonds.

The Nutcracker by International Ballet Theatre TUESDAY–SATURDAY, 10AM–5PM NEXT TO SEATTLE CENTER | 440 FIFTH AVENUE NORTH DISCOVERGATES.ORG | @DISCOVERGATES

36 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

The beloved ballet is performed in traditional Russian style with elaborate sets and costumes from Ukraine, plus Arabian dancers and a fierce battle scene. Some performances are already sold out. Dec. 13–22. $25–$50. Theatre at Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue.

BY CHARLES DICKENS ADAPTED BY GREGORY FALLS DIRECTED BY

EMILY PENICK

NOV 24–DEC 28

Photo by Dawn Schaefer

. S U O I R U C E V . D ARRI E R I P S N I E LEAV

Presented alongside the traditional Russian “The Nutcracker,” Tacoma City Ballet’s annual pro-duction includes the seldom-told Nutcracker backstory of the magical Krakatuk Nut in “The Tale of the Hard Nut.” Accompanied live by the Tacoma City Ballet Orchestra. Note: This is the show’s first year at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center. Dec. 15–23. $18–$104. Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center, Federal Way.

acttheatre.org | 206.292.7676 | 700 Union Street, Seattle parentmap.com • December 2017 • 37

out + about

REAL MONTESSORI | REAL PREP

December Arts Guide

Ensign Symphony and Chorus presents Hosannah!

This production centers on traditional Christmas favorites that focus on the spiritual side of Christmas, including “Silent Night,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and many others. Dec. 18–19. $18–$38. Benaroya Hall, Seattle.

Tiny Tots Holiday Hooray!

BARGAIN Singing twin sisters Lisa and Linda invite the youngest of concertgoers to experience delightful holiday tunes in an interactive sing- and move-along performance accompanied by a brass trio. Dec. 8–9. $12. Ages 0–5 years with families. Benaroya Hall, Seattle.

Handel’s Messiah

The Seattle Symphony, along with its chorale and talented soloists, presents this annual tradition that includes the magnificent “Hallelujah” chorus. Dec. 15–17. $24–$89. Benaroya Hall, Seattle.

Community Messiah Sing-along

BARGAIN Come to sing (or just listen) to Handel’s masterpiece in a true community event with guest conductors and soloists, featuring the audience as the chorus! Selections of the work will be performed. Vocal scores will be available for purchase. Dec. 18. FREE. Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Olympia.

Mark O’Connor’s An Appalachian Christmas

Grammy Award winner and Seattle native Mark O’Connor’s Meany Hall performances have become a tradition. Joined by members of his musical family, O’Connor and the O’Connor Band will perform Christmas classics, with Appalachian fiddling and bluegrass. Dec. 16–17. $39–$57. Ages 5 and older. Meany Hall for the Performing Arts, Seattle.

One-of-a-kind shows This celebration of the winter solstice presents traditional music, dance and drama on the Spanish pilgrimage route, Camino de Santiago de Compostela. The show features pilgrims (actors, and adult and children’s choruses) singing, dancing and storytelling on the camino in a lively, lovely, funny and joyous celebration for all ages. Dec. 16–20. $19–$36. Rialto Theater, Tacoma.

BARGAIN See the madcap Muppets spin on Dickens, starring Michael Caine, on the big screen. Dec. 17. $10. Pantages Theater, Tacoma.

Community-Wide Hanukkah Pajama Jam

BARGAIN In the coziest community Hanukkah celebration ever, don your PJs and enjoy live mu-sic performed by Josh & Chava, a live presentation of a special Hanukkah story, food trucks, arts and crafts, gift bags and more! Bring new and gently used pajamas to donate to children in foster care. Dec. 16. Free with pajama donation. Stroum Jewish Community Center, Mercer Island.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

The 10th-anniversary national tour of this critically acclaimed holiday stage extravaganza is a cirque spectacle, Broadway musical and family show all in one. Dec. 22–24. $40–$70. Paramount Theatre, Seattle.

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K- 8 OPEN HOUSE

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11/12/17 5:43 P

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Fiddler on the Roof Sing-Along

Get ready to belt out “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Tradition” with this beloved 1971 film. A kosher Chinese food buffet and live klezmer music, included in ticket price, precede the screening and are part of what is now a SIFF tradition. Dec. 25. 12 p.m. $20 –$25. SIFF Cinema Uptown, Seattle.

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White Christmas Sing-Along

The Christmas Revels

The Muppet Christmas Carol

college prep • personalized & mastery learning • development of positive personal values

COURTESY BROADWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS / PANTAGES THEATER

continued from page 37

WOODINVILLE W OODIINVILLE M MONTESSORI ONTESSOORI SSCHOOL CHOOL WOODINVILLE MONTESSORI HIGH SCHOOL

Join Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney as they save a Vermont inn in this participatory White Christmas at SIFF. Dec. 21–25. $9–$14. SIFF Film Center, Seattle. ■

We’re for a healthy dose of originality.

Gemma Alexander is a Seattle-based freelance writer with two daughters. She blogs about books and travel, and spends too much time on Twitter (@gemmadeetweet).

We’re for the freedom to be fearless.

WE’RE FOR WHAT YOU’RE FOR: YOUR CHILD

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Your Holiday Survival Guide, From Parents Like You

candles each night. We do one thing we are grateful for with each candle nightly. I also get eight small presents for the kids; they love that ritual more than the grateful component, and it makes us all happy.” — Ida Wicklund, ParentMap senior manager, advertising sales

four hours to family dinner or going to every party brings you stress instead, then don’t do it.” — Elisa Taylor, ParentMap ad traffic manager “Spend time, not money.” — Richard R., Mercer Island

You’ll want to check this list twice

“My husband and I both have large families, so it can get overwhelming. Instead, we typically do something special just for the grandparents.” — Becky H., Seattle “Rushing about probably really won’t matter next week, next month or next year. But this moment does. Being in the moment with my child, particularly with the wonder of the holidays, keeps me sane.” — Ambre O., Seattle “I love the ritual of Chanukkah and lighting the

“I wrap gifts as I purchase them.” — Randi P., Bellevue “When our daughters were 9 and 11, my family adopted a four-present wish list: one gift they need, one gift they want, one gift they’ll wear and one gift they’ll read. It’s changed my craziness dramatically, and I’m still in disbelief at how much they like it even two years later.” — Rosemary R., Tacoma

“I save up some extra vacation time even if it’s just half a day to take off in early December. I use that time for shopping, baking, a Christmas activity with the kids — anything totally unplanned. It helps get me in the spirit and enjoy things.” — Kelly R., Renton “During the crazy holiday season, I try to take time to play board games during a family game night! It really brings us together, and the kid loves it as well (even if he does complain about the no-screen time at first).” — Angela H., Lynnwood

“I have an automatic savings account that deposits a small amount every week into a holiday spending account. When it’s time to buy gifts for the nanny, family and friends, I have money saved up already

Celebrate the Holidays at Hands On Children’s Museum!

ou don’t have to travel any farther than your local shopping mall to find a line of sleep-deprived moms and dads frantically trying to check their lists (you can forget about doing it twice). And while we may not be quite at the “bah, humbug!” stage quite yet, plenty of us are simply trying to survive the busiest time of year. So how do you do it? We asked members of the ParentMap community for their best holiday survival advice. From checklists to the power of “no,” these suggestions are the fuel you need to make the holidays happen without losing your sanity in the process. Responses have been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

“Make sure you carve out times to enjoy the holidays, instead of trying to make every moment special. Everyone will have a better holiday season if you’re not run ragged by all of that ‘fun.’” — Jody Allard, ParentMap managing editor 40 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

“Several years ago, I stopped sending gifts to all my family members and cut back to one gift per child for my own children. It was the greatest thing I’ve ever done. I wish I would have done it years earlier! I think my kids appreciate keeping things simple and sticking to a fairly regular schedule during the holidays — as much as possible, anyway.” — Christine H., Bothell

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“My daughter and I have individual ‘wish lists’ [on our family whiteboard] so that we can get gifts that each of us wants and less miscellaneous gifts. The hard part about the wish list is that once it’s on the list, you can’t buy it for yourself or change the item. You can add to the list. Items should be items that you wouldn’t normally buy for yourself. The only way it comes off the list before the new year is if someone else buys it or if you really don’t want it anymore.” — Grace D., Seattle

“If it doesn’t bring you joy, don’t do it. If making cookies, sending cards, driving

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continued from page 41 so I don’t stress as much about a bigger-than-usual spending month.” — Jordan J., Seattle

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“I have a ritual for self-sanity: I go to my favorite coffee shop with a stack of Christmas cards to write.” — Anne W., Seattle “Make the baked goods early and freeze them.” — Cynthia G., Lake Forest Park “We always do a trip [during the holidays] and have really fun and happily filled stockings. Each kiddo has 10 whole dollars (!) to buy two gifts for their brother, but the main gift is getting to pick an experience while we’re on our trip.” — Tara Buchan, ParentMap events manager “We keep a tote of scarves, hats and gloves in the car at all times. Having those extra things makes it easier to pop out and enjoy something spur of the moment.” — Monica L., Renton “Last year we got our tree late — just a few days before Christmas — and that was nice. We didn’t have to water for an extended period, it was half off, and we weren’t sick of it by the time the once-yearly pickup date came in January.” — Amy M., Port Angeles

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“My son is autistic and often is extremely overwhelmed by the season. We use two techniques that help us: first, we pick one important event that we will attend; all others we say no to. Second, we’ve worked out a code for my son to ask to leave: He can text us the letter ‘X’ and we know that means it’s time to go.” — Blake B., Tacoma “At the beginning of December, we sit down around the table and make a paper chain of all the Christmas activities we want to do together. It’s a lot of fun to brainstorm together and have all of those activities to look forward to!” — Elena P., West Richland

Preschool (2 years) Pre-Kindergarten (3-4 years) Kindergarten Prep (4-5 years)

< Degrees & Certificates

“I set up a calendar of our favorite holiday activities. I put each activity in an envelope, and the kids open one every day [in December]. The activities might be ‘buy Christmas tree,’ ‘visit reindeer at Swansons’ or ‘read books with hot chocolate by the tree.’ Planning out the schedule helps me feel organized and able to enjoy it and be more present.” — Lisa W., Seattle

“Stop looking at Pinterest.” — Eebie M., Seattle ■ 42 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

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“Decorating Christmas cookies with littles will not go perfectly. Go in with low expectations and lots of patience and you’ll create wonderful memories.” — Dani Carbary, ParentMap manager, advertising sales and partnerships

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• Teach them the word “no.” Teaching your child to hear the word “no” helps them cope early with the fact that not everything will always go their way. It’s also equally important to help them deal with the emotions of rejection. Rather than giving in, you are doing them a favor by teaching them to deal with the realities of the world. • Read, read, read. I truly believe reading with your children will help to set them up for success. Read to them every day when they’re young. And make sure your kids see you with a book, magazine or tablet in hand as well. Modeling reading is powerful stuff. • Google it together. If you don’t know the answer to their question, why not find it together? Learning together is a great teaching opportunity. It will also remind them that as an adult, you don’t always have all the answers. Plus you’ll be demonstrating how curiosity and learning can continue throughout life. Read the rest of the list at parentmap.com/kindergarten-advice.

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parentmap.com • December 2017 • 43

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S chedule regular family check-ins.

Decide how often you should assess how everyone is doing: weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.

Stay resolved but not rigid.

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The act of physically committing something to paper makes it more concrete. And if you post your resolutions in a prominent place, they can serve as a visual reminder of what you want to achieve.

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Does your family want to eat together more often? Have a regular family movie or game night? How about taking on a family-challenge activity like hiking or biking once a month? These are all habits worthy of a resolution!

For example, if the end result you’d like to see is your family eating together more frequently, how can you achieve that? Brainstorm ideas and then make your resolutions as specific as possible.

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someone you should know

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Allen Rickert

A well-known local toy seller talks about the future of play By Leah Abraham • Photograph by Will Austin

n this digital age, what sort of toys and activities do kids prefer? Are virtual games dominating the industry? Are screens pushing out old-fashioned, retro games like puzzles, board games and dolls? Studies show that kids like both virtual games and physical toys, but will opt to watch television or movies at home before playing with traditional toys, according to one 2015 report on consumer habits. Are we seeing the same preference in local toy stores? To find the answer, we chatted with Allen Rickert, owner of Greenwood’s Top Ten

Could you elaborate on why we need creativity in our toys? With old-fashioned toys, you’re using hand-eye coordination. That ability to physically manipulate things helps develop not just hand-eye connection, but the brain’s ability to appreciate shapes and the way things go together. We’ve noticed that now, when children come into the store, they’ll go past the section with the windup toys. [When kids do stop], they’ll wind the toys once and expect it to work. They’re used to pushing buttons. The idea that they have to wind it several times takes them by surprise. Kids are finding it harder to play with [physical] games because online games are typically designed to hook the child pretty quickly. They’re simpler to play right away. [With games like board games or puzzles,] there is no online tutorial. You have to sit down with these different objects and figure out how they work. 46 • December 2017 • parentmap.com

Toys. Rickert’s sister established Top Ten Toys three decades ago. Her goal was to provide a place where parents can buy “healthier” toys for their kids. To Rickert, who took over the store 15 years ago, “healthier” means more educational, less violent, gender-neutral, multicultural and environmentally friendly toys. After more than a decade in the industry, Rickert says he’s noticing a change in the toys kids want; namely, he’s seeing a decline in the popularity of old-fashioned, physical toys that get kids moving and that lack of creative options isn’t good for kids, he says.

You have to read instructions. Kids are increasingly challenged to do that.

What about screens and virtual games? Where do they fit in? Kids are spending many hours a day on their screens. First, it was on the computer; now, it’s on their smartphones or tablets. If they’re spending a lot of time on the screen, that’s less [time they’re spending] seeking out other ways to entertain themselves, like with traditional toys. Traditional toys often require more imagination, physical effort and time to slowly reach the point where the model is built or the game is won. A doll tea party or the slow, meticulous set-up of toy soldiers before a battle cannot match the nearly immediate flashing colored lights and sounds of a computer game. Screen time sometimes makes the real world seem boring, [but] boredom [is what] drives us

to make something happen on our own and figure out how to do it. Even if computer games evolve to provide slower, less high-stimulating graphics to make room for creativity and social interaction, the allure of the unhealthy games and the need to set boundaries with them will always be there. [That said,] I do believe in the potential of conventional or virtual screen time. Screen time has the potential to be healthy or unhealthy; even the good stuff needs to be [consumed] in moderation. It’s a very difficult challenge for many parents to set boundaries of moderation when they are spending large amounts of time on the screens themselves. That challenge will always remain. n

Leah Abraham is a reporter at a Seattle-area community newspaper. She is obsessed with the great indoors, Korean food, conversations over coffee and her dorky immigrant family.

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