Kid's Play Magazine: Spring 2017

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Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

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Changes for Summer Caffeine & Kids Stroller Workouts Easy Kitchen Science

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Making Music Vision Therapy Playgrounds REACH Fun Tri-City Family Events Calendar

In This Issue

Spring 2017

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Kid’s Play

You’re holding the last Print issue of Kid’s Play Magazine. Our next issue, Summer 2017, will be completely online- featured on KidsPlayTC.com.

And, following that- Summer 2017 will be our last publication for the forseeable future. We will be suspending production of Kid’s Play Magazine after the Summer issue. We fully intend to go out with a grand finale- Summer 2017 will be everything you’ve always told us you love about the Summer issue here at Kid’s Play. We hear from many of you every year about how Kid’s Play is a big part of your summer planning- and we promise not to let you down. But we won’t be back for Fall 2017.

Why? Lots of reasons. Most of them because it’s time for me to spend less time behind a computer screen and more time actually going and doing the cool stuff we print in these pages.

If you’ve been following our story here at Kid’s Play you know that the magazine is my 4th (and often most demanding) child. I started this baby from scratch seven years ago and have poured my heart and soul into it. It has become more successful than I ever could have imagined. I am so very grateful for that. You may also remember our announcement (and retraction) last year about my transitioning out of Kid’s Play- that transaction fell through, and I know it was for the best.

Some of you may also know me as “Mrs. Tomasino,” Director of the Pasco Classical Conversations program (a homeschooling/”hybrid-style” education program). I serve as the director for almost 40 kids and run a classically based education program that marries the best of homeschooling with a classroom experience. I’m proud to be a director who knows every kid’s name and tries to “get” their story.

Here’s the deal though- I can’t do both jobs, and be there for my own kids, and stay sane. We tried it- I’ve run around like a crazy person this past year. I’ve had a bunch of help on both sides, but this pace just isn’t sustainable. So we had to make a choice: I made the choice that I feel will be the best fit for my family. After many long conversations, my husband and I decided to close the Kid’s Play chapter and focus on other ventures: our own kids first, then the CC community.

While I regret the hole that Kid’s Play will leave in the community, I am sure someone else, someday, will come along and fill the need.

As I’ve made this decision I’ve been overwhelmed with a peace about the whole thing. I’m excited for MY three kids to actually get a summer this year (last summer mom worked A LOT). I’ve always made the observation that I spend all this time behind a computer pulling together events and calendars for the community, but rarely make it to any of them with my kids. That’s going to change this year.

It’s time for a softer, kinder pace.

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PO Box 4013 West Richland, WA. 99353 509-528-3891 www.KidsPlayTC.com Owner/ Editor Jennifer Tomasino Editor@KidsPlayTC.com (509) 528-3891 Assistant Gretchen Lopez Info@KidsPlayTC.com All Photos Copyright Jenna Boogerd Photography (509)942-4604

Kid’s Play Stats: Started 2010 First issue: Fall 2010 27 issues printed 221,000 total copies distributed 17 Local Business Spotlights 25 Non-profit organizations featured 231 Stories covered An estimated 10,000 events listed over 7 years (we averaged- that’s a lot of events to count! :)

Too many kid models to count!

Thank you!

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

We’re going to walk all the hiking trails, we’re going to visit the waterparks, we’re going to make it to the library every week, we’re going to sing along to concerts in the park- that’s the mom I want to be. It hurts to walk away from this, but I’m also pretty excited. I thank every one of you who has ever picked up and read Kid’s Play Magazine. I doubly thank those who participated in our model auditions, sent us feedback over the years, and told your friends about us. We are successful today because of you- thank you so much for your support.

So, you’ll hear from me one last time in June when our Summer e-issue goes live. Until then I have a challenge for you: think about what kind of parent you want to be, write it down, post it on the wall if you need to (I did)- and go for it!

Our kids are only little once.

I hope to see you on the trails and in the libraries this Spring.

Best wishes,

Jennifer Tomasino,

Owner/Editor, Kid’s Play; Tri-City Family Magazine

Please support our advertisers!

They are the ones who make Kid’s Play Magazine possible: Imagination Studios Preschool, p21 Dentistry for Kids, p2 Queensgate Gardens, p10 Dance Connection, p23 Rainbow Play Systems, p2 Heaston Thompson Vision Clinic, p11 Rec Tennis, p23 Signature Orthodontics, p5 REACH, p11 YMCA, p27 Jenna Boogerd Photography, p 7 Columbia Basin Pediatric Dentistry, p12 Mid-Columbia Gymnastics, p31 Stellar You Wellness Center, p7 Swanky Babies, p12 Columbia Basin Racquet Club, p32 Classical Conversations, p7 Lourdes Health Network, p15 (back cover) Kid Space Preschool, p9 Sylvan Learning, p21 Shriner’s Hospital, p21 Seattle Children’s Hospital, p9 An extra special thanks to Dentistry for Kids, Lourdes Health Network, and the YMCAthey’ve advertised in every single issue of Kid’s Play Magazine! (Dance Connection is a close second with 25 issues:) Thank you!

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

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YMCA Healthy Tips Corner

Caffeine and Kids

By Megan Weimar-Wallace

Foods and Beverages With Caffeine

Quick Quips

My 13yr old recently got his first Dutch Bros. coffee and he was in heaven! Of course, I made sure it was a small and decaf because I know how addictive and expensive those drinks can be. Most parents wouldn’t dream of giving their kids a mug of coffee, but might routinely serve soft drinks containing caffeine. Foods and drinks with caffeine are everywhere, but it’s wise to keep caffeine consumption to a minimum, especially in younger kids.

Here are some reasons to limit kids’ caffeine consumption: •Kids often drink caffeine contained in regular soft drinks. Kids who consume one or more 12-ounce sweetened soft drinks per day are 60% more likely to be obese.

•Caffeinated beverages often contain empty calories, and kids who fill up on them don’t get the vitamins and minerals they need from healthy sources, putting them at risk for nutritional deficiencies.

•Drinking too many sweetened caffeinated drinks could lead to dental cavities from the high sugar content and the erosion of tooth enamel from acidity.

•Caffeine is a diuretic that causes the body to eliminate water (through urinating), which may contribute to dehydration.

•Abruptly stopping caffeine may cause withdrawal symptoms (headaches, muscle aches, temporary depression, and irritability), especially for those who are used to consuming a lot of it.

•Caffeine can make heart problems or nervous disorders worse, and some kids might not know that they’re at risk.

Although kids get most of their caffeine from sodas, it’s also found in coffee, tea, chocolate, coffee ice cream or frozen yogurt, as well as pain relievers and other over-the-counter medicines. Some parents may give their kids iced tea in place of soda, thinking that it’s a better alternative. But iced tea can contain as much sugar and caffeine as soda.

Feel free to let kids indulge in a sliver of chocolate cake at birthday parties or a cup of tasty hot cocoa on a cold day — these choices don’t pack enough caffeine punch to be harmful. As with everything, moderation is the key to keeping your kids’ caffeine consumption under control.

H2O Is the Way to Go

One of the simplest and most important things you can do for your health is to drink water. The human body is made up mostly of water (about 60 percent), and it relies on water to help perform every function. This means your body uses lots of water and needs you to replace it continuously.

Make water your first choice every time, especially during warmer seasons and after vigorous physical activity. A good guide for most people is to try and drink 8 glasses of water each day.

Sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Soft Drink Association

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Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

On page 19 of the Winter 2016/17 issue we mistakenly listed the Kid Space Preschool ad as appearing on page 10. The Kid Space Preschool advertisement was actually featured on page 9.

We regret any confusion this error may have caused.

Attention Past Models!

If your child has modeled for Kid’s Play Magazine between the issues of Summer 2012-Spring 2017: Please email us at kidsplaytc@yahoo.com. Jenna Boogerd Photography has uploaded all those photos to a secure site for any parents looking to purchase copies of the photos featured in the magazine. Please provide your child’s name and the issue they modeled so we can verify identity.

Special Thanks

to all of our kid models:

Kinley, Ronin, Ryker, Thomas. Abel, Ezra, Emily, Breanna, Conner, and ZoeyPlus all the kids (and parents) at Stroller Strides and Music Together classes

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

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Stroller Workouts

By Gretchen Lopez

Spring is almost here—finally!! After such a rough winter I am ready to get outside!

My fitness tracker showed I burned an impressive amount of calories and I definitely had sore muscles the next day! (which I kind of love- it tells me I worked muscles that needNow that spring is in our near future, let’s talk about getting ed attention and that I made good use of my time) One of the some exercise in—or better yet—outside! Gym memberships things I really liked about the class was that it is a great way are often synonymous with fitness and “getting in shape.” But to set an example for the kids! Your kiddos observe mom let’s face it, sometimes mommies have a hard time finding making fitness a priority and taking care of herself. And they the right fit for them when it comes to exercise or a workout associate working out with being a fun activity. These are lesprogram. Especially for mamas of littles, and even more so sons they are sure to take into life as they get older. for primary caregivers, there are a lot of things to consider: child care, whether it’s a program you can stick to, and what There was a cool surprise at the end of the formal fitness the cost is (both money and time). There are a lot of ways to class- the instructors hosted a “play date” for the kiddos. So get in a workout while enjoying the outdoors—but not every the kids had the reward of getting to play with some buddies activity works for mommies with little kiddos. after mommy’s class was over. There were even moms who came just for the play date. Because this is a program tailored Because of these reasons, we’ve heard from a number of to mommies, there is a camaraderie and support system to moms involved in stroller workout groups. (“You need to do help with some of the struggles of motherhood: you can talk a story!”) This style of workout group helps moms focus on about being up all night with a teething toddler, mommy-extheir health, spend some time in the fresh air, and helps you haustion, colic, breastfeeding, etc. in a safe and friendly place. meet mommy-friends (super-important). Enter FIT4MOM Part of FIT4MOM’s purpose is offering support to mommies Richland, a program that offers moms pre- and post-natal and their kids. “The goal is to cultivate a support system for fitness classes for every stage of motherhood. It’s a fitness our members to further strengthen them in their journey program that started in 2015, created by moms for moms. of parenthood.” Besides workout classes they have a mom’s Their mission is to “help moms make strides in fitness, group called “Our Village” that organizes family activities motherhood, and life”. Their class, Stroller Strides, is tailored where they host a play date at least once every week and a to mommies with kiddos in strollers-where you can exercise “mom’s night out” once a month (and you don’t have to be a with a group of mommies and bring your child along during FIT4MOM member to attend the “Our Village” events!). the workout. The class takes place indoors AND outdoors (weather permitting) and lets you bring your child/children So here’s my take on it: if you’re looking for a challenging along for the ride. (no need for child-care! :). This is a comworkout and craving some time with other mommies, this pletely kid and mommy friendly space. The instructors will group may be a good option for you. They meet at the Richmodify the workout to meet all fitness levels and all stages of land Community Center every Monday, Wednesday, and Frimotherhood; it’s completely normal to take a break to feed day and they take their class outside from there. You can find a crying baby, or change up the routine to meet pregnancy/ the “Our Village” group on the FIT4MOM Facebook page. post-natal needs. FIT4MOM Richland founder, Erin, em“Where was this group when my baby was little?!” phasizes that this is “not just a workout—it’s about supporting others, supporting moms, and setting an example for your babies”. I decided to check out what this program is all about and here is what I discovered…

I attended a Stroller Strides class (full disclosure: without my child or stroller so I could really focus on the class for this article :) and found it to be a great experience…and a great workout! Over the course of this hour-long class, mommies of kids ranging from infants to older toddlers get in a great total body workout while fully integrating their children into the class. They play games, sing songs, blow bubbles, and more to keep the children entertained.

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Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

Want ideas for a great workout to do outside but can’t make it to a class?

We asked Erin and Abigail, the new owner of FIT4MOM Richland, for some help with a workout that you can do yourself in one of our beautiful local parks or walking trails. Here’s what they suggested: *5-8 minutes of warming up: Jogging, running, jumping jacks, high knees, hamstring curls (where you bring your foot up to kick yourself in the bootie:) *Walking lunges: Do 10-20 reps of lunges while pushing your stroller. Repeat 3 times. In between sets, do a light jog or walk to keep your cardio level up (and your kid moving, we all know how they hate staying still in those strollers!). If you need an extra challenge, add a glute squeeze at the top of your lunge. * Squats: 10-20 reps 3x through with cardio between sets. Face your child in the stroller and play peek-aboo when you come up from the squat to keep them entertained. *Monkey abs: 10-20 reps 3x through with cardio between sets. Stand in a wide plie stance, arms in a goal post position at 90 degrees, and reach to the outside ankle by bringing your rib cage towards your hip bone and alternating from side to side. Make sure to keep your knees behind your heels to protect your joints.

You can even make monkey noises to keep your little one engaged. *Plank: Hold a plank position for 30-60 seconds in front of your stroller. For an extra challenge, alternate lifting your hands to tickle your kiddo. **Remember to always cool down after your workout.

As always, consult your health care provider before you begin a new exercise program.

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

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Kitchen Science: Surface Tension We love cool activities that are easy, simple to clean up after, and use stuff you probably already have in your kitchen. Here’s one of our favorites that fits all three of those criteria.

What you need: -Milk -Food coloring -Dish soap -A shallow bowl -Toothpicks

Pour enough milk to cover the bottom of the bowl- the milk doesn’t need to be deeper than about ¼”. Carefully drop the food coloring onto the top of the milk.

You’re playing with the surface tension here- try not to break it. If you want to mix up the colors you can take a clean toothpick and trail it gently through the color drops. When you’re ready for the magic, take a clean toothpick and dip it in the dish soap (you just need a tiny bit on the end of the toothpick). Dip the soapy end of the toothpick into the center of the bowl of milk and watch the colors “run away” to the edge of the bowl.

The kids will probably beg you to do it again (and again)- make sure you rinse the bowl out completely between experiments and use a clean toothpick each time. Any leftover soap residue in the bowl will ruin the experiment.

“In physics, surface tension is a force present within the surface layer of a liquid that causes the layer to behave as an elastic sheet. It is the force that supports insects that walk on water.” Definition from http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/su/Surface_tension

We asked the kids about their favorite kitchen science projects we’ve covered: It was a tie between Homeade Ice Cream and Exploding Soap.

Find full instructions for both in the Kid’s Play issue archives on our website at www.kidsplaytc.com

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Freezer Bag Ice Cream- Summer ‘15

Exploding Soap- Fall ‘14

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

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Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

Making Music We discussed STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) schools in our Winter 2016/17 issue and covered how teaching with a STEM focus can prepare your kids for future employment in the modern workplace. This got us thinking about STEAM (adding the “A” for Arts to STEM) in schools—and what this means for students in the classroom.

To explore this concept we talked to Emily Freeburg, a K-5 music teacher at Marcus Whitman Elementary in Richland, a STEM school that offers after school STEAM Academy (after school clubs focused around STEAM subjects). She teaches choir, orchestra, and marimba outside normal school hours, plus a full music class schedule during day. Emily is truly passionate about music and the benefit of introducing our kiddos at an early age. Here is what we learned: First, what does music education look like in the classroom? Emily teaches music to classes of 20-30 kids from K-5. Classes differ somewhat depending on the age of the children but almost every class starts with some type of movement activity-using scarves/ribbons/tennis balls or some activity involving moving the body. The primary goal with this is to help kids “feel” the pulse or beat of the music internally and learn to move creatively and musically. Emily says this understanding is the first step in music education.

And bonus—movement helps kids get their wiggles out and stay engaged (particularly the younger kiddos). There is a LOT of singing and often they experiment with instruments.

Kids get to experience instruments from around the world including bar instruments like xylophones and glockenspiels, other percussions (anything you can strike or shake) such as drums, maracas, triangles, and scrapers. Emily also has a piano and guitar she plays to accompany the kids in class.

She keeps her classes as structured as possible since she only sees each group of kids once/week for 50 minutes. And the day almost always ends with answering “What did you learn about today” and reflecting on “Did we reach our

By Gretchen Lopez

‘target’ today”? She has standards (specific skills) that she teaches with the goal of sending kids on with the tools to be able to participate in music education for middle and high school (and beyond…).

So what’s the benefit of kids learning about and participating in music in K-5? According to Emily, “This is where it all begins-the diving board for later in life”. Awareness and appreciation or like/love for music and the arts starts at an early age. And if kids want to be involved in a musical group like orchestra or ensemble down the road, there are a lot of skills they need to learn first. (This is where keeping it fun and interesting for younger kiddos is so important). She emphasizes that it doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s about learning the skills for kids to build on later. Emily feels her main goal is for children to leave her instruction having something musical that sticks with them and the confidence “to feel like they can be a musician or a singer”. Whether they end up doing this or not, it’s important they feel they have the tools to do so.

Why is music important in children’s development? Well, I thought I had a pretty good idea about the benefits music has to offer. I remember hearing that music helps with cognition and brain development and plus, it’s just fun, right? Emily offered a HUGE list of reasons for kids to be exposed to music at an early age—reasons I wouldn’t even have thought of—and I found myself saying “Oh yeah, that makes sense” several times during our discussion…

-For starters, studies have proven music helps to develop the language and reasoning areas of brain. Kids involved in music have a high correlation with better developed language.

-Music promotes emotional development—kids learn to be empathic toward others from different cultures around the world by hearing different types of music and learning about the people who produce them. This helps teach kids that there is more than just “me” in the world.

The photos for this story were taken at the Music Together class which meets at the Richland Community Center (covered in the second half of the story)

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-Children learn how to cope with anxiety— “when you have to perform, it can be fearful and anxiety producing”. But when kids continuously work on the skills needed to overcome performance anxiety, this can help them be prepared for public speaking later in life -Learning an instrument also teaches discipline and multi-tasking—you have to practice in order to excel. You have to think about a lot of different steps and then put them all together; reading music, managing your breath to blow into the instrument, where to place your fingers to play a note, etc.

-The value of teamwork is learned for those in an ensemble group—kids have to work with others to make their music concert-ready.

-Not to mention, music can be a great relaxation tool!

And if those aren’t enough great reasons, Emily adds, “this time after school keeps kids working on something positive instead of possibly getting into trouble outside of school”. The kids at her school “don’t always have the opportunity for music instruction, their only access is through music classes before and after school.” Emily is passionate about ensuring the children in her school continue to have access to the arts and are given the opportunity to participate in something positive.

My take-away from this whole discussion was that music and the arts are very beneficial for kids to be exposed to at a young age. Not only from a developmental standpoint—but that life is so much more beautiful with art and music. It feeds your soul. As for Emily, she hopes the kids in her classroom leave having the background to build on the skills she has taught or move on to focus on some kind of arts group that they will continue with throughout their life.

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For the infant-preschool crowd we talked to Jana Hair, local owner of “Music Together Tri Cities”, which offers weekly music classes for children ages 0-5. In these classes, kids are mixed ages from infants to toddlers. They learn from each other and create music in their own way while getting introduced to different rhythms and instruments.

Participating in music for the younger years looks a little different than for the older school-age children. According to Jana, what’s important is to expose them to a musically rich environment and let them participate however they would like. Infants can’t make much music on their own but they may rock (or you can rock them) to a beat, coo to the sounds, or wave their arms to help learn rhythm.

They still get the benefit of auditory and physical stimulation at this age. Toddlers as young as 3-4 can learn to keep an accurate pitch and rhythm. And if you have a toddler, you’re well aware that kids this age want to be moving. So let them! They will choose how to participate in a musical activity in their own way such as running around, dancing to music, or cuddling with parents. Parents can model what we want them to do (such as playing a pot like a drum) and maybe they’ll do it, or maybe they won’t ;), but they are learning in their own way and absorbing the beat. By the time your child is 4-5, they can keep an accurate rhythm, sing songs, and “play” instruments on their own. It may not be perfect, but it doesn’t have to be! It’s important to remember that introducing a love and appreciation of music to your kids can start with you and it doesn’t need to be complicated. Don’t be afraid or timid because you don’t feel that you have the ability to teach your child how to sing or dance. Every child is musical if given the right environment. And every parent has the ability to introduce music into their child’s life.

Here are some of Jana’s ideas to try at home: • Take 10 minutes to practice clapping patterns and have your kids try to repeat the beat.

• Sing a phrase of a song and leave off the last word. Your kids will learn to hear the music in their head and then reproduce it while they finish the phrase.

• Throw a balloon dance party in your living room-turn up the music, blow up some balloons, toss them around and dance!

• Take out the pots and pans and let your kids play. Put out several different “drumsticks” so they can hear the difference in sounds they make: wooden vs. metal spoons, pencils, whatever you have around the house that they can bang!

• Infants are more in tune to their mom’s voice and they respond to this—so sing as loud as you can! Trust us, they think you have the most beautiful voice, even if you disagree.

•Sing about everything: Make songs up about everything you do— putting the groceries away, brushing your teeth, cleaning up, etc.

•Turn on the music and dance!

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

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What is Vision Therapy?

By Jennifer Tomasino Last fall I took my son in to the Optometrist for a vision exam, we wondered if eyesight could be causing his complete disinterest in Kindergarten and explain his frequent collisions with furniture. I left with a total “deer in the headlights” look and an appointment to take him back in for vision information processing testing. There were so. many. new. terms and so much information to try and process. In the weeks that followed, through dozens of conversations with other parents, I realized that we are far from alone in this process. Many other families had helpful hints and information, though every single person said something to the effect of “you found out in Kindergarten?! That’s amazing! We didn’t start therapy until 3rd/4th/5th grade!”

A few years back we worked with Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Thompson at Heaston and Thompson Vision Clinic (HTVC) to write a story on “Tiny Eyes”(Summer 2014) and the need for early vision screening in kids.

Now we’re back, fueled partly by my own journey which stemmed from taking her advice the first time.

What is Vision Therapy?

Simply put- Vision Therapy is a retraining of the brain to be able to properly process information. Vision is a learned skill-which means that it can be re-learned if the current processes aren’t working properly.

Dr. Liz tells us that Vision Therapy is not a new concept; “my grandfather used to provide vision therapy back in 1949 when he first opened the clinic.” She tells us that vision therapy is a challenging topic however, “there is some knowledge out there- people know that it (vision therapy) exists- but there are so many misconceptions and misunderstandings.”

Our vision is one of the most important ways we receive and process information around us. Think about an apple for a moment. Have you tasted an apple? Have you touched an apple? Have you smelled an apple? And finally, have you seen an apple? In a well functioning brain you can see an apple and your brain will automatically recall the scent, flavor, and feel of an apple. You’ll know what an apple is just from the sight of it. However, if your brain isn’t cataloging information effectively then you’ll be at least marginally confused every time you see an apple- you’ll feel like you should know something about the object, but can’t recall that info.

Similarly, your eyes learn how to process information; how to line up a picture with both eyes, how to focus on objects clearly and in varying distances, how to track a line of text across a page, how to follow a ball from the tee to the bat and when to swing (depth perception), or, how to avoid running into the couch when you’re walking across a room. Missing pieces of information, or jumbled information in any of these instances will leave you frustrated- the feeling that you know you could do it, if you just could get the pieces to fit. This is why kids with vision processing challenges have such a hard time in school. People (especially kids) like to do things that come easily- so if riding a bike, or trying to focus on words on a page are really hard, then the kid is probably going to do everything they can to avoid having to do the hard thing.

Many visually challenged kids end up labeled troublemakers, uncooperative, lazy, or even diagnosed with attention issuesnot because they actually were, but because they couldn’t process visual stimulation properly and were really frustrated about it. Many cases exist where these same kids see complete “transformations” because they went through the vision therapy process and can now see and input information properly.

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

What are the signs?

o Complains of blurred vision o Rubs eyes frequently o Squints o Trouble learning right and left o Reverses letters and words, flips “b” and “d”, “p” and “q” o Trouble writing and remembering letters and numbers o Difficulty recognizing letters, words, or simple shapes and forms o Trouble learning basic math concepts of size, magnitude, and position o Sloppy handwriting and drawing, Can’t stay on lines o Can respond orally but not in writing o Poor Reading Comprehension, Can’t distinguish the main idea from insignificant details o Moves head excessively when reading o Frequently loses place, skips lines when reading o Short attention span o Has headaches when reading o Closes or covers one eye And this is just a partial list (for a complete list see www.covd.org).

How many of us would think to have a child checked for eye problems because they have a short attention span and can’t seem to grasp the concept of right and left? Or because they’re having a hard time with math? I wouldn’t have. The first three signs/symptoms on that list are classic “kid needs glasses” symptoms- but the rest are not so easily defined.

Federal law currently dictates that pediatric vision care is one of the “10 Essential Health Benefits”- up there with emergency care, and pre/post-natal care. This is a FULL vision exam- not just a basic vision screening -EVERY YEAR. Vision is that important. And while a routine eye exam may not always pick up all of the above symptoms- Mom and Dad can take these symptoms into the optometrist and advocate for further testing.

According to the vision council, 25% of kids have problems with their visual systems, making this the 4th most prevalent childhood disability in the United States. Out of every classroom, 2-3 children will have what is called convergence insufficiency- which means that they use only one eye at a time. (continued on next page)

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Kids living with this processing problem will DO ANYTHING they can to avoid reading, usually exhibited as outbursts or ADHD type symptoms- however, for kids with convergence insufficiency the problem is easily corrected with vision therapy.

What causes Vision Insufficiencies?

There are many reasons that your brain may not process visual stimulation properly. One of the emerging areas of research is how concussions affect the vision. Google searches on vision therapy and concussions bring up page after page of scary information on how head trauma can cause processing delays and disorders. Vision problems can be caused by high fevers when kids are really young, from falling down the stairs, a car accident, or other trauma.

The short answer is that “we don’t know yet.” Some processing problems can be learned. Some are present from birth.

Some problems can present from being exposed to too much screen time at a young age. We don’t yet know enough to say if the problems are hereditary- though Dr. Liz says many patients often mention a family member who has the same problems.

The take-away here is that “we may not yet know all the causes, but we can absolutely treat the vision diagnoses.”

That’s worth saying again:

Vision processing testing is the second tier of vision testing.

This is where you (or your child) will go through a series of tasks. Testing includes things like tracking objects across a page (while watching for movement), recalling information from page to the next, trying to distinguish patterns inside larger patterns, exercises to test depth perception, etc. This testing is administered by a vision therapist or doctor and introduced in various engaging ways- kids may not even realize they are being examined. This information is then assessed by the doctor and therapist to determine an individual diagnosis.

(And it is important to mention that vision is not the only sense we learn with. Many times a child can be struggling with sensory integration problems, motor system problems, executive function struggles. Vision therapy may not be the only area for learning that needs to be addressed).

What does therapy look like?

Vision Therapy is learning to do something new and different. It will absolutely take kids (and adults) out of their comfort zone. But this is a good thing. Since vision is a learned skill, the comfort zone may be where the problems are. Kids need to re-learn how to process and what to do with the information they’re seeing. It will be hard. Kids will need

“we may not yet know all the causes, but we can absolutely treat the vision diagnoses.”

How is Vision Testing done?

There are several levels of vision testing- the first and most common being a basic vision exam. This is where your doctor checks to see how your eyes move, focus and team together. This exam usually includes tools like a phoropter (the big metal contraption with all the dials and knobs which measures things like focus and clarity), prisms (which tests for depth perception), and other individual testing to see how your brain lines up two pieces of split information.

Eye exams should be done very year, for people of every age (kids and adults). Your vision is affected by things like stress, weight gain, changes in activity, excessive screen time, and even just development (as kids grow up). Vision absolutely changes from year to year, sometimes more frequently than that- which is why it’s important to see kids in the exam chair annually. Dr. Liz says that “just because a child did really good in school one year, doesn’t automatically mean that they’ll do well this year- things may have changed,” their eyesight being one of those elements.

One of the challenges with eye exams is that insurance does not cover every test, so optometrists usually start with a basic exam, as described above. When a basic eye exam discovers irregularities that could be caused by vision processing challenges- then you go back for further, in-depth vision processing testing. While a basic eye exam will test how your eyes work, it doesn’t assess what the brain does with the information being received by your eyes- which is where vision processing testing comes in.

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support from their families. Kids will have to WANT to do this. There will be exercises to do at home. And when they first start therapy they may be doing movements such as crawling across the floor- correctly. Some parents get frustrated when they see their kid crawling- or when the homework is to army crawl. “How will this help my kid be a better reader?!” But Dr. Liz assures us that no exercise is ever done or prescribed without a purpose. Sometimes you really do have to go back to crawling in an attempt to rewire how the brain receives input. “Gross motor development is so important for both sides of the body. You want (left/right)dominance, but you also NEED to be able to crawl, do jumping jacks, - those are important because they’re not just developing the visual system, but also the motor system. Developmental steps are integral to being able to get a quality visual system out at the end.”

Therapists work hard to try and make the process fun and engaging, kids learn better when the learning is fun. Many kids we’ve spoken with call it “playing eye games.”

Vision therapy can take anywhere from 3 months to a year to see full results- “It really depends on how dedicated the kid and the parents are.” The length of time will depend on the starting point as well. Obviously kids who are further behind may need more time to (re-learn) “catch up.” Dr. Liz says they try to give every family as good an idea of time frame as possible. They also periodically assess kids during therapy to determine how much progress has been made.

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

The money question- does insurance cover vision therapy?

There’s no clear answer for this. So much depends on your individual insurance policy. HTVC has several staff members whose only job is to code and track insurance information in an effort to get patients as much benefit as possible. But still there are instances where insurance just says “No.” And there are cases where insurance says they’ll cover it- then change their mind halfway through therapy. This is really unfortunate- you can have a teacher saying “this kid is failing in school,” a doctor saying “here’s why and here’s how we can fix it,” and the insurance companies still get to choose whether they determine it “medically necessary” (and that’s a topic we don’t have room to cover today). Dr. Liz tells us that in specific cases vision therapy has been shown to be just as effective as eye surgery, and without all the side effects and risks of infection. However insurance will still cover the surgery and turn down the therapy.

There are sometimes ways around a vision therapy denial- (it can be coded as physical therapy), you can file an appeal, etc. But at the end of the day, sometimes parents are still left paying out of pocket. The good news is that all vision therapy expenses are covered by Health Spending Accounts and Flex Spending Accounts.

“Where do we go from here?”

I’m asking the same question right alongside you.

We know several things: Parents can’t beat themselves up with the why. Don’t blame yourself, don’t blame circumstances. Don’t waste time with the “if we’d only known sooner.”

The good news is that the brain can be retrained.

Whether vision/processing problems are something that have always been present, or if they appear suddenly because of a major illness or injury- therapy begins where the patient is at and goes from there.

“Vision is learned- if we can change how vision is learned then we can change the outcome.”

Dr. Elizabeth Heaston Thompson has been practicing Optometry in Richland since 2003. She is dedicated to providing comprehensive eye care to her patients. Her passion is working with children to determine how they can use their visual system to enhance their learning. In 2014 she received Board Certification in Vision Development after completing her fellowship. She also enjoys spending time with her family and coaching local youth soccer teams.

As a mama of a little guy who is walking the vision therapy journey this statement gives me hope. It gives me hope that we won’t be stuck in the “I hate school” camp forever. It gives me hope for all the families we’ve met and talked to who are facing similar challenges. It is my wish that this information gives you hope as well.

If you have a child struggling with one of the items we listed above I highly encourage you to take them in for an eye exam at a clinic specializing in vision therapy and development. Worst case scenario- they rule out vision problems and you leave still hunting for answers.

Best case scenario- you get your kid back.

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

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We have a lot of awesome parks in the Tri-Cities. While “everybody” knows about parks like Howard Amon, Playground of Dreams (Columbia Park), Badger Mountain Park, etc- it’s easy to forget about some of the “out of the way” playgrounds.

For new Tri-City families as well as locals, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite playgrounds (again). Our criteria for choosing playgrounds? It HAS to have a bathroom, it needs plenty of space for playing and running, and not directly on any busy streets.We hope you enjoy exploring these parks this Spring!

KENNEWICK: Hansen Park (1) 602 S Columbia Center Boulevard, Kennewick The kids call it “The park with the REALLY tall slides” Parent note: this park does have very tall slides, great for older kids but we kept a really close eye on our toddlers.

Southridge (2) 2901 Southridge Boulevard, Kennewick The kids call it “The super huge park” Parent note: Another really tall playground, the kids’ were really excited about this one Inspiration Park (3) 2601 W 45th Avenue, Kennewick, The kids call it “The little kids park” Parent note: this is definitely a toddler park, but that’s really nice when you just have toddlers. The older kids were a bit bored, but we wish we’d known about this one when the oldest kids were babies. Lots of room to run!

RICHLAND: Claybell Park (4) 425 Broadmoor, Richland The kids call it “The park with the dragon and ‘football grass’” Parent note: Two playgrounds, and there are geo-caches hidden in the brush!

Columbia Playfield (5) 1500 Mansfield St, Richland The kids call it “The park with the really tall rainbow slides” Parent note: A nice centrally located park that isn’t usually very busy. Lots of shade makes it a great place for playdates Columbia Point Marina Park (6) 660 Columbia Point Drive, Richland The kids say “TWO playgrounds and we can see the boats!”

Parent note: Take some life jackets if the little kids want to walk out on the docks. This is also a great starting place for the riverfront walking trail!

PASCO: Chiawana Park (7) 2020 Rd 88, Pasco The kids call it “The park with the forest” Parent Note: This is a gorgeous old park. Lots of shade cover and plenty of nature to explore when the kids are done with the playground. Right on the riverfront!

Mariposa Park (8) 5790 N Rd 60, Pasco (corner of Rd 60 and Three Rivers Dr) The kids call it “The rainforest park” Parent note: this one does NOT have a bathroom, but was so unique we still wanted to feature it. It is located next to an elementary school though (emergency bathrooms?).

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Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

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Science. History. Fun. at the REACH

By Kid’s Play Staff

Back in Fall of 2014 we covered a story on a brand new REACH Museum located in Columbia Park. Now, several years later, we thought it time to check back in and see what’s new.

Since opening in 2014 hundreds of classrooms have field-tripped their way through the REACH Museum’s exhibits, thousands of people have gathered for events and performances, and countless families have explored the facility and learned more about this very unique area we call home. During all of this the REACH staff have continued developing new ways to bring the message of the REACH to the Tri-City Community.

That message and purpose is that “The REACH stands as a gateway to the Hanford Reach National Monument. Celebrating the stories of the Columbia River Basin, its people, and their contribution to the region, nation, and the world.” The REACH aims to tell the stories of the community and the land and make it a meaningful part of YOUR history. Showing kids of all ages how they fit into this place and time and how the River ties all of these stories together.

This means digging deeper into several areas: Geology, the Columbia River as an ecosystem and its history (including Lewis and Clark’s exploration), Agriculture, The Hanford Project (and its effect on the Cold War), The Hanford Reach National Monument and the Shrub Steppe environment, and many other topics.

So what’s new?

Our favorite new REACH event is the Little Explorers program. Little Explorers, for preschoolers, is like a story-time and museum trip all rolled into one. Kids get a chance to handle manipulatives, explore hands-on science, and interact with the museum. Little Explorers happens every 2nd and 4th Wednesday morning. It fills a need that Tri-City parents have been begging for for years! (“Where was this when my kids were little?!”)

We’re also excited for the Saturday programming at the REACH: -Family STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Workshops have been taking place every 2nd Saturday for almost a year now. The workshop is a hands-on experience for parents AND kids- Mom and Dad get to play too! So when you’re exploring weather patterns, digging into crystals, or examining animal tracks (all focuses of recent workshops)- parents get to explore right alongside their kids.

-Saturdays At The REACH Museum just began in January 2017 and is similar to the STEAM workshops in content, but is set up as a drop-in, explore at your own pace, type activity. This event takes place the 3rd Saturday of the month from 11a- 2p.

There are STEAM related activities with plenty of manipulative and hands-on exploration opportunities- just less structure than the 2nd Saturday workshops.

-Mini Mobile Museum is a program that brings the message (and manipulatives) of the REACH Museum into the classroom and/or school science fair. Many kids don’t have the option of visiting the REACH, and this allows teachers to bring the REACH to their kids. (See next page for some of the things kids learn about).

The rest of the REACH still features exhibits on The Manhattan Project, the Hanford Reach National Monument/Shrub Steppe along with the animal and plant life found here, the Columbia Basin geology and natural history, plus outdoor exhibits of agricultural areas and wildlife habitats. Some of the new additions are an exhibit on Cold War Era history (as related to the Manhattan Project), and a six-month exhibition on the Columbian Mammoth Discovery.

The museum continues to add ways for kids to engage with the exhibits- anyone who has ever taken a kid to an exhibit knows how much kids LOVE to touch things, and the staff wants to encourage kids to explore and interact with the material.

There’s also a new water feature being built out of an unused reactor fuel cell. This feature should be finished by Spring time.

For decades now the Tri-Cities have complained that “there’s nothing to do here.” But that’s not really the case anymore.

Here at Kid’s Play Magazine we’ve worked hard to show families what there IS “to do in Tri-Cities.” We’re excited for the role the REACH has played in providing programming and opportunity for families. We look forward to watching it grow!

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Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

game. set. summer

powered by USTA PNW

Some of the stuff you’ll learn about at the REACH and through REACH field trips.

Agriculture: There’s no doubt that the Columbia Basin is a leader in agriculture. But do you know why? The soil in the Pacific Northwest benefits from our volcanic history (we are in the “Ring of Fire” after all). We also benefit from the easy water access via the Columbia, Yakima, and Snake Rivers.

Columbia River: The Mighty Columbia is the backbone of our region: the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the ecosystem of the 4th largest river in North America, and how the watershed affects life here in the basin- The River is kind of a big deal. Kids learn about water sampling and quality, the diversity of life that surrounds (and fills) the river, and how the river has changed over the centuries.

The Hanford Project: It’s hard to explain something as complicated as the Hanford project to kids- but it’s such an important piece of the Tri-Cities’ history. As mentioned before, the REACH wants to show kids how they fit into the history and big picture of this region- so talking about atomic energy, nuclear physics, and the top secret Manhattan Project that put our town on the map is an important topic.

Shrub-Steppe environment: Sagebrush, bunch grasses, and unique wildlife all share this community with us. There are completely different types of plant and animal life in the dry uplands vs. down by the river. Kids learn how these ecosystems interact naturally, and how people interact with the plants, animals, and environment in our region.

Geologic History: Can you recognize the remnants of the ice age? The Columbia Basin is full of geological evidence from the Ice Age and the Missoula Flood (you may have seen the flood marker on the Badger Mountain Hiking Trail?). Kids learn to “read the rocks” by learning the history and geology of our area. Fossil exploration is an important and exciting part of this course as well!

The Cold War: Many wars took place in the 21st century, but none lasted as long as The Cold War (late 1940’s -1991). The REACH’s new Cold War Exhibit (opened Winter 2017) lets kids and adults explore some of the details and lasting effects of the Cold War on life as we know it. The Iron Curtain, The Berlin Wall, Space Race, Arms Race, Communism, and Hanford’s role in the Arms Race are all explored in this exhibit.

Also featured is a POP (culture) wall highlighting famous icons such as Albert Einsten, Marilyn Monroe, The Beatles, Jon Bon Jovi, and many more.

Our tennis programs are a win for all ages & skill levels!

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off when you sign up by May 1st! rectennis.com/play

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Tri- City Family Event Calendar

Want to add an event to our calendar? Email us at Info@KidsPlayTC.com or tell us on facebook.com/kidsplaytc

Recurring Events: (These events happen every week)

This Spring’s Kid’s Play Family Event Calendar brought to you by:

Mondays

-Indoor Playground, 10-11:30a, ages 0-6, MCGA Cheer Gym, 8382 Gage Blvd. Kennewick, $5 -Family Open Gym, 10-11:30a, ages 0-12, MCGA Gymnastics Gym, 1523 Fowler St. Richland, $5 -Preschool Storytime, 10:30a, West Richland Branch of the Mid Columbia Libraries (MCL) -Preschool Storytime, 11a, Ages 0-5, West Pasco Branch of the MCL -Family Storytime, 6p, All ages, Keewaydin Park Branch of the MCL -Learn to Skate and Beginner Hockey ice skating classes, 5:45-6:45p, Toyota Arena, Kennewick. Sessions begin in March. Call 737-3718 for more info.

Keeping your family active since 1981

Fridays

-Rollarena Public Skate, 7-11p, $7 Admission-includes traditional rollerskate rental, 849 Stevens Dr. Richland -Indoor Playground, 10-11:30a, ages 0-6, MCGA Cheer Gym, 8382 Gage Blvd. Kennewick, $5 -Family Open Gym, 10-11:30a, ages 0-12, MCGA Gymnastics Gym, 1523 Fowler St. Richland, $5 -Therapy Dog Reading Program with Jack & Scout, 3:30-4:30p, Rich- -Toddler Storytime, 10a & 11a, Richland Public Library -Baby Storytime, 10a, Kennewick Branch of MCL land Public Library -Indoor Playground, 10-11:30a, ages 0-6, MCGA Cheer Gym, 8382 -Carousel of Dreams, 11a-7p, $3 per ride, 2901 Southridge Blvd.

Kennewick Gage Blvd. Kennewick, $5 -Open Gym, 7-8:30p, Ages 5-12, MCGA Gymnastics Gym, 1523 -Barnes and Noble Storytime, 11a, Columbia Center Mall, KenneFowler St. Richland, $5 per child wick -Planetarium Show/Movie, 7 & 8p, Planetarium at the Pasco CBC -Preschool Storytime, 10a, Richland Public Library Campus -Preschool Storytime, 10a, Kennewick Branch of MCL -Friday Knights, 4-6p, West Pasco Branch of MCL. Open chess -Preschool Storytime, 11a, Ages 0-5, West Pasco Branch MCL play for all ages.

-Preschool Storytime, 11a, Keewaydin Branch MCL -Bouncin Bumble Bees, 10a-8p, Indoor Bounce Houses, 2203 West -Bilingual Storytime, 11a, Pasco Branch MCL 4th Ave. Suite B, Kennewick, $9

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

-Rollarena Public Skate, 3:30-5:30p, $6 Admission-Parent skates free with paid child, 849 Stevens Dr. Richland -Indoor Playground, 10-11:30a, ages 0-6, MCGA Cheer Gym, 8382 Gage Blvd. Kennewick, $5 -Baby Storytime, 10a, Richland Public Library -Music Storytime, 10a, Kennewick Branch MCL -Preschool Storytime, 11a, West Pasco Branch MCL -Preschool Storytime, 10:30a, Benton City Branch MCL -Family Open Gym, 12-1:30p, ages 0-12, MCGA Gymnastics Gym, 1523 Fowler St. Richland, $5 -Bilingual Storytime, 11a, Pasco Branch MCL

Thursdays

-Trampoline Park-Mommy & Me Time, 10a-noon, ages 0-5, One parents jumps free with paid child admission, Get Air Trampoline Park, 731 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick -Indoor Playground, 10-11:30a, ages 0-6, MCGA Cheer Gym, 8382 Gage Blvd. Kennewick, $5 -Bilingual Storytime, 5:30p, Pasco Branch of MCL -Baby Storytime, 10:30a, West Richland Branch of MCL -Preschool Storytime or Preschool Hour, 10a, Kennewick Branch of MCL -Learn to Skate and Beginner Hockey ice skating classes, 5:45-6:45p, Toyota Arena, Kennewick. Sessions begin in March. Call 737-3718 for more info.

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Be sure to read pg 4 of this issue- Summer Calendar online only! www.KidsPlayTC.com

Saturdays

-Rollarena Public Skate, 849 Stevens Dr. Richland 10a-12p Special public skate for parents and kids 10 and under ($6), & 12-5:30p and 7:30-10p ($7) -Kids Club, 10a-12p, Ages 3+, Michaels, 6803 W. Canal Dr. Kennewick. $2 per project, supplies included -Preschool Storytime, 10a, Kennewick Branch MCL -Family Storytime, 11a, West Pasco Branch MCL -Barnes and Noble Storytime, 11a, Columbia Center Mall, Kennewick -Planetarium Show/Movie, 2 & 3p, Planetarium at the Pasco CBC Campus -Open Gym, 6-8p, Garland’s Gymnastics, 8710 W. Victoria Ave. Kennewick, $7.50 per child -Carousel of Dreams, 11a-7p, $3 per ride, 2901 Southridge Blvd.

Kennewick -Bouncin Bumble Bees, 10a-8p, Indoor Bounce Houses, 2203 West 4th Ave. Suite B, Kennewick, $9

Sundays

-Rollarena Public Skate, 1-8p, $6 Admission-includes traditional rollerskate rental, Parent skates free after 5:30 with paid child, 849 Stevens Dr. Richland -Carousel of Dreams, 12-5p, $3 per ride, 2901 Southridge Blvd.

Kennewick -Bouncin Bumble Bees, 12-6p, Indoor Bounce Houses, 2203 West 4th Ave. Suite B, Kennewick, $9 Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

The Rest of the Calendar: Thinking ahead to Spring Break? Check these camps out: -Youth Basketball Clinic, Ages 7-14, April 3-4, 11a-12:30p, free, City Hall Activity Center, Pasco. For info or to register: www.pascoparksandrec.com -Tennis Camp, Ages 5-8, April 3-6, 1-1:45p, $40 Resident, $50 Non-Resident, Tennis Court at Pasco High School. For info or to register: www.pascoparksandrec.com -Tennis Camp, Ages 9-12, April 3-6, 2-2:45p, $40 Resident, $50 Non-Resident, Tennis Court at Pasco High School.. For info or to register: www.pascoparksandrec.com - Spring Break at Columbia Basin Racquet Club, April 3-7, 6:30am-5:30pm, Members $160/week and Non-members $188/week (+ tax). For info or to register: www.mycbrc.com or (509) 943-8416 - Learn to Skate Camp, 10:15-11:15a, April 4-6, Toyota Arena, Kennewick. For info or to register: www.yourtoyotaarena.com or call 509-737-3718 -Beginner Hockey Camp, 10:15-11:15a, April 4-6, Toyota Arena, Kennewick. For info or to register: www.yourtoyotaarena.com or call 509-737-3718.

-Spring Break Baseball Camp, April 3-6, 9a-3:30p, Ages 6-12, Southridge Sports and Events Complex, Bldg. A, Kennewick. Cost: $129 Resident, $138 Non-Resident. For info: www.go2kennewick.com -Spring Break-Energy Camp, 9a-3p, Ages 9-13, April 3-7, $100 Members, $125 Non-Members, Reach Museum. Visit www.visitthereach.org for details.

-YMCA Spring Break Day Camp, April 3-7, Ages 5-12, 6:30a-6:30p, $30/day YMCA Member, $35/day Non-members, register early as space is limited. For info: http://ymcatricities.org

Special Thanks to Queensgate Gardens in Richland for letting us use their greenhouse for a backdrop of Spring in the middle of a snowstorm!

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

Wednesday, March 1 -Leprechaun Dash Registration (see Mar 11 for details) -Elementary Adventures: Tech it out, 2:30-3:30p, Ages 6-12, Benton City Branch Mid-Columbia Library (MCL). Get powered up to learn about technology and engineering with artistic robots, electric spuds, and more.

-Elementary Adventures: Dr. Seuss, 3:30-4:30p, Ages 6-12, Kennewick Branch MCL. This month we will be exploring Dr. Seuss books. Come explore these fun and popular books through games and activities.

-The Y Run For Fun Obstacle Course registration begins (see April 29 for details) Thursday, March 2 –NEA’s Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’s Birthday - Visit seussville.com for some fun ideas and ways to celebrate this day with your kiddos!

-First Thursday Art Walk, 5-8p, Historic Downtown Kennewick. Stroll around the approximately 10 block area of historic downtown to view art galleries and shops filled with art and the artists who create them. Businesses and artists change each month. Other activities include shopping, food, and music. For info visit Kennewick Art Walk Facebook page.

Friday, March 3 -A Night at Hogwarts-J.K. Rowling’s Magical World, 5-8p, Kennewick Branch MCL. Get sorted, attend class at Hogwarts, practice your Quidditch skills, enjoy treats at Hogsmeade, and more. 5-7 pm: Games, activities, and refreshments. 7-8 pm: Readers’ Theatre: Scenes from “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”.

Saturday, March 4 -Kid’s Workshop, 9a-noon, ages 3+, The Home Depot, Kennewick and West Richland locations.

A free “hands on” “how to” craft workshop with a different project each month. All kids receive a free Kids Workshop apron and get to keep their craft.

-Kids Club-Sprout Nature Journal, 10a-12p, Ages 3+, Michaels, 6803 W. Canal Dr., Kennewick.

Kids enjoy making a craft project to take home. $2 per project, supplies included.

-LEGO Club: Less is More, 12-1p, All Ages, West Richland Branch MCL. Drop in with a friend and build using our legos. This month we’ll explore building with as few legos as possible.

Tuesday, March 7 -Columbia Basin Concert Band, 7p, CBC Theatre, Pasco Wednesday, March 8 -Free Car Seat Inspections, 10a-2p, presented by Safe Kids Benton-Franklin, held at Washington State Patrol, 143302 E. Law Lane in Kennewick.

For an appointment call Kathleen (509) 4604214.

Thursday, March 9 -Robert Richardson Scholarship Concert, 7p, CBC Theatre, Pasco

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Friday, March 10 -Monster Trucks, 7:30p, TRAC, Pasco. Truck N’ Tractor Pull and no limits monster trucks. For more info and tickets: www.traconline.com.

Saturday, March 11 -Kids Club-Fairy House, 10a-12p, Ages 3+, Michaels, 6803 W. Canal Dr., Kennewick. Kids enjoy making a craft project to take home. $2 per project, supplies included.

-Leprechaun Dash, 9a, Columbia Park, Kennewick. Race starts and finishes near R.F. McDougall’s and Kimo’s. A kids only 1-mile fun run for elementary and middle school children. Every elementary school with 100 finishers will share in a $5,000 pot to be used for PE equipment! The race is free (unless your kiddo wants a t-shirt). For registration and info visit 3rrr.org.

-Tri-Cities Antique Show, 9a-4p, Southridge Events Center (see Mar 10 for details) -Mid-Columbia Symphony presents “A Circle of Fifths”, 7:30p, Richland High School Auditorium. “Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony” is the fourth concert in a series of five. For info or tickets: www.midcolumbiasymphony.org.

-LIGO Hanford Second-Saturday Public Tours, 1:30p, LIGO Hanford Observatory, 127124 N. Route 10, Richland. Tours last about two hours. Free admission, no reservations required. Best for middle school ages and above, but all ages welcome. The tours begin with a presentation in LIGO’s auditorium, followed by a walking tour of the facility, including a visit to the control room.

Guests should dress for the season and wear comfortable shoes.

For info: www.ligo.caltech.edu/WA/page/lho-tours

Be sure to read pg 4 of this issueSummer Calendar online only! www.KidsPlayTC.com

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Saturday, March 11(Continued) -STEAM Family Workshop-Food Science, 10:30a-12:30p, REACH Museum, 1943 Columbia Park Trail, Richland. Learn the science and technology behind some of your favorite foods, and explore how flavors interact with each other with the handson and mouth-watering activities in this workshop. Adults $8, Students $6, Kids under 5 and REACH members free. Register with Pauline at 509-943-4100 x113 or paulines@visitthereach.org -Monster Trucks, 2p & 7p, TRAC, Pasco (see Mar 10 for details) Sunday, March 12 - Daylight Savings Time Begins. Don’t forget to ‘Spring Forward’ one hour!

Tuesday, March 14 -Orchestra and Choir Concert, 7p, CBC Theatre, Pasco -LEGO Club, 4-5p, Ages-6-12, Benton City Branch MCL. Build your own creation based on the theme for the month. Legos provided.

Thursday, March 16 -Jazz Night, 7p, CBC Theatre, Pasco -Registration begins for Exceptional Rodeo for Special Needs, 10-11a, Benton Franklin Fairgrounds. Register at www.rascalrodeo.org (see April 15 for details) Friday, March 17 -Custer’s 18th Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Show, 10a-8p, $7 Admission, Kids 12 and under free,TRAC, Pasco. Features over 150 of the finest artists and crafters from across the U.S. with unique hand crafted items and specialty and gourmet foods.

-Mid-Columbia Ballet presents Spring Mixed Repertory, 7p, Richland High School Auditorium. Tickets: Adults $20, Seniors/ Students/Kids $10. Includes Swan Lake Act II, Little Red Riding Hood, and more. For info or tickets visit midcolumbiaballet.org Saturday, March 18 -Kids Club-Fingerprint Floral Canvas, 10a-12p, Ages 3+, Michaels, 6803 W. Canal Dr., Kennewick. Kids enjoy making a craft project to take home. $2 per project, supplies included.

-Leprechaun Limbo - A Mother-Son Night Out, 5-9p, Southridge Sports Complex, 2901 Southridge Blvd. Kennewick.

Tickets: $55 per mother-son couple, additional son: $25, VIP early entry at 4p. This event celebrates the relationships between mothers and their boys. Some activities include archery, Lego Walk of Fire, facepainting, Angry Birds LIVE!, Junk in the Trunk, Carousel of Dreams, and more. For info or tickets visit www.leprechaunlimbo.com -Chick Day at Basin Feed and Supply, 8am, 9200 W Clearwater Ave, Kennewick, (509) 737-8428 -Custer’s 18th Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Show, 10a-6p, TRAC, Pasco (see Mar 17 for details) -17th Annual POPP Pooch & Pal Run and Walk, 9a (registration begins at 8a), Columbia Point Marina, Richland (end of Columbia Point Drive, behind Anthony’s). This year’s theme is western so wear your hat and run/walk 1 mile or 5K with your pooch.

Strollers welcome. Registration fee is $25 with a t- shirt or $20 without a shirt. All proceeds benefit Pet Over Population Prevention to help homeless dogs and cats find forever homes. For info or to register visit popptricities.org -Mid-Columbia Ballet presents Spring Mixed Repertory, 3p, Richland High School Auditorium (see Mar 17 for details) -Mid-Columbia Ballet presents a sensory friendly performance of Little Red Riding Hood , 12p, Richland High School Auditorium. We turn up the lights, lower the music and invite children with special needs and their whole family to attend this relaxed 20 minute performance created especially for children with sensory related disorders. You must email to pre-register for this performance. See midcolumbiaballet.org for details.

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

Saturday, March 18 (Continued) -Mr. Bunny Dog Hunt, 12-1:30p, Free-no registration, Howard Amon Park (Behind Richland Community Center). Dogs sniff out individually wrapped treats and valuable prizes. Get your photo with Mr. Bunny. Easter Attire is encouraged for pets. Dogs must be on leash.

-Saturdays at the Reach-Spring Seed Swap, 11a-2p, Reach Museum, Richland. Spring is on its way, so it’s time to get your garden started. Bring your extra seeds to share, and take home some new ones to try. Help us prepare our education garden while learning what grows in Washington. Participate in arts and science activities for all ages. Admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors, military and students, 5 and under and REACH members free.

Sunday, March 19-State Park’s 104th Birthday- No Discover Pass necessary to visit any Washington State Park today. So get out there and ENJOY! -Custer’s 18th Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Show, 10a-4p, TRAC, Pasco (see Mar 17 for details) Monday, March 20 -Preschool Hour: Disney Junior, 6-7p, Ages 0-5, Benton City Branch MCL. Let Mickey and friends help your child get ready for kindergarten. Preschoolers will help Sheriff Callie dig for gold, help Minnie solve a bow mix-up, travel around the universe with Miles from Tomorrowland, and more.

Tuesday, March 21 -Preschool Hour: Pete the Cat, 10:30-11:30a, Ages 0-5, West Richland Branch MCL. Join Pete the Cat as we get your preschooler ready to rock in their school shoes. Preschoolers will help Pete pack his lunch, sort all of Pete’s groovy buttons, practice tying Pete’s shoes, and more.

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

Wednesday, March 22 -LEGO Club, 2-3p, Ages 6-12, Pasco Branch MCL. Let’s get building!

Bring your engineering skills, imagination and let’s have some fun!

Thursday, March 23 -Pre-School: Nature Discovery Time-“Use your ears”, 10:30-11:30a, Ages 3-5, Keewaydin Park, Kennewick. Cost Per Class: $12 Resident, $17 Non-Resident, All Four Classes: $41 Resident, $59 Non-Resident. This program is for preschoolers and will be exploring in various park sites. This will be set up similar to a preschool setting. The child can participate in just one or all four classes! An adult must be present with the child during the program. For info and to register visit www.go2kennewick.com Friday, March 24 -Nancy Drew: Girl Detective, 7p, Tickets: $7-13, Presented by Academy of Children’s Theatre, 213 Wellsian Way, Richland. The world’s most famous girl detective is at it again! For info and tickets www. academyofchildrenstheatre.org/ Saturday, March 25 -Kids Club-Watercolor Frame, 10a-12p, Ages 3+, Michaels, 6803 W. Canal Dr., Kennewick. Kids enjoy making a craft project to take home. $2 per project, supplies included.

-Nancy Drew: Girl Detective, 7p, Academy of Children’s Theatre, Richland (see Mar 24 for details) -Bunny Bash, 10a-noon, Columbia Center Mall, Kennewick. Join us for fun games, activities, treats, prizes, an egg scavenger hunt, and photos with the Bunny himself.

Sunday, March 26 -Nancy Drew: Girl Detective, 3p, Academy of Children’s Theatre, Richland (see Mar 24 for details) Friday, March 31 -Nancy Drew: Girl Detective, 7p, Academy of Children’s Theatre, Richland (See Mar 24 for details) -Latin American Celebration, 7:30p, Presented by Mid-Columbia Mastersingers, St. Joseph’s Chapel, Kennewick. The Mastersingers will perform Latin American choral music and the concerts will feature mariachi ensembles from the Pasco School District. For info and tickets: www.midcolumbiamastersingers.org Saturday, April 1 – April Fool’s Day – Be sure to prank your kids before they prank you!

-Latin American Celebration, 7:30p, St. Joseph’s Chapel (see Mar 31 for details) -Nancy Drew: Girl Detective, 7p, Academy of Children’s Theatre, Richland (see Mar 24 for details) -Kid’s Workshop, 9a-noon, ages 3+, The Home Depot, Kennewick and West Richland locations. A free “hands on” “how to” craft workshop with a different project each month. All kids receive a free Kids Workshop apron and get to keep their craft.

-Make the Park Shine Day, 9a, Sacajawea State Park, Pasco. Boy Scouts groups, Girl Scout Groups, church groups, families and more are invited to come and join us to clean the park. Make sure to bring your gloves and your favorite cleaning tool! Potluck will be at 12:30pm so bring your favorite dish to share. Water, plates, and utensils will be provided.

-Stellar You Wellness Center Open House, 10a-2p, Stellar You Wellness Center, 750 Swift Blvd. #17, Richland. Meet our providers.

Discounts and raffles on health visits, massages, and more. For info: stellaryou.com.

Sunday, April 2 -Nancy Drew: Girl Detective, 3p, Academy of Children’s Theatre, Richland (see Mar 24 for details) -Latin American Celebration, 3p, St. Joseph’s Chapel (see Mar 31 for details)

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Tuesday, April 4 -“Go WILD for Reading”, 1-4p, held at Mid-Columbia Libraries and Richland Public library, Hosted by Regional Service Corps-AmeriCorps. The annual Go WILD for Reading is a fun, educational event where children and families can continue reading over spring break, and have fun within the community at the same time. They will learn about bicycle safety, water safety, fire safety, and more, as well as participate in games, arts, crafts.

Wednesday, April 5 -Elementary Adventures: I Survived, 2-3p, Ages 6-12, Benton City Branch MCL. If you like the I Survived book series by Lauren Tarshis, you will love this fun event with games and activities all about the I Survived books! Can you survive this afternoon at the library?

-Elementary Adventures: Brandon Mull, 3:30-4:30p, Ages 6-12, Kennewick Branch MCL. This month we will be exploring Brandon Mull books. Come explore these fun and popular books with us through games and activities. Big fans and those new to the series are welcome.

-“Go WILD for Reading”, 1-4p, held at Mid-Columbia Libraries and Richland Public library (see April 4 for details) Thursday, April 6 -First Thursday Art Walk, 5-8p, Historic Downtown Kennewick (see Mar 2 for details) -“Go WILD for Reading”, 1-4p, held at Mid-Columbia Libraries and Richland Public library (see April 4 for details) Saturday, April 8 -LIGO Hanford Public Tours, 1:30p, LIGO Hanford Observatory (see Mar 11 for details) -Morning with Mr. Bunny and Pancakes Too!, 9-11a, Free, HAPO Community Stage at John Dam Plaza, Richland. Join Mr. Bunny for a pancake breakfast followed by a spring egg hunt, fun crafts, sidewalk chalk art, and great prizes! Bunny activities designed for children 10 and under. Pancake breakfast is for the whole family. A photo of your child with Mr. Bunny is included. For info visit www.richlandparksandrec.com -STEAM Family Workshop-Water Quality, 10:30a-12:30p, REACH Museum, 1943 Columbia Park Trail, Richland. How clean is our water, and how can we tell? The activities in this workshop will have us exploring the Columbia River watershed and using chemistry and living things to learn about water quality. Adults $8, Students $6, Kids under 5 and REACH members free. Register with Pauline at 509-943-4100 ext.113 or email paulines@visitthereach.org -Leftovers 4-H Poultry Club Show and Chick Days, 9a-5p, free, Benton Country Fairgrounds, Kennewick. This is the largest poultry event in the Northwest and contains more than just a poultry show. There will be family fun events such as egg decoration stations, kids activities, poultry races, poultry costume contests, poultry art contests, poultry craft contests, door prizes and more! For info: http://www.poultryshowcentral.com/Leftovers_4-H_Poultry_Club_Show.html Tuesday, April 11 -LEGO Club, 4-5p, Ages-6-12, Benton City Branch MCL. Build your own creation based on the theme for the month. Legos provided.

Wednesday, April 12 -Free Car Seat Inspections, 10a-2p, presented by Safe Kids BentonFranklin, held at Washington State Patrol, 143302 E. Law Lane in Kennewick. For an appointment call Kathleen (509) 460-4214.

Thursday, April 13 -Pre-School: Nature Discovery Time-“Examining Leaves” 10:3011:30a, Highland Grange Park (see Mar 23 for details) -Classical Conversations Info Meeting- Curious about homeschooling but don’t want to “go it alone?” Want to know more about classical education? Come let us tell you about homeschooling in community!

6:30p.m., 1524 W Marie St, Pasco, Please RSVP to Pascocc@yahoo.com

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Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

Saturday, April 15- Spring Day - No Discover Pass necessary to visit any Washington State Park today. So get out there and ENJOY! AND National Park week- All National Park Service sites will waive their entrance fees for all visitors today!

-TRAC Center Indoor & Outdoor Garage Sale, 8a-2p, $3/person, $5/2 people, TRAC, Pasco -Mom and Baby Expo, 10a-7p, $5 Admission, Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick. This event aims to highlight local resources, businesses, services, and products for parents. For info or tickets visit http:// tricitiesmomandbabyexpo.weebly.com/ -Exceptional Rodeo for Special Needs, 1011a, Benton Franklin Fairgrounds. This is a FREE event for anyone with mental and/ or physical disabilities of all ages. Come help the Special Needs community discover abilities they didn’t know they had! We encourage you to bring the whole family to help cheer on the participants. Registration begins one month before the event date on www. rascalrodeo.org -6th Annual Easter Egg Festival, 12-5p, $3 Kids, $4 Adults, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Kennewick. Easter Festival with kids and adult egg hunts, raffle items, food and more.

Limited treat bags with various toys and activities for those special children who can’t eat candy. Pictures with the Easter Bunny will be $3 on your own device or $8 for instant print. Specially design for children with special needs but open to the public. We will host 500 kids and 100 adults. For tickets: www.frcwa.org -Saturdays at the Reach-All About Baby Animals, 11a-2p, Reach Museum, Richland.

Participate in arts and science activities for all ages. Admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors, military and students, 5 and under and REACH members free.

-The Easter Egg Hunt, 8:30a-events start, 10a-Egg hunts start, free but donations appreciated, TRAC Softball Complex, Pasco.

Egg hunts are done by age group. Pancake breakfast from 8:30-10a, $4 for Breakfast, free for 12 and under. Raffles, games and family activities all morning.

-Family Exploration-Exploring the Seasons, 8-10a, Ages 6+. Cost Per Family: $15 Resident, $20 Non-Resident. We will be exploring different areas such as Zintel Canyon, Columbia Park, and maybe even Bateman Island. See the changes in plants, flowers and animals during the seasons. Location to be determined. Lead by local natural enthusiasts and photographer, Diana McPherson. For info or to register: www.go2kennewick.com Sunday, April 16- Happy Easter!

National Park week- All National Park Service sites will waive their entrance fees for all visitors today!

Monday, April 17 - Tax Day -Preschool Hour: Down on the Farm, 6-7p, Ages 0-5, Benton City Branch MCL. Join us for a short storytime and then explore some fun, interactive activities. This month we will learn about farm animals.

Tuesday, April 18 -Elementary Adventures: Dr. Seuss, 5:306:30p, Ages 6-12, Basin City Branch MCL. This month we will be exploring Dr. Seuss books. Come explore these fun and popular books with games and activities.

Friday, April 21 -4th Annual Patriots Route 66 Show and Shine, free, Liberty Christian School, 2200 Williams Blvd. Richland. This event kicks off Friday evening with Vintage Trailer Campout. All are welcome to come enjoy a movie under the stars, campfire and popcorn on campus. Our Patriot Show & Shine begins Saturday with entertainment, food and business vendors, activities for all ages, and more. Registration for car & bike show participants is $25 per vehicle or trailer or $35 car/trailer combination. Registration includes a $5 lunch voucher. For info visit Liberty Christian School Facebook page.

Saturday, April 22 - Earth Day - No Discover Pass necessary to visit any Washington State Park today. So get out there and ENJOY! AND National Park week- All National Park Service sites will waive their entrance fees for all visitors today!

-Annual Lakeside Gem & Mineral Club Show, 10a-5p, Admission: $5, 12 and under free with paid adult, Benton Franklin County Fairgrounds. The show will feature rocks, gems, minerals, demonstrations, dealers, silent auction, door prizes, display cases, junior activities, a raffle, and a black light room. Call for info (509)-783-2798.

-4th Annual Patriots Route 66 Show and Shine, 9a-3p, Liberty Christian School (see April 21 for details) Sunday, April 23 – National Park weekAll National Park Service sites will waive their entrance fees for all visitors today!

-21st Annual Lakeside Gem & Mineral Club Show, 10a-4p, Benton Franklin County Fairgrounds (see Apr 22 for details) Thursday, April 27 – National Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day, for more information about this day visit daughtersandsonstowork.org -Pre-School: Nature Discovery Time“Animal Habitats”, 10:30-11:30a, Audubon Trail in Columbia Park (see Mar 23 for details)

Be sure to read pg 4 of this issue- Summer Calendar online only! www.KidsPlayTC.com

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com

Friday, April 28 -Arbor Day Celebration, 3p, Drollinger Park, Richland. Come celebrate Arbor Day by planting up to 10 new trees. For more info contact Jason at jjanosky@cirichland.wa.us Saturday, April 29 -The Y Run For Fun Obstacle Course & Healthy Kids Day Fair, Carmichael Middle School Baseball Field, Richland. Healthy Kids Day is the Y’s National initiative to improve the health and well-being of families and to help them get a jump on creating a healthier summer. Kids will run, jump and crawl their way through a fun obstacle course and learn about some great ways to create a healthy summer at our Healthy Kids Day Fair! Registration is open through April 16. This event is for ages 3 and up (kids will be grouped in heats based on age), Day of registration will begin at 8:15a, First heat will begin at 8:30a, then heats will start every 15 minutes (last heat will start at 10:45a). If you pre-register you will be notified by email of your heat starting time prior to April 29. For more info: http://ymcatricities.org/ -Jenny’s Hope 8th Annual Super Pet Adoption, 10a-3p, Columbia Park, Kennewick.

Come join us and support local shelters and rescues from around our area for our 8th Annual Super Pet Adoption Event. You can meet and play with dogs and cats in a family friendly environment and hopefully add to your family by adopting one of these amazing animals. There will also be food vendors, pet vendors, pet friendly groups, silent auctions and various fund raising with much more.

-Children’s Miracle Network Fundraiser to support our local children’s hospital. Hosted

by Rite Aid, 101 N Ely Kennewick, 10:00am - 2:00pm, Lots of children’s activities and raffles Monday, May 1 – May Day! – Celebrate by leaving some fresh picked flowers on your neighbor’s doorstep.

Wednesday, May 3 -Elementary Adventures: Extreme Animals, 2-3p, Ages 6-12, Benton City Branch MCL. Get spooked by goblin sharks, run like a cheetah, and explore nature’s weirdest and most extreme creatures on the planet.

-Elementary Adventures: Dinosaurs and Fossils, 3:30-4:30p, Ages 6-12, Kennewick Branch MCL. Learn more about prehistoric fossilized creatures through hands on activities.

Thursday, May 4 -First Thursday Art Walk, 5-8p, Historic Downtown Kennewick (see Mar 2 for details) -Pre-School: Nature Discovery Time-“Who’s in the water”, 10:30-11:30a, Zintel Canyon (see Mar 23 for details)

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Friday, May 5- Cinco de Mayo!

-Disney’s 101 Dalmatians and The Aristocats, 7p, Academy of Children’s Theatre, Richland.

Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for students and seniors; $9 for ages 12 and under.

Saturday, May 6 -Kid’s Workshop, 9a-noon, ages 3+, The Home Depot, Kennewick and West Richland locations. A free “hands on” “how to” craft workshop with a different project each month.

All kids receive a free Kids Workshop apron and get to keep their craft.

-March For Babies, Registration starts at 9a, 3.8 mile walk begins at 10a, John Dam Plaza, Richland. It promises to be a fun day out with people who share our passion for improving the health of babies. There’ll be family teams, company teams and people walking with friends - it’s a great feeling knowing we’re all helping real families. Join our event and walk with us to raise money for babies right here in our community. For info: marchforbabies.org -Disney’s 101 Dalmatians and The Aristocats, 7p, Academy of Children’s Theatre, Richland (see May 5 for details) Sunday, May 7 -Disney’s 101 Dalmatians and The Aristocats, 3p, Academy of Children’s Theatre, Richland (see May 5 for details)

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Tuesday, May 9 -LEGO Club, 4-5p, Ages-6-12, Benton City Branch of MCL. Build your own creation based on the theme for the month.

Legos provided.

Wednesday, May 10 -Free Car Seat Inspections, 10a-2p, presented by Safe Kids Benton-Franklin, held at Washington State Patrol, 143302 E. Law Lane in Kennewick. For an appointment call Kathleen (509) 460-4214.

Friday, May 12 -Disney’s 101 Dalmatians and The Aristocats, 7p, Academy of Children’s Theatre, Richland (see May 5 for details) Saturday, May 13 -Disney’s 101 Dalmatians and The Aristocats, 7p, Academy of Children’s Theatre, Richland (see May 5 for details) -LIGO Hanford Public Tours, 1:30p, LIGO Hanford Observatory (see Mar 11 for details) - 24th Annual Safe Kids Saturday, 10a-2p, Free, Kadlec Healthplex, 1268 Lee Blvd.

Richland. Learn about electrical, water, fire and railroad safety; how to call 911; and so much more! The event also includes a bike rodeo, free bike helmets (limited number) and care seat checks.

-STEAM Family Workshop-Pollinators, 10:30a-12:30p, REACH Museum, 1943 Columbia Park Trail, Richland. Our flowers and foods depend on insect pollinators to reproduce. At this workshop we will learn about native bees and butterflies, honeybee communication, what flowers attract hummingbirds, and how to build a bee hotel for your backyard.

Adults $8, Students $6, Kids under 5 and REACH members free. Register with Pauline at 509-943-4100 ext.113 or email paulines@visitthereach.org Sunday, May 14- Happy Mother’s Day! -Disney’s 101 Dalmatians and The Aristocats, 3p, Academy of Children’s Theatre, Richland (see May 5 for details) Monday, May 15 -Preschool Hour: Karma Wilson, 6-7p, Ages 0-5, Benton City Branch MCL. Join us as we explore Karma Wilson’s delightful picture books and help your little one get ready for kindergarten. Preschoolers will sort colors with bear, hunt for frogs in a bog, and more!

Tuesday, May 16 -Preschool Hour: Pete the Cat, 5:306:30p, Ages 0-5, Basin City Branch MCL. Join Pete the Cat as we get your preschooler ready to rock in their school shoes. Preschoolers will help Pete pack his lunch, sort all of Pete’s groovy buttons, practice tying Pete’s shoes, and more.

Saturday, May 20 -Kidz Dig Rigz, 11a-4:30p, Quiet hour for special needs children: 9-10:30a, Tickets $5, 2 and under free, Columbia Park, Kennewick. This a unique, two day familyfriendly event in which kids of all ages can get up close and personal with all types of Rigz such as tractors, fire trucks, tanks and more! Child-friendly entertainment will include monster truck rides, tractor ride-and-drives, car crusher in action presentation, bouncy houses, face-painting, and much more. Various food concession vendors will be present and visits can be expected from many local favorite mascots and Super Heroes! All proceeds benefit Pediatric patients, their families, services and programs at Kadlec Regional Medical Center.

-Insane Inflatable 5K, 8:30a-1p, BentonFranklin Fairgrounds. The Insane Inflatable 5K is coming back to the Tri-Cities!

Get ready to experience the most fun, wild, and insane obstacle run in the world. Get “pumped up” for a course filled with the world’s largest and most extreme inflatable obstacles ever produced. For info or to register: http://insaneinflatable5k.com -Mid-Columbia Symphony presents “A Circle of Fifths”, 7:30p, Richland High School Auditorium. “Lord of the Rings Symphony” is the fifth concert in a series of five. For info or tickets: www.midcolumbiasymphony.org -Saturdays at the Reach-Cold War Life in Richland, 11a-2p, Reach Museum, Richland. Participate in arts and science activities for all ages. Admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors, military and students, 5 and under and REACH members free.

Sunday, May 21 -Mid-Columbia Symphony presents “A Circle of Fifths”, 3p, Richland High School Auditorium (see May 20 for details) -Great Strides Walk - Tri-Cities, 10a registration, 11a 5K Walk, Howard Amon Park, Richland. Great Strides provides a great opportunity for people within the community to get involved in a great cause and walk to raise money/awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. For info or to register: http:// fightcf.cff.org/ -Kidz Dig Rigz, 12-3:30p, Columbia Park, Kennewick (see May 20 for details) Monday, May 29 – Memorial Day (Splash parks open this weekend!)

Be sure to read pg 4 of this issue- Summer Calendar online only! www.KidsPlayTC.com

Kid’s Play Magazine, Spring 2017 - www.KidsPlayTC.com