Issuu

volume xxxiii no. 4 Winter 2026

wonderful wintertime

kid-approved crafts & recipes school day-off programs boulder’s best programs for the 2027-2028 school year CELEBRATING OUR CHILDREN FOR OVER 30 YEARS!

Cover art by Divya age 11

4 years

WONDERFUL WINTERTIME Winter in Boulder County has a little bit of everything. Snow-covered Flatirons, chilly mornings, bluebird afternoons, and the occasional 60-degree day that has us

wondering if we skipped a season. Whether your family is hitting the slopes, exploring snowy trails, or staying cozy indoors, there's plenty of winter magic to go around. In this issue, we're embracing all things winter! Warm up with our après-ski snack recipes, get creative with winter-inspired crafts, and discover something new with Dr. Oakleigh Thorne's story of becoming a bird bander. We've also got tips for hiking with a little one in a backpack, plus a fun take on why it's okay to judge a book by its cover from the book experts at Grandrabbit's Toy Shoppe. And when school is out but work isn't, don't forget to check out the school-day off programs in our directories for ways to keep the kiddos busy. Here's to powder days, hot cocoa, rosy cheeks, and making the most of winter in our beautiful corner of Colorado. Stay warm, Boulder County!

Isabella & Annie (& our mascot Junie)

Paper Boy has been a BCK mascot for over 25 years!

WHAT’S INSIDE Winter 2026

articles & columns WONDERFUL WINTERTIME

5 Front Cover Superstar 9 Winter Crafts

12 Inclusion Corner with Miss Katie 15 KIDS’ Planet with Thorne Nature Experience: How I Became a Bird Bander

13 Winter Recipes: Après-Ski Snacks

17 Tips for Hiking With a Young Child in a Backpack by Julie Fernie

directories

19 It’s Okay to Judge a Book by it’s Cover by Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe

22 After School 29 Child Care & Preschool

kids zone

34 Private School

37 Birthday Party

40 Winter Crossword 41

Reflection Time: Gratitude & Goals

Coloring Page

42 Winter Word Search

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS is a division of Martin House Publications, Inc. Published quarterly in February, May, August, and November. Mailing address: 1464 E. Easter Cir. Centennial, CO. 80122. Phone number: (303) 728-4798. Copyright 1995 to 2026 by Boulder County Kids. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission prohibited. Boulder County Kids encourages your submission of articles, photographs, and ideas. We reserve the right to edit all submitted material. All submissions will be considered for publication. Viewpoints of the articles are not necessarily the viewpoints of Boulder County Kids. Materials will not be returned. Advertising is accepted at the discretion of the publisher. Please go to www.bouldercountykids.com for more information.

Special thanks to: Jennifer Martin & Indie Darlene Mueller Morse Leroy & Holly Schutz Carl & Marybeth Gieser

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front cover

SUPERSTAR

Meet Divya, the talented 11-year-old artist

fan of the Harry Potter movies (though the fifth one

behind this winter issue's colorful cover,

isn't her favorite!) and loves getting lost in books like

titled ‘Persephone!’

Wings of Fire and The Lord of the Rings.

Using watercolors and Sharpie, Divya

As for what she wants to be when she grows up?

brought a pomegranate to life with vibrant

Divya hasn't decided just yet, but becoming an artist

shades of pink, red, and green. She chose the

might be in the cards!

subject because it looked challenging to draw, and she was excited to give it a try. For Divya,

We're thrilled to feature Divya's creativity on our winter cover. Congratulations, Divya!

one of the best parts of art class is seeing how her finished creations turn out. When she's not making art, Divya's an avid skier, a skill her dad taught her a few years ago, and one of her favorite winter memories is learning to ski with him. After a winter without much snow last year, she's hoping for plenty of powder this season! She also enjoys sledding with her family, sipping hot cocoa, and running cross country. At home, Divya enjoys spending time with her younger brother, Vikram, and eating her dad's delicious, well-spiced Indian cooking. She's a

Left: Divya, 11

Above: our Winter 2026 Cover Art winner, ‘Persephone.’

Tinker Art Studio partners with us to provide each cover artist winner a $50 prize. Thank you, Tinker Art Studio, for supporting young local artists! For more information about Tinker Art Studio, please head to their listings in the After School and Birthday Party Directories. 5 • bouldercountykids.com

303-386-3251

honorable mentions

Mae, age 12

Perla, age 7

Georgia, age 9

Ruby, age 10 Willa, age 12 SUBMIT YOUR CHILD’S ARTWORK TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE FRONT COVER OF BCK AND TO WIN A $50 PRIZE! EMAIL YOUR ARTWORK TO: INFO@BOULDERCOUNTYKIDS.COM 7 • bouldercountykids.com

WINTER crafts

Bring the winter fun indoors with three easy crafts perfect for chilly days. From colorful ice sun catchers to adorable pinecone owls and snowy paper plate snow globes, these hands-on projects are a fun way for little creators to get crafty and celebrate the magic of winter!

ICE SUN CATCHERS

@jenniferkalynuik

What you need: Metal pie plate or shallow plastic container Orange or lemon slices, berries, evergreen branches, or other natural decorations Water String or twine Drill (optional) What you do: 1.Fill your container with water and arrange your decorations inside. 2.Place the container outside in freezing temperatures or in the freezer until completely frozen. 3.Carefully remove the ice from the container. Have an adult drill a small hole near the top, leaving enough space from the edge to prevent cracking. 4.Thread string through the hole and tie a secure knot. 5.Hang your sun catcher outside where the sunlight can shine through! Tip: No drill? Place a loop of string in the water before freezing, leaving the ends hanging outside the container. You can also use a Bundt pan to create a natural hole in the center!

SNOWY PINECONE OWLS What you need: Medium to large pinecones Cotton balls Felt (white, yellow, and brown) Small googly eyes Black marker Scissors Hot glue gun (adult use only)

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What you do: 1.Tear cotton balls into small pieces and gently tuck kidskubby.com them between the pinecone scales until your owl looks fluffy and snowy. 2.Cut two wing shapes from felt, two circles for the eyes, and a small triangle for the beak. 3.Use a black marker to draw feather details on the felt wings. 4.Have an adult hot glue the felt pieces onto the pinecone, making sure they are securely attached. 5.Glue googly eyes onto the felt circles to bring your snowy owl to life! 6.Display your finished owl on a shelf, mantel, or as part of a winter centerpiece. Tip: Choose pinecones that can stand upright on their own. If yours keeps tipping over, glue a small piece of cardboard to the bottom for a sturdy base!

YOUR AD HERE! Get noticed throughout Boulder County! Email us at info@bouldercountykids.com

WINTER crafts (continued)

PAPER PLATE SNOWGLOBES iheartcraftythings.com

What you need: 2 paper plates Clear plastic sheet or transparency film Small winter figurine or ornament White paper or cardstock Blue paint or markers Artificial snow or snowflake confetti Scissors Glue or tape Stapler

What you do: 1.Paint the inside of one paper plate blue to create a winter sky. Let dry completely. 2.Glue a small winter figurine or ornament near the bottom of the plate. Add white paper to create a snowy ground. 3.Carefully cut out the center of the second paper plate, leaving the outer rim intact. 4.Cut a circle of clear plastic slightly larger than the opening and attach it to the back of the paper plate rim. 5.Sprinkle artificial snow or snowflake confetti onto the decorated plate. 6.Place the clear window over your winter scene and have an adult staple or securely tape the edges together, sealing the snow inside. 7.Cut a snow globe base from cardstock and attach it to the bottom. Give your snow globe a gentle shake and watch the snow fall! Tip: Personalize your snow globe with a snowman, penguin, evergreen tree, or even a small family photo!

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INCLUSION CORNER with Miss Katie Cold, snowy days can make keeping kids entertained a challenge! Luckily, winter offers plenty of opportunities for children of all abilities to learn, play, and connect from the comfort of home. Here are a few inclusive activities to try this season.

Adaptive Winter Sports at Home You don't need to hit the slopes to enjoy winter sports! Virtual adaptive sports programs introduce children with mobility challenges to skiing and snowboarding. Visit AdaptiveSports.org for resources and winter sports tips.

Sensory-Friendly Winter Crafts Sensory play encourages creativity, exploration, and fine motor skills. Create a winter-themed sensory bin using rice, cotton balls, faux snow, and toy animals. Kids can explore different textures while engaging in imaginative play.

Virtual Field Trips for Snow Days Explore museums, zoos, and aquariums without leaving home! Virtual tours offer accessible learning experiences for children of all abilities. Check out the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS.org) for virtual exhibits and educational programs.

Resources for Families Looking for additional support and inclusive learning opportunities? These organizations offer valuable resources: Imagine! Colorado (ImagineColorado.org): Services and support for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in Boulder and Broomfield Counties. PEAK Parent Center (PeakParent.org): Parent resources, training, and advocacy focused on disabilities and inclusive education.

With a little creativity and the right resources, every child can enjoy a winter filled with learning, connection, and fun!

Katie Buckley is a high school special education teacher who teaches in a program for students with cognitive disabilities. She was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, before going to Texas to get her Bachelor‘s and Master’s in Special Education from Texas Christian University.

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WINTER RECIPES:

Ap rè s - S ki S nac k s After a day of skiing, sledding, or playing in the snow, there's nothing better than a delicious snack! These easy, kid-friendly recipes are perfect for refueling, warming up, and bringing a little mountain magic into the kitchen.

BLACK DIAMOND BROWNIE BITES eatingonadime.com Ingredients: ½ cup butter, melted 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon baking powder Powdered sugar for dusting Directions: 1.Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a mini muffin pan. 2.In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. 3.Stir in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder until just combined. 4.Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into each mini muffin cup. 5.Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the tops are set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. 6.Let cool before removing from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy mountain finish! Tip: Add a few mini chocolate chips to the batter for an extra chocolatey treat!

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MOUNTAIN MUNCH EGG BITES superhealthykids.com Ingredients: 10 large eggs ½ cup cottage cheese ¼ cup milk ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper ½ cup chopped spinach ½ cup diced tomatoes ½ cup finely chopped mushrooms ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese Nonstick cooking spray

Directions: 1.Preheat oven to 350°F and generously grease a standard 12cup muffin pan. 2.In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cottage cheese, milk, salt, and pepper. 3.Stir in spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, and shredded cheese. 4.Pour the mixture evenly into the muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. 5.Bake for approximately 25 minutes, until the centers are completely set and the edges are lightly golden. 6.Let cool for a few minutes before removing from the pan. Serve warm! Tip: Mix and match your favorite veggies! Try diced bell peppers, broccoli, or green onions. Make a batch ahead of time and refrigerate for a quick snack after winter adventures.

POWDER DAY POPCORN

hungryhappenings.com

Ingredients: 7 cups plain popped popcorn 12 ounces white candy melts or white confectionery coating ½ cup blue and white sprinkles ¼ cup edible snowflake sprinkles Directions: 1.Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. 2.Place popped popcorn in a large bowl, removing any unpopped kernels. 3.Have an adult melt the white candy coating according to package instructions, stirring until smooth. 4.Pour the melted coating over the popcorn and gently toss until evenly covered. 5.Spread the coated popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet. 6.While the coating is still wet, sprinkle with blue and white sprinkles and edible snowflakes. 7.Refrigerate for about 10 minutes, until hardened. Break into clusters and enjoy! Tip: Package your Powder Day Popcorn in little paper bags for a fun après-ski snack to share with friends!

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Kids’ Planet with Thorne Nature Experience

by Dr. Oakleigh Thorne, II

HOW I BECAME A BIRD BANDER When I was a boy growing up in East Islip, NY on the South Shore of Long Island, about 40 miles from New York City, I became interested in birds thanks to my uncle and older sister, but I had never heard of bird banding and had no idea what it was. Bird banding was founded in the United States in 1920 under the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service. More recently, it was transferred to the the Biological Division of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). When I was 13, we moved to Millbrook, NY in Dutchess County, about 90 miles north of New York City. I was enrolled in Millbrook School, then a boys’ boarding school. I had never slept away from home before, so I felt very lonely. But my biology teacher, Frank Trevor, “took me under his wing.” He had a Federal Bird Banding Permit and had some of the boys running the program there. He helped me band my first bird, an American Tree Sparrow. I still remember that day so well because it opened a whole new chapter of my life that continues to this day. Two years later, when I was in 9th grade, I became the head of the bird banding program, a position I held for four years.

When I was 18, a senior at Millbrook and about to attend Yale University, Mr. Trevor pointed out that I had been an apprentice for five years and asked me if I would like to have my own permit to band birds. Of course I said “YES!” So he wrote a “glowing” letter to the Bird Banding Laboratory and I received my own permit, Number 06445 in 1947. This was a “big deal” for me. I was very excited! One of the first things that I did was build a small feeder trap out of hardware cloth baited with sunflower seed and millet. It was like a small cage with a door that was held open by a short wood stake. I had a string tied to the stake that led to my bedroom window. When a bird went into the trap, I would pull the string and spring the trap, remove the bird, band it, and release it.

Oak holding an adult male Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)

Bird bands are made of aluminum, a lightweight metal, and engraved with a fournumbered prefix and a five-numbered suffix. For example, the prefix might be 1951 and the suffix could be 17980. The bands for small birds have the prefix on top and the suffix right below it. When manufacturing the bands, if the suffix started with all zeros, e.g. 00000, then 00001, etc. until they reached 99999, that would be 100,000 different suffix possibilities. Then the prefix would be changed by one number and another 100,000 bands made. So there are a billion different band number combinations available to use. Every banded bird has its own unique set of numbers. Wherever the bird goes, therefore, we know it’s that exact same bird. Through bird banding, we can track migration patterns, age, where the bird goes, and how many times it may return to its place of banding. I had two Common Grackles that I banded in Boulder, Colorado that ended up outside of Ft. Worth, Texas. I banded a Yellow-headed Blackbird in June in Boulder that was recovered near Guadalajara, Mexico the following winter. This proved that it migrated south in wintertime. I am now 98 and I have banded birds in Islip and Millbrook, New York, Boulder, Colorado, and Valley, Cody, Sheridan, and Encampment, Wyoming. I teach a course in Bird Banding to Middle School students every June at Thorne Nature Experience. I’m proud to be a bird bander!

Example of an aluminum bird band Photo credit: carnegiemnh.org

Dr. Thorne is founder and honorary president of Thorne Nature Experience (formerly Thorne Ecological Institute), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Lafayette (a suburb of Boulder). For 72 years they have helped “connect youth to nature!” For information about their programs, please check their website at www.thornenature.org or email info@thornenature.org or call (303) 499-3647, EXT. 100.

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By Julie Fernie

Tips for Hiking

with a Young Child in a Backpack H iking with a baby or toddler in a backpack can be a wonderful way to get outside,

introduce a child to nature and experience the seasons together. If you have not yet hiked with your child in a backpack, it can feel intimidating to get started. Here are some tips to help you along your way.

Choosing a backpack

Getting your child in

Most backpacks require the child to be about 9 months old before they can safely sit inside. For children younger than this, a front-based infant carrier should be used. It can be helpful to try out different models to find a backpack that is most comfortable for you.

Baby carrier backpacks have a series of clips and straps to help hold wiggly children snug and safe.

The weight of the backpack and child should rest on your hips through the hipbelt rather than on your shoulders, so finding a model with hipbelts that are comfortable for you is essential. Some outdoor gear shops offer child carrier backpack rentals. This is a great lowercost option to try out a backpack if you do not intend to use it frequently or as a trial of a model you may consider purchasing. 17 • bouldercountykids.com

Follow the guidelines of the backpack you are using and use all the straps. When a child sits in a backpack, their pants will ride higher on their lower leg than usual. On sunny days, they will need more sun protection on their lower legs. On cooler days, they will need additional long layers to adequately cover their legs for warmth.

Training and preparation

Hiking

Baby carrier backpacks typically weigh about five pounds, and after adding a child and all the necessary supplies, you will be carrying 20 to 50 pounds. This alone adds to the challenge of a hike, let alone the different center of gravity affecting your balance and muscle engagement.

Some children take excellent naps in the backpack while others will not sleep at all. Children new to riding in a backpack will have a shorter endurance and tolerance.

Add in a wiggling child that constantly shifts your center of balance and requires you to use your muscles to counterbalance, and you can easily see how hiking with a child on your back is different than simply wearing a heavy backpack. Practicing at home before heading out on a trail can be helpful. Using trekking poles can also help keep you stable.

Lifting the backpack Given how wiggly children can be, it's best to get them set up in the backpack while it is on the ground. Placing the backpack on a raised surface like a picnic table, truck bed or back of a hatchback makes it possible for them to tip off the raised surface. Once your child is snug and secure in the backpack, there are a few options for getting the backpack up onto your back. If you have another adult with you, you can place the shoulder straps and hipbelt on while sitting on the ground and then have the other adult help pull you up to a standing position. If you do not have another adult with you, one option is to set the backpack on the ground within reach of a tree, picnic table or other sturdy item that you can use to pull yourself up after getting the child set and the pack on your back. Then lock in your hipbelt and chest straps and set off on a great adventure!

For the first time, try just 20 minutes and expand as tolerated. Regardless of how long you are on the trail, remember essentials such as clean diapers and storage for dirty diapers, snacks, water, sun protection and layers. If your child is awake during the hike, getting them out for snack and wiggle breaks can help extend the time outside. Once your toddler is ready to start hiking on their own, take them out of the backpack a very short distance before returning to the trailhead on the way back. Gradually extend the distance before the trailhead that you take them out to help them develop endurance. Make it a fun game and celebrate their progress.

HAPPY TRAILS Julie Fernie has a master’s degree in Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University and works as a pediatric clinical exercise physiologist. She has hiked all but a handful of trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Indian Peaks Wilderness and Boulder County. Julie enjoys countless trail giggles and snacks while out hiking with her husband and young son.

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by the book experts at Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe

Judge a Book by its Cover It’s Okay to

Contrary to the saying, “You should never judge a book by it’s cover,” today’s savvy readers know they’ll find clues in their book covers about a story’s themes, genre, age level, characters, setting, and so much more.

It’s a way to pre-judge, to narrow down, to thoughtfully consider what you might want to take home from the library or bookstore. While the saying is cautionary, warning us not to make assumptions based on appearances, a book cover is meant to advertise its contents, encapsulating a story’s essence in a single image—and the professionals seem to be getting better at it all the time. In middle grade fiction (designed for readers ages 8-12), I’ve always admired the Jon Klassen (Caldecott medalist) cover of Sara Pennypacker’s wonderful novel, Pax. Klassen’s muted color palette highlights the fox, Pax, as one of the book’s central characters. Pax is looking out on a spare landscape, which hints at some of the bleak aftereffects of war, one of the book’s central themes. Told using alternating points of view, the story’s second main character is Peter (the boy who adopted Pax as a kit), in this stirring friendship story about love and survival against all odds.

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Klassen and Pennypacker reunite in the February 2026 release of the latter’s historical novel, The Lion’s Run—a story about bravery and resistance to oppression, set during the second world war. The cover image for this New York Times bestseller features a boy in an oldfashioned newsboy-style cap, riding a horse while looking fearfully over his shoulder. Their swift movement hints at the novel’s adrenalinthrumming pace, as the boy (orphan Lucas Dubois) finds purpose, connection, and courage by helping to save a racehorse in a Nazioccupied French village.

An easy one for cover-judging newbies might be Tony DiTerlizzi’s novel The Wump (published in September 2026), another New York Times bestseller from the co-creator of the spooky series, the Spiderwick Chronicles. A “deliciously dark supernatural coming-of-age story (Goodreads),” The Wump features marvelous gray-scale illustrations with pops of bright green throughout (reminding me of some of the Goosebumps series covers). The book features aspiring entomologist, Timothy B. Quibble (portrayed in dark-rimmed glasses, jacket and tie, and a praying mantis peeking out of his backpack on the cover), who’s facing bullies both at home and at school, while being stalked by a shadowy monster called the Wump (shown with bony hands and a creepy, jack-o-lantern-style mouth). Frustrated by parental expectations and school-related stress, Tim allows the Wump to possess him, and at first, he loves the confidence the Wump gives him as he starts to stand up for himself (though it eventually goes too far). My work colleague’s 10-year-old daughter called The Wump, “Absolutely amazing horror-light.” Recommended for kids ages 9 and up. bouldercountykids.com • 20

The cover for the first book in the graphic novel series by the same name, Mr. Wolf’s Class (by Aron Nels Steinke and published in 2018), features nervous teacher, Mr. Wolf (in glasses and a button down shirt and tie), while his animal students show off their uniqueness in all their energetic glory, in this humorous series that captures the everyday —and unexpected—ups and downs of a fourth-grade classroom. Aimed at readers ages 7-10, the uncluttered image captures the essence of early chapter book reading fare, with each page featuring just six frames or less, making it ideal for younger readers and older, struggling or reluctant readers. Young adventure seekers might appreciate the cover to the latest in the Spy School series, Spy School Goes East (by Stuart Gibbs, released in October 2026), featuring protagonist Ben Ripley in dark silhouette, replete with fedora and trench coat against a light-filled far-east landscape. Like others of the spy/thriller genre, the book is part travelogue (The Great Wall of China! Shanghai! The Gobi Desert!) and part fastpaced action. Recommended for ages 8-12. Next time you’re at the library or a bookstore, try picking up a book and guessing at the story’s genre, themes, and characters based solely on the cover—chances are, you’re already trained in the publisher’s tricks at broadcasting what you’ll find in the pages within.

The staff at Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppes is on hand to support your efforts in seeking superior playthings to enhance your child’s development. For a curated selection of toys, games, and books, please stop by our Boulder or Broomfield locations, or visit www.grtoys.com.

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t r s oo pro r ms

af e school after ch l programs ga

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