October 2025
+ Harvest 34
Parenting
ELECTIONS
Making Sense of School Board Elections 15
Local officials can have a big impact on your child’s future, so why is no one voting on them?
EDUCATION
Benefits of Arts and Athletics 10 Find out why these extracurriculars help keep kids happy, healthy and engaged
Books for Bright Minds 23
Tips to help gifted and other advanced readers find those just-right books
Fall Conference Pointers 32 10 questions parents aren’t asking during conferences, but should
RAISING GREAT KIDS
What if Your Child Bullies? 27
Sometimes kids harm others, even if they don’t mean to Local Resources
An epilepsy diagnosis teaches a physician and father to embrace the present
Play List
Harvest, haunts and Halloween — 15 ways to get into the spirit with your kids
Don’t Flunk This Test: Do Your Homework Before You Vote
Let’s be real: parents are pretty good at homework — often on behalf of our kids. We quiz multiplication tables, drill spelling words, and stay on top of assignments. But when it comes to our own civic homework, like knowing who’s running for school board, too many of us try to sneak by without studying.
Here’s the truth: school boards matter. A lot.
They decide on curriculum, budgets, and policies that shape your child’s day-to-day. Yet these races often fly under the radar, which means a handful of votes — sometimes literally dozens — can decide who’s sitting in those seats. That’s why this moment is urgent: if we don’t pay attention, decisions with huge impacts on our kids get made without our voices in the room.
This month, Julie Ogata Ciobanu digs into why school board elections matter so much right now. Her article is your cheat sheet for what’s at stake and why you must do your homework before you vote. And to make that homework easier, check out MySchoolBoard.org — a powerful tool to learn who’s running in your district and what they stand for.
October also brings a different kind of study: the art of spooky fun. Our feature “Pumpkin Trains Are Chugging Into Town” will get you on board. (pg 35) Because after you’ve cast that ballot, you deserve a pumpkin-decked train ride with warm cider in hand.
We’ve also got exciting news: Kristen Russell, our longtime managing editor, is back, now leading content and strategy. In a perfect twist, Kristen recruited Julie — her former colleague at KOMO and here at ParentMap years ago — to rejoin our freelance team. With Kristen at the helm, expect more of the thoughtful, essential, and yes, delightfully sassy coverage you’ve come to rely on.
So carve pumpkins, sip that PSL and sneak the good chocolate from your kid’s stash — but also carve out time to vote. These elections are too important, and too close, to shrug off. Let’s prove that civic homework is one assignment worth acing.
Warmly,
— Alayne Sulkin
Founder & Publisher, ParentMap
What’s your favorite fall activity?
NovemberSaturday8,
Through the Looking Glass
A physician and father learns to embrace the present after his
By Kari Hanson
When we look at our kids, it’s almost impossible not to imagine their future and who they will be. What will they do? What will they love? We picture them getting their driver’s license, graduating, getting their first job and maybe even getting married. But what do we do when something unexpected forces us to shift — or even let go entirely of — some of those hopes and dreams?
Dr. Imamu Tomlinson, an ER doctor, author of “Less Than One Percent: How Disruptors Defy the Odds,” and CEO of Vituity, a physician-owned healthcare partnership, experienced this when his 4-year-old son had more than 500 seizures in less than nine months. This wasn’t the parenting path Tomlinson imagined, but it’s what taught him how to relinquish control and support his child where he is, not where he imagined he’d be.
continued from page 7
A parenting perspective shift
“Before my son’s diagnosis, I felt like a ‘typical’ parent,” says Tomlinson. “I had expectations about who he would become and what I thought he could do.”
Like many parents, Tomlinson had envisioned a future for his child and looked ahead to milestones, imagining his son’s life unfolding in a familiar, predictable pattern. But the seizures abruptly shifted everything. The road ahead was no longer clear, and the certainty he once held as a father (and as a physician) began to blur.
As the seizures continued, Tomlinson realized that his parenting perspective needed to shift in a fundamental way. “In many ways, before his diagnosis, my parenting was about my hopes and dreams for him, instead of his hopes and dreams for what he could accomplish,” he says.
His son’s seizures were frequent and often unexplained. “I think the severity of the seizures made me realize that I had no control very early on,” Tomlinson says. “He would have 20 seizures a day at one point with no reason for them starting.” Tomlinson says that epilepsy often doesn’t have an etiology, most causes are unknown. “As a physician, I absolutely felt helpless. This was beyond my expertise and even the experts didn’t have an explanation.”
It was a lesson in surrendering expectations, not out of defeat, but out of love and necessity.
“The seizures grounded me and made me take the small everyday wins that typically I overlooked in the past,” he says.
Reframing his idea of success for his son was essential for moving forward. And it didn’t mean giving up on a hopeful future.
“Seizure-free days were the new goal. Once we achieved that we had to refocus and he had to learn how to cope with the med-
icines and their side effects,” he says.
That shift brought with it a new rhythm to their family life, grounded in gratitude for daily victories.
“We celebrated everything. So, the striving became constant celebration and gratefulness for every seizure free moment we had together. I feel like that’s our relationship now. Keep striving but stopping frequently to celebrate daily wins.”
Despite his professional background, even Tomlinson found himself overwhelmed by the emotional toll of walking this journey with his son.
But amid all the challenges, one of the most unexpected and powerful sources of support and strength came from the person at the center of the crisis: his young son.
“I’d say the biggest supporter was my son. He was so strong. To go through that every day and wake up and try again and have a positive attitude,” he says. “I was amazed at his resilience at such a young age. His seizures started when he was 4 and I’ve never seen strength like that. He inspired me to keep my spirits up.”
Watching his child face each day with determination and hope motivated
When families face a crisis, especially one involving a child, the emotional, physical and logistical strain can be overwhelming and often leaves parents feeling isolated.
“As a physician, I thought I knew how to navigate everything, but I had to let go and just cry sometimes. It’s ok to be sad. You don’t have to figure everything out, but you have to be there right beside your child helping them through this tough time. You will make it together,” he says.
Finding support
When families face a crisis, especially one involving a child, the emotional, physical and logistical strain can be overwhelming and often leaves parents feeling isolated. In these moments, outside support can be incredibly important.
For Tomlinson, much of that support came from those closest to him: his immediate family.
“The biggest support was our family unit,” he says. “We were very private about what we were going through. But we were committed to making whatever life we had work.”
Tomlinson and reminded him what true strength looks like.
Lessons to share “Parents need to switch from what [they] want for my child, to what does the child want and how can the parent support that,” says Tomlinson. “Honestly, expectations are mostly about the parents. Our job as parents is to create the environment for kids to create their own expectations.”
And when we as parents can step back and not put our own fears and expectations on our kids, they might really surprise us.
“One of the moments that I recall is when we were arguing with the nurse at a hospital stay because he had to take six pills and he never had taken pills before,” recalls Tomlinson. “We were concerned about our ability to get him to take them. By the time we looked around, he had already taken the six pills. I had no control. It was his journey, and I had to support him.”
This experience has driven home the fact that there is no one way to parent kids. Often even siblings in the same household require different parenting techniques and approaches. Tomlinson wishes there were more parenting books out there addressing parenting during challenging times, and he urges parents to remember that no one — no matter how certain they sound — has it all figured out.
“Any book or person who says they’ve figured it out isn’t telling the truth. I still make mistakes as a parent today, but my mindset is to constantly work to improve and get better,” says Tomlinson.
Moving forward
Tomlinson’s family is still learning what their new normal looks like. Living with a complex medical condition is not a linear journey, but one that involves constant adjustment and learning. But what has become clear is that letting go of traditional parenting expectations has allowed space for a new kind of joy to enter their lives.
“I celebrate really small things,” he says. “When I see my kids are happy. Sometimes I celebrate what they wear and that they had a good night’s sleep. I try to celebrate the things that we take for granted when things are good, but we pray for every day when things are bad.”
Of course, parenting still involves setting boundaries and learning from mistakes.
“It doesn’t mean I don’t correct them. And it doesn’t mean I don’t talk about their failures,” he explains. “But I make sure we celebrate things we couldn’t when we were seizing every day.”
This reframing is a powerful mindset shift for any parent. In a world that often pushes for perfection and performance, Tomlinson offers a grounding reminder of what truly matters.
“Celebrate the small wins. Stick together. Stay in the present and tackle each obstacle as it comes. Be flexible. Love each other.” ■
Kari Hanson is ParentMap’s associate editor. She is the mom of two boys and has called Seattle home for more than two decades.
Healthy, Happy and Engaged: The Benefits of Arts and Sports Activities
By Cherie Gough
The way kids spend their extracurricular time is more important than ever. Involving kids in the arts and sports offers a much-needed release, social connection and critical developmental tools.
Art has a calming effect “Art immerses you in the moment,” says Alyssa Navapanich, California Outstanding Elementary Art Educator of the Year and Lemon Grove AMP (art, music, P.E.) teacher. Navapanich teaches her students that there are no mistakes in art. She encourages focus on process over product, which takes the pressure off creating perfection.
“I like to build a sense of resiliency into my students,” says Navapanich. “When they feel like they make a ‘mistake’, I encourage them to refocus, see their creation differently and recreate their idea. The picture book “Beautiful Oops” by Barney Saltzberg is a great tool for teaching this concept.”
Children’s Physicians Medical Group (CPMG) pediatrician Dr. Rachel Gianfortune agrees, “Being able to express yourself through any type of art helps kids process emotions and exercises the brain’s muscles in new ways.”
Physical activity improves mental health
Many studies have proven that daily physical activity improves mental health by increasing serotonin, one of the brain’s happy chemicals.
“Giving kids a break from academics and time away from social media improves mood and helps manage stress,” says Gianfortune.
Physical activity also helps kids gain more confidence and work through emotions, as it stimulates the brain in different ways.
Options to stay active beyond team sports
• Kicking a soccer ball
• Hiking and walking
• Gymnastics
• Dance lessons
• Riding bikes and scooters
• Golf
• Tennis
• Throwing a baseball or softball
• Batting practice
• Scavenger hunts
Don’t underestimate the benefits of music as an art form — another noteworthy extracurricular activity for kids.
Arts and sports enhance academic success Creating art and engaging in artistic projects exercises many areas of the brain, including critical thinking, problem-solving and spatial relationships.
“Children who are involved in and exposed to the arts tend to be more creative, expressive and are often more sure of themselves,” says Gianfortune. “Those characteristics lend themselves to improved academics and better mental health.” Kids who participate in sports teams develop grit, which can translate into working harder at academics and improved leadership skills, according to Gianfortune.
Ideas for creating art
• Paint along with Bob Ross, a popular art instructor on YouTube.
• Write and illustrate a comic book with a friend.
• Write a story and read aloud in a video to share with friends.
Engage in musical arts
• Take lessons — voice, choir, instrument.
• Create rhythms with items at home. You can make simple versions of maracas, rainsticks and drums. Find inspiration on Pinterest.
• Listen to podcasts such as “Classics for Kids.” ■
Cherie Gough is a writer who shares simple solutions for families facing food allergies and celiac disease. Find her on IG @cgoughwrites.
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
2025–2026 Speaker Lineup
Hosted by Dr. Laura Kastner, Ph.D.
ParentMap is honored to present Laura Kastner as series host, guiding each speaker in an engaging, audience-driven Q&A. Dr. Kastner is a clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington and author of the acclaimed “Getting to Calm” book series.
Cracking the Teen Code: Spot Trouble, Build Trust and Stay Connected | Oct. 23, 2025
Is your teen just being a teen, or is it something more?
Pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart joins us to distinguish typical adolescent behavior from early signs of mental health concerns. She’ll share practical communication tools to support your child while strengthening your bond.
“Many undesirable children’s behaviors are developmentally appropriate. These behaviors are stressful for you, but appropriate for them.” – Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart
Raising Future-Ready Kids: What Every Parent Should Know About AI
Nov. 18, 2025
What will learning look like in five years — or even next fall? Join Sal Khan, visionary educator and founder of Khan Academy, for an urgent and inspiring conversation about the way AI is transforming education, what that means for your child’s learning and how you can help them adapt in a rapidly changing world.
Inside the ADHD Mind: Tools to Help Your Child Thrive
Jan. 21, 2026
Better understanding leads to better support. Join Dr. Sasha Hamdani, board-certified psychiatrist and ADHD specialist, for an insightful talk to help you decipher what’s really going on in your child’s brain. Discover how to spot ADHD symptoms, choose the right treatments and confidently support their mental health through everyday challenges.
From Blowups to Breakthroughs: A New Way to Navigate Anger in Kids
Feb. 10, 2026
Breathing exercises only get you so far; real progress happens when you understand the root cause of anger. Renee Jain, founder of GoZen!, a widely used platform that helps kids build emotional strength, joins us to guide parents in understanding their child’s anger, what’s happening in the brain during outbursts and how to better respond in the moment.
The EdTech Dilemma: Rethinking Digital Learning for Kids
March 10, 2026
Is educational technology really helping our kids learn? Neuroscientist and educator Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath reveals why parents and educators must push back against digital overreach and restore genuine, meaningful learning for kids — at home and in the classroom.
The Boyhood Crisis: Raising Thriving Young Men in a Changing World
April 22,
2026
Boys are struggling in school, in relationships and with mental health, and it may signal a deeper issue. In this eye-opening talk, bestselling author, expert and father of three Richard Reeves will share what’s behind the troubling trend and how parents can raise confident, thriving boys in today’s world.
The Family Tech Reset: Hope and Help for Rebuilding Connection
May 12,
2026
Technology has changed, but what kids need has not. Andrea Davis, founder of Better Screen Time, joins us to guide caregivers on a slow-tech path that prioritizes family connection. Whether your family is already deeply entrenched in screen use or just starting to set boundaries, she offers hopeful, empowering strategies — and the reassurance that it’s never too late to turn things around.
All talks will run from noon–1 p.m. PT.
Register for the entire series for just $50 or individual talks for $10 each.
COMING THIS MONTH!
Local Issues
Keep your family safe and healthy
Scan the QR code below to sign up for Seattle Children’s Healthy Tides newsletter. Each issue shares timely tips to keep your family as safe and healthy as they can be.
School Board Drama Is Rising — So Are the Stakes for Washington Families
From book bans to billion-dollar budgets, school boards wield powerful influence for local communities
By Julie Ogata Ciobanu
“Love Island,” “Real Housewives” and “The Kardashians” … if you’re into real-life conflict and drama, you might look no further than your next local school board meeting. These days, many of these gatherings have all the turmoil of reality TV, but with higher stakes: Your tax dollars, your property values and your kids’ education (and by extension, their future) are all directly impacted by your local school board.
With all of that on the line, it might surprise you how little most parents really know about what their local school boards are up to. Here’s more about the most
Seattle Children’s is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2024–2025 ParentEd Talks series
Aisley, patient at Seattle Children’s
Seattle Children’s is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2025-2026 ParentEd Talks series.
continued from page 15 important upcoming election you’re probably ignoring.
Seeds of school board conflict
The pandemic ignited intense disputes within school board meetings across the country, as the “to mask or not to mask” debate brought parents to fisticuffs. In just 18 months, nearly 90 violent incidents at meetings across 30 states led to 59 arrests, according to ProPublica. So why all the conflict? According to The Hill, when
Despite the potential impact on local families, only 5 to 10 percent of voters show up for school board elections.
national politics causes deep divides in society, it trickles down to the local school boards. These days, school board meetings double as stages for battles over race, religion, book bans, immigration, vaccinations, critical race theory and LGBTQ+ rights.
Seattle journalist Laura Pappano, in her book “School Moms: Parent Activism, Partisan Politics, and the Battle for Public
Education,” calls school boards “ground zero” in America’s culture wars. She notes conservative parents are tapping big donors, PACs and national campaign strategists, while liberal parents counter with Facebook groups and recruit and endorse their own school board candidates.
This is playing out close to home: The ACLU reports that at least five western Washington boards have debated banning more than 40 books. Lawmakers responded last year with House Bill 2331, prohibiting bans on materials by or about a protected class.
Dr. Leighton Thomas, who is running for the North Kitsap School Board, says one of the most important skills a member can bring is an open mind. “I do hear from parents with polarizing views,” she says. Like many local districts, North Kitsap faces tough challenges: declining enrollment, budget shortfalls and potential school closures. Thomas says when confronting these issues, an inclusive approach is best. “A board member’s job is to listen to all parents and really hear them.”
Surprisingly low voter turnout
Despite the potential impact on local families, only 5 to 10 percent of voters show up for school board elections. That’s surprisingly low, considering what’s on the line. So here’s a quick primer on what school boards actually do, as you consider casting your ballot in November.
What school boards do
According to the Washington State School Directors’ Association Guide, school board members are tasked with “establishing policies, approving budgets and overseeing the work of the superintendent to ensure that every decision made puts students first.” In practice that should include the following:
• Put students first: A school board’s priority is to ensure that every student receives an equitable, quality education that sets them up for success in school, career and life.
• Communicate a clear vision: Whether it’s planning for enrollment shifts or maintaining facilities, the school board lays out the long-term map for the superintendent to follow.
• Hire and evaluate the superintendent: While the school board draws up the map, the superintendent drives the district bus. Hiring the right superintendent and holding them accountable is crucial.
• Approve budgets: The school board ensures that your tax dollars are being carefully allocated to support student learning, school safety and staff needs.
• Approve curricula: Curriculum changes are normally a group effort between superintendent, teachers, parents and
community members, but the school board has final approval.
• Develop and approve policies: The board sets long-term goals for students’ performance, and outlines definitions of success. It’s also responsible for final approval on policies such as school calendars, dress codes, cell phones and student transportation.
• Follow legal standards: A critical function of school boards is to minimize risk from lawsuits by ensuring schools follow union and labor laws, and protect the privacy of students.
• Engage the community with clear and transparent communication: School boards are tasked with honest and open communications, to keep community members engaged and informed, and earn their trust.
What school boards don’t do The guide also provides a clear outline of behaviors and actions school board members shouldn’t engage in.
• Push political or personal agendas: School boards are nonpartisan and individual board members do not have legal authority.
• Make decisions without a long-term growth plan: A well-defined strategic vision is the best guide for the superintendent, teachers, parents and students.
• Get involved in daily operations: Boards do not run the schools. The hiring of teachers, disciplining of students and managing a classroom are all operational responsibilities of the superintendent and principals.
• Overstep staff matters: School board members should never get involved in personal conflicts.
• Micromanage district expenses: Board members approve the overall budget, but stay out of the daily decisions on how that money is spent.
• Micromanage the superintendent, principals or teachers: Boards generally trust the superintendent and school
staff to handle the daily management of the district.
• Dismiss differing viewpoints: Keep an open mind as the most growth often comes from hearing from critics over supporters.
Why parents should get involved
• Your tax dollars are on the line: One example: Seattle Public Schools’ budget is $1.35 billion. That’s a lot of taxpayer money. Don’t you want a say in how that’s spent?
• Your property value is, too: Strong schools usually equate to strong property values. Protect your investment.
• School curriculums are critical: In a rapidly changing world your school board’s role in evolving curriculums is
critical to students’ future success.
• Community values matter: Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. School boards influence what they learn, and what they carry back to their community and the world at large.
Additional resources
If you want to read up on school board candidates, the voters’ pamphlet is a good starting point, as is visiting specific candidate websites. Additionally, these websites can help parents learn more about local races, and the people running to represent families and taxpayers, and shape the future of education in our communities.
• MySchoolBoard.info This recently launched grassroots site provides information about candidates running for school
boards in the Seattle and Puget Sound districts. All candidates are asked to fillout the same questionnaire, so you can compare answers side by side.
• BoardDocs.com Just search “BoardDocs” plus your school district and you’ll find all things school-board related: mission statements, meeting minutes, agendas, calendar, policies and public input forms.
• WSSDA.org The Washington State School Directors’ Association website has the A-Z about the roles and responsibilities of local school boards. ■
Julie Ogata Ciobanu is an Emmy-winning journalist, former KOMO-TV anchor and ParentMap/KING-TV reporter, and an Honorary Life Member of the Washington State PTA.
Good Growing
Upstanders Can Help Stop Bullying
It takes effort and practice to become a quality human being, and parents and caregivers make the best coaches! We can help our kids become upstanders, rather than bystanders. Upstanders are people who stand up and take action to improve things; they do what they can to help those who need it. Bystanders, by contrast, simply stand by and watch when something is wrong.
Upstanders do their best to treat everyone with respect, kindness and compassion. They are confi dent enough to reach out in friendship to the new student in class, the shy kid on the school bus or the neighbor who’s just learning English. Upstanders naturally support and protect their peers — and in this way they can help reduce bullying at school and elsewhere.
As parents and caregivers, we can brainstorm and role-play with our young upstanders so they can practice how to respond when they see bullying, while staying safe themselves. When it happens, upstanders can tell the kid doing the bullying to stop. They can also support the child being bullied by asking them to leave the situation, then escorting them away. And of course, upstanders can alert an adult right away so the adult can intervene.
We can be sure our kids understand that in bullying situations, bystanders actually add to the problem by being an audience and giving those who bully the attention they crave. On the other hand, action-oriented upstanders can fix the problem, especially when they work as a team with other upstanders.
As parents and caregivers, we must also be familiar with the bullying prevention information being taught at school so we can reinforce it at home. (Public schools in Washington state must have anti-bullying policies and programs.) For example, your child’s school may provide students with numbers to call or text staff members if they see bullying going on. Be sure your child understands the anti-bullying systems at school so they can take action while also ensuring their own safety.
Keep in mind that upstanders are created at home within families, and their training starts at a very young age. We can praise our kids when we notice them being brave and assertive — and also when they are kind and empathetic. We can tell them how much we appreciate it when we see them protecting a sibling or a friend.
Upstanders make the world better in all kinds of ways. And of course, parents are powerful role models. When kids consistently see their parents and other caregivers act with kindness and compassion — and stand up for others — that has a huge impact!
Fight Flu
With Prevention
All children 6 months and older need the flu vaccine every year. During the 2024–2025 flu season, 266 pediatric flu deaths were reported in the U.S. This is the highest number in any non-pandemic flu season since 2004, when reporting began. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 90% of these deaths were children who weren’t fully vaccinated against the flu.
Children ages 6 months through 8 years should receive two doses if this is the first time they’re getting a flu vaccine or if they’ve had only one dose in the past. (Doses are given four weeks apart — so if your child needs two doses, get the first one as soon as it’s available.) Kids 9 and older and those who have received two or more doses in the past need only one dose this flu season. If you have questions, ask your child’s doctor.
Get your whole family fully vaccinated against the flu by the end of October. To access the vaccine, call your healthcare provider or check the Flu Vaccine Finder online at www.vaccines.gov.
SCAN TO LEARN MORE
Dangers of Button Batteries and Magnets
The upcoming holidays are likely to bring new toys and electronics into your home. But potential dangers hide in some of these products: button batteries and highpowered magnets.
Button cell batteries and lithium coin batteries are disc-shaped batteries found in games, toys and other devices. It’s too easy for children to swallow them — either partially or completely — or get them stuck in their ears or noses. Besides being a choking hazard, these batteries can burn the tissue in the ears, nose and esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach). If swallowed, a button cell battery can burn through a child’s esophagus in as little as two hours. If you suspect a child has ingested a battery, call the 24-hour National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 800-498-8666 or take them to an emergency room at once.
Know which devices in your home use button and coin batteries and ensure battery compartments are secure. Keep these devices completely out of reach of very young children and warn older kids of the dangers.
Magnets can cause injury or death when a child swallows two or more and they stick together inside the body. Surgery may be needed to remove them. Powerful magnetic balls and cubes sold as stress relievers or fidget toys are especially dangerous. Young children should never play with magnets. For older kids, warn them to never put magnets in their mouth.
SCAN FOR MORE ON TOY SAFETY
Anchor It!
Securing furniture, appliances and TVs can end up on the ‘I’ll Do It Later’ list, but don’t wait. Tragic tip-over accidents can happen in seconds. Children under age 6 are at the greatest risk of these injuries. Anchoring doesn’t take long, and it protects your child — and any other kids who may spend time in your home.
It’s especially important to anchor items with drawers, doors and shelves. They’re easy to secure, and anti-tip kits aren’t expensive. (These systems may be called tethering kits, furniture restraints or safety straps.) New furniture, appliances and TVs often include tethering systems, which should be installed right away. For furniture with shelves, always store heavier items down low.
If it’s not possible to mount your flat-screen TV, place it on a low, sturdy base and push the TV back as far as possible. Keep cords out of reach and avoid storing things your child may want to get to (remotes, toys, books) at the base of the TV.
SCAN TO LEARN HOW TO ANCHOR IT
Why and How to Reach the Poison Center
The Washington Poison Center (WAPC) routinely helps hundreds of people a day. Its free services are confi dential, immediate and available 24/7/365. People commonly reach out when someone’s had a poison exposure, either accidental or intentional, including suicide attempts. For WAPC, ‘poison’ can include chemicals, medication, drugs or any substance that could cause harm if used wrong. Nearly 40% of all WAPC cases concern children 5 and younger.
There are now three ways to reach the Washington Poison Center: call, text or chat. Phone the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222 or text 206-526-2121. Be sure to add these numbers to your device’s contacts. You can also live-chat online at www.wapc.org. (Text and chat are currently available in English only.)
SCAN FOR THE TOP 10 POISON EXPOSURES BY AGE GROUP IN 2024
Bedtime Reading Boosts Mental Wellness and Much More
As kids grow older and family life get busier, time for bedtime stories or reading can drop out of the nightly routine. Don’t let it go! The benefits of reading every night are huge for your child’s growth and development — starting from day one and continuing through the teen years and beyond. Here are just some of the benefits of bedtime reading:
• It helps a child grow emotionally and build empathy by getting to know the characters in a story. Stories naturally lead to the question: “How would you feel in this situation?”
• It allows a child to experience a character’s choices and the resulting consequences, whether positive or negative.
• It’s a cozy, comforting ritual that increases a child’s sense of safety and security.
• It supports a child’s emotional health and strengthens the bond between the child and the parent or caregiver.
• It eases the transition from an actionpacked day to restful, restorative sleep by calming both body and mind — for the adult as well as the child.
• It makes bedtime something to look forward to, rather than something to delay or resist.
• It improves a child’s listening ability and attention span while fueling their curiosity.
• It promotes literacy by expanding a child’s vocabulary and teaching them to connect the written word to a full understanding of the story, its characters and lessons.
• It’s a healthy activity that — especially for older kids — can transport them to another time and place and get them out of their own heads.
• It plants the seed for a lifelong love of reading, a hobby they’ll never outgrow.
Be sure to make reading a nightly habit that’s as regular as brushing teeth and bathing. When you stay faithful to this routine, you are giving your child a priceless gift — one they may someday pass on to their own child or loved one!
SCAN FOR MORE ABOUT BEDTIME ROUTINES
Classes and Events
Please check seattlechildrens.org/classes for the latest information. Scholarships are available. If you would like to ask about a scholarship, use the contact information for the class you’re interested in to connect with the registrar.
PARENTING CLASSES
Autism 101
Watch the free, on-demand lecture, in English or Spanish, at seattlechildrens.org/autism101.
Conversations About Autism
View past sessions at seattlechildrens.org/conversationsaboutautism.
Finding Mental Health Care in Washington State: A Class on Where to Start
This free, on-demand, self-paced class is available in English and Spanish.
Learn more and watch a recording at seattlechildrens.org/classes.
Behavior Basics
Learn more about this free, on-demand, selfpaced class for parents and caregivers of children ages 5 to 12 with disruptive behaviors at seattlechildrens.org/classes.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Funded by the King County MIDD Behavioral Health Sales Tax, supporting behavioral health and recovery. Learn more, view dates and register at seattlechildrens.org/classes.
Your Child With Disabilities Is Turning 18
Learn more and watch this free class in English, Spanish or Vietnamese at seattlechildrens.org/ classes.
CHILD, PRETEEN AND TEEN CLASSES
Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center Classes and Outings
Check out the lifelong learning opportunities for people 18 and older with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Visit seattlechildrens. org/clinics/alyssa-burnett-adult-life-center.
Better Babysitters
Choose a virtual or in-person class in Bellevue, Everett, Federal Way or Seattle. Learn more, view dates and register at seattlechildrens.org/ classes.
The Chat Workshop Series (Is Puberty Weird?; Body Basics; More Body Basics; Crushes, Consent, and Other Conversations; Our Sexual Selves)
Choose virtual or in-person in Bellevue or Seattle. Learn more, view dates and register at seattlechildrens.org/classes. See a trailer for The Chat at greatconversations.com.
Sibshops for Siblings of Children With Special Health and Developmental Needs
Learn more, view dates and register at seattlechildrens.org/classes.
About Good Growing
Education
EVENTS
Free Car-Seat Checks
Seattle: Check dates online Bellevue: Weekly, on Tuesdays Federal Way: Second Thursday of every month
Learn how to safely secure your child in the car. Child-passenger safety experts will check your child in a car seat, booster seat or the seat belt and answer any questions you may have. Car-seat checks are by appointment only. Learn more and register for an appointment at seattlechildrens.org/carseatchecks.
Free Virtual Car-Seat Checks
King County Certifi ed Child-Passenger Safety Technicians are off ering free virtual car-seat check appointments via video-chat platforms. For more information, email Laura Miccile at laura.miccile@kingcounty.gov or call 206-477-8664.
South County Fire and Safe Kids Snohomish County off er free virtual car-seat classes. Registration is required. Visit southsnofi re.org/ community-programs/classes/car-seats.
2025–2026 ParentEd Talks
Seattle Children’s is the proud Presenting Sponsor of ParentMap’s ParentEd Talks series, providing expert guidance and heartfelt inspiration to help you on your parenting journey. Register for the series today at parentmap.com/talks/parent-ed-virtualparenting-speaker-series.
Heather Cooper is the Editor of Good Growing, which is produced four times a year by the Marketing Communications Department of Seattle Children’s. You can find Good Growing in the January, April, July and October issues of ParentMap and on our website seattlechildrens.org. For permission to reprint articles for noncommercial purposes or to receive Good Growing in an alternate format, call 206-987-5323. The inclusion of any resource or website does not imply endorsement. Your child’s needs are unique. Before you act or rely upon information, please talk with your child’s healthcare provider.
© 2025 Seattle Children’s, Seattle, Wash.
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The Key to Supporting Gifted Readers
By Laura Wheatman Hill
Recently, we’ve heard a lot about the literacy crisis, in which many kids and even adults aren’t “able” to read like past generations. However, amid this major crisis in education, there are still kids who not only read well, but read well above grade level.
As an English teacher who specializes in gifted education, I frequently have conversations with kids about how to find “just right” books that challenge and interest them. I just as frequently talk to parents about how to best support their advanced readers — parents have concerns about content appropriateness, but want their
kids to stretch themselves. I spoke with Julie F. Skolnick, M.A., J.D., author of “Gifted and Distractible” and founder of With Understanding Comes Calm about how we as parents can support and advocate for children who read at levels above their same-aged peers.
Parent concerns
Many parents are concerned about exposing their kids to content that is inappropriate or upsetting. Violence, sex, racism, sexism, body-shaming and other issues are important to discuss, but can be too complex or intense for young kids to process.
continued from page 23
Parents might not want their young kids exposed to the horrors of the world.
Additionally, some books cover topics that might induce “existential dread,” something gifted kids are prone to. So reading about a climate apocalypse or similar topics might be “too much” for some kids. Finally, some books written for adults are boring to kids — adult relationships and topics might not be of interest. As a result, some advanced readers don’t read anything because it’s either too easy, too boring or too intense.
Considerations for content
Skolnick says to think about not only your precocious reader’s reading level compared to their chronological age, but also to consider their social and emotional abilities. “Age shouldn’t really matter, except for the social-emotional consideration,” she says. Some things are going to go over their heads or confuse them.
While all kids have topics they’re not ready for, it’s common for kids who are intellectually gifted to also have increased empathy or more extreme emotions, as well as a greater depth of imagination.
Skolnick recalled having to put “A Wrinkle in Time” aside because the main character being separated from her father was too upsetting. I myself once spent a weekend weeping into my dog’s fur after we read “Where the Red Fern Grows” in class. This is not to say kids shouldn’t read books that give them a big emotional reaction. However, appropriateness varies child to child.
On the other end of spectrum, though often related, kids can work through complex emotions that they aren’t ready to deal with in real life through fiction, something Skolnick calls “bibliotherapy,” where a kid reads a book with a complicated relationship or situation and then uses that fictionalized experience to frame their own social skill building. If your reader “may not have the strongest ability to enter a
conversation, or social skills to keep the conversation, you actually use the story.”
She suggested reading together and pausing to discuss how a character is feeling, why, and how you know.
While considering what topics your kid is emotionally ready to handle, also consider “the interests of the child, but also, where can they talk about this book? What’s their cohort? Where’s their book club?” Skolnick says. She suggested parents read along with kids so they can discuss topics together. However, at some point, a parent might not be able to deep dive the way an obsessed friend might. So, help your reader find friends or peers who can deepen the experience and extend their learning.
How to talk to teachers about precocious readers
If your child reads above grade level, you may have to have conversations with their teachers about differentiated instruction to best meet your kid’s needs. Skolnick says to focus on goals when speaking with members of your child’s educational team. She says, “I always recommend to parents that they have five questions prepared.” These include:
• What are my kid’s strengths?
• What are my kid’s struggles?
• What accommodation and enrichment do they need?
• What accommodations and enrichment don’t work?
• What one thing do you want the teacher to know?
If nothing else, focus on finding the one thing you want the teacher to know and make it based in your child’s strengths. For example, your advanced reader might be obsessed with baseball, or mummies or knitting. A teacher might want the kid to diversify their subject matter, which would frustrate a kid who is singularly focused. So, as a parent, you might tell the teacher that the most important thing for your family is that your child enjoys reading, so let them use interest level to guide reading choices. Skolnick says she recommends that your child has their “passions honored” because doing so can lead them down new and exciting paths to learning as well as help them overcome their particular struggles. To best accommodate the child, when possible, “incorporate the child in this decision-making process as well,” she says.
If you worry about your child’s ability to handle an advanced book’s themes, Skolnick says to talk to the teacher. Ask “how can I frame this book for my kid or, or what should I be thinking about when my kid reads this book? How should I set up for my child the themes that they might be contemplating in this book?” she says. Working as a team with your kid’s educators will help deepen the reading experience.
Remember the joy
Through all the possible pitfalls of navigating appropriate reading material for your kid, remember that, at the core of all this, it’s a gift to be a reader. Skolnick says, “Books are very often best friends for children.” If you can help your precocious reader find a new best friend in a book,
you’ll be giving them a lifetime of comfort and joy.
Resources
Depending on the reading level of your child, their interests and their social and emotional capabilities, some books are going to be slam dunks and others are going to be too much or not their cup of tea. Skolnick provided several websites with resources and book lists for gifted readers.
• Finding Books for Gifted Readers from Raising Lifelong Learners
• Summer Reading Lists for Gifted Readers from Connections Academy
• Books for Gifted Kids from Gifted Guru
• Good Books for Bright Kids from Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
• Book Lists for Gifted and Avid Readers from Davidson Institute
In my experience working with both avid and reluctant readers of all ages, there are a few books that most precocious readers love, regardless of age and reading level. Many of these feature advanced or smart characters, which gifted readers see themselves in, but some are simply books most people seem to enjoy.
I’ve put the simplest potential triggers in parentheses. Most books have some death — it’s more about how potentially devastating each character death might be for your reader. Personally, I could handle most human deaths as a kid but any animal in danger was too much for me to bear so I avoided other Red Fernesque books — your child might be the opposite, and you know them best.
Sci-Fi/Futuristic
• The Hunger Games series (violence, death)
• Ender’s Game series (war, bullying, death)
• “The Giver” (intense emotions, death)
Fantasy
• “The Phantom Tollbooth” (none)
Fun for the whole family!
Get outdoors and enjoy the coast with your family. Razor clamming is a fun activity for all ages and requires little gear. All you need is a license (for those over 14), a clam shovel or clam gun, and a bucket.
• The Wizards of Once series (intense emotions, scary creatures, death) Razor clam season starts soon!
Learn more about upcoming razor clam dig dates, how and where to harvest, and more!
wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/ shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams
Photo by Nicole Pocklington.
continued from page 25
• The Chronicles of Narnia series (war, death)
Realistic-ish
• The Series of Unfortunate Events books (death, peril)
• “Holes” (bullying, death)
• “Matilda” (bullying, adult neglect)
Historical
• “The Book Thief” (The Holocaust, death)
• Anne of Green Gables series (death)
• The Little House on the Prairie series (death)
Specifically, here is a list of books I recommend with extra-clever characters:
• The Series of Unfortunate Events (series)
• “Matilda”
• Ender’s Game (series)
• A Wrinkle in Time (series)
• The Mysterious Benedict Society (series)
• “Little Women”
Raising Great Kids
• Artemis Fowl (series)
• “The Westing Game”
• “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”
• “An Abundance of Katherines”
• “The Queen’s Gambit”
• “Enola Holmes” ■
Laura Wheatman Hill lives in Portland, Oregon with her two children and a pandemic puppy. She writes about everything, and teaches English and drama when not living in an apocalyptic dystopia.
When Your Kid Is the Bully
By Gemma Alexander
Every parent, when sending their child off to school for the first time, worries at least a little bit. What if they don’t make friends? What if somebody picks on them? People used to think playground bullying was a fact of life. But the harm bullying causes — for both the victim and the bully — is not something that adults should simply accept, nor should the responsibility for eliminating bullying fall on the victims. As much as we hate to consider the possibility that our own child could be the problem,
it’s our responsibility to take action when that is the case.
What is bullying?
Bullying is defined in many ways, but at its root, is all about power. One common definition is harmful behavior where the recipient cannot stop it. Despite stereotypes, harmful behavior is not necessarily physical violence. “Mean girl” behavior is a form of bullying, too. The nature of the bully’s power can also vary.
“They’re not always the ‘tough’ ones and they’re not always the popular ones, the cheerleaders. It can be anybody,” says Judy French, coordinator of the Los Angeles office of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. But children who bully do share some characteristics. “They are quick to blame others, and they have a sense of entitlement about difference, so they have a reason why [they think] it’s okay to do the bullying,” she says. “And they might not show a lot of empathy or compassion; other people’s feelings don’t matter.”
“You don’t want the tools in the toolbox to be only hammers.”
Many school districts still define bullying as intentional and repetitive behavior. But French says the current understanding of bullying is broader. A single instance of cruel behavior can create the atmosphere of fear inherent in bullying, because the victim doesn’t know when or if there will be a repeat performance. And children who are very young, neurodivergent or have undeveloped social skills can unknowingly engage in bullying behavior that nevertheless causes the same harm.
Identifying the bully
“Often, parents find out their child is bullying another when the school calls. They find out from others; they don’t find out on their own,” says French. “That’s because it is very covert when children have been bullying. No child wants to be identified as bullying anyone. And so it’s going to take some detective work on behalf of the adults to figure out if a child is participating in bullying.”
Both students who bully and those being bullied often show the same signs — frequent headaches or stomach aches, changes in eating or sleeping habits and avoidance of school or social situations.
“Sometimes children who are bullying are being bullied as well.”
That might be because bullying is not a one-way street. “Sometimes children who are bullying are being bullied as well. That’s called reactive bullying. So that’s when we might see those behaviors that look like they’re being targeted — because they might be,” says French.
Importance of change
While the damage bullying causes is well-recognized, fewer people realize the harm the child doing the bullying experiences. After all, they are the children who are “winning” and wielding power. Looking around, it often seems like the bullies are winning in adulthood, too.
“When other kids see that it works, [they] think, ‘Well, I’m going to try that. If I can make you give me your candy bar, I might try that again,’” says French.
But that kind of win doesn’t translate to functional social skills, real friendships, moral courage or long-term happiness.
“You don’t want the tools in the toolbox to be only hammers. If we want to develop in a healthy way, they have to develop a whole array of human behavior tools,” says French. Studies have found that children who bully share many of the same longterm impacts as their victims. Both groups are at risk of developing psychosomatic problems, psychosis, and behavioral issues such as drug use, self-harm and suicide, as well as problems in schooling, employment and social relationships.
Without condoning their harmful behavior, adults need to recognize that children who bully are also at risk, and bullying behavior requires skillful intervention.
“We really want to provide consequences
and hold kids accountable for what they’ve done, but then also help them change and to let everybody know that if a child’s been bullying, they can change. They’re not stuck in that mode,” says French.
Change is possible
“Bullying is a behavior, not an identity. So that’s why when we talk about bullying with kids, we need to make sure we’re really referring to what’s happening with behaviors. When we call kids bullies, it’s a role that kids get cast into and they’re not allowed to leave that identity,” Fresh says. “It never goes away and it sends a message to kids that they can’t change their behavior. You know, kids that you might have gone to grammar school with, you see at your 20th high school reunion and people will point them out, ‘There’s the bully.’”
Fortunately, change is possible, and it benefits not only the victims, but also the aggressor, and by extension, the entire school community, which becomes a safer, friendlier place.
Changing behavior
Most school districts have disciplinary policies around bullying, and parents should not try to circumvent them. But they should know that the path to change lies elsewhere.
According to research, an authoritarian parenting style is associated with bullying.
“Involving law enforcement or suspensions do not work to deter future bullying, though they’re often the first things people think about. Adults have to work with the student who’s been bullying to support and scaffold the success we want them to have in changing their behavior,” says French.
Successful scaffolding is complicated and largely depends on the specific circumstances and underlying causes. That’s why French says the first step is often the hardest for parents. When that call comes from the school, “The first thing they need is to gather the information and listen without too much emotional reaction. That’s really difficult to do, but until you have the information, you really can’t be the judge of what’s happened. So take a step back, take a pause and be open-minded about what you’re hearing. And then move on from there to speaking to your child,” says French.
The purpose of all this listening is to look for the underlying causes of the behavior. Sometimes, a developmental issue like autism could lead a child to adopt bullying behaviors without understanding what they are doing. But poor social skills can lead to misuse of power without any sort of disability.
. . . like many outdated recommendations for dealing with bullying, simply telling a child they should not want to belong to a group that engages in bullying is ineffective.
According to research, an authoritarian parenting style is associated with bullying. Authoritarian parenting seeks control without allowing for discussion, often including strict punishments. By contrast, studies show that parental support for autonomy reduces bullying. Parents can support autonomy by offering choices and age-appropriate tasks.
Another consideration is whether your child is the instigator or a follower. A follower may be acting out of fear or a desire for belonging, and these differing underlying motivations will require differing responses. Not every child feels they have the social capital for upstander power, and like many outdated recommendations for dealing with bullying, simply telling a child they should not want to belong to a group that engages in bullying is ineffective.
“It’s hard to be concise with such a complex problem,” French warns. She advises parents to work within the requirements of their school while remaining alert to clues that can guide an individualized response
continued from page 29
employing social-emotional learning and modeling kindness.
Although the details of each situation are unique, French says there are three universal characteristics of an effective response:
1/ Use empowering language – label behaviors, not people.
2/ Involve the right people – because the aggressor’s behavior needs to change, they should be involved in developing the plan for change. The victim, on the other hand, should not be forced to engage with their bully. Bullying is not the same as conflict, and conflict resolution techniques are inappropriate.
3/ Embrace change. Children grow and change every day. Bullying can be discarded like any other outgrown behavior once a child develops better social skills. Children who bully are not inherently flawed and can develop kindness and empathy with guidance. ■
Seattle-based freelance writer Gemma Alexander focuses on the intersection of parenting and the arts. When she’s not writing for ParentMap, she blogs at gemmadeealexander.com and is on X @gemmadeetweet.
on
develop a plan with your child for changing bullying behavior and a guide for parents and educators.
Overlooked Parent-Teacher Conference Questions Worth Asking
By Allison Sutcliffe
Ah, October. So nice to see you! You usher in the return of “regular” — where everyone has finally adjusted to the new school-year routine and summer’s haphazard days are long forgotten, replaced by the continuous, predictable rhythm of after-school activities and early bedtimes.
It’s the time of year when parents, awash in pumpkin spice bliss, casually cruise through the days without a care in the world — until fall parent-teacher conferences creep up on them like a kid’s unfinished homework they swore they had completed, or that pungent lost cheese stick innocently “hiding” in the car.
Don’t be caught off guard this year. Come prepared with questions that move beyond metrics and instead spark conversation around your child’s development.
• Who does my child eat lunch with?
• Who does my child like to play with at recess?
• What does my child really enjoy doing in your classroom?
• What’s one thing my child excels at in school and/ or in your classroom?
• What’s something that excites you about the school year ahead and what you have planned for the class?
• How does my child handle unfair situations or disappointment in class or with peers?
• Does my child appreciate differences in classmates?
• Is my child confident in their abilities?
• Is my child willing and able to take appropriate risks and learn new things?
• Is my child struggling with anything that I should know about? ■
Educating
Whole Child: Age 3-Grade
Out + About
Tickets on sale now!
Ride historic coaches, enjoy live music, watch cider press demos, and try hands-on apple coring! Costumes encouraged!
Fall-Themed Trains Are Chugging Into Town
By Meredith Charaba
There are a couple of things I look forward to every fall: Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins and seeing what costume my daughter picks for Halloween. This year, I have a new tradition to look forward to once we pick out her costume — swapping “Trick or treat!” for “Trick or train!”
That’s right, there are festive Halloween and pumpkin train rides near Seattle, and they are an incredible way to show off your child’s costume, hunt for a pumpkin or just take in the fall foliage. Book your tickets now (and get your costumes ready early!) for these fall adventures.
Halloween Train
Dates: Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 11–12, 18–19 and 25–26
Location: Trains depart the Snoqualmie Depot, located at 38625 S.E. King St., Snoqualmie, or the North Bend Depot, located at 205 E. McClellan St., North Bend
Cost: $32 for adults; $28 for seniors 62 and older; $16 for children ages 2–12; children 1 and younger ride free on a lap.
Take a scenic Halloween train ride through Snoqualmie Valley on the Northwest Railway. Whether you depart from the Snoqualmie or North Bend depot, you’ll travel to Snoqualmie Falls before stopping
at the Railway History Center for seasonal activities. Wear your Halloween costumes for this adventure! All kids will get a small gift.
Pumpkin Train
Dates: Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 18–19
Location: The train departs from the Chehalis Centralia Railroad and Museum, 1101 S.W. Sylvenus St., Chehalis.
Cost: $19 for adults and seniors 62 and older; $15 for ages 3–5; kids 2 and younger ride free.
Need an excuse to wear that Halloween costume beyond the big day? Plan to wear yours on this festive train ride. Kids 12 and
Photo courtesy mtrainierrailroad.com
Photo courtesy steamtrainride.com
SnoqualmieNorth Bend
This October - All aboard for some slightly spooky, autumn time fun at the Northwest Railway Museum!
continued from page 35
younger can also look forward to getting special treats and picking their own pumpkin. Plus, the Chehalis River Valley is absolutely stunning in the fall, if not a bit chilly. Make sure that Halloween costume has layers!
Family Halloween Train
Dates: Friday–Sunday, Oct. 17–19 and 24–26
Location: Trains depart from Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad’s Elbe Depot, located at 54124 Mountain Hwy. E., Elbe.
Cost: $38 for adults; $19 for youth ages 2–17; tots younger than age 2 ride free.
Put on your costume and get ready for a Halloween train ride that combines the best of all the season’s festivities. You’ll take the historic train to the railroad’s museum and log camp in Mineral, where you can trick-or-treat or take a festive hayride. There will even be a pumpkin patch where you can pick your own!
Bring your goodies back on board the 100-year-old steam engine, which has passenger coaches, an open air car and a baggage car that serves as a gift shop and concession stand.
Wizard Express
Dates: Sunday, Sept. 28
Location: The train departs from the Chehalis Centralia Railroad and Museum, 1101 S.W. Sylvenus St., Chehalis.
Cost: $35 (This excursion is recommended for ages 8 and older.)
If your child’s Halloween costume includes a wizard hat and cloak, you’re in luck. They can wear it on the Wizard Express! This train adventure brings an award-winning magician on board to teach Mystic Arts, test your wizard’s knowledge and more. Plan to spend some time in the depot’s marketplace, which will be fully stocked with trinkets and treats. ■
Meredith Charaba is ParentMap’s family fun editor.
We are happy to announce the Sensory-Friendly performance of Disney’s The Lion King!
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 2PM The Paramount TheatrE
Sensory-friendly performances are designed to provide a supportive and judgment-free environment for people affected by sensory processing challenges so they may enjoy the shared experience of live theatre. ASL interpretation provided.
Photo courtesy mtrainierrailroad.com
October Play List
15 surefire ways to revel in autumn’s bounty
Check out many more happenings online at parentmap.com/calendar
By Julie Dodobara
October is here, and it’s time to treat the whole family to festive fall fun! From Halloween haunts to a new season of children’s theater and live entertainment, Oktoberfest delights and outdoor festivals celebrating the harvest, salmon and more — there’s plenty to fill those crisp, autumn days. Grab a jacket, maybe an umbrella, and let’s go!
� Pluck the pumpkin of your dreams from one of the many local pumpkin patches around the Sound. As luck would have it, you can hop on a hayride or even navigate a corn maze as many of our local patches offer fantastic harvest activities once your pumpkin is picked. Grab your boots and shears and get picking. Through Oct. 31.
� Maeve, formerly Seattle Chocolate Company, is bringing a haunted escape room experience to its chocolate factory for those who dare enter. Adventurers, puzzle lovers and chocolate fans are invited to board a glittery spaceship and journey to a
haunted planet in search of cosmic cocoa. Thursday–Saturday, Oct. 2–25; $35 admission.
� The sights, sounds and aromas of Oktoberfest are calling. Indulge in Bavarian delights like brats, giant pretzels and beer at an Oktoberfest in West Seattle the whole family can enjoy (dogs are welcome too!).
Admission is free with food and beverage for purchase. Head over to Ounces Taproom and Beer Garden Friday–Sunday, Oct. 3–5.
� It’s time to make tracks!
October marks your last chance of the season to hop
Highlighted Events for October
Oct. 4 | Saturday
Lacey Children’s Day Lacey
aboard a mini train for free rides around the park. Bring your little conductors to Port Orchard’s South Kitsap Regional Park on Saturday, Oct. 11 and 25, or make your way to beautiful Skykomish and ride the rails as many times as you’d like, Saturdays, Oct. 4–25. Be sure to double check schedules and confirm trains are running before heading out!
� Back for a second year, the Little Beats concert series gets off to a rollicking start with the teachers-turned-rockers ofthe band Recess Monkey, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.–noon at Pioneer Hall in Madison Park. Shows take place monthly through March and you can
expect to see some other kindiependent faves on the schedule as well. Tickets are $5 per show or $25 for a series pass.
� You won’t have to travel far for seasonal farm fun — trot on over to the Kelsey Creek Farm Fair in Bellevue for wagon rides, barnyard animals, kids crafts and fun with pumpkins. Admission is free; some activities require a fee. See you at the big white barn on Saturday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
� Enter a world of video game antics without the screens at this year’s Lacey Children’s Day. Enjoy crafts, games, inflatables and other fun activities at this video game-themed extravaganza. Bring your players to Huntamer Park, Saturday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. for a memorable day of unplugged entertainment. Free.
� Head to downtown Issaquah to make your way upstream with our local salmon and celebrate their spawning journey at Issaquah Salmon Days. Watch the community parade, enjoy music, kids games, inflatables, salmon hatchery tours, DockDogs and more. It will be a spawn-tastic time, Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 4–5, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
� Witness a fresh retelling of the enduring story of Meg Murry and her battle with the forces of evil to rescue her father in the Olympia Family Theater’s adaptation of the classic novel
Oct. 18 | Saturday
Issaquah Goes Apples Issaquah
“A Wrinkle in Time.” Shows run Friday–Sunday Oct. 10–26. Tickets are available for $20–$25.
� Journey back to the 1880s and get a taste of what life was like for pioneer families in the Pacific Northwest. Tour a homestead cabin and Ohop Indian Village, enjoy music, games, buggy rides, crafts and more during a special Founders Day celebration at Pioneer Farm Museum in Eatonville, Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 11–12, 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Tickets are $20; ages 2 and younger are free.
� Dress in your favorite costume and hop aboard the Halloween Train! This vintage passenger car, decked out for the season, chugs through the Snoqualmie Valley for a spectacular view of the changing fall colors. There will be hot cider, live music, apple coring and small gifts for all kids. Trains run Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 11–12, 18–19 and 25–26. Book your $16–$32 tickets in advance; age 1 and younger ride free.
� Press apples into cider, build a scarecrow and enjoy live music and other fun activities at Issaquah Goes Apples, held in historic downtown Issaquah. Bring the family to this harvest celebration for a true taste of fall, rain or shine! Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
� Disney on Ice returns with all your favorite Disney stars including the casts from “Frozen 2,” “The Lion King” and “Moana.” Sing along as they
Oct. 23 | Thursday
ParentEd Talks: Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart Online
take you on a magical adventure with high-flying acrobatics. Skate on over to accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, Oct. 22–26 and Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Oct. 30–Nov. 2. Tickets start at $44.
� Head to the Port of Everett for Haunted Harbor, a not-soscary, but spooky-ish time with trick-or-treating at boats along the dock, witches and warlocks paddling through the marina, ghoulish games and creepy crafts. This pre-Halloween treat takes place Friday, Oct. 24, 4–7 p.m.
� Do you have a teenager at home? Join our ParentEd Talks series when we welcome parenting coach and pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart to help decipher adolescent behavior, build trust and stay connected during this turbulent time. Register and tune in Thursday, Oct. 23, at noon or receive the recording to watch anytime. $10 per talk or $50 for the entire eight-talk series. Members of partner schools join for free.■
Julie Dodobara is ParentMap’s calendar editor.
SPONSORED EVENTS
Tacoma Arts Month
Fun for all ages
Kaleidoscope, the free opening celebration of Tacoma Arts Month, Saturday, Oct. 4, 1–4 p.m. at Tacoma Public Library. Art and activities for all ages! tacomaartsmonth.org
Halloween Hangover at KidsQuest!
Saturday, Nov. 1 and Sunday Nov. 2, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wear your costume one more time! Kids enjoy spooky play while grownups kick back with a relaxing sip. Halloween fun continues with KidsQuest! kidsquestmuseum.org
