Katy Parent Magazine June 2020 Week 3

2 | katy parent

ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600

FATHER'S DAY gift

guide

Forget the tie, give him something he'll really use!

Having a hard time shopping for the fathers in your life?

We have some ideas that are sure to please any type of Dad! Outdoors Type

A weekend camping with his favorite kiddos will definitely please this dad. Don't want to venture far from home? Pitch a tent in the backyard, roast smore's over the bbq pit and tell spooky stories by flash-light!

Sweet Tooth

Most dads secretly love chocolate, so a big box of chocolates wouldn't go uneaten, that's for sure. From the heart: There's nothing like a homemade cake- lopsided or not!

Workaholic

I'm sure he would love a new planner or a nice pen set, but what he would probably treasure most is an updated picture of the kids framed for his desk.

Sports Buff

Is he a sports fan? If so, a couple of tickets to an upcoming game (hopefully soon) will definitely score! Not in the budget? Play your own game in the backyard or at the local park. Dad will enjoy the quality time playing a game he loves with the family.

Bookworm

How about a collection you can read with Dad? Like the Harry Potter series or Lord of the Rings? Some quiet time alone so he can catch up on his latest novel would be most appreciated, as well.

New Age Dad

This dad isn't too proud to enjoy a massage. Hey, even a manicure or pedicure would work for him. A hand made book full of 5 minute massage coupons will surely bring him pleasure!

Music Fan

How about some merch from his favorite band? Then get the kids together to serenade him. Don't have instruments? Gather up all the pots, pans, Tupperware, wooden spoons you can find...even a garden rake can make a cool sound!

Computer Geek

Don't even try to buy something for this dad- a simple gift card to the local computer store will "boot him up!" Since this dad spends so much time in front of his computer, a slide show of his favorite people for his desktop would bring a smile to his face all day long!

WWW.KATYPARENT.COM

katy parent | 3

While traveling to far off places may sound intriguing, you may want to stay closer to home this year due to Covid. Check out what our beautiful hometown has to offer and support some local establishments while staying safe and observing social distancing guidelines.

Mr.open, Gattis *At press time, not all places listed are but with things changing weekly, we 16607 El Camino Realfor • Houston wanted to include them all. Make sure you check websites up to date information 281-480-4800 before visiting. Some locations require reservations.

CENTRAL

All day Tuesdays kids 5 and under eats for free with paid adult buffet

WEST

SOUTH

Abe’s BBVA Compass 1080 Clear Lake City Stadium Blvd., Suite D • Houston

Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet Brazos Bend 155 W. Bay AreaState Blvd.• Park Houston

StarFire Grill Armand Bayou 2412 Bay Area Blvd. Nature • HoustonCenter

Children’s Museum Beef ‘O Brady’s • 713-522-1138 www.cmhouston.org

Constellation Field Lunch Buffet Mon-SatKids 2-6yrs $2.99 www.sugarlandskeeters.com • 281-240-4487 7-10 yrs $4.99 Dinner Buffet Mon-Sun- Kids 2-6yrs $4.99 George Observatory 7-10 yrs $5.99• 281-242-3055 www.hmns.org Kids 2 and under eat for free.

Kids 10 and under eat free Mondays with Bayou Wildlife Park adult meal www.bayouwildlifepark.com • 281-337-6376

www.houstondynamo.com • 713-276-7500 Kids eat free Mondays after 5pm per adult meal 6200 W. Broadway • Pearland Discovery Green 281-485-8877 www.discoverygreen.com • 713-400-7336

Kids eat free Tuesdays with purchase of adult meal

Downtown Aquarium Denny’s www.aquariumrestaurants.com • 713-223-3474 www.dennys.com Hermann Park

Kids eat free 4pm-10pmSee restaurant for dayswww.hermannpark.org • 713-524-5876 At participating Restaurants

www.brazosbend.org • 979-553-5101 832-932-5795

George Ranch Historical Park www.georgeranch.org • 281-343-0218 Jake’s Grill 9811 Broadway St. • Pearland Houston Museum of Nature Science 713-436-6868 at Sugar Land

Houston Museum of Natural Science www.hmns.org • 713-639-4629 Double Dave’s Pizzaworks 2431 Bay Area Blvd • Houston Houston Zoo

www.hmns.org 400 W. Parkwood, Ste 124 • Friendswood La Centerra at Cinco Ranch 281-482-9550 www.lacenterra.com • 281-395-5533

Kids 11Street and under eat free on Mondays with Main Theater purchase of adult buffet. • 713-524-6706 www.mainstreettheater.com Two’ fer Tuesday- Buy 1 get 1 free on pepperoni rolls Miller Outdoor Theatre Family Fridays- 1 Large Specialty Pizza, Medium www.milleroutdoortheatre.com 1 topping pizza & dessert of choice $25.95

www.pct3.hctx.net • 281-496-2177

281-286-3283 www.houstonzoo.org • 713-533-6500

Minute Maid Park

2500 Marina Bay Drive • League City www.houston.astros.mlb.com • 713-529-8000 281-535-3283

The Health Museum

Free buffet for kids under 4•on Mondays, www.thehealthmuseum.org 713-521-1515 Wednesdays, and Sundays 11-2pm; The Museum 5:308:30pm of Fine Arts Houston www.mfah.org

Firehouse Subs The Orange Show

Tuesdays and Sundays Kids eat free with the Mary JoofPeckham Park purchase any adult entrée!

James Coney Island Oil Ranch

3803 Spencer Hwy • Pasadena www.oilranch.com • 281-859-1616 713-910-0710

Splashway Waterpark

Kids 10 and under eat free on Wednesdays www.splashwaywaterpark.com • 979-234-7718 4pm- close (Dine in only)

Sugar Land Town Square Los Rosas Mexican Grill • 281-276-6000 www.sugarlandtownsquare.com 6425 Broadway St • Pearland The Showboat Drive-In Theater 281-412-3663 www.theshowboatdrivein.com • 281-351-5224

Kids 10 and under eat free Monday-Wednesday Villago Town Center with adult meal purchased www.villagiotowncenter.com • 281-363-1336

300 W. Bay Area Blvd. Suite 100 • Webster www.orangeshow.org • 713-926-6368 281-338-7829

Luby’s

NORTH

Kids eat free all day Saturdays

10201 Broadway, Suite 109 • Pearland 713-436-7930

Every Sunday kids-eat free with purchase of any Market Street The Woodlands adult sub or salad. At participating locations www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com • 281-419-4774

Old MacDonalds Farm Fuddruckers

www.oldmacdonaldshumble.com • 281-446-4001 2040 Nasa Road One • Houston Old 333-1598 Town Spring 281www.oldtownspring.com • 281-353-9310 4 can dine for $20 (2 adult combos and 2

Kids Meals) Splashtown

1600 Nasa Parkway • Webster 281-335-8400

EAST

Mario’s Baytown Nature Center 1304 Bayport Blvd. (Hwy 146) • Seabrook www.baytown.org • 281-932-1972 281-474-5103

LaPorte Wave Pool

www.ci.la-porte.tx.us • 281-470-1966 618 W. Nasa Pkwy • Webster Pirates Bay 281-332-2202 www.baytown.org/piratesbay • 281-422-1150

Kids 12 and under eat free- 1 child per adult

www.splashtownpark.com • 281-355-3300

San Jacinto Monument & Battleship Market Texas Seafood

www.ci.tomball.tx.us • 281-351-5484 713-944-8424

Sylvan Beach

Gabby’s The Depot Tomball 4010 Spencerin Hwy • Pasadena

The 12 Woodlands Children’s Museum Kids and under eat free on Sundays1 free www.woodlandschildrensmuseum.org • 281-465-0955 kids meal with purchase of full price entrée

16512 El Camino Real••281-479-2431 Houston www.tpwd.state.tx.us 281 488 CRAB (2722)

Kids eat free Mondays - one free kids meal www.ci.la-porte.tx.us • 281-457-0694 with purchase of each adult basket or entrée.

(Children Must Be Present)

4 | katy parent

WWW.KATYPARENT.COM

www.abnc.org • 281-474-2551 281-488-8203

Big League Dreams Sudie’s Seafood House

www.bigleaguedreams.com • 281-316-3400 4910 Spencer Hwy • Pasadena 281-487-0920 Butler Longhorn Museum www.butlerlonghornmuseum.com • 281-332-1393 Kids 10 and under eat free on Mondays with

purchase of adult entrée Clear Lake Recreation Center

www.clcca.org • 281-488-0360 352 N. Gulf Freeway • League City Froberg’s Farm 281-338-5100 www.frobergsfarm.com 281-585-3531 Kids 10 and under eats•free every Wednesday

Kemah Boardwalk with purchase of adult entrée

www.kemahboardwalk.com • 281-334-9880

Texas Road House Lone Star Flight Museum

18194 Gulf Freeway • •Friendswood www.lonestarflight.org 346-708-2517 281-461-3800

Pearland Parks

Kids eat free on Tuesdays with purchase of www.pearlandparks.com • 281-412-8900 adult entrée

Space Center Houston

2526 Smith Ranch Rd. • Pearland www.spacecenter.org • 281-244-2100 713-436-8444

Stevenson Park

Kids eat for free on Mondays with purchase of ci.friendswood.tx.us • 281-996-3200 adult entree

Texas City Museum

www.texas-city-tx.org • 409-229-1660

West Bay Common School & Children’s Museum

www.oneroomschoolhouse.org • 281-554-2994

GALVESTON Galveston Island Duck Tours

www.galvestonducks.com • 409-621-4771

Moody Gardens

www.moodygardens.com • 800-582-4673

Pleasure Pier

www.pleasure-pier.com • 713-850-1010

Railroad Museum

www.galvestonrrmuseum.com • 409-765-5700

Rainforest Cafe

www.rainforestcafe.com • 409-744-6000

Schlitterbahn

www.schlitterbahn.com • 409-770-9283

WWW.KATYPARENT.COM

katy parent | 5

6 | katy parent

ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600

Just because school is out for the summer doesn’t mean our children’s noses shouldn’t be nestled between the pages of a good book. But if you have a more active child, one who is hard to pin down, you may be searching for other ways to keep him reading this summer. Remember, reading is more than the act of opening a book. Almost every aspect of our lives involves reading. Recognize these as learning opportunities too.

OPEN A COOK BOOK. Creating a favorite snack or dessert requires reading. Pick something you know your child likes to eat and have him prepare it with you. Encourage your child to read the recipe out loud as you follow his directions.

PLAY A GAME. Go to the game closet and select a favorite.

Although all board games require reading skills for reading directions and game cards, some, like Scrabble, actually encourage word skills.

What is in your game closet?

VISIT A LOCAL MUSEUM.

Often we take our small, local museums for granted. There is a wealth of information hiding inside those four walls. In addition to reading the plaques and narratives describing the exhibits, your child can learn about the history of the area, and the historical figures who influenced it.

WRITE LETTERS. Help your child write to friends and relatives who live in out of town. Cousin Sue and Grandma Peggy are sure to write back- more writing- more reading, and the cycle continues.

GO GROCERY SHOPPING TOGETHER. Have your child help you make a list of the supplies you need. Read the sale ads together to find the best deals. Then, off to the market. Let your child help you select the proper foods from the shelves. Have her read the labels. Which product is cheaper (hey, why not throw in some math, too!)? What are the ingredients in the ice cream? Does everything have sugar?

PUT TOGETHER A MODEL. It doesn’t matter whether it is a train, airplane, automobile, boat, spacecraft, or dollhouse…getting the pieces placed in the right spot requires reading the directions. Where do you start? What color are the wings?

SURF THE NET. Use a search engine such as Google to decide what you want to learn about. What is the temperature where Grandma lives? What killed the dinosaurs? What was the score of last night’s Astros game? What is Springer’s batting average? As you explore the different sites, you will be reading along the way.

INTERVIEW GRANDMA, GRANDPA OR COUSINS ABOUT THE BOOKS THEY LIKE TO READ. They can

also recommend classics they enjoyed as a child. When Mom suggests a book, “it’s too boring”. But when eight-year-old Samuel tells your child about the same “great book he read”, suddenly she’s interested.

SUBSCRIBE TO CHILDREN’S MAGAZINES. Each time one comes in the mail, your youngster will take a break from dashing about to stop and read it if you pick the right one. Just like adults, children enjoy a variety of reading materials. There are many different magazines out there targeted to school-age children.

WWW.KATYPARENT.COM

katy parent | 7

SUMMER CAMP Guide

Some camp details may have changed due to Covid-19.

Please contact camps for details.  STARS GYMNASTICS SPORTS STEM & Educational CENTER A fun & safe environment for ages 4-12  ADVENTURE KIDS PLAY CARE learning gymnastics & participating in We offer full day 9am-4pm camps as well group games and activities. Full & half day as before and aftercare! Ages 3 -12. With available. a new theme, each week your child will be www.StarsGymTX.com begging for more!

Houston: 713-464-1996 www.AdventureKidsPlaycare.com Katy: 713-364-2631 281-769-2398

 CITIZENS FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION(CAP) Kids & Kritters Summer Camps Celebrate animals through art, games, crafts and service. Each Day campers meet various companion animals and discover what makes all animals valued members of our community. Register today at www.CAP4Pets.org 281-497-0591  LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM Your summer flight plan is booked for adventure! Land at Lone Star Flight Museum with week-long aviation summer camps designed to let your child soar. We offer two types of camps, our Pilot Maker Camp focuses on the knowledge and skills of a pilot, our Charles E. Taylor Camp explains the engineering and mechanics of aircraft.

Ages 10-12 www.LoneStarFlight.org/camps 346-708-2517  PRIMROSE SCHOOLS At our Summer Adventure Club, children become engineers, artists, explorers & more as they discover the joys of design thinking, a fun and innovative way to learn. Engineering design challenges, experiments & themed activities await as children unlock new ways of thinking, all while having a blast! www.PrimroseSchools.com Cinco Ranch: 281-693-7711 Kelliwood: 281-828-1600 North Mason Creek: 281-492-7400 West Cinco Ranch: 281-347-1212 Woodcreek Reserve: 281-731-0099  SUGAR CREEK MONTESSORI The Summer program includes field trips to museums, theater (plays), and other fun destinations. On campus visiting attractions such as a magic show, petting zoo, puppeteers and similar activities are also scheduled. www.SugarCreekMontessori.com Fulshear: 281-394-9797 Katy: 281-693-7267 Sugar Land: 281-261-1000  THE GODDARD SCHOOL Our summer camp curriculum incorporates STEAM learning into fun experiences for your child every day! We offer a range of programs and mini-camps to pique the interest of every child. www.GoddardSchool.com Cinco Ranch Center 281-392-1912 Ranch Point 281-392-1200 Cinco Northwest 281-392-1133

Active Play  CONNOLLY DANCE ARTS The place to be this summer is Connolly Dance Arts! Morning camps for ages 3-8 starting June 1st. Camps offered: Frozen II, Unicorn, and/or Princess. www.ConnollyDanceArts.com 281-693-1232  KATY YOUTH SOCCER The emphasis is on fun and learning how to play soccer for ages 4 and up. www.KatyYouthSoccer.com 281-392-5972

8 | katy parent

ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600

 SEA STAR BASE GALVESTON Summer Camp 2020 is an intense and engaging program packed full of marine and aquatic activities. S.T.E.M. concepts have been integrated into each activity, for a fun and enriching experience! Overnight Camps: 11 to 17 years old or Day Camps: 8 to 17 years old www.SSBGalveston.org/camps 409-572-2560

 THE LITTLE GYM School’s out, fun’s in! Combining physical activity, gymnastics, games, arts & crafts, we’ll help your child beat the heat of Summer by staying cool at The Little Gym. www.TheLittleGymofTexas.com Katy: 281-347-1400 Memorial: 281-558-9500

 WESTWOOD DANCE ACADEMY Join us for our “Westwood’s Got Talent” Dance Camps! Each week features exciting choreography, crafts, age specific activities & grand performance at the end of each camp week! Camp is for Students & NonStudents, Girls & Boys, Ages 5-12 years old. Join us for a summer full of DANCE! www.WestwoodDance.com 281-347-2000  WESTWOOD GYMNASTICS Westwood Activities Camps: Work Hard, Play Hard & CAMP HARD at Camp Westwood! The fun includes Sports, Crafts, Gymnastics, Carnival Day, Open Gym, Obstacle Courses, Bounce Houses, Water Slides & More! Camp is for Students & Non-Students, Boys & Girls, Ages 4-13 years old with age specific activities. We will have you saying, “I love this place!” www.WestwoodGym.com 281-347-2000  WORLD THEATER A variety of summer camps to choose -musical theater, Broadway foundation creative mind development, dance workshops/camps, hip hop, Bollywood, Mexican Folkloric, Theater Dance. More information at www.WorldTheater.us 832-552-5115

Christian  CAMP ALLEN We provide a fun & unique environment for young people to cultivate friendships, experience personal growth, and learn about the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. (located 1 hour from Houston) www.CampAllen.org 936-825-7175  CAMP CULLEN Sign your child up for premier summer overnight camp experience at YMCA Camp Cullen. From water sports and zip lining to horseback riding and science experiments, a summer with us is sure to make it their BEST one yet! Register today at www.YMCACampCullen.org  KATY FIRST KIDS Registration now open! 10% Discount if registered by 4/30/2020. Many camp themes to choose from. Visit web site for more details. www.KatyFirst.org/SummerCamps

Horse Camps  PALOMA TRAILS Horse/Pony Riding Camp, Summer Riding Splash Camp, Unicorn Riding Camp.

Camps available for children age 18mth to 16yr, Experienced to No Experience.

Summer Riding Lessons also available. www.palomatrails.com/ 713-715-9363  THE SUGAR & SPICE RANCH CAMP Mother/Daughter or All Girl Camps. Our summer camp sessions run from Saturday through the following Friday every week from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. www.TexasHorseCamps.com 830-460-8487

WWW.KATYPARENT.COM

katy parent | 9

FREE - Daily Virtual learning experiences and story times on Facebook

www.facebook.com/cmhouston

Online Tutoring

www.katy.tutoringcenter.com 832-437-0635

Now Open! Offering in person and online classes. www.WestwoodGym.com 281-347-1000

12 | katy parent

ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600

VIRTUAL A C T I V I T I E S

& SERVICES

Now offering a Gourmet Food Truck! Help support our theater with yummy food for your family.

www.WorldTheater.us 832-552-5115

Now offering Virtual Visits!

www.houstonmethodist.org/pcg 713.394.6724

FREE - Worship with Us! Online services: www.katyfirst.org 281-391-2121

Your Source for Family Fun! www.KatyParent.com

Follow Us!

SIGN UP for our eBLASTS! WWW.KATYPARENT.COM

katy parent | 13

Avoid generalizations and stereotypes. Choose your words carefully. Not every certain type of person in a particular group believes the same thing.

It’s important for children to remain open-minded and to understand that individuals are unique and have varying experiences and views.

Celebrate the positives. Although there are some awful stories in our history of race relations in this country, it’s important to also focus on some of the heroes who fought for their freedom or continue to fight for equality today.

Link history to present time. The most important reason to study the awful parts of history is to ensure that it does not repeat itself. Take time to draw links between events from the past with current affairs.

Explain to your children that we are still fighting for equality for all.

RAISING RACE-CONSCIOUS CHILDREN:

How to Get the Conversation Started

By Sandi Schwartz

When was the last time you talked to your children about racial differences? Conversations about skin color typically start in preschool as children become more curious about other people and the world around them.

Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, a professor of education at the University of Pennsylvania, said children are not waiting around for adults to talk about these issues. She found that kids are ready to discuss these topics early and are already doing so whether we realize it or not.

Many parents, however, shy away from talking about the world’s ugliness with their kids, hoping that they will stay naïve and innocent for as long as possible. Thomas says this is not the best approach to take. It is more effective if we are in touch with our children earlier on and address these issues together as they grow.

It may be difficult to find the appropriate time or place to bring up race. Keep an eye out for opportunities that pop up, like a TV show, a book, a song, or an event that touches on the topic. Or maybe your young child notices that someone else has darker skin than they do. The more subtly you broach the topic, the easier it will be for both you and your child.

An article in Parenting magazine offered a really clever way to begin the conversation with young children.

Invite them to help cook some eggs with you in the kitchen. Be sure to have some white eggs and brown eggs.

Ask your child what they notice about the eggs. What is different about them on the outside? Then crack the eggs together and ask them what they notice about the insides of the eggs. Point out how they are the same inside. Then make the link by explaining how eggs are just like people – they come in different shades, but they are the same on the inside. We should not judge someone by their appearance.

Tips For Teaching Children About Race Because talking to our kids about race issues is such a challenging task, consider these helpful tips:

reduce children’s prejudices is to model an inclusive home, demonstrating that we have friends of all backgrounds. She explains that “parents who have learned to lead multicultural lives, connecting with people different from themselves, are more likely to have children who develop those important life skills at an early age.”

Examine your own biases first. Before you even begin to talk to your children about racism, take some time to look inside yourself and acknowledge your own experiences, biases, or privileges that may influence how you address these issues. Don’t be afraid to share your own struggles about these topics with your kids. You can tell them that you are not an expert and want to work together with them to learn more. Consider taking the online test about bias created by Harvard experts.

Tell them the truth. Racism is a very complicated issue that tends to be over-simplified to the detriment of children’s education. Be sure to use correct definitions and tell them about historical events like slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. Turn to expert resources, like the Teaching Tolerance website that will walk you through the most effective ways to talk to your children about these issues.

Be a good role model. Many Americans think people are “naturally” racist, that racism is genetic.

This couldn’t be farther from the truth. According to experts, humans are not born racist. Instead, racism is a product of history. Our children are watching and listening to us. Dr. Beverly Tatum, psychologist, educator, author, and past president of Spelman College, suggests that the best way to

Encourage them to express their emotions.

Learning about racism can be very distressing. Give your children a safe space to reflect on how it makes them feel. Their emotions can range from anger, shock, frustration, sadness, hopelessness, and fear. Then ask them to look for ways to transform those negative emotions into positives, like hope and activism.

14 | katy parent

ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600

Resources BOOKS Here is a list of recommended books for kids about race: • Lest We Forget by Velma Maia Thomas • Unspoken by Henry Cole • Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters by Andrea Davis Pinkney • Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh • Fred Korematsu Speaks Up by Laura Atkins and Stan Yogi • Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers by Sarah Warren • Unique and Wonderful by Dee Smith FILMS As children get older, watch documentaries or movies that address racism.

Roots, 12 Years a Slave, Amistad, Belle, A Woman Called Moses, The Jackie Robinson Story, Selma, Remember the Titans, and Invictus are some of the most popular ones to explore.

Common Sense Media also has an online database of additional suggestions by age.

FIELD TRIPS/MUSEUMS Here are some museums to visit that address race issues: • Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C. • Lest We Forget Slavery Museum in Philadelphia, PA • Ozarks Afro-American Heritage Museum in Ash Grove, MO • Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, MI • National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, OH

NG

B

Make Music or Play an instrument

Have a Picnic

Do a STEAM project

Do a Random Act of Kindness

Build Something

Get Crafty!

See our Pinterest board for ideas

Read a Book

Make a New Recipe

FREE

throw a zoom or family dance party or take a dance camp

Make a Ninja Obstacle Course

Go on a Scavenger Hunt

See a Play or Concert or Story Time

Pick or Plant some Fruit or Veggies

Put on a Fashion Show

Sidewalk Chalk Art

Paint a picture

Go on a Nature Hike or Bike

Visit a Museum

or buy and model a new outfit

(inside or out)

See our Pinterest board for ideas

Have your pet pose for a portrait!

Splash or Swim

BBQ

Have a Movie Night

Make it a theme night for more fun!

Dance

Exercise

Feed Some Ducks

Learn a New Game

WWW.KATYPARENT.COM

katy parent | 15

Aug 3rd — Aug 7th Aug 17th — Aug 21st

16 | katy parent

ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600