ML Interest Tag: caterpillar

Curtain Call: Your Child’s Theatre Journey Starts Here

by Jennifer Massoni Pardini
Partner Content

Reading to our children is an early delight that lasts throughout childhood. Performing arts bring that delight to life. Oregon Children’s Theatre knows this well, reaching over 120,000 children and families every year through its dynamic line-up of theatre productions. Its 2019-2020 season is no different—delivering on the power of storytelling to transport us, teach us and alight our imagination, all while creating a fun family experience. Read on for what not to miss on S.T.A.G.E. as well as ways for little dramatists to participate.

S is for Story
Whenever the lights dim, the crowd hums to a collective silence and the costumed actors take their places, we embark on a journey, be it to a fantasy world, another time or the recognizable magic of our own backyards. That’s the power of story. And Oregon Children’s Theatre (OCT) knows that good ones come in all shapes and sizes—this season promises diverse voices and ideas, emotional journeys and literary favorites, all capped off with a feel-good musical and lasting memories.

T is for Teaching Tool
Presenting the lives of others invites audiences of all ages to journey through someone else’s experience—a lesson especially vital for children as they learn empathy and understanding. Along with family entertainment, performances can serve as important conversation starters too. Take The Journal of Ben Uchida: Citizen 13559 and what life is like for a 12-year-old boy in a U.S. internment camp during WWII. By transporting us, the theater teaches us all.

A is for Acting Academy
In addition to performances, OCT’s Acting Academy has taught year-round educational programs about the craft of theater since 1988. Young drama students (starting at age 3!) can develop life skills like confidence, collaboration and compassion while experiencing the rewards of practice and preparation. The academy offers inspiring classes, workshops as well as residencies in schools and the community. (And FYI: OCT subscribers receive 20% off classes.)

G is for a Goodall, Jane Goodall—and Much More
OCT’s 2019-2020 season offers five family-friendly performances, swinging into action with Me… Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall, starring a 10-year-old Jane and recommended for the 5-and-up camp. Others appeal to all ages, like Eric Carle classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, brought to life (along with other Carle titles) by a cast of puppets, and popular book Dragons Love Tacos. Kennedy Center commission The Journal of Ben Uchida: Citizen 13559 is recommended for an older crowd of 10 and up. The season culminates with Last Stop on Market Street, a musical that blends hip-hop, Motown, gospel and rap for 5-and-up theatergoers.

E is for Empowering Entertainment
We all need a little escape, one that can have us dancing in our seat or going on an emotional journey with a character. Whether honing communication skills in acting class or watching a show, theatre can also empower us, with access to a new part of ourselves or the start of a life-long appreciation for an art form. Best of all, the experience is meant to be shared, with weekday performances for school groups and weekend performances for families. Whenever you buy a ticket to a show, you can also add on a donation to help OCT ensure every child experiences the gifts of live theatre.

…And Encore
This season, young audiences can also check out OCT’s Young Professionals Company’s improv group, Impulse. Your little one will be sure to laugh along with the audience, and may be inspired to participate in the teen mentoring program when they’re a little older.

Learn more about Oregon Children’s Theatre at octc.org.

— Jennifer Massoni Pardini

all photos courtesy of photo: Owen Carey Photography via Oregon Children’s Theatre

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Eric Carle’s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” Turns 50! Here’s What the Author Had to Say

by Erica Loop

Your kiddo’s fave bedtime read is about to turn half a century old! Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary—and here’s what the iconic author had to say about it.

In celebration of the big 5-0, Carle talked children’s lit in a video from earlier this year. So what (or rather who) does Carle credit for this book’s success? The author explained, “I think the children are the ones who’ve kept it in the market for 50 years.”

Carle also added, “I think it is a book of hope.” The children’s author went on to say,  “Children need hope. You, little insignificant caterpillar, can grow up into a beautiful butterfly and fly into the world with your talent. Will I ever be able to do that? Yes, you will. I think that is the appeal of that book.”

The author and artist isn’t the only one who’s celebrating his book’s major milestone. Plenty of kids’ lit lovers took to social media, cheering for the caterpillar. One mama showed off a caterpillar-themed quilt she made for her kiddo.

And plenty of libraries and children’s/early literacy organizations took to Twitter, wishing the book a very happy birthday!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Penguin Kids via YouTube

 

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Go Beyond Bento with These Muffin Tin Meals

by Selena Kohng

It’s time to dust off your muffin pan because it’s about to get a lot more use. We’ve gathered up a bunch of genius ways to serve up lunch or dinner—no bento box needed. Load your muffin tin up with finger foods, dips and veggies and your little grazers will be delighted. Keep reading to get your fill of recipes and ideas from some seriously creative parents.

PB& J with a Twist

Be Brave, Keep Going

Keep things simple but delicious with this well-rounded meal from Be Brave, Keep Going. A peanut butter sandwich gets a little more exciting with the addition of banana, and there’s even a cup full of vanilla yogurt (with sprinkles on top, of course!). Get the details by clicking here.

Perfect Portions

Holli Conger

Now here’s a muffin tin meal we’d be happy to eat alongside our little one. Get inspired by Holli Conger to whip it up yourself. With cheese and crackers, fresh fruits and veggies and a fluffy roll, you’ll have a satisfying meal ready in no time. Click here to get the scoop.

Rainbow-Themed Munchies

Sycamore Stirrings

Your kiddos will get a little bit of everything with this easy dinner idea from Sycamore Stirrings. From mini ravioli to peanut butter toast and kiwi, grazers will rejoice at all the tasty bites. To get the deets, click here.

Ceasar Salad & Chicken

Be Brave, Keep Going

Take a cue from Be Brave, Keep Going and make this super easy lunch. With a bit of Caesar salad, chicken and fruit, you’ll have a balanced meal ready in no time. Click here to see the details.

You Can Add Liquids Too

Mommysavers

You don’t just have to stick to finger foods for muffin tin meals. Check out this one from Mommysavers. One compartment is used for ranch dressing, while another holds a tasty drinkable yogurt. Get all the details by clicking here.

Use Them as Party Plates

Sycamore Stirrings

We love this genius idea from Sycamore Stirrings. Whip up soft pretzels (you can find them in the freezer section if you’re short on time) and fill your muffin tin up with dips, like mustard, marinara sauce and even frosting.It's perfect for an impromptu party! Click here to find out more.

Serve Up the Weather

Sugary Flower

How cute is this idea from Sugary Flower? With a weather theme, the tin is filled up with a pear umbrella, carrot clouds and cheese lightning. To get all the details, click here.

A Spooky Lunch

Another Lunch

We’re definitely going to make this Halloween-inspired meal from Another Lunch this October. With banana ghosts, hot dog mummies and a cauldron of candies, it’s almost too cute to eat. Click here to get the scoop.

All the Food Groups

Eats Amazing

Bright colors, fun accessories and a bevy of yummy options: this meal from Eats Amazing is a muffin tin meal trifecta. Cute silicone cups create a lunchtime adventure with minimal effort. Using all 12 openings will ensure you cover the basic four—food groups, that is. Added bonus: Don't miss the baby version of this meal, too!

A Dino-riffic Dinner

Eclectic Lamb

You had us at dinosaur-shaped pizza. Quite frankly, kids would gobble this up without a muffin tin, but the fun details—like calling the bed of corn a dino “nest” or the grapes dinosaur “eggs”—turns fruits and veggies into the supporting cast of a prehistoric adventure. Get the details at Eclectic Lamb.

A Learning Lunch

Chaos and Confections

Getting your little one excited about eating can be as easy as 1-2-3. This gluten-free lunch from Chaos and Confections is perfectly filling for a kid-sized appetite. Yogurt in a removable silicone muffin cup makes cleanup that much easier, and who could refuse sprinkles? A+ for mom.

Star Wars Snack

Becoming a Bentoholic

A mango Millennium Falcon and a peanut butter Princess Leia? Let the creative force be with you. Keep cookie cutters or shaped containers on hand to stamp out themed shapes in a jiffy. Borrow these ideas from Becoming a Bentoholic for a special occasion for your Star Wars fan—even if it’s celebrating the fact that he’s open to cucumbers.

Tins with a Twist

What's for Lunch at Our House

Here’s a twist on tins: What's for Lunch at Our House uses a group of stand-alone silicone cups in fun shapes instead of one single tin. No utensils required, chances are they’ll polish off the whole meal, and the cups fit into the smallest of crevices of the dishwasher. Win-win.

Fancy Finger Food

Mama Belly

Finally, that Pinterest page loaded with muffin tin recipes will come in handy. If you want to serve something other than crudités and fruit, take a cue from Mama Belly and drop in a muffin-sized portion of mac and cheese—or quiche, or meatloaf—that you’ve already cooked and have on hand.

Book-Themed Bites

Angelic Scalliwags

What’s better than reading Goodnight Moon for the tenth time? Eating a moon-themed dinner ... while reading Goodnight Moon for the eleventh time, of course. Use your kid’s current obsession to an advantage and to their nutritional benefit—be it Olaf noses, Applejack slices or Minecraft trees. See all the fun details at Angelic Scalliwags.

Small Snackin'

Jennifer Bishop

Who needs brunch buffets when you’ve got ice trays? This humble household staple becomes a delightful smorgasbord, the compact size makes everything appealing so there’s really no need to fun-foodify anything. Take a cue from Jennifer Bishop, and stock up on trays to serve healthy snacks at a birthday party or playdate.

Mini Muffin Tins

Family Fresh Meals

Ice cube trays are like mini muffin tins; see how Family Fresh Meals uses a silicone heart-shaped one just right for snacks. Find some in cool shapes and colors; little fingers will love foraging for favorites, especially when portions are small enough for them to count.

Very Hungry Helper

Sugary Flower

A very hungry Eric Carle fan will want to eat through everything here. The mama blogger at Sugary Flower cleverly used this idea as a read-along; her child munched on the goodies at the same time as the caterpillar. Use a straw to make holes and maybe even get greens-adverse kids to munch on one nice green leaf. Allow for a treat on the day the caterpillar feasts, but do yourself a favor and skip over part that mentions ice cream and cake!

A Tin for Two

Muffin Tin Mom

When a blogger is dubbed the Muffin Tin Mom, you've got to stay and scroll a while. This spread works as a filling lunch for one or a snack for two. And if they eat everything else, treats are definitely in order.

Big-Kid Bites

Another Lunch

If you think this whole concept is just for those with picky palates, think again. This meal from Another Lunch is practically adult-sized, with tempting options like a chicken drumstick, rice and beans, and quesadilla.

— Selena Kohng & Susie Foresman

 

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11 First Party Themes to Celebrate the Birthday Boy

by Lauren Hill

Your little man is turning one, and that means it’s time to party in style! The guest of honor may not remember his first fete, but you’ll love having the photos to show him when he’s all grown up. Here are 11 unique first-birthday party ideas for boys inspired by books and their favorite toys and activities.

Time Flies

Vintage Pretty Pearl

Sometimes it’s the simplest party decorations that turn out to be the most fun. Take this idea from Vintage Pretty Pearl: pretty paper airplanes. They’re easy to create and can be hung, strung and used in all aspects of your high-flying party. Plus, as any parent of a little pilot knows, time flies between birthdays.

Party Like a Rock Star

Shoots & Giggles via Kimberly Conners Events

This rocking bash, hosted by Kimberly Conners Events, hits all the right notes. Get music-themed decorations and lots of instruments for kids to shake and bang. And get ready for your future rock star to party all day long…or at least until naptime.

You'll Dig Being 1

Someday Afternoon Studios via Inspired by This

Caution! Cuteness ahead. Your budding builder will dig this construction-themed first birthday by JL Designs, featuring mini hard hats and themed desserts in white, yellow and black. Take a detour to Inspired by This to see how it all came together.

Oh the Places He'll Go

Little Confetti Events

There’s no telling where your little adventurer will go, especially once they start walking! Steer yourself over to Little Confetti Events to see more of the whimsical touches on this brightly colored, Seuss-inspired event.

All Aboard the Alphabet Train!

HWTM via Tabletop Treats

A is for adorable at this alphabet train first birthday. The party, styled by Tabletop Treats, pulled out all the stops for one aspiring conductor, including a dessert-carrying train and letter-themed treats. Check out the details from A to Z at HWTM.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Pettingill Family

A storytime classic by Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar makes a great theme for your little bookworm. This party from the Pettingill Family brings the pages to life with colorful décor and a menu that follows the hungry caterpillar through each day of the week. We have a feeling guests will love Saturday! 

An Italian Feast

The Vintage Button Photography via 100 Layer Cakelet

Mamma mia! The supermom at 100 Layer Cakelet whipped up something extra-special for her little meatball’s first birthday. A local pizzeria set the tone for a true family affair, and squiggly noodle-esque lettering, oversized bowtie pasta centerpieces, and a cake in the shape of a giant bowl of meatballs made it an Italian feast to remember.

Fishing Fiesta

Kara’s Party Ideas

Catch the big ONE! This fishing fiesta was a “reel” hit with one lucky little fisherman. From a tackle box filled with delicious bait to awesome fish-themed games, swim over to Kara’s Party Ideas to check out all the aquatic details.

Little Gentleman

Crave. Indulge. Satisfy

They grow up so fast! Celebrate your little man with a soiree fit for a gentleman. Find all the dapper details, including mustachioed balloons and bow-tie garlands, at Crave. Indulge. Satisfy.

Where the Wild Things Are

Project Nursery

“Let the wild rumpus start!” The classic children’s tale Where the Wild Things Are sets the stage for an adventurous afternoon with your little wild one and his friends. Check out the rest of the party over at Project Nursery.

Go Camping

Sunflower State of Mind

A camp theme is perfect for outdoorsy boys. Mom Vanessa of the blog Sunflower State of Mind gathered younger guests around petite picnic tables to enjoy traditional camping fare like s’mores, trail mix, hot dogs and more. Tents to play in and outdoor games round out this party.

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Buggin’ Out: Places to Take Your Little Bug Lover

by Kate Loweth

From noshing on a wax moth larvae taco to exploring a tiny house completely covered in butterflies, if your little one loves creepy crawlies of all shapes and sizes, then this list is for you! There are loads of spots from SF down to Pacific Grove where you can get up close and personal with bees, butterflies, beetles and more. Learn all about these amazing invertebrates and how they keep our plants growing and planet healthy. Read of for all the creepy, crawly details!

Photo: Oakland Museum of California

East Bay

Oakland Museum of California
Learn more about honeybees and the role they play in our ecosystem at OMCA’s Gallery of California Natural Sciences where you can check out the Bees: Tiny Insect, Big Impact exhibit through October 22. Make sure you stop by the bee hotel in the OMCA garden and plan your own bee-friendly garden. You can also help with the research on this fascinating animal by becoming a citizen scientist and counting the honeybees in your backyard.

Online: museumca.org

Bay Area Children’s Theatre – Berkeley Center
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show will be on stage in Berkeley from September 1 – October 29 to the delight of fans of this beloved Eric Carle book. Puppets galore will bring to life this story that’s perfect for bug lovers of all ages.

Online: bactheatre.org/shows/HungryCaterpillar

Coyote Hills Regional Park – Fremont
Right next to the visitor center is a beautiful bird and butterfly nectar garden that’s open to the public Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. While the best time of year to view a butterfly is the winter, you can usually spot a few of these winged beauties throughout the year.

Online: ebparks.org/parks/coyote_hills

Lindsay Wildlife Experience – Walnut Creek
There are tons of bugs to examine up-close at Lindsay Wildlife. One of the most popular exhibits is Hive Alive! – a beehive fully-enclosed in plexiglass and connected to the outside world by a bee corridor. This fully visible hive is a constantly changing window into the life and work of thousands of bees and their queen. Also, enjoy Critter Cab every hour where animals like dessert millipedes and Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are brought out for everyone to enjoy.

Online: lindsaywildlife.org

Photo: Ron W. via Yelp

San Francisco

Don Bugito – Various locations
Step out of your comfort zone at Don Bugito where bugs aren’t just for admiring from a distance, they are for eating! At their Ferry Building stand you can try a wax moth larvae taco, salted cricket tostadita or toffee-covered mealworms over vanilla ice cream. You can even grab a bag of crickets to up your school lunch game and your kid’s protein intake.

Online: donbugito.com

Conservatory of Flowers
Get eye-to-eye with over 20 species of butterflies at the Butterflies and Blooms exhibition in Golden Gate Park. The Butterfly Bungalow at the entrance of the gallery lets you observe the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. You might be lucky enough to catch the moment when one of these transformed and winged beauties emerges. Open through January 7, 2018.

Online: conservatoryofflowers.org

Photo: CuriOdyssey

Peninsula

CuriOdyssey – San Mateo
This science and wildlife center at Coyote Point is home to some very unique invertebrates like a Bay Area Blonde Tarantula and a Rose Hair Tarantula (don’t they sound friendly?). Learn fun bug facts like how the Giant Vinegaroon excretes acetic acid that smells like vinegar when it is threatened.

Online: curiodyssey.org

Bug Club at Portola Valley Library
Join Beetlelady for this free one-hour class that meets on select Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The topics range from metamorphosis to insect mouthparts to how bugs defend themselves. Each class includes a craft. Check the schedule here for upcoming classes.

Online: beetlelady.com

Photo: Kate Loweth

South Bay and Beyond

Hidden Villa – Los Altos Hills
Kids of all ages will enjoy learning about bees, how they survive and what they do inside and outside of the hive at the monthly class offered on the farm called the Big Buzz About Bees. See the innards of a real, working bee hive and taste the fruits of the bees’ labor.

Upcoming classes: September 24, October 15
Cost: $20/adult and child pair, $10/additional person
Online: hiddenvilla.org/programs/calendar-of-events

Photo: California State Parks

Monarch Preserve – Natural Bridges State Beach – Santa Cruz
Thousands of Monarch Butterflies make their winter home at Natural Bridges State Beach and you can visit these beautiful winged creatures from October through February. Celebrate their arrival with Welcome Back Monarchs Day on October 6 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. This annual festival includes crafts, music and monarch (pumpkin) ice cream.

Online: parks.ca.gov

Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary – Pacific Grove
Nicknamed “Butterfly Town, U.S.A.”, this town near Monterey hosts thousands of overwintering Monarch Butterflies each year. In an effort to protect these creatures, the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary was opened and you can visit to learn all about the monarch life cycle and why they cluster together on trees.

While you are in Pacific Grove, swing by the P.G. Butterfly House—so named as one of its owners decorated every surface of the colorful house with butterflies as a gesture of love for his wife who was going blind. Location: 9th Ave. and Laurel Street.

Online: cityofpacificgrove.org

Where do you go to get your bug fix? Share the buzz below!

–Kate Loweth

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Blake Lively Hilariously Exposes Husband Ryan Reynolds’ Dad Jokes As Total Lies

by Melissa Heckscher

photo: Nicole Abalde via Flickr

Blake Lively just threw hubby Ryan Reynolds under the bus in the most hilarious way. In an interview for Glamour magazine’s August cover story, Lively said her Deadpool-starring beau’s funny Twitter quips about their two daughters are totally fake.

“He may as well work for the Enquirer,” Lively told the magazine. “When he says ‘my daughter,’ he’s never, ever talking about her. Everything is a completely made-up scenario. He’ll run them by me sometimes just to make me laugh. But oh, I’m so in love with him when he writes that stuff.”

So Tweets like this (below)? Total nonsense.

Of course,  it doesn’t really matter whether they’re real or not; Reynolds fans love him just the same (notice the 60,000+ retweets and 326,000 likes). Plus, some of the one- or two-liners are pretty obvious in their absurdity:

Others are just mostly baloney:

Just the same, Lively told Glamour that Reynolds is an amazing role model for their little girls.

“I’m lucky to have someone who is so conscious,” she says. “My husband was like, ‘Why do I always say he?’ And I said, ‘That’s what we’re taught.’ So he’ll pick up, like a caterpillar, and instead of saying, ‘What’s his name?’ he’ll say, ‘What’s her name?'”

Are you a Ryan Reynolds fan? Tell us in the comments below. 

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Congrats, Graduates! 10 Terrific Parties to Host Today

by Tinybeans Team

Load up on tissues and make some space on your camera, because it’s graduation season! Before your grads dive head first into summer, take a minute to savor all they’ve accomplished. We’ve rounded up ten terrific ideas for celebrating a job well done. Read on for more on how to mark the moment!

Photo: I Heart Naptime

One Smart Cookie

Honor the graduate with a cookies and milk party, and you’ll make more than one smart cookie happy. Go all out with a cookie bar, complete with icing and toppings, or keep it simple with a tray of iced cookies and cartons of milk. We love this door decoration from I Heart Naptime.

Photo: Long Dogz Mom

Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

You’ll be off and away with a Dr. Seuss themed party for your little grad, complete with whimsical pinwheels and brightly colored decorations. For refreshments, check out these gorgeous rainbow pinwheel cookies by Tablespoon! for inspiration.

Photo: Learn with Play at Home

1-2-3 and A-B-C

They’ve learned their 1-2-3’s and their A-B-C’s, and now they’re ready for kindergarten! Send them off in style with a party that celebrates everything they already know. And because a party isn’t a party without cute signs on everything, you’ll find yourself placing an adorable “F is for fruit” sign on the “S is for snacks” table near the “B is for bounce house.”

Photo: Tait Fam

To Kindergarten, and Beyond!

For a fast and easy preschool graduation party theme, head to your nearest party shop and load up on Buzz Lightyear plates, decorations, and favors. Because really, we’re pretty sure that he meant to say “To Kindergarten, and Beyond!”

Photo: Lessons with Laughter

Our Future’s So Bright

…We’ve got to wear shades. You knew where we were going with this one, right? Imagine the possibilities: from a pool party with sunglass party favors to a backyard picnic, a sunglasses-themed party can work for nearly every age.

Photo: Pams Party and Practical Tips

Aloha, Future!

It’s almost impossible to graduate to junior high school without someone hosting a pool party. Take the standard splash and dash up a notch with a Hawaiian luau theme, complete with pineapple table toppers, grass skirts for props, and leis for everyone. Go on, take the plunge!

Photo: My Learning Table

It’s Elementary, My Dear Watson

When you have a houseful of elementary aged kiddos, nothing harnesses their enthusiasm like giving them a mission. Organize guests into pairs or small groups and give each a list of scavenger items. For your younger grads, a simple seek-and-find list will do. For older kiddos, a list made up of riddles will keep them occupied as they try to be the first team to solve the mystery. For inspiration, check out Buggy and Buddy’s free printable scavenger lists here.

Photo: Christine Stewart via You and Me + 3 

Next Stop: Kindergarten!

For a sure-fire way to thrill your preschool graduates, put a train themed party on your itinerary. Parents can get in on the act with conductor hats, while kiddos will love chugging from one station—concessions, games, or photo booth—to the next. Check out these fun train crafts for inspiration.

Photo: Greenburgh Nature Center

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Party

Much like a hungry little caterpillar, your graduate has chewed his way through first, second, or third grade and is now ready to become the beautiful butterfly in his next academic phase of life. Liven up a Hungry Caterpillar party with a live butterfly release, or keep it simple with brightly themed desserts and diy butterfly wing crafts.

Photo: Jim Pennucci via flickr

It Rocked Party

Elementary school. It rocked! Celebrate graduation with a karaoke party, complete with stage costumes, props, and a video producer (aka Mom, with an iPhone).

How will you celebrate with your graduate? Tell us in the comments section below!

—Shelley Massey

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Artful Displays: Brilliant Ways to Show Off Their Masterpieces

by Lauren Hill

When every doodle, handprint, and finger painting is a priceless masterpiece (read: the drawers are overflowing with supplies and you haven’t seen the fridge handle in months), finding a place for all of your petite Picasso’s fabulous work can be a challenge. Take a cue from a few incredibly creative parents, whose innovation solutions to displaying the whirlwind of paper and glitter have us totally inspired. Flip through the album below for 12 artful solutions to the creative chaos.

DIY Colorful Gallery Wall

The Caterpillar Years came up with this beautiful solution to showcase her daughter’s art, hanging brightly hued empty frames of varying sizes and shapes. The artwork is easily interchangeable thanks to clothespins, giving the kids complete creative control. Find a list of materials plus instructions for creating your own gallery here.

photo: The Caterpillar Years

How do you organize, display or save your kid’s artwork? Share your ideas in the comments below. 

— Lauren Hill

 

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Social Butterfly: Where to Hang Out with Monarchs, Swallowtails and More!

by Meghan Yudes Meyers

Being swarmed by butterflies is nothing short of magical. Add a little “abracadabra” to your day at these exhibits and events, where you can walk among as many as millions (yes, millions!) of fluttering insects.

Photo: courtesy of Flickr

Wings of Fancy
Kids will be captivated by the array of color exhibited at this live butterfly and caterpillar exhibit which showcases species from North America, Costa Rica, Africa and Asia. Not only can you explore the lifecycle of a butterfly at these public gardens, you’ll also get tips on what to grow to create your own butterfly paradise. Housed inside a greenhouse, the exhibit can run ten degrees hotter than outdoor temps, making conditions near perfect in the early fall.

When: Open daily 10 am-4 pm through October 25
Cost: $8/ages 13 and up; $5/ages 3-12; Free/ages 2 and under
1800 Glenallan Ave. (Silver Spring, Md)
Online: montgomeryparks.org

The Great Migration
Even butterflies make rest stops; along the Monarch’s great 3,000 mile journey to Mexico the insects gather in the millions at the southern most point of the Delmarva Peninsula. The butterflies’ visit coincides with the songbirds’ and is celebrated with the annual Eastern Shore of Virginia Birding and Wildlife Festival.

When: Monarchs can be observed from early September thru late October;  The Birding and Wildlife Festival runs from October 8-11
Cape Charles, Va
Online: esbirdingfestival.com

Citified Butterflies
You don’t have to leave the city to immerse yourself in a fluttering rainbow: on the Smithsonian grounds there is both an indoor and outdoor attraction. On the Ninth Street side of the National Museum of Natural History is a butterfly garden featuring four distinct habitats. Inside the museum is the Butterfly Pavilion, an encapsulated oasis housing tropical butterflies. Visitors can walk through this miniature landscape for a fee; the exhibit is free on Tuesdays (but a timed-entry ticket is required).

When: Open daily from 10:15 am to 5 pm
Cost: $6/adults; $5/ages 2-12; Free/ages 2 and under
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th St. and Constitution Ave.
Online: butterflies.si.edu

—Meghan Meyers

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8 Storybook Bears We Want to Hug

by Amber Guetebier

National Hug-a-Bear day gets us in the mood to curl up with our favorite teddy bear and a story featuring very fuzzy characters in the leading role. From Paddington to Little Bear, read on for our list of our favorite storybook bears.

photo: Martin Pettitt via flickr 

Paddington
Paddington’s creator, Michael Bond, based this celebrated bear on a teddy bear he spotted in a London toy store near Paddington Station at Christmastime in 1956. The first book, A Bear Called Paddington, was published in 1958. Since that time, nearly 100 books have been published, as well as cartoons and, more recently, a feature length movie for the CGI crowd which prompted the unveiling over 50 Paddington statues around London.

photo: Amber Guetebier

The Berenstain Bears
The bear-children of Stan and Jan Berenstain, this loveable family of tree-house dwelling bears teach important lessons in the guise of a bedtime story. The husband-and-wife creators published the first Berenstain Bear story in 1962. Their son, Mike, continues the legacy today.

photo: Loren Javier via flickr 

Winnie the Pooh
This lovable bear and companion to Christopher Robin spends his days adventuring (and seeking honey) in the 100-acre woods since 1926 when A.A. Milne first penned Winnie the Pooh. Your kids may know him better from his many Disney cartoons and films where he and Rabbit, Tigger and Owl have been delighting kids of all ages for years. 


photo: Amber Guetebier

Goodnight Already
This hilarious story tells the story of a sleepy bear and his wide-awake neighbor (a scenario that many parents can relate to). Written by Jory John (All My Friends are Dead, I Will Chomp You and many more) and beautifully illustrated by Benji Davies, this is one very bear-able tale.

photo: Wikimedia commons

Little Bear
Written by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, children since 1957 have cherished the adventures of Little Bear as he travels to the moon, makes birthday soup and plays in the snow in his best coat.

photo: Walker Books

I Want My Hat Back
Jon Klassen’s instant classic will have you and the kids chuckling along as the bear very politely looks for his hat. We won’t spoil it by telling you if he gets it or not.

photo: Amber Guetebier

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Although Eric “Very Hungry Caterpillar” Carle is often credited as the author of this iconic book, it was Bill Martin Jr. who wrote the story and teamed up with Carle as illustrator. Kids will also love Baby Bear, Baby Bear What Do You See?.

photo: Amber Guetebier

Orange Pear Apple Bear
Emily Gravett’s beautiful watercolor-washed illustrations are more than just beautiful: they are funny and the easy build-up of words is perfect for budding readers.

Who is your favorite storybook bear? Let us know in the comments below! 

—Amber Guetebier

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