ML Interest Tag: hawk

Moms Are More Likely to Give Their Kids Credit Cards Than Dads & Here’s Why

by Erica Loop

According to a WalletHub survey, mamas are more than three times more likely to hand off the plastic to their kiddos. When it comes to monitoring kids’ spending, dads are the ones who hawk-eye their kids’ spending.

The 2019 Kids with Credit Cards Survey looked at the attitudes parents have about their children (under age 18), credit cards, and spending habits. So what else did this credit card survey uncover?

photo: Jeshoots via Pixabay

When it comes to the number of children with cards, one in four kids ages 12 through 18 have a credit card to use. This doesn’t mean mom enters her number, expiration date, and security code every once in a while for her kiddo to use on Xbox Live or the Apple Store. These kids have their own authorized user cards.

The survey also compared the number of teens with credit or debit cards to the number with cell phones. If you expect to see a higher cell number, you’re wrong. While 69 percent of kids (of the parents surveyed) have cell phones, 72 percent have credit/debit cards. But 97 percent of parents say they feel kids should have a cell before a credit card.

Why do so many parents give their children credit cards? The survey results list the top reason as credit building (26 percent), followed by the ability to track spending (25 percent), financial independence (21 percent) and financial literacy (16 percent).

—Erica Loop

 

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Google’s “Year in Search 2018” Video Put Kids & Families Front & Center

by Erica Loop

What have you Googled this past year? It’s time for Google’s “Year in Search 2018” video, and the results won’t disappoint. The last 365 days were filled with some pretty amazing and just plain rad moments. Most strikingly, families and kids took front and center in Google’s recap of 2018.

This year’s recap montage opens with moving clip of a baby hearing his mother’s voice for the first time—and it only gets more inspirational from there. (Grab your tissues. You’re going to need them.)

Photo: Rawpixel

2018 was quite the year—and Google wanted to capture and share all the good that happened over the past 12 months. The “Year in Search” includes clips from the dramatic rescue of the Thai soccer team trapped in a cave for two weeks to Americans doing our civic duty and proudly voting on Election Day.

We celebrated the crazy-good moments of inclusion in Hollywood, from Crazy Rich Asians to the lasting impact of Black Panther and “Wakanda forever!” We celebrated all the little moments, from singing out loud (like the so-sweet seven-year-old who showed off some serious vocal chops while belting out the National Anthem) to all kinds of dancing gone viral.

There were lots of big moments this year, too—from the Royal wedding, to the loss of the iconic Stephen Hawking or New Zealand Premier Jacinda Ardern being the ultimate working mama. LeBron James continued to be awesome. U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth gave birth in office (not literally in her office, of course).

What did we love in 2018? Cute puppies, kids doing the floss, Cardi B doin’ her thing and Chloe Kim killin’ it in the Olympics.

As the video comes to a close, Google shows us some moving military family reunions ends with a poignant quote from the late, great Anthony Bourdain: “Life is good. The world is filled with people doing the best they can, you know? Who love their kids and who would like to live their lives with a little dignity and hope—just like everybody else.”

Watch the video below—and make sure you’ve got those tissues handy.

Wow—what a year! And here’s to great things for you and yours in 2019.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Rawpixel

 

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Awesome Stephen Hawking Books for Kids Who Love Space & Science

by Keiko Zoll

On Wednesday, the scientific community—and the world, too—woke up to some incredibly sad news: Stephen Hawking had died in the early hours of Wednesday morning at his home in Cambridge, England. Hawking was a noted physicist, Cambridge professor and was known as a man who lived against the odds throughout his entire life, especially after developing ALS at the age of 22. He was 76.

From his groundbreaking book, A Brief History of Time, to his empowering life story portrayed by Eddie Redmayne in the 2014 biopic, The Theory of Everything, to his much-loved cameo appearance on The Simpsons, Hawking has permeated much of our generation’s understanding of space, time, quantum physics—and even the power to overcome immense personal challenges with inspirational aplomb.

Despite such a loss, Hawking has left behind some remarkable gems for generations to come—and not just in the form of complex books on the physics of the space-time continuum, either. There are a number of kids books about Stephen Hawking, as well as a young adult science fiction series Hawking wrote with his daughter, Lucy.

Here’s our round-up of the best Stephen Hawking kids books to inspire your own pint-sized physicist at home.

All About Stephen Hawking

Part of the popular All About series of biographies for children, All About Stephen Hawking gives readers ages 8 to 12 years old a fantastic overview of not just Stephen Hawking's life, but of his contributions to science.

Get All About Stephen Hawking here on Amazon.

Stephen Hawking: Cosmologist Who Gets a Big Bang Out of the Universe

This Scholastic biography from 2009 is meant for slightly younger readers, aged 7 to 11. At just 32 pages, there are plenty of awesome illustrations to keep young readers engaged.

Get Stephen Hawking: Cosmologist Who Gets a Big Bang Out of the Universe at Amazon.

Stephen Hawking (Against the Odds Biography)

Yet another non-fiction book for readers in grades 3 through 6, this Against the Odds biography tells "the amazing stories of inspiring people who have made a difference and changed the world, despite the odds stacked against them," according to the publisher. 

Get Stephen Hawking (Against the Odds Biography) from Amazon.

The Living Einstein: The Stephen Hawking Story

One of the most recent kid's biographies about Stephen Hawking is The Living Einstein: The Stephen Hawking Story, published in September 2017 as part of the "Dissected Lives" series of biographies. The book description reads, "He experimented, studied and explored anything and everything from the physical world to the cosmos. Be inspired by his story. Learn from his discoveries." 

Get The Living Einstein: The Stephen Hawking Story on Amazon.

George's Secret Key to the Universe

Stephen Hawking, along with his daughter Lucy, wrote a series of young adult science fiction books. The first book in their series, George's Secret Key to the Universe, introducers readers aged 8 to 12 to the world of a scientist named George, his daughter, and a supercomputer named Cosmos.

Get George's Secret Key to the Universe here on Amazon.

George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt

In the second book of his series, Hawking takes young readers on an adventure through space that travels the expanse of a heartfelt friendship.

Get George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt here on Amazon.

George and the Big Bang

In the third installment of Stephen and Lucy Hawking's George's Secret Key series, the scientist and his pals take on enemies while getting to the most exciting moment in the universe—the very start of it all!

Get George and the Big Bang on Amazon.

George and the Unbreakable Code

The fourth George's Secret Key book has protagonists George and Annie "off on another cosmic adventure to figure out why strange things are happening on Earth," according to the publisher. You can read a free story, "George and the Cosmic Doorway," from the book at The Sun, courtesy of its Get Kids Reading campaign in 2014.

Get George and the Unbreakable Code here on Amazon.

George and the Blue Moon

The fifth George's Secret Key book was just published in November 2017, a mere four months before Hawking's death. No word yet if there are futureGeorge's Secret Key manuscripts from Stephen and Lucy Hawking that might be published posthumously. 

Get George and the Blue Moon here on Amazon.

R.I.P., Stephen Hawking. You will certainly be missed—and thank you for the incredible legacy you've left for our generation, our kids and their kids someday, too.

Is your kid hoping to travel to the moon, Mars—or even across time? Share your stories of science and discovery with your kids in the comments.

—Keiko Zoll

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Family of Five Does Washington D.C. in One Day

By Julie Hoag

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Photo: Julie Hoag

Our family of five did Washington, D.C. in just one day. On this trip our three boys were the ages of three to nine so we researched how we could do a day in this city with young kids. A large amount of walking was not going to be doable with a three-year old and we had no stroller along to plop him in. Our plan worked out perfectly and we saw so much of the great city in our only day there.

We had just enjoyed a few days at a rented beach house on the OBX, the Outerbanks of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and our flight home was to leave out of D.C. so we scheduled in an extra day to tour the city before our flight.

The smartest choice we made for in D.C. was our purchase of tour bus tickets which allowed us to hop on and off a bus from a designated bus stop. This enabled us to hop on and get off buses as they ran at regular intervals along a specified route. With young kids this was a total win because in between the sights and monuments they could rest on the bus, plus we didn’t have to drive and park in a busy city.

The open-air bus was fun for the kids and we saw so many amazing statues, monuments, and buildings just from our top of the bus view. The bus was perfect for our family with little kids because even if we opted out of a stop, we were still able to see the sight from our seats on top of the bus. The beauty of the bus line was that we could visit the monuments at our own pace and just head back to the bus stop to wait for the next bus to come when we were done.

The stone monuments and statues were gorgeous and amazing. The kids didn’t always appreciate what they stood for, but they were awesome to behold. We visited the Washington Monument, the Thomas Jefferson Monument, and the White House. As we walked to the White House we saw amazing buildings like the Department of the Treasury and many more elaborate buildings and gorgeous manicured gardens.

The stop the kids loved best was at The Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum. We spent several hours in this museum as this museum held the kids’ interest. They had so much fun seeing all the different types of aircraft, planes, and displays. The astronaut displays were the most exciting to my kids as were the spacecraft. As a mom, I loved that they had some hands-on components to the displays as well for the kids to interact with.

As we continued with our one day tour of D.C., we stopped in at the Abraham Lincoln Memorial which is just massive and awe-inspiring to behold. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was another stop we included in our tour. We walked the wall and told the kids about the lost lives and how the monument was created to honor those people. We also drove through the Arlington Cemetery, though we declined getting out at that stop because with young kids driving through was sufficient.

Our bus also drove past the Pentagon, though there were regulations about visiting so we simply drove past and viewed it from the highway. Our visit happened after the 911 attack so we understood the regulations regarding visiting. The repaired area was visible due to the different brick color.

Our boys wanted to see a Subway. We live in the Midwest so they had never seen a real subway system before. Even though we didn’t ride the subway while we were in D.C., we asked the subway attendant if we could just go down into the tunnels to show our boys what it looked like below ground. He allowed us, but did escort us to go take a quick sneak peak of the trains. Our kids loved seeing the trains and all the people. This gave them exposure to something they had never seen before as trains and people zoomed around beneath the city streets they had just walked on.

The many different types of cultures and people present in the city was also a great experience for our kids. They saw many people from different countries and heard many different languages being spoken. Coming from the Midwest spending even just a day in this city was a great lesson in diversity for our kids.

Washington D.C. is a beautiful city with the amazing architecture, statues, fountains, and gorgeous landscapes. Some day when the kids are older we will go again and stay longer to take in more of the sights. We were impressed with how much we saw in just one day as a family of five with young kids in this grand city. It was a perfect addition to our east coast trip.

Julie Hoag is a wife and mother of three boys. She enjoys writing about motherhood, family, kids, travel, faith, and recipes. She loves spending time with her family, two dogs, and two guinea pigs. Her favorite past time is watching her kids' sports games.

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Just Opened: Arroyo Adventure at Kidspace

by LeTania Kirkland Smith

Kidspace Museum in Pasadena is always a kid favorite, but this summer there’s a brand new reason to visit. The just opened Arroyo Adventure makes great use of the beautiful outdoor surroundings with the perfect amount of shade and water to keep it cool when things heat up. From a brand new Hawks’ Nest for climbing to a wonderfully messy clay and mud area, there is plenty to keep your adventurers simultaneously sheltered from the sun and engaged outdoors.

photo: LeTania Kirkland

Room for More, No More
If you’ve ever been to Kidspace when it’s toasty, you’ve enjoyed the outdoor space known as the Interpretive Arroyo—a mini replica of the Arroyo Seco area that teaches the family about the local environment and conservation and, plain and simple, allows the kids get wet on hot days. Prior to the new Arroyo Adventure there was still lots of space just waiting to be used. Not anymore! Every inch of the outdoor gardens are now home to 8 new exhibits inspired by nature that will help your kids learn about the environment, scientific processes and, most importantly, jump into some great creative play.

photo: LeTania Kirkland

Fly Like the Eagle (or Hawk!)
One of the most dramatic developments in this new adventure is the Hawk’s Nest; a towering structure where your newbie flyers can make their way into the hawk’s home and look high above the trees. There’s a little something for every young hawk no matter where they are in their development. Depending on their agility, kids can take the ramp, stairs, rope bridge or a circular climber up to the top. Be prepared to hang out as there is full hawk outfitting where the your hatchlings can dress up and enjoy their soaring moment. But if your adventurer is not keen on heights, they can also enjoy a baby hawk’s nest down below with their feet firmly on solid ground.

photo: LeTania Kirkland

Get Your Hands Dirty (Literally)
Happily for kids, the Arroyo Adventure is largely hands on. There are several exhibits that encourage kids to get involved and get dirty in the process. One of these is the Mud and Clay Outdoor Studio. Anyone can walk in and get elbow deep in that cool vats. The youngest of adventurers may just want to dig in and enjoy while others may take the time to form clay or mud creations. Guides are available with varying activities like mud brick making where your builders can take the process far beyond mud pies. There is a water dispenser close by so little clay workers can clean up before moving on. But it’s definitely a good idea to bring an extra set of clothes.

photo: LeTania Kirkland

The Flood and Erosion Plain is yet another opportunity for everyone to learn and let imaginations soar. Just near the Arroyo Interpretive Area, the plain full of sand and water where your engineers in the making can learn about erosion while making channels in the sand, building dams and using varying materials to manipulate the water’s flow.

photo: LeTania Kirkland

Take a Walk on the Wild Side
There is never a shortage of ways to create at Kidspace and now there are three new opportunities outdoors. Be sure to hit the Pepper Tree Jam where your musicians can make beautiful sounds beneath the pepper tree with instruments made from natural materials. Just next door is the Arroyo Art corner complete with large frames for painting, chalk creations and a weaving loom where they can weave with natural  materials and plants.

photo: LeTania Kirkland

Just across the way at the Hidden Forts area, your artists can put their creativity to work in building. Wood, cloth ties and large cloth pieces are provided and your little builders can let their imaginations run wild and build forts or any other structure they put their minds to.

photo: LeTania Kirkland

A Little Down Time
If you have a babe in tow or a toddler who needs to slow things down be sure to stop by the Infant and Toddler Area. Here, your explorers can take a moment in the sand surrounded by green trees to dig, explore and build with the sand tools provided. Just across the small path, the area is complete with chairs and a changing table where you can have a moment to recharge before they get their second wind, because a visit here can last all day.

photo: LeTania Kirkland

Old Time Favorites
While exploring, be sure to visit some of the old favorites in the Arroyo Adventure that have been revamped. The Harvest Corner has been enhanced and provides a space where your gardeners can learn about plant life, composting, and the process of food production. Be sure to stop by the Strata Rock Climb Wall where your adventurers can get started on their rock climbing skills. And of course, a summer visit to Kidspace isn’t complete without visiting the Interpretive Arroyo and Wildlife Pond where everyone can cool off in the water and get a mini hiking experience through the terrain.

While you’re there be sure to find out what is happening at the Stone Hollow Amphitheater just below the Interpretive Arroyo. There are daily learning opportunities, which include music performances and Wildlife shows where your animals lovers can meet the animals of the Arroyo Seco—you may not get another opportunity to get so close to a Red Tailed Hawk or an adorable tree fox.

photo: LeTania Kirkland

Good to know: Definitely bring an extra set of clothes. Even if you don’t plan on getting in the water it is likely that you’ll need a change. Between water, clay and mud there are lots of (beautiful) opportunities to get dirty. Also, shoes must be worn at all times, even in the water, so be sure to bring along a pair of water friendly shoes for the Interpretive Arroyo. This new space is great for kids of all ages, from dirt digging babies to little tween engineers and everyone in between.

If you haven’t been to Kidspace in a while: Admission is now $13 per person.  (Babies under 1 year are free.) And be sure to check the website before you go, because due to soccer games, the Rose Bowl Flea market and other Rose Bowl events, the museum is sometimes closed or there may be road closures and heavy traffic.  You can check those dates here.

Kidspace is open Weekdays from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Kidspace Children’s Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd.
Pasadena
626-449-9144
Online: kidspacemuseum.org

Have you checked out the new Arroyo Adventure?  We’d love to hear your thoughts on the new space at Kidspace.

—Letania Kirkland

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The Ice Cream Parlor You May Have Missed (Because it’s On a Bus!)

by Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Snow may not be in D.C.’s weather forecast for a few months, but it’s definitely on the dessert menu. For an icy treat experience the whole family will love, head to Snocream Shavery, an inconspicuous food bus located in an Annandale, Virginia K-Mart parking lot. The coolest thing since the District saw liquid nitrogen ice cream, this is one sweet spot you’ll want to repeat.

Find It
You’d think that a pimped out antique school bus hawking Taiwanese ice cream would be a cinch to find, but this one is actually easy to miss if you aren’t looking closely. It’s located in a K-Mart strip mall parking lot, but not in front. Drive around to the left side of the center where you’ll likely spot the bus, a handful of cube benches and tables, and a small crowed gathering.

Pick It
A cross between ice cream and shaved ice, this dessert features soft ribbons of flavored “sno,” created by using milk, water, and out-of-the-box natural flavors (think: thai tea, mango, and honeydew). After freezing, a machine shaves ribbon-like bands from the ice into your cup. The one-size option is $7 and comes with two toppings (there’s everything from Fruity Pebbles to grass jelly) and one drizzle of condensed milk, caramel, chocolate, or white chocolate.

Eat It
While you might want one all to yourself, the serving size is large enough for two kiddies to share. How it works: After climbing on the bus, you place your order (note: it’s an extra $1 to mix flavors). You give the friendly staff a name (Starbucks-style) and wait outside the bus near the front-side driver’s window for your name to be called. While there is no seating on the bus, there is some outdoor seating and a bunch of parking if you’d like to sit in the car with the bambinos on a cool night. Bonus: When the sun goes down, fun glow colors are lit and it’s like a party on a bus.

Snocream Shavery
4221 John Marr Dr. (Annandale, Va)
202-656-6144
Online: snocreamcompany.com

Have you been to Snocream yet? Tell us your favorite flavor combinations in the comments below. 

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Photos: Ayren Jackson-Cannady

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Ramp up the Fun: Where Skateboarding Kids Can Get Some Air

by rtvictoriamason

Got a kid who is Jonesing for their own set of wheels? The local skate park might be just the thing. There are plenty of spaces in the District and its surrounding areas for tiny Tony Hawk wannabees to grab some air and perform a few tricks while nabbing a little bit of freedom that comes with a board attached to a few wheels. Get ready to grind and carve with your tyke at these DMV approved parks.

Photo: Allie_Caulfield via Flickr

Maloof Skate Park
Located in Lot 3 (across from the DC Armory) at RFK Stadium, Maloof Skate Park sprung up in 2012 and was created by Pro Skater Geoff Rowley and California Skate parks. This 15,000 square foot space is all about the skate. Inspired by D.C.’s Freedom Plaza and the surrounding Pennsylvania Avenue architecture it is an entirely free space that is perfect for skaters of all ages.

2400 East Capitol St., SE (Armory)
Online: eventsdc.com

Powhatan Springs Park
Another 15,000 skate park in Arlington offers kiddos the chance to practice their ollies and kickflips in an area that is a combination of street-style elements with a mixture of half-pipes and bowls, ensuring a well-rounded afternoon of skating fun that is welcoming to all ages and skill levels with parents picture taking welcomed. Kids 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult in the skate space and helmets are de rigueur.

6020 Wilson Blvd. (Arlington, Va)
Open: Sun-Thu, Sunrise-9 pm; Fri-Sat, Sunrise-10 pm
Online:  parks.arlington.us

Schuyler Hamilton Jones Skateboard Park
If ramps and rails are your little skaters M.O. then a trip to Schulyer Hamilton Jones Skateboard Park is in order. This Alexandria park has a variety of rails to grind on as well as areas where kids can work out their latest tricks. A street course and a small half pipe are located here. This is a sweet spot for a beginner that caters to the younger skating crowd. Skateboarding lessons are also available at the park so your tot can take their skills the next level.

3540 Wheeler Ave. (Alexandria, Va)
703-838-4343
Online: alexandria.gov/recreation

Wakefield Skate Park
When it comes to skateboarding this park means business. Run by the Fairfax County Park Authority it offers up both a Freestyle course and a Competition course. That means twice the fun that’s loaded with bank ramps, grind rails, a four foot quarter pipe a grind box and even a euro gap. Fun for all ages, but especially skate newbies, the park offers camps and classes for little ones ages six and up through the summer months. Take advantage of this fast-paced outdoor time that breaks them away from the electronics.

8100 Braddock Road (Annandale, Va)
Open: Mon-Sat, 7 am-8 pm; Sun, 9 am-8 pm
703-321-7081
Online: fairfaxcounty.gov/parks

Where does your little skateboarder go to practice moves? Tell us in the comments section. 

—Victoria Mason

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Sweet! D.C. Gets 3 New Dessert Shops (That You Must Try)

by Ayren Jackson-Cannady

There’s nothing wrong with a cupcake piled high with frosting. Nothing. At. All. But the newest bakeries in the DMV are taking a slightly different—and welcomed—approach to dessert. Move over buttercream, these sweet spots hawk everything from cookies to cake pops, that are just right (and mess free) for your little foodie.

Photo: Baked by Yael via Facebook

Baked by Yael
The scoop: Lawyer turned baker Yael Krigman has been whipping up custom cake pops and delivering them across the DMV since 2011. Now, she has the honor of owning D.C.’s first ever cakepoppery, across the street from the National Zoo (sounds like the perfect day out…hint-hint). While cakepops are the focus, save some room for Yael’s bagels, raspberry bars, rugelach, and black and white cookies.
What to try: There are five flavors of cakepops (chocolate, birthday cake, red velvet, cookies n’ cream, and lemon) for $2.95 each. Pick up one (or two) of each.

3000 Connecticut Ave., NW (Woodley Park)
202-480-9235
Online: bakedbyyael.com

Photo: MelLid G. via Yelp

Captain Cookie
The scoop: This brand new cookie shop started out as a bakery on wheels. Owner Kirk Francis operates two cookie-mobiles that still ride around the D.C. metro area hawking irresistible baked goods to office parks and birthday parties. The brick and mortar caters specifically to the Foggy Bottom community, which just so happens to be filled with GW University students…who love cookies. But if it’s not your nabe, don’t let that deter you from popping by for a visit. If you’re within a few blocks-radius, the smell alone will draw you and the kids in.
What to try: Any of the cookies—chocolate chip, Nutella, peanut butter, snickerdoodle, ginger molasses, oatmeal raisin—with a side of Trickling Springs Creamery milk.

2000 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.
202-556-3396
Online: www.captaincookiedc.com.

Photo: Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Sugar Shack
The scoop: The North Old Town section of Alexandria just got a huge sugar rush in the form of an artisan donut shop. Based in Richmond, Sugar Shack is quickly becoming the donut place du-jour. We aren’t surprised—with handcrafted flavors like maple bacon, strawberry cheesecake (made with fresh strawberries, snatch!), and Samoa, what’s not to love. Bonus: The small shop is covered in chalk paint, so kids can draw a work of art on the walls while noshing on their donut.
What to try: For Junior, chocolate or vanilla sprinkles will rate high. For grown-ups, grab a chocolate porter donut and a cup of coffee (brought in from local-fave Zeke’s).

804 N. Henry St. (Alexandria)
571-406-4734
Online: sugarshackdonuts.com

What is your favorite spot to stop for dessert? Let us know in the Comments!

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady

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Take Flight: Inside Portland’s Best Bird-Watching Bash

by liz overson

September’s arrival means many things to Portland families — back to school, the arrival of autumn, and a chance to spend two hours watching thousands and thousands of birds roost. The tiny North American birds, known as Vaux Swifts, are back for their annual migration party and here’s how you can witness this natural phemomenon in action.

 Photo credit: Heathre via Flickr Creative Commons

The Scoop on Swift Watch
Swift Watch happens September 1-30th. Each evening runs from about 6–8 p.m. and is free. The tiny swifts will roost about one hour before sunset. At go-time, thousands of birds fly overhead from all directions, circle and huddle up, then dive into the chimney like a smoky tornado in reverse, settling in for a long night of rest. A hawk or peregrine falcon usually makes a nightly appearance to try and catch one of the swifts. Onlookers audibly ooh, aah, cheer and clap as the birds circle the chimney, then drop in carefully or successfully dodge a hawk. Audubon volunteers are onsite offering swift details and history, collecting donations and perhaps selling a swifts hat or two.

Photo credit: lauriesharp.net

Picnics and Cardboard Hill Slides
For families, Swift Watch has become a marker of the season. Parents pack picnic baskets, bring chairs and blankets, invite friends and neighbors and find the best spot on the hill to watch. There’s sometimes even pizza for sale onsite, if you don’t have time to cook (or eat) before you arrive, but it’s better to plan ahead if you can.

If you do end up getting to the general area a little early, grab some Mexican food and margaritas at Acupulco’s Gold (2610 NW Vaughn St., 503-220-0283) or frozen yogurt with all the toppings you can handle at Twist Frozen Yogurt and Coffee Bar (1650 NW 23rd Ave., 971-271-8756).

For the bigger kiddos, Chapman School has become a destination also because of the mini-sledding, grass-covered hill. Kidlets of all sizes bring cardboard flats and slide down the massive hill, then climb back up and do it again. Chapman School and Wallace Park also have an excellent playground, making it a fantastic night of play, community and bird-gazing.

Photo credit: bird-friends.com

Good to Know
The NW neighborhood around Chapman School gets packed every night for thirty nights so they ask that you clean up after your clan and keep your pets in check. Parking can be tight. With many streets around the neighborhood, something can usually be found. Condense your gear though, it could be a multi-block walk and there are steep hills. Parking near Montgomery Park gives you a quick getaway after the birds have finished.

Chapman School and Wallace Park
1445 NW 26th Ave.
Online: audubonportland.org

Are the swifts part of your family’s fall tradition? If so, let us know in the Comments section below!

— Liz Overson

 

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A New Splash Pad & Playscape That’s Worth the Trip

by Kelly Aiglon

There’s no better combo than a splash pad and playground. Add a covered wagon, wildflower garden and maze of fake animal tracks, and your kid will really be a happy camper. Get ready because you’ll find all of that and more at the new Rita (Fredenhagen) and John Harvard Early Learning Playscape. The attraction for ages 2-7 just opened in Naper Settlement, Naperville’s outdoor living-history museum that’s all about the pioneer days.

Pump Up the Water Fun
The main attraction is the splash pad, which you’ll find in the shadow of a real-sized covered wagon (one of the playscape’s many charming nods to early settlers and pioneer history). The entire area, particularly the splash pad, is thoughtfully designed for younger kids and those with a broad spectrum of capabilities. No ginormous geysers or bucket dumps here — the splish-splashing is tame and all in good, gentle fun.

In a contained area, you can enjoy what feels like a big sprinkler party. Kids maneuver mini cannons to spray water, while ground jets shoot water skyward. There’s even a re-creation of an old-fashioned pump; jiggle the handle to send water streaming down a chute, and fill cups and bowls along the way.

Play & Learn
There’s plenty more to do after you’re all splashed out. A re-creation of a pioneer village — complete with a trading post stocked with fake food — sits beside the sprayground. Climb to the top of the fort-like play structure and take the winding tube slide down. Or camp out on top and peer through a periscope or telescope to spy on what’s happening below.

Naper Settlement is an educational attraction aimed at showing kids what life was like back in the 19th century. The same spirit is alive at the playscape, where you can follow animal tracks embedded in the concrete; there are seven different kids of animal tracks (plus wagon and human tracks!) and the fun is guessing which is which. Next to the slide they’ve built a smaller-scale replica of Fort Payne, a lookout center that was built during the Black Hawk War of 1832 and sat where downtown Naperville is located today. Even at the trading post there are lessons to be learned, as a panel points out what type of goods (metal tools, blankets, beads) were swapped during that time.

While You’re There
The fact that the playscape is just one part of a 12-acre living-history museum — where costumed interpreters roam, tell stories, and demonstrate skills like blacksmithing and weaving — makes this spot worth the drive. (From Chicago it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get to Naperville.) The Settlement’s quiet, uncrowded paths lead you on a journey into historic homes and buildings, including a one-room school house, log cabin, print shop, chapel and mansion. Interpreters have obvious passion for sharing what they know about this time in history, and they tailor their talks so they’re age-appropriate and exciting for just about anybody they meet.

If you’re looking for a day of play in what feels like the colorful pages of a history book, this is a great place to go. Enjoy!

Harvard Early Learning Playscape
at Naper Settlement
523 S. Webster St.
Naperville
630-420-6010
Online: napersettlement.org

The Playscape is open during regular Summer Season hours, from April 1-October 31: Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ; Sun., 1-4 p.m. (Closed Mon.)

Entrance into the Playscape is included in your museum admission: $12/adult; $10/senior (62+); $8/youth (4-12). Those under 4 years, Naperville residents and Naperville Heritage Society Members are free.

What have you heard about this awesome new spot? Let us know in the Comments!

— Kelly Aiglon

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