Books are a powerful way to connect with your child and to promote important values like kindness and acceptance. Fill your child’s library with books that encourage and celebrate diversity and inclusion in all forms. Your little one can learn from these books that differences are what make us all special.
Learn this kid-favorite song with a book full of smiling children of different races. This Indestructibles book is designed for littles; it's washable and won't rip or tear.
This simply written and sweetly illustrated board book shows babies of all origins being cared for in all sorts of ways. Small babies, tall babies, summer and fall babies. One thing they all have in common is that they’re all kissed and fed and rocked to sleep by people who love them.
A young girl learns she's different only when other people point it out. She stands up for herself and teaches the people around her (and readers!) about self-acceptance and embracing our differences.
Through this picture book ode to fry bread, readers learn through their senses; how it looks, smells and sounds while cooking. There's also a recipe to make your own fry bread.
Teach kids about Black history and culture from A to Z. P is for Power; H is for Zora Neale Hurston. Written in rhyming text, the book includes information about the important folks, places and events mentioned.
Learn how to cultivate a more equitable world by following the nine steps in this book, which is filled with thoughtful rhymes and beautiful, bold illustrations.
This lyrical board book introduces babies to Black leaders and changemakers from the past and present. A mirror in the back lets kids see themselves alongside these heroes.
No matter how your family came to be or what it looks like, your commitment to stick together is what really matters. That’s the focus of this inclusive book for children that showcases fams of different sizes, races, abilities and more.
A great book for older siblings to read to younger ones, Baby Talk is all about the simple but powerful ways in which we interact with babies. Told with accompanying high-contrast, black and white photos, it's also perfect for developing baby's eyesight.
It’s rhyme time for babies and tots in this simple story showing young children carried by bicep, blanket, basket, backpack, and more. Beginner book lovers will be fascinated with this collection of photographs depicting young children being carried by doting caregivers.
Colorful photos abound in this board book featuring babes from 17 different countries throughout the world. Sneak a peek at the lives, cultures and traditions of families with wee ones far and wide.
"Black Boy Joy" and "Black Girl Magic" are two of the stories in this inspiring collection of new tales and classic nursery rhymes retold with a modern twist. These uplifting tales celebrate empathy and connection while featuring, and affirming, black and brown children.
Introduce your babe to the sounds of different languages with a glimpse at a diverse neighborhood full of people speaking Spanish, French, Japanese and more. The kid-friendly collage pictures also make for an exciting glimpse of some diverse cultures.
Watch as a diverse mix of children wearing everything from pigtails and patkas to glasses and hijabs and yarmulkes make their way through school. The illustrations full of young families of all kinds are what make this picture book a feast for little eyes.
Some people will insist that pink is for girls and blue is for boys. But many of us know that simply isn’t true. Pink and Blue goes well beyond color to break down gender stereotypes and start an early and often dialogue about how boys and girls should question such traditional, nonsensical ideas.
It’s not easy being the new kid in school, especially when your teachers and classmates can’t pronounce your name. Unhei is suddenly self-conscious of her Korean name and decides to choose a new one. Until her new friends convince her to keep it!
From George Washington to Georgia O’Keeffe, and from Jackie Robinson to Maya Lin, this piece of U.S. history in a picture book sheds light on the diverse faces, qualities and achievements of thirteen Americans. Perusing its pages is like looking at our country’s own yearbook.
Charley feels different from other children. Sometimes he likes to play with his friends, but other times he prefers to draw by himself. Then he meets Emma, who is also different. She has no hands and uses a wheelchair. Their meeting and interactions can inspire parents to talk to their little ones about disability and kindness and inclusion starting at an early age.
Make sure to capture some sweet storytime moments—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
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Not only does Atlanta have its fair share of world-class museums and attractions, but the exhibits that roll through here are oftentimes in a league of their own, as well. Whether trains, knights, science, sharks are your jam, you’ll want to check these current exhibits out before they’re gone. Keep reading for our favorites in town.
The cornerstone of Locomotion: Railroads and the Making of Atlanta is the restored locomotive Texas. The engine was built in 1856 for the Western & Atlantic Railroad, which had established its terminus in 1837 at the site that became Atlanta. For that reason, the locomotive is an important link to the city’s origins. Learn about the Texas and other ways railroads have shaped Atlanta.
Pairs Well With: A trip to Duluth to see cool trains and transportation modes at The Southeastern Railway Museum.
130 W Paces Ferry Rd. NW Buckhead 404-814-4000
Thomas Edison's Secret Lab at Tellus Science Museum
Inspired by the educational, animated comedy series, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab presents an exciting world of science and discovery! The exhibit invites you to join the fun through interactive explorations of science, technology, engineering, and math. Discover invisible forces that seem more like magic than science, manipulate simple machines, learn basic coding and more.
Pairs Well With: A session of the Atlanta Science Festival (and for sure a visit to the Expo) in March.
100 Tellus Dr. Cartersville 770-606-5700
Knights in Armor at Fernbank
Knights In Armor showcases stunning examples of European arms and armor from the renowned collection of the Museo Stibbert in Florence, Italy. Through more than 100 objects— including full suits of armor, mounted equestrian figures, paintings, helmets, swords and other weaponry— this exhibit tells the tale of the European knight from the medieval and Renaissance periods through the Medieval Revival of the 19th century.
Pairs Well With: Dinner and jousting (by the knights, of course) at Medieval Times.
From the moment of their unveiling at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in February 2018, the museum’s official portraits of President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama have become iconic. Kehinde Wiley’s portrait of President Obama and Amy Sherald’s portrait of the former First Lady have inspired unprecedented responses from the public.
The biggest aquarium in the western hemisphere just got a lot bigger. The Georgia Aquarium's expansive new gallery is home to multiple shark species and is overflowing with suspense and adventure. With epic views and unique encounters — including a cage dive! — Sharks: Predators of the Deep will transport you to the dark depths of the oceans to meet Atlanta's newest residents.
This exhibit provides imaginative, book-based experiences for children ages birth - 8 years old. Storyland transforms seven beloved books – The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter; The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats; Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill; If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff; Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault; Abuela by Arthur Dorros; and Tuesday by David Wiesner into three-dimensional play and bi-lingual learning environments.
Pairs Well With: A performance of The Snowy Day at Center for Puppetry Arts
275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW Downtown 404-659-5437
For those families who can’t wait to return to the tradition of attending Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, the 2021 season in the greater Washington metropolitan area has many options. From traditional ballet to circus-style performances, from hip-hop reimagining to a puppet show, there are so many exciting Nutcracker performances to choose from, you won’t want to pick just one!
The Washington Ballet’s American Revolution-themed Nutcracker featured historical figures like George Washington and King George III. Note, the performers dance to a recording of The Nutcracker, not a live orchestra, but the kids won't notice.
Insider Tip: Attend on Family Day, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. and enjoy craft stations for coloring and ornament making, photo ops with dancers, and watch rehearsal to learn how dancers prepare for performance.
When: Nov. 27-Dec. 26 Where: Washington Ballet-Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW COVID Policy: Proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours is required to attend. Online:tinybeans.com
The Puppet Company
The Puppet Company
For the youngest of the bunch, or families interested in a “My First Nutcracker” experience, The Puppet Company offers Tchaikovsky's familiar story of Clara and her prince with nursery rhyme spin. The Puppet Company is especially sensitive to the needs of children in theater, with gently dimmed lights and family-friendly seating.
Insider Tip: The Irish Inn at Glen Echo is walking-distance from the park and a great spot for a hearty pre- or post-performance meal. The Fish and Chips are delicious!
When: Nov. 26-Jan. 2 Where: Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD COVID Policy:Performances are capped at fifty percent capacity and masking is required. Online: tinybeans.com
Cirque Nutcracker
Troupe Vertigo
Troupe Vertigo’s acrobats, jugglers and high-flying aerialists join the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for a truly unique Nutcracker experience! Fusing together elements of cirque acrobatics, classical dance and contemporary theater, this promises to be a spectacular addition to holiday performances.
When: Dec. 11 & 12 Where: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1201 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD COVID Policy:Proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours is required to attend. Online:tinybeans.com
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
A remixed and reimagined version of the classic, The Hip Hop Nutcracker returns to Strathmore as a holiday spectacle for the whole family. Enjoy a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set.
When: Dec. 20–22 Where: Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Ln., North Bethesda, MD COVID Policy:Proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours is required to attend. Online:tinybeans.com
Loudoun School of Ballet If you are longing for a Nutcracker-themed tea, head to Purcellville to see excerpts from the Loudoun School of Ballet’s upcoming full-length Nutcracker. Enjoy delicious food and a host of photo opportunities as well. Loudoun School of Ballet will also perform a full-length Nutcracker on Dec. 4-6.
When: Nov. 21 (tea); Dec. 4-6 (stage performance) Where: 200 E Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville, VA (tea); 340 N Maple Ave., Purcellville, VA (stage performance) Online:lbpac.org
Metropolitan Ballet Theatre Metropolitan Ballet Theatre offers a full-length Nutcracker as well as a shorter performance. Their Nutcracker Suite is a wonderful option for younger audiences who want to experience the ballet in under one hour. Audience size will be limited due to safety protocol for Covid-19, so get your tickets today and be a part of this seasonal ballet tradition!
Frederick School of Ballet A Frederick holiday tradition, this full-length ballet features artists from the New York City Ballet and students from the Frederick School of Classical Ballet. Children under 2 are exempt and for children ages 2 to 12, the only requirement is to wear a mask.
When: Dec. 10-12 Where: 20 West Patrick St., Frederick, MD COVID Policy:Proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours required. Online: weinbergcenter.org
The Maryland Theater The Nutcracker features Washington Ballet artists Nicole Graniero and Oscar Sanchez as The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. A full cast of over 100 dancers, brilliant costume and prop design, and a good dose of theatrical magic bring this family Christmas tradition to life!
Editor's Note: The Maryland Theater does not require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test. When: December 11 & 12, 2021 Where: The Maryland Theater, 21 S Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD Online:mdtheatre.org
Put these twin Halloween costumes on your super spooky to-make list this October
Group costumes give Halloween some extra magic. And these clever Halloween costumes are versatile enough to work whether you want twin costumes for Halloween or outfits for triplets, older siblings, kid friends or even family costumes. From the cutest condiments and nursery rhymes to animals, snacks and more, you’ll find your favorites here.
Onesies, felt and fabric transform into superhero costumes with a little DIY magic from you. Our friends at Primary have shared the instructions for creating Baby Superman, Baby Batman and Baby Wonder Woman. And you can easily adapt the techniques to add more superfriends to your crew.
Turn your twins into the President and VP with this ingenious costume idea shared by Ergobaby. The kids stay snug in their baby carrier while you and your partner dress in dark suits and sunglasses as the Secret Service.
2. Milk & Cookies: Your little ones will be the treat this year in adorable milk & cookies t-shirts or onesies. Add a white hat and leggings for the milk carton and brown duds for the cookies. These Spunky Stork twin sets also come in other favorite food combos: PB&J, biscuits & gravy, pancakes & syrup, avocado toast, and fish & chips.
As if your twin babies didn’t look tasty enough on their own, the classic condiment combo comes together in this adorable ketchup and mustard bodysuit costume set, available in short or long sleeves.
They're the chipmunks—Alvin, Simon, Theodore! This quick DIY, courtesy of our kid-favorite clothing brand Primary, turns your wild bunch into these adorable chipmunks while keeping them warm and cozy on Halloween.
Show the world how much your kids have spiced up your life by dressing them in matching salt and pepper bodysuits. These come in seven colors and a range of baby and toddler sizes.
These long-sleeve pajamas have snaps for easy diaper changes and come in five bright colors. M&Ms may melt in your mouth and not in your hands, but people will definitely melt when they see your crew dressed up as this sweet treat.
The forecast is cloudy with a chance of adorable when your twins don these sunny rainbow and rain cloud costumes for Halloween. Handmade from felt and fleece, they are loose enough to layer clothes underneath.
Is your child more of a cookie monster or a giggle monster? Party City sells Elmo and Cookie Monster costumes designed as fuzzy jumpsuits and tutu dresses. you can join the fun too with their low-key adult costumes, consisting of a t-shirt and headband in either an Elmo or Cookie Monster theme.
This little piggy jumpsuit with ears and a snout on the hood will look adorable on your whole crew of multiples or baby friends. The booties have skid-resistant bottoms, and the snap enclosures make for easy diaper changes.
Have your very own butterfly garden this Halloween when you dress your babies up in the Princess Paradise Baby Swaddle Wings. Keep them cocooned in the swaddle for the caterpillar look or open it up and watch those wings spread for the butterfly pose.
Oh my! Get this Wizard of Oz-inspired look for your little ones with soft and cuddly versions of a lion, tiger and bear from InCharacter. They come in a variety of sizes for toddler triplets (or friends) and even older siblings. Mom can be Dorothy.
Available at amazon.com (see links above), prices vary by costume and size.
Dress your whole family in colorful crayon onesies and t-shirts. These come in baby bodysuits, toddler t-shirts, youth shirts, women’s slim tees, and men’s tees and an array of bright colors.
Your twins go together like—well, you know the rest of the saying—when they wear these too cute to eat peas and carrot costumes. They are handmade from fleece, felt and netting and will fit over heavier clothes in colder climates.
Dr. Seuss’s mischievous duo make for great Halloween fun. The Thing 1 and Thing 2 costumes from Etsy shop Little Things by Nicky include two bodysuits that are more practical and comfortable than a traditional costume. An older sibling can get in on the theme with a Cat in the Hat getup.
There’s no doubting these two are in it for the treats when they dress as these candy-loving fairy-tale siblings. This Hansel and Gretel costume set comes in sizes for babies, toddlers and older kids.
No need to venture down the rabbit hole to find the perfect Alice in Wonderland costumes for your littles. HalloweenCostumes.com has Alice, Lil’ Hatter and Cheshire Cat baby costumes, as well as options for adults if you want in on the theme.
Available at halloweencostumes.com (see links above); prices vary.
The days are getting shorter; you’re dreaming about the chilly temps of fall, and best of all, it’s nearly time to celebrate the best that autumn brings. We’ve brushed off our list of the best fall festivals in the country, and this year you’ll find everything from the Leavenworth Oktoberfest to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival—basically, the ultimate list of festivals you should visit at least once with the kids.
**Editor’s note: COVID safety precautions vary from event to event. Please check the websites for updated information.
Balloon pilots from all over the county fly in to be a part of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. As the largest ballooning event in the world, it features over 500 hot air balloons. Adding to the fun will be special balloon glows, a special shape rodeo, laser light shows, chainsaw carvings, fireworks, a car show and plenty of musical entertainment.
The Maryland Renaissance Festival - Crownsville, MD
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Revel Grove is your “passport to merriment” say the folks at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Here you’ll experience events and shows that you won’t see anywhere else: jousting competitions, jugglers, artisans performing works of Shakesphere in just 20 minutes, mimes, dancers and more. Feast on such delights as Macaroni and Cheese on a Stick, Beef Fingers with White Peppered Gravy and Steak on a Stake. If you want to get in on the act, costume rentals are available.
Dates: Aug. 28 - Oct. 24th, 2021 (weekends and Labor Day Monday)
Come to Stone Mountain Park at night to experience special not-so-spooky glow-in-the-dark fun. “Play by Day” enjoying the regular attractions and special fall entertainment. Stick around after dark to “Glow by Night” by taking a journey through classic storybook tales that come to life in 10 themed areas featuring 40 scenes with glowing lights, massive carved pumpkins, bubbles, fog and more. New in 2021 is the party parade!
The famous Pumpkin Village (featuring 90,000 pumpkins, squash and gourds) is in a new location this year, just beyond the Johnsson color garden! You'll find larger-than-life insect topiaries, bugged-out pumpkin houses and a maze that'll thrill the youngest of visitors.
Willkommen! You won't want to miss one of the largest Oktoberfests in the country and this year, it celebrates 42 years of fun. Held at River West Festival Park, this event brings together international German bands, Bavarian delicacies, authentic arts and crafts as well as games and competitions for the entire family. Don't miss the Dachshund Dash and the Costume Parade!
The Salmon Days Festival is 52 years in the making, and this year's theme is "Keep on Swimming." This annual event is a celebration of the return of salmon to their “birth-waters” as well as Issaquah’s history, culture and diversity. Each year the festival attracts over 200 artists and craftsmen, live music and entertainment, sporting events and even a section of virtual events.
Since 1903, the Circleville Pumpkin Show has seen people come from miles around to see the largest pumpkins on display (In 2014, a 1,964-pound pumpkin was here. It's tough to beat that one!). You'll also find the largest pumpkin pie, various parades featuring over 40 floats and over 50 bands, live entertainment, the chance to partake in the pumpkin toss and enjoy many pumpkin spice-flavored treats.
The Annual North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival features the Pecan Run, the Columbus Cooks pecan cooking competition (with a focus on young cooks), the festival parade, live entertainment, the Tri Beach Cruisers car show, a lot of craft vendors, an art show, an antique tractor show, of course, pecans galore!
If you’ve never seen anyone sit inside a giant pumpkin and then race it across a lake dressed in costume, then you obviously haven’t been to the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta. This free, one-day festival is jam-packed with fun, including the weigh-off of the giant pumpkins and other monster-sized vegetables; performances by magicians, clowns and musical acts; a costume contest; a pumpkin pie eating contest; pumpkin bowling and pumpkin golf; food trucks and the giant pumpkin race.
The 27th annual Appleupmpkin Festival is held in conjunction with Kapnick Orchards Apple Festival, so you get two festivals in one! Not only will you find midway rides, carnival games, bounce houses and craft stations, you’ll also be treated to a tractor show, a straw maze, helicopter and monster truck rides, an entire scarecrow-making tent and more. There’s also an antique street fair and flea market, and an arts and crafts show if you want to get a little shopping in.
Olvera Street is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Los Angeles and for good reason. From the legendary Mexican marketplace to the historic buildings, it's a wonderful place to immerse yourself in another culture. Every year they have a Dios de los Muertos celebration that starts with a traditional procession that includes Aztec dancers and a parade of "Living Muertos," where people dress up like skeletons and don colorful costumes. There's also a chance to have your face painted up to look like a Calavera!
The festivities at this famous fall event will look a little different in 2021, but there is still fun to be had. The traditional Oktoberfest celebration won't happen, but there will be a huge focus on local businesses and artisans, creating more of a Harvest Fest vibe. There will be over 100 vendors over the three weekends, you'll still be able to eat all your favorite Oktoberfest foods and of course, the Kinderplatz kiddie area will still be open!
Following a flock of sheep may sound like something out of a nursery rhyme, but did you know it’s also one of the most beloved fall festivals in the United States? Celebrate the history of sheep ranchers in Idaho at this five-day event filled with non-stop fun: multicultural performers, storytelling, cooking classes, sheepdog trials, folklife fair, weaving demos and over 50 local artisans selling crafts and art. The spotlight event (of course) is the Big Sheep Parade, where you and your family will view the spectacle of over 1,500 sheep wandering down Main Street in Ketchum.
Good to know: The Parade Picnic at Irving’s Hill is a great spot to enjoy local fare and watch the sheep make their annual trek.
Stillwater Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Weigh-Off - Stillwater, MN
iStock
This bucolic little town on the shore of the St. Croix River not only gets a ton of gorgeous fall color this time of year, but it also hosts one of the best fall festivals around. Kids can come in costume and join in the Costume Parade which takes the children trick-or-treating to all the local downtown businesses. There's a chili cook-off and microbrew tasting, craft and food vendors and a ton of pumpkin-themed activities. Cheer on local businesses as they compete in the Pumpkin Pull (imagine being hooked up like an ox to haul giant pumpkins) and the Pumpkin Regatta—a race up the St. Croix in giant hollowed-out pumpkins for boats.
Good to know: Locals know to stick around 'til the end of the fest for the giant pumpkin drop: prize-winning pumpkins are hoisted on a crane and dropped to the sidewalk below. You can scramble in and get your share of giant pumpkin seeds for your own garden!
It's one of the state’s most popular festivals for a good reason: the Angry Orchard 5K, tons of amusement rides, a pie bake-off and pie-eating contest, a petting zoo, road races, a beer garden and pony rides. Literally, something for everyone.
This three-day smorgasbord of food and entertainment will feature over 50 local restaurants and musical acts performing on six stages. It’s kind of a big deal. Here you can sample wines, learn about local beers and watch some great chefs showing off their skills. Admission is free, and you can get a sheet of 10 “taste tickets” for just $5. Be sure to take the kids to the T-Mobile Kids’ Area too to try out the Wacky Slide, swings and to visit Toddler Town.
Over 100 hand-crafted scarecrows show up at the Scarecrow Festival in downtown St. Charles every year, and while some are designed to spook, most are charming for all ages. Visitors have a hand in the awards (vote-as-you-view in five categories), and after voting, there's enough family-friendly entertainment to last an entire weekend. Now in its 36th year, there's more than just scarecrows to admire. There's a family zone, the scarecrow stroll, live music, a professional pumpkin carver and of course, the popular scarecrow in a box.
Pioneer Farms will glow with Jack-o’-lantern grins for a whole month! At Pumpkin Nights, you will venture along a half-mile walking path, where you’ll discover the Forbidden Pumpkin City, a pirate’s cove, and more fantastical lands built using over 3,000 hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins. The celebration continues with entertainment and games in Pumpkin Central, the festival area. There’s also food, beverages, screenings of A Nightmare Before Christmas and other activities for the whole family.
Apples are a fave fall, and southern Pennsylvania has been celebrating since 1962. At this two-weekend event, you’ll find apples cooked up in more ways than you’ll have thought possible: apple cider, applesauce, pies, jellies, pancakes, syrup, candied apples and much more. Work up an appetite at the Kid Country Barn where your tiniest festival fans will enjoy face painting, harvest magic shows, and apple pie-eating contests. There are hayrides, pony rides, Native American dance expos, puppet shows, an antique auto show, over 300 arts and crafts vendors and a ton of family-friendly live music performances.
Good to know: Your money goes to a good cause. All proceeds (after expenses) go back into the community and to other local, state and national charitable organizations.
There are 14,000 acres of commercial pear, apple, cherry and peach orchards in Hood River County, so it’s no surprise the biggest fall festival in the Columbia River Gorge happens here. For three days in October, attendees enjoy a giant pumpkin carving contest, live music, a fruit pie-eating contest, family activities, seasonal produce, food, wine, cider, beer and local arts & crafts from nearly 120 vendors on the scenic Hood River waterfront. Kids will love the activity area, complete with bouncy houses, face painting and other activities.
Looking for the world’s largest cranberry festival? You’ll find it in Warrens, WI—over 120,000 people show up each year. Wander through 850 arts & craft booths and enjoy contests like Guess the Weight of the Largest Pumpkin, Best Scarecrow, Biggest Berry, Marsh Medallion Hunt and more. Tasty eats are everywhere and include unusual offerings like cranberry cream puffs and deep-fried cranberries on a stick. One of the coolest things to do at the festival is to take a tour of the cranberry marshes. You’ll visit two local marshes, walk into a cranberry bed, and learn all about the growing process. Local eats including fresh cranberries, wine and other products can be bought at the end of the tour!
The 48th Annual Harvest Festival in Santa Fe is held at El Rancho de las Golondrinas—a living museum similar to Williamsburg, VA—and there are 200 acres to explore. Wander through over 30 buildings, see ponds and waterways, spot animals, and check out agricultural fields that produce traditional crops like corn, squash and peppers. During the Harvest Festival, visitors encounter “villagers” going about their daily routine: crushing grapes, stringing chilies, making tortillas, weaving cloth. Traditional Southwestern music and dance is also a festival highlight, as well as an artist market with New Mexican crafts, mule-drawn wagon rides, and more. Rated one of the best harvest festivals in the country, families will learn about the rich culture of the Southwest.
The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival - Half Moon Bay, CA
The self-proclaimed World Pumpkin Capital gives other harvest festivals a run for their money with the combination of a small seaside community and pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere! This year it's going to be a mini-fest, on one day and scaled-down festivities. You'll still find top crafters and artists from around the country, the 43rd Annual Pumpkin Run, the famous pumpkin weigh-off, a costume contest, a pumpkin carving, a pie-eating contest, and plenty of good food. Be sure to bring cash so you can get a picture with the winning pumpkin!
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and when it comes to festival royalty, Queen Tunaep and King Reboog (yup, peanut and goober spelled backward) are no exception—since the late '30s the festival court has donned be-jeweled and be-ribboned gowns and capes that make Queen Elizabeth look like an amateur. But the glamorous get-up of the Bohemian Blooms Court is not the only fun for families in Floresville during the festival. There’s the Goober Games, which is filled with kid faves like sack races, peanut toss, and musical peanut; the parades are worth a watch too.
Fall wouldn’t be the same without the changing of the leaves. The tree-covered hills in southern Ohio are the perfect spot to capture the view, and since 1968, thousands of folks have gathered for three days of fun. There are four skyline drives to take in the beauty of the leaves: Buckskin Loop, Paint Vista Loop, Pike Lake Loop and Redbush Loop. Kids will love both the live pet show and the stuffed animal pet show (with categories such as largest, smallest, most unusual, most lovable), and the kiddy tractor pull. Adults will love the flea market, tribute bands, 5K run and more.
This year marks the 11th annual event taking place under the Oktoberfest Bigtop at Smith Fields. If you’re a kid age 12 and under you get in for free; anyone over the age of 12 needs to chip in $7. You’ll be entertained with great German music and a few crazy contests including log sawing, keg throwing, stein holding, and for the kids, a chicken dance-off. Lots of beer, bratwurst, sandwiches and soups too. The kids will especially enjoy the hot dog with mac & cheese plate.
Celebrating the rich agricultural history of pecans (the harvest goes all the way back to pre-colonial times) the Louisiana Pecan Festival has grown from a Frontier Days theme in the early ‘70s to a three-day festival filled with fun for the whole family. The weekend kicks off with Children's Day. There are arts and crafts booths, a cooking contest, carnival rides, great food, musical entertainment, the Grand Parade and a fireworks show on Saturday night is followed by the Street Dance. Be sure to hit up The Country Store, where you can pick up homemade pecan pies, pralines, jams, jellies, local honey and of course, pecans.
If music is the food of love, then tune-loving kids and parents alike will swoon over the veritable smörgåsbord of fantastic music-making apps available on the market today. From classical creators to hip-hop jams, we sampled an entire marching-band-worth of apps (so you don’t have to) and discovered the grooviest ones. Check out our ensemble of apps below—your kids will be joining in on the rhythm nation in no time.
Melody Jams
Preschool rock-and-rollers will really dig Melody Jams, a fun, interactive music-making game that lets players animate and orchestrate their own garage band comprised of adorably-drawn monster characters. Band members can be mixed and matched, with each character possessing unique personality traits and different instrument skills, which are described in detail on the Melody Jams website. Additional music and scene bundles are available for purchase via iTunes for $4.99.
Aspiring DJs will have a blast mixing and scratching their own custom beats and tunes with Crayola’s nicely-designed music app. Created in partnership with mobile game developer Legacy Games, Crayola DJ features a well-laid-out interface of dual virtual turntables that junior Junior Vasquezes can use to mix and remix almost 100 exclusive tracks—all created by professional DJs. Tracks are available in five musical genres, including hip-hop, dance, pop, fusion and holiday, and a tempo slider lets users adjust BPMs to take their mixes from chillout deep house to frenetic EDM. Regardless of your mini-DJ’s level of musical experience or sound-engineering skills, the app intelligently creates legit professional-sounding dance music that invariably will get people on their feet and moving to the beats.
Combining two activities that kids love (painting and music) Kapu Bloom Tunes lets kids paint the world with music. This sweet digital toy may seem simplistic—there are no recording or sharing options—but young musicians will delight in seeing how their finger paintings are brought to life through colors and sounds. Players dig for, find, then decorate the seeds of a melody flower, which are planted in the ground. By painting the soil and watering the seeds, the resulting plants bloom with music. Tickling plants causes them to sing a variety of familiar melodies and nursery rhymes, and spinning petals leads to even more musical interludes.
This delightful music-making app is designed for preschoolers and older, and lets them explore how sounds are made using a variety of different, ordinary household objects, such as an empty soda bottle or a rubber band. Kids can listen to and learn how to play sounds created with virtual homemade instruments, at the same time developing a better understanding of how sounds are made in the real world. The app’s simple, intuitive interface makes it perfect for younger users, and the ad-free play environment makes it easy on parents’ wallets, too.
Although it’s not precisely a music-making app per se, Adventures of Poco Eco—Lost Sounds is a dreamy and visually-stunning music-adventure game that’ll have you and your kids hooked from the start. Featuring straightforward puzzles and a gorgeous electronic soundtrack composed by acclaimed Hungarian musician and artist Iamyank, players are drawn into a mesmerizing neon wonderland where they are tasked with helping an explorer named Poco Eco complete his mission of finding the lost sounds of his tribe. This multi-award-winning app is less like a typical puzzle-adventure game and more like a meditative musical journey across a dozen 3D-animated game levels.
For ages 6 & up. Available for iOS, $3.99, and Android, $2.99.
Loopimal
Take one part plug-and-play music maker and one part covert coding tutorial and the results would be Loopimal, a cool digital building app that lets nascent electronica musicians create neat animations powered by sounds. Users can create music loops by using pre-programmed blocks that provide both melodies and character animations that can be layered over various beats. With its easy-to-use interface, kids can learn how arranging and repeating blocks in certain sequences can add up to different sounds and movements of cutely-illustrated animals, including a bear, a pig, an octopus, a sloth, a bird and a yeti. Although the app is missing save and share options, young users will enjoy experimenting with sounds and animations in this entertaining app.
Conceived by musician and educator Michael Emenau, Easy Music is premised on the theory that before kids can effectively learn how to play music, they first need to learn how to listen to it. Through this appealing, interactive app, kids learn how to recognize notes, pitch, rhythm and melody by exploring different animated worlds and interacting with a color-coded keyboard that helps budding musicians begin the journey toward playing music by ear. Bonus: there are no ads or in-app purchases, a welcome relief from the growing deluge of overly commercialized mobile apps aimed at kids.
For ages 5 & up. Available for iOS, $3.99 and Android, $10.99.
Magic Piano
From classical to contemporary pop, Magic Piano has gamified tickling the virtual ivories. The app even makes someone who’s all thumbs sound like a piano prodigy. Players follow beams of onscreen lights, which guide fingertips to hit the right notes. Rhythm and tempo can be adjusted to suit a player’s fancy, adding his or her own sense of musical style to some familiar and not-so-familiar songs. There’s also an option to switch instrument modes, which range from baroque harpsichord to new wave synthesizer. The app supports 13 languages and the premium music catalog currently boasts more than 1,000 songs, with new songs added daily. For those who want access to the entire songbook, subscription plans start at $2.99 weekly.
For ages 5 & up. Available for iOS and Android, free with in-app purchases.
Medly Music Maker
Downloaded more than half a million times, award-winning Medly Music Maker already has been named to numerous “Best of” lists, including Apple’s Editor’s Choice and Best App of 2016. The free version of the app comes with 12 instruments, with 100 more—ranging from house synths to classical violins, and hundreds of drum and FX samples—available through in-app purchases. Amateur and professional musicians alike can create songs in a variety of genres through a simple visual interface where notes are drawn onscreen. The app is compatible with Apple Watch, allowing users to open, play and control Medly-created songs directly from their wrists.
For ages 10 & up. Available for iOS, free with in-app purchases.
Keezy
Addictive and delightful are just two words to describe Keezy, a quirky musical instrument-slash-sound sampler app that helps wannabe beatboxers of all ages create and record their own custom beats and loops with just a few taps. Keezy comes pre-loaded with 15 sound boards—created by popular alternative musicians, including Reggie Watts, Tegan and Sara, The Mast, Francis and the Lights, and Reni Lane—which can serve as the basis for users’ musical creations. Additional sounds can be recorded on each of the eight colored tiles, which are tapped to play back or pressed and held to loop. There’s also a free companion Drummer app from Keezy for those who want to take their beats to the next level.
Preschoolers are full of imagination…and short attention spans. Screen time has its place, but overstimulation happens easily and balance is key. Sometimes we need to find a new way to hold their attention and ignite their curiosity, big ideas and boundless creativity. Is there a high-tech sort of toy that can also encourage them to play independently (bonus: giving you a break), without being glued to a screen? If you’re looking for the perfect birthday gift that is all that and more, we’ve found it! And it’s not another space-eating plastic toy they’ll play with then forget about 20 minutes later. Intrigued? How could you not be?! Read on to learn more about the magic of tonies and why both parents and kids love this new storytime companion!
Fosters Imagination & Creativity (and Makes the Best Bedtime Buddy)
The Toniebox is an imagination-building, interactive and screen-free digital listening experience that plays stories, songs and more. It comes to life when paired with Tonies: hand-painted characters with stories to tell, worlds to explore and songs to sing along with.
Made with toddlers in mind, Tonies are simple to use—so kiddos can play all on their own or together with friends and family! The Toniebox is a huge help for independent playtime and bedtime or naptime routines. It's soft and squeezable, yet super durable for hands-on play. Plus you don’t have to worry about shattered screens—what a relief!
Promotes Screen-Free, Independent Play
When a Tonie is connected with your Toniebox, the fun instantly begins! The Toniebox will start telling a story, playing music or leading your child on an audio adventure. Kids just pick any Tonie they like and pop it onto the box. When putting a Tonie on for its first adventure, their story automatically downloads to the Toniebox with no Wi-Fi needed It’s so simple to play that even your three-year-old can do it all by themselves.
Shares Stories & Songs From Favorite Characters (and Even Family Members!)
Each collectible Tonie character magnetically attaches to the Toniebox, making it simple for little listeners to control their audio adventures. Tonies offers a ton of content, including stories and music from Disney’s Frozen, The Lion King, and Toy Story, plus nursery rhymes, educational songs and classic tales.
Besides Content-Tonies, which all come pre-loaded with their unique adventure ready to be discovered, there are Creative-Tonies, which allow you to customize your own content. You can upload your own favorite song and stories (90 mins of space on each!)—even have grandparents record their favorite story to share with your child on the Toniebox for an extra-special bedtime treat!
This April marks the 25th anniversary of the celebration of National Poetry Month, a commemoration launched by poetry scholars to highlight the legacy and ongoing achievement of poets and to encourage the reading and appreciation of poems. The concept was embraced by teachers who were eager to bring poetry into their classrooms and promote it as a fun extracurricular activity, which led to the growth of regional and national poetry festivals and competitions, including Poetry Out Loud.
Why encourage children to read and write poetry? What is uniquely valuable and rewarding about the artform? From the volumes that have been written about those questions, we offer three ideas:
First, memorization is a foundational skill that still needs to be nurtured. Poetry, with its short form, rhythms, and repetition (beginning with nursery rhymes) lends itself to easy memorization and is a pleasurable way to build a skill. Chances are that literary passages you remember from your own childhood are lines of poetry.
Second, for the reluctant reader and writer, poetry can be a welcoming gateway. Collections of poetry are great for road trips when children can be encouraged to read aloud from the back seat. Similarly, a reluctant writer facing a blank writing journal or spiral notepad can feel overwhelmed. Yet, committing four lines of poetry to paper can seem quite doable. With a bit of instruction, some prompts, and a few three by five-inch index cards, children will compose their own rhyming quatrains and be justifiably proud of them.
Finally, writing poetry advances a critically important skill and that is “choosing one’s words carefully.” The very nature of the artform, with its emphasis on sound and imagery, on meter and rhyme, encourages the poet to play with words. Every good poem, whether traditional or free verse, is language that has been carefully shaped and well made—and that is a critical thinking skill worth cultivating!
We really enjoyed creating this month’s poetry book selections, as it reconnected us with some old favorites while selecting from among several newer anthologies. With a nod to Earth Day (April 22nd), we intentionally included poetry that celebrated nature, wilderness, our Earth. Our wish for you and your children is that, in your exploration of poetry this month, you will discover a poem that becomes a friend—a poem you return to many times in the future because you enjoy its good company.
These 48 quietly conversational poems include moments of lively energy—wind on a hilltop or the jubilant dizziness of a summer meadow. Morstad’s charming gouache-and-pencil-crayon art is well-matched to the delicacy of the poetry. An adorable young girl with straight black hair and brown skin appears alone or with friends throughout; readers may identify her as the voice in many of the poems. The poetry is both child-friendly and introspective, for example, a poem titled, July 28 – “if you ever stopped / to taste a blueberry / you would know / that it’s not really about the blue, at all.”
Calling all aspiring naturalists! This is a collection of 26 short, lighthearted poems about the forest and its animals, plants, and seasonal changes, beautifully illustrated in watercolor. VanDerwater has taken seemingly ordinary things like a rotten log and shown readers just what occurs within, such as being a home to a host of different animals. Readers will discover things within a forest that they have never stopped to notice before now.
This book will make you giggle and may even teach you a lesson or two. The author molds wit and wordplay, nonsense and oxymoron, and visual and verbal sleight-of-hand in masterful ways that make us look at the world in a whole new wonderfully upside-down way. There is a dazzling variety of poetry forms and subjects, which will keep readers engaged and on their toes.
Summer, Fall, Winter, or Spring—the Weather Girls are ready for whatever the seasons might bring! Through the seasons, readers see them enjoying the outdoors: diving and splashing, building snowmen, hiking mountains, picking apples, or skipping in a field. Get inspired and get active with this stylish book all about the magic of the seasons, the wonders of the outside world, and the fun you can have with good friends—it’s the perfect picture book for sharing!
This themed collection of poems explore gratitude in traditional forms and in whimsical ways—for example, the sweatshirt that is grateful for a chance to be worn and appreciated. The book contains diverse perspectives and many of the poems express gratitude and thankfulness for little things that someone might not consider such as: nature, the sky, spiders, sleep, or helping others. Each poem is accompanied by a bright and inviting illustration and includes an explanation of the variety of poetry formats featured.
This anthology is an eclectic collection of verses concerning the beauty, the destruction, and the conservation of the earth. Divided into three sections—Celebrate the Earth, Sacrifice the Earth, Save the Earth—these poems are perfect for Earth Day, and any other day of the year. Award-winning author Jane Yolen has collected poems of C.S. Lewis, Ogden Nash, Christina Rossetti, Carl Sandburg, and other contemporary poets who have paid tribute to our beautiful earth. These thirty-five voices cry with joy, grief, and hope for our “Mother Earth” and our “Father the Sky.”
Keira Pride is the Head Librarian at Stratford School, the leading independent private school founded with a vision of creating a unique, multi-dimensional, educational foundation for children. As Stratford's Head Librarian, she manages the library services department across campuses throughout Northern and Southern California.
Parenthood is a total game-changer when it comes to personal priorities, relationships with your spouse and family, communication, intimacy, hygiene, song-selection, and complete exhaustion. The pre-baby “itch” typically consists of euphoric daydreams of that new baby smell, silly giggles, perfect spoonfuls of baby food effortlessly popping in/out of tiny puckers, hot-mom bod sliding in and out of those skinny jeans, and trolling the streets with an innovative stroller system and matching shades like a boss.
You can’t possibly contemplate why everyone is asking you to “wait and enjoy life before kids… because everything changes.”
Thankfully, one intuitive mama named Fran sent me a special message to my “Ask Ruthi” advice column and put it out there. She asked the golden question that many want to know:
What really changes after having kids? What am I supposed to appreciate, besides the obvious, before preparing for parenthood?
As an experienced mom with four kids, please allow me to be your candid tour-guide into the future and break it down to you with my top 10 unfiltered truths about life before kids.
1. Enjoy Peace on Your Porcelain Throne
You may not appreciate it yet, but you are queen of the crapper right now… alone. Go ahead—sit, squat, pee, or poop in complete serenity! You have it better than you know right now. Once kids come into play, your throne becomes a magnet for little ones. You are no longer queen of that throne, more like a loyal servant. The doors become their personal drum… and that’s only if you are able to close the door. Locking the door for any reason whatsoever sends an ultrasonic mental alarm instructing them to bang on it nonstop in complete hysteria as to why you are locking them out. If you choose to leave the door open for a quick piss, you’re likely on standby to break up the next sibling issue or simply signalling for an audience. Just don’t become the “camel bladder mom” who forgoes a bathroom break altogether until the end of the day when you give up and Cailou comes on.
2. Enjoy Your Birthday Suit
Some parents believe that nudity around their kids of all ages is acceptable, and more power to them. You may or may not agree, but in any case, enjoy your body and your random will to be naked… at any time! Kids are curious and parenthood will offer you more questions than you bargained. Your personal sense of modesty may likely change when you have constant spectating eyes, pokey fingers, and a flurry of questions at all times. Let’s face it, your body will totally morph after pregnancy, labor, and about a few too many tubs of Nutella because “you just need a break.” If you breastfeed, your once perky boobies may resemble more of a deflated Hacky Sack after a few rounds of kids. Enjoy your enviable perky boobies. Squeeze them, bounce them, and hold them up high in your best cleavage-boasting bra. Enjoy your freedom of random nudity. Frolic in your freedom, my friend. Heck, both of you walk around naked any time for any reason and shout profanities because you can!
3. Enjoy Your Veggies
This may sound like a strange topic, but please hear me out. When you are pregnant, your belly may grow to shocking proportions and resemble an overripe watermelon of sorts. When everything eventually makes it’s way back to pre-baby weight and you are done celebrating with a tub of Ben & Jerry’s, you may experience your first real bloat that will give you PTSD over your 9 months of stretched-out skin that finally retracted. Broccoli, brussel sprouts, onions, beans, spinach, mushrooms, etc. will unfortunately be followed by a new veggie baby bump. You may even instinctively begin cradling it, rocking side-to-side, and watching that gas-baby stretch to drastic proportions, my friend. Veggies will no longer be the same. By nighttime, you and your hubby may even bid on what month your bloatacious broccoli baby appears to be measuring. The most humiliating part happens to the best of us when an unsuspecting mom says those 5 words that change your friendship forever. “Congratulations, when are you due?” Please think of a good comeback line now for that one, because the shock will leave you speechless and daydreaming of kicking her in the face, long after the incident.
4. Enjoy Loud Loving
Shout, scream, howl, sing opera, and/or slam that headboard to your heart’s content while bumping—whatever your jam. Just go for it at any time, and enjoy it loudly. Once kids come in the picture, things become quiet as a mouse to avoid little feet tip-toeing towards images they will never be able to erase. Your once wild frolic will be more of a pantomime romp if you both stay awake long enough to enjoy. The only loud loving you’ll be doing will happen during scheduled nooners if your kids are all in school.
5. Enjoy Mealtime Conversation
Barking out orders for kids to stay at the table, pleading for bored kids to eat their food, entertaining each bite, begging kids to “try” their veggies, and cleaning up spilled drinks will take up most of your focus during a meal with kids. Older kids will have “big ears” and lots of questions over every secret conversation or whisper you try to succeed. As your hubby rolls his eyes and you frantically try and keep the peace while instilling good table manners, adult conversation will be better suited for nighttime.
6. Enjoy Your Day Off
Once you have kids, there’s no turning back. Welcome to the world sans sick days, bye bye loud parties or drunken stupors, no more hangovers, and no more reckless behavior. Parenting means all eyes, all ears, and all questionable behavior closely monitored and analyzed by little humans learning from their superhero role models. Don’t screw up, because one day they will be pushing your wheel chair and paying for your nursing home.
7. Enjoy Couples’ Vacay
Vacation won’t be the same once you assume the role of parent. Your lounging, late-morning, and over-indulging romantic getaway will soon be replaced by water slides, floaties, tantrums, early mornings, goldfish snacks, and photo ops with strangers wearing large cartoon costumes. Everything will be about the kids at all times. Grab your glass of wine now while you soak it all in.
8. Enjoy Nasty Talk
Potty mouth, sailor mouth, foul language, cursing, swearing—whatever you call it, shout it out in plain sight… and then do it over and over again until it’s out of your system. No you did not say shoot, ship, oh nuggets, or shut the front door! Let it out like a mama peeling out of those skinny jeans at the end of the day! Free those swear words like a mama taking off that tired bra because you just had enough. Let it all hang out, sista’! Let loose and don’t hold back because once you have munchkins in your vicinity, all ears will be parroting back your bad habits.
9. Enjoy Your Music
You may be taking it for granted and have no idea whatsoever. Right now you gracefully sit in the car without wrestling a single small human into any car seat, and you just turn the radio on. You scroll through those stations and listen to anything YOU want and turn it up louder than little ears should be exposed. Before you know it, your tiny humans will own you. They will own your brain even long after they are in school, as the “Wheels on the Bus,” “Laurie Berkner” or “Cailou” tunes torture your tired brain as you do grocery shopping or sit through another status meeting at work. However, this phase will likely pass by the second or third kid—I assure you—as their nursery rhymes will be replaced by the best rap or pop music in your stage of mental rebellion and you develop reflexes like a cat in quickly muting the inappropriate parts.
10. Enjoy Your Sleep
This advice seems overrated and tired, since it’s typically the very first recommendation you receive without much explanation. Here’s the truth, my friend—once you have kids, it’s for life and karma will pinch you nasty if you screw up. The “sleep now” advice seems like crap to you, I’m sure—but what you don’t realize is that whether you are super-pregnant and managing sleep like a whale on dry land; sleeping in 15-second increments as a newborn screams for more cuddling and milk; sleeping with your toddler’s elbow, knee, and toes somehow crammed up your nose through the night; or returning into different bedrooms for the eighth cup of water; sleep will be obsolete, even on the days that you sleep with one eye opened because you’re worried why your kid actually slept through the night. Once you’re preggo, you’ll sleep in about a decade later, unless you have more than one…no worries.
Please do not be discouraged by this list, as having kids is a beautiful, life-changing, all-encompassing journey and gift that can ever happen to a person. I would never have it any other way. This incredible phenomenon known as parenthood is a rollercoaster ride that comes with its own bag of ying-yang and a bucket of karma that will carry us through time, age, and experience, only to ultimately offer us the sharpest wisdom from the best and worst of our personal experience.
Just remember to enjoy every step of your journey—and learn to laugh, forgive, love openly, and be the most compassionate and selfless part of yourself you can express. After all, you and your life partner will soon be the guardians of tiny, precious humans.
With Love,
Ruthi
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Ruthi Davis is a the Founder of Ruth Davis Consulting LLC with over two decades of success in advertising/marketing, media/publicity, business development, client relations, and organizational optimization for a variety of clients. Ruthi is a proud mom and influencer in the parenting and family market as founder of the Superfly Supermom brand.
Yvonne, the mom behind Bilingual Kiddos is sharing her bilingual journey —from activities she does with her own kids to tips for us parents. Here’s her story.
Where are you, what is your bilingual background? I am Malaysian-Chinese and live in Australia. I speak English and have studied Chinese and Malay. Prior to having children, I didn’t speak it regularly. My husband and I speak to each other in English because that’s most comfortable and because we live in Australia! This changed after having kids. I started this bilingual journey because I really want to pass on the Chinese language and heritage to my two sons (3 & 1-year-old), and I realized that if I don’t start trying, no one will!
How did you start? I really believe that learning a second language is all about communication and meaningful exposure—and needs to be done in a natural, engaging, and fun matter—not forced. To that end, I try to do adopt things that are:
1. Based on Daily Life: This way it doesn’t feel like “learning” but rather like “using the language.” Some activities here could include:
Daily activity naming: I created a printable of things that toddlers do on a daily basis—like “take a bath” or “brush your teeth.” As this is something that they do every day, it gives us an opportunity to name it frequently and reinforce those phrases in a very natural way.
House labeling: I try to introduce Chinese characters naturally. So I take construction tape and label things around our house – like door (门 mén) or bed (床 chuáng) or fridge (冰箱 bīng xiāng). That way, when we go to the object, my sons will see it. Sometimes we may name it, sometimes they will just see it. I try not to do too many at once, so it isn’t overwhelming for my son and he thinks it’s a game.
2. Make it Fun: I’m a big believer in learning through play. You find different philosophies in Western vs Asian countries. In Asian countries, kids are expected to read at a young age, so you’ll find the materials are very focused on character recognition and leveled learning. Western countries have more emphasis on free play. Perhaps because we live in Australia, but I try to have my kids learn through play, especially since they are young and just starting out.
Layer language on top of play activities: It probably seems very basic but we just take normal play and we layer the second language on top of it. For example, when we do sorting activities which a lot of kids do, I label 5 boxes with 5 colors—I put it on the side and bottom. So when they drop the pom poms into the right colored box, they can see and name the color.
Play-based materials: This is actually one of the reasons I love HabbI Habbi. The Wand & Books are play-based and meant to be fun, engaging, interactive. They think they’re just playing, but they are also getting exposure. I value books as a two-way form of engagement (versus something like TV). I think reading in the second language is an important tool, just like it is when learning English.
How do you incorporate Chinese books and reading with your sons? I try to make it regular and give the Chinese books in our house more “space.” My sons gravitate to their English books because it’s the dominant language and because we have more. So I consciously try to pick out the Chinese books by saying things like “What about this one?”
I also made my own bilingual book which incorporates what I care about. I centered it around nursery rhymes because music is such a helpful tool for young kids. Furthermore, it’s based on English nursery rhymes, so it is familiar and relatable—since many kids (and parents!) know the songs like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
You have the benefit of having knowledge and a basic Chinese language background. What do you think non-native families—especially those who can’t speak or read it—should do? I would start with the parents asking themselves, “Do you want to learn the language alongside your child?” Sometimes my son asks me, “What is this (English) word in Chinese?” and I really don’t know, so I say, “Let’s find out together.” By showing an interest, I signal to my sons that Chinese is important.
I think it’s ideal if we parents can find the time—even if just a little—to learn with them. If not, they can try to supplement by finding a partner for communication like a nanny or a language immersion school. But regardless of whether parents do get into all the details and learn with their kids, I think it’s important to show curiosity, openness, respect, and interest in the language because that says a lot to our kids.
If you step back, what role(s) do you think all of these materials have in building an immersive environment (books, toys, activities, etc.)? Ultimately, communication and usage are the most important. I’m just trying to provide as many opportunities as possible for my sons to hear, repeat, and speak. The question is how. All these tools—books, toys, activities—are just tools to help them engage more frequently, in a way that is fun and engaging!
Habbi Habbi Reading Wand & Bilingual Books is the easiest way to start kids on Chinese & Spanish. Just turn on and tap. Every inch is tappable, and our books are as intentional in content as they are beautiful - topics like kindness, emotions, and more. @BeHabbi | habbihabbi.com.
