Things to Do with Kids in Birmingham

by Kate LowethJuly 1, 2019

From the McWane Science Center to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, there’s no shortage of ways to expose your kids to the best of the future and the most valuable lessons of the past. And with so much beauty surrounding this humble Alabama city, from Vulcan Park to free gardens and nature centers galore, Birmingham families know how to make the dream a reality. We have a bunch of our favorite family activities in Birmingham below, plus our events calendar is loaded with things to keep you during your visit.

photo: Rob Briscoe via flickr

Red Mountain Park
Over 15 miles of trails featuring two city overlooks make up this gorgeous park. Three breathtaking tree houses and the six-acre off-leash Remy’s Dog Park are also part of the fun. You can find adventures like the Vulcan Materials Zip Trip and Kaul Adventure Tower, kid favorites.

281 Lyon Ln.
Birmingham, AL
Online: redmountainpark.org

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
This historic museum traces the journey of the civil rights advocates of the 1950s and 60s, who changed the course of American history. The struggle for equality for Black Americans is chronicled here, from the Jim Crow laws in the 1800s to the freedom rides, sit-ins and demonstrations of the 1960s.

520 16th St. N
Birmingham, AL
Online: bcri.org

Birmingham Museum of Art
This three-story museum houses an eclectic selection of art, including Wedgewood pottery, the largest collection of Asian art in the southeast, Native American and African art, impressionism, contemporary art and American landscapes.

2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Blvd.
Birmingham, AL
Online: artsbma.org

photo: James Emery via flickr

McWane Science Center
Fun and learning never end at McWane Science Center, a nonprofit, hands-on museum and IMAX. Four floors of interactive exhibits celebrate science and wonder from an amazing collection of dinosaurs to innovative environmental showcases, imaginative early childhood playgrounds and an awe-inspiring aquarium.

200 19th St. N
Birmingham, AL
Online: www.mcwane.org

Alabama Theatre
After a complete restoration, this historic venue once again shows its 1927 grandeur. Check out family-friendly features.

1817 3rd Ave. N
Birmingham, AL
Online: alabamatheatre.com

Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Gardens’ 67.5 acres is filled with more than 30 thematic gardens, each one classified into one of three types: Gardens of Collections, Gardens of Nature and Gardens of Culture.

2612 Lane Park Rd.
Birmingham, AL
Online: bbgardens.org

photo: Vulcan Park via yelp

Vulcan Park and Museum
The largest cast-iron statue in the world created for the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair was placed on top of Red Mountain with a beautiful view of downtown Birmingham. Also, inside Vulcan Center is an interactive museum that contains the historical timeline of the city of Birmingham.

1701 Valley View Dr.
Birmingham, AL
Online: visitvulcan.com

Birmingham Zoo
Watch sea lions being trained and fed, zip around on the Zoo Train, hop on the carousel, check out the alligator swamp and tropical rain forest: all this and more are offered at this educational and entertaining zoo housing 170 animals from around the world, including endangered species.

2630 Cahaba Rd.
Birmingham, AL
Online: birminghamzoo.com

Next Levl Extreme Air Sports
Head to this cavernous jumping gym when the kids need to burn off some energy.

6009 Tattersall Dr.
Birmingham, AL
Online: nextlevl.us

The Best Upcoming Events for Kids in Birmingham
If you’re looking for events and activities, don’t miss our local Birmingham events calendar, which has everything from story times to seasonal activities like apple picking, pumpkin patches and Christmas tree farms.

—Kate Loweth

22 Wildlife Centers for Little Animal Lovers

by Zach ChouteauMarch 12, 2019

There’s nothing that opens a kid’s eyes like an up-close visit with an animal. Kids can learn how to be gentle, what to do to protect animals in the wild and tons more. We have 22 spots that offer animal experiences from reptiles to sea lions to birds of prey to bugs. Plan your animal adventure today!

photo: Randall Museum

San Francisco

Randall Museum
A blending of natural history museum, science museum and arts center, the Randall Museum offers hands-on learning that all ages can appreciate, via exhibits and classes in science, nature and art. Events of all kinds, from bird walks to bug days, add to the lively slate of experiences at this very worthwhile attraction.

199 Museum Way
San Francisco, CA

Crissy Field Center
Crissy Field Center, a dynamic hub of youth engagement for the Golden Gate National Parks and a model program of the National Park Service, offers camps for tots, as well as environmental programming for the whole family. And Crissy Field itself offers a wonderful bayside promenade trail popular for walking and jogging, a shoreline beach where people keep their eyes on bird and marine life, a meadow for kite flying and even barbecue areas for families and groups.

1199 E Beach
Presidio
San Francisco, CA

photo: Kathryn Whitney/California Academy of Sciences

California Academy of Sciences
This part aquarium, part planetarium and part natural history museum offers loads of opportunities to meet some animals. Walk through the rain forest and see the butterflies landing on branches, watch scuba divers in the aquarium, touch a sea star and learn all about the bonded pairs of penguins. Bonus: you can even sleep over for an after-hours night at this amazing museum.

55 Music Concourse Dr.
San Francisco, CA

photo: Lindsay Wildlife Museum

East Bay

Lindsay Wildlife Museum
With more than 50 animals at Lindsay, programs nearly every 30 minutes and an animal hospital that treats more than 5,500 animals each year there is always something new and fascinating for families to explore at Lindsay Wildlife Experience.

1931 First Ave
Walnut Creek, CA

Crab Cove Visitor Center
Bayfront education center with an 800-gallon aquarium and interactive marine exhibits, this venue has been a family favorite since its 1980 opening. Tide pools just outside the visitor center are another cool diversion for kids to explore, and are especially accessible at low tide.

1252 McKay Ave (at Central Ave)
Alameda, CA

Tilden Park Environmental Education Center
East Bay families have long been enjoying the free offerings of Tilden Park’s Environmental Education Center and Little Farm, including the cozy but cool playground by the parking lot. While the center boasts plenty of info and exhibits, the real fun is at The Little Farm itself, open every single day and home to all manner of farm animals, including cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens and pigs. Feeding the animals by hand is a real treat for kids–and the animals–so remember to bring celery or lettuce if you want to play the part of a friendly farmer.

Central Park Drive
Berkeley, CA

Ardenwood Historic Farm
This farm in Fremont offers a history lesson right along with some farm animal encounters. Meet pigs, sheep, goats, birds and more as you stroll the massive property. Hop aboard the train at the entrance for a fun ride to the opposite side. When you walk back, you might even get to see a peacock showing off his stuff!

34600 Ardenwood Blvd.
Fremont, CA

Rotary Nature Center and Wildlife Refuge
Nestled alongside Oakland’s vibrant Lake Merritt, the Rotary Nature Center and Wildlife Refuge is actually the first official wildlife refuge in the U.S. The venue is home to occasional educational events that all ages can enjoy, including the Audubon Society hosting a bird walk on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Summer camp offerings are another plus, and the nature center is an excellent source of information on the abundant local bird life.

600 Bellevue Avenue
Oakland, CA

Sulphur Creek Nature Center
“Sulphur Creek Nature Center is a wildlife education and rehabilitation facility dedicated to bringing people and animals closer together,” says Deb Varner, director of education for the center. “View the outdoor animal displays, explore the discovery center, and enjoy a picnic at this serene park nestled under the oaks.” Free admission and parking are another bonus at the venue, which is part of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District.

1801 D Street
Hayward, CA

photo: CuriOdyssey

Peninsula

CuriOdyssey at Coyote Point
Formerly known as the Coyote Point Museum, this San Mateo center includes science exhibits and shelters more than 100 Bay Area critters of all kinds being rehabilitated from the wild. Kids will love seeing them firsthand in CuriOdyssey’s authentically replicated wildlife habitats, and a real strength of the venue is the variety of animal residents–including all kinds of reptiles, birds, mammals, amphibians and even invertebrates.

1651 Coyote Point Drive
San Mateo, CA

Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center
After wandering the wildlife observation platforms for some unbeatable birdwatching, visitors can step into the center to discover fascinating facts about the animals living in the nearby tidal and freshwater habitats. at close to 2,000 acres this is the largest tract of remaining undisturbed marshland in the entire Bay Area.

2775 Embarcadero Road
Palo Alto, CA

EcoCenter
Located in a completely “green” structure in the Baylands Nature Preserve, the EcoCenter is a public nature center and headquarters for the group Environmental Volunteers. The venue is located across from the Duck Pond in the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve and offers hands-on activities, touchscreen exhibits, a green building tour, an art gallery and guided nature hikes.

2560 Embarcadero Road
Palo Alto, CA

photo: Mike via Flickr

South Bay

Don Edwards Environmental Education Center
This 30,000-acre oasis for migratory birds and endangered species is the nation’s first urban national wildlife refuge. The Education Center offers family bird walks, hands-on animal exploration programs for kids and tons of other educational opportunities – all for free.

1751 Grand Boulevard
Alviso, CA

Martial Cottle Park Visitors’ Center
While agricultural offerings make up the bulk of the fun here, other offerings for kids include big lawns for running around and flying kites, three miles of smooth trails appropriate for bikes, scooters or skates, a visitor center with kid-friendly exhibits and activities, and picnic areas ideal for birthday parties and family gatherings.

5283 Snell Avenue
San Jose, CA

Hidden Villa
This organic farm and education center tucked away in the Santa Cruz Mountains lures visitors with its free admission, organic garden and animal pens bustling with chickens, pigs, goats and sheep. Kids will enjoy splashing in the creek or strolling the countless trails that branch out from the farm.

Los Altos Hills, CA

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
“The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is the place to awaken your inner marine biologist!,” says Operations Manager Teri Sigler. “Come touch a friendly shark, see how marine scientists work, and take a deeper dive into ocean adventure. Learn about giant whales, tiny lumpsuckers–cutest fish EVER–and more in this intimate setting.”

An awesome aquarium and touch pools will amaze kids with the wonders of marine life, while also illuminating them on ocean conservation.

100 Shaffer Road
Santa Cruz, CA
831-459-3800

McClellan Ranch Environmental Education Center
Children can see, touch and learn about animals at this welcoming ranch that runs year-round. Its Environmental Education Center offers nature-themed classes for kids, and another lure is the Nature Museum that is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and offers up-close encounters with turtles, snakes and other wildlife. Families dropping by McClellan Ranch on the second Saturday of the month (March-November) can head over to the 4-H farm for a tour of the animals given by 4-H members from 10 a.m. to noon.

22221 McClellan Road
Cupertino, CA

Youth Science Institute
A trio of science and nature centers comprise the Youth Science Institute, all of them committed to enriching children and families with useful information on the natural sciences. A highlight of their offerings are YSI’s weekend nature programs showcasing artifacts and animals from their facilities as well as indigenous animals residing in the neighboring parks. The Alum Rock location even hosts a free Wildlife Celebration every October.

Alum Rock Park
16260 Penitencia Creek Road
San Jose, CA

Vasona Lake County Park
333 Blossom Hill Road
Los Gatos, CA

Sandborn County Park
16055 Sanborn Road
Saratoga, CA

photo: Marine Mammal Center

Marin

Marine Mammal Center
Perched upon a hillside in the Marin Headlands, The Marine Mammal Center is a private, non-profit hospital that rescues and rehabilitates harbor seals, elephant seals, California sea lions and other marine mammals with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. With a classroom, educational programs and space for over 200 animals (not to mention a spectacular view of Rodeo Beach), it makes for a fun and educational marine excursion. Admission is free.

Fort Cronkhite
2000 Bunker Rd
Sausalito, CA

WildCare
Home to a Wildlife Hospital and nature education programs, San Rafael’s WildCare treats about 4,000 sick and injured critters of all kinds every year. Families visiting WildCare can enjoy camps and classes, stop by the rehabilitation facility and even meet with wildlife ambassadors for their unique perspectives.

76 Albert Park Lane
San Rafael, CA

Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary
While this 900-acre, open-water sanctuary is closed from October 1st to March 31st each year, while accessible it’s a refreshing respite for human visitors and a welcoming hub for waterbirds and Pacific herring. The 10-acre site adjacent to the bay is also home to summer camps, youth conservation leadership programs and plenty of volunteer ops.

376 Greenwood Beach Road
Tiburon, CA

Petaluma Wildlife and Natural Science Museum
Being operated by area high school students give the tours at this venue an added family-friendly touch. Nature lovers of all ages can learn via hands-on experiences that range from petting a critter from the live animal collection to touring animal exhibits showcasing creatures from around the globe. The museum is open to the public on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

201 Fair Street
Petaluma, CA

—Zach Chouteau, Kate Loweth, Renee M. Rutledge and Erin Feher

Amazon Spheres: Your Guide to How to Get Inside & What to See

by Jeff ToteyApril 17, 2018

After two-and-a-half years of construction, Jeff Bezos dedicated The Spheres at Amazon’s downtown Seattle campus in late January. And Seattleites were excited with the news that they would finally be able to tour the uber-cool glass domes and virtual rain forest. However, due to some miscommunication and information about The Understory, a free exhibit that is housed underneath the giant terrarium, many anxious visitors have come only to be disappointed. But don’t fret, Seattle parents. We recently visited The Spheres and have the inside scoop on how you and your family can get inside. Read on!

Two Ways to Get Inside
In order to visit The Spheres, it will take some planning and patience and one of two options. The first option is to sign up for a 90-minute guided tour of Amazon’s Seattle headquarters. Tours take place on most Wednesdays from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and include a visit to a few buildings such as the Doppler and Day 1 (two of the main Amazon office buildings), a trip through Amazon Go (a new partially automated grocery store that allows customers to make purchases without the need of a cashier) and some time in The Spheres. Tours are available for anyone ages six and older, however you must register online ahead of time. Psst…at the time of this writing, tours are filled up for the next month. Note: Amazon does offer a variation of its headquarters tour, one that is self-guided and can be done any time, but it does not offer access to the inside of The Spheres.

The second option is to visit during the special Open House days. Two Saturdays per month, Amazon arranges unguided visits to The Spheres between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Again, you’ll have to register in advance and reservations open 30 days in advance of each date. There are no age restrictions for the Open House events, but all minors (ages 18 and under) must be accompanied by an adult at all times, and anyone age 18 and older must present a valid government issued identification card to the reception desk in order to enter.

First Things First
While not the star of the event, The Understory does serve well as fairly decent pre-show. The 360-degree exhibit features some interactive displays, including a super-cool miniature model of the building, a sample of the “living walls” made from a variety of plants and a grouping of floor-to-ceiling video monitors showing incredible footage of the things you’ll see up above. The Understory is open Mon.-Sat. from 10 a.m.–8 p.m. and Sun. from 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

What You’ll Find Inside The Spheres
The 90-foot-tall biosphere, which looks like three large soap bubbles, contains 2,643 rounded glass panels and is home to over 40,000 plants from over 30 countries. Here, you’ll find grouping of tables and chairs in various nooks and out in the open. Psst…it’s estimated that the complex can seat 800 people at one time!

There are wonderful sights around every corner inside the four-level building. As you walk around, you’ll find cascading waterfalls, a fernery and short pathways through the foliage. The lower level contains an Old World Garden with plants from Africa and Asia and a New World Garden that features plants from the Americas including the crown jewel, Rubi, a 36,000-pound fichus tree. The 49-year old tree was transplanted from California where it had lived since 1969. Above that, you’ll find the “birdcage,” a seating area that sits alongside a wraparound wooden walkway and gives the sensation that you are walking on a rope bridge.

On the 6^th Ave. side of The Spheres is where you’ll find the Living Wall. The 60-foot wall contains 200 plant species and can be seen on all four levels. The wall also includes a ventilation system and several misters that spray the plants every so often.

Where to Nosh
For those needing a snack, doughnuts and coffee can be found on Open House days on the second level at The Spheres’ resident cafe, General Porpoise. The doughnut shop, created by James Beard award-winning chef Renee Erickson in 2016, serves delish doughnuts filled with seasonal jams, jellies, curds, custards and creams as well as top quality coffees from multiple roasters and house-made gelato.

Before You Go
As to be expected, Amazon has a few rules when visiting The Spheres. You’ll be asked to remain on the walkways at all times and not touch the plant life. No outside food or drink, strollers or weapons of any kind are allowed inside The Spheres and all bags must not be larger than 12”x12”. Our best advice? Put your babe in his front pack carrier and leave your bulky diaper bag in the car. And don’t bundle up either. The inside temperature hovers right around 72 degrees, with 60 percent humidity.

The Spheres
2111 7^th Ave.
Seattle, Wa 98121
Online: seattlespheres.com

Have you seen the inside of The Spheres? Planning to go soon? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

—Jeffrey Totey (all photos courtesy of the writer)

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Watch Your Favorite American Girl Come to Life

by Erin LemMay 21, 2016

Your kiddo has set-up tea parties with her American Girl and toted her sidekick to the playground, grocery store and beyond. Take your little one’s love of everything American Girl to the next level with the movie, Lea to the Rescue, available now on Digital HD and on DVD and Blu-ray. Read on to find out how this new flick will make your summer much more than just dolls and bed-time stories.

Know Before You Watch
Right on time to get your little one excited for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, this family-friendly movie is a live-action flick showcasing Lea Clark, American Girl’s 2016 Girl of the Year, as she embarks on her journey through the Brazilian rainforest.

The Scoop
The kid-friendly flick follows Lea as she embarks on an adventure to the Brazilian rain forest to try to find her missing brother and save the exotic animals she loves from poachers. The outgoing Lea won’t be deterred in her mission–she’s born for adventure even if that means exploring new cultures, befriending new people and trekking through the unfamiliar country of Brazil. Throughout the entire journey Leah totes her handy camera to photograph the cultures, foods and animals she encounters along the way to finding her brother. Entertaining and fun, this movie comes complete with helicopters, photography, and even a sloth!

The Takeaway
The all new summer movie will bring your kiddo’s sidekick from the books to life in your very home. Your child will follow Lea throughout her story, and when the movie is over your little one will surely imagine his or her own outdoor adventure, just like Lea.

Watch Lea come to life before your very eyes in the trailer below. Want more adventure for your kid this summer? Buy the DVD, Blu-ray, or Digital HD of Lea to the Rescue by clicking here.

Are you excited to watch this new movie? Does your child own an American Girl Doll or love to read the books? Tell us your thoughts below!

Curious Kids Will Love These 6 New STEAM Books

by Gabby CullenSeptember 8, 2015

You (almost) never mind when they decide to take apart old electronics. So adding another ingredient to their learning lab just makes sense, which is why we’ve rounded up six new STEAM books (that’s science, technology, engineering, arts and math to you newbies) that push inquiring minds to ask, “Why?.” From books with fearless new characters to hands-on tinkering tutorials and simple science projects, read on for our favorite new releases. Bonus: reading these with your kids could help cut back on the number of times you find yourself re-assembling your universal remote!

The Curious Kid’s Science Book: 100+ Creative Hands-On Activities

By Asia Citro, MEd

Ages 4-8

Available Sept. 2015

From 150+ Screen Free Activities for Kids and Fun at Home with Kids author and educator Asia Citro, comes a new book of science fun, and it’s just as colorful and engaging as it’s predecessor. The breakdown of each experiment—which range from cooking to environmental science, engineering and a whole chapter dedicated to baking soda and vinegar—make them easy to understand. Asia has a gift for making hands-on creativity seem like second nature and even though the book is aimed for scientists ages 4-8, there are also advanced level questions and projects, making this book perfect for families with kiddos of all sizes. Each one has a conclusion from a very enthusiastic test subject, usually Asia’s daughter or her friends, the index makes for easy searching and there’s a great supply checklist at the back of the book.

Buy it now: amazon.com/thecuriouskidssciencebook

Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding

By Linda Liukas

Ages 4-7

Available Oct. 2015

Ruby is a small girl with a big imagination. Written by a central figure in the programming world, this classic adventure story takes young kids through 10 chapters of curiosity, playfulness and rules— a celebration of computing. Join a spunky girl whose favorite expression is “Why?” as she meets up with friends Django, Penguin and the Snow Leopard on a journey to retrieve her lost collection of special gems. The youngest readers will love to hear about Ruby’s trials and triumphs, while older listeners will gain familiarity with basic coding concepts: sequences, variables, loops, conditionals and operators. Kids can also go online to download interactive games from Ruby’s world, and an app in in the works.

Buy it now: helloruby.com/shop

Human Body Theater

By Maris Wicks

Available Oct. 2015

Get ready for a theatrical review of the entire human body— graphic novel style. The grinning skeletal figure takes kids on an anatomical journey, and the colorful graphics make this an almost comical take on the human body’s ooey-gooey insides. Kids will laugh to see dancing oxygen bubbles make their way through a heart valve and we can hear the giggles that’ll come from the chapter about the digestive system. Kids will learn why they get sick, why they need to eat good foods, and why they see, taste, touch and smell. At the end, when they finally get to meet the little girl who has been putting on her “body layers” chapter by chapter, they’ll want to flip back to the beginning and start all over again.

Buy it now: amazon.com/Human-Body-Theater

Ruff Ruffman’s 44 FAVORITE Science Activities

By Candlewick Press

Ages 8-12

Available Mar. 2015

For the older scientists in the group, the PBS star of FETCH! lends himself to a book filled with projects great for either school or home. Ruff simplifies the scientific method for kids, provides a sweet lab notebook, gives the heads up on safety procedures and even gives tips for creating award-winning science fair projects. Look for the icons indicating levels of difficulty, or when/if parents need to get involved. From there on out, it’s 44 step-by-step brain busting experiments waiting to be tested.

Buy it now: candlewick.com/ruffruffman

Tree of Wonder

By Kate Messner

Aged 4-10

Available Aug. 2015

Imagine trying to count all the amazing and eco-tastic diversity found in a rain forest. It’ll take more than 10 fingers to get the job done! New number counters and practiced pros alike will enjoy the lush illustrations in this delightful account of one almendro tree that dozens of creatures call home, including toucans, bats and monkeys. Each number (and animal) doubles, until reaching over 1,000 leafcutter ants. Not only is it a visual treat, but it’s a fun way to combine a little math and ecology, all in one read.

Buy it now: chroniclebooks.com/tree-of-wonder

Peg + Cat: The Race Car Problem

By Jennifer Oxley and Billy Aronson

Ages 3-7

Available Sept. 2015

A fun first in a series about STEM-loving Peg and her trusty sidekick Cat. They’ve built an amaaaaazing car out of things they found lying around in the junkyard, and now, Peg will have to guess, brainstorm, play games, sing songs and make mistakes during her efforts to race in the Tallapegga Twenty (a really big deal!). It’s a good thing Peg knows the best shape to use for making wheels and how to count laps to keep track of who is ahead! Touted by Common Sense Media as a TV role model, Peg and Cat’s creative approach to problem-solving aims to help children find new and positive ways to deal with everyday situations in their lives.

Buy it now: candlewickpress.com/pegandcat

Does your kid like to explore STEAM stuff? Share with us in a Comment below.

— Gabby Cullen

8 Things You Must Do at the World Forestry Center & Discovery Museum

by liz oversonNovember 13, 2013

What’s the best go-to spot in town for interesting, interactive, indoor fun? Add uncrowded and fab for all ages, too. Answer: The World Forestry Center. There’s so much to rave about here we could go on and on and on. Instead, we’ve attempted to contain and condense our enthusiasm to the top eight delightful activities awaiting you inside.

1. You can go river rafting. Literally! Throw on one of their life preservers then jump into a real canvas raft and watch the river rapids emerge on a screen in front of (and behind) you. Best of all, family photos snap every few minutes and are on sale in the gift shop if you wanna bring home a memento.

2. Climb into a feller buncher and pretend to take down a huge Doug Fir. Douse a forest fire by trying to drop water on the burning trees. Play a xylophone, try your hand at wood magnets or get hands-on in the sand and plant some seedlings. Lots to do here and we’ve not yet gone upstairs!

3. Crawl through tunnels, explore a cave and its animal inhabitants (in cuddly stuffed animal form), learn about forest rangers, check out a short film about our treetopolis, or take a ride in their indoor chairlift and check the tree canopy. Pretty dang cool.

4. Now it’s time to head upstairs. Visit the Russian forests via train, explore China’s millions of trees via boat. Then head further into the dark and climb into an open air jeep for a safari in Africa or take an elevator into the Brazilian Rain Forest. Yeah, awesome.

5. Get hands-on with marionettes, drums, different dolls and many wood variations. Walk across the footbridge for a bird’s eye view of floor one. Check out whatever visiting exhibit is on – could be photography of Ansel Adams, in-depth background on tree houses, bats, or any number of woodland discoveries. Right now it’s 125 Years of photos of the Grand Canyon. Stunning.

6. The World Forestry Center Discovery Museum is open every single day (except Christmas, Christmas Eve and Thanksgiving) from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. None of that closed on Mondays ballyhoo. In fact, their Mommy and Me Mondays are a fab time to enjoy art, music and hands-on fun (Mondays @ 10:00 a.m.) on top of the museum’s everyday radness.

7. They’re part of the Washington Park trifecta of talent, tucked between the Oregon Zoo and the Portland Children’s Museum. It’s easily accessed via MAX, which will save you a couple of bucks when those new meters go into effect for members and day-tripppers alike. Another way to save some coin is to visit this den of indoor treedom on Wondrous Wednesdays (the first Wednesday of the month) when admission is a mere $3.

8. Last but far from least, head outside and visit Peggy the Train. It’s estimated she’s hauled a billion feet of logs in her lifetime. She’s outside but covered, and your little conductors can climb on in and let their imaginations fizzle like fireboxes.

World Forestry Center
4033 SW Canyon
Portland, Or 97221
503-228-1367
Online: worldforestry.org

Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors,$6 for kids 3 and up and free for 2 and under. And don’t forget about Wondrous Wednesdays (first Wednesday of every month) and the $3 deal. Take me to the Top Canopy Lift Ride is $4 for adults and kids alike and $2 for members.

Did we miss your favorite thing to do at the World Forestry Center? Tell us below!

— Liz Overson

Thanks for the photos go to World Forestry Center Facebook page and Liz Overson.

Animal Adventures in the Seattle Area

by writerredtriJanuary 26, 2011

For critter-crazy kids, Seattle offers abounding opportunities for encounters with animals, native, exotic, and domestic. Spot a bald-eagle at the beach, a kangaroo at the zoo, or feed a furry friend at the farm – it’s all possible. Here’s a round-up of our favorite wildlife destinations, all must-stops for your little animal adventurer:

Woodland Park Zoo – Just north of downtown Seattle, this 92-acre zoo is home to over 300 species of animals. While the penguins are always popular and gorillas worth a gander, don’t miss the zoo’s new Meerkat exhibit. Your kids will find them cute beyond compare. Wend your way through the Northern Trail exhibit to spot brown bears, mountain goats, Roosevelt elk, and wolves. Stop into the Australasia Willawong station to feed feathered friends (Tip: Little birds flap all around and might even land on you…fun for older kids/potentially scary for little ones). Swing through the Tropical Asia Trail of Vines exhibit to see orangutans, siamangs, and elephants. Then on to the African Savannah for sightings of hippos, giraffes, lions and zebras. Finally finish your tour through the zoo’s forests. In the Temperate Forest exhibit, find waterfowl, Asian cranes, and Red Pandas. In the Tropical Rain Forest, spot lemurs, monkeys, and elusive jaguars. That will bring you back to the penguins, where right next door is the food pavilion, the last essential stop for those who have worked up a ferocious appetite. The Woodland Park Zoo also offers kids ages 8+ Eye-to-Eye Behind-the-Scenes tours for an even closer look at the animals by the zoo caregivers.

Seattle Aquarium – Located on Seattle’s Pier 59 right on Elliott Bay of Puget Sound, the Seattle Aquarium offers a magnificent underwater world of wildlife that’s sure to wow children of all ages. Thousands of fish and critters of scales, feather, and fur are on display. Gaze into the Window of Washington Waters, a 120-thousand gallon showcase that’s home to native Salmon, rockfish, and sea anemone. Meet a Giant Pacific Octopus in the Life of a Drifter exhibit and spot Cowfish and Scorpionfish among other unusual species in the Ocean Oddities exhibit. Continue on and you’ll find shore birds and alcids, harbor seals and Northern fur seals, sea otters and river otters in adjacent exhibits. Don’t miss the underwater dome. Look up and see salmon, shark, sturgeons, and skates. Time it with a talk and feeding of the fish by Aquarium scuba divers at 1:30 pm daily.

Cougar Mountain Zoo – Nestled in the Northern slope of Cougar Mountain in Issaquah, WA, just 15 miles from Seattle, you’ll find Cougar Mountain Zoo. Just eight acres, offering an easy tour for the littlest of legs, the zoo is still home to a wealth of wildlife, including the largest herd of Siberian Reindeer in the U.S. At front and center is the Mountain Lion plaza, where cougars and tigers roam nearby. From there, make your way to the zoo’s main exhibit, the Magic Forest. You’ll meet lemurs, macaws, alpacas, deer, cranes, wallabies, and emus. A cheetah exhibit is coming soon. For an additional donation, kids can also participate in the Zoo’s “Close Encounter” program with tigers. Separated by just a 7/8-inch safety glass, participants get an up-close-and-personal look at the rare resident tigers while learning more about their unique behaviors.

Farm Parks – Farm tours offer kids a great opportunity to meet animals of “Old MacDonald” fame. Visit Kelsey Creek Farm Park in the heart of Bellevue to meet ponies, goats, pigs, sheep, and rabbits. Schedule your visit at springtime for a peek at the baby animals in the barnyard. Farrel-McWhirter Farm Park, in Redmond, also includes a popular children’s animal farm, home to pigs, cows, goats, chickens, horses and more. Both parks offer walking trails and playgrounds.

Natural Habitats Near You – Surprise your kids with animal encounters in their natural habitats at a nature park near you. Throughout the summer, Seattle’s environmental learning centers at Camp Long, Discovery Park, Carkeek Park, and Seward Park offer programs geared toward animal encounters. Kids can look and listen for moths, bats, and owls during guided twilight hikes. Park naturalists also facilitate low-tide beach explorations and a family-friendly birding series, perfect for introducing kids to a host of a native wildlife species.

Take a hike through Bellevue’s Mercer Slough Nature Park, the largest of Washington’s remaining freshwater wetlands, home to a variety of a native birds and animals. Don’t miss the summer programs, which include a family-friendly series on animal tracking, bird watching, and insect and amphibian discovery.

Visit Kirkland’s Juanita Bay Park for a kid-friendly bird-watching experience. On the first Sunday of every month, park rangers offer tours. Common bird sightings include the American Coot, Great Blue Heron, the Belted Kingfisher, and the Northern Flickr.

Or just step into your backyard, where birds, squirrels, snails, and various insects are sure to be found. Just watch out for the occasional raccoon visitor. They’re cute but can be trouble!

-Erin Sirianni

Seattle Kids’ Best Birthday Party Venues

by Jacqui BolandDecember 24, 2010

Happy Birthday to you, you live in a zoo … oh wait, we’re adults here; we plan birthday parties instead of acting like monkeys at them. And, like many adult responsibilities, birthday party planning can be a bit stressful (especially with Aunt Betty on the RSVP list), but it’s much less so if you secure a stellar venue.

To make that first step a breeze for you, we asked Red Tri readers to send us tips on where they’ve had winning parties.We then hand picked the top options encompassing different age groups and price points (see the listed web sites for specific details). Start with these and let the madness, er, fun begin:

Mountlake Terrace Swimming Pool Mountlake Terrace
5303 228th St. SW
425.776.9173
Twelve miles north of downtown Seattle off of 1-5. Playing in the pool is a blast for kids–hopefully they’ll burn up plenty of energy, too. You can rent this entire indoor pool, complete with a Lazy River. Rafts, noodles, life jackets and floating toys available. There’s also different rooms you can rent for the celebration itself.
Remlinger Farms Carnation
32610 Northeast 32nd Street
425.333.4135
About forty-five minutes east of Seattle. Worth the drive so that kids can experience the Country Fair Family Fun Park with its animal barnyard, mini roller coaster, ferris wheel, pony riding area, steam train and much more. The farm serves a lunch of pizza, salad and birthday cake in a special birthday party corral area.
Creation Station Lynnwood
19511 64th Ave W
425.775.7959
Kids with an artsy streak will dig this place–imaginations can run wild with all the fun, recycled arts and crafts supplies provided. (Think paper, beads, fabric, buttons, feathers, rhinestones. etc.) You bring your own cake, ice cream and drinks. Creation Station provides supplies for projects and then kids take home a goody bag of creative stuff from the store’s bulk bins at the end of the party.

Other great party sites:

Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio Seattle. Can accommodate two-hour birthday parties for eight kids, centered around age-appropriate art projects
Green Lake Community Center Seattle. A very budget-friendly option–you get a big play space with plenty o’ toys, plus a separate space for cake and ice cream time.
The Children’s Museum Seattle. Rent the entire museum after hours or get a party room (includes museum admission for 15 children and all accompanying adults).
Pump it Up Kirkland. Appropriately dubbed the “The Inflatable Party Zone.” Kids over two bounce in and interact with colorful, inflatable shapes in this indoor play space.
Kelsey Creek Community Park Bellevue. Home to a barn with farm animals including pigs, goats, sheep and the ever-popular ponies.
Woodland Park Zoo Seattle. Catered, wild-animal-themed b-day parties in the Rain Forest Food Pavilion take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Tips from readers via email:

From Amy P.: we love gatherings at the UW arboretum. spring and summer time birthdays with picnic foods, balls, strolls in the park and looking at all the plants and ducks. especially walking over the water overy by the university bridge. cupcakes are perfect for the birthday outdoorfest!

From Meritan L: My son really loves Kidzbounce in Issaquah. No worries about the weather in April and they can get their bounce on – not as crowded as Pump it up and less expensive, too!

From Abbysmom: I took my daughter to the Queen Mary Tea Room in NE Seattle for her third birthday with two of her friends. They serve a very special Princess Tea that they just loved! The three girls were treated like princesses with their own tiaras, real china tea cups, and a special afternoon tea made just for kids. The staff there was wonderfully accommodating to children. My daughter had a great day, and it was fun for us moms too, to relax with tea and scones while the girls had their tea party.

From vburnaby: We had a great party at Farrell-McWhirter Park in Redmond for my son. They have a great area full of animals (pigs, turkey’s, chickens, goats, sheep, bunnies, horses) that the kids can explore and do pony rides for the party kids. You can either get their cottage for the party or a picnic shelter. Lots of wide open grass space for running and games, play area but really nothing beats the pony rides!

From sarahhp: My son loved GREAT PLAY in Redmond. He had a ton of friends running through obstacles courses, having the speed of their baseball throws timed, playing basketball, etc. The perfect venue for my high energy boy!

From aupres: My kids love Little Gym and Gymboree parties. They are good choices for preschoolers.

From MamaJess: We love ROARING MOUSE! The staff there is really amazing and really know how to get the kids to bring out their inner creative! 5 stars for the ROARING MOUSE!

From Epiphius: My kids have summer birthdays, so we like the shelter area at Crossroads splash park!Kindermusik also does birthday parties and we’re thinking about that for next year!

From annabanana: We heard about this amazing birthday place called “Fox Hollow” in Issaquah. I booked a “Where the Wild Things Are” Party ….the kids bounced on huge inflatables and rode horses… plus enjoyed an amazing array of little critters to hold and play with….all in this gorgeous setting tucked in the mountains of Issaquah. Soooo cool!

ML Interest Tag: rain-forest

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