Hawai’i Nature Center in Makiki will have a class for its littlest learners. Mother Nature’s Music, for ages 3-5, will explore the soudns of nature. Keiki will make instruments from natural materials and use their voices to fill nature with their own music, as well. Feb. 25, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Reservations required; call 955-0100, ext. 118. $10 per person.
Author: Donica Kaneshiro
I have only 6,575 days from my kids' birth until their 18th birthday, and I’m trying to make the most of every day.
Dinosaurs roaring back to Bishop Museum
What kid doesn’t like animatronic dinosaurs? They are scary cool, but not too scary since they are anchored to their spot. The creatures will be back at the Castle Memorial Building at Bishop Museum for a touring exhibit of “Expedition: Dinosaur” Feb. 17 to Sept. 3. https://www.bishopmuseum.org/
Parents can virtually track every grade
Check out my musings on the modern tech-enhanced classroom in the Star-Advertiser’s “She Speaks” column. http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/02/04/features/she-speaks/classwork-websites-enable-helicopter-parenting/
Lego heroes
Toys R Us is having a Build and Play event, noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 10. Let kids try out the latest Lego sets and get a coupon for 40-percent off on their favorite. Kids will receive a free superhero mack for participating. https://www.toysrus.com/toys/events/in-store-events?camp=CME:TRU:EM020218C_OmniWeekend&csep=51521270-303a-43e6-8a39-f46cb9d276b2&dtm_em=e47adc685c1018428ad788ed7fbb0e33
Puppy power
The Hawai’i State Foundation of Culture and the Arts has a free art event each month at the Hawai’i State Art Museum. This month kids (and adults) can get an intro course in painting from the Hawai’i Watercolor Society 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 10. This month the focus will be on puppy love in honor of Chinese New Year. http://sfca.hawaii.gov/
Find your way to the wayfinders
If you’re not into the big game Sunday, Bishop Museum is having a special Wayfinders event with all things Hokule’a. There will even be some high-tech fun for older kids with a virtual reality navigating experience 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., special planetarium shows, a canoe building activity 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and so much more. Check out all the fun at https://www.bishopmuseum.org/holo-moana/?utm_source=Wayfinders+Weekend+at+Bishop+Museum%21&utm_campaign=Wayfinders+Weekend+2018&utm_medium=email
Celebrate Black History month
Barnes and Noble at Ala Moana Center is hosting “I Am Harriet Tubman” storytime 11 a.m. Feb. 3. Introduce your little ones to this freedom fighter. stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780061908014-0
Get some culture
Turtle Bay is hosting the Makahiki Kulima festival Feb. 3 on their north shore property. The free festival will have cultural demonstrations, like poi pounding and canoe carving, and Hawaiian games, such as ulu maika (lawn bowling) and lono maka ihe (spear throwing). Local food and music will be part of the festivities, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. turtlebayresort.com
A new way to play
After so many years of cookie cutter playgrounds, it’s nice to see some variation popping up at our parks. Kilauea recently opened a new structure. Check it out!
Pow Wow in Kakaako
Last year’s murals will soon be whitewashed as Pow Wow Hawaii pops up for another round of street art. The kick off party is Feb. 10 at Honolulu Night Market with food trucks, pop-up shops and music. It’s fun to show the kids the large-scale paintings and inspire them by showing them working artists. Last year some of the artists even stopped their work to explain their process to my little one. A worthwhile expedition for budding artists. The actual painting takes place Feb. 12-17. http://powwowhawaii.com/