Presented by the Children’s Museum of Phoenix.
October means a plethora of holidays and things to enjoy and celebrate, from our favorite fall traditions to the months dedicated to Hispanic Heritage. It’s also a great time to introduce kids to the traditions, stories and imagination that define cultures.
Children don’t have to feel like they’re at school to be learning! Some of the best learning happens through play.
Children can experience and learn about cultures through art, music, food, stories and hands-on activities. They can sing a new song in another language, help bake their favorite family recipe or learn the story behind a holiday. They can also make art inspired by traditions around the world.
These activities can lead to great family conversations. What traditions do we have? Where did they come from? What did Grandma/Dad do as a kid? Even small traditions like cooking the same dish every holiday or going to the same place every fall or having a story that’s been shared through the generations can help kids form identity and feelings of belonging.
It’s also a great opportunity to learn about traditions not your own family’s. This is a great chance to teach kids to be curious and to know that families may do different things, create different things, eat different things, speak different languages and that it’s a good thing to learn and discover those differences.
TRY IT AT HOME
Try having a family traditions night! Choose one of your family’s traditions to share with your child. This could mean cooking your favorite family recipe, pulling out family photos, playing music from when you were a kid or doing something you remember from when you were young.
Ask your child what tradition they would like to start. Have them invent their own favorite fall recipe or come up with something they’d like to do every year, something completely new and created by them!
You can also experience a tradition from another culture. This could mean checking out a library book, trying a new recipe, listening to new music or doing an art project based on something you’ve learned. Do it simply, just to get your child curious and learning!
TRY IT AT THE MUSEUM
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with hands-on art, food, dance and cultural activities throughout October.
Oct. 1-15: Frida Kahlo Self-Portraits
Learn about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and use the mirrors at the Museum’s Star Bar to create your own self-portrait.
Oct. 6: Cooking with Krystal: Cacao Seed to Snack
Explore Indigenous Mesoamerican foodways and encourage kids to be brave about trying new flavors while learning about the traditions behind them.
Oct. 10, 12 & 14: Alebrije Dreams
Mix shapes, colors and patterns to create your own alebrije collage! Alebrijes were invented by Mexican artist Pedro Linares López in Mexico City and are bright, otherworldly creatures inspired by the dream world. Is your child’s alebrije brave? Kind? Maybe a little silly?
Oct. 11: Nature Makers: 3 Sisters’ Planting
Explore the traditional “three sisters” planting method, where corn, beans and squash grow together and support one another. Kids can use sensory tools to model how the plants grow while learning about a time-honored Indigenous agricultural practice.
Oct. 13: Cooking with Krystal: Pumpkin Loves Pepitas
Taste the harvest while exploring Southwest and Mexican foodways and the traditions behind different flavors and ingredients.
Oct. 16: Cultura & Cookies
Join local business owner and mamá Nailea George of The Cookie Jar Kit for a cookie decorating activity with a Hispanic twist. Only 100 kits are available, so stop by while supplies last.
Oct. 17: Art-Making with Tawny Gamboa
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with featured artist Tawny Gamboa, who will guide participants through a process-focused project to create an original, affirming artwork to take home.
Oct. 18: Fiesta Mexicana
Experience traditional folk dances from Mexico, Central America and South America with a performance by Fiesta Mexicana Dance Company, the official folkloric group for the City of Phoenix. ¡Sé valiente y baila!
Oct. 20: Cooking with Krystal: Purple Sweet Potato Color Lab
Explore plant-based recipes and food science inspired by Hispanic cultures while experimenting with new flavors.
Oct. 25-Nov. 1: DÃa de los Muertos Skulls
Learn about DÃa de Muertos while tracing, cutting and decorating a paper plate skull, or calavera.
Oct. 27: Cooking with Krystal: Spiderweb Tostadas
Halloween meets Mexican and Southwest foodways in the KIDchen! Kids can make tasty spiderweb tostadas while learning about the traditions behind the food.
WHERE: Children’s Museum of Phoenix, 215 N. 7th St., Phoenix
ADMISSION: $19 per person; $18 for seniors 62+. Children under age 1 and Museum members are free. Activities are included with admission.
MEMBERSHIPS: Annual memberships start at $149 for one adult and one child, and include options for families up to eight people. Membership includes unlimited Museum admission for one year.
LEARN MORE: childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
