^{Activities, events and times subject to change.}

Explore Kaleidoscope Colloquiums!

A dynamic space for hands-on activities, storytelling, and cultural programming, the Kaleidoscope Colloquiums in the Kaleidoscope Room invite you to engage in crafts, games, and rotating interactive experiences inspired by global traditions. Designed to spark curiosity and creativity, these workshops will host community partners, artists, and educators who bring beliefs, faith-based and cultural storytelling to life. Families can explore a diverse collection of books and resources that encourage conversations about friendship, respect, and understanding.

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January – Kaleidoscope Colloquiums

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Straw Stars: We are making stars to celebrate the Christian holiday of Dia de los Reyes!  Known by many names such as Epiphany, The Theophany, Three Kings Day and Dia de los Reyes, this holiday is the culmination of the Christmas season.  After the 12 days of Christmas following Dec 25^th (or January 7^th in the Orthodox tradition), this holiday marks the time when Christians believe the Three Wise Men (also known as the Three Kings or the Magi) followed the guiding star to find the newborn Jesus Christ.  

When: January 1st – 6^th All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Khanda Mosaic: Join us in making Khanda mosaics to honor the anniversary of Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s birth.  This spiritual and communal leader is a hugely important figure in Sikh tradition.  Among many things, Guru Gobind Singh Ji also completed the sacred scripture of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib.  These colorful mosaics highlight the Khanda, the principal symbol of Sikhism.    

When: January 1^st – 8^th All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Iridescent Snowflakes: Let’s make shiny iridescent snowflakes to celebrate the winter season.  Snowflakes are as one-of-a-kind as you!  Each one has its own unique designs and shape.  As the popular quote goes: “We are all like a snowflake.  All different in our own beautiful way”.

When: January 1^st – 31^st All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Caroling Card: We are making caroling cards to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas Holiday.  Many of the Christmas traditions are shared by both branches of Christianity such as the decorating of Christmas trees, the attending special worship services, the giving of gifts to friends and family and the singing of carols together.  These traditional songs, known as kalandas, are full of messages of joy and hope for the season.

When: January 7^th – 13^th All Day in Kaleidoscope

Golden Rule Paper Chain: You may have heard of the “Golden Rule” - the principle of treating others how you would wish to be treated yourself.  Did you know that all of the World Religions have their own version of this principle?  With this activity you can learn about how there is more that unites us all than separates us.

When: January 9^th – 15^th All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Kites!: Let’s make miniature kites to celebrate the Hindu Festival of Makar Sankranti!  This is one of the most ancient Hindu festivals and focuses on honoring the Hindu Sun god Surya and enjoying the healthy rays from the sun – hence the practice of flying multicolored kites.  Makar Sankranti marks the increase of the power of the sun and the start of the warmer time of year.  Other festivities include eating sweets, dancing, making rangoli designs, and ritual bathing.  

When: January 14^th – 27^th All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Holding the Earth: Join us in “holding the whole world in our hands” with this fun craft to celebrate World Religion Day, a holiday started by American Bahais in 1950.  This day is an interfaith celebration to highlight the common themes of humanity and harmony between the religions of the world.

When: January 16^th – 25^th All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Tissue Paper Trees: Let’s make tissue paper fruit trees to honor the Jewish festival of Tu B’Shevat.  This holiday is known as the “New Year for Trees” in the Jewish Faith.  The Torah, the holy book and law of God for the Jewish people, explains that only fruit from older trees should be eaten.  Therefore, a general “birthday” for all trees was established to the years of trees could be counted.  “Fruit trees were awarded special status in the Torah because of their importance in sustaining life and as a symbol of God’s divine favor” (My Jewish Learning).  Modern practices of honoring Tu B’Shevat include environmental activism, the planting of trees and eating fruit, especially grapes, figs, pomegranates,  olives and dates.  

When: January 27^th – February 6^th All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Dried Bean Tambourine: We are making bean tambourines to honor the Japanese Festival of Setsubun.  This holiday marks the close of the Winter season and the lead up to Spring for the Japanese.  Traditionally, the holiday is celebrated by throwing roasted soybeans out of your house or at someone dressed up as a bad spirit.  This practice brings good fortune to the family.  Other traditions include eating a lucky thick sushi roll called ehomaki while facing in a lucky direction.  

When: January 28^th – February 7^th All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Seasons of Sharing | January 5-11

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Seven Principles Hat – Kwanzaa:  Kwanzaa is a communal holiday that celebrates African and African American culture.  During Kwanzaa, people honor the seven principles discussed on these headbands, as well as the colors of the Pan-African flag: red (that represents the struggle), black (that represents the people), and green (that represents the future).  

When: January 5th – 11th  All day in Kid’s Hall

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Wintergreen Wreaths – Christmas:  Let’s make wintergreen wreaths to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas Holiday.  Christians from Eastern communities and Orthodox traditions honor Christmas on January 7th.  This is because they follow the Julian calendar versus Western Christians who follow the Gregorian calendar.  Orthodox communities are worldwide, but often located in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.  Many of the Christmas traditions are shared by both branches of Christianity such as the decorating of Christmas trees, the attending special worship services, the giving of gifts to friends and family and the singing of carols together.  

When: January 5th – 11th  All day in Kid’s Hall

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Moon Mosaics – Eid & Ramadan:  The crescent of a new moon marks the start of the holy month of Ramadan.  Through the entirety of that lunar cycle, Muslims focus on prayer, good deeds, purification, thoughtfulness and fasting.  When the crescent moon appears again, this signals the end of Ramadan, and the holiday of Eid al-Fitr begins.  

When: January 5th – 11th  All day in Kid’s Hall

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Paper Lanterns – Lunar New Year: Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is a 16-day festival that celebrates the beginning of a new zodiac cycle based on the Chinese lunar calendar.  This festival celebrates the first new moon of the year and the dates shift from year to year.  Lanterns are a popular decoration for the holiday and a lantern festival is part of the celebration.    

When: January 5th – 11th  All day in Kid’s Hall