^{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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December – Kaleidoscope Colloquiums

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Design a Sacred Space:  Join us in designing your own sacred space.  In the Sikh tradition, Gurdwaras are sacred spaces for prayer and assembly.  Sikh spiritual and communal leader Guru Arjun Dev Sahib (1563-1606) completed the construction of the Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. This impressive place of worship is known today as the Golden Temple.  

When: December 1^st – 10^th All day in Kaleidoscope

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‍Lotus Flower:  Let’s make lotus flowers to honor the Buddhist holiday of Bodhi Day.  This holiday commemorates the day the Buddha reached enlightenment.  The Buddha is a massively important religious and spiritual figure for many, and this holiday represents a time of celebration and thoughtfulness.  Many Buddhists will mark the day by meditating, praying, and visiting temples. Some Buddhists may light candles or a string on lights to symbolize Buddha’s path to enlightenment.  Lotus flowers are symbolic of wisdom, purity and sacredness in Buddhism.

When: December 1^st – 10^th All day in Kaleidoscope

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Finding Connections in a World of Differences: Help us decorate the Kaleidoscope activity room!  You can make your own mosaic hands to add to our beautiful lightbox!  As we know, everyone’s beliefs and experiences color the way we see the world and this diversity is beautiful.

When: December 1^st – 14^th All day in Kaleidoscope

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Dreidel Banner: Let’s make Dreidel banners to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah!  Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates the sharing of light and the strength of the Jewish faith.  It commemorates the event where after a Jewish battlefield victory, the single night supply of oil, miraculously illuminated the Temple in Jerusalem for eight nights.   Hanukkah festivities include lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, gift giving and eating special foods cooked with oil (such as potato pancakes and doughnuts).    

When: December 11^th – 20^th All day in Kaleidoscope

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‍Candle Crowns:  Join us in making candle crowns to celebrate the Christian holiday of St. Lucia.  This holiday is celebrated primarily in Scandinavia but also in parts of Italy, the US and around the world.  The holiday honors Saint Lucia and is often considered the start of the Christmas season.  Festivities including feasting, singing and processions where a young girl dresses up as Saint Lucia with white robes and a candle crown.

When: December 11^th – 20^th All day in Kaleidoscope

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Thinking of You Cards: Make a Greeting Card to give to someone!  Sending or giving someone a card is a great way to be kind and thoughtful.  Think how good it makes you feel to receive something from a loved one.  Wouldn’t it be great to make someone else feel good by letting them know you are thinking about them?

When: December 16^th – 31^st All day in Kaleidoscope

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Cross Necklaces: The Christian holiday of Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ whom Christians believe is the promised Messiah and Savior of the World.  Crosses are connected to the life of Jesus Christ and are the primary emblem of the Christian faith.

When: December 21^st – 24^th All day in Kaleidoscope

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Evergreen Trees: Let’s make evergreen trees to celebrate the seasonal holiday of Yule!  While the term “Yule” and “Yuletide” is now connected to the Christian holiday of Christmas, the origins of this holiday connect back to Old English, Norse, Germanic and Celtic roots.  Yule was a celebration of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, and the beginning of the slow return to longer warmer days.  When Christianity spread to Northern Europe, many of the Yule traditions became a part of the Christmas season...including decorating evergreen trees!  

When: December 21^st – 31^st All day in Kaleidoscope

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Kinara: Build and decorate your own kinara, the seven-branched candleholder that shines light on Kwanzaa’s values of unity, creativity and faith.  Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates African and African American culture.  During Kwanzaa, people honor the colors of the Pan-African flag: red (that represents the struggle), black (that represents the people), and green (that represents the future).  

When: December 26^th – 31^st All day in Kaleidoscope