Discover our newest exhibit, Faithful Friends, with fun and engaging programming that inspire children to ask questions and learn about the diverse world of faith, beliefs, culture, and friendship!
Kaleidoscope Room inside Faithful Friends
Activities, events and times subject to change.
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.
Kindness Quilt: Just like the bunny class in the Kindness Quilt book by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace, Children’s Museum Houston is making its own Kindness Quilt! You can help us by adding your own Kindness Square to our wall. Think of something kind, thoughtful, special...that you have done for someone recently then write and/or draw it.
When: July 1st – 31st All Day in Kaleidoscope
Mandala Puzzle Pattern: Let’s make a repeating pattern with blocks (like a mandala) to celebrate the birthday of his Holiness The Dalai Lama. The 14th Dalai Lama is the leader of Tibetan Buddhists and promotes peace, interreligious understanding and compassion. In 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace for his nonviolent campaign to end the Chinese/Tibetan conflict. The spiral drawings are reminiscent of Mandala art, a valued part of Buddhist ritual and meditation practices.
When: July 1st – 9th All Day in Kaleidoscope
Tissue Paper Stars: Tanabata is a Japanese festival of color, wishes and light. The holiday celebrates the celestial reunion of two deities—Princess Orihime (Vega) the Weaver Star and Hikoboshi (Altair) the Cowherder Star. These two lovers are kept apart by the Milky Way and can only come together once a year on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month—sometime in July or August depending on the calendar. To celebrate this celestial love story, you can make a multicolored star!
When: July 1st – 9th All Day in Kaleidoscope
Chariot Coloring Sheets: The Hindu holiday of Rath Yatra is one of the biggest and most popular festivals in India. Celebrated most extensively in Puri, Odisha, India, this festival honors Lord Jagannath (a form of Lord Vishu) and his brother and sister. A massive procession of 3 carved wooden chariots pulled by devotees honor the 3 deities’ journey to the Gundicha Temple. Participating in this festival is a cleansing and restorative practice for Hindus and celebrates the oneness of their community.
When: July 10th – 19th All Day in Kaleidoscope
USA Map Activity: Pioneer Day is one of the major holidays of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This event celebrates the arrival of Bringham Young and his followers to Salt Lake City in 1847. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members had faced persecution in the areas of Ohio, Illinois and Missouri and traveled almost 1,300 miles to reach the site of their new home. With this hands-on craft activity, you can trace the route the church members took to reach Salt Lake City as well as test your memory of the US state and capital names!
When: July 10th – 24th All Day in Kaleidoscope
Woven Paper Mat: Let’s make a woven mat in Rastafarian colors to honor the birthday of Haile Selassie I! Haile Selassie I was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930—1974. He worked to modernize his country and implement social, economic, and educational reforms. Followers of the Rastafarian movement—which developed in Jamacia in the 1930s—look to Ethiopia as their spiritual homeland and to Haile Selassie I as the leader of their movement.
When: July 20th – 28th All Day in Kaleidoscope
Mandala Spirals: Asalha Puja (Dharma Day) is an important festival for Theravada Buddhism. It is celebrated in countries with large Theravada Buddhist populations such as Indonesia, Cambodia and Thailand. This day celebrates the Buddha’s first sermon where he discussed the “Four Noble Truths” as his solution: “The Noble Eightfold Path”. The spiral drawings are reminiscent of Mandala art, a valued part of Buddhist ritual and meditation practices.
When: July 25th – 31st All Day in Kaleidoscope
Cardstock Trees: We are making wisdom trees to celebrate Guru Purnima, a holiday that honors spiritual and academic teachers! This celebration is from the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain religious traditions and includes honoring gurus (teachers/leaders). In Jainism, Lord Mahavira was a revered spiritual leader who promoted values such as anekantvada (multiplicity of viewpoints). This value argues that total knowledge can only be attained when considering and respecting all viewpoints.
When: July 29th – August 6th All Day in Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope Room inside Faithful Friends
Supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
Sign up for e-news and be the first to know about special events, discounts and more!
.png)
