^{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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Feburary – Kaleidoscope Colloquiums

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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.  This year, Tu B’Shevat is observed on sundown of February 1st – February 2nd.

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.  This year, Setsuburn is observed on February 3rd.

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

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Golden Rule Paper Chain: Join us in making a paper chain to honor World Interfaith Harmony Week.  This Annual UN observance was established in 2010 after being proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan.  Since then, Feb 1st – 7th has been set aside for interfaith organizations and religious communities to promote harmony between people of all faiths (or no faith).  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: February 1^st – 7^th All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Olympic Flame Activity: One of the most well-known symbols of the Modern Olympic Games is the Olympic Flame/Torch.  The lighting of the Olympic torch to start the games, though only used for the first time in 1928, connects back to start of the Olympic games in ancient Greece.  Today, the Olympic torch is lit from a basin of fire in Olympia, Greece and carried through a relay to the site of that year’s Olympic games.  This tradition references not only the connection between the ancient and modern games but also the spirit of unity and international harmony that the Olympic Games promote.  With this Olympic Flame Activity at the Children’s Museum you can test your endurance and skill as you use straws to move your own coloring of the Olympic Torch.

‍When: February 6^th – 22^nd All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Flower Garland: Come make flower garland decorations to celebrate the Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratri.  This important day honors the god Shiva and focuses on themes of transformation, forgiveness and honesty.  Hindus commemorate this nighttime festival with meditation, fasting, prayer and the decoration of images of Shiva with flower garlands.

‍When: February 7^th – 18^th All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Spiral Drawings: Make your own intricate spiral drawings to commemorate the Buddhist festival of Parinirvana.  This holiday celebrates the life of the Buddha and marks the date in which Mahayana Buddhists believe he attained full Enlightenment.  The spiral drawings are reminiscent of Mandala art, a valued part of Buddhist ritual and meditation practices.

‍ When:  February 8^th – 15^th All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Virtues Shield: Lets think about our virtues!  Virtues are parts of your personality and/or behavior that show high moral standards.  People who behave well—such as with kindness—have virtues!  There are many different kinds of virtues and with this activity we can learn more about our strengths and areas to work on to improve our character.

‍When: February 8^th – 28^th All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Pancake Games: Join us for some fun pancake games in honor of Shrove Tuesday (aka Pancake Day!).  While originally a solemn day, this Christian holiday has evolved to become a festival of fun, food and frivolity.... including pancakes.  Making pancakes uses up certain ingredients before the period of Lent where many Christians practice fasting and self-examination.  Join us as we play around with pretend pancakes in a variety of pancake games!

‍When: February 17^th – 21^st All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Eid Mubarak Cards: Join us in making “Eid Mubarak” Mosque cards to celebrate the Muslim holy month of      Ramadan.  Over this holiday, Muslims focus on prayer, good deeds, purification, thoughtfulness and fasting.  Eid is the celebration at the end of this holy time where families and communities come together to eat and give gifts.  Mosques are sacred places of prayer for Muslims.

‍When: February 19^th – 26^th All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Paper Bag Donation: Let’s decorate some paper bags to donate to the Kids Meals organization!  Service and gift-giving are a big part of the Ayyam-i-Ha celebration observed by people of the Bahai faith.  This holiday marks the intercalary days that are inserted into the Bahai calendar to ensure that the Bahai new year (called Naw Ruz) falls on the vernal equinox. To celebrate, Bahais often host community gatherings and focus on charity, service projects and sharing gifts with loved ones.

‍When: February 22^nd – March 1^st All Day in Kaleidoscope

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Noisemakers: Let’s make noisemakers to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim.  This holiday commemorates the  story of Esther saving the Jewish people from the bad Haman who planned to harm the Jewish people.  Celebrations for Purim include giving gifts to others, community parties and the reading of the book of Esther.  One of the most important traditions is reading the story of Purim and making noise whenever the name of the bad man Haman is mentioned.  The Jewish people use rattles called graggers to make the noise.  Today we are making a slightly different type of noisemaker.

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

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