e are excited to welcome the new addition to the floor, our very own bee hive! Our student scientist, Fran, came into Kidzu and helped some of our Kidzu workers create Kidzu’s first beehive! It is a structure made out of wood blocks and it is now open for the public. Come to Kidzu to look at the new exhibit and keep your eye out for the new pieces that will be added to the bee hive this summer.
In the Makery there are thousands of posibilities for children to expand their creativity and engage with new and exciting ideas. This Makery visitor used materials in the Makery to make her own treasure chest. She even hid small clues around the Makery so that other children might be able to find the treasure one day.
Kidzu is helping to raise awareness about the importance of frogs by partnering with the disappearing frogs project. We will be doing froggy activities in the Makery and all across Kidzu. Come stop by to learn about this amazing cause!
This weekend in the Makery we had an exciting and unique Mix It Up with Josh Taylor. Josh did an amazing job of teaching everyone how to illustrate frogs using simple shapes. Josh Taylor was also joined by his special “frog assistant” (his daughter). We were excited when Josh Taylor shared some of his sketches from working on The Legend of Lizard Lick, as well as some images from his portfolio. It was interesting to compare our work to his and see all of the differences and similarities.
This weekend we had a Makery fellow showcase some of his special skills! Geo lead a class on making Origami frogs and then proceeded to have a frog jumping contest! If you missed the lesson on how to make Origami frogs, you can always stop by the Makery and somebody will help you learn.
This weekend we had a local artist visit the Makery and host an art event. Evan read the children’s book “Philippe in Monet’s Garden.” This book was a story about Philippe the frog who escapes a frog catcher’s net and sets out alone across the French country. At the end of the book Phillippe ends up in the garden of French painter Claude Monet.
After reading the book Evan discussed with participants how lighting can change the colors in paintings. Evan also explained the importance of timing when painting and told children what time of day is the best to paint in. Children then got to pick up their own brushes and create unique 3D Monet-inspired artwork. When the masterpieces were complete visitors participated in their own mini art show and got to play with origami frogs!
This event was a blast! If you think this event sounded fun then you should come out to our next visiting artist event! Updates are on the Kidzu website, Kidzu blog, and in Kidzu’s weekly emails!
This week we are celebrating the disappearing frog project all over Kidzu! During Storytime everyone made their own frog masks. They even had tongues that stuck out like a real frog! If you missed this craft and you would like to make your own you can come in to Kidzu for our Frog Fest on Saturday!
If you haven’t heard about or registered for Kudzu’s summer camps, take a second to read about the programs and consider signing up!
June 13-17
Ages 3-5
Cool off with a big SPLASH! Your little mermaids and pirates will love exploring all the treasures in the sea. In this fun-filled week, campers will explore sea life and the properties of water, create water art, and make waves. We might even dig up a few treasures during this voyage!
June 20-24
Ages 3-5
You’re about to be bugged! This Creepy Crawler’s Camp is all about bugs, nighttime adventures and the teeny tiny world of insects. Campers create bug habitats, design mazes and participate in creepy crawler races while learning about bug characteristics. Join Kidzu for our buggy camp—filled with insect art, mini-worlds and creative fun!
Ages 3-5
Discover. Make. Build. Share. Imagine a week filled with Thinking and Tinkering, Legos and LEDs to activate the most creative parts of your child’s mind. Experience the intersection of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, and Design. Hands-on experiences and open-ended projects will be sure to keep your little one engaged, curious, and encouraged to become the next Mini Maker!
July 11-15
Ages 3-5
Campers’ imaginations come alive as we while create puppets, design costumes, and build their own sets. This camp will take you through all of the aspects of creative expression and culminate in a live performance and after party under the trees in our very own Forest Theater!
July 18-22
Ages 3-5
Imagine a world without flowers, honey, or chocolate! Campers share in the discovery of nature learning about our dependence on this delicate group of animals. Your little one will play games while learning about native pollinator-friendly plants and depart with seeds or seedlings to plant at home from our Pollinator Plot & our outdoor Learning Garden. Campers hear stories and create projects all while learning how to help our save North Carolina’s troubled pollinators.
July 25-29
Ages 3-5
Farm Fresh and Seasonal! Your child will enjoy learning the basics of cooking and the importance of fresh ingredients. Join in smelling mint, shaping pretzels, peeling rhubarb, and tasting new fresh fruits and vegetables. Campers will create a recipe book and prepare a feast for our caregivers on the last day of camp!
This weekend the Makery was kicking off the celebration of frogs by playing with an ooey gooey swamp bucket in the Makery. There were many different types of frogs and lizards for children to play with and the slime was made out of green jello!
This weekend Kidzu was hopping with lots of fun activities! At Mix it Up on Saturday we were visited by local artist and teacher Evan Hirasawa. She helped us create a collaborative Monet pond that was out of this world! Children helped paint the water base, created lily pads, and added cat tails the masterpiece. Evan will be returning this coming Friday, April 15th, for a special workshop. At this next event children will be able to create their own Monet inspired canvases.