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!

Have you registered for summer camps yet?

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!

Under the Sea

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!

Creepy Crawlers

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!

Tiny Tinkerers

June 27-July 1

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!

Lights! Camera! Action!

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!

Bees, Bats, and Butterflies

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.

Kids in the Kitchen

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. 

This is our new Makery student scientist. Her name is Phoebe and she is going to be volunteering in the Makery while doing her research. If you see Phoebe doing a project in the Makery, make sure to stop by!  

It’s getting close to summer time and Kidzu is preparing for their summer camp programs. We have many amazing summer camp programs and one that has caught everyones attention is Kids in the Kitchen. This summer camp is from July 25th to July 29th and it is for 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!

The Makery was recently visited by the Girls Engineering Change! Every visitor had an amazing time taking apart technology and looking at the inner workings of our everyday objects. Girls Engineering Change comes into the Makery many times a year. If you missed out on this opportunity, keep an eye out for the next Girls Engineering Change event!

Have you always wanted to throw some of your own pottery? Well at Kidzu you can! During special programs called Mix it up, Kidzu brings in unique opportunities for the Makery visitors. Last week the special Mix it up program was a pottery demo from our very own Makery master, Shannon. During this event Shannon demonstrated how to throw pottery and then even let visitors make their own pots. If you missed out on this event, check the newsletter for more upcoming and exciting Mix it ups!

On Thursday, April 1st we will be hosting a special spring break program called the Pretzel Making Workshop

Happy April Fools! Come twist up some fun as we make soft pretzels in honor of National Pretzel Month!   Kids will make their own pretzel dough from scratch, twist it into shape, and bake to perfection. While the pretzels are in the oven, mix up your own array of homemade dipping sauces!

This camp will go from 3:30pm to 4:45pm and will be available to children ages 4 through 9. The cost will be $10. We hope to see you there!