Your Weekend: The Best Family Fun-July 30, 2020

Spark a conversation about racism by watching a groundbreaking kids play, hit kid-friendly trails or sign up for free virtual camps focused on STEM, adventures, reading and everything in between.

Photo: Courtesy of HTY YouTube page

A Kids Play About Racism Watch Party

It may be a conversation you’ve had recently or one you’ve been meaning to approach. What is racism and what can your kids do about it? This weekend, a new musical show aims to answer these questions and help families start their own conversations. Hawai‘i’s own Moses Goods is one of the seven actors from six states involved in this online production, and he will lead Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s watch party, including the following discussion with Akiemi Glenn of The Popolo Project. HTY is hosting the Zoom session, so you can be sure that the talk will be designed to engage and inspire both kids and parents. You can also watch A Kids Play About Racism for free all weekend by registering for a free account on broadwayondemand.org.

• The play is for kids 5 years and older. But the group says all ages may enjoy it.
• Free
• Available Saturday, Aug. 1 and Sunday, Aug. 2. HTY’s watch party is Saturday, Aug. 1 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
• You can watch the show on broadwayondemand.unreel.me. Find details on the watch party and a link to the Zoom session on Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s Facebook page.
• Find out more about the book the play is based on akidsplayabout.org 

Are you looking for more resources? Pbs.org has a page dedicated to books, art and tips that can engage your kids in the discussion.

Photo: Catherine Toth Fox/HONOLULU Magazine

Go Running

There is no question that if you are leaving your house, outside is better than inside these days. So, take your small group to hit a trail. We have five running trails that work for kids of various ages. 

And if you are wondering about new rules, parking restrictions and just what the crowds look like at ‘Aiea Loop Trail or Makapu‘u, HONOLULU Magazine visited six parks and trails in the last month. Here is what we found.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of suggestions to help ensure you visit the great outdoors safely.

Join a Virtual Summer Camp

We’re not sure when summer will end. There are several ways your child can join a camp without leaving home. Ben Franklin is offering a virtual summer camp for kids starting in mid-August, where you purchase craft kits then learn how to put it together. You can also buy DIY Hardware Science kits there. If you would rather start right away, Apple has a series of coding projects that all come with an activity book, a Webex online session and question-and-answer period. When signing up, do be aware that the times on the schedule are Pacific Standard Time. 

We’re a fan of the Hawai‘i State Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program. Barnes & Noble also has a program where kids in first through sixth grade can earn a free book. It is for voracious readers you now have just four weeks to read eight books and redeem your coupon.  BookIt is also online, so keiki can continue earning personal pan pizzas from Pizza Hut by reading at home. 

Animal lovers can join National Geographic’s Summer Camp, which includes instructions for making animal tracks, painting a constellation or making a lake. YouTube has videos for four themed camps: adventure, arts, sports and STEM. Do the activities, then take a break by making sʻmores bars or folding five paper airplanes that (the title of the video promises it!) will fly far.

Photo: Courtesy of CocoNene’s Facebook page

Art at Home with CocoNene

There is only so much you can help your budding artist at home. Local artist Danielle Groff is holding her last virtual art class Friday on Instagram Live. You will need to gather acrylic paint in nine colors, a few brushes, a canvas, a ruler and a few other household items to get started. 

• Best for kids elementary aged and older.
• Free
• Friday, July 31. 2 p.m.
• @coconenehawaii on Instagram

Buy Tickets for a Drive-In

We hope you made your reservations last week, if not, there are still tickets available for some of these drive-in movies in Kailua. For the surprisingly funny Spies in Disguise, we saw some spaces still open for Sunday, Aug. 2. The rest were sold out. There are more openings left for parents who would prefer a retro movie for the retro setting. Edward Scissorshands had spaces in all late showings when we checked Thursday morning. And remember, spaces in the lot are first come, first serve.

• Spies in Disguise is rated PG. Edward Scissorhands is PG-13.
• $30 per car. 
• Spies in Disguise and Edward Scissorhands play at 6:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. respectively Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 1.
• Buy tickets through Kailua Methodist Church’s Facebook page.