Kidville Union Square

THANK YOU: Two words that can mean so much! Two words that we are bringing to the forefront of our daily work. Two words that inspired this week's DO MORE GOOD CHALLENGE! We are calling on our Kidville families to continue to build an attitude of gratitude by creating a family gratitude practice. Here are a few prompts to get you and your crew started: People you are thankful for... A trip you went on Something your parents do for you A talent you have A favorite memory with your friend What you like about summer A food you love A game you enjoy The best spot in your home Something that is your favorite color Something outside you enjoy looking at Something that smells good Your favorite song Your favorite animal Share your ideas below on how you foster gratitude inside your home. Ms. Elizabeth is on the look-out for more acts of kindness and cannot wait to read your responses!

The best kind of attitude we can foster during these times is AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE! We are here to help deliver virtual content, mindfulness and pure positivity LIVE from our virtual classroom direct to your home and heart. Join us TODAY, July 20th, at 4:15pm EDT for a FREE Live Interactive Art Class with a deep mission behind it, Kidville's Art with a Heart. Part mini "TED talk" and part live crafting - this 30 minute class will uplift your family's spirit and inspire ...you to complete our weekly DO MORE GOOD CHALLENGE! TODAY'S PROJECT: DIY Gratitude Tree! SUPPLY LIST: Sticks/ twigs- the bigger the better (alternative to sticks is a few paper bags) Paint Paint brushes Jar or container Play dough Optional rocks to secure branches in container Decorative elements feathers, yarn, pompoms, buttons, etc Precut small leaves Glue Scissors String Secure your spot for FREE at kidville.com/theplayground

Happy Kids. Happy Families. These four words stand as the driving force behind everything we do. Our intention is always to spark moments of joy, create long lasting memories, and provide a space for children and their families to find happiness that will travel home with them and spread throughout their communities. There’s a purposeful inclusiveness to those words which indicates that the happiness is not reserved for a specific kid or a specific family. While it stands t...rue that all are welcome at Kidville, now, more than ever, it is important for us to speak directly to those who may not always feel welcomed and let them know that not only are they welcome at Kidville, but they are fully celebrated. To the LGBTQIA+ members of our community - you are welcomed, you are celebrated, and we will continue to do everything in our power to create a space where you are safe to be your fullest self and find happiness within our community. Join us this Friday June 26th at 4:15pm for the first annual Kidville Family Pride Parade with a special appearance by none other than the Queen of Kindness herself, Nina West, who will serve as the Grand Marshall of the parade. Reserve your spot over on kidville.com/theplayground and please invite your squad!

Ah! We love seeing all of the orders roll in for The Kidville Campfire! Thank you for entrusting us with your camper's summer plans! DISCOVER: NEW password protected private campsite! EXPLORE: NEW interactive themes every week!... NAVIGATE: LIVE and ON-DEMAND camp segments! SHINE: During LIVE segments where campers are unmuted and given the spotlight. SHARE: Camp memories with your NEW summer BFFs! Learn more at kidville.com/theplayground/buycamp/ and see you around the campfire!

OMG! We just put the finishing touches on our NEW password protected virtual campsite. Campfire families gain access every weekend to the following week's fresh crop of amenities including: 1). NEW Weekly Kidville Field Guide: A digital publication that includes daily camp itineraries, detailed supply lists and a bounty of themed resources, printables, games, activities, projects and more! 2). Private ZOOM Links: We go LIVE Monday through Friday at 10:00am EDT with the Ca...mpfire Crew for an interactive 75-minute camp session where each camper is highlighted, unmuted and given the space to SHINE! 3). Daily On-Demand Video Library: Each landing page has a collection of camp video segments to keep the FUN going on your schedule. 4). Daily Resources: Download TWO resources per day to compliment the LIVE lessons and enrich each topic and theme we uncover. 5). Access to our Campfire Crew: Calling all summer pen pals, we are available via email, snail mail and right here on social. We cannot wait to build the most epic SUMMER 2020 Camp Memory Book! We light the first campfire of the season on Monday June 29, 2020 for our first crop of SUMMER 2020 CAMPERS! Are you in? If you have any questions drop them below!

As some of you may or may not know, tomorrow is Juneteenth (June 19th), which marks a momentous occasion for Black Americans as a day of celebrating the last slaves in the United States being notified of their freedom. Our team will take tomorrow as a new and on-going corporate holiday to collectively dig deeper into Juneteenth’s current and historical significance. We hope you’ll join us in celebration and reflection of this important American holiday and please stay... tuned for family-friendly resources that will be shared in our Stories! #juneteenth #blackhistory #americanhistory See more

We are serving up BACK TO BACK free family events today over on The Kidville Playground! Reserve your space today for FREE by registering over on kidville.com/theplayground. FREE LIVE INTERACTIVE ART CLASS: Art with a Heart Monday, June 15... 3:15pm EDT Learn about emotions and empathy and create your own emoji emotions wheel! FREE BIRTHDAY BLOCK PARTY: The Kidville Prom Monday, June 15 4:15pm EDT Dress to impress and meet us on the dance floor for a BIRTHDAY party designed to celebrate all the June kiddos and more! Share and invite your friends for a LIVE afternoon of non-stop fun! Tag a friend below that you want to see on The Kidville Playground!

Did some say PROM? YES, Monday June 15th at 4:15pm EDT we are hosting our FREE monthly Birthday Block Party which is PROM-inspired. Register today at kidville.com/playground and download our FREE party PROM printables. What to expect? A high energy DANCE party designed with interactive games, activities, choreographed dances and MORE!... Come dressed to impress and wear your dancing shoes! Who are you inviting to PROM?

My Big Messy Artists - Your friendship quilt has arrived! In honor of Friendship Week on The Kidville Playground, Maker Morgan and Painty had children design, paint and craft their own individual square creations. We then brought all the individual masterpieces TOGETHER to form this one-of-a-kind friendship quilt. There are more opportunities this month to CRAFT LIVE and then "Show and Shine" your creations in class with us. Register over on kidville.com/theplayground today!

Diversify your bookshelf! Today we are sharing some of our favorite titles that foster friendship and promote themes of kindness, inclusivity and care. ABCs of Kindness by Samantha Berger (Author), Ekaterina Trukhan (Illustrator) Age Range: 2 - 5 years . We're Amazing, 1, 2, 3! by Leslie Kimmelman (Author), Marybeth Nelson (Illustrator) Age Range: 3 - 7 years... You Are Friendly by Todd Snow (Author), Melodee Strong (Illustrator) Age Range: 5 - 6 years Sam and Leo by Ruth Phang (Author), Susan L. Roth (Illustrator) Age Range: 5 - 7 years Kiki & Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship by Marie Kondo (Author), Salina Yoon (Author, Illustrator) Age Range: 3 - 7 years Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw (Author, Illustrator) Age Range: 4 - 7 years Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller (Author), Jen Hill (Illustrator) Age Range: 3 - 6 years Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev (Author), Taeeun Yoo (Illustrator) Age Range: 4 - 7 years Jake the Growling Dog: A Children's Book about the Power of Kindness, Celebrating Diversity, and Friendship by Samantha Shannon (Author), Parker Sinclair (Editor), Kerrie Joyce (Illustrator) Age Range: 5 - 7 years Tag your BFF below with something you LOVE about them! Visit the Kidville blog for book descriptions and book stores to support.

We are celebrating FRIENDSHIP this week on The Kidville Playground. Grab your BFF and join us for an interactive LIVE class where you can connect with your teacher AND your fellow classmates. kidville.com/theplayground Some ways to promote FRIENDSHIP with your toddler: 1). PLAY - Get down on the floor and engage your little one in play to introduce skills like turn-taking and sharing.... 2). SAYING HELLO - Encourage your little one to greet peers with a wave or a simple, "Hi!" A warm welcome is an important step toward friendship building. 3). BLOCKS - You see blocks in many Kidville programs because the act of BUILDING together is one that fosters social engagement. Most importantly, MODEL kindness in your grown-up friendships. Share any other tips below!

Broadway lovers! We know your annual tradition of gathering together to watch the Tony's has been postponed tonight on what would have been The 74th Annual Tony Awards. We still want to fill your #TheaterMajor hearts tonight. In the spirit of amplifying Black voices, we dedicate this space to featuring some of the amazing Black artists that have brought their talents to the stage! Thank you Jeremy Daniel Photography for capturing these beautiful images. 1. Two-time Tony ...Award nominee S. Epatha Merkerson in A Raisin in the Sun. 2. Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis in The Music Man. 3. Sandie Lee and the 2020 National Touring company of the Tony Award-winning revival of The Color Purple. 4. The National Touring company of the four-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical Memphis. 5. Wallace Smith and Emmy-Award winner Uzo Aduba in the Broadway revival of Godspell. 6. The National Touring company of the four-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical Memphis. 7. Stephanie Pope stars as Velma Kelly in the six-time Tony Award-winning revival of Chicago. 8. High School Musical star Corbin Bleu in the Broadway revival of Godspell. See more

You can still catch all of Van Jones and Erica Hill's partnership with Sesame Street for Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism, a town hall for kids and families! The full program is available online and linked here: bit.ly/CNNSSWATCH A few of our favorite segments: 1). Louie, Elmo's Dad, said, "Not all streets are like Sesame Street." What a powerful opening to start a dialogue about race and the protests.... 2). SocialJusticeBooks.org was mentioned as a resource for books about race. We encourage you to explore their, "Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books." 3). The final call to action is one we can all resonate with: We can do better. We must do better. We will do better. What segment was most impactful for you and your family?