It’s High Time for Some High Tea

By Scott Klepach, Jr.

Pinkies out, people! The Yakima Valley Museum, in partnership with the Yakima Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, will host its “High Tea and Ice Cream Social” from 1-3 p.m. Aug. 21.

More than tea will be offered during this free event at the museum. Kids can also take part in an art project in the museum’s Children’s Underground and have a chance to play outside in adjacent Franklin Park with planned games, including a Victorian ribbon game, croquet and three-legged races.

But children also will get a taste of high tea, according to Kathy Sample, the museum’s education program coordinator. The idea behind high tea, Sample said, is to bring a Victorian feel to the experience. “So there will be teacups on saucers set out with tea pots, and we’ll pretend to have a tea party.”

Most likely, said Sample, kids will drink juice instead of hot tea and snack on cookies baked by the consumer science group. Table manners will be discussed during this time, and the hosts will read aloud from selections of the “Kim” series of books, which emphasize being safe, clean and healthy. Good etiquette will be covered, including washing hands, saying “please” and “thank you,” passing food to others, and taking small bites of food.

Erwina Peterson, a former home economics education and nutrition instructor in Yakima, devised the “Kim” books in 1973, and about half a dozen titles were published in both English and Spanish.

The books feature a central, androgynous character named Kim, who can also be seen in three-minute video animations made in the ’70s (thanks to David Lynx, the museum’s curator of information and design, these short animations have been converted into DVD format and can now be viewed at the museum’s website). Sample said Peterson’s goal was to develop easy-to-read books that taught healthy eating habits for children. Yakima’s Bill Donelson supplied all of the illustrations.

Each child is encouraged to pick up a copy of “Kim’s Coloring Book” and have it stamped at the museum to receive dollar-a-scoop ice cream at the Soda Fountain social during this event.

Family-friendly Museums

NOTE: Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and prices. We try to stay current, but gosh it’s hard…

CENTRAL WASHINGTON AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM, Fulbright Park, 4508 Main St., Union Gap; 509-457-8735. Log cabin, vintage machinery, antique hand tools. Winter Hours (Nov. through March): 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, 1-4 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. Summer Hours (April through Oct.): 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Cost: Admission by donation.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY MUSEUM, 118 E. Fourth Ave., Ellensburg; 509-925-6789. Hands-on fun includes themed play areas, the vortex machine and a reading nook. Preschool program, party rentals and field trips available. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. Cost: $4.25 per person; family pass is $14.50.

CHILDREN’S UNDERGROUND, inside the Yakima Valley Museum, 2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima; 509-248-0747.
Dress-up clothes, puppets, a climb-on pony cart and a hands-on general store. Also, tour the museum’s collections, covering Valley history from mammoths to modern times. Underground hours: 1-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Cost: $5 adults, $3 students and seniors, or $12 family; children 5 and under are free.

DARIGOLD DAIRY FAIR, 400 Alexander Road, Sunnyside; 509-837-4321. Peek at the Sunnyside cheese plant’s production floor on a free, self-guided tour that includes a dairy display and a video that explains how Darigold cheese is made. But who are we kidding? The highlight of this stop is buying a scoop of ice cream in the deli/gift shop. Choose from more than 24 flavors.

FORT SIMCOE STATE PARK, at the end of State Route 220, 45 minutes south of Yakima; 509-874-2372. Located on the Yakama Reservation, this200-acre, day-use heritage park features five original buildings, picnic areas and interpretive displays. A family weekend in June celebrates military and Fort Simcoe history. Summer hours: daily, 6:30 a.m. to dusk. Winter Hours (Oct. through March): 8 a.m. to dusk weekends and holidays only. Admission and parking are free.

GOLDENDALE OBSERVATORY, 1602 Observatory Drive, Goldendale (70 miles south of Yakima); 509-773-3141. Budding astronauts will enjoy staying up late to star gaze at this hilltop observatory housing one of the nation’s largest public telescopes. Or, stop by during the afternoon for a daylight view of the countryside. Summer hours: 2-5 p.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight Wednesday-Sunday. Winter hours (Oct. through March): 2-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Admission is by donation.

H. M. GILBERT HOMEPLACE, 2109 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima; 509-248-0747. Built in 1898, this late Victorian farmhouse is now filled with period furnishings. Operated by Yakima Valley Museum; open by appointment and for special events. Admission is $2.50.

KITTITAS COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM, 114 E. Third Ave., Ellensburg; 509-925-3778. Local history museum. The Exploring Kittitas County summer program offers extensive calendar of field trips and hands-on activities for kids. Museum admission by donation.

MARYHILL MUSEUM OF ART. Set in a three-story mansion overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, the Maryhill Museum of Art features European and American paintings, Native American arts and pieces from the Queen of Romania. The kid-friendly EyeSEE Resource Room features games and special exhibits. Enjoy a picnic in the large garden. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 15 to Nov. 15. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $2 for children age 6-16. The museum is located off Highway 97, 12 miles south of Goldendale; 509-773-3733.

McALLISTER MUSEUM OF AVIATION. 2008 S. 16th Ave., Yakima; 509-457-4933. Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Winter hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Admission by donation. Year-round Young Eagles program gives young people 8-17 years old the experience of basic ground instruction and a free airplane ride.

NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY MUSEUM, 10 S. Asotin Ave., Toppenish; 509-865-1911. Historic depot houses small railway museum; caboose rides available during special events. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 12-4 p.m. Sunday, May through October. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Winter hours by prior arrangment and for special events.Admission: $5 adults, $3 children 17 and under.

THREE RIVERS CHILDREN’S MUSEUM in the Broadmoor Square Mall, 5274 Outlet Drive, Pasco; 509-543-7866. A 3,000-square-foot kid zone in the Tri-Cities. Kids can climb aboard the U.S.S. Friend-Ship, step inside a kaleidoscope, or serve up some fun in the kid-size kitchen. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays-Fridays, and 12-5 p.m. Saturdays. Cost: $3 per person, ages 12 months and older.

YAKAMA NATION CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER MUSEUM, located at Highway 97 and Buster Road, Toppenish; 509-865-2800, ext. 1. Explore the rich history and culture of the Yakama Nation. Exhibits include life-size dwellings, a mannequin exhibit of Native American leaders and sound effects with music and oral narratives. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $5 adults, $3 students and seniors, $1 ages 10 and younger, $12 families.

YAKIMA AREA ARBORETUM, 1401 Arboretum Drive, Yakima; 509-248-7337. Park open from dawn to dusk. Jewett Visitor Center open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Admission by donation.

YAKIMA ELECTRIC RAILWAY MUSEUM, corner of S. Third Avenue and Pine Street, Yakima; 509-249-5962. Historic building houses trolleys and locomotives of the Yakima Valley Transportation Company. Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

YAKIMA VALLEY MUSEUM, 2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima; 248-0747. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Set in Franklin Park, the museum offers permanent and rotating historical exhibits, the Children’s Underground and a functioning replica of a late 1930s soda fountain. Admission: $5 adults, $3 for students and seniors, children 5 and under are free, and families are $12; special group rates and tours are available.

Indoor Play Places

When cooler weather blows into town, we start to spend less time outdoors. At my house, this means the kids are bouncing — quite literally — off the walls. Don’t install padding. Instead, try one of these indoor places to play.

NOTE: Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and prices. We try to stay current, but gosh it’s hard…

BURGER KING, four locations in Yakima: 5905 Summitview Ave.; 2611 W. Nob Hill Blvd.; 2113 S. First St.; and 1605 E. Yakima Ave. (across from Wal-Mart).
Yup, they all have indoor playgrounds. Hail to the King!
Cost: Varies with appetite.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY MUSEUM, 118 E. Fourth Ave., Ellensburg; 509-925-6789. Hands-on fun includes themed play areas, the vortex machine and a reading nook. Preschool program, party rentals and field trips available. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. Cost: $4.25 per person; family pass is $14.50.

CHILDREN’S UNDERGROUND inside the Yakima Valley Museum, 2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima. 248-0747.
Dress-up clothes, puppets, a climb-on pony cart and a hands-on general store. Also, tour the museum’s collections, covering Valley history from mammoths to modern times.
Underground hours: 1-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: $5 adults, $3 students and seniors, or $12 family.

THE ICE RINK, 1700 E. Beech St., Yakima. 469-0597 during public sessions, or 949-6669.
Chill out inside the Valley’s only ice skating rink, managed by volunteer members of the Yakima Amateur Hockey Association. Remember to dress warmly — it’s freezing in there! (Skating and hockey lessons available, youth hockey league)
Public sessions: 7-9 p.m. Friday, 5-8 p.m. Saturday during winter season.
Cost: $5 admission; $1 skate rental, sizes toddler and up. Concessions available.

INDOOR PRESCHOOL PLAYTIME, Selah Civic Center, 216 S. First St. 698-7300.
Bring trikes, ride-on toys, balls to open gym.
Hours: 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays in winter. Call ahead to verify.
Cost: Free.

KIDS CASTLE, inside Gymnastics Plus, 2121 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima. 453-8126.
For kids, there’s a colorful jungle gym of tubes, ball pits and slides. For adults, there’s lots of tables, a snack bar and a stack of magazines (though, sadly, not ours).
On weekends, there’s also an open gym with trampolines, a foam pit and inflatable bounce houses. Clean, dry socks are required and parents must remain on the premises.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 12-6 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: Weekdays — $2.50/unlimited for toddlers 2 and younger, $5.25/hour or $8/unlimited for children 3 and older. Two children play for the price of one on Wednesdays. Weekends — $3/hour or $4.25/unlimited for toddlers 2 and younger, $6.50/hour or $9/unlimited for children 3 and older. Save a few dollars with the purchase of a 10-visit coupon book.

KIDS’ GYM AT THE YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima. 248-1202.
Bouncing off the walls (or, at least, tumbling on the floor) is more fun in this room with mats and Tiny Tykes toys for young children.
Cost: $1 per child, or free with YMCA membership ($18/year for youth up to 13).

LIONS POOL, 509 West Pine St., Yakima. 575-6046.
Public indoor swimming pool, offers year-round swim lessons and special swims for toddlers.
Cost: $1.75 youth, $3.25 adults, or $8.75 for a family of up to two adults and four children.

McDONALD’S PLAYPLACE, 40th and River Road, Yakima. 576-8000.
Climbing tubes and slide, air hockey.
Cost: Probably a Happy Meal.

MEADOWBROOK FAMILY FUN CENTER, 7200 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima. 966-3836.
Arcade and Pizza Cafe. (In the summer, there’s also outdoor batting cages, miniature golf, bumper boats and go-carts.)
Winter arcade hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 1-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. The Pizza Cafe closes one hour earlier.
Cost: Arcade tokens are 25 cents.

SELAH GYM KIDS, 709 North Park Center, Selah. 698-5437.
Fun Friday. 6-9 p.m. most Fridays. Drop off kids ages 3-10 for supervised recreation and pizza. Parents can go out alone!
Cost: $17 first child, $15 siblings. Reservations not necessary.

SKATELAND FUN CENTER, 2506 Old Town Road, Union Gap. 575-6442.
Public sessions: 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cost: $6.75. Also, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cost: $5.75.
Bargain Night ($5.50) is 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday. Valley Church Night is held from 6:30-9 p.m. the third Monday of each month. Cost: $5.50.
Admission fees include regular skate rental; In-line skates are $1.50 extra. Tiny Tots, or children’s skate sizes 6-13, are always $4.75. Cash only.

THREE RIVERS CHILDREN’S MUSEUM in the Broadmoor Square Mall, 5274 Outlet Drive, Pasco. 509-543-7866.
In the mood for a day trip? Hit the highway and head 85 miles southeast of Yakima to explore this 3,000-square-foot kid zone in the Tri-Cities. Kids can climb aboard the U.S.S. Friend-Ship, step inside a kaleidoscope, or serve up some fun in the kid-size kitchen.
Winter hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 12-5 p.m. Saturday.
Cost: $3 per person, ages 12 months and older.

VALLEY MALL, 2529 Main St., Union Gap. 453-8233.
A small play area upstairs near the food court. (Hey, it’s free.) Recommended for children under age 3.
Hours: 10 a.m.-9p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

YAKIMA FAMILY YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima. 248-1202.
Family swim: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Open swim: 8-9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 3-5:30 p.m. Saturday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: Free for YMCA members. For nonmembers, admission is $5 for youth, $10 for adults or $15 per family.