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Fun Spring Activities to Keep Kids Creative and Active

June 2, 2026

It’s that time of year again when the sun stays out longer and the weather gets warmer. It’s also the perfect season for kids to get outside, stay active, and explore their creativity. If you’re looking for simple ways to get kids excited about Spring, here are a few fun activities your kids can enjoy while learning along the way. Shadow Tracing This is one of the easiest activities you can do with your kids. Take them outside and find a bright

Read More

Provider Spotlight: Nidia Hernandez

November 17, 2025

View in Español Opening Mundo de Juguetes in Federal Way Through Partnership, Persistence, and Community Support MEET NIDIA When Nidia Hernandez opened Mundo de Juguetes in Federal Way, she wasn’t simply starting a business. She was stepping into a calling she had been preparing for quietly, patiently, and with unwavering belief. As one of three providers to open through the City of Federal Way’s investment in the Imagine Institute’s Imagine U program, Nidia’s success shows what can happen when determination meets the

Read More

Answering the Call for Providers During the Pandemic

May 22, 2025

View in Español The Imagine Institute is driving meaningful change in early learning across Washington State- but it’s the strength of provider relationships that truly brings that mission to life. One powerful example is Maria Muñoz, a licensed provider whose journey into child care was inspired by her deep passion for supporting children and strengthened by the guidance of a trusted mentor. We took some time to meet with Maria to learn more about her experiences with child care and Imagine U.

Read More

From Intern to Mentor: One Provider’s Impact with Imagine U

May 13, 2025

View in Español One of the most powerful parts of the Imagine U program at the Imagine Institute is the meaningful, lasting relationships built between mentors and interns. Through our peer-based mentorship model, new early learning providers are paired with experienced mentors who understand the journey firsthand. Amparo Yoguez Rubio is one of our mentors who has made a lasting impact on many interns over the years. We spoke with Amparo to learn more about her story— what inspires her, what she’s

Read More

Warming Up – Spring Activities for Kids

April 18, 2025

The calendar has now flipped over into the Spring season, meaning it’s time to create some fun crafts and activities with your kids. It’s the time of year when kids start to go outside more, learn about nature, and have fun. Here are a few ideas to get kids excited about the Spring season. Make a Bird Feeder – This may seem like a lot of work, but it’s actually an easy way to get kids interested in birds. First, cut an

Read More

Providers Find Community in Kitsap County

February 18, 2025

Child care and early learning have one of the strongest communities in any professional field. It’s an industry built on togetherness and support where families, providers, and supporting organizations alike come together to benefit the youth across Washington State. In Kitsap County, Elisha Rhodes, Catalina María Escamilla Fonseca, and Tenika Williams are part of a strong early learning community connected by their work with the Imagine Institute. MEET ELISHA, CATALINA, AND TENIKA Elisha Rhodes began her journey toward licensure five years ago

Read More

Fun Activities for Kids on Valentine’s Day

February 11, 2025

February has arrived, and that means another Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. While some kids may be celebrating for the first time, others may be looking for some fun activities to show their love for this special day. We have a few things you can do with your kids to get them interested in Valentine’s Day. Fake Stained-Glass Heart Designs – Start with a white sheet of paper. Then mix glue with black paint and create a heart design on

Read More

Stopping the Boredom: Fun Activities for Kids This Winter

January 21, 2025

Cold, clouds, and rain can put a damper on your activities this winter, but there is plenty you can do to stop the winter blues! We have come up with a few fun things you can do to help entertain and educate your kids. Make Your Own Winter Snow Globe – Start by finding a mason jar, or an airtight glass container. Then, add some water and have the kids add some glitter or bright plastic pieces. They can even add in

Read More

Boosting Support for Child Care Workers: The Best Starts for Kids Child Care Wage Boost Pilot

January 17, 2025

Child care workers are the backbone of our communities, nurturing the youngest among us and helping families maintain a stable work-life balance. However, despite the essential nature of their work, child care workers are often among the lowest-paid professionals in our society. King County is working to change that through the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Wage Boost Pilot. What is the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Wage Boost Pilot? The Pilot is designed to increase the wages of child

Read More
Fall Activities 2024

Finding Fall Activities For Kids And Families

October 6, 2024

There’s a chill in the air, and that means the season is changing from summer to fall. With the cooler weather, it’s time to think about some fun activities to do both indoors and outdoors. We have put together a list of ideas you can choose from to get kids excited about the fall season. Fall Stained Glass Window – This unique activity will get kids involved and leave a lasting reminder of the fall season. First, have kids gather a bunch

Read More

Fun Spring Activities to Keep Kids Creative and Active

June 2, 2026

It’s that time of year again when the sun stays out longer and the weather gets warmer. It’s also the perfect season for kids to get outside, stay active, and explore their creativity. If you’re looking for simple ways to get kids excited about Spring, here are a few fun activities your kids can enjoy while learning along the way. Shadow Tracing This is one of the easiest activities you can do with your kids. Take them outside and find a bright

Read More

Provider Spotlight: Nidia Hernandez

November 17, 2025

View in Español Opening Mundo de Juguetes in Federal Way Through Partnership, Persistence, and Community Support MEET NIDIA When Nidia Hernandez opened Mundo de Juguetes in Federal Way, she wasn’t simply starting a business. She was stepping into a calling she had been preparing for quietly, patiently, and with unwavering belief. As one of three providers to open through the City of Federal Way’s investment in the Imagine Institute’s Imagine U program, Nidia’s success shows what can happen when determination meets the

Read More

Answering the Call for Providers During the Pandemic

May 22, 2025

View in Español The Imagine Institute is driving meaningful change in early learning across Washington State- but it’s the strength of provider relationships that truly brings that mission to life. One powerful example is Maria Muñoz, a licensed provider whose journey into child care was inspired by her deep passion for supporting children and strengthened by the guidance of a trusted mentor. We took some time to meet with Maria to learn more about her experiences with child care and Imagine U.

Read More

From Intern to Mentor: One Provider’s Impact with Imagine U

May 13, 2025

View in Español One of the most powerful parts of the Imagine U program at the Imagine Institute is the meaningful, lasting relationships built between mentors and interns. Through our peer-based mentorship model, new early learning providers are paired with experienced mentors who understand the journey firsthand. Amparo Yoguez Rubio is one of our mentors who has made a lasting impact on many interns over the years. We spoke with Amparo to learn more about her story— what inspires her, what she’s

Read More

Warming Up – Spring Activities for Kids

April 18, 2025

The calendar has now flipped over into the Spring season, meaning it’s time to create some fun crafts and activities with your kids. It’s the time of year when kids start to go outside more, learn about nature, and have fun. Here are a few ideas to get kids excited about the Spring season. Make a Bird Feeder – This may seem like a lot of work, but it’s actually an easy way to get kids interested in birds. First, cut an

Read More

Providers Find Community in Kitsap County

February 18, 2025

Child care and early learning have one of the strongest communities in any professional field. It’s an industry built on togetherness and support where families, providers, and supporting organizations alike come together to benefit the youth across Washington State. In Kitsap County, Elisha Rhodes, Catalina María Escamilla Fonseca, and Tenika Williams are part of a strong early learning community connected by their work with the Imagine Institute. MEET ELISHA, CATALINA, AND TENIKA Elisha Rhodes began her journey toward licensure five years ago

Read More

Fun Activities for Kids on Valentine’s Day

February 11, 2025

February has arrived, and that means another Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. While some kids may be celebrating for the first time, others may be looking for some fun activities to show their love for this special day. We have a few things you can do with your kids to get them interested in Valentine’s Day. Fake Stained-Glass Heart Designs – Start with a white sheet of paper. Then mix glue with black paint and create a heart design on

Read More

Stopping the Boredom: Fun Activities for Kids This Winter

January 21, 2025

Cold, clouds, and rain can put a damper on your activities this winter, but there is plenty you can do to stop the winter blues! We have come up with a few fun things you can do to help entertain and educate your kids. Make Your Own Winter Snow Globe – Start by finding a mason jar, or an airtight glass container. Then, add some water and have the kids add some glitter or bright plastic pieces. They can even add in

Read More

Boosting Support for Child Care Workers: The Best Starts for Kids Child Care Wage Boost Pilot

January 17, 2025

Child care workers are the backbone of our communities, nurturing the youngest among us and helping families maintain a stable work-life balance. However, despite the essential nature of their work, child care workers are often among the lowest-paid professionals in our society. King County is working to change that through the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Wage Boost Pilot. What is the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Wage Boost Pilot? The Pilot is designed to increase the wages of child

Read More
Fall Activities 2024

Finding Fall Activities For Kids And Families

October 6, 2024

There’s a chill in the air, and that means the season is changing from summer to fall. With the cooler weather, it’s time to think about some fun activities to do both indoors and outdoors. We have put together a list of ideas you can choose from to get kids excited about the fall season. Fall Stained Glass Window – This unique activity will get kids involved and leave a lasting reminder of the fall season. First, have kids gather a bunch

Read More
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