Guest blogger: Katherine Johnson
I bought this book at a children's museum bookstore. It lists a range of things that kids would like to experience: cultural events, museums, nature, man-made structures, work places, famous sites, and ordinary places. As an adult I found myself going page by page, noting which things I had done—as a child or adult—and recalling many pleasant experiences I have had in my life.
Some of the ideas will appeal to kids more than adults, or may be things you see in five minutes and move on, which isn't how adults normally plan experiences. Other suggestions involve traveling to a national monument or staying at a place for a while, like eating at an ethnic restaurant.
A few of the ideas turn ordinary experiences into something more remarkable. For example, going to a place to watch people or going to see a famous road are more about a mind set. Seeing these places requires you to think about where you are and what's going on around you rather than enjoying a spectacle created for you. One of the most amusing places a kid should see is a teacher's lounge.
The book comes with stickers that you can use to mark pages: "Awesome," "Wish list," "Boring," "Been There," and so forth, as well as pages for notes in the back so you can write about your experiences.
I brought the book home to my girls, ages 8 and 10, and they are devouring it. We now have a mental list of places they would like to go this summer. We all feel inspired to see as many things as we can. And so far, no fights over use of the stickers (fingers crossed!).
Essentially the book is a stunning endorsement for making the most of every experience.
My thanks to Katherine for sharing this terrific book with my blog readers. Katherine is the new Manager of Teacher and Student Programs at the Chicago Botanic Garden. She can be reached at kjthran [at] gmail.com
