Robots? Bugs? Giant pendulums? Seattle’s science playground just leveled up, and families that move fast will get a sweet discount on tickets. Curious? You should be.

While families are looking for ways to save money on fun, others are stretching just to put food on the table. With today’s news that federal SNAP benefits will only be partially funded, local food banks are expecting a surge of families in need. There are easy, meaningful ways your family can help, including this just-announced community food drive on Thursday in the South Sound.

And a cure is here for meltdown o’clock, that notorious after-school witching hour. A child psychologist shares five fool-proof ways to help your kid decompress, reconnect and reset.

Wishing you calm afternoons as we all adjust to “falling back!”

— Kristen Russell, head of content