Trevor Eissler is just your average father of three — jet pilot by day, YouTube activist and author by night. Alright, so typical he’s not, but the Texan has made waves in the education community with his passionate (and creative) advocacy of Montessori education. His Montessori Madness YouTube video, a 5 minute and 44 second quick draw explanation of the benefits of the philosophy, has earned more than 200,000 views. Throughout the video he talks over the squeaks of his marker, masterfully drawing and narrating a story about education. He’ll share his experiences as a YouTuber author (Montessori Madness the book), advocate and parent during a speaking engagement called “It’s All About Making Connections” on Tuesday, October 9 at West Side Montessori’s 7115 W. Bancroft location. The event is free and open to the public — you’ll find even if you don’t subscribe to Eissler’s preferred style of education, his passion for igniting curiosity in children is a worthy topic of conversation for all parents of school-age children.

To learn more about Eissler, visit www.montessorimadness.org. —AO

Pack up for a mini-road trip to LEGO KidsFest in Novi, Michigan, a gigantic celebration of the joy of a timeless toy, on Friday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 14. It’s one of only six events of its kind nationwide this year, and the only one that’s an easy drive from Toledo. Kids who have grown up while testing their creativity with these beloved colored blocks will be overwhelmed by the amount of interactive fun offered, with eye-popping large-scale LEGO models, huge group building activities, a Master Builder Academy with tips for LEGO pros and a whole lot more. Don’t miss the Challenge Zone and the Big Brick Pile! It’s spread out over three acres, so you can spend the whole day wandering and come home filled with ideas and an appetite for building.

$18 kids, $20 adults. (Kids two and under are free!)
4pm-8:30pm Friday
9am-1:30pm and 3pm-7:30pm Saturday and Sunday.

Suburban Collection Showcase. 46100 Grand River, Novi, Michigan. 860-953-4500, ex. 144. www.LEGOkidsfest.com.—MD

Want to introduce your child to the world of art, but don’t feel qualified to be a tour guide on your own? The Toledo Musuem of Art has a way to help, with its new Gallery Gear “activity tote bags.” Check out one of the bags for free at a Museum information desk, and let the material in it guide your child’s experience. You’ll find themed books related to one of three works in the TMA collection (“The Architect’s Dream” by Thomas Cole, the Egyptian burial case for Ta-Mit and “Counterman-Diner” by Emily Brock). You’ll also find multimedia materials, from drawing pads to foam blocks to magnetic boards, to help guide your child through fun activities that will help them see art in a whole new way.

2445 Monroe St. 419-255-8000. www.toledomuseum.org.

Get a glorious taste of the fall night air and hopefully spot some seldom-seen denizens of the woods, as the Friends of Side Cut invite you on Monday, October 29 from 7 to 9 pm for the Owls of Side Cut Full Moon Walk. Guides will use recordings to call out the stealthy airborne predators so hikers can catch a rare glimpse of them in action. (It’s open to anyone, but hikers will need to stay quiet and still, so it may not be ideal for the littlest ones.) On Sunday, October 28 from 7 to 9 pm there’s another nighttime adventure at Oak Openings, as guests are invited on a Moonlight Geocache Expedition. It’s an opportunity for the whole family to explore trendy recreational fun, where participants embark on a treasure hunt for geocaches (hidden containers) using GPS technology in the great outdoors. Bring your GPS unit (or call ahead to reserve one).

Side Cut, 1025 W. River Rd., Maumee. Oak Openings, 4139 Girdham Rd., Swanton. 419-407-9700. www.metroparkstoledo.com. —MD