SANDPOINT — Flurries of bubbles drifted across Lakeview Park on Thursday as tots below watched in fascination. Some waddled after the shimmering spheres, while others gripped bubble wands and blew, concentrating on creating their own.

The event was hosted by Mountain States Early Head Start, a nonprofit organization that offers free child development guidance and resources to anyone expecting a child or with a child for up to 36 months, according to the organization's website. 

To help reconnect the community after the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization established the event as a free and welcoming space for local families.

"After COVID, everybody went into their little hole," said Mikayla Brown, the organization's community outreach specialist. "Now they're coming out, and we have new moms who don't have those same connections."

The event allows parents to learn about resources offered to them through the organization and connect with other families, said Brown. 

Toddlers beamed toothless smiles as parents blew bubbles overhead, the event's hands-on activities providing opportunities for families to bond. 

"One of the big pillars of our program is building parent-child attachment," said Brown, "When we have events like this, we want to make sure that parents are having a good time with their families." 

Along with assisting parents with child development goals during weekly home visits, Brown said the organization also works to provide resources that support parents, such as those wanting to go back to school or buy a house.

To conclude the playgroup, parents and children sat on picnic blankets as the organization's playgroup coordinator read a book aloud with an animated tone.

"The story time also helps kids understand some of those social rules like sitting down, paying attention, and sharing space with other people," Brown said.

When it comes to the organization's goal of "building a village," Brown said it has two parts. 

"We have the home visiting piece, but we also offer playgroups," said Brown, "This is like a really intense playgroup."

    A child creates bubbles with a wand at Mountain States Early Head Start's Bubble Palooza.
  

    Families bond during hands-on activities at Mountain States Early Head Start's Bubble Palooza.
  

    Children create their own bubbles at Mountain States Early Head Start's Bubble Palooza.