WordCamp Miami is proud to be expanding for the first time its activities and sessions involving the next generation of WordPress users and developers. We have provided free tickets to kids ages 6 to 14, and they’ll get their own attendee bags when they register filled with their own swag and some special surprises.

In addition to that, here’s the highlights of our kid-related activities for the weekend:

WordPress Kid’s Workshop (Saturday, February 20th) – 10:00am to 3:00pm

Located in RB 120
For the 3rd year in a row WordCamp Miami is holding a WordPress beginner’s workshop for kids. The class will be led by Sandy Edwards, Kimberly Lipari, Michele Butcher, and Chris Christoff (all speakers or panelists at WCMIA this year). They will walk kids and their parents through the process of setting up a new WordPress.com account and how to get started blogging and publishing content to the Internet.

This class is geared towards 8-12 year olds, however, any age is welcome to attend (space permitting). Parents must be present for children under 13 and all attendees must bring a laptop or tablet. Children under the age of 18 can attend without charge with a paid adult (parent) ticket.

This is designed to be an interactive class, so participation and questions are welcomed and required. After the workshop, they can stay for the rest of the conference for refreshments and snacks… and also attend any other sessions. As far as exact room of this workshop – it will be near the other WordCamp Miami sessions at the same venue. We’ll have signs and volunteers to point you in the right direction.

Morning STEAM Workshop (Sunday, February 21st) – 9:45am to 11:45am

Located in CBC 140
STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. STEAM workshops are perfect for kids looking for a creative learning experience that’s also fun. We will have volunteers and experienced educators/teachers guiding this workshop, which will be centered around various craft and building projects. Children ages 6 to 14 are invited along with a parent or guardian, although older children and adults are invited as well! Kids will be able to take home the things they’ll be building in the workshop. Kids who attended the workshop on Saturday will be able to blog about their activities!

Afternoon STEAM Workshop (Sunday, February 21st) – 12:45pm to 3:45pm (RB 120)

Located in CBC 140
After a lunch break, we’ll have different activities planned for the children in the afternoon. Again, children ages 6 to 14 are invited along with a parent or guardian, although older children and adults are invited as well! Kids who attended the workshop on Saturday will be able to blog about their activities!

Kid’s Panel (Sunday, February 21st) – 3:45pm to 4:30pm

Located in RB 120
WordPress is as important to the next generation as the current one. We will be interviewing young people that either use WordPress or currently blog in general. We will be asking how they go about using WordPress or their blogging software, why they choose to blog and publish online, and what would make the experience better for them. If your child would like to be on the panel, PLEASE REACH OUT TO US ASAP.

ICE CREAM (Sunday, February 21st) – Around 2:30pm

We have treats both days for adults and children alike – but the nitrogen frozen ice cream on Sundays has become a tradition. Your kids will love it. Ice cream provided by Chill’n.

WordCamps have always been community events and family-friendly. Young ones have always been welcome at WordCamp Miami – in fact, we started our beginner’s workshop JUST for kids and young teens in 2014. This year, we are encouraging parents and guardians to bring their kids to WordCamp Miami! Parents and guardians can now grab a ticket for their children ages 6 to 14 on the ticket page. We are finalizing plans and some surprises now. Here’s what you can expect:

– On Saturday and Sunday registered kids ages 6 to 14 can get their own “Child Theme” version of an attendee bag. It will hold some nice surprises – including a WordCamp Miami coloring book (the coloring book is so great we’re sure some adults will want one for themselves!)
– On Sunday, we will have a “Kid’s Workshop” in the morning devoted to teaching children w/ their parents how to safely and securely publish content on the web with WordPress (we will update this page with a link to more information on this workshop shortly).
– Sunday afternoon children are welcome to join us for ice cream (and not just ANY ice cream – nitrogen frozen ice cream, just like last year).
– Sunday after lunch we will be hosting a crafts/STEAM workshop. It’s going to be educational, fun, and creative!
– At the end of Sunday, children and parents (along with the rest of our attendees) will be invited to hear our first kid’s panel (the mention of the kids’ panel is currently on our official schedule). If your child blogs with WordPress and would like to talk about it, then please nominate them to be a part of the panel.

We aim to provide more information prior to the event about the above (and possibly other plans). Please stay tuned and looking forward to seeing you next month!

Disclaimer: We are not providing daycare services at this time. Parents or legal guardians must accompany their children at all times and are responsible for providing alternate snacks/meals if they so choose. Bringing children under the age of 6 is permitted although we ask you to be conscious and courteous of your fellow attendees, especially during sessions.

In addition to once again having our Kid’s Workshop, WordCamp Miami is aiming to have our first kid’s panel: “The Next Generation of WordPress Users”. We want to showcase how young people are using WordPress, how they view blogging, and what other technologies they are using to publish content on the Internet. The panel is meant to not only feature youths, but also educate those in attendance what the next generation’s motivations are.

Are you a parent or guardian of a child (age 18 or under) that uses WordPress (hosted version or WordPress.com)? Does the child have a blog, even if it’s NOT on WordPress? Then we would like to see them apply (w/ parent’s permission) to be a part of a 30 minute panel on Sunday (February 21st) afternoon.

Parents and guardians can simply email us directly at miami@wordcamp.org to nominate a child.