Families can enjoy fun and educational programming all month long!
School’s out, and playtime is in! Children’s Museum of Atlanta has plenty of fun activities and events to keep kids learning all summer long through the power of play. Whether they are exploring emotions in the new “XOXO” feature exhibit, feeding a baby calf during the National Dairy Month Celebration or decorating a baseball hat for Father’s Day, children can keep engaged, entertained and ready for a successful school year come fall. Below is a schedule of exhibit information and special programming for June 2016.
**As part of its special summer hours, Children’s Museum of Atlanta is now open on Wednesdays through August 3, 2016.
Feature Exhibit: “XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness”
Available June 11 through September 4
Feelings are front and center at Children’s Museum of Atlanta newest feature exhibit. XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness is an educational traveling installation created by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh with support from The Fetzer Institute. This introspective exhibit will explore the power of emotions and foster conversations that bring love and forgiveness to the forefront of families’ minds. The 2,000 square foot exhibit features a brightly-colored, inviting space with 14 engaging experiences – all designed to help children understand, appreciate and express their emotions. Interactive activities include a sound recorder that analyzes tone of voice, a video station that interprets facial expressions, a soft sculpture that responds to hugs with comforting sounds and many more.
Themed daily programming during “XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness”
Mini-Musical: Better Me, A Better You
Weekdays and weekends at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Written by Jerry G. White; Musical Arrangements by Abe White
In this 20-minute musical, children will meet a helpful puppet named XO who teaches his friends, Jules the Toy Expert and EJ, about the importance of giving and volunteering. Children will learn how simple actions have lasting effects on others, and how a little kindness can change the world in a big way.
Story Time
Weekdays at 12 p.m.; Saturdays at 12 p.m and 2 p.m..; Sundays at 2 p.m.
“What Are You Feeling Dragon?” by Sujatha Lalgudi
This picture book encourages children to talk about their own emotions, moods and feelings. It is about a magical dragon whose color changes to reflect his mood. If he is happy, he turns green. If he’s feeling shy, he looks pink. He turns purple when he’s angry and yellow when he’s sad.
“The Grouchy Ladybug” by Eric Carle
“The Grouchy Ladybug” is the story of a bad-tempered bug who refuses to say “please” or “thank you,” and does not share with others. She thinks she is bigger and better than anyone else! During this storytime reading, children can follow this ladybug on her journey to learn the benefits of friendship and good manners.
Music and Movement
Weekdays at 2 p.m. and weekends at 3 p.m.
Emotions in Motion: Children can join the Imaginators on a musical journey of emotions!
Happy Dance: Visitors will learn how to express different emotions through movement with the Imaginators!
Art Studio: Mayan-inspired Crafts
Weekdays 10:30-3:30 p.m. and weekends 11-4 p.m.
Emotion puppet: Children will create their own “feelings puppet.”
Stress balls: After learning how stress balls can be used as a distraction tool to cope with any sort of anxiety or negative feeling, visitors will use balloons and flour to make their own stress balls!
Build It Lab
Weekdays 10:30-3:30 p.m. and weekends 11-4 p.m.
Totally Tubular Train: Families will have the chance to build their own train! Kids can have fun while learning the meaning of cooperation.
Bird Feeder: Tweet, tweet – how sweet! Guests will use their imagination as a guide to make their own bird feeder from various materials for someone they love.
Spectacular Science Show
Weekdays at 3 p.m. and weekends at 4 p.m.
Every afternoon, Professor Labcoat shares a fascinating science demonstration with the whole museum! Guests can join Professor Labcoat to see what kind of fun he and his assistants have cooked up! Questions are encouraged at the end of the show. This program features a variety of hands-on, science demonstrations – from magnetism to chemical reactions to astronomy. All demonstrations are informative, fascinating and incredibly fun (perfect for kids ages 4 and up).
Step Up to Science Bar
Weekdays 10:30-2:30 p.m. and weekends 11-3:30 p.m.
Kids can marvel at the inner workings of the human body, the wonder of light and the technology of robots in this new permanent mezzanine-level exhibit! The Step Up to the Science Bar allows guests to come up and ‘order’ a hands-on demonstration or experiment.
Eat A Georgia Rainbow
Sundays at 12 p.m.
Join the Imaginators for this seasonal program featuring fruits and vegetables that can be harvested in Georgia throughout the year. Visitors will also be able to participate in a cool cooking activity!
Other Special Programming During June:
Meet the Holidays: Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday June 11 and Sunday, June 12 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Dragon Boat Festival has a history of over 2000 years! The focus of most celebrations involves eating zongzi (sticky rice treats wrapped in bamboo leaves) and racing dragon boats. Children are invited to learn about this exciting Chinese holiday by participating in a variety of fun activities!
11 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Atlanta Chinese Dance Company
Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company! With dazzling costumes, colorful props and melodic music from China, authentic Chinese dances are interspersed with historical and cultural background. Audience members will pretend to row a dragon boat and beat the drum!
12 p.m. and 2 p.m.: Special Storytime
In “Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival” by Sanmu Tang, Little Mei wants to know why she must wear a special scented pouch to ward off the evil spirits. Grandpa tells her the story of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet who loved his kingdom.
3 p.m.: Special Music & Movement
The Dragon Boat Festival is a Chinese holiday that commemorates the life and death of the famous Chinese scholar, Qu Yuan (Chu Yuan). Guests can join the Imaginators for a Chinese Fan Dance and a Dragon Boat Parade!
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Art Studio Open
Children will learn about the Dragon Boat Festival and create their own floating dragon boat!
National Dairy Month Celebration
Tuesday, June 14 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Meet a calf!
Moo! Families will have the chance to meet with farmers from the Southeast Dairy Association and have even feed a baby calf outside of the Museum before heading inside to celebrate National Dairy Month!
11 a.m. and 12 p.m.: Special Storytime with Dairy Farmer!
Kids can meet a dairy farmer from Senoia, Ga. and hear about her life on the farm during this special story time.
11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.: Trivia with Southeast Dairy Association
Join representatives from the Southeast Dairy Association for a spinning trivia wheel game with prizes and smoothie demonstrations with tastes for all!
Target Free Second Tuesday
Tuesday, June 14 (Upcoming 2016 Target Free Second Tuesday Dates are June 14; July 12;
August 9; September 13; October 11; November 8; December 13)
Target Free Second Tuesday is a special opportunity for the community to bring their children to experience the Museum for FREE, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Free admission is made possible through the generous support of Target on the second Tuesday of each month for visitors who may not have the opportunity to experience the museum or want to try the museum free of charge.
Meet the Holidays: Father’s Day Celebration!
Saturday, June 18 at 12 and 2 p.m.; Sunday, June 19 at 2 p.m.
Celebrate dad’s special day with tons of PLAY! Families can enjoy a full weekend of themed activities at the Museum, including reading of “The Night Before Father’s Day” by Natasha Wing, a special Music & Movement program featuring sports with dad, a Father’s Day key holder craft in the Build It Lab and a thoughtful Art Studio craft with decorated baseball caps for dear ole’ dad!
For more information or to support Children’s Museum of Atlanta, visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org or call 404.659.KIDS [5437]
Museum Admission: General Admission is $14.95 (plus tax) for anyone 1 – 100 years old. Babies and members are admitted for free. All daily programs are included in price of admission. Group rates and military discounts are available. For more information regarding ticket and membership options, visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org/plan-your-visit/faqs/.
Museum Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Please check the Museum website to confirm hours of operation. **
**As part of its summer hours, Children’s Museum will be open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. now through August 3, 2016.
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