Music in the Park

Lots of changes going on down here... one of which is just that we have a whole lot more going on! Speaking of which, we hope you will all come out for a free special event that we are very excited. It's Music in the Park in Heritage State Park on Wednesday, July 29th at 1:00 pm. The Children's Museum at Holyoke is spotlighting Holyoke Strings, a program that teaches the youth of Holyoke the techniques of playing a stringed instrument in an ensemble setting. We hope to see you there!

In addition, we will be having our second Workshop Wednesday for elementary school aged children. Hosted by the talented Dayna, the workshop this week is Earthworks. Did you know it takes one million years for a glass bottle to decompose? What's the difference between a landfill and compost? Through games and stories, you will learn trash trivia, recycling rescues, and ways we can help our planet! Join us at 11:00 am (no pre-registration necessary). This program is included in the price of admission. For more information, please call (413) 536-7048 ext. 207
(photo source: openclipart.org)

The Think and Play Series, our Preschool program that happens every Friday at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, will be featuring Franny B. Kranny, There's a Bird in Your Hair! by Harriet Lerner and Susan Goldhor this Friday, July 31st. Hilarious and cute as a button, this is a Children's Museum at Holyoke staff favorite. Join Ashley to create fun hats decorated with flowers, animals, and sparkly treasures that will make you all as fashionable and daring as Franny herself! This program is included in the price of admission.

Finally, don't forget the summer schedule has kicked in. That means that every single day there are fun acitivities and programs going on! You can learn Spanish, pick up some Irish Stepdancing moves, and even put on a play! Check out previous blog posts for a more detailed schedule, or call the museum at (413) 536-7048 for more information.

Introducing...

It's that time again... Where we spotlight someone special down here at the good ol' Children's Museum at Holyoke. And today, it's Dayna's turn! Dayna Abrazinski is our Education Coordinator, and she is a one-woman operation in charge of all of our made-to-order educational programming. If you ever visit the museum for a field trip, have someone from the museum come to your school or camp for a demonstration, or your girl scout troop wants to do something special to earn a badge- Dayna is your woman! She also works closely with our floor assistants and volunteers to create fun activities and crafts for our visitors to take part in. If she's not concocting a new way to use our surplus of egg cartons at our crafting tables, you might find her knitting herself a bag out of old cassette tape ribbon. She is just that creative! She is a vivacious, enthusiastic, and very talented member of our team, and we're certainly glad to have her!

Speaking of Dayna, her new workshop is beginning this Wednesday, July 22nd! Join us at 11:00 am for Workshop Wednesday for the first of a series of workshops that are designed for school-age children and will cover a variety of subjects via fun, engaging, and hands-on study! This week is Stream Study. Using the canal as our classroom, we will explore the properties of moving water as math and science intersect. Topics for class discussion will include: volume, flow and adaptations to moving water made by animals. An additional fee (which can be paid upon arrival) of $2.50 applies for this workshop. No pre-registration is necessary. Please call 536-7048 ext. 207 for more information. (photo source: en.wikipedia.org)

Finally, don't forget about our Think and Play Series for preschoolers happening every Fabulous Friday! This week Ashley will be reading Angus and the Ducks by Marjorie Flack. Angus is one curious pup who learns his lesson the hard way! Laugh along as we read about this pesky Scottish Terrier, and be sure to stick around to make your own duck with flappable wings! This program is included in the price of admission, so be sure to stop in and enjoy!

New, new, and more new!

The summer is taking shape, and all the staff are so excited to have new ideas being thrown into the usual mix! Our new goal for the summer is to offer something special each day that we are open. Accordingly, we have invited our floor staff and interns to showcase their talents to really boost our daily roster. See below to learn about some of the new activities we will be offering (all programs are included in the price of admission unless otherwise noted)!
(photo source: policymed.com)

Workshop Wednesdays

11:00 am: (starting July 22nd) Science and history workshops with the fabulous Dayna! These workshops are designed for school aged children and will cover a variety of topics via fun, engaging, and hands-on study! Topics include: Stream Study (July 22nd), Earthworks (July 29th), Remember When( August 5th), Build-a-Boat (August 12th), and Windmills and Wind Energy (August 19th). An additional fee of $2.50 applies for this workshop. Please call 536-7048 ext. 207 for more information.
2:00 pm: So You Want to Speak Spanish? Si! Join Danielle each Wednesday for a fun, half hour lesson in Spanish language and culture for all ages!
In addition, our papermaking exhibit will be open from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm!
(photo source: estabrook.ci.lexington.ma.us)

Theater Thursdays

11:00 am and 1:00 pm: Theater Thursday program with Emily! This is a program for all ages- sing, dress-up, make instruments, decorate puppets! It's different every week!

2:00 pm: Facepainting
In addition, our papermaking exhibit will be open from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm!
(photo source: monet.k12.ca.us)

Fabulous Fridays

11:00 am and 1:00 pm: Think and Play Series for preschool children with Ashley! Join us for a story and a fun, interactive activity or game! This week, July 17th, Ashley will be reading Frederick by Leo Lionni, the story of an offbeat mouse preparing for winter his way. After the read-aloud, we will decorate (and devour) mouse pancakes fit for Frederick himself!
2:00 pm: Irish Stepdancing with Ali! Learn a new step each week!
In addition, our papermaking exhibit will be open from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm!

Silly Saturdays

Our papermaking exhibit will be open (times may vary).
Plus be prepared for a wild card silly activity!

Surprise Sundays

Our Papermaking exhibit will be open from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm.
Each Sunday there will be a surprise activity in the mix !
(photo source: istockphoto.com)

Come join in the fun!!!