Children’s Museum of Atlanta announces magical month of October programming

Families are in for a treat as Children’s Museum of Atlanta announces a full month of play and exploration! While Halloween-themed activities ignite the spooky season, kids will have fun learning about American history during the Magic Tree House® exhibit’s daily programming. In between, children will explore arts and crafts projects, take a seat for story time and get to work with real tools and materials in the Build It Lab. A perfect outing for all ages, October at the Museum is sure to be magical!

Feature Exhibit: Magic Tree House®
Available September 24, 2016 –January 16, 2017

Young explorers are invited to swing into adventure at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s newest feature exhibit Magic Tree House®, an educational traveling exhibition created by The Magic House® and based on the best-selling children’s book series written by Mary Pope Osborne. Taking root in Atlanta since September, visitors will branch out through three periods of American history including the first Thanksgiving, the Civil War and life on the prairie circa 1870. Guided by Jack and Annie, two ordinary siblings from Frog Creek, Penn., children of all ages will exercise their imaginations with interactive activities and simulations via a magical, time-traveling tree house!

Themed daily programming during Magic Tree House® exhibit. Programming subject to change and may be altered during special events. All programs included with admission unless otherwise noted.

Mini-Musical: The Golden Spike
Weekdays 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. and weekends 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Written by Marc Farley
Children will time travel back to 1868 Utah with T.J. in order to protect the “Golden Spike,” the last piece needed to link together the First Transcontinental Railroad. When trouble strikes and a soon-to-be legendary outlaw steals the spike right before the train is set to depart, T.J. and the audience must try to capture the villain before it’s too late!

Story Time
Weekdays at 1 p.m. and weekends at 2 p.m.
Join the Imaginators for an engaging journey through favorite storybooks. Kids will sing, clap and move as they interact with books based on the themes of the Magic Tree House series.

Music & Movement
Weekdays at 2 p.m. and weekends at 3 p.m.

• Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt and the Dino-Dance!
  Children can join the Imaginators for a big adventure searching for tiny dinosaurs! Once finished, they can learn how to do the Imaginators’ Dino-Dance!

Super Spectacular Science Show
Weekdays at 3 p.m. and weekends at 4 p.m.
Professor Lab Coat and his assistants will lead a mesmerizing science demonstration put on for the entire Museum.

Eat A Georgia Rainbow
Sundays at 12 p.m.
Children will embark on a scavenger hunt and cold cooking activity with the Imaginators to learn more about fruits and veggies that are harvested in Georgia throughout the year. 

Art Studio: Colorful Crafts
Weekdays 10:30 a.m. –3:30 p.m.; Weekends 11 a.m. –4 p.m.
Little ones can discover colors and explore artists from around the world through various fun crafts. 

Build It Lab
Weekdays, 10:30 a.m. –3:30 p.m.; Weekends 11 a.m. –4 p.m.
Children will put their woodworking and creative tools to the test in this supervised space where they have access to real tools and materials. Encouraging innovation, young innovators will also be able to work on projects like designing and constructing a model tree house made out of cardboard recycled materials.

Science Bar
Weekdays 10:30 a.m. –2:30 p.m.; Weekends 11 a.m. –3:30 p.m.
Science is everywhere, especially on the mezzanine at the Museum! Step Up to Science is the new STEM exhibit area and features interactive exhibits about light, robotics and how the human body works! Families can saddle up to the science bar for a full menu of fun activities, knowledge and have their questions turned into answers by one of the STEM educators.

October Special Programming

Science Wondershop with Brian “Dr. Science” Williams
Sunday, October 9 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Children will explore science through hands-on activities, encouraging imagination, curiosity and an interest in the world. Due to limited space available (max of 10 children and 10 adults), attendance is on a first come, first served basis. Parents may sign their children up using the form behind the security desk.

Meet the Holidays: Sukkot
Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16 from 11 a.m. –4 p.m.

• 12 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday: Special Story time
  Families can join the Imaginators for a special reading of “Sammy Spider’s First Sukkot” by Sylvia Rouss, while learning more about this extraordinary Jewish holiday.
• 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday: Special Music and Movement
  During music celebration, children will learn simple dance steps while listening to Klezmer music.
• 11 a.m. –4:30 p.m.: Art Studio Projects
  To celebrate the holiday, kids are invited to create gorgeous paper flowers, which are traditionally hung in a family’s sukkah throughout the Sukkot holiday.
• 11 a.m. –4:30 p.m.: Build It Lab
  Young visitors will put their creativity to the test while making miniature sukkah made out of wood, branches and cardboard.

Read for the Record
Thursday, October 27 from 10:30 a.m. –3:30 p.m.

• 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.: Special Story time
  On this day, people across the country will unite to read the children’s book “The Bear Ate Your Sandwich,” a classic tale by Julia Sarcone-Roach of a bear’s epic journey and the mystery surrounding one delicious sandwich! The Museum will celebrate Read for the Record all morning long with fun and interactive programs highlighting this year’s book choice.
• 10:30 a.m. –3:30 p.m.: Art Studio Projects
  After kids hear “The Bear Ate Your Sandwich” story, they can head to the art studio to create a replica of the forest from the book. Through this creative exercise, they will learn the components of a bear’s habitat, as well as learn more about what the word “habitat” means.

Meet the Holidays: Diwali
Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30 from 11 a.m. –4 p.m.

• 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday: Kahaaniya for Kids Puppet Show
  This exhilarating puppet show about perseverance, loyalty, courage and bravery will incorporate narrative dance while told from the perspective of the unsung hero.
• 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday: Special Story Time
  Families wishing to share stories of Hinduism with their children or educators looking for resources on the culture will enjoy a special reading of “Amma Tell Me About Diwali” by Bhakti Mathur. Written in rhyme with vivid, captivating illustrations, this book is a part of a series featuring major Hindu festivals and figures.
• 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday: Special Music and Movement
  Young guests will join Kahaaniya for Kids in a traditional light festival dance to learn about different hand gestures and how to make up their own game.
• 11 a.m. –4:30 p.m.: Art Studio Projects
  Children will make their own compact disc candle holder to represent Diwali, the festival of light.

Halloween at Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Monday, October 31 from 11 a.m. –2 p.m.
Families are invited to join the Museum for Halloween-themed Tiny Club Monday events as well as a holiday-themed cooking demonstration by Publix Aprons Cooking School.  This event is included with the price of admission.

October Ticketed Events

Trick or Treat at Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Saturday, October 22 from 6:30 –8:30 p.m.
Calling all ghosts, goblins and boo’tiful princesses! One of Atlanta’s most popular family-friendly trick or treating events is back with Halloween-themed arts and crafts, science experiments, playtime, prizes and surprises. Tickets are $8 (members) and $18 (non-members) and must be purchased in advance. Due to high demand, no tickets will be sold at the door.

For more information on the October program offerings or to support Children's Museum of Atlanta, visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org or call 404.659.KIDS [5437].