Children’s Museum of Atlanta announces programming for July

Families are invited to beat the summer heat at Children’s Museum of Atlanta with a variety of cool programs all month long! Whether they are exploring emotions in the new “XOXO” feature exhibit, learning how to prepare for the first day of kindergarten or making a firework kaleidoscope for the Fourth of July, children can learn through the power of play! Below is a schedule of exhibit information and special programming for July 2016.

**As part of its special summer hours, Children’s Museum of Atlanta is now open on Wednesdays through August 3, 2016.

** All programming is included with price of admission. Members are free. Due to event popularity, the Museum recommends tickets be purchased in advance. Members are encouraged to reserve timed-tickets in advance.

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 Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Saturday at 11 a.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.

Character Meet & Greet

Saturdays at 1 p.m.

Guests are invited to join XO and E.J in the Museum’s XOXO exhibit for a thrilling roller coaster ride through their emotions. Children will discover what makes us happy, sad, angry and scared, and will even learn how a handshake or high-five can go a long way to make someone’s day a little brighter!

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!

Special Programming during July:

Sensory Friendly Saturday

Saturday, July 2 at 9 a.m.

On the first Saturday of every month, the Museum will open at 9 a.m. (one hour before the general public admission) for families with children on the autism spectrum. This special program is dedicated to providing these families with a subdued environment during their visit, allowing private access for children to learn and play at their own pace. Many steps are taken to reduce sensory triggers, including turning off all background music and piano stairs noise and limiting the amount of guests, to create a more comforting environment. Quiet spots are also set up throughout the Museum. Admission for Sensory Friendly Saturdays is $5 for non-members and free for members. Interested families can to reserve their spot at (404) 527-3693. Tickets can also be purchased tickets online at childrensmuseumatlanta.org.

Meet the Holidays: Eid ul Fitr

Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3 from 11 – 4 p.m.

• 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Islamic Speakers Bureau

Join the Islamic Speakers Bureau in a special storytime and art activity to learn about the Muslim holiday, Eid ul Fitr, which is the Islamic festival of the fast-breaking after Ramadan ends. Guests will create crafts that celebrate the theme of light and the phases of the moon, which mark time in a lunar calendar.

• 12 p.m. (Saturday, July 2 only) and 2 p.m.: Special Storytime

Families can enjoy a special reading of “Ilyas & Duck & Fantastic Festival of Eid-Al-Fitr” and learn more about the exciting holiday.

• 3 p.m.: Special Music and Movement

During this program, children will discover traditional music and dancing used at Eid fesitvals around the world to celebreate the end of Ramadan.

• 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Art Studio Open

Eid ul Fitr occurs on the first day of the 10^th month in the Islamic calendar. After learning more about the holiday, children can make moon chimes to take home to remind them of the meaning behind the holiday.

Celebrate the Fourth of July!

Monday, July 4 from 11 – 4 p.m.

Patriotic families can celebrate Independence Day with tons of star-spangled fun at Children’s Museum of Atlanta!

• 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Special July Fourth Parade and “Fireworks”

Join the Museum Imaginators in a festive Fourth of July Parade! Children can then join in on a patriotic sing-a-long and an interactive indoor “imagination fireworks display” that involves their feet and bubble wrap!

• 12 p.m.: Special Storytime

Children can gather around for a reading of “The Night Before 4th of July,” which captures all of the fun and excitement of Independence Day.

• 2 p.m.: Special Music and Movement

Families will celebrate America’s birthday by dancing and singing along to a variety of popular songs, including“They Say It's Your Birthday,”“America the Beautiful,” Katy Perry's “Firework” and more!

• 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Art Studio Open

In honor of Independence Day, kids can decorate wooden tops bursting with patriotic colors to share with friends and family.

• 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Build It Lab Open

As part of the holiday festivities, families can design a colorful July Fourth kaleidoscope from new and recycled materials to create a personal fireworks show. 

Target Free Second Tuesday

Tuesday, July 12 (Upcoming 2016 Target Free Second Tuesday Dates are 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.

Let the Games Begin!

Saturday, July 16 from 12 – 3 p.m.

In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the Summer Olympic Games in Centennial Olympic Park, Children’s Museum of Atlanta is set to host “Let the Games Begin!” on Saturday, July 16! This celebratory event will include a themed story time, “parade of nations” and will even feature Olympian athletes, including Terrence R. Trammell, Kevin C. Young, Dwight Phillips, Angelo F. Taylor and Hazel Mae Clark! Families who show their 1996 Olympic Pin will receive $3 off the cost of a full-price ticket to the Museum.

**Each pin is valid for a discount on one (1) ticket. Maximum of four (4) pins per family. Offer is valid in-person at welcome center on July 16 only. May not be combined with other discounts or offers. Valid for general admission on Saturday, July 16, 2016 only.

** Let the Games Begin programming is included with price of admission. Members are free. Due to event popularity, the Museum recommends tickets be purchased in advance. Members are encouraged to reserve timed-tickets in advance.

• 12 p.m.: Parade of Nations

Families can join the Imaginators in the opening ceremony parade! Families are encouraged to come dressed in the colors of a country of their choice or in red, white and blue.

• 1 p.m.: Special Storytime

Children can gather around for a special reading of “Dino-basketball” and hear about dinosaurs playing a popular summer Olympic sport.

• 2 p.m.: Parade of Olympic Athletes

Join Olympic Athletes Terrence R. Trammell, Kevin C. Young, Dwight Phillips, Angelo Taylor and Hazel Mae Clark in the closing ceremonies where children will be able to help create a special Olympic banner to be hung in the museum! Families will also be able to learn about Olympic sports, ask the featured Olympian guests questions and even see their winning medals!

• 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Art Studio Open

Guests can create their very own Olympic gold medal and torch to represent their favorite Olympic game!

• 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Build It Lab Open

Guests can build mini-parallel bars with a gymnast to twirl on them!

Kindergarten Kickoff

Monday, July 18 – Sunday, July 24 from 11 – 3:30 p.m.

The first day of kindergarten is just around the corner! To help little ones prepare for their big day, Children’s Museum of Atlanta is offering a fun “Kindergarten Kickoff” event filled with engaging activities, special storytime, crafts and more!

• 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Get Ready for the First Day of School

Families can join the Imaginators and get ready for their big first day of kindergarten! Kids can practice getting for ready for school in the morning, learn how the classroom works, discover the fun in going to school and more!

• 12  p.m.: Special Storytime

During this special storytime, kids will hear about Miss Bindergarten’s kindergarten students and their first day of school, as well as David’s antics in the classroom that will surely lead his teacher to yell, “No! David!”

• 2  p.m.: Special Music and Movement

Children can celebrate the first day of school and learn some fun dance moves to share with new friends on the playground!

• 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Art Studio Open

Children will dress paper dolls to resemble themselves or an important member of the community and make a fun keychain to put on their bookbags!

• 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Build It Lab Open

Children can make a wooden pencil box to hold school supplies and take with it to the classroom.

For more information or to support Children's Museum of Atlanta, visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org

or call 404.659.KIDS [5437]

About Children’s Museum of Atlanta:

Children’s Museum of Atlanta is the only educational venue of its kind in Atlanta, presenting educational programs and exhibits designed for young children ages 0-8. The Museum’s mission is to spark imagination and inspire discovery and learning for all children through the power of play. With six permanent learning zones consisting of bright, creative and hands-on exhibits, the Museum supports inventive play-based exploration and experiential learning focused on the whole child. Core competencies for literacy, math and science are promoted throughout all exhibits and programming in alignment with the state and national Core Performance Standards. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta also offers parties, memberships, field trips, summer camp and private events. 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 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 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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