Children’s Museum of Atlanta Celebrates Cultural Traditions and Indigenous People’s Month this November

Children’s Museum of Atlanta begins its seasonal holiday celebration with programs to help little ones find joy in expressing their feelings and helping others, as well as special events to recognize holidays from around the world. This November, the Museum highlights trailblazers from six different Indigenous tribes who have made a difference in the world. From curating festive crafts for Día de los Muertos to exploring art and engineering projects to learn about Indigenous pioneers, families will have ample opportunity to commemorate this spirited time of year. Kids can also take on design challenges and participate in exciting science experiments, while continuing to enjoy the Wallace & Gromit: Get Cracking! exhibit through January 2025. The Museum will be open the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

November Programming
​Through Nov. 30
​Visit the Museum to learn about game-changers from many different Indigenous tribes to celebrate Indigenous People’s Month! Kids can take the slope building challenge and learn about professional skier, Ross Anderson; follow in the footsteps of artist Louie Gong from the Nooksack tribe designing their own pair of laceable shoes and more! Kids can also discover the magic of recycling by making seed paper from recycled materials, while younger Museum guests create core memories during the Building Blocks sessions. On stage little ones will play the Space Station Game, inspired by the achievements of Chickasaw Nation member John Herrington, the first Native American tribe member to fly in space, by using gross motor skills and teamwork to dock the Museum spacecraft into the International Space Station port. Storytime features “Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story,” to teach young ones about fry bread, a common food across many Native American tribes.

CMA On Stage
​1 p.m. Space Station Game
​3 p.m. “Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story” by Kevin Noble Maillard
​11 a.m. (weekends only) “Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story” by Kevin Maillard

Art Studio
​Children will lace up their creativity and step into the colorful world of artist Louie Gong, designing their own one-of-a-kind shoes inspired by his colorful, hand-drawn masterpieces and the rich traditions of the Nooksack tribal community!

Jane’s Innovation Station
​Young innovators rejoice in the remarkable achievements of Cheyenne-Arapaho and Mescalero Apache skier Ross Anderson through an exciting Ski Slope Design Challenge where budding builders will brainstorm, design and curate skis or sleds using various materials to conquer the Museum’s slopes. With each thrilling test against the forces of gravity and motion, child creators will develop essential problem-solving skills while enjoying an exhilarating ride down the slope.

Science Bar
​Nov. 1 - 22
​Little eco-explorers will dive into the world of recycling by creating seed paper from recycled pulp, discovering how waste can bloom into beautiful plants while enjoying a hands-on, sensory experience inspired by indigenous ethnobotanist and Ph.D. student from the University of Montana, Rose Bear Don’t Walk!

Nov. 23 – Dec. 2
​Get ready for a bubbly adventure with Elephant's Toothpaste! Young scientists will uncover the amazing power of yeast as a catalyst during a spectacular demonstration, discovering how different chemicals combine to make a reaction, all while learning from Indigenous Scientist Dr. Jani Ingram.

Día de los Muertos
​Saturday, Nov. 2 ​
​Families are invited to learn about the storied traditions of Día de los Muertos, a lively celebration and remembrance that honors loved ones who have passed. Originating in Mexico and observed in countries around the world, this day of dance and creativity will give families the chance to participate in several traditions, from learning Mexican folk dances to creating colorful decorations.

CMA On Stage
​11 a.m.
​"Alma Mexicana" takes the stage, getting guests up and dancing in an energetic celebration of Día de los Muertos delights.

Art Studio ​
​Kiddos can venture into the fun of Día de los Muertos by crafting bright tissue paper marigolds and discovering the holiday’s rituals. Younger visitors will also get creative by coloring sugar skulls for a festive touch!

Building Blocks
​Weekdays
​10 a.m. - noon

Artsy Mondays
​Nov. 4, 11 and 18 ​
​Little artists will spin their way into creativity with this messy activity, using a salad spinner in a whole new way to create beautiful masterpieces. This engaging experience allows toddlers to explore color and texture through sensory play and cheerful mess-making. The fun will wrap up with a toddler storytime at noon, making a perfect artsy morning.

Tinkerin’ Tuesdays
​Nov. 5, 12 and 19
​Build and experiment with the Marble Run, where children collaborate to design their own exciting rollercoasters. This engaging activity promotes persistence and resilience as kids experiment with various combinations and connections to construct their pathways. It also fosters cognitive development by enhancing problem-solving skills as they aim to ensure the balls roll smoothly through their creations. Playtime will conclude with a toddler storytime!

Messy Thursdays
​Nov. 7, 14 and 21 ​
​Little ones will refine their motor skills in Toothbrush Art, where scrubbing a toothbrush up, down and all around makes an adorable mess! This engaging activity focuses on fine motor control and grip strength and promoting healthy habits. This ends with another toddler Storytime.

“Jammin” Fridays
​Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 22
​It’s time for kids to spread their wings and learn how to fly for “Birds Flip, Flop, Fly!” during this lively Friday Jam! Children will engage in imaginative play as they learn about birds from around the world, including the Andean Condor, the Palmchat and the Scarlet Macaw. This fun endeavor combines music, cooperative interaction between children and caregivers and the development of gross motor skills as little ones flap to the beat like their feathered friends. A baby book reading rounds out this session.

Continuing in November: ​
​Through Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025
​Wallace and Gromit: Get Cracking! ​
​The Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s newest exhibit, Wallace & Gromit: Get Cracking!, transports visitors to the cozy North England home of the cheese-loving inventor Wallace and his loyal dog, Gromit. Visitors can step into their whimsical world, where they can blast off in Wallace’s rocket to the moon, fix the broken Autochef and design their own cracking contraptions. This interactive exhibit is designed to spark creativity and build problem-solving skills by encouraging children to tackle STEM-based challenges in fun and engaging ways. Ideal for ages 3 to 9, the exhibit also includes a “tot spot” for children under three. The exhibit is proudly sponsored by Georgia Natural Gas, with additional support from the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and Fulton County Arts & Culture.

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About Children’s Museum of Atlanta:
​Children’s Museum of Atlanta is a nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of play to spark every child’s imagination, sense of discovery and learning. As Atlanta's only educational venue of its kind, the Museum’s vibrant, hands-on exhibits and educational programs provide the age-appropriate activities that help early learners become school and life ready, while promoting core competencies in literacy, math and science, in alignment with Georgia’s Standards of Excellence and the national common core curriculum. 

Every year more than 180,000 guests play in the Museum's immersive exhibits, make memories with their families and classes, and joyfully sing, dance and share with program partners representing Atlanta’s diverse communities. Children's Museum of Atlanta is dedicated to reducing barriers to accessing its programs, and projects that up to 40,000 people will be served through access efforts this year, including Family Free Days, Museums for All, Access It! and Sensory Friendly Playtime. Plus, the Museum’s immense impact extends beyond its walls to nearly 10,000 children across Metro Atlanta who experience its community outreach efforts, which include Connected Learning, Connected Communities and Mobile Learning Spaces. For more information or to support Children's Museum of Atlanta, visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org and stay connected on Facebook, Instagram and X. 

Museum Admission: ​
​Tickets are available to members and guests online, by phone and in-person. Babies 11 months and younger and members are admitted for free. All daily programs and exhibits are included in the price of admission. For more information regarding ticket and membership options, visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org.

Museum Hours: ​
​The Museum will operate in a timed entry model where guests can visit between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Museum is closed on Wednesdays except the Wednesday preceding Thanksgiving. Please check the Museum website to confirm hours of operation.