DMG_sylvannewsletter1

FUN FAMILY IDEA #126:

VISIT YOUR LOCAL CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

Museums, especially children's museums, increasingly promote literacy. There are approximately 200 youth museums in the United States and Canada alone, and many of them partner books with interactive exhibits. Here is just a sampling of what you'll find if you visit these museums:

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (317/924-5431): In this largest of all children's museums in the United States, you will find Rex's Lending Library - a collaboration with all of the libraries in the state of Indiana. Visitors can check out a book relating to an exhibit theme, then return it to any library in the state system. Rex, by the way, is a two-story dinosaur critter that lives in the center of the museum.

Children's Own Museum (Toronto, ON; 416/542-1492): In this hands-on museum, the only "exhibits" are the ones children carry in their memories after they leave. After enjoying the museum's many activity stations, children can settle down at the book nook for storytelling or a quiet read with their parents. They can even join others in creating an impromptu production - complete with makeup and props - of their favorite storybook at the museum's theater. Developed for children age 1 through 8.

Chicago Children's Museum (312/527-1000): In this remarkable museum on Chicago's Navy Pier, it is commonplace to find families browsing through books on waterways in the very same space that exhibits a replica of the Chicago River. This museum features many book-centered exhibits with book swaps, book nooks in all of the exhibits and literacy programs that travel to schools.

Minnesota Children's Museum (St. Paul; 651/225-6000): In addition to book-centered traveling exhibits such as "Magic School Bus Inside the Earth" and "The World of Peter Rabbit," this museum is engaged in an ongoing initiative that encourages adults to read to kids and encourages reading for fun. The museum offers book readings, evening bedtime story programs, a short story contest and book swaps.

Children's Museum of Manhattan (New York City; 212/721-1234): This museum believes in encouraging literacy early. "WordPlay" is a hands-on play space for infants through 4-year-olds. Exhibits that feature favorite childhood books and book characters often have venues at this bustling place, and the museum's Helena Rubenstein Literacy Center if filled with books and features story telling.

Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito, Calif.; 415/487-4398): Gumby, a "spokesperson" for literacy, is the feature of an exhibit developed by this museum and traveling to other museums this year. Other lovable book characters may be part of your visit to the museum as traveling exhibits spotlighting books are on the museum's calendar through the next millennium.

Port Discovery (Baltimore; 410/727-8120): The interactive exhibits and hands-on activities in this new "kid-powered" museum bring reading to life. In the Adventure Expeditions exhibit, visitors read instructions and figure out clues to find their way into a lost pharaoh's tomb. Families also can read about exhibit themes in the Exploration Center, a branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore.


	FUN FAMILY IDEA #126: VISIT YOUR LOCAL CHILDREN'S MUSEUM Museums, especially children's museums, increasingly promote literacy. There are approximately 200 youth museums in the United States and Canada alone, and many of them partner books with interactive exhibits. Here is just a sampling of what you'll find if you visit these museums: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (317/924-5431): In this largest of all children's museums in the United States, you will find Rex's Lending Library - a collaboration with all of the libraries in the state of Indiana. Visitors can check out a book relating to an exhibit theme, then return it to any library in the state system. Rex, by the way, is a two-story dinosaur critter that lives in the center of the museum. Children's Own Museum (Toronto, ON; 416/542-1492): In this hands-on museum, the only "exhibits" are the ones children carry in their memories after they leave. After enjoying the museum's many activity stations, children can settle down at the book nook for storytelling or a quiet read with their parents. They can even join others in creating an impromptu production - complete with makeup and props - of their favorite storybook at the museum's theater. Developed for children age 1 through 8. Chicago Children's Museum (312/527-1000): In this remarkable museum on Chicago's Navy Pier, it is commonplace to find families browsing through books on waterways in the very same space that exhibits a replica of the Chicago River. This museum features many book-centered exhibits with book swaps, book nooks in all of the exhibits and literacy programs that travel to schools. Minnesota Children's Museum (St. Paul; 651/225-6000): In addition to book-centered traveling exhibits such as "Magic School Bus Inside the Earth" and "The World of Peter Rabbit," this museum is engaged in an ongoing initiative that encourages adults to read to kids and encourages reading for fun. The museum offers book readings, evening bedtime story programs, a short story contest and book swaps. Children's Museum of Manhattan (New York City; 212/721-1234): This museum believes in encouraging literacy early. "WordPlay" is a hands-on play space for infants through 4-year-olds. Exhibits that feature favorite childhood books and book characters often have venues at this bustling place, and the museum's Helena Rubenstein Literacy Center if filled with books and features story telling. Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito, Calif.; 415/487-4398): Gumby, a "spokesperson" for literacy, is the feature of an exhibit developed by this museum and traveling to other museums this year. Other lovable book characters may be part of your visit to the museum as traveling exhibits spotlighting books are on the museum's calendar through the next millennium. Port Discovery (Baltimore; 410/727-8120): The interactive exhibits and hands-on activities in this new "kid-powered" museum bring reading to life. In the Adventure Expeditions exhibit, visitors read instructions and figure out clues to find their way into a lost pharaoh's tomb. Families also can read about exhibit themes in the Exploration Center, a branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore.