Events at a Glance
Mark your calendars -
the following MCM
events are taking place
in February and March!
I Love to Read Month
Every weekend in February |
Tigers and Dragons Open
Now until September 7
MCM at St. Vital Centre
March 21
What Am I? Contest
Entry Deadline
March 21
Spring Break Day Camp
March 30 - April 3
Spring Break Activities
March 30 - April 3
Rogers Movie Nights
Saturdays in March
Mini Mondays
Mondays in March
Project du Jour
Weekends in March
Triple P Seminar Series
February 23, March 2 and March 9 |
| Family Corner |
In this issue, we have a great craft idea to share with you that will engage the whole family and promote family time!
Family Craft 'n Fun:
First Days of Spring:
Spring Blossoms Tree
(As featured for the March 23 Mini Monday craft.)
Items Needed:
- Large piece of paper
- Brown paint, crayons or markers
- Glue
- Powdered tempera paint (red, yellow or pink)
- Plastic sandwich bag
- Popcorn
Instructions:
- On the large piece of paper trace your hand and forearm all the way up to your elbow. Make sure your fingers are spread apart. The tracing of your forearm will be the tree trunk and your fingers will be the branches!
- Colour it in with brown crayon, marker or paint.
- Place a couple of teaspoons of red, pink or yellow powdered tempera paint into separate plastic sandwich bags.
- Put a couple of handfuls of popped popcorn into the bags and shake them so the popcorn is coloured.
- Glue the coloured popcorn onto the tree branches and make the tree blossom!
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Join Our
Volunteer Team
Volunteers are a valued asset at the Manitoba Children's Museum seven days a week!We offer our volunteers:
- training, coaching and recognition
- experience in career-related areas
- letters of reference
- opportunities to make a difference in the lives of children
- flexible schedules
The minimum age for MCM volunteers is 13 years old, and we have no maximum age!
Volunteers begin the application process by attending an information session. (Note: If you are under 18 years old, your guardian must attend as well.)
Exhibit Animators Needed!
The Manitoba Children's Museum has just welcomed a new traveling exhibit, Tigers and Dragons, and we need a team of volunteers to bring the cultures of India and China to life with storytelling, costumes, crafts and more!
Be a Spring Break Day Camp Counsellor!
Are you interested in being a volunteer counselor at MCM Spring Break Day Camp? If you are, please contact the Volunteer Resources Manager so that we can arrange for you to attend an orientation. The volunteer counselor role provides an excellent opportunity for volunteers to develop communication, leadership, and other employment-related skills in a safe and encouraging environment. Day camp volunteers should be 15 years of age or older, and each volunteer counselor needs to attend an orientation. The volunteer counselor role is a terrific opportunity to gain skills - and it is FUN!
The volunteer counsellor orientation for Spring Break Day Camp will be on Saturday, March 7 at 10:00AM.
For more information or if you plan to attend one of the upcoming information sessions, please contact: Lynn Silver, Volunteer Resources Manager, by phone at 924-4002 or by e-mail at lsilver@childrensmuseum.com. |
| SHOP @ MCM |
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Spring Break is just around the corner, which means even more time to have fun! If you're looking for something extra special to do during Spring Break, take a look at SHOP's Top 10 Spring Break Ideas:
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Make Spring Time Crafts: Make your very own Butterfly Mobile, Suncatcher or Butterfly Garden!
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Entertain One and All: Impress your friends by learning to keep Juggling Balls, Pins and Scarves in the air!
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Dig Into Exploration: Create your own adventures with I Dig Dinosaurs!, Treasure Hunt Dig, and Crystal Dig activity sets!
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Throw a Dance Party: Pop in albums by Barenaked Ladies, Fred Penner, Al Simmons, Damien Lussier, Jake Chenier and Alphabet Soup and get moving!
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Shuffle Things Up: Play a favourite card game like Go Fish, Old Maid, Rummy or Snap!
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Hit the Road: Keep yourself entertained on long trips with travel versions of Mastermind, Operation or Abalone!
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Give Your Imagination Shape: Use Play Foam or Remoldable Sculpting Beads to create again and again!
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Have a Brain Workout: Put your heads together and put together large or small Jigsaw Puzzles!
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Face Off For Family Fun: Get the family playing games like Yahtzee, Candyland, Giant Spoons and Monkeying Around!
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Take a Journey Wherever You Are: From Board Books to Picture Books, from fact to fiction, discover new worlds between the pages.
Visit SHOP for all of the items in the Top 10 Spring Break Ideas, and for great gifts including toys, clothing, confectionery, novelty items, and more that will spark kids' imaginations, develop cognitive and fine motor skills and keep them entertained!
Air Miles Bonus Cards
Now Available at SHOP!
Effective March 1, for every $50 you spend at SHOP, you'll receive a bonus card for 20 Air Miles Reward Miles. Please see in-store for further details.
Feature Items for March
Snacktime CD
by the Barenaked LadiesMulti-platinum recording artists Barenaked Ladies recorded Snacktime, a collection of 24 original children's songs, through their imprint label Desperation Records. "Our collective kids now outnumber the band more than two to one," explains vocalist/guitarist Ed Robertson. "We set out to make a record that would be entertaining for them...not strictly a children's record, but a record that children would really enjoy." Snacktime has just been nominated for a 2009 Juno in the "Children's Album of the Year" category. Our Price: $17.99 
Travel Buddies Neck Pillow
Travel Buddies neck pillows are designed to comfortably support sleepy heads on planes, trains, and automobiles. They're available in a variety of cute animals, including lions, dogs, frogs, cats, pigs, dolphins and hippos. Kids will want to take them everywhere and won't leave them behind!
Our Price: $15.99
Safe-2-Go
Harness Backpacks
Safe-2-Go is the child harness disguised as a cute, cuddly backpack. The harness has a safety strap for parents and the line is retractable. Parents can keep toddlers safely next to them while toddlers can carry a friend with them.
Our Price: $24.99
Your Purchase Counts!
Every purchase made at SHOP goes directly back into the museum! By supporting SHOP, you are supporting the Manitoba Children's Museum.
Telephone: 943-1449
Email: shop@childrensmuseum.com
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Dream Gallery |
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MCM's Dream Gallery displaying children's artwork on the Mezzazine is open for viewing Monday to Friday.
The students from St. Charles School's Before and After Program have worked hard to finish their winter scenes. From fluffy hills to falling snowflakes, these pictures are a chilly treat. This is the easiest way to enjoy the coldest season while staying warm! A special thanks to each and every artist. |
| Admission Rates |
Under 2: Free
Kids 2-12: $7.00
Adults: $6.75
Seniors: $6.25
Museum &
SHOP Hours
Sunday through Thursday:
9:30AM - 4:30PM
Friday & Saturday:
9:30AM - 6:00PM
We look forward to seeing you and your family soon!
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| Happy Birthday! |
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The Manitoba Children's Museum would like to wish the following children a very Happy Birthday!
Feb. 1: Noelle (Age 7)
Feb. 7: Sadie & Regan (Ages 7 & 5)
Jackson (Age 6)
Feb. 8: Amara (Age 4)
Annastasia (Age 8)
Josh (Age 4)
Samantha & Patrick (Ages 7 & 4)
Kaitlyn (Age 4)
Carter (Age 4)
Feb. 15: Meghan (age 5)
Alexis (Age 7)
Hannah (Age 6)
Feb. 21: Callum & Conner (Ages 5 & 5)
Meredith (Age 5)
Feb. 22: Claire (Age 6)
Feb. 28: Brycen (Age 3)
See our website to find out how you can have your next birthday party at the Manitoba Children's Museum! |
Find Us On Facebook!
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The Manitoba Children's Museum can now be found on Facebook! Join us here
and post photos or videos of your family's most recent visit, share
your favourite MCM story or memory, and stay up-to-date on our special
programs and upcoming events! |
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eNews - March 2009
Your source for what's happening at the Manitoba Children's Museum |
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February is I Love to Read Month!
February is I Love to Read Month and the Manitoba Children's Museum is going to bring out the bookworm in everyone!
Every weekend in February, we will be celebrating I Love to Read Month with great books, special guest readers, and crafts that celebrate the love of reading!
We will be joined by local authors, media personalities, and other special guests including:
Monday, February 23
11:30AM: Royal Winnipeg Ballet Soloist Emily Grizzell
Saturday, February 28
11:00AM: Winnipeg Firefighters
2:00PM: Grant Anderson (Author of Do Unto Otters)
All events are included with regular museum admission! I Love to Read Month at the Manitoba Children's Museum is generously supported by  For more information on our upcoming I Love to Read Month programs and events, please visit our website at www.childrensmuseum.com or call 924-4000 today! |
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Tigers and Dragons Arrive at the Museum!
Come and discover the fascinating cultures of China and India for kids as the temporary traveling exhibit Tigers and Dragons ROARS into the Manitoba Children's Museum!
Open now until September 7, personally experience the bustle and excitement of a Chinese market, try on beautiful, traditional clothing, bangles, and scarves, and explore the world with a giant globe.
Entrance to the exhibit is free with regular museum admission.
Accompanying School Programs:
To celebrate the arrival of Tigers and Dragons, we are offering brand new school programs for Kindergarten to Grade 4 classes!
How We Learn and Play:
Kindergarten & Grade 1
Come fly around the world at the Manitoba Children's Museum! Kids will have the chance to play with giant globes and maps, practice Chinese lettering, and create their own "kolam" as they realize that every child in the world shares the same basic needs, but that they meet them differently.
Storytelling Around the World:
Grade 2 & Grade 4
Calling all storytellers! This program invites kids to discover different ways of sharing stories, from dance to art to writing. Come explore your creative talents and tell us your story!
Culture and Classroom:
Grade 3
Come spend a day in the life of a student in China or India! Experience firsthand what it's like to go to school in a different country. Students will get instruction in yoga, play international recess games, and practice their Chinese lettering in this fun, action-packed program!
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"What Am I?" Contest
Visit us for your family's chance to participate in March's contest!
To the lucky winner of this month's contest, we're giving away a free, one-year Adventurer Family Membership Pass which includes the following great benefits:
- Unlimited admission for up to two adults and all children in the household for one year
- Discounts on MCM day camps
- Discounts on MCM birthday parties
- Free admission to participating Science Centres in Canada
- A 10% discount on memberships at the Manitoba Museum, Oak Hammock Marsh, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery
TO ENTER:
Carefully study the picture shown above. It features a close-up of something that can be found in one of our permanent, year-round galleries (All Aboard, Live Wire, Our TV, Tree and Me, or WonderWorks).
Explore the Manitoba Children's Museum to find the item in the picture!
When you think you know the item, simply reply to this email (before March 21, 2009) providing your name, address and phone number and correctly answer the following TWO questions:
- What Am I?
- Which Gallery Will You Find Me In?
(Please note that all contact information must be provided and you must correctly answer the two questions in order to be eligible for this draw. As a participant in March's "What Am I?" Contest, the Manitoba Children's Museum reserves the right to contact you to discuss your submission. The Manitoba Children's Museum respects your privacy and holds your personal information in strict confidence. For more information about our Privacy Policy, please contact our Privacy Officer at 924.4010 or e-mail jmcleod@childrensmuseum.com. MCM staff and volunteers are not eligible to participate in this contest. Contest closes Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 12:00AM.)
LAST MONTH'S CORRECT ANSWER:
The image featured in February's eNews was that of the "Video Camera" located in the "Our TV" Gallery. Thank you for all of your entries, and good luck with this month's contest! |
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Join Us For Mini Mondays!
Mondays at the Manitoba Children's Museum are very special days! Every Monday from 10:00AM to 2:00PM, we tailor crafts and activities to suit the needs of our youngest visitors. We will be offering special guided crafts at the Project du Jour table and storytimes at 11:30AM and 1:30PM in the TV Studio.
Join us this March and help us celebrate the colour green!
March's themes include:
March 2 - Dr. Seuss's Birthday
March 9 - Getting Greener!
March 16 - St. Patrick's Day
March 23 - First Days of Spring
Please note that on March 30 the Manitoba Children's Museum will not have any Mini Monday programming due to Spring Break, however the museum will still be open for your enjoyment.
Caution: Adults at Play!
We live in a world where children play with computer games and electronic books or toys that use little to no imagination. The Manitoba Children's Museum is one of the last havens that encourage children to actively investigate their world and use their imagination as they play, laugh, learn, and grow.
That is why we are dedicating the first Monday of every month to explore how each gallery at the Manitoba Children's Museum can open up the world of your child's play through interactive environments that nurture the power of imagination and spirit of self-discovery.
Join us on March 2 at 11:00AM and 1:00PM as we explore the Tree and Me gallery, and see how it sparks creative learning in children. |
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Weekends Project du Jour:
Come create with us!
 Join us in the foyer on Saturdays and Sundays for our "Project du Jour" craft!
This month's Project du Jour crafts include:
Mar. 7 & 8 - Egg Carton Goldfish
Mar. 14 & 15 - Egg Carton Flower Bouquet
Mar. 21 & 22 - Coffee Filter Butterfly
Mar. 28 & 29 - Spring Garden
Free with museum admission. |
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Rogers Movie Nights 
Grab a snack and settle in for the show!
Saturdays at 4:00PM
March's movies include:
March 7 - High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Running Time: 112 minutes, G March 14 - Beverly Hills ChihuahuaRunning Time: 92 minutes, GMarch 21 - Tinkerbell
Running Time: 78 minutes, G
Running Time: 83 minutes, G
Movie titles are subject to availability. Free with museum admission. For further details, visit our website or call 924-4000. |
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Festival du Voyageur Rewards
It pays to wear your button!
We have teamed up with the Festival du Voyageur to offer museum savings to everyone who wears his or her festival button. Simply show your button when you visit the museum from February 1 to 28, 2009 and we will discount $2.00 off your regular museum admission.
One button per discount and cannot be combined with any other offer or coupon.
Wear it and save. Bon festival! |
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Visit MCM at St. Vital Centre!
Join us on Saturday, March 21 from 12:00PM to 4:00PM while MCM will be at St. Vital Shopping Centre getting ready for Spring Break!
Visit us at our special location near the Play Park to learn more about our upcoming Spring Break & Summer Day Camps, special Spring Break events and activities, and our newest travelling exhibit, Tigers and Dragons, while making your very own special take-away craft.
Visit the Customer Service Centre at St. Vital Shopping Centre to learn more! |
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St. Vital Kids Club Discount Day 
As part of our Little Hands, Big Ideas partnership with St. Vital Centre, Kids Club members can enjoy $2.00 off children's admission at the Manitoba Children's Museum all day long during St. Vital Kids Club Days on the first Saturday of every month. Simply show your Kids Club Card at our Admissions Desk to receive your discount.
Next Kids Club Day: Saturday, March 7
Join the St. Vital Kids Club now and you can enter to win your own private birthday party at the Manitoba Children's Museum! It's free! It's fun! It's fantastic!
For more information and to sign up today, visit Customer Service at St. Vital Centre or visit their website at www.stvitalcentre.com.
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Triple P: Positive Parenting Program 
During February and March, the Manitoba Children's Museum will be hosting a series of seminars focused on simple parenting routines that can make a big difference to your family.
These seminars will demonstrate ways to reduce parental stress when dealing with common child behavioural and emotional issues. Topics include using assertive discipline, encouraging respect and cooperation, and teaching children how to deal with negative feelings.
Feb. 23 - The Power of Positive Parenting
Mar. 2 - Raising Confident, Competent Children
Mar. 9 - Raising Resilient Children
Triple P is a unique system of easy-to-implement, proven parenting solutions that helps solve current parenting problems and prevents future problems before they arise. Triple P has been developed through over 20 years of research by Professor Matt Sanders at the University of Queensland. The program is based upon contemporary knowledge, has been well-tested in international research, and has been found useful by many parents. Triple P is funded by the Manitoba Government through Healthy Child Manitoba. In partnership with community service providers, Healthy Child Manitoba provides support for provincial Triple P training and resources. All seminars will be held from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the museum. For more information and registration, contact Sara Hancheruk at 924-4003. Space is limited, so register today! |
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Get Ready For Spring Break!
As we all look forward to spring and nicer weather, mark your calendars for a Spring Break visit to the Manitoba Children's Museum!
From March 30 to April 3, drop-in for fun with special guests, crafts, and activities including:
- Blue Bombers Mascots Buzz and Boomer
- Fire Safety Education with the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service
- Demonstrations by Let's Talk Science
- Live parrots with the Avian Welfare Group
- and more!
Check our website frequently for updates on event schedules and special programming! |
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Spring Break Day Camp:
Register Today! 
Registration is now open for Spring Break Day Camp. Join us for 5 great days of fun!
Date: March 30 to April 3
Time: 9:00AM to 4:00PM (Early drop-off and late pick-up available)
Price: $140 ($125 for members)
Monday, March 30: Artist for a Day
Come spark your creative energy in a camp devoted to the visual arts! Craft a tile mosaic, try your hand at splatter painting and sculpt a masterpiece of clay. Every artist needs inspiration and the MCM galleries are the perfect place to find it!
Tuesday, March 31: Storyteller for a Day
Release your imagination in this camp designed to bring out your inner storyteller. Use any medium, from publishing your own bound book to visual art to drama, to bring your ideas to life! Explore your creative talents and tell us a story!
Wednesday, April 1: Scientist for a Day
Whip out your goggles and join the scientists in the MCM lab for a day jam-packed with awesome experiments, creepy crawly cockroaches, space exploration, and much more! Get your lab coat ready - this day is going to be messy!
Thursday, April 2: Photographer for a Day
Come be a shutterbug at the Manitoba Children's Museum! Use the MCM-provided digital camera to capture how you see the world! Catalogue your adventures in the jungles of the Tree and Me Gallery, your cross country train trip on the 9161 Express, and your day as an astronaut in the Space Station. At the end of the day, print your photos and take them home!
Friday, April 3: Archeologist for a Day
Dig archeology? Come discover the ancient treasures of the Manitoba Children's Museum! Handle real artifacts, learn about ancient cultures, and dig your very own test pit in this hands-on exploration of all things archeology.
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13th Annual Build For Kids Golf Tournament 
Date: Wednesday, May 27
Place: Bridges Golf Course Time: 11:00AM - Lunch, 12:30PM - Shotgun Start
Don't miss this chance to spend a day on the links at Bridges! Now you can have fun golfing and support the Manitoba Children's Museum at the same time. Become a sponsor, register a team, or join as an individual. The tournament will be Texas Scramble format and have a shotgun start. Your registration fee includes lunch, dinner, registration gift, green fees, power cart, use of the driving range, all contests, team prizes, and a chance to win a brand new Pontiac vehicle courtesy of Pontiac Buick GMC or a trip for 2 to Vancouver on VIA Rail!
Early Bird Offer: Register by April 15 and you will be entered to win a round of golf for 4 at Bridges Golf Course valid for the 2009 season! (Value $180)
Please print off the registration form and mail or fax back to Erin Kangas, 45 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4T6. For further inquiries, phone 924-4005 or email ekangas@childrensmuseum.com. |
Support the Manitoba Children's Museum
 The Manitoba Children's Museum is a registered
charitable not-for-profit organization. This means that we rely on the
support of individuals, foundations and corporations in our community
to help us provide quality programming, introduce exciting new
exhibits, maintain existing galleries, expand our Free Access Program,
grow our endowment fund and move forward with our plans for a Capital
Campaign. Please consider making the Manitoba Children's Museum your charity of choice.
To make an online donation, click here.
If you prefer to send us a donation by mail or fax, please click here to print a donation form.
Thank you!
Tax receipts are automatically issued for donations of $15 or more. |
Want a Chance to Visit the Children's Museum for FREE?
We want our eNews Family Corner and Facebook page to be all about you and the other families who visit our museum each day. We'll be on the lookout all this month for any of the following: - Family-themed crafts and activities;
- Healthy recipes you can prepare as a family;
- Stories or quotes about your family's experience at the Children's Museum;
- Photos or videos of your time at the Children's Museum
We want to hear from you! Simply e-mail any of the above to us at general@childrensmuseum.com
and if we choose to feature them, we'll contact you for more
information and consent for your name to appear in next month's issue!
We'll even throw in a pass for you and your family to visit us and spend some quality time together - for FREE!!! |
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