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celebrating the childlike wonder
in all of us
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Our Website
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Great Lakes Children Museum
13240 S. West Bay Shore Dr.
P.O. Box 2326
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 932-4526
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Featuring March Programs...
Nano Days, Funday Sunday, Gala Wrap-up, Museum Movie, Toddler Time, StoryTime, & More! |
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Nano Days - Spring Break
March 26-30, from 11 am - 3 pm, Monday through Friday
 At the nanoscale-the scale of atoms and molecules-many common materials exhibit unusual properties. Our ability to manipulate matter at this size enables innovations that weren't possible before. Nanotechnology is revolutionizing research and development in medicine, computing, new materials, food, energy, and other areas.
Nano Days is a nationwide week of events and activities that will help increase our understanding of nanotechnology and science. The Great Lakes Children's Museum is proud to have been an offical venue for Nano Days since 2009. |
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Funday Sunday - Ireland & Turkmenistan
March 11 at 1:30 and 2:30, and March 18 at 3:00
 Ireland On March 11, Explore the culture of Ireland and celebrate St. Patrick's Day as a family with music, stories and fun. Sing some traditional Irish songs. Learn about the adventures of gentle giant, Finn McCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill). Make a shamrock rainbow headband to wear on St. Patrick's Day. Decorate a potato to create a homemade Mr. Potato Head. This program will be offered in two sessions at 1:30 and 2:30.  Turkmenistan
On March 18, the NMC International Club will again present a Funday Sunday for us. Nargilya Gasanova, from Turkmenistan, will share the culture and experiences of her homeland. Nargilya came to Frankfort as a high school exchange student and chose to return to northern Michigan for college. This program will be offered in only one session at 3:00. Funday Sunday activities are free with admission. Activities are appropriate for children 2 and up, however children 6 and under may need adult help to complete their projects. |
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2012 Gala Update
This year's gala fundraiser was a fabulous party and a great success. A special thank-you to co-chairs, Lauren Jefferies and Katie Lowran, who worked to ensure that everyone had an enjoyable time. The event raised more than $27,000 of essential support for the Great Lakes Children's Museum's hands-on learning exhibits and activities. To see some of our major supporters go to the Major Business Supporter page on our website. Thanks to everyone who underwrote, donated, or came to the event!
To view the very special video that we showed at this year's gala, click below.
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Museum Movie at State - Happy Feet 2
Saturday March 17, 10 am
 On Saturday, March 17, we continue our partnership with our friends at the State Theatre. Each month, we offer an entertaining and informative short video before the 25 ¢ Saturday Kids Matinee. In March we'll open for the animated feature Happy Feet 2 with a unique science video of special robot fish that attract interaction from live fish.
Made possible through the NPR radio program Science Friday and Interlochen Public Radio. Movie goers who bring a ticket stub to the Great Lakes Children's Museum on March 17 will get half off the price of admission. (This discount is available only on the same day as the movie.) |
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March Toddler Time Schedule
Fridays, 10 am to noon
Toddler Time is offered Fridays from 10 am to 12 pm. It is an opportunity for toddlers to interact with each other and learn through a variety of activities and experiences. Toddler Time encourages toddlers' natural curiosity, enhances fine and gross motor skills, guides appropriate social behaviors, and facilitates essential cognitive growth. Most importantly, it's fun! Toddler Time is included with the price of admission or the cost of your annual membership.
Make Some Noise!, March 2
Bowls and spoons! Buckets and pans!Empty containers of all kinds! Children will explore the sounds that everyday objects can make. Make and take a shaker as part of this Toddler Time activity.
Let's Paint!, March 9
Come with washable kids and washable clothes. Children can add their brush strokes to a big picture on the wall. They will experiment with squirts, sponges, and splatters. Create artwork to take home.
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Windy Day Fun, March 16
A breeze will be blowing inside the Great Lakes Children's Museum. Can you feel it? Play with things that seem to be lighter than air.
Playing With Your Food, March 23
Paint a piece of toast! Make a picture with pudding! Dabble in dough! Children can explore finger foods and make their own snack. Play a game with Cheerios and Goldfish. Food has never been this fun before!
No Toddler Time, Nano Days/Spring Break, March 30
Toddler Time is funded by a grant from the Oleson Foundation. |
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March InterActive StoryTime Selections
Stories with a Twist! Wednesdays, 11 am
InterActive StoryTime features great works of children's literature and activities and crafts led by Museum staff and volunteers, which enhances the experience for children and deepens their understanding of the selected book.
Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing,
by Judi Barrett, March 7
What would happen if animals wore clothes? Plenty, all trouble.
Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss, March 14
Sam I Am likes green eggs and ham.Do you? Would you like them in a house? Would you like them with a mouse?
Mud, by Mary Lyn Ray, March 21
One night it happens. A warm breeze blows. Snow melts.Mud happens.
Spring Break, No StoryTime - March 28 - Nano Days
InterActive StoryTime is underwritten through a generous Early Childhood Reading Grant from the Target Foundation. |
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Museum Store Featured Item
The Circus Acrobat activity  in the Great Lakes Room has been very popular with many of our guests. Did you know that you can buy a set in the Museum Store?
In 1931 Strombeck Manufacturing introduced Bill Ding Balancing Clowns which turned out to be one of the best sellers for the company. Many of our parents and grandparents played with them when they were little. Now you can take a set home with you.
The modern Bill Ding Balancing Clowns are made in China from white birch wood and lead free paint. Bill Ding Clowns are made under strict qualilty control standards, tested for lead in Hong Kong and again tested and certified lead free at the University of Iowa Laboratories. Members always get 10% off in the Museum Store. |
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Vote for Museum - Best Place for Rainy Day
 Traverse Magazine is running the "Red Hot Best of Northern Michigan 2012" through March 12 at midnight. There are 100 categories, including Best Place to Take the Kids on a Rainy Day. We would appreciate your support. Vote for us here. |
The software and service that delivers our newsletter is made possible, without cost, through Constant Contact's Care4Kids program (see below) and the sponsorship of Hanna Bistro in downtown Traverse City. |
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There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children
~ Nelson Mandela |
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