enews
November 2012
Children's Museum of La Crosse  207 5th Ave. S.  La Crosse WI 54601 
(608 784-2652   www.funmuseum.org 
   
INSIDE:
  • Mr. Potato Head is here
  • Museum gift shop: extra Member discount, new items, MN holiday cards   
  • "A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail" production 
  • Brain Quest event 
  • Imagine-Nation BUILD event     
  • Toys for Tots 
  • Upcoming Events, including NEW preschool programming    


Mr. Potato Head
at the Children's Museum until Jan. 6

 

Join MR. POTATO HEAD for fun, hands-on adventures: take a trip to outer space on the Space S.P.U.D; go on an archaeological dig with King Tato in Spud Quest; explore the deep sea with Jacques Coustato; build your own potato head, and more! Access to the exhibit is included with admission.   

 

Meet Mr. Potato Head (costumed staffer) at 11 am and 2 pm on most Saturdays during the exhibit's visit (bring your camera)!  

 

Join in the Little Spuds preschool program two Wednesdays per month at 10:30 am. Check calendar for specific dates.   

 

 We're very excited to offer this exhibit to our members and visitors, and we're hoping for high admission during its visit. Please bring your friends and family and help spread the word!  

 

National tour sponsored by  

  Northwestern Mutual Foundation 

Additional support provided by Debra Altshul-Stark and Brian Stark and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation

 

 

Big thanks to local supporters 

POTATO KING

Bill & Cindy Berg Grandchildren

Bruce & Meri Sue Erdmann

Joey & Peter McVean

Ernie & Sally Micek

Antelma & Steven Nicolai

Mike & Leanne Poellinger Family

Renee & Michael Redman

Mrs. Grace Schroeder

Dr. John Shea

Kurt Schuldes

Carol Taebel

Bob & Elinor Thorud

Trohkimoinen Family

Dr. Rodelino & Janet Virata

In memory of Bill White, architect

 

The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD exhibit was created by the Betty Brinn Children's Museum in collaboration with Hasbro. MR. POTATO HEAD is a registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc. and is used with permission.

© 2012 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.

 

"Ta-Da!" Gift Shop

During the entire month of November, current members of the Children's Museum of La Crosse will get an additional 10% off all purchases* from the Museum's "Ta-Da!" gift shop...that means 20% off your holiday or other purchases!  Provide your member name or number when you present your items for purchase.

New items in the gift shop include Mr. Potato Head playsets (even Packer and Viking Mr. Potato Head figures!) and Brain Quest packs. We also have the every-popular MagnaTiles magnetic building blocks in stock.


You can also purchase Children's Miracle Network holiday cards at the Museum gift shop.  The artwork on this year's 26th annual holiday card was created by 13-year-old Kayla Koecher of New Lisbon, WI. Kayla struggles with cystic fibrosis, and she and her family have been helped by Children's Miracle Network. Each card package (20 cards with image shown below, envelopes and outer seals), printed as a donation by Empire Screen Printing of Onalaska, is $8.00 + tax*.  The inside sentiment is "Wrap yourself in the love of family and friends this holiday season." 100% of the proceeds will benefit children in our community who are facing medical challenges.
CMN Holiday Card

* Member discount not applicable to Children's Miracle Network holiday cards
It's Fun to be Smart!
 
Brain Quest will bring its fast-paced question and answer game to life at the Children's Museum on Saturday, November 17 with a "Brain Quest Challenge", sponsored by Chrysler brand Town & Country.  

At 11:30 am and 1:00 pm, kids will have the chance to flaunt their smarts by answering questions in a quiz show-type setting. Participants will receive fun giveaways from the Brain Quest® line.  BrainQuest sets are also available for sale in the Museum's "Ta-Da!" gift shop.

Adult attendees will also have the opportunity to help Chrysler and Brain Quest raise money for the Museum. When you take a short test drive in a new Chrysler between 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. at the Museum on Nov. 17 and complete a brief survey about your driving experience, Chrysler will donate $10 to the Children's Museum!  Museum staff and volunteers will be available to supervise your child/ren in the Museum during your test drive if needed. 
Power of Play

The Children's Museum will be offering quarterly Imagine-Nation programs to promote simple, open-ended creative play for children and families.  

 

Join in the next

Imagine-Nation event

"BUILD"  

on Saturday, November 24 from 11 am to 3 pm 

 

The Imagine-Nation events are FREE with Museum admission. The only requirement is that everyone, kids and adults, participate to the best of their abilities. Cell phones and other distractions are discouraged. HAVE FUN TOGETHER! 

 

Donations of clean, new or gently-used Legos and Duplos between now and Nov. 24 will be much appreciated.     

 
Winnie the Pooh
Everyone loved Pinkalicious: The Musical in August, so the theatre company is returning to the Children's Museum with another production:

A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail

Saturday, Nov. 10, 5 pm & 7 pm
Sunday, Nov. 11, 5 pm
Friday, Nov. 16, 5 pm
Saturday, Nov. 17, 5 pm
Sunday, Nov. 18, 5 pm

Preferred (chair) $15 each
Floor (no chair) $10 each

Reserve your seats at the
Children's Museum or online at  brownpapertickets.com

* Payment must accompany reservation (We cannot hold seats)
* No paper tickets; Check in with your name up to 30 minutes before performance
* Same price adult and child;
No fee for infant on lap

Host Your Holiday Party at the Museum
Play isn't just for kids!

The Children's Museum can bring the power of play to your special event. Featuring a whimsical, colorful decor and interactive activity opportunities, the Museum is a perfect place to host your cocktail party, client event, retreat, or other after-hours party for adults or families, during the holiday season or anytime.

The Children's Museum can accommodate up to 700 guests!

For more information about holiday parties or other after-hours gatherings, contact Peggy Rice at 608-784-2652 x225 or Peggy @funmuseum.org. 

toys for tots logo
Donate new or gently-used toys at the Children's Museum or other collection site between November 2 and November 30.

The La Crosse Jaycees will distribute the gifts to children in need on December 8.



Get more information at

Have fun with fellow scouts, meet new friends, learn and play in the Children's Museum and do hands-on activities toward badges.  Some events even include spending the night in the Museum!


Click here for dates and details of upcoming scout events at the Children's Museum.

Pre-registration and pre-payment is required.

Girl Scouts: Register at the Museum or online here.

Boy Scouts: Call 608-784-4040 to register.

calendar

Click here for printable calendars

 

NOTES    

 

Festival Foods has discontinued its grocery receipt reimbursement program, but will continue to support local organizations in a variety of ways. The Children's Museum appreciates their generosity (we have raised over $1000 from this program over the years) as well as those of you who have turned in receipts. Recent Quillin's receipts are still welcome.

The Mt. LeKid climbing wall be open on Saturday and Sundays only throughout the school year, although it will also be open on December 26, 27 & 28 from 11 am to 3 pm. Wear full-coverage shoes if you want to climb Mt. LeKid. Check funmuseum.org or call for daily hours.

 

Weekly Preschool Programs:   

Little Learners (story and craft or game) Thursdays at 10:30 am   

Wee Move (music and movement) Fridays at 10:30 am 

NEW!  Sparkling STEMS (science-related activities) at 10:30 am on Tuesdays, November 13 & 27 and December 11 

NEW!  Little Spuds Fun (hands-on activities related to Mr. Potato Head exhibit) at 10:30 am on Wednesdays, November 7 & 21 and December 5.   

  • There will be no weekly preschool programs the first two weeks of September. 
  • These programs are included with admission and do not require pre-registration; however, class size is limited so check in early/on-time and be prepared that some sessions may be full. 
  • Parental involvement is expected. 

 

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

When registration is required, do so online here or contact the Museum at 608-784-2652      

 

NOVEMBER  

All month: Museum members get an extra 10% off all "Ta-Da!" gift shop purchases!

Friday, November 2: Night (out) at the Museum, 5:30-8:00 pm. 
For ages 3-11. Parents get a night out on the town...Kids get a night out at the Museum!  $10/Member child, $15/Non-Member child.Pre-registration & pre-payment required.

 

Saturdays, November 3 and 10: Physics Demonstrations with UW-La Crosse. 10 am and 12:30 pm each day. Included with Museum admission.

 

Saturdays, November 10 and 24:  Meet Pet Therapy Dogs, 10-11 am. Included with admission.  

 

Nov. 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18: "A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail" production. $15 Preferred Seating, $10 Floor. See block above for details or click here.

 

Saturday, November 17: Brain Quest Challenge. 1:00 quiz show; test drive Chrysler van 12:30-2:30 and the Museum will get a $10 donation!  Included with Museum admission.

 

Thursday, November 22: MUSEUM CLOSED. Happy Thanksgiving!    

 

Saturday, November 24:  Imagine-Nation BUILD, 11 am to 3 pm. Get creative with different building blocks and materials.  Included with Museum admission.  We're looking for donations of new or gently-used Legos/Duplos.  

 

Saturdays, December 8 & 22: Meet Pet Therapy Dogs, 10-11 am. Included with admission.

 

Friday, December 14: Boy Scout Overnight, 5:30 pm Friday to 9 am Saturday. $35 per scout (adult chaperones free). Pre-registration and pre-payment required. Call Boy Scout office at 608-784-4040.

 

Monday & Tuesday, December 24 & 25: MUSEUM CLOSED. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

December 26, 27 & 28: Mt. LeKid Climbing Wall open, 11 am to 3 pm. Included with admission.

 

Saturday, December 29: Happy Noon Year! Welcome the new year a little early with a noisy countdown to noon. Included with admission.

    

Monday & Tuesday, December 31 & January 1: MUSEUM CLOSED. HAPPY NEW YEAR!   

 

Click here for printable calendars  

When registration is required, do so online here or contact the Museum at 608-784-2652     

Big thanks to Webteam for hosting and maintaining our website funmuseum.org!

We also appreciate the support we have received over the years from YOU--generous donors, volunteers, members, media, neighbors and all who celebrate the value of play--thank you! Please continue to visit and support the Museum so the fun and learning can continue.

Sincerely,
Leanne
Leanne Poellinger
Children's Museum of La Crosse