Goodbye 2009, HELLO 2010!

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!Come ring in 2010 with CMOM's annual New Year's at Noon "Junkanoo Parade" celebration! Get your personal passport and experience the New Year traditions of Caribbean cultures while visiting each country. Make masks, costumes and noisemakers - then line up for the Junkanoo parade and dance down to Time Square for the countdown to the New Year and the traditional goody toss!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Happy Holidays from all us folks at CMOM!!!

The Scoop on Saturday with Santa!

The Christmas season has officially arrived...and so has Santa! Mr. Claus made a special stop at CMOM Saturday- his sleigh was in the shop for last minute paint touch-ups, but we lent him a helicopter to make sure he made it to Memphis on time!
Here are a few more pictures from the day - it was so much fun! Special thanks to all our volunteers (shown helping with crafts & caroling and visiting Santa, too) who helped make the day so great!

♪Santa Claus is coming to town...♪

More specifically, SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO CMOM! And he's ready to "rock out!"

Join us this Saturday, December 12, for Carol Karaoke, crafts in Santa's Workshop, Christmas games, and photos with the Big Guy in Red himself! There's also going to be a special drawing for members only, so go ahead and get that membership (and don't forget--they make GREAT Christmas gifts for those special families in your life!).

JINGLE BELL ROCK WITH SANTA

Saturday, December 12, 10am-1pm

The Village Toymaker has arrived!!

CMOM is proud to announce our newest addition to the museum : the best toystore/gift shop EVER!

This past Saturday, CEO Dick Hackett, along with some of our great board members, celebrated the arrival of Memphis's own Pat Monz and her Village Toymaker Shop with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Kids themselves had the official job of cutting the ribbon and also entered a drawing for some of the awesome toys available at the shop. YAY for TOYS! Don't forget Christmas is coming up - get ready to make your kids super happy! Stop by and check out it out!

Thanksgiving at Bikini Bottom = AWESOME

Wow...I know it took WAY too long to get these up, but they're totally worth it. Spongebob's visit to CMOM was a blast - take a look at some of the pictures and see for yourself!


Look at the line! Over 1,000 people showed up to meet the Bobster(we became such good friends he even let me use that awesome nickname I came up for him).




Look at this guy...he was so excited he brought his own Spongebob to meet the real deal. Cute!






Even the grown-ups were happy to meet Mr. Squarepants!






Bouncy things! I love them, especially when Spongebob gets to hang out, too!



Craft time! We made all kinds of cool things to take home - here, some kids colored picture frames for the photos they had taken with the most popular guy from Bikini Bottom.


Everyone loved the games...here, my friend Alden joins in the Sea-side Sack Race.

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea...?

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!

Thanksgiving at Bikini Bottom

Saturday, November 21

10am-2pm

CMOM is ready to celebrate Thanksgiving - under-the-sea style! Come play games, make crafts, get your face painted, and take pictures with Spongebob! There's also a members-only raffle...membership AND prizes? A total win-win situation! Mark your calendars now and don't miss giving thanks with the coolest dude of Bikini Bottom!

Thanksgiving...a time to give back!

November is a time to give thanks for all the good things in our lives, but it's also a time to share those blessings with those who have less. CMOM's making it easy for you to give back to your community...Starting this Saturday (November 7), the Children's Museum of Memphis will be hosting a canned food drive to benefit the Midsouth Food Bank and its fight against hunger in the Memphis area.

To show our appreciation for your kindness, CMOM will be offering the ultimate "thank you" gift (because we like to give back, too!)...for every 2 cans of food donated, visitors will be entered into a drawing to win 4 tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the FedEx Forum! Don't miss your chance to be both a giver and a receiver- the drive only runs until our fantastic "Thanksgiving at Bikini Bottom with Spongebob Squarepants" (another event to mark on your calendar!) on November 21. Giving back never felt so good!

Two new weekly programs...Get PUMPED!

Hey, guys! Starting this November (that's next week!!), CMOM will be adding TWO new programs to our weekly calendar! I'm pretty proud of them, and hopefully you'll find them just as exciting...

Around the World Wednesdays
“I am not born for one corner. The whole world is my native land.” –Seneca
“The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible.” –Albert Einstein
Kids will be introduced to various countries from around the world. They will learn about the language, customs, dress, food, and other important facts about other countries to help them appreciate both similarities and differences between their own and other cultures. With each lesson, our little global citizens will get to participate in hands-on activities that incorporate what they've learned about the world around them.

November: North America

4: Canada

11: United States

18: Mexico

December: Central America

2: Puerto Rico

9: Jamaica

16: Guatemala

23: Cuba

30: Panama

Fabulous Fine Arts Fridays
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” –Pablo Picasso
“The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.” –Paul Strand
Each week, children will learn about a specific art movement or visual artist and their special techniques that made them famous. Our own little masters will also use what they've learned to inspire their own beatiful work of art to take home.

November: Early Renaissance

6: Giotto

13: Ghiberti

20: Masaccio

27: Brunelleschi

December: High Renaissance

4: da Vinci

11: Michelangelo

18: Raphael

Can't wait to see you there for these awesome new educational programs!

The votes are in...

The kids have spoken! With an impressive 45% of the vote, AC Wharton is the top choice for Memphis mini-voters. Jerry "the King" Lawler received the number 2 spot in our polls, with John Willingham placing in third. For those of you who missed it, CMOM had a very impressive showing of some of Memphis' leading political and professional leaders. Special thanks to those who came to "kick it" with our wonderful CMOM kids and parents: Randy Cagle, Charles Carpenter, Carol Chumney, Wanda Halbert, Constance Houston, Dewayne Jones, Jerry Lawler, Detric Stigall, Kenneth Whalum, Jr., A C Wharton, and John Willingham. Thanks also to Joey Sulipeck of Fox 13 for hosting the candidate interviews, the Booker T. Washington ROTC for their impressive performance, all our wonderful volunteers that helped make this special day happen, and of course all of you who came out! Check out some of the what the local media had to say: http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/local/101009_Kickn_with_the_Candidates
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/oct/11/uphill-from-here/ (check out the picture to the left)
http://memphisnewsblog.com/2009/10/wharton-is-the-winner-of-childrens-museum-faux-election.html
http://www.tennviews.com/node/549

And for more viewing pleasure, here are some pictures from Saturday:

The audience listens as weatherman Joey Sulipeck interviews the candidates. Kids even had the chance to ask their own questions.

Uncle Sam hats, patriotic face-painting, and make-your-own city seal were big hits.

My vote: Former mayor, CEO of CMOM, and my boss, Dick Hackett! What a cool guy.

Children's Choice: VOTE for MEMPHIS!

"Kickin' with the Candidates"

October 10, 2009

10am-2pm

As you've probably noticed, Memphis has caught the election bug, and now it's time to hear what the kids have to say! Come meet the mayoral candidates and witness our city's future voters (ages 2-15) let their voices be heard in CMOM's own special voting booths. Kids will learn even more about the election process by receiving voter registration cards, making campaign buttons and hats, and hearing a presentation by the Booker T. Washington JROTC. Take advantage of one of America's greatest privileges: VOTE!

SUCCESS!

Clifford was a total success! Check out these pictures:

A bit blurry, but Clifford and I quickly became BFF's. Can't you tell?

Professional face-painters? Umm...YES PLEASE!

Pretty butterfly!

Doggy ears! Isn't she cute?

Our CFO Jenny and I had a bit TOO much fun on the Moon Bounce.

So you missed out on Clifford? Don't worry...Spongebob Squarepants is making an appearance at CMOM November 21! We'll have crafts, games, and picture time with the coolest guy from Bikini Bottom! Stay tuned for more info...

I <3 Saturdays!

SUPER SATURDAY AT CMOM!

(Because who doesn't love Saturdays?)

So, I love Saturdays in general, especially at CMOM, but this Saturday (tomorrow, September 26) is going to be super exciting because we've got programs going on ALL DAY!

• 10:00-12:30 Kids in the Kitchen Join our special guests in the group entrance (in front of the Malco) to learn about eating and cooking healthy and enjoy some special snacks.
• 11:00 Animal Art Come get creative and make something wild! Choose between a cute panda, a silly hippo, or a wise owl!
• 12:00 & 12:30 Music Makers Join our friends from the Memphis Youth Symphony as we jump in to the world of music. Hear a young musician play a famous instrument, learn about its sounds, and get the chance to play it yourself!
• 1:00 Building Brainstorm Workshop Ever wondered what it's like to be an architect? Come help us celebrate the arrival of our new "Building Brainstorm" exhibit with an educational--and fun!--activity using toothpicks and marshmallows.
• 3:00 Eco Kids Club Yay planet Earth! Explore and investigate the world around us! Learn about the migration of monarch butterflies and find out when you can see them fly through Memphis!

See why I'm so excited? Hope to see you tomorrow! (And don't forget...next Saturday is another reason to celebrate: CLIFFORD IS COMING TO CMOM!)

Check this out and WIN STUFF!!!

It's always fun to win stuff (especially in today's economy), right? What's even better is winning something as fun as

THE INCREDIBLE FAMILY FUN GIVEAWAY!

CMOM has teamed up with the Incredible Pizza Company to give you & your family the chance to win all kinds of cool prizes!

Grand Prize (Worth $280)

-TWO $79.99 Family Fun Packs from Memphis' Incredible Pizza Company, valid for up to 8 friends/family members

-SIX tickets to CMOM

-ABC Book

-Museum Gift Shop Toys

Silver Second Prize (Worth $210)

-TWO $59.99 Family Fun Packs from Memphis' Incredible Pizza Company, valid for up to 8 friends/family members

-SIX tickets to CMOM

-ABC Book

Incredible Third Prize (Worth $170)

-TWO $49.99 Family Fun Packs from Memphis' Incredible Pizza Company, valid for up to 8 friends/family members

-FOUR tickets to CMOM

-ABC Book

To register, simply go to www.incrediblepizza.com/contests/cmom.php

Want to save even more money? (I know, I know- you're saying, Duh! Who doesn't??) CMOM is offering a special offer for both new memberships AND renewals! Not quite sure you're ready to join yet? There's also a special $1 off admission coupon, too! To take advantage of these great deals, go to the CMOM webpage (cmom.com), scroll down to the "Download" section on the right side of the page, and click on "Membership Coupon" and/or "Admission Coupon."

I'M BACK...and just in time for Clifford!

Meet Clifford the Big Red Dog!

Saturday, October 3 11am-2pm

Hey, guys! I'm back from my 3-month stint in Europe, and super excited about the upcoming events in store here at the museum...especially meeting Clifford the Big Red Dog! Join us Saturday, October 3, for pictures with Clifford, fun crafts, giveaways and other dog-related activity stations. It'll be a doggone good time!

"It's so hard to say goodbye."

Greetings everyone! I finished up my amazing internship on Saturday, but I wanted to put one more blog post up before I moved on to the next chapter of my life, which is student teaching and then graduation in December!

I just wanted to say what a blast I had working at CMOM this summer. I got a chance to met all the great staff members and a lot of great children and parents while I was there. Thanks to everyone who helped make my internship a terrific experience! This summer I learned a lot! Especially about making toys, about circuits, international currency, and how to do fun science experiments. I even learned about several different musical instruments each Saturday through the Memphis Youth Symphony's program, Music Makers. My favorite ones where the bassoon and the harp. You've got to go to CMOM on Saturdays at 12 and 12:30, so you can learn about instruments too.

So, before I say goodbye, I would like to wish all of you the best of luck for this school year. Children: think positive...school can be a lot of fun. Parents: keep supporting your children because it makes a difference! I would also like to leave you with a few tips for the school year:

• Interact with your children and ask what they are doing in school. Help them with their homework and do a fun activity when their finished.
• Let them help with the grocery shopping, meal planning, and cooking. It gives you a chance to spend time together and it can be a lot of fun!
• Encourage children to find the place that they belong, whether it is dancing, sports, gymnastics, drama, art, chess, or band, it's important for them to get involved in something that they like to do and to find a place to make friends, especially if they are home schooled.
• I know things will get busy with football and dance practice, piano and swimming lessons, etc..., but I think it is extremely important to have at least one family night a week at home where things can slow down and you can eat together, talk together, and maybe even do a craft or play a game together.
• On holidays and weekends, take them to CMOM!!!!!!!! Then you can spend time with them, interact with them, and help them learn things (and the great part is...they don't even know they are learning, they just think they are having fun!).

Well, I guess that's it for me. I'm going to miss posting every week and running programs in the museum, but I know I am leaving you in the capable hands of the other members of the program department. I know they'll take good care of you. :) I hope you and your family have an excellent school year and maybe I'll see you back at CMOM one day. Take care!

There's always something new and exciting at CMOM!!!!!

Happy August! I know everyone is getting ready to go back to school soon, but I wanted to remind all of you not to forget to come visit the children's museum. It is open everyday from 9 to 5. The museum only closes on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, so there is plenty of time for you to come and visit again and again. Next Saturday we are going to have a special back to school day from 11 to 3 and we will have several different activities that day to help you prepare to go back to school.

I also wanted to let you guys know that since I've been at the museum this summer, I have noticed that there is always something new and exciting going on at the Children's Museum. Everyday is different and every couple of months there are brand new exhibits to check out! Here's what's new right now and what's coming soon:

• Several months ago, the growing healthy exhibit was converted into our new Kroger shopping area.
• The old Kroger area is going to be a new exhibit called CMOM TV where children can dress up and do the news, traffic, or weather report sitting at a news desk or in front of a green screen where it will look like they are live at the scene.
• The storm knocked out one of our sound systems earlier this summer, but we have a brand new one, so Okie Dokie Karaoke is back on every Friday at 3:30 PM.
• The rain room has been updated and it is back open now as the Thunderstorm room where it rains and storms and there is a weather report that tells a little about how storms work.
• There is a new Totally Tubular activity in the Your House My House exhibit where children can stick ramps and tubes unto a Velcro wall in different ways and then watch different size balls go down the tube maze. **Just remember to leave the balls in the box next to the wall, so they don't go missing!**
• Also inside Your House My House, is our new Bookatarium Library that I got to watch being painted. It's got a great mural of sea life reading books. It's a great place for parents and children to come and read or to come for one of our literacy programs.
• In the Van Vleet Gallery, there is a new exhibit every couple of months. Right now, there is an exhibit called, Top Secret: Mission Toy. Children can play with different toys and explore how they work and learn about toys from around the world. Don't miss it...it will only be in Memphis until September 13th. After that, you'll have to come back again between September 2009 and January 2010 because we will have another exhibit called Building Brainstorm where children can build and learn about architecture from around the world.
• Soon, our bank will have lots of new things to see and do too. There will be money from all over the world that children can try to match with the country on a map and there will be several other hands-on activities that will help teach children fun facts about money.
• Also, a new exhibit is being built right now called Brain Train Station that will show how to be safe at a railroad crossing. It should be opening in the next few weeks.

So, as you can see there is always something new going on at CMOM. Make sure to come back and visit often so you don't miss out on any of the fun!!!!!!!

Helpful websites for parents and children

Hi everyone! Are your children looking for some fun things to do at home before school starts back? Are you looking for some creative activities you can do at home with your children or homeschool group? Well, you've come to the right place. During my time at CMOM this summer I have come across several great websites that have good craft ideas, helpful hints and resources for parents, or fun online games and activities for your children. Below is a list of the ones that I thought I would share with you guys. Enjoy!

Websites:

• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html
• http://www.dltk-kids.com/
• http://www.preschooleducation.com/
• http://www.familyfun.com/
• http://www.daniellesplace.com/
• http://www.sproutonline.com/
• http://www.freekidscrafts.com/
• http://www.reademandleap.com/
• http://www.scholastic.com/
• http://www.pbs.org/
• http://www.crayola.com/
• http://www.bestkidsbooksite.com/
• http://www.happymeal.com/
• http://www.momshomeroom.msn.com/
• http://www.kidssoup.com/

Also, if you have enjoyed a program that your child did while visiting the museum on a Thursday or Saturday and you would like to know where I got that idea, feel free to e-mail me at ashleyniven@cmom.com or ashleyniven@hotmail.com. I would be happy to help you come up with some fun and creative things to do with your children at home because I know you can't come to the museum every week. Eventhough that would be tons of fun. :) Plus, I think it is really important for children to interact with their parents, to explore new things, learn about art, science, and reading, and experience many different opportunities and you can do that right from your own dining room table, family room floor, or play room area.

Do you love to read?

Hi everyone! I hope you are having a great summer!!!!!! I know I am, what better way to spend the summer than working at the Children's Museum of Memphis?

Are any of you spending your summer days reading some great books? Here is a list of a few of my favorite children's books: Commotion in the Ocean, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, The Color of Us, Love You Forever, Today I feel Silly, The Little Engine that Could, Shapesville, Sideways Stories from Wayside School (older children), Give a Mouse a Cookies (series), What Makes a Rainbow, The Cookie Counting Book, and any of the Little People books.

My favorite children's book authors are Tomie Depaola and Robert Munch. When I choose children's books I try to find ones about zoo animals, ocean animals, books that talk about traveling or ones that can teach me something about another part of the world.

If you would like to come to the museum and hear us read some of our favorite books you can come during one of our literacy programs. I hope to see you here for one of our programs. When you come, you can tell me what your favorite books are.

11:30 AM on Mondays is Tales and Tunes (Story and Song)

10:00 AM on Tuesdays is My First Book Club (Story, craft, and snack)

12:00 PM on Wednesdays, Thursday, and Fridays is R & R Storytime

3:30 PM on Thursdays is Bookworms (Story and Craft)

Books are great! They can help you imagine a tower of ice cream or what its like to live in China or how to be a princess. Some books can teach you about shapes, colors, history, sharing, caring, animals, and SO much more. So...if you are bored this summer, just fall into a good book and enjoy wherever your imagination takes you! Happy reading!

DORA IS COMING TO CMOM!!!!!!!!!

The Orpheum Theather is bringing Dora the explorer to CMOM tomorrow from 11 AM to 2 PM to promote her show, The City of Lost Toys, which will be at the Orpheum from July 31st to August 2nd. If your child is a Dora fan, they are not going to want to miss this! Dora will be available for pictures and we will have fun activity stations set up, so children can make a map and a backpack and go on a scavenger hunt. There will also be Dora giveaways and a chance to win cool prizes and even tickets to her show at the Orpheum. All this is available with regular museum admission. I hope to see you here tomorrow!

Also, if you love CMOM as much as I do, you can vote for them to win the Best Museum in Memphis in Nickelodeon's Parents' Pick Awards. There is only 4 days left to vote.

Click here to vote for us: http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/parents-picks/memphis-tn-usa/best-memphis-museum. Thanks for voting!!!!!!!!

Happy Fourth of July

Hi everyone! My name is Ashley and I am doing a summer internship at the museum. I've been here for about a month and I'm having a blast! I am looking forward to meeting more of you while I'm here this summer.

Today I would like to wish you and your family a happy and safe 4th of July!!!!!!!

I also want to remind you that next Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM DORA THE EXPLORER will be here at CMOM!!!!!!!!! Mark your calendars now, so you can come and get your picture taken with her and make your very own backpack and map. See you next Saturday!!!!!!!!!

Strike up the band!

Music Makers

Presented by the Memphis Youth Symphony Orchestra

Join us every Saturday in June as we welcome members of the Memphis Youth Symphony Orchestra to CMOM! Children will listen as young people demonstrate and explain popular symphony instruments...and even get a chance to play themselves!

Two opportunities to partake in these instructional demonstrations will take place every Saturday at 12 and 12:30. Don't miss out!

IT'S WUSHU TIME!

CMOM's Kid's Malco

Saturday, May 30, 2009

12 noon

Join us in saying "zài jiàn" ("goodbye") to CMOM's latest traveling exhibit--Children of Hangzhou--with a super special performance by members of one of Memphis's own Wushu teams!

So what exactly is Wushu, you ask? Wushu is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. Think high jumps, kicks, punches--Jet Li style! It's an incredibly beautiful--and exciting!!--event to watch. You definitely don't want to miss this!

And don't forget to take advantage of visiting the "Children of Hangzhou" exhibit while you still can--it's only here until the end of May!

VOTE for The Children's Museum of Memphis!

For Museum
in Memphis

We did it, again! We've been nominated for the Best Museum in Memphis in Nickelodeon's Parents' Picks Awards! Now we need your help to win: just click on the Nickelodeon Icon and vote for CMOM! You can vote for us once a day, every day, from now until July 15! While you're there pick some other local favorites like best toy store!

Yummmmm...

Come Tour the Jelly Belly Bus!

Friday, May 8, 11am-3pm

The Jelly Belly Bus is making a stop at The Children's Museum! The bus will be on the parking lot, and visitors may take a FREE tour inside the vehicle to see how their favorite jelly beans are made. You can win cool prizes, too! Bring your sweet tooth and see the fascinating facts on this American icon!

(A little side note...Friday is also my birthday, and I KNOW you all want to come celebrate with me! I'll be the one wearing the princess tiara and the big silly grin on my face!)

Can we fix it? YES WE CAN!

MEET BOB THE BUILDER!

The Orpheum Theatre is bringing Bob the Builder back to the museum on Friday, June 5, 11am-1pm, to meet children and promote his show coming to Memphis June 5-7. Visitors will be able to take photos with Bob, have fun at several activity stations, receive Bob the Builder giveaways and register to win tickets to his show as well as other cool prizes. "Bob the Builder Live!: Spud's Big Mess" is part of The Orpheum Theatre's Family Series. The event at the museum is included with regular admission.

Worlds Largest Mother's Day Card

Check out CMOM's Mother's Day Card. It will be on display until May 12th! Come out and get your picture with the mammoth card! The total size of the Mother's Day Card is 157.3 feet by 30 feet--or 4,719 square feet!

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, from CMOM!