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!!!!!!!!!