Betty Brinn Children’s Museum September – December 2015 Events

MILWAUKEE—Following is the calendar of events taking place in September, October, November and December 2015 at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum.

Exhibits

TINKERTOY: Build Your Imagination!
October 10 – December 13
TINKERTOY®: Build Your Imagination™, which was created by the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in collaboration with PLAYSKOOL and sponsored by GE, returns to the Museum this fall with endless opportunities for visitors to work together as they design, build and explore activities that promote science, technology, engineering and math. Giant TINKERTOY pieces set the stage for the exhibit, and nine activity stations enable children to learn more about renewable energy and clean water technology, experiment with design and engineering, and use imagination and creativity to develop their own ideas and inventions. Children can construct and test a wind-powered TINKERTOY model, experiment with filtration, collaborate on a design using linked computers, and create a TINKERTOY structure using nature as inspiration. A spectacular assortment of TINKERTOY pieces – spools, rods, flags and more! – offer open-ended play and building opportunities.

Let’s Play Railway!
Opening December 18
Little engineers will enjoy a pretend ride on this visitor favorite as they enjoy activities in the exhibit’s engine, cattle wagon and caboose! Let’s Play Railway! – fully refurbished thanks to exhibit sponsor Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. – promotes early math and literacy, encourages problem solving and helps children practice communicating, sharing and taking turns. Kids can climb into the engine’s cab to operate dials, cranks and buttons, and then explore the engine’s cow-catcher xylophone, a kid-powered crankshaft with moving pistons, and colorful puzzles. In the cattle wagon, kids can tend to a pretend cow and pony, harvest corn and store it in the silo and activities in the wheels. A read-with-me book nook offers favorite stories and educational books about trains. The journey ends in the caboose, where children can enjoy the roly-poly wheel, puzzles and a challenge to guide golf balls down a pretend track from station to station. Play tables with open-ended train building sets complement the exhibit.

The Animal Hospital
October 3, 2015 through January 3, 2016
The Animal Hospital will reopen for business this fall in Home Town, which helps children learn more about the people, places and processes that make a community work. The Animal Hospital helps teach the value of providing proper care for our best friends – our beloved pets. Children can role-play as the veterinarian and provide wellness exams and treatments for a variety of pretend pets while exploring science and learning about the importance of caring for our animal friends. Real animal X-rays and a microscope with prepared slides invite children to perform “lab work.” Kids can also sort and stock pet food and care products, and accept fees for treatment or ring up sales at the cash register.

Bugs on the Balcony
Open now through October 31
in this outdoor exhibit sponsored by Anderson Pest Solutions, Kids can build a giant insect using big bug parts or everyday objects, guide a bug through kid-sized maze tables, or crawl inside and outside a 6-foot beehive climber as they learn about anatomy, habitats and the value of insects. Seating on the balcony provides a spot to both eat and play, so pack a picnic lunch – we’ll provide the ants!

Special Events

Grandparents Day
September 13
On Sunday, September 13 – national Grandparent’s Day – we honor all grandparents by providing FREE admission to the Museum (when accompanied by the grandkids of course!).

US Bank & FOX 6 Neighborhood Night
September 17, October 15, November 19 and December 17 from 5 – 8 p.m.
Enjoy free admission on the third Thursday of every month, and the following free programs:

Be a Maker
Stop by the BAM space to find tools, materials and techniques for endless ways to experiment and create.

Storytelling with Milwaukee Public Television (November 19 only)
Discover your inner author and illustrator! Learn the basics of storytelling with hands-on activities, and continue the fun with a craft to take home.

Maker Faire Milwaukee
September 26 & 27 at Wisconsin State Fair Park
We’re proud to co-host the second annual Maker Faire® Milwaukee, a FREE celebration of making! Maker Faires are family-friendly events that welcome makers – tech enthusiasts, inventors, crafters, tinkerers and hobbyists of all ages – to exhibit their work and share their knowledge and skills with other makers and with the community.

This awesome two-day event will feature:

– 150+ makers who will demonstrate 3D printing, lasers, indie crafts, robotics, microcomputers, blacksmithing, alternative energy, textile crafts, electric vehicles, CNC machines, woodworking, pottery and more!
– Hands-on activity areas for all ages
– AudioBody – a thrilling, high-tech family comedy show
– The Nerdy Derby and trebuchet pumpkin launching
– Performances, workshops and speakers
– The GE Design & Build Challenge
– And so much more!

Co-hosted by the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum and Milwaukee Makerspace in collaboration with MAKE Magazine. Sponsored by Brady Corporation. Design & Build Challenge sponsored by GE Healthcare.

MakeShift: Make/Share/Socialize. Adults Only.
October 1, November 5 and December 3 from 6 – 9 p.m.
Kids don’t get to have all the fun! MakeShift is a series of evening events that is adults only (no children 17 and younger). Tickets are $10 each and include DIY take-home projects, demonstrations of cool equipment and technology and refreshments. Buy online at bbcmkids.org.
October 1 theme: Wickedness
November 5 theme: Let’s Talk Turkey
December 3 theme: Ice Cubism

Not-So-Scary Halloween
October 23 & 24 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Celebrate the fall season with plenty of Halloween fun created especially for young children at the Museum’s Not-So-Scary Halloween presented by Sendik’s Food Markets. Receive goodies at Treat Stops throughout the Museum sponsored by Breadsmith, Kemps, Sargento and Turbana (with or without a costume!); stop by the “Mad Scientist Lab;” create something creepy in the Be A Maker space; and check out the Anderson Insect Zoo on Friday from 10 a.m. – noon. The Not-So-Scary Halloween is free with admission! Visit www.bbcmkids.org or facebook.com/bettybrinn to get the latest updates about the schedule of workshops and entertainment.

Beginning October 5, visit a Sendik’s Food Market – Balistreri Owned & Operated, purchase select products and show your receipt to receive one FREE admission to the Not-So-Scary Halloween! Visit bbcmkids.org for product information.

Little Monster Bash
October 23 from 6 – 9 p.m.
Your little monsters will want to dance the night away at the Museum’s annual Little Monster Bash, a Halloween dance and costume party! The event features a light dinner, sweet treats, trick-or-treating at Treat Stops, and activities and goodies galore. Tickets are $20 or $16 for Museum members; children younger than 1 are free. Available online at www.bbcmkids.org; at the Museum; or by calling 414-390-KIDS (5437) ext. 242. Must be purchased in advance. Hurry! Space is limited for this annual sell-out event.

Choo Choo Bob and the Holy Smokestacks Revue
November 13 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Calling all little engineers! Join Choo Choo Bob and the Holy Smokestacks Revue at a fun-filled live show of songs, sketches and tons of train fun! Children attending this special performance will receive a free ticket to Trainfest, America’s largest operating model railroad show to be held at Wisconsin State Fair Park on November 14 & 15, and an entry into the Holy Smokestacks Giveaway. One winner will receive a train set courtesy of Wm. K. Walthers, a Choo Choo Bob prize pack, and a family four-pack of tickets to Trainfest. Seating is limited – reserve your free spots online at www.bbcmkids.org.

Brought to the Museum by Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. and Trainfest.

Holiday Kitchen
November 27 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The holidays are all about being with the ones we love, so we’re hosting a very special day for families! Join the Museum for crafty workshops with engaging DIY projects, fun programs and delicious food samples that celebrate cooking together, healthy eating and the importance of family meal time. This special event will feature a variety of hands-on activities that highlight the value of making good decisions when it comes to nutrition and leading a healthy lifestyle, and provide fun and easy-to-use tips for engaging the entire family in meal planning and preparation. Holiday Kitchen is sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets; treats, recipes and giveaways courtesy of Sendik’s, Breadsmith, Kemps, Palermo’s, Sargento and Turbana.

Winter Break and Noon Year’s Eve
December 21 – 23 and 28 – 31
During Winter Break, the Museum will host daily hands-on programs and workshops at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. On New Year’s Eve, we’re celebrating at 12 noon so the little ones don’t have to stay up til midnight! Make a party hat and create something festive in the Be A Maker space from 9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Then join Father Time and Baby New Year as we count down to the big ball drop at noon and celebrate with a toast (of apple juice)!

Pre-School Programs
All pre-school programs are free with regular admission. Please register at the Museum’s Information Desk the day of the program. Space is limited and participation is on a first-come, first-served basis for general visitors.

Tot Time (Ages 1 – 3)
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
There will be no Tot Time on November 26, December 24 & 31
Join us to sing, listen to stories, play games and other activities for our youngest visitors – activities that are the first, critical steps in building academic and social skills for a lifetime.

Music Makers with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music (Ages 2 – 5)
Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
There will be no Music Makers September 11, October 23, November 27 or December 25
Sing, listen, play rhythm instruments and move to music.

Music and Me (Ages 2 – 5)
September 11 at 10:30 a.m.
Music activities are an important and fun way to build literacy and math skills. Join us to explore music, instruments, and musical storytelling.

Pint-Size Science (Ages 2 – 5)
September 16, October 14, November 11, and December 16 at 10:30 a.m.
From the kitchen to the playground – and even in the car – science is all around us. Join us as we make exciting science discoveries through stories, songs and experiments!

Naomi’s Music Together (5 and younger)
December 9 at 10 a.m. & 11 a.m.
Play instruments, chant rhythms and move to music! Lead by Naomi Bodine, a teacher trained in this national program known for its developmentally appropriate research-based curriculum.

Other Programs and Performances
All programs and performances are free with regular admission unless otherwise noted. For up-to-date information to plan your visit to the Museum, visit www.bbcmkids.org.

Be a Maker sessions
Weekdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The Museum’s Be A Maker programs offer opportunities for children and adults to work together on a broad range of do-it-yourself maker activities using a variety of materials, real tools, digital resources and technologies that make it fun to tinker, learn new skills, collaborate and create something unique! All programs are free with regular admission. Held daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Workshops vary on weekends; please check www.makerMKE.org for the schedule.

Movement and Music with Danceworks
September 1, October 6, November 3 and December 1 at 10:30 a.m.
Get your child’s body and mind moving! Children will practice simple movement and rhythm activities that help increase flexibility and motor skills, stimulate brain development and awaken the senses.

Nature Nook with the Urban Ecology Center
September 2, October 7, November 4 and December 2 at 10:30 a.m.
Join interactive, nature-themed programs that include songs, stories, games, and hands-on fun. Examine seeds and leaves, discover wildlife in your own backyard, listen to the sounds of nature and learn what animals do in winter.

It’s in the Bank sponsored by WaterStone Bank
September 11 & 18, October 9 & 16, November 6 & 20 and December 11 & 18 at 11:30 a.m.
Age 4 and older. Join us for facilitated play that teaches children about earning, spending, saving and sharing. Children will be the contestants in a fast-paced game show that will help them develop their financial vocabulary and learn to make smart decisions.

Fish Alive with Riveredge Nature Center
Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. – noon
Get cheek to gill with sturgeon and learn about these amazing fish with fun hands-on activities. Discover how you can sponsor a baby sturgeon – and even release it into Lake Michigan!

Ballet Class with the Milwaukee Ballet
September 14, October 12, November 9 and December 14 at 10 a.m.
Join dancers from Milwaukee Ballet II in a beginning dance/movement class. Learn the positions, work on splits, try runs and leaps, and more!

Trash to Treasure with Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful
September 15, October 20, November 17 and December 22 at 10:30 a.m.
Get crafty with Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful! Learn about our environment – and how to protect it – with stories and crafts. Explore a different environmental topic each month including trees, water, recycling and more!

Story Drama Workshops with First Stage
September 21, October 19, November 16 and December 21at 10:30 a.m.
Age 3 and older. Join creative drama activities that encourage self-expression, concentration and cooperation. Have fun and enhance creativity by recreating stories inspired by stage productions and classic children’s literature.

Get Growing with Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens
September 22, October 13, November 10 and December 8 at 10:30 a.m.
Share stories and create something special! “Have fun on the farm,” explore what happens in fall, celebrate with a Japanese tea ceremony and learn all about birds.

Animal Antics with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee
September 28, October 27, November 24 and December 7 at 10:30 a.m.
Learn about animals (and meet some, too!) from around the world. Sing songs, play games and make a special craft to take home.

Wisconsin Science Fest
October 22 – 25
It’s full STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) ahead at the Museum during Wisconsin Science Fest, a statewide festival celebrating curiosity and creativity!

Nanoscience – Small Things Make a Big Impact!
October 22 & 25 from 1 – 4 p.m.
What is a nanometer? What types of things are measured in nanometers? Nanometer-sized things are very small, and often behave differently than larger things. Have big fun exploring the way small things work with nanoscale science and experiment with hands-on activities in the Museum’s Be A Maker space.

Mad Scientist Lab
October 23 & 24 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Try your hand at strange and spooky science experiments during the Museum’s Not-So-Scary Halloween event.

Milwaukee Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
December 5 at 1 p.m.
Enjoy a taste of the dazzling journey to a magical land where dolls, toys and snowflakes come to life in this seasonal favorite. Join the dancers as they perform excerpts from this classic ballet.

Visitor Information
Location: 929 E. Wisconsin Avenue,  Milwaukee, WI  53202
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.
Special Hours: The Museum will be closed September 7 – 9, October 3, November 26, December 24 and December 25. Closing at 3 p.m. October 2.
Admission: $8 per person; $7 for seniors (ages 55+); children age 1 and younger are free
Phone: 414-390-KIDS (5437)
Website: www.bbcmkids.org

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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