For February at Pretend City there are a TON of special activities lined up for little ones from Groundhog Day to a Family Autism Event on the 24th. Start planning now as your calendar will be booked!
Pretend City Children’s Museum invites children and families to explore adventures in health in the month of February as this month is dedicated to children’s overall well-being. From dribbles to sniffles and everything in between, monitoring a child’s growth introduces many new experiences to a family’s life. Children have the opportunity to learn about the careers and resources that help keep them healthy through exciting pretend play! Various play scenarios, fun facilitated activities, and special guests are sure to encourage children and make them eager for their next well-child check-up!
This February atPretend City, Art Studio Sessions will take children on a learning adventure about our bodies. They will learn what the world is like through our five senses: Each sound and taste, each smell, sight, and touch helps children discover something new. The sessions will run Monday – Friday 11:00a.m.; Saturday & Sunday 10:30a.m. Educational lead art activity day that best suits your child’s developmental level in the following all-day art activities at Pretend City that integrate all five senses in a variety of engaging ways:
- Mondays – Touching Texture: Infants (Birth-12 months)
- Tuesday – The Nose Knows: Young Toddlers (12-24 months)
- Wednesdays – Tasty Talent: Toddlers (2-3 years)
- Thursdays – Listen Closely: Preschoolers (3-5 years)
- Fridays – See the Sights: Kindergartners (5-6 years)
- Saturdays – Building Bob: School Ages (5-8 years)
- Sundays – Art from the Heart: Children of all ages
Calendar of Events:
Sunday, February 2: Celebrate Groundhog Day! 11:00a.m. Learn more about the history of Groundhog Day while participating in fun activities throughout the museum to celebrate! Groundhog Day activities include:- Sensational Story Time: By two years of age children can identify themselves as individuals, separate from others. In Gregory’s Shadow, children will learn about a little groundhog named Gregory who is having trouble making the distinction between himself and his shadow.
- Poetry Play: Work with your child on their fine motor skills while learning fun rhymes about Groundhog Day!
- Smart Art: Groundhog Day with Punxsutawney Phil has been a part of American History since 1887. Today your child can make their very own Phil to help you predict the weather!
- Good to Go Game: Be prepared for Phil’s forecast by working with your child on identifying what items correspond to which season in this game of weather forecast!
- Sensational Story Time: What better way to celebrate the day than with The Kissing Hand, a story about the love of family!
- Poetry Play: Poetry is another language used to express love and it only needs a few words. By 2 years of age, your child can express themselves in simple words. Hear what your child has to say when they use these words to create a love poem.
- Symbols in a Second: Hearts, Cupids, and Roses – oh my! During this holiday, many symbols are seen in the community that represents Valentine’s Day. Let your little cupid learn more about these symbols and what they represent.
- Good to Go Game: Pin the arrow on the heart and watch your child turn into cupid as they try to pin the arrow on the heart.
- ASQ Developmental Check-ups from 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.: Assess your child’s speech, motor, cognitive and social areas (first come, first served; limited spaces available).
Turn the holiday into a fun and educational experience for both you and your children with a patriotic adventure at Pretend City Children’s Museum to honor our presidents for their contributions while at the same time learning a thing or two about the job of president. Activities throughout the day will include:
- Sensational Story Time: Presidents’ Day will recreate tales of President George Washington and President Abraham Lincoln in a fun, child-friendly manner.
- Smart Art: Lincoln’s log and Washington’s wig will transform your little ones into our nation’s former presidents.
- Holiday History: Pretend City guests and visitors will have the opportunity to learn a variety of fun history facts through songs, videos and more!
- Increased and varied sensory experiences
- Natural consequences that foster learning
- Self-regulation, calmness
- Extended learning opportunities
Monday, February 24: Family Autism Event Time: 5:00p.m. to 7:30p.m. Pretend City’s family autism event is an opportunity for children and their parents/siblings/caretakers to have some fun in an autism-friendly environment along with other families. Many of our community partners, who specialize in supporting children on the autism spectrum, will be on-hand to enrich your family’s play experience with welcoming smiles and practical support. If you would like to visit our museum prior to the event (adult only pre-tours), you are welcome to stop in on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 from 10:00a.m.-11:00a.m. or 4:00-5:00p.m. Watch a video tour of our museum here.
About Pretend City Children’s Museum Pretend City Children’s Museum features a small, interconnected city designed to “build better brains” through purposeful play, hands-on learning experiences, role playing, and educational programming. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization serving all children, it depends on community-based funding and guest support. Through 17 interactive exhibits and activities guided by a highly trained professional staff, children learn foundational math, reading and science skills, while fostering curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, organization, teamwork, self-confidence and socialization. The museum is a unique community resource offering developmental screenings and tools for families, educators and community agencies working to ensure that each child gains the experiences needed to discover their potential and build toward a productive and fulfilling future. Pretend City Children’s Museum is located at 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618. For more information, please visit www.pretendcity.org.
