Dad and the kids were off of school on Martin Luther King Day. The kids had been talking about Dr. King in school, so we thought a great way to celebrate the day was to participate in Pretend City’s Celebration. On January 21st we celebrated Martin Luther King’s message of friendship and love as children explored the big ideas and images surrounding Dr. King’s legacy.
We were able to participate in the “Let’s Join Hands” activity where the kids created wreaths of their hands with paint and glitter. They were also able to trace their hands on the dry erase board, an activity my munchkins truly enjoyed. The wreath of hands symbolized the similarities and differences of various cultures.
As usual, we had a great time exploring the different areas of Pretend City. I think my kid’s favorite is Daphne’s Cafe. They love to play in our mini kitchen at home, and to actually have the opportunity to have a restaurant setup really gets their creativeness going.
This month, Pretend City’s engaging activities give parents, friends and families the opportunity to share love, support, and guidance with the young children in their lives. In addition, Pretend City is excited to offer the first-ever Kindness Club classes for children to learn how to express kindness and love. This unique class is packed full of fun activities geared toward learning this important action. Plus, parents get to learn ways to help reinforce this type of behavior in their child as they grow. The Kindness Club registration is happening now.Highlights for February include:
Friday, February 8-March 15: Kindness Club
Time: 12:45-1:30p.m.
Specifically for: Preschoolers (3-5 years), School Ages (5-8 years)
This 6-week series helps children explore compassion, self-awareness, and self-control. Each class will include a mindfulness exercise and an art or play activity to encourage self-regulation, compassion, and kindness. Children also will practice identifying feelings, effective communication, and problem solving, as they recognize the benefits that kindness can bring to their lives.
RSVP: Registration Pretend City Website; max. 15
Fee: $120 per child for 6-week series*; $25 per child walk-in
*Preregistered guests (1 adult and 1 child) will receive admission to the museum after the completion of the class.
Sunday, February 10: Celebrate Chinese New Year!
It’s Chinese New Year and there are many fun things to do! Enjoy “eating” New Year’s dinner with the whole family, receiving red envelopes, and best of all, watching a spectacular Chinese New Year’s parade, complete with colorful dancing dragons! Come and learn about Chinese New Year celebrations through fun and festive activities.
Activities throughout the day will include pretend Dim Sum for everyone, a Chinese Zodiac Memory Game, Chinese Dragon Dance, Chinese New Year Puppet Show, Chinese Fan Dance, Chinese New Year Video-Story, Chinese Dragon Dance, Chinese Fan Dance and a Chinese New Year Puppet Show. A Little Dynasty will provide all of these exciting cultural activities.
Monday, February 11: Baby Steps through Pretend City!
Time: 2:00-3:30p.m.
Specifically for: Infants (0-18 months), grownups. no older siblings please.
This Baby Steps event will show you how to do art activities with your infant that will help their development. Visit the Art Studio, Beach, and Grocery Store where you will find exclusive, infant and young toddler only age-appropriate, facilitated activities.
RSVP: Register Pretend City Website; max. 60
Fee: $10 per adult, FREE for infants and Pretend City Members
Tuesday, February 12: Family Mardi Gras Celebration!
Pretend City highlights the international celebration of Mardi Gras, a day of parades, costumes, and fun for one and all. Meet the Pretend City Krew, partake in the City Streets Float and Throw Parade, and much more. Highlighted activities include: Sensational Story Time: Mimi’s First Mardi Gras – Take a pictorial tour of Mardi Gras during this story time and see if your little one can follow the sequence of events.
Good to Go Game: Parade Party – Parading and music are a big part of the Mardi Gras celebration. Participate in the freeze dance parade combo with the PC Krew! Smart Art: Mardi Gras Mask – Learn the history behind Mardi Gras masks and create your very own masterpiece with embellishments and ornamentation.
Thursday, February 14: Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Soiree!
Join us at our sweetheart soiree for sweet little lessons on love! Through fun activities that highlight words like “cherish,” “heartfelt,” “caring,” and “tenderness,” your child will learn different ways to share their love with others. Sensational Story Time: Woof: A Love Story. Good communication is needed for any true love connection. That’s the lesson learned in this absolutely adorable tale, and as in any good romance, love finds a way. Make sure your children’s love finds its way as you help them write and create their own special Valentine’s Day card. “Good to Go” Game: Hugs & Kisses – This is a fun Valentine’s Day twist on the classic game of Simon Says that will engage your child’s listening and movement skills. Smart Art: Edible Friendship Bracelet – Learn about friendship bracelets as a symbol of love and caring. Then, create a one-of-a-kind bracelet for a friend.
Monday, February 18– Pretend City Open Full Day in honor of President’s Day
Monday, February 25: Family Autism Event
Time: 5:00p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Specifically for: Families with children of all ages who are on the autism spectrum; Pretend City will be closed to the general public Children and their parents, siblings, and caretakers are invited to play in an autism-friendly environment along with other families. Our community partners who support children on the autism spectrum will be on-hand to enrich your family’s play experience with welcoming smiles and practical support. You are welcome to stop by for an adult-only, pre-event tour on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 from 10:00a.m.-11:00a.m. or 4:00-5:00p.m. Watch a video tour of our museum here. RSVP: Register at Pretend City Website; max. 80 families; only families with a reservation confirmation number will be admitted.
Fee: FREE
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.
How do you feel about kids around 15 months going to Pretend City? I’d like to take my daughter, but I’m not sure she’d really get it yet, and it’d be $30+ for us to go. Just wondered what your opinion was of younger toddlers going…and if it would be worth the $ for us. Thanks 🙂
Kristin, I think I took my son at 15 months. They have ride ons, baby areas, sand at the beach. I think they would enjoy it. I would go during the week for your first time so it isn’t so crowded.