^{*Activities subject to change*}

AUGUST 12-29: TOTAL TODDLER TAKEOVER

‍Join us for hands-on fun, playful learning, and meaningful family moments designed especially for little ones!
For the month of August, toddlers and preschoolers take center stage with daily activities that spark curiosity and creativity. Whether your child loves to paint, build, dance, dig, or explore, there’s something new and exciting to discover every day!

From colorful crafts and story times to music and movement, sensory science, and interactive performances, each activity is designed to nurture early development and encourage joyful exploration. Families can also check out our brand-new Little Learners’ Loop maps—created just for ages 3–5—to help guide your museum adventure and make the most of your visit.

So bring your little explorers, makers, readers, and dreamers for a month full of unforgettable fun. There's no better place to learn, laugh, and play together!

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

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August 12-15 | Happening All Day

• Introducing Little Learners' Loop: Discover our brand-new maps designed to guide families with children ages 3 to 5 through engaging, age-appropriate activities and help them make the most of their Museum visit.

               Where: All Day at the Welcome Center and around the Musuem

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• Goodnight Moon Mobiles: Read Margaret Wise Brown’s beloved classic, then make a mobile to hang over your bed at night.

               Where: All Day at the Kids' Hall Activity Tables

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• DIY Bookmarks: Create your own bookmark to save your place when you take off on reading adventures!

                Where: All Day at the Kid's Hall Activity Tables

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• Fingerprint Animals: Use your fingers to create adorable animal drawings!

               Where: All Day at the Kids' Hall Activity Tables

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• Toddler Storytimes: Come join us for daily story times with special books chosen just for our littlest readers!

                Where: At 11 am and 1 pm In the Parent Resource Library

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Tuesday, Aug. 12

Classical Sing, Move & Play: Children explore rhythm, melody, and movement through fun music games inspired by famous operas.

When: At 10:30 am in One World

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Toddler Takeover Spotlight - Rainbow Volcanoes: Come along on a fun science journey to create rainbow volcanoes, where we'll discover the secret of colors, chemical reaction, and a whole lot of wonders!

When: From 11 am to noon in Power Science Lab

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Wednesday, Aug. 13

UpWords: Help your baby’s brain grow by joining upWORDS where parents of children under 3 learn how talking more, starting at birth, builds smarter, happier kids.

_{Pre-registration Required.}

When: From 11 am to noon in One World

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Toddler Takeover Spotlight - Texture Garden: Dig into a world of discovery as toddlers learn about different textures and explore the wonders of a garden!

When: From 9:30 to 10:30 am in EcoStation

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Thursday, Aug. 14

Toddler Takeover Spotlight - Fancy Eats!: Step into Niko Niko’s Diner to explore food groups, then create a special plate to serve your caregiver!

When: From 9:30 to 10:30 am in Kidtropolis

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Friday, Aug. 15

Zumbini: This early childhood education program uses original music and movement to foster cognitive, social, and emotional development in children ages 0-4, while creating a bonding experience for families.

When: At 10 am in One World

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Toddler Takeover Spotlight - Tissue Paper Painting: Pick your shaped and colors, add a little water, and watch your design come to life as we "paint" with tissue paper! Practice your colors, shapes, and fine motor skills as you bring your Mini Maker project to life!

When: From 11 am to noon in Maker Annex

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August 18-22 | Happening All Day

• Little Learners' Loop: Discover our brand-new maps designed to guide families with children ages 3 to 5 through engaging, age-appropriate activities and help them make the most of their Museum visit.

               Where: All Day at the Welcome Center and around the Musuem

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• Animal Ears: Do you have a favorite animal? Use your creativity by designing a pair of wearable ears to match that animal, or even create a new animal we’ve never seen before!

               Where: All Day at the Kids' Hall Activity Tables

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• Giving Tree: Sharing doesn’t have to cost money. Think of something you can give, then write it down and add it to our tree!

                Where: All Day at the Kid's Hall Activity Tables

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• Alphabet Decorating: Make the alphabet come to life as you decorate letters!

               Where: All Day at the Kids' Hall Activity Tables

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• Toddler Storytimes: Come join us for daily story times with special books chosen just for our littlest readers!

                Where: At 11 am and 1 pm In the Parent Resource Library

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Tuesday, Aug. 19

Classical Sing, Move & Play: Children explore rhythm, melody, and movement through fun music games inspired by famous operas.

When: At 10:30 am in One World

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Toddler Takeover Spotlight Activity - Very Hungry Caterpillar: Make your own wiggly, jiggly caterpillar inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar using colorful pieces and movable parts perfect for little hands.

When: From 11 am to noon in Maker Annex

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Wednesday, Aug. 20

upWORDS: Help your baby’s brain grow by joining upWORDS where parents of children under 3 learn how talking more, starting at birth, builds smarter, happier kids.

‍_{Pre-registration Required.}

When: From 11 am to noon in One World

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Toddler Takeover Spotlight Activity - Animal Care Adventures: Let's be Super Animal Heroes and learn all about how to care for and love our furry friends at the Kidtropolis veterinary clinic!

When: From 9:30 to 10:30 am in Kidtropolis Vet Clinic

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Thursday, Aug. 21

Music for Little Ones: Babies Only: Discover fun musical activities that support your baby's natural musical development and learn how to recognize & encourage your baby's natural musical development.

When: At 10 am in One World

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Music for Little Ones: Mixed-Ages Family Class: Designed for children aged 0-5 years old, in this class you'll enjoy activities ranging from lullabies to full-on jam sessions, all while supporting your child's development through music.

When: At 11 am in One World

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Toddler Takeover Spotlight Activity - Fossil Dig: Dig into sensory bins to uncover dino-sized surprises in this hands-on fossil hunt led by a real dinosaur expert!

When: From 9:30 to 10:30 am in Science Station

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Welcome Baby Presents: Baby's First 9 Months - Little Moments, Big Impact: Designed to empower parents and caregivers as their baby's first and most influential teachers. This program highlights how everyday interactions—like playing, reading, talking, and simply being present—play a pivotal role in shaping your baby's developing brain.

When: From 5:30 to 6:30 pm in Tree Top

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Developmental Screenings with DePelchin: Developmental screenings are snapshots of your child’s development, specifically on how they play, learn, speak, move, behave, and relate.

When: From 5 to 8 pm in One World

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Friday, Aug. 22

Fun Friday!: Celebrate with DJ Tyler’s tunes, bubbles galore, and colorful face painting—perfect for little ones ready to move, groove, and play!

When: From 9:30 am to noon in Kids' Hall Alcove

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Zumbini: This early childhood education program uses original music and movement to foster cognitive, social, and emotional development in children ages 0-4, while creating a bonding experience for families.

When: At 10 am in Playscape

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Toddler Takeover Spotlight Activity - Suncatchers: Create colorful suncatchers while exploring light, color, and the beauty of the natural world.

When: From 11 am to noon in EcoStation

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Twanda's Theatre on Wheels: The Story of Little Bear's Terrible Unbearable Beary Bad Day: Join Little Bear on a heartwarming journey through big feelings as he learns how kindness and compassion can turn even the grumpiest day around.

When: At 11:30 am in Brown Auditorium

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August 25-29 | Happening All Day

• Little Learners' Loop: Discover our brand-new maps designed to guide families with children ages 3 to 5 through engaging, age-appropriate activities and help them make the most of their Museum visit.

               Where: All Day Near the Welcome Center and Around the Musuem

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• Rainbow Heart Mobile: WE LOVE CMH! Make your own rainbow heart mobile to remember your fun summer trip to the museum!

               Where: All Day at the Kids' Hall Activity Tables

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• Woven Rainbow Fish: Families usually swim in packs. Make your own colorful rainbow fish to swim along.

                Where: All Day at the Kid's Hall Activity Tables

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• Fingerprint Animals: Use your fingers to create adorable animal drawings!

               Where: All Day at the Kids' Hall Activity Tables

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• Toddler Storytimes: Come join us for daily story times with special books chosen just for our littlest readers!

                Where: At 11 am and 1 pm In the Parent Resource Library

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Monday, Aug. 25

Mr. Leo's Puppet Show: Join Mr. Leo for a lively, bilingual puppet and marionette show designed for children ages 0–4, filled with music, colorful characters, and playful fun that will delight the whole family.

When: At 10:30 and 11:30 am in Kids' Hall Alcove

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Toddler Takeover Spotlight Activity - Seeds of Kindness: Let’s learn about kindness and friendship through the adventures of Rabbit and Mouse with “If You Plant a Seed” interactive story times. You can color your own furry friends to take home too!

When: From 9:30 to 10:30 am in Kaleidoscope

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Tuesday, Aug. 26

Brain Builders Meetup (Spanish Session): In these 1.5 hour long meet-ups, you'll have the opportunity to meet and connect with other moms, reduce your stress, and learn ways to build a strong foundation for your child!

_{Pre-registration required.}

When: From 10:30 to noon in One World

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Toddler Takeover Spotlight Activity - Explore the Market: Come along on a scavenger hunt exploring different food groups while discovering healthy and colorful market treasures!

When: From 9:30 to 10:30 am in Kidtropolis

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Wednesday, Aug. 27

upWORDS: Help your baby’s brain grow by joining upWORDS where parents of children under 3 learn how talking more, starting at birth, builds smarter, happier kids.

‍_{Pre-registration required.}

When: From 11 am to noon in One World

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Toddler Takeover Spotlight Activity - Lacing Boards: Toddlers can decorate their own lacing board and practice fine motor skills as they thread colorful laces to create unique designs.

When: From 9:30 to 10:30 am in Maker Lab

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Thursday, Aug. 28

Toddler Takeover Spotlight Activity - Rainbow Scavenger Hunt: Toddlers can explore nature’s colors on a vibrant rainbow scavenger hunt, discovering colorful treasures all around them!

When: From 11 am to noon in EcoStation

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Classical Sing, Move and Play: Children explore rhythm, melody, and movement through fun music games inspired by famous operas.

When: At 6 pm in One World

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Friday, Aug. 29

Zumbini: This early childhood education program uses original music and movement to foster cognitive, social, and emotional development in children ages 0-4, while creating a bonding experience for families.

When: At 10 am in Playscape

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Toddler Takeover Spotlight Activity - Oobleck: Join us for some messy, squishy fun as you explore the magical, gooey world of oobleck through hands-on sensory play!

When: From 11 am to noon in Power Science Lab