Funky Polkadot Giraffe: Pretend City: {October} Activities

Woohoo!
It's October at Pretend City and the city and it's "crawling" with exciting things to do.
There are creepy crawlers and cool creatures at Pretend City Children's museum
this spooky month of October. The kids can explore the craggy caves, grassy meadow,
and frightful farm shed to find the squirmy bugs and reptiles.
There is a special activity each day of the week throughout the month.

Mondays: Art Studio Sessions – Baby Bugs

Squishy, Slimy, Creepy Crawly art projects are in store for little ones every Monday! These activities are geared to help children improve fine motor skills through the manipulation of art materials, like paint brushes and pencils.

Tuesdays: Engaging Afternoons – Build-My-Skills Bugs (Time: 3:30p.m.)

Watch children’s skills grow as they progress through bug-themed activities. Each week’s activity will gradually increase in difficulty. These activities will utilize social interaction to support a little learner’s development and provide the support structures necessary to get to the next challenging level or stage. Children will stay engaged as they find continuously challenging bug battles to win!

Wednesdays: Lil’ Me Mornings – Read It! Sing It! (Time: 11:00a.m.)

Read it, Sing it Lil’ Me Mornings is the coolest thing to happen to bugs! Stories and songs are second to none in their ability to inspire and energize children while enhancing the learning process. Every Wednesday children will have the opportunity to delight in a reading of a bug poem. The poems will transform into songs as they are sung to familiar children’s tunes. With lots of rhyme, rhythm and repetition they will build phonemic awareness as they follow along.

Thursdays: Engaging Afternoons – Sensational Science (Time: 3:30p.m.)

Get an up close and personal look at incredible insects during these sensational science afternoon activities! Children will be introduced to and explore specimens that they may have never known of – from a tiger beetle to a lantern fly. As your children participate in a variety of activities, such as matching and sorting, they will build their vocabulary while learning about life cycles, bug body parts, and more!

Fridays: Art Studio Sessions – Frightful Flyers

On a special night with the moon shining bright, what will come lurking out of the shadows and sights? All of these frightful flyers are signs of the Halloween holiday. Children will enjoy using these characters and symbols as inspiration for their art.

Saturdays: Lil’ Me Mornings –Insect Investigation (Time: 10:30a.m.)

As children explore and examine fascinating insect specimens, they’ll feel just like real scientists making incredible discoveries! Every Saturday they can use the magnifier to investigate amazing specimens—from a silkworm cocoon and a stag beetle to a super-realistic dragonfly fossil. Corresponding activities will follow to help a child remember the exciting facts that they just learned.

Sundays: Art Studio Sessions – Halloween Haunts

Bring on the Halloween fun with these ghoulishly great art activities for children of all ages! These take home activities are sure to help you create eerie exteriors and rooms with a boo!

In addition to the daily activities, there are some special events:

Monday, October 15: Baby Steps through Pretend City!

Time: 2:00-3:30p.m.

Specifically for: Infant (0-18 months), Grown-ups. For the comfort of our infant guests, no older siblings please.

RSVP: Maximum 60 adults

Fee: $10 per adult, infants and Pretend City Members are FREE!

Sunday, October 21: Pumpkin Carving Workshop (Time: 1:30-3:30p.m.)

Who doesn’t love carving pumpkins for Halloween? Families will have the opportunity to learn to carve pumpkins like a pro! Visit Pretend City to learn specialized tips and tricks from the pumpkin carving master, Jim Morey of VIP Carvings. Our Pumpkin Carving Workshop includes all of the supplies needed along with a pumpkin to take home! With the tricks learned the workshop, and a little bit of patience, this year you will be wowing your friends and neighbors with your awesome looking pumpkin carvings!

Fee: $15 per child

Wednesday, October 31: Halloween Bug Bash

Time: A.M. activities: Kiosk Café, Music & Movement (morning times may vary)

P.M. activities: Kiosk Café, “Good To Go” Game (afternoon times may vary)

Little ghouls and boys will have a howling good time at our Halloween Bug Bash!

There’s something for every little trick-or-treater – two-legs and all!

Come dressed to thrill in our creepy, creaky, critter city.

FREE Dental Screenings- 10a.m.-12p.m. (first come, first served)

Creep and crawl your way through the city as you Trick-or-Treat at each of our exhibit spaces every 2 hours. This party is bound to start off with a scream!

Wednesday, October 24: Pretend City Symposium: Understanding Challenging Behaviors

Time: 6:00 – 8:30p.m.

Specifically for: Parents, caregivers, early childhood educators, healthcare professionals in the pediatric field. For the comfort of our guests, no children please.

Why do challenging behaviors occur? Children often use challenging behaviors when they lack more appropriate behaviors or skills to accomplish the same goal or to communicate the message. Join our panel of experts as they share ways to understand challenging behaviors and offer helpful tips to address these behaviors. Each panelist will discuss an age range of challenging behaviors for children from birth to 10 years of age. Professional growth hours will be offered.

Panel of Experts: