Beaumont Children’s Museum activities spark creativity
ISSUE photo by Michelle Cate
For all resourceful parents out there looking to not merely entertain, but also to educate and spark creativity and imagination in the minds of your children, look no further than the Beaumont Children’s Museum in downtown Beaumont. Nestled in the heart of the Cultural and Arts District and located inside the Beaumont Civic Center, the museum is a destination where your children and you can embark on a journey of wonderment and adventure together.
What makes this museum unique is that it is 100 percent kid-friendly, kid-oriented and dedicated to the needs of all children. There are numerous activities available this summer so check out these upcoming events and programs.
For starters, they offer S.T.E.A.M.-themed summer camps from June to August for a range of school-aged children (first-sixth grades) on topics including robotics, space, Legos, critters and art. What a fun way to beat back summer doldrums by exploring new areas of interest.
For the youngest kids, there is Toddler Takeover every Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., where you can bring your young children ages 5 and under and enjoy stories, crafts, science experiments, music and movement. Admission to Toddler Takeover is $5 a member child/$10 a non-member child. It is free for member adults and $5 for non-member adults. Program cost is included in the price of admission.
ISSUE photo by Michelle Cate
“We also have our Imagineering Legos Day June 1 and our BCM Dino Day Aug. 24,” operations manager Daniella DeLaRue said.
A newer event called Sunshine Sundays, which takes place every other month, is designed to allow special needs children and their caregivers the opportunity to explore and enjoy their time together at the museum and to meet others on a similar journey while the museum is closed to the general public.
During the long, hot summer season, visiting the museum can be a refreshing treat for children and parents alike since it’s cool, indoors, fun, stimulating and inexpensive (only $5 for non-members). Membership can make it even more affordable.
Working parents with a 9-to-5 schedule will delight in extended hours, open until 7 p.m. on the third Friday of each month. The next two extended-hour events are June 21, which is “First Day of Summer” themed, and July 19, which is “Ice Cream Day.”
ISSUE photo by Michelle Cate
If you’re looking for a venue for a child’s birthday party, Frederick Harland at the museum is the man with the plans. They offer a private room for one hour and 45 minutes and provide a fun, age-appropriate science-related activity. Their standard package is for 10 children and their parents, and $7 dollars for each additional child with a maximum of 25 children. Your date and time can be reserved for only $100. They also have packages for Saturdays when the museum is open to the public, and on Sundays when the museum is closed to the public, while two-hour exclusive private parties are also available Thursday through Friday.
The Beaumont Children’s Museum impressed me with its focused attention on the needs of children, and its careful planning and execution of programs that are sure to spark a sense of wonder, encourage curiosity and discovery.
For more info and registration, visit their website, www.beaumontchildrensmuseum.org, or call 409-347-7919.
Story by Michelle Cate, ISSUE contributor