Taking the Kids: What's new at museums for families
Pirates and Winnie-the-Pooh, LEGO creations and the world of comedy. Welcome to what's new at museums this summer and fall.
That's right -- museums. Whether you have an end-of-summer trip planned or just a few days before the school year gets into full swing, consider checking out a new museum exhibit or two. And if you are a member of your local art/science/children museum, zoo or aquarium, you might get in free. Museum Hack publishes a regular update of what is happening at museums around the world called "MuseNews." Search the ArtGeek search engine for exhibits across the country of interest to kids based on when you might want to visit.
Wherever you are traveling -- in big cities or small -- put a museum on the itinerary. Museums are especially good bets when it rains or when you need to get out of the sun. You're guaranteed a good time, but who knows, you might spark interest in a future career.
FUTURE EXPLORERS: See what it takes to discover a new species or study animal behavior as scientists venture into far-flung areas with extreme environments like polar regions (ready to explore an Arctic cabin?) and rain forests with the National Geographic Presents Earth Explorers at the Museum of Science and History in Jacksonville, Florida. Are you ready to get face-to-face with a great white shark? It runs through Sept. 9.
Kids can learn more about a different kind of exploration at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C., with the new "Titanic: The Untold Story" exhibit, which, though storytelling, provides new and previously classified information and perspective about Bob Ballard's discovery of the Titanic. ("Titanic" runs through January 2019, and Kimpton Hotels in the area are offering a special package, including exhibit tickets, with rates starting at $159.) Also, see the famous HOV Alvin, the research sub that famously documented the wreckage in 1986.
FUTURE ARCHAEOLOGISTS. See the oldest known biblical documents dating back more than 2,000 years at the traveling "Dead Sea Scrolls" exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science through Sept. 3. The Dead Sea Scrolls, found in 1947 when young goat herders wandered into a cave along the shore of the Dead Sea and found an assortment of clay jars, inside of which were scrolls wrapped in linen, represent one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. More than 900 scrolls were ultimately recovered. The more than 600 artifacts from the ancient Middle East -- seals, weapons, carvings, coins, shoes and jewelry, offer a window into historic traditions that impact our world today.
FUTURE DESIGNERS AND ARCHITECTS. The world's largest exhibit of LEGO art is now at the Carnegie Science Center's new PPG Science Pavilion in Pittsburgh. The Art of the Brick features everything from LEGO versions of art masterpieces like the Mona Lisa to a giant T-Rex and an innovative multimedia collection using LEGO bricks and photography. Don't miss the hands-on builder activity area, Science of the Brick, with eight different brick-building challenges. Are you ready to build a maze out of LEGO bricks? A big hit has been artist Nathan Sawaya's LEGO sculpture that is inspired by the city's Three Sisters Bridges. It runs through Jan. 7, 2019.
FUTURE COMEDIANS. The National Comedy Center, the first museum dedicated to telling the story of comedy, including how to be a better story teller, has just opened in Jamestown, New York, Lucille Ball's hometown. Once you're fitted with a wristband with an RFID chip, you are free to wander through 50 interactive exhibits that allow you to step into a comedian's shoes. Check out the props, costumes and holograms of famous comedians' performances!
FUTURE HISTORIANS. History buffs have lots to choose from at the new interactive South Carolina Historical Society, which will open in downtown Charleston, South Carolina on Sept. 22. SCHS showcases South Carolina history through the stories of famous South Carolinians in six interactive galleries.
Enter Blackbeard the pirate's cabin from the Queen Anne's Revenge at the new expanded World of Blackbeard the Pirate at the free North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort where you can also see cannons, grenades, belt buckles and more excavated from Blackbeard's wrecked ship. Also, learn boatbuilding at The Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center.
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