It's time for the annual Pacific Sun Best of Marin awards, and we'd love your vote! We're nominated in two categories:

• Best Place for a Kid's Party
• Best Toy Store

We'd deeply appreciate your vote - we've won Best Kid's Party for the past two years, let's go for three! And last year, word has it we almost won Best Toy Store - I know we can do it this year.

Click here to vote - and thanks!

Discovery Camps 2009 are coming to the Museum!

Incorporate a fun and creative way to educate and delight your child while on winter, spring or summer break. Campers will participate in hands-on science and art activities led by our Education staff. Click here for more information.

It all begins with our three day camp this winter break.

February Break Shipwreck Camp
February 18 – 20
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages 4 – 8
Members $275; General $300
Space is limited to 10 children.
Registration begins Monday, January 5.

Parents and children alike love our camps. Check out some photos on our flickr!

To get an early jump on registration for Discovery Days Spring and Summer Camps make sure you are a Supporting Member (106+)

January 26: Early registration for Supporting Members
February 9: Open registration for all.

Kwanzaa
Friday, December 26
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Free Museum admission and performances!

Come join us for the fun and celebration of Kwanzaa! with art projects inspired by the African continent and a Kwanzaa altar in the Museum’s Entry Pavilion.

What is Kwanzaa?

A celebration of family, community and culture, the word “Kwanzaa” comes from the African language Swahili and means “First Fruits of the Harvest.”  Kwanzaa is a 7-day, non-religious, non-political celebration of African-American culture and heritage that begins on December 26 and continues through January 1. Dr. Maulana Karenga created this day of celebration in 1965 as a synthesis of African Harvest Festivals. Read more on Kwanzaa here.

The African Roots of Jazz
11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Discovery Theatre, presented by Wells Fargo
Please obtain your free performance ticket at the Front Desk prior to entering the theatre.

E. W. Wainwright and his ensemble, The African Roots of Jazz, take us on a musical journey that traces African-American musical forms, such as jazz, gospel, and spirituals, from their earliest beginnings in African cultures to today. 

Come out and play at the Museum with our creative holiday activities:

Saturday, December 20:
Open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The SnowCat, 11 a.m. Members $8; General $10
Winter Ornament Making, 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Free with admission

Sunday, December 21:
Open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday, December 22:
Open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Gingerbread Architecture Extravaganza. We may have a slot or two available - ask at the Front Desk when you arrive. $25 per kit.

Tuesday, December 23:
Open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Winter Ornament Making 2:15 - 3:30 p.m. Free with admission
Gingerbread Architecture Extravaganza. We may have a slot or two available - ask at the Front Desk when you arrive. $25 per kit.

Wednesday, December 24, Christmas Eve:
Open 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Early close.

Thursday, December 25, Christmas
Closed

Friday, December 26
Open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Kwanzaa Celebration: Free admission & performances

We received a letter from a past visitor and we were delighted to hear how close to his heart the Museum was to him.

     Hi, I'm a ninth grader at Albany High School, I visited your museum once or twice when i was about four years old. I just wanted to say that my first memories are from your museum. I actually thought that this memory was actually a dream, but i remembered that it was in Sausalito. So one night after wrestling practice, i looked up "sausalito museum" on Google, and the Bay Area Kid's Museum came up. I looked at a few of the pictures and these vivid memories came back to me. The fishing boat, the tot spot spot especially, all good memories.

I just wanted to say that i had a wonderful time, and when i have kids, i will diffidently bring them to the Bay Area Kid's Museum.
     Thank you,
      Stilwell

Stop by the Art Studios to play with our musical stamps, created by our very own Discovery Guides.

The winter has once again come and hit us with his frigid and icy breath. When you have the kids indoors and they begin to get restless try a creative project. Kids love to hear stories and make up stories so take the next step and have them create a book!

You'll need:

• Paper - plain white and/or lined
• Crayons, markers, pencils
• stapler
• glue

Cut the lined paper in half and lightly glue onto bottom half of the white paper. Stack as many of the white/lined pages your child would like for his/her story. Place a whole plain piece of paper on top and one on bottom to make the cover and back of the book. Staple all pages together.

Together you and your child can create a story, draw pictures and write it down in the pages of your book. Make a cover and title, too!

If your child gets stuck on ideas for his/her book. Create a story about the Museum and their favorite areas! Lookout Cove, Art Studios or Run! Jump! Fly!

This Saturday. December 6 at 11 a.m. in the Discovery Theatre we present Octoprezel!

Octopretzel’s show promises to be as exuberant as their whimsical name. An eclectic compilation of acoustic folk music, ethnic instrumentation, contemporary rhythms, dreamy harmonies, soothing lullabies, playful melodies, thoughtful lyrics, and overall positive vibrations. Guaranteed to uplift and inspire! Read more at here.

Use the coupon code: boogie for a discount off your ticket price!

“Hey, I remember you!”

Recently, those have been my four favorite words here at the Museum. To me, they signify a successful beginning to Connections, our new program designed to create meaningful relationships within our community. Connections is a multifaceted program, where participating preschools receive curriculum support, quarterly Museum visits, and a culminating family visit. All transportation and Museum admission is provided.

Beginning in September, Museum staff launched the program by visiting 37 preschool classrooms. During the visit we read books, sing songs, and show pictures of the Museum. The purpose of the classroom visit is not only to introduce the Museum to the children, but to also foster relationships. I am excited to get to know every child over the course of the next year!

Here is what teachers are saying about Connections:

“Kids talked about the visit all week!”

“It is an authentic experience that honors all members of the community. Outstanding opportunity for the children in this community, the authenticity makes a difference.”

“The children were so excited they couldn’t stop talking about how they went fishing, the brooms, and the tree they could crawl through.”

Stay tuned for more Connections updates!

A series on museums in the 21st century has begun on NPR: All Things Considered and it brings to attention the immense influence and popularity of museums as a whole. Bob Modello gives us an idea of just how many people currently make visits to museum around America in the first sentence;

"If you add up the attendance for every major-league baseball, basketball, football and hockey game this year, the combined total will come to about 140 million people. That's a big number, but it's barely a fraction of the number of people who will visit American museums this year." Read the story here.

Museums are being increasingly recognized as an important educational element for visitors of all ages. From art to science to history, museums bring knowledge and enjoyment to all. We cater to the younger element and use our interactive exhibitions to motivate children to be creative and learn while they play.

We incorporate nature, history, science and art into the experience here at the Museum. History lessons are found at Lookout Cove, we conduct science projects in Wave Workshop and make masterpieces in the Art Studios. Learning while being creative, playing and having fun is what we are happy to provide for our Museum visitors.