Bay Area Discovery Museum Blog

We're redesigning our Web site and are looking for some adorable kids (yours!) to feature on the homepage. To be considered, the photo needs to be a full-body shot of your child, head to feet, facing straight on to the camera, with the photographer taking the photo at the same height as the child (not looking down at the child). We'll cut the child out of the background, just like the sample photo in this post . If you'd like your kids to be considered, please send me your pictures at jcaleshu@badm.org. Please, send only 1 photo per child per family. By sending your photo, you agree that we may use your photo in any context at any time, without credit (we won't have room for a photo credit on the homepage...). Thanks! continue reading

On your next visit to the Museum, take a walk around to discover all the changes we've made during our annual closed weeks, or check out our sneak peek video.

• Entry Pavilion: Anything look different? Hint: the desk has moved and we've reversed visitor flow.
• Bay Hall: Did you miss putting crabs down the chute? Now you can! Ever have trouble lowering the crane hook? Now it's a breeze!
• Wave Workshop: Get your hands a little wet and add to the Floating Invention. It's all covered up now, but there was also major work done on the plumbing and drains to make everything work better. And watch out for the repaired Shark by the green screen!
• Tot Spot: Find the covey of quail, looking all better! Inside, a major geologic event occurred - discover the new mountain!
• Art Studios: Wow, beautiful new paint! Do you miss fort building? Check out the SF skyline backdrop to our new building area in Studio 10. What's a caterpillar doing in the Art Studio? Find out in Toddler Grove, the new and improved area for little ones.
• Lookout Cove: Ever run down the Bridge ram? Now's your chance since it goes alllll the way to the ground. Check out the giant tube. Beautiful new sand and mulch throughout. New sea creatures in the tide pools. And giant birds must have made some new nests! Our willow weavers made a beautiful sturdy new fence. And the Outdoor Learning Lab is almost re... continue reading

It's always a little sad around here during closed weeks.  Not only for the dismayed regulars who were unaware we'd be closed for two weeks and arrive ready to play, but also for those of us who are used to spending our work days with happy children. That being said, this is a vital time for staff in all departments to check things off on multiple to-do lists each a mile long.  We've all been pitching in painting, dusting, and jack-hammering (well not all of us), and things are starting to look down right spiffy. Creativity abounds here as we spruce up the place for our visitors; check out a few work-in-progress pictures of the art studios on our flickr page to see some examples.  Although we're working hard, and having fun, but I think I can speak for all of us when I say that it's going to be nice to hear the sound of kids playing when we reopen on September 30th.  continue reading

Save the Date for our Goblin Jamboree Fundraiser October 17 - 18. Join us for pony rides, train rides, a haunted house, witches' school and more.

Register online now for the Sponsor Breakfast  to get a jump on the fun with early access to all the fun on Sunday, October 18 starting at 8:30 a.m. Enjoy a delicious
buffet courtesy of Paradise Foods and Peet's Coffee & Tea. Don't forget the spooktacular goody bags with treats that will delight both parents and children. 

Enter Dracula's Drawing to win prizes including a Disneyland family pass!
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For the past 4 years, Nurse Rona Renner, host of the radio show Childhood Matters, has been our parenting advice expert.  In case you've missed any of her advice we'll be recapping her columns over the next few months.  To sign up to receive advice in our monthly e-Happenings, click here. Listen to Childhood Matters live on Sunday mornings from 7-8 am on 98.1FM, 89.1FM and 105.1FM.  This week Nurse Rona suggests ways to help kids transition to a new school year.  Her article School is Here... Time for Transitions answers the question: Q. My 5 year old twins are not yet into the routine of going to bed early and getting up for school. I’m starting to yell more than usual, so please help me remember how to get them back into a school day routine. To read her advice, click here! Rona Renner, RN, hosts the parenting radio show Childhood Matters, every Sunday from 7-8AM on 98.1 KISS-FM.  Do you have a question about parenting? Sleep?  Setting limits?  Send it to asknurserona(at)badm.org and check out her web site at continue reading

It's that time again - we close for annual maintenance for two weeks every September. We're usually open six days a week, so every year we need a more extended period of time to do some of the maintenance we can't accomplish on just one day, like painting, roofing, and a really really deep cleaning! Stay tuned for news on what we're up to, including membership and entry improvements and new exhibition elements! continue reading

Follow us on Twitter for Museum news from us and our friends, special offers and more "tweety" goodness! Follow at http://twitter.com/baykidsmuseum What's Twitter all about? Think short - really short - blogging with a world-wide community! It's easier than you think - get the scoop at www.twitter.com continue reading