Tag Archive for: educational play
Bubble Paint an Ornament with Leelanau Pottery Company
Hunting for a personalized gift for your little one to give to a parent, grandparent or loved one? Or just looking for a relaxing way to spend the afternoon with your family? We’ve got you covered with a holiday program that does both!
On Wednesday, December 13 from 12pm-2pm, Stephanie Starner, owner of Leelanau Pottery Company, is teaching a pottery class at the Great Lakes Children’s Museum. An accomplished local artist and mother of two, Stephanie has a knack for introducing the medium of pottery to artists of all ages.
This month’s class centers around two things that children love: the holidays and bubbles! In this activity, children will begin by choosing a pre-fired ornament shape and a paint color before blowing bubbles in the paint to create a unique pattern. The result is a delightful keepsake, perfect for gifting to friends and loved ones. As a bonus, participants will be able to play in the Museum while their creation dries; each ticket for the class comes with free admission to the Children’s Museum!
Although we love to have guests “pop in” to play at the Museum, advanced registration for this specific event is required. Tickets can be purchased here through Leelanau Pottery Company. Registration to play in the Museum Galleries from 12-2pm is included with your ticket from Leelanau Pottery.
Register today so that you can join us Wednesday, December 13 from 12pm-2pm for a festive afternoon of pottery and play time!
Arts in Action with Mike Sincic RETURNS Saturday, October 21!
Looking for a unique creative experience for your family this Saturday? Good news: Arts in Action is BACK in the Great Lakes Children’s Museum! Please join us with your children for a fun, INTERACTIVE experience on Saturday, October 21 from 9:30 to 11:30am.
GLCM partners with local artists representing interesting mediums of creative expression in Northwest Michigan to present hands-on arts and culture workshops designed for children 2-8. Our next Arts In Action workshop will feature leaf rubbings and tree paintings- with Mr. Michael Sincic!
Although Michael lost his sight two decades ago due to a brain tumor, he has made a name for himself in Northern Michigan as a popular local artist.
A watercolor by Michael Sincic.
Join us Saturday for his special interactive workshop, where he will help your little one create a work of art in a different way than they may be used to- one that requires sharpening their sensory abilities, without using their eyes.
This workshop is a no pressure, drop-in format, and is included FREE for members, or with the cost of admission for guests! Please note that we will be closed to the public for exclusive use rentals during the noon and afternoon sessions on this day, meaning tickets for the morning session will be in higher demand. We highly recommend that those who wish to participate make reservations ahead of time.
Don’t miss this awesome, interactive workshop for children- but FUN for the whole family!
These hands-on, skills-building activities are supported in part by generous grants from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. THANK YOU MACC and NEA!!
Join us for Water Safety Day!
The Great Lakes Children’s Museum is proud to present Water Safety Day 2023; an event promoting being safe while enjoying the Greatest thing about the Great Lakes; Water! The Great Lakes can be dangerous, but by learning a little water safety, we can play in, on, and around water in a safer way! Let’s talk about safety in a fun – not scary – way so we can enjoy the Great Lakes together!
Join us for Water Safety Day May 20th, 2023 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm!
This event is FREE and open to the public! Water Safety Day will take place right outside the Great Lakes Children’s Museum, which will still be open for General Admission (we suggest a reservation if you want to play in the Museum). But stop by the fun on your way into the Museum to learn how to be safe on the water from these amazing partners:
Help us make a SPLASH at this first-annual water safety event at the Great Lakes Children’s Museum. In addition to all the fun you can always find at Discovery Pier and Elmwood Township Park like fishing, watching the tall ships, and playing at the beach, we will have several fun safety stations set up on the West side of M-22.
Lots to do!
You can learn about different types of lifejackets and how to wear them, run ‘sinking boat’ drills, attend a beach safety class with America’s Boating Club, take the PFD Quiz to get a FREE LIFEJACKET donated by Long Lake Marina, learn about swim safety and CPR with the Red Cross, see the Elmwood Fire Department Rescue Boat and Ambulance up close*, and learn about more ways to stay safe in, on, and around the water!
America’s Boating Club will demonstrate why water safety is so important: we are surrounded by water and drowning is a leading cause of death of children. But we can play safely in the water! We will learn:
- How to wear a lifejacket—Linda Lifejacket will show you all the features of hers.
- What is the difference between a toy and a lifejacket.
- What your child looks like when in trouble in the water—and what they look like when wearing a lifejacket.
- What the animals teach us about water safety; turtles, birds, sea otter.
- Why you should always wear a lifejacket on a boat; four good reasons.
- We will have the kids do a “sinking boat” drill to learn the importance of knowing where lifejackets are and how to put them on.
- We will set up and conduct the Boating Quiz. When the kids complete the quiz they will get a new free lifejacket courtesy of Long Lake Marine.
- We will show parents how to be “WATER WATCHERS” and how to throw ring buoys and help someone in trouble in the water.
At about 11:30 am, watch the Coast Guard run a recovery drill* where they will drop a rescue diver in the water at Elmwood Beach and recover the diver before they fly on home! Make sure to get there before 11:30 to see the Helicopter rescue drill! 
*Barring any emergencies that require the attention of our Emergency Services.
You don’t need an RSVP, Ticket, or Special Invitation to attend! Everyone is welcome to join us for Water Safety Day!
Arts in Action with Mike Sincic – May 6th!
Calling all parents, grandparents, nannies and caregivers! Arts in Action is BACK in the Great Lakes Children’s Museum! Please join us with your children for a fun, INTERACTIVE experience on Saturday, May 6th from 9:30 to 11:30am, and 12:00 to 2:00pm.
This workshop is a no pressure, drop-in format, and is included FREE for members, or with the cost of admission for guests!
GLCM partners with local artists representing interesting mediums of creative expression in Northwest Michigan to present hands-on arts and culture workshops designed for children 2-8. Our next Arts In Action workshop will feature the art of collage- with Mr. Michael Sincic!
Although Michael lost his sight two decades ago due to a brain tumor, he has made a name for himself in Northern Michigan as a popular local artist.
Join us Saturday for his special interactive workshop, where he will help your little one create a work of art in a different way than they may be used to- one that requires sharpening their sensory abilities, without using their eyes.
Don’t miss this awesome, interactive workshop for children- but FUN for the whole family!
These hands-on, skills-building activities are supported in part by generous grants from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. THANK YOU MACC and NEA!!
Spring Break Astronaut Training is back!
Calling all future astronauts!
Do you dream of one day walking on the surface of the Moon or setting off on an adventure to Mars? Do you think that working on the International Space Station would be exciting? Join us at the Great Lakes Children’s Museum during Spring Break for a week of Spring Astronaut Training. It just might be your “cup of tea”. Speaking of tea: Find out how an astronaut would drink tea (or any other liquid) in space!
This is a FREE program included with tickets to any session (Morning, Noon, or Afternoon) happening during Spring Break Week (March 27th -31st). Just pick up your tickets on our Reservation Page to save your spot! (Tickets go on sale 1-week in advance)
With fun, hands on activities you will do experiments, solve problems, explore space . . . . . . and even eat a snack like an astronaut!
Children will visit each astronaut training station and earn a sticker for each activity completed.
Experiment Stations:
Static Electricity
Surface Tension
Problem Solving Stations:
Reconnect The Power Supply
Design, Build, Test (a space vehicle)
Explore Space:
Space Guess Quest game
Early Learners Station:
Moon Adventure blocks
Lunar Landscape ( Sensory exploration)
Obstacle Course Station:
Human Hamster Wheel
Most resources have been provided by The National Informal STEM Education Network.
Volunteer Opportunity!
If you’d like to volunteer to help out at GLCM, follow the link below. You can sign up to help at a time that works for you – we’ll train you on what to do! Contact the Impact Manager at impact@glcm.org or 231-674-5352 with any questions.
Click here to view volunteer opportunities!
New Year’s Countdown for Kids
GLCM’s New Year’s Countdown for Kids takes place on Saturday December 31, 2022 during All Sessions (9:30-11:30 / 12:00-2:00 / 2:30-4:30 pm)
This experience is FREE with Museum Admission ($8 for children and adults, free for members). Reservations Required! This event sells out!
Would you like to welcome in 2023 but can’t wait till midnight?
It’s midnight somewhere in the world! Countdown to 2023 with the Great Lakes Children’s Museum!
Watch the ball drop and make some noise! Fabulously fun New Year’s activities will take place all throughout each session.
The ball drop will happen ½ hour before each session ends. Activities will include decorating the ball, making noise makers and party hats and more!