Home ... Archive Index ... Previous Columns

Date: Nov. 13, 2009

Toddlers now have their day at Explorit


Explorit is now open on Tuesday mornings, and it's a great time for the under-age-5 set and their parents or caregivers to visit. After all, a morning visit doesn't interfere with an afternoon nap for full-steam-ahead toddlers.

To encourage the morning visits, the center has some extra fun planned next Tuesday for toddlers, parents and caregivers. It starts at 10 a.m. and runs to naptime (or about 1 p.m.).

Here's what's on tap: One of our resident reptiles will visit with children at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. A librarian from the Yolo County Public Library will lead a story time at 11:15. Music Matt will sing science and nature songs at 11:45, and a clown will share her clownish fun. Cookies and punch will be served in late morning.

Also, the Davis fire and police departments plan to make appearances to let kids inspect their vehicles up-close. (Shhhhh, this is to be a surprise for our youngest visitors, and emergencies could cause cancellations.)

The morning will also include plenty of time to explore the museum. Activities and exhibits that are especially appropriate for under-5's will be identified with blue balloons.

Regular admission applies: $4 general, free for ages 3 and under.

After Nov. 17, Tuesday-morning hours will continue as a nice quiet time for young visitors, and regular museum offerings will be the focus.

____________

On Saturday, Explorit will observe the culmination of the International Year of Astronomy with the unveiling of a 6-foot-poster of a portion of the Milk Way, made from combining images from NASA's Great Observatories - the Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope and Chandra X-Ray Observatory.

Explorit was chosen as site for the national unveiling by a NASA affiliate organization. It will be held at 1 p.m., followed by a preview of activities from Explorit's upcoming space-related exhibition. Finally, weather permitting, there will be opportunities to view the skies through a telescope with a solar filter.

This Family Exploration program is included with the price of admission.
____________

The Friday after Thanksgiving is shaping up to be a big day at Explorit. Admission will be free, as it falls on one of the regular monthly Free Fridays sponsored by the Kelly Foundation. That makes it a great day to bring out-of-town relatives visiting for the holiday.

Also, for the fans of Black Friday's shopping opportunities, Explorit's Store will be offering 10 percent off all merchandise. A 10 percent discount is a regular benefit of membership, so we'll be offering the member price on merchandise to everyone that day. It will be a great time to pick up stocking stuffers and other gifts for the holidays.

__________________

A pair of giant scissors came out last week for a ribbon cutting at Explorit's facility on Fifth Street, the old ranch house we've been calling our Mace Park Branch. Its new name is Explorit Nature Center. New outdoor signs reflect the change, and the staff gathered around as Executive Director Lou Ziskind cut a ribbon off a sign along the sidewalk.

"We feel this name better reflects the activities that happen at this site - the Nature Safaris and Nature Labs that are so popular with school groups from throughout the Sacramento region," Ziskind said. "Our popular Summer Camps and special events also make good use of the nature opportunities in the adjoining park."

__________________

Explorit Science Center is at 2801 Second St., Davis. New visiting hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, 2-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission is $4 general, free for members and ages 3 and under. For more information: (530) 756-0191 or http://www.explorit.org.