Imagination Playground Opens

103 giant blue blocks are being turned into forts, aqueducts, towers and whimsical sculptures by kids and parents alike in Habitot's newest exhibit, which opened November 13. A recent article in TIME Magazine listed the Imagination Playground blocks as one toy that will help your children become smarter! We'd love to add to our collection with some cool curves, sprockets and other fun shapes. Significant donors will enjoy an Imagination Playground event of their own!
Click here to find out how.

Gingerbread House Day
Free Admission Day Sponsored by ScholarShare

ScholarShare, California's official 529 College Savings Plan, is sponsoring our annual and very popular Gingerbread House Party on December 21. Kids will decorate a giant gingerbread house which will be donated to a homeless shelter for Christmas. Scholarshare experts will be on hand to share information about the 529 tax advantaged savings vehicles that can help you plan for your children's college education.

We're Counting on Your Year-end Support
Your Gift Will Be Matched, Dollar for Dollar!

Make a tax-deductible gift this month and you can double the impact of your donation! A committed group of donors has pledged to match all gifts, dollar for dollar, up to $7,000! Your charitable donation will support new exhibits and our exceptional programs, especially our outreach to vulnerable children and families. Please make your gift between now and December 31, 2013, so we can capture every matching dollar! Thank you!

Holiday Gift Idea for Families with Toddlers

A 5-Visit Pass ($90) or a one-time Family Guest Pass ($36) make terrific gifts that will keep on giving! Introduce a new family to Habitot, or thrill a current visitor with some free visits. We can process all gifts over the phone with a credit card, and make sure they are delivered to you before December 25, plus we give you a tax deduction for your purchase!

Please contact our front desk during open hours (510-647-1111 x 10) or membership services (510-647-1111 x 36, habitot.memberships@gmail.com by December 19 for December 24 delivery.

Make-Your-Own Gingerbread House Workshops
Pre-registration is required!
Friday, December 6 & 13 • 12:00-1:00pm
Saturday, December 7 & 14 • 9:30-10:30am

Celebrate the winter season with this fun parent-child activity decorating table-top gingerbread houses to take home. House, icing, candy and other decorative toppings provided. Pre-registration recommended for any sessions: on weekdays at 12:00 pm and on weekends at 9:30 am. $35/ per house (includes admission for one child and one adult); Members: $25 per house. Call 510-647-111 x14 or email habitotreservations@lmi.net to register.

Gingerbread House Party
FREE Admission Day!
Saturday, December 21
9:30 am – 4:30 pm

Decorate a giant gingerbread house with oodles of goodies including candies, cookies and sprinkles. After the event, the completed house will be donated to local family shelter for the holiday. Bring a bag of decorating candy to share and recive a free guest pass from Habitot.


This FREE Admission Day is generously sponsored by Scholarshare.

Winter Play Date for Children with Special Needs
Monday, December 30
2:00 – 6:00 pm

Habitot Children's Museum opens its doors for a FREE 4-hour event exclusively for children with special needs and their families. Come play with our hands-on exhibits, explore the Art Studio, and enjoy time for family bonding in a safe, accessible and fun environment.
Donations welcome and appreciated.
Click here for more information and to register.

Every 4th Friday*
Now Year-round!
Lower Price for Siblings!

*Except for November and December; the 3rd Friday of the Month.

Drop-off 3-5 year old children at Habitot's classroom annex for hands-on play and learning celebrating winter! Limited to 12 children. Led by experienced preschool teachers.

• $39 per child / per day
• $225 for all 6 days

For ages 3-5 yrs

• Make real snow
• Create ice balloons
• Build sugar snow castles
• Bake gingerbread cookies
• Build an igloo
• Dance like snowflakes in a winter wonderland parade

New! DIY Art Supplies class on Wednesdays

• Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
• 11:00 - 11:40 am

• Drop-in, Pay at the door
• $8 per child (adults free)
• $45 / 6-class passes
• Class passes do not expire.

For children age 12 months and up
Parent or caregiver participation required in all classes.

• "Let’s Do Lunch!" COOKING TUESDAYS with Toni
• "DIY Art Suppies" HAND-ON ART WEDNESDAYS: with Nora
• "Shake Rattle & Roll" MUSIC THURSDAYS with Jaime
• "Wake Up Your Body" CREATIVE MOVEMENT & YOGA FRIDAYS with Mindy

Mamas & Papas (for LGBTQ Families)
Wednesday, December 4
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Join our free, drop-in support group for LGBTQ families and their 0-5 year old children, presented in partnership with Our Family Coalition. While parents engage in lively and supportive conversations facilitated by Habitot and Our Family staff in our classroom annex (Habitot, Too), children play (with supervision) in the Museum.

Caregiver Café
Wednesday, December 18
10:00 - 11:00 am
With special guest, parent educator Debora Roca
Share some coffee and pastries, connect with other caregiving professionals and talk about the fun and challenges you face in raising others' children. Habitot staff will occupy your charges at nearby tables with art activities and puzzles while you take part in a facilitated group discussion. We hope to bring in outside experts to share their expertise on topics of interest. Free museum admission for all attendees following Caregiver Cafe let's you put new ideas into action.