It's Time for Museum Maintenance! WE WILL BE CLOSED: Labor Day Week: Monday-Friday, September 5-9
Congratulations Winners in
Bay Area Preschool Teacher Awards
Habitot Children's Museum will honor this year's ten winners in its 8th Annual Bay Area Preschool Teacher Awards, "Preschool Teachers Make A Difference" at an Awards Ceremony and Back to School Celebration on September 26, 2016 at 6:00 pm. The event is open to the public; to attend, please RSVP: https://backtoschoolawardceremony.eventbrite.com
"Preschool teachers are rarely, if ever, recognized outside of our schools in this field. It means so much that Habitot not only created an award, but also plans a wonderful ceremony with fabulous goodies for us" - Past nominee, Ramee Serwanga of Room to Grow Preschool.
The judges who selected this years winners were professionals and advocates of Early Childhood Education, and included: Joan Suflita, Quality Improvement Coach at BANANAS Inc., Deborah Matthews, Educator & Berkeley Civic Leader, ivotedeborah.com
GET HALF-PRICE ADMISSION
FOR 10 FUN VISITS!
$25 OFF 10-VISIT PASS SEPT. 1 - 30 • ONLINE ONLY
With older children back at school, it's time to bring the little ones for their own special play and learning time at Habitot. EACH PASS ADMITS UP TO 3 PEOPLE! ONLINE PURCHASE HERE:
"CAMPAIGN FOR JOY"
Sponsor a Child with Special Needs! "Campaign for Joy" Provides Wide Access
Habitot's Campaign for Joy raises funds each year to make sure that the most vulnerable children in our community have equal access to the rich play and learning experiences here. For many, it's a place they met their first friend, picked up a paintbrush for the first time, or dressed up in costume. FREE quarterly events typically welcome 100 participants from all over the East Bay. Eighteen groups from ten local agencies also visited for free last year - over 500 participated in these after-hours programs. Here's what some parents have to say about our "Special Times for Special Families:"
"We spend much of our time at hospitals, therapy, doctor's offices, the ER or urgent care clinics. We don't have many free days to play and have fun. Whenever we do, Habitot always tops the list."
"I can't thank you enough for what you have to offer all children but especially for children with special needs.Habitot is that rare place where they can expore safely and not feel judged."
Please consider a gift today - your donation will bring joy to many children and parents. Visit our Generosity page.
FAMILY MAKER SATURDAYS FREE WITH ADMISSION Every Saturday, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Encourage the do-it-yourself mindset and come build, invent, design, and create something new! Projects are designed for 4-7 year olds, younger children with adult assistance. All projects support STEM learning.
Maker Activity this Month:
Homemade Flyers, Gliders, and Airplanes
Special Maker Activity September 24:
Beaded Chalkboard Necklaces
September 10: GRANDPARENTS' DAY CELEBRATION FREE FOR GRANDPARENTS Saturday, September 10 9:30am - 4:30pm Habitot is honoring the important role grandparents play in the lives of children by offering FREE Admission to grandparents today! Commemorate your day together or create a wonderful gift - you can “Make-A-Plate” for $20 in the Art Studio, your child’s artistry made permanent on a Malamine plate, delivered home in 4-6 weeks.
September 13: CAREGIVER CAFE Tuesday, September 13 10:00am - 11:00am FREE DROP-IN Caregivers are invited to meet and share experiences about the fun and challenges of caring for the children of others while gaining new skills in this monthly supportive group, facilitated in Spanish.
• Supervised art and craft activities for children
• Coffee and pastries provided
• FREE admission to Habitot following the Café
September 14: RAINBOW FAMILY NIGHT FREE WITH PRE-REGISTRATION Wednesday, September 14 5:30am - 7:30am Kids, ages 0-5, have a great time playing in the Museum while parents enjoy a facilitated support group where they can share experiences, swap tips, and discuss issues relevant to LGBTQ families. Rainbow Family Nights are presented in partnership with Our Family Coalition.Pre-registration requested.
September 17: CAR SEAT INSPECTION FREE - FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED Saturday, September 17 10:00am - 12:00pm Trained technicians will install your new car seat, or inspect your existing car seat, for correct placement and safety. Offered with support from retired police officer, Bob Rollins, and the City of Alameda Police Department. Participants will receive a Free Family Guest Pass for Habitot admission.This event is the final of four inspection events planned this season during our annual Early Childhood Safety Campaign, sponsored by State Farm Insurance. More info here. LOCATION: City Hall parking lot
1555 Oak St., in Alameda
September 17: BUYING A NEW HOME? FREE Real Estate Foundation Q&A Saturday, September 17 10:00am - 1:30pm Laura Feraru, local Real Estate professional, is here to help and offer guidance to homebuyers and sellers. As a local Habitot supporter, Ms. Feraru understands the neighborhoods, schools, market conditions, zoning regulations and local economy. She also will donate a percentage of her own revenue to Habitot on all homes she successfully buys or sells for our patrons. Ask her questions at this free Q & A session!
September 18: FOSTER FAMILY FUN DAY FREE WITH PRE-REGISTRATION Sunday, September 18 2:00pm - 5:00pm Join us for a free afternoon of play and connection with other foster, kinship-care, and adoptive families! Explore our hands-on exhibits, create masterpieces in our Art Studio, and enjoy special time as a family and a community. Snacks and a small gift included! Register: FallFosterFun.eventbrite.com
September 24: BACK TO SCHOOL FREE ADMISSION DAY FOR ALL Saturday, September 24 9:30am - 4:30pm
We're celebrating "Back to School" with a free admission day and birthday party giveaway sponsored by Close5. Celebrate with school-themed art activities in the Art Studio - School Bus Designs from 9:30am-2:30pm and a special Family Maker Saturday activity, Beaded Chalkboard Necklaces, from 2:30pm - 4:00pm.
As part of the free day celebration, Habitot is donating a birthday party in the museum that will be given away through the Close5 app. To win a free Habitot birthday party for up to 60 guests, download the FREE Close5 app, search Habitot Friends or link to Habitot’s profile: tinyurl.com/HabitotClose5 and make a $0 offer on a birthday party. One winner will be randomly selected at the Close5-sponsored free admission day. Need not be present to win.
September 25: HEAD START FAMILY DAY FREE ADMISSION FOR HEAD START FAMILIES Sunday, September 25 10:00am - 11:00am
Co-hosted with Tandem, Partners in Learning, Head Start Family Day is a FREE day of fun and learning for families who attend Berkeley, Albany or Emeryville Head Start programs!
PIZZA FRIDAYS Every Friday
11:30am - 12:30pm Papa is in the house! Our friends at Papa John’s (2222 Shattuck Ave.) will deliver child-sized cheese slices on sale for $1 each. Deliveries every 15 minutes as needed. Proceeds benefit the Museum.
STORYTIME TUESDAYS Every Tuesday
11:30am Join us for storytime every Tuesday in the Reading Tent. First, we'll shake our "sillies" out, then each child can borrow a special Folkmanis puppet or stuffed animal to befriend as we dive into a book!
PARENTING TOPIC OF THE MONTH
Superhero Play: On Balance a Good Thing Superhero play makes some adults nervous because it appears to include fighting, violence and aggression. However, among children who are growing up in a healthy family environment, it is more accurate to say that superhero play is about empowerment. That makes it a good thing. Continue reading here....
ART-AT-HOME ACTIVITY
"Magic Sidewalk Squirt Paint" Create beautiful sidewalk art with Magic Sidewalk Squirt Paint! By growingajeweledrose.com
THIS MONTH'S STORE DISCOUNT
Thank you to this month's Totmail sponsor, Berkeley Agent, Gary Eason http://garyeason.net/
