GREATER HARTFORD
APRIL VACATION ACTIVITIES 2012
There’s so much to do in Greater Hartford during April vacation. Here are just some of the places that are waiting for you to have fun!
THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: APRIL VACATION SCIENCE WEEK
950 Trout Brook Dr, West Hartford, 860-231-2830 ext. 44, thechildrensmuseumct.org.
$60/day museum members; $70/day non-members.
Five exciting days of vacation science camp, 9am-4pm, grades 1st-5th.
Monday April 16: Spring Into Action
Plants are growing, animals are out and about, and we are exploring it all.
Tuesday April 17: Think Small
Honey, I shrunk the campers! Use microscopes and magnifying glasses to investigate the tiny world beneath our feet.
Wednesday April 18: Head for the Hills!
Enter a spinning vortex of excitement as we investigate some of Earth’s wildest natural disasters.
Thursday April 19: Up, Up and Away
Manipulate the flow of air to make things soar, tumble, explode, and swell. The sky is the limit!
Friday April 20: Extreme Survivors
Find out who will be deemed The Most Extreme as we investigate the extraordinary adaptations and survival techniques of animals.
CONNECTICUT SCIENCE CENTER: APRIL EXPLORATION CAMP
250 Columbus Blvd,Hartford, 860-520-2177, ctsciencecenter.org.
$54/day members; $57/day employees of downtown businesses; $60/day non-members.
Extended care from 4 to 5PM ($20 fee). Five days of activities, 8:30am-4pm, grades 1st-6th.
Monday April 16: Roving Robots
Those robots are back again! Investigate the fundamentals of Robotics as you program real microprocessor-controlled Robots. If you have come before, use your experience to add sensors or other gadgets to your Robot! You will also have an opportunity to work with our newest robot members, the NAO’s! This will be a non-stop day of hands-on experiences in the practical application of artificial intelligence and fun.
Tuesday April 17: Here Comes the Sun
As our fossil fuels run out, humans need other ways to make our cars move! Today you will be a “green” car engineer. Investigate solar cells and electricity to help you design and build your own solar powered SunZoom! ($10 material fee for car)
Wednesday April 18: Dinosaurs!
Although we can’t see real dinosaurs today, we can see some of the animals that lived during their reign on the Earth. Meet some of these real life ancient animals. Discover how fossils happen and make some of your own. Take a tour through the Dinosaur period in our newest exhibit Dinosaurs Unearthed and of course experience our new movie “Flying Monsters”!
Thursday April 19: The Hidden Planet
What is it really like in space? Although we can’t go there today, use modern technology to investigate new discoveries in space and planets. Investigate radiation, temperature, gravity, pressure and search our newly discovered planet for interesting features using our own rovers!
Friday April 20: Earth Day 2012
Earth Day falls on April 22nd; however, at the Science Center, we are jumpstarting the celebration today! We will dedicate the day to the study of Earth and the wonders that it contains, as well as to the ways in which we can preserve its beauty. Come join us in planting seeds, making our own paper, and exploring other ways in which we can care for our home planet, Earth!
HARTFORD STAGE EDUCATION: PERFORMANCE PROJECT
Rehearsal Studios, 942 Main St, 2nd floor, Hartford, 860-520-7206, hartfordstage.org.
$300 for the week. Drop off begins at 8:30am and pick up lasts until 5:30pm.
Monday April 16-Friday April 20, 9am-5pm, ages 7-14
Spend a week with us rehearsing and performing a classic Shakespeare play adapted for young performers. Morning sessions will focus on teaching students acting techniques that will increase their knowledge of the theatre world. During the afternoon sessions, students will put those skills to work as they rehearse for their final show.
HILL-STEAD MUSEUM: APRIL VACATION MINI ADVENTURES
35 Mountain Rd, Farmington, 860-677-4787 ext 142, hillstead.org.
Wednesday April 18, Mini-Nature Adventure
$15/child for members; $24/child for members-to-be. Pre-registration required.
10am-12pm, grades K-5
It's time to get your frolicking boots on and join estate naturalist Diane Tucker for a morning of nature exploration and fun! Find returning spring birds, amphibians, and all kinds of interesting life teeming under the Bug Boards. Kids should wear waterproof footwear and dress for inclement weather. There's fun to be had rain or shine!
Thursday April 19: Mini-Art Adventure: Explorations in Printmaking
$20/child for members; $25/ child for members-to-be. Pre-registration required.
10am–12:30pm, grades K–2; 1–3:30pm, grades 3–6
Children tour the museum's print exhibition, learn how artists create different types of prints, and experiment with several printmaking mediums. The class will be messy, so children should dress accordingly.
MANDELL JCC: APRIL VACATION CAMPS 2012
335 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford, 860-236-4571. Information/registration Ronit Krieger at 860-231-6334 or email rkrieger@mandelljcc.org
$65/day non-members, $45/day members. Extended care and half-day options available.
Monday April 16-Friday April 20: 9am-4pm. Ages K-5th grade.
Children should bring a Kosher dairy lunch, sneakers for the gym, socks for the indoor playscape, and a bathing suit and towel for swimming. Themes are subject to change. Cancellations must occur at least 48 hours in advance of the program for a refund.
Monday, April 16th
Ocean Olympics: Compete in ocean themed challenges, beach activities, and sea creature crafts.
Tuesday, April 17th
Kids Korner-val: Come join in our very own carnival! Including: games, treats, and more! K-5th graders
Wednesday, April 18th
Pajama Party: Come dressed in your favorite pajamas as we watch a movie on the big-screen and play “slumber-party games
Thursday, April 19th
Spy Training: Get certified as an official JCC Spy, and then solve your very own mystery.
Friday, April 20th
Earth Day: Celebrate Earth Day with “green” crafts, recycling projects, and games.
NEW BRITAIN MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART: APRIL ART ADVENTURES
56 Lexington St,New Britain, 860-229-0257 ext. 220, nbmaa.org.
$9 for members for 3-day session; $15 for non-members.
Tuesday April 17-Thursday April 19, 10:30am-12pm, ages 7+, pre-registration required.
Looking for something fun to do with the family over school vacation? The answer is right in your own backyard. Get out and explore some of the best family programs Connecticut has to offer! Join art educator Laura Krah as she helps students explore all things colorful at the NBMAA. Students will use a variety of art materials while following the theme of color in art during all three exploratory art activities ranging from fiber arts to painting to collage.
Tuesday, April 17: Color in Collage
Color can be found in everyday objects as one can see from artist Lisa Hoke’s amazing installation, The Gravity of Color. On this day students will explore the power of color through collage ala artist Lisa Hoke. A variety of colorful found objects, paint and tissue paper will work together to create a masterpiece.
Wednesday, April 18: Color in Sculpture
Dale Chihuly’s glass chandelier as well as Mundy Hepburn’s work will serve as inspiration to understand how color and form interact. Students will work with sculptural materials such as plaster gauze as well as dye to create eye catching 3-D works.
Thursday, April 19: Color in Painting
Become inspired to use color in your painting by looking at some of the most vivid artworks within the NBMAA’s collection. Learn how to create different colors using only primaries and neutrals to apply to your own works of art. This class will focus on the pure joy of color and how it can work with your drawing to create visually interesting effects.
NEW ENGLAND AIR MUSEUM: SPECIAL ACTIVITIES DURING APRIL SCHOOL BREAK
Bradley International Airport, 36 Perimeter Rd, Windsor Locks, 860-623-3305 ext. 11, neam.org.
Included with admission (free 3 and under, $6 for children age 4-11, $10 for adults). Free child admission with each paid adult for Let’s GO Arts! members.
Monday April 16-Friday April 20, 10am-5pm
Spring into the skies this April vacation! The New England Air Museum offers a variety of activities each day and drop-in programs for visitors of all ages to explore aviation history, the science of flight and more. Each day docents will be on hand to provide information and to interact with the visitors. In addition to viewing our unique collections and aircraft on display, here are just some of the fun things happening at one of the nation’s largest aviation museums:
Monday, April 16: Scientific Discovery Day!
The Museum's education staff will be out on the exhibit floor all day with demonstrations that will amaze you and your children as you learn about the scientific principles of flight. Also to be offered are a number of entertaining hands-on activities.
Tuesday, April 17: Open Cockpit
Museum will host an open cockpit program with about 6 aircraft to be open including a helicopter, an airliner, a jet fighter and a WWII aircraft. All cockpits will close at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 18: LEGOS
There will be a room full of LEGOS in the conference center and the theme is "You & Your Fantastic Flying Machine". The program is for ages 3-12 and will run from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for each age category: 3-5, 6-8 & 9-12
Thursday, April 19: Museum Orientation Tours
Museum tour guides will be on hand to greet visitors and to point out the highlights of the collection in a fun and interesting way for the enjoyment of visitors of all age groups. Learn about the Museum in depth as you walk through all three exhibit hangars.
Friday, April 20: B-29 Superfortress
Discover the B-29 Superfortress—the largest aircraft in the Museum's collection. Visitors will be able to go behind the ropes to take a close-up look at this magnificent aircraft from WWII. The Museum's knowledgeable tour guides will point out the various features of this aircraft which is probably the most outstanding example of its type anywhere.
NOAH WEBSTER HOUSE & ELMWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER
WEST HARTFORD THEN & NOW
Register: the Noah Webster House education department at 860-521-5362 ext. 14, or via email at education@NoahWebsterHouse.org.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Elmwood Community Center, 1106 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford
Tuesday and Thursday: Noah Webster House, 227 South Main St, West Hartford, 860-521-5362 ext. 14, noahwebsterhouse.org.
Cost: $150 for residents; $160 for non-residents. Ages 6-12.
Monday April 16-Friday April 20, ages 6-12
In this NEW week long April vacation workshop, children will have the opportunity to explore activities both from historic and present dayWest Hartford. Children will experience cooking over a hearth and in a modern kitchen, candle making and an electricity project, make a terrarium, with both heirloom and modern seeds, and go on a scavenger hunt. Other activities will include games, gym activities, time in Noah's Discovery Learning Space, and more. Please bring a snack and drink with you each day.
WELLES SHIPMAN WARD HOUSE: KIDS IN JERUSHA'S KITCHEN
972 Main St, Glastonbury, 860-633-6890, hsgct.org.
$15; pre-registration required
Tuesday April 17, 10am-1pm, ages 8-12.
Hearth cooking class for kids, who will prepare and enjoy a simple meal together.
TOURS AVAILABLE DURING VACATION WEEK
CONNECTICUT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
One Elizabeth St at Asylum Ave, Hartford, 860-236-5621, chs.org.
Tuesday-Friday, 12pm-5pm and Saturday, 9am-5pm.
Free for children 5 and under, $4 for youth ages 6-17 and students with ID, $8 for adults, $6 for seniors. 2-for-1 regular admission for Let’s GO Arts! members.
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE CENTER
77 Forest St, Hartford, 860-522-9258, harrietbeecherstowecenter.org.
Wednesday-Friday, 9:30am-4:30pm; Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm; and Sunday, 12pm-5:30pm.
Free for children under 5, $6 for children ages 5-16, $8 for students and seniors, $9 for adults. 2-for-1 adult and senior admission for Let’s GO Arts! members.
LUTZ CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
247 South Main St, Manchester, 860-643-0949, lutzmuseum.org.
Tuesday-Friday, 9am-5pm and Saturday-Sunday, 12pm-5pm.
$5 for children over 1 and adults. 1 person free per group for Let’s GO Arts! members.
THE MARK TWAIN HOUSE AND MUSEUM
351 Farmington Ave, Hartford, 860-247-0998, marktwainhouse.org.
Monday-Saturday, 9:30am-5:30pm and Sunday, 12pm-5:30pm.
Free for children under 6, $10 for children ages 6-16, $16 for adults, $14 for seniors. $5 for museum only. $2 off adult admission for Let’s GO Arts! members.
OLD STATE HOUSE
800 Main St, Hartford, 860-522-6766, ctosh.org
Regular Schedule: Monday-Friday (following Columbus Day weekend to July 4th holiday), 10am-5pm (last ticket sold at 4pm.)
Summer Schedule: Tuesday – Saturday (following July 4th holiday through Columbus Day weekend), 10am-5pm (last ticket sold at 4pm)
Free for children 5 and under, $3 for children ages 6-17 and seniors, $6 for adults
STANLEY-WHITMAN HOUSE
37 High St, Farmington, 860-677-9222, stanleywhitman.org
Wednesday-Friday, 9am-4pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12-4pm. 2-for-1 house tours for Let’s GO Arts! members.
Free for children under 6, $4 children 6-18, $5 seniors, $7 for adults.
WADSWORTH ATHENEUM MUSEUM OF ART
600 Main St, Hartford, 860-278-2670, wadsworthatheneum.org.
Wednesday-Friday, 11am-5pm and Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm.
Free for children 12 and under, $5 for students, $10 for adults, $8 for seniors ages 62+. 2-for-1 admission for Let’s GO Arts! members.
Check LetsGoArts.org for other events!
If you’re in downtown Hartford, stop by the Greater Hartford Welcome Center,
100 Pearl Street, first floor, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
We’ll be happy to help you plan your day!
|