January brings music and dance to the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Our fourth annual World On Stage arrives Saturday, January 5 with the an opening performance by Ballet Lisanga. Give your toddler or preschooler a winter of music and movement with a session of Music Together®: Sticks Collection. Don't forget the new date for the opening of Top Secret: Mission Toy for the little inventor. And please send in images of your kids and their favorite toys for our photo contest!

P.S. The museum is open on Monday, January 21 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Come celebrate with activities throughout the Museum.

Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog
Last week of the exhibition. Ends this Sunday, January 6.

Come and visit Birdwell Island and play in Clifford the Big Red Dog's house.  

• Fill his doggie bowl with bones
  
• Cook in the kitchen
• Slide down Clifford's tail

Come and experience the Museum's fourth annual World on Stage performance series. Adult and youth artists from around the Bay Area bring you a collection of performances that span the world.

First performance is Ballet Lisanga, dedicated to presenting and preserving Congolese and West African culture through artistic interpretation of its daily life and rituals.

World on Stage
Ethnic Performance Celebration
January 5 - February 23
Members $7.50 ; General $9.50

January performances include:

• Ballet Lisanga - Congolese and West African dance
• Raices de Mi Tierra - Mexican traditional dance
  
• Hui Tama Nui - Polynesian dance
  
• SoVoSó - Jazz a capella group
• Barbary Coast Cloggers - North American dance
  

Ballet Lisanga
Saturday, January 5
11 a.m.

Barbary Coast Cloggers
Saturday, January 26th
11 a.m.

The Discovery Forum raises support for the Museum’s educational exhibitions and programs, and serves to increase awareness about current topics in education. The event also advances the Museum’s role as a central resource for children, families and educational organizations throughout the Bay Area.

Learning is Child's Play: Celebrating the Role of Creativity in Learning

We are thrilled to announce that Sir Ken Robinson, international expert on creativity, will be speaking at this year's Discovery Forum. The topic will be "Learning is Child’s Play: Celebrating the Role of Creativity in Learning." Contact Jessica Watson at (415) 339-3958 or jwatson@badm.org to purchase tickets now, or buy them online starting January 8. This event sold out quickly last year!

Click here for more information and ticket sales. 

Monday, February 11, 2008
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
The Ritz Carlton Hotel
600 Stockton Street
San Francisco

Nobody Notices Minerva
Meet Minerva, a feisty Boston terrier pup, who isn't getting any attention today.  A story both children and their parents will relate to - everyone knows at least one Minerva!

Wednesday Kirwan
(Studio 10)
Friday, January 25
11 a.m.

Congratulate Lead Art Guide Wednesday Kriwan as she shares her first picture book, published this fall, Nobody Notices Minerva.  The book will be available at the signing.

Top Secret: Mission Toy
New Date: Februray 9 - May 4
Discover the workings and mechanics behind some of your favorite toys. Explore dolls, balls, robots and even make some toys of your own!

Members-only Hour & Breakfast
Sunday, February 10
9 - 10 a.m.
RSVP to membership@badm.org

Top Secret: Mission Toy Photo Contest
Do your children have well-loved stuffed animals and toys that they love to take everywhere? Submit an original, non-professional photo of your children and their toys via email to jcaleshu@badm.org. Entries must be received by January 25, 2008 at midnight. See rules. 

Woo hoo! Tonka Truck!

Exercise your imagination at our Drop-in session at our Art Studios this Sunday, January 6.

Create imaginary sea life in Studio 10 with Wednesday our Lead Art Guide. With construction paper, string and more, you can go home with your own mythical creature of the deep.

Mythical Sea Creatures
(Studio 10)
Sunday, January 6
3 - 4 p.m.

Music Together®: Sticks Collection
Beginning Tuesday, January 8. 10-week Winter 2008 Session of preschool music & movement. Join instructor Stacy Walden for Music Together®, a music and movement approach to early childhood music development for children and the adults who love them. 

Ages 6 months – 4 years with caregiver
Members: $200 first child
General: $245 first child
Additional sibling: $180
Includes Museum admission.
Register online

*Tuition includes a beautifully illustrated songbook/CD with parent education guide. Classes last 45 minutes.*

10-week Winter '08 Session
Tuesdays, January 8 - March 18
Fridays,  January 11 - March 21
No Classes February 19 or 22
Classes at 9:15, 10:15 & 11:15 a.m.

 Ask Nurse Rona

Q. I always say that I’m going to do things differently “this year.”  Can you suggest any New Year’s resolutions that even busy parents can achieve?

A. A new year is a great time to make a fresh start, which is why so many of us vow to start an exercise routine or lose 20 pounds.  But even small (and probably more doable) changes can make a big difference in our lives. Here is a list from the American Academy of Pediatrics of Parenting New Year's Resolutions...Click here to read Nurse Rona's advice.

Sign up early for our popular weekend birthday parties, where activities can include candy sushi-making, colorful exploding volcanoes, or make-your-own goo! Choose one of ten themes, or just rent a party room.  

Your child and a group of friends and family can enjoy lots of hands-on fun in one of our special birthday rooms, then continue their day by the Bay by exploring our one-of-a-kind indoor/ outdoor facility and special activities. Click here for birthday info

Call (415) 339-3900 or visit www.BayKidsMuseum.org to learn about these and other exciting activities.

MUSEUM HOURS: Tues – Fri, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sat & Sun, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Second Saturday Free from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.: January 12 

Holiday schedule: We will be open Monday, January 21 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Questions? Comments? Please let us know what you think by emailing contact@badm.org.