NCM Presents Tips to Make Families' Senses Come Alive This Spring

WASHINGTON, DC (March 15, 2010) – This spring, the National Children’s Museum (NCM) offers families fun and educational ideas and activities to explore the five senses.

Spring is characterized by heightened sensory awareness. After being cooped up all winter, families can relish the feeling of sun on their skin, the smell of freshly cut grass, the sound of birds chirping, the sight of flowers in bloom, and the tastes of fresh, vibrant fruits and vegetables. The arrival of the season marks a time to venture outdoors to enjoy the crisp, sunny days.

So what are you waiting for? Linda Coulombe, Manager of Science Programs at the National Children’s Museum, recommends the following tips to excite children’s senses this spring.

Taste and Smell: Personal Herb Garden

Kids can create new life this spring by taking care of their own herb garden. Each possessing different aromas and flavors, herbs can be used to enhance any family meal.

• Create a pot: Completely wash and dry an aluminum can. If necessary, sand any rough edges around the opening. Parents should use a screwdriver or other pointed object to poke holes in the bottom of the can. Kids can creatively decorate the can.
• Plant: Place pebbles in the bottom of the can to form a single layer. Add enough potting soil to fill two thirds of the can. Remove a potted herb from its container and transplant into the can. A 4-inch potted plant will be enough to make 2 to 3 vegetable-sized cans (15 ounces) or one larger tomato sauce can (28 ounces). Fill the edges with remaining potting soil. Gently pat down so the plant is firmly in the can.
• Tend to the herbs: Place the can on a plate to catch any water drainage. Kids now have the responsibility of adding water to their freshly planted herbs.
• Cook as a family: Herbs like basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and chives are especially aromatic and delicious in food. Snip the herbs and add to tomato sauce or use as seasoning!

Touch: Mud Café

Families can transform ordinary mud into pretend baked goods by getting their hands dirty.

• Collect dirt: Go outside the backyard or nearby woods and collect some dirt. Put it into plastic dishpans.
• Make mud: Add water to your dirt and voila!
• “Cook” with mud: Use the mud to fill cupcake tins or pie plates. Decorate mud pies and cupcakes with natural objects of various textures—twigs, berries, moss, and pinecones. Remember: Don’t eat your new treats!

Sight: Bug Hunting

Bugs can be large or small, colorful or camouflaged. Some bugs have antennas and some have many legs. Observing various insects in your backyard is a fun way to compare physical similarities and differences.

• Set out bait: Get an overripe banana and cover it in something sweet, like brown sugar. Let the banana sit out for awhile, then smear the mush on the bark of a tree.
• Spy and observe: Periodically check to see what bugs were attracted to your banana bait. Bring a flashlight out at night to see the different types of bugs.
• Record your findings: Draw what you saw with colored pencils or markers. Notice how some bugs look alike and some look different!

Sound: Natural T.V.

In the spring, it can be difficult to distinguish the different animal noises in harmony. From your backyard, focus on your sense of hearing to appreciate the various daytime and nighttime noises.

• Exclude all other senses: Sit outside with a blindfold. No talking allowed!
• Listen: Without your sense of sight, notice the different bird and insect noises. You may hear a beautiful song, a territorial call, and a woodpecker at the same time. You might hear frogs or crickets, too.
• Compare: Record and discuss the differences between noises at night and during the day.

About the National Children’s Museum Scheduled to open in 2013, the National Children’s Museum (NCM) will be a world-class cultural and educational center dedicated to engaging children and empowering them to make a difference. The mission of NCM is to inspire children to care about and improve the world. Through its interactive exhibits, online community (www.ncm.museum), and unique national programs and partnerships, NCM is transforming the concept of a traditional museum by becoming a catalyst and forum for a national movement to inspire and empower kids to speak up, take action, and get engaged in their communities. Through 2013, NCM is operating as a Museum Without Walls, participating in a variety of community events and working with other arts and cultural organizations to develop creative partnerships that benefit kids and families. This spring, NCM opened the Launch Zone, a 2,700 square-foot space at National Harbor where kids and families can prototype and test exhibit and program concepts. For more information, visit www.ncm.museum.

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