National Children's Museum Offers Tips for Making Homemade Magic on a Budget

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OFFERS TIPS FOR MAKING HOMEMADE “MAGIC”

Museum provides families with imaginative ideas for creating fun on a budget

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Children’s Museum, scheduled to open in 2013 at National Harbor in the Washington, DC region, is offering families tips on how to create “magical moments” every day through creative, inexpensive activities that can be done at home. The Museum encourages caregivers to use their imaginations to conduct activities with children that support creative thinking and build lasting memories.

“It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week demands that go with being a parent, and you might think that you don’t have the time or money to think of new and creative activities to do with your kids,” said Linda Coulombe, Manager of Science Programs at the National Children’s Museum. “But almost every single day is filled with moments that can be extra special for you and your children – if you are looking for them.”

These “magical moments” are important for both caregivers and children. Allowing a young person to play pretend and use his imagination is an essential aspect of being a child. Caregivers should join their child in these adventures to see where together, their imaginations might take them. “Be the princess in the tower that your son saves from the dragon or be his crime busting police partner,” said Coulombe. “It is not only a good bonding activity, it will also bring out the child in you.”

The National Children’s Museum has offered the following free or low-cost suggestions to help families create their own magic at home:

• Make a “magic wand” (use a wooden stick, construction paper, and glitter), then look up a few easy magic tricks and give a magic show. Make special “magic carpets” to sit on out of old rug remnants.
• Host themed dinners like “A Night in Old Mexico” or “Chinese New Year” complete with a few decorations and themed music. Add a sombrero or chop sticks.
• Make a miniature golf course in your basement. Use any kind of balls, yardsticks with sponges glued onto the ends, Frisbees, oatmeal boxes, shoe boxes, or cans.
• Have a “magical treasure box” that your children can open on rainy days. Put in small toys, ideas for fun activities, or funny jokes.
• Post riddles for children to solve on Post-It notes around the house. The first one to solve them all gets a prize, such as choosing a favorite movie to watch together.
• Start a window herb garden and then use the herbs to cook a meal together.
• Have a “Wacky Dress-Up Day” where everyone in the family picks the most wacky clothes to wear to do chores around the house.
• Do some star gazing and adopt a favorite constellation.
• Start a never-ending bedtime story that you and your child can add to each night.
• Wear special fun hats while reading stories together. Look for funny old caps and bonnets at garage sales or thrift shops, or make your own, then start a special fun hat box.
• Build a secret clubhouse in your family room or basement out of old appliance boxes. Use old pieces of fabric for curtains, and create fun signs out of cardboard like “Wizards Only!”

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, 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.

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