Archives

This Month at the Museum:

In March, join us for Sound…as Color in the Art Loft, Chromatography flowers  in the Kids’ Garden, and Animal Homes in the Art Studio.

THE ART LOFT ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Art Loft

Sound…as Color
Experiment with paint while you listen to a variety of sounds. Can you hear color? If you were to paint a bird’s chirp, what would it look like? What about running water?

Daily through March 1st from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

KIDS’ GARDEN ACTIVITIES Learn More about Kids’ Garden

The Kids’Garden will be undergoing some big changes as the Museum begins developing and prototyping in preparation for Bill’s Backyard, the expanded Garden slated for opening in spring 2017. The Garden schedule will vary during this time, but you may be invited out to try some of the wonderful new exhibits being developed, or to participate in regular Garden activities as available.

On the day of your visit, check the Garden for availability of these activities:

Morning Chores (first hour of the garden-day)
Help us with our garden chores on Mulchy Mondays, Tidy Tuesdays, Wormy Wednesdays, Thoughtful Thursdays, Farmer Fridays, or Sensational Saturdays and Sundays.

Afternoon Specials
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Chromatography flowers 
Celebrate Spring by making your own fabulous flower.  The Garden is buzzing with new life; come see what’s growing! 

Watering the Garden
(last hour of the Garden day)
A favorite with all of our young gardeners: grab a watering can and help us out!

Daily starting March 1st from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

THE WONDER CABINET ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Wonder Cabinet

A FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Early Learning Laboratory for ages 4 and under.  Open until 4:00 p.m.

Wonder Cabinet sponsor FIRST 5 offers a free kit for new parents, as well as information on kindergarten readiness and a variety of valuable parenting resources, on www.first5kids.org.

Animal Homes
Use your imagination to transform natural materials into unique homes and landscapes for animal figurines.

Through Sunday, April 3 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Members-Only Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Storytime in “The Forest”
Daily 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a whimsical storytime, complete with engaging activities designed to capture the interest of children and to provide ideas for caregivers to try at home.

Infant Activities in the “Crawl Space”
Daily 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Join us for fingerplays, songs, and open-ended activities designed to delight your baby. Please Note: the “Crawl Space” is an enclosed environment for babies, crawlers and pre-walkers.

Supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

This Month at the Museum:

In April, join us for Found! in the Art Loft and Gravity Painting in the Art Studio.

THE ART LOFT ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Art Loft

Found!
Explore a wide range of “found” materials through art projects that change weekly. Give every day (and unconventional materials) new life through your imagination.

Daily through May 1st from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

KIDS’ GARDEN ACTIVITIES Learn More about Kids’ Garden

The Kids’Garden will be undergoing some big changes as the Museum begins developing and prototyping in preparation for Bill’s Backyard, the expanded Garden slated for opening in spring 2017. The Garden schedule will vary during this time, but you may be invited out to try some of the wonderful new exhibits being developed, or to participate in regular Garden activities as available.

On the day of your visit, check the Garden for availability of these activities:

Morning Chores (first hour of the garden-day)
Help us with our garden chores on Mulchy Mondays, Tidy Tuesdays, Wormy Wednesdays, Thoughtful Thursdays, Farmer Fridays, or Sensational Saturdays and Sundays.

Afternoon Specials
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Watering the Garden
(last hour of the Garden day)
A favorite with all of our young gardeners: grab a watering can and help us out!

Daily starting April 5th from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

THE WONDER CABINET ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Wonder Cabinet

A FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Early Learning Laboratory for ages 4 and under.  Open until 4:00 p.m.

Wonder Cabinet sponsor FIRST 5 offers a free kit for new parents, as well as information on kindergarten readiness and a variety of valuable parenting resources, on www.first5kids.org.

Gravity Painting
Drip, drip, plop…watch the paint drop.  Explore how gravity can help transform drops of paint into unique shapes and lines.

Through Sunday, May 1st from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Members-Only Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Storytime in “The Forest”
Daily 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a whimsical storytime, complete with engaging activities designed to capture the interest of children and to provide ideas for caregivers to try at home.

Featured Stories:
Llama Llama Red Pajama
Little Blue Truck

Infant Activities in the “Crawl Space”
Daily 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Join us for fingerplays, songs, and open-ended activities designed to delight your baby. Please Note: the “Crawl Space” is an enclosed environment for babies, crawlers and pre-walkers.

Supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

This Month at the Museum:

In May, join us for C(ART)OGRAPHY! in the Art Loft and Sensory Bins in the Art Studio.

THE ART LOFT ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Art Loft

C(ART)OGRAPHY!
Creatively explore the idea of the map, through a variety of media, as you think about your neighborhood, city, state, country, and world. Can you sculpt your city? What could you build to help you travel between school and home if you had options other than driving, taking the bus, or walking?  Can you draw the place where you were born from memory, or can you imagine what it looks like? Can you connect the points where all of your friends and family live to make a network? What does your neighborhood sound like?

Daily through May 30th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

KIDS’ GARDEN ACTIVITIES Learn More about Kids’ Garden

The Kids’ Garden will be undergoing some big changes as the Museum begins developing and prototyping in preparation for Bill’s Backyard, the expanded Garden slated for opening in spring 2017. The Garden schedule will vary during this time, but you may be invited out to try some of the wonderful new exhibits being developed, or to participate in regular Garden activities as available.

THE WONDER CABINET ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Wonder Cabinet

A FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Early Learning Laboratory for ages 4 and under.  Open until 4:00 p.m.

Wonder Cabinet sponsor FIRST 5 offers a free kit for new parents, as well as information on kindergarten readiness and a variety of valuable parenting resources, on www.first5kids.org.

Sensory Bins
Use your senses to explore special materials in our themed sensory bins.  Sensory activities are important for young artists in that they provide rich, hand-on experiences where children can connect emotionally and physically with the way something feels, smells, sounds, and looks.  These experiences also help children develop artistic skills such as observation, coordination, and imagination.

Through Monday, May 30th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Members-Only Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Storytime in “The Forest”
Daily 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a whimsical storytime, complete with engaging activities designed to capture the interest of children and to provide ideas for caregivers to try at home.

Infant Activities in the “Crawl Space”
Daily 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Join us for fingerplays, songs, and open-ended activities designed to delight your baby. Please Note: the “Crawl Space” is an enclosed environment for babies, crawlers and pre-walkers.

Supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

This Month at the Museum:

In June, join us for Art + Math = ? in the Art Loft, Newspaper Seed Pots in the Kids’ Garden, and Sculptures in the Art Studio.

THE ART LOFT ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Art Loft

Art + Math = ?
Weekly changing projects will explore the intersections between math and art. From pixel art to tessellations, the journey of a drawing (2D) to its sculptural form (3D), and patterns and symmetry, get excited about art and math at the same time!

Daily through July 4th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

KIDS’ GARDEN ACTIVITIES Learn More about Kids’ Garden

The Kids’ Garden will be undergoing some big changes as the Museum begins developing and prototyping in preparation for Bill’s Backyard, the expanded Garden slated for opening in Spring 2017. The Garden schedule will vary during this time, but you may be invited out to try some of the wonderful new exhibits being developed, or to participate in regular Garden activities as available.

On the day of your visit, check the Garden for availability of these activities:

Morning Chores (first hour of the garden-day)
Help us with our garden chores on Mulchy Mondays, Tidy Tuesdays, Wormy Wednesdays, Thoughtful Thursdays, Farmer Fridays, or Sensational Saturday and Sunday. 

Newspaper Seed Pots
Celebrate summer by planting your own seed to take home!

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in June.

Watering the Garden
(last hour of the Garden day)
A favorite with all of our young gardeners: grab a watering can and help us out!

THE WONDER CABINET ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Wonder Cabinet

A FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Early Learning Laboratory for ages 4 and under.  Open until 4:00 p.m.

Wonder Cabinet sponsor FIRST 5 offers a free kit for new parents, as well as information on kindergarten readiness and a variety of valuable parenting resources, on www.first5kids.org.

Sculptures
Create unique sculptures using a variety of materials that will change weekly.

Through Monday, July 4 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Members-Only Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Storytime in “The Forest”
Daily 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a whimsical storytime, complete with engaging activities designed to capture the interest of children and to provide ideas for caregivers to try at home.

Infant Activities in the “Crawl Space”
Daily 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Join us for fingerplays, songs, and open-ended activities designed to delight your baby. Please Note: the “Crawl Space” is an enclosed environment for babies, crawlers and pre-walkers.

Supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

This Month at the Museum:

In July, join us for Art + Math = ? and Circles & Cylinders & Cones, Oh My! in the Art Loft, Magical Mudpies in the Kids’ Garden, and Stained Glass Painting in the Art Studio.

THE ART LOFT ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Art Loft

Through July 10th
Art + Math = ?
Weekly changing projects will explore the intersections between math and art. From pixel art to tessellations, the journey of a drawing (2D) to its sculptural form (3D), and patterns and symmetry, get excited about art and math at the same time!

Beginning July 11
Circles & Cylinders & Cones, Oh My!
Create 2D & 3D art inspired by the circle, with techniques such as collage, sculpture, and paint!

Daily through August 1st from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

KIDS’ GARDEN ACTIVITIES Learn More about Kids’ Garden

The Kids’ Garden will be undergoing some big changes as the Museum begins developing and prototyping in preparation for Bill’s Backyard, the expanded Garden slated for opening in Spring 2017. The Garden schedule will vary during this time, but you may be invited out to try some of the wonderful new exhibits being developed, or to participate in regular Garden activities as available.

On the day of your visit, check the Garden for availability of these activities:

Morning Chores (first hour of the garden-day)
Help us with our garden chores on Mulchy Mondays, Tidy Tuesdays, Wormy Wednesdays, Thoughtful Thursdays, Farmer Fridays, or Sensational Saturday and Sunday. 

Magical Mudpies
Squish, shape and decorate…fun in the mud without the mess. 

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in July.

Watering the Garden
(last hour of the Garden day)
A favorite with all of our young gardeners: grab a watering can and help us out!

THE WONDER CABINET ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Wonder Cabinet

A FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Early Learning Laboratory for ages 4 and under.  Open until 4:00 p.m.

Wonder Cabinet sponsor FIRST 5 offers a free kit for new parents, as well as information on kindergarten readiness and a variety of valuable parenting resources, on www.first5kids.org.

Stained Glass Painting
Paint your very own translucent masterpiece to hang in your window.

Through Monday, August 1st from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Members-Only Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Storytime in “The Forest”
Daily 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a whimsical storytime, complete with engaging activities designed to capture the interest of children and to provide ideas for caregivers to try at home.

Infant Activities in the “Crawl Space”
Daily 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Join us for fingerplays, songs, and open-ended activities designed to delight your baby. Please Note: the “Crawl Space” is an enclosed environment for babies, crawlers and pre-walkers.

Supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

This Month at the Museum:

In August, join us for Self-Portrait in the Art Loft, Sunprint Bookmarks in the Kids’ Garden, and Coffee Filter Painting in the Art Studio.

THE ART LOFT ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Art Loft

Self-Portrait
How do you imagine yourself? How do you see yourself? Explore these questions through a variety of media such as clay, oil pastel and watercolor, collage, and found objects.

Daily through September 5th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

KIDS’ GARDEN ACTIVITIES Learn More about Kids’ Garden

The Kids’ Garden will be undergoing some big changes as the Museum begins developing and prototyping in preparation for Bill’s Backyard, the expanded Garden slated for opening in Spring 2017. The Garden schedule will vary during this time, but you may be invited out to try some of the wonderful new exhibits being developed, or to participate in regular Garden activities as available.

On the day of your visit, check the Garden for availability of these activities:

Morning Chores (first hour of the garden-day)
Help us with our garden chores on Mulchy Mondays, Tidy Tuesdays, Wormy Wednesdays, Thoughtful Thursdays, Farmer Fridays, or Sensational Saturday and Sunday. 

Sunprint Bookmarks
Capture the summer sun by making a sun print bookmark you can take home!

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in July.

Watering the Garden
(last hour of the Garden day)
A favorite with all of our young gardeners: grab a watering can and help us out!

THE WONDER CABINET ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Wonder Cabinet

A FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Early Learning Laboratory for ages 4 and under.  Open until 4:00 p.m.

Wonder Cabinet sponsor FIRST 5 offers a free kit for new parents, as well as information on kindergarten readiness and a variety of valuable parenting resources, on www.first5kids.org.

Coffee Filter Painting
Turn everyday coffee filters into works of art. Watch in delight as the colors spread, diffuse, and blend to create a design. Children are encouraged to experiment with colors, making new colors, and creating their own rainbows!

Through Monday, September 5th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Members-Only Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Storytime in “The Forest”
Daily 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a whimsical storytime, complete with engaging activities designed to capture the interest of children and to provide ideas for caregivers to try at home.

Infant Activities in the “Crawl Space”
Daily 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Join us for fingerplays, songs, and open-ended activities designed to delight your baby. Please Note: the “Crawl Space” is an enclosed environment for babies, crawlers and pre-walkers.

Supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

This Month at the Museum:

In September, join us for Paint-It, Press-It, Print -It!   in the Art Loft and Wet Chalk in the Art Studio.

THE ART LOFT ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Art Loft

Paint-It, Press-It, Print-It!
Explore the art of the monoprint. Create paintings then turn them into incredible prints!

Daily through September 25th
Open until 4:00 p.m. when the Museum closes at 5:00 p.m.
Open until 2:45 p.m. when the Museum closes at 3:00 p.m.
Sundays 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

KIDS’ GARDEN ACTIVITIES Learn More about Kids’ Garden

Closed September 6 – November 30

Kids’ Garden is undergoing some big changes as it transforms into Bill’s Backyard, the expanded Garden slated for opening in Summer 2017!

THE WONDER CABINET ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Wonder Cabinet

A FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Early Learning Laboratory for ages 4 and under.  Open until 4:00 p.m when the Museum closes at 5:00 p.m.

Wonder Cabinet sponsor FIRST 5 offers a free kit for new parents, as well as information on kindergarten readiness and a variety of valuable parenting resources, on www.first5kids.org.

Wet Chalk
Experiment with blending colors, drawing lines, and creating designs as you draw with wet chalk on different textured surfaces. 

Through Monday, September 25th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m when the Museum closes at 5:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. – 2:45 when the Museum closes at 3:00 p.m.
Members-Only Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Storytime in “The Forest”
Daily 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a whimsical storytime, complete with engaging activities designed to capture the interest of children and to provide ideas for caregivers to try at home.

Infant Activities in the “Crawl Space”
Daily 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. when the Museum closes at 5:00 p.m.
12:30 p.m.  when the Museum closes at 3:00 p.m.

Join us for fingerplays, songs, and open-ended activities designed to delight your baby. Please Note: the “Crawl Space” is an enclosed environment for babies, crawlers and pre-walkers.

Supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

This Month at the Museum:

In October, join us for Glow Bones in the Art Loft and Foil Painting in the Art Studio.

THE ART LOFT ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Art Loft

The Art of Rangoli!
Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9
Explore and create your own rangoli using oil pastel and watercolor resist techniques!

Glow Bones
Tuesday, October 11 – Saturday, October 29 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.
Learn about hand and arm bones as you paint them onto your skin with fluorescent paint, then shake your phalanges, carpals, metacarpals, ulna, and radius under our black lights!

Decorate a Sugar Skull
Sunday, October 30
Decorate a sugar skull (calavera de azucar) in honor of Dia de los Muertos! During the weeks leading up to Día de los Muertos, market stalls in Mexico are lined with rows and rows of colorful skulls, created from sugar and decorated with multi-colored icing, shiny foil, sequins, and glitter. Along with other ofrendas, such as favorite food and drink, sugar skulls are placed on altars to honor beloved ancestors.

KIDS’ GARDEN ACTIVITIES Learn More about Kids’ Garden

Closed September 6 – November 30

Kids’ Garden is undergoing some big changes as it transforms into Bill’s Backyard, the expanded Garden slated for opening in Summer 2017!

THE WONDER CABINET ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Wonder Cabinet

A FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Early Learning Laboratory for ages 4 and under.  Open until 4:00 p.m.

Wonder Cabinet sponsor FIRST 5 offers a free kit for new parents, as well as information on kindergarten readiness and a variety of valuable parenting resources, on www.first5kids.org.

Foil Painting
Create a work of art on a slick and shiny canvas of aluminum foil.

Through Sunday, October 30th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Members-Only Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Storytime in “The Forest”
Daily 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a whimsical storytime, complete with engaging activities designed to capture the interest of children and to provide ideas for caregivers to try at home.

Infant Activities in the “Crawl Space”
Daily 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Join us for fingerplays, songs, and open-ended activities designed to delight your baby. Please Note: the “Crawl Space” is an enclosed environment for babies, crawlers and pre-walkers.

Supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

This Month at the Museum:

In November, join us for Shadow Play! in the Art Loft and Spice Paints in the Art Studio.

THE ART LOFT ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Art Loft

Shadow Play!
Experiment with light and shadow with a variety of objects and shadow screens. Make your own shadow sculptures and puppets!

Daily through December 4th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

KIDS’ GARDEN ACTIVITIES Learn More about Kids’ Garden

Kids’ Garden is closed to make way for our new outdoor learning environment, Bill’s Backyard.

Big changes are underway! We’re creating a 27,500 sq. ft. nature exploration space that will provide endless opportunities for kids to dig, plant, climb, and explore. The Grand Opening of Bill’s Backyard is slated for Summer 2017.

THE WONDER CABINET ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Wonder Cabinet

A FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Early Learning Laboratory for ages 4 and under.  Open until 4:00 p.m.

Wonder Cabinet sponsor FIRST 5 offers a free kit for new parents, as well as information on kindergarten readiness and a variety of valuable parenting resources, on www.first5kids.org.

Spice Paints
Explore your sense of sight and smell as you paint with scented paints.

Through Sunday, December 4th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Members-Only Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Storytime in “The Forest”
Daily 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a whimsical storytime, complete with engaging activities designed to capture the interest of children and to provide ideas for caregivers to try at home.

Infant Activities in the “Crawl Space”
Daily 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Join us for fingerplays, songs, and open-ended activities designed to delight your baby. Please Note: the “Crawl Space” is an enclosed environment for babies, crawlers and pre-walkers.

Supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

This Month at the Museum:

In December, join us for Mini TapeScapes in the Art Loft and Illuminating Ice in the Art Studio.

THE ART LOFT ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Art Loft

Mini TapeScapes
Love playing in TapeScape™?  Join us in the Art Loft and design your own miniature structure using tape and your imagination!

Daily through January 8th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

KIDS’ GARDEN ACTIVITIES Learn More about Kids’ Garden

Kids’ Garden is closed to make way for our new outdoor learning environment, Bill’s Backyard.

Big changes are underway! We’re creating a 27,500 sq. ft. nature exploration space that will provide endless opportunities for kids to dig, plant, climb, and explore. The Grand Opening of Bill’s Backyard is slated for Summer 2017.

THE WONDER CABINET ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Wonder Cabinet

A FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Early Learning Laboratory for ages 4 and under.  Open until 4:00 p.m.

Wonder Cabinet sponsor FIRST 5 offers a free kit for new parents, as well as information on kindergarten readiness and a variety of valuable parenting resources, on www.first5kids.org.

Illuminating Ice
Ice is truly amazing when you take a closer look.  Explore its beauty as you investigate all of the cracks and bubbles hidden inside and watch the ice transform before your eyes.

Through Sunday, January 8th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Members-Only Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Storytime in “The Forest”
Daily 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a whimsical storytime, complete with engaging activities designed to capture the interest of children and to provide ideas for caregivers to try at home.

Infant Activities in the “Crawl Space”
Daily 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Join us for fingerplays, songs, and open-ended activities designed to delight your baby. Please Note: the “Crawl Space” is an enclosed environment for babies, crawlers and pre-walkers.

Supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

This Month at the Museum:

In January, join us for Paint Your Way Around the Room! in the Art Loft and Art Repurposed: Collage in the Art Studio.

THE ART LOFT ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Art Loft

Paint Your Way Around the Room!
Join us for large scale painting projects. Explore paint through bold color and broad brush strokes on a variety of objects and surfaces.

Daily through February 5th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

KIDS’ GARDEN ACTIVITIES Learn More about Kids’ Garden

Kids’ Garden is closed to make way for our new outdoor learning environment, Bill’s Backyard.

Big changes are underway! We’re creating a 27,500 sq. ft. nature exploration space that will provide endless opportunities for kids to dig, plant, climb, and explore. The Grand Opening of Bill’s Backyard: Bridge to Nature is slated for Summer 2017.

THE WONDER CABINET ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Wonder Cabinet

A FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Early Learning Laboratory for ages 4 and under.  Open until 4:00 p.m.

Wonder Cabinet sponsor FIRST 5 offers a free kit for new parents, as well as information on kindergarten readiness and a variety of valuable parenting resources, on www.first5kids.org.

Art Repurposed: Collage
Transform left-behind works of art into something new!  Combine various colors, textures, and media to create a unique composition.

Through Sunday, February 5th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Members-Only Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Storytime in “The Forest”
Daily 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a whimsical storytime, complete with engaging activities designed to capture the interest of children and to provide ideas for caregivers to try at home.

Infant Activities in the “Crawl Space”
Daily 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Join us for fingerplays, songs, and open-ended activities designed to delight your baby. Please Note: the “Crawl Space” is an enclosed environment for babies, crawlers and pre-walkers.

Supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

This Month at the Museum:

In February, join us for The Masterpiece of Movement in the Art Loft and Spin Art in the Art Studio.

THE ART LOFT ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Art Loft

The Masterpiece of Movement
Move your body and create a masterpiece! 

Daily through March 5th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

KIDS’ GARDEN ACTIVITIES Learn More about Kids’ Garden

Kids’ Garden is closed to make way for our new outdoor learning environment, Bill’s Backyard: Bridge to Nature.

Big changes are underway! We’re creating a 27,500 sq. ft. nature exploration space that will provide endless opportunities for kids to dig, plant, climb, and explore. The Grand Opening of Bill’s Backyard: Bridge to Nature is slated for Summer 2017.

THE WONDER CABINET ACTIVITIES Learn More about The Wonder Cabinet

A FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Early Learning Laboratory for ages 4 and under.  Open until 4:00 p.m.

Wonder Cabinet sponsor FIRST 5 offers a free kit for new parents, as well as information on kindergarten readiness and a variety of valuable parenting resources, on www.first5kids.org.

Spin Art
Salad spinners and paint can create amazing results!  Join in the fun by experimenting how colors blend and paint changes shape as it spins at different speeds.

Through Sunday, March 5th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Members-Only Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Storytime in “The Forest”
Daily 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a whimsical storytime, complete with engaging activities designed to capture the interest of children and to provide ideas for caregivers to try at home.

Infant Activities in the “Crawl Space”
Daily 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Join us for fingerplays, songs, and open-ended activities designed to delight your baby. Please Note: the “Crawl Space” is an enclosed environment for babies, crawlers and pre-walkers.

Supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

April 14 and 15, 2023
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Students in the Museum’s award-winning BioSITE (Students Investigating Their Environment) program will show you how they monitor the health of local rivers, support citizen science, and help to keep our watershed healthy.

Saturday, March 14, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., or 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Pre-registration required; children welcome Register

You love the blue blocks…now experience the workshop! Educators and parents, join us for one of our six free workshops, explore the benefits of free play, and see the ways Imagination Playground sparks creativity and develops social collaborations. Each educator (Principal, teacher, PTA Member) who registers and attends will receive an 80-piece bag of Small Blue Blocks, and a set of Imagination Playground books relating to play and play training with a retail value of over $100!

Space is limited.

Friday, March 13, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., or 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Pre-registration required; children welcome Register

You love the blue blocks…now experience the workshop! Educators and parents, join us for one of our six free workshops, explore the benefits of free play, and see the ways Imagination Playground sparks creativity and develops social collaborations. Each educator (Principal, teacher, PTA Member) who registers and attends will receive an 80-piece bag of Small Blue Blocks, and a set of Imagination Playground books relating to play and play training with a retail value of over $100!

Space is limited.