DAYTRIPPIN' : STAYCATIONS IN SAN DIEGO -The New Children's Museum

As we try to conserve gas and money, summer vacations may require a lot more planning to keep our children occupied.  This series of articles will each focus on one destination in the San Diego area that can provide a staycation guaranteed to make both parents and children happy.

We are starting with the New Children's Museum located near the Amtrak station at Santa Fe Depot and Convention Center Trolley Station in downtown San Diego at 200 W. Island Street.  Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily except Wednesdays,  admission is $10; children up to 12 months old free; seniors, $5; military personnel, $5.   Starting June 8, 2008, the museum offers FREE admission on the second Sunday of each month. 

NCM is designed for children of all ages, from toddler to teen. Some areas and activities are age specific-like the Texture Forest for toddlers and the Teen Studio for teenagers-while other parts of the museum are designed to engage children of all ages.

"Our goal is to inspire children to think, play and create by providing accessible and meaningful art experiences," stated Rachel Teagle PhD, Executive Director of the Museum. "We are a unique hybrid of a children's museum and an art museum."
           
"The New Children's Museum will exhibit contemporary works of art for children and families," added Dr. Laurie Mitchell, President of the Museum's Board of Directors. "We approach contemporary art with a playful spirit, and take children's need for play seriously."

The Museum experience features innovative, provocative artworks that kids can touch, climb, or move (exhibitions); messy, hands-on art making opportunities (studios); and a variety of arts-based classes and camps (Arts Education Center). Rounded out with an organic cafe, unique retail shop, abundant seating, quiet space for parents and infants, and an outdoor park, the Museum provides a comfortable and engaging environment for the entire family to enjoy together.

NCM is a place where kids are encouraged to touch everything-to think, play and create. The Museum's studio spaces allow kids to roll up their sleeves and explore creative art and design activities with a wide variety of recycled and sustainable materials. Paint, clay, paper, wood, found objects and more are the building blocks of each inventive studio project.  Each studio is staffed with facilitators, who encourage children to work at their own pace and in relation to their individual abilities. Kids are invited to become an artist on view at the Museum by leaving finished projects on site for display, or they may take their work home.

Located conveniently right off the trolley lines, the New Children's Museum offers a chance for families to take their children and teenagers to spend several days this summer  submerging themselves in art.  It's a great mini-vacation, and fun on a kid-sized scale!  For more information, telephone 619 233 8792 .