Creative learning | Children's Museum (Winnipeg, MB)

May 10, 2023 • Creative learning, flowers, math, math petals, STEAM, STEAM resources

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

This week’s topic is MATH. Let’s practice how to count with this fun spring activity.

You’ll need:

Green and yellow construction paper
Scissors
Playdough
Markers

Instructions

Cut out the stem for a flower and the pistil (middle part of a flower).
Choose a number a write it on the pistil.
Ask your child to use playdough to create the requested number of petals to place around the pistil.
You can change the number and try again!

Counting can be fun when interactive learning is involved! This activity gives your child a chance to practice counting, use creativity, but also learn some tactile and manipulative skills with the playdough.

Craft Source: Fantastic Fin And Learning

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ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

This week’s area of focus is ART, we are creating cupcake liner flowers!

You’ll need:

Paper
Cupcake liners
Crayons
Glue
Scissors

Instructions

Glue on your cupcake liners halfway up your paper.
Cut out construction paper or use crayons to add in your stems and leaves.
Decorate the cupcake liners to resemble your favourite flowers.
Add in any fun elements or decorations.

These spring flowers will bring colour and joy to your child as they anticipate the arrival of Spring!

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SHOP FEATURE 5

(For the week of May 8, 2023) Check out this week’s Feature 5 – a list of top-selling products from Shop, the Children’s Museum’s gift store! Read More… Palm Pals Cordial Cherry Price: $13.99 each Designed to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand, Aurora Palm Pals are plush toys in an adorable size,…

May 08, 2023 • feature 5, palm pals, Plush, shop, Toys

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

This week’s topic is MATH. Let’s practice how to count with this fun spring activity. You’ll need: Green and yellow construction paper Scissors Playdough Markers Instructions Cut out the stem for a flower and the pistil (middle part of a flower). Choose a number a write it on the pistil. Ask your child to use…

May 10, 2023 • Creative learning, flowers, math, math petals, STEAM, STEAM resources

SHOP FEATURE 5

May 15, 2023 • feature 5, palm pals, Plush, shop, Toys

Apr 26, 2023 • Creative learning, engineering, STEAM, STEAM resources, wasp nest

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

This week’s area of focus is ENGINEERING. Let’s learn the fascinating engineering behind a wasp nest!

You’ll need:

An empty container (we used a yogurt one)
Straws
Scissors
Paper
Paint
Markers
String/pipe cleaner
Hole punch

Instructions

Empty your container and rinse it out.
Cover the container in paper and paint it or decorate it how you choose. Let it dry.
Cut multiple straws (enough to fill your container) to the correct length to fit inside.
Punch a hole through the container and hang a string/pipe cleaner.
Now you have a mini wasp home!

The wasp nest starts in the spring with the queen building a petiole (a single stalk from which the nest hangs). Next, she builds a hexagon shaped cell and about six more surrounding it. The queen constructs each cell then lays an egg in it. Once the eggs hatch and the wasps grow, they take over the construction of the nest! They use chewed up bits of wood to build their nest, it’s quite an engineering construction.

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SHOP FEATURE 5

(For the week of May 1, 2023) Check out this week’s Feature 5 – a list of top-selling products from Shop, the Children’s Museum’s gift store! Read More… Palm Pals Snippy Crab Price: $13.99 each Designed to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand, Aurora Palm Pals are plush toys in an adorable size,…

May 01, 2023 • feature 5, palm pals, Plush, shop, Toys

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

This week’s area of focus is ART, we are creating cupcake liner flowers! You’ll need: Paper Cupcake liners Crayons Glue Scissors Instructions Glue on your cupcake liners halfway up your paper. Cut out construction paper or use crayons to add in your stems and leaves. Decorate the cupcake liners to resemble your favourite flowers. Add…

May 03, 2023 • art, Creative learning, flowers, spring flowers, STEAM, STEAM resources

SHOP FEATURE 5

May 08, 2023 • feature 5, palm pals, Plush, shop, Toys

Apr 19, 2023 • Creative learning, fish, Fishing, STEAM, STEAM resources, technology

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

It’s time to fish with this week’s focus on TECHNOLOGY while creating a fishing rod.

You’ll need:

Construction paper
Paper clips
Scissors
Magnet
Dowel
String

Instructions

Tie a piece of string (about 3 ft long) around the end of your dowel.
At the other end of the string, tie a magnet in place. This is your fishing rod!
Cut out some fish out of construction paper and add a paper clip onto the mouth of your fish.
It’s time to fish!

Children will learn about magnets and what types of materials they attract. Magnetic fields are invisible clouds of energy around particles that either pull or push away other magnetic objects. Let’s hope your children PULL in some fish!

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SHOP FEATURE 5

(For the week of April 24, 2023) Check out this week’s Feature 5 – a list of top-selling products from Shop, the Children’s Museum’s gift store! Read More… Palm Pals Fiesta Taco Price: $13.99 each Designed to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand, Aurora Palm Pals are plush toys in an adorable size,…

Apr 24, 2023 • feature 5, palm pals, Plush, shop, Toys

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

This week’s area of focus is ENGINEERING. Let’s learn the fascinating engineering behind a wasp nest! You’ll need: An empty container (we used a yogurt one) Straws Scissors Paper Paint Markers String/pipe cleaner Hole punch Instructions Empty your container and rinse it out. Cover the container in paper and paint it or decorate it how…

Apr 26, 2023 • Creative learning, engineering, STEAM, STEAM resources, wasp nest

SHOP FEATURE 5

May 01, 2023 • feature 5, palm pals, Plush, shop, Toys

Apr 12, 2023 • Creative learning, rainbow, science, STEAM, STEAM resources

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

This week’s area of focus is SCIENCE, let’s discover how chromatography works.

You’ll need:

Two jars filled halfway with water
Washable markers
Paper towel/napkin
Scissors
Ruler

Instructions

Fold over a piece of paper towel (so you have 2 pieces on top of each other). Trim off 2-3 inches at the end.
Colour two-inch rectangles of each colour on each end of the paper towel.
Fill two glasses halfway with water and place them side by side.
Place the paper towel in the cups, one in each and watch your rainbow grow!

This science experiment is a great example of chromatography. Chromatography can separate chemicals, the water lifts the washable marker dye with it up the paper towel.

Craft Source: The Best Idea For Kids

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SHOP FEATURE 5

(For the week of April 17, 2023) Check out this week’s Feature 5 – a list of top-selling products from Shop, the Children’s Museum’s gift store! Read More… <hr> Spudsters Morty Moose Price: $31.99 each Short and plump, Spudsters is a new Aurora collection filled with adorable and stackable plush friends! Morty Moose Spudster…

Apr 17, 2023 • feature 5, sensory toy, shop, spudsters, Toys

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

It’s time to fish with this week’s focus on TECHNOLOGY while creating a fishing rod. You’ll need: Construction paper Paper clips Scissors Magnet Dowel String Instructions Tie a piece of string (about 3 ft long) around the end of your dowel. At the other end of the string, tie a magnet in place. This is…

Apr 19, 2023 • Creative learning, fish, Fishing, STEAM, STEAM resources, technology

SHOP FEATURE 5

Apr 24, 2023 • feature 5, palm pals, Plush, shop, Toys

Mar 22, 2023 • art, Creative learning, illusion tunnel, spinners, STEAM, STEAM resources

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

Ready to be mesmerized? Well, our Illusion Tunnel activity this week will do just that. Let’s use ART to create our own illusion spinners!

You’ll need:

Cardboard or cardstock
Ruler
Box cutter (for the adults)
Penny
Markers

Instructions

Cut out a circle from cardboard or cardstock.
Trace out some lines into a design of your choice.
Colour in the lined sections to create an illusion.
Have an adult carefully make a small slit in the middle of the circle.
Insert the penny into the slit.
Spin your spinner on a flat surface and watch the colours twirl around, mesmerizing you.

These spinners will mesmerize you, just like the illusions in the Children’s Museum Illusion Tunnel does!

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SHOP FEATURE 5

(For the week of April 3, 2023) Check out this week’s Feature 5 – a list of top-selling products from Shop, the Children’s Museum’s gift store! Read More… Children’s Museum Chalk Mug Price: $12.99 This clever Children’s Museum-branded black and white chalk mug inspires creativity, just use the supplied chalk to personalize it with a…

Apr 05, 2023 • CM merchandise, feature5, shop, Souvenirs

SHOP FEATURE 5

(For the week of April 10, 2023) Check out this week’s Feature 5 – a list of top-selling products from Shop, the Children’s Museum’s gift store! Read More… Mini Garden - Dinosaur Price: $15.99 each Experience the wonder of nature all year when you bring the fun of gardening indoors with the Dinosaur Mini Garden…

Apr 10, 2023 • dinosaur, dinosaurs, feature 5, sensory toy, shop, Toys

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

This week’s area of focus is SCIENCE, let’s discover how chromatography works. You’ll need: Two jars filled halfway with water Washable markers Paper towel/napkin Scissors Ruler Instructions Fold over a piece of paper towel (so you have 2 pieces on top of each other). Trim off 2-3 inches at the end. Colour two-inch rectangles of…

Apr 12, 2023 • Creative learning, rainbow, science, STEAM, STEAM resources

Mar 15, 2023 • Creative learning, engineering, Junction9161, STEAM, STEAM resources, Train

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

Choo Choo! Are you ready for a Junction 9161 STEAM activity? This week’s area of focus is ENGINEERING and we’re making a chugging train!

You’ll need:

Construction paper
Glue
Scissors
Paper Fasteners

Instructions:

Cut out the shapes for your train in various colours of construction paper.
Glue the pieces together to create the train (except for the wheels).
Poke a hole through the middles of the 3 black circles with the fasteners.
Fasten the wheels onto the bottom of your train.
Decorate as desired.
Turn the wheels to make it chug along!

Just like Junction 9161 in the Children’s Museum, your child can create their own version! Every train needs an ENGINEER, this is your child’s chance. The engineering science behind a train’s wheels is all about the axle. The axle connects the wheels, so they move together along the track!

Craft Source: Sight Sound And Reading

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SHOP FEATURE 5

(For the week of March 20, 2023) Check out this week’s Feature 5 – a list of top-selling products from Shop, the Children’s Museum’s gift store! Read More… i-Top Regular Price: $29.99 each Sale Price: $14.99 each Check out the next generation of spinning tops with the i-Top! Using smart technology, this high-tech top keeps…

Mar 20, 2023 • board games, feature5, games, sale, shop

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

Ready to be mesmerized? Well, our Illusion Tunnel activity this week will do just that. Let's use ART to create our own illusion spinners! You’ll need: Cardboard or cardstock Ruler Box cutter (for the adults) Penny Markers Instructions Cut out a circle from cardboard or cardstock. Trace out some lines into a design of your…

Mar 22, 2023 • art, Creative learning, illusion tunnel, spinners, STEAM, STEAM resources

SHOP FEATURE 5

Apr 05, 2023 • CM merchandise, feature5, shop, Souvenirs

Mar 08, 2023 • butterfly, Creative learning, noisemaker, STEAM, STEAM resources, technology

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

This week we head over to Mellow Marsh with our TECHNOLOGY-focused activity. It’s time to make a buzz with our butterfly noisemaker.

You’ll need:

Popsicle stick
Construction paper
Elastic band
String
Markers
Glue

Instructions:

Trace and cut out a butterfly shape.
Decorate your butterfly.
Tie a string near the bottom of the popsicle stick.
Place the popsicle stick in the middle of your butterfly and glue it on.
Now stretch your elastic band over the top of the popsicle stick.
Hold the string by the bottom and swing your butterfly noisemaker around.
It’ll create a buzzing sound!

What’s creating that buzz? When you swing the noisemaker in the air it creates vibrations. The buzzing sound comes from the elastic band vibrating against the popsicle stick.

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SHOP FEATURE 5

(For the week of March 13, 2023) Check out this week’s Feature 5 – a list of top-selling products from Shop, the Children’s Museum’s gift store! Read More… Robot Face Race Regular Price: $33.99 each Sale Price: $17.99 each Help a crazy inventor find the heads he needs to complete his robot bodies in this…

Mar 13, 2023 • board games, games, robot, sale, shop

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

Choo Choo! Are you ready for a Junction 9161 STEAM activity? This week’s area of focus is ENGINEERING and we're making a chugging train! You’ll need: Construction paper Glue Scissors Paper Fasteners Instructions: Cut out the shapes for your train in various colours of construction paper. Glue the pieces together to create the train (except…

Mar 15, 2023 • Creative learning, engineering, Junction9161, STEAM, STEAM resources, Train

SHOP FEATURE 5

Mar 20, 2023 • board games, feature5, games, sale, shop

Mar 01, 2023 • Creative learning, Heart, science, STEAM, STEAM resources

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

This month we’re doing STEAM activities based on some of our galleries. This week’s area of focus is SCIENCE and we’re making sensory bags that little Tots can enjoy. This is our Tot-Spot STEAM activity.

You’ll need:

Ziplock bag
Water
Oil
Glitter/Confetti
Duct Tape
Food colouring (optional)

Instructions

Fill your ziplock bag with water ¾ full.
Add in ¼ oil (and food colouring for extra fun).
Add in glitter, confetti, sparkles, pom poms and other sensory items.
Let the air out of the bag and carefully seal it.
Tape the edges of the bag to secure it.
Play away!

What happens when you mix oil and water? Molecules are strongly attracted to each other and the same with oil, that’s why they don’t mix well together.

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SHOP FEATURE 5

(For the week of March 6, 2023) Check out this week’s Feature 5 – a list of top-selling products from Shop, the Children’s Museum’s gift store! Read More… Canada School Bus Price: $9.99 each This Canada School Bus is the iconic school bus from our youth. It has both English and French descriptions printed on…

Mar 06, 2023 • cars, feature 5, school bus, shop, Toys

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

This week we head over to Mellow Marsh with our TECHNOLOGY-focused activity. It’s time to make a buzz with our butterfly noisemaker. You’ll need: Popsicle stick Construction paper Elastic band String Markers Glue Instructions: Trace and cut out a butterfly shape. Decorate your butterfly. Tie a string near the bottom of the popsicle stick. Place…

Mar 08, 2023 • butterfly, Creative learning, noisemaker, STEAM, STEAM resources, technology

SHOP FEATURE 5

Mar 13, 2023 • board games, games, robot, sale, shop

Feb 22, 2023 • art, Creative learning, Heart, Heart stamps, STEAM, STEAM resources, Valentine's activity, Valentine's Day Craft

ALL ABOARD: WE’RE GATHERING STEAM

This week’s area of focus is ART, and we are creating our own stamps!

You’ll need:

Foam
Scissors
Markers
Ink pads (or markers)
Glue
Bottle cap lids

Instructions

Decide what kind of fun shape you’d like to create (picking a simple outline without too much detail is best).
Draw out the design on your piece of foam and cut it out
Glue your foam design to the lid of the bottlecap and start stamping!

This activity allows children to create their own crafting tool and then make artwork with it.