Programs

We'll come to you.

"The instructor was fabulous."

Hamilton Union Nursery School, Albany

"The second grade has this program every year.  It fits in nicely with our social studies curriculum and the students are actively engaged."

Lake Avenue Elementary, Saratoga Springs

"The students were involved in every aspect and I loved this!"

"The students enjoyed themselves tremendously and learned so much by the hands-on experience."

Moreau Elementary, South Glens Falls

What's Inside you with Stuffee

Focusing on health, nutrition and the systems of the body, this one hour program uses “Stuffee”, a seven foot-long doll created by the Pittsburgh Children's Museum. Stuffee unzips to reveal soft-sculpture organs of the digestive, respiratory and circulatory system. Students handle Stuffee's organs, feel his heartbeat and explore the contents of his lunch box. The cost of Stuffee is $75 per program, plus travel costs. Stuffee is appropriate for students in pre-k - 5th grade. A maximum of 30 children per program, 3 programs per day. Programs must be booked at least 3 weeks in advance.

City by Design

Create your own town!  In this planning and development program, students learn the four zoning areas of a city, brainstorm its necessary resources and construct  their own model buildings using recycled materials.  Students decide as a group where their individual homes, factories, businesses and schools are placed on our huge floor map. The cost per program is $120 plus travel costs. It is appropriate for students in 1st grade and up. This program can accommodate 30 children per program, with a maximum of two programs per day. Each program is 2 hours, and must be booked at least 3 weeks in advance.

Our Wonderful World (New!)

Pack your bags! Students will explore human diversity by exploring the music, dance, language and food of other cultures. Create pottery on your trip to Africa, give the waltz a try in Europe, decorate hanging koi fish with kanji in Asia and taste a salsa you whip up in The Americas! This 1 ½ - 2 hour long program for Pre-K to 5th grade accommodates a maximum of 30 students. $100 per program plus travel costs. Programs must be booked at least three weeks in advance.

Lasting Impressions
Calling all paleontologists!  Students examine fossils as clues to our region’s surprising past.  By handling real and reproduction fossils students will discover that New York State was once under water.  Lasting Impressions is appropriate for students in 2nd through 6th grade. A maximum of 30 children per program, 2 programs per day. Each program is approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours long. The cost per program is $100 plus travel costs. Programs must be booked at least 3 weeks in advance.

Beyond the Bark
Do rubber bands really come from trees? Can a tree breathe? Students answer these questions and more as they progress through Beyond the Bark’s station-based interactive activities.  Along the way, participants will make discoveries about the biology of trees, their uses and the history of the 1st Arbor Day.  They’ll leave the program with a better understanding of the importance of trees and will create a craft to bring home. Beyond the Bark is appropriate for Pre-K through 5th grade. A maximum of 30 children per program, 2 programs per day. Each program is approximately 1 1/2 hours long. The cost per program is $100 plus travel costs. Programs must be booked at least 3 weeks in advance.

Wacky Water (New!)
Why doesn’t that rock sink? How can you make a paper clip float? Observe the principles of buoyancy, density, surface tension, adhesion and cohesion through water play! This 1-hour, Pre-K program accommodates 30 students. Wacky Water costs $75 plus travel. Programs must be booked at least three weeks in advance.

In-House Programs

Tuesdays for Tots
This is a special time for our littlest visitors. Play dough, arts & crafts and building materials are all a part of this weekly theme-based program. The program is free with Museum admission. Drop-in.

Wiggle & Giggle
Stop by to experiment with movement and music. Walk the balance beam, crawl through a tunnel, toss bean bags, and try out new instruments! This is a great time to meet new friends and get some exercise. The program is free with Museum admission. Drop-in.

Stretching with Stuffee
Let our giant, blue-haired doll, Stuffee help you develop healthy habits with your child.  Join us for parachute games, stretching and silly songs in this gentle structured program designed to promote imaginative movement and flexibility. Free with museum admission.

Katie's Kitchen
The cooking class for kids! Kids will get to mash, roll and mix their way through recipes designed especially for them. The best part about it - whatever you make you get to eat and take home! Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Please check the calendar for the upcoming program and program fees.

Cooking Around the World

Caribbean-inspired smoothies? Bruschetta? Hummus?   We’ll send our taste buds on an international adventure by cooking up kid-friendly recipes from around the world. Please check the calendar for the upcoming programs and program fees.

School Vacation Workshops
When Saratoga Springs City Schools are on a vacation, the Children's Museum offers special programs. Please check our calendar for our latest events.

Story Art

Reading together is always better, so please join us Thursday mornings.  Each week we’ll listen to a new story and create a craft inspired by it.  Past projects have included dinosaur puppets, Mexican papel picado, West African block printing and magnets! Free with museum admission.

Beads! Beads! Beads!

We have the beads; you have your imagination…so let’s create together! You can make jewelry, zipper-pulls, key chains, and more! Free with museum admission.  Drop-in.

Creation Station

An art studio where visitors can explores, imagine, and create unique artwork, everyday! Free with museum admission.

Additional Programs
These programs only occur at certain times of the year. Please check our calendar for more information.

• Theme Parties – check our calendar for dates
• Seussian Celebration - March
• Seasonal Festivities including The Fourth of July Celebration, Fall Festival, Victorian  Stroll and First Night
• Summertime Tots - July & August
• Big Truck Day - August