June 5, 2008 issue
Get a Passport to Summer Fun
with The Children’s Playhouse
Rain or shine, a sure-fire recipe for fun this summer is a visit to The Children’s Playhouse, the High Country’s only children’s museum. A great lineup of music and art activities from world music classes to tie-dye shirts will keep kids busy this summer, culminating in the ultimate summer blowout, the second annual Playhouse Family Music Festival with Billy Jonas on Saturday, August 16.
Located near downtown Boone, The Children’s Playhouse boasts a number of indoor play areas—art room, train room, puppet theater, indoor Romp and Stomp and pretend play area complete with dress-up clothes and a play kitchen—all tucked into an intimate, child-friendly space. Outdoor fun includes sand and water play, climbers, and gardening and art activities. Special toys are available for babies and toddlers.
The Playhouse offers ample hours for drop-in play. It is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Parents or caregivers must stay with their children. Admission is $5 per person; infants one year or younger are free.
Summer Programs at The Playhouse
Unless otherwise noted, all programs take place at The Children’s Playhouse, 400 Tracy Circle in Boone. For more information, click to www.goplayhouse.org or call 828-263-0011.
Dine at Tupelo’s—Thursday, June 12
From the wonderful team that brought you Moonshine Café, Nova and Mike Nelson, Tupelo’s features yummy food for meat lovers and vegetarians alike, prepared from high-quality, often-organic ingredients, and served with ethnic flair. When you eat breakfast, lunch or dinner at Tupelo’s on Thursday, June 12, the Nelsons have pledged to donate a portion of the day’s proceeds to The Children’s Playhouse. Tupelo’s is located in the old Angelica’s building at 506 West King Street.
Your Child’s Development—Thursday, June 19
Delores Wilder, preschool interventionist with Watauga County Schools and a member of the Local Inter-agency Coordinating Council, answers questions about typical preschool development—when you should be concerned and where to go for help—on Thursday, June 19, at 10:30 a.m. This free program is sponsored in part by The Children’s Council of Watauga County.
Crafty Kids: Paint a Hat—Tuesday, June 24
Kids 4 and up will have the chance to decorate their own ball cap to keep on Tuesday, June 24, at 3:30 p.m. The fee is $3 for members and $9 for nonmembers (includes admission).
Tie Dye Month—July 2 to 31
Kids can make the ultimate summer souvenir—a tie-dye T-shirt—during the month of July. The Children’s Playhouse makes it easy by stocking everything you need. Kids and grownups can take home their special shirts and leave the mess at the Playhouse. Adult and children’s sizes will be available, and the cost is only $7 per shirt or $5 if you bring your own shirt. Tie Dye Month will be held during normal Playhouse hours from Wednesday, July 2, through Thursday, July 31. The Playhouse will be closed Friday and Saturday, July 4 and 5.
Mama’s Music with Shalene Wyrick—Wednesdays, July 9 and July 30
Sing along with classically trained vocalist and Playhouse mom, Shalene Wyrick on Wednesdays, July 9 and July 30, at 10:30 a.m. Wyrick will lead the group in some fun kid’s songs and might even treat participants to a classical gem or two. The sing-along is free to members or with paid admission to The Children’s Playhouse.
Silly Songs with Dave Hutchinson—Friday, July 18
Sing along with “Hutch” as he plays guitar and sings a variety of songs both kids and grownups like on Friday, July 18, at 10:30 a.m. The sing-along is free to members or with paid admission to The Playhouse.
Using Children’s Literature to Reinforce Kids’ Behavior—Wednesday, July 23
Jana Duke, preschool interventionist for Watauga County Schools and former director of Boone United Methodist Preschool, will share some of her favorite books for discussing common behavior challenges—such as whining, tantrums or sharing difficulties—with kids on Wednesday, July 23, at 10:30 a.m. These are books kids will enjoy, and parents will gain some helpful strategies for promoting the behavior they want to see. Duke’s presentation is free to members or with paid admission to The Playhouse.
Polymer Bead Workshop—Wednesday, July 30
Kids ages 5 and up will learn how to make beautiful beads and friendship bracelets out of polymer clay on Wednesday, July 30, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $3 for members and $8 for nonmembers (includes admission).
Let’s Share Music Together—Thursday, August 7
Sing along with Vanessa Van Valin on Thursday, August 7, at 10:30 a.m. Van Valin has a background in music and training in “Music Together.” The sing-along is free to members or with paid admission to The Children’s Playhouse.
World Music Series
Aaron Teague, a board-certified music therapist, teaches this series of classes appropriate for children from birth to age 6. Parents are encouraged to participate with their children. Teague has training and experience in family music classes that promote parent-child connections through music and musical development of the child. You can sign up for just one class or all three. The cost is $9 per class for members and $12 for nonmembers, but only $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers if you sign up for all three classes in the series. The classes have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 kids, and registration is required.
Music around Our World—Wednesday, June 18 or Thursday, July 10
Participants will take a musical romp around the world. Families in this class will make music from different parts of the world, including Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and other regions. Through singing, moving and playing instruments, families will have a chance to experience the wonderful music of our world. The class meets from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, or 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, July 10.
Dance to the Music—Wednesday, June 25 or Thursday, July 17
Participants will explore the music that is connected to dance in various cultures. Through singing, moving and dancing, families will experience the rich and varied traditions of music and dance. The class meets from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, or 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, July 17.
Our Earth and Her Sounds—Thursday, June 26 or Thursday, July 24
Participants in this class will explore the music and sounds of the Earth, including songs of animals, plants and families. Through singing, moving and playing instruments, families will have a chance to experience and be reminded of our connections to the Earth. The class meets from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, or 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, July 24.
Children’s Museums Passport
If you’re traveling this summer, you can take the fun on the road with a Playhouse Passport membership that will allow your family to play for free at more than 150 children’s museums across the country.
“Until September 1, we are offering new or renewing family members joining for $100 a free upgrade to the Passport level, which is normally $125,” explained Executive Director Kathy Parham. “Beach trips are fun—but what if it rains?” Parham asked. You can get out of the rain or the sun and visit great children’s museums in Wilmington, Charleston or Myrtle Beach—all for free with the Passport. For a complete list of participating children’s museums, including ten in North Carolina, click to the Playhouse website at www.goPlayhouse.org or the Association of Children’s Museums at www.childrensmuseums.org.
Other Summer Specials at The Playhouse
Reduced Rates for Teachers and Staff
As a special thank you for educators, The Children’s Playhouse board voted to offer reduced rate summer memberships for Watauga County pre-K to grade 12 teachers and staff. Teachers and staff can purchase a pass to bring children or grandchildren from June 1 through August 31 for $40. This offer is open only to school employees, so please bring proof of employment such as an ID or pay stub.
Birthday Parties
A Playhouse birthday party is the no-hassle party that kids love and is easy on parents. The Playhouse is now running a summer special on birthday parties: 15 percent off birthday parties for members and 10 percent off for nonmembers when the parties are booked between June 1 and August 31. Call 828-263-0011 for more info.
Playhouse Family Music Festival
Returning to the Historic Cove Creek School, the second annual Playhouse Family Music Festival will feature Billy Jonas, Lost Ridge Band and more on Saturday, August 16. This truly family-friendly festival will include tons of fun kids’ activities, airwalks and even a Kids Craft Market where children can sell their own artwork. The event will also feature food and shopping. Vendors are encouraged to click to The Playhouse website at www.goPlayhouse.org or call 828-263-0011. Advance tickets will go on sale in July.
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