Contact: Brenda Morrison, Director of Communications bmorrison@playtacoma.org 253.627.6031 ext. 222 Children’s Museum of Tacoma 1501 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402 www.PlayTacoma.org* * * * * * *April 2013 Programs at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma* * * *Parents’ Night Out **April 5 and 19, 2013 from 6 - 9 p.m.*** Need a night out? Let us entertain your children in a safe and fun environment. Cost: $25 per child, $10 each additional sibling. Members receive a 10% discount. PNO is most appropriate for children 3-10 years old. All children must be able to use the toilet independently. Registration is required. Register early, spots fill up quickly! Visit http://www.playtacoma.org/programs to register. * * * * *Preschool Powered by Play Open House* *April 8 from 6-7 p.m. * Come visit Preschool Powered by Play and learn more about the coming academic year. This event is appropriate for adults and their preschool-age children. No reservations required. For a tour of the classroom during regular school hours, contact Deean Marsh at dmarsh@playtacoma.org or 253.627.6031 ext. 228. Now accepting applications for September 2013-May 2014 academic year. To register, or for more information, call or email 253.627.6031 ext 228, or dmarsh@playtacoma.org. Download an application here<https://www.playtacoma.org/file_viewer.php?id=439>for more and participants are encouraged to make a nine-month commitment. * * *Exceptional Families * *April 11 from 6 - 8 p.m.* The Children's Museum of Tacoma, together with the Exceptional Families Network's support group, SPECIAL Families of Pierce County, hosts a monthly evening program for families with children who have special needs. Cost: Free. *Pay As You Will* donations will be accepted if families wish to donate. Registration: Advance registration through SPECIAL Families of Pierce County is required for admission of all children into the museum galleries on workshop nights. Parents will need to complete an online intake form for each child they plan to bring. To request an intake form and register your child, please contact Dena Radcliffe from SPECIAL Families of Pierce County at specialfamiliestacoma@gmail.com. If you wish to attend without your child an RSVP is preferred but not required. *Sparks with KBTC **April 13 from 10- 11 a.m. *Join us as we partner with KBTC each month for fun and learning around a selected KBTC television show. Theme for April: Wild Kratts. Cost: Free. Registration is required and spaces are limited. Registration opens the Monday prior to each event. Visit www.PlayTacoma.org/programs to register. **Sparks programs are presented in partnership with KBTC and are funded by a Ready To Learn grant (PR/AWARD No. U295A100025, CFDA No. 84.295A) provided by the Department of Education to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Programs in association with KBTC are FREE to all participants.The PBS KIDS logo is a registered mark of PBS and is used with permission.* * * *Latte Art Demonstration at Café Play* *Thursday, April 18 at 6 p.m. * Ever wonder how baristas are able to create beautiful patterns in your latte? Wonder no more! Come join the baristas of Café Play during Third Thursday Artwalk as they demonstrate how to create patterns in a playful atmosphere. Café Play carries quality Stumptown coffee. Yum! This is a FREE program. Visit http://www.playtacoma.org/CafePlay to learn more about Café Play. * * * * *Summer Camps at the Museum * Summer Camp at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma is a fun way to celebrate “spark” during the summer months. If your child hearts art, delights in desserts, or get silly with science, then there is a summer camp that will ignite his or her spark! Summer camps vary in theme and ages serve. Members receive a 10% discount! Register by calling 253.627.6031 ext. 236 or online at http://www.playtacoma.org/camps. * * *Gallery-ish *The Children’s Museum of Tacoma believes that art plays a significant role in children’s growth and learning, through personal exploration and skill building, as well as appreciation. The Museum strives to incorporate art both into the fabric of the facility and the hands-on experiences of visitors. *Gallery-ish *is a space for local artists to share their talent, and spark, with Museum visitors and the community. For more information about becoming a featured artist in *Gallery-ish*, visit PlayTacoma.org/Gallery-ish <http://www.PlayTacoma.org/Gallery-ish>. On view now:* The Power of Play *through April 8, 2013 Artists: Marit Berg, Karen Doten, Kristen Johnson, Anette Lusher, Erika Scott *WOW: Wee Ones Weekly April 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 9:30 - 11 a.m. *Drop in and enjoy thematic and musical programs perfect for toddlers, preschoolers and their grown-ups. Program participation includes 30 minutes of exclusive play in the Museum. The last week of WOW before summer break is May 20. Cost: Members Free! $15 per family of 4, $5 for additional siblings. No registration required. *Play to Learn *FREE program for children and adults to play TOGETHER! *Play to Learn* is for parents, grandparents, neighbors, family, and friends who nurture children ages six and under. Thematic curriculum invites individual play, fun group activities, songs, and a whole group circle time for children and adults to enjoy together. Drop-in program: no registration required. For more information, including a flier, visit http://www.playtacoma.org/play-to-learn *Program Times:* Morning classes from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and afternoon classes from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. *Mondays: April 8, 15, 22, 29 *Morning: Annie Wright School 827 N. Tacoma Ave., Tacoma, 98403 Afternoon: South Hill Library 15420 Meridian East, Puyallup, 98375 Tuesdays: April 9, 16, 23, 30 Morning: Charles Wright Academy 7723 Chambers Creek Rd. W., Tacoma, 98467Wednesdays: April 10, 17, 24 Morning: Parkland/Spanaway Library 13718 Pacific Ave S., Parkland, 98444 Afternoon: Graham Library 9202 224th Street E., Graham, 98338 Thursdays: April 11, 18, 25 Morning: Lakewood Library 6300 Wildaire Rd. SW., Lakewood, 98499 Morning: Asia Pacific Cultural Center 4851 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 98409 Afternoon: Portland Ave. Community Center 3513 E. Portland Ave., Tacoma 98404 Fridays: April 12, 19, 26 Morning: Peace Community Center 2106 S. Cushman Ave., Tacoma, 98405 *Play to Learn* is presented in partnership with Annie Wright School<http://awschools.org/>, Asia Pacific Cultural Center<http://www.asiapacificculturalcenter.org/rental>, Charles Wright Academy <http://www.charleswright.org/>, Peace Community Center <http://pcc.peacelutherantacoma.org/>, Pierce County Libraries<http://www.piercecountylibrary.org/>& Portland Avenue Community Center <http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/portland/>. *Play to Learn** is sponsored* by Bruce Titus Automotive Group, City of Tacoma, Nordstrom, the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, Wells Fargo Foundation, and the William Kilworth Foundation. Additional support from the Baker Foundation, the Florence Kilworth Foundation, Rotary Club of Tacoma North, Union Bank, the Schiff Foundation, and Wheeler Charitable Trust. *If your child hearts art, delights in desserts, or gets silly with science, then we have a Summer Camp <http://www.playtacoma.org/camps>that’s just right! The Summer Camp schedule <http://www.playtacoma.org/camps> is now available. * *Celebrating the Power of Play in the Lifelong Journey of Learning* Brenda Morrison Director of Communications and Operations Children's Museum of Tacoma 1501 Pacific Avenue, Suite 202 Tacoma, WA 98402 p: 253.627.6031 x 222 f: 253.627.2436 PlayTacoma.org <http://www.ChildrensMuseumofTacoma.org> bmorrison@playtacoma.org