Press

December 2012 Culture Spot

For almost 40 years, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan has been a go-to location for families to learn, play and grow together. Five fun-filled floors beckon youngsters to distinct interactive experiences dedicated to early-childhood education, creativity in the arts, healthy lifestyles and the exploration of world culture. In celebration of this valuable resource, NYC & Company has named the Children’s Museum of Manhattan its Culture Spot for December. All month long, visitors can receive $1 off admission and a 10% discount at the institution’s store.

Just in time for the holidays, the museum offers The Grinch’s Holiday Workshop, inspired by Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The interactive exhibition features plenty of Seussian programming, including readings of the classic book, plus displays like the Grinch’s oversize sleigh, which kids can climb aboard. Children can also participate in arts and crafts activities, such as creating their own Who-ville character to add to the Who-ville community mural, and even shake hands with the grumpy Grinch himself during his frequent appearances.

Integrating play with serious issues, the museum’s cutting-edge show EatSleepPlay engages kids in a playful manner while teaching them about healthy lifestyles. Kids climb up a giant tongue into a head, revealing the brain’s decision-making center. Then it’s on to a crawl through an intestine to learn how the stomach works. (No visit would be complete without stopping by The Royal Flush, a talking toilet display that evaluates body waste.) Another display explains the value of a good night’s sleep, and a giant green produce cart teaches the beneficial properties of fruits and vegetables.

Other highlights include Adventures with Dora and Diego, an exhibition created in collaboration with Nickelodeon; Playworks, a magical space, complete with a jungle gym for kids under 5, a firefighting station and a sand laboratory; and Björk’s Biophili(designed in conjunction with the Icelandic singer), a workshop for older children that explores the intersection of nature, music and science.

December is chock-full of museum events, such as a music performance by Grammy-nominated saxophonist Oran Etkin on December 9. Special activities include ornament making, from December 18 to 24, where kids create mini sculptures of the Grinch’s pet, Max, which are then donated to homeless shelters. A Holidays Festival takes place the final week of the month and features a Kwanzaa Celebration on December 26, a creative cooking class on December 27 during which kids and adults learn simple family recipes with chef Jehangir Mehta, a performance by Mil’s Trills on December 28 and a Tap City Youth Ensemble show on December 30.

The savings on admission to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is valid December 1–31, 2012. To take advantage of this limited-time offer, present the discount coupon at the institution’s admission desk. Download the coupon via the link above; the coupon will also be available through December at the Official NYC Information Centers in Midtown, Harlem and the Times Square Alliance and at the Official NYC Information Kiosks in Chinatown and at City Hall. The savings is subject to availability and may not be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion. Other restrictions may apply.

by ANNIE BERGEN