Westchester Children’s Museum Welcomes Guests to Fall Fest Weekend

“Children are the leaders of their learning.” says Thomas Sullivan, Executive Director at Westchester Children’s Museum (WCM).

This sentiment is echoed throughout the Museum and the way its staff think through its programs and space. Sullivan continues: “Children are not empty vessels. They come with a wealth of experience, and we want to give them a space where they can explore the knowledge they have from home and school, and uncover new knowledge.” One way WCM does that is with their Big Weekend events.

Big Weekend events are specially themed, weekend-long events that give children the opportunity to discover various STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) activities. These activities aim to be appropriate for all ages, from the children to the adults who accompany them. The theme changes each month and explores seasonal topics.

On November 18 and 19, the Big Weekend event theme is Fall Fest Weekend, which will include educational activities that surround the hallmarks of fall.

Fall foliage will be used to teach kids about science through a Leaf Litter Microbiomes activity, where children will use magnifying glasses and scientific collection tools to discover miniature creatures and ecosystems in leaf litter. Children will also have the opportunity to partake in one of autumns most well-known traditions, jumping into piles of leaves. The Leaf Raking activity will provide kid-sized rakes and paper/felt leaves to bring this outdoor activity into the warmth of the Museum.

Pumpkins will transform into batteries in when children are guided in a technology project that uses zinc, copper plates, alligator clamp wires, bulbs and a pumpkin to power an LED light.

Speaking of fruit transforming, apples will also transform, this time into artistic sculptures. This activity will teach children about art as they mix applesauce and cinnamon to make scented playdough for sculptures.

Corn Mazes come with a new twist during an activity that encourages kids to learn about engineering through the creation of their own maze. Children will use engineering design techniques to plan, test, evaluate and improve their maze to ensure a unique and challenging experience for those who navigate it.

Finally, kids will practice hand-eye coordination and brush up on math skills, as they sort the various seeds by physical characteristics such as size, count and texture.

Says Sullivan: “Your child is different every time they visit the museum and we love to create new experiences and meet that growth. Having these monthly events is a way to do that.”

While there is no Big Weekend in December, the other months are met with seasonal activities related to appropriate themes. January brings Snow Day Weekend, in February is Kindness Weekend and in March, kids can get messy with Slimefest Weekend.

Big Weekend events are free with museum admission and are included with various membership tiers.

Now those tiers include the recently launched  Family Access Membership, in which qualifying families have access to a full premium level membership at the cost of $25 per year, a 90% discount. This program seeks to make the Museum accessible to all children, regardless of background.

Sullivan harkens this move as, “…an incredibly important step to be th[e] accessible, cultural learning space for the region…We are here to make sure we are breaking down as many barriers for children…to learn and grow.”

Sullivan looks to the upcoming years and planned renovations with an excited eye: “We are here and we are growing with the children we welcome…We have very high hopes for the future. We are officially back on our feet and blossoming.”