Free Museums

These are my two little ones loving life at new EcoDiscovery Center at the Museum of Discovery and Science. K. and A. are watching otters frolic around in the new tank. We arrived at the museum around 1 pm. The kiddos played, explored, touched, and watched the exhibits for over two hours. In the end, it was my husband and I who wanted to leave to go take a nap. :) Well, both whippersnappers did pass out in their car seats as soon as we drove off the parking lot. One great part of the museum visit was to see my children learn and enjoy themselves. But a huge bonus was that neither my husband nor I had to pay the price of admission. We use the Museums on Us program by Bank of America. If you have a Bank of America card, you get in free to many museums in our area the first full weekend of the month. This weekend coming up counts because it is the first full weekend in July. The museum is worth the money, even if you don't have a Bank of America card. But, if it's already in your wallet, why pay full price?

Your Library Card is Your Ticket

What: Family Tour and Story Time at the Museum
When: Saturday, Sept. 26th, 2 - 4 pm
Where: The Museum of Art - Fort Lauderdale
How Much: Free for kids with a Broward County library card, regular museum admission for adults ($10)

The Museum of Art - Fort Lauderdale is opening its doors to families this Saturday. They are hosting 'Stories and Sketching with Spring Raulerson'. This event will begin with a family tour of the museum and continue with the reading of a story. Afterward, all budding artist can sketch in the galleries to celebrate the opening of the Glackens as Illustrator Exhibit. Even if you're not a library-card-carrying-member, you can sign up to get one at the museum that day.

Free Fridays at MODS

What: Free Ford Fridays
Who: All Ages
When: Sept. 18th and 25th, 10 am - 5pm
Where: Museum of Discovery and Science, Fort Lauderdale
How Much: Free

One of the best places in South Florida for kids is the Museum of Discovery and Science. It has tons of interactive exhibits. You can find the largest living Atlantic coral reef in captivity and a great exhibit on the Everglades, among many others. The Discovery Center is also designed especially for children under seven. For the last two Fridays in September, you may now enjoy all of this free of charge.

Operation Robot Days

What: Robots: The Interactive Exhibition
When: August 27 & 28, 2009
Where: Museum of Discovery and Science
How Much: Kids free
Contact: Jody Ligas, 954.713.0904

(I got the following info from a reader. Thanks!!
Please call and find out the details before you go.)

Ford has partnered with the Museum of Discovery and Science to bring Operation Robot Days to the Museum on August 27 & 28, 2009. Children 12 and under will receive free exhibit admission to see the traveling summer exhibit Robots: An Interactive Exhibition, witness a science demonstration from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Robots: The Interactive Exhibition, on display at the Museum through September 7, captures the fun and artistry of the 20^th Century Fox animated film Robots and translates it into an entertaining and educational experience for the whole family. The exhibit will generate excitement about the science and future of robots, while ultimately answering the question, “What really is a robot?”

The Museum is open seven days a week, 365 days a year; Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. with extended IMAX® hours on most evenings. General Admission prices are $15 for adults; $14 for seniors; $12 for children 2 to 12. Children under 2 are free.

Books, a Baseball Hero, and a Piece of the Moon

What: Special Collection Book Fair, Moon Rock Exhibit, and Roberto Clemente Exhibit
Who: All ages
When: The book fair is Aug. 7th and exhibits are ongoing
Where: Main Library, Fort Lauderdale
How Much: Most books are $1 and exhibits are free

Tomorrow, the Fort Lauderdale Friends of the Library are having their monthly First Friday Special Collection Book Fair at the Main Branch. This is when they put out the best donated books. Most books are about $1. I went a couple of days ago (not on a book fair day) and bought myself Under the Tuscan Sun and Wuthering Heights. I spent $1.25. Total. Both copies are in perfect condition. Remember, they also have magazines, DVDs, children's books, etc.
If you visit the Main Branch, please don't forget to stop by the 6th floor. They currently have two great exhibits. The first is a little piece of the actual moon, donated by an astronaut's wife. It's pretty cool to think that you are looking at a particle that was previously floating in space. At the display, they have free materials for the kids to take home, like posters and stickers. The other exhibit is an Smithsonian traveling showcase on the life of Roberto Clemente, my favorite baseball player ever. He was a Puerto Rican humanitarian whose plane disappeared as he was on his way to donate goods to Nicaraguan earthquake victims. His life story is inspirational and, man, a great role model for kids today. Have the little ones go on this great bilingual website, to learn more about on my the coolest, sweetest men to ever play baseball.