Events

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Monday, June 3

Toddler Book Club: Garden Stories

10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m.

Readings of classic children’s tales at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m.  This month: Garden Stories. Included with general museum admission fees.

Monday, June 3

Monday Kicks for Ages 2 to 6: Gardens Galore

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Playful learning activities designed for 2- to 6-year-olds, one Monday a month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This month: Gardens Galore. Included with general museum admission fees.

Saturday, June 8

Fairy House Magic

Meet Fairy Houses author Tracy Kane, learn how to build a fairy house, dress up like a pixie, and more. Included with general museum admission fees. Presented in conjunction with the Fairy Houses Tour at the 45th Annual Corn Hill Arts Festival.

Saturday & Sunday, June 8 & 9

Meet Very Hungry Caterpillar at Literature Live

Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. & Sunday: noon to 4 p.m.

Beloved literary characters jump off the pages of favorite books and into the National Museum of Play. Meet the Very Hungry Caterpillar. Included with general museum admission fees.

Monday, June 10

Toddler Book Club: Garden Stories

10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m.

Readings of classic children’s tales at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. This month: Garden Stories. Included with general museum admission fees.

Monday & Tuesday, June 17 & 18

Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden Closed

Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden closed for maintenance.

Saturday, June 22–Sunday, September 8

Atari by Design: Display Opening

Explore the creative thinking behind the finished designs of some of the most popular video arcade games of all time—including Gauntlet, Street Fighter, Gran Trak 10, Red Baron, and Gotcha. Check out classic arcade machine cabinets and the preliminary designs, drawings, and sketches that went into their creation, as well as some of the fliers and advertising materials used to promote their sale. Included with general museum admission fees.

Saturday, June 29

Wegmans Super Kids Market Reopening

Wegmans Super Kids Market re-opens bigger and better than ever! From new lighting and a kid-sized Market Café—complete with organic foods, prepared foods, and sushi bar—to a themed toddler area that encourages farm-fresh eating, kids of all ages will enjoy role-play at interactive areas that expand their understanding of how to eat and live well.

Thursday, July 4–Monday, September 2

Summer of Farewell Parades

Join in a festive, musical march throughout the galleries at the end of each museum day—a rousing way to conclude your visit! Included with general museum admission fees

Saturday & Sunday, July 6 & 7

Boardwalk Arcade Exhibit Opening

Step right up! Celebrate seaside amusements in all their beeping, blipping, vibrant glory. Stroll down a boardwalk that evokes the heyday of 19th- and early 20th-century resorts such as Coney Island and Atlantic City, where Americans of all ethnicities flocked for good old summertime fun. During opening weekend, marvel at street entertainers such as jugglers, stilt walkers, and living statues. Included with general museum admission fees.

Saturday & Sunday, September 7 & 8

Literature Live: Mama Bear

Beloved literary characters jump off the pages of favorite books and into the National Museum of Play. Meet the Berenstein Bears’ beloved Mama Bear. Included with general museum admission fees.

Friday, September 20

Museum Closed

The museum is closed to the public.

Friday, September 20

The Play Ball

6 p.m.

Enjoy kid-inspired cuisine, adult-approved cocktails, exciting entertainment, and live and silent auctions at The Strong’s annual fundraising gala. Tickets are $125 per person, and all proceeds benefit The Strong’s education and outreach programs.

Saturday & Sunday, September 28 & 29

Little Builders Exhibit Opening

Don a hardhat and construction vest and explore the concepts of construction, motion, and simple machines at more than 20 interactive stations. Hand operate a pulley or conveyer belt to explore cause and effect, turn the wheels of a gantry crane to transport cargo and discover mechanical physics at work, and much more. Included with general museum admission fees

Wednesday, October 2

Balloons Around the World

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Be amazed as local balloon artists, including Larry Moss and Kelly Cheatle of Airigami, create a large balloon sculpture to help celebrate the 14th annual Balloons Around the World event. Included with general museum admission fees.

Saturday & Sunday, October 5 & 6

Villains and Monsters Weekend

Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday: 1 to 4 p.m.

Celebrate some of the best “baddies” of all-time. Meet the cartoon artists behind some magical and monstrous creations and construct your own monster from pipe cleaners. Enjoy performances by Allendale Columbia students of The Littlest Witch. Included with general museum admission fees.

Monday, October 7

Monday Kicks for Ages 2 to 6: Build It!

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Playful learning activities designed for 2- to 6-year-olds, one Monday a month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This month: Build It! Included with general museum admission fees.

Saturday & Sunday, October 26 & 27

Literature Live: Bunnicula

Beloved literary characters jump off the pages of favorite books and into the National Museum of Play. Just in time for Halloween, meet Bunnicula the vampire bunny. Included with general museum admission fees.

Thursday, October 31

Toddler Trick-or-Treat

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Halloween activities and goodies for the littlest trick-or-treaters. Meet favorite storybook characters, dance to Halloween tunes, and play games. Included with general museum admission fees.

Monday, November 4

Monday Kicks for Ages 2 to 6: Artful Activities

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Playful learning activities designed for 2- to 6-year-olds, one Monday a month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This month: Artful Activities. Included with general museum admission fees.

Thursday, November 7

National Toy Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

10:30 a.m.

The 2013 toy honorees are revealed at a public ceremony that takes place in the National Toy Hall of Fame. Included with regular museum admission fees.

Saturday & Sunday, November 9 & 10

National Toy Hall of Fame Celebration

A weekend of toy-filled revelry in conjunction with the induction 2013 toy induction. Included with general museum admission fees.

Monday, November 11

Get Ready for The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Storytelling, dance, and live music presented in conjunction with upcoming performances of The Nutcracker, featuring members of the Rochester City Ballet. Also, enjoy scenes from A Christmas Carol by actors from Geva Theatre Center. Included with general museum admission fees.

Saturday & Sunday, November 16 & 17

In Another Galaxy Weekend

Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday: 1 to 4 p.m.

Come dressed as your favorite science fiction movie character and meet members of the 501st Legion (Vader’s Fist) and the Rebel Legion. Play vintage Star Wars video games and see Star Wars artifacts from the museum’s collections. Try out cool science gadgets, get a temporary tattoo, and pose for pictures in the dress-up area. This program is not sponsored or endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd. Included with general museum admission fees.

Saturday & Sunday, November 23 & 24

Literature Live: Brother Bear

Beloved literary characters jump off the pages of favorite books and into the National Museum of Play. Meet the Berenstein Bears’ lovable Brother Bear. Included with general museum admission fees.

Saturday & Sunday, November 23 & 24

Literature Live: Brother Bear

Beloved literary characters jump off the pages of favorite books and into the National Museum of Play. Meet the Berenstein Bears’ lovable Brother Bear. Included with general museum admission fees.

Saturday & Sunday, December 7 & 8

Literature Live: The Grinch

Beloved literary characters jump off the pages of favorite books and into the National Museum of Play. Meet Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch. (Tentative.) Included with general museum admission fees.

Saturday & Sunday, December 14 & 15

Literature Live: Sister Bear

Beloved literary characters jump off the pages of favorite books and into the National Museum of Play. Meet the Berenstein Bears’ lovable Sister Bear. Included with general museum admission fees.

Saturday, December 21

Reindeer Run, presented by YellowJacket Racing

8:30 a.m.

Sprint over to The Strong and get into the action at the second annual Reindeer Run, a unique, family-friendly foot race. Produced by YellowJacket Racing and sponsored by Fleet Feet Sports, the all-ages run is downtown Rochester’s only winter 5K event and includes a quarter-mile kids race. The Reindeer Run begins at 8:30 a.m. (check in at 7:30 a.m.) and concludes at The Strong with an awards ceremony in the museum theater. Fees apply.