Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

12/01/2020

Museums Losing Millions, Job Losses Mount as COVID-19 Cases Surge

A new survey from the American Alliance of Museums paints a dark but realistic picture of where museum stands since the March lockdown:
“30% of museums remain closed since the March lockdown and those that have reopened are operating on an average of 35% of their regular attendance—a reduction that is unsustainable long-term. Those that did safely serve their communities this summer do not have enough revenue to offset higher costs, especially during a potential winter lockdown. Without financial help, we could see thousands of museums shutter forever.”

Now more than ever, we need your support.

For Immediate Release Arlington, VA—The American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum community, today reported museums are losing millions w…

11/30/2020

Bilingual Storytime
Las Lechucitas / Owl Babies
Author: Martin Waddell, Illustrator: Patrick Benson

Oh no! Three baby owls have woken up in the middle of the night, but their mommy is nowhere to be seen! These anxious little owls want their mommy to come back, and when the morning comes, they are joyfully reunited in this sweet and comforting book about separation anxiety. Cuddle up with your little ones and enjoy.

Storytime is supported, in part, by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and SVCreates.

11/30/2020

Nature News: All About the Bees!

Have you seen the observation beehive in Bill’s Backyard? We all know the bees are working hard in their hive, but what might they be up to? Tune in for a fun session on what happens inside a beehive, then visit the Museum to take a look for yourself!

Nature News is supported, in part, by the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.

11/30/2020

Discovery News 11/30/2020

Join us TODAY at 2PM for Discovery News, a live, interactive update of what’s happening at the Purple Museum. Learn more about virtual broadcasts, events, and behind the scenes features. Have questions? Chat with our Discovery Guides. Your comments might be featured on our livestream!

11/28/2020

Bill's Backyard is open this weekend!

You've eaten. You've shopped. Now it's time to play!

Bill's Backyard is open this weekend. Come visit us for a post-Thanksgiving family activity! We have two sessions per day.

Reserve your spot now: https://www.cdm.org/what-to-expect/

11/27/2020

🎁 For TODAY ONLY, we’re offering $25 off all gift memberships!

Children’s Discovery Museum membership is simply the BEST present there is. Your loved one will enjoy our interactive exhibits, outdoor educational space, Bill’s Backyard, and more!

Enter promo code “FRIDAY25,” check the box next to “This membership is a gift,” and we’ll do the rest!

Gift membership now: https://www.cdm.org/connect/join/memberships/

11/27/2020

This pandemic has created challenges, but it also brought us all together. It bolstered the importance of community and those we hold dear. And it reaffirmed a simple fact we already knew well: Our important work would not be possible without visitors and supporters like you. Thank you!

Amid these uncertain times, we recently reopened our outdoor Bill’s Backyard exhibit to the public. Be sure to come over and visit for fun and safe outdoor play. Reserve your spot now: https://www.cdm.org/

11/26/2020

From our CDM family to yours,
Happy Thanksgiving!

11/25/2020

Cooking with Potter the Otter

While Potter the Otter can't wait to see you all inside the museum when it is safe to do so, you can meet Potter online and cook with him over the Thanksgiving break!

From peachy peanut butter pockets to tortilla soup, Potter the Otter and his friends make healthy eating fun in Cooking with Potter the Otter. Each recipe is filled with crunchy veggies or yummy fruits that are fun to make anytime!

Issuu is a digital publishing platform that makes it simple to publish magazines, catalogs, newspapers, books, and more online. Easily share your publications and get them in front of Issuu’s millions of monthly readers. Title: Cooking with Potter the Otter, Author: FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, Nam...

11/24/2020

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose | Fun and Learning for Bay Area Kids and Families

Bill's Backyard is open everyday this week, except on Thanksgiving day:

2 sessions per day 🗓
Room to roam 🏃
Reservations required ⌚️

Fun and Learning for Bay Area Kids and Families

11/24/2020

Storytime: Leaf Man

Storytime
Leaf Man
By Lois Ehlert

It’s feeling like fall! This is Leaf Man’s favorite season, and he is exploring all autumn has to offer. The wind is blowing, so he’s traveling! Will he go east, or will he go west? What animals, plants, and natural features will he see? Let’s find out!

Materials Needed: Found leaves, seedpods, acorns

Storytime is supported, in part, by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and SVCreates.

11/24/2020

A Unique Thanksgiving Season: Even More Reasons to Be Grateful for Our Teachers | Getting Smart

As we start this Thanksgiving week, we'd like to thank all of the educators who have gone above and beyond in the last few months.

Teachers, parents, and educators, thank you for your resilience and your commitment!

By Erin Gohl & Kristen Thorson - As we approach Thanksgiving, parents and administrators must convey thanks for all teachers have done and continue to do.

11/23/2020

Storytime: Leaf Man

Storytime
Leaf Man
By Lois Ehlert

It’s feeling like fall! This is Leaf Man’s favorite season, and he is exploring all autumn has to offer. The wind is blowing, so he’s traveling! Will he go east, or will he go west? What animals, plants, and natural features will he see? Let’s find out!

Materials Needed: Found leaves, seedpods, acorns

Storytime is supported, in part, by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and SVCreates.

11/23/2020

"My son visited Bill's Backyard today and had a blast. Thanks for making it possible.”

Come discover our half-acre outdoor play space during Thanksgiving Week!

Reservations required 👉 https://www.cdm.org/what-to-expect/

11/20/2020

Celebrate Thanksgiving Week by visitng Bill's Backyard! Our half-acre outdoor play space is a safe environment for young ones to explore, play and learn. Reservations required.

Learn more about our safety protocols by clicking below: https://www.cdm.org/what-to-expect/

11/19/2020

Virtual Museum - Send a Hand | Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it is a great time to do some good in our community.

Here are some ways that you can help others especially during hard times, even if you are staying at home!

Back to the Virtual Museum Download .pdf   Have you ever thought about all the different ways you can help other people? Sometimes we think because we are too young or too busy or can’t travel far, it’s too hard to help other people. Here are some ways that you can help others especially during...

11/17/2020

Bilingual Storytime: Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear?

Bilingual Storytime: Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear?
Author: Bill Martin, Jr.
Illustrated by Eric Carle

If you’ve enjoyed Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See, you’ll love this classic follow-up featuring more animals that will be new to your little reader. Let’s learn about new words and the sounds animals make!

Storytime is supported, in part, by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and SVCreates.

11/17/2020

Perspective | Why schools — now more than ever — should let young kids learn through play (not worksheets)

"We believe play is essential to healthy development and lifelong learning."

This has been one of our core values since we opened the museum 30 years ago and now more than ever we are sticking to it. Great piece from early-childhood development expert, Nancy Carlsson-Paige.

An expert writes about the problems with today's early-childhood education and why it is time to reimagine it.

11/16/2020

Bilingual Storytime: Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear?

Bilingual Storytime: Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear?
Author: Bill Martin, Jr.
Illustrated by Eric Carle

If you’ve enjoyed Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See, you’ll love this classic follow-up featuring more animals that will be new to your little reader. Let’s learn about new words and the sounds animals make!

Storytime is supported, in part, by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and SVCreates.

11/16/2020

Toddler Fun! (Vietnamese)
Frozen Banana Bites

We’re bananas for frozen treats! Together, let’s make a tasty snack you can keep on hand for when you crave a little dessert. Satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way!

Materials Needed: 1 yogurt cup (any flavor), 1/2 cup of granola, 1 banana, 4 wooden popsicle sticks, baking sheet, waxed paper, 1 shallow bowl, 1 small flat plate, plastic knife and
spoon, cutting board, airtight freezer container

Toddler Fun! is supported, in part, by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and SVCreates.

11/16/2020

Toddler Fun! (English)
Frozen Banana Bites

We’re bananas for frozen treats! Together, let’s make a tasty snack you can keep on hand for when you crave a little dessert. Satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way!

Materials Needed: 1 yogurt cup (any flavor), 1/2 cup of granola, 1 banana, 4 wooden popsicle sticks, baking sheet, waxed paper, 1 shallow bowl, 1 small flat plate, plastic knife and
spoon, cutting board, airtight freezer container

Toddler Fun! is supported, in part, by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and SVCreates.

11/12/2020

Let's Get Creative/Art That Moves

Art That Moves!

Art can be more than a painting on a wall, or a sculpture in a museum. It can be alive, interactive and full of kinetic energy. Let's create a moving sculpture together!

Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, tape, string, straws or pencils/pens, color markers, a round object to trace. Optional materials: pipe cleaners, colorful paper shapes, glue stick

Let’s Get Creative! is supported, in part, by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

11/11/2020

Join us for a special Silly Sushi cooking class for the whole family on Friday, November 13 at 4 p.m. with our friends at New York-based The Creative Kitchen. This session is hosted by chef, educator and cookbook author Cricket Azima-The Creative Kitchen, who will be showing you how to make Fruit and Vegetable Sushi and Candy Sushi. It’s going to be soy awesome!

Space is limited for the Freaky Friday Silly Sushi with The Creative Kitchen cooking class, so register today! This session will last about 45 minutes. Tickets are nonrefundable. Ingredient list will be sent out upon registration.

http://14945.blackbaudhosting.com/14945/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=4e624078-be91-43f2-8813-dd3ef24a35d3

11/10/2020

Storytime: Sheep In a Jeep by Nancy Shaw

Storytime: Sheep In a Jeep
By Nancy Shaw

What do you think would happen if a group of sheep decided to take a countryside road trip? If you guessed shenanigans, you’d be right! Join us for this entertaining romp of a read that doubles as a teaching tool for little ones about creative problem-solving.

Storytime is supported, in part, by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and SVCreates.

11/09/2020

Let's Get Creative/Art That Moves

Art That Moves!

Art can be more than a painting on a wall, or a sculpture in a museum. It can be alive, interactive and full of kinetic energy. Let's create a moving sculpture together!

Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, tape, string, straws or pencils/pens, color markers, a round object to trace. Optional materials: pipe cleaners, colorful paper shapes, glue stick

Let’s Get Creative! is supported, in part, by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San José.

11/09/2020

Storytime: Sheep In a Jeep by Nancy Shaw

Storytime: Sheep In a Jeep
By Nancy Shaw

What do you think would happen if a group of sheep decided to take a countryside road trip? If you guessed shenanigans, you’d be right! Join us for this entertaining romp of a read that doubles as a teaching tool for little ones about creative problem-solving.

Storytime is supported, in part, by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and SVCreates.

11/09/2020

Celebrate the Veterans Day holiday with us! We'll be open this Wednesday, November 11 for two fun-filled play sessions. Take a screen break by making plans to play outside, race around our hay maze, scale the tree climber and swish down the slides. It's all here waiting for you and your family!

Reserve your spot while you can, at: https://14945.blackbaudhosting.com/14945/sslpage.aspx?pid=196&tab=2&txobjid=f0f4fb56-0afd-4fb7-a298-a347af88e3b7

11/05/2020

10th Annual Diwali: Festival of Lights
Saturday, November 7
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Live on Facebook and YouTube
12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. ZOOM Dance Party

This program was made possible by First Tech Fed and San José Office of Cultural Affairs.

We’re taking our annual Diwali: Festival of Lights celebration online this year! Join us for a lively line-up of performances, art, stories, and crafts. Listen and be inspired by dhol drums, learn how to make a diya lamp at home, create a mehendi design on paper, see dances ranging from classical Indian style to Bollywood, and then join in for a dance party!

This action-packed two-hour celebration is not one to miss! Join us live on Facebook and YouTube from 10:30am-12:00pm. Then join the Dance Party on Zoom from 12:00-12:30pm. This event is free to all, so please share with your family and friends.

Register for the FREE Zoom Dance Party today: https://bit.ly/37SpEkY
This special session will be hosted by Sunita Raj from Sun Bollywood Dance Company. We will provide fun and interactive dance instructions at the beginning so you can follow along. Bring all your friends and move and groove to some Bollywood music!

Event Program:
- Dhol Drums by Tegh Zoraver Dhillon
- Storytime: Story of Diwali read by Sanketa Rangan of Pragnya.org
- Arts & Crafts: Make a Diya Lamp with Jayshree Panda of Pragnya.org
- Arts & Crafts: Create Your Own Mehendi Designs on Paper with educator Heidi Lubin of Children’s Discovery Museum
- Storytime: 10 Gulab Jamuns read by author Sandhya Acharya
- Cooking Demo: Make Diwali Sweets with Jayshree Panda of Pragnya.org
- Community Showcase (see details below)
- Zoom Dance Party*
Community Showcase:
- Dance of Stone Dolls by Ushanjali School of Dance (Bharatnatyam, South Indian Classical Dance)
- Traditional Bhajan by Sumedh Garimella of Pragnya.org
- Bollywood dance by Dhoom Bollyfusion
- Kathak Dance by MKD Dance School (Kathak, North Indian Classical Dance)
- Sitar by Atharva Jogalekar of Pragnya.org
- Prapannati Hare by Sindhu Shivani Ravuri (Kuchipudi, South Indian Classical Dance)
- Chhamma Chhamma and Galli Galli by Sun Bollywood (Contemporary Bollywood Dance)
- Band Performance by Jeena
- Shri Lakshmi Kriti by Ushanjali School of Dance (Bharatnatyam, South Indian Classical Dance)
*Register at https://bit.ly/37SpEkY

11/04/2020

Common Ground | Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose

Every year, we join with the SJSU Lurie College of Education and the Santa Clara County Office of Education to put on the Marion Cilker Conference for Arts and Education, and this year we are thrilled to be hosting again on Friday, Nov. 6. We come together with teachers from preschool to 8th grade for a dynamic, hands-on, arts-integrated learning experience that helps us incorporate arts in primary education.

This year's theme, A Seat at the Table: Connecting Through Culture, is inspired by the museum's very own traveling community pop-up exhibit that engaged families in culture-sharing through art and poetry. This exhibit is now on permanent display at the museum, and we can't wait to be able to once again share it with all our visitors.

Learn more about the Marion Cilker Conference: https://bit.ly/2GlOIW0

Learn more about Common Ground and the museum's arts education initiatives at the link below.

CONTACTVisual Arts Program Developer 408-673-2842 [email protected] Common Ground is an initiative of Children’s Discovery Museum that brings together the voices of families from diverse local communities.   Common Ground: A Seat at the Table debuted as a traveling creative space and has landed at ...

11/03/2020

Bilingual Storytime: The House in the Night/La Casa en la Noche

Bilingual Storytime
The House in the Night/La Casa en la Noche
Author: Susan Marie Swanson

What makes a house a home? Together, let’s explore different sources of light and warmth -- a key, a light, a book -- in this beautifully illustrated children’s classic. Curl up as a family and enjoy this bedtime story.

Storytime is supported, in part, by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and SVCreates.

11/02/2020

What's new in Bill's Backyard? A Straw Maze! Our observation beehive! Tune in to learn about bees and see an in-person interview with Jonathan Pappas, the creator of the Straw Maze!

11/02/2020

Bilingual Storytime: The House in the Night/La Casa en la Noche

Bilingual Storytime
The House in the Night/La Casa en la Noche
Author: Susan Marie Swanson

What makes a house a home? Together, let’s explore different sources of light and warmth -- a key, a light, a book -- in this beautifully illustrated children’s classic. Curl up as a family and enjoy this bedtime story.

Storytime is supported, in part, by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and SVCreates.