Autumn Crafts, Dance, Storytelling, And Herbology At Staten Island Children's Museum

Staten Island Children's Museum invites you to learn more about the world through observation and experimentation. October's storytelling, movement and art activities will help you learn various ways to share lessons learned.

The texture of leaves inspire the Walk in! Workshop this month where participants will be making clay leaf prints and leaf rubbings that reveal the framework of these oxygen making machines. There are four workshops per session with limited space. Visitors should pick up free timed tickets at admission.

When school is out, SICM is open. Monday, October 11 for Columbus and Indigenous People's Day they will have a STEAM Walk in! workshop that explores buoyancy and density by making rafts inspired by the bull boats used by some Plains Native American tribes to transport goods. Sessions will be held at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm. Space is limited so visitors need to pick up free tickets at admission. Also, choreographer Walter Rutledge will be hosting dance parties in the morning and afternoon sessions where visitors can express their individuality and their energy.

For families that need child care, SICM is offering a One Day Fun Day camp on Monday, October 11 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Children will conduct science experiments, create art, explore nature, and play in the exhibits. You can register at: https://sichildrensmuseum.org/one-day-fun-day-camp/

The Weekend Wonders series of free outdoor performances and workshops, sponsored by Con Edison and NYC Ferry continues through October with a variety of captivating events held outside in front of the Children's Museum between the morning and afternoon sessions each weekend.

On Saturday, October 9, from 1 to 2:00 pm Angel Elektra from Drag Queen Story Hour returns to read a children's story of acceptance and understanding. Through storytelling and creativity, Drag Queen Story Hour teaches children about gender diversity and all forms of difference to build empathy and give kids the confidence to express themselves however they feel comfortable.

Sunday, October 10, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm the design group Placeholds will lead visitors in the creation of a crowd-sourced mixed media collage mural.

April Armstrong, an actress, singer, and storyteller, will appear on Saturday, October 16 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm to guide children in a storytelling workshop. Children will be inspired by elements of human nature to create a story through movement, gesture, character and dialogue.

Freshkills Park will bring their scientific explorations to the Children's Museum on Sunday, October 17 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Participants will explore native and invasive plants and create their own field notebooks using paper made from plants found at the largest landfill-to-park transformation project in the world. Then they will use their handmade recycled notebook to journal their observations of the natural world with tools such as microscopes and more!

Makerspace returns to the Children's Museum on Saturday, October 23 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm to guide visitors in using circuit technology to make fashion by creating wearable electronics. Participants can choose from several mask templates made on laser cutters to decorate and illuminate using LEDs and coin cell batteries.

Sunday, October 24, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm the Glam Gardner will show us how to identify and avoid spooky poisonous plants and how to forage for the ingredients for an immune-boosting health potion in preparation for the cold season.

Saturday, October 30, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm author Irene Stanton will read aloud her books influenced by her life as a mother, aunt and preschool teacher. She will read A Rainy Day Trunk about the lessons learned from a grandfather and A Companion for Jarrett about a mother's search for the perfect toy for her infant.

For Halloween, Sunday, October 31, kids and parents are encouraged to visit in their superhero, animal, cartoon characters or even more unique costume. There will be trick or treating in each exhibit for all visitors.