dren can load up miniature shopping carts with plastic fruits and vegetables. The museum changes some of its offerings periodically to create more opportunities to stimulate curiosity and learning. New this year is SCCM’s first permanent exhibit, Wild California, which highlights Southern California’s diverse natural landscape while teaching children about ecology and providing them with various recreational opportunities. Occupying the entire east section of the museum’s first floor, there are several areas for children to develop their motor skills while having fun. “The exhibit portrays everything from the ocean to the mountains to the desert and gives an interactive experience of being in California,” Welch said. “There is a pretend play area with surf boards to balance on at the beach, a yurt for children to explore and an orange grove to climb on.” In addition to the engaging physical spaces, SCCM offers interest-
ing daily programming options. For instance, at Open Mic Mondays, children can showcase their singing talent or recite a nursery rhyme while being in the spotlight. On Wednesdays there is Bilingual Story Time. Kids can take food and make it into edible art at Fun Foodie Friday. On Sundays, Clay Corner lets children use their hands to roll around clay while making objects inspired by their imagination. And one of the newest additions to SCCM’s programming is Messy Play, where kids can get messy doing art and sensory play, and parents don’t need to worry about a thing. The museum continues to increase its programming options with every year that passes. “We are building our after-school programming. We just started a process art class last October that focuses more on the process of doing art rather than what they create,” Welch said. “We are also looking to start a creative writing program in 2020.” A particularly unique and visionary
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offering by the museum is targeted at parents. For an additional fee, GROW at SCCM enables parents to have some time to work while their children are playing. The comfortable loft space has all the amenities of a professional environment such as desks, printing capabilities, coffee and more as well as cozy couches. Parents have the opportunity to grow professionally and personally while their children grow in their independence. “As a working parent who has the flexibility of working from home, it is a good place to find a like-minded community,” Welch said. Additional opportunities for play at the museum include private rentals and special events. SCCM offers afternoon playgroup packages and also rents out rooms for birthday parties, giving parents a break from cleaning up after all that high-energy fun. A well-loved special event is the Rose Parade viewing party, where risers are set up inside the museum near the expansive front
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