FACILITY
EXHIBITS
EVENTS
CLASSES/WORKSHOPS

• Hands-on Learning Experiences in the Arts, Culture and Sciences
• Exhibits, Programs, Classes, Performances
• Unique Opportunities for Children to Increase Awareness, Spark Creativity and Engender a Lifelong Love and Pursuit of Learning

The Children's Museum & Play Space at Signal Hill Mall contains a wonderful exhibit area that allows children to explore and express themselves through different media and participate in group lessons and activities.

It also includes a separate room for private birthday parties.

Art Exhibit

An abundance of art supplies allow children to experiment with crayon, colored pencil or watercolor on art paper, construction paper or canvas. Beads, glitter, wood chips, pipe sticks, buttons, and stickers encourage children to create multidimensional art.

Music Exhibit

Children have the opportunity to explore the sounds of instruments from around the world. African drums, bells, xylophone, tambourine and rain stick are some of the instruments available for children.

Costume and Puppet Stage Exhibit

A puppet stage and "barn" equipped with a variety of diverse puppets is available for children to create their own show. One can often find parent and child engaged in their own puppet production. Located nearby is a costume area and mirror where children dress up and put on their own shows or role-play various types of people. Children who previously did not know each other can often be found playing dress-up together, learning much about themselves and others through such spontaneous social interactions.

Child-Size Kitchen and Café Exhibit

Young children enjoy setting a table, preparing and serving meals to friends and family, and cleaning up and vacuuming at our kitchen and café area. Children learn about food groups, setting a proper table, preparing a balanced meal, and cleaning up after themselves. Young children gain a better understanding of themselves and others as well as developing social skills by cooperating and working with others.

Architectural Block Exhibit

In the architectural area, children can be found building homes, forts and castles with the large, soft blocks available. The various shapes of the blocks help reinforce eye-hand, spatial and motor coordination skills.

Natural Sciences Exhibit

Children enjoy "Live" exhibits of fish, snake and painter turtles, learning about the various habitats and needs of each. Books are available on each live specimen and children can touch the snake when accompanied by museum staff or a parent. Such fascination with living creatures provides an opportunity to tap into the child's curiosity about and help teach respect for nature and all living things.

Rotating Exhibits

Learning centers rotate exhibits offering hands-on opportunities to learn about various animal habitats, types of birds, creatures of the sea and seashells, Native American artifacts, and the solar system.

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Magical Moments Performing Arts Series

Through public performances and in-school programs, the museum provides access to the arts in an outreach capacity to serve the community's youth. Students from Iredell-Statesville Schools, Mooresville Integrated Schools, Alexander and Davie County Schools are impacted by the arts in education programming of the Magical Moments Performing Arts Series. Last year, more than 5,000 students experienced the Magical Moments Performing Arts Series.

Evening performances allow an entire family to experience the rich variety of life expressed through the performing arts. In its more than twenty years of sponsoring performing arts, the museum has reached over 50,000 students and families by providing professional theatrical productions that enhance the work of the classroom teacher.

Professional touring companies such as Bright Star Children's Theatre, Stageworks Theater, Theater IV, ArtsPower, and the Children's Theatre of Charlotte's Tarraddiddle Players have provided live theatrical performances that enrich arts in education for students and families.

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Classes in drawing and painting are offered for elementary and middle school students and oil painting lessons are provided for teens. Four-year-olds can learn how to use pencils, crayons and water colors in the process of building eye-hand coordination, establishing positive self-esteem and having lots of fun.

Science

In an effort to enrich the county's classrooms, science programming continues to be a focus of the museum. First introduced in 1998, workshops at the museum continue to explore the field of science through inquiry and hands-on activities. Summer programming is offered through MadScience of Charlotte and has included topics such as the study of oceans, dinosaurs, rainforests, astrology, robots, polymers, magnets, heat and more.

Outdoor programs for those interested in the natural sciences, offer opportunities to kayak, trek local mountains, camp under the stars and learn basic outdoor survival skills. Summer science camps have been held in conjunction with Allison Woods, a local outdoor environmental center.

Language and Culture

The museum offers opportunities to learn about the culture of different countries by experiencing ethnic food, songs, folklore and crafts.

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