Blogiversary Day 9 Prize: Tickets to Pretend City! New Heart and Seoul Exhibit #LetsPlayOC

It's Day 9 of our online Blogiversary Party! Today we're going to talk about Pretend City Children's Museum in Irvine, and why we can't get enough of all the fun things to do there. My kids have been going there since they were toddlers, and they still have a blast!

The other day we went for a play date and explored the new Heart & Seoul: Growing up in Korea exhibit. It was AMAZING! Sponsored by the Korea Foundation, it's a great way to learn about the Korean culture. You'll learn things like why they take off their shoes, table etiquette, popular cuisines, Taekwondo, how to write Korean calligraphy, etc. It will really give you an idea what it was like growing up in Korea so make sure you stop in and check it out.

KOREA PLAZA: “Hang out” with Korean kids and “text” them questions about what life is like in Seoul. Visit historical and famous sites on an interactive multi-user touch table. Then, launch a kite to “fly away the bad luck.”
KOREA K-POP STARS STUDIO: K-Pop has a huge influence on pop culture in Korea and around the world. Take the stage of the K-Pop TV studio and watch yourself “perform” with K-Pop stars in front of a 75” TV screen.
ANIMATION STUDIO: “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy,” and “Avatar” were created in Korean animation studios. Check out a stop-motion animation station and draw an animated story.
TAEKWONDO STUDIO: Kick, punch and block as you match your moves to Korean children who are experts in this martial art based on 2000-year-old ancient techniques.
RESTAURANT: From Kimchi to Korean BBQ, dine in at this authentic Korean restaurant or take on the role of restaurant owner and watch your business boom.
APARTMENT: Experience preparations, games and customs for Seollal (Lunar New Year). Try on a hanbok and learn to do the traditional bow, put on a traditional dress, “taste” New Years’ foods such as tteokguk (rice cake soup), or play yut nori by throwing sticks and moving tokens around a game board.
CLASSROOM: Stories, music and calligraphy…it all happens in school. Learn how to speak and write Hangul. Listen to folktales and play the janggu and buk, traditional drums.
HANOK GUEST HOUSE: The Jesa Table is a place where Koreans bow in respect to honor their ancestors. Write names of loved ones who have passed, put their names on the table and bow to experience this tradition. Also, check out the roll up floor mat and view a folk tale!

Heart & Seoul: Growing up in Korea exhibit at Pretend City

July's 2015 Calendar
Want more reasons to come? Here are some highlights this month at Pretend City!

Tuesday, July 14: Partner In Play Day – Sea Lion Shenanigans
- Time: 11:00 a.m

Specifically for: Children of all ages; Grown-ups
Play Partner: Newport Landing Whale Watching
- RSVP: Not required
- Fee: Included with museum admission
A special video and story presentation will share fun facts about the sea lions along the California coast! Children can take a photo with a life-size sea lion, and create their very own sea lion mask.

Tuesday, July 14th: The Three Little Pigs Theater Education Program
- Class Session: Tuesday, July 14 through Thursday, July 16 & July 21-23, 2015
- Play Partner: Creative Kids Playhouse
- Specifically for: Children 3 - 7 (preschool & school age); Parents must remain on the premises.
- RSVP: Registration available online at Creative Kids Playhouse

* Performance Saturday, July 25th at 10:00a.m. *
Rehearsals are Tuesday through Thursday from 1:30-2:30 pm on July 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23. It is highly suggested that performers are present each day.

"Musical Theatre helps children learn to express themselves, work on memorization skills, develop literacy skills, work as a team, and learn how to tell a story."

Register your child to be in the mini-musical, The Three Piggy Opera (a spoof of the classic folk tale The Three Little Pigs), and invite all of your friends and family to see the performance. Children will be directed by experienced early child development and musical theater instructor Jennifer Estrada.

Sunday, July 19: Celebrate National Ice Cream Day!

Time: Activities throughout the day
Specifically for: Children of all ages; Grown-ups
RSVP: Not required
Fee: Included with museum admission

Fun ice cream themed activities include:

Smart Art – Ice Cream Dough will be a sensory experience as children will mold and create with “ice cream” without the worry of it melting!
Café Creations – Ice Cream Cart fun will allow your child to create and sell their very own ice cream creations!
Math Matters – Children will have the opportunity to Taste Test a variety of flavors and vote for their favorite.
Sundae Funday - Create your own ice cream sundae with all the ingredients you can imagine!

Monday, July 20: Stress Management for Parents Workshop
- Time: 6:00-8:00p.m.
- Specifically for: Grown-Ups; childcare not provided
- Play Partners: Child Behavior Pathways
- RSVP: Registration required. Note: 10 minimum; workshop subject to cancellation if minimum is not met. Registration requested by Friday, July 17.
- Fee: FREE

Summertime should be easy and relaxing, but sometimes it is added stress. Child Development Pathways is here to help grown-ups identify summer stress, how it can affect the family and the children, and provide insight on the importance of relaxation and some tips to help keep grown-ups sane this summer.

Tuesday, July 21: Partner In Play Day – Biggest Animal Ever

Time: 11:00 a.m. Lil’ Me Morning Activity
Specifically for: Children of all ages; Grown-ups
RSVP: Not required
Fee: Included with museum admission

Which whale is the largest? Children will not only explore this animal’s size, but their body composition as well in a interactive hands-on presentation.

Sunday, July 26: Celebrate Parent’s Day!

Time: Activities throughout the day
Specifically for: Children of all ages; Grown-ups
RSVP: Not required
Fee: Included with museum admission; Parents receive $1.00 off today with paid child’s general admission ticket!

Parent’s Day is a special day to recognize, uplift, and support the role of parents. Activities include:

Family Fun Fitness: In Piggy Back Obstacle Course, piggy back rides can help strengthen a parent-child relationship, because they involve fun and physical closeness.
Growing Up Great Game: Move Like Me is a fun activity where you and your child will mirror each other in a game that focuses on eye contact, smiles, and laughs promoting play and building stronger relationships.
Sensational Story Time: Only One You is a simple, yet powerful story about the lessons parents can teach their children. Your family will have fun creating your very own rock fish family to take home.

Monday, July 27: Family Autism Night
- Time: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Specifically for: School Ages (6 years and up); Grown-ups
- RSVP: Registration required. Please register online.
- Pretend City will be closed to the general public.
  
  FREE for families with children on the autism spectrum. Pretend City’s Family Autism Events take place on the last Monday of the month (except in May and December).
  
  Did you know about FREE Family Autism Day at Pretend City? Once a month, families with a child with Autism (along with their therapists), can play at Pretend City in an autism-friendly environment. They dim the lights and turn down the music. It's a calmer environment and gives the family a chance to enjoy the amazing center. Registration is required. Please check their monthly calendar for exact dates. Community partners, who specialize in supporting children on the autism spectrum, will be on-hand to enrich your family’s play experience with welcoming smiles and practical support.
Tuesday, July 28: Partner in Play Day – Litter for Lunch

Time: 11:00 a.m.
Specifically for: Children of all ages; Grown-ups
RSVP: Not required
Fee: Included with museum admission

Trash doesn’t look like food! Or does it? Join Pretend City as they educate children about the various objects and models which can look like food to sea creatures. They will understand the importance of keeping our beaches clean and making sure to throw garbage away where it is supposed to go. Children will even get to experience Pretend City’s own beach clean-up as they explore their trash interactive.

Wednesday, July 29: Celebrate Harry Potter’s Birthday!

Time: Activities throughout the day
Specifically for: School Ages (6 years and up); Grown-ups
RSVP: Not required
Fee: Included with museum admission (Discount: Come dressed as your favorite Harry Potter character for $1.00 off general admission ticket!)

Harry Potter books are a great way to introduce fantasy to your school-aged children providing material for children’s imagination. Themed-activities include:

Smart Art: Harry Potter Art – Children will make their own Hedgwig or magical wand and creating their own version of Hogwarts Castle.
Nature Tales: Magical Creatures Scavenger Hunt - Help find the magical creatures that escaped from the Care of Magical Creature class.
Simple Science: Potions Class - They're making Gillyweed and Hippogriff Gizzards!

My kids love play dates at Pretend City! We've been going for years, and they still love it. Their favorite is water play in the Marina, driving around the City, building in the construction zone, and visiting the ATM machines. This month, we get to send one lucky family to play too with a family four pack!

XOXO,
Mary@LetsPlayOC

Pretend City Children's Museum

29 Hubble

Irvine, CA

(949) 428-3900

pretendcity.org

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