family fun - may 2008

Picks of the Month

More than 250,000 people already have seen BODYWORLDS, the Original Exhibition of Human Bodies at the Milwaukee Public Museum. While it's not for small children, this exhibit is a must for older children and adults. The exhibit leaves June 1. From May 18 on, hours will be extended to 9 a.m.-9 p.m. each day to handle the anticipated number of visitors in the final two weeks. See our KeyMilwaukee.com feature for all the details.

MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO

10001 W. Bluemound Road. Just 10 minutes from downtown Milwaukee at Highway 45 and Interstate 94. Open 365 days a year. Ph. (414) 256-5412 or www.milwaukeezoo.org.

It’s always a good time to visit the Milwaukee County Zoo, one of the premier zoological parks in the country.

Celebrate MotherÕs Day May 11 at the zoo, all Moms admitted free.

International Migratory Bird Day May 17 brings a variety of activities, including a migration game across the zoo, conservation talks and colorful crafts.

Conservation Weekend is set for May 41-June 1.

The Sting Ray and Shark Reef exhibition returns to the zoo May 24 and continues through Sept. 7

BETTY BRINN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

929 E. Wisconsin Ave. Ph. 414-291-0888 Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; Noon-5 p.m. Sunday. www.bbcmkids.org

Programs include:

• Tot Time, ages 1 to 3 with parent or caregiver, 10:30 a.m. Tuedays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays. Toddlers will enjoy sing-alongs, finger-play, stories, and art experiences. Adults learn how these experiences impact early childhood development.
  
  
  
• Pre-School Pop-in, ages 3-5, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Pre-schoolers participate in music, movement and visual art activities that encourage early reading and introduce beginning math concepts. Adults learn about age-appropriate activities that stimulate a child's development.

Special events:

Open Mother's Day, May 11, with free admission for Moms.

Neighborhood Night May 15 means free admission from 5-8 p.m.

Curious George: Let's Get Curious! ends June 1. Created by the Minnesota Children's Museum in partnership with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group, the special exhibit introduces young children to the little monkey's world and leads visitors on a fun, interactive math, science and engineering-based adventure.

THE MUSEUM CENTER
800 W. Wells St.

Includes Milwaukee Public Museum, one of the world's best natural history museums (Ph. 278-2700); and the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater 414-319-IMAX. www.mpm.edu

The last day for the spectacular exhibit Body Worlds: The Original Exhibition of Real Human Bodies is June 1. Beginning May 18, the exhibition will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Timed entry. Advance reservations should be made at 414-278-6170 or toll-free at 888-700-9069.

"Science Saturday for Kids" April 5 is a science-themed class for children held during the BODY WORLDS exhibit. Kids will learn about DNA and genetics this month. $25, $20 for members. Adults accompanying children are free. Registration: 278-2714.

More Than Meets the Eye: The Art of Deception, a project by the UW-Milwaukee/Museum Studies Class, continues through April 5. 278-2728.

Family Health and Wellness Day is set for April 4, with an open-house style health event featuring guest speakers. 2, 4 & 6 p.m.

The Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater in the Museum Center, the only IMAX theater in the state, doubles as a state-of-the-art digital planetarium.

Current IMAX shows playing include "The Human Body," which draws on sophisticated graphics to provide a dramatic picture of the human body. "The Human Body" runs through June 12 and complements the BODY WORLDS exhibit at the museum. "Grand Canyon Adventure," an exhilarating river-rafting adventure down the Colorado River, continues through Sept. 4.

The Daniel M. Soref Planetarium in the IMAX currently is offering three shows: "Rock Hall of Fame," a light show plus music through Sept. 4; Secrets of the Zodiac, a look at the celestial system and why it has been so instrumental to humans, through June 12; and CSI: Cosmic, which looks for life in the extreme conditions here on Earth and journeys through the solar system to investigate neighboring planets for hospitable conditions, through Sept. 4.

Call 414-319-4629 for IMAX planetarium show times and reservations.

DISCOVERY WORLD at PIER WISCONSIN

500 N. Harbor Dr. 765-9966. The newest addition to Milwaukee’s world-class lineup of museums and visitor attractions is the home of the 19th century re-creation of a Great Lakes sailing vessel, the Denis Sullivan. Until the ship is returns for the summer season, the Discovery World Museum offers saltwater and fresh water aquariums, interactive exhibits created by several of the city’s leading corporations and the HIVE, a virtual-reality chamber that puts visitors into 30 simulated environments.. Open to the public from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun. www.discoveryworld.org.

MISCELLANEOUS FUN

COMEDYSPORTZ at 420 S. 1st St. continues to provide improvisational comedy suitable for the whole family. Shows every week 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday.  Also 10 p.m. Friday amateur (18+) stand up session. Call 272-8888 for show times and reservations or visit www.comedysportz.com. Be sure to use our KeyMilwaukee.com coupon for extra savings.

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, through May 18; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. First Stage Children's Theater presents this Tony-nominated Broadway musical brings to life the adventures of Arnold Lobel's well-loved characters: the boundlessly happy Frog and his worry-wart friend Toad. Most appreciated by adults, teens and young people ages 3 and older.

BODY WORLDS, through June 1; Milwaukee Public Museum, corner of 7th St. (James Lovell) and W. Wells St. Groundbreaking exhibit exploring the mystery of human anatomy and physiology. Timed entrance. Call 414-223-4676.

RED, WHITE & BLADES, May 8-11; Pettit National Ice Center, 500 S. 84th St., is the stage for one of the largest amateur figure skating shows in the country. 7 p.m. May 8, 9 & 10, 2 p.m. May 10 and 11.

ROCK & GEM SHOW, May 17-18; Wauwatosa's Hart Park (Mueller Building, enter at 72nd and State Sts.) is the site of the Wisconsin Geological Society's 51st annual show with more than 20 dealers, children's activities, food and "Paleo Joe," an expert in fossils. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 771-8668.

BOSTON TERRIER CLUB NATIONAL DOG SHOW, May 19-22; If you enjoy those all-American terriers that look like they are wearing tuxedos, you'll love this national show at the Wyndham Airport Hotel & Convention Center, 4747 S. Howell Ave. Boston terriers from the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia will be on display at this free show. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

FAMILY KITE FESTIVAL, May 24-25; Be sure to be at Veteran's Park north of the Milwaukee Art Center for the grand launch of 500 kites at noon. 305-3145.

WHAT'S COOKING AT THE CAFE GOOFE, May 28-29, 31; Sunset Theatre, 800 Elm Grove Rd., Elm Grove. Kids are invited to wear their pjs and bring a blanket to this interactive show. 262-782-4430.