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downloadProgramming Classes
Wonderscope Programming Classes
Wonderscope offers a variety of fun and educational classes for children and their families.
Sessions are included FREE* with your membership or admission!
(*Art Explorer is fee based)
Circle Time
Tuesdays | General Session Times: 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm
Structured active play is one of the most important ways that young children learn, and Circle Time offers countless opportunities for engaging even the youngest of learners!
Class size is limited and requires signing up on the day of your visit. Class sign-ups open 30 minutes prior to the beginning of each class by the blue wall at the front of the museum.
Music & Movement
Wednesdays | General Session Times: 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm
Did you know that music and movement has great brain building benefits for children of all ages? Our Music & Movement class engages both hemispheres of the brain, helping children develop systematically along five domains: speech/language, fine and gross motor skills, cognition, social skills, and body awareness. Come sing, dance, and play with us!
Class size is limited and requires signing up on the day of your visit. Class sign-ups open 30 minutes prior to the beginning of each class by the blue wall at the front of the museum.
Art Explorer
Wednesdays | General Session Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm
There is no wrong way to create! The history of art comes alive and combines with hands-on creation for kids from 5 to 16. Each class includes an entertaining and informative introduction to art history followed by the opportunity for students to become the artist—inspired by their learning! Our weekly program is a wonderful opportunity for the inquisitive artist as well as parents wanting to enhance the homeschooling curriculum for their children. This program meets both Kansas and Missouri Visual Art Standards, click here for homeschooling details.
Cost is $5.00 per student. Class size is limited and requires online registration. Check in at the front desk. Class fee does not include museum admission.
Art Time
Thursdays | General Session Times: 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm
It is no secret that kids love art! Did you know that participating in art can have an enormous impact on your child’s growth and development? When children are exposed to any artistic activity, the brain is stimulated from sounds, movements, colors, and sizes; neural connections increase; and the brain is exercised and strengthened!
Class size is limited and requires signing up on the day of your visit. Class sign-ups open 30 minutes prior to the beginning of each class by the blue wall at the front of the museum.
WonderBaby & Me
Thursdays | General Session Times: 9:30 am and 2:00 pm
WonderBaby & Me gives families with younger children the opportunity to experience Wonderscope at an early age. Join us for our weekly class for infants from 3 to 18 months and their grown ups, too! Classes will encourage bonding, help develop coordination, balance and strength while stimulating the senses. Come grow with us!
At Wonderscope, we understand the life happens and that sleeping and fussy infants are to be expected.
Class size is limited and requires signing up on the day of your visit. Class sign-ups open 15 minutes prior to the beginning of each class by the blue wall at the front of the museum.
Storytime + Craft
Fridays | General Session Times: 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm
Storytime is one of the richest learning experiences for young learners. Did you know reading books out loud to your child helps develop their reading skills long before they are able to read? Join us for a read-aloud, then stick around to enjoy a creative arts activity after each story to help reinforce learning and boost memory skills through art, dramatic play, theater, or puppetry!
Class size is limited and requires signing up on the day of your visit. Class sign-ups open 30 minutes prior to the beginning of each class by the blue wall at the front of the museum.
Storytelling Workshop
First Friday of each month: 3:00 pm
Our friends will have the opportunity to become story tellers and actors prompted by inspiration from the audience or a story our team leads! Free with museum admission or membership. This program is free to join with your museum admission or membership.
No sign-up necessary. Just stop in to participate, while supplies last.
Engineering Creativity
Second Friday of each month: 3:00 pm
A series of hands-on workshops led by professional engineers! Henderson Engineers come and give children a glimpse into the world of engineering. They return each month with a new engineering focus and activities tied to specific learning objectives. Free with museum admission or membership!
No sign-up necessary. Just stop in to create, while supplies last.
Children's Mercy Science Friday
Third Friday of each month: 3:00 pm
A team of scientists from Children’s Mercy’s Research Institute will lead our friends in exciting scientific exploration in an approachable, relatable and age-appropriate way. Program begins at 3pm in the Design Lab. Free with admission or membership.
No sign-up necessary. Just stop in to participate, while supplies last.
Maker Space Workshops
Last Friday of each month: 3:00 pm
Our Wonderscope Maker Space is free with museum admission! Our goal is to give children the opportunity to plan and create a self-guided project from the recycled materials present. It is a safe space to experiment with resources and tools children otherwise might not have access to, opening up new avenues for creative expression.
No sign-up necessary. Just stop in to create, while supplies last.
Sensational Play
Every Wednesday 10 am - 12 pm
Wonderscope, in partnership with the University of Kansas Medical Center occupational therapy (OT) program, offers Sensational Play. Research shows that inclusive sensory-based activities provide children and families the opportunity to better understand their individual sensory preferences and how they influence their interactions with others and the world around them. Wonderscope’s Sensational Play sessions are planned and led by OT students as part of the community service-learning opportunity in their curriculum. Free with museum admission or membership.
No sign-up necessary. Just stop in to play, while supplies last.
Kindergarten Readiness Program
Road to Readiness
Let’s get ready for Kindergarten!
Wonderscope’s Road to Readiness is a program designed to help children ages 4-6 assess skills in important developmental areas – and to allow families to experience Wonderscope exhibits in some exciting new ways. Best of all, it’s free with museum admission or membership!
This self-guided program includes a workbook filled with museum adventures for your family to complete at whatever pace is comfortable and enjoyable for you.
The program takes about 8 weeks to complete. You are free to work through the workbook on your own, but Wonderscope program staff members are available to assist you in your Road to Readiness journey with scheduled “Play Along” sessions. Just meet us in the lobby to participate!
Once you complete all or most activities in the book, there will be a special graduation ceremony, complete with a diploma, T-shirt, and other goodies!
To get started in the Road to Readiness program, register to attend a short orientation session.
Upcoming Orientation Sessions:
Tuesday, January 14 at 1 pm -OR-
Friday, January 17 at 2 pm
To register for an orientation session please contact Director of Programs Lauren Hirsch at lhirsch@wonderscope.org with your preferred orientation date.
CAMINO A LA PREPARACIÓN
¡Preparémonos para el kínder!
Wonderscope’s Road to Readiness (Camino a la preparación de Wonderscope) es un programa diseñado para ayudar a los niños a evaluar habilidades en áreas importantes del desarrollo y para permitir que las familias experimenten las exhibiciones de Wonderscope de formas nuevas e interesantes. Lo mejor de todo: ¡es gratis con la entrada al museo o membresía!
Este programa autoguiado incluye un libro de trabajo lleno de aventuras en el museo para que su familia las complete al ritmo que le resulte cómodo y agradable. Los miembros del personal del programa Wonderscope están disponibles para ayudarlo en todo momento. El libro de trabajo completo será un excelente portafolio del desarrollo de su hijo(a).
Completen todas o la mayoría de las actividades del libro y luego asistan a la ceremonia especial de graduación, que se completará con un diploma, una camiseta y otros obsequios.
Para obtener más información o preguntas, envíe un correo electrónico al Director de Programas Lauren Hirsch lhirsch@wonderscope.org.