July activities at the Children's Museum

Train Garden at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.
Train Garden at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.

The Children's Museum of Oak Ridge offers a wide variety of activities in July. Here is a rundown of the events scheduled for the rest of this month, according to a news release from the museum.

Final Wonderful Wednesdays for the Summer

Held in the Museum’s gym, each week features a different organization and themes ranging from STEM to community helpers to careers and more, according to the release. Each program lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Wonderful Wednesdays are free with admission.

Here is the schedule for the remaining two weeks:

July 13

Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley

Come pet and interact with cats and dogs from the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley. You can even read the animals a story or two.

July 20

East TN Pediatric Dentistry

The Tooth Fairy is coming! Join East TN Pediatric Dentistry to hear a story, learn about healthy dental habits, and get a free toothbrush.

Imagination Station Summer Camp Program

Openings are still available for the final week of CMOR’s Imagination Station Summer Camp.

While K-2 sessions are full, there are openings in this final STEAM themed session for children rising into grades 3-5:

July 18-22

Phantastic Physics, 9 a.m. to noon

In this hands-on STEAM camp, we will learn how physics impacts our everyday lives as we investigate gravity, simple machines, friction, magnetism, and electricity. Campers will create circuits, build physics toys, play games, and create art using important physics concepts.

Thanks to generous donors, the Children’s Museum has scholarships for summer camp. Scholarships are for children who otherwise could not afford to attend, and there is an application that requires documentation of family income.

To register for camp, or for more information about scholarships, contact the Children’s Museum at (865) 482-1074 or visit https://bit.ly/campatcmor. Fall Break camp themes and dates will be announced soon.

Sixth annual Summer Food Drive

The Children’s Museum is collecting donations of non-perishable food through July 31. Collected food will be distributed to a local pantry. The Museum’s Executive Director Beth Shea says, “Rising costs for food and fuel mean that household budgets are tighter than ever. Holding a summer food drive is a way for the community to know that CMOR cares.”

Shea suggests these items to donate:

  • Meals in a can (soup, stew, chili)

  • Tuna or canned chicken

  • Peanut butter and jelly

  • Canned foods with pop-top lids

  • Canned fruit in its own juice or water

  • Canned vegetables, especially low sodium

  • Low-sugar whole grain cereals

  • Healthy snacks (granola bars, nuts, dried fruit)

People are asked to bring their items to the collection bin in the Museum’s lobby, and to not donate soda, candy, or items packaged in glass.

Blue Star Museum Program

As a Blue Star Museum, the Children’s Museum offers free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserves, from May 21 (Armed Forces Day) through Labor Day.  A list of Blue Star Museums across the U.S. can be seen at https://www.arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums.

Other Regular Programs at CMOR

Each week the museum has drop-in programs that are free and registration is not required. This is a great opportunity for children to get out of the house, play with others, or make music.

  • Toddler Playtime — Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon in the Preschool Room

  • Crafty Wednesdays — Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Discovery Lab

  • Musical Mornings — Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon in the Music Room

Third Sunday

On the third Sunday of each month, visitors can enjoy an Open House of the Museum’s outdoor Train Garden, Environmental Center, and Solar House. Visitors can also meet members of the Knoxville Model Railroaders and visit their clubhouse. Members of the Oak Ridge Amateur Radio Club will be on hand in the Discovery Lab with radio equipment that visitors can explore. Members of the Knoxville Philatelic Society will be stationed in the Craft and Science Room to share information about stamps and stamp collecting.

COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge does not require visitors to wear face masks. Staff and volunteers are masked when in public areas of the museum or when working with the public.

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is located at 461 West Outer Drive, Oak Ridge and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. The Museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for children from 3- to 17-years-old and free to children 2-years-old and under and CMOR members.

For more information call (865) 482-1074 or visit the CMOR website at http://childrensmuseumofoakridge.org.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: July activities at the Children's Museum