May the “Fourth” Be with You this Month at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta

This May, Children’s Museum of Atlanta welcomes families to explore out of this world programming like Star Wars Day, where little Jedis will become one with the force as they join the rebellion at Target Practice. Mother’s Day celebrations will take place with heartfelt storytime readings and flower heart card crafts. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month activities highlight notable Asian American and Pacific Islander figures. On May 11, the Museum celebrates United Nations of Play and encourages kids to learn about different countries and their national traditions. New feature exhibit Animationland, opening May 18, invites children to channel their creativity, learn animation fundamentals and create stories through art and science.

May Special Programming

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
​Thursday, May 2 to Thursday, May 30

The Museum continues to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by showcasing the work of social work researcher Dr. Michael Spencer, artist Mulyana and architect Fazlur Rahman Khan. Creating beautiful Mogus octopi in the Art Studio and bath bombs at the Science Bar, children have the chance to explore innovations made by prominent individuals of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage. ​ The Skyscraper Challenge at Jane’s Innovation Station, ideal for children ages 1 to 5, gives kids a hands-on opportunity with structural engineering, cause and effect and more!

CMA On Stage
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​Storytime: Mad-Libs: “Three Little Pigs”
​Sunday – Saturday: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Storytime: “Fly, Girl, Fly!: Shaesta Waiz Soars Around the World” by Nancy Roe Pimm
​Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
​Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Storytime: “Little Red Riding Hood and the Dragon” by Ying Chang Compestine
​Monday – Friday: Noon
​Saturday - Sunday: Noon and 2 p.m.

Science Bar
​Children will learn about Dr. Michael Spencer, a social work researcher and will learn about chemical reactions while creating bath bombs.

Art Studio
​Little artists can learn about Indonesian artist Mulyana and make their own Mogus – the octopus-like creatures that populate Mulyana’s crocheted coral reefs!

Jane’s Innovation Station
​Inspired by Bangladeshi-American engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan, this Skyscraper Challenge activity promotes problem-solving, creativity and experimentation.

Building Blocks

Artsy Mondays
​May 6, 13 and 20
​The Museum celebrates West Asian culture by making Ebru Art by combining paint and shaving cream to create a marble masterpiece in this homage to a special Turkish art form.

Tinkerin’ Tuesdays
​May 7, 14 and 21
​Toddlers and their caregivers are invited to build floating cities using foam blocks that float on water!

Messy Thursdays
​May 2, 9 16 and 23
​Young children will match animals with the correct habitat in this fun, sensory play activity. 

Jammin’ Fridays
​May 3, 10, 17 and 24
​Kids can travel the globe as they shake their “instruments” with seeds from plants all over the world! ​

Star Wars Day Programming
​Saturday, May 4
​Star Wars Day celebrations will be in full swing with activities on the Stage to help kids join the resistance, followed by Jedi training to become one with the force. Ready, aim, fire - kiddos will use catapults and simple machines at target practice to understand force and motion. The Art Studio will feature a color by numbers to reveal guests’ favorite Star Wars characters and the chance to design their own droids. Costumes are welcomed and encouraged!

CMA On Stage
​Catapult Target Practice
​10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Jedi Training with Darby Guinn + Mindfulness
​11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Bottle Rocket Science Show ​
​Noon and 2 p.m.
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​Art Studio
​Little ones can color by numbers to reveal fan-favorite Star Wars characters or design their own droid!
​9:30 a.m. – Drop-in activity

United Nations of Play Programming
​Saturday, May 11
​The anticipated United Nations of Play is back a bit early this year allowing families to travel across the globe, learn about different countries, their national traditions and celebrate Atlanta and our world’s diversity. This year the Museum is featuring Japan, Argentina, Ethiopia and Czech Republic!

CMA On Stage
​Storytime: “I Want to See the World” by Trisha Parent
​10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Mirai Kanai - Taiko Drum Performance
​11 a.m.

Hana Stepanek - Traditional Music Performance
​Noon

Horacio Arcidiacono - Learn to Tango! Dance Performance
​1 p.m.

Getachew Engedawork & Beza Tadesse - Traditional Music Performance⁠

2 p.m.

Art Studio
​United Nations of Play Art Activity
​9:30 a.m. – Drop-in activity

Mother’s Day Programming
​Sunday, May 12
​Guests will enjoy a heartfelt Storytime reading of “Fly, Girl, Fly!” by Nancy Roe Pimm and a special Mother’s Day Story. Led by an educator, guests can work at the stage to design, color and fold cards for Mother’s Day which when unfolded, will open to look like a flower. The Art Studio will feature special sheet cards for kids to color.

CMA On Stage
​Storytime: “Fly, Girl, Fly!” by Nancy Roe Pimm
​10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Storytime: “Jonathan and His Mommy” by Irene Smalls
​11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Mother’s Day Craft on Stage
​Noon and 2 p.m.

Art Studio
​Kiddos can color their own special sheet cards! ​
​9:30 a.m. – Drop-in activity

Coming in May
​Saturday, May 18 – Monday, Sept. 8
​Animationland Opening Weekend
​Beginning May 18, children can channel their creativity at the featured exhibit, Animationland. Using animation basics such as storyboarding, sketching and stop-motion movie making, kiddos will join Tracey the pencil dog and her crew on an immersive journey to create stories using art and science!