The Otter Den: New Romping, Learning Play!

The Otter Den, a new play and learning space for children ages two to five, offers another way for parents to take advantage of hands-on educational fun at the Museum.
The program features new themes each week, and this week we're filling the room with lots and lots of bubbles!
Each theme is designed to foster creative, imaginative play. This kind of experience plays a strong role in building skills in many essential developmental areas.
“Self-directed play is learning cognitively, socially, and physically,” said Linda Rhine, curator of education programs. “The Otter Den allows parents to bring their child to the Museum to play and learn at the same time – both the parent and the child.”
The themes also build on learning experiences throughout the Museum.
For example, children get active on our mats and in our colorful, flexible tunnels, pretending to be a badger or a burrowing owl. They can dress up and imagine they are one of the Museum’s keepers take special care of our rescued animals, creating pretend meals for our wildlife.
Next week's theme is tires and tubes! Sit in a tire, roll a tire, stack the tires! Tires have endless possibilities. Play with them, and then discover the machines and vehicles that use tires in the Museum!
For each theme, parents receive a booklet called a “Paw Packet,” detailing what their children are learning as they play, and how parents can create more learning opportunities with their children though discussion and open-ended questions.
The Otter Den is open weekdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., September through June.
Museum members can access The Otter Den for $25 per year for the whole family.
Non-members: $5 per child, $3 for each additional child (plus Museum admission for ages 5 and up).