It’s summer vacation and the kids are out of school. While we want them to enjoy some down time to relax and be free of the constant need to be “on task,” even the most ardent lover of summer vacation soon is looking for something to do. So before you hear that first, “I’m booored!” coming from your children, plan for some fun summer activities that are different enough from the average day of school that even though they’ll be learning, the kids will think it is all fun and games.
Timing couldn’t be better for the Museum of Art, Branigan Cultural Center and Railroad Museum to extend their hours. The Museum of Art and the Cultural Center will now be open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 to 4:30 and will be closed on Sunday and Monday. The Railroad Museum will be open Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Spend Saturday mornings at the Branigan Cultural Center on the north end of the Downtown Mall with your younger kids for Magic Carpet Story Time, which has moved from the Rio Grande Theatre. Arrive at 11:30 for the 30-minute story time.
The Branigan Cultural Center also offers a Summer Craft Workshop series, including straw applique (June 8 and 10), flint knapping (June 15 and June 17), finger weaving (June 22 and 24), carved birdhouses (July 6 and 8), crazy quilt squares (July 13 and 15), and coiled fiber bowls (July 20 and 22). Classes are $10 per person and preregistration is required. For age requires and more information, call the museum at 541-2155.
Just across from the Branigan, the Museum of Art regularly offers a wide variety of studio art programs for adults and kids. Check the website at www.las-cruces.org/museums, then click on Museum of Art and Studio Art to see what is available or call the museum for more information at 521-2137.
At the Railroad Museum, located at Mesilla Street and Las Cruces Avenue, the entire family can take part in Family Game Days, which are happening once a month from June through November. During this drop-in activity-filled day, you and the kids can play games that were enjoyed by families 100 years ago, when the Santa Fe Depot the museum is housed was built. They are scheduled for the second Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and there is no cost. There are also model railroad workshops (June 16 and July 7, ages 8 to 15, $10 fee with preregistration required) and railroad communication classes (June 23 and July 21, ages 7 to 12, free, preregistration required). For more information, call 647-4480.
The Museum of Natural History, located in the Mesilla Valley Mall, has a great variety of programs for kids of all ages throughout the year and adds their extremely popular nature camps during the summer. Check the museum website or call 522-3120 for additional information.
by Cheryl Fallstead, President
Foundation for Las Cruces Museums
