Richmond Virginia Kid Friendly Activites and Information
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Why We Love CMoR, Part II
0542 days
It took us several months, but we finally made it out to the new Children’s Museum in Short Pump this week. If you haven’t been, it is located right next to Whole Foods on the first floor of one of the many new buildings in the area. I didn’t notice any parking designated for the museum but we easily found a spot on the street nearby. It was already quite busy when we were arrived and the boys were anxious to get out of the stroller and explore. I am thankful that my new mother’s helper/babysitter, found on Sitter City, was along to help because as soon as we put them down they were off in different directions.
Unlike the downtown location, CMoR Short Pump is mostly just one long room filled with exhibits. There is a very small enclosed area for babies and young toddlers, but if your kids are able to climb they can easily get out, so be prepared to get some exercise following them around. We spent a good bit of time playing in the Dig Pit looking for buried treasure. I’m not quite sure what it was filled with but it was not sand and the boys did not like the way that it tasted. Lesson learned. There were lots of new things for them to explore, but their favorites seemed to be the veggie garden, the Merry Berry Bush and the Magic Beanstalk Climber. They really wanted to get in on the Water Play, but the tables were a bit too high for them to do more than reach over and get their hands wet. They also loved the large fish tank near the entrance. And don’t let me forget the Wild Safari Train in the middle of the room. It looked like fun and I assumed that they would love it. They seemed to until a loud lion’s roar scared them to tears. Maybe they are a little too young for the train and they were definitely exhausted at this point. All of the other kids really seemed to love it so we will have to give it another try. I know that my boys enjoyed the visit overall because we had to drag them out of there kicking and screaming. 
I was very pleased with our first visit to the Short Pump CMoR. It was very clean and the exhibits were fun. There were some things that we didn’t even get a chance to explore because we ran out of time, so we will definitely go back again soon. If you already have a membership like we do, you don’t have to pay extra to visit the new location. It’s well worth it if you visit either one as much as we do. Please visit their website and plan a trip soon. www.ChildrensMuseumOfRichmond.org
Children’s Museum of Richmond – Short Pump Grand Opening
0618 days
Children’s Museum of Richmond – Short Pump Grand Opening
To help celebrate this milestone on Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., CMoR is inviting museum guests to enjoy face painting, balloon giveaways and a variety of creative art projects.
Similar to the original location, CMoR – Short Pump will feature nine amazing exhibits focused on children’s literature classics like the Enchanted Castle, Pirates’ Cove, the Magic Bean Stalk Climber, Whale of a Tale Water Play and many more! This new location is great news for all central Virginia parents and caretakers.
The news release below covers more details about CMoR’s expansion plan, the Short Pump location and the festivities that will take place at BOTH locations on June 5!
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Children’s Museum of Richmond Announces
Grand Opening of Short Pump Location
Educational institution opens additional location to serve more children, make greater impact
May 27, 2010 – (Richmond, VA) – Aligned with its long-term growth strategy, the Children’s Museum of Richmond (CMoR) is pleased to announce the grand opening of its second location, the Children’s Museum of Richmond – Short Pump. On June 5, 2010, CMoR – Short Pump will open its doors to the public and join Whole Foods Market and several other well-known retailers in West Broad Village. The Children’s Museum of Richmond is the first children’s museum in the country to open a second location in order to serve a growing regional population and support future growth and stability for the organization.
“We’ve had another location on our radar for quite some time,” said Karen Coltrane, president and CEO. “When it comes to expanding, the Short Pump location made the most sense as it is ideally located in an ever- growing area and is more accessible to the western region of Richmond with close proximity to several major highways and thoroughfares.”
In the new 15,500 square foot space, the Children’s Museum of Richmond – Short Pump will offer the same distinct features the community has come to love over the years at the original location, the Children’s Museum of Richmond – Central. The Short Pump location will offer one of CMoR – Central’s most popular areas, the Art Studio, as well as other exhibits that encourage dramatic play, role playing and personal expression among children and their caretakers. These exhibits include the storybook-themed adventures that will take guests on a whimsical storybook experience themed around children’s literature classics like the Enchanted Castle, Pirates’ Cove, the Magic Bean Stalk Climber, Whale of a Tale Water Play and many more.
Each of these exhibits is designed to enhance the development of social skills, creative problem-solving and imaginative thinking.
New to the Children’s Museum of Richmond – Short Pump is Stay and Play, a service for museum members that allows parents and caregivers to drop off their children Monday through Friday at designated times so children can experience educational fun while parents and caregivers can enjoy their free time.
“At CMoR, our goal is to make learning a fun, creative and collaborative experience for children – and we’re delighted to open an additional facility to make that dream a reality for families across the region,” said Coltrane.
On Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Children’s Museum of Richmond will celebrate the grand opening of the second location at both the Short Pump and Central museums with special activities that are free of charge with museum admission. CMoR – Short Pump guest will enjoy face painting, balloon giveaways and a variety of creative art projects, while CMoR – Central will celebrate with two performances by a local children’s band – The Diggity Dudes (performances at 11am & 1pm), face painting and balloon giveaways.
General MUSEUM Information
The Children’s Museum of Richmond – Central is located at 2626 W. Broad St. in Richmond. Regular operating hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Children’s Museum-Central is also open to the public on Mondays from Memorial Day through Labor Day and on major school holidays.
The Children’s Museum of Richmond – Short Pump will be located at 2200 Old Brick Rd. in West Broad Village in Glen Allen. This location will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is free for Children’s Museum members and children under one year of age. Admission for all others is $8. Annual family memberships start at $125 and may be used for admission at both locations. For more information, please call (804) 474-7000 or visit our web site at www.ChildrensMuseumofRichmond.org.
