Press

ALBANY, NY – “Life in the Winter” is the theme of the New York State Museum’s next

Family Fun Weekend, January 6-7.

The program, which is presented free of charge, takes place from 1- 4 p.m. both

days and will acquaint young people with the ways in which animals adapt and survive

in the coldest weather. Activities take place in Adirondack Hall, on the Museum’s first

floor.

Throughout the day, the Museum’s visitor services staff will engage children in an

interactive “Stay Warm’’ experience, using insulated mittens that help demonstrate ways

in which nature helps animals stay warm. They will use examples from Museum

collections to illustrate how mammals’ coats change to camouflage and protect them in a

snowy environment.

Participants can make and decorate a foam snowflake to hang in a window and also

make a pine cone bird feeder that is covered in lard and sprinkled with bird seed, which

they can hang on a tree at home. A 3:30 p.m.story time, both days, will feature tales

from winter.

A scavenger hunt and coloring activities will also be offered and children will get a

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Packet, filled with coloring sheets and puzzles, to take home.

From 2- 3 p.m. a “Winter Sky” show is scheduled in the inflatable Star Lab

Planetarium. The show, which will be located in the Carole F. Huxley Theater (formerly

known as the Museum Theater), is limited to 30 people, who must obtain a free ticket at

the information desk in the lobby. The Star Lab will display the stars and constellations

that are typically visible at this time of year.

Family Fun Weekends for 2007 are presented by Fidelis Care NY. The weekends

offer theme-based family activities on the first weekend of the month.

The New York State Museum, established in 1836, is a program of the New York

StateEducation Department. Located at the Empire State Plaza on Madison Avenue in

Albany, the Museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Thanksgiving and

Christmas. Admission is free and the Museum is fully accessible.

Further information about Museum programs and events can be obtained by calling

(518) 474-5877 or visiting the museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.

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