Donning little hard hats and construction vests, children ages 2-7 will be able to create, play and learn with Little Builders. They can hand-operate a pulley and conveyer belt to explore cause and effect, turn the wheels of a crane to hook, lift and move objects and materials, or build with Duplo® blocks and gears.

"The nature of the Little Builders exhibition really allows creativity to flourish," museum Deputy Director Tifferney White said. "Children are encouraged to use the activities in their own ways. That personalized learning experience is why this exhibition is such a perfect fit at Lied Discovery Children's Museum."

Little Builders will be on display January 30 through May 9. The museum's renovated Donor Gallery is located just inside the new private museum entrance, west of the cone in the front of the building.

Lied Discovery Children's Museum is located at 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North in downtown Las Vegas and features over 100 interactive exhibits based on science, art and culture. For more information, call (702) 382-3445.

The results: Attendance for the museum's fiscal year (July '08 through June '09) reached 106,668, an increase of 23 percent over the previous year. The museum experienced greater success as 2009 stretched on, including record-breaking visitation during Spring Break and the summer months. Since April, attendance has improved over last year by an incredible 50 percent.

"We are celebrating another exceptional year due to a wide range of improvements that have allowed us to better serve the community," Executive Director Linda Quinn said. "Our new programs and exhibits are part of a very thoughtful plan, our strategy to continue to pursue our mission. We are so happy to see that planning blossom into positive results."

Programming extended beyond the museum's doors in 2009. Torn From Home: My Life as a Refugee, a ground-breaking human rights exhibition created by Lied Discovery Children's Museum in 2008, began its North American tour in the spring. In the fall, the museum fortified its local education connection with the launch of House Calls, a health science outreach program that takes unique curriculum straight to Southern Nevada classrooms.

The museum was recognized for excellence in 2009. Once again, Las Vegas Review-Journal readers selected Lied Discovery Children's Museum as Best Museum in the newspaper's annual Best of Las Vegas awards. Nickelodeon's Parents Connect website honored the museum in the Parents' Picks Awards, and Las Vegas Weekly named it Best Place to Take the Kids in the Vegas' Best issue. The museum was a finalist in the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Biz E Awards.

The times may be tough. But armed with enhanced facilities and programs, staff and board members are confident the generosity of museum supporters will continue, paving the way for more progress.

"We have come a long way and we are very grateful to the many individuals and organizations who have supported our efforts to return this institution to greatness," Board of Trustees President Judy Cebulko said. "It is in honor of those that founded it so many years ago that we proudly steward this effort. It is so exciting to see our dream for the children and families in our community become a reality, especially in light of such difficult times, and we are striving to provide them with a fun, educational way to spend quality time together when they need it most."

In 2010, Lied Discovery Children's Museum will celebrate 20 years of educating and inspiring Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.ldcm.org.

The evening opened with a lively silent auction and specialty cocktails including "prohibition punch" and "bathtub gin martinis," compliments of Southern Wine & Spirits. Sirens signaled a "raid" and beautifully costumed guests moved into the "speakeasy" ballroom for dinner, entertainment and "all that jazz." Gary Waddell and Paula Francis of KLAS-TV Channel 8 emceed the event. Fantasy Gala 2009 also recognized the Epicurean Charitable Foundation as the recipient of the Great Friend to Kids Award, with Rino Armeni and Jay Bluhm accepting.

Among the distinguished guests at Fantasy Gala 2009: Dr. Joe & Joan Lapan, Linda & Tony Bonnici, Denise and Tim Cashman, Phil & Maureen Peckman, Dena duBoef and Dr. Jeffrey Roth, Cathy and Chris Haase, Joan and Jim Hammer, Judi and Bruce Hendricks, John Klai and Jon Sparer, Judy and Jim Kropid, Dana and Greg Lee, Adela and George Smith, Dee and Don Snyder, Laurie Travis, Joyce and Steve Schneider, John Ritter and Hilary Westrom, Leslie and Tom DeVore, Ed & Judy Cebulko, Richard and Carol Lassiter, Terri and Rollie Sturm, and Sandy and Steve Hardie.

In addition to Fantasy Gala committee co-chairs Judy Cebulko and Carrie Henderson and the All That Jazz Committee, Lied Discovery Children's Museum extends a special thanks to BEST Agency, Caesars Palace, KLAS-TV Channel 8, Ferguson, Harbor Lights, the Joey Doucette Dancers, Asbjorn Lonvig, LTeventions, Sandy Peltyn, R&R Partners, Southern Wine & Spirits, and the many volunteers that made the event a great success.

Dia de los Muertos, or "Day of the Dead," has been celebrated for thousands of years. Today it is celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 in conjunction with the Catholic holiday of All Saints Day in Mexico and by Latinos in the United States with gatherings and reunions of friends and family to remember and pray for loved ones who have died. Traditional activities include preparing grave sites and altars (ofrendas) with colorful cloth, streamers, candles, flowers and photographs and making pan de muertos ("bread of the dead"), skull-shaped sweets and papier-mâché skeletons.

The museum's Dias de los Muertos celebration will last for nearly a month, featuring special workshops, an exhibition of ofrendas, and arts and crafts activities. The holiday is traditionally a private family remembrance with public aspects at a broader community level, and the museum is proud to continue to serve as a "community living room" where individuals can observe, learn and participate in these rich traditions.

Dias de los Muertos at Lied Discovery Children's Museum is sponsored by Nevada Humanities, one of 56 state and territorial humanities councils affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more information, visit www.nevadahumanities.org.

The program, subsidized for CCSD students for its pilot year in 2009-2010, offers hands-on health science curriculum, delivered directly to local classrooms by a professional museum educator. House Calls offers specialized programming for each grade level, kindergarten through fifth grade, and the museum is taking reservations.

The creation of House Calls was possible due to a generous gift from Dr. Joe and Joan Lapan, longtime museum supporters. Dr. Lapan's tremendous contributions to the Las Vegas pediatric medical community also inspired the name and theme of the program. Dr. Lapan, now retired, formerly served as chief of pediatrics at Nellis Air Force Base Hospital and the Lapan Foundation has supported the Nevada Special Children's Clinic, Easter Seals, St. Jude's Ranch and other organizations.

Local media will get a chance to see House Calls in action from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, when the program will visit Wilhelm Elementary School, 609 West Alexander Road in North Las Vegas. Lied Discovery Children's Museum staff and Dr. Joe and Joan Lapan are scheduled to attend to provide additional information about the development of House Calls.

For more information, visit www.ldcm.org or call (702) 382-3445.

For more information, visit www.ldcm.org or call (702) 382‐3445.

Grossology is a collaboration between Science World, Advanced Exhibits and Sylvia Branzei, a teacher, microbiologist and author of the best-selling children's book of the same name. The exhibition uses creative animatronics and interactives to teach about runny noses, body odor and other unmentionables. Visitors will be able to learn how your nose acts as an air filter and mucus producer, mimic the buildup of acid indigestion at a burp machine, and climb on large replica of human skin.

As the museum's summer spotlight, Grossology takes the place of the highly successful Adventures With Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibition and becomes the third science-based addition to the facility in 2009. The Green Village and It's Your Choice core exhibitions were added earlier this year.

"Lied Discovery Children's Museum is a center for science in the Las Vegas Valley," executive director Linda Quinn said. "Grossology makes science fun for children and families, which is why it's a perfect fit. We are fortunate the support of the community continues to enable the museum to bring bigger and better science exhibits and educational opportunities to our members and visitors."

Grossology is locally sponsored by Cox Media.

Lied Discovery Children's Museum is located at 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North in downtown Las Vegas and features over 100 interactive exhibits in the arts, sciences and humanities for children and families. For more information, visit www.ldcm.org or call (702) 382-3445.

The annual celebration of culture, dance and food will begin with a buffet sampling of authentic Thai cuisine at 11 a.m. The museum's performing arts stage will host the Thai Cultural Arts Association's youth dancers in traditional performance at 1 p.m., and a craft activity for kids will be held at 2 p.m. The museum also will host cultural displays throughout May, Asian Pacific Heritage Month, in conjunction with the festival.

Thai Festival activities are included in the cost of regular museum admission: $8 for adults, $7 for children and free for children under one year old.

The Thai Cultural Arts Association of Las Vegas was founded in 1993 by Supatra Chemprachum, a Las Vegas resident since 1986. She learned folk and classical Thai dances from her mother, a well‐known performer in Bangkok, and created the TCAA to preserve and promote Thai traditions in Las Vegas. TCAA members include adult and youth dancers who practice and perform regularly, maintaining changes in costuming and music and explaining the significance of the stories and drama embedded in their dances.

Lied Discovery Childrenʹs Museum is located at 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North in downtown Las Vegas and features 22,000 square feet of exhibits in the arts, sciences and humanities. For more information, visit www.ldcm.org or call (702) 382‐3445.

About the Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas

Founded in May 2001, the Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas is comprised of more than 40 top food and beverage executives who are dedicated to making a difference in the hospitality industry and the community through support of the local education system and hospitality and culinary related organizations, charities and associations. The Foundation's primary charitable endeavor is the establishment of annual scholarship awards for local students seeking careers in the hospitality industry. The Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas can be reached at (702) 932-5098 or by visiting www.ECFLV.org.

The groundbreaking human rights exhibition Torn From Home: My Life as a Refugee, created in Las Vegas by Lied Discovery Children's Museum and sponsored by Pamela and Pierre Omidyar, will open its North American tour on March 7, 2009 at the Don Harrington Discovery Center in Amarillo, Texas.

Designed to educate children ages 8‐12 what it means to be a refugee, Torn From Home provides visitors an opportunity to learn about and discuss the challenges faced by families all over the world. After making its debut last year at Lied Discovery Children's Museum, the 1,500‐square‐foot exhibition will be in Texas through May 17 before moving on to the InfoZone News Museum in Pueblo, Colo., from May 30 to September 6.

"This tour is an incredible opportunity for the museum, which is so proud to have helped create Torn From Home and fashion such important subject matter into an age‐appropriate exhibition," said Linda Quinn, Lied Discovery Children's Museum Executive Director. "But the greater accomplishment is raising awareness about the plight of young refugees all over the world, and allowing children to relate to their experiences."

In an official letter read at the June 14, 2008 opening of the exhibition, U.S. Sen. Harry Reid congratulated the museum on the exhibition: "Through this exhibit, children can begin to understand how devastating natural and political disasters can be to people, and why we must endeavor to help as many people as we can."

For more information, visit www.tornfromhome.com. For more information on Lied Discovery Children's Museum, visit www.ldcm.org or call (702) 382‐3445.

Lied Discovery Children’s Museum is going green.

One of the museum’s most popular, longstanding exhibits, the Everyday Living Pavilion, is getting a $335,000 renovation,  transforming it into the Green Village exhibition. The new permanent first-floor facility, a mini-city with an environmentally friendly focus, includes a State Capitol, NV Energy office, airport terminal, car care center, plumbing exhibit, Bank of America and Smith’s grocery store.

Through hands-on, interactive displays, the Green Village offers young visitors a fun way to explore jobs and responsibility with the added bonus of green living tips and a lesson in sustainability every step of the way.

The Green Village is sponsored by the Lied Foundation Trust, NV Energy, The Fireman’s Fund Heritage Program, The Ritter Charitable Trust, Richard Worthington, James Manning, Bank of America and Smith’s Food and Drug Stores.

The installation of the Green Village is a big step in a year of change for Lied Discovery Children’s Museum. Components of the Everyday Living Pavilion, where kids learn about earning a paycheck and budgeting money, have been on display in the museum since its opening in 1990. In March, when It’s Your Choice, a nutrition exhibit, makes its debut on the second floor, over two-thirds of original exhibit space will have been replaced.

Besides being partially constructed from recycled materials, the Green Village offers an environmental education in a fun format. The entrance features a wind energy display. The NV Energy center focuses on solar energy, allowing kids to use reflected light as a power source. The plumbing store offers a lesson in water conservation through the use of a low-flush toilet and tankless water heater, while the State Capitol features video greetings from Nevada officials and facts about state government and symbols. 

Lied Discovery Children's Museum is located at 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North in downtown Las Vegas and features 22,000 square feet of exhibits in the arts, sciences and humanities. For more information, visit www.ldcm.org or call (702) 382-3445.

Long known for its high-spirited energy and lively entertainment, the Fantasy gala has been a fund-raising staple for the museum since 1982. On this 26th Anniversary of the event, Lied Discovery Children's Museum paraded a smaller carbon footprint with Fantasy 2008: A Green Gala on Saturday, October 4th in the elegant Grand Ballroom at MGM MIRAGE Hotel & Casino. The Museum honored NV Energy with its 2008 Great Friend to Kids Award, which was accepted by Michael Yackira, President & CEO.

Approximately 500 guests were present at Fantasy 2008: A Green Gala. This event netted $86,000 in support of the museum and its services to families and children. And, in a great swell of generosity by its guests, Lied Discovery Children's Museum was able to raise $27,000 in support of its YouthWorks program! This program is designed to encourage low income teenagers to graduate from high school and consistently reports 100% graduation rate. Lied Discovery Children's Museum is nationally recognized for its programs and exhibits in the arts, sciences and humanities. 2008 marks the museum's 16th year winning Las Vegas Review-Journal's "Best of Las Vegas" award!

Located in the heart of downtown, Lied Discovery Children's Museum is a private non-profit organization designed to provide vibrant and engaging experiences that ignite a love of lifelong learning for children and their families in the arts, sciences and humanities. Since 1990, the Children's Museum has been offering interactive learning adventures through hands-on exhibitions, multicultural performances, and creative art and science workshops.

Lied Discovery Children's Museum is located at 833 Las Vegas Boulevard North, Las Vegas, NV 89101 and is open Tuesday - Friday 9am-4pm, Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday Noon-5pm. Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for children 1 through 17 years of age, seniors and military families. Children under one are free. For more information call (702) 382-KIDS or visit the Museum website: www.ldcm.org.

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Month-long Festivities with Arts, Crafts and much more! 

Las Vegas (September 30, 2008) -- Starting October 11th through November 7th, Lied Discovery Children’s Museum will create and exhibit several ofrendas (altars) as part of its participation in the festivities of Los Días de los Muertos, or the Days of the Dead.  A little somber?  Not at all!   Each weekend during October 11^th through November 7th, we will be celebrating this event with many arts and crafts projects and much more!

Los Días de los Muertos offers an annual opportunity for families to recollect and celebrate the memories of relatives and friends through weeks of special preparations.  For this special reunion, family and friends prepare gravesites and altars (ofrendas) with colorful cloths, streamers, candles, flowers, photographs, richly decorated pan de muertos (bread of the dead), skull-shaped sugar-sweets, and paper mâché skeletons.

“This holiday is traditionally a private family remembrance with public aspects at a broader community level, and our Museum is proud to be the “community living room” for which individuals and families can come, observe, learn and participate in these rich traditions,” said the Director of Education and Programs, Tifferney White.

 Located in the heart of downtown, Lied Discovery Children's Museum is a private non-profit organization designed to provide vibrant and engaging experiences that ignite a love of lifelong learning for children and their families in the arts, sciences and humanities.  Imagine a place where you can step into a hurricane, make a bubble as tall as yourself, participate in a chemistry show, dress up and take part in a stage play – all in one afternoon!  Since 1990, Lied Discovery Children’s Museum has been offering interactive learning adventures through hands-on exhibitions, multicultural performances, and creative art and science workshops.  

Lied Discovery Children’s Museum is located at 833 Las Vegas Boulevard North, and is open Tue.- Fri. from 9 am to 4 pm, Sat. 10 am to 5 pm and Sun. Noon – 5 pm.  Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for children ages 1 through 17, seniors and military families.  Children under one are free.  For more information call (702) 382-KIDS(5437) or visit the Museum website: www.ldcm.org.

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Long known for its high-spirited energy and lively entertainment, the Fantasy gala has been a fund-raising staple for the museum since 1982. On this 26th Anniversary of the event, Lied Discovery Children’s Museum will be parading a smaller carbon footprint with Fantasy 2008: A Green Gala on Saturday, October 4th at 6:30 pm in the elegant Grand Ballroom at The Mirage. The Museum is honoring Sierra Pacific Resources with its Great Friend to Kids Award, which will be presented to Michael Yackira, President and CEO of Sierra Pacific Resources.

Over 500 guests are expected to attend the event, which opens with a silent auction of unique items generously donated by Vegas entertainers, local businesses and national artists. This, along with eclectic entertainment, the ever popular Live Auction, and back by popular demand, The Baby Booty Paddle Raffle, Fantasy 2008: A Green Gala is not to be missed!

"Ever since 1982 Lied Discovery Children's Museum has sponsored "The Fantasy Gala" as its major fundraiser. Our Gala is different because we raise money for programs and exhibits, but we also have fun. The entire Board of Trustees put their heart and soul into making it a success." - Judy Kropid, Fantasy Gala Co-chair and Board Secretary. Fantasy 2008 Master of Ceremonies, Gary Waddell states, "The thing I like the best about the Lied Children's Museum is that, unlike other museums, this one says 'touch'. The kids get a real hands-on learning experience they'll always remember."

Funds raised at the gala are used to support the museum’s general operations. Lied Discovery Children’s Museum is nationally recognized for its programs and exhibits in the arts, sciences and humanities. 2008 also marks the museum’s 16th consecutive year winning Las Vegas Review-Journal’s "Best of Las Vegas" award!

Visitors will gain real-life experience of refugee children around the globe

LAS VEGAS — A traveling exhibit lifting up the plight of the world’s refugees. The exhibit will offer an inspiring learning experience for school-age children and people of all ages on human rights and the lives of millions of refugee children who have been uprooted from their homes in various regions throughout the world. This exhibit was developed by Lied Discovery Children’s Museum and the exhibition’s national launch will begin in Las Vegas, Nevada. The exhibit opens Saturday, June 14th, at Lied Discovery Children’s Museum and will be exhibited through December, 2008.

This hands-on exhibit, “Torn from Home: My Life as a Refugee,” will give children an opportunity to gain a real-life experience of approximately 9 million displaced children in the world. It features six exhibit areas: Home, Losing Home, Registration, Refugee Camp, Medical Clinic and Going Home.

The Home exhibit features representative homes of children before they became refugees from countries such as Congo, Columbia, and Afghanistan. The Losing Home exhibit includes interactive video units and a display case addressing the questions: What is a refugee? Where are we going? What will happen to me and my family? What can we take with us? A large world map will highlight refugee crises in sheer numbers and showcases a gallery of portraits, artwork, and written words by refugee children.

The Registration exhibit offers an immersive look into the registration and food distribution process in a refugee camp. Visitors will be invited to identify with a real refugee by donning a registration bracelet and assuming the role of a refugee via an ID card. The Refugee Camp exhibit explores how individual families live within a camp and looks at how basic needs of shelter, water, bathrooms, hygiene are addressed in a camp. Visitors will be challenged to build their own shelter using few materials.

Visitors will also gain insight into the dangerous health conditions experienced by many refugees in the Medical Clinic exhibit. Children will see firsthand the great challenges faced by refugee children in accessing health care services, and will be able to compare their weight and height to refugee children.

Since education is of critical importance to all children, particularly refugee children, the School exhibit will feature an earthen school setting reflecting the limited resources available within a refugee camp. An interactive maze will help visitors understand the difficulties faced by many refugee children in attending school.

In the Going Home exhibit, visitors will learn about what happens to refugees after they leave the refugee camp, including repatriation, resettlement, and other outcomes. An interactive video kiosk will encourage visitors to share their reflections about the exhibit. A resource center will allow visitors to learn more about aid organizations working with displaced populations.

The exhibit opens in Las Vegas on June 14, 2008, and will then travel to other children’s museum around the United States. This exhibit is sponsored by Pamela and Pierre Omidyar.

Located in the heart of downtown, Lied Discovery Children's Museum is a private non-profit organization designed to provide vibrant and engaging experiences that ignite a love of lifelong learning for children and their families in the arts, sciences and humanities. Imagine a place where you can step into a hurricane, make a bubble as tall as yourself, participate in a chemistry show, dress up and take part in a stage play – all in one afternoon! Since 1990, Lied Discovery Children’s Museum has been offering interactive learning adventures through hands-on exhibitions, multicultural performances, and creative art and science workshops.

Lied Discovery Children’s Museum is located at 833 Las Vegas Boulevard North, and is open Tue. - Fri. from 9 am to 4 pm, Sat. 10 am to 5 pm and Sun. Noon – 5 pm. Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for children ages 1 through 17, seniors and military families. Children under one are free. For more information call (702) 382-KIDS(5437) or visit the Museum website: www.ldcm.org.

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Follow Alice, the White Rabbit and their Wonderland friends to the Main Stage of Fashion Show Mall where you’ll experience lavish tables bursting with magical color and delicious teas and accompaniments.  This magical event will feature a children’s fashion show comprised of outfits generously donated by Macy’s, a tea party and entertainment by Alice and her Wonderland friends… Plus an electrifying raffle of unique items for children of all ages! 

All proceeds from the Mad Hatter Tea Party & Fashion Show will go to Lied Discovery Children’s Museum’s programs and operations.  Lied Discovery Children’s Museum is Southern Nevada’s only children’s museum, serving over two-million residents and visitors.   As such, the children’s museum provides invaluable educational services to the community in the arts, sciences and humanities. 

Tickets and tables are available as well as modeling opportunities.  Please contact Helen Boyack, Community Affairs Director (702-382-3445 ext. 116) for additional information.

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Located in the heart of downtown, Lied Discovery Children’s Museum is a private non-profit organization designed to provide vibrant and engaging experiences that ignite a love of lifelong learning for children and their families in the arts, sciences and humanities.  Imagine a place where you can generate your own electricity, make a bubble as tall as yourself, make your own ice cream, dress up and take part in a stage play – all in one afternoon.  Since 1990, the Children’s Museum has been offering interactive learning adventures through hands-on exhibitions, multicultural performances, and creative art and science workshop. 

Lied Discovery Children’s Museum is located at 833 Las Vegas Boulevard North, and is open Tuesday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m.  Summer hours are:  Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday Noon – 5:00 p.m. from June 1^st through Labor Day.  Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for children ages 1 through 17, seniors and military families.  Children under one are free.  For more information, call (702) 382-KIDS (5437) for daily information on scheduled activities, or visit the museum Website: www.ldcm.org.

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