Recently, a few Connecticut moms from The Local Moms Network visited Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk with our kids, and it was a super fun morning, catching up while experiencing all that is new at this local gem. Although it was closed to the public during the pandemic, the museum continued offering its ELLI preschool classrooms and camps across Fairfield County, and providing high quality virtual learning content through its new Stepping Stones Studio. The museum re-opened in a limited capacity this Summer, and is planning a big Fall re-opening, with updated facilities and programming! Here’s what we learned about that re-opening—as well as some opportunities to experience Stepping Stones right now through the end of Summer.
Birthday Parties are Back On!
The museum recently completed a total renovation of its Celebration Courtyard, a huge open air space with soft (read: toddler-friendly!) flooring and tented areas. On Saturdays and Sundays, Stepping Stones can host groups up to 35, for a 2-hour gathering in the Celebration Courtyard and Energy Lab exhibit. If you’ve ever been to Stepping Stones, you’ll remember the Energy lab—it’s the amazing, interactive water exhibit at the front of the museum. In addition to access to the facilities, the friendly staff at the museum will set up games, music and other activities, as well as serve yummy party food and cake. Learn more (including pricing), here: https://www.steppingstonesmuseum.org/families/museum-birthday-parties/
Sunny Days at Stepping Stones Just Got Sunnier!
As part of the Governor’s CT Summer at the Museum initiative, Stepping Stones just expanded its summer programming so more children and families can enjoy the experience!
Starting July 16 and ending August 30, the museum will host Free Play at Stepping Stones, an outdoor play experience for the public from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with 30-minute blocks of time in Energy Lab for groups of people to safely enjoy the experience. Pop-up programming will be available at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, facilitated by members of the museum’s wonderful STEAM Team for those who want more structured playtime, and food and water will be available for purchase. Members-only mornings continue every Wednesday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
If you had a Stepping Stones membership during the shutdown; they will credit your account for those months! To learn more about membership, click here: https://www.steppingstonesmuseum.org/membership/
The museum is also hosting a handful of outdoor events every week, like a Bubble Show (July 16) and Friday movie nights. The next available event is the August 6 showing of “Mary Poppins Returns.” Other summer events include trivia nights and an Olympics celebration (August 12). Click here for more specifics: https://www.steppingstonesmuseum.org/visit/resources/calendar/
Courtesy: Stamford Moms
There’s Still Time to Register for August Camps!
Paleontology Camp is a virtual program running August 16 to 20, daily from 9 am to 12 pm. Kids can dig for fossils, discover a dinosaur nest, learn about evolution, habitats and more. All registrants received a take-home kit, including a daily dig for fossils, a Pangea puzzle and other enriching activities!
Stepping Stones will Fully Re-Open This November
Stay tuned for more information about the November 2021 re-opening, with new exhibits and programming, renovated museum spaces, COVID protocols and more.
This story is sponsored by Stepping Stones.