Children's Museum announces membership drive

New Carson City Assessor Dave Dawley and his family signed up to become members of the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada Thursday afternoon as part of the museum's effort to double its membership.

Dawley and his wife, Kim, brought their children, Spencer, 4, and twins Taylor and Trevor, 2, to the museum where they played on the giant walk-on piano and watched the train do laps in the model layout.

Children's Museum staff said they hope their membership drive will raise funds for more exhibits, activities and crafts for visitors.

"We want to grow and develop and give people what they want which is more exhibits," said the museum's executive director Denise Sins, who worked at the State Museum for 10 years.

Already in the works are plans to bring a mobile-engineering unit from the University of Nevada, Reno, for a hands-on science day, an ongoing computer lab and new exhibits on magnets, blocks and puzzles.

A traveling exhibit called "Light and Color" is scheduled for a visit later in the year.

The Children's Museum, the only museum for youngsters in Northern Nevada, already offers a range of fun activities for young people and their parents or care-givers, including the "musical hands" instrument where children can conduct a symphony playing Beethoven by waving their hands in the air with the help of motion sensors.

Other popular exhibits include the model emergency room, the warped mirrors, the shadow box, toddler area and the Smith's Grocery Store.

The Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, 813 N. Carson St., is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Call 884-2226.