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Overcast It’s a bug’s life
Children’s Museum has a blast with bugs
Kids got you going buggy during these dog days of summer? Buzz on down to the Long Island Children’s Museum on Tuesday, Aug. 25, for an afternoon devoted to those creatures that roam our planet during Bug Bonanza! This multi-sensory experience will bring those pesky pests out into the open to enthrall kids, and maybe even interest parents. LICM is teaming up with Lynbrook-based Arrow Exterminating, a leading pest control company in the area, to provide a perfect wrap up to the summer that could leave young visitors bug-eyed with excitement.
Bug Bonanza! continues the Museum’s tradition of offering visitors a fun-filled “close” to its summer schedule. “We want families to enjoy the last days of summer in fun and interesting ways,” said LICM Program Director Aimee Terzulli. Every year we try to have a big event at the end of the summer season. We have bug programs throughout the year that are very popular, so we decided to expand on that.”
“Bugs are a great subject to explore,” she added, “because of the mix of fascination and hesitation kids have toward insects. We’ve packed the program with lots of fun, combining science with the ‘gross factor’ that’s so appealing to kids.”
The museum will be crawling with bugs – both the real insects and human interpretations – as kids go bug crazy with a variety of bug-related crafts. “This should be fun for everyone,” said Terzulli.
Terzulli noted that many children pick up bug fears from adults. “We hope that Bug Bonanza! will squash those fears and let both children and adults gain a deeper understanding of the important role that insects play in the world. ”
“Arrow Exterminating has always championed education, as well as philanthropy at the community level,” explained Jackie Grabin, Co-President of Arrow. “We didn’t have to think twice about whether or not to sponsor LICM’s Bug Bonanza! and participate in the day’s event. LICM is a first-rate institution and we are proud and excited to partner with the museum to educate youngsters about the wonders of the insect world in this ingenious day of fun-filled activities.”
A range of “insect-ivities” will be offered throughout the afternoon that allows visitors to see, touch and even, taste – yes that’s taste bugs:
n Meet Arrow’s Bug Scientists (entomologists) Mike Deutsch and Bern Wendell and several of their “friends” – a tarantula, mantis, and Sylvia, a Madagascar hissing cockroach. Discover the amazing lives and natural history of insects, spiders and other creepy crawly creatures. Learn about bug anatomy and fascinating insects that help make up three-quarters of all animals on Earth. The entomologists will do question and answer sessions throughout the day at two “learning studios” where visitors can meet and touch live insects.
* Create fun insect crafts. How about building a bug? Kids can fashion a bug out of recycled materials and give the creature a name and habitat.
* Become a favorite bug. Guests can join the bug world by making themselves look like an insect.
* Compete in the Bug Juice Challenge. Challenge siblings and other LICM visitors to see who can drink the most from skinny straw like an insect would drink nectar.
* Enjoy bug tunes performed by Darlene Graham in the LICM Theater. Museum favorites Darlene Graham and Chris Peterson present a musical tribute to …. bugs! Sing and dance along with Darlene as she sings about all kinds of creepy, crawly creatures!.
* And, for the hungry, and adventurous, chow down at the Critter Café. Try some buggy delicacies. Sample candy coated ants, BBQ flavored worm snacks and bacon and cheese flavored crickets. (Bug Appétit!)
Bug Bonanza at LICM
Tuesday, Aug. 25, noon-4 p.m. $10 adults and children over 1 year old; $9 seniors; free for children under 1 year old. Additional fees for theater and special programs may apply. Museum Row, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or www.licm.org.
