KEY Milwaukee - Feature Story

Enjoy ‘paws-on’ play now through May 29
at Milwaukee’s Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

CLIFFORD™, America’s beloved big red dog, is calling Milwaukee’s Betty Brinn Children’s Museum his home through May 29. With the support of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, the nationally known museum at 929 E. Wisconsin Ave. is hosting Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog, a hands-on exhibit that is sure to delight all family members.

“Northwestern Mutual Foundation has been proud to partner with Betty Brinn Children’s Museum on a number of special exhibits, including the current Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog,” commented Lynn Heimbruch, Grants Manager for the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “Our Foundation’s focus on education supports the mission of the museum to promote early brain development through hands-on learning experiences. We hope all who attend enjoy this terrific event!”

Inspired by Scholastic Entertainment’s top-rated television show, Clifford The Big Red Dog™ on PBS KIDS©, the exhibit offers numerous immersive, “paws-on” adventures that reinforce “Clifford’s Big Ideas” – ten simple tangible life lessons designed to help young children navigate their world: share, play fair, have respect, work together, be responsible, be truthful, be kind, believe in yourself, be a good friend and help others.

Here is a glimpse of the adventures in store at this popular touring exhibit:

A nine-foot Clifford greets visitors in his backyard outside his doghouse. Children can take a seat next to Emily Elizabeth ™ on Clifford’s giant paws or slide down his tail. Then, kids can “Be Responsible” by helping fill Clifford’s giant dog bowl using a special conveyor belt.
“T-Bone” welcomes children and adults to a bone-shaped “beach” where kids can hunt for buried treasures. Kids can follow Clifford’s Big Ideas and “Play Fair” by taking turns hunting for seashells.
“Mac” invites visitors to take the stage with Clifford and pals. Children can dress as Cleo, T-Bone or Clifford and perform for family and friends in the audience using a variety of instruments.
Say “hello!” to “Samuel” and his son “Charlie,” pull up a stool at Samuel’s Fish and Chips Shack on the pier and place your order. Kids can “Work Together” in this pretend restaurant by cooking, cleaning, serving, and even totaling the bill at the cash register.
Pick, sort and replant flowers in the Howard family’s flower box. Children can “Be a Good Friend” to Emily Elizabeth and Clifford by using lawn tools, watering cans and a lawn mower to spiff-up the back yard.
Children can join “Mr. Carson” at the Birdwell Island Post Office, and help sort letters and deliver mail and pictures to the Birdwell Island resident’s mailboxes.
Designed especially for tots, this soft floor and wall enclosure encourages toddlers to crawl through a tunnel or play a shape-sorting activity at Cleo’s doghouse. Young children will enjoy seeing their reflection in a mirror, turning a crank to make Clifford go in and out of his doghouse and spinning tumblers to match Birdwell Island characters to their homes.
“Jetta” invites visitors to explore the Norman Bridwell Art Retrospective and view clips from an interview with the author and artist. Children and adults can browse artwork and get an inside look at Clifford’s character and story development during the past 40 years. Then, families can take a break from all the action, browse bookshelves filled with Clifford stories and enjoy a book together in the reading area.

Watch Clifford The Big Red Dog™ on Milwaukee Public Television, Monday through Friday, at 12:30 p.m.

February Events & Programs

Clifford™ Workshops - Join us in celebrating the Adventures of Clifford The Big Red Dog exhibit! Enjoy activities, games and stories all about Clifford and his friends. Learn about “Clifford’s 10 Big Ideas” such as Play Fair, Share, Work Together, and Believe In Yourself. Workshops will be held February 4 & 18, March 4 & 18 at 2 p.m.

Pet Suitcase - Join us February 11 & 25; March 11 & 25 at 2 p.m. Learn important pet care tips and educate young people to think about their pet’s needs. Delight and educate young animal lovers in this interactive workshop presented by the Wisconsin Humane Society.

Kemps Valentine Ice Cream Social presented by Jewel-Osco - Build your own sundae and more at this Valentine’s event on February 12, 2005. Kids can play games and receive prizes at Sweet Stops located throughout the Museum, sponsored by Kemps and Orv’s Pizza. This event is free with regular admission and runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Little Sweetheart Dinner Dance - Get dressed in your party best for a night out with your littlest Valentines on February 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy a tasty dinner, then dance the night away to music the whole family will love. Meet loveable Clifford and enjoy crafts, games and karaoke. Each family attending will receive a professional family photo and goody bag. Tickets for Museum members are $40 per adult and $20 per child; tickets for non-members are $45 per adult and $25 per child. Children younger than 1 are free. Reserved tables for ten guests are available for $500. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (414) 390-KIDS (5437), ext. 239.

Wise Eyes To The World - Join us February 16 at 2 p.m. Celebrate Black History Month by playing musical instruments, trying activities from around the world and creating a special craft.

Kindermusik - Join us February 18 and March 11 at 10 a.m. Help your
toddler explore the world through stories, songs, dance and music. Please
pre-register at the Information Desk the day of the workshop. Space is limited. Ages 18 months to 3 years.

The Mighty Mezzo For Kids! presented by the Florentine Opera - Join us February 19 at 1 p.m. Fun for adults and kids alike, the Florentine Opera presents “The Mighty Mezzo for Kids.” Singing snippets of opera favorites, children can clap, sing, conduct, and play along with these opera professionals. Try this 30-minute introduction to a classic art form.

Jewel-Osco Neighborhood Night - On the 3rd Thursday of each month, the Museum will be open from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. with free admission for everyone, courtesy of Jewel-Osco. Free parenting workshops begin at 6 p.m.

Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog was created by Minnesota Children’s Museum together with Scholastic Entertainment. © 2005 Scholastic Entertainment Inc. SCHOLASTIC and logos are trademarks of Scholastic Inc. CLIFFORD, EMILY ELIZABETH, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG and logos are trademarks of Norman Bridwell. All rights reserved. The PBS KIDS logo and wordmark are registered trademarks of the Public Broadcasting Service © 2005. All rights reserved.

KEY Milwaukee is distributed monthly in hotels, motels, visitor's centers, corporations and retail stores in Southeastern Wisconsin and on the Internet at www.keymilwaukee.com. It is a KEY Magazine, licensed by KEY Magazines, Inc.

KEY Milwaukee makes every effort to maintain the accuracy of the information provided in the monthly magazine and website, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes and omissions.

This site designed, maintained and hosted for KEY Milwaukee by

...when it's time to establish an Internet presence.