As the leaves turn and fall begins its annual attempt to blanket the world in pumpkin spice, the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg is rolling out a lineup of events and programs that’ll make your autumn season sparkle with excitement!
Educational Programs That Are Cooler Than a Crisp Fall Breeze
- Little Learners (Ages 3-6)
Little Learners returns on September 11th with an exciting program celebrating First Responders and will run Wednesdays through May.
Remember when your biggest concern was making sure your kid didn’t eat crayons? Well, those days are gone, but the fun hasn’t stopped! Little Learners is back with hands-on activities designed to make the most of your little one’s boundless curiosity. Think of it as a fun-filled adventure for the under-six crowd where learning doesn’t involve any epic tantrums or mysterious stains—just giggles and “wow” moments!
Little Learners at Whitaker Center is an interactive STEAM program for three to six-year-olds filled with lots of fun and hands on activities! We will sharpen our science process skills as we experiment, read, explore, sing, and create! Learners will have time for structured weekly activities as well as time to explore our KidsPlace exhibit. Little Learners runs September to May, Wednesday mornings, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in our KidsPlace Area. Members $3 per child/Non-members $10 per child
Pre-registration for Little Learners is required and you can register HERE. - NEW!!! Tiny Tots: Adventures in STEAM (Ages 2 and under) (COMING SOON)
"Tiny Tots: Adventures in STEAM is a “Grown up and Me” Toddler program that encourages a child’s first science exploration. We will sing, read and explore our way through themed activities designed for interaction between the tots and their grown ups. There will be time at the beginning and end of the program to explore our KidsPlace exhibit as well."
Tiny Tots will run Tuesday Mornings starting in October from 9:30-10:30am in KidsPlace. Please note, the rest of the Science Center will not be available for exploration during this time. Members $3 per child/Non-members $10 per child and include one accompanying adult. All participants must enter the Center at our Third Street doors.
Grown-Ups must stay with their Tiny Tot at all times
Pre-registration is required, but we know life can change quickly with a tiny tot, so with that in mind, registration will stay open until our program’s start time. Link coming soon!
- Stay tuned for exciting announcements regarding the restructuring of several other Whitaker Center favorite programs coming in October!
Upcoming Events That’ll Make You Question Why You Ever Sat at Home
- Birthday Bash in the UPMC Science Center (FREE community event) on September 10 from 4 - 7 PM
Who needs a boring birthday party when you can have the ultimate Birthday Bash at the Whitaker Center? Expect a celebration packed with games, science experiments, and enough fun to make your kids believe they’ve just won the lottery of birthday parties. Cake is involved, obviously, because no bash is complete without a sugar rush!
🆓🎉🧬Birthday Bash in the UPMC Science Center @ Whitaker (Harrisburg)September 10, 2024 - Cupcakes with Little Learners - First Responders Program on September 11 from 9:30 - 11 AM
Cupcakes and education—two things that belong together like fall and apple cider. Join the Little Learners for a sweet session of cupcake decorating and playful learning. It’s a win-win: your child gets to express their inner artist, and you get to eat the results. It’s like a free pass to indulge while pretending it’s educational.
🧁🚒🧬Cupcakes with Little Learners (3-6y) @ Whitaker (Harrisburg)September 11, 2024 - 1999 Blockbuster Movie Day (FREE movie admission, registration required for entry) on September 12 ALL DAY in the Select Medical Digital Cinema
My Favorite Martian @ 11 AM, Inspector gadget @ 2 PM, Toy Story 2 @ 4 PM, Notting Hill @ 6:00 PM, The Mummy @ 8:15 PM
Dust off your old VHS tapes and relive the magic of 1999 with a day of blockbuster movies. From iconic films to unforgettable one-liners, this is your chance to introduce your kids to the cinematic gems of yesteryear—while you bask in the nostalgia and snack on popcorn like it’s a legitimate meal.
🍿1999 Blockbuster Movie Day - 25th Anniversary @ Whitaker (Harrisburg)September 12, 2024 - Mutts Gone Nuts
Prepare for a whirlwind of wagging tails and impressive tricks with Mutts Gone Nuts! This canine extravaganza promises a high-energy show featuring pups performing feats that’ll make you wonder if they’ve been secretly taking gymnastics classes. It’s the perfect opportunity to witness dogs showing off their star-studded talents.
🐶🎭Mutts Gone Nuts - Unleashed! @ Whitaker (Harrisburg)October 13, 2024 - Whitaker Center Block Party on September 13 from 5 - 9 PM (3rd Street will be blocked off from Walnut Street to Market Street)
Get ready to groove at the Block Party! This event promises to turn the Whitaker Center into the hottest dance floor in town. With music, activities, and a festive atmosphere, it's an opportunity to show off your best dance moves, socialize, and enjoy a fall evening that’s anything but ordinary.
Traveling Exhibit: The Animation Academy
If you’ve ever wondered what goes into making those magical animated films your kids adore, the Animation Academy is your chance to find out. This traveling exhibit is like an all-access pass behind the scenes of animation. From sketching to storyboarding, it’s an artistic journey that reveals the secrets of bringing characters to life. And don’t be surprised if you leave inspired to create your own animated masterpiece—or at least a really impressive stick figure. Visitors will create their own stop-motion animated shorts, learn about the art of storyboarding, go behind the scenes with artists and animators, and enjoy America's largest 3D zoetrope.
So, whether you’re diving into a science experiment, dancing at a block party, or indulging in cupcakes while your little one learns, the Whitaker Center is your fall destination for fun. Grab your calendar, mark these dates, and get ready to embrace the season with a big smile and maybe a sprinkle of glitter—because at the Whitaker Center, autumn is just a little bit more scientific!
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