Phoenix Cool Spot - Tempe Historical Museum

Usually I feature a Phoenix cool spot on Fridays, but today I am varying from the pattern because I don't want you to miss the first program in this series -- it is this coming Wednesday!

Families looking for a cool way to spend their summer Wednesdays are invited to to the Tempe Historical Museum for games, crafts, scavenger hunts, demonstrations, story times and/or music. These are free, fun and educational activities for children ages 3 through 12 years. They can attend any or all of the programs, but parents must accompany the kids. Here is the schedule for the 2008 summer series.

June 18, 2008 - Go Sun Devils

Learn about the research and programs that are going on at Arizona State University.

• Find out about the history of ASU.
• See the original Sparky costume and other ASU-related memorabilia.
• School of Earth and Space Exploration
• School of Life Science / Entomology-the study of insects
• Institute of Global Sustainability
• Archaeological Research Institute
• KAET Children's Programming
• Crafts, scavenger hunt, prize drawing

June 25, 2008 - Our Desert Home

Find out about the Southwest desert environment and ways to preserve it.

• City of Tempe Water Department with water conservation tips
• Arizona Game and Fish Department and Desert Cry Wildlife (animal rescue organization) with wildlife displays
• City of Tempe Household Products Collection Center showing how to protect the environment from hazardous materials
• Stories about desert creatures
• Sign-up for the Tempe History Detective program
• Crafts, scavenger hunt, prize drawing

July 2, 2008 - Patriot's Day

Honor America's independence.

• The history, proper handling and display of the American flag.
• Patriotic stories
• Write letters of thanks to city employees serving in the Armed Services
• Traditional Fourth of July games
• Crafts, scavenger hunt, prize drawing

July 9, 2008 - Got Culture?

Celebrate Tempe's diverse community.

• Musical and dance performances from various cultures
• Storytelling
• Musical Instrument Museum showing unique instruments from around the world
• Traditional crafts

July 16, 2008 - Building Tempe

Discover how Tempe has grown and changed over time.

• Learn about the new light rail system
• Rio Salado Operations Center
• Find out what it's like to be an architect
• See a computer "fly-by" of downtown Tempe
• Design your own building and help create a model town
• Sign-up for the Tempe History Detective program
• Crafts, games, scavenger hunt

July 23, 2008 - To Protect and Serve

Recognize the important jobs performed by our public safety officers.

• Maricopa County Sheriff's Office provides information on their "no-kill" animal shelter, M.A.S.H.
• Find out about the different aspects of the Tempe Police Department
• See the museum's exhibit, "Tempe Police: Their Own Story"
• Bring your camera for a photo on a real police motorcycle
• Sign-up for the Tempe History Detective program
• Crafts, scavenger hunt, drawing for prizes

The Tempe Historical Museum is located at 809 E. Southern Avenue, at the southwest corner of Rural Road and Southern Avenue in Tempe, Arizona. Reservations are not required. For more information, visit them online or call 480-350-5100.