The Super Mario Bros. Movie isn’t the only film on the 2023 Illumination roster. The animation studio’s next action-packed comedy is about a family of ducks, coming this holiday season.
If you’ve watched Despicable Me on loop, gotten swept up in the Minion madness alongside your tots, jammed along to the Sing soundtrack (in the car…alone), and semi-successfully dodged, what felt like, never-ending requests for a puppy after The Secret Life of Pets, then you’re an Illumination household.
And if you thought this powerhouse was going to lay low after the smashing success of their recent The Super Mario Bros. Movie, think again. The trailer for their new family feature film, Migration, just dropped, and let’s just say, we’re in for a full flight of roaring laughs, wholesome feels and stunning animation that’ll fill our hearts with wanderlust this holiday season.
Parents, get excited. We’re seeing another blockbuster hit on the horizon.
Everything We Know About the Migration Plot So Far
Our first impression is relief and joy that we’re still getting what we’ve come to expect and love from Illumination: jokes that moms and dads will enjoy, relatable characters (that may even make us question our own behavior), and an entertaining storyline that’s packed with valuable lessons—which stray from the signature patriarchal plot of a damsel in distress we grew up seeing as kids ourselves.
Migration follows the Mallards, a family of ducks who are eager to take flight and explore new horizons. There’s only thing in the way of mom Pam, teenage son Dax and duckling daughter Gwen from seeing the whole wide world: their overprotective father Mack.
For Mack, nothing could be better and safer than his flock paddling around their New England pond forever (helicopter parent vibes, am I right?). But once Pam catches wind that a local duck family traveled to far-flung places and had an epic journey, FOMO sets in. She convinces Mack into going on a family vacation they’ll never forget, like moms do so effortlessly.
From their New England home to New York City and then down south to tropical Jamaica, the Mallards experience all that comes with your typical family roadtrip, including mapped-out plans quickly going sideways, stepping out of your comfort zone, good ol’ family bonding, meeting new friends, and everything else in between.
Migration is Voiced by Actors You Know & Adore
Think you recognized anyone in the trailer?
The film is led by Oscar® and Emmy nominee Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick, Eternals) as the Mallards’ worry-wort dad Mack and Emmy nominee Elizabeth Banks (Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect franchises) as Pam, the bold and sharp matriarch.
Iconic Danny DeVito, the voice behind legendary animated characters that have defined most millennials’ childhoods, co-stars as Mack’s grumpy, unimpressed Uncle Dan. Don’t we all have one of those?
There’s no guesswork needed to pinpoint Awkwafina, whose recognizably deep, raspy octave is behind the scrappy leader of a New York City pigeon gang. The remaining cast includes the talent of Keegan-Michael Key who plays a homesick Jamaican parrot locked up in a Manhattan restaurant, and David Mitchell (Peep Show) as the yogic leader of a mysterious duck farm.
The Impressive Team Behind Migration
The White Lotus fans—and those of us who wanted to join a rock band after School of Rock—will be pleased to discover that Migration’s screenplay is written by renowned screenwriter Mike White. If that wasn’t enough to win us over, the film is also directed by Benjamin Renner who recently received an Oscar nomination for directing the critically-acclaimed French animated features Ernest & Celestine and The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales.
Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri rounds out the team as the movie’s producer, well-known for his creative role in the studio’s smash hits.
Mark your calendars now for a movie-going family date night when Migration hits theaters on December 22, 2023. Until then, we’ll join our kids in constantly chanting Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches.
Gone are the days when going to the museum with your kids meant hearing them complain about being bored for, what felt like, hours’ on end. Now, an afternoon trip or play date equates to watching (and joining!) your little learners as they happily explore fun exhibits and unique hands-on activities.
The San Francisco Bay Area fortunately has no shortage of science centers and children’s museums that can inspire your kids, no matter their age or interest.
“The San Francisco Bay Area has one of the highest concentrations of museums and science centers in the world,” says Carol Tang, Executive Director of the Children’s Creativity Museum. “As a parent, I’ve appreciated exploring different museums because the entire family can find something new to do, discover new interests and learn new things about the world around us.”
In addition to reaping the benefits of visiting a museum–like increased creativity, literacy, critical thinking, and curiosity–kiddos can even receive higher achievement scores in reading, math, and science, according to the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Keep reading to discover 12 museums that cater to a wide range of interests, from STEM learning and reading to nature and more!
1. Children’s Creativity Museum
With a mission to foster creativity and collaboration, the Children’s Creativity Museum in San Francisco provides two floors of hands-on, multimedia arts and technology experiences. Children ages two to 12 can enjoy the museums’s programs and exhibits, which are specifically designed to spark their imagination and creative confidence, from a music creation station and an animation studio to a storybook park and innovation lab. Don’t leave without taking a spin on the 100-year-old LeRoy King Carousel and discover its fascinating history.
Calling all budding scientists and researchers, The Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) is just for them! As UC Berkeley’s public science center, LHS features an interactive planetarium, a biology discovery lab, a computer lab, various hands-on exhibits and an inside look at Berkeley’s cutting-edge research. Be sure to check out LHS’ new outdoor exhibit, “Forces that Shape the Bay,” where kids can enjoy the beauty of the Bay while also discovering the climatic, geologic, marine and human forces that shaped it.
Winner of the 2015 National Medal for Museum and Library service, The Tech Interactive is a wonderful science and technology center for families in the San Jose and surrounding areas. Offering educational hands-on activities, experimental labs, design challenges and immersive STEAM education resources, the museum empowers children of all ages to innovate with creativity, curiosity and compassion.
An official visitor center for NASA’s Ames Research Center, the Chabot Space and Science Center brings some of space on Earth with its full dome planetarium, space artifacts and the largest research-level observatory complex. For sights out of this world, take a peek through one of three large-scale telescopes, which is regularly available to the public for live viewing.
Exploration is the name of the game at this museum that takes hands-on learning to a whole new level. With six indoor and outdoor galleries (that feature over 600 interactive exhibits your kids can tinker with, might we add!), your family can easily spend an entire day getting lost in the realm of science, art and human perception. Toddlers will love making mega bubbles, looking at their reflection in a giant mirror and exploring a colorless world in a special monochromatic room, while teens can create lifesize, rainbow-colored images and stroll across a fog installation bridge. Exploratorium truly has something for everyone—parents, included!
Your little ones can get back to nature at the California Academy of Sciences whose mission is to regenerate the Earth’s damaged ecosystems and climate through collaboration, learning and science. Museum goers can get lost in the wonders of the aquarium, planetarium and man-made rainforest. Snap a picture with the natural history museum’s jaw-dropping 87-foot-long blue whale skeleton and towering T. rex.
Mud pies are on the menu at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, where children can cook up their best concoction with baking sheets, pots, pans, and an old school stove. Located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, spanning across 7.5 acres, the museum also features woodshopping, an art studio, three large outdoor treehouses, a life-sized fishing boat, and even a mini beach for additional outside fun.
Playtime, creativity, curiosity and lifelong learning is the name of the game at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose. Students of every age can enjoy indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits, including a two-story air maze, bubble-creation station, pretend farmer’s market and replica fossil digging, to name a few. For an engaging activity the entire family can participate in, test your discovery skills with the museum’s Discover Duck Scavenger Hunt. Families can win a special prize upon finding 20 wooden duck cut-outs hidden throughout the museum–bonus points for locating five extra ducks!
CuriOdyssey is a trifecta of every child’s favorite activities, combining a science museum, a zoo and a playground conveniently under one roof. At the zoo, budding zoologists will love seeing the nearly 100 animals that are native to the state, from otters and bobcats to owls, eagles and bearded dragons. Inside the science museum, curious learners can explore all of their senses through its innovative exhibits. Let your tots burn off some energy at the 4,000-square-foot outdoor playground where they can spin, swing and slide for hours’ worth of fun.
Your children’s favorite nursery rhymes and books come to life at this museum, with close to 60 whimsical storybook-themed sets designed for outdoor exploration, like the Jack and Jilll hill, Alice in Wonderland tunnel and The Jolly Roger pirate ship. Touting 10 acres of gardens, kiddos up to eight years old can stroll the grounds and get up close and personal with friendly animals on site.
Kids get the best of both worlds at the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo where they can come nose-to-nose with animals outside at the zoo one moment, then engage with scientific activities inside the museum the next. Children can fuel their curiosity by building circuits, playing instruments, creating dioramas and experimenting with the exciting phenomena of gravity, inertia, electricty and energy. The museum also touts an extensive natural history collection for even more playful exploration.
Completely wow your tiny techie with a look at old computers and equipment that humans did indeed use at one point in time at this unique museum. With mind-blowing exhibits that highlight the history of emojis and the revolution of technology and software, both you and your children will be amazed and inspired. Your future graphic designer can learn Photoshop from the pros, while your tech-savvy teen can try their hand at coding. Plus: experience the sights and sounds of classic computing for the nostalgia you didn’t know you needed.
While walk-ups are welcomed at each museum, purchasing tickets in advance is strongly encouraged! Be sure to check out their website for more information.
Here are all the Pixar movies ranked from “Not tonight, kids,” to “Let’s fire it up!”
From its very first release—Toy Story, way back in 1995—Pixar has been an animation powerhouse. The studio has been reliably pumping out hits on an almost yearly basis ever since, and so many of them have become timeless classics. As with most kids’ movies, however, there’s a chance that if your little one falls in love with a Pixar flick, you’re going to get stuck watching it approximately 703,128 times in a row. So before you press play, you’re going to want to make sure your next family movie night includes one of the Pixar movies ranked at the top of our parental enjoyment list—but let’s be real: even the ones a little lower on this list are still going to be pretty darn good.
After all, the animation studio has a knack for creating kid-friendly fare that also appeals to adults. Whether it’s the nostalgia of Toy Story or the beautiful love story in Up, Pixar makes adults want to sit down and watch right alongside their kids. Filled with pop culture references and witty humor, Pixar films prove they can draw an adult audience with ease.
Race car superstar Lightning McQueen is on his way to the big race when he gets sidelined in Radiator Springs, a small town in the first installment of the series. Cars 2 finds Lightning and his friend Mater headed to an overseas race. Cars 3 finds an older Lightning set up against a sleeker and faster generation of race cars.
Parent Ranking: Sorry, racing fans! When it comes to ranking Pixar movies parents will want to watch, with no disrespect to Lightning McQueen, the Cars franchise isn’t likely to get mom or dad revved up about movie night—even if the kiddos are eager to speed through the whole trilogy. Mater’s voice alone is enough to make parents wish they could hit an eternal pause button, and the film’s childish plotline appeals more to kids than parents.
What if dinosaurs hadn’t been wiped out by a cataclysmic event? The Good Dinosaur answers that question and pairs a cute dinosaur with a human boy. The two head out on an epic journey filled with themes of friendship and loss.
Parent Ranking: This dino tale is often dubbed Pixar’s first-ever box-office bomb. But with a string of absolutely beloved films under its belt, the studio had to miss the mark sometime, right? While the film does feature beautiful scenery, the tale lacks the normal adventure, humor, and joy that have become cornerstones of Pixar films.
Flik, the proverbial black sheep of his ant colony must do his best to be the hero after a group of grasshoppers take over. He goes on a mission to find a group of bugs to help him, but the bugs are circus performers.
Parent Ranking: Pixar’s second animated feature holds a special place in the hearts of many and has an Oscar nomination for Best Music, Original Musical, or Comedy Score, but it hasn’t quite had the staying power of some of the studio’s other hits. Nature-loving little ones might enjoy seeing adorable insects on screen, but grown-ups may prefer the more advanced comedic offering of Pixar’s rival Dreamworks film Antz, which was also released in 1998.
Clownfish Nemo’s forgetful friend Dory gets her very own film. Dory goes in search of her parents while she brings a few friends along for the ride. Featuring the voices of Bill Hader, Kate McKinnon, Albert Brooks, and Ellen DeGeneres, the animated film was nominated for a 2017 BAFTA for Best Animated Feature Film.
Parent Ranking: While Dory’s appearance in Finding Nemo was memorable, some fans felt her solo movie wasn’t necessary. Many found the film a bit dark and drawn out. Though the sequel was fine, parents will likely prefer the original flick.
Buzz and Woody are back with their friends as they head out on an epic road trip alongside Bonnie and her parents. The gang gets caught up in a misadventure, and Woody is reunited with an old friend. The fourth film in the series won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.
Parent Ranking: It’s always great to see Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang, but some fans felt the franchise should have ended as a trilogy. The fourth film felt like an attempt to eke out an unnecessary installment in the beloved series. While kids adore Forky, many parents find him annoying. They may also feel like Pixar sold out and tarnished one of their best film franchises.
Pixar returned to the Toy Story franchise with Buzz Lightyear’s origin story. Buzz and a band of merry misfits attempt to defeat aliens as they go on an intergalactic mission. The film features a new voice for the stellar space ranger, with Chris Evans stepping in for Tim Allen, who voiced Buzz in the first four installments of the series.
Parent Ranking: The adventure features a cool new sidekick, a robot cat named Sox, who provides some genuinely funny moments. While the idea of finding out where Buzz came from is interesting, the film felt a bit forced and parents may be disappointed with just how little it offers. It, like the fourth Toy Story, feels like an add-on.
This prequel to Monsters, Inc. focuses on the origin of the friendship between monsters Sulley and Mike. They meet while attending Monsters University and don’t exactly hit it off as they navigate typical college experiences including joining a fraternity.
Parent Ranking: There’s much to enjoy about this flick, but adults might find it merely imitates—while never exactly duplicating—the magic of the original. They may also feel disappointed that the original characters do not appear in this film and may notice a hiccup between the two Monster films. In Monsters, Inc., Mike and Sulley were said to have met in fourth grade, while Monsters University contradicts this by making their first meeting in college
This Oscar-nominated, coming-of-age film features two sea monsters who become friends when they disguise themselves as humans to experience the world outside the water. They befriend a human girl and do their best not to have their true identities revealed.
Parent Ranking: The downside to watching Luca is that you’ll want to book a vacation to the Italian Riviera ASAP. The sea monster movie takes place in the fictional town of Portorosso, and even though it’s animated, the scenery is stunning. While beautiful to look at, Luca is a bit of a bore and offers less wit and originality than many of the other Pixar films.
Two teen brothers, who also happen to be elves, go on a quest to spend one last day with their father, who died before they got to know him. After she realizes her sons are missing, their mother, Laurel, goes after them with the help of a warrior sidekick.
Parent Ranking: Despite voice work from Chris Pratt and Tom Holland, Onward is one Pixar film that doesn’t seem to get as much love. Bad timing might be to blame; the movie hit theaters in February 2020— weeks before the world was upended by the coronavirus pandemic. The film also feels uneven, with the second-half offering more of a reward than the first.
When Joe, a music teacher, and musician, dies just as he is about to get what appears to be his big break, he gets caught in the Great Before. With the help of a friend he meets there, he must find a way to get back to the life he took for granted. The film won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.
Parent Ranking: Soul made history as the first Pixar feature to debut on Disney+, likely thanks to its pandemic-year release. It was a holiday gift for both kids and parents in 2020, dropping on Christmas Day. While not the best Pixar has to offer, adults will enjoy performances by Tina Fey and Jamie Foxx as they voice this fun and thought-provoking film that isn’t afraid to challenge both young and old to face life’s greatest questions.
Young Miguel loves music, though his family has banned it. When he gets caught in the land of the Dead, he buddies up with skeleton Hector, and Miguel finally discovers the true history of his family and their ties to music. Coco won an Oscar for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) and another for Best Animated Feature Film.
Parent Ranking: The film features an amazing soundtrack and a moving message about love and loss, which makes Coco a hit for all ages. The voice cast is also impressive and includes Gael García Bernal, Edward James Olmos, and Cheech Marin, and is a loving tribute to Latin culture. While parents will enjoy all these things, they may also find it a gentle and non-threatening way to discuss loss with their kids.
Tween Meilin turns into a giant red panda when she gets excited, which makes her entry into adolescence even more frightening. She discovers that she isn’t the only one this has happened to. Her helicopter mom also went through the change, thanks to an ability passed down through generations of women in her family and their strong connection to the red panda.
Parent Ranking: The words “Pixar” and “controversy” don’t usually belong in the same sentence, but this 2022 film certainly stirred up a bit. Some parents didn’t love Turning Red’s depiction of tween-age rebellion and mentions of menstruation, but plenty of others found it full of heart and humor. Parents will enjoy a nostalgic return to their tween days and just how awkward and awe-filled they were, while also commiserating with Meilin’s parents about exactly what it means to parent an adolescent.
A rebellious spirit and a love of archery make Princess Merida, unlike other princesses. While doing her best to remain true to herself, Merida unleashes a curse that turns her mother, the Queen, into a bear. Merida must figure out how to fix things and restore order to the kingdom.
Parent Ranking: Don’t call her a damsel in distress. Brave‘s Merida breaks the mold of the typical Disney princess, and parents might appreciate the respite from all that chasing after Prince Charming. Not only will modern parents enjoy the film’s twist on the princess trope, but they will also relish the film’s historical accuracy, which encompassed everything from the chess set to the tartan patterns and colors the characters wear. Mothers in particular may be pleased to see the film explore a complicated and realistic mother/daughter relationship.
When food-loving rat Remy gets caught up in the Parisian culinary scene, his dreams of becoming a world-renowned chef may be within reach. Of course, convincing people that a rat belongs in the kitchen won’t be easy.
Parent Ranking: The only time you want rats in the kitchen is when you’re watching this adorable movie. Adult viewers will enjoy the humor that comedians Brad Garrett, Will Arnett, Janeane Garofalo, and Patton Oswalt, as Remy the Rat, bring to the film. The rat shows us the beauty of following your dreams—no matter how many people try to stand in your way. The scenery is also eye-catching and makes this film worth a watch.
Former superhero couple, Bob and Helen Parr have settled into life in the ‘burbs with their three children. When an opportunity to return to crime fighting presents itself, Bob will need the help of his superhero wife and kids to save the world. In The Incredibles 2, the family goes on another mission. This time Helen is out in the field while Bob stays home with the kids.
Parent Ranking: The franchise that launched a million matching family Halloween costumes is worthy of a watch. The first film came out in 2004, and a sequel arrived with much fanfare in 2018. The joy of this film is that parents will identify with the suburban malaise that settles over parents Bob and Helen Parr, who once lived exciting lives as superheroes, and how good it feels to reclaim their youthful dreams in middle age, even if it’s alongside their children. Parents will also see their own lives reflected in the Parr’s with moments pulled straight from their own homes, like the moment when Bob tries to help his son with math homework and he shouts in frustration, “I don’t know that way. Why would they change math? Math is math.”
This futuristic adventure follows Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class (WALL-E) as he cleans up an abandoned Earth. When a new robot named Eve joins him, WALL-E falls in love and follows her back to a dystopian ship where humanity is a shell of its former self. Once there, he must find a way to save mankind.
Parent Ranking: Some have called the movie Pixar’s most adult offering ever, with almost no dialogue and a strong environmental message. It’s a testament to powerful storytelling that kids love this movie too. Adults may also enjoy how the film pays homage to many science fiction film classics like Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. The robot’s cockroach companion is named Hal, after the antagonist in the 1968 Kubrick film.
In a city filled with monsters, the screams of children provide electricity to keep the lights on. Best friends Sulley and Mike scare children, whom they believe are toxic. When a child manages to sneak into their world, they realize things aren’t exactly what the corporation they work for, Monsters, Inc., led them to believe.
Parent Ranking: Mike Wazowski and Sulley (voiced by Billy Crystal and John Goodman, respectively) are one of the most dynamic duos ever dreamt up by Pixar. The sweet film scares up laughs for the whole family. Parents, especially those plagued by nightmares as a kid, will enjoy the humor behind the monsters that go bump in the night. The movie may also serve as a way to help parents deal with the monsters their kids may be dealing with in their own rooms.
Clownfish and father, Marlin warns his young son Nemo not to wander out into the open ocean from their safe home in the Great Barrier Reef. When Nemo does, he gets captured and confined to a fish tank in a dentist’s office. Nemo does his best to get free, while Marlin works with forgetful fish Dory to find Nemo.
Parent Ranking: If there’s one thing Pixar knows how to do well, it’s a tug at the heartstrings. This underwater tale does that in a big way, but thankfully, there are lots more laughs than tears. Adults will enjoy witty writing and sharp humor. Moms and Dads may appreciate seeing a variety of parenting styles represented in the film as well.
This Oscar-winning film features a young Riley whose family’s move throws her life, and emotions into chaos. As Riley does her best to navigate her new home, her emotions do as well—from headquarters, located just inside Riley’s mind. A sequel to the film is expected to hit theaters in 2024.
Parent Ranking: The stacked voice cast, including Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, and Lewis Black makes Inside Out just as fun for the adults as it is for the kids. The film will remind adults what it was like to be a kid struggling with emotions, and parents may also discover a renewed understanding of how overwhelming youth can feel.
Carl Fredricksen is an elderly gentleman who always wanted to explore South America. He finally gets the chance when his house travels to Paradise Falls with the help of a ridiculous amount of balloons. His companion on the journey is a young Wilderness Explorer named Russell.
Parent Ranking: When it comes to ranking Pixar movies, is there a more heartbreakingly beautiful love story in all of movie-dom than Carl and Ellie’s? Both the love story and the loss when it ends, will appeal to adults. After the opening scene shatters your heart, the rest of this lovely movie will put it back together again. Adults will also enjoy the intergenerational bromance that develops between Carl and Russell, which proves there are no age limits when it comes to friendship.
Toy Story and its follow-ups focus on the relationships between toys and their humans. The first Toy Story introduces a shiny new toy, space ranger Buzz Lightyear to Andy on his birthday and features the reaction of his favorite old toy, cowboy Woody. Toy Story 2 finds the gang going on a mission to save Woody from a thieving toy collector. The third installment, Toy Story 3, finds the toys inadvertently sent to a daycare instead of being stored in the attic as Andy gets ready to leave home for college.
Parent Ranking: While Toy Story 4 may not have quite lived up to its predecessors, the original three films remain the best of the best among Pixar’s offerings. The three movies have it all—plenty of action, lots of laughs, and, of course, all the feels. Keep the tissues handy, especially during Toy Story 3, which is an epic nostalgic return to the times when we needed to navigate the thin thread that separates childhood from what lies just beyond. The film also offers some unforgettable pop culture references from parents’ own childhood.
The original voice of the video game Mario and Luigi will have a cameo in the new film!
Get your coin-collecting, cart-racing selves ready because Illumination has just dropped the final Super Mario Bros. movie trailer. The animated film, which hits theaters on Apr. 5th, looks to be a ride through a thrilling new universe based on the classic ’80s Nintendo game that had kids guiding two Italian plumbers through the toadstool world of Princess Peach and Bowser.
In this new, animated version, Brooklyn plumbers Mario and Luigi are working on a water main when they’re transported to a magical world via a mysterious pipe. When the two are separated, Mario sets off on a quest to find his brother. He’ll team up with well-known characters in the battle against Bowser and his Koopa Troop. The star-studded cast includes Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, and Seth Rogen (who’s been all over the animated world as of late) as Donkey Kong.
The first Super Mario Bros. movie trailer had everyone talking about how different it was from the ’90s live-action version
While the video game is one of the most popular of all time, unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the disastrous 1993 film that is easily one of the worst movies ever made—and that’s according to the film’s director! Things are about to turn around for Mario and Luigi, however, as their story has landed in the magical hands of Illumination.
“I like that this was not done well the first time,” producer Chris Meledandri told Variety. “I think that’s more exciting or more worthy than simply making another version of a film that was done incredibly well, to begin with.”
Melendandri also explained that he planned to work closely with the game’s creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, on developing the film. The 1993 version did not involve Miyamoto at all, and Melendandri believes that was a huge mistake. The new Super Mario Bros.Movie is a true collaboration, as Miyamoto is listed as a co-producer of the film and worked with Melendandri for over six years on the project. If the trailer is any indication, it’s clear that this one won’t miss the mark.
Finally opening their second floor for the first time in 23 months for a full re-opening, the Children’s Creativity Museum lives up to their name by encouraging and fostering creativity. From the way children think, the emotions they have, how they communicate and how they express themselves—all of it is investigated at this incredible museum. It’s time for little creative thinkers to get busy and explore!
Christine Lai
First Floor
Through September, a special exhibit entitled XOXO: An Exhibit about Love and Community is in residence on the first floor. This exhibit invites kids ages two through 12 to engage in hands-on activities to share emotions, play and spark conversations.
Christine Lai
Some of these activities include creating silhouettes, speaking into tone phones that change the tone of the voice and writing down negative thoughts and then shredding them using a large shredder (therapeutic for adults, too). There is also a community wall in which questions about love and community (“what makes you feel safe?”) can be answered and shared on the wall.
Christine Lai
We loved the beautifully decorated and cozy Storybook park with its welcoming bean bags, plethora of books and creative sensory alphabet signs. Next door, a set of see-saws were also very popular in which we worked together on creative balance.
Christine Lai
Have expressive littles? The Early Childhood Zone is suited for the five and unders and encourages play through soft blue blocks, train tables and will soon have painting at the outdoor patio.
Christine Lai
Second Floor
At the Making Music Studio, kids can make musical instruments with their own creativity or by following cards with inspiring ideas. Little percussionists will love performing their musical pieces and marching to the beat of their own tune at the Drum Pad and Sound Effect stations—headphones included!
Christine Lai
Next door is home of the Animation Studio where kids can try their hand at stop-motion animation and produce an original animated film. Figures and scenes are created with LEGO bricks with interchangeable back drops to match and the completed film can even be emailed to share with friends and family.
Good to know:
Thursday and Friday hours are from 10 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. for preschool playtime on the first floor only (reservations not required). Saturday and Sunday hours are from 10 a.m.- 4.p.m. (reservations recommended).
The LeRoy King carousel is open on weekends from 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. $5 for nonmembers, $3 for members.
Stop by the amazing Yerba Buena playground next door to complete the epic day
Metered street parking is difficult; consider using Spot Hero to find a nearby garage
Doo doo doo doo! Nickelodeon has announced the cast for its highly anticipated new preschool series Baby Shark’s Big Show!. The new animated series will premiere with an original holiday special on Friday, Dec. 11, at 12:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
Based on the world-famous pop culture phenomenon, the 2D-animated series will feature Kimiko Glenn (Orange is the New Black); Luke Youngblood (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone); Natasha Rothwell (Insecure); Eric Edelstein (We Bare Bears); Debra Wilson (MADtv); and Patrick Warburton (Family Guy).
Co-produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio and SmartStudy, the global entertainment company behind the beloved children’s brand Pinkfong, Baby Shark’s Big Show! is made up of 26 half-hour episodes and will follow Baby Shark and his best friend William as they journey on fun-filled comedic adventures in their community of Carnivore Cove, make new friends and sing original catchy tunes along the way.
Meet the inhabitants of Carnivore Cove:
Baby (Glenn) – A sweet, bubbly, and abso-toothly fearless little shark who has a habit of biting off more than he can chew.
William (Youngblood) – A quick-witted pilot fish with a flair for the funny, William is always down for jaw-some adventures with his best bud Baby.
Mommy (Rothwell) – Fun-loving with a fierce streak, Mommy Shark works for the Mayor of Carnivore Cove.
Daddy (Edelstein) – A worrier who can’t help his loud and goofy nature, Daddy Shark is a dentist who flosses when he’s nervous.
Grandma (Wilson) – A new-agey prankster who’s all about good vibes and bubbleberry pies.
Grandpa (Warburton) – A charismatic shark who loves to tell stories about the glory days.
In Baby Shark’s Big Fishmas Special, the season’s hottest toy, Burpin’ Bubbz, is at the top of Baby and William’s Fishmas wish lists, and when Santa Jaws goes missing, it’s up to them to save the holiday. Following the premiere, the special will be available on Nick Jr. On Demand and Download-To-Own services, as well as NickJr.com and the Nick Jr. App, which will also feature short-form content.
Baby Shark’s Big Fishmas Special is part of Nickelodeon’s “Nickmas” holiday-themed lineup which features joyous premieres and specials from the network’s live-action, animation and preschool series, including the season two premiere of original festive competition series, Top Elf; the brand-new star-studded special The All-Star Nickmas Spectacular; and all-new episodes of hit series Blue’s Clues & You!, The Casagrandes, Danger Force, All That and more, plus classic fan-favorite holiday episodes of Rugrats, PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants and The Loud House.
New episodes of Baby Shark’s Big Show! will roll out across Nickelodeon’s preschool platforms in the U.S. beginning spring 2021, followed by Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels internationally.
The animation studio behind PAW Patrol is bringing preschoolers a charming new adventure series about working together for the community. Pikwik Pack premieres two back-to-back episodes on Sat. Nov. 7 at 8:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW. Pikwik Pack follows four adorable animal friends as they work together to deliver magical surprises to the kind citizens of their bustling town.
Suki the brave hedgehog, along with Axel the go-getter raccoon, Tibor the reliable hippo and Hazel the silly cat, travel together by land, sea and air to bring packages of joy to their neighbors. Whether it’s a telescope, birthday gift or even a snow-cone – young viewers will learn gentle life lessons about the importance of community, responsibility and working as a team to accomplish a common goal.
“Kids everywhere love the thrill of unwrapping a special surprise, and they’ll get to experience this joy in each episode of Pikwik Pack,” said series creator Frank Falcone. “Parcel delivery is increasingly becoming a central part of families’ daily lives. In the town of Pikwik, kids get to witness firsthand the important role that package delivery plays in bringing communities together.”
Pikwik Pack brings to life in colorful 2D animation a bustling town filled with unique vehicles, bright buildings and friends of all shapes, sizes and colors. Each day, a new surprise arrives at the Pikwik Post that must be delivered! Together with the Pikwik Pack, viewers at home learn about navigating directions, geography and weather to deliver packages safely to their destinations. And though they may face rough rapids, stormy skies or a foggy forest, when they work together, the Pikwik Pack always delivers.
Disney has launched a virtual family festival to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story. Pixar Fest premiered last month in EMEA and is now available here throughout the month of September.The month-long celebration of all things Pixar features weekly activities, digital activations, Disney+ watchalongs, product launches and more.
Pixar revolutionized the art of animation with the release of Toy Story, and has since continued to inspire curiosity, creativity, and imagination through beloved characters and emotive stories that are cherished by families everywhere. This September, #PixarFest will honor the animation studio that has brought fans around the world together with some of the most iconic moments in filmmaking history.
To join the celebration families can tune in to their favorite films throughout September, including Onward, The Incredibles, Up and more.
While planning for movie night, you can try out six tasty original recipes inspired by Pixar films.
There are also some great product launches associated with PixarFest.
Follow along the Pixar social handles and join the conversation using #PixarFest.
Editor’s Note: Since publication Nickelodeon has released the following statement, “Made by Maddie is a show we acquired several years ago from Silvergate Media, a renowned production company we have previously worked with on other series. Since announcing the show’s premiere date this week, we have been listening closely to the commentary, criticism and concern coming from both viewers and members of the creative community. In response, and out of respect to all voices in the conversation, we are removing the show from our schedule as we garner further insight into the creative journey of the show. We are grateful to Silvergate Media for all of their work. And we hold Matthew A. Cherry and the wonderful and inspiring Hair Love in the highest regard.”
Preschoolers and families will fall in love with a new Nick Jr. show. The new animated series centers on Maddie, her close-knit, supportive family, her creative ways of looking at the world and her serious flair for fashion.Made by Maddie launches Sun. Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. ET/PT.
Both Maddie (Alyssa Cheatham, Collateral Beauty) and her mom, Dee (Tony-winner Patina Miller, Madam Secretary, The Hunger Games), a successful fashion designer, provide strong female role models for young viewers. Maddie’s musician dad, Rashad, is played by the Tony-winning James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin, Hamilton). The inclusive series features diverse characters organically woven into the fabric of the show to help a broad range of young viewers see themselves represented on-screen.
Made by Maddie follows 8-year-old Maddie in New York City, as she uses her imagination and design ingenuity to turn every problem into a positive with the perfect fashion fix. Maddie’s creative thinking and dazzling designs are a reflection of the bustling, colorful city of New York and its residents. Maddie confidently embraces her own unique style, celebrates individuality, treats everyone with kindness, and encourages others to take risks and be themselves.
Made by Maddie will continue to air regularly Sundays at 11 a.m.(ET/PT) on the Nick Jr. channel.
Throughout the season, Made by Maddie will feature guest voice appearances by: Karamo Brown (Queer Eye); Rhyon Nicole Brown (Empire); Danny Burstein (Broadway’s Moulin Rouge!); David Burtka (Professional Chef); Monét X Change (RuPaul’s Drag Race); Joey Fatone (*NSYNC); Griffin Robert Faulkner (Raising Dion); Nina Garcia (Project Runway); Joy Lynn Jacobs (The Blacklist); Claudia Morcate-Martin (Seneca); Wanya Morris (Boyz II Men); Christine Pedi (Steven Universe); Christiani Pitts (Broadway’s King Kong); Al Roker (TODAY); D’Angelo Russell (Minnesota Timberwolves); Horatio Sanz (Black Monday); and Nico Tortorella (Younger).
In the series premiere, “If the Glue Fits/Mini Me DJ,” Maddie gets her hands stuck to a pair of shoes Dee designed. Once she finally gets the shoes unstuck, she has to come up with a redesign to save the day. Then, Maddie, Dee, and her assistant Dustin design an outfit for DJ Fierce, a famous DJ. They scour the city for the perfect materials, but when a misunderstanding leads to an outfit mix-up, Maddie will have to get creative with a fashion fix.
Following the series premiere of Made by Maddie, NickJr.com and the Nick Jr. App will feature short-form content and full-length episodes. Episodes will also be available on Nick Jr. On Demand and Download-To-Own services.
Production of Made by Maddie for Nickelodeon Animation Studio is overseen by Eryk Casemiro, Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon Preschool.
If you haven’t already discovered The Tiny Chef, let us introduce you to the world’s tiniest (and quite possibly, the most adorable) herbivore chef, who whips up teeny-tiny dishes and sings songs in his garden tree stump house. With a cult following that includes mom-celeb Kristen Bell, The Tiny Chef will be taking his show to the big leagues, as Nickelodeon recently gave the greenlight to move forward with a series for the network.
Miss Penny
Imagine Kids+Family, Tiny Chef Productions and Nickelodeon Animation Studio will collaborate to create more of the short-form stop-motion animation that fans love. The Tiny Team is quoted in Deadline as saying, “We cannot wait to tell The Tiny Chef this amazing news. Though we’re a little worried his tiny heart may burst with joy so we’ll make sure he’s sitting down. It’s been The Tiny Chef’s dream to have his own cooking show and now Nickelodeon is making that come true. This next chapter in The Chef’s journey will be so exciting and thrilling for all of us.”
The series will premiere on Nick’s preschool platforms in the U.S., as well as Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels internationally.
