The McWane Center is celebrating its 10th year and is hosting a summer-long birthday party to celebrate! Help them celebrate all summer with free birthday cake every Saturday at 10 am in the lobby from May 24th – August 9th. Cake is first-come, first-serve so get there early!

Then, help them REALLY get the party going on the official day – July 12, 2008. The Ultimate 10th Birthday Blast lasts all day long and features some great things to get the party going. First, take advantage of their 2 for $10 discounted tickets to see all that the museum has to offer. And what they have to offer is amazing! For starters, on the official day (July 12th), they’ll unveil their largest exhibit ever, Linear Motion, an interactive robotic sculpture on the plaza. And don’t forget the other new exhibits, there’s “Itty Bitty City” , testing a racecar, racing dinosaur and so much more!

When:July 12, 2008
What: 2 for $10 tickets to Adventure Hall or IMAX @ McWane Center or
1 Adventure Hall & IMAX Combination Ticket for $10
$10 off all Membership Packages All Day

Are you looking for an inexpensive way to entertain the children this summer? Birminghammommy.com has found a great way to have fun, and it won’t break the bank. There are several options for free movies in Birmingham and surrounding areas.

Beginning Friday, May 30th, Homewood park kicks off their annual “Free Friday Flicks,” and the City of Helena offers “Movies in the Park,” at the Helena Amphitheater. Both parks will start the movie at dusk, roughly 8:00pm. But make sure to go early and take part in the free activities. Bring a blanket, and some lawn chairs and enjoy a family evening under the stars.

Helena does not allow outside food or drink, but concessions are reasonably priced and the proceeds go to park improvements.

If an air conditioned theater with the smell of freshly popped pop corn sounds better than the great outdoors, check out The Rave or Regal cinemas. Both offer a complete series of summer movies, free of charge. Movies begin at 10:00am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and will run through July. Availability is first come, first served. Seating is limited, so it’s recommended that you arrive early.

Check out the birminghammommy.com calendar for more information.

In case you didn’t know, the kangaroo exhibit at the Birmingham Zoo is now open! Review coming soon!

Also, a new attraction just opened this weekend called “Foam Zone.” It’s an “inflatable soap bubble foam area of activity for children to enjoy. The foam is safe, non-toxic, hypoallergenic and eco-friendly. Children two years of age and older love it! Don’t miss the excitement!”

Requires token for entry
Runs May 24 – August 3rd

Experience the action of white-water rafting down the Grand Canyon River in IMAX’s newest film, Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk. In addition to the non-stop action and amazing sites, it tells an “engaging story of how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference for our parched planet.” The film runs May 24 – November 26. In addition to Grand Canyon, the IMAX theater is also hosting Dinosaurs Alive, Now through September 5th and Everest, May 24th – July 27th. For further information, including a complete listing of show times and to purchase tickets, visit www. mcwane.org

One of McWane Center’s newest exhibits is now open. Itty Bitty City is an interactive exhibit for the smaller set, which boasts a generous dress-up closet, a realistic grocery store, a playhouse, puppet theater, telephone booths, working cranes, cars and trains. Whew! That was a mouthful!

Contained on the 3rd floor, preschoolers are free to roam and explore the “Itty Bitty Magic City” around them. And best of all, you can watch from a safe distance while they run themselves ragged. In addition, a summer science program geared especially for the preschoolers will be held at the exhibit everyday at 10 a.m. from May 24th until August 31st. See you there!

What: Itty Bitty Magic City Exhibit @ McWane Center
Where: 3rd floor Adventure Hall
Who: geared more for the preschool set
When: Exhibit open all summer!