TEXARKANA - The Texarkana Museums System has gradually reopened its downtown properties, and that continues in June with many activities planned, starting with hoverboards.
Hoverboards?
At the Museum of Regional history on Saturday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., children can make their own hoverboard using an old CD. With this craft project ($5 admission), youngsters can then race them to see whose is speediest.
Advance registration online or with a phone call is requested so the TMS can ensure there's room for all, given social distancing guidelines in place.
Velvet Cool, board president for the Museums System, said hoverboards will be made with recycled CDs, balloons and the tops of detergent bottles.
It's open to the public, but social distancing measures will be taken. They'll have a capacity to keep in mind, Cool said. Included is a tour of the MoRH. It's geared towards children, although it may be atypical for the venue.
"We try to do things at this museum once a quarter that gets kids through the door," Cool said. This event is a way to do it, and they'd love to "ignite an interest in history."
June events also include Flip Books from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. This takes place online, and participants can get the kit beforehand to watch on the TMS Facebook page and create their own flipbook.
"You can pick up kits at the Museum of Regional History," Cool said. Kits can be picked up Tuesday through Saturday. With kits in hand, children can follow along to make a flipbook at home.
"There's no charge for that one because it's relatively inexpensive," the board president said.
On Saturday, June 20, the TMS hosts an Ice Cream Party on the Lawn, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ace of Clubs House. The ice cream enjoyed will be homemade. Pre-registration is requested for this $5 event.
That same day, the TMS also goes online at 2 p.m. for Disney Bead Art, giving youngsters a chance to depict their favorite Disney or Marvel character with beads. Pick up a kit in advance and watch at home as TMS staff walk viewers through the project.
"The only thing you'll need to provide at home is an iron, and an adult to supervise the ironing of the beads," Cool said.
Like Flip Books, this was originally going to be held at Discovery Place Interactive Museum, but for safety reasons it will be online instead.
With a pandemic, that poses problems at an interactive museum like this. Discovery Place has yet to reopen because nearly everything is hands-on and the carpeting is being replaced, Cool said.
"We're battling two birds with one stone," Cool said. She'd love to welcome any volunteers who'd like to help rip out the carpet.
A week later on June 27, the TMS hosts Dinosaur Eggs online again, start time 2 p.m. online at the TMS Facebook page. It's another crafty, fun project and science experiment for children to make at home. Participants can get supplies in advance.
June 27 also brings a P.J. Ahern Home exhibition event called "Then and Now: the Evolution of Inventions." It's held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. that day.
This history exhibit explores the great strides made in technology over the past century. It will be up through July 25. House tours are $5 per person, tour times scheduled on the weekends.
For more details, check out the TMS website and Facebook page below.
(On the Net: Facebook.com/TexarkanaMuseums or TexarkanaMuseums.org. On the phone: 903-793-4831.)
