Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand to Premiere 'Henry Danger' Special 'Sister Twister' on Friday 28th February 2020

Things are going to get awkward and PLOT TWISTY in the brand new two-part Henry Danger special "Sister Twister", premiering Friday 28th February 2020 from 5:00 p.m. (AEDT) on Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand!


In "Sister Twister Part 1", packages are being stolen from Swellview porches. Henry (Jace Norman) and Ray (Cooper Barnes) setup a stake-out in an attempt to catch the thief red-handed! When Captain Man wants Kid Danger to wear matching capes, he makes a huge mistake. Now it looks like their secret might be revealed because Henry’s sister Piper (Ella Anderson) is going DOWN the tube!

Then in "Sister Twister Part 2", when Ray's memories accidentally get erased, Schwoz (Michael D. Cohen) devises a plan to send Henry deep inside Ray's brain to get them back.


Henry Danger, Jace Norman, Ella Anderson and Riele Downs have been nominated in Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards 2020! Vote for them now at http://kca.nick.com.au!

More Nick: Nickelodeon Australia Names Recipients of Kids' Choice Awards 2020 'Local Legends' Award!
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Nickelodeon Star Lex Lumpkin Talks 'All That', SlimeFest | KTLA 5

Nickelodeon Star Lex Lumpkin on "All That" Coming Back!


Don't miss Nickelodeon Slimefest happening Saturday, March 21st and Sunday, March 22nd at The Forum in Inglewood.

For more info go to nickslimefest.com.

VIP tickets for Slimefest include entry to the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.

And the Nick Kids Choice Awards airs Sunday, March 22nd at 8 p.m. New episodes of all that air Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon.

This segment aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020.

All That airs Saturdays at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. The series, a revival of Nickelodeon's iconic '90s sketch comedy show, was recently renewed for 10 additional episodes.

Fans can vote for All That in the 2020 Kids' Choice Awards at http://www.kidschoiceawards.com!

Subscribe to the official All That YouTube channel!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6UzskfVDPkJ5aSe755ZGgQ

More Nick: Nickelodeon's 'All That' Reunites Jamie Lynn Spears with the Cast of 'Zoey 101' in All-New Version of “Thelma Stump”!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and All That News and Highlights!

Animation Luminaries from Nickelodeon, Disney and Sony Share Entertainment Wisdom

The Entertainment and Tourism Club (ETC) held a panel featuring five professionals in the animation industry at the Titan Student Union theatre on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Creators from Nickelodeon, Disney, Dreamworks and Sony came to share what they learned over the years to students interested in following in their footsteps.


The ETC is all about helping students get their feet in the door within the industry. The club offers a variety of different assets, such as resume building, networking opportunities, internship opportunities, TV tapings and company tours.

The club invites experts with various areas of focus, such as business or creativity, for panels throughout the semester. This particular event was based on the creative side of the business, and it focused mainly on the animation industry.

The panelists discussed the importance of networking and how essential connecting is in order to thrive in the industry.

Paul Jun, co-founder & CEO of Filmocracy, regrets not understanding the value of networking at an early age. He used to only network when he needed a job; it wasn’t a constant in his early career.

“There’s a new startup mantra that goes around saying make friends, not contacts,” Jun said.

Jun also alluded to the fact that networking is more like tending to a garden than collecting a bunch of cards when you need them.

Jun wasn’t the only panelist echoing the importance of networking.“The idea of making friends and not contacts is super valid and important. The advice that I kind of wish I knew is you’re not going to be friends with everybody,” said Sean Gantka, a Associate Producer at Nickelodeon Animation (The Legend of Korra, The Loud House, The Casagrandes).

Despite forming good relationships with many people, there are some people he is unable to connect with. “It’s about having those genuine connections that matter,” said Gantka. When it comes to finding help for projects, he often works with the friends he’s made by networking.

The panelists also shared the reality that comes from beginning a career in entertainment and animation.

Artists go into the field hoping to create their own work and develop their own projects. Gantka made it clear to the students that the reality of working for a large company means they begin their careers working on other people’s projects.

“When I get interns that come in, they’re like, ‘I want to create my own show.’ That’s awesome! What are you going to do for the 20 years before that?” said Gantka.

Gantka has seen creativity die when an artist’s expectations are not met, so he felt it was important that the audience understood what they were getting themselves into.

Working in Animation comes with a lot of stress and problem-solving, so Miguel Baltazar, an animator at Dreamworks, enjoys being able to be silly at work. At the Dreamworks office, animators have nerf gun battles that help alleviate their stress.

“It’s a way not to take ourselves too seriously — to have that flexibility to let loose and have fun,” Baltazar said.

The speakers at the event also highlighted the importance of seeing the meaning behind previous work or educational experiences. Sean Gantka discussed how important it is to not see past work involvement at face value.

“Don’t look at like, ‘Oh, I’m flipping burgers,’ but what are you doing? You’re assembling something. You’re working as a team. Look at the greater skill sets and understand whatever it is you’re doing and how it will make you better at whatever you’re going to do,” Gantka said.

Another heavily discussed subject was satisfaction from work. The panelists discussed how much they love their job and going to work every morning, but how it is still hard work.

“It’s similar to a relationship. There’s going to be hardships. You’re not always going to agree. You’re going to hate each other once and awhile. But ultimately, the good parts of it heavily outweigh and outnumber the bad ones, and then you know it’s a pretty good relationship,” Gantka said.

The amount of stress they experience regularly does not take from the love they have for working in such a creative environment.

When people become adults, they lose their sense of childhood, but their career allows them to bring it back, Baltazar said.

Check out the Nickelodeon Animation Studio online: Website | Facebook | Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

More Nick: Nickelodeon Upfront 2020 Roundup!

Additional sources: IMDb, LinkedIn.
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'Henry Danger' Star Sean Ryan Fox Talks Fans, Final Season and Big Screen Aspirations

Nickelodeon's hit comedy series Henry Danger may be approaching its final world-saving adventure. The series, which will conclude its five-season run this spring, follows teen Henry Hart (Jace Norman) who takes on the role of sidekick to Swellview’s greatest superhero, Captain Man (Cooper Barnes).


Fans at Kidz Expo presented by StarNews Media in Wilminghton, NC recently got the chance to meet Henry Danger star Sean Ryan Fox, who plays Jasper Dunlop, Henry’s best friend and confidante on the show. Before the expo and the final run of Henry Danger episodes, Fox spoke with StarNews Media about what he’ll miss about the show, what to expect from the last episodes and why he wants his next chapter to be on the big screen. Check out the interview below!:

StarNews: With “Henry Danger” coming to end, what can you share about the final episodes?

Sean Ryan Fox: They are definitely some of our best. Out of all the "Henry Danger” series, these are some of our best work, the best writing, and us as actors got to play with our characters and have fun with it. There are some really cool things that go on, but I can’t say much about it because we want to keep it a secret for fans. But we definitely tie in multiple episodes, where before we had a lot of (standalone) episodes that didn’t connect to anything. This season, we really tie it all together and it ends up being a really cool product.

SN: Knowing that the end is on the horizon, did that give you and your fellow cast members some motivation to play around with your characters and do things you’ve always wanted to do?

SRF: If there were any jokes or pitches that we wanted to do, we definitely throw them in there. We played around with some of the things the writers do as well, because they were writing some stuff for us to do now that it is the end – and we definitely got to play around with it. We wanted to try some new things before we finished, for sure.

SN: The show will have aired more than 100 episodes when it’s all said and done. Looking back on it, what will you take away most from playing Jasper?

SRF: It was a fun experience and I built a family from it in a way, and that stage, in a way, is like a home for me. It was really good to experience being a lead on a show for a long period of time. But I think I will just take away memories of the family we built on that set.

SN: Is that what you will miss most about “Henry Danger,” the on-set family?

SRF: Yeah, that set has become a home for me. I went back recently to observe some stuff and it still feels like home, like you lived there in a sense. We will miss the family aspect, where we can all joke around and just love each other. The cast and the crew is what I will miss the most.

SN: Knowing where the show ends up, do you think fans will be satisfied with Captain Man and Kid Danger’s final missions?

SRF: For sure! I think where the show ends, it leaves some really cool ideas on the table that, whether they get expanded upon or not, I think fans will really love. The great things about endings is that, as long as they are open-ended, fans can always create more with fan fiction. But I think the end is very well done and fans are going to like it.

SN: I know fans have been clamoring for a “Henry Danger” movie. Is that something you would want to be a part of if it happened?

SRF: Definitely! If there was some time between the movie and when we finished the show, I think that would be a good reunion for us as a cast. I think it would be fun as a final adventure. I’ve always thought a big hurrah would be a movie and I think that would be cool to kind of finish it off.

SN: So what lies beyond “Henry Danger” for you? What do you want with this next stage of your career?

SRF: I’m back out in the field auditioning for stuff. I don’t know if I’d do another TV show or at least another sitcom. I would have to really like it. But I’m definitely trying to go into movies that are a little bit shorter amounts of time. I’ve spent six years on one set. As fun as it was, I think a three or six-month shoot for a movie is definitely where I am at right now. Definitely in the movie department.

SN: So your fans should look for you on the big screen?

SRF: That’s the plan!

SN: What do you like about doing these expos and events like what you will be doing in Wilmington on Feb. 22 at the Kidz Expo?

SRF: I think it is the interaction with the fans. I remember when I was super young and watched these shows on Disney Channel or Nick, and idolized these stars. You are star struck when you see them, and I remember that when I was younger. So it is always cool to see these kids who are super fans of the show and so excited to meet us, and the older people who grew up with the show. I just like hearing everyone’s stories. It’s so cool!

Henry Danger airs Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. The world of Henry Danger will be expanding with the brand-new spin-off, Danger Force, premiering Saturday, March 28, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)!

Henry Danger, Jace Norman, Ella Anderson and Riele Downs have been nominated in Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards 2020! Vote for them now at http://www.kidschoiceawards.com!

Make sure to subscribe to the brand-new Henry Danger YouTube channel! Up the (You)Tube!: https://at.nick.com/HenryDangerYouTube

More Nick: Nickelodeon Expands the World of 'Henry Danger' With All-New 'Danger Force' Spinoff!
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Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside in Essex Opens its Doors

Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside at intu Lakeside in Essex has officially opened its doors today much to the delight of eager families!


The Nickelodeon-themed indoor family entertainment centre from Nickelodeon and Parques Reunidos provides pure entertainment for kids and families. Boasting a colourful décor, the centre is highly interactive with a large variety of adventure zones as well as a dedicated space for the younger members of the family, numerous attractions and Nickelodeon-themed areas - perfect for birthday parties and family get-togethers. Experiences include character meet-and-greets featuring some of Nickelodeon's most beloved characters, such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, PAW Patrol and The Fairly OddParents. Building on intu Lakeside's highly successful catering offer, it also boasts a dedicated food and beverage area called the Slime Cafe and a Nickelodeon retail space offering Nickelodeon merchandise.


Nickelodeon Opening from Jennifer Fage on Vimeo.

At Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside:

Discover Bikini Bottom with SpongeBob SquarePants:

- Mrs. Puff's Boating School: Get your boat captain’s license and sail through SpongeBob’s hometown. Shout “Ahoy!” to Patrick, Squidward, Mrs. Puff, Sandy, Mr. Krabs, and Plankton as you sail on by!

- Chum Bucket: What’s Plankton’s latest plan to steal the secret Krabby Patty formula? Push the plunger and watch his giant robot rise up from the bottom of the sea!

- Jellyfish Stampede: One jellyfish after another is rising up over that distant sand dune. Look out! They’re getting closer!

- Patrick’s Jellyfish Frenzy: Dive into the world of SpongeBob and friends and help Patrick catch as many jellyfish as you can. Compete with your friends or try to beat your own record.

- Rock Bottom Organ: Jump up and down on the keys to play the Rock Bottom Organ. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the weird creatures popping up out of its pipes!

Get ready for action with the PAW Patrol!

- Paw Patrol - Command Center: Climb to the top of the Command Center and help the PAW Patrol get to their next mission on the double!

Relax in the 4D Cinema:

- Watch episodes of your favourite Nickelodeon shows on the big screen in the 4D Cinema!

-- Climb through the sewers of New York with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:

- Donatello's Ninja Flyers: Pedal and fly Donatello's Ninja flyers through New York City.

TMNT Action Zone: Climb, crawl and explore the Ninja Turtles’ New York City like a true ninja! Parkour through the tunnels or jump from one skyscraper ledge to the next with Donnie, Mikey, Leo and Raph. Booyakasha!

Enter Nickelodeon Central:

Blaze’s Monster Machine Race: Race with Blaze, Zeg, and Starla. Who will be the winner?

Climbing Tubes: Climb through and explore Nick Central using the interactive climbing tubes

Dora's In The Night Sky: Create your very own out-of-this-world constellation with Dora The Explorer!

Go on a rampage with the Rugrats:

Rampaging Rugrats Toddler Play: Let your inner Reptar out in the Rugrats soft play area! Parents can keep an eye on little ones from the comfort of Slime Café as they build up and then destroy a Rugrats city of padded blocks.

Recharge your batteries in the Slime Café:

- Good times don’t have to come to an end just because you’re hungry! Situated just a few steps away from the Rugrats zone, you can enjoy a family meal, light bite to eat or simply relax with a Starbucks coffee, and a sweet treat. (If we can tempt you!) Please notify a member of our Slime Café, if you have any special dietary requirements or allergies.

- From salads and wraps to burgers and fries, there’s something for everyone at the Slime Café!

-- Get a souvenir of your visit to Nickelodeon Adventure at the Nickelodeon Store!

- The Nick Shop is the place to go for official products from your favourite Nickelodeon shows like Dora the Explorer, PAW Patrol, TMNT, SpongeBob SquarePants and much more!

Have your birthday party at Nickelodeon Adventure!

- Have a Birthday party to arrange? Nickelodeon Adventure has got you covered! Book one of the centre's party rooms, and they'll will take care of the rest. Leaving you to enjoy the day and have fun!

- Birthday party menu: Choose from Pizza or Nuggets, with either Chips or a Fruit Bag. Followed by Ice Cream; Squash and water will be served during the party; Please notify the centre when booking if you have any special dietary requirements or allergies.

- * A themed Birthday Cake is available at an additional cost or you are welcome to bring your own.

- Create your very own personalised invitation to send to your friends (coming soon): Design your very own invitation with your favourite Nickelodeon characters. You can print it or send it by email to your friends!

Expand your experience:

- Meet your favourite characters!: Have fun and play with your favourite character inside Nickelodeon Adventure. If you see one of Nickelodeon's photographers, be sure to strike a pose and have your photo taken with them too, so you have a memory to take home.

-- Had a photo taken at Nickelodeon Adventure? Download your photo here!: https://photo.imageinsight.com/nickelodeonadventure/


Tickets and Pricing:

Tickets prices to enter Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside are:

ADULT: £7.50
CHILD: £14.95
SENIOR: £7.00
STUDENT: £7.00
DIS/CARER: £7.00
DISABLED CHILD: £12.85
FAM3 (1 Adult + 2 Children): £34.90
FAM 4 (2 Adults + 2 Children): £37.90

Separate annual passes also available.

Children under three (or under 90 cm tall) receive free admission to the centre.

Prices for large families and visitors with special needs can be found here.

Benefit from a special discount for groups or school trips (>10 people). Groups of 10 people or more. Advance booking necessary.

Visitors can beat the queues by booking their tickets online.

Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside is open 364 days a year. The centre will be closed on Christmas day.

Opening Times: Monday – Sunday 10am – 6pm. Last entry 5pm.*

*Hours are subject to change for bank holidays and other holiday periods.

Promotional discount codes will be available.

Are you a teacher? Sign up to organise an educational trip to Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside!: https://www.nickelodeonadventure.co.uk/schools-groups/registry/

The opening of Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside is part of Viacom's partnership with Parques Reunidos to open Nickelodeon-branded indoor family entertainment centres in shopping centers around Europe has also seen the opening of Nickelodeon Adventure Murcia in Merlin Properties' Thader Shopping Center in Murcia, Spain, which has been operating since December 2017.

For more information about Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside, visit https://www.nickelodeonadventure.co.uk plus make sure to Like Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside on Facebook and follow Team Nick on Twitter and Instagram for the latest Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside news, highlights and exclusive offers!

ViacomCBS Networks International Announces New Africa Executive Leadership Team as Alex Okosi Moves to a New Opportunity

VIACOMCBS NETWORKS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES NEW AFRICA EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM AS ALEX OKOSI MOVES TO A NEW OPPORTUNITY

Craig Paterson and Monde Twala elevated to lead ViacomCBS Networks Africa


Madrid, January 21, 2020 – ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) announced today that following the departure of VCNI veteran Alex Okosi, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of VCN Africa and BET International at the end of February 2020, Craig Paterson and Monde Twala will be named as co-General Managers of ViacomCBS Networks Africa.

“Alex has made an immeasurable impact on our business in Africa,” said Raffaele Annecchino, President of ViacomCBS Networks Europe Middle East, Africa and Asia. “Since launching MTV Base in 2005, Alex has spearheaded the development of our business on the continent, which now delivers more channels to Africa than any other international network – reaching 100 million viewers in 48 territories across MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and BET.”


Okosi took over leadership of BET International in 2017 and has continued to advance the value of the brand internationally delivering double-digit distribution growth and improving profitability and margins. Under Okosi’s leadership, BET International elevated its presence at the BET Awards by incorporating the “Best International Act” award into the live broadcast, which simulcasted live in Africa for the first time. In addition, BET International expanded its presence during the BET “Hip Hop Awards” by launching a new category to honor artists from around the world.

“I am proud to have had the opportunity to build our Africa business from the ground up,” said Okosi. “This has played a pivotal role in transforming the music and content space and changing the narrative on Africa. Leading our Africa and BET International businesses to success is testament to the extraordinary teams, colleagues and partners that I have worked with throughout my tenure. ViacomCBS has been my home for more than 20 fantastic years, and I leave behind incredible creative and commercial talent that will continue to deliver growth.”

David Lynn, President & CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International added, “I’m immensely grateful to Alex for his contribution to the success of VCNI, including his role in developing such a strong team of successors. Alex’s leadership has been essential to our success in Africa and to the continued growth of BET International.”

VCN Africa Leadership Team:

Effective March 1, 2020, Monde Twala and Craig Paterson will assume their new roles as General Managers of VCN Africa.

As co-head of the business, Twala, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Editorial VCN Africa, will focus on content, creative, editorial and marketing for VCNI brands. Twala is currently the Vice President of ViacomCBS Networks Africa’s BET, Youth & Music, ViacomCBS Networks International and Africa. Twala is responsible for driving the development and growth of iconic music, youth and entertainment brands BET, MTV, MTV Base and MTV Music24, across the African continent. Monde joined the company in 2016 after nearly 20 years’ experience in the South African broadcasting and media industry.

Paterson, Senior Vice President & General Manager, VCN Africa, will be responsible for all corporate functions, including business development and strategy. Currently Senior Vice President, Business Operations for ViacomCBS Networks Africa, Paterson is responsible for driving strategic growth and business opportunities in Africa. Prior to this role, Paterson was responsible for Operations and Finance for multimedia brands MTV, MTV Music24, Nickelodeon, Nick Toons, Nick Junior, MTV Base, BET and Comedy Central on the African continent. He spent nearly five years at Viacom beginning in 2011 as VP of Operations and Finance in Africa and returned to the company in 2018 as Senior Vice President of Business Operations in Africa.

“I am delighted that Craig and Monde will take over leadership in this important market,” said Annecchino. “Both have worked with Alex for years, which coupled with their expertise will ensure a seamless transition. Craig and Monde are experts in their respective areas and in addition to incredible business acumen, have demonstrated leadership and collaborative excellence throughout each of their careers and tenures with the company.”


Craig Paterson


Monde Twala


Raffaele Annecchino


David Lynn

END

ViacomCBS Networks International

ViacomCBS Networks International, a unit of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC), is comprised of many of the world’s most iconic consumer brands. Its portfolio includes Network 10, Channel 5, Telefe, Viacom 18, ViacomCBS International Studios, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Network and Pluto TV among others. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, ViacomCBS Networks International provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions for partners on five continents and across more than 180 countries.

Event Capital announces the 4th edition of Nickelodeon Windmill Festival in India

Mumbai: The 4th edition of India’s largest festival for kids, Nickelodeon Windmill Festival, an initiative of Event Capital and Tribe Asia, is all set to take place on 22nd and 23rd February, 2020 at JioWorld Garden, BKC in Mumbai! The festival offers a wholesome experience for toddlers, pre-teens and parents. The key objectives of the festival are to give the urban child an outlet to be creative, to gain information and to encourage quality time with family through recreational experiences curated at the festival.


Nickelodeon Windmill Festival brings to life children’s most loved tales through musical plays, dance shows and never seen before performances. Patrons present at the festival can also enjoy a specially curated flea market with a wide variety of food and other recreational activities including interaction with their favourite Nickelodeon toons. Various experiential zones like ballet parade, Bungee Park, Trampoline Park, Vertex tunnel and Human Claw and more will be set to entertain everyone.

An array of over 50+ workshops specially designed to cater to various age groups on a variety of topics like indoor gardening, beat-boxing, science on wheels, robotics, Lego workshops, stop motion animation, aeronautics, karate and kick-boxing, storytelling, doodle art, wheel pottery and many more. With a petting zoo available at the venue kids can interact and play with a variety of adorable animals.


Speaking on this, Janak Vora, CEO, Event Capital said, “In its previous editions, the festival has witnessed a footfall of over 20,000+ attendees and over 50+ brand associations. This year, we aim to create a more holistic family ambience with unique range of activities and workshops that would encourage families to get outdoors. Through this festival, we want the child to discover his/her innermost passion and get inspired!”

Commenting on the upcoming festival, Mahesh Shetty, Head - Network Sales, Viacom18 said, “With Peppa Pig Musical, we forayed into kids live entertainment genre and with Windmill festival we have taken the next big leap. Event Capital has cultivated the festival very well over past few years and we are very excited to collaborate with them and scale up Nickelodeon Windmill Festival. The festival brings alive the concept of quintessential outdoor learning and is backed by widespread activities such as indoor gardening, workshops, aeronautics and more. The Nickelodeon Windmill Festival is a combination of educational and fun activities for the young generation.

Nickelodeon WindMill will take place on 22nd and 23rd February, 2020 at JioWorld Garden, BKC and the tickets can be bought on: https://bit.ly/2R3lwEw

Update (4/2) - Official Event Capital press release via PR Newswire:

Nickelodeon WindMill Festival 2020 to be Hosted in Mumbai

India's largest festival for kids presents a wholesome experience for children and parents

MUMBAI, Feb. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Event Capital and Tribe Asia presents India's largest festival for kids, 'Nickelodeon WindMill Festival' that is taking place on 22nd and 23rd February 2020 at JioWorld Garden, BKC in Mumbai. The festival aims to give both the parent and the child a wholesome experience. The key objective of the festival is to give the urban child an outlet to be creative, to gain information and to encourage quality time with family through recreational experiences curated at the festival. Another reason for which a kid should be taken to the festival is to get outdoors and reconnect with nature. To touch, feel, see and be a part of the beautiful outdoors, which unfortunately has been forgotten by everyone. Here are some of the things that one can expect at Nickelodeon WindMill 2020 that will get both parents and children excited:

Creativity: In today's time what kids need is an opportunity to explore different activities and also get a chance to take break from books and think beyond. A few exciting activities that one can definitely explore at the WindMill festival are 'Djembe Workshop' which is a fun filled energetic drum circle for all ages alike, 'Banana Piano, Cuica and Sound Tubes' where one can invent a new musical instrument using fruits and everyday objects. 'Happy and Footloose' which is a unique sport with a holistic combination of martial art, music, dance, language and performance arts; and fluid art amongst the others.

Outdoor activities: The fest has many exciting activities where the kids will get an opportunity to learn new things. This will help to not only boost their imagination skills as they are physically and mentally involved interacting with other kids but will also improve their social and communication skills. Activities like 'Pottery on Wheels Workshop', a theatre workshop and 'Mindfulness Mandalas' an art of Zentangles & Mandalas touches on the creative edge in every child.

Bonding with kids: Windmill aims to create moments between parents and children that can be cherished for a lifetime. A food and flea market that is specially curated for the tastes and likings of the families. This festival freshness brings along new hopes, aspirations and a chance to strengthen the ties between parent and child.

Unique experiences: This unique festival brings in a lot more to explore and is ready to take everyone on an adventurous ride. Activities that are rarely seen in a kids festival are 'S.H.E.(SIMPLE, HANDY, EFFECTIVE )' which is a self-defense workshop for all, 'TINGA TINGA & TURKISH MOSAIC WITH POMEGRANATE' where one can travel the world with Tinga Tinga Art and Turkish Mosaic and many more. Robotics, Lego and science experiments amongst other to inspire young minds at the festival.

Playdate with furry friends: One of the unique features of this festival is the petting zoo. Nickelodeon Windmill intends to give every child hands-on experiences with different kinds of pets. This not only gives the child exposure to animals but also creates a sense of empathy and love for animals.

About Event Capital:

Founded by Deepak Choudhary in 2013, Event Capital (EC) is India's most diverse IP specialist company involved in aggregating and consolidating Event IPs across interest communities. With expertise in creating and curating successful event IPs in music, lifestyle, education, gaming, fashion, EC engages over 100 million consumers annually through live events. Event Capital has curated and executed highly successful properties like Social Nation, The Great Indian Dandiya Festival, India Event IP Conclave, Bollywood Music Project, India Kids Fashion Week, The Edutainment Show, Times Travel Show. The company has also recently acquired promising IP's like India Bridal Fashion Week and IGX, India's largest gaming festival.

Website: http://eventcapital.in/

###

From Television Post:

An Indian IP For Kids: Brands Collaborating With Windmill Look To Create Meaningful, Interactive Conversations

MUMBAI: The 4th edition of Nickelodeon Windmill Festival, an initiative by Event Capital and Tribe Asia, will take place on 22nd – 23rd February 2020 at JioWorld Garden, BKC. Having grown into India’s largest children’s outdoor festival, Windmill has brought on board sponsors like Hershey’s, Kotak Mutual Funds, Soulfull, V-Nourish, Toppscholars, WOK, Sarda Farms, Laughing Cow, Enrich and Club Mahindra who are looking to create deeper brand connects with consumers.

The need of the hour today is to better understand children as consumers, and communicate with this segment in an impactful, integrated manner. Windmill as a platform is built as a fun, safe and interactive environment which attracts hundreds of parents and children year on year.

Commenting on the upcoming event, Janak Vora, CEO, Event Capital said, “We are pleased to announce our sponsors for the 4th edition of Nickelodeon Windmill Festival. With the support of brands collaborating with us, we look forward to provide a better platform for them to engage with families in the best way possible. Our aim is to encourage families to step out and involve their kids to discover their inner passion and interact with various brands as well.”

Brands coming on board have chosen the platform as a less intrusive form of marketing, as it enables the brand to start a relationship with potential customers and strengthen the bond with existing customers effortlessly. As compared to in your face advertising, playing a pivotal role enhancing a kid’s experience builds a positive recall value which works wonders for a brand.

The collaborations have all come on board with a purpose in mind and are perfect brand fits to avoid mindless clutter.

Brands who have chosen to collaborate with Windmill have similar sentiments in mind.

Commenting on this, Rasika Prashant, CMO, Soulfull said,”Windmill Festival has been a tent pole partnership for Soulfull. We have been able to reach out to thousands of kids and mothers during the event and establish meaningful conversations with them. The event organization is very good and allows us to showcase brand Soulfull in an impactful manner.”

Adding to this, Mrs.Kiran Agarwal, Founder, WOKA said, “Associating with WindMill is always special as they cater to children as we at WOKA feel the same. Connecting at a platform with which WindMill comes in the market is a great way to reach children with different backgrounds, age and sensibilities. WOKA looks for opportunities such as these where we can showcase our association and connect with children through our value based animation films and yet exchange a bond of happiness with our young minds.”

Building a healthy ecosystem for effective play and learning, Windmill is dedicated to the best interests of kids.

WindMill will take place on 22nd and 23rd February 2020 at Jio Gardens, BKC and the tickets can be bought on: https://bit.ly/2R3lwEw

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Updates: Photo gallery - Celebs along with their kids at Nickelodeon WindMill Festival!

Rannvijay Singha Has Fun Time With Daughter At Kids' Fest

Mumbai got outdoors at the year's premier festival curated for kids

More Nick: Nickelodeon India and Sonic Adds Four New Local Language Feeds!

Originally published: Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

Original source: Indian Television Dot Com; Additional source: TelevisionPost.

Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon India News and Highlights!

Kidrobot Announces SpongeBob & TMNT Donatello Bhunny Figures

Art toy company Kidrobot, best known for their stylized and bizarre vinyl figures and unique licensed offerings like Godzilla and Rick & Morty, has announced their new line of figures at Toy Fair 2020 with the much-anticipated Bhunny line!


Designed by world-renowned artist and Kidrobot Chief Creative Officer Frank Kozik, the series stylizes characters (and real people) from various properties with "distinctly oversized head and mini body" and Bhunny Paw accessory. The first series of these features six iconic licensed characters including: Godzilla, from the Classic Toho ‘kaiju’ monsters, followed by SpongeBob SquarePants, Donatello from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bob Ross, Hello Kitty and Beetlejuice.


Each limited edition Bhunny is numbered and available at the suggested retail price of $11.99 (USD). The Bhunny figures will all be shipped with custom boxes including original art from the character's respective universe.

"Once each Bhunny sells out, it will never be available again," Kozik said. "That's why we crafted this series so carefully—no two Bhunny figures are the same in shape and color. We recognize that these pieces aren't just toys but unique pieces of collectible, colorful art that celebrate iconic pop culture."


Fans looking to grab the kaiju-based Godzilla Bhunny figure, the first in the series, will be able to snag him by subscribing to the March 2020 box from Loot Crate, the exclusive seller of the toy. After Godzilla is released, the other five launch figures will debut simultaneously as retailers around the country including stores like Target, Walmart and other specialty stores. Additionally, the Bhunny collection is available in a 5-pack set right now at Kidrobot.com and select retailers, while supplies last.



(Photo: Zachary D. Roberts/ComicBook.com)

Below is Kidrobot's official product description for the BHUNNY 5-Pack Series 1 Set: BHUNNY 4" Vinyl Figures:

The newest vinyl line from Kidrobot elevates the toy collecting experience to an art form!

BHUNNY by Kidrobot brings the iconic collectible vinyl format to a new level: striking designs become art pieces that won't break the bank. BHUNNY features top entertainment licenses that will welcome casual collectors to the world of art vinyl. Each style is numbered for collectability and includes a portable reminder of the acquisition - a matching lucky BHUNNY PAW keychain - and comes in high-end retail packaging that will stand out on the shelf and in the home. The first editions will be truly limited. Once they're gone, they’re gone forever.

BHUNNY: Truly collectible vinyl at an affordable price.

This bundle includes 5 BHUNNY Figures total including:

1 x Bob Ross 4" Vinyl Figure BHUNNY (II-20)
1 x Spongebob Squarepants 4" Vinyl Figure BHUNNY (III-20)
1 x TMNT Donatello 4" Vinyl Figure BHUNNY (IV-20)
1 x Beetlejuice 4" Vinyl Figure BHUNNY (V-20)
1 x Hello Kitty 4" Vinyl Figure BHUNNY (VI-20)

ABOUT BHUNNY

Kidrobot just announced at New York Toy Fair the much-anticipated Bhunny figure designed by Frank Kozik, world-renowned artist and Kidrobot Chief Creative Officer. The first series features six iconic licensed characters including Godzilla from the Classic Toho ‘kaiju’ monsters, Bob Ross, Hello Kitty®, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Donatello and Beetlejuice.

“Once each Bhunny sells out, it will never be available again,” said Kozik. “That’s why we crafted this series so carefully—no two Bhunny figures are the same in shape and color. We recognize that these pieces aren’t just toys but unique pieces of collectible, colorful art that celebrate iconic pop culture.”

Each 4” figure is a stylized version of the character from which it was inspired. Every Bhunny features a distinctly oversized head and mini body and is accompanied by a Bhunny Paw, Kidrobot’s version of a rabbit’s foot, as an additional collectible feature. The limited series is creatively packaged in custom boxes, featuring original art from each character’s respective universe. Sold at an attainable price point, the Bhunny provides all pop culture fans the opportunity to own a piece of art.

Loot Crate subscribers will have exclusive access to Godzilla, the first Bhunny of the series. This kaiju-based Bhunny will be available to Loot Crate subscribers who purchase the March 2020 Loot Crate on www.lootcrate.com.

The series’ remaining five figures are now available, with hundreds of new licensed Bhunnies coming. The Bhunny collection is available in a 5-pack set right now at Kidrobot.com and select retailers, while supplies last.

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Kidrobot previouslly teamed up with Nickelodeon to release collections inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants, '90s Nickelodeon, Ren & Stimpy and TMNT.

More Nick: Nickelodeon Announces Voice Cast for 'Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years', First-Ever 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Spinoff!

Original source: ComicBook.com.
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K-Pop Supergroup Monsta X Records 'All That' Performance

K-pop supergroup and worldwide phenomenon Monsta X recently filmed a performance on Nickelodeon's legendary All That stage! The recording took place during their whirlwind two week tour of the U.S.


To celebrate, the group shared a selection of photos from their appearance on All That on their official Twitter feed, including with the band hanging out with the stars of All That. Monsta X's episode of Nickelodeon's hit sketch comedy series will air in the coming months.


The news comes as their brand new album ALL ABOUT LUV debuted at a very respectable No. 5 on the Billboard 200 Chart. “The set, which is the act’s first all-English language album, launches with 52,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 20, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. Of that sum, 50,000 are in album sales,” reports Billboard.

The album makes history, with ALL ABOUT LUV marking the first all English-language album released by a K-pop group ever. This highly anticipated release has garnered a sky-rocketing trajectory of success

In order to celebrate the album's arrival, the group launched a series of sold out events across the U.S., as well as immersive activations, and television appearances on Nickelodeon’s All That, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and Today Show. The Monsta X U.S. takeover started in LA, from shutting down the Sunset Strip with police escorts riding in Jaguars, to hosting an ALL ABOUT LUV pop-up at the iconic Tower Records, and a fan event at the world-famous Roxy. Rolling Stone got a glimpse of the pandemonium stating: “you heard it in the screams of hundreds of sleep-deprived fans who packed the legendary Roxy Nightclub in Hollywood for a private Monsta X performance, and then snaked a line down four blocks of Sunset Boulevard.” The band wrapped up their two-week promotion on the East Coast, with more fan meetings, performances, live Q&A’s, and sold out events at Chelsea Music Hall, The Paramount, and YouTube Space NYC.

This summer, Monsta X kick off their biggest North American headline tour to date. Hitting arenas coast-to-coast, it begins June 2 in Minneapolis, MN at The Armory, rolling through major markets, and closes out at The Forum on July 11. Tickets are available here.

All That airs Saturdays at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. The series, a revival of Nickelodeon's iconic '90s sketch comedy show, was recently renewed for 10 additional episodes.

Fans can vote for All That in the 2020 Kids' Choice Awards at http://www.kidschoiceawards.com!

Subscribe to the official All That YouTube channel!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6UzskfVDPkJ5aSe755ZGgQ

More Nick: Nickelodeon's 'All That' Reunites Jamie Lynn Spears with the Cast of 'Zoey 101' in All-New Version of “Thelma Stump”!

Originally published: Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

Original source: Muse; Additional source: Reddit /@vegastar7.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and All That News and Highlights!

Nickelodeon & Random House Announce 'Election Connection: The Official Nickelodeon Guide to Electing the President' Book

It's another big election year in the U.S., and just in time for the 2020 election, Nickelodeon and Random House Books for Young Readers will be releasing Election Connection: The Official Nickelodeon Guide to Electing the President, a brand new book which will explain election campaigns, politics, and the voting system!


An open election system is the foundation of our democracy...and there's no reason that learning about it can't be fun! Join SpongeBob SquarePants, Lincoln Loud from The Loud House, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, social media superstar JoJo Siwa and the rest of your favorite Nickelodeon characters in this fun and informative book, which will help kids find out how U.S. presidential elections really work. What's a swing state? How do you get into the electoral college? What role does the media play in all this? Boys and girls ages 8 to 12 will be fascinated by this entertaining and timely look at the nuts and bolts of American politics. The vote is in: This book is a must-have for home and classroom alike.

Election Connection: The Official Nickelodeon Guide to Electing the President will be released in paperback on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. The title is available to pre-order now, including on Amazon.com and Target.com.

Book details:

Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Grade Level: 3 - 7
Series: Nickelodeon
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (July 7, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0593180372
ISBN-13: 978-0593180372
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.2 x 9 inches

The book follows Nickelodeon and Chronicle Books releasing Election Connection: The Official Nick Guide to Electing the President in 2004, which is also still available on Amazon.com. The synopsis for that book reads: "An open election system is the foundation of our democracy...and there's no reason that learning about it can't be fun! This snazzy book is chockful of information, fascinating trivia, activities and favorite Nickelodeon characters. Kids will have a blast learning about the nuts-and-bolts of the process, presidents past and present, and more! The vote is in: This book is a must-have for home and classroom alike."

More Nick: Nickelodeon and TIME Partner for First-Ever 'Kid of the Year' Honor!
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Reacting to People Singing My Songs! | Butch Hartman

Reacting to People Singing My Songs! | Butch Hartman


Such Amazing Talent on YouTube! The Amazing Talent Featured in this Video! (In Order of Appearance):

CG5 - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLCdyRg3u5O-EVP5p46QxcQ
longestsoloever - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDho0k4J3qvekjkqL4sepfQ
ASU Tempetations A Capella - https://www.youtube.com/user/asutempetations/videos
annapantsu - https://www.youtube.com/user/shophiepants

Want a drawing from Butch? https://linktr.ee/butchhartman

Watch Butch's brand-new cartoon, HobbyKids Adventures, on NickJr.com!

Butch Hartman - Facebook | Instagram | Butch's Sketchpad On Instagram | Twitter | Snapchat: @realhartman | YouTube | Speech Bubble | Tumblr | Pinterest

The Noog Network - www.noognetwork.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Snapchat: @noognetwork | Tumblr | Pinterest

More Nick: Netflix and Nickelodeon Form Multi-Year Output Deal to Produce Original Animated Films and Series!
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Nickelodeon Hosts 'Nickelodeon Exclusive Presentation' in NYC on Monday, February 24, 2020

Nathan Janak and Gabrielle Nevaeh Green get into character at the Nickelodeon Exclusive Presentation Event held at The Shed on Monday (February 24) in New York City!


The All That co-stars dressed as Ariana Grande and Beyonce, respectively. If you didn’t know, both Nathan and Gabrielle often impersonate the superstar singers for sketches on their Nickelodeon show.

Also in attendance at the Orange Carpet event was kid rapper Young Dylan, who’s self titled new show bows on Nickelodeon on Saturday, Feb. 29, At 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT), as well as Ryan’s Mystery Playdate's Ryan Kaji, Shion Guan, Loann Guan, Blue’s Clues & You's Josh Dela Cruz, and The Daily Show's Trevor Noah, as well as Nickelodeon President Brian Robbins, ViacomCBS CEO Bob Bakish, ViacomCBS Creative Director Katie Shesh, Cheryl (Olender) Konieczko, Vice President, Nickelodeon Consumer Products Marketing and Events at ViacomCBS, and Joshua Braunstein, SVP, Corporate Content, Nickelodeon Marketing & Consumer Products.

Ryan’s Mystery Playdate was just renewed for a third season, and Trevor was just announced as the host of the first ever Kid of the Year special.

TIME‘s Kid of the Year will recognize five extraordinary young leaders who are making a positive impact in their communities and name TIME Kid of the Year, who will also be featured in companion stories in TIME and TIME For Kids. The special will air in December on Nickelodeon and CBS.

Check out photos from the Nickelodeon's Exclusive Presentation below!

The Mary Moon Foundation to Hold 9th Annual Family-Fun Event at Nickelodeon Universe on Saturday, March 7, 2020

Shoot for the Moon on March 7 features discounted unlimited ride passes at Nickelodeon Universe


Kenna Romie poses with Vikings Cheerleaders at Shoot for the Moon 2019.

Each year, 700 families in Minnesota face the unthinkable reality of planning end-of-life care for a child. While 4,700 hospice homes exist for adults in the U.S., Crescent Cove Respite & Hospice Home for Kids is just the third facility of its kind in the U.S.

Crescent Cove in Brooklyn Center became Minnesota’s first residential respite and hospice home dedicated solely to the specific needs of children and young adults when it opened in 2018. The home is provided to families at no out-of-pocket cost. In order to provide no-cost services to families, Crescent Cove is dependent on donations and fundraising efforts.

That’s where the Mary Moon Foundation comes in.

The charity, founded by Apple Valley residents Peter and Christine O’Keefe, hosts community fundraising events to support Crescent Cove. The O’Keefes know all too well the importance of pediatric end-of-life care. They lost their daughter, Mary, to cancer at the age of 3 in 2009. Mary’s final days were spent in a hospital, surrounded by life-saving equipment and medicines that were of no use to her.

“Through our experience, there is never enough support for families with children with severe illness,” Peter O’Keefe told the Sun ThisWeek. “Furthermore, there are many families that don’t have any resources to support them through the physical, emotional, and financial hardships imposed on them when their child has a life-threating illness.”

While hospitals provide critical acute care and treatment for their patients, they don’t provide the residential setting for end-of-life care that Crescent Cove offers.

According to Crescent Cove’s founder, Katie Lindenfelser, “As a culture, we don’t talk much about death and dying, particularly around or about children. However, there is a real need for pediatric respite and hospice.”

Shoot for the Moon 2020 will be held Saturday, March 7, starting at 8 a.m. This annual charity event hosted by the Mary Moon Foundation features discounted Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America day passes, with proceeds benefiting Crescent Cove. Families and individuals in the community can support hospitalized children while riding a roller coaster or splashing down a log chute.

While tickets are required to enjoy the unlimited amusement park attractions, none of the other event activities require ticket purchase. There will be face painting, a kids jewelry beading station, costumers from the Minnesota Force Star Wars club, Vikings cheerleaders appearance, a photo booth, Bridgeman’s Ice Cream stand and a silent auction.


Maddie Schwalbe admires her new face paint at Shoot for the Moon 2019.

It is not by coincidence that the Mary Moon Foundation selected Nickelodeon Universe for their annual event. The park has special meaning to Mary’s family.

“Mary visited Nickelodeon Universe a few times in her short life. Her last visit was just 12 days before she died,” Peter O’Keefe said. “During that visit she rode the log chute several times — it was her favorite. We love having our event at a location that has memories for us with Mary.”

The March 7 event marks the ninth annual charity event for families hosted by the Mary Moon Foundation. The organization has also held three benefit concerts to raise funds for hospitalized children. In addition to the organization’s financial commitment to Crescent Cove, the Mary Moon Foundation has established a $125,000 and growing endowment fund for Child-Family Life Services at University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital.


Star Wars fans make a connection at Shoot for the Moon 2019. Up to 15 members of Minnesota Force are expected to appear in costume at Shoot for the Moon 2020.

“Our gratitude to the Child-Family Life program at University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital is what inspired us to establish the Mary Moon Foundation,” Christine O’Keefe said. “They provided activities to help Mary play as any child should. Child-Family Life’s dedication to assisting both the pediatric patients and their families throughout their medical treatment was very much appreciated.”

Proceeds from Shoot for the Moon 2020 will be donated to Crescent Cove and Child-Family Life Services at University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. Tickets can be purchased at www.marymoonfoundation.org.

Located in the center of the Mall of America, Nickelodeon Universe features seven acres of attractions and entertainment. The amusement park offers thrills for everyone in the family, including numerous roller coasters, a tower-drop ride, a log chute, a carousel and a Ferris wheel.

Mary O’Keefe was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer that occurs mostly in infants and toddlers, at the age of 2 and died a year later. Mary loved participating in arts and crafts and a variety of other activities while she spent a large portion of her final year in the hospital fighting cancer.

The Mary Moon Foundation’s mission is to help hospitalized children enjoy life, learn and grow as much as every child should.

Fundraising events support Crescent Cove, the first children’s respite and hospice home in the Midwest, and finance art supplies, toys and games for the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital.

For more information about Crescent Cove, visit www.crescentcove.org.

For more information about Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minneapolis, visit https://nickelodeonuniverse.com.

Slides, Slime, SpongeBob And Science: Peek Inside The National Children’s Museum’s New Washington, D.C. Home

Slides, Slime, SpongeBob And Science: Peek Inside The National Children’s Museum’s New Washington, D.C. Home

A rendering of the outside of the "slime center." Photo credit: Mikaela Lefrak / WAMU.

Update (1/11/2020) - The National Children's Museum in Washington, D.C. will reopen at the end of January 2020! Additionally, the museum will welcome Nickelodeon’s Dora and Diego: Let’s Explore!, an interactive exhibit for preschoolers presented in Spanish and English, in February 2020!


art + tech
presented by + developed in partnership with Nickelodeon

Tap into your creativity with iconic friends and activities from Nickelodeon, including SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, and slime. Not to worry – the slime is virtual so you can experience all the fun without any of the mess!

The Washington, D.C. region has technically been home to a children’s museum for 45 years, but for the past decade it’s been pretty hard to find.

A brief backstory: In 1974, the Capital Children’s Museum opened in an old brick nunnery near Union Station. Congress rechristened it the National Children’s Museum in 2003. A developer purchased its building a year later and museum operated as a “museum without walls” for the next five years. Then, it reemerged in 2009 in a small preview space in National Harbor. Three years after that, it upgraded to a storefront there, but unfortunately shuttered again in 2015.

Plaza and Mezzanine Level Floor Plan for The National Children’s Museum, DC. Photo credit: Mikaela Lefrak / WAMU.

At that point, its board promised it would return the institution to Washington, D.C. Still following?

The saga ends, ostensibly, this November. The National Children’s Museum is scheduled to reopen in a 33,000-square foot space in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest!

“When we reopen, we will really be a science center and a children’s museum in one,” Crystal Bowyer, the museum’s president and CEO, told WAMU.

She was wearing a white construction hat and looking around at what will eventually be the science and technology-focused museum’s entrance hall. Its pièce de résistance will be the “dream machine,” a 50-foot slide and climbing structure that children can use to enter the museum.

The most common question Bowyer gets is whether adults can go down the slide. "The answer is yes," she says. Photo credit: Mikaela Lefrak / WAMU.

“I knew that we needed something magical at the point of entry,” Bowyer added. She was thrilled when she got the go-ahead last year to knock out a major section of the floor of what used to be a steakhouse to build the two-story contraption.

It was designed by the Bay Area firm Gyroscope. Credit: National Children's Museum.

The original Capital Children’s Museum of the 1970s was known for homey, tactile attractions like taco-making and giant bubble wands.

Not so with the new iteration. Its exhibitions will all be STEAM-focused — science, technology, engineering, arts and math — with an emphasis on combined digital and hands-on learning aimed at children up to the age of 12.

The National Children’s Museum will include a SpongeBob-inspired interactive area, sponsored by Nickelodeon. Rendering: National Children's Museum

Programming will include everything from an interactive exhibit that allows kids to control the weather through a green screen, to SpongeBob SquarePants and slime-themed areas sponsored by Nickelodeon. According to a renderings, the SpongeBob SquarePants-themed room, pictured above, will be set in Bikini Bottom, the undersea home of SpongeBob, and will feature lots activities inspired by Nickelodeon's hit animated series, and the Nickelodeon Slime area, pictured below, will include a “slime wheel,” “tactile floor,” “overhead inflatables,” "freezer flaps", "pool noodles," "randomized jets of air" and a “randomized splat and ooze projection theater.” The area will also feature a "mirror," "viewing window," and a "every spin is a winner!" game.

Plans for the Nickelodeon-sponsored "slime center." Photo: Mikaela Lefrak / WAMU.

In Data Science Alley, kids will learn about data collection, data footprints, and social media. Over in the Engineering, Games and Play section, older children will be able to design cars and manipulate race tracks as part of a design-build challenge, while younger kids amuse themselves in a gymnastics-themed zone.

There will also be quiet areas for children with sensory sensitivities or autism and private rooms that mothers can use to nurse their babies.

They’re also bringing back the Bubble Room. The decision came after surveying Washingtonians about their favorite experiences at the original museum. Unsurprisingly, the opportunity to create a giant bubble around yourself ranked right at the top. The museum is currently raising funds to bring the Bubble Room back to life, and is accepting donations from the public. For more details and to donate, please visit https://www.nationalchildrensmuseum.org/bubble-room-campaign.

National Children’s Museum president and CEO Crystal Bowyer stands inside what will be the museum’s main exhibition hall. Photo: Mikaela Lefrak / WAMU.

Bowyer is still in the midst of raising the $15 million needed to open the museum. She said she’s “very close” to the goal but declined to specify exact figures. If needed, she said, the museum could always take out a line of credit to complete construction on schedule.

The money that’s already come in hails from individual donors, corporations, philanthropies, and the D.C. government, which contributed $1 million in grant funding. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is sponsoring 80 field trips for low-income schools, including the price of entry, bus transportation and lunches.

The financial struggles of other private museums in Washington aren’t lost on Bowyer. She said her institution is a stable position because it’s renting space from the federal government rather than constructing a new building, as had once been the plan.

Still, she sees the Newseum as a cautionary tale. Even though it attracted more than 800,000 visitors a year, the Newseum recently announced it would be selling its flagship building on Pennsylvania Avenue.

“It’s unfortunate when you see that happen, but luckily that won’t be a problem here,” Bowyer said.

The National Children’s Museum is scheduled to open in November 2019. Tickets will cost $10.95. For more information, please visit https://www.nationalchildrensmuseum.org.

From Our Community Now:

Other soon to be popular exhibits are the Nickelodeon Slime Center and Games and Play. Sponsored by the children’s television network, the Nickelodeon exhibition will have a slime wheel and a television studio with a green screen. The games room will have a variety of interactive games and a physical gymnastics area. The museum is also bringing back a favorite from the past, the Bubble Room. This room allows entrants to envelop themselves in a giant bubble.

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From WAMU:

National Children’s Museum Reopens Downtown With Science-Friendly Exhibitions

After a long saga of closures and reopenings, the National Children’s Museum officially opened to the public on Monday in its new home.

The new 33,000-square-foot space in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center was initially planned to open in November. It includes exhibits that all focus on STEAM: science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Aimed at children ages 0 through 12, the exhibits include a “data science alley,” a Nickelodeon-backed art and tech space with a “slime center” and a three-story “dream machine” climbing structure that both children and parents can slide down. A “tinkerers studio” by Microsoft is a modern designing lab.

“When we reopen, we will really be a science center and a children’s museum in one,” Crystal Bowyer, the museum’s president and CEO, told WAMU last year.

That promise is now a reality at the new museum, which features STEAM activities for even the littlest of learners — the “little dreamers” and “little movers” spaces are designed specifically for children up to 3 years old, with hands-on activities and storytime programs. Two quiet rooms are available for overstimulated kids to decompress, and the museum offers free sensory backpacks to carry around the museum, containing noise-reducing headphones and fidget toys. According to the museum, all exhibits are wheelchair accessible.

The new museum is open seven days a week, and offers timed tickets at $10.95 for both children (over age 1) and adults. Membership options are available, and come with free admission and access to special events.

This space is the latest iteration of the Capital Children’s Museum, which originally opened in an old nunnery near Union Station nearly 50 years ago. The museum was renamed in 2003 with a designation from Congress. It operated for five years under a new developer, then reopened a year later in National Harbor. It closed in 2015.

The new version of the museum is more science-based than the original (which featured a taco-making station and bubble wands). But that doesn’t mean it’s any less fun: The museum is reopening with a bubble zone where kids can blow up a huge bubble — and, as with all the other fun at the museum, they can be right in the middle of it.

The National Children’s Museum is located at 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Open daily from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tickets are timed entry and cost $10.95 for children over the age of 1 and adults. Walk-up tickets are limited and available based on capacity.

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More Nick: PAW Patrol: Adventure Play Helps Save The Day at The World’s Largest Children’s Museum!

Originally published: Sunday, March 10, 2019.

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