'Play! Build! Climb!' at Creative Discovery Museum - Oct. 1-Nov. 4

photo Children can erect a town filled with skyscrapers, domed buildings and castles in the building-blocks area of new exhibit "Play! Build! Climb!"

IF YOU GO• What: "Play! Build! Climb!" exhibit• When: Through Nov. 4; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday (closed Wednesdays), noon-5 p.m. Sundays• Where: Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St.• Admission: $12.95 ages 2-adults• Phone: 423-756-2738• Website: www.cdmfun.orgSPECIAL EVENTDancers with Ballet Tennessee will offer two exclusive performances from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, in the Creative Discovery Museum atrium. Each performance will last about 15 minutes and will be themed around the "Play! Build! Climb!" exhibit.

Children can scale new heights the next few weeks at Creative Discovery Museum with the opening of "Play! Build! Climb!"

Described as both challenging and delightful by museum officials, the new exhibit is designed to provide a complete experience for kids 3 and older by teaching problem-solving and critical-thinking skills and giving them opportunities for physical activity and social development.

Children will go back to the basics in two building-block areas in the exhibit. Preschoolers can build a town in one block area as they experiment with the concepts of height, length and size. In another block area, children can become architects as they explore shape, size and design concepts by building skyscrapers, domed buildings or castles.

Guests can stretch their minds as well as their bodies with Snug Play USA, a movable play system. Children will use their imagination to transform Snug's play components into creative environments that encourage physical activity and promote critical thinking.

Children also can navigate a traverse-climbing wall and rope maze using cross lateral movement. Cross lateral movement benefits a child's development by using both sides of the brain and connecting them.

"One of the best ways children learn is through play," said Henry Schulson, the museum's executive director. "This exhibit is a tremendous amount of fun as children engage in climbing challenges and use their imaginations to create worlds of their own."

"Play! Build! Climb!" continues through Tuesday, Nov. 4.

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