Parents that are looking for a safe, fun and educational way to occupy their children during the holiday break need only look as far as the Calvert Marine Museum.

The museum has lined up a series of special activities every day for the entire two-week break. Activities range from ornament workshops on Dec. 22 and gingerbread lighthouse workshops on Dec. 23, to free guided activities in the museum galleries starting on December 26, along with special film showings in the auditorium.

The museum is open every day over the holidays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. except Dec. 25. Regular admission fees apply.

Here is a list of all the activities being offered for the holiday break!

Little Minnows for ages 3 to 5 on Dec. 18 from 10 to 11 a.m. will be all about Nature Made. Children and their caregivers will explore patterns in nature and use them to decorate gift wrap in time for the holidays. Cost is $5, $4 for members, and pre-registration is encouraged. Call (410) 326-2042 ext. 41.

Old Time Ornaments Workshops on Dec. 22 at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. in the museum classroom: Make your choice of punched tin, salt dough, or pine cone ornaments just like your grandparents used to make. Space is limited, please call ahead to reserve your preferred time. A donation of $2 per child to cover materials is suggested. Call (410) 326-2042 ext. 41.

Make Gingerbread Lighthouses on Dec. 23 at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. in the museum classroom. There is a materials fee of $5 per child and pre-registration is required. Space is limited. Call (410) 326-2042 ext. 41 to register.

How Animals Talk, on Dec. 26 learn about the wild and surprising ways that animals communicate with each other, including scents, sounds, dances, and color changes. Free activities will be ongoing throughout the day with museum admission. See Eddie Murphy in Dr. Doolittle at 2:00 p.m. in the auditorium, free.

Patterns in Nature, on Dec. 29 explore all the beautiful and unexpected art that Mother Nature offers us every day. Activity stations will be set up in the museum throughout the day. Free with admission.

Eco-Invaders and Aqua Invaders, on Dec. 30 play the Aqua-Invaders Game at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.; the National Geographic film Fishzilla about the local snakehead invasion will be shown at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Free with museum admission.

End Your Year With an Inside Look at CMM, on Dec. 31 come and talk with volunteers and staff about the critters in the Discovery Room aquarium, learn about fossils from the fossil cart, and find out what’s hidden in the maritime gallery boxes. Activities will be ongoing throughout the day. Free with museum admission.

Finding Art Everywhere, on Jan. 2, 2009 enjoy special museum tours that will focus on the artistic touches found in our maritime collection, with a special peek at the hidden pictures in the museum’s murals. Free activities with admission are ongoing throughout the day. At 2:00 p.m., see a special showing of Around Cape Horn, an amazing documentary about the last great days of commercial sailing, including spectacular scenes during a wild storm as the ship rounds the Cape. Free in the auditorium.

For a complete listing of museum events and activities, please visit the website at

–>