HERSCHELL CARROUSEL FACTORY MUSEUM
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First Friday storytime: reading beauty

1/8/2021

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I hope you were able to join us for our first First Friday Storytime of 2021. We had a few technical difficulties, but we tried something new! Sometimes it takes a few tries to get something just right, right? I hope you enjoyed Reading Beauty words by Deboarh Underwood, Art by Meg Hunt! I really appreciate modern re-tellings of classic fairy tales. 

Todays activity is inspired by those modern re-tellings of classic fairy tales, just like Reading Beauty. You can download the prompt page below to write your own story!
Download PDF
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Download PDF
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DIY COOKIE PLATE FOR SANTA

12/18/2020

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This is a simple, fun, keepsake project for all ages and skill levels. Make one each, or make one together as a family!
You will need:
  • Sharpie Permanent Markers
  • Rubbing Alcohol
  • White Ceramic Plate (I used one from Dollar Tree)
  • Oven 
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Directions:
  1. Wash and dry plate.
  2. Use rubbing alcohol to wipe down plate, making sure no other residue is left behind. Allow to dry completely.
  3. Using Sharpie Permanent Markers decorate your plate! **Some colors may fade when baking**
  4. Place plate directly in center of oven on baking rack.
  5. Set a timer for 30 minutes, and turn the oven on to 300 degrees. Allowing your plate to heat-up with the oven. 
  6. Crack the oven door and allow your plate to cool completely in the oven.
  7. Do not use utensils on plate, and wash by hand!
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The Reindeer express

12/4/2020

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Were you able to toon in ?

We read the "Last Stop On The Reindeer Express" by Maudie Powell-Tuck, Art by Karl James Mountford? today for our last storytime of 2020! What a great twelve books we were able to read together this year though. You can always check them out on our Goodreads page too here.

Your letters...

In case you haven't heard the good news, or caught it during storytime, our museum mailbox also now takes letters directly to Santa! Just don't forget your return address. Having a hard time this year with your Christmas list? Santa left us this neat little downloadable prompt for you all to him out!
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Download Wishlist PDF
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Download Wishlist PDF
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November 03rd, 2020

11/3/2020

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A big thank you to Ms. Marrisa for reading "Pokko And The Drum" by Matthew Forsythe. Do you think Pokko's parents made a mistake in giving her a dum?  Would you have let the wolf stay in the band?

I absolutely loved Matthew Forsythe's illustrations and his storytelling. The expressions Pokko and her father make genuinly make me laugh out loud while reading.

So I hope your parents don't think I am making a mistake when I say... lets make a drum!
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POSSIBLE SUPPLIES
  • Assorted Empty Containers (plastic and cardboard work best)
  • Scrap Fabric
  • Plastic Cling Wrap
  • Rubber Bands
  • ​Tape
I say "Possible Supplies" because there is no wrong or right way to go about making your drum. There are various materials and supplies that can be used, and are used all around the room. From plastic buckets, to wood, and oatmeal containers. I encourage you all to experiment and see what makes the best sound to you and have fun making your own drum!
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Pokko by Matthew Forsythe
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The softest pumpkin cookies

10/23/2020

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I am not kidding when I say these are the softest cookies (at least that I have ever had)! and super fun and easy to make.

​I didn't use a spoon at all while prepping this batter- its much easier to just do it by hand and break up any lumps for optimal softness. Ask a parent for help with the oven, and share with the whole family!
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crafty jack, Jack - o - Lanterns!

10/16/2020

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It's that time of year, hot cider, pumpkins, apples, CANDY, and my favorite: Jack-O-Lanterns! This year I I grew some remember when we read "Seeds Move!" by Robin Page and I showed you some of the seeds I started? I ended up with three lovely pumpkins for this Halloween!

​​But I wanted a few more pumpkins, so I hope you enjoy this Jack-O-Lantern craft and make a few of your own too!

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You will need:

  • Two paper plates
  • Assorted orange coloring materials (crayons, colored pencil, marker, etc...)
  • Scissors
  • Glue Stick
  • Black Paper
  • Add-ons: I used a green pipe cleaner for the stem and green paper cut as a leaf.
  1.  Begin by stacking your two paper plates together.
  2. Cut the side of the plate off, making a flat "bottom" for your pumpkin.
  3. Separate your two plates and place them upside down.
  4. Now here comes the fun part, coloring your plates (Jack-O-Lanterns). Remember; this is the back side of the plate. I used a combination of lines, shapes, and all sorts of shades of the color orange.
  5. Flip your two plates over. 
  6. On one of your plates, cut a Jack-O-Lantern face. You may need an adult to help you cut the shapes out of the plate.
  7. Use your glue stick and glue the black paper over to cover your cut our Jack-O-Lantern face. This will be glued to the side of the plate you would normally be eating on. 
  8. Here is where you can add your own extra touches. For me, I used a green pipe cleaner I twisted as my stem and a green piece of paper cute into a leaf like shape.
  9. Glue your extras to the lip of the plate, then glue the rest of the edges.
  10. Place the plate together so the edges are touching, and the flap ends are one the bottom. 
  11. Prop up our new Jack-0-Lantern!
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NEW: Wonder Wednesdays

10/4/2020

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Wonder Wednesays are a new way to experience different STEM activities here at the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum (included with general admission). Each Wednesday in October guests can stop in to the Children's Gallery for a variety of STEM activities for all ages.

For more details about upcoming Wonder Wednesdays be sure to check out our Wonder Wednesdays page!
Wonder Wednesdays Page
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D.I.Y Cloud in a jar

9/30/2020

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Rainy wednesday stem

On this very rainy Wednesday I got to thinking about the endless clouds in the sky and how they are formed. Clouds are formed when water vapor is warmed into liquid water droplets. These water droplets form on particles (think of something like dust) and they form the massive clouds that float above us every day!

Today we are going to repeat the cloud making process at home in a jar! To do this you will need the following materials…

- Warm (but not boiling) water
- A jar with a lid (a mason jar would be best)
- Ice cubes
- Aeresol Hairspray
STEP ONE:
  1. Pour warm water into the jar and swirl it around. You want the jar to get very warm just not scalding hot
  2. Turn the jars lid upside down and place a couple ice cubes on top and place the lid (still upside down) onto the jar.
  3. Quickly remove the lid and spray just a 1-2 second spray of aersol hairspray into the jar and immediately place the lid back in the same position
  4. Take the lid off and watch your cloud escape!

Now let's talk science! Read on to see how it works

Read More
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at home chromatrography

9/23/2020

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grow a rainbow

Chromatography is defined as the separation of a mixture by passing it in solution or suspension or as a vapor. This week we are going to use...
  • Paper Towels
  • Washable Markers (washable is important)
  • Two Cups
  • Water​
Take the paper towel and fold it in half horizontally. Color only one end in small squares of each color to make a full rainbow (check the accompanying photo). You will do this on the opposite ends of the paper towel and place each of the colored ends into the glass of water and watch the magic happen!

Capillary action is what causes the color to move through the paper towel and moves the molecules of the markers through the paper towel. Because the markers are alcohol based and not water based the color will not travel through the water. 

Happy Coloring!
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Week 9: hydraulics

9/19/2020

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STEM WEEKEND: hydraulic liftS

This week we will be learning about the power of hydraulics! Hydraulics have been used in the Western New York area since 1882. Check out the Youtube video below and see how engineers used the power of Niagara Falls to light up millions of homes.

You can even see hydraulics used in real time at our Kiddieland park! Our helicopter ride uses hydraulic lifts to get you off the ground and cruising the sky!
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In the late 1700s hydraulic power was engineered by British engineer Joseph Brama. Hydraulic systems use pressurized fluid to create power. Hydraulics are based off of Pascals principle which in short is that pressure exerted on a fluid is distributed equally throughout the fluid. This creates a mechanical energy which can create enough power to be able to move massive pieces of equipment.

To recreate this project at home it is totally possible you just need some materials...
- Two syringes 
- Clear tubing/ piping
- Water
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You can create your own hydraulic system by filling one syringe with water, connecting the piping to the tip of the syringe and then connecting a second syringe (not filled with water) to the other end. At home you can use this hydraulic system  to do  activities such as creating a hydraulic lift (kind of like a car jack) or you can even play with someone else and have a thumb war! Whose ever syringe is able to fully get rid of the water wins!

We will be practicing with hydraulics in the children's gallery of the museum on Saturday, September 19th from 10am-3pm! We hope to see you there!


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The Carousel Society of the Niagara Frontier is a not-for-profit 501-c-3 organization.
  • Visit
    • Hours, Admission & Directions
    • Accessibility
    • HCFM @ Home
    • Group Tours
    • Educators
  • About
    • The Museum >
      • Mission & Vision
      • Allan Herschell
      • Creating the HCFM
      • The Carving Floor
      • The Wurlitzer Music Roll Department
      • Jeanette E. Jones Children's Gallery
    • Our Team >
      • Staff
      • Board of Trustees
    • Parties & Rentals >
      • Birthday Parties
      • Baby / Bridal Showers
      • Photoshoots
    • Research
  • EVENTS
    • 2021 Events Calendar
    • Chiavetta's Chicken BBQ
    • Carving Classes
    • Storytime
  • Support
    • Memberships
    • Donate
    • Adopt-A-Horse
    • Buy-A-Brick
    • Volunteering
  • Blog
    • The Carrousel Courier
    • Carrousel Courier Jr.
  • Shop
  • News