21 Oct 2006 11:40 AM

Take your family to a fun museum

Soothe back-to-school blues--bring the kids too see a cool exhibit. Shake up your weekends and take your kids to a museum that has eye-opening exhibits.  You'll all have a blast, and your kids will remember that learning can be fun--just in time to go back to school Monday. 

You can satisfy your sweet tooth by visting the Jelly Belly Visitor Center in Fairfield, Calforina. Admission is FREE. That is the really good thing about it.  During the tour here, you'll find out how Jelly Belly Candy Co. makes those yummy jelly beans and why it takes a week to make each one.  You'll also be able to try any of the 50 different flavors--including margarita, jalapeno and buttered popcorn.  That sounds good to me, i love jelly belly's and now i get to eat them for free, that really sounds good to me.  For more information you can call 800-953-5592 or visit them at www.jellybelly.com .

You can also go and see Mrs. Grossman's Paper Company, in Petaluma, Calf. and see how stickers are made.  Admission is $3, by reservation only.  What preteen doesn't love stickers? Walk through the factory of the oldest, largest sticker manufacturer in the country.  You can find out more information by calling 800-429-4549 or visit them at www.mrsgrossmans.com .

What to see some sea creatures then you can go to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, in Gatlinburg Tenn.  Admission: $18 for adults, $10 for kids ages 6-11, $4 for kids 2-5, free for kids under age 2. That may sound expensive to some people but it is really worth it.  Ripley's is America's most-visited aquarium with 8,000 exotic fish, 10 10-foot long sharks and the world's longest aquarium tunnel.  You'll feel like you're swimming in the sea.  If you would like more information you could contact them at 888-240-1358 or visit them at www.ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com

What kid don't like the pez candy?  I don't know one, i know my kids love them everytime they see one they have to have one.  Now you can find your favorite pez dispenser in Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabila, in Burlingame, Calf. Admission is $3 or adults, $1 for kids ages 4-12, free for kids under age 4.  Pex Candy has made 600 different candy dispenser characters---including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Santa Claus and Betsy Ross; you'll find all of them at this museum.  You can also see other vintage toys, such as Lincoln Logs, Tinkertoys and the very first Mr. Potato Head.  This sounds really interesting i have not seen some of those old toys in years. I would be really good to see them again to see how much they have changed over the years. For more information you can call 650-347-2301 or visit them at www.burlingamepezmuseum.com .

Maybe your kids are learning about the Salem Witch Trial then this will be a good place to take them to, to help them better understand what went on.  Visit the Salem Witch Museum, at Salem, Mass.  At the musuem you will hear about the story of the Witch Trials of 1692, adn see life-sized figures of women who were on trial.  This is a way for your kids to learn and not really realize they they are having fun while they are learning.  Admission: $8 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-14, free for kids under age 6. For more information you can call  978-744-1692 or visit them at www.salwmwitchmuseum.com .

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