Things To Do/Family Friendly Exhibits: SouthFlorida.com

Check out the newest exhibits at local attractions and museums for families and kids.

NEW THIS MONTH

TOY TIME
Feb. 4-April 30. This exhibit uses large-scale versions of the most popular action folk toys from around the world to teach history, culture and sceince. Designed for ages five and older, each exhibit component demonstates how children learn when they play. Lots of action keeps the kids and adults moving while they explore simple machines, activate cause and effect experiences and discover how science and culture impact their toy's department. Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton. 561-347-3913.

AVEDON FASHION 1944�2000
Feb. 9-May 9. Richard Avedon (1923�2004) revolutionized fashion photography in the post-World War II era and redefined the role of the fashion photographer. This exhibition will be the most comprehensive exploration to date of Avedon's fashion photography during his long career at Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, The New Yorker and beyond. It will present new learning on the evolution and amazing, ongoing impact of his work. The exhibition will feature more than 130 works and will include vintage prints, contact sheets, magazine layouts and archival material. Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach. 561-832-5196. Adults, $12; Ages 13-21, $5; Ages 12 and younger and members, free.

RECLAIMED: PAINTINGS FROM THE COLLECTION OF JACQUES GOUDSTIKKER
Feb. 13-May 9. Jacques Goudstikker was an important Dutch dealer of Old Master Paintings between the two World Wars. Hours before the Nazi invasion of The Netherlands, in May 1940, Goudstikker with his wife and infant son boarded a ship for England and the United States. Only a few days at sea, Goudstikker died accidentally and shortly thereafter the dealer's gallery, in Amsterdam, was ransacked by Hermann Goering. Goudstikker's widow unsuccessfully fought for the restitution of the collection which had been recovered, after the War, and distributed among Dutch museums. After litigation and the presentation of Goudstikker's typewritten inventory, 200 paintings were restored to Marei van Saher, the art dealer's daughter-in-law, in February 2006. The exhibition includes both artworks as well as archival material--documents, photographs, inventories. Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach. 561-832-5196. Adults, $12; Ages 13-21, $5; Ages 12 and younger and members, free.

RFK FUNERAL TRAIN REDISCOVERED: PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FUSCO
Feb. 13-May 2. On June 5th, 1968, Robert Kennedy was assassinated. Kennedy's body was flown to New York City for a memorial service at St. Patrick's Cathedral and then carried by train from New York to Washington D.C. for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Hundreds of thousands of mourners lined the railway tracks to pay their final respects to Kennedy. On board the train was Magnum photographer Paul Fusco, on assignment for LOOK Magazine. From inside the train, Fusco took some 2000 pictures of the mourners--black, white, rich, poor, in large groups and on their own. The resulting images are one of the most powerful and affecting series of photographs ever taken. This commemorative edition of 20 images was printed in 2008 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Kennedy's assassination. Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach. 561-832-5196. Adults, $12; Ages 13-21, $5; Ages 12 and younger and members, free.

CONTINUING

THE MAGICAL WORLD OF M.C. ESCHER
Through April 11. Printmaker, draftsman, book illustrator and muralist, M.C. Escher became one of the most famous artists of the 20th century and his graphic works are recognized worldwide. The exhibit will present hundreds of rare original artworks - including the artist's original drawings, watercolors, prints, wood blocks, studio furniture, tool cabinet and memorabilia - from the M.C. Escher Family Collection, previously on loan to The Hague Museum. Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. 561-392-2500. Special exhibition admission: Adults; $14; Seniors (65 and older); $12; Students; $6; Children 12 and younger, free.

NEW WORLD EDEN: ARTIST-EXPLORERERS IN THE AMERICAN TROPICS
Through April 18. Throughout the 19th century American artist-explorers braved many hardships to reach and document some of the most remarkable terrain, flora and fauna in the world. This exhibition includes rare paintings, drawings, prints, and illustrated books created by brave artist-explorers such as Frederick Catherwood, George Catlin, Frederic Edwin Church and Martin Johnson Heade. Flagler Museum, One Whitehall Way, West Palm Beach. 561-655-2833. Adults, $18; Youth ages 13-18, $10; Children ages 6-12, $3; children younger than six, free.

DIGGIN' DINOSAURS
Through May 2. Experience a massive Giganotosaurus and other larger-than-life dinosaurs including the feared Monolophosaurus. This hands-on exhibit allows you to learn about dinosaurs by handling an Oviraptor egg, a Velociraptor claw, or Giganotosaurus tooth, excavating a skeleton, or taking a turn at the Wheel of Dinosaur Misfortune. South Florida Science Museum, 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach. 561-832-1988. Adults, $9; Seniors, $7.50; Children; $6; Children younger than three, free.

GROSSOLOGY: THE (IMPOLITE) SCIENCE OF THE HUMAN BODY
Jan. 30-May 2. This interactive, larger-than-life, exhibit is based on a series of books by teacher, Sylvia Branzei. Come talk to Nigel Nose-It-All, and learn about how the human nose functions including: allergies, sinuses and snot trivia. Climb the replica of human skin and find out the gross facts of pimples, warts, wounds, hair and other skin blemishes. Other exhibits to explore: Vomit Center; Urine: The Game; and Y U Stink. Museum of Discovery and Science, 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale. 954-467-6637. Adults, $15; Seniors, $14; Children 2-12; $12; Children two and younger, free.

CHILDREN JUST LIKE ME
Jan. 30-May 23. This exhibit invites visitors to learn about world cultures through children who live in different countries around the globe. These learning environments and other interactive components are designed to strengthen cross-cultural connections through a variety of learning styles. Visitors will encounter life-sized images of eleven children, each one welcoming them to enter a three-dimensional representation of their home and surroundings. "Children Just Like Me" is based on DK Publishing's award-winning book by the same title. Young At Art Children's Museum, 11584 W. State Road 84, Davie. 954-424-0085. $8 per person; Member and children younger than two, free.

FLORIDA'S WETLANDS
Though June 2011. Florida's Wetlands is an original photographic exhibition which focuses on one of the most valuable environmental resources in the world: Florida's wetlands. This exhibit features more than fifty images that explore the heart of Florida's delicate habitats. Educational material accompanies photographs to familiarize the visitor with the important role that wetlands play in the very survival of man; as well as the survival of the many creatures with which we share these environments. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays. The Four Arts Children's Library, Two Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach. 561-655-2766. Free.