AlegreMENTE | Happy Brain
In AlegreMENTE | Happy Brain: Celebrating Early Connections visitors celebrate loving, playful connections together in a whimsical forest full of families of all kinds, both human and animal! Caregivers explore alongside their children through dance, storytelling, and more, discovering they’re equipped with everything they need to support early brain development and build healthy connections with 0-6 year-olds.
What to Expect
Each interactive in AlegreMENTE | Happy Brain: Celebrating Early Connections is designed to engage young children and their caregivers. Kids play, and adults learn how simple, everyday interactions build social-emotional, language, cognitive, and motor skills. Caregivers explore alongside their children through dance, storytelling, and more, discovering they’re equipped with everything they need to support early brain development and build healthy connections with 0-6 year-olds.
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Fount of Wisdom | Fuente de sabiduría
Learn about the basics of brain development in 0-5 year-olds while your children play with buttons, sounds, and lights at their height.
Lighting Up the Brain | Illuminado el cerebro
Play together on a tilt table, rolling a ball back and forth on a surface representing brain cell connections. Watch as the surface lights up along the ball’s path; once all connections have been made, lights and sounds indicate a job well done!
Infant Pool | Piscina infantil
Infants and just-walking toddlers can play together in this enclosed space. A see-through spinner filled with beads mimics the sound of running water and children can play with balls in a cushioned mini-pool or with handheld toys such as mirrors and shakers. Best for ages 0-1.
Tell Me a Tale | Cuéntame un cuento
Explore the benefits of language-rich environments by creating unique stories with “story stones”, each stone has an image of a familiar object and its words in Spanish and English. To relax, enjoy the comfy seating for reading together with some of the board books stored in book bins. Best for ages 4-5.
A Space to Share | Un espacio para compartir
This drawing area invites families to share their favorite activities that they do together. Separate prompts for adults and children encourage each individual to work on their own drawing!
Stack it Up | Uno encima de otro
Create and test structures at this activity table using custom-made toys. Roll discs down ramps that make the discs “disappear” and then “reappear”. Best for ages 2-4.
Show Me Happy | Cara feliz
Spin the emotion wheel and makes faces together, reflecting each emotion in the circular mirror. Children will learn to recognize emotions in facial expressions and discover how faces express feelings! Best for ages 18 months – 3 years.
Happy Dance | Fiesta alegre
This full-body interactive encourages adults and children to dance and move their bodies to joyful music, along with animal and human families. Interact with the leaves, flowers, and other forest items on the big screen! Best for ages 1-3.
Story Nook | Rinconcito de historias
In this semi-enclosed, cozy space, children and caregivers can rest, reflect, read, and bond. Enjoy the soft seating and lower light and noise levels. This area is perfect for nursing caregivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I come to play in this exhibit?
This exhibit will be open at GCM from September 24, 2022 through January 1, 2023.
GCM will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
What ages is this exhibit for?
While this exhibit is geared towards 0-6-year-olds, we still encourage families of all ages to enjoy the exhibit together!
I’m a GCM Member. Can I visit this exhibit for free?
Yes! Playing in this exhibit is included in General Admission and GCM Memberships. Become a member today to play in this exhibit as many times as you want! When purchasing tickets online as a GCM Member, please make sure you are registered and logged in to our ticketing service with the exact information that is listed on your Membership.
Do you offer discounts on admission for those with EBT/SNAP benefits?
Yes! GCM is part of the Museums for All program that helps those who receive EBT/SNAP benefits visit GCM for a minimal fee for up to four people with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Learn more about that program here.
