Mickey Mouse Skates into Stepping Stones with Disney on Ice

Everyone’s favorite mouse is in the house when Stepping Stones Museum for Children commemorates the 90th anniversary of Mickey Mouse with a week full of animated activities from November 17 – 25. Have a hot diggity dog of a time as we celebrate Mickey’s milestone through stories, games, and dance!

The highlight of the mouse-travaganza will be when Mickey Mouse or other special guests from the Disney On Ice show drop by Stepping Stones on Wednesday, November 21 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. The visit is a sneak peek before you can see the characters in action when Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment at Webster Bank Arena in January.

Stepping Stones has jam-packed a ton of play-filled amusement and brain-building fun into our week-long celebration of Mickey Mouse. The global icon is beloved for his positive attitude that brightens the world. In the museum’s new Family and Teacher Resource Center (the FTRC), children will make VIP badges celebrating a positive influence in their lives like a friend or caregiver. Just like the appearance of Mickey Mouse has evolved over the years since his first appearance in “Steamboat Willie” on November 18, 1918, so too have the ways we communicate. Children can try out different ways to write "Happy Birthday" to Mickey using all kinds of writing instruments from drawing on Play Doh tablets to different kinds of pens and even an old-fashioned typewriter.

Animators start their process by organizing their thoughts on storyboards and museum visitors will learn to do the same in Express Yourself. Makers can explore stability, structures and cause and effect using the materials in Build It! to create a large scale game of mousetrap. What would Mickey’s birthday be without mid-day and end of day musical parades? Marchers can make and wear Mickey ears and play noise makers they build in KLUTZ® Amazingly Immature. For Fitness Fun yoga, we'll pose as some of the many animals seen in Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse show. Can you pose as quiet as mouse? Or waddle around like Donald Duck?

Finally, as we celebrate Mickey Mouse, visitors will learn about early animation by making a basic thaumatrope – a toy that was popular during the 19th century. It consists of a disk with a picture on each side attached to two pieces of string. When the strings are twirled quickly the two pictures appear to blend into one due to an optical illusion called "persistence of vision”.

Stepping Stones is focusing on Mickey Mouse and the impact he has made on people of all ages. Mickey is the “True Original”, as the legacy of Disney all started with a mouse. He has brought delight and entertainment to generations of fans around the world, while reminding people the benefits of laughter, optimism and hope.

Mickey is an eternally youthful and fun character who has the ability to connect with everyone because of his relatable human characteristics. Whether he creates a sense of childhood nostalgia in adults or instills positive values in children, all who have experienced the joys of Mickey have fond memories they can cherish.

About Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Stepping Stones Museum for Children (www.steppingstonesmuseum.org) in Norwalk is an award-winning, private, non-profit 501(c)(3) children’s museum committed to broadening and enriching the lives of children and families. Located on five acres in Mathews Park, the LEED Gold certified museum encompasses five hands-on galleries, multimedia theater, Family and Teacher Resource Center and the Healthyville® Cafe. Stepping Stones also offers onsite educational events and workshops, school and group programs and traveling resources for schools, libraries and youth-serving organizations.

Stepping Stones is located at 303 West Avenue, exit 14N or 15S off I-95 in Norwalk. Museum hours are Memorial Day through Labor Day, Monday – Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm; and Labor Day through Memorial Day, Tuesday – Sunday and holiday Mondays from 10 am – 5 pm. Admission is $15 for adults and children and $10 for seniors. Children under 1 are free.