SUMMER
PLEASURES

"It's raining, it's pouring...and this day is boring."

I
N

I Here's our roundup of things to do when bad weather strikes.

MEGAN SWOYER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

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THE DETRO I T J E WIS H NE WS

With video games, pinballs, and kiddie rides, Marvelous Marvin's Museum in Farmington Hills makes a marvelous day.

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plastic and whatnot to discover
the perfect medium for their spe-
cial art project. Birthday parties
and field trips can be scheduled
as well.
Plaster Playhouse, Sterling
Heights, (810) 566-0666. Chil-
dren get to become little sculp-
tors...and they get to take their
works of art home. Walk-ins wel-
come.
Plasterworks, Union Lake,
(248) 360-9920; Clarkston, (248)
620-6848; and a brand-new loca-
tion in Canton (313) 981-3930.
Paint plastic figurines like cars,
dogs, bears, etc. Hot these days
are skulls and snakes, dogs and
cats. A new line features items
ROLL-UP-THE-SLEEVES FUN
that are also functional, i.e.,
Scrap Box, Ann Arbor, (313) bowls, teapots, etc. Best for ages
994-4420. Turn scraps into art 3 and up.
pieces at this treasure trove of
Pewabic Pottery, Detroit,
junk. Kids begin to understand (313) 822-0954. This historic pot-
the recycling concept and can tery gallery, famous for its con-
look through piles of foam, wood, temporary ceramics and housed

ainy days and
summer always
get me down"
could be a catchy
name for a new
lassic tune. Ask
any parent what they dread most
during the summer and they'll
say, "bad weather, 'cause the kids
are cooped up with too much en-
ergy and nothin' to do."
Relax, parents. There's more
than crayons and coloring books
to keep junior occupied. Here's a
look at some of our favorite met-
ropolitan Detroit rainy-day ac-
tivities. Be sure to call ahead for
specific shows and hours.

in a beautiful old building on East
Jefferson, gets kids into the act
with special workshops that ex-
plore clay. Call Carolyn Wilson
for information on exact times at
(810) 542-4006.
You're Fired, West Bloom-
field, (248) 851-5594. Folks at this
new home decor, ceramics and
pottery shop are putting togeth-
er some upcoming workshops
with dates to be determined. In
the meantime, your kids can get
into the decorating mode by
choosing their own bed, kitchen
and bath accents. Whatever their
fancy, from eclectic piggy banks
and keepsake boxes to small
sandwich plates, cereal bowls and
soap dishes, this shop is a child's
— and parent's — paradise.
Marvin's Marvelous Me-
chanical Museum, Farmington
Hills, (248) 626-5020. Your little
pinball wizards will jump for joy
when they see the hundreds of

pinball games, kiddie rides and
other mechanical challenges at
this circus-like emporium. Birth-
day parties are welcome. Stock
up on quarters before you go or
use the change machine at the
museum. There's something for
all ages, from toddlers (train
rides, etc.) to teens.
The Detroit Science Center,
Detroit, (313) 577-8400. Home of
Michigan's only IMAX Dome the-
ater. IMAX projects the largest
image in motion picture history.
The theater is 3 1/2 stories tall
with a 16-speaker sound system.
In June, the roar and speed of
some of the world's fastest race
cars will rev up the theater in the
film "Super Speedway," about the
world of car racing. The Discovery
Theater features space explo-
rations and live science demon-
strations. There are more than 50
hands-on exhibits on the Exhibi-
tion Floor.

TERRIFIC TOURS

Detroit Institute of Arts, De-
troit, (313) 833-7900. This world-
class museum will host the
special Splendors of Egypt exhibit
from July 16, 1997-Jan. 4, 1998.
Kids' imaginations will take off
as they view mummy cases, gold,
painted faces, a partially un-
wrapped mummy, exotic jewels,
hieroglyphics and more. More
than 200 objects will be exhibit-
ed in this traveling show. Chil-
dren's classes are in the works.
Call ahead of time for specific
times and fees and to check
reservation policies.
Museum of African Ameri-
can History, Detroit, (313) 494-
5800. Now in its splendid new
home, the museum features plen-
ty of kid-friendly exhibits, from
music booths to a high-tech the-
ater. Popular for youngsters is
the "Middle Passage Tight Pack
Figure Casting Project," which