Since Lauren Cohen took over as executive director in January, she’s had some goals.

“My biggest goal is to get in a larger age range in kids coming to the museum,” Cohen said.

Cohen started at the museum in October 2007 as a part-timer, but wanted to get more involved.

Since taking over, a new education director and operations director have been hired to round

out her team.

“There are a lot of exciting ways to learn,” Cohen said. “The museum is a place kids can be creative and do stuff that is outside the box.”

Some of the programs offered at The Children’s Museum are ‘Tuesdays for Tots,’ ‘Wacky Wednesdays,’ ‘Alphabet Soup’ and ‘Story Art.’ Cohen said the art room is open all the time now, so kids can be creative.

“Adults and kids can go in, create, hang out and make something together,” she said. “It is a great way to spend time with the family.”

Cohen said some of the activities are offered each week, but each time children come to the museum it’s different for them.

She said the Spa Little Theater exhibit has different props each week so every time a child plays it doesn’t bore them.

“Kids look at things differently than parents,” she said. “It’s fresh every time people come in.”

Before being hired as executive director Cohen said she did a lot of research on how children learn, play and interact. She said the museum is the perfect place to share that knowledge with the children of our community and with their caregivers.

“I want the Children’s Museum to be more of a resource for the community,” Cohen said.

She wants the museum to serve as a hands-on learning space for children and as a resource for parents, caregivers and teachers.  

“When you learn from experiencing something, it will last forever,” she said.

She said benches have been added throughout the museum for parents to sit down and interact with the kids. Cohen said the whole upstairs of the museum is set up like a town.

“It’s all about trying new things,” Cohen said. “That is the goal of the museum.”

The Children’s Museum at Saratoga is located at 69 Caroline St. For more information call 584-5540 or visit www.cmssny.org.