Sunday, April 10, 2016

DMPL's Harry Potter World Extravaganza!



For Christmas, Andrew gave Oliver a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I have to admit that I never could get into the books, but I think the movies and characters are kind of cute. Andrew's a big fan, though, and now Oliver is, too!

So, when I saw that the Des Moines Public Library was hosting a Harry Potter World Extravaganza, I knew we had to go! I sent Andrew the library announcement:

Attention Muggles! Celebrate the opening of the exhibit, "Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine," at the library! Families can make wands, learn about owls and snakes from the Blank Park Zoo, learn about science and medicine from the Drake Chemistry Club and Drake University’s medical fraternity, Phi Delta Epsilon, participate in a scavenger hunt and more!


Andrew responded, "Uh, I am not a muggle, thanks." Thankfully, he's a trooper and came anyway.

The first thing we did after picking up Oliver's scavenger hunt checklist was meet some of the animals from the Blank Park Zoo. We saw an owl and a tarantula, and Jo was brave enough to touch a snake! The kids painted their new wands, and I, apparently, was holding them upside-down. I guess I'm the muggle in the family.

The kids enjoyed the Harry Potter photo booth:



The played an anatomy game using the skeleton of a cat with Drake pre-med students. Joanna correctly located the cat's skull, and Oliver correctly located the cat's spine! Then they played pin the scar on Harry Potter (Oliver rocked that game).


Oliver played the trivia game. He let them know that he's read the first book so far, and they asked him who was the villain in that book. Oliver said Voldemort and got a bookmark! Then we wandered over to a meeting room where Drake chemistry students did a few demonstrations, including burning fire in different colors.


The kids then ate cookies, and they each got a glass of "butterbeer" that they refused to try. We had a great time at the free event! And Oliver made sure to turn in his scavenger hunt sheet for a chance to win an illustrated copy of Harry Potter!



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