There's more than just squawking parrots moving onto Watson Island. That white, slightly deconstructivist building sitting across the causeway from Parrot Jungle Island is home to the new Miami Children's Museum. The vagabond institution, which started out in 1983 as the Miami Youth Museum, moved into the defunct Bakery Centre (now Shops at Sunset Place) in 1985. Another move followed in 1996 to the Miracle Center. Since 1998 the museum has operated "without walls" as an outreach program. No longer. The 56,500-square-foot facility, designed by Arquitectonica, boasts a whopping 12 galleries, classrooms, a resource center for parents/teachers, and a 200-seat auditorium. Hundreds of bilingual, interactive, hands-on exhibits will be offered for kids of all ages. There's the Safety Zone where kids can interview community helpers, the Television Studio where they can explore news as cub reporters, and the Port of Miami and Cruise Ship exhibits where the little captains can learn mapmaking skills and the reasons why 100-ton metal boats don't sink. The All About Art and World Music Studio galleries combine color patterns, rhythm-making, and math. And then there are classes that range from cooking creative snacks to film production to learning circus acts from former Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Clown College instructors. The grand opening goes from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Admission is $8. Call 305-373-5437.
SAT 9/6
Kick-Ass Kids
Tykes get martial
When learning important skills like how to gouge your opponent's eyes out with your bare hands or how to permanently disable him with a swift kick to his man regions, one thing is necessary: having fun. Budding Bruce Lees who like to enjoy themselves while learning how to hurt others, er, defend themselves should meet Al Agon. The 3rd-level master fitness instructor and personal trainer has also been a black belt for 20 years. At 11:00 a.m. he'll offer a demonstration of his Kung Fu Fun and Fitness Program for kids between the ages of 3 and 12 at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables. A lion dance will be included too. Admission is free. Call 305-442-4408. -- By Nina Korman
