ESCONDIDO -- Pint-sized future botanists, historians and world travelers will have a new place to develop their skills when the Escondido Children's Museum reopens Saturday.

After three months and many thousands of hours of work, renovations are nearly complete on the airy, high-ceilinged museum that now occupies a 2,500-square-foot studio at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

After a sneak preview fund-raiser Friday night for anyone who buys a $50 ticket, the museum will open to the public with an 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday and an afternoon of activities.

The museum's executive director, Katie Ragazzi, said she has big plans for the museum, which moved in December from cramped quarters at 151 W. Grand Ave. to its new space at the arts center's Studio 1 that has been undergoing renovations.

"This museum is going to give kids a fun place where they can go learn about the world," Ragazzi said. "It will give parents a gathering place where they can hang out with new and old friends while their children do their own thing in an environment that's wholesome and educational."

Colorful quarters

As always, the museum will focus on its mission to teach children, from tots to 9-year-olds, about world cultures and science.

One corner of the colorful space includes toddler-sized mirrors, a plywood tunnel painted to look like green grass, acrylic blocks that house an assortment of petrified insects and a color corner where little ones can learn the difference between red and blue.

Large oil paintings by artist Karen Cutkomp cover one wall, featuring a picture of giant yellow sunflowers and insects, while another mural shows a riparian habitat that captures San Diego County's wildlife.

Children will be able to scrutinize a relief map of California and large aerial photos of Escondido and surrounding communities. For those looking for an interactive experience, the museum provides a dress-up corner featuring international costumes and a geographic information system that shows the city from different vantage points, including that from airplane, and even that of a mouse.

On the 2,200-square-foot patio, volunteers have built a weather exhibit and a foot bridge leading to a garden of native plants and a vegetable patch.

Near a treehouse, one wall awaits a display of entries from the city's Earth Day poster contest.

Free Thursdays

The museum will launch several new endeavors this year, Ragazzi said.

The first is a special program scheduled for 2 p.m. every Saturday, beginning April 17. Science programs, wildlife and water conservation lessons, as well as arts and crafts, will create a chance for parents and children to spend quality time together, Ragazzi said.

"The concept behind this program is a predictable schedule for busy families," Ragazzi said. "They aren't required to call ahead or check our Web site; they can just show up at 2 o'clock and know that something will be happening."

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from Sempra Energy, the museum will be able to launch its second new project: free admission every Thursday and an outreach program to Latino families.

"We want to get the word out to families living in central Escondido that this is their museum, too," Ragazzi said. "We are going to advertise in Spanish newspapers and radio and it will be an ongoing effort as part of our purpose."

Ragazzi said the museum now has two Spanish-speaking program aides, but that more are needed so that a truly bilingual program can be offered on Thursdays.

For those who can't make it on Thursdays, the price of museum admission will increase from the previous $1 per person to $5 per person. Children under one are admitted free. Annual membership passes will be available for $25, $75 and $100.

The third goal for the museum will be to offer all-day science and cultural studies camps for children during school breaks, starting in the fall, Ragazzi said.

Downtown fixture

Escondido resident Missy David said she has already bought an annual membership for her two daughters, ages 2 1/2 and 11 months. David said she is eager for the museum to open.

"The museum really gets the parents involved with their children," she said. "It's not a place where children just go jump and play. It's an inviting environment, but it encourages parent-child interaction."

"It's eye candy as well as brain candy," David said.

Although she has quickly made the children's museum a fixture in downtown Escondido, Ragazzi is a relative newcomer to the city. She moved to Escondido from San Antonio, Texas, in 2000 and opened the nonprofit museum in September 2001.

The first museum was made possible by grants from First National Bank and the city of Escondido. The city has also helped out with the new facility, paying the museum's rent for three years with a two-year renewal option.

The city views the renovated museum as another key in the downtown revitalization efforts, said Mayor Lori Pfeiler.

"They are right in the middle of what is happening in the community," said Pfeiler, who will take part in Saturday's grand opening celebration. "You can walk from the museum to downtown. Plus, the community has become a cultural arts venue and the children's museum is an extension of the community's commitment to art. What better place for children to access art, understand culture and appreciate diversity?"

While Ragazzi may be able to give a sigh of relief after Saturday, it will only be brief. She already has plans for the third phase of the project. The museum began its first phase after Ragazzi moved to the area from San Antonio, Texas in 2000.

Escondido Children's Museum opening

Saturday

Studio 1, California Center for the Arts, Escondido

380 N. Escondido Blvd.

Activities:

11 a.m. ribbon-cutting

12:30 p.m., author and columnist Caryl Krueger presents games and prize giveaways

12:58 p.m., drawing for free books and museum memberships

1 to 2 p.m., Rory O'Neill, storyteller from the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, tells a "Dragon Tale" about animals of the Chinese calendar.